#or maybe loona will offer up her room to them?

[hazbinshusk]

so how long do you think it'll be before stolas and blitz are spooning on that little couch, hmm?

[soobrat]

fuck up my life; hjs

milestone celebration masterlist

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ pairing; han jisung x afab!reader

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ words; 14.8k

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ genre; angst, smut, fluff

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ warnings; descriptions of pain inflicted by extreme cold, SLOOOOW burn, mentions of extramarital affairs, cunnilingus, PIV, passionate sex, multiple reader orgasms, unprotected sex (leave me alone)

↻ ◁ || ▷ : Two things: my insistence on using Loona members means there is a character named Hyunjin in a skz fic who isn't skz Hyunjin. I was going to change it but I feel like it's not that hard. She's a girl, she's not Hwang Hyunjin, it's that simple Also, this is a fic that references a real place with a real culture and real people. NOTHING I write in this fic reflects how I feel about the people who live in Jeju or how Jeju actually is. It is COMPLETELY fictional and had nothing to do with anything I've witnessed about Jeju. (and yeah I changed up the little banner, I liked the idea of a little moodboard.)

act iii ➻ run

Winter 2025

“To the bride!” 

To say the group sat in front of Jisung were rowdy would be an understatement. They shout and laugh, effusing over the lucky couple’s merriment. Your husband looks to you, drowning in layers of white fabric, and raises his glass. The group doesn’t even try to be contained to their booth, spilling out of their seats onto the floor only to pile back up into the booth again. A waitress comes over and stammers a request for you guys to pipe down. None of you listen, in fact, you look over at the waitress with a twinkle in your eye as you gather her hands to her confusion.

“I’m a married woman now.” You say dreamily. As the cheering from your crowd gets louder, the waitress retracts her hands and retreats through an “Employees Only” door. Jisung clenches his glass, his eyes dead set on your figure. What he did to Jiwoo was for her sake, but it was also for you. Yet here you are. You’d rather traumatize yet another sad sap than just wait for him. Jisung is flogged with bitterness against his better judgment. He should know better than to accept this as reality, but his heart won’t listen to his head.

“We’re going to have to ask you all to leave.” A man speaks to Jisung’s right. He keeps his eyes on you. 

“Seriously?! It’s my wedding day!” You cry out, hoping the manager or whoever will understand how much heartbreak he’s causing you. 

“You guys are disrupting the other patrons. If you don’t leave, I’ll have to call the police.” The man remains calm, even offering these punks courtesy by lowering his voice. Jisung’s eyelids twitch, his eyes burning with his insistence to keep them on you.

“Sir, have you never had fun? Let loose? Sometimes rules are stifling, you know. Maybe you just haven’t met the right people to–”

The glass he’s been clenching is launched to the ground before the motion is even registered in his mind. Red drains from his vision as in one swing, all his frustration is emptied. He assumes everyone is looking at him, but he only sees you. Or… not you.

The woman looks shocked, a little scared. Suddenly not so enthused about her rowdy marriage celebration. Jisung is finally unclenched from his fixation, looking around the room at the confused and shocked faces. His hand dives into his pockets, pulling a couple withered bills coated in something. He drops them on the table haphazardly, rushing from his table and out of the door.

He slides in his car and slams the door shut. Heaving, he settles back into his chair. He knew that wasn’t you. He does this every fucking time. He swallows hard, his hands clumsily jam the key into the ignition.

He pulls into the complex’s parking lot and opens the sun visor. His key ring drops into his lap but his attention lingers on his reflection and what the couple and their group must’ve seen. His patchy facial hair, the turbulent mop on his head, eyes red with irritation surrounded by dark circles. Not much has changed, he thinks, despite a year passing.

Spring 2024

“What was the occasion?” The consignment shop owner asks absentmindedly, glancing at Jisung after he doesn’t get an answer. Jisung gapes at him, brushing his sweaty palms off on his pants. 

“A lot of men sell their suits after their weddings,” he starts again, rubbing the material of the suit between his fingers, “women are a little more sentimental about this stuff–”

“How much? Um, h-how much for it?” Jisung interrupts the owner’s chuckling. The owner looks up again, this time he seems to take in Jisung’s disheveled appearance and his agitated state. He doesn’t comment on the obvious, just offers Jisung a tight smile.

“This was tailored to you, correct?”

Jisung exhales tightly, rubbing his forehead. He didn’t even think about that. “Yeah, but–”

“Then I’m sorry, it’ll slice the price down.”

Jisung lets out a heavy sigh, the stress making him want to lay on the floor and yell. 

“I think… maybe around one thousand.”

“One thousand?” Jisung’s mood immediately flips. Both men look at each other, puzzled. 

“This is designer, right? Cucinelli?” The owner asks like he’s confused why he even has to.

“I-I don’t…” He didn’t buy it. His father in law did. “I’ll take it.”

The owner beams, looking happy to have such a nice piece for sale. “Would you like it in cash?”

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

He counts the cash as he thinks over his plan once more. He has more than enough for the ticket. When he gets there… maybe he’ll stay at a motel? Is it a walkable city? He can hear Jiwoo now, scolding him for not planning this out. He could have gone about this all in a different way. It doesn’t matter. And Jiwoo… she’ll be hurt now, but she’ll be better off this way. And he’ll figure it out. He has to.

“Next!” 

Jisung’s eyes dart up to the person behind the desk before gathering his cash. “Yes um, one way to… Jeju?”

“Sir. The next train from here to Jeju doesn’t come until tomorrow.” She responds in vexed monotone. The look on the employee’s face expresses exactly what Jisung is thinking. But wondering why he didn’t look this up beforehand won’t change the fact that he still has to wait. 

“O-of course! I’ll um…” Jisung gives up on trying to look less stupid and skitters away. As he shuts the door to his motel room behind him, a strong fear that he’ll be staying there forever crops up. He shakes it away for now. He can’t think that way for the sake of his sanity. 

The next morning he comes back to the train station with his tail tucked between his legs. 

“The next train will come at noon.” This employee was much more chipper as she delivered bad news. Jisung sighs, having gotten up at 6 am for no reason. It’s not like he was sleeping much anyway. He can brazenly blame his lack of sleep for his lack of preparation yet again, but the twisting in his stomach didn’t lie. He sits on the many wooden benches that resembled pews in the waiting area. Even sitting on them was eerily familiar. His body curves over, making it harder for his older self like always with the way he contorts his spine. Before he can examine his watch, he catches a glimpse of his warped appearance around the metal frame. It holds him, the warping doing nothing to hide how tired he looked. He’ll have to shave soon. Does he have a razor?

He’s ruining his life.

The thought booms, shaking him. Jisung bites down hard on his lip. No matter how much he tries to distract himself, the feeling won’t go away. 

“Train to Daegu?” A worker taps Jisung’s shoulder and jolts him awake. Jisung makes groggy noises, frazzled as he glances around before shaking his head. “If you’re taking the train to Daegu, start heading to track seven now!” The worker yells as he walks past the benches. Jisung hadn’t even noticed himself go to sleep.

He glances at his watch again. 10:35. Great. He readjusts against the solid wood before crossing his arms. 

“Train to Jeju?” The worker jolts Jisung awake once again. Once he gains his barings, he hurriedly gathers his duffle bag full of haphazardly purchased clothing. “Head to track 8, sir.” The worker nods at him before continuing down the walkway. 

As Jisung ventures between the trains he keeps seeing Jiwoo’s face. One of the train’s horns blows, making him jump. Even as he boards the train and makes his way to his seat, he sees that face she made when he looked back. The sheer horror and disbelief. He clenches his fists against his legs. No. It’s what needed to happen. Getting married would have been no better. His lengthy sigh is only a facade of relaxation. He shuts his eyes and leans back.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Winter 2025

Being in a fresh place with fresh faces, it would be better for you. That was the plan, at least. This house is perfect. The architecture is gorgeous, everything you dreamed about. That didn’t change the fact that it was a reminder. Nothing about the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shore eased the sting. You explain all of this to your psychologist.

“That makes sense to me. Of course you’d still feel that way.” says Dr. Ha Sooyoung, who was surprised but intrigued to hear you weren’t married or engaged. Usually people who live there either immediately settle down or hightail it out of there according to her. Her telling you this worried you, you wondered if she was unequipped to handle such a trainwreck. You were hilariously wrong. “Who should we start with today?” She looks up at you, smiling to prompt you to answer. You still hesitate, knowing she doesn’t frame it this way to embarrass you. It still does.

“J-Jisung.” You want to disappear as soon as his name leaves your mouth. You bite your lip to keep it from quivering. 

“Okay.” There is no hint of a foul disposition in her voice. She smiles pleasantly. “I noticed we don’t talk about Minho as much.”

You shake off your self-pity and nod. “I feel better about him, I think.”

“I think that was thanks to you. Your last words to him were very thoughtful and mature.” She gives you props, seeming genuinely impressed. You nod more emphatically. 

“I find that I mostly want to know if he’s doing alright. I know he’s out now, but I try not to overstep. I just… I really hope he isn’t blaming himself.” You undercut your worry with a dry laugh. You wince, wondering why you feel like you have to filter your emotions around her after all this time.

“From what I understand, Minho really cares about you. I don’t think it’s just contained to romance or labels. He saw you, a person, at your absolute lowest and didn’t like what he saw. You said that when you brought it up he didn’t like it, right?” You confirm, letting Sooyoung take you for a ride through her thought process. It used to make you nervous, always thinking she was going to call you a piece of shit. At least you know better now.

“I bet it’s because it was a hard thing for him to see and think about. But I can guarantee you coming into that visitation area and calmly letting him go helped immensely. He doesn’t have to worry if you’re okay anymore. I think it’s time you stop worrying as well.”

You settle into the plush armchair across from her, feeling wrapped in a blanket of serenity. You smile at Sooyoung, the blanket slipping once you remember something.

“Sooyoung, will you be honest with me?”

“Always. What is it?”

“If I go back to Jisung… would that be cruel to Minho?” You almost don’t want to look at her, but you do. You can tell by the look on her face that she isn’t going to sugar coat it.

“I’ll ask you a question. How would you describe the state of you and Minho’s relationship?”

You laugh unintentionally, catching yourself shortly after and covering your mouth. “I’d say that’s long over.” You express after calming.

“Well, it has been about two years so I think that’s a natural take away. I’d say you two are at the position where maybe each other’s decisions shouldn’t bother the other too much.”

You decide to sleep on that. The nightmare you have that night makes you think sleeping on it might’ve been a bad idea. Once you finally rip yourself from your unconscious you whip out your phone. You instinctively text her at this point, letting her know that at least this time you did manage to fall asleep.

Ha Sooyoung: That’s great to hear. Try to get some more rest, watch something that’ll make you feel better. Text me in the morning.

You’ve deduced that that’s her nice way of telling you to stop texting her at 2 am. You imagine that it’s times like this people would recommend a diary. You throw on a kdrama, yet another decision that ends up screwing you. The kdrama you chose was one about a wife who takes her husband for granted and ends up regretting it upon hearing about her declining health. Your brain rewards you with a hazy dream where you’re bedridden and completely paralyzed. Watching everyone in your life slip away. You force yourself awake once more and decide to start your day at 7 am.

Waking up early was never your thing. You have passed on many employment opportunities based on how early they wake you. So in theory you’d be pissed you were pulling yourself from the comfort of your bed to make breakfast. But Sooyoung has taught you the importance of positive thinking. You used to think that was bullshit that people who didn’t have problems claimed was life changing. You have noticed a difference, though. 

Even when a couple pieces of eggshell fall into the pan and you burn yourself trying to get it, it doesn’t get to you. You smile to yourself once you notice. You take time with your breakfast bagel, savoring it. You grimace once you find the shells, but it doesn’t make the sandwich taste worse. You sigh, enjoying the brief serenity despite knowing it was going to expire. The nightmares still haunt you. It’s as if your brain doesn’t realize they’re not real yet. You sit with them like Sooyoung would want you to. Is this your mind expressing that you’re regretful? Obviously you are, there’s nothing more you can do now. You’ve spoken to Minho and Jiwoo and said your piece. You were a little unstable when Jiwoo contacted you, but what you said was true. Dwelling on it is only going to make it worse.

You’re already alone, anyway.

The final piece that you swallow is far too big. It climbs slowly down your throat, hurting the entire way down. You beat at your chest as if it’ll help, clenching your face hard. 

Just a minor setback, you think as you pick out your outfit for work. You found a stunning boutique in Jeju-si at the end of last year. You originally planned to go there to shop but saw they were hiring. They don’t give you a dress code, so you grab your favorite shirt. It defaulted to your favorite after you sold most of your clothing for extra cash. It’s a baby blue cashmere sweater. The beaded neckline and buttons on each sleeve were aesthetically pleasing, but the thickness and quality fabric made it ideal for the cold weather. You immediately feel soothed as you smooth your hands down the soft fabric.

As you stride down the sidewalk, you can’t help feeling extra cozy in your coat and scarf. You enter the boutique with a genuine smile. The usual patrons were young couples, old couples, and half of a couple looking for a gift. This would be the first time since working here that you saw a group of women your age. They looked like they shopped here, in fact you think you recognize a couple of them. Their vibe screamed polished but ultra-feminine. As they coast from rack to rack you become a fly on the wall. You listen as close as you can, spectating their movements and chatter. For a moment you imagine yourself with them, laughing derisively at the thought.

When they finish they make their way to the front. You notice one of the women staring at your shirt. Suddenly self-conscious, you tug and pull at it as if your actions will make it imperceptible. 

“Your shirt…” The woman speaks, slightly taller than the others. After she gets her fill she switches her attention to your face, priming a question. You swallow hard, wishing you could teleport out of there.

“Where did you get it? It’s gorgeous!” The women around her make comments and noises in agreement. Suddenly shifting back to your previous content, you smile wide. 

“I–! Um… I believe it was Khaite?” Again you’re met with rousing praise. 

“How beautiful! I don’t mean to be weird, but can I feel? I heard Khaite is popular for their cashmeres.” The woman speaks again, one of her friends seconding the request. You shrug as if you’re not absolutely loving the attention. You extend both arms and the woman reaches out before retracting her hand. She looks at you apologetically. 

“I feel like I should introduce myself first. I’m Hyunjin,” she starts before pointing to each person around her, “this is Kahei, Gowon, Jinsoul, and Yerim.” They greet you as each of their names are called. You greet them back, offering your name despite not being prompted to. You feel desperate suddenly, like you’re being met with a prime opportunity. Hyunjin returns to your sweater, brushing her fingers against the fabric. Gowon joins in, both of them remarking on the quality in shock. You can’t help beaming. How could you when the only consistent interactions you have are ones you pay for or are being paid for. Also, you feel like you’re finally hitting it off with everyone who hated you in high school.

The girls brief you that– as long as you’re okay with it– they like to have their first meeting with a new friend at said friend’s place. You agree, making a mental note to storm through your house like the Tasmanian devil to get it spotless. You throw on the outfit you hurriedly picked out at your store before looking in your mirror. The dress itself is lovely, of course, but looking at it on you makes you sick. Looking at yourself at all in the mirror does. All you see is every moment of preparation to inflict pain on someone who did nothing but love you. You shake the thought away, ears perking up at the sound of knocking on the door.

You take a few deep breaths, hoping it will offset the nausea. You plaster on a brave face as you open the door. The girls greet you excitedly before admiring your home. Gowon especially, who enters the home a lot more enthusiastically than the others. In a feat you thought impossible, Gowon’s eyes get larger. 

“I can’t believe it! This is the house! Me and my husband were just looking at this before it was sold. What are the odds?”

“Really?” You remark, matching her disbelief. “That’s crazy. Shocking odds, I’m sure.” You and her laugh. Each girl twirls around to get a good look at the house and your pride hides a deeper emotion that you push down.

“Oh! Please, have a seat! Make yourselves at home.” You urge as you guide them to your living room.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Gowon wiggles her eyebrows at you, hinting at something else. You stare at her for a moment as it hits you. You’re not sure what you’re escaping from quite yet, but your mind shouts desperately that this is your way out.

As the women settle in you notice something. “Where are my manners? I didn’t even check if you guys were hungry. I’m not much of a cook but we could order something.” You say frantically as you wipe your sweaty palms off on your dress. The girls look at each other, some announcing that they’re not hungry and others that they could eat.

“Anything you guys have in mind?” You ask as you take out your phone.

“Hmmm, I’ve been craving Chinese.” Jinsoul offers. Your thumbs freeze over your phone. The other girls agree, even the ones who said they weren’t hungry. So you place everyone’s order including yours. The one that you had offhandedly mentioned to Jisung. The one that he had ready for you before you ran out. Once the food is delivered and is set out on your dining room table it really sets in. You know what Sooyoung told you, but that doesn’t make you feel any better at this moment. You can’t look back at that memory. Especially not with the regret you’re feeling.

“So anyway, tell us about yourself.” Kahei diverges from the conversation topic you weren’t paying attention to. The girls turn their attention accordingly, tuning in to the grand story they seem to be expecting. 

“Yeah… tell us why you look like you’re always whimsically reminiscing about your husband who’s lost at sea.” Hyunjin raises her eyebrows like she knows you know exactly what she’s talking about. You choke out a squawk of a laugh in shock.

“Wh… what?!” You shout with a tinge of fear. You subconsciously cross your arms over your chest to prevent from telling on yourself anymore. The girls break up about the entire display, falling over the counter. You can’t help but genuinely laugh yourself, and you actually know why it’s funny.

“No um,” you gather yourself, eyebrows tightening at the fact that you’re going to admit any part of this, “I just… I’ve been eyeing this house for a while. Alone.” You bail out despite tacking that on at the end and making yourself suspicious.

“So no husband lost at sea.” Hyunjin playfully confirms while pointing at you with narrowed eyes.

“No.” You quickly reply. You laugh nervously amongst the sea of genuine giggles, eyeing everyone to monitor what else you might’ve let on.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“On saturday, he ate through one piece of chocolate cake–” Heejin freezes when someone knocks on the door. She looks at Mihee excitedly, causing Mihee to gasp. “I wonder who that is!”

Heejin grunts as she raises Mihee off her lap and sets her on the ground. She hurries to the door, opening it to confirm that both of her suspicions are correct. There he is, his hands too full to turn the doorknob. 

“Ji-Ji!!” Mihee exclaims as she runs to him. Jisung laughs awkwardly as she hugs his waist.

“Hello.”

Heejin rolls her eyes at the awkward display before prying Mihee off him. “Alright, go sit back down and wait for mommy.”

“Did you bring ice cream?” Mihee asks, already whining. 

“Hey! What did I tell you about asking him for things when I already said no?” Heejin maintains her firmness despite her daughter’s pouting. “Go sit by the couch, come on.” 

Jisung watches in awe as Heejin guides her daughter back to the floor by the couch. She never seems too harsh or too soft when it comes to Mihee. It’s like she always knows exactly what to say and what to do. He imagines Jiwoo would be the same as a mother. Maybe parenting that good comes with being a good person. 

He sets the groceries on the counter, releasing his grasp on them slowly as something distracts him. He moves to the stove, shocked by how shiny it looks suddenly.

“I cleaned it.” Heejin says from right behind him. He jolts and turns to face her. His shock morphs to slight disappointment. 

“I told you I’d handle that when I got home.”

“And I told you you didn’t have to. Wasn’t cleaning the rest of the house enough?” She asks rhetorically as she starts putting away the groceries. He just closes his mouth, knowing he’s not going to stop her. If it was up to him, she wouldn’t have to worry about anything but taking care of her daughter. It’s the least he could do.

Summer 2024

If he just focuses on one task it’ll be less overwhelming. He needs a new ID. For a new ID, he needs proof of address. For proof of address, he needs to find a place to live instead of couchsurfing. To find a place to live to acquire important documents, the landlords require said documents. He clenches his steering wheel, waiting for a hit. He stares at the app as if one will come faster.

A knock on his window scares him. He looks at the owner of the restaurant who’s parking lot he’s in.

“I told you you can’t sleep here!”

Exasperated, Jisung rolls down his window. “I’m not! I’m just–”

“Get out of here before I call the police!”

Jisung grits at the owner as they walk away before starting his engine. Maybe driving around will help him find someone. Surely enough, the rideshare app rings out. He hurriedly accepts the request, stabilizing his poorly hoisted up phone.

When he pulls up, a woman and man stumble in. He eyes them in the mirror, knowing just by the look of them that they aren’t going to tip. He begrudgingly starts the engine.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung drives aimlessly through the city as if something will just jump out at him. He can’t find a couch to sleep on tonight and his eyelids are getting heavy. He pulls into the first parking lot he sees. He’ll just get a little shut eye while the parking lot’s still full. It’s either that or causing a car accident. He wakes up to a stiff back and the sun in his eyes. He blinks away the burning sensation, catching a glimpse of someone unlocking the building he’s parked out front of. They glance in his direction and Jisung prepares to be shouted at. However, the older man just smiles stiffly and waves at him. Jisung hesitantly waves back. He checks his phone to see what time it is. The cheap screen is useless in even the smallest amount of sun so he cups his hand above it. 12:33 pm.

He steps out of his car, stretching until all the joints that locked up were sufficiently popped. He happens to catch a glimpse of the sign when he cracks open his eyelids. He’s parked outside of a bar, and judging by the owner flipping the sign, one that opens relatively early. Curious, he steps into the establishment. It has the stereotypical pool table, the bar, and a few places to sit and eat. It has that cozy, rustic feel that most modern bars try to replicate. Jisung hesitantly sits at the bar.

“Um, thank you.” Jisung says sheepishly. The owner cocks an eyebrow at him.

“What? You sleeping out there? You’re not bothering me. Just don’t park in my spot.” His bluntness makes Jisung reconsider his approach. “Can I help you?” He’s mixing a little impatience in now and Jisung immediately takes the hint.

“S-somaek. Please. Sir.”

The man grunts before grabbing a bottle and a can from under the bar. He slides both to him. “Nine dollars.”

“Oh sir, I don’t plan on drinking this whole thing. Can I just have a glass–”

“Nine dollars.”

Jisung sits for a moment, wondering if he should leave and never come back. Then he’d risk losing a solid place to sleep. Jisung presents his card to which the man presents a small Square terminal. He takes his drinks and a glass to a table in the corner of the bar. One bottle and can turn to three by the time patrons come and go. He finds himself comforted by the chaotic environment. As he gains more of a buzz he feels himself levitating. He sees you as his eyes flutter closed.

Day and night he spends his time at the bar. The owner seems less annoyed now that he’s a paying regular. People come and go, clouding his brain satisfyingly with the noise. Some even bump into him, apologizing despite his indifference. Fall comes as his health declines. For once the owner protests his presence, complaining about the smell. He physically kicks Jisung out, sending him tumbling out the door. 

“Fuck you, I don’t care about you anyway.” Jisung mumbles an incoherent slosh of words as he kicks at the ground. The action sends him tumbling back to the ground. 

“You okay?” Jisung looks up after being questioned by a gruff male voice. Above him he only sees you. It’s a confusing, inconsistent mess of what he still remembers, but it’s enough for him to act on it. He stands up shakily, clenching your shoulders that don’t feel like your shoulders. He calls out your name.

“I’ve been looking for you, I came here for you!” He says happily. You shake him off, remarking to someone behind you that he’s “totally out of it”. You and your friends leave and he shambles after you. He miscalculates his steps and falls especially hard. He cradles his knee, rolling around on the floor. It’s okay, he can still sleep here. He still has a place to sleep. He opens his back door and splays out onto the seats, his feet dangling out of the car. With his face squished against the seats he calls out to you again.

“Come find me...”

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung groans when he feels his body move. His head is pounding and he can see the sunlight through his eyelids. He groans again, this one more akin to a whine. He notices his body is still moving around. Then he feels a hand that’s not his patting against his upper leg. He jolts upright, the action sending a bolt of blinding pain through his brain. When his vision finally focuses, he sees two men rummaging around in his car. One leaning over the driver’s seat and carding through his center console and the other right beside him, reaching for the floor. Jisung shouts out in shock. The man in the front looks over at him, cursing before retreating out the door and slamming it. While he’s staring at him, he notices the other is especially close. He turns to see him closing in on Jisung. He screams in horror and shields his face. The man reaches past him and grabs his duffle bag before fleeing. That doesn’t stop Jisung from flashing back to his assault, trembling as he slips out of the backseat and scrambles into the front. He drops his keys, reaching for them urgently before shoving them into the ignition. He glances at the suspicious onlookers keeping a watchful eye on him. He floors it, swinging haphazardly out of the parking lot. All their faces are vivid in his mind as he speeds down the street.

Images of Minho’s enraged eyes as he pummeled Jisung distract him. Cars honk as they pass his swerving vehicle. He eventually decides to park near a bus stop, slipping from his car and staggering onto the sidewalk. The first thing his eyes catch when he looks up is a sign on a utility pole.

“Single mother looking for a roommate.You’ll have access to the living room futon and all the amenities. $50 a month. Contact me at xxx-3894 or come to the Bayview apartments and ask for Heejin.”

Jisung laughs at himself. Just his luck that he’d see this when he needed it the most. It’s like someone is playing a cruel joke, daring him to nearly get killed again. He takes it as a challenge, gritting his teeth. ‘I’m not afraid to die’, he thinks as he hops back into his car. A piece of shit like him should be able to handle at least this much. Pain throbs right behind his eyes as he types the apartment name into his phone. He has tunnel vision the entire trip there, strutting through the doors and immediately losing his confidence. A burly man sits behind the counter. 

“Yes?”

Jisung is met with that familiar impatience.

“There was an ad for a roommate…” Jisung finds it hard to think after months of letting his brain rot.

“You’re looking for Heejin.” He states as if to remind him. Jisung nods, swallowing when he notices his mouth feels like cotton. The man moves from behind the desk. “Alright, hands up.” He says as he approaches Jisung. Jisung stammers and looks at him in confusion, leading to the man raising his arms for him. Oh god, he was actually going to die. He feels tears prickle his eyes, anger and frustration filling him at the sensation. Why did he even care? It’s not like he deserved to live. The man pats him down before giving Jisung a hardy “Alright”.

Jisung looks up at him expectantly. 

“Third floor, room 308.”

As he exited the elevator, Jisung kept thinking of every horror movie he’s ever seen where they lure some idiot into a secluded area and torture him for their amusement. He watches as insects crawl out from tears in the yellowed wallpaper. Everything is screaming at him to turn around but for what? So he can find another bar to drink himself into an early grave? Is life the way it is so worth living that he should fear dying? Despite that, his fist shakes as he raises it toward the door. He grits his teeth so hard he feels like they’ll crack under the pressure. He lowers his hand, cursing himself for his cowardice.

The door opens anyway and he flinches before looking up. Before him is a woman around his age with short hair, carrying a toddler. The toddler is crying loudly and the mother looks very disheveled. Not as much as him, but still enough for it to be noticeable.

“Please! Come in!” She sounds friendly despite her clear exhaustion.

He doesn’t know what would’ve happened to him if he didn’t find her and Mihee that day. She insisted on the low price to stay there. If only she knew who she was being so gracious to.

Heejin stumbles across a small container of ice cream and scoffs. She presents it to him, her cocked eyebrow suggesting she already has an idea why it’s there, but is still asking for an explanation. Only the beginning of a sound leaves Jisung before he’s huffing through his nose in defeat. 

“Could you give it to her? I don’t know… like if she does something good? Say it was a surprise from you.” Jisung supplies to a disinterested Heejin. 

“You’re just like my mother! What’s the point of being firm and putting my foot down if all she learns is to ask the right person?!” Heejin rants, exasperated as she tosses the ice cream back into the bag.

“I know, you’re right. I just couldn’t help it. You can have it. Eat it after she falls asleep or something.” Jisung falls even deeper into defeat as he sighs and closes his eyes. Heejin examines him quietly.

“No.” Jisung opens his eyes for clarification, only to be met with Heejin’s annoyed exhaustion. “You’re going to give it to her after she follows my instructions without talking back. You’re going to tell her that’s why she can have it, and to not ask for things I’ve already said no to anymore.” Heejin reaches for the ice cream again and shoves it into Jisung’s chest. He clutches it as she continues. 

“Maybe she’ll listen if you say it.” Judging by the look on her face, she means exactly what’s implied. Jisung’s brain churns with turmoil. That little girl shouldn’t get used to trusting someone like him. He’s trying his best to minimize his interactions with her but it’s impossible. 

“That is a good idea actually. You’re so good at stuff like that.” Jisung says sheepishly. 

“And maybe this way you can practice interacting with her without treating her like an active grenade.”

Her words shock a strangled noise out of Jisung. “Like a what?!”

“Don’t play dumb with me. Every time she hugs you your arms hover in the air like a confused bird. And don’t even get me started on the way you talk to her. Kids are easy to talk to if you try.” The more Jisung stammers defensively the more potent her knowing look gets.

“Fine,” Jisung huffs, “ but it’s not easy. Maybe this stuff comes easily to people like you.”

“People like who? Parents? You know anyone can become a parent, right? You don’t magically become a child whisperer as soon as you become one. And please don’t tell me it’s because I’m a woman–”

“No!” Jisung protests loudly, slightly annoyed at her assumption. “It’s just… some people are born to help. Others are born to hurt.”

Heejin watches in awe as Jisung stews in palpable self disgust.

“Do you think I assume Mihee teleports into her bed after we doze off on the couch?” Is what Heejin settles on to summarize her thoughts. She doesn’t even let him respond, just leaving him to put the rest of the groceries away like she knows he wants her to.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Book club, pilates, mani/pedis, brunch. These are things you only heard of people doing. Mostly from girls in school and after school who would give you a dirty look if you showed interest. Now you were doing all of it with girls who looked just like them. They didn’t even have to tell you about their extensive morning and night routines. You don’t get skin and hair that flawless without hard work. 

“How about you?” Hyunjin says after calling your name. While you were admiring their perfect grooming they must have been talking about their personal lives again. You guess that because they’ve been trying to get you to open up about yours. Not many people move here without having family here or leaving soon after. It’s only natural that they’re curious. 

“What about me?” You frame it as you being humble, as if there’s nothing much to say. Meanwhile you actually didn’t hear her. 

“Oh come on. There has to be some interesting story there.” Hyunjin urges, playfully suspicious of your mysterious backstory. You wonder for a moment if you should tell them your current house is one you fantasized about moving to with your ex. That would give them something juicy to chew on for months. But then you’d be framing yourself as a heartbroken damsel, not a homewrecking monster. And you’re definitely not ready to tell the truth.

“I always thought Jeju was beautiful, and I couldn’t pass up such a beautiful home.” You explain, the girls nodding in agreement. Especially Gowon, and you know exactly what she’s going to say. 

“I’m just saying! Let me know if you ever decide to sell that puppy.” She raises her eyebrows at you as if she’s tempting you. She is. You give her a smile, hoping it comes across that you’re considering it. You’ve never been to a country club so you take the time to look around. The architecture is beautiful, you expect nothing less for such an affluent part of town. The warm browns of the wooden floors and paneled ceiling as well as the beige walls give it a very cozy feeling. The slant to the ceiling, however, gives it a modern edge. Being this far up, the windows offer a gorgeous view of the skyline and the ocean.

The country club isn't the only mainstay of the group. Hyunjin’s house was as well. You were well acquainted with her son, Seojun. He was a fresh toddler, exemplified by the turbulent wobble in his stride. Her husband, Jeongin, is someone you’re not as acquainted with. He seemed charismatic and has great bone structure. You could tell immediately that Hyunjin was in good hands. Initially, that is.

Hyunjin’s long hair tucked back by a thick, white headband with the exception of her straight across bangs exemplified her preppy look. It’s why you thought the two paired perfectly together. Jeongin is one sweater tied around his shoulders away from looking like a stereotypical man from the 50s. His perfectly styled hair made him resemble Ken, a perfect to match for his Barbie. This is the exact thought process when he stepped into the kitchen where you were straggling behind, cleaning your glass. You smile at him, it comes naturally as his uncanny resemblance to the doll amuses you. 

“What brings you to this town?” He asks, seemingly bewildered by your choice. You sigh, almost complaining about answering this question so many times, but the smile still on your face doesn’t lie. This is the least problematic problem to have. 

“It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?” You remark wistfully. Jeongin agrees, exaggerating each step he takes closer to you. 

“It’s a pretty empty place. You get to know everyone, settle down, and then boom!” You nearly drop your glass upon discovering he’s right next to you. So close he’s pressing against you. “Someone drop-dead-gorgeous moves to town.” He looks at you pointedly, his eyes dipping lower causing you to actually drop the glass, the pieces flying all over the sink basin.

“Woah! Be careful doll.” He reaches for your hand but you jerk it away. He looks at you, offended. You return the look right back. 

“What did you say?” You mean the question literally, to double check what you heard, and as a way to encourage some critical thinking. You barely know this man. Hyunjin was one of the first genuine friends you met here who pulled you out of your rut. 

“Geez. Don’t be so serious. I was just kidding!” He throws his hands up, surrendering from your grilling. Kahei rushes in and he flees just as fast.

“Are you okay?” She looks over the sink and then at your hands that are shaking. You nod dumbly. “Are you okay?” She asks again, skeptical of your previous answer.

“Jeongin just flirted with me.” You find the words flying from you before you can control it, disbelief coating them. Kahei looks at you sympathetically before rubbing your back. 

“Yeah… you just gotta ignore him when he does that.”

You look up at Kahei, not sure whether the shock, confusion, or indignation was showing on your face. So many emotions and thoughts flow through you that end up voicing one aloud. 

“A-are you guys sleeping with him?”

Kahei backs up from you, her looking affronted this time. “Excuse me?!”

“I-I’m sorry! That came out wrong, I didn’t–”

“If anyone did that, or does that in the future,” the pointed look she gives you feels like a searing hot iron branding your flesh, “they should be ashamed of themselves.” Her voice laps at you as she shoots you a sharp glare. She leaves shortly after, leaving you to grapple alone. As you walk out of the kitchen, completely forgetting about the shards of glass you left in the sink, everything around you is muffled and blurry. Hyunjin asks you something but your eyes are trained on the ground. What have you done?

Hyunjin shouts your name and jolts you to reality against your will. You look at all the married women before you. All married except you. You look at Kahei who is still staring daggers into you. If she told Hyunjin, that would be it. You’re the only bachelorette there and Kahei is her best friend of many years. Of course she’d see you as the scheming harlot there to steal all their husbands. The worst part was that you had to seriously consider if you did flirt back. You know deep down that you didn’t, but you keep replaying the interaction to see if maybe you made a face and led him on.

“I-I have to go.” You gather your things as the girls protest. As soon as you breach the doorway, tears pour down your face. You cover your mouth to contain the sob that spills from you. You walk as far as you can but barely make it to the bus stop before you fully break down. You turn away from the onlookers as the sobs rattle you. Of course this didn’t work out. Why would it?

The girls message you in the group chat and privately as an attempt to get through. You don’t even get your hopes up. They probably just miss gathering at your beautiful home. They can have it. You can’t take it anymore. You text Gowon and let her know you’re accepting her offer.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Other than smelling like the sea and his hands being numb from the cold, Jisung can’t complain about being a fisherman. He could focus on his thoughts since his coworkers didn’t speak to him much. Everyone just minded their own business and got the job done. Jisung pulls the buoy line up from the water, coiling the line right by his feet. His supervisor gives him a pat on his shoulder, signaling that this is the last thing he needs to do before he clocks out. Jisung just nods, appreciative that no one tries to yell over the noise of the wind and the boat. They just communicate with gestures and nods. 

As soon as Jisung walks through the door he’s only thinking of a hot shower.

“Ji-Ji!” 

But immediately upon hearing Mihee’s voice, his stress alleviates slightly. He gives her a soft smile, dropping it when she runs up for a hug. He stops her with a cautionary “woah”.

“S-sorry Mihee. Ji-Ji stinks.” He defaults back to that stupid awkward laugh. She frowns and walks back to where her mother emerges. 

“Still.” She doesn’t even frame it as a question, knowing the answer from his bird arms. He hurriedly drops them once he realizes. She shrugs.

“You’ll get there.”

“You don’t know that.” Jisung corrects immediately. “You don’t know me.” His words offer a challenge. In a few seconds, Jisung can make her regret putting faith in him. Possibly regret ever letting him into her house. Jisung attempts to swallow the lump that forms in his throat.

Heejin picks up on that same look from when they were putting away groceries. She breathes a laugh. “Unless you’re some sort of axe murderer or child predator, I promise you I’m not worried about you being around Mihee.”

The confidence in her voice unnerves him. The back of his mind screams at him to tell her because she deserves to know. 

“I cheated on my… ex-fiancee multiple times with the same woman. I even got off on the fact that it would crush her if she found out. I urged her to go on a trip with her friends when she just wanted to stay with me, all so I could invite over the other woman. She even called me during the trip because she missed me so much but I told her to stay. While I was inside someone else for a whole month she thought I was looking out for her wellbeing, I was actively destroying it for pleasure. The kicker is that she wasn’t even my fiancee yet. I let her propose to me, plan the wedding, fantasize about our future, and even walk down the aisle while I was thinking of the very same woman I moved to Jeju for.” Jisung pours his heart as if he was begging Heejin to vilify him. His eyes are pleading her, but not the same way his words do. He can tell that he’s letting it bleed through that he doesn’t want what he’s asking for. He shakes it away and continues.

“Jisung.”

“I left her at the altar. I embarrassed her in front of both our families on a day that was supposed to be the best day of her life. I just disappeared.”

“Jisung–”

“She screamed out for me–”

“Jisung!” Heejin snaps insistently, finally stopping his never-ending confessional. She huffs, seeming to prepare herself for something.

“You know, I gave birth to Mihee after finally breaking up with my husband. We fought all the time during my pregnancy, to the point where I thought the stress might harm Mihee. You can’t really blame my ex, though. He had sustained an injury from his job and his doctor suggested he abstain from any strenuous activity. It was so serious he wasn’t allowed to have sex for months.” She stresses the word as if to mock her younger, impatient self. It dawns on Jisung slowly but surely. His eyes don’t widen because he’s shocked by what she did, but that she did them.

“You could understand his anger now when he realized he wasn’t seeing things and there was– in fact– a baby bump protruding from his loving wife. Even worse is when she tried to gaslight him. Telling him she was just bloated and was seeing a doctor about it. Then the bump got larger, and he saw a tiny foot distend the skin of her stomach. I think what baffles me the most looking back was that I was so angry at him. So angry that I fought him in court for custody of the baby I wasn’t even sure I wanted. Well I won that fight thanks to the prejudice of the judge. He gave me a stern look and lectured me like he was my father, saying that now I had to stop screwing around and live the destined life of a woman. The entire trial my lawyer and the judge boasted about how amazing it would be for a child to have a parent who had a natural impulse to nurture. But I didn’t. My ex knew that, which is why he fought. After the verdict I didn’t hear from him for a few days. I was panicking every time Mihee cried, wondering why the nurturing instinct I was supposed to have wasn’t kicking in. Then he called me and I was so relieved, ready to do whatever it took to get rid of Mihee. But he absolutely let me have it. Said he was an idiot for trying to remain tethered to me in any way, that losing custody was like dodging a bullet. There was genuine relief and joy in his voice.” Heejin reminisces sarcastically, topping it off with a theatrical, wistful sigh. She gives him an emphatic look, like she was encouraging him to continue his confessions. Jisung looks lost and confused. 

“Heejin… you’re a great mother…” He says as if trying to rationalize what he just heard.

“Exactly!” She says excitedly, pointing at him. Jisung shakes his head as her point fails to compute. “I didn’t even know what to do after that. I was heartbroken, because despite my poor decisions and us getting married at eighteen like so many idiots from our hometown, I did love him. The guilt was strong. So strong that I couldn’t tell if the depression was from postpartum or the guilt. Then Mihee cried again one night and it just… clicked. I can’t do right by my ex-husband, but I could do right by her.” The hidden bitterness and pain finally surface as her lip quivers. She shakes her head and looks at the floor. She laughs before looking up again, a tear slipping from her eye. 

“Thanks a lot, Jisung.” She says playfully, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry. Hug my daughter back, asshole.” She slaps the back of his head before retreating into her daughter’s room. Jisung stares at the closed door with the most pitiful feeling of hope curdling in his stomach.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Kahei Hey.

Kahei We’re going to meet at the country club cafe. We were hoping you would come.

They must really like this house, you think, laughing derisively at your own joke. You chew on your lip after the humor of your distraction dries up. Did they tell Hyunjin? Is this some sort of intervention or group confrontation? You want to employ the healthy thought exercises you’ve learned but you keep replaying that moment after you walked out of the kitchen. The face that Kahei made inspired no confidence that you were going to be forgiven. You want to just sell the house to Gowon privately and high tail it out of there. You weren’t sure where you were going to go yet but you had to go somewhere.

You release a lengthy sigh, knowing where you needed to go.

“I think selling the house is a good idea.” Sooyoung informs you, her voice plain like it always is. Nothing for you to cling onto or stretch out of proportion. 

“Really?” 

Sooyoung lets a little amusement at your shock slip but nods through it. “I’d say you’ve been there long enough to know whether or not it’s a net positive or net negative. If it’s pulling you down, cut it off. Makes sense, right?”

“Yeah.” You’re surprised by how simple that was. “Huh.” You express, slightly satisfied. Slightly.

“So. Is there anything else you wanted to chat about today?” Now is when Sooyoung hints at an ulterior motive. You guys have been talking for long enough that she knows when you’re hiding something and that she can safely call you out on it. You could play stupid or delay your response, but that’s only drawing out the inevitable. You’re paying to be here, dammit. You grit and bear it, catching Sooyoung up with your split from the group.

“Did you flirt with Jeongin?” Sooyoung says the quiet part out loud and it catches you off guard. There’s an attentive look in her eyes that illustrates clearly that you have nothing to be worried about. The answer comes surprisingly easy despite the gargantuan unease tearing your stomach apart. 

“No, but–”

“Then you didn’t do it.” Sooyoung interrupts you for the first time in any of your meetings. She releases a hefty breath in relief before continuing. “I’m sorry I sprung that question on you like that, but I had a good feeling you didn’t do it. I promise I wouldn’t have asked you that in an accusing way. But you see now why you shouldn’t be worried.”

“I… I’m just– I feel sorry for Hyunjin, okay?!” You stress not only to her but to people not present in the room. 

“That’s very clear in my eyes. You may not have told Hyunjin what was going on, but you didn’t smile in her face knowing what was happening behind the scenes. If you have any fears that you’re walking into a confrontation of any sort, don’t. You should be the only person entering that cafe without a guilty conscience. And why is that?” This meeting with your psychologist turned into a pep talk suddenly. You feel slightly overwhelmed but you push through it.

“Because… I never deceived Hyunjin or purposely hid things from her.”

“That’s exactly right! You don’t need to go, especially if it will cause unnecessary stress and turmoil. But I think this is a good opportunity to stick up for yourself. And it may even be an opportunity to get your friend group back.”

You shoot her a confused look that makes her laugh.

“I don’t think it’s too late to mend things. If they’re really your friends, they’ll be able to handle you setting the record straight without getting offended. Plus, didn’t you say you enjoyed hanging out with them?”

“I really enjoyed it. It was like I was in a Hallmark movie.” You admit dreamily and partially in humiliation. Sooyoung laughs again and this time you join her. She stops for a moment and gives you a pointed, passionate look.

“You deserve happiness.”

That sentiment and the look in her eyes strikes something in you. You swallow hard, attempting to push down the large lump crawling up your throat. Your lips tremble and you look to the ground. You want to believe her. Every time you walk into this room, you want to believe her. You know it’s not going to be that easy, but damn it feels good to have someone rooting for you.

Through a tightened throat, you look up and thank Sooyoung.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung’s supervisor pats him on the shoulder as he pulls on his coverall over his clothes. He looks over at him for clarity on the strangely-timed gesture. His supervisor clears his throat but it’s still gravelly beyond belief.

“We’ll be headed over to a well-off area to fulfill a large order today. The people there are spooked easily, so the customer warned us to not trail off too far if we dock.” He pats Jisung again as if to punctuate his sentence. Jisung nods as if he wasn’t already staring at the older man’s back. Jisung had forgotten what he said as fast as he said it. He doesn’t wander far from the harbor anyway.

As Jisung casts the buoy line, he looks out at the view. He can already tell they’ve arrived by the architecture and tourist-friendly attractions. Namely the pleasantly designed walls to welcome incoming boats. He has to guess what each cute little shop and building is, being this far away. Eventually they sail toward a residential area. His hands freeze and loosen on the rope, causing a chunk of it to zip straight into the water. Someone yelling his name only slightly alerts him. He drops the rope and they continue to yell. The crashing waves drown them out and alert Jisung to how bad his idea is. 

Jisung looks from the water to the houses again and spots it. The rock pattern around the edge of the property is identical. The dark wood and gray bricks, the distant twinkle of fairy lights, how it looks in the snow. In a split second he goes from stepping up onto the bow of the boat to hitting the ice cold water. His body immediately tenses up from the cold but he pushes through it. His hands slice through the turbulent water as he swims like his life depends on it. Halfway there, the majority of his body is numb to the point that he can only tell his body is following his brain’s command to swim because he can see himself closing in.

He reaches for a pile of rocks leading up to the edge of your house and clenches onto one. Feeling nothing from the numbness, he slips off from it. He tries again, gritting and yelling as he pushes through the pain. He clenches onto each rock as he painfully pulls his body up. By the time his hand slaps down on the wall surrounding your yard his fingers feel like they will pop off. He eventually drapes himself over the wall, falling over onto your snow-covered grass. He grunts desperately as he pulls himself up, shambling toward the house. He walks past the window, the one he saw so vividly in his dream. He sees the fireplace that matches the listing and his dream. He stares at it as his body feels like it’s chilling to rigidity. He finally pulls himself away at no sign of you. He knocks on the door, each strike feeling like it’s crushing his bones. He doesn’t know if he’s crying from the excruciating pain or from the anticipation of finally seeing you but it pours out of him. He sobs until drool drips from his numb lips.

A woman with large eyes opens the door before hiding behind her husband.

“Hey pal, what’re you doing here?!” The man booms. Jisung’s brain pounds behind his skull and his heartbeat slows. His head lolls over his shoulders and his eyes flutter close just before the world tilts.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

��Mr. Han? Can you hear me, Mr. Han?”

Oh no… he’s having a nightmare. But why about this? The last thing he needs is to be back here. He hears a woman’s voice he expects to be Jiwoo panicking, but he doesn’t recognize it. Who the hell is that?

“Oh dear god. Is he going to die??” The woman asks urgently.

“No honey, they said he’ll be alright.”

Jisung blinks his eyes open, all of his senses overwhelmed by the sudden realization that he’s conscious. The relief he feels that he’s not stuck in a nightmare is brief. The bright lights above him and the feeling of the stiff mattress beneath him brings back all the emotions from being hospitalized for his concussion.

“Where are my things?” Jisung asks weakly.

“Thank god!” He looks over to see the large-eyed woman from the house sighing in relief. The house he thought was yours. He really did move here for no reason…

“They’re here in this bag, but I highly recommend you stay for another day–”

Jisung swipes the bag from the doctor’s hand and leaps from the bed. From the taxi ride home to the freezing walk up to his apartment, many people try to get his attention. The driver asks him if he’s okay, passersby ask if they should call for help, the burly man at the front desk of the complex hurls many bewildered questions at him. They all watch him walk by emotionlessly, bare feet padding on the snow, concrete, dirty carpet. When the elevator dings looks out into the empty hallway with beads of tears hanging over his bottom lids. He pads out onto the poorly adhered sheet of matted carpet down to his apartment. 

Heejin hears the door open and Mihee yell “Ji-Ji!” so she doesn’t feel the need to turn away from the stove.

“Hey Jisung, could you do me a big favor and help me clean the kitchen after this? Dinner’s almost ready.” She carefully starts to roll the egg. Jisung hasn’t answered but she needs complete concentration to do this.

“I know you’ll offer to do the whole thing yourself but…” She laughs, her smile fading slightly once she realizes Mihee is quiet as well. She swiftly kills the fire and flips around. The scene she witnesses makes her cover her mouth. Mihee nuzzles into Jisung’s shoulder as he holds her even tighter in his arms. Her tiny legs wrap around him as best as they can. They both soak up the long awaited hug in silence.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“I did all of this to myself.” Jisung admits weakly after explaining everything (including why he’s in a hospital gown) to Heejin. They both slouch on the couch, full from the food and exhausted from the day. Heejin looks over at him, the beer in his hand mirroring hers.

“So then it’ll be all the more satisfying when you fix it yourself.” She offers.

“Fix it how.” He laughs derisively. “In an attempt to lessen my ex’s pain, I probably tripled it. And the person I hurt her for is nowhere to be found.” He states the obvious in hopes she will understand his predicament.

“Are those the only aspects to your life?” Heejin asks carefully. “You’re suspended, but you said you liked your job, right?”

Jisung groans, very aware of where this is going.

“And you care about Mihee.” She adds with a more serious tone to her voice. “And she really loves you. You better not let down my baby girl.” She scolds. Jisung nods obediently, knowing she’s not joking at all. She sighs and rests her head on the back of the couch. 

“It takes time. It’s going to be lonely. It’s been three years since Mihee was born and I've only just made friends. Speaking of which, you should come with me.” She looks over at him, pleading with him to hear her out despite the look on his face.

“Some of them are young mothers just like me, which is exciting!”

“And why you should go alone. I’ll look after Mihee here.” Jisung brushes her off.

“No! They invited me to this crazy nice place, you might love it! There will be other things to do there and we’ll get in for free!”

Jisung groans and melts back onto the couch.

“When is it.” He asks regrettably, making Heejin squeal.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You readjust your bag and coat for the eightieth time outside the doors. You have to go in there like you mean business. Express that you don’t take back what you did, but you really would like to be friends again if they’re up to it. You sigh through your peaking anxiety. How the fuck were you going to balance that tone? You’re not a politician. You inhale sharply before pushing the doors open.

“Over here!” Kahei immediately yells for you. You look over to see her beckoning you over and the other girls waving. You walk over to get a closer look and to confirm what you initially observed. Hyunjin is nowhere to be seen.

“What…” All of the worst case scenarios swirl through your mind as you look between them. Should you even be here?

“Please, sit.” Kahei asks tenderly. The slightly melancholic air to the room suddenly makes your stomach drop. You sit nonetheless, because the unknown is frustrating. 

“Hyunjin hasn’t officially left the friend group, let’s just get that out of the way.” Gowon points out with both her hands lowered to the table. Kahei confirms before looking back to you. She says your name empathetically before laying her hand over yours. You feel like throwing up. 

“We all told Hyunjin about Jeongin,” Kahei starts and you swear the room is turning slightly, “that he flirted with all of us. We should’ve done this a long time ago. It is truly shameful that it took someone who hasn’t even known Hyunjin that long for us to realize how wrong we were. That shows just how much you care, and Hyunjin wanted us to thank you for her.”

You untense your shoulder and finally fully settle into your chair. “So, she’s just taking a break, or–” You ask as you look between them.

“Yes.” Gowon interjects. “And rightfully so, she’s probably processing a lot right now.” The others nod. You start nodding too, failing to stop the tears from streaming down your cheeks.

“She is. She really is.” You blubber through your tears. The girls coo, standing to come over and wrap their arms around you. You hide your face, correctly anticipating that your cries were about to get ugly. Their embraces feel so healing, though. Each pat and rub to your back and arms soothes you. You recover as quickly as you can, grabbing a napkin from the dispenser on the table and dabbing away your tears. You sniffle, looking at all of them gratefully. The overwhelming urge to apologize is consuming you but you fight it.

“I’m really happy to be back.” You beam.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“I guess it does look nice.” Jisung admits with a small smile. Heejin says a small “See?” before entering the building. He doesn’t even notice her and Mihee being long gone as he takes in the huge building. Once he does he gasps and scrambles to follow them. He looks around at the architecture. The slanted ceiling is a really cool addition, he thinks. He hears someone call out Heejin’s name and his attention lags behind again. A cafe in a country club… Heejin just made some rich friends it seems. He looks over finally at said rich friends.

Jisung can faintly hear one of them tell Heejin that she’s right on time. Each of them take turns shaking her hand and greeting her. Including a hallucination. She looks like you, she sounds like you, she gives a name that matches yours. She’s looking at him. You’re approaching him. He panics and runs back out of the doors. He breathes heavily, trying to stop his heart from exploding. He rests his hands over it as his breaths become louder, until they transition into soft cries. 

“Jisung?!” You say, moving closer to him. He looks up at you with intense, watery eyes and you back up suddenly.”J-Jisung, are you okay?” You ask with a heaviness he can’t quite grasp. You look like you’ll cry with him. Through your anguished joy at seeing him, you look great. You look healthy, well dressed and groomed. You’ve been here for less time than Heejin but you’re already shacked up with a group of rich friends. You’re thriving.

“I-I don’t even know where to start…” You say, confused at his intense stare. Jisung does.

“Were you in Incheon?” He hisses, straightening up to look you in the eyes. You’re shocked by the accusation laced within his words.

“Minho was in jail and I felt responsible. He did this because of me, I had to apologize–”

“I was the victim!” Jisung shouts against his better judgment. Hurt flashes on your face split second but he can’t stop. So many thoughts flip through his brain and he doesn’t think through any one of them. Your confusion doubles by this point.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t–”

“I got a concussion and hypothermia– f-fuck I’ve lost my goddamn mind looking for you!” He explains, desperate, angry, and crazed. Sadness overtakes him as he continues. “But none of that is even close to the emotional turmoil I went through without you. I know you don’t care about me– your own words– but do you not care about what you did to Minho?” He asks moronically. The words leave him and he immediately wants to apologize and beg for your forgiveness. But that want is far too distant. His anger is so close.

“Excuse me?!” You finally match his volume.

“If you did and it was still tearing you up, did you go and solve it on your own? With some other asshole while I suffered alone? You were the only thing that kept me sane and you left! You knew me and Jiwoo weren’t going to work out, why… why didn’t you wait?!” He pleads, flinching at the quick laugh you let out. A glossy sheen slowly envelops your eyes as you shake your head at him.

“Wait for what, Jisung?”

“Don’t act like you don’t remember.” Jisung closes in on you, lowering his volume but not his intensity. “We were the only ones who understood each other. The only people we could turn to and you–”

“It’s time to move past that, Jisung.”

Your unexpected answer, delivered in a delicate whisper, stomped out all the drive and anger he had. “Wh-what–”

“We’ve paid for what we did. It’s evident by all the burnt bridges from our past. Why we’re both here, miles away. I can’t keep relying on excuses for my behavior.” The twinkle of pain in his eyes softens you. For the first time in two years, you see Jisung. You can’t help reaching up and cupping both his cheeks. He huffs, more tears pouring from his eyes.

“I have to grow, Jisung.” 

He clenches his eyes shut, crying harder. “You can grow too–”

Jisung shakes his face away and your heart falls. “That’s easy for you to say. Your life is all sunshine and rainbows.” He replies bitterly. You scoff at his incorrect assumption.

“The whole reason I’m here is because I almost did something stupid that landed me in a psych ward. D’you really think I wasn’t suffering, too?” You ask as you drop your hands from his face. “When I first got here, I couldn’t get through an entire day without breaking down. I couldn’t even turn to mindless sex because I was scared. And I only wanted you.” You look down, ashamed at your admission. 

“I felt like– I still feel like I’m not a functional human and that everywhere I go I ruin lives. I feel that way because of you, Jisung.” 

Jisung takes the opportunity to be affronted by an accusation now. “Because of me?!”

“Yes!” You reply incredulously before laughing bitterly. “I’ve been abandoned my whole life. Either because someone dies or I push them away. I almost prefer that my parents died, because at least then I wouldn’t have to live with them choosing not to be in my life because I was a sad excuse of a person. I kept pushing Minho, testing him to see if he’d leave. And when he did… I thought for a moment things could be okay. Why?” Jisung realizes before you say it, closing his eyes regrettably. 

“Because I had you!” You shout. You laugh pathetically at your next thought. “I thought maybe witnessing the worst moment of my life would make you realize how much I needed you. And then you would smile on the phone while your girlfriend gushes about how excited she was to come home and be with you again.”

Jisung wanted to protest, wanted to tell you that he still cared about you and wanted to see you. But looking at the hurt in your eyes flashed him back to the day you walked out. The way he couldn’t find an answer when you asked him what he would do if Jiwoo put two and two together. The answer wasn’t obvious at that moment, but he knew the moment Jiwoo proposed that the answer was run to you.

“So if anyone should be grilling the other about being abandoned, it should be me.” You say, looking exhausted. Jisung feels utterly horrible. He finally finds you and this is what he does to you? You sniffle, wiping your eyes.

“But Jisung, I’m past that. I’m still fighting my demons but I won’t let them take control this time.” Your smile is a thin veil over your pain. 

“Do you want to get coffee?”

You both agree that you want to speak to each other alone, so you’re both nursing paper cups of instant coffee back at your motel.

“So you were living in that house?”

“The one I showed you?” You ask and he nods. You look around before nodding back. Jisung sighs, wondering if he should tell you just how he got hypothermia.

“Did you like it?” He asks, keeping his eyes on you.

“No.” You admit, solemnly shaking your head. “It turned out to be a bad choice.” 

“Seems like we’ve both got plenty of those to go around.” You both laugh at yourselves. As you settle into a brief silence, you remember what you saw posted to Jiwoo’s Facebook page last year.

“It seems like a lot of people were angry at you on Jiwoo’s page.” You bring up hesitantly. Jisung groans.

“Please. I do not want to talk about that.” Jisung strains. You look over at him and he dodges your gaze. You rest a hand on his knee.

“As soon as I saw you standing in the cafe, I wanted to crumble and just melt into your arms. Tell you all my shameless thoughts no one else would be willing to hear. Like the fact that my friend’s husband who made a move on me was objectively attractive and charming. And the fact that you wouldn’t even flinch would be comforting. But I don’t need my psychologist any more to tell me that that’s not healthy.” 

He finally meets your eyes. Hesitantly, but he still does it. His heart grows heavier as he finally realizes that Minho was right. He did ruin you. You made each other complacent. After Heejin confided in him, he wondered if the right thing to do then was to marry Jiwoo. That didn’t feel like the answer and he knows now that it wasn’t. It was for you both to do right by each other. The consequences of each other’s actions.

“I regret it.” Jisung starts. “Every single day the look on her face haunts me. If I wasn't a monster before, I was definitely a monster for leaving her at the altar.”

“Honestly I was shocked to learn that’s what you did. You’re right, I didn’t think you guys would work, but I thought maybe you’d get divorced after years of an unhappy marriage.” You reflect thoughtfully despite your harsh words. 

“That’s precisely what I was trying to avoid.” Jisung side eyes you playfully. 

“I mean, it’s good you cut it off before that, but you could’ve done it any other way. And maybe a liiiiittle sooner.”

“When? The night you left?” He inquires genuinely after brief amusement.

“Maybe not. Mostly because I think you should’ve done it out of respect for her and not to pursue me.” You note as you stare into your coffee. “But also because I feel like we needed the journey it took to get here.”

Jisung snorts. “I beg to differ. But I get what you mean.” You both chuckle lightly. “What um… what did you say to Minho when you visited him?” He asks, silently wondering just how reconciled you two are.

“I told him he was allowed to hate me but he shouldn’t hate himself.”

“It sounds like you guys wrapped that up neatly.” Jisung deduces while nodding his head.

“Now I would beg to differ.” You start, amused, “He was in jail. The worst part is that he exhibited signs that he would become violent on my behalf and I ignored them.”

“Has he assaulted someone before?” Jisung asks in disbelief. You nod slowly, finally deciding to take a sip of your coffee. You grimace at the bitter taste.

“His best friend.” You smack your lips before looking over at Jisung who is wincing. He makes a long hissing noise that feels like rubbing salt in the wound. However, after a little time, you feel lighter somehow. Acknowledging it won’t make it disappear, but nothing will. You take another sip.

“Is that your girlfriend? …Your kid?” It’s your turn to be nosy. You peek over at him and he laughs. 

“No, I haven’t been here for three years.” He stops laughing as he realizes the other component of that question. “And no. I don’t have a girlfriend.” He states, suddenly nervous as your eyes meet. 

“Are you? In a relationship?” Jisung sips his coffee before you stand up with a smile. You grab his cup to join yours, setting both on the tv stand. You sit back on the bed, closer this time. You grab the hand nearest to yours, slotting your fingers under his palm. 

“No.” You reply softly. He slides his hand to wrap his fingers around your thumb. You wrap yours over the back of his hand.

“If we’re going to do this…” He starts and you feel yourself getting excited. Your eyes flicker down to his lips, realizing you’ve been wanting to kiss him since you entered the motel. “Taking care of each other…” He clarifies. You say a soft “Oh” in realization before squeezing his hand. 

“We should be upfront with each other. What do we want? I’ll go first, I want to take things slow.” He says and you deflate a little. “How about you?”

“Um, right now?” You don’t notice that you’re bouncing your leg until he laughs at you and places his other hand on it.

“No, going forward.”

“Oh! Well… honestly as long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter.” You answer honestly though impatiently. 

“Yeah?” He confirms quietly and you nod. “And right now?” His voice is hushed, dropping in pitch suddenly. Your eyes lower to his lips and his tongue peeks out between them. You give into the urge, leaning in before he makes an admonishing noise. He lets go of your hand to hold you by your shoulders. 

“No?” You say in the most heartbreaking disappointed voice. He laughs again, he can’t help it. He bites his lip before speaking.

“Lay down.”

You excitedly lay back onto the bed, awaiting further instruction. He slowly moves to your side, his cold hand sliding under your shirt and cardigan. You gasp in surprise, closing your eyes. 

“What about this is taking it slow?” He tsks, moving his hand back down and reversing his progress toward your breasts. You whimper, his hands on your skin igniting a feeling you haven’t felt in ages. His hand keeps moving until it breaches the band of your pants. You gasp excitedly as he dips a finger between your folds. 

“Oh my god…” He remarks his shock. His finger sinks deeper into the sea of your arousal. He removes his hand and quickly moves it to his lips. He savors the taste, his eyes fluttering shut. You hum a turbulent moan, clenches your thighs tight. He moves back to your legs, situating in between them before baring your lower half. He discards the garments carelessly in favor of your exposed core. He plants a kiss or two, however many it took before you started to groan in frustration. 

He suckles at your folds, encouraging your clit out. Once it’s free he wraps his lips around it. His lips smack wetly before releasing. He licks up your folds, gathering the bud back into his mouth. The friction he provides with his wet tongue and mouth has you lifting from the bed. You grunt at the tight tugging sensation in your stomach. Jisung switches to a rapid flicking of his tongue that sends you falling back to the bed. You suppress your writhing, feeling a strong fear of disrupting the pleasure. Your repeat short, gasped moans as you watch him.

His hunger grows as he guides you to your high. He slurps at your clit until you’re mewling a warning. You finally let yourself writhe as your first orgasm dawns on you.

“F-fuck I need to fuck you.” Jisung growls against your mound.

Jisung shoves his jeans and underwear down, his cock flopping upon being freed. He grabs the underside of your thighs and pushes your legs back before moving to your arms. He slowly urges them over your head as he heaves above you. “‘m gonna fill you up.” He breaths, his eyes tracing absent-mindedly over your features. You hum pleasantly at the action. 

He slides his legs forward and his tip hits your mound. You jolt in surprise and excitement. Jisung mirrors your drunken smile as he slides in. Your smile fades as your jaw drops open. 

“It’s been so long–” You sob, your legs dropping over his shoulders. “N-need it…”

Pleased, Jisung hums and grabs your hips. He starts slow and shallow, testing the waters, remembering how good you feel. You’re flooding around him, squeezing every time he breaches into new depths. Upon bottoming out your head drops to the bed, your hands splaying out against the headboard. You choke out a moan that sounds like it’s being forced from you.

“God, fuck!”

He finally starts smacking his hips toward you and you frantically cheer him on with crazed chanted yes’s. Jolts of electricity run up from his abdomen to his throat and out his mouth through an urgent groan. He leans down over you, his breath hitting your face before he kisses you. You can feel how hungry he is, not aware that you’re returning the same amount of hunger.

He pulls out and sinks back between your legs before you can process what had happened. He immediately starts lapping at your hardened clit like a madman. Your anguished moan is cut off as he eases three fingers into you. He sounds and feels desperate. His movements are frantic and he can’t stop moaning and humming against you. His saliva mixed with your arousal drips down to your asshole in a thick glob. Not that you can dwell on it much. Not when his tongue is moving so quickly and expertly against you. You can’t help thanking any high power that would listen that you decided to hear the girls out today. He thrusts his fingers inside you faster as he switches to sucking your clit with an obscenely loud noise. He uses his tongue to rub long strokes against your clit. 

You reach down and tug at his hair so hard you think you’ll rip some of it out. You’re both whimpering like puppies in heat. The entire bottom half of his face is practically submerged into your mound. You buck up into him as another orgasm rattles you. You release his hair to fist the comforter with a deep groan.

Jisung crawls back up to position his cock at your entrance. He kneels right over your hips, making it so he can drop his cock inside you with lethal force. He starts with an accelerated speed that has you squealing desperate pleas. His balls slap at your asshole, making the already lewd sound of your wetness even more disgusting. You both sound like crazed animals as you claw and grab at each other. One of his hands haphazardly grasps at your breast to anchor himself. 

A sudden wave of euphoria overcomes you as you recognize his telltale signs he’s close to cumming. He seems to notice something too, reaching down to wrap both his hands around your throat. As he squeezes you rocketed to your orgasm, your cunt spasming around his throbbing cock. He pumps his cum deep inside you, bottoming out two, three, four more times until he’s completely empty. 

It’s like a ray of sunshine cascades over the both of you as he pushes back inside and lays over you. He rolls you both onto your sides, pulling you close like he doesn’t plan on letting you leave.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

As you observe Jisung across the room, you wonder silently if he knows he bites his knuckles when he’s nervous. He paces, visibly frustrated by the limitations of the small space. He flips and walks to the other wall, the phone in his hand now facing you. The dingy lights of the motel room fail to illuminate him as well as the sun that has long since set. Despite that, you still catch his eyes widening.

“H-hi! Um… is Jiwoo available?” After a very brief break, his knuckles are brought back up to reckon with his teeth. “Right, I’m an… old friend. I moved away– alright! Thank you.” Jisung is excited before the anxiety takes back the reins. He switches to his cuticles, needing something to tear at. Your stomach is twisting for him. 

He glances over at you for the first time since he agreed to do this. The terrified look in his eye makes you want to snatch the phone away and hold him, but instead you give him an encouraging smile. You nod and he nods back. 

“Hello? Ah… yeah. This is Jisung.” He flinches at what you presume to be an increase in volume. “I-I know. And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“I am!” He responds desperately after a momentary pause. “But you don’t have to believe me. I was a coward… so I just wanted to do the right thing and give you closure.”

Jisung chews on his lip before his eyelids involuntarily close, almost like he was bracing himself for something and hated that he was. But as his mouth drops open and a look of hurt confusion twists his features. A tear rolls down Jisung’s cheek amidst the silence. 

“I am okay.” He assures her in slight disbelief only for him to laugh dryly seconds later. “That’s fair. I’d tell me to go fuck myself, too.”

Jisung shuffles and looks down at his feet. “And is he your boyfriend?”

You wince at how that sounds, only for Jisung to be immediately briefed on that fact. “N-no I didn’t mean it like that!” Jisung sighs, dropping his defensiveness. 

“You’re right. I was pretending to care about you. I was cruel.”

Jisung freezes suddenly, his face partially obstructed by shadow. “It was after we moved in together. I realized how different we were, but I wouldn’t let myself believe it. I wanted to change for you… or at least that’s what I told myself.” Jisung answers honestly despite sounding like he wants to do anything but. 

“I guess I thought being with you would make me less of an idiot. But me being an idiot was no excuse for what I did, Jiwoo. And I’m sorry.” He whispers as if he’s lost all his strength. It resurfaces momentarily as he tries to stop Jiwoo but then he takes the phone away from his ear.

After giving him some time, you turn to him. He faces vaguely in your direction, seeming ashamed of the tears threatening to spill. 

“Sh-she hung up–” Jisung starts only to get choked up. His head droops and you push off of the bed. You hurry to him and wrap your arms around him. His cries are quiet, just brief heavy breaths here and there. You rub his back. A few minutes of rocking back and forth encourages him to break the silence.

“I don’t want to leave.” He states weakly. 

“You can sleep here tonight, but I agree about taking it slow.” You pull back to look into his saddened eyes. You cup his cheek and he’s finally able to indulge in the tender gesture. You smile.

“We have time.”

end of act iii

skz masterlist

milestone celebration masterlist

[stolitzfamily]

Theory Time: From Prince to Pauper

Stolas had been entirely stripped of his hierarchical status, leaving him with nothing but his first name and the clothes on his back. Once a prominent member of the Ars Goetia, he no longer holds the title, rank, or any of the privileges associated with his noble lineage. This dramatic fall from grace has left him vulnerable, both politically and personally, as he navigates a world that once revered him but now sees him as little more than a name. Stripped of power, resources, and influence, Stolas must rely solely on his wits, resilience, and whatever relationships he has left to survive in a society that no longer recognizes his authority. His loss of status marks not only a personal crisis but also a potential shift in the power dynamics of Hell itself.

So that actually means two (possibly three) things are going to happen:

1. Accomodation

The shift from “breakup” to “roommate” (until stated otherwise in the next episode) between Stolas and Blitz creates a dynamic ripe with tension and character growth. Forced cohabitation — perhaps due to Stolas’s financial struggles or need for stability until the former finds a job— pushes them to navigate shared space, unresolved feelings, and awkward new boundaries. Stolas seeking a job could symbolize his attempt at self-reliance and personal growth, adding humor or poignancy, depending on the role he takes on. This transitional phase sets the stage for deeper exploration of their relationship, as they confront their past while carving out a path forward, whether together or apart.

2. Provisions

Imagine this . . .

BLITZ HIRES STOLAS TO WORK AT I.M.P !

Just think about it!!! This could be wild. While Stolas might not fit the profile of a sharp-shooting assassin, there’s plenty of room for his contribution in another way. Perhaps he becomes the team’s accountant, someone who manages the financial chaos of I.M.P., keeping their books balanced while providing an extra layer of aristocratic flair to the office dynamics.

The very idea is packed with potential for hilarity and emotional growth. Stolas, usually perched in his palace, now navigating office politics, paperwork, and Loona’s snark while trying to feel “useful” and “valued” among the group—it’s a recipe for comedy and character development. Maybe Stolas, with his vast infernal knowledge, could even provide intel or magical guidance for missions, giving I.M.P. an edge they never anticipated.

This dynamic would also be rife with conflict and camaraderie. Blitz, always the reluctant softie, might hire Stolas out of pity, guilt, or even begrudging affection, setting the stage for plenty of awkward yet heartfelt moments. And just imagine Moxxie’s incredulous face when he realizes their newest hire is the Prince of Hell—working as their accountant.

3. Companionship

For Stolas whilst it fulfills a deep psychological need for connection, offering more than just emotional comfort—it reinforces our sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. When lacking meaningful relationships, loneliness can trigger stress responses that affect both mind and body, leading to depression, anxiety, and even physical ailments like weakened immunity or heart disease. His relationships can provide a space for mutual support, shared experiences, and growth, creating a buffer against life’s challenges.

Loona:

The episode’s ending sets the stage for intriguing character development, particularly between Stolas and Loona. With Stolas now staying at Blitz’s home, there’s ample opportunity for the two to interact beyond their usual, more distant exchanges. Loona, who often keeps her guard up, might find herself in situations where Stolas’ patience and sincerity could gradually break through her tough exterior. Similarly, Stolas, who has shown a knack for connecting with others on an emotional level, may begin to understand Loona better and recognize the vulnerabilities she hides beneath her brash demeanor.

If Blitz and Stolas continue to deepen their relationship, Loona could find herself spending more time with Stolas, which might open the door for a pseudo father-daughter bond to form (especially since he cannot interact with his own biological daughter for the next 100 years until he can see her again) . Given Stolas’ gentle nature and his experiences with his own daughter, Octavia, he might inadvertently offer Loona the kind of emotional support she rarely seeks but deeply needs. For Loona, who has a complicated relationship with vulnerability and affection, this could mark the beginning of personal growth, as she learns to accept the care and stability that Stolas might offer.

While a fully realized bond between them may not materialize immediately, the seeds could be planted as early as Season 3. Loona and Stolas, though vastly different in personality, share an underlying thread of loneliness that could serve as common ground. Moments of subtle warmth, shared understanding, or even comedic clashes might pave the way for a more heartfelt connection. Their evolving relationship has the potential to not only enrich their individual arcs but also add an emotionally resonant layer to the overarching story.

Vassago:

While it’s true that both Vassago and Stolas are gay, that doesn’t inherently mean they’re destined to be romantically involved. Vassago gives off more of a “gay best friend” vibe—a confidant who shares tea, biscuits, and witty gossip with Stolas, rather than a potential love interest. Their interactions could represent a bond between two gay individuals without veering into romance, offering a refreshing portrayal of queer camaraderie.

At this stage in the narrative, the groundwork for Stolitz is too deeply rooted to backpedal. Stolas pursuing another romantic interest would likely derail the emotional investment built between him and Blitz unless some major plot twist occurs before the holiday-themed “Sinmas” episode. However, all signs currently point to Stolitz being endgame, with minimal room for deviations.

Octavia:

Time in Hell seems to work differently from Earth, so the 100-year punishment Stolas received might not be as long as it initially sounds. It could equate to only a month or so in Earth time, which would explain how events are progressing relatively quickly in the story. Given that Stolas was described as “demon royalty” and “Your life has life has actual worth” at the time of his sentencing, it’s also possible his punishment was more lenient, aside from the banishment itself. This opens up the possibility that the length of his sentence was intentionally designed to be shorter or less impactful — cuz we all know Satan is 95% of the time nothing but full shit lol. If the timeline in Helluva Boss aligns with the real-world pacing of episodes, Stolas may already be nearing the end of his sentence when the next episode begins. (possibly, if I’m right about this, knowing that Viv finds clever ways to stay on track with the story, even with timely gaps in between such as this theory)

The real heart of the theory lies in Stolas’s relationships and how companionship shapes his story. The teaser for the next episode shows Octavia confronting him, accusing, “You don’t love Mama. You don’t love me. You love HIM.” This suggests she still cares deeply about him despite her anger, and their bond hasn’t fully broken. Whether this scene follows a timeskip where Stolas’s sentence has ended, or if Octavia has — yet again — run away to visit him mid-punishment, or whether he heard about it similar to what happened in Seeing Stars or however it’s played out — the core focus remains on their connection. The narrative seems poised to explore the tension between their estranged bond and Stolas’s evolving relationship with Blitz. This companionship, both lost and found, may ultimately be what drives the story forward, no matter how the timeline unfolds.

[hyeitsju]

can you do g!ploona reaction to reader pranking them abt being pregnant?

Loona reaction to f!reader pranking them by saying they’re pregnant!!

(Loona x FEMALE!Reader)

Note(pls read):

ONLY FEMALE READERS CAN INTERACT!! I WILL NOT HESITATE TO BLOCK THOSE WHO FOLLOW ONLY MALE BLOGS, LIKE MALE READER STUFF, ETC.

anyways, im sooo sorry that this took so long, I was lowkey procrastinating. also, this is such a good idea!! i loved writing it! i did have to split it into two parts because i want to have every member have pictures. but don’t worry, the second part will be out shortly after this one!!! keep it coming with the requests please! 💞💞

🐰heejin🐰

Heejin was very confused and a little nervous when you asked her to sit down once she walked through the door

Usually you would be jumping on hee and giving her kisses

However, her jaw dropped once you gave her the pregnant test

Heej would be frozen in shock, looking between you and the test, asking if it was really

Smiles so big, hugging you tightly and giving you a huge smooch while squealing

“OMG OMG OMG”

Actually starts to tear up before you tell her and it takes her a second to fully process what you said

And her smile slowly drops as she does

Would give you a soft hit on your shoulder, frowning

Makes you sleep in the guest room because she’s mad at you

On the bright side, Heejin does decide that she wants children now so you do start actually trying for one

🐈hyunjin🐈

When you asked Hyunjin to sit down, she didn’t think much of it

Just assuming you wanted to talk about what you’d dinner for next week or maybe another lecture about how she’s taking up 87% of the pantry space with her bread

But never a confession that you’re pregnant

She would gasp so loudly, covering her mout with her hands and look at you with wide eyes,

Whispering a quiet “really?” behind her hands before smiling and giving you a tight hug

But pulls back immediately once she remembers that you’re pregnant, muttering a small “sorry”

Excitedly asking a million questions per second with a wide smile on Hyunjin’s face while holding your hand in one of hers

The other rests on your belly

“How far along are you” “When did you find out” “Do you know the gender yet?” “Did you tell anyone else yet?”

You couldn’t keep up and eventually give up and say it was a prank

She immediately smacks your shoulder, scoulding you

A bit upset but not too much

Hyunjin gives you the silent treatment until you get her some cotton candy bread from the store as a peace offering about 3-4 hours later

Gives you a big hug after, but does let you know that she doesn’t like pranks like that and too keep them low

Like salt in her food or something

🕊️haseul🕊️

Haseul knew something was off the second she walked into the house, immediately going upstairs and into your shared room

Almost having a heart attack when she doesn’t immediately see you, but calming down once she notices the water of the sink running in the bathroom, along with the light peeking under

She hesitantly walks up to the door, knocking lightly and asking if you are okay and earning a small “okay” in return

Once she opens the door she finds you in front of the sink looking at a positive pregnancy test

It takes Haseul a minute to fully process what is happening, immediately giving you a hug once she does and lifting you off of the ground

“Oh my god, is that real?”

She would be smiling so hard her cheeks will hurt for the next few days

Talking about all of the things that she’s so excited to do before you stop her and tell her that you were pranking her

Is actually so sad :((( starts tearing up and won’t talk to you for the next hour

she can’t go very long without holding you

Haseul makes you apologize and scolds you for pranking her with something so serious

🐸yeojin��

Yeojin was lowkey nervous when you said you had to have a serious talk with her

She thought you found out that she actually kept the lizard she found instead of giving it away like you told her

So imagine her surprise when you shoved a positive pregnancy test into her hand

She squeals so loud, jumping up and down and running around

Actually forgets about you for a minute or two before running back over to you and giving you the biggest hug Yeojin has given you since you accepted her confession

Is speaking at 100M words/ph and you have to slow her down to tell her that you were joking

At first she was in denial “what? no, you just showed me that you are” and shoving the pregnancy test back into your hands as proof

But her smile would drop when you would show her proof of the purchase for the false pregnant test online

She would actually be so upset and a little disappointed in you for lying to her like that

Wouldn’t exactly yell at you, but would raise her voice more than she normally would when scolding you and would make you apologize by getting her some food

Yeojin would still be a little bit upset with you for around two weeks until she forgets about it

🦌vivi/kahei🦌

You and Kahei were just cuddling on the couch while watching a show when you “blurted it out”

She heard you but it took a good minute for her to process what you said because she was so focused on the drama

But her head would snap towards you once she does, blurting out a loud “what?” with wide eyes

When you confirm she gets up quickly with a smile that she covers with her mouth from shock and a surprised face, asking “Are you being serious right now?”

Gives you such a big hug, just sitting in silence for a second before pulling back and asking questions.

Questions such as “How long have you known?” “How far along are you” “Do you know the gender?”

When you burst out in laughter, seemingly randomly, she gets a little concerned. Asking “what’s wrong?”

Kahei actually gets a little mad and says that she needs space

Saying “that wasn’t an okay thing to joke about”

She eventually, late at night, comes back home to you and explains to you that she doesn’t like you doing those jokes and after she gives you a hug

🦉kim lip/jungeun🦉

You and Jungeun were sitting at the kitchen table, having a regular at home dinner date.

However, when she went to pour you some of the wine she bought for the date, you stopped her and said “no thanks, I don’t need any”

When she asked why not as she sipped on her glass, confused because you never said no to wine, you replied with “because I’m pregnant” as if it was the most normal thing in the world

She instantly choked on the beverage, wide eyed and asking you to repeat that

When you did she was very excited, asking if you were serious with a big smile

You, however, just couldn’t hold in your laughter and shook your head, saying no

She frowned and smacked your shoulder, scolding you for saying that and you two went on with your date as regular.

Best believe that she’s pranking you back tho.

so sorry Kim Lip’s is so short!!! anyways, have a good day/night/afternoon!!🎀🎀

[hazbincalifornia]

Round Two

Today is the first day of Blitzpreg week over on twitter! Here’s the first one for ‘Finding Out’. One Time universe, shortly after New Beginnings.

Wordcount: 780

Ao3 link

It turned out that Stolas had been right- the first time had been a lucky fluke. They’d gone at it practically every night for almost a month straight, usually a couple rounds each, but every time Stolas checked that the spell to detect conception was still working, nada.

Zip.

Zilch.

Blitz refused to use any kind of fertility spell even after they made sure his plumbing was working properly again when the lock got taken off. That probably would mean they’d get twins or more, and while he’d accept it if they happened naturally, he wasn’t about to push his luck on that particular coin flip if he didn’t have to. (That also pretty much left Aamon out of the question for anything other than the detection spell. He had sent them a little pamphlet on what positions were supposed to be more effective, though, and the model for the lady on ‘how to most effectively plow your partner’ had giant tits to ogle, so, hey. Take the joys where he could get them.)

Yeah, sure, a month wasn’t really that long in the grand scheme of things. But night after night after night, waking up eager and still getting nothing when he’d been psyching himself up for months before this, and after long days dealt with tying up loose ends from the divorce or helping the girls adjust to living in the palace or just IMP work in general…

Fuck, they’d dealt with so much shit to get to this point, was it too much to ask for one thing going exactly the way they wanted it to?

They curled together in the bed. Blitz’s tail absently snaked around one of Stolas’s thighs as the owl’s arms wrapped around him and nuzzled the back of the imp’s neck with a soft purr rumbling between them, punctuated only by Stolas’s sleep-hoots. Getting to fall asleep to this nearly every night was something he wasn’t sure if he’d ever fully get used to, but he’d be blessed if he wasn’t gonna try.

He deserved this. Deserved Stolas’s love, deserved Loona and Octavia’s ever-growing care and acceptance of him as a father figure, deserved the crayon pictures little Stellaluna had strewn all over her room with hearts and stars around his blocky face that she called pretty.

(Maybe if he repeated it enough, he’d fully believe he was worthy of the people around him. Believe that this wasn’t some fucked-up dream that could get the rug pulled out now that he had almost everything he wanted, that he’d be chasing an eternal treadmill when it came to having a kid they could raise from the start together.)

“Daddy? Papa?” The door creaked open, and there was a slight warble as their youngest peered into the room, little fingers curling around the door. 

“What is it, sweetie?”

“I thought I heard a noise.” She paused. “I wanna make sure nobody’s gonna get you.”

His chest twisted like meat on a spit. “Nobody’ll get us tonight, sweetie. How about you come up here and you can make sure of that?” They’d already cleaned up for the night, and he missed being able to hear her breathing if he listened hard enough through the walls. She brightened at that, little claws making clicking noises on the floor before she scrambled up the bed and took Blitz’s offered hand while Stolas made a murmur and barely stirred. Red feathers snuggled against Blitz’s front as Stolas nuzzled further against his back, and Blitz could smell cherry shampoo and the sweet pine of preening oil as he drifted away.

____

He stirred slowly to a persistent poking motion. It reminded him of old street drunks trying to see if he was dead before robbing him stiff, and he snarled before the familiar scent sunk into his brain and he blinked his eyes open to see Stellaluna prodding at his bare stomach- right, he’d just been in sweatpants last night.

“What is it, sweetie?”

“Why’re you glowing?” She scooted back and pointed, and he jolted up so quickly that Stolas yelped, staring down at the sigil that combined Stolas’s and Aamon’s symbols with some other mumbo-jumbo. It gently hovered above his stomach, sparkling baby blue without a care in the world.

“That’s… that means daddy’s gonna have a baby.”

“It does?” Her eyes widened before she smushed her cheek against it. “Right now?”

A grin split his face, so wide it stretched the skin to the point it almost hurt, and he ruffled her hair as Stolas sat up, his own eyes practically glittering with stardust of their own before Blitz yanked them both into a hug.

“Not quite yet, but Daddy promises, you’re gonna be a great big sister.”

[helldustedstories]

@madefate asked: Loona's not sure if she's just feeing brave or stupid - maybe both. Life is ... weird these days, and getting weirder by the second, and for some reason she doesn't feel all that cagey around Stolas anymore. Enough, apparently, that her curiosity is starting to come back to life - she's seen him, primarily, through Blitz's hysterics until now. Maybe, if she needs to know something, she can just - ask.

Still, she just watches Stolas work for a few moments, her head tilted thoughtfully. ❝ D'you ever, like, get pissed ? We've been through enough shit that's pissed me off, at least, but you're always ... chill. ❞

unprompted // always accepting

When Blitz had asked Stolas to drop by the office, to take a look at something for him (something about a parking space?), the prince had been only too happy to oblige. He wanted to get to know Blitz's employees a bit better, considering how much he cared about them, and he would be able to say hello to Loona, to let her know that she was always welcome to come by, especially when Via was home.

Stolas had greeted Blitz with a little kiss and a smile, exchanging the iced coffee he'd brought him for the files, and had sat down in the conference room, taking a moment to read through everything, to make sure he fully understood all of it. He'd go through the file several times, so he didn't miss anything, to make sure he was doing everything he could to help.

He'd just finished his first read-through when he noticed Loona watching him. Stolas offers her a little smile, beckoning her to come closer, to have a seat, if she wants to. As far as he's concerned, spending more time with her is always a good thing, especially since she'd approached him first. He very much wants to get to know her better, to bond with her, to show how much he really does care.

❝ D'you ever, like, get pissed ? We've been through enough shit that's pissed me off, at least, but you're always ... chill. ❞ she says, and Stolas can't help but let out a soft little laugh at her words, offering her a gentle smile, though there's a touch of sadness to his eyes.

"I learned from a very young age that most emotions, especially those that could be considered negative, were 'unbecoming,'" he starts, lifting his hands to do air quotes around the word, "And there are times I still default to that mask." He knows that it's not good to bottle everything up, but it had been such a habit for so long that it's taking time to learn how to allow himself to really feel his emotions again.

"But in answer to your actual question," and this time his smile is more genuine, "yes, I absolutely do get pissed." A pause, before he adds, "Quite frequently because of Stella, but she's certainly not the only thing that pisses me off. Why do you ask?" He was honestly thrilled that she'd come to talk to him on her own, and he would absolutely do everything he could to encourage that, to offer her a space where she could ask questions, regardless of what they were.

[mandareeboo]

Unfinished Work #58: "Coffee Time"

I'm kind of sad steam ran out for this one! It was gonna be interesting. The basic idea from here was that Octavia would start seeing Loona as a friend and invite her over when Stella got her things. Loona would admittedly only ever see it as a job, since Octavia never asked her about her day or life. Once that was out Octavia would apologize and they'd become actual friends. It just didn't pan out.

Title: Coffee Time

Summary: Loona finds a very angsty bird coming by once a week to break into her routine and steal her coffee.

Being a secretary is the pits. Maybe it would be worth something if there was any real need for it, but I.M.P. is almost solely walk-ins so Loona honestly, legitimately has nothing to do most of the day. Her main work was keeping up with clients while the others went off murdering- usually via text, since even the dumbest of the damned don't tend to casually discuss having people go to the human realm for them on a call. It's a lot of quick, autocorrected, boring messages that Loona's basically turned into a one-woman algorithm of 'yes, we're doing it. Yes, they're there. Yes, we really are gonna kill a bitch. No, I don't want your unsolicited dick pics.'

Loona's claim to fame is in two very specific aspects. One: she has legs for days. Two: she makes a damn good cup of coffee. The nice thing about a hellhound's nose is that she knows the exact second it's perfectly brewed, and exactly how much to add. Her coffee is consistent, it's reliable, and it's sad that it's the highlight of her day to make some stupid bean juice, but it is.

Rifling through the cabinets, Loona finds two unmarked white mugs and pulls them down. She fills one higher than the other. The smaller cup gets a shitton of creamer in it; like, an absolutely ridiculous amount. It's basically milk with extra steps. The other gets the rest of the bottle- and it's never enough for Moxxie's bitch ass, but Loona decided a long time ago that if he wanted his preferred amount he should buy his own or get his wife to stop drinking half a damn bottle at a time.

Setting them down at the front of her desk, Loona flops back into her chair, pulls up Sinstagram, and waits.

Her job is a routine. It's simple. It's monotonous. Sometimes it's really fucking boring. Most of the time it's really fucking boring, actually. But Loona doesn't exactly have a lot of options on her plate.

Then the door gets kicked open, and suddenly it's new and refreshing.

"You would not BELIEVE the shit my dad told me today," Octavia grouses. Loona's eyebrows raise as the avian casually grabs one of the few waiting room chairs and pulls it over to her desk. She didn't invite the Goetia. She'd offered to listen whenever she wanted to rant, after that night in L.A., but she'd really not expected her to take her up on that. It was just one of those things, y'know? A yarn nice people use but don't really expect to have put into practice.

"You didn't walk here, did you?" she asks. Loona didn't even want to consider the stink Stolas would make if his owlet had walked into the shadiest part of Imp City alone.

"Of course not. I took a bus." Octavia's beak wrinkles as she recounts it. Loona wonders if it's the first time she's taken a bus in hell. They make Earth buses look spotless. "The dick isn't here, is he?"

"Blitz? Nah. He's off murdering the ex of a client." Loona's pretty sure he'll be home soon, though. Annoying as they all were, the imps were damn good at fucking their way up and out of fucked up situations. "We got time."

Octavia looks at the mugs, grabs the darker one, and slugs it like its vodka. Loona's too amused to tell her it's not for her. Because, fuck, who cared? They can make their own fucking coffee. Loona casually pulls the off-white milk monstrosity towards herself. "Anyway. My dad told me the wildest shit today. He was betrothed to my mum. It was some... fucked up arranged shit."

"You didn't know that?"

"You did?"

"He's royalty, kid. Rich bitches don't usually marry out of love."

"Well, yeah, but," Octavia grasps at straws, "We don't talk to the rest of dad's family. I just assumed it was because he and my mum pissed them off and eloped."

"Maybe," Loona replies. It's not like she knows a damn thing about it. "I don't, like, know your dad or anything, but he always gave me hella gay vibes. I didn't think he liked women at all."

Octavia takes a smaller sip, clenching her talons around the warmth for comfort. "I... don't know. I've never asked."

"He'd probably tell you if you did."

"Yeah. Probably. Does it... bother you? Our dads dating."

Loona's pretty sure 'dating' isn't what their relationship could be defined as. But she also doesn't want to break it to Octavia that she's heard they bone for profit, either. Not her table. "I really don't give a fuck what they do. Blitz is just my dad on paper."

(It's almost a lie. Loona sees Blitzo mostly as, like, an obnoxious roommate whose also her boss. But she also knows her role is nepotism at its finest, and that he gets her presents and remembers her favorite things, and Loona just. Can't think too deeply about it. Can't rely on that. It's only a matter of time before that goes away. It always does.)

"He's so... gross."

"Just be glad he's not giving you shitty cutesy nicknames."

Octavia shudders.

Loona's phone goes off with an obnoxiously loud chime. She sighs. "Sorry, kid. That's my cue to bring them back."

"'Via," Octavia corrects, immediately standing up. She fiddles with her beanie nervously. "Can I... come back sometimes? And talk to you? It's just nice to have someone around my age to bitch to."

Loona agrees. It's about time her job had some actual fucking requirements. And if that requirement is hanging out with a cool but troubled teenager, she can handle that. By the time the portal's open Octavia's gone, the chair is back in its place, and Loona's sending the usual 'we killed the bitch, like we said.'

Moxxie's grating voice breaks through Loona's eardrums like sandpaper as he lifts the almost empty coffee pot. "Goddamn it, Loona. Can't you do your job?"

"Do it yourself you fat bitch," she intones blandly, hiding a smile behind the pages of a grimoire that's as old as hell itself.

———————————————————————————————————-

"Wow," Octavia says the second time, finding the exact same setup. "This really is all you do all day."

"It's called a job," Loona replies, waving her in. "A really stupid one."

The Goetia trilled as she pulled the chair up. She seemed a bit more hesitant this time around- probably because she wasn't in a blind rage like the last time. "What's it like, having a job?"

The hellhound gestured to herself, sitting in the same damn chair with her legs up on the same damn table. "It's this. Sit here all day. Same time every day. Make some coffee, keep clients up to date, and portal the idiots home when they're done fucking around topside."

[drades-lair]

Not father of the year

Fandom: helluvaboss

Pairings: Striker/OC, Millie/Moxxie

Rating: M for violence, gore, swearing and implied sex

Millie hesitates for a moment with her closed fist hovering over Blitz’s office door, questioning if she should even bother Blitz. A few seconds later her concern overwhelms Millie causing her to knock on Blitz’s door promptly earning her a ‘come in’ from inside. Millie gingerly entered the office where Blitz was casually lounging in his high back chair, scrolling through his cell phone.

“Howdy Mills, what can I do for you?” Blitz greeted, lifting his head from his phone.

“Um…I was just wonderin’ if Ya heard anything from Mox yet?” Millie asked an undertone of concern to her voice.

“Uh…um…no, sorry Mills but it’s only been a…a week…” Blitz trailed off, a frown forming on his face as he realized time had slipped by faster then he’d anticipated, a sticky note on his desk with the date Moxxie had left glaring up at him as a reminder.

“Do Ya think somethin’ might be wrong?” Millie wondered not bothering to hide her concern anymore.

“Nah, I’m sure everything is just fine but here let me give him a call,” Blitz offered, plastering on a fake smile as he found Moxxie’s number in his phone then hit the ‘call’ button. Millie gave a little smile towards the gesture unfortunately it quickly faded as Moxxie’s phone went straight to voicemail on the other end of the call.

“Somethin’ is wrong, Mox would never turn his phone off, not even while on the job,” Millie declared, planting her hands on Blitz’s desk.

“Uh…right…um, how’s about I call Calus and Striker they could maybe help figure out what’s happened,” Blitz suggested earning a nod of approval from Millie.

Meanwhile…

Grunts sounded from the darkened motel room somewhere outside Imp City, bed rocking as Calus gripped the headboard with Striker’s tail wrapped securely around the Dracony’s waist when Calus’ phone started going off on the bedside table incessantly. Growling irritably Calus stopped what he was doing to answer the phone with a disgruntled snarl. Glancing briefly at the screen revealing Blitz’s face and number before he answered.

“Whatever this is about Blitz, it better be fucking good,” Calus snarled into the phone.

“Uh…well, Moxxie might be missing…” Blitz began only to hear Striker groan on the other end of the phone prompting him to arch an eyebrow.

“Might be? Blitz, you’d better be 100 percent sure of everything at this moment,” Calus warned followed by the sound of a slap and a moan from Striker.

“Huh? Oh…OH! SHIT! Uh, yeah, I’m 200 percent sure that Moxxie is missing. I just need to know if you can help or not,” Blitz stated upon realizing what was happening on the other side of the phone.

“Fine, let us finish up and we’ll meet you at IMP to discuss it further,” Calus agreed then hung up the phone without waiting for a response from Blitz.

A few hours later Calus strode into IMP’s office with Striker heading straight for Blitz’s office, the crimson imp shooting them a knowing smirk as they entered earning an eye roll from Striker. Millie stood off to the left side of Blitz’s desk with a deep frown on her face only perking a little upon seeing Calus enter with Striker.

“Alright, we’re here now what’s this about Moxxie missing?” Calus inquired, noting Millie’s distressed expression.

“Mox went on a mission about a week ago but hasn’t come back yet and he’s not picking up his phone,” Blitz explained simply.

“Okay, where was the job?” Striker inquired in turn.

“The human world as usual but…I asked Loona if he’d asked for a portal to get back yet and…she said he requested a portal back 5 days ago, he just didn’t go back home or the office,” Blitz continued to explain.

“That is a problem,” Calus admitted.

“Moxxie would never not come home,” Millie added solemnly.

“It’s alright Mills, we’ll help find him,” Calus assured her with a warm smile.

“Thanks Calus, you too Striker,” Millie thanked them.

“Where did Loona open the portal?” Calus wondered.

“Uh…let’s see…oh…” Blitz trailed off checking a sheet of paper where he’d clearly written in his shitty handwriting notes of what Loona had said, grimacing at where the portal had been opened.

“What?” Calus asked arching a brow in confusion.

“Um…it was in the Greed ring,” Blitz informed the room in a regrettable tone.

“Greed!? Blitz, Ya don’t think…” Millie exclaimed in alarm earning a confused look from both Calus and Striker.

“Care ta fill us in?” Striker prompted.

“Moxxie’s mobster father is in Greed, and they’ve got some serious beef,” Blitz explained briefly.

“His father?” Calus questioned furrowing his brow in curious confusion.

“Wait a minute, yer tellin’ me that little runt is part of a mob family?” Striker questioned in turn waving both hands in front of himself with a look of disbelief on his features. Millie snarled irritably at Striker for his comment yet let it go as her concern now was purely on Moxxie.

“Yeah, Moxxie’s dad is completely unhinged,” Blitz confirmed.

“Either way, even if his father isn’t involved the Greed ring is nothing to scoff at,” Calus added.

“We’ve gotta go get ‘im,” Millie insisted.

“Easy Mills, we don’t even know where he is,” Calus pointed out.

“Obviously he’s at his family’s mansion,” Millie retorted.

“It’s possible, but would mister I’m the worst father ever risk taking Moxxie there?” Blitz wondered.

“Even if he isn’t there, we can force someone to tell us where he is,” Millie reasoned, claws digging into the desks surface as she growled angrily.

“Got an address for us?” Calus asked with a determined smirk.

 Meanwhile at Crimson’s mansion in the Greed ring…

 The stairs creaked with a certain amount of malice as a pair of fancy-dress shoes descended them into a depth that seemed deeper then the bowels of hell itself. Moxxie could barely lift his head not that it really mattered he didn’t need to see who it was, he already knew as it had been the same process everyday for the past 5 days. Pain racked his body yet at the same time he was numb some how, cold cement under his body was the only thing grounding him by this point yet that was a fleeting thing too as his mind drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness. The familiar pin stripped pants crouched down in front of him, a hand coming down to grasp his chin promptly pulling it upwards to meet the face of Crimson, his father.

“Still hangin’ on I see, you’re tougher than I thought. Humph, surprising.” Crim taunted blowing a puff of cigar smoke straight into Moxxie’s face.

“You want us to get him up, sir?” Asked one of the shark demon’s that followed crimson down into the basement.

“Nah, he’s almost tapped out we’ll just let him rot for a bit. All I wanted to show you was my new plaque…it’s goin’ ta hold a special place on my wall,” Crim commented bringing a plaque around to Moxxie’s vision…it was his horns…his horns were displayed on a wooden plaque with his name engraved on a golden plate. Moxxie felt like he was going to hurl at the sight, he vaguely remembered a couple days ago the pain of something being done to his horns, but he’d had no idea they’d been removed.

Crimson’s maniacal cackle radiated through the cold stone basement as he shoved Moxxie’s head into the hard cement floor, standing up to leave with his goons in toe. Moxxie felt tears prick the corners of his eyes honestly though he was too tired to cry, letting his eyes slip closed and…in some ways…he hoped to never wake up. Unfortunately for Moxxie he didn’t get his wish awoken sometime later by the sound of breaking glass then a female scream that sounded vaguely familiar followed by hurried footfalls coming down the stairs.

…

Calus cursed under his breath as several shark demons came running down the stairs after hearing Millie scream at them finding Moxxie. Striker growled lunging forwards to pistol whip one of the shark demons before shooting him between the eyes while Calus lunged forwards to lock hands with a larger shark demon, snarling as he wrestled for control. Blitz grabbed Millie by the shoulders trying to snap her out of the daze she was currently in, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at Moxxie’s lifeless looking body laying in a pool of his own blood on the cement floor wearing a stained, off white piece of fabric. Calus swiped his tail managing to impale two more shark demons with the spines on the end while Striker shot several others using his dual pistols. Calus finally managed to break the shark demons hold who he’d been struggling with, yanking him to the side then tossing him backwards into a wall before shooting him. Striker shot the last shark demon near the stairs, turning with a cocky smirk as he blew the smoke from his pistol barrel only to yelp as a tail slapped the backs of his knees sending the pale imp to his knees right before an arm wrapped around his neck in a choke hold.

“Striker!” Calus exclaimed in alarmed concern.

“Now what in the name of all the rings in hell is goin’ on down here?” Crim asked, holding a dagger to Striker’s throat.

“Crimson,” Blitz growled lowly still standing with Millie who was so tapped out she didn’t even realize Crimson was there.

“Blitz~ didn’t think I’d see you again. Who are your new friends?” Crim asked looking from Calus to Striker.

“Let him go!” Calus snarled, tail spines bristling as the air in the room grew heavy.

“My, my, it is a pleasure to see a Dracony in person,” Crim commented with a false cheer to his voice.

“I said, let. Him. Go!” Calus growled again as once again the air grew thicker.

“Wouldn’t have thought a Dracony would care so much for a simple imp,” Crim taunted.

“Let me go and I’ll show Ya how simple I am,” Striker retorted irritably squirming just enough that Crimson caught a glimpse of the bite on Striker’s nape underneath his bandana.

“Humph, you seriously took an imp as yer mate. Gotta, say I didn’t see that coming from a Dracony,” Crim commented in a disdained tone.

“I will only tell you one last time to let him go,” Calus irritably snarled holding up a hand that started to glow red. Crimson growled back however he was well aware he was outnumbered.

“You want ‘im…then take ‘im!” Crimson exclaimed tossing Striker towards Calus, the pale imp doing a summer salt to land on one knee as Calus dropped down next to him, placing one hand on the imp’s shoulder while Crim took off.

“Blitz wasn’t kiddin’ guy really is unhinged,” Striker stated, getting up with Calus’ help.

“Uh…guys,” Blitz spoke up in a solemn tone that drew Calus and Striker’s attention.

“Mox,” Calus commented under his breath as he headed over to the small imp, crouching down next to his unconscious form, Striker doing the same on the other side.

Gently Calus shifted Moxxie onto his back only to be shocked when Moxxie released a small quiet whimper and slightly opened his eyes. Calus quickly shrugged off his duster to cover Moxxie up, cutting away the binds on his wrists.

“Take it easy squirt,” Striker encouraged, taking his bandana off to wrap around a bleeding gash on Moxxie’s arm closest to him.

“He’s breathing but barely, can you hear me Moxxie?” Calus asked, gently pulling Moxxie’s face towards him.

“Hmm,” Moxxie managed a weak hum although it wasn’t conclusive.

“Moxx…baby…” Millie’s voice finally radiated through the tension followed by the beginning of sobbing cries.

“Hang in there, kid,” Calus encouraged, scooping Moxxie up.

“Where do we take him?” Blitz wondered as Millie buried her face in his chest.

“Is Stolas around?” Calus asked in turn.

“No, he’s out of town on royal business,” Blitz answered.

“You think he’d mind if we made use of the palace infirmary?” Calus wondered.

“Oh no, definitely not,” Blitz assured Calus.

“Alright, we’re headed to the palace in Imp City let’s get moving,” Calus declared heading up the stairs.

Blitz had brought his van, so Calus loaded Moxxie into the back where Millie insisted on being with him gently trying to clean the grime and blood from his skin. It took a long time to get to the palace it felt like an eternity had passed by the time they pulled up, Calus coming back to pull Moxxie from the back of the van. They made they’re way into the basement of the palace where Stolas’ infirmary was located, Calus placing Moxxie on the table in the middle of the room then gathering items he would need from the cabinets. Striker helped Calus gather what he needed while Blitz stayed with Millie, watching over Moxxie who didn’t look like Moxxie anymore. Moxxie’s complexion was a pale pink, his hair was mussed with a combination of Sweat, blood, and dirt, then there were his horns…or rather lack there of, patches of Moxxie’s hair were missing from where it had clearly been ripped out.

Calus brought a rolling tray over with the items he’d been looking for on it while Striker started shrugging off his jacket in preparation to help Calus treat Moxxie. Removing his duster from Moxie’s body Calus could see clearly the damage that had been inflicted on the smaller imp’s form, various gashes, stabs, cuts, broken bones and so many other injuries. Calus had seen some torture victims in his day however for Moxxie to still be breathing was almost a miracle from what he could see, Calus gently pulled the white ratty fabric Mox was wearing down to his waist allowing him and Striker to start cleaning the wounds. Moxxie was out cold for most of the procedures unfortunately that changed when Calus had to start tending the more serious injuries including Moxxie’s damaged horns eliciting screams of agony from the small imp that made Millie cringe each time. It took hours to treat every single injury and get Moxxie cleaned up however they managed, Calus moved Moxxie to one of the steal framed beds across the room where he handed Millie a set of cotton pants to put Mox in while he helped Striker clean up. Once Moxxie was somewhat stable Calus encouraged Striker and Blitz to follow him out of the room so that Millie could have some time with Mox plus they could go get set up in a couple guest bedrooms.

Millie sat on the edge of Moxxie’s bed gently caressing his face as he whimpered in his unconscious state shifting from time to time. Carding her fingers through Moxxie’s short white hair Millie frowned at her husbands sawed off horns, anger twisting in her gut towards Crimson for having done this to his own son. Calus continued to treat Moxxie’s injuries over the next couple of days till finally he started to stir, groaning as he blinked open his big yellow eyes to see Millie hovering over him.

“Mox? Baby!? Can Ya hear me?” Millie asked voice breaking slightly with tears welling up in her eyes.

“M-Millie…” Moxxie managed to rasp out with a small smile at seeing his wife.

“Hush baby, I’ll get Calus,” Millie stated, a huge smile spreading across her features. Calus was just down the hallway in a storage area gathering somethings to restock the infirmary when Millie barged in excitedly. Calus followed Millie back to the infirmary over to Moxxie’s bedside revealing that the smaller imp was indeed awake although he still looked like death warmed over.

“Take it easy Mox, I just want to check your injuries,” Calus explained gently looking over the bandaged wounds all over Moxxie’s body.

“I’m so happy Yer awake! Yer gonna be okay baby,” Millie happily stated, interlacing the fingers of one hand with Moxxie’s.

“I’m…sorry I worried you...” Moxxie apologized through winces of pain.

“Don’t apologize, this isn’t Yer fault,” Millie assured Moxxie slightly squeezing his hand.

“What happened…to…my father?” Moxxie wondered.

“He fled and if he’s smart, he’ll hide,” Calus interjected with a small snarl.

“W-what?” Moxxie questioned.

“Yer old man made the mistake of threatenin’ Striker,” Millie gave a little chuckle as she flatly explained.

“Oh…is he okay?” Moxxie wondered again.

“Yeah, he’s fine however I’m sure Crimson won’t be if Calus gets a hold of him,” Millie answered shooting a knowing look to Calus who returned it with a ‘you bet your ass’ sort of look.

“Everything seems to be healing okay, once it gets a little further into the process, I’ll use my skills to help it along. Also, later I should be able to help you regrow your horns faster,” Calus explained.

“That’s great news, thank Ya Calus,” Millie thanked the Dracony with a genuine warm smile.

“Not a problem, now get some more rest,” Calus encouraged before leaving.

Moxxie did as instructed making sure to rest as much as possible unfortunately what he’d been through caused him nightmares that continuously disturbed his rest. Luckily for Moxxie, Millie was always there for him and within a few months he was mostly healed, physically anyways. Calus kept his promise to help regrow Moxxie’s horns, taking several sessions to use his healing skills on them till they were mostly back to full length. Moxxie knew his metal state wasn’t going to recover as swiftly as his body had, again though luckily he had Millie to help him through it all.  

[helldustedstories]

They'd been doing better. Things had finally started to settle down, and it looked like the worst thing they'd have to face would be the divorce. But once that was done, they could start doing more of the things they'd talked about. Like making the palace into more of a home, turning some of the unused rooms into spaces for each member of their little family, so everyone would have a space that belonged just to them. They'd even been talking about Blitz starting to leave more things at the palace, to maybe start to try living together.

But then everything had changed, in the course of a single afternoon. Blitz was back to work after dealing with the infestor, and everything should have gone back to normal after they'd talked through all of that. It was supposed to just be another day, and once he was done, he'd come to the palace and tell him about it while they had dinner or just spent time together.

Stolas had only found out about what was happening when he decided to watch the latest episode of his Hell-a-Novela and the TV had automatically switched over to a live feed from Lucifer's courtroom, with Blitz in a fucking collar and chains. That would have been bad enough, but few hellborn entered that courtroom and came out of it unscathed, and the ticker tape at the bottom had made it abundantly clear what they were planning to do, that they were planning to execute Blitz. For a crime that was Stolas' fault.

He hadn't hesitated; he'd thrown on his clothes and portaled to the courtroom as quickly as he could, desperately following the thread of their connection, trying to reach Blitz. But there had been only static, as though there was some sort of interference, which he could only assume was built into the restraints.

The sight of Blitz on his knees, head lowered, ready for the headsman's axe is something Stolas will never be able to unsee. It is something that will haunt his nightmares forever, had already started to haunt his nightmares. If he'd been even a second later…., he can't even think about what would have happened.

In the end, his own desperate improvised meddling had been enough; he'd managed to convince Satan and, as it later became apparent, all of hell that he'd been the one to blame, that he had set Blitz up to take the fall, but when the court believed that he could concoct such a scheme, he couldn't hold back any longer, he had to take the credit for everything.

Stolas had managed to use their connection one last time to share a moment with Blitz, to tell him once more that he was his light, that he couldn't live without him by his side. He had been fully prepared to sacrifice his own life if it meant saving Blitz…, but Andrealphus had convinced Satan to banish him, to strip him of everything instead.

While he could have learned to live without the material things, being banished also meant he wouldn't be able to see Via, something that really hit home when he saw Blitz and Loona embrace when they'd taken him back to their apartment. She was still only seventeen, which almost certainly meant that Stella would keep her from him. He didn't even have a phone to reach out to her, and he doubts that Stella will let any other messages about him through.

He's been mostly quiet the past few days, and it's only because of Blitz that he's managed to take care of himself at all. Whenever he doesn't have the energy to bathe or preen, he barely has to say anything before Blitz is there, offering to help him, the way he had been after Stolas had gotten out of the hospital all over again.

Except there's even more guilt this time, because he has nothing to offer in return. Even their connection, meant to allow them to always be with one another, even when they're apart lies dormant. He had so hoped that the spell he'd put together, the bind between their souls would still allow them that small mercy, even without his magic, but even that had been stripped away.

Stolas listens as Blitz takes his hand in both of his, listens as he says that he cares, that their daughters care, even adding Moxxie and Millie into the mix. But it's the way Blitz's voice breaks, the way he feels his arms start to tremble before it's stopped just as quickly that really gets Stolas' attention.

Blitz has practically been holding him together since he'd brought him home, and that wasn't fair to him, not when he'd gone through just as much of an ordeal as Stolas had.

And even though Blitz has his hand in both of his, even though their fingers are curled together, Blitz's thumb rubbing over his palm, he's too far away. Holding hands has been a way for them to come back to one another, to ground each other, but right now, Stolas needs more than that. And he has a feeling Blitz might, too.

Without a word, he pulls Blitz the rest of the way onto the couch, into his lap so he can hold him close, arms wrapped around him, can feel as well as hear his heartbeat. He needs to feel him, warm and alive, after everything they'd gone through.

But when Blitz tells him not to do that again, that the world needs him, Stolas pulls back, just enough to see him, visible pupils searching his face. He's listening, understanding what Blitz is trying to tell him, trying to show him. He knows Blitz loves him, that he wants to protect him, something he makes clear every time he tries to put himself in the line of fire, as though his own life wasn't worth far more than Stolas' ever could be.

"Don't you dare try to tell me you're not worth it," Stolas says the moment Blitz tells him not to put himself on the line, never for him, showing more life than he has in days despite how soft his voice is. "How many times have you saved me? Saved everyone we both care about?" He lifts a hand to Blitz's face, thumb brushing along his cheek. "I couldn't have lived with myself if I hadn't done something," he whispers.

He hadn't known that they wouldn't simply execute him in Blitz's place, had been prepared for that possibility. And he had accepted it, knowing that it meant Blitz would live.

"I love you, Blitz. More than I will ever truly be able to put into words. And I will always do everything I can to save you." Even at the expense of himself. He will always prioritize his loved ones, will always sacrifice whatever he needs to if it means that they'll be okay.

“ i don’t care what happens to me. as long as you’re safe. ” [Stolas to Blitz xoxo] / @helldustedstories

❝ Yeah, I'm kind of getting that ?? ❞ It's been a few days - most of them passed in silence that hovered somewhere between comfortable and un - but Loona's finally gotten up the courage to leave the house and Blitz has gotten up the courage to let her ( though perhaps let is a strong word ) and in the absence of his daughter, his frazzled nerves are starting to spark more visibly at the surface, and his fingers twitch in hesitation before reaching out to take one of Stolas' hands in both of his.

❝ But I care. Via cares - Loona cares ! Moxx and Mills care. There are plenty of people who do - because you matter. Stols - ❞ Blitz's voice breaks a little. He's half on the beanbag that's taken up permanent residence by the couch, and half on the couch itself, and a tremble works its way down his arms before he quells it, largely for Stolas' sake. He's been through more than enough for lifetimes over ; Blitz can't put more on his plate - not now. Not ever. Not for someone he loves this fucking much.

Blitz curls their fingers together, rubbing his thumb over the side of Stolas' palm. He's memorized the soft ruffle of feathers, but it still feels new and exhilarating every time he finds this touch - and he's done everything in his power to keep Stolas' plumage soft and clean - bathed and preened every day with all the good stuff he went out and bought that first night.

❝ Don't - don't do that again, please, Stols. If I lost you - ❞ Fuck, fuck he can't think about it, he can't breathe around the thought. He's had nightmares lately - and yeah, plenty of them are fragments and shards of moments being pulled away from M&M and Loona, choked out and shoved through merciless portals, but a majority of them are watching the doors close on Stolas' form - reaching desperately, clawing at the unyielding wood, screaming and searching for a connection that lays as lifeless in his sleep as it does when he's awake now.

❝ - You're ... the world needs you. You're so full of life and love, you can do so much, you mean so much. You mean so much to me - I ... I love you. Please don't put yourself on the line like that - not for me, okay ? Never for me. ❞

[c4llezz]

THANK YOU, HEEJIN

Requested: Yes. Question, would you write 13th!member for Loona? If so, could you write one with KimLip and reader being together but having to hide it from everyone else? Reason for that you can decide!

KIM LIP X 13TH!MEMBER!READER

TW: None I think

Genre: Fluff

Word count: 1.2K

A/N: I'm sorry for taking so long, I was busy and then I got sick so yeah

Expect mistakes, happy reading!

Jungeun and you had always been close, maybe closer than everyone in the group. You just had a connection, different from what you had with the other members, no one apart from you both seemed to notice it though.

You thought it was normal, I mean you couldn’t have the same type of relationship with 12 different girls whom you meet in different circumstances. It did feel a lot different from everyone, you weren’t familiar with the feeling so you try to ignore it. But it was too hard to ignore, whenever she got near you, you got nervous and there was a feeling in your stomach you could not describe.

Although you were not the only one feeling that way, Jungeun did know what it was. She tried to ignore it too because even if you were friends, you were also co-workers, and saying anything could ruin the whole group’s dynamic. To express her feelings she started to write songs, hoping one day she could sing them to you.

Once, when she was working on a song you knocked on her room “It sounds great” you said opening the door with a smile.

“Is not finished yet and it doesn’t have much rhythm” she dismissed your comment.

You rolled your eyes but chuckled anyway “Can’t you just take a compliment?” you took a seat on her bed “I could play the guitar for you” you offered. She accepted, she loved it when you play the guitar, your hands effortlessly playing any song. That day you spent the day together, coming up with different lyrics and tunes. If only you knew you were helping on a song just for you. That day you also figured out your feelings for her.

You couldn’t stop thinking about Jungeun after that. Whatever you did, wherever you went you always thought about her, would Jungeun like this? or I should come with Jungeun next time. She was the same and when she tried to avoid you, you’d bring her food from whatever restaurant you had gone to that day, then she’d say “you didn’t have to do that” and you’d answer “I know, but I wanted to” and she’d just fell harder. It did take a long time until one of you confessed their feelings, none of you wanting to ruin the friendship you had been building for years.

While you were on your way to the company’s building you got a notification telling you that one of your members was doing a Vlive, you clicked on it and found her behind the screen of your phone saying something about being hungry. So you decided to stop for food before heading to the company.

When you arrived you knocked on her door and open it slowly with your hands behind your back hiding what you had gotten for her. ”Hey,” she said softly “What are you doing?”

You shrugged your shoulders “I just heard you were hungry” you said and then showed her the food.

She gasped “Thank you!” she took it from your hands and placed it on her desk, “Do you want to stay,” she said pointing at the ongoing live, where you could see a lot of comments with your name on them, orbits had always like the dynamic between you both. They always pointed out how with other members she’d be least affectionate, but with you she was. There was a war among the fandom, between your ship and Kim Lip’s ship with Jinsoul.

You decided to stay and talk with orbits and your member, it was a fun time. You just had to hide the urge to look at Jungeun’s lips whenever she was talking and she just had to control her hands from grabbing yours when you were not looking. After the live ended, you couldn’t hold yourself anymore and told her everything. You confessed your feelings, waiting for rejection. But when instead you got a kiss you couldn’t be happier.

You decided not to tell anyone about your relationship, your members wouldn’t shut up about it and in no time everyone was going to know, and your company couldn’t find out because who knows what they’ll do. Also if you broke up it’ll be awkward for everyone and you didn’t want your members to act differently.

It was normal to go on dates with any of the members, so when you went out together the members didn’t suspect anything, but most of the time someone else would join you. One time it was Haseul, then Chuu, and the last time was Yeojin, so you didn’t have much time to spend together, alone. But when you did, it was great.

Having to hide your relationship gave you a thrilling feeling, stolen glances when no one was looking, holding hands under the table when you were out at a restaurant, and staying up late (which was hard for Kim Lip considering she was always the first one to go to sleep) just so you could kiss talk in private.

But it also made you feel bad, you’ve always told your members everything, and every time you share those moments with your girlfriend you felt a pinch of guilt.

After almost 6 months into your relationship, the company decided to give each one of you your own place. It made hiding your relationship easier, but it made the guilt grow bigger. The feeling didn't last long though.

One day you were laying with Kim Lip on the couch of your living room watching a movie, well the movie was playing in the background while you were making out. You were so distracted that you didn't hear the door open, you did hear the loud gasp of someone. Jungeun jumped out of your arms with a screech and turned to look at the person at the door with wide eyes.

There stood Heejin, with one hand covering her mouth and eyes bigger than the sun. “Heejin! What…What are you doing here?” You said, red cheeks for getting caught.

“I-I’m sorry!” she stuttered still shocked about what she had seen “I just wanted to tell you we were going out for dinner” she quickly left and closed the door. You followed after her, Kim Lip trailing behind you.

When you opened the door in search of Heejin and saw her talking with Gowon and Yves in hushed whispers, you knew you were screwed. Out of all people, Heejin had to be the one who found out about you two, why couldn’t it have been Vivi? Or even Yeojin (and that was saying a lot). The little hope you had of her not telling them faded away when you saw Yves looking at you with raised eyebrows.

“So, you want to explain to us what Heejin just saw?” She asked

Kim Lip sent a glare in Heejin’s direction before sighing, “I think is better if we tell all of you at the same time.” And that's what you did, everyone was sitting in your living room while you explained everything and why you hadn’t told them before. The girls were really supportive and didn’t mind you hiding, so all the guilt you had been feeling for the past 6 months faded away and you were thankful for that.

In the end, Heejin finding out was actually beneficial for everyone, you could act freely around your members while they could tease you every second of the day for it. “Everyone here has to thank me now!” All the people in the room rolled their eyes.

“Thank you, Heejin.”

[myafterlifeisbetterthenyours]

Just found your blog and I must say,I love your work. (If you’re still taking requests that is) Is it alright if I requested HCs of Loona encountering Hellhound!Blind!S/o?

Loona with a Blind Hellhound S/O

It was a rather peculiar day for the Hellhoundet.

First she'd had to deal with all the bullshit from the married idiots.

Then there was Blitzø snooping through her business, totally invading her privacy. So what if her clothes were left outside her room.

So there she was, angrily walking down the streets. The girl taking heavy steps, hands balled into fists.

She'd made it several blocks before she realised she didn't know where she was going.

So, stopping on the sidewalk, she looked about, maybe looking for somewhere to eat.

As she did such, she was suddenly barged into, the Hellhound barely able to keep on her feet.

Turning around she snapped at the unknown person.

Upon not finding anyone, she quickly found the person. Although the only thing she did find was a Hellhound anxiously feeling about.

She just stared at you, watching as you felt about, looking down to see a long white stick by her feet.

Kicking the stick over to you you quickly snatched it up, gratefully holding it close.

Getting to your feet, you didn't look at her, apologising for the incident.

Loona scoffed, asking you rather bluntly if you were blind or something.

To which you told her, yes, calmly removing your glasses.

You didn't look directly at her, the girl finding your eyes held a milky film over them.

Putting them back on, you apologised again, telling her you were truly sorry, your senses were usually much more fine tuned.

Loona wasn't really sure what you do.

She didnt like you running into her, but she couldn't exactly blame you. And you did apologise, so she just told you not to worry bout it.

Blindly cleaning yourself off, you offered to take her out for coffee, as an apology.

Not going to turn down free coffee, she was surprised when you began leading her, the Hellhound even more surprised when you lead her into an actual Cafe.

Loona asking you how you managed that, you playfully telling her to trust your nose.

You walked in, the girl order her own and you asking her for help in your own order. The girl helping as she could.

The two of you sat down, you and the girl getting to talk. The two of you talked about being blind, a subject you couldn't blame her for bringing up.

You told her it wasn't so bad, with you being a Hellhound meant you had both incredible sense of smell and sense of hearing, and with that you were able to handle yourself well enough.

But you did still need you walking cane, or else you were severely handicapped.

Well, even more handicapped.

But your senses were quite capable.

For instance, you knew she was a Hellhound that worked with three Imps, one of which she lived with.

Needless to say, Loona was impressed, wondering what else you could find out.

You told her she didn't spend much time with others, excluding the Imps, and bathed semi regularly.

She was a little upset at that, not liking her lack of friends pointed out.

You apologised, telling him you so rarely got to speak to anyone, and you could often get ahead of yourself.

Your coffee was finally ready, you going to pay with a much larger bill then was necessary, the waitress going to keep the change.

Loona shut that down quickly, demanding your change, the girl didnt like it, but she gave you your rightful change.

You thanked her, sipping your coffee.

You drank your coffee, the two of you having another pleasant conversation. By the end you thanked her honestly, humbly taking her hand and planting a simple kiss atop it.

You asked her if perhaps she would care to meet again, the Hellhound agreeing. Although she did her best to hide how excited she was.

The two of you would meet at that coffee shop almost daily, the two of quickly becoming the closest of friends.

It wasn't long until the two of you were spending lots of time together, the young lady quickly seeing you as her closest friend.

It wouldn't be until you went for a walk in the public gardens, a surprising beautiful place, and a place you often went to relax that you'd confess that you actually really like-liked her.

And as you were telling her you'd understand if she didn't want to be with some broken Hellhound like you, a very serious fear you'd had about confessing to her, the girl grabbed you, pulling you into a deep kiss.

Your relationship was adorable.

The girl was just so, so happy with you, you made her so, so very warm and happy.

You were kind and mature and just so genuine.

And in a twisted way it did help that you were literally blind, so it's not like you could judge her by her looks.

And because of that, she had such a giddy warmth with you, the two of you having such a deep love connection.

You on the other hand, were surprisingly capable for a blind hound.

Your other senses like smell and hearing had been fine tuned until you could basically tell exactly what was happening around you.

Knowing what kind of people were around you. There race, general dietary status and basic things that she would never guess.

You could pick up scents even she couldnt seem to find. And you could hear the slightest things, so far as the ticking of a watch across the street.

Loona would have the occasional moment of insecurity, but it never lasted long.

The girl always feeling like a bitch for being all self concious while your basically helpless without your walking cane.

Meeting Blitzø was an... experience.

Especially for everyone but you.

You were adorably timid, walking into the office, fearful when Loona introduced you as her boyfriend.

Blitzø was unsurprisingly hostile, the Imp not seeing you as much.

Although you were hesitent to answer when he demanded you look him in the eyes, asking If you were blind or somethin?

Loona having to slide in and say yes. You were indeed blind.

Blitzø was icy towards you, but didn't see you as much of a threat, but of course threatened to take all your other senses.

Then he'd neuter you. And you would need a cone.

Youd need a fucking casket.

You were deeply disturbed by the end of your meeting, Loona having to give you lots of comfort.

Both Millie and Moxxie would love you.

Millie thinking you and Loona were perfect for each other. Thinking your more timid lovable nature was perfect for the moody Hellhoundet.

Moxxie just loved that he finally had something over the angsty teen. And you were the perfect ammunition.

And there was a few issues, many coming from Loonas anxiety, while you had a few with your lack of sight.

But you loved each other, the Girl insanely protective of you. In a loving, Hellhound kinda way.

[nobodyfamousposts]

Helluva Deal (Miraculous X Helluva Boss)

Well, since Miraculous crossovers with Helluva Boss/Hazbin Hotel are a thing now, I figured I’d write my own on how I think it would likely go. Since this IS the Helluva Boss universe, expect mentions of death and the afterlife, allusions to violence, innuendos, and general inappropriateness:

“Let me get this straight.”

Blitzo stared down the demon before him.

Said demon simply looked back, unimpressed. The little thing was small with blue skin, dorky-looking round glasses, and uneven horns. It wasn’t even a notable demon. Just a random weaker demon who somehow got the funds to pay for their services.

And normally, Blitzo was hardly one to turn down money—or a job that offered money. But this…

“You want to pay us to kidnap someone from Earth—not murder, which is in our company’s name, but kidnap. Which is decidedly more difficult and less fun.”

“Yep.”

Blitzo steepled his fingers together and held them up to his face. “And you want this person kidnapped—not so you can kill her yourself for whatever issue you may have, but because you want her to make you a jacket.”

“Yep.”

“A plain old jacket you could just get anywhere here in Hell.”

The demon gasped in offense. “It’s not just ANY jacket! It’s an MDC original piece and I want one!”

Blitzo took a breath, getting the feeling he was going to regret this. 

“Why?”

This…made the demon pause and eventually shrug. “Well, I did say I would have died for an MDC jacket. And I’m dead now, so…gimme.”

Well, who was he to argue with that logic?

Although…

“That is going to require quite a bit more effort…” He started, obviously leading…

The demon gave a flat look. “I’m not paying you double. I need the rest to pay her for the jacket.”

“Why would you want to pay for it?” Blitzo demanded. “This is Hell! You’re a demon! Just steal one!”

“It’s a commission! I have to pay for it!”

Blitzo would have spit out his drink if he’d had one.

“What are you even in Hell for, anyway? You won’t kill. You won’t steal. You just want to pay some human for a jacket you could get anywhere. What’s the point of that?” He asked, giving the other demon a strange look because really, what kind of demon WANTED to pay for things?

The demon stared flatly at Blitzo, his tail flicking against the chair in apparent increasing agitation.

"Are you saying that a commission shouldn't be paid for?” The demon asked curiously, sounding a little...too polite. “Because the last guy who tried to skip out on paying for a commission died. Eyes stabbed out and everything. Do you want to risk that kind of thing happening to you?"

…

Blitzo paled.

“Oh.”

The silence lingered to the point of long past uncomfortable as the demon continued to wait for an answer and Blitzo’s not so subtle attempt to desperately press his secret security button under his desk had no effect.

This would turn out to be because of Loona disconnecting the thing due to her hangover. Though in the moment, Blitzo would choose to blame Moxie.

After a good minute of no response from his team, Blitzo started to sweat when the determined artist demon seemed to grow bored and pulled out a pencil.

He jumped to his feet.

“We’ll take the case!”

And immediately fled the room.

_______

Once on Earth, the problem came up rather quickly that they had no idea who MDC was or how to access them. The client only knew the target was a fashion designer in Paris, which narrowed it down to one city at least but still was little help when the city in question was one of the fashion capitals of the world.

Blitzo, naturally, took the lead in trying to work out a means of information gathering.

And by “naturally”, what was really meant was “horribly failing”.

“I’m telling you, the plan is foolproof. We hold someone for ransom until MDC trades herself.” Blitzo said with apparent glee.

“Sir, that would be the exact opposite of subtle and get us the wrong kind of attention!”

Moxie, for his part, was trying to come up with what he would call “sensible plans”. Millie was simply scouting the area while the two argued. Ever faithful Loona stayed behind to try using her own connections…a magazine.

Needless to say, Blitzo was the one carrying the team. Or at least in his not-so-humble opinion.

Blitzo rolled his eyes. “I don’t see you coming up with any plans, Moxie.”

The smaller demon gave his boss a disgruntled glare. “I already told you! We should just go back and ask the client for more information!”

“Hmm…” Blitzo paused, before pulling out his phone. “Hey, Loona. The client still in my office?”

“Yeup.”

Blitzo immediately closed the phone. “Yeah—nope.”

“Sir—”

“He gouged a guy’s eyes out, Moxie! I need my eyes! I’m too pretty to lose them! They frame my face!” Blitzo exclaimed, bringing his hands up to his head in a fit of dramatics. “Is that what you want, Moxie? Do you want me to lose my precious, precious eyes?”

Moxie stared at the man like he was insane. Granted, Moxie had long had doubts about his boss’s sanity, but still...

“Hey, fellas?” Millie called, interrupting the two as she waved them over to the side of the building they had set up a temporary base atop of. “Listen to this!”

Blitzo immediately headed over, with Moxie following along behind looking annoyed. As they got closer, they heard what Millie had called them over about. Blitzo leaned over and peeked into the room in question.

Below them was an open window of the building where apparently a number of teenagers were gathered within for some inexplicable reason. And in this specific room, a group of the teens were gathered around one particular girl with a large forehead and hair that appeared to be made of meat. It was this girl who had their attention.

“—really friends with MDC?” One short blonde asked, looking overly excited like Blitzo did when he got a paycheck.

“Of course!” The meat-girl replied, looking smug. “We go way back! I was even the one who encouraged him to start in fashion and inspired his Heroes line.”

Blitzo looked back up at his team. “I thought MDC was a girl?”

Moxie shrugged. “If no one knows their real identity who's to say if they're a boy or a girl?"

“What else are they saying?” Millie asked, which returned the focus to the room.

More talking from below, using words that none of the demons really understood or cared about.

“—which was why he even made the Fox outfit for me!”

“Wasn’t that design based on Rena Rouge rather than Volpina?” One other girl with blue hair asked from the doorway of the room. She appeared to be rather annoyed for some odd reason.

The meat-girl looked somber. “Well, that was before he had to change it. After all, as bold as he is, not many people would support an akuma line, even if he had kept my idea to donate the funds to charity for the victims.”

The group “oo”-ed over the girl and praised her for her thoughtfulness. The meat-girl preened at the attention. The bluenette rolled her eyes. Some other blond guy looked on in disappointment.

“How amazing!” The little blonde exclaimed, clasping her hands to her cheeks. “I’d love to be able to meet MDC!”

“So would we!”

All eyes fell to the window which Blitzo, Millie, and Moxie used to make their entrance.

Honestly, he thought it was one of his better displays of dramatics. It certainly warranted some applause. Or screams of fear. Maybe one fainting.

“Akuma!”

Honestly, he was rather disappointed by the underwhelming response.

“I know we're demons and all, but I thought this place was French, not Japanese!"

“Nevermind that.” Blitzo replied to his workers before stepping forward to face the students.

Or rather one student in particular.

“Greetings! I am Blitzo. The two behind me are Millie and Moxie.”

The class stared as one of the two glared at them while the other waved cheerfully—or would be considered cheerfully if her teeth weren’t so razor sharp.

“We represent IMP, a for-hire group out of Hell. We take contracts, complete tasks, and make wishes come true!”

The teens looked at the demons in wariness and confusion.

“That sounds nice…” The little blonde in pink said.

“Those wishes generally involve murder.”

“I take it back! That sounds horrible!”

Blitzo grinned. “We are the ‘Immediate Murder Professionals’, dealing with the unfinished business of those poor wretched souls who are seeking some small vindication in their current status in Hell.”

“Then…why are you here?” The bigger male demanded.

Blitzo ignored him in favor of his true target.

“You! Ugly girl!” He shouted, grabbing the meat-girl.

“Hey!” She exclaimed, insulted.

He shook her. “Take us to MDC and we’ll rip out those sausage-links you call hair!”

“…don’t you mean ‘or’?”

He grinned ferally.

“No.”

She shrieked in fear.

“Lila!” Others cried out in horror.

Ah, yes. There was the fear. This, Blitzo was good with. It made him feel better about the previous lackluster response to his entrance.

“Why do you want me?!” The girl—Lila shouted, looking panicked. “I don’t know where MDC is!”

He raised an eyebrow at this. “But you said you were friends.”

She glanced around, taking note of the fact that her cohorts were still in the room. Though he didn’t know why that should matter for her answer.

“We are! But…I don’t know where he lives now! He’s moved since his name got out there and hasn’t given me the address yet!”

A glasses-wearing girl frowned in confusion. “But didn’t you just say that he invited you to his house for fittings?”

“Yeah, you said it was for the latest line that just came out.” Another girl with multi-colored hair added.

“That was months ago. Before he moved.” Lila replied quickly. “So I can’t help you.”

“Sure, you can!” Blitzo replied jovially. “We can just use you as ransom until MDC agrees to hand himself over.”

Moxie approached the two, keeping his gun leveled at the other kids. “We can save some time and see if she can’t call him.”

“Hey, yeah!” Millie agreed, grabbing Lila’s bag off of her and searching for her phone. “If they’re friends, she’s gotta have his contact info!”

“It’s not in there!” Lila replied quickly. “I was worried someone would steal my phone to get his info so I don’t keep his number in my phone!”

Millie frowned, before holding the now open phone up to Lila. “Then just type in the number yourself.”

Lila glanced around the room in growing agitation. “I can’t! I don’t have it memorized!”

“Then where did you write it down?”

“I lost it!”

The demons were looking particularly vexed.

“When and where?”

“It was a while ago. I don’t know where.” Lila replied.

A girl with glasses looked at her in confusion. “But didn’t you say you just called him this morning to congratulate him on the new line? And that he promised you a free outfit as thanks for all your help?”

Lila paled. “I—”

“Then the number should still be in the phone under its call history.” Moxie noted. Millie grinned and looked back to the phone screen to look through the data.

“I deleted it right after!” Lila shouted desperately.

Millie looked up at her in irritation.

Then promptly crushed the phone in her grip.

Lila shrieked, though it would be up for debate as to whether it was in shock at the loss of her phone or in fear that she may soon share that same fate.

Blitzo seemed similarly put out, but ended up shrugging it off as he pulled Lila closer to him. “Then it’s back to Plan A to hold her for ransom. Or torture her to see if she can’t remember the details.”

“No, please!”

“Lila!”

“Let her go!”

Lila grabbed at the arm holding her, panicked but not enough beyond reasoning. She couldn’t afford to reveal she lied now. She could only hope that these monsters would take her somewhere private where she could manipulate them with less witnesses.

Marinette, for her part, was also analyzing the situation.

These were three unknowns. Definitely not akumas. If they were to be believed, they were actual demons. From Hell. Which existed, apparently. And was where Lila would likely find herself in the next hour if she kept this up.

But from Lila’s expression, it seemed she was insistent on staying tight-lipped about her lies. Marinette figured as much due to her history. But she would have thought that Lila would have had some measure of self-preservation. Though perhaps that only applied to the preservation of her lies and manipulations rather than her own well being.

It was clear that Lila wasn’t going to get herself out of this. Not in any way that would spare her and everyone else in the room, at any rate.

As it was, the classmates were about to rally in Lila’s defense. While they had stood their own against akumas in the past,Marinette didn’t want to see how well they would fare against demons. Nor did she want to have to test if the Miraculous Cure would be enough to fix whatever would be left of them if they tried.

Marinette looked to the doorway.

No one was paying any attention to her right now. She could escape. She could go out, find a place to transform, and come back to deal with these…demons.

But by the time she returned, who was to say what could happen. The demons could kill Lila. They could kill all of her friends for being witnesses.

Ladybug may not be able to fix this.

But Marinette…as Marinette, she could.

“I’m MDC.” Marinette admitted.

Everyone froze.

“Come again.”

“MDC.” Marinette enunciated. “It stands for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. My name. I’m MDC. I’m the one you want.”

Alya stared. “Girl?”

Moxie looked at her in consideration. “That would fit with the client’s report of MDC being female.”

Millie, frowned in suspicion. “How do we know she’s really MDC?”

Marinette took a breath and slowly pulled out her tablet. “Well, my signature is in the clothes, so if you’ll let me pull up one of the shots, I can point it out and—”

Blitzo cut her off, grabbing her arm. “Yeah, I think we’ll just take you both and let the client sort it out. Sound good? Good, because we’re leaving.”

“Bye all!” Millie said, waving to the group. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!”

Moxie rolled his eyes. “That’s a pretty short list…”

Blitzo ignored them an opened a portal, dragging both girls after him. Without a glance back, both Millie and Moxie followed him through the portal. Before anyone else could move, the gateway closed behind them.

A long pause followed.

“Not so fast!”

Suddenly, the door was kicked open as Chat Noir burst into the room.

The much less enemy-filled room.

“Um…did I miss the party?”

_______

The room they soon found themselves appeared, for all intents and purposes, completely normal. It looked like an office of the sort they’d find anywhere in Paris. Complete with a secretary’s desk, a few chairs, and a table littered with magazines.

The difference was made quickly apparent, however, through the view out the window. The landscape the deceptively quaint room was mostly a collage of red and black, with a sunless sky above and a myriad of strange buildings. Also of note where the various denizens of…distinctly non-human appearance wandering the streets outside.

“All right, ladies! Welcome to Hell!” Blitzo announced with a flourish, causing the girls to pale.

Lila fell back with a screech, landing on her butt and immediately attempting to scuttle back away. Her path was quickly halted as she bumped into something. Looking up, that “something” was actually a wolf monster, making Lila panic even further.

Loona, for her part, was not having a good morning—ignoring, of course, that it was actually the afternoon. And as if it wasn’t bad enough that her hangover still hadn’t cleared, now some…thing had shoved into her, followed shortly by an ear-piercing shriek that only made her head feel worse.

Seeing the way the wolf demon growled, Lila opened her mouth, possibly to scream even more when Marinette quickly shoved a hand over her mouth with a smile to Loona.

“Oh my! Your hairstyle is quite lovely!” She lied. Blatantly lied to the wolf girl’s face.

“It’s bed-head.”

“I couldn’t even tell. It looks so sleek and shiny!”

“Whatever.” Loona grumbled and stormed off to the break room, slamming the door behind her (and then immediately regretting it due to the noise agitating her headache).

Marinette decided to take the initiative. “So…what do you want with us, anyway?”

“Our client paid us a pretty penny—”

“Basic contract.” Moxie interrupted.

“Pretty. Penny.” Blitzo continued as if he hadn’t heard. “For a chance to meet with MDC.”

Okay, they had mentioned that before.

“Then what?”

“If you are MDC, you can do whatever the client is wanting. If you’re not, you’ll at least make for a decent distraction while we escape and blow up the building.”

The humans in the room blanched at that.

“WHAT?!”

“I know. She was a beautiful building.” Blitzo said mournfully as he actually wiped a tear from his eye. “And I just got my office arranged how I like it, too. But it

Marinette stared.

Lila whimpered.

“I second that ‘what’.” Moxie interrupted. “Nobody at any point discussed blowing up the building!”

“It was on page 3 of the handout I gave you this morning, Moxie.” Blitzo exclaimed, covering his eyes in exasperation. “At least read the mission briefings!”

“Sir, the ‘handout’ was a paper napkin. There was no third page!” Moxie insisted.

Beside him, Millie for her part was looking over the aforementioned napkin for the part that was supposed to mention the circumstances in question…or really any of the plan.

“We’ll discuss it later.” Blitzo said over his shoulder to Moxie as he proceeded to grab both human girls and drag them over to a previously closed door.

“Hey wait—!”

“Hang on!”

Within seconds, Blitzo opened the door and proceeded to shove both girls through before slamming it shut behind them, the last thing they heard being him mentioning where to buy explosives.

_______

So.

Recap.

Hell was real. Demons were a thing. And the two human girls were getting a first hand view of the less than pleasant or holy side of the afterlife.

Marinette was…actually taking it all in stride.

Lila was less so. She was sitting ramrod straight in the chair, keeping a tight grip on her knees and trying very hard not to move as her eyes glanced quickly around the room at the assembled demons.

Marinette actually felt bad for her. And probably should have been panicking herself, all things considered. Maybe she would have been had it not been for her extensive experience as Ladybug.

Sure, it was Hell, but floating gods and people turning into monsters had already broadened her horizons of the possibilities of the universe. Plus despite the name of the company that had kidnapped them both, murder didn’t appear to be on the table. All in all, despite the circumstances, Marinette didn’t feel that scared.

The fact that the “client” in question who hired the group was actually a fan of hers wanting a commission helped quite a bit with that.

As did the flattery.

“OMG! OMG! I can’t believe it! It’s you! Can I get your autograph?! No—wait! I need to focus! Can I get a jacket with your autograph?!”

“Thank you.” Marinette said, somewhat flustered. Honestly, she hadn’t thought she had gained THAT much fame. Especially not enough for someone to want to commission her from the afterlife.

…was that a thing? Could that be a thing?

“What I don’t get is why the other girl had to tag along?” The demon asked, curiously. “Is she your assistant or something?”

Lila brightened, looking ready to speak—likely to try to lie her way out of this. Or mess up what little peace Marinette had managed to create.

“No!” Marinette interrupted quickly, ignoring Lila’s petulant glare. “No, she’s not. There was just a mix up since they didn’t know where I was or who to bring.”

Blitzo rolled his eyes. “Well, how were we supposed to know?!”

“You could have asked me when I contracted you.” Said the demon, somewhat annoyed.

“I have a website, you know.” Said Marinette, very annoyed.

They paused.

“…the fuck’s a website?”

Silence.

Marinette coughed. “In any case, you wanted to commission me?”

“Oh, yes!”

_______

It didn’t take long to make the arrangements. Marinette named her prices and the demon was more than willing to pay her for her services. They made use of Blitzo’s office to negotiate and fine tune some details regarding the arrangement. From determining the materials to writing up the contract to negotiating the costs, it was all pretty professional.

And ultimately involved the humans not being murdered and the building not being blown up, which was always preferable.

It finally came down to determining just how the demon customer wanted the jacket to look, and Marinette started drawing out some sample sketches on spare paper in the office that may or may not have been important documents for Blitzo which she may or may not have particularly cared given the whole “kidnapping and being used as a sacrifice” matter.

The only issue seemed to be that the demon customer wanted the jacket to be made of materials that were only available in Hell. Which made sense, she supposed, since she wasn’t sure how long anything she made on Earth would last in this environment. Millie and Moxie had been sent out to gather the necessary material in question, and what they returned with was a strange sort of leather. It was unique and of a color she had never seen before, and part of her really wanted to get a bit more detail about the make.

…given how pale Lila had already gotten, Marinette kindly decided to refrain from asking questions.

“Well then, let’s go over a few sketches and determine which one you like.”

The demon looked almost giddy at the prospect. The IMP team looked relieved. Except Blitzo, who still seemed to be pouting over their takeover of his office.

Lila was…less enthused. “WHAT?! What are you thinking?! He’s a demon!”

Marinette shrugged. “Well, I do have a non-discrimination clause.”

“That shouldn’t apply to demons!” Lila hissed lowly.

“The demons who have brought us to Hell and are currently our only way of getting back.” Marinette pointed out, dryly.

Lila huffed and went back to her chair.

So, with Blitzo and his team begrudgingly kindly being forced willing to donate their office for her use, Marinette sent to work to try and design a jacket to the client’s taste as quickly as possible.

The sooner she got done, the sooner they could go back to Earth.

…hopefully.

Lila, for her part, was terrified and miserable and just wanting to go back to Earth. Immediately would be preferable. Even without Marinette.

Yeah, thanks Lila.

“Why do I have to stay here? Why can’t I go back home? Or do anything else?”

The client tilted his head. “Are you saying you don’t like art? Because the last person who told me they didn’t like art had their eyes stabbed out. With pencils. Would you want that to happen to you?”

“…can’t I like art and not stay in Hell?”

“No.”

Lila paled and sunk lower in her seat, where she remained quiet for the next couple of hours while Marinette worked.

It was mostly in silence as Marinette drew one sketch after another. Asking occasional questions about preferred length, how many pockets, special embellishments, and which parts of the various jacket styles did he prefer. Eventually, they had come to an agreement about the set look he wanted, the materials needed, and when he wanted it completed by. And from there came the matter of payment…

“Um…I’m not sure what the exchange rate is for Hell currency.” Marinette said, looking at the coins he handed her.

The demon frowned, tilting his head in consideration. “I could always rob a human bank and pay you with that.”

Marinette paled.

“This is fine. Really. I can probably buy some things from Hell with this.” She said with a forced smile.

“There are tons of things you can only find here.” Millie said, brightening. “We could deliver them for you!”

Well, that was a good point.

“That’s true.” Moxie agreed. “You could make other things with the fabrics here. Hats. Shirts.”

He paused, looking over his shoulder at Millie who was busy chatting with the customer regarding the fabric he chose. Seeing she was suitably distracted, he turned to Marinette. “So…how much would it be to make a dress. Just out of curiosity.”

Aww. Even in Hell there was love.

She smiled. “We can certainly discuss it.”

The moment was ruined as Blitzo stepped in and slung an arm around Marinette’s shoulder.

“How about one of those sexy maid outfits for the bedroom? You’re French, right?” He asked before giving Moxie a nudge. “You could stand to have a little more fun in the bedroom.”

“Sir, I’m 14.” Marinette replied dryly.

“And what we do in the bedroom is none of your business!” Moxie rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Didn’t we just have a discussion about this last week?”

Marinette coughed as the two started to argue. “So…um…are we going to return to Earth so I can start working on this?”

Blitzo sighed. “Fine, fine. Killjoys.”

Lila heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh thank God.”

_______

With an agreement forged between Marinette and IMP to have the customer’s order completed and delivered within two week’s time, Marinette and Lila were safely deposited back in their classroom no worse for wear.

…well, physically. Mentally, there were probably going to be a few scars.

Several of their classmates had apparently remained since the earlier incident. Perhaps it was out of worry? Or maybe classes had resumed after their disappearance—akuma attacks and strange circumstances had become rather common, after all.

Still, it was Alya’s cry of surprise and then being pulled into a hug that assured Marinette she was, in fact, back home.

“You’re back!” Alya exclaimed, relieved. “We were so worried!”

It wasn’t every day your best friend and classmate was dragged to Hell, after all.

“—and I’d been trying to reach out to Ladybug and Chat Noir, but only Chat showed up and Ladybug must be busy or maybe she already knew? Did she help you? How did you escape?”

Part of her wondered if Alya had even stopped to breathe. The rest of her was just basking in the happiness that they had made it back safe and nothing too terrible had happened in the meantime.

The absolute LAST thing she needed was to come back and find out Hawk Moth had let loose another akuma that destroyed Paris while she was gone.

Alya suddenly gasped as though struck by a thought.

“Oh my god, Marinette! I can’t believe you did that!”

Marinette smiled. “Well, I had to—”

“You claimed to be MDC just to protect Lila! And here I thought you hated her!”

Happy feeling gone. Gone like a punch to the face. Knocked out. Dead, even.

Alya beamed. “I’m so proud of you, girl! I knew deep down that—”

“Nope!” Came a quick interruption. “That’s not what happened. It was just a lie. Completely and utterly.”

The interruption was half expected.

The fact that it came from Lila was not.

Everyone froze.

“What?”

“I never met MDC.” Lila explained, wasting absolutely no time with subtleties and just blurting it out. “I never knew Marinette was MDC. I just lied about knowing him because I thought he was the next big thing and I knew you would all believe me.”

“…what?”

Lila sighed. “I lied about knowing MDC. And being the muse behind his fashion line—well, hers. Since Marinette is MDC. She never lied. I did.”

The classmates were startled, but seemed to be taking in the information.

Rose, for her part, tried to be positive. “Oh...well, you didn’t have to lie about knowing MDC—”

“No, I mean about everything. Ever. In fact, there’s probably not a single time we’ve known each other that I was ever honest with any of you.”

Everyone stared.

“I’ve been lying since the moment we’ve met.” Lila continued. “I am a liar. Always have been. I am a horrible lying liar who lied about everyone I ever claimed to know and everything I ever said I did just to get you all to admire me because it was easier to manipulate you that way and get you to do things I wanted. From interviewing me for the Ladyblog to carrying my lunch tray to buying me things. I lied about having tinnitus just to get to sit next to Adrien and lied about not being interested in him to manipulate Nino into guilting him into letting me come to his house. Ladybug herself even called me out for lying. And when Marinette got upset that day I came back over the seat change? I threatened her in the bathroom because she was wise to me from the very start.”

A few stares were sent Marinette’s way. She didn’t have any explanation for them though. She was just as surprised as they were. More, even.

Lila shrugged. “Everything I’ve said. Everything I’ve done. All lies. Ever.”

Everyone gaped in shock. Nobody even really knew what to say.

Marinette started. “But why—”

“Because that was Hell, Marinette. HELL. The bad place you go to after you die, reserved for bad people. And until today, I didn’t even think it was real. Or that there could be a chance I could end up there. But I imagine if anything would warrant that, it’d be lying, manipulating, and trying to get revenge on a superhero.”

Nino blinked. “Wait…what was that last one—”

As if a great weight was lifted from her shoulders, Lila sighed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go join a convent to try and save my soul now that I know I have one.”

With that, she promptly exited the room, leaving the group staring after her in complete bewilderment.

Alya gaped. “...what?”

_________

Epilogue: 

Marinette completed her commission to the demon and later for Moxie. Her fame increased in both realms and she eventually did open up her own design house. The only issue came in the customers who wanted to pay her by removing her competition, which she was mostly able to prevent until IMP took a hit on Gabriel Agreste. While Marinette did stop the attempted murder, this did still reveal his secondary identity of Hawk Moth, allowing the Butterfly and Peacock to be recovered and peace to return to Paris.

The classmates were shocked at the reveal of Lila’s true nature, but were more bewildered than anything given how it happened. They did all feel foolish and embarrassed for trusting Lila, but considering what could have happened, they all chose to take it as a life lesson to be more cautious in the future. They all remained friends and moved on to live quite fulfilling lives.

IMP formed a contract with MDC and gained a secondary job of delivery service as well as assassins, which increased their profits.

And Millie loved her new dress.

Lila Rossi convinced her mother to send her to a convent, where she became one of the most pious and devout members, spreading the message of being good in life more than any other.

[k-comfyspace]

Even If

Star: Jo Haseul (Loona)

Idea: Yes

Love: Heyya could you do a scenario with haseul that she introduces fem!reader to her family. They expect the best but they get rejected and surprised when her family doesn’t support it? Nothing homophobic, they just think that reader isn’t good enough or they think wrongly of her? Sorry if it’s too confusing. Have a nice day!

Warning/s: Mention of motorcycles

People could easily misjudge you. It has happened before, and you shouldn't be too surprised if it happens again. Maybe it was the motorcycle or the small tattoo that you had on your wrist, whatever it was, you weren’t taken lightly by people.

"Hey, are you with me?" You blinked your eyes, seeing snapping fingers as you looked at your girlfriend. "S-sorry," you rubbed the back of your neck, noticing Haseul's furrowed brows as she watched you.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, noticing the way you looked away, your head leaning down as a strand of your hair blocked your face. "Nothing, I was just thinking about…" You mumbled the last part under your breath, making the girl reach over to tuck your hair behind your ear, raising your chin so you could look at her.

"About what?" Her voice got softer, looking at you with comforting eyes, just like she did whenever you started getting hesitant, making sure that you knew she would listen. You bit your bottom lip, fiddling with your fingers before sighing, "I was thinking about tomorrow." You muttered, earning a smile from Haseul.

After two years of dating, Haseul had the idea of introducing you to her parents. Yours had already met your girlfriend, so what’s another step? She proposed the idea to you the previous week, knowing it would be a time that both of you would be free. But ever since then, your nerves have been all over the place.

She let go of your chin to hold both your hands in hers, giving them a comforting squeeze. "Don’t be nervous, babe. I’m sure they’ll like you." She reassured, searching for your eyes until her brown orbs met yours. She offered a comforting smile, reaching up to brush your hair, her fingers trailing to cup your cheek.

"What’s not to like?" She said after, her words becoming a whisper before she leaned in.

—

The following day, you parked your motorcycle in their driveway, chills running down your spine when you faced their house. Your hands were visibly shaking, becoming more silent as you got closer and closer to their doorstep.

For today, you wore a simple outfit with a sweater and pants. You usually wore what you usually wore to work, and you were grateful that Haseul chose your outfit because you were undecided about what to wear. She asked for something simple, to show them who you were. Fancy outfits weren't really suited for today.

As she knocked on the door, your breath hitched when you saw a middle-aged man opening the door, a smile on his face as he set eyes on Haseul. "Honey!" He took the woman in his arms, a giggle coming from your girlfriend, and hugged the man with as much excitement as he did.

He set her down with a huff, turning his eyes towards you before his smile faltered, however, catching himself before you could notice. "Who do we have here?" He asked, and you offered your hand for a shake. "I’m Y/n sir, Haseul’s girlfriend." The word seemed to confirm the man’s suspicion, and he nodded before inviting you inside.

"You’re just in time. Mom cooked us your favorite, honey."

Haseul clapped her hands happily while she led you to the kitchen, squeezing your hand when she intertwined it with hers, noticing the way you grew quiet and tense ever since you entered her house.

Upon entering the dining room, everyone was already seated, cheerful smiles on their faces as they saw Haseul enter. You watched their small greetings, hugging each other before all eyes eventually turned to you. "Right, everyone. I want you to meet Y/n, my girlfriend." She announced, and unlike her dad, the shift in their expressions was visibly noticeable.

Your shoulders deflated, but you caught yourself. You weren’t going to assume. Maybe it was your nerves making you think that way.

Before everyone started eating, both of you took your seats, thanking her parents for the meal. The first few minutes were spent talking about Haseul, catching up with her parents, and everyone having a laugh. Though that conversation soon came to a close, it has now turned to you.

"So Y/n, what do you do for a living?" You swallowed your food, glancing up to meet her mother’s eyes. "I work at a cafe as a barista." You answered with a smile, noticing the way her gaze became heavier.

"Part-time? You’re waiting for an application?" You shook your head in reply, almost a disapproving look on her face with the answer she received. "It’s my full-time job."

"I see."

There was a considerable amount of awkward silence between utensils hitting plates, and the longer it went on, the more you wished for everything to end. "How did you two meet?" This time her brother asked, looking at both of you with a questioning grin. Your face flushed as you recalled the day you met Haseul, a smile forming on your girlfriend’s face as she also went down memory lane.

"She almost ran me over with her bike." At the mention, her father almost spat his drink, glancing back to look at both of you. "Y-You ride a motorcycle?" You nodded, another shift in their expression that further pummeled you to the ground.

"It wasn’t a big accident; in fact, it turned us into this. If anything, it was fate." Haseul saved, taking a sip of water as her hand found yours under the table.

Another wave of silence, allowing everyone to finish their meal before her mother spoke again. "How long would you be staying here, dear? I’ve already prepared your room." Haseul hummed as she mulled it over. "I think we’re staying for four days?" She glanced towards you, once again gaining another response from her parents.

"Oh, she’s staying here too?" You bit the inside of your cheek, clearing your throat as you stood up. "I’ll be taking my leave." You announced, gaining a confused expression from your girlfriend, who widened her eyes at the announcement.

"It was nice meeting you all. Thank you for treating me well." You said, turning on your heels and walking out of the kitchen, walking to the living room until a hand wrapped around your wrist. You let out a deep sigh and slumped your shoulders before turning to face your girlfriend.

"What’s wrong?" She asked, locking eyes with your glistening ones. "I think it’s pretty obvious that they don’t approve of me." You sounded so defeated, and Haseul couldn’t figure out what to say.

"It’s okay, we can talk about it later. Enjoy your time with family, and call me when you want to get picked up, okay?" You leaned in to kiss her on the forehead, turning around to walk outside.

You prepared your bike and put on your helmet, reversing out of the driveway before the front door opened, your girlfriend running towards you as she got the spare helmet and hopped on. "What are you doing?"

She secured the strap and got into position, "Let’s go home." She replied, resting her chin on your shoulder as you glanced back at the house, seeing her family standing outside with pensive faces.

Without another word, you drove away. The farther away you were from her house, the less pressure you felt in your chest.

—

When you got back to your house, Haseul hopped off, letting you lead the way in silence. You opened the door for her, closing it and letting the silence linger. Looking at your girlfriend, you concluded that she was probably angry, having ruined her plans. But the warm embrace that followed made you think otherwise.

"I’m sorry." That's all she said, letting your head lean against your shoulder. For once, you didn’t say anything, you just let her hold you. She turned to kiss you on your temple, carding her fingers through your hair, easing whatever tension that lay there.

What happened today wasn’t meant to happen. She was expecting the best. After being accepted by your family, she hoped for you to get along with hers. The people she loved the most loved you as equally as she did, but she wasn’t expecting herself to be scolding her family for how they acted.

So what if you rode a motorcycle? So what if you weren’t the person they expected? All that mattered was that she was happy.

"I love you." She whispered, touching your heart.

[flooffybits]

What Could Have Been

Idol: Jennie Kim (Blackpink), Park Chaeyoung (Blackpink) ft. Kim Yoohyeon (Dreamcatcher) & Jung Jinsoul (Loona)

@pricknim:  Hey there Floof! I was wondering if you could write a sequel to "When Actions Speak Louder" 👀. I really really enjoyed it, the angst was just the perfect amount, but I was lowkey hoping to see how Y/N, Jennie and Rose cope with the breakup. I just need to know, if Y/N managed to get their happy ending in the end TT *hint hint ;)* Also, I hope you are doing fine and stay hydrated :D

Part 1 is here

☕buy me a coffee☕

Jennie stared at the screen, feet swinging slightly as she watched her girlfriend wrap up her performance for the day. She wore a small smile on her face, feeling incredibly proud of the latter for her solo.

She knew just how difficult it was to promote without the rest of the girls, but they always did have each other. However, that thought had caused her smile to drop when she remembers the lack of presence inside the room.

Looking around, her gaze jumped from each of the staff’s faces as they busied around the room, fixing their equipment while some were happily watching the Australian’s performance with proud looks on their own faces.

When she looked to the couch you and Chaeyoung had previously occupied when she was promoting Solo, a slight sting came to her chest when the memories came flooding in. She didn’t know that she would ever be with either of you at the time, but it was right after that certain performance when her entire world lit up when you had both asked her if she would be alright with going out with you guys.

That was two years ago.

She had forced herself out of those thoughts, letting out a sigh as she refocused on the present. It’s been nearly a year since she’s last talked to you and while it was easy not having to be in the same vicinity as you, it was different when your face was just about everywhere.

While your group wasn’t promoting at the moment, you had been quite active with solo schedules. And while Chaeyoung has stopped trying to get a hold of you, Jennie has been keeping up to date with the things going on in your life, even if it was just from an outsider’s perspective.

She misses the good morning texts and the late night calls. And even when Chaeyoung refuses to even talk about you, she can see it in her girlfriend’s expression that she misses you, too. The only difference was that Chaeyoung decided that there was no dwelling on the past because it was you who let go of them.

But Jennie had taken a step back to understand just why everything ended the way it did.

They have neglected you. And what you told them that day was partially true. They had gotten so used to having you to fall back to that it didn’t seem like a relationship at all when it came to you.

And if she were to admit, it did look like you were only a bridge for her and Chaeyoung to have gotten together.

And she hated it.

When the realization dawned on her, Jennie felt sick to her stomach and she couldn’t find it in herself to look at Chaeyoung for a few days. And if the latter hadn’t stopped her, the entire relationship would have ended then and there.

She wonders why Chaeyoung didn’t fight for you the way she fought for her.

But Jennie doesn’t let herself wander farther away because her girlfriend was already bounding into the room with a wide smile stretched across her face, and Jennie can’t help but smile at the adorable expression that the younger girl wore.

“You did a great job, Rosie!” She praised, using a tissue to lightly pat her girlfriend’s forehead from the sweat that had built up on her skin after her performance. “You looked really great out there.” She adds and the younger girl giggled as she pecked her cheek. ”Well my baby was watching, of course I had to look good.”

Chaeyoung pressed another kiss to her cheek before she had to step away, retouch her makeup just so she didn’t look too tired for the announcing of the winner.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jennie hears before she’s tearing her gaze away from her phone. Chaeyoung offers her a small smile when she takes the seat next to her and the brunette hums softly before shaking her head. “I doubt my thoughts are worth a tiny penny.” She jokes and the taller of the two let out a snort before giving her a playful push.

“Then don’t tell me.” She chuckled and Jennie felt a little lighter with how carefree they could be at that moment. Ever since what happened with you, they’ll admit that their relationship had been rocky, but thankfully they were able to talk through whatever new issues arose.

Jennie went quiet for a while before she rubbed her arm, sighing as she finally spoke. “What made us so different?”

Of everything Chaeyoung expected to come from her girlfriend’s mouth, that was certainly not one of them.

“What do you mean? Who are you talking about?” Chaeyoung asked confusedly and Jennie pursed her lips, unsure how the other would react, but asked anyway. “Y/n. Why was it so easy to let go of her, but not me?”

The name had caused the younger girl to stiffen in her place and Jennie internally cringed when she saw the way her girlfriend’s expression hardened when she looked down. “Why are you bringing that up?” Chaeyoung muttered quietly and Jennie sighed in frustration.

“I know that it’s been months, and maybe you’ve moved on, but I just… I loved her, too. Maybe I still do.” She breathed out while running her fingers through her hair. “Why couldn’t you have fought for her to stay?” She asked, and Chaeyoung hates how her voice sounded so strained, so tired.

Deep down, she knew it was her fault though. Not having you around as much as she wanted, Chaeyoung prioritized Jennie and she devoted all of her time to the latter when she knew that she should have at least tried.

And she knows that she’s guilty. That was why she didn’t see herself having the right to stop you from walking out the door or asking you to come back to them.

“It was for the best.” She knows it’s bullshit, but Jennie wasn’t going to accept that answer, and she knows. “Y/n was right. We were drifting apart, and there wasn’t anything we could have done about it.”

“Bullshit. You’ve been together before I came into the picture, and I could see you were both doing fine.” Jennie retorted with a frown and Chaeyoung frowns, lips pressed together as she leaned back. “Things weren’t working, Jennie. You know that, she knows that. Can’t we just let it go?”

But Jennie wasn’t done. She wanted to know the truth, and she was determined to get it.

“Did you not love her anymore?”

Chaeyoung’s mouth went dry at the question and she clenched her jaw and inhaled sharply, an indication that her girlfriend had, in fact, hit a nerve. “Jennie, pleas-”

“I want to know, Chaeng. You can tell me that you’re done with it, but I’m telling you right now that there hasn’t been a day that I don’t hope to fix what we had.” Jennie stated firmly and the younger girl stared down at her hands as she laid them on her lap.

“Of course not… I never stopped loving her.”

As quiet as her voice may have been, it was enough for Jennie to hear.

..

“Are you ready to go?” Jennie asked while fixing the strap of her bag on her shoulder and Chaeyoung nibbled on her lower lip before nodding her head. “It’s been a while since we’ve gone out. I just hope people can leave us in peace.” She sighed while fixing her mask on and then pocketing her wallet.

As risky as it was to head out, the girls needed a break, and luckily there would be no questions asked if the pair was ever spotted outside. They just needed some air and felt as though they were still humans and not robots.

“We’ll be fine. Plus, the place isn’t going to be crowded, I know a lot of other idols hang out there for some privacy.” Jennie assures with a smile. And even with the mask covering the lower part of her face, the way her eyes crinkle and her cheeks rise is enough of an indication for it.

Ever since their talk, it looked like things were a little easier for the two of them. Despite the nagging feeling at the back of her head, Chaeyoung had been more open with herself. Whatever was going through her mind, she could easily come to her older girlfriend without hesitation anymore.

So giving themselves a chance, the pair decided that a little date outside the dorm would be a good idea.

Though as soon as they arrived, there seemed to already be a handful of people in the area. However, seeing as no one approached either of them yet, the pair proceeded to the counter to place their orders. “I’ll go save us a seat.” Chaeyoung offered when she looked around, wanting to pick a more comfortable and private area, and Jennie nodded her head, beaming.

“Sure thing. I’ll be sure to call you if I need help.” The older of the two chuckled, playfully shooing her girlfriend away and Chaeyoung walks off to reserve themselves a seat. Though as soon as she walks away, the bell above the entrance rings once more and in walked two figures, dressed a little more casual compared to the two Blackpink members.

They linger at the front for a while, looking both giddy and excited, yet there was a nervous glint in their eyes. Exchanging a quick word, confirming each other’s orders, the taller of the pair went to find a table, whilst the brunette walked over to the counter, standing behind Jennie to wait for her turn.

Jennie really should know that eavesdropping wasn’t a good thing. She’s scolded her members countless times when they would do it, either at the company or at award shows. But it was impossible for her not to hear what the woman behind her was saying as soon as she answered her phone.

“Hi!” The brunette cheered happily. “Don’t worry about it! We just got to the cafe, too, so don’t stress.” The girl said dismissively as they took another step forward when another customer had finished with their order.

“Just tell me what you want and I’ll get it for you. It’s our treat, remember?” The woman’s voice was a bit husky, yet it was nice to listen to. “I know that you like f/d but I thought that you might like something else - cheesecake, muffin…” The girl had drawled out and there’s a bit of a giggle as their conversation went on.

At the mention of your favorite drink, Jennie let out a sigh, the nostalgic feeling rising when she remembers how you were always seen with one in your hands. Basically everyone knew how much you loved that drink and it worried her how you needed more water in your system instead.

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

Jennie isn’t sure what compelled her to talk, but for some reason, the words just fell out of her mouth. A lingering effect you had on her, she thinks. “You know, that’s a really good pick.” She had glanced behind her, only to blink at the familiar looking face.

Though it looked like the girl knew who she was as well, if the panic and awe wasn’t a big give away. “Jennie sunbaenim!” The girl squeaked out and said idol smiled politely while waving her hand. “Have we met somewhere? You seem really familiar.”

The girl cleared her throat, plastering on a smile and laughing lightly. “I, um, we haven’t, but my name is Jinsoul, I’m a member of a girl group called Loona.” Jinsoul introduced herself and Jennie understood why she was so familiar.

The group had been rising in the industry and she remembers an article of both groups together. Though there were far too many of them for her to recall names and faces, she knows that she’s heard the name before.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jinsoul. Also, you seem to have really great taste.” She compliments, but the younger girl merely grinned and shook her head. “Ah, no the drink isn’t for me.” She explains before Jennie notices the slight blush on her cheeks. “I’m here with… friends.”

The way she speaks makes Jennie feel even more nostalgic. She remembers the shyness of having to hide your relationship when people often asked her and Chaeyoung who they were with. Dating someone of the same sex, more so being in a polyamorous relationship, wasn’t exactly welcomed in South Korea.

And with how Jinsoul spoke and acted, it was clear to Jennie that she was with someone who was more than just a friend.

“Ah, friends.” Jennie chuckled, causing the girl’s blush to worsen as she nodded her head. “Well, I hope you and your friends enjoy your date.” She winks and Jinsoul grins bashfully before nodding her head, letting Jenine go as the older idol went to order her and her girlfriend’s food.

The bell of the entrance rings again and you walk in with a slight huff, shrugging off your coat as you look around. But your eyes stop on a blonde woman happily waving her hand, her entire face lighting up at the sight of you that a few of the other patrons of the cafe can’t help but look over.

One of them being the Park Chaeyoung who sat a good two tables away. But with her choosing a little more secluded area, you had completely missed her as you jogged over to the waving woman.

“I missed you!” The blonde exclaimed and you giggle when she rises to her feet to wrap you in her embrace, one you happily return. “Hey, you’re the one with the booked schedules!” You shot back as you placed your coat behind one of the chairs and then took a seat, the taller woman having yet to let go of your hand.

You’re unaware of the eyes boring into the side of your head. “I watched your concert, by the way.” You chirped and the other blushes at the mention of it, a pout forming on her face. “So you saw me crying?” She asks and you offer her a light smile. “There’s nothing wrong with crying, Yoohyeon.” You assure her with a squeeze of her hand. “I’ve cried during performances, too. And it was honestly nice to see just how much you care for your members.”

The girl is whining when you shower her with more praises and Chaeyoung isn’t sure how much more she can witness. She’s just a little relieved that Jennie’s come to save her sanity, though confused when she sees the slight smile on her girlfriend’s face.

“They weren’t lying when they said that this was famous for idols.” The shorter woman said as she placed their number on the table and then set her bag down. “I just met someone from that group, Loona? She was really nice.” She says, failing to notice the distracted look on her girlfriend’s face.

It was only when she sat down did she notice how the light haired female’s eyes were looking elsewhere. “What are you…” And when she followed her girlfriend’s line of sight, she felt her throat grow dry and her own eyes widened when they rested on your familiar figure.

She felt herself about to move, but she had to pause when Jinsoul came bounding over to join your table, wrapping her arms around you from behind and pressing a kiss to your cheek, one that made you giggle, eyes disappearing as you smiled back at the pair that sat with you.

“You’re here!” She had a childlike glee on her face at the sight of you, matching the one Yoohyeon was already wearing. “I did say I would try to hurry up. Jihyo wouldn’t stop pestering me until I promised them I’d bring home something for them.” You say with a laugh and the other two grin at your remark.

“Well, we can decide what to get them after. Right now, it’s the three of us!” Yoohyeon chirped, having yet to let go of your hand and you nod your head. “Of course. I missed the two of you and I’m just glad that we can finally hang out again.”

“You know, we don’t have to keep waiting for weeks if you just, you know…” There’s a teasing lilt to Jinsoul’s voice and Yoohyeon gives the girl a light shove while you bite your lip to stop the laugh that’s threatening to fall from your lips while your exes could only watch from afar.

They know that you don’t mean it. Hell, you didn’t even know they were there, what more watching you interact with two other idols who seemed to be far more interested in you than simple friends.

“What? You and I know that we’ve been meaning to ask, and you know that I’m going to ask whenever I can.” Jinsoul giggles as she reaches to pinch your cheek affectionately while Yoohyeon lets out a sigh. “You couldn’t have been subtle about it?”

“You can’t be subtle, babe.” That made the blonde whine, giving her girlfriend a pout and you can’t help smiling at their antics. “I’m going to have to side with Jinsoul on that one. You can’t lie to save your life, Yooh.” That caused the girl’s pout to deepen as she released your hand to cross her arms, sulking as you both cooed at her cute display.

Chaeyoung had enough. She just wanted to get up, walk up to you, leave, something. But for some reason she felt like she was glued to her chair, forced to watch as you acted as though everything was alright.

But you weren’t pretending.

You genuinely seemed to like these two girls and you didn’t even know she and Jennie were just somewhere nearby. And judging by how Jennie’s conversation with Jinsoul went, she’s making the assumption that you didn’t tell these girls about your past relationship.

“Whatever, but back to what Jinsoul said.” Yoohyeon tries to brush away her embarrassment by returning to the original topic and you let out a little smile. “You guys know that-”

“We know that you said you were scared.” Jinsoul cut you off, her expression thoughtful as she placed a hand on yours. “But I promise you, we won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.” She says softly. “I know you’re still wary since your past relationship, but we promise you that it’s never going to be like that.” Yoohyeon assures with a smile that melts your heart, but it somehow makes Jennie’s and Chaeyoung’s hearts sink.

You stare at the two, still looking unsure, and Jinsoul notices when she laced her fingers with yours. “We can keep waiting, if that’s what you want.” Her voice is soft, gentle and comforting, as her thumb runs against the side of your hand. “Even if you decide that you don’t want to be together, then that’s fine, too.” Yoohyeon says while she cupped your cheek, her gaze warm and tender.

“We care about you and that’s never going to change. If there’s a problem, then we’ll talk it out, right?” Jinsoul nods in agreement with her girlfriend as you have yet to say anything, and to be honest, Chaeyoung silently wishes that you refuse their offer.

She knows that she has no right, but she’s hoping that somewhere deep down that you still thought about her and Jennie even with how badly things ended between you. Because even with all that, there was still some good in your relationship before it all went to shit.

Jennie chewed on her lower lip as she tried to desperately look away, but even when her heart was telling her - screaming at her to stop and save herself the heartache, her mind was was stubbornly forcing her to watch just so she doesn’t have to keep feeding herself false hope of being able to get you back.

And sometimes she hated it.

“But what about our members?” You ask, and the two people you were with seemed somewhat relieved that you didn’t shut the idea out quickly like you used to. It gave them the reassurance that there really wasn’t anything wrong with them, but your own fears holding you back.

“Well, the girls love you already, and we met because of Dami and Gahyeon.” Yoohyeon says with a tiny smile, making you giggle because if it wasn’t for the maknae of her group, she’s not sure she would have had the courage to actually come and see you.

“Chuu is in love with you, no questions asked. Haseul adores you, too, because you actually have the capacity to tolerate the kids and keep up with their energy.” Jinsoul says with a grin. “The only people who haven’t properly talked to you yet are Hyunjin and Choerry, but the girls are fans so I doubt that they won’t like you.” She says encouragingly.

“The only thing left is what your members will say.” They add and Yoohyeon purses her lips, only then looking a bit worried. “I know they’re protective of you because of your past, but if they want to talk…” She trails off, letting her girlfriend finish for her. “We can come whenever they want. Even if we have a schedule, we can arrange things to meet them.”

You sat quietly while mulling over their words, four people holding their breaths for two different reasons.

“I mean… I guess we can try.” You finally say with a hint of a smile and Jinsoul’s entire face lights up significantly while Yoohyeon let out the breath she had been holding, though her smile is shy compared to her partner. “Really?”

Your giggle had felt like a knife to the heart for Chaeyoung and she was finally able to pull her eyes away and look at her girlfriend, the pain only growing stronger when she saw the tears Jennie was trying to hold back. If they were anywhere else, she would have already gone and comforted the other woman, but seeing how she refused to look away from your smiling face, she wasn’t sure just what exactly it was she was supposed to do.

Despite it being months, you left a print in their lives, and there would be no changing that.

“We don’t have to tell them right away, but you did let them know that you wanted to ask me out.” You explain with a meaningful look on your face. “As small as that was, they really appreciated the gesture. But Nayeon unnie, Jeongyeon unnie, Jihyo and Chaeyoung aren’t too fond of the idea of me dating again.”

“And we get that. The best we can do is just to prove to them that we won’t hurt you, at least not intentionally. In the event that we do something wrong, we’ll fix it and improve.” Jinsoul states seriously. “It might be a little early, but we promise, we’ll do the best we can to make you happy. Because that’s what really matters.”

You can’t help smiling at the two as you nodded your head, an answer seemingly made in your head as you looked at the two smiling girls. “Then I’ll hold you guys to that.”

Unable to hold their excitement, Jinsoul let out a squeal as both, her and Yoohyeon got out of their seats to trap you into the tightest hug they could both muster, drawing laughter out of your lips as you returned their embrace, breaking your exes’ hearts even more.

“Jennie…” Chaeyoung tried to reach for her girlfriend’s hand, but the latter pulled away, just in time for the waitress to bring their food and she forced a polite smile whilst the Aussie stared down at the table, muttering a quiet thank you before a silence hung over them.

Despite the day starting off on a good note, the sight of you with someone new made the whole thing turn around. Whatever progress the two made, it all came flying out the window the moment you made an appearance and they aren’t sure what to make of it.

But the three of you don’t stick around too long, part of your new girlfriends’ plans on making sure that the chance you had given them would be the best decision you’ve made and that they wouldn’t take it for granted.

Though as you all exited the establishment, you were a little surprised to meet the once familiar pair of eyes that felt like home and the hunched over figure sitting in front of her. While Jennie’s face was curtained by her hair, you knew already that it was her, and with the way Chaeyoung looked, it dawned on you that they were there to witness this new chapter in your life.

And to your surprise, she offers you a pained yet small smile. And while it would usually make your heart clench, you could only muster a kind smile, silently promising her that things will get better for both of them.

They’re left mending the space you left behind whilst you were already on your way to recovering with two people who would make sure to keep your heart whole.

And for the first time, you didn’t feel like it was your fault for picking yourself before them.

[colorisbyshe]

Oooh, do you have any non-English music recs? I listen to J-rock and K-pop, but I'm trying to diversify. From widely spoken languages like Chinese, Russian, German, Spanish, and French to smaller languages like Romanian, Greek, or Navajo. Give me all you've got, new or old, fun or sad idc. I'd love that *chef's finger kiss* LGBT shit, but it isn't necessary ❤️

Oh, yeah!

To preface, I do not understand how to classify most music genres, so I won't be able to be super specific besides like "dance music" or "sad music" or whatever.

Also, I rarely listen to full albums/discographies, so if I just recommend one song, you'd probably benefit from checking their other stuff!

Also, also, also because I don't really do deep dives a lot of my recs aren't very obscure lmao I'm gonna try to not rec too much J/Kpop on that basis because you've porbably heard it! If you want J/Kpop tell me what you already listen to and I can base it off that. I'll only do a bit more obscure groups not like... Twice.

Dance Music:

Ntozabantu by Lebo Mathosa. Pure dance anthem from South Africa.

赤伶 (DJ名龙 Remix) by 等什么君. Normally I can get English titles for songs but noope. Still, this is more vocal based and remixed to be dancier but I really enjoy it. Got it off a skateboarding tiktok?? 昭华情 is also by them and is just REALLY pretty but isn't dancy.. I'm assuming it's mandarin, sorry if I got that wrong!

Iskaba by Wande Coal is great Nigerian based house music. Primarily in English but not fully! I listen to this song once a week, it's so smooth.

More basic pop and not really dance:

Tourner la Page by Zaho. Kinda sad and piano based but still radio friendly. French!

Soul Lady by Yukika. Not basic pop, but it's city pop. I wouldn't quite call it dance music?? It's city pop. Her latest song is pretty and more vocal city kpop.

Thank U Sooooo Much" by Yubin, an ex member of Wonder Girls. Retro kpop! Has great synth. Maybe belongs under dance music? Again, I do not understand genres.

Yellow by Koh Kamiyama. IDK what genre to call this? Just like... Japanese... alt pop? I don't know genres. There's fake guitar happening. I wouldn't call it JRock tho

Okay I'm giving up on genre separations

4:00 AM by Taeko Onuki. Smooth as hell and from 1978, so hopefully you haven't heard it before.

Found & Lost by Survive said the Prophet. Jrock... from an anime I hate. I also like their songs Red and Mukanjyo

LISTEN TO STROMAE. If you tell me what kind of music you like, I can give more specific recs.

Okay I'm fully skipping Kpop/Jrock/Jpop until I get more specifics becaues I have too much. Like do you know Perfume? Do you know WJSN? Should I rec songs from popular anime? Less popular anime? Like shit from anime I don't even like... but the songs are bops.

Wait Nami no Yukusaki by The Ricecookers is really good okay no more Jrock unless you give me specifics on what you alreayd listen to! OH and Kakusei by Superfly is a must.

Actually I need more specifics in your taste like does Jrock mean you're open to music like Rammstein which is German metal (?), if so, Engel is my fave by them.

run wild by pls&ty is finnish and idk how to explain the genre

OKY I HAVE REALIZED THIS WON'T WORK UNLESS YOU SEND ME SOME SONGS YOU DO LIKE SO IC AN OFFER SIMILAR I LISTEN TO A LOT OF NON ENGLISH MUSIC

Like... I have Phone by Mickey Singh which is Punjabi + English but does the sound even appeal to you? Jrock and Kpop leaves a LOT of room LMAO

Like does Jrock include dogfight by m.o.v.e. or/?? I DONT UNDERSTAND GENRES

I also dont listen to the radio so like... is Mudo Turbo a popular song and it's embarrassing to rec it because everyone already knows it? Lexie Liu got popular after being featured in KDA but Idk if hte average kpop fan has heard of her since she does Cpop? I like her song Shadow but is it helpful to rec it?

ANon give me specifics to work with!

Do you want the Blue Da Dee's guy's Italian album and recs from it? Or stuff more aligned with like... Loona or Naruto theme songs

I have songs with fucking made up languages like what do you want specifically

Also I just realized how much french music i listen to... and yet understand none of despite taking french for six years

[madefate]

He feels like all the air has been sucked out of him; his heart is still thrumming in his throat, but it's so quiet here in a way it hadn't been in the caverns, the van, even the waiting room - rooms, whatever. All that's left is the two of them and the beeping heart monitor; whenever it flickers, Blitz has to stop himself from glancing at it or doing another sweep of the room, every instinct in his body screaming danger.

But that's the problem - he might be wary at the lack of security ( although who fuckin' knows ? maybe they got someone on it in the interim of - however long he'd been out ), but without an actual, immediate, tangible threat, there's - nothing left. No buffer. No barrier. Just Stolas and Blitz and everything they'd said sitting unspoken between them.

When he hears the roughness in Stolas' voice, Blitz frowns - and then mentally berates himself because right, hospital. Isn't water like, one of the first fucking things they get you? God, he's already fucking this up; he glances wildly around before seeing the pitcher and glass on the bedside table. - Pricks, that doesn't look like nearly enough, but he pours it anyway - then falters when he realizes that one of Stolas' arms is out of commission and, fuck, he really shouldn't be moving anyway, right?

Unsure, awkward, hyper aware of the roughness of his hands in a way he'd never been before, he reaches out to offer the glass - then changes his mind and gestures directly to Stolas' mouth, other hand pausing before tentatively slipping against the back of his head to help him sit enough. It's not a completely unfamiliar position - he'd never brought it up again because she'd explicitly threatened his life, but he'd done the same for Loona a year after she came home, and came down with a nasty flu.

Now, he just feels ... raw. Seen. Contrary to popular belief, his time with Verosika hadn't been entirely dedicated to fucking, but this was a kind of intimacy that makes him want to curl up behind his armor and his spikes, and he realizes, uncomfortably, that before Loona - the last person who'd seen him like this was Barbie. And he can still hear his father's voice telling her to just walk it off, we're not cancelling tonight. Because that's what you do when you're hurt - you just. Walk it off.

Satan forbid that you're tender about it.

❝ That's because I'm always right, ❞ he says blithely, trying and halfway failing to grasp onto that devil may care attitude that saves his skin and his heart whenever he needs it to. Stolas' touch sets fire to his hand, up his arm - fuck, they've touched so much. He's been inside Stolas, they've shamelessly laid their kinks on the table from nearly day one - and this quiet moment, with Stolas alive but battered but holding onto him is the thing that shakes him down to his core.

Blitz half laughs, half chokes at the question, smiling almost bitterly. ❝ Christ on a fuckin' bike, Stolas, of course you'd be thinking about that. Everything's fine, so unclench. Just - relax. You need to relax, alright? They wouldn't tell me much, but you're supposedly stable, and I think Moxx worked some magic because I haven't seen any of those goddamn cameras since the lobby. And M&M are checking in on Octavia. So I, uh, better be getting five stars on Yelp or whatever. Full service. ❞

The joke doesn't land the way he wants it - it sounds almost begging, desperate, showing itself as a distraction rather than just being a distraction. Blitz is watching Stolas' face, almost entranced by the way he's looking at him, trying to come to turns with just how hurt the prince is. ... Fuck. Fuck. If he'd been a minute late -

Blitz sighs, tail absentmindedly curling and uncurling around the bed's railing in some attempt to soothe the anxious energy burning under his skin like an electric current. He knows he needs to ask, but the words just get stuck behind his fangs and he has to wait for them to come rushing out -

❝ Do you remember the, uh, the ride over ? ❞

Stolas knows he likely won't be able to sleep any time soon; despite the exhaustion practically coursing through him, if he closes his eyes, he'll probably have another nightmare. And that is the last thing he needs or wants right now.

He considers trying to shift to his back, but with his foot elevated and how small the bed is, that would likely be far more uncomfortable than staying on his side. Plus, he was just too sore to do much more than reaching for Blitz's hand had required, a feat that had exhausted him further.

The sounds of the hospital buzz around him; he can hear voices and footsteps outside, and he absently wonders what the press are saying, considering they were here when he was rushed in. Was someone watching him even now, or waiting for some sort of statement? Had someone told Via? Or would she find out online?

If he'd been brought here on his own, he knew that that would have been likely, but Blitz had been with him; he trusted him to have made sure that Octavia didn't find out what had happened from something as impersonal as a news story.

Stolas watched Blitz sleep, more grateful than he could say that he'd been here when he'd woken up. He wasn't sure what he would have done if he'd been by himself, though he wouldn't have blamed Blitz for going home; he had a daughter of his own that he needed to take care of, after all. And hospitals weren't the most pleasant environments at the best of times.

He'd been considering trying to close his eyes, to see if he could doze off when Blitz awoke with a shout of his name, looking for a weapon. Stolas watches with wide eyes, but before he can reach out to him or say anything at all, Blitz seems more present, taking a moment to process all of the injuries Stolas had sustained, which had been hard to see when he was driving. Then again, even Stolas hadn't realized quite the shape he'd been in; everything had sort of blended together.

After another moment, Blitz settles back in the chair next to the bed, and Stolas offers him a tired smile, swallowing hard when Blitz takes his hand again. He practically clings to him, though his grip isn't that strong, at the moment, giving his hand a soft squeeze.

His expression softens at Blitz's words, and he gazes at him, a tenderness behind his eyes, one that was reserved only for the imp in front of him, holding his hand.

"I never should have doubted you," Stolas murmurs, though his voice is hoarser than usual.

He hates that his other arm is in a cast; he wants to reach out, to brush a hand over his cheek without taking his hand from Blitz's. But he settles for continuing to hold his hand, needing that lifeline right now.

"Did anyone look you over?" he asks, concern in his red eyes. He couldn't remember if Blitz had been injured too, and he wanted to make sure someone took care of him. He'd risked his life for Stolas; the least he could do was make sure he got medical attention if he needed it.