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yutahoes · 3 years ago

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Punch

pairing: boxer! Yuta Nakamoto x single mom! Reader (feat coworker! Jung Jaehyun as a matchmaker) word count: 4.6k words genre: fluff with a dash of angst summary: A blind date led you to a boxer. Will he still stay if he found out that you’re a single mom? (This is misleading) warnings: attempt in humor, suggestive content, cursing, Reader is a single mom, punching, blood, violence, annoying side character, dad Yuta (?)

taglist: @joepomonerof @iwannabreathetosetmefree @yujaesbestiee @jaesqueso @notmejustmymind @what-sarah @nuoyipeach @xxhaneulxx @degreeandfangirling @channie301 @a-place-filled-with-random @imjaeforyou @yeolsechanhun @multiyuta @notworthit24 @anonjyxd @sourirensoleille @ytzvivi @queensnowdon @yutiddies

“Y/N, there’s nothing wrong with going to a date.” You sighed, rolling your eyes as you finished typing the document. “He’s a nice guy.” Your co-worker claimed that made you stare at him.

“Jaehyun, why me? You do know that I have a five-year-old kid.”

He shrugged. “What’s wrong with that? Is Sam stopping you from getting a boyfriend?” No, she isn’t. But dating at your age and with this responsibility is complicated. “I promise he’s a nice guy, Y/N.”

You raised an eyebrow. It’s unusual for Jaehyun to suggest a guy for you. Normally, he’s always against the guys making their moves on you. “Where did you meet him?”

“The gym.” Must be a trainer. “He’s a boxer. We both have the same trainer.” A boxer? Aren’t they violent people? And Jaehyun perfectly knew that you cannot risk putting your daughter in danger. “He’s nice for a boxer if you’re worried. Smiley guy.” Once again, you raised an eyebrow. Isn’t it a contradicting statement?

“What is his name?”

The dimple on his cheek popped out. “Yuta Nakamoto,” he claimed with a smile. “And honestly, Y/N, he has a big…” he gestured for something that made you laugh.

“Oh my God, Jung!” You shouted, putting your hands to cover your ears while laughing.

Jaehyun is like a brother to you so you were certain that he wouldn’t put you in harm. Maybe this is your chance to go out again and date someone. He even assured you that if it didn’t work out, he’ll stop setting you up with someone. It was a heavy decision. This isn’t just for you anymore, but also for your daughter.

So you’re seated inside a small coffee shop, thumb fiddling on the edge of the cup of water in front of you. Are dates these nerve-wracking? You should have asked Jaehyun for a picture of him beforehand. “Hi,” You heard someone say that made you look up. A man in a black jacket and wavy black hair was standing in front of you. “I’m Yuta Nakamoto.” He introduced that made you surprised. Jaehyun set you up with this gorgeous man? “You must be Y/N, Jaehyun’s officemate?”

You nodded, standing up. “Hi.” You greeted. God! He is handsome. There's no way he's the guy Jaehyun set you up with. “How…?” You asked while you both sat down opposite each other. “How did you know it was me?”

Wait, that was a stupid question. You might be the only alone woman in the coffee shop. “Jaehyun has a picture of you in his Insta.” Oh. Of course. During the team building. But you look like a mess that time. “You’re prettier in person.”

Oh. Wow. Are you this rusty when it comes to dating? Or is it because he just knows the right things to say? “Thank you.” You whispered and he smiled.

Jaehyun was right. He has a nice smile. Is he really a boxer? Does he get hit a lot? Isn't that a waste of his attractive face? "Should we order?" he asked and you nodded as he called for the waiter. While waiting, he asked if he can remove his jacket and you nodded.

This must be a dream. Not only does he have a handsome face and a lovely smile, but he also has a nice physique. Evident on the white shirt that almost clung to his body. Everything that Jaehyun said was right. He is perfect. Now you wondered if Jaehyun didn't bluff when he mentioned something big.

You shook your head while looking at the menu. Why are you so thirsty over a man? "Are you alright?" You put down the menu to look at him. His eyes were boring on you which made it difficult to breathe. You nodded with a smile.

Yuta wasn't only attractive, he's also a charming man. He talked about being an amateur boxer and a Japanese language instructor. He even shared that he became friends with Jaehyun since he liked a Japanese girl in his class, a fact you didn't know. He even shared things about his family in Japan that only made him more attractive in your eyes.

The date went well. Too well that you think you were dreaming. Now, you wonder why he's here with you. He should go out on a date with an amazing girl.

As you were going home, you chose to walk rather than take a cab when he volunteered to come with you. He kept on talking animatedly, laughing lively like a schoolboy. He has such a contagious laugh. You loved talking to him and you felt annoyed when you could see the door of your house. "I had fun tonight." You confessed and he grinned.

"Then is it alright to ask you out again for dinner?" He wanted to go on a date once again? "Is Friday night alright?" You nodded. You would love to go out with him again and Friday night is just as perfect. "I'll pick you up at seven."

Then it dawned on you. You honestly didn't think it was possible but you like him already. "Yuta, I have something to tell you." He nodded, assuring you that he was listening. "I'm a single mom. I already have a five-year-old kid."

You waited for his reaction. Normally a guy would be surprised or disappointed with those words but Yuta didn't show any reaction. "Is your child a boy or a girl?" You raised an eyebrow then answered that she is a girl. That was a peculiar question. "Does she like flowers?"

You didn't know why that mattered. But you remembered just telling Jaehyun everything that happened during the date. He looked so smug and even teased that he should be the first one you invite if the wedding happens.

That Friday night, Sam kept on asking you where you were going that made the babysitter laugh. "Is he a nice guy?" she asked and you nodded. "Will he bring you flowers?" You giggled then shrugged while whispering that you aren't sure.

When the doorbell rang, the younger girl quickly looked at you. "Do I look alright, Sammy?"

"You look like a princess, mommy." You laughed before kissing her chubby cheeks then stood up to open the door.

Yuta was smiling when you opened the door then greeted a soft 'Hi'. "You look…" He started, then breathed heavily, "Wow." You must have overdone it. He handed you the bouquet and thanked him.

"Can I just leave the flowers here?" He nodded, smiling. "I'll just put it in…" You stepped back and bumped into your daughter who was hiding behind you while peeking at Yuta. "This is Sam, my daughter." You then pointed at Yuta. "He is Yuta, he's mommy's friend."

The guy crouched down so he's the same height as your daughter, waving at her. "Hi. You look like your mom." Sam held the fabric of your dress, looking at Yuta shyly. He handed her a single wrapped tulip, "Your mom said you like flowers."

Sam nodded before taking the flowers. She then turned to you, "He gave me flowers."

"What are you going to say?"

She then turned to Yuta, muttering a quiet thank you. "You're welcome. I hope you'll like it."

"I love it. Thank you."

Yuta smiled, "Then can I borrow your mom for dinner today? I promise to get her home safely." Sam nodded shyly, "Do you want me to get you something on our way home?"

"I love doughnuts."

He nodded, "Doughnuts it is."

You smiled at their interaction. It's nice to know that Sam isn't overly shy with Yuta's presence. She's not even like this with Jaehyun, even with her dad. It's refreshing.

Like the first time you went out, dinner was incredibly fun. It isn't really awkward since Yuta told you a lot about himself and he would listen intently to you. He never pushed for any topic that makes you uncomfortable and when he walked you home, he made sure that he had bought doughnuts for Sam.

The dates became days of seeing each other. Sometimes, he would pick you up at work and walk you home. There are times when he would invite you to his matches but you will reject him, not wanting to see him get hurt. But the only constant of it all is his attention to your daughter. He would make sure that he would buy something for Sam whenever he would walk you home. He's always attentive to her whenever you go out with her.

Yuta never pressured you into sharing what happened to you and Sam's father but if he's going to stay, you might as well tell him. So you were seated in a park, facing Sam's school when you shared how the man you used to trust cheated on you while you were pregnant with his child. "Does Sam know about what her dad did?" You shook your head.

You never told Sam. Your daughter should be spared that detail, you thought. You don't want to ruin her father's image so you still let him see Sam from time to time. "My mom told me not to. But I grew up without knowing my dad and I don't want Sam to be desperate for a man's love. That's how I became stupid and trusted her father." Yuta chuckled. "I'm glad Sam understands."

"She's a great kid." Yuta complimented and you thanked him quietly. "You did a fantastic job raising her." A smile formed on your lips, it was nice to hear those words. "Does Sam like cotton candies? I know she likes pink and too much sugar but does she like cotton candies?" Yuta pointed at the cotton candy vendor which made you laugh.

He's spoiling her too much. "That's why Sam likes you too much."

Yuta smiled. "That's good." he whispered then continued, "I wish her mom would like me that much as well." He stood up, taking his wallet out of his jean pocket which made you smile.

You do like him that much.

But you misjudged the way your daughter loves Yuta when she begged you to let her stay with Yuta for the weekend while you're in a business meeting in another country. "I don't want to stay with grandma. I want to stay with papa Yuta." When did she start calling him papa? And will this even be alright?

The guy was all smiles when you arrived at his apartment, apologizing that he was just cleaning up for Sam's stay. You kept on apologizing, warning Sam to behave while she's staying at Yuta's place. "Are you sure it's alright? I don't want to bother you."

"It's not a bother, Y/N." Yuta claimed, smiling at Sam who kept on jumping at the bed of her own room. "When are you coming back?"

"Monday afternoon. I can ask mom to pick up Sam from school then I'll get her things here when I arrive home."

"I can pick her up on Monday and you can come by here, I'll cook dinner." That was a tempting offer. "And you can spend the night here if you want to." Really tempting.

You nodded, telling him that you'll just call him. You crouched to be at the same level as Sam, reminding her once again to not cause trouble and that you'll call her every night. As you were seated on the plane, heading to a different country, you realized that it was the first time you felt comfortable leaving Sam to anyone. You know Yuta will take care of her and Sam will have a blast hanging out with him.

When she shared how she bravely rode a roller coaster in the amusement park and how Yuta got her a pink teddy bear, you were suddenly jealous that she is indeed having the best time of her life. The giggles and the obvious smiles in her words made your heart beat tenfold in your chest. She used to be so shy around everyone but she's already feeling free with Yuta. Now, you cannot imagine the coming days without him.

And it's dangerous. Yes, you've been going out for dates and a little skinship like holding hands or hugging here and there but you have never established a real label on your relationship. What if he doesn't want to commit to you? What if he's not looking for the same relationship as you were looking for?

That might hurt you. And your daughter.

"I miss you, mommy."

"I miss you too, Sammy." You said with a smile, "But I'm going home tomorrow and I am going to give you a big hug when I come back."

The younger girl giggled and you missed her more. "Papa said he misses you too." You heard Yuta's faint voice saying that it should be their secret which made you giggle.

"Then tell him, I miss him too."

The message was delivered as you heard Sam telling the same words to Yuta. You didn't hear what happened next but Sam whispered, "Mommy, I think you broke papa. He's as red as a tomato." You laughed. How cute.

You missed Sam more than you did during the previous business trips you had to go so when Monday arrived, you were just so excited to get home. The moment the plane landed, you opened your phone and was surprised at how many missed calls there is coming from Sam’s cellphone number. Your heart dropped to the ground when you heard her voice crying on the other line, “Mommy, I’m scared.”

A lot of scenarios came to your mind while seated in the back of the cab. She said that she was in the police station and there is too much blood. You cannot understand her but you knew you have to be there for her. What if she got hurt? You’ll probably just hate yourself forever.

She was seated on the bench and you ran to hug her, repeatedly asking her what happened but she only cried on your shoulder whispering that she is scared. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head before saying, “Daddy is.” Daddy?

You glanced at the commotion inside the station and saw her dad, angrily pointing at the person seated beside him. Yuta. What exactly happened? You asked for the female cop to look after Sam while dealing with the chaos inside. “He is a boxer and he punched me. That’s illegal, isn’t it?”

The policeman looked so bored then sighed, “If you press charges, we can just keep him with bail.”

“That’s not possible. Look at me!” You were surprised that he had a bruised eye and a wounded lip. “This is assault. I can die.”

“What happened?” you asked and the three stared at you in surprise. Yuta turned away quickly while Sam’s father walked to where you are. “What happened?”

“I was picking up Sam from school and he just punched me out of nowhere,” he claimed. You looked at Yuta who remained seated on his seat. “Are you really trusting our daughter to a man as violent as him?”

“Just to be clear, she is my daughter and not yours.” You corrected then turned to the other guy, "Yuta, what happened?"

"I told you…"

"He's right," Yuta claimed, standing up. "I am a boxer and I punched him. I am a violent person. I deserve to be in jail."

The other man looked triumphant, even pointing at Yuta. "See that? He admitted to it. Jail him, officer."

"No one is going to jail." You exclaimed which made Yuta look at you. "This is already settled. You," You pointed at Sam's father, "You deserve that. And you," You pointed at Yuta. "Do not go near my daughter anymore. Both of you."

If there is someone you needed to protect this time, that would be Sam.

She kept on crying in the cab and even slept on the way home because of tiredness. You just came back from a business trip, expecting a hug from your daughter and dinner, then this happened? This is so stressful.

In the middle of the night, you heard Sam crying in her sleep. She must be so scared earlier that it even transcends to her dreams. The younger girl kept on crying as you hugged her, repeatedly telling her that she is safe now.

"Sammy, love, can you tell mommy what happened earlier?"

You regretted asking that question when she sobbed in your arms once again. It broke your heart seeing your little girl like this. What did those two bastards do that made her so scared like this? "Daddy came and kissed my teacher."

He did what? And Sam's teacher? God, he's such a disgusting creature.

"Daddy told me that I should just live with him if you and papa get married because you…" You faced Sam when she started sobbing once again, "You are going to the beach." She cried that confused you. What? "I also want to go to the beach. Why can't I join you?" She cried.

Go to the beach? Beach? Then it finally clicked. You were thankful that Sam is only five and she can't pick up these words. And God damn it, this is making you angry once again. How dare he say those words in front of your child? "We'll go to the beach later, hmm?"

She nodded then continued, "So papa punched him." You understood how annoying it was but Yuta should have known better. He's an athlete, he should be calm. And in front of a child? "Daddy kept on saying that he'll take you and me back because we are des…" She looked confused, "Separate?"

"Desperate." You corrected, "And we're not. We have been living without your dad, we don't need him in our life."

Sam hugged you once again, head nuzzling on your neck as you tapped her back. This is too much for a kid. You just hated yourself for letting that jerk near your daughter. He doesn't deserve Sam. "Mommy please don't be mad at papa, he just protected me when daddy kept on pulling me away from him." She whispered, making you sigh. Yuta only did protected her and somewhat your anger on him was shifted to Sam's dad. Yet, he shouldn't have shown that violence in front of Sam. "Mommy, papa is so cool when he punched daddy." Wait, what?

"You didn't think he was scary?"

Sam shook her head, "I'm more scared of daddy than papa." She then cuddled in your arms and in a sleepy voice whispered, "Let's go see papa tomorrow."

The plan didn't happen though, for Sam had a severe fever the next day. It might be because of crying too much or because of lack of sleep because of the nightmares she had. You took the day off and just nursed her, wishing that she'll feel better. But Sam would always cry in her sleep, screaming 'Papa, save me' that she refused to go to sleep, scared of her nightmares. Your daughter didn't deserve this trauma and it breaks your heart to see her this scared.

The doorbell rang and you rushed to see who it was. Must be your mom, maybe she can tell you what to do to get your daughter better. But to your surprise, it was Yuta who was holding Sam's bag from when she stayed over at his place. He looked awkward as he greeted you, reasoning out that he just passed by the area to return Sam's things. "I thought you're at work and I can give this to the babysitter."

"I took the day off. Sam is sick." The change in his expression startled you. He looked so worried. "Does she need anything? Medicine? Doctor? I can call someone."

You shook your head. "It's just a fever." He looked relieved that made your heart beat tenfold in your chest. He does love your daughter. "But I think she needs something." Yuta looked at you, asking what it was. "She needs you."

He looked surprised when you opened the door wide and let him in. "Sam, are you sleeping?" You didn't hear anything but continued instead, "Papa is here." You swore you saw the surprise in Yuta's expression hearing those words from you. You were surprised yourself. But you only thought about your daughter while doing it.

Little steps can be heard as Sam came out of her room and ran to Yuta's arms, sobbing. "Papa, I'm scared." She clung to his shoulder, the same way she did to you last night. "Save me from the monsters." Yuta rubbed the back of her head, whispering 'I will, Sammy.'

You underestimated their bond over each other. It was Yuta who made your daughter fall asleep by singing to her and cradling her. Sam looked relieved and safe when she was with Yuta that it hurts you. How are you going to survive without him?

Maybe her dad is right. You are desperate.

"Y/N, Sam is already sleeping." You lightly glanced at the door of the room, "I'll leave now."

You don't want him to leave. Not today. Not ever. You wanted Yuta in your life. You wanted him in yours and Sam's life. "Yuta, I'm sorry." He stopped in his tracks as you continued, "I was just so mad when I saw Sam shaking in fear so I said those words to you."

He turned around, shaking his head with a smile. "He was right though. Sam is a wonderful kid, she doesn't deserve to be around violent people like me."

"But you are not violent." You whispered. "Sam told me everything that happened. I just wished you punched all of his teeth out." Yuta chuckled. "And Sam thinks you're really cool. I think my daughter is the violent person here."

"That's a shame. I got suspended," Yuta shared with a shrug. "I'm also thinking of retiring from boxing. Maybe I'll just become a trainer. Less violence." He smiled, "I don't want Sammy to feel that same fear any more. I don't want her to be scared of me."

"That's impossible, Sam likes you."

"And I like Sam." He obviously does. "I just wish her mom would like me as well."

A smile played on your lips as you stepped forward that you were touching. "I think Sam's mom is already in love with you." He gasped, face turning red like a tomato that made you chuckle. He is so cute. "Do you want to stay for the night?"

"I want to stay forever."

"Much better."

—-----

"Mommy, do you think he will come?" Sam asked, pulling the hem of your shirt. You smiled at her then fixed her bangs before nodding, "He will. Let's just wait for a bit."

You tried to calm Sam by showing her the different flowers of the school garden asking what color it was or how many petals there are. She enthusiastically enumerated all colors seen and even counted that made you grin. "I'm here!" you both turned to the owner of the voice only to be greeted by her father with a wide smile on his face. "Hi, Sammy."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm her father. I should be here for family day." Sam started to hide behind you, her hand shaking as she held on to the hem of your shirt. What? You didn't even invite him to this event knowing Sam's reaction to him. Is he really that thick-skinned? "Let's go win lots of prizes today, Sammy." Sammy? Who gave him the right to call your daughter Sammy? You and Yuta are the only people who calls her that.

You sighed. He should leave before getting on your nerves. "Please leave now. I don't need you to be her father now."

"Why? Because of that boxer guy?" He gestured at Yuta who was coming your way with a confused look on his face. He was holding a picnic basket that surprised you. Is that why he's late? "Why Y/N? Is he a good fuck? He'll eventually leave you, like all the men in your life." he exclaimed which made you hiss. Can he just shut up?

"Dude, can you just leave? You're making Sammy uncomfortable." Yuta claimed as he carried the younger girl who ran to him, nuzzling her neck on his shoulder.

"You are the one making us uncomfortable," he shouted and you saw how your daughter flinched, shaking as she held on to Yuta. Your fist clenched in annoyance, teeth gritting that your jaw hurt. "We were fine. A happy family but you had to come. Why? To get my daughter? Are you a pedo…?"

Then you landed your fist on his face making him fall to the ground. "Should I sew your mouth shut?" His mouth started bleeding, cheek getting red from where you punched him. "We never became a happy family, Sam is fucking scared of you.” You said angrily, “A pedophile? How original! Isn't it you who was caught sleeping with a minor? Why would I trust my daughter with someone like you?"

"She is my daughter."

"Are you sure she is?" you asked. "I never even orgasmed because of you." He looked at you with a face full of horror and you just raised an eyebrow at him. He spat on the ground and you stepped back in disgust. Is that his tooth on the ground? "Leave! I don't want to punch another tooth from you again."

He scrambled to get up, stepping backward while claiming that he'll sue you for hurting him. He’s such a baby. You can't believe you fell for that kind of guy. Why are you so stupid before?

When he left, the blood on the ground and your hurting fist as the only reminder of what happened earlier, everything dawned on you. Hastily, you turned to your daughter who was still on Yuta's arm and staring at you in surprise. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry Sammy. Mommy didn't mean that, I'm sorry."

She smiled widely, big eyes twinkling brightly. “You were so cool, mommy." Your daughter might really be a violent person. Why did she look like she enjoyed it? Did you give birth to a sadist? She transferred to your arms, hugging you tight. "You are the best, mommy! I hope he doesn't come back ever again."

"I won't let him scare you again, Sammy." You glanced at Yuta who only gave you a smile.

Sam ran to her classmates and you watched as she started talking animatedly at them. She's always so shy, so scared of everything. It's refreshing to see her being this carefree and confident. To see her this happy. "Y/N," Yuta called which made you turn to him. And it was all because of him. "Do you want a grand proposal or just a simple one?"

"Proposal?" You chuckled. It's not what you think it is, right?

Yuta bit his lip, his cheeks tainting red. "I feel like I fell in love with you all over again. And I will be fucking stupid if I'll let you go." You swoon at his words. Yuta is so good at this stuff.

You slip your hand on his, lightly squeezing. "Don't worry about the proposal, I'll say yes anyway." Yuta chuckled, lightly tugging you so you could get closer to him.

"God!" he exclaimed, slipping his hands on your waist and hugging you. "I love you."

Who would have thought that a guy who just got set up with you, a guy you met on a blind date, would change yours and your daughter's life like this? If he thinks he has fallen for you, you already fell for him so deep. Letting this man go would be the greatest mistake you'll make in your life. "I love you too, Yuta"

"Papa! Mommy! The game is starting." Sam called, waving her hands cutely.

Yuta giggled, "Let's win all the games for Sammy."

You nodded. You'll just have to punch your way to this.

#yuta #nct yuta #yuta nakamoto #nakamoto yuta #yuta fluff #yuta nakamoto fluff #nakamoto yuta fluff #yuta x reader fluff #nct yuta fluff

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ryoskuna · 4 years ago

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⭑ shaken, not stirred universe. | introduction.

notes: we’ve heard about bartender!sukuna, so get ready for the others! think of this as those choose-your-own adventure games, where you can choose your own love interest and path. you’re not just limited to sukuna, but you’ve got many more love interests you can choose (or request). this is just a humble introduction to the roles each jjk character fills within the shaken, not stirred universe, and may allude to some of the situations you may encounter on you way. so grab a snack, buckle in, cause it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

depending on how tumblr updates go, this may become a project reserved for AO3, but I’ll do what I can for now, here on tumblr. feel free to ask about any of the characters, and you all know how to find my inbox. additionally, i’m going to try and make this as gender-neutral and reader-neutral as possible, BUT, i’m also slightly biased in making content for black girls because I am one, so we’ll see how this goes. each drabble or fic will be marked for what kind of reader it discusses. also, i’m a sucker for a good oc... so there may be a whole related series with an original character(s). this is just the introduction for the universe so you know who is who.

MAIN ROUTES INCLUDE: sukuna, toji, nanami, megumi, yuji, mei mei, gojo, and geto. i’d be open to include routes for nobara, maki, inumaki, yuta, kamo, todo, momo, and mai (and maybe, choso) (but by default, nobara and maki are together unless requested individually, and mai is with momo (unless you request them individually as well). regardless of route, shoko and utahime are together.) but you would have to request these characters as in send me a message going “for the shaken not stirred universe, i would like a mai x reader, or nobara x reader”.

warnings: they’ll vary by route/character you choose, however, some general warnings is mentions of alcohol, past relationships, drama, angst. there’s some potential for 18+ content, however it will be marked as such (should it occur). oh, and there’s probably some unchecked grammar or spelling errors. there’s also a little bit of manga spoilers due to some characters being introduced.

summary: welcome to malevolent shrine, in the heart of shibuya, and one of the best rated bars on yelp. for all it’s worth ( and that one entryway at the side that you have to go down a set of exterior stairs and through a laundromat to get through that entrance) and despite the name, in its two story glory, it’s a fun place to be. the people who enter or work there are even better. and they’ve all got stories to tell. sit back, grab a drink, and prepare for what may be some of the most interesting events you’ve ever seen.

bonus: sukuna specific playlist ( x ), malevolent shrine playlist ft. sounds from their local acts/musicians ( x ), more to be added later (i am thinking of one called ‘toji’s ipod shuffle’, another called ‘dancing in gojo’s living room’, and one called ‘sitting in the passenger seat of geto’s car’.)

introducing the characters!

bartender!sukuna: new owner of the bar, malevolent shrine. when he gained ownership two years ago, he remodeled the bar and renamed it, as it was about to foreclose until he took managerial control, and the original owner gave him the bar when they retired. has a college degree in art history and art, has a few business management courses under his belt. he’s yuji’s older brother, and he’s very intense. there’s headcanons for him here ( x ). he has a signature drink, named after the bar, called malevolent shrine.��

accountant!nanami: think of him as sukuna’s second in command (next to uraume) but he manages the finances of malevolent shrine. also hates work, but sukuna allows him to do what he wants, so he enjoys it slightly more. has a signature drink called 7-to-3.

budding model!nobara: in a professional rivalry with mai, however she is a signed to a modeling agency as well as growing in her instagram presence.

college student!maki: she is in her senior year of college, and is an athlete that does track and field — shot-put and discus and javelin.

benefactor!gojo: an old classmate of sukuna’s, now turned benefactor and donor to malevolent shrine to keep it open. he and sukuna have a so-so relationship (with gojo remembering that sukuna took the job as a way to take care of his younger brother yuji and their grandfather). sukuna did make a drink in his honor called infinite void.

restaurant owner!geto: owns a high-scale restaurant with mei mei. raising two twin girls. he’s mostly a retired pianist, but he helped sign the lease with mei mei for stability’s sake.

benefactor!mei mei: is a rival to gojo, both in terms of owning her restaurant (more like funding it) and buys whatever she likes (whether it’s an item or a person).

culinary student!yuji: works as a “head” of the kitchen at malevolent shrine. he’s sukuna’s younger brother, and sukuna tends to give him free reign on the meals that he makes. but everything he makes is good. when he’s not at school or malevolent shrine, he’s usually hanging out with nobara and megumi.

indie artist!megumi: one of the main and recurring acts at malevolent shrine. plays the guitar and will deny that he ever learned how to play the violin. he’s sort of adopted by gojo, but knows his father toji, and they’re working on reconciling their relationship. he’s roommates with yuji and nobara, and often used as nobara’s photographer.

bouncer!toji: the dilf. he’s boxing buddies with sukuna, as well as a force to be reckoned with at the bar. he’s good at his job and dare someone to pick a fight with him. you won’t win. sukuna made a drink in his honor called playful cloud.

musician!kamo: does a mixture of traditional japanese music and heavy metal, and he’s rivals with megumi. he can play an electric shamisen.

instagram model!mai and makeup artist!momo: sort of girlfriends, sort of FWBs, sort of exes, no one is exactly sure what’s going on there, and no one wants to ask. mai is a popular instagram model, but has yet to be signed to an agency. momo is her makeup artist, as well as a professional one.

part-time waitress!miwa: she works at malevolent shrine, helping as a waitress, and has a baking yt channel that’s growing in popularity and often features her two brothers.

physical trainer!todo: works at the gym sukuna and toji frequently attend. he’s very supportive to old and newcomers alike, and does not tolerate elitists who have been going to the gym for years. he also does the occasional twitch stream of his workouts.

guitarist!yuta: plays the guitar for inumaki. he can play both electric and acoustic, and he’s like a second cousin to gojo, although no one is exactly sure how they’re related.

singer!inumaki: he’s a singer, however, no one has ever seen his face when he performs. he performs as a silhouette behind a screen.

paramedic!shoko and high school teacher!utahime: shoko is a paramedic who attends the bar on her days off, and often drags utahime along. shoko makes sure that geto and gojo get along in public, and makes sure utahime relaxes to some extent.

shoko and sukuna hold each other accountable for not relapsing on their smoking addiction.

promotions and tech support!mechamaru: works at malevolent shrine and helps with the graphic design as well as tech support for the bands and musical acts that come through the bar. watches miwa’s baking channel in his spare time, and will talk to her about her recipes. has a crush on miwa.

notes:

geto and gojo are very complicated exes. no one knows how they broke up or why — just that it happened in front of a kfc —but there’s so many stories about them floating around like they were going to elope and travel the world, but no one knows the exact truth.

gojo raised megumi and tsumiki very briefly for some years while toji was a brief drifter. yes, megumi is aware that toji is his dad.

yuji, nobara, and megumi are roommates.

yuta and inumaki are a musical duo. they come as a set.

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milkybonya · 4 years ago

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hi! can i request an angsty idol! mark with prompts 51, 58, and 62? something like maybe he broke up w the reader and regrets it haha thankyou!

ooo i love this concept u-u

51. “leave me alone” + 58. “could you give me another chance?” + 62. “i can’t do this alone” x Mark

Warnings: angst

prompt list

[a/n]: just thinking about how beautiful it is that i can make this fic begin with ‘leave me alone’ said by Mark, who later also says ‘i can’t do this alone’... some major character development and clear signs of regret :”) through those two opposing statements

“Leave me alone!” yelled by Mark.

Echoing throughout your room. Your ears ringing. Your vision blurry and everything grey. Stumbling backwards and falling onto the arm rest of your couch.

“I can’t do this anymore... I can’t be with you like this, always worried about me, you’re... too much... we’re done,” Mark’s voice sounds like you’re hearing it while under water.

The door slams shut.

You’re left alone.

“Mark, what’s wrong?” Yuta asks the boy in their dorms. The two are sitting side by side on a couch.

“Everything,” he mumbles, just quiet enough to avoid reaching Yuta’s ears.

“I’m good,” he says, louder this time.

Yuta grins. “I wasn’t asking if you’re good or not, I asked what’s wrong.”

Mark sighs, hiding his face in his hands as Yuta leans in close to him, clearly teasing.

“Okay, but what’s actually wrong?” Yuta asks, his expression changing from smiling to serious in an instant.

“I can’t do this alone,” Mark says, his hands still covering his face and muffling his voice. His hair is disheveled and when he reveals his face, the dark circles under his eyes meet the light.

“You’re not alone, Mark. I’m here for you,” Yuta says, reaching out for Mark’s hand.

“No, I mean yes, thank you, but I can’t be without [y/n]. I miss them so much... I don’t know why I said what I said that day. They were the only one who cared about me to that extent... I miss them,” Mark says, pouting slightly. He sighs once again.

“Go to them, then.”

Mark glares at Yuta.

“After the way I treated them, really?”

“You won’t know unless you try. I can tell you really miss them, so just go!” Yuta cheers, slapping Mark’s back to get him to stand up.

In his lifeless state, Mark leaves his dorms to head to your house.

He doesn’t forget about the flower shop right by your home.

The doorbell rings and you pause the show you were watching, sighing. Why would anyone ring your doorbell at 9pm? It’s probably best to not answer...

More ringing. Knocking now, too.

You reach for a nearby blanket and hide under it, waiting for whoever this person is to just leave.

This time, your phone rings. Text messages flood the screen.

[unknown number]

[y/n], it’s me, open up

it’s me

Mark

pls open up

please

please.

As much as you’d like to ignore him, you can’t find it in your heart to be that much of a coolheaded badass. So you trudge up to the door, taking a deep breath before opening the door.

A panda-eyed, messy-haired boy with his flannel buttoned up all wrong and two different coloured socks peeking out from his trainers thrusts a handful of flowers forward.

“These are for you, but I mean you’re much prettier, but still take them if you want,” Mark stutters.

You take them, not because you’re forgiving Mark or anything of the sort, but because these flowers are your favourite.

“I just want to say... I know this isn’t enough at all, but I’m sorry. What I did was wrong, there’s no excuse for it at all. I haven’t been able to sleep or eat for the past few days because I keep thinking of you and how I let you go. This is super dumb but could you give me another chance?” Mark blurts everything out at once.

You pause for a few seconds, taking it in.

Another chance...

“I’ll think about it. But for now, no promises,” you say, avoiding his eyes. His face brightens up; you can see it even though you’re looking away from him.

“I won’t let you down, [y/n]. That’s more than enough for me, even more than anything I deserve right now. I’ll buy you flowers everyday, I’ll, I’ll...”

He continues to trail off as you slowly shut the door, your heart pounding.

You have no idea what you’ve just set yourself up for. When Mark says he’ll buy you flowers everyday, he’s buying you flowers everyday.

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domjaehyun · 4 years ago

Note

yeaaaaaaaah i was the anon that asked about what’s next! i’d love to see the order is that’s okay? i luv ur writing heheh

hiii, baby, of course!!! thank you for enjoying my writing that makes me very happy!!!

more under the cut!!

sooooo *cracks knuckles* this is the order that im gonna write my commissions & requests in and i havent put everything else in order (like qc3, qc ask the characters, or other ideas and projects i have!! i have many....like i did a rough counting up of all the fics i have that i want to write or promised to write and it’s at a whopping 61....yes you read that right. sixty one, folks. pray for me.) exactly but it’s roughly hashed out!

commissions;

all these years, a jaehyun fic

dirty little secret, a johnny fic

minhyung_82, a mark fic

opposites attract, a jaemin fic

friendly competition, a lucas & jaehyun fic

it’s about time, a hyuck fic

slowly but surely, a mark fic

awkward encounters, a johnny fic

schemes & shenanigans, a mark fic

bad for you, a jaehyun fic

give it time, a minghao fic

requests;

note that my requests are very much CLOSED. p l e a s e do not send anything in, you’ll either get a snippy response or your message will just get deleted.

untitled fic where personal trainer!mark and/or bf!mark is working out with you

untitled fic with sub!mark and an older girlfriend reader

bad habit, a ceo/sugar daddy!doyoung fic

got you pinned, a yuta fic

collaborations;

almost (i’m doing this on chocojaehyun but it still counts!)

my page

personal projects;

quarantine chronicles: there are 2 installments left (the ask the characters bonus update and the final chapter, qc3)

mystery fic collection that i will not spoil: it has 8 fics lined up to be in it!

stand alone one shot ideas: (not sharing them bc spoilers) i have 34 ideas *sweats*

so commissions are first in that order, requests are next in that order (but if i get stuck on a commission i’ll jump to a request probably), the collaborations depend on which one comes up first, and the personal projects aren’t / shouldn’t be a huge priority for me (which is great bc it’s the largest category asjfdgsj)

and to top it all off and make matters worse? i dont like the number 61....i’d rather have 65 fics on hold than 61 bc it’s a nicer number 😭

but yes thank you for letting me rant at you! :D have a wonderful day, lovely!!!

#answered #anon #i love when you guys send stuff like this it makes me feel more productive #important

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cutehardcore · 5 years ago

Text

Marry, Lust, Kiss → MLK♥

A summary of stories that I experienced while living in a dorm with 17 other people. You’ll never get bored in this dorm. I changed everyone’s names and added a little bit more spice to some of the stories. So don’t take everything literally.

———————————————————————————

December 31, 2019

Most of your dormmates gathered in the living room to celebrate the new year. “Come on, drink at least one glass before the next year.” Wheein offered with a cup full of beer in her hand. “Maybe I’ll start drinking next year.” You politely rejected the alcohol. You would believe that as someone who majors in law she wouldn’t support irresponsible drinking behaviors. But you guess, especially with these studies you have a lot to cope with. With Wheein’s attention turning back to Johnny, your gaze wanders around the room.

Jowoon places her beer bottle on the table to join Hyejin on the balcony to get a smoke. She’s majoring in philosophy and literature and like every philosophy student she’s probably a university girl for life. You get along well with her because like your old teenager self, she’s a hobby actor.

Next to her stands Hyejin with probably her fifth cigarette this evening. She was the first one welcoming you to the dorm. Your conversation lasted for hours before you were able to unpack your stuff. Now, she’s the best friend you have in the dorm. Which is probably an advantage relating to your future essays because her majors are English and Geography for tutoring.

The guy joining these two now is Jeno. It’s actually a miracle that he’s attending this party. Whenever you ask about him no one sees or knows about him. The only fact known is that he’s studying engineering which seems to be the cause of his absence.

Right next to the balcony door stands a big couch on which three boys are seated.

On the one end Yuta was holding a vodka bottle in his hand trying to convince Mark to take some shots. You've never seen him before you met in the dorm but since he was born near your own hometown you get along well with him. He moved here to do his master’s degree in economics. Yuta might have a fuckboy facade but you believe despite his image he’s a nice guy.

On the other end sits Mark. You can definetly see he’s currently completely wasted. Mark is the type of guy who gets easily drunk with just one beer bottle. At first you couldn’t believe that the black-haird boy who seems just so unknown to this world, studies social work.

Inbetween these two friends sits Jaemin. The kindest and sweetest guy you’ve ever met. He’s from another country and moved in to study English. He’s still in language school but soon he’ll be able to go to university. You hope he’ll have the happiest life here.

Beside the three friends stands another smaller sofa. On which Kun is invading Kahei’s personal space while chatting with her.

Kun gets cuddly whenever he’s drunk. But usually he’s fun to be around and he loves cooking. Which is ironic when he’s majoring in IT security and his sleep shedule resembles that of a vampire’s. Sometimes even his jokes seem a bit off which could be the biggest sign of his subject.

You clearly see that Kahei tries to get some space from Kun but he’s too drunk to notice. You would help her if it wouldn’t be this amusing. She’s one of the closest friends you got to make in this dorm. Her major is medicine and probably becomes your future personal trainer since Kahei were a professional athlete.

Your gaze goes back to the diner table where you’re sitting at and where at the moment Johnny and Wheein are having a very vivid conversation.

Johnny is that guy who constently makes ambiguous jokes and he’s also the only one in the room who graduated. You suppose he just recently started working since he still seems very young. But because of his job you barely get to see him. Most of the time you’re eating dinner together in the kitchen.

In front of the dark-haired guy: Wheein. As a law student she most definetly process her studies with alcohol whenever she can. Her and your beliefs don’t match up most of the time but you still respect her nevertheless. She’s the mother of the house.

“Guys! Why didn’t anyone keep an eye on the watch? It’s already new year!” Hyejin screams at everyone from the balcony as you could already see the first fireworks outside. And before you can realize what’s happening everyone was already heading out of the living room to get to the roof terrace.

The only one left was you with a smile on your lips. You really found a family in this chaos of people and if you were honest to yourself: it was better than home. Well, this dorm was now your new home.

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neo-culture-mafia · 6 years ago

Text

NCT 2018 as Mafia Positions

LEE TAEYONG ~ Leader (GOD FATHER)

He was brought up in a Mafia family himself so once he came of age, he branched his own syndicate. His father was furious...using the word ‘furious’ was an understatement though. He broke the family branch and created his own: Neo Culture

Leads the work day with an iron fist, yet doesn’t hesitate to unwind with his members during the night time. Always looks out for his members when they show weakness and fatigue with their day to day life.

“Oh no honey, I’m an angel...I swear! The horns are just there to hold up the halo.”

______________

MOON TAEIL ~ UNDER BOSS 1

He was there to step in for Taeyong whenever he was needed outside of the country for business. He held a lot of power within himself and the younger and inexperienced members. He kept quiet until needed, yet he was always lurking in the shadows taking note of everything and everyone.

Once he was needed though, you sure as hell need to know that he will make his presence known and he will instruct fear into his victims when needed.

“At times I feel like giving up, but then I bite my tongue and realize I have a lot of mother fuckers to prove wrong.”

______________

SEO JOHNNY ~ UNDER BOSS 2

The under boss who made his presence known from the beginning. He would always remind the others when Taeyong was out who they needed to be listening to. He would be by Taeyong 24/7 - ready. Ready to make the calls to blow something up or simply to call everyone to dinner.

He holds the older members together and makes sure everyone has someone to go to if they needed it. Wouldn’t be afraid to get his hands dirty for the ones he loved and held close to him.

“Keep your head high...but your middle finger higher.”

_____________

NAKAMOTO YUTA ~ FOREIGN BOSS OF AFFAIRS (JAPAN)

Lives up the Neo Culture branch located in Japan. Rules his own soldiers with an iron fist that has all of them shaking on the daily. Spends most of his time reporting tensions of the Yakuza and Neo Culture to Taeyong. He knows when to pick his men up and transfer them back to Seoul for safety. Makes his own plans for his branch yet will always have clear communication with his hierarchy.

Isn’t afraid to ask for help from his higher-ups. Has his life on the line every day with being so far away from Headquarters...but you wouldn’t catch him talking about his problems to his men because he has an image to maintain.

“The hottest lives have the coldest ends.”

______________

QIAN KUN ~ MEDIC

He didn’t even mean to get caught up in the mafia. It was a fluke thing, really. He had met Taeyong at a coffee shop that he had been working to get through medical school. Taeyong had walked in late at night with a huge gash on his shoulder. Kun being the almost certified doctor he was, took Taeyong and got him fixed up and out the door in less than 10 minutes with a complimentary coffee. The next night at the same time, his shop was bombarded by men in fancy suits with Taeyong offering him a proposal: Leave college and this job for the Mafia and be guaranteed protection for him and his family in China.

As he thought about his family, he knew he couldn’t say no. He wanted a better life for not only himself but his mom and dad. He needed this even though he hated to admit it. When they come back from a mission or a run, he doesn't get nosy and ask questions...he just does what he was brought here to do.

“There is only one hell: The one we live in now.”

____________

KIM DOYOUNG ~ HEAD OF WEAPONRY

Always had a thing for guns and knives...seems to call him. He makes sure everyone who is going on a mission or run is fully equipped for anything that may be thrown at them...literally. He makes sure everyone not only has weapons but also, safety gear that could withstand anything from a gunshot to a cherry bomb (which he also makes himself)

He has a cold exterior but once you get him out of his office and surrounded by his fellow members, he is very lively and very blunt in getting his point across in the most loving way possible.

“If the enemy is in range...so are you.”

______________

TEN ~ TRAINER FOR HAND TO HAND COMBAT

He takes everyone under his wings. He works alongside Doyoung but in the opposite form: Hand to Hand. Ten makes sure that he teaches EVERYONE apart of Neo Culture hand to hand so just in case that a weapon fails or they are in close range, they know how to easily take out an enemy. He also teaches fatal shots to pressure points, temple hits, and body twists. Makes it so it seems as if when they fight, they are boneless.

He is always open with his members from the get-go. He makes sure he is always available for his members...his family.

“Your body is a temple...don’t let me knock it down.”

________________

JUNG JAEHYUN ~ INTERROGATOR / TORTURE SPECIALIST

Jaehyun uses mental tactics to get inside his victims’ heads. Makes it feel as if he already knows what they have done when in actual reality he doesn’t even know what he’s supposed to be getting out of them. Yet when he meets a tough cookie that doesn’t fall for his mental tricks, he doesn’t have a problem getting physical with different instruments.

Once off the job, he couldn’t hurt a fly. He relies on the care of his members to rid his mind of the horrific things he has seen during the day. Warm smile yet killer eyes that makes even the toughest man weak in the knees.

“Do not let too much thinking paralyze the doing.”

DONG SICHENG (WINWIN) ~ FOREIGN BOSS OF AFFAIRS (CHINA)

This boy couldn’t hurt anyone from the get-go. He learned from pain and mistrust that he only has himself and his members. He joined Neo Culture when his family was murdered in a Triad hit and run. He tried to leave China after that so he went to South Korea. He lived paycheck to paycheck until he was taken under Taeyong’s wing. He was put as Foreign Boss of Affairs for the China branch. Like Yuta, he reports tensions of local gangs and Neo Culture to Taeyong.

When it gets too much for him - being in China - he always welcomed back to Seoul along with his own men. His anger sits locked inside of him...just bubbling over in the pot labeled as his mind. He believes that he should treat his men with a kind hand at night and a firm fist during the day. Always welcomes his own into his office to talk about their feelings. He felt as if he had no one for the longest time and he doesn’t want others to feel as if they had no one either. He’s there.

“You can tell how dangerous a person is by how they hold their anger inside them quietly.”

______________

KIM JUNGWOO ~ SNIPER / MANIPULATOR

His steady hand comes in use when he is needed for roof-top duties. Always knows where everyone, why they’re there, and what they’re going to be doing 10 minutes from now. Yet, when he is needed on the ground, he is used to getting people to come with him. He is used to using people. Buys pretty ladies drinks just to get them back to headquarters to find out what their partner is planning, or he could become friends with another leader to get insights on what they are doing in cases of funds, attacks, or pop-ups.

Is relatively hidden in the shadows for good reason. Once he’s recognized more than once then he has some explaining to do to the person he was trying to seduce. He isn’t afraid to aid the others on the smallest of missions just to make sure that they get out of their alive.

“Never start an argument with a man that can take you out from another zip-code.”

______________

WONG YUKHEI (LUCAS) ~ MANIPULATOR

He is ready to get into anything just to find out sought-after information. A car, a brawl, a bed - you name it. You name it, he’s probably been in it to get valued information that will put his team ahead of everyone else so no one can touch them.

During work, he doesn’t let his emotion get in the way of anything, yet when he’s around his members he lets all emotion go and unwinds. He is always changing himself so he doesn’t get recognized.

“Keep yourself closed off for it won’t give me the opportunity to get what I wanted in the first place.”

___________

LEE MARK ~ HEAD OF JUNIOR FORCES

Mark...he’s the man that Taeyong goes to when he finds another kid that needs someplace to go. Mark usually goes on hits with the other members, yet when they’re at headquarters - you can find him training everyone younger than him. He is skilled in everything from explosives to money transfers in hacking. He’s paving the way for all the prospering youths to be prepared for when they become legal. Once they become legal, then Mark won’t have to teach them anything else and will expect them to prove their skills to all the other members.

Super caring and fun to be around with the members (to be) during training, yet when he’s out on a run - he’s as scary as Taeyong. He was a natural born leader so even though he’s younger than all the official members...he’s looked up to. He paved his own road that he’s traveling on so he can teach others to do the same for themselves.

“You better watch yourself, I did this all by myself.”

_______________

HUANG RENJUN ~ ASSASSIN

He was the second child in his ethnic Chinese family. His parents were poor and couldn’t afford him. They left him outside an orphanage and he grew up there with his anger boiling inside of him. He had terrible anger issues so once so many homes wouldn’t take him...he was transferred to Korea where as soon as he arrived at the new home, he ran away. Taeyong caught him stealing random scrap supplies from their warehouse and decided to bring him in.

He has a lot of anger so he makes sure to put everything into his actions as he trains and practices. He wanted vengeance at first but now he just wants a safe place where he knows people care for him.

“When you get angry, count to ten...when you reach eight, throw the punch that no one expected.”

_____________

LEE JENO ~ POISON / HALLUCINATION SPECIALIST

Even though he’s still younger than most members, the members come to him asking for anything to drug a victim, especially Jaehyun. He always had a knack for making people go crazy in their own minds. He was a troubled youth which made his parents roam and eventually disown him. He carries a chip on his shoulder even though he has a family now: Neo Culture

He used to use his own Hallucination tactics on himself to escape his painful reality of being unloved. After meeting Mark and all of the other boys though, his own happiness became his drug he just couldn’t get enough of.

“It’s not called dreaming when you induce it on yourself...it’s called a hallucination.”

___________

LEE HAECHAN ~ DECOY

He uses his slyness and trickery to throw off others while on hits. He is used by the higher-ups in missions. No one would expect an innocent looking boy to be deadly and involved in such hazardous tasks. Whether it’s using prosthetic to disguise himself in the line of enemies, or stealing identities to get into elite social and business gatherings for other syndicates, he does it all.

He always had an issue of figuring out who he was as a little kid. With this work though...he could be anything or anyone. Yet, once he takes off the fake body features and makeup, he becomes the classy and funny boy his friends have all grown to know.

“Why be ordinary when I have the chance to be anyone?”

_____________

NA JAEMIN ~ ARSONIST

Jaemin always loved the idea of fire. Anything that you created could be gone so quickly. He loved being in control of it though. He loved being able to manipulate it to the point where he figured out to burn a single space in a matter of 5 minutes. He works alongside Doyoung in the aspect of learning what it takes to makes bombs and do it safely. Yet, sometimes he doesn’t care and just lets it range free as he watches in awe of its power to destroy something it took so long to build.

His family kicked him out at 13 once they found his stash of explosives and fire equipment. Taeyong found his ability and hobby a good use and asset to the team. He acts super badass and hard when in actual reality, he’s super soft and a huge nerd when he is surrounded by his friends.

“The most powerful weapon on Earth is the human soul on fire.”

______

ZHONG CHENLE ~ ESCAPE ARTIST (IN TRAINING)

He was always put in sticky situations as a child. He came from the same situation as Renjun, yet he was never taken in by anyone. When he finally was, he escaped as quickly as he could from that ‘home’. He was tied down by the people who were supposed to look after him, yet he got out. He uses his abilities to be able to get out of any situation. Whether he is in the situation, or he’s telling another member what to do, he is relied on to get them out of there in a safe and timely manner.

He uses his abilities in his day to day life. Whether Kun wants him to help with washing some bloody towels or Jaehyun needs help to scrub blood off the floor, Chenle will quickly, effortlessly, and seamlessly slip out of the room unnoticed. Once he escapes, he runs to his friends to hang out and play games.

“It’s not that I want to escape my life in itself, I want to escape the harsh reality OF my life.”

____________

PARK JISUNG ~ ANTI - DOCTOR (IN TRAINING)

Basically goes against Kun. If an enemy is brought in and Kun already fixed them up, he would be the one to go back in and reverse everything that helped. He worked under Kun for a while and learned everything he needed to in order to save someone, and then reversed it. Kun didn’t approve but he would never let Jisung know that. If it’s still confusing, basically: an enemy comes in all beat up and injured (shot) - Kun fixes said victim - Jaehyun gets information out of said enemy - Jisung comes in and takes out the stitches that held all his wounds closed. Slowly and painfully. He knows how to keep the person alive while still bringing the most pain as possible.

His family kicked him out at age 11 for being ‘psychotic’. He learned how to fend for himself through the waves of wanting vengeance. Yet, with being the youngest, he has all his hyungs to lead him on a better path with the exception of his trained work.

“I’m not afraid of monsters thanks to the one that lives inside of me.”

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yukimuraasuna · 4 years ago

Text

Yukimura Family Tree

The Yukimura family are a prominent family in Japan. The main family, now headed by Yukimura Sanbo, is the family Asuna comes from. However, she’s the daughter of one of the middle sons, and therefore her family wasn’t criticised as much for leaving the country. They’re well known in Japan, but not so much in the UK (think like, a Japanese version of the Black family, except they honestly care more about ethnicity than blood status). They’re very traditional still, following with clan traditions as well as their own. Betrothals occur frequently, and are usually between prominent wizarding families, with the occasional rich muggle in the extended family (cousins of her grandfather, not her aunts or uncles). As well as holding many investments in wizarding and muggle Japan, since Izumi moved his family to Scotland, the Yukimuras have held many investments in British wizarding and muggle businesses as well.

Yukimura Kotoko, née Nakamura, & Yukimura Izumi | mother & father | fc: Ishida Yuriko & Sanada Hiroyuki | age: 53 & 63

Kotoko grew up in Tokyo, Japan, where she attended Mahoutokoro School of Magic. She was the eldest daughter of Nakamura Michiko and Yuta, both prominent members of the Japanese Ministry for Magic. She met Yukimura Izumi, who was ten years her senior, when she was seventeen, when he was visiting his great grandparents for a summer, and the two became quick friends. Izumi came from another prominent family, and was the second oldest of his brothers, so he didn’t have the pressure to be perfect like his eldest brother did. However, he still followed tradition closely and despite Kotoko being younger and marrying her for love, she came from a family who his parents would have considered an arrangement with whether he was in love with the daughter or not. They got married when she turned 19, and had their first child, Emi, and then Misa, a year later. Asuna was born five years later, and the family relocated to Scotland when she was born, when Izumi was offered a position as the Japanese ambassador in the British Ministry.

Asuna was very close to her parents growing up. She was the baby, spoiled beyond belief, even despite their hesitance over Augustus. However, six years ago, when Augustus’ father passed, Asuna and her parents grew apart because she broke off a betrothal they’d arranged to move in with Augustus and help take care of his siblings and him. Although they’ve moved past this, things have never quite been the same. Now, more and more of her conversation with her parents are questions over whether she’s going to settle down, get married, and have kids soon, and even a resigned approval of Augustus.

Lee Emi, née Yukimura & Yukimura Misa | sisters | fc: Sawajiri Erika & Ishihara Satomi | age: 33 & 33

Asuna and her sisters were never close, likely because of the slight age gap between Misa and Asuna. Neither of her sisters ever seemed to want to spend time with her. But they were protective of each other, and more likely to take each others’ sides in things than another’s. The exception for Asuna, however, was always Augustus.

She learned everything she could about herbology so she could be closer to Emi, but she and Misa never really found common ground.

Emi is a socialite and housewife. She was in an arranged marriage with the son of the Korean Ambassador in the ministry, and Misa is a dragon trainer, although her parents are hoping she’ll settle down soon.

Murata Michiko & Yuta | maternal great grandmother & grandfather | fc: Hayakawa Sessue & Aoki Tsuru | age: 95 & 97

Michiko and Yuta met in school. They knew they were going to be married from a young age, as it had been arranged early. Therefore, against the wishes of their families, they got to know each other and were the best of friends as children. They had eight children together.

Nakamura Chiyuki, née Murata & Ayato | maternal grandmother & grandfather | fc: Umeki Miyoshi & Shigeta James | age: 75 & 78

Chiyuki was the youngest child of Murata Michiko and Yuta. She and Ayato didn’t know each other well, although they had years at Mahoutokoro where they were both there. They’d barely spoken before their wedding day. The wedding itself was beautiful, and they ended up very happy.

Yukimura Hinami & Sanbo | paternal grandmother & grandfather | fc: Kirin kiki & Morita Noriyuki | age: 85 & 97

Sanbo was the eldest of three brothers and five sisters. He became head of the clan when he was thirty, and took great care to look after not only his siblings and children, but the extended family and clan members.

Yukimura Akahana, Risa, and Tsubaki | cousins | fc: Myoui Mina, Minatozaki Sana, & Hirai Momo | age: 26

The Yukimura triplets are Asuna’s cousins who live in Japan, but visit every other year. The years they don’t come to Asuna, she goes to them. The four correspond with letters at least once a month and they’re quite close, despite not having lived in the same country since Asuna was three. Akahana, Risa, and Tsubaki all work in the Japanese ministry, and usually when Asuna visits, she floos directly to Tsubaki’s office.

Risa is the only person in her family who knows ( at least who’s positive ) that Asuna is in love with Augustus.

Yukimura Nina & Asuma | cousin & uncle | fc: Ishibashi Brittany & Gerald | age: 39 & 65

The father and older sister of the triplets. Her father’s older brother and best friend. Asuna was named after him, sort of, the kanji for his name reading ‘bright’, ‘sun’, and ‘true’, and that of hers reading ‘bright’, ‘sun’, and ‘calm’, and she’s quite close to him & Nina both as well. Asuma is the heir and is a prominent member of Japanese Ministry and wizarding society, as well as having business investments in the muggle world as well. Nina is set to inherit from him, since he has no sons. Nina is very independent and not always very traditional, and despite concerns for her lack of tradition, the family supports her because when she married her current husband, she kept her name and her children all have both hers and her husband’s name, so the Yukimura name will continue with the heir despite her being a woman.

Other living relatives:

Yukimura Tatuya & Yukito ;; uncles, younger brothers of Izumi.

Yukimura Ayaka & Sakura ;; aunts, sisters of Izumi.

Yukimura Miki, Mina, Yuto, Ken, & Momo, among others ;; other cousins.

Yukimura Chibo and Bo ;; paternal great-uncles.

Yukimura Yui & Akari ;; paternal great-aunts, wives of Chibo & Bo.

Yukimura Azumi, Ayumi, Yasuko, Kazuko, & Shizuka ;; paternal great-aunts, sisters of Sanbo, Chibo, & Bo.

Nakamura Nico, Sana, Tina, & Sota ;; cousins on her mother’s side.

#morsmordre: prompt #under a read more because her family is kinda huge because i got carried away #i think i still need to edit but im tired and i wanted to get at least one of these up #* character analysis ~ they tell me think with my head not that thing in my chest ˎˊ˗#* headcanons ~ as if the sky had blown the heavens into stars ˎˊ˗#* history ~ they tell me think with my head not that thing in my chest ˎˊ˗

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mirsfa · 6 years ago

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dangerously (iv)

Genre: Uhm. Kinda everything, from angst through fluff to smut Word count: 17k (i am so sorry) Pairing: Prince!Jaehyun x Mafia!Reader Warning: Cursing, underage smoking, drinking, use of drugs, even more cursing, smut in upcoming chapters. There’s a lot and I might have left some out oops. Summary: You were polar opposites. He was royalty, you were a criminal. You hated him, he hated you. This mission was the last thing any of you wanted, but you had to make it work. But could you?

a/n: heii people. first of all i apologize that it took me this much time to finish this bunch of shit ahahahah. there is no excuse, only that im graduating and i am slowly but surely dying. figuratively. that was a shitty joke im sorry. anyways, thank you all who were patient enough to wait for this, i have added a ‘read more’ label and hopefully it will work for everyone!!

“It was a scratch, no need to panic, Z.”

“Yeah but what if I died?”

Doyoung sighed, yet again, at least the thirteenth time during the past hour – the time you had been awake. He had been there the second you opened your chapped mouth and croaked for water. His eyes followed all your movements, cautiously, as if something could really go wrong by drinking water. Your fingers were shaky, yes, but the second he reached towards you to help holding the cup, you hissed at him, and he knew better than to stick to his decision. The room you were in was a lot like a hospital’s – clean, white sheets with even brighter walls and equipment. The first few moments you opened your eyes it blinded you almost, giving you a sting in your head and a wish that you should have stayed passed out.

“Die from a scratch?” he placed his head in his palm as he stared at the neon lines of your heartrate.

“I mean,” you murmured, fidgeting with the string attached under the skin of the back of your hand, “I did pass out from it.”

“I think you over-reacted,” he squinted at you then, “like you do most of the time.”

You would have thrown your hands up in frustration if it wasn’t for the things in your arms, quite literally tying you to the machines.

“It was mental, really,” he said then, voice lower and somewhat softer, “after you passed out and the other gang ran away it was just – crazy. A mess. The special forces arrived and when they saw that there was no one from the opposite team…they went full commando.”

You furrowed your eyebrows as you struggled to put the pieces together. You shouldn’t have asked him to tell you what happened afterwards.

“They thought we set the whole thing up.”

He nodded, and his Adams apple bobbed, casting his glance away from your searching eyes and raked his bony fingers through his hair. The charcoal locks fell into his eyes in a soft mess.

“They wouldn’t let us go, Z,” he said, his voice barely a whisper but still filled with hatred and a sort of calm, hidden fury. “You were…you were bleeding so much, and they kept on stalling and stalling and I- “he took a deep breath as his voice wavered. You reached out for his hand and took it into your own, squeezing softly. He glanced up then, his eyes distant, hazy with the recent memories.

“Prince Jaemin refused to leave your side. Not even for one second,” he chuckled, and you let out an amused huff, “Yukhei almost blew his ass up but I think he was somewhat thankful.”

You averted your gaze and let out a smile.

“Prince Mark and Renjun were the ones who talked some sense into those meatheads – honestly their captain was such a jerk,” Doyoung continued, irritation shadowing his tone. You just shrugged and poked the infusion in your wrist, letting the string attached to it wiggle.

“At least I’m alive,” you proclaimed, letting out something that sounded like a bittersweet chuckle. He just shook his head and exhaled gently.

“Taeyong was out of his mind when the special forces kept us there. I’ve never seen him this disoriented before.”

“Except when Jisung walked in on him when he – “

“No! Please don’t remind me.”

You grinned as Doyoung’s face twisted into a mix of terror and disgust. It only disappeared when a low, gentle knock resonated in the clean, white room. Both him and you glanced over at the figure entering slowly and quietly, and since your vision was still somewhat blurry, you squinted, trying to put a name to the face.

“Prince Jaemin,” Doyoung said, and emerging from the chair he was lounging in before, he bowed. For a second, panic took over the young prince’s features as he waved his hands in dismissal.

“No, please, I should be the one bowing.”

Glancing over to your sitting form on the bed, something like a small, careful smile made its way on his sharply shaped lips.

“Miss Z,” he said, with a voice sweet as sugar, with eyes glinting gently, “How are you feeling?”

You adjusted yourself and let the corner of your lips curve upwards.

“Better, Your Highness,” you inclined your head in thanks, but he just grinned, and lowered himself down next to you on the bed.

“I came in yesterday, but you weren’t awake. I wanted to thank you for what you did.”

“Your Highness it was-“

“Call me Jaemin.”

Doyoung smiled and so did you.

“Jaemin, it was my job. That’s what we were hired for.”

Jaemin just shook his head, as if he was trying to dismiss your words, as if they were no more than pure bullshit. Which they were. You knew it and Doyoung did too. You would have done it anyways – protecting younger ones, kids.

“My brothers and I are all thankful for you, but I’m sure you already know that,” the prince glanced at Doyoung then, who let out a grimace.

“Yeah, about that,” he drawled out, “Z, the King and Queen wanted to do some sort of fancy-ass ball in appreciation of us.”

You drew your eyebrows together at the sheer idiocy of the idea.

“We legit just stalled the idiots and beat them. And I got stabbed. Nothing great about it, it happens almost every time?”

“No, you were scratched. And yeah, I know it’s nothing special, but it seems to be something ceremonious for the Royal Family,” Doyoung then glanced at Jaemin perching on the edge of the bed, “No offense, Your Highness.”

Jaemin just waved, the graceful movement of the royal “I-don’t-give-a-fuck”.

“You’re right. We are overdramatic.”

“Great, one more thing in common with Z.”

Reaching out in Doyoung’s direction you grabbed a fistful of his hair and he let out a high-pitched whine. A crooked smile left your lips.

It took you nine days, twelve hours and thirty-seven minutes to get out of the blindingly plain infirmary room. You were pretty sure you were held hostage for no apparent reason. Royals would do that kind of shit, wouldn’t they? You walked the ivory white hallways alone. The empty beauty of the walls and the handcrafted statues of previous rulers left an empty feeling in your heart. Glamorous it was, but where was the life? Your steps echoed in a painful sting and you thought of thorns made of diamond. Then his eyes flashed into your brain for splitting moment.

Hurrying your steps, you chased the thought away and continued to walk down through the glass-corridor.

What a continuous and tiering war was it, chasing someone’s gaze away from one’s brain. Feeling a familiar sort of burning sting in your brain, you thought of the younger princes, in an attempt to chase the pair of eyes from your thought. Poison, it was the worst kind of poison. During those five days you spent in the white room recovering, you had received regular visits from the young, and occasionally older princes as well as your own family. You weren’t sure if it was a crooked sort of display for gratitude, or they didn’t have anything better to do, but nonetheless, in some hidden part of your heart you were glad to see the youngers. Surprisingly, Doyoung did too.

His eyes lit up every time one of the kids came up, the same way it did when he was talking with Jeno and Jisung. Speaking of the two devils, they have also bonded with the royals in their ages. Often, they left your room together, with half-hearted apologies and excuses, but you didn’t mind. Having so many people at the same time in your room tended to be a little overwhelming at times. Out of the five days, you spent only one sleeping alone.

There was only one person, however, who did not visit you.

“Jaehyun is busy nowadays,” Johnny explained with something like guilt in his voice. You wanted to crack up.

“No-one is obligated to visit me,” you mused, tilting your head. A careful, unsure feeling swept through his face.

“Yet here we are,” murmured Yuta from a chair next to you, his voice dripping with sickeningly sweet honey. You wanted to vomit and laugh at the same time.

Johnny decided to ignore the cold-livered tone of his brother and turned to you.

“We have a room for training. It’s filled with equipment, gym and a stash of weapons.”

You lifted your eyebrow.

“Well, for that cabinet you need someone to be there with you. Prince or trainer,” he added quickly. You didn’t talk about Jaehyun again.

A couple of hours after that, Jeno and Doyoung came barging into your room. Their arms were flailing around, and incomprehensible strings of words flew out of their mouths. You understood nothing, and the volume of their blabbering did not help either. So, you waited until they calmed down, their voices lowering to a buzz.

“The training room is a fucking heaven – “

“Language, Jeno.”

The rest is history, and you walked the glorious, ivory covered corridor on your own. The clicking sound of your steps resonated and so did your thoughts – you had to turn left here, right? Smoothing your hair out of your face, you glanced around the corner. Empty, not even a soul, a servant or a guard rushing by you.

Hesitantly, you stepped towards the only door that was not made of finely carved oak, but instead cold, cruel metal. You could feel its iciness seeping through your skin and the hair rose on the nape of your neck. The promise of a new thing, you thought, should be exciting. Why am I so goddamn nervous then?

Twirling the key slipped into your palm by Johnny an hour ago, you stepped closer to the metal door. Your palms were sweating, and your breath was heavy, but you pushed the key into the keyhole, and before you could change your mind, turned it. The door made no sound as it opened. You checked your back again, then stepping through the threshold you pushed the piece of metal shut.

What you saw, amazed you to the point where you just let your jaw hang.

The room was huge – bigger than the whole of the bar back at home – and its walls filled, almost overflowed with all range of weapons. The steel shone with a molten golden colour in the early afternoon – in your eyes it was the soft tell-tale of all that youth, all those lives that had to be paid in battles.

Kicking your shoes off, you stepped onto the sea of tatamis on the floor, the familiarity of the dry but soft material under your feet washing over you. You weren’t even sure where to start – hell, you weren’t even sure if it was some kind of loyalty test, if there were hidden cameras somewhere else, watching your every move. Slowly, you turned around, your eyes running over every possible surface, memorizing the possible escaping routes –

Stop.

Stop stop stop stop.

You had had enough of paranoid thoughts, you were the bad guys, you were not supposed to feel the urge to run away and hide.

You were the ones who made others’ blood run cold, turn the other way.

Forcing a block onto your distracting thoughts, you lifted three throwing knives and five shuriken.

The weapons’ weights were light – you had to remind yourself there was something in your hand, so you wouldn’t forget about the familiarity of the icy feeling. Throwing them onto the ground you searched for a Straw Man, a figure you could aim at.

You found it on the other side of the room, about fifty steps away from where you were standing. Perfect. Lining up your body, you spun the first knife in your hand.

Then you threw.

You threw and threw and threw, up until there was nothing in your hand, and when you retrieved them you continued where you left off. You continued until that specific sore feeling returned to your body, with the familiar veil of exhaustion raping over your senses, and like you have always done; you did not listen. You spilled all the bitterness into your movements, you aimed at head, heart, liver and stomach, you aimed and retrieved and started again.

And when you thought you had enough – not caring how long it has already been, an hour? Two? Three? - you picked down three other weapons.

Swords and long-knives and axes, anything that got near your hands.

You battled, moved with the Straw Man until your head was nothing but an empty balloon, free of any thought, any pain, any memory.

Your throat burned, your muscles screamed, and you smiled. Through pain and tears, you smiled and stroke again and again.

The sun already set when someone spoke behind you.

“Who are you fighting against?”

You spun around, your mind foggy, mind hyper-alert, arms ready to throw the knife in your hand.

Then all the mist cleared when you looked into the familiar pair of eyes. The sweet colours of warm chocolate stared into your own, with nothing but the purest kind of curiosity.

Breathing heavily, you dropped the knife in your hand and plopped onto the light green tatami.

“Many people,” you answered, and inspected his movements from underneath your eyelashes as he walked closer. His cheeks were tainted a slight pink and his hair was ruffled and his clothes couldn’t look more casual - yet he still managed to look composed and put together. His hands were deep in his jeans’ pockets as he lowered himself down onto a chair on the edge of the tatami-sea. A safe distance from you and the weapons scattered in an organized mess, something like a satanic pentagram.

“Many people?” he repeated, his velvet voice tinted with amusement. Huffing, you lowered your head and stared into your toes.

“There are many people who had wronged me and my family.”

Lifting one of his – most likely plucked – eyebrows, he chuckled.

“Are they still alive?”

Something close to laughter bubbled up in your throat but you fought it back down, keeping your expression icy. You just looked up at him from under your eyelashes and let out a smallest of crooked smiles.

“I barely think so.”

He grinned again and inspected the steel around you.

“I see you have found the training room,” his voice was low. Soft and careful, testing the seas. Relaxing yourself, you lowered onto the tatami, huffing in exhaustion. A little break won’t hurt. He watched you carefully, inspecting your movements and when your eyes met, you saw the faint colour paint his cheeks.

“Yeah,” trying to sound casual, you shrugged and leaned back on your hands. “I was given the key by – “

“I know,” he interrupted and pursing your lips, you fell silent. “I have questions,” he said then, his voice strong but his eyes somewhat vacant – unsure. Squirming on your butt, you reached for the closest weapon, and started cleaning it with the soft material of your shirt. Something to keep you distracted – something to keep you on earth.

“I’m listening.”

Clearing his throat, he leaned back on his chair.

“First off…I know we started on shaky waters, and I think that is mainly because I was an…arse.”

“An arse?”

Uncomfortably, he glanced sideways. Then nodded. Puzzled, you lifted an eyebrow.

“I’ve genuinely, honestly, never heard someone use that word before.”

He squinted his eyes, eyeing your face suspiciously.

“You seriously don’t know what ‘arse’ means?” his voice was dumbfounded, amused. You wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, you were certain he was messing with you one way or another and you felt the need to grab that shiny shuriken by your ankle.

“No. Am I missing out on something?”

“It means…you know. Someone’s backside. But lower.”

“An ass, Your Majesty means?”

“…yeah.”

A loud, hoarse laugh erupted from your throat and you didn’t even try containing it. Tears pricked at your eyes, and you felt your lungs burning in need of oxygen. The sound echoed in the spacey, empty room and you were sure you saw him flinch before looking around uncomfortably.

“So, you’re saying you were an asshole,” your voice was strained as you wiped at your cheeks.

“Yes, but can I finish?”

“Go on, Your Majesty.”

Taking a breath, he inspected his sneakers.

“I – shouldn’t have drawn conclusions so easily and fast about you and your…” he hesitated, but you interrupted anyways.

“Family. They are my family.”

He looked at you. Really looked at you, with eyes wide and curious, glowing with something you couldn’t quite grab. You felt yourself tense under his inspecting gaze, heat rushing to your cheeks. What the fuck is going on? You were uncomfortable, uneasy, your fingers were itching with the need to grab something and fidget with it. It wasn’t the kind of gaze Taeyong would give you and Yukhei every time you came back from Gods know where, with clothes half burned, half torn off, with eyes glinting with everything but regret. It was a whole other level than when you perched on a rooftop with the icy graze of the wind through the relatively thick material of your shirt and jacket. You didn’t feel it on your skin, no. You felt it in your bones, your flesh, your soul.

Keep calm, Y/n. Keep calm. It’s your period coming. Your hormones are fucking with you.

You soothed your senses with the sweetness of the lie.

“Yes, family. I wanted to thank you. For saving my little brother.”

You were about to wave him off, the uneasy in your stomach tightening, but he held his hand up.

“No, I mean it. I know it’s your job and I know you’re most likely gonna say it was not that big of a deal, but I want to clarify the fact that you have been wounded while fighting,” he took a deep breath to continue but you interrupted anyways, quickly.

“I was gonna say that I accept white chocolate as a prize.”

You saw his breath getting caught in his throat, his ears flushing a sweet, bright shade of pink.

“Ah…ehm…white chocolate?”

You shrugged, “Yeah. Those are the best shit on the global market these days.”

Nodding, he cleared his throat again and inspecting the ground he asked you, “Why do you hate us so much?”

Your stomach coiled again, not sure whether it was the mention of the white chocolate that drove him to dive into deeper, personal matters, or the question had been on his mind for days. He certainly didn’t beat around the bush for long. You decided on the latter.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Majesty.”

“You know exactly what I mean. The rest of the boys, your family, had warmed up to us, pretty much. Except maybe the other assassin, Doyoung. And the short one who always looks like he’s either about to slit someone’s throat or spill the darkest of your secrets – “

“Oh, Ten always knows the latest of the tea. Believe me, you don’t want to be there when he decides to spill it. It’s a catastrophe,” you tilted your head and sighed, a sort of endearing smile playing around on your lips.

“That’s not what I meant. Look, it is obvious that there is something that holds you back. I just…I don’t even know. I just wanted to know why.”

He grew quiet, his voice becoming unsure when you showed no reaction. He was swimming amongst dangerous tides, far deeper and darker than he could imagine. Your head was spinning, shards of pieces of memories cutting into your skull, you didn’t want to remember. No. He wasn’t ready for the truth, and neither were you. Neither were any one the Diamond Snake, and it was going to remain that way. So, brushing aside your honest answer, you replied with another.

“It isn’t entire the best feeling in the world, Your Majesty, when you are the only female working in this place, surrounded by men at all times. I hope you understand why I prefer to remain closed off.”

He didn’t believe you.

It was obvious, when sheer doubt took over his features. You didn’t question it though, didn’t push it.

Huffing out air, he nodded, strands of caramel brown hair falling into his eyes as he did so.

“Of course, I understand. I will try and find a solution, if you would like me too.” He stood up then, and before you could utter a word of objection, he bowed his head. His gaze avoided yours, and suddenly you felt like you have made the worst decision, not telling him the truth. So, you brushed your hand over the steel blade of a knife by your knees and pressed your mouth together.

“Goodnight, Miss Z,” he murmured, and you snapped your head towards him when you heard the smooth, velvet voice.

You didn’t answer and the next sound you heard was the slam of the metal door. The tears came after that.

Two weeks, every day, from morning until noon. That’s the amount of time you have spent in the training room, with other members visiting, sparring, getting beaten and then storming out of through the metal door, bruises already blooming on their skin.

You weren’t in the best mood.

You weren’t sure what was going on inside you, neither was your environment. After four days, Jeno came to you in the training room to let you know about the findings of the blood sample taken from under your nails and knives, and when you showed no signs of care when he did so, neither him or the rest of them bother to try and get you back on that one. You were more than thankful for that.

Yukhei, however, did mention that you were having the glorious week of your period – he did get his ass kicked a minute or so later – but it has been almost a month since you have gotten back from the ominous mission with the younger princes.

You saw more of them, and perhaps it warmed your heart. A little.

“Why did you become an assassin?” asked Jaemin one of the many afternoon’s with sweat running down along your brow. Gulping heavily, you squat down in front of a weapon stack, your back to him.

“There was no other offer of profession at the local employment office.”

He snorted behind you and after a couple of seconds you heard the low thumps of his steps on the tatami. He lowered himself next to you.

“Liar,” he smiled and watched you expectantly.

“Obviously. People like me don’t say the truth.”

Shaking his head, he laid down, and fixated his gaze on the wooden ceiling of the room. When he sensed you did nothing other than shifting your attention back onto sharpening a random knife you found, he patted the tatami next to himself.

“Come lie down with me. You have been training for four whole hours now.”

“No thanks.”

“I didn’t wait for an answer. It’s an order,” he flashed his teeth in a grin, and you whipped your head back at him. The young prince and you became closer to each other for sure, during the past month, to the extent where he begged you to treat him as a common boy, instead of “throwing his status in his face every time you talked.” He was younger than you for sure, but it never stopped him from biting back equally snarky comments at you every time you shot him off with your own.

Dropping the knife away from you, you slowly leaned back, just to stare at the ceiling.

“I swear to god, you need to start dating with pretty lil’ princesses so you can do shit like this under the stars,” you croaked.

He shrugged and quirked the edge of his lips.

“I sure would be a ladies’ men, wouldn’t I?”

You let out a low chuckle and nodded, your elbows poking into his ribs. Jaemin was for sure one of a kind, the type to try no matter what hard to make a person smile. Pushing the long sleeves of your training shirt – which you have received plenty of the past few weeks and you’re not entire sure whether you have been happier in your life – and relaxing your facial features, you closed your eyes.

“It wasn’t entirely a choice, Jaemin. Sometimes, I mean, hah, most of the time, people have not a lot of chance to do things. Sometimes they are forced to live with things that were not intentional. Situations, lives they were…pressured into.”

You inhaled, applying force on your eyelids, as if you could block your sight from memories that came out every time you closed your eyes and purred about your past.

Jaemin was already staring at you by the time you glanced sideways in his direction, with even eyebrows furrowed together, gaze hazy with thoughts. He was about to open his mouth, most likely to ask something, however, before he could utter a word, the loud bang of the metal door from behind you crashed all hopes he had to speak.

You didn’t even need to look back to know who just entered the room.

“Holy shit this place is DOPE!”

You would think you have already gotten used to Yukhei’s booming voice. You didn’t. And if you drew consequences from Jaemin’s jump and saucer-wide eyes, he did too, have a long way to go.

Jeno was walking behind Yukhei, with something like the shadow of a smile on his lips. When his gaze met yours, his eyes turned into half-moons as he chuckled to himself.

“What’s up guys?” with a low huff, you hoisted yourself up from the ground. Yukhei looked around the training room with an admiring glint in his eyes.

“Boss asked us to find you. Apparently, he has something to tell you. He’s with princes.”

You lifted an eyebrow as you shot a questioning look at Jaemin.

“Which ones?” you asked.

Yukhei shrugged as he continued to inspect the weapons stacked up all around the walls. “The ones that make you look like you have a spike shoved up in your ass.”

Jaemin let out a low, dramatic gasp and Jeno dropped his head into his palm.

“Ah,” was all you said as you picked up the leather jacket you dropped onto the floor after entering, and grabbing the pair of sneakers in your hands, you strode towards the door.

“Better place it back in then,” you threw back behind your shoulder before the metal door shut closed.

You didn’t really bother knocking on Taeyong’s door before kicking it open barefooted. You were quite a sucker for entrances and to be honest, and it kind of ran in the family.

“I heard you needed my spiked-up ass!” you hollered into the room before throwing your shoes in the corner and hanging your jacket. Ambling into the suite’s living room, you found Taeyong, Doyoung and Kun with the three oldest princes, Johnny, Yuta and Jaehyun.

Jaehyun’s and your eyes met for a single second, but you diverted your gaze just as fast.

You hated how you memorized the way he looked at that moment, with his soft his hair looking perfect even though you were completely sure he had not brushed it and you really hated that you caught the way his ears were tinted a slight shade of pink.

Suddenly you regretted that the words “spiked-up ass” ever left your mouth.

Taeyong covered his mouth before he let out a tiny cough - you were more than sure of the fact that he had a shit-eating grin on his face – and Doyoung let out an obvious eyeroll.

“Well now that you are here,” began Kun, “we can get down to it.”

“Get to what?” you quipped, and massaging your left wrist, you took a seat on one of the cream coloured sofas by the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

Your gaze raked over the three princes. Johnny sat on a dark rose-coloured plush sofa, with his two brothers perching on the arms of it. You didn’t look them directly in the eyes, no. You didn’t dare, not after you have seen the flash of bare emotion in Prince Jaehyun’s eyes.

Your mind kept repeating the minutes, hours he had spent watching you in the training room during those two weeks. You didn’t talk, didn’t make eye-contact. Just like then when you entered the room, you avoided his gaze, the sheer curiosity shimmering in those orbs.

He didn’t bother you.

Didn’t say a word, didn’t make a noise, and in some distant part of your mind, you were certain he hardly breathed. Some days, you saw the edge of a black notebook poking out of his pocket. You decided not to pay any special attention to it. Or to him, for that.

“Doyoung have told you a couple of weeks ago that there will be a dinner for us, in thanks to dealing with the…problems that came up with the young princes.” You nodded as you listened to Kun’s soft voice. He stood behind Taeyong, looking at you and the three princes with eyes glinting in an odd way.

Frowning, you straightened your back.

“But that’s not it, is it?” your voice was cautious, you felt like there was an elephant in the room, and everyone knew about it except for you. However, when you glanced at Doyoung you saw a puzzled look taking over his features, unlike Taeyong, who silently inspected the tip of his shoes, slightly faded crimson hair falling onto his forehead.

Doyoung’s and your eyes met. Kun cleared his throat before he continued.

“And additionally, we have found a trail to who might be behind the attacks.”

You nodded, remembering Jeno coming into the training room the tell you before you chased him away.

“We were able to trace it back to Mr. Kim.”

A beat of silence.

“There is like one million Mr. Kims you dipshit,” Doyoung drawled and Taeyong and you choked on your laughter. Kun shot a look at the raven-haired assassin who then quickly rearranged his facial expressions and instead glared on the flower - tapestry.

Johnny cleared his throat and leaned forward in his chair.

“Kim Seokjin is a high-ranked official and advisor, working for the Crown,” he said matter-of-factly, keeping his gaze on you and the others. “He has been through more battles than me and my brothers combined, and he used to be believed one of the most loyal objects for my father and mother.”

“Seems like he’s gone rogue,” Taeyong marvelled and Jaehyun nodded.

“We have tried to look into his activities for the past couple of months, but we have found nothing,” Jaehyun continued and glanced at Taeyong, carefully avoiding your gaze. “We need your hacker’s help.”

Taeyong inclined his head and reached for the crumpled cigarette pack lying on the crystal-clear glass coffee-table.

“Z,” he spoke up, his voice gravelled and snapping your head back, you caught the pack he threw at you. Your eyes met for a couple of seconds and that was when you saw it; that glint that appeared almost every time when something was about to come up. Something that you might not take well.

The cigarette pack he threw at you was a warning, then.

“Is there something else?” Doyoung asked, obviously bored out of his mind. He tended to do that a lot when something was not revolving around him.

“Yes, there is,” Johnny admitted before starting off. He didn’t look at you, he kept on staring at the carpet in front of himself. Unlikely of an eldest royal who is used to speak in front of and to people on a regular basis. “He will most likely be present for the dinner organized for the Diamond Snake. Which can mean two things in this case; first of all, he was one of the few officials who had strongly disagreed concerning the…hiring of your gang. If he decides to come to the gathering – “

“Then he wants to eliminate us,” you ventured, cutting him off. Yuta’s head snapped towards you in warning, but ignoring him, you leaned forward with eyes fixated on lighting the cigarette dangling from your mouth.

“That’s right. We know a couple of things already, for example the fact that he finds beautiful woman, a good drink and gold irresistible,” explained Johnny, and Doyoung eyed the prince’s features cautiously. Taeyong’s gaze remained on your face, which you carefully kept stone cold neutral.

Everyone went quiet and you inhaled the smoke, relished in the soft sting, the familiar smell. You felt another pair of eyes on you, molten caramel, the smoothing rays of the afternoon sun. You avoided that too.

Your brain caught up on the prince’s thinking, and it did not take long for you to figure out what they wanted to ask from you, why Taeyong was so goddamn nervous and why he lit one cigarette after another. Doyoung was still in the dark.

“Your Majesties,” Taeyong croaked then, exhaling a large amount of smoke which he kept inside for way too long. “I will talk about you request with Z alone.” he gave the princes a half-hearted incline of his head.

Kun nodded slowly.

“It is best if we talk about it amongst ourselves,” he agreed and Doyoung huffed.

“Talk about what? Can someone just tell me what’s going on?!”

You rose before drawling, “they want to whore me out to Mr. Kim,” with eyes as dead as your voice. You didn’t see the realization and disgust flash in Doyoung’s eyes for you rose from your seat, your gaze dead set on the oldest prince.

Taeyong then sprung up and with a single movement, stood in your way. Without your heels on you he was taller than usual, and he did not seem inclined to let you go. Kun moved from behind the sofa and with a tiny but respectful bow of the head ushered the princes out.

You didn’t see the look in Jaehyun’s eyes before the door slam shut behind his back.

And then you let it all out.

“What the fuck did you think, Tae?! Huh?!” your voice rose dangerously, and with a hand, pushed Taeyong in the chest who staggered a single step back. He lifted his arms in defence, but you paid no attention as you threw the half-burned cigarette into the ashtray.

“Z, listen to me – “

“Fuck about listening to anyone in this goddamned shithole, we were hired to gather information, to figure out who is behind all this shit, kill that bastard and then move the fuck along. I’m not going to play their fucking games, Tae!” you snarled but you felt the suffocating veil of desperation and fear creep up on your senses.

“Z, they don’t want to – “

You choked out a sob and grabbing the front of his black t-shirt you pulled him close.

“We talked about this. I told you I will never do anything like that again, I told you I told you I told you,” your voice hitched, lowered from a vicious hiss down into a weak whisper. Kun slid out of the room and closed the door behind him quietly. Taeyong put a hand on the back of your head, smoothing your hair, your back. He didn’t say anything, he held you and you let the first tear fall. Torn pieces of memories zipped through your mind and you tightened your grip on his shirt, held onto it like a lifeline.

“They will not whore you out, Z. They wanted to, but I told them they shouldn’t expect you to do that.” He murmured as his hand trailed through your locks.

“Would the Royals go that far?” Doyoung piped up as he laid down on the couch, placing his feet on the arm rest.

“Take your shoes off, Doyoung,” Taeyong deadpanned and the assassin threw his shoes off into the corner of the room with a dramatic sigh. You straightened up and wiped your glistening cheeks with the back of your shaking hand.

“Sorry for reacting like that,” you grumbled and Taeyong rustled your head with a sigh.

“I didn’t expect anything else.”

“Are you saying I’m a crybaby?” you murmured and Taeyong let out a low laugh.

“You should see your face every time someone says they want to use the fact that you’re a woman.”

Fuming, you threw yourself into the chair in which Johnny was sitting before. Taeyong pushed Doyoung’s legs away and sat down, posture slightly stiff. Wiping your nose into the sleeves of your shirt you pulled your knees close to your chest.

“So, what did the princes want me to do if not using me?” you asked, placing your chin on your arms.

“They do want to use you in a certain way, but,” he held his finger up before you could utter a word. You closed your mouth. “They wouldn’t want you to do anything you don’t want to. You see, Seokjin has no idea how you look like. We didn’t show ourselves in front of generals or officials, only the princes and the servants who were there. That means – “

“I will pretend someone I’m not,” you caught up and Taeyong nodded. “What is the information we need to gather from him?”

“We need to make sure that Seokjin is in relation with that gang who attacked us or the Black Spade.”

“And how the hell am I gonna do that? I’m not a spy and I have no clue how to act like a fucking lady!” you threw your arms up in the air and Doyoung sighed.

“We been knew.”

Your head snapped towards him and your hand reached for the nearest object you could throw at him, the diamond ashtray, but Taeyong snatched it from your hand before you could hurl it at Doyoung’s head.

“The princes offered to help you.”

“All of them?”

“How the fuck am I supposed to know? Probably. They will be in the Grand Ballroom tomorrow at ten in the evening. You will meet them there.” Taeyong said then and you let out an exasperated sigh. Guess, you were gonna have to learn the waltz.

It took Winwin 17 whole minutes to convince not to go in your training tunic, but instead something more comfortable and socially (and royally) acceptable.

“Listen, Z, you need to get something like a shirt, or I don’t know, not that black fucking bodysuit… No, no absolutely fucking not, Z, put the stilettos back.”

You groaned as you threw the pair of shoes at Winwin, who caught them and chucked them on your bed.

“I don’t want to go around pretending I’m a cute little lady who does pretty bows, and smiles like a brainless idiot,” you protested, placing your hands on your hips. You were still in underwear and you were ready to throw the hacker out of your room, but he insisted on not making a fool out of you. Pity. Would have been a nice warm-up.

“Z, you’re just gonna learn the basic behaviour when you’re around high-class people, come on…No oh dear god put that knife back, girl you’re going to walk with fucking books on your head, Jesus everloving Christ,” Winwin raked through his blond hair and with a quick movement put it in a manbun.

“Yeah but we always need to be ready. Just a small one?” you held up a pocket-knife, and widening your eyes you put on your best puppy-face.

Winwin sighed deeply and buried his face in his hands.

‘I’m gonna call Jisung – “

“He’s playing Fortnite,” you quipped, and he raised his eyebrows.

“At nine in the morning? He woke up this early?”

“Nah. He just didn’t go to sleep.”

“Taeyong’s gonna gut him,” he pondered, and you shrugged. Giving in, you reached for the only clean white shirt you had along with a soft, flary pair of pants. You were about to reach for the high-heels but Winwin grabbed your arm in an attempt to stop you.

“Come on, I’m so fucking short,” you whined, shaking your arm out of his.

“You’re gonna be tripping and falling, do you really want to make a fool out of yourself like that?” he retorted, and you gave in after a second of thinking. Damn him and his rational thinking. Huffing, you pulled on a pair of sneakers, making as much fuss and noise while doing so as possible. You knew that the calm, forever-collected hacker won’t give a single shit about it, you can also jump out the window to get to the meeting faster – he would just shrug and text about it to the groupchat, to let the others know.

His story is a quirky one, filled with broken hearts, neon-screens and cold slices of pizzas.

It was Doyoung who recruited him. They met in jail, both of them waiting for their friends to bail him out – only Winwin had no one he could really rely on. It was you who went to grab Doyoung, back when you were 18.

Both the receptionist and the guard were corrupted by the already slowly building empire of the Diamond Snake. It took no convincing and a lot of money and Doyoung was out. But he didn’t wasn’t to leave.

“Wait,” he said, and you glared at him from behind your sunglasses, its size reminding him of a fly’s eyes. There was a faint bruise on the corner of your lips, and he knew you were frowning behind the darkened glasses. “There is someone,” with a quick movement he inclined his head in the direction of his cell, “I think we should get him out as well. I talked with him. He will be of use, I promise.”

“You know what Tae thinks about picking people up.” you murmured. Shooting a hesitant look towards the guard who started to get impatient, you licked your lips quick and then whispered, “alright I’ll get him out. But you go into the car now. Yukhei is already there, behind the building.”

Without another look, you shoved him towards the door before fixing your glasses and reaching for another stack of money.

A blackeye and Winwin’s dumbfounded expression richer, both of you blasted out of the jail and hurried towards the getaway car. Doyoung snorted as he examined your blackeye and murmured, “well seems like money wasn’t enough.”

For some unknown reason, the guard is fired the next day.

“You are still that troublemaker you were when I first met you,” Winwin’s deep voice mutters before sinking down on the bed. “It’s hard to imagine you doing courtesies and waltz around the room like some goddamn princess.”

“What are you talking about?” straightening up from fixing your shoelaces you place your hands on your waist. “I am the fucking Queen, not the flimsy princess.”

He let out a chuckle and ushered you towards the door.

“Hurry up, you’re already late. They might punish you by wearing lacey dresses with corsets.”

You pouted.

“Lace is hot but only in the bedroom.”

You proceeded to avoid the shoes he hurled at your head before ducking out of the room, the remains of your laughter echoing in the empty hallways.

You weren’t exactly sure what to expect when you stepped in, maybe a teacher with spectacles and way-too-tight corset, maybe a lady-in-waiting or even the Queen herself.

What you didn’t expect was eight princes, four out of them shrieking and hooting…spanking each other? You halted for a second, waiting for your brain to process the view of Prince Yuta throwing Prince Renjun over his shoulder with a victorious holler. Johnny, the only reasonable out of all of them, was unfortunately missing and suddenly you felt like you have made the worst possible decision on agreeing to learn etiquette with them.

You cleared your throat and the room went still as death.

Renjun peeked over in your direction from Yuta’s shoulder, Donghyuck slowly removed his hand from Mark’s butt, Jaemin smoothed down Jungwoo’s hair and Jaehyun let go of Chenle’s collar.

“I’m…sorry for being…” a glance down at your phone, “two minutes and thirty-four seconds late.”

Jaehyun stood straight up and smoothing his caramel hair back, let out a crooked smile, one that showed his dimples off discreetly.

“It’s – it’s alright. Please take a seat,” he said and Jungwoo whipped out a chair out from somewhere behind them and spun it right in front of you.

Feeling the tiny bubble of nervousness grow in your stomach, you lowered yourself on the chair and just to show you’re not as barbaric as is might show occasionally, you crossed your legs. As you let your eyes scan over the princes standing in a half circle in front of you, you gave a silent thanks to Winwin for not letting you out in high heels and an edgy outfit. Most of the princes in front of you were wearing branded hoodies and shirts with jeans or sweatpants and sneakers. Were they even allowed to do that?

Under the inspecting gazes of the royals suddenly you became aware of the fact that you left your hair in a hazy ponytail with a minimal amount of makeup.

“You might wonder why we are your teachers instead of a chaperone of a sort,” Yuta started with a steely gaze and you straightened your back, “you see, I don’t know what kind of plan you’re cooking for the gala in honour of you and your gang, but no one can be aware of that. So, we will be looking after your education in basic royal etiquette,” he announced before giving a mocking bow, and you swore you saw Jungwoo roll his eyes.

“You make it sound so serious,” the younger prince said, “we were going to help her out anyways.”

“What about the guys? Like Yukhei?” Chenle quipped in and you let out a small smile.

“We already told them the basic stuff,” Mark sighed, “plus people don’t pay attention to men. The spotlight is on…” he made a grand sort of hand motion in your direction, “the ladies at all times. Especially the ones who seem like they want to stab someone in the throat,” he turned to you with a deadpanned expression and murmured, “you might want to work on that general expression of yours Miss.”

Yuta snorted and looked over at Mark.

“She has the ultimate resting bitch face in case you haven’t noticed it.”

“Something you guys have in common,” grunted Renjun from beside Yuta and the older turned to him with a shocked expression but before he could retort anything, Jaehyun interrupted.

“How about we start, we don’t have much time. Five days, brothers. Focus.” His sweet baritone washed over you and the hair stood up on the back of your neck.

Jungwoo nodded and cracked his knuckles.

“Lesson one, Miss Z…”

“Please just call me Z,” you interrupted quickly, and he inclined his head.

“Lesson one will be sitting. Crossing legs is not okay if you are sitting in front of people.”

You quickly uncrossed your legs and listened to his instructions and tried not to get distracted with the softness of his voice.

“Imagine your knees are being glued together,” he started, and you brought your knees together, slightly frowning at the uncomfortable feeling in your stomach, “and that some old nasty perverted paparazzi is trying to have a shot of under your skirt.”

“A shot of what?!” you exclaimed, and it was Jaemin’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Tilt them a little, like this,” he bent his knees as if he was sitting and turned them to the right. You imitated, and they nodded in satisfaction.

And then you learned how to hold a teacup and a wineglass, you learned how to get out of a car and how to hide your cleavage when bending down. You greet people you know with a kiss on the cheek or a firm handshake and you hold your handbag in front of you at all times, in your hand.

The princes made an excellent job at teaching you – even though Yuta snapped at you multiple times and Chenle let out that laugh with a frequency higher than Yukhei’s. Winwin wasn’t wrong, you did indeed need to walk with a bunch of encyclopaedias on your head – and when you did, you silently thanked yourself all those gym sessions with Yukhei because if it wasn’t for them you would have most likely broke your neck under the weight of the books.

“You need to imagine that your spine is a cord,” explained Jungwoo as he rolled his sleeves up, “that cord is your spine – “

“And you straighten the fuck out of it,” finished Yuta.

A beat of silence.

“Why the fuck do you need to swear in every single one of your sentences?” Jaehyun’s voice resonated something like an ever-lasting suffer, with his eyebrows shot up until his hairline. From the corner of your eyes you saw Renjun silently bury his face into his hand.

“Who are you to talk, you just said ‘fuck’!” Yuta retorted before squinting his eyes towards his younger brother.

You let the bare thought of smile playing around the corner of your lips.

“I didn’t know princes were allowed to swear,” you chuckled carefully so the encyclopaedia placed on the crown of your head won’t fall. Yuta shrugged and placed his chin on the top of his hand – which would have been a sweet gesture if he wasn’t looking like he wished you were dead at all times.

“The forbidden fruit is the sweetest,” was all he said with a sort of melancholy in his voice. You glanced at your feet and took a deep breath.

“So, straighten the fuck out of the cord, right?” you forced a smile and Yuta hid a grin.

With aching slowness, you lifted yourself up from the chair, cautious of the books atop your head. Spreading your arms, you searched for your balance, bit your lip in concentration.

“You’re doing great,” murmured Jungwoo, his voice sweet yet distant, reminding you of an early summer breeze. You took a step, the books stable. The princes remained silent, watching you carefully, not daring to disturb the concentration on your features. After five steps you dared to open one of your eyes. Your shoes made no noise on the polished marble as you walked agonizingly slowly towards the end of the room – touch the wall, girl. Touch the wall. After another five steps you arrived next to Jaehyun – the prince standing farthest away from you, barely participating in the teaching.

Throughout the firing instructions and shouts to get you to learn the proper etiquette, he stood and observed – occasionally letting out a huff of amusement.

You felt his gaze on you during the two hours you have spent there, and it took every fibre of your being not to let heat rush to your cheeks. He has gotten the worst out of you, reminding you of adolescent years, broken hearts and flushing cheeks from the tiniest of touches. Suddenly the books on your head became heavier and you became even more alert of the gazes that followed and inspected your every movement.

He only came close to you once the princes decided it would be a good idea to be done for that day. His steps were silent, cautious as he sauntered closer to you as you placed the last book off your head.

“There is something I haven’t quite be able to stop wondering about,” he said, his voice as casual as it could get. Arching one of your eyebrows you encouraged him to keep talking. “Doyoung said that it might take you some time to incline to follow the proposal from us about Kim Seokjin – “he corrected himself rapidly when he saw a warning glint in your eyes, “not that you had a lot of chance to do anything else. I’m – sorry about that.”

“Don’t beat around the bush with me, Prince,” you purred, and you saw his Adams apple bob for a second.

“No, I was just wondering what the reason for that quick acceptance was. I would have completely understood if you needed more time like a week or something, but…I’m not sure I can figure this one.”

His voice lowered into a murmur and you cocked your head to the side, for some reason not really taken aback by his questions.

“You see, women don’t have that sheer brutality when it comes to violence. We aren’t inclined to go head first into situations,” you found Jaehyun searching your face while you talked, and you forced yourself not to flinch or retreat a step. You smoothed the edge of your nails on the skin of your wrist. “But we are good at other things, things that are underestimated by males who have not met with one of us. Who have not experienced our ways of handling situations. Instead of testosterone and bruised knuckles we have cunning, we have the strings to the puppets in the games and – “you brought your fingernails away from your wrist and lifted it, moving it towards his chest, stopping only a millimetre away from the fine material of his sweatshirt.

You heard him suck in a breath and for a second you let yourself relish in his reaction. “- and we have the power of seduction,” you continued, lowering your hand, “a power which is just as fun as dangerous to play with. It’s sort of a game, prince, with rules that you need to be stuck to. Like glue. Or else the cost is your life,” you let out a shaky breath and the echo of a sad smile, “seduce or be seduced, Jaehyun.”

The similar rhythm of your phone’s buzz shook you out of your reverie from the direction of Yuta’s hand, signalling the arrival of a text message. (The prince snatched it from your hand before you could place it on the ground somewhere in the corner of the large room, and to your dismay he kept it in his lap throughout the lesson.)

Jaehyun tilted his head to the side as his eyes narrowed at you. His face was void of any visible emotion other than a single dimple that played on the edge of his lips.

“You got a message from… Winnie The Pooh?” his voice changed from exasperated to confused as he glanced at your back turned to him. You pushed down the urge to spin on your heels and grab it from his hands. Containing your instincts, you cleared your throat.

“Yes. His name is Winwin. Our hacker,” your voice was barely above a whisper and slowly took a one-eighty turn. Yuta pouted dramatically and nodded.

“The blond with the manbun?” he asked, and you blinked slowly.

“Yeah.”

You snatched the phone with a quick movement and left the room with quick steps after he let out something similar to a genuine smile.

“We need to create a fake identity for you,” said Taeil the third day you arrived back into Taeyong’s room which has grown itself out to be a sort of common lounge for the Snakes.

“Yeah?” you huffed as you dumped your high heels on the burgundy carpet and reached down to massage your aching heel. To hell with the waltz. Grabbing a scrunchie that perhaps belonged to Winwin you hastily tied your hair up and sat down across from him.

“What do you have in mind?”

He nodded as he pulled out his usual notebook, the one he used every time when he planned something.

“Yesterday after your training I talked with Prince Johnny and asked about the families that are well known in the castle and in the circles of the high-status people,” he opened the notebook on a page filled with his messy but still somewhat organized handwriting. You leaned closer as he continued, “there is an orphan heiress of a nearby territory, she never gets out of her villa and she doesn’t care at all what’s going on inside. She hasn’t stirred any drama and people acknowledge her enough to be aware of who she is and all that.”

Your eyebrows shot up as you looked at him.

“Orphan?”

“Yes. The family was attacked one night, murdered in cold blood during their dinner. The murderers slit Lord Jung’s throat and stabbed his wife but for some unknown reason they left their daughter alone. Her name is Jisoo.”

“And I’m going to be Jisoo.”

He nodded with a solemn look on his face, “you are going to be Miss Jung Jisoo.”

Lifting your chin, you remembered the lesson about presenting grace and patience, about displaying your full interest concerning a matter. You placed your hands folded lightly into your lap and angled your paralleled knees towards Taeil.

“Tell me more.”

Jaehyun reached over to Johnny to angle back his crooked tie.

“You think she will do well?” the older prince levelled his voice down, so the maids rushing around them with oversized buckets of flowers won’t hear a thing. Jaehyun saw flashes of that young woman with encyclopaedias on her head and hellfire in her eyes. He let out the faintest smile.

Johnny sighed, “We taught her everything she needs to know,” as he adjusted his navy suit over the black turtleneck shirt. Jaehyun pursed his lips, his eyes glued to an arrangement of flowers in the corner, by a Corinth marble statue.

“I don’t know, she seems pretty stubborn. She was.”

Johnny cut him a glance.

“Wouldn’t you know that, brother,” he drawled, a new kind of amusement glinting in his eyes. Jaehyun fought the urge to cringe and instead pluck a flower from a bucket which passed him, the maid almost invisible behind the gigantic arrangement.

“This ball will be something else,” he murmured to himself, “I have a feeling that all this decoration adds the feeling of…feeding the pig before cutting it down. Don’t you think?”

Johnny was silent for a second.

“Listen…even though we taught her the basic etiquette and even though there will be heavy security…they are a gang. They thrive on illegal stuff and violence and I’m just not entirely sure whether all this was a good idea.”

Jaehyun’s eyebrows furrowed as he listened to his brother.

“You were the one holding us together with your positivity. Don’t start having doubts now or I swear to God – “

Johnny cut in before he could finish, “No, it isn’t like that. What I’m saying is…” his voice dropped down, barely audible over the murmurs and buzzing of the servants, “they are not accustomed to this life. Who knows whether there will be trigger that makes them turn against us?” Shaking his head, he smoothed the hair out of his eyes.

“I think it will be alright,” Jaehyun muttered, “if they were to turn against us, they would have already done it. Hopefully the night will go smoothly.”

“For the fifth time, take that thing out of my hair it makes me look like a fucking garden,” you pleaded as you reached for the flower crown arranged into a pink disaster on top of your head. It has been one and a half hour since they bathed you – they were in there with you and they scrubbed your everything even though it was supposed to be a relaxing bath. You were everything but relaxed – before they placed you in front of a wide, rose gold vanity.

“Listen young lady, we were ordered to make your appearance appropriate and fitting for the theme of the dinner.”

The woman, Ms Seol, who was responsible for your look, was a bitch. Her white hair was filled with pearls and other ornaments and she was wearing a disturbing amount of makeup to hide her wrinkles. And that enormous hooked nose. Its sole purpose was to lure you into punching her square in the face. On top of that she kept ordering you around and considering the fact that she had no clue who you actually were and the industrial number of maids coming in and out of the room they took you – you had no chance of getting out of here without looking like a complete idiot. You regretted all your decisions not only about agreeing to play a role but about accepting the proposal of the Royal Family.

Take a deep breath every time you feel like screaming, said Kun in the morning before you were taken to literal Hell, and count to ten.

Don’t lose your temper, Z.

Don’t lose it.

You forced a glittering smile.

“Ma’am,” you mused with a voice filled with glazing honey and venom, “I was invited to this dinner because of my status and looks, and the palace hired you to strengthen the latter – not to destroy its complete existence.”

She blinked twice, and you remembered Prince Renjun’s words: “You need to speak with authority with people whose status’ are lower than yours, even though you’re lying. Believe what you are saying yourself, place yourself into that situation and the others will believe it, too.”

You inhaled deeply, not breaking eye contact with Ms Seol and with renewed authority and pride in your words you said, “I am planning to get highly intoxicated on the alcoholic beverages offered tonight and finding a fairly handsome bachelor who will later blow my back out for I will be too irresistible for him and his lower, manly body parts,” you flashed a thousand-watt smile, “if you know what I mean.”

Her face contorted from surprise to contempt then into complete disgust all the while looking at you, sporting a soft pink bathrobe and a grin.

You flipped your hair above your shoulders and opened your mouth to add to her horror but the monotone and yet still cheerful voice of someone stopped you.

“My my, I knew the lady was trouble but what I just heard completely succeeded my expectations,” the maids in the room parted to give space to the newcomer, an ebony haired beauty with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “what a warm welcome.”

Her hand was resting on a black suitcase and a leather sport bag, her companion – all four female – stood behind her in suits and portable dress carriers packed with gowns hidden in their bags.

The woman pushed her sunglasses up onto her forehead and flashed you a grin.

“Miss Jung,” she pronounced the word with an enough amount of sarcasm for you to know she was aware of your secret and had an exact idea on who you actually were, “I am you stylist. Your actual stylist.”

She levelled her gaze onto Ms. Seol with enough contempt to discourage the woman in every way – you shivered.

“Your services are no longer needed Ma’am, and neither is the rest of the staff.”

It took them a couple of seconds and a few fuelled glances to be outside the door.

Placing your knee on the bejewelled and soft armchair, you turned around to face your saviour of some sort. Her hair fell down on her back in soft curls and her lips were tainted devil red. She was the only one wearing pants with matching blazer and a white t-shirt. The most mesmerizing thing about her, though, was her darker complexion - Her honey skin shone in the daylight and the golden eyeshadow brightened the glow in her eyes.

“My name is Tan, pleased to meet you, assassin.”

You tilted your head with an equally wide grin.

“The honour is mine, stylist,” standing up, you let her run her eyes over your body and shape and you felt an odd satisfaction when she nodded her head.

“I wasn’t entire sure about your complexion. It’s not like I can find a proper picture of you on the internet,” she clicked her tongue and shrug her blazer off, “would you feel uncomfortable if you were naked in front of us?”

You arched an eyebrow. She smiled.

“For research purposes.”

Your let out a low snicker before undoing your robe and letting it fall to the ground, revealing your naked figure.

“Perfect,” was all she said before turning to her companion and exchanged a few words in a language unfamiliar to you. The female staff unzipped a couple of bags before pushing the wheeled carrier towards Tan.

“I was hired by Johnny,” she said as she looked through the dresses hung up, “he had a feeling that his parents will give you the stylist which will cause the most headache,” she clicked her tongue again with distaste, “she obviously had no taste.”

You picked up the robe before placing it on your shoulders.

“You know His Majesty well?”

She snorted before glancing at you, “He’s my childhood best friend. I was engaged to him, but you see,” she flicked her wrist towards you and two of the females gestured for you to sit back down, “I fell in love with a girl.”

Your eyebrows arched up again as you stared at her from the reflection of the vanity. If she was engaged to the eldest prince, then she must herself be royal as well. Tilting your head to the side you let the two females undo your previous, disastrous hairdo and each of them grabbing a hairbrush and an ironer, started to straighten your hair.

“I know what you are thinking,” Tan said as she unzipped a bag completely but the dress in it remained hidden from you. “I was only 16.”

Her voice remained neutral, levelled out. Your nose crinkled as the burning heat of the iron came a bit too close.

“Something happened,” you murmured, your own voice careful, and your eyes met in the reflection. She knew you weren’t asking, and her lips curled up in a sad smile.

“It didn’t quite work out between me and her eventually,” her voice remained emotionless and you weren’t sure whether that was true or not, but you kept yourself from pushing her. It was not your place to know. And you just met.

“16 is an age when changes happen,” you said instead and looking at yourself in the mirror, you got lost in your own reflection for a second. “Usually they are not for the best.”

She didn’t look at you, instead she pulled out a device and plugging it into the nearest connector she turned it on. Her nails were tainted red and you noticed that her bottom lip was slightly plusher than the top.

“What happened to you?”

Her question took you by surprise and you flinched. The burning iron missed the skin of your ear by only a couple of millimetres. When you looked back up, your gaze met with hers. You teared your eyes away from hers and stared into your own instead.

“I fell in love with the wrong person.”

Your voice was so low you thought the wind carried it away, out through the window into the sky. To be lost and forgotten. But it wasn’t.

“It cost you something, didn’t it?” her voice was soft but not weak and you could only nod. When she shivered, it was like she came out of something like a trauma before she clapped her hands.

“Us girls, we need to stick together and help each other,” her voice was lively now but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, “too bad Ms. Seol wasn’t able to comprehend that.”

You chuckled, and she turned to the remaining two of her staff and instructed them in that foreign language she used before. Your skin tingled, you felt like she knew every fibre of yours, even though it has been less than half an hour since she stepped into the suite.

“Is her hair done?” she turned to you shortly after. The females behind you stepped back and nodded. Tan lowered herself onto the vanity table and crossing your legs you stared up at her.

“Here is what I know,” her voice was calm, calculating, and a shiver of exhilaration ran down your spine, “I know that you are the most wanted assassin in the country. I know that you prefer to be called Z. I know that you were hired by the Royal Family to find and eliminate the threat imposed on their lives and I know that this dinner and ball will be a mission of yours.”

You didn’t let any emotion show on your face and she cocked her head to the side before she continued.

“I further know that in this ball your mission is to seduce Kim Seokjin, the universe’s greatest narcissist and jerk and bachelor, however what I don’t know is…” she stared into your eyes and you let her. “What I don’t know if it is your intention to destroy him.”

Your mouth curled into a devilish grin and so did hers.

“Really, it depends. I was told to get the information out of him but – I was not prohibited to have my own fun,” Tan nodded.

“What do you know about him?”

“Enough,” you shrugged, “I know that he loves women and that he is influential enough to be able to pull the strings of terror against the Royal Family.”

Tan smoothed her hair behind her ear, and she moved over to the bag in which, you guessed, was your dress.

“He likes champagne and gold as well,” she purred and pulled the zipper down and jaw dropped as she revealed the dress.

The Dress.

It was the most beautiful piece of clothing you have ever seen, you felt your eyes physically stuck the material. It was everything you were not and everything you wanted to be and you adored it. Its colour was a light shade of gold, the slightly transparent material adorned with rains of diamonds. The top was sleeveless, and the décolletage ran down to the middle of your stomach in a straight, piercing v-line, showing enough skin to make men wild. The bottom part was flowy and when you squinted to see better you noticed that it was cut up on both sides.

“I am going to turn you into everything he would ever wish for,” mused Tan and you huffed in satisfaction, “you will become the Women and the Gold and the Champagne of his life and you will succeed in your mission.”

Words got stuck in your throat as you glanced at her and you noticed that ever consuming fire, the fury raging in her orbs.

Revenge.

She wanted revenge for something.

And that is what you will have, not only in the name of the Royal Family, but in anyone’s who was ever wronged by that man.

So, you smiled with a fire burning with equal heat to hers and said, “Let’s turn this place upside down.”

Prince Jaehyun had absolutely no clue who half of the people in the Grand Ballroom were. It could be reprimanded, yes, for he is a prince and he is expected to know and greet all the nobles and influential who had come to the dinner and ball.

Unsuspecting.

Of what was about to happen, of who they are in the same room with, of the people they innocently engage into conversations with, thinking that ‘oh that young man with a half-moon eye laugh and perfect manners must be a distant relative of the Royal Family’. How sweet.

As he nursed his tall glass of champagne, Jaehyun kept himself as distanced as possible from the guests, who were hopefully occupied with the sweet manners of Jungwoo and the small talks of Johnny. Behind him, carefully arranged flowers decorated the soft cream coloured, marble columns that towered over the people, holding the cupola shaped ceiling.

To his right, at the very front of the room, lay the grand staircase which led in the guests through the double-winged wooden doors.

Reaching behind himself, Jaehyun plucked a piece of grape and plopped it into his champagne.

“That was gross,” drawled a voice from behind and the prince turned with a slow, graceful movement. Half hidden in the shadows the master spy, Ten, glared back at him. “Oh, Ten always knows the latest of the tea. Believe me, you don’t want to be there when he decides to spill it. It’s a catastrophe”. Your words floated into his mind in a soft sweet whisper and he suddenly remembered the power hidden behind those words. Your words. The spy did not have his eyes covered by a messy fringe like Jaehyun saw most of the times, but instead it was elegantly gelled back, revealing a clean forehead and sharp cut eyes. He didn’t bother buttoning up the top three buttons on his black shirt under the blazer.

Ten tilted his head and a strand of raven hair fell into his eyes.

“I came to report to Your Majesty,” he purred and Jaehyun stepped closer, “Everyone is in place as it was planned.”

“Is it based on what we have talked about last time?” Jaehyun murmured into his champagne glass. Ten inclined his head.

“Winwin is behind the security cameras in the basement. Jeno is mingling along with Kun. Doyoung and Taeyong are up in the gallery,” Ten mused in a voice similar to the shadows behind him before he glanced up at the private, veiled area and the lounge for the highest nobility and the princes. And now the assassins.

„Yukhei is over there,” Ten made a discrete head movement towards a waiter with a silver tray, packed with champagne glasses. As if arsonist knew the prince and the spy were talking about him, he turned around and sent a wink towards them. “Taeil and Jisung are lingering outside and well…”

The corner of Ten’s mouth curls upwards in a smile that promises nothing but chaos, “Z has yet to make her grand entrance.”

Jaehyun sighed into his champagne before he placed it onto Yukhei’s tray, who had gotten there in the meantime.

“What about my brothers?”

Ten leaned back into the silver coloured wall-fresco and Yukhei slowly placed new glasses onto his tray.

“Princes Johnny and Yuta are mingling as you see,” from the corner of his eyes, Jaehyun saw a female with lipstick that was so strong anyone would have seen it from the other end of the castle, bat her eyelashes at Yuta. “Prince Jungwoo is up on the gallery with Doyoung and Taeyong. And I believe Mark and Jaemin are on the balcony. Chenle and Donghyuck are with Winwin, down in the basement,” the spy’s voice then dropped into a whisper as he added, “thank to all the gods above. That young prince of yours, Donghyuck, is the devil incarnate.”

Jaehyun nodded with a small smile and Yukhei dropped a macaron into his mouth.

Grimace veiled over Ten’s face as he ran his eyes over the guests.

“I pay all my respect to you princes for being able to live surrounded with this much pretentiousness,” he drawled and scrunched his nose when he noticed a female tugging the cleavage of her dress lower before slipping in Johnny’s way, “do you know have some sort of limit to the people you let in here?”

“She,” Jaehyun lifted his champagne towards the female, no, girl, attempting to flirt shamelessly with the oldest prince, “is the youngest daughter of one of my father’s financial advisors.”

Ten snorted and Yukhei choked on his second macaron.

“I mean call me a savage but even I know that she ain’t supposed be acting like that,” the spy said before smoothing the loosened hair back onto his head.

Before he left, he turned to the prince with a serious expression, “You know what your role here is, right Your Majesty?”

As soon as Jaehyun nodded, the spy was nowhere to be seen.

“Your Majesty,” Yukhei mumbled before placing the last glass of champagne on the tray, “Is it your first mission?”

For a second Jaehyun was taken aback, and with eyes wide he scanned the taller male’s frame,

“I believe it is. Why?”

Flicking his bowtie, Yukhei shrugged.

“Was just gonna say that if you remember everything we have talked about, nothing can go wrong, y’know?”

With a cheeky grin that stretched across his face, giving his eyes a fiery sort of glow, the arsonist said, “Good luck prince. Try not to get lost in the flow!”

Jaehyun swirled his second glass, the words of the arsonist echoing in his mind.

Flow.

Try not to get lost in the flow.

Suddenly, he remembered crystal clearly what Taeil, the logistic said as a warning to him and his brothers.

“Once things get going – once all hell breaks loose – it will be easy to forget who we are and what we are supposed to do. We panic, and the rush of adrenalin, the Fight or Flight, will be the one dictating our actions. Not our brain.”

Jaehyun swirled his champagne again, his other hand curling in the pockets of his pants.

“Set your mind on your goal – turn it into something that you don’t only want with your brain, but with your instincts, your very core. That way, you won’t be washed away with the flow, as we like to call it.”

A brush of material pulled him back from his reverie, and a familiar, musky sent filled his nostrils and he knew who it was before he even had the chance to turn around. He grinned into the rim of the champagne glass.

“Hello there, Tan,” he mused, and the faint noise of her chuckle reached his ears and reminded himself of old memories, reminded him of tiny feet scurrying along the marble floors, reminded him of shrieks of exhilaration. Reminded him of his childhood.

“Hello, Woojae.”

“It’s been some time,” keeping his voice low, Jaehyun glanced at his friend, took in the familiarity of the shade of her skin, the lines of her eyes, the arch of her eyebrows. He saw little difference from what he remembered from…” ten years, right?”

“Something close to that.”

Her voice still had the edge, that stinging tone which reminded everyone that she was from another land, that her mother tongue was a language completely different to his own.

Tilting her head, she smoothed over her dress, an elegant black piece with just enough ornaments to make it look out of the ordinary. Her lipstick reflected some of the chandeliers’ lights as her mouth pulled into a smile.

“Quite a mess you got yourself into.”

It wasn’t entire a question. He just let out the tiniest of sighs. Her eyes raked him up and down.

“You’re really tense. It’s way too obvious,” placing her own glass of champagne down she placed herself in front of Jaehyun.

Only that, with that smooth movement, her body collided with someone else’s.

“My dear, my apologies it’s my fault – “she started but words got stuck as her chest tightened at the sight of the spy. Jaehyun remembered the young man’s name, heard it being called enough times in the Diamond Snake’s suite, which has grown itself out to be more of a residence, camping site.

“I mean yeah it kind of is. Better be more careful next time,” Jeno purred with a wink before continuing his way into the crowd. Jaehyun caught the warning glint in the spy’s eyes. And kept his mouth shut.

“Who does he think he is,” Tan murmured more to herself than to the prince, “looking that good?”

Jaehyun choked, “sometimes I forget that you are almost three years younger than us.”

Shrugging, the stylist sipped from the glass as she raked her eyes over the guests and judging from her frown, she was quietly evaluating the dresses.

“This party is a disaster, was it the grandma that dressed these people? Speaking of her,” Jaehyun felt her eyes search his face, “I had quite a guest today, did you know?”

Jaehyun gulped, his eyes searching for Johnny. He knew who she was talking about.

Tan continued, “she is a tough little thing. I like it,” taking a sip she thought a little, “you find her intriguing, don’t you, Woojae?”

“Why would you think that?” his voice wasn’t as confident as he hoped it would be.

“Maybe we have not seen each other for a long time,” Tan purred, her rich accent weaving through her voice, “but I will never forget your compassion towards unusual things.”

It felt like his heart had let go of its strings, falling free. The breath got caught in his lungs and suddenly the only thing he wanted to do was sit on the balcony, surrounded by stars and darkness. Focus. He has to focus, he has to follow the plan.

“You can’t have compassion towards things that are unusual. Broken,” he murmured, as if saying it out loud would make him believe his own words. Tan placed lowered her head slightly when a young man bowed in their direction.

“She’s not a thing. She’s human, just like you or me.”

Jaehyun turned to her, his face contorted into confusion. Does Tan even have any idea what she does?

Tan didn’t have to look at him to know what his question was going to be.

“Understand before you judge,” her eyes searched for something or someone in the crowd.

They didn’t have much time before the assassin arrived, he had to have Johnny near him.

“Tan, do you know what is about to happen?”

The stylist nodded.

“Johnny told me everything,” her voice softened, “I also know the role you need to play. You can do it, believe in yourself.”

When the door above the main staircase opened, he knew it was time.

But a little part of him fell apart when he glanced upon who entered.

His heart stopped beating for a short time and he was sure he was not the only one.

When Johnny slipped next to him, unnoticed by the nearby nobles whose eyes were glued on her, on top of the staircase, Jaehyun almost couldn’t hear the words that left the oldest prince’s lips,

“All hail to the queen of Hell.”

Tan smirked, her blood-red lips painting a cruel, beautiful line on her face.

Your steps were confident as you descended the stairs, your movements a whirlwind of gold and crystal and fire. The champagne coloured dress showed off the expanse of your legs through the cuts and the back of the dress flowed behind you as a cape. A queen indeed.

“Kim Seokjin is right there,” Johnny whispered into his ear then, and Jaehyun snapped out of the momentary trance he fell in. His eyes followed the direction of the nod and he spotted the young, influential noble with eyes stuck on the assassin. A hunter, and a prey.

Only, it wasn’t the young man who led the hunt.

“Go, brother,” Johnny murmured, and the younger prince straightened, and placed the expression of a royal, of an heir. A veil that no one could see through. A mask that was forever stuck on his face. People stepped out of his way, and soon there was a narrow corridor between him and the assassin who was almost at their level. Her hair was straightened out and half of her hair was braided into a bun on the back of her head – he had to admit, she took the air from his lungs. Soon enough, there was no other sound in the room than the soft clicks of her golden stilettoes.

They reached the bottom of the Grand Staircase at the same time.

Her hand, adorned with thin, golden bracelets and rings, rested on the ivory railing.

When they locked gazes, he swore he could feel the universe expand.

“Your Majesty,” she said then, with a voice clear like a crystal, and lowering herself almost to the ground, curtsied. Reciprocating the gesture, he bowed before taking her hand.

“My lady,” his voice was quiet but confident, and he felt the slight dug of her manicured nails on the back of his hand.

The polish wasn’t black, but a glowing shade of gold; he wasn’t sure whether he liked it or not. Whether he was used to the drastic change or not.

He led her anyways, into the middle of the dancefloor, with bronze leaves and curling figures carved deep into it. The guests backed up then, giving Jaehyun and the mysterious lady place. He looked at her.

Really looked at her, capturing her face into that moment, the slight bewilderment striking him in surprise – it was quite the opposite to what he was used to; the opposite of the always sly, always calm and collected glow in her eyes, that forever remained cold. Void of all emotions, unless she was with the Snakes.

He saw it, once.

“Say,” Johnny said one afternoon, leaning back in his armchair, “are you really as bloodthirsty as it is known in the country?”

It was one of the many occasions when the princes and the Snakes got to sit together and go through plans for the night of the ball.

When Jaehyun saw her and Taeyong exchange an all-knowing glance, he knew they were in for a treat.

“Bloodthirsty?” Z purred, and a Cheshire cat grin appeared on her face, “I have a story with bloodthirst, right, Yukhei?��

The arsonist smashed the ice-cream tub fiercely against the glass of the coffee table and Jaehyun cringed.

“Z, don’t,” Yukhei warned, his deep voice laced with grumbling laughter. The assassin’s eyes sparkled as she threw her legs over the arms of the sofa and leaned her head back, locks of hair tumbling down on the other side.

“I don’t know if this counts but,” she started and Jeno placed his head between his knees, his shoulders shaking violently, “our dearest Yukhei here, tried to…court a woman and the fact that she was going through her…monthly inconveniences didn’t deter him from doing it anyways.”

A beat of silence.

Then the roar of laughter echoing through the room and disbelief dripping from the royal princes’ expressions.

“She said it was fine?” Yuta grimaced and scooted further away from Yukhei who was hitting his knee in both amusement and embarrassment.

Z nodded, “she was into it as well,” and that was it for Jaehyun, who joined the others as soon as the surprise wore off.

When he caught her eyes, he saw galaxies shining in them.

Even though it was not the first time they danced and so held hands, the roughness of her palm never failed to surprise him. Callouses lined the expanse of her hands and arms and still, she carried herself as if she was the finest of diamond, the smoothest of velvets.

Pride, perhaps.

Pride of a criminal.

He spun her in front of himself, the memorised steps making both of their movements fluid and graceful – dancers in top of a lake. She faced him with her chin high up, a light fierce determination glowing in her gold-rimmed eyes. Jaehyun forced his heart into a steady rhythm, and when the music started, they danced.

It was hard really, ignoring his cologne as he led you around the dancefloor, his eyes unreadable and yet still glowing with the warmest of lights. You were certain that if he wasn’t holding your waist you would have collapsed. This was not what you were used to – it was farm from the familiarity of the shadows and house roof tiles and in a twisted way, it frightened you to the bone. Not only a week, but even ten years’ worth of training wouldn’t have been able to ready you for the amount of attention aimed into your direction. It felt confusing – like being in a war with yourself, by living up to expectations but remaining true to yourself. The two were lightyears away from each other and you dreaded it.

But there was a plan.

And your job was to follow it.

Be the pretty lady that everyone expects you to be, Taeil’s soft-spoken voice sounded in the back of your mind and you swallowed, forcing yourself to meld your expressions into something soft, something endearing as you gazed into Jaehyun’s face.

His palm tightened on your waist in validation.

His fingers gazed the narrow slit on your waist, showing your skin off, although that small amount was nothing compared to the two giant slits that showed almost the entirety of your legs off.

Just enough so no one will have a glimpse on the dagger hidden beneath the fabric. A lady can never be safe enough.

“Seokjin is on the edge of the crowd by the pastries,” he murmured into your ear, his breath blowing the hair on the nape of your neck. Goosebumps erupted along your spine. With an elegant movement he led you so that you could take a look at the governor.

He was there, with ebony hair swept back, showing off his forehead and eyebrows – both of them beautiful and incredibly elegant. A scarlet-gowned female with breast spilling out of her dress tried to get his attention but with no success. As you turned the other direction, you felt his gaze following you, into and around the dancefloor with Jaehyun.

But you spun and twirled with Jaehyun, his santal-wood smell invading your senses, filling them, reminiscing.

And then Johnny came.

And the music stopped along with you and the prince. A wave of murmur tremored through the guests, some of them glaring, some of them whispering, some of them standing, confusion evident on their features.

Curtsying deeply, you didn’t look the eldest in the eyes, but you didn’t need to in order to know the silent fury burning in his orbs.

Yet his voice was as cold as the frost on top of a leaf as he said, “brother, I believe it is mine turn now.”

For a second Jaehyun’s fingertips lingered on your skin, but then he inclined his head. Lifting your head slowly you glanced at the two brothers, glaring at each other, letting tension rise in the Grand Ballroom.

“The music hadn’t stopped when you intruded, so I am going to need you to let me finish the first dance,” was Jaehyun’s reply, and you shivered at his icy tone. From under your lashes you glanced at Seokjin, and the elegant swirl of the champagne caught your eyes. As he stared, he tilted his head. Interested. Fascinated.

He likes the cat and mouth game, Yuta’s voice resonated in your mind, he likes the chase and the sheer idea of conquering something or someone that is desired by many. Makes him feel triumphant.

You didn’t dare questioning his knowledge about the young governor.

As you tore your gaze from him, you found that Johnny was still in the middle of the dancefloor, middle of the attention as he slowly but surely, towered over Jaehyun – who did not back down. The soft-spoken prince was biting back words colder than ice, a side of him that you had not seen before. The guests didn’t need to hear any of the words spoken between the princes to figure out the reason of the sizzling tension between them.

You didn’t despise it as much as you thought you would.

From your hidden earpiece came a static sound and then Winwin’s baritone, “he is on the way, Z, do not turn around,” and straightening your back, you brought your hands together and began to massage your fingers together.

Show vulnerability but have your back straightened at all times.

“Excuse my intrusion, Your Majesties,” the voice that purred not far from you made your muscles tensed, senses sharpened and mind clearer.

Kim Seokjin was tall, almost as tall as Johnny, who towered over most of the guests. Your diamond earrings reflected all colours of the universe as it reflected the chandelier lights; his eyes seemed to gleam in a similar way when you turned around to look at him, up close.

If you have not dealt with models and men with incredible looks you might have fainted right on spot.

You didn’t even attempt to deny the fact that he was beautiful.

Something like triumph glinted in the princes’ eyes as they glanced at Seokjin before giving him a court nod. The low chirps and murmurs of the guests slowly but steadily rose again.

“Mr Kim, how are you enjoying the ball?” queried Jaehyun, with a smile that emphasized his dimples off and melted ice. The governor bowed and his plump limps quirked upwards, into a smile that did not reach his eyes.

“I find it pleasant, My Lord, although,” he added and suddenly you were hyperaware of his gaze as it slid along your body, reminding you of liquid silver and snake scale. Cold and smooth. “My breath is quite taken away.”

It was easy, really.

Way too easy in your opinion but the faint whisper in the back of your head nudged you along, to follow the plan. The cooling touch of the blade on your thigh helped you with keeping your bubbling adrenaline on the low.

You swore you saw something in Jaehyun’s eyes before he stepped away from you, along with Johnny – whose smile was close to the shade of the moonlight when it hits the ivory walls of the castle. Cool. Dark. Ever-knowing.

“Apologies for the little scene, ladies and gentlemen,” the eldest’s voice was now louder, less hushed and hurried, and his smile radiated nothing but victory, “Miss Jung is all yours, Mr Kim.”

And you danced again.

Seokjin’s hold was confident, a sort of distinct force that proved he knew he was better than everyone else here. That was what his eyes told you too. The shine of satisfaction gave everything away, and the more you stared into them, the brighter, more evident it became. Flattery. Maybe that’s what he needed.

“You are a good dancer, sir,” you mused, with a voice reminiscing of unkept promises and the softest of bedsheets. And he liked it. His lips, plump like the petals of a rose and, perhaps, with the touch of them, widened into a smirk as he gave a little bow of his head.

“You are too, Miss Jung, was it?”

As you spun around the dancefloor in a confident manner, more people started to fill the dancefloor, people with champagne bubbles in their blood and laughter in their eyes. You fought the urge to scrunch your nose. You have never wanted a cigarette more in your life.

“I am, sir. You must be Mr Kim Seokjin,” you tilted your head as you smiled at him, as honest as it could get, “I have heard about you.”

You felt his shoulders tense as he straightened himself even more, puffing out his chest like a bird before a mating dance. Men. Ridiculous, and the same.

No, not all, some distant part of your brain laughed at you and you ignored it.

“I believe I have heard your name before as well, Miss Jung. About your past, more like,” his voice was somehow apologetic, “a tragedy, really.”

You shook your head before you let him spin you out of his arms then back again, in sync with other dancers.

“It is in the past. I barely remember any of it. I grew up with the people who were entrusted with my upbringing,” you said, and he nodded in understanding.

For a while you didn’t say anything, just danced, for one round, then two and by the third your chest was heaving, and strands of your hair loosened out of the jewels adorning your head. You let his hands wander lower with each round, let his breath caress your neck, let him whisper in your ears.

And in turn you pressed your chest against his, danced your fingers on his suit-clad bicep, flashed the brightest of smiles that glowed as vividly as the crystals and gold on your fingers, around your neck, in your hair.

And you talked, and talked and whispered and giggled, until both of your ears were bleeding from it.

He spun you and you laughed and widened your eyes, so the chandelier lights reflected in them, making it seem like they were twinkling in joy, instead of calculation. He seemed enamoured and you gave yourself a mental pat on the shoulders.

It was after the fifth dance, while sipping champagne, that you said, “I need a bit of air, should we go out to the balcony?”

Walking in front of him, you put somewhat of a hot-blooded sensation in your steps so your lower back would swing more, and you practically felt the burn of his gaze as he walked behind you.

Goosebumps erupted on your skin when you stepped out on the balcony and the breeze got caught in your hair. There were not many people outside, only a couple and in the farthest corner you noted Jaemin and Mark, with their back to you. If they memorised the plan well then, they will be aware of the fact that you are there too.

Placing your elbows on the edge of the balcony, you gazed out onto the garden, filled with trees and flowery bushes, adorned with clear-white fairy lights. Seokjin leaned next to you, but with his back to the marble parapet. He sized you up and down, yet again, and pretending you haven’t noticed, you kept on sipping your champagne.

“You know,” you mused, staring at a couple behind an apple tree, “I find it so ironic, that the Royal Family arranges a ball like this,” you made a flick with your wrist, referring to the celebration, to the shrill laughs, to the liquid lies spilling out of nobles’ mouths, “for a couple of gangsters only.”

He scoffed and you dared a glance.

His thumb brushed over his tulip lips before turning to watch you, your eyes and lips with a gaze that reminded you of madness and molten gold. He was supposed to be working for the King directly. Sure.

“Not for long,” he purred before leaning closer. You leaned with him, and you were certain that Mark and Jaemin shifted closer as well.

“You know,” Seokjin continued, “I find their presence incredibly disturbing. My office is not far from the Wing they live in…and for some reason I keep on hearing crashes and these terrible curses!” his voice went over into something like a whine and you tried to pull the most sympathetic smile you had.

“Oh, dear God!” you exclaimed before placing your bejewelled hand on your chest, “You hear those people?!”

He nodded vehemently before reaching out to twist a strand of your hair around his pinkie finger. You tilted your head so he wouldn’t see the tiny, transparent earpiece, hidden by the olive-branch shaped golden ear jewel.

“I hear them, almost every day,” he whispered, “I hear everything, see everything and I might just know how to get rid of them.”

You shuddered and your earpiece sizzled.

“You do?” you spoke equally low, and let your breath mingle with his, let him near your lips with a predator’s patience.

“I do,” he then looked straight into your eyes before purring, “and I might just think about keeping you alive.”

You stilled.

Jaemin and Mark stilled.

The whole world seemed to freeze into a moment of silence and calm and the only thing you heard was the beating of your own heart and the sizzling in your ear.

Then, for the first time that night, you heard Winwin’s voice.

“Z get the fuck out of there,” his voice was urgent, and you swore you heard a crashing noise from inside the ballroom.

Shit, shit, shit.

Your mind seemed to have gone blank and your eyes were searching in Seokjin’s to find that one sign that would lead you on, that would give you exit.

But the only thing you found was that ever-knowing glint, that confident smile which you have mistaken for arrogance.

This is not good.

“Z, are you there?” Ten’s voice resonated then, and you dared to look at the two younger princes who stood frozen, with their eyes glued on you. You tore your eyes away from them and calmed the thrumming of your blood. Or at least you tried. A whole night worth of adrenalin started to climb itself back into your brain and you swallowed. Don’t go with the flow. Don’t give in. Be the master. Be the superior.

Seokjin’s finger was now completely twisted in your hair, and you felt him grabbing the nape of your neck.

Another crashing noise.

And then the screams started.

Voices filled your ear, not only through the earpiece, but from the ballroom and you were just sure that chaos has erupted inside.

Mark and Jaemin started towards the double-winged glassdoors of the balcony and you bellowed.

“No! You two stay out here!”

They halted and maybe it was the force of your voice or the sheer terror in it that made them listen to you. You didn’t care.

This was a trap.

This has been a trap all along.

“Let me go,” you said then, your voice carefully veiled with calm and venom, and he smiled, that irritating, confident smile and you swore you have never wanted to punch someone so hard in the nose before.

As he let go you stepped away immediately, following the screams and chaotic noises into the ballroom.

You didn’t look back at Seokjin before throwing the doors open and stepping inside. Most of the people fled, a couple zipped past you with champagne stains on their outfits. Then the doors crashed close, trapping at least fifty people inside, along with yourself.

And the Snakes and Princes who were inside the ballroom.

It all went down in slow motion.

The dancefloor of the gigantic room cleared out, the remaining guests pushing themselves up against the walls. Pure terror was written all over their faces, at the scene that played in the very middle of the room.

Prince Chenle stood there.

With a knife at his throat.

And at the end of the knife, the person who was holding it…

Junhui.

You stopped breathing as you took in his face, took in that familiar, sharp smile.

As your eyes met with Yukhei’s from across the room, you were certain he was horrified, just as much as you.

They were here.

The Black Spade was here.

#dangerously #nct fanfiction #nct fanfic #nct smut #nct mafia #nct royal #royal jaehyun #mafia yn #royal fanfiction

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bvidzsoo · 6 years ago

Text

Silhouettes

Author: bvidzsoo

Warnings: none, except some failed fluff I guess

Pairing: Kim Jongin x female reader

Word count: 11, 066

Summary: Choi Y/N is just an usual girl who is living with her dog, Coco, who teaches little kids dance. Well, yes she is usual, except the fact that she’s blind. One day, at the dance school, she runs into an unknown person...who she also meets at the reading club and it turns out that he’s actually the new ballet teacher at the dance school, called, Kim Jongin.

A/N: Here is the Jongin ballet teacher and blind reader AU, we starting soft the new year. Happy reading and your feedback is always welcomed!

The loud voices were blending into one shrill scream, making my ears tingle in pain. Like always, it was dark, I couldn’t see a thing. But the voices and the smell in the air was too strong for me to not feel it, it felt like something was rooting beside me but I couldn’t see it, and I knew I would never see it. Then suddenly, everything turned quiet and I could finally hear my own, ragged, breathing.

“Sweetie”

“Mom?” I called out into the darkness, confused for a second.

“Yes, it’s mom” Mom’s voice was quiet, almost depressed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked more confused.

“I’m so sorry,Y/N” Her voice was breaking, slowly turning into quiet sobs “If I took more care of myself...you wouldn’t--you wouldn’t be like this now! I ruined your life and now--”

“Mom” I mumbled, reaching out to grasp her but my fingers met nothing, the darkness feeling darker than before “It’s not your fault, you know that. No one blames you, I don’t either”

“But--but you’ll never be able to see and now I am--”

Something wet fell on my cheek. My eyebrows furrowed as it dropped again, what was happening? Where was I? There was no smell in the room and the only voice was my breathing and my mother’s quiet sobs.

“Mom?” She didn’t answer as the wet little drops kept falling more and more on my cheek.

You will never be able to see, tauntingly, the words kept repeating over and over again, causing my head to spin. Before I could call out for help, a sudden splash of cold water hit my face.

I shoot up in my bed, heart beating fast. Another nightmare? Great. There was a quiet shuffling beside me before I felt that wet thing again on my cheek.

“Ew” I groaned, hand coming in contact with my dog’s fur “I’m up, stop. Coco, stop!”

Hand running through her fur, down her spine, Coco barked appreciatively.

“Thanks for waking me up…” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair “I wonder what time it is”

Coco just barked as she pulled the blanket off me and I groaned. Reaching out for my phone, I was distracted by Coco’s bark, and my hand collided with the edge of the nightstand. I hissed as a sting went through my hand.

“See, it’s because you distracted me” I looked towards where Coco was, only to be greeted with silence. As my hand made contact with my phone, the alarm suddenly went off, making me jump. 8am, perfect.

Raising from the bed, I steadied myself on both legs, stretching a little bit. Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the windows, feeling around for the handle. Standing in the light, I could slightly make out the figures of the window, as for a little time the darkness I would always see, was flooded with slight light. I opened the window and sucked in some fresh air, ready for a new day.

After getting ready for the day, I went grocery shopping with Coco, like every morning, had some breakfast and then went out for a little walk before coming back home to get my equipment. In one hour, the dance class would start and I should get there before the kids do. Placing all the necessary things on Coco, I took my backpack and left the apartment, making sure to lock the door firstly. I descended the stairs carefully, aware of my surroundings as Coco waited for me patiently. There was a quiet jingle of keys and I stopped abruptly, listening carefully.

“Y/N, darling” It was Mrs. Bae, an extremely lovely, old lady.

“Good morning, Mrs. Bae” I greeted her with a smile on my face, trying to locate where she was. Her breathing was getting louder as she was probably coming closer and when I felt her perfume, I knew she was standing in front of me.

“How are you, Mrs. Bae?” I asked, holding onto Coco’s leash tighter, knowing that Mrs. Bae is scared of dogs.

“Amazing, and you?” Her voice was warm, I registered some shuffling move and then first felt the warm radiating off Mrs. Bae before I felt her hand gripping my wrist. Her hands were always soft, a contrast to her wrinkled hands.

“Do you need any help?” She asked quietly, worry lacing her voice.

“No, don’t worry. I can handle myself” I let a small smile cross my lips as I stared at nothing, all I saw was darkness. If the light is strong enough I can actually make out shapes and forms but most of the time it’s darkness all I see.

“Have a lovely day” Mrs. Bae patted my cheek before she carefully walked past me and I stood there for a few minutes, until I could hear her keys and door closing.

“Let’s go, Coco” I mumbled, stepping down the few stairs I still had “We can’t be late...again”

The walk to the little dance studio was bumpier than any other time, I even ran into two people. Coco was good at guiding me through masses of people but today it felt like she’s been extremely distracted. There is too much noise in opened spaces like this for me to easily navigate on my own around, that’s why I need Coco’s help most of the time. I couldn’t have been more happier when we finally got to the dance studio, I quickly hurried to the office, knowing my way around.

“Hey, Y/N!” A deep voice called from beside me as I passed in a hurry and I threw my head back, trying to smile at the same time.

“Hi, Chanyeol!” I called back to the drums instructor.

“Late again?” That evil cackle could only come from Jongdae, obviously, a vocal trainer but also Chanyeol’s band mate.

“And I’ll be more late if you keep standing in my way” I snapped at Jongdae and he just laughed.

“I’m not even standing in your way--and you are dragging poor Coco after you” At that I paused to take a deep breath and calm my quickly beating heart. Keeping the kids back for five minutes won’t hurt anyone.

“How late am I?” I asked, eyebrows furrowing as we started walking again but at a normal speed.

“You are not late”

“Jongdae!” I exclaimed, whirling around and successfully slapping his biceps hard.

“That’s not fair!” He whined loudly, probably clutching onto his arm as I heard the shuffling of material “How can you hit me when you can’t even see me?”

“My other senses are heightened, you dummy” I scoffed and stopped abruptly, realizing that I wasn’t keeping check of where I was going.

“Jongdae” I muttered, pursing my lips as I turned around, trying to locate where he was “Where are we?”

“In front of the office, why?” He asked casually and I heard slurping before a light scent of coffee hit my nose.

“I lost track of where I was going” I sighed, opening the door as I walked inside, Jongdae hot on my tail as Coco started barking at whoever was inside.

“You need to keep it down with the coffee” I muttered to him, when I felt another person in the room. My ears perked up but Coco’s barking was blocking pretty much other noises from me.

“It’s only my second cup” There was a screeching sound and a little bump, probably Jongdae sat down at the circle table. Walking to my locker, I opened it and placed my backpack inside, raising my head at the new sound. It was coming from the far end of the room and I realized it was probably Sehun at his locker, the other dance instructor.

“Coco, come here” I called softly, patting her head when she obeyed. I pulled her leash off, placing it inside the locker and felt her walk away.

“Coco” The raspy voice greeted my dog and I smiled at it, leaning against my locker as I turned towards them. It was quiet in the room as Jongdae kept slurping his coffee and Sehun played around with Coco, I almost forgot I had to go to class.

“Sehun, I can hear you making faces at Coco, stop” I rolled my eyes, and for a second it was quiet until Jongdae started laughing deafeningly loudly.

“How did you know!” Sehun exclaimed, frustration betraying his usually leveled voice.

“Didn’t I just say I heard you?” I chuckled, pushing off the locker as I took my bottle of water.

“But how” He muttered and I just chuckled again.

“My secret, take care of Coco for me” I maneuvered around the table, almost colliding into Jongdae’s chair when he abruptly pushed it back.

“You owe me more than one” Sehun scoffed and I quickly walked out with a laugh, heading for my class.

“Isn’t it dangerous to walk around without Coco?” Jongdae was behind me, voice raised a little bit.

“Are you seriously going to ask me every day this question?” I would have rolled my eyes at Jongdae if I wasn’t in a hurry.

“Yeah, I worry about your safety, of course I will!” He exclaimed and I stopped, realizing I should be at my class already. Raising my hand to my chest, I slowly extended it to push it against the door, searching for my sign that it was my class. Once I felt it, I grinned satisfied.

“Thank you, but worrying makes you lose brain cells and age faster...so stop worrying” I winked at where I thought Jongdae was standing at, his warmth was coming from that direction, and pushed open the door to my class. A little light sparked to my left and my eyebrows furrowed. The kids were especially loud today and I felt around for the lightswitch.

“Who turned on the lights?” I called after clearing out my throat, the kids loud voices dying down.

“They were already on” A boy answered, Yuta, I realized from his voice.

“Really?” I asked surprised, walking further inside “Why did you not turn them off? I told you many times the lights in here are stronger and you can switch them on only if I am here, okay?”

“Sorry, Miss Choi!” The kids chorused and a small smile painted my lips as I walked further inside, this room being my second home. I know this place like myself.

“Do you still remember what was last week’s choreography?” I asked as I walked between the little kids, careful not to run into one. Their breaths were a good guidance and I patted the top of their heads.

“Yes!” A girl, Hana, called rather loudly, making me smile.

“Great, we’ll do a little warm up and then we’ll dance to that and after learn something new?” I walked to the front of the room, fingertips brushing against the mirror to make sure I’m standing far enough not to bump into it.

“Yes!” The little kids called excitedly and I turned on the music, the other senses being cut off as I trusted that the kids followed whatever I was doing.

The warm up didn’t last longer than five minutes and after we did last week’s choreography it was time to learn something new.

“Okay, take two steps closer, please” I called out as the kids stopped speaking between them.

“I’ll turn on the lights so you know the rules!” I turned around, narrowing my eyes as I moved them from one end of the room to the other “You can’t turn around while the lights are on and most importantly, you must not look into it, okay? Or else I will see!”

“We know” The kids mumbled and I smiled as I walked to the switches and switched on all the lights in the back, walking back to my previous spot.

The room was flooded with light, and suddenly, I could make out twelve little silhouettes, waiting impatiently for me to start today’s lesson.

“Okay, right leg goes out” I started teaching, one hand raised to get their attention.

“Left hand to your chest” I paused, narrowing my eyes, to see everyone copying my position.

“Twist your right knee inside and then make a big turn while your left hand comes down in soft circles” And like that, the kids followed along and soon enough, they learned whatever I had planned for them today. They were excited at my choice of song and as soon as I demonstrated to them how it’s supposed to be danced to with music, they were back to their spots, ready to do it as well.

“Three times with me and then alone!” I called as I turned up the music, going back to my place.

“Oh, careful!” I called as I almost ran into Heechan, who decided to come more to the front.

“Pay attention!” I called out, raising my hand to count back when they needed to start dancing. And like that, I let the music flow through my veins, make me feel alive. I turned at the sharp sounds of the music and moved my legs without a break, hands following the pattern they were supposed to.

Once it was their turn to dance alone, I asked them to go to the front while I stayed back and watched in the mirror as the little, white, silhouettes were fidgeting.

“Don’t worry!” I called out, eyebrows furrowing when I saw a figure hunched “Be calm, no one is going to bite your heads off!”

At the right time, the kids started dancing at the same time, moves rigid as they still need training. The loud music blended with the thumping of their little feet and I found myself smiling, distracted by the patterns their feet were drawing.

I asked them to repeat it at least three more times, as class was nearing its end. As I walked to the switches to turn them off, a white silhouette on my right moved abruptly. The kids were still happily talking, but I could feel something different in the room. Turning the lights off, I pretended to walk around, as kids were slowly changing their shoes. The room was becoming more quiet and then, I heard a harder footstep.

“Heechan” I called out sharply, stopping abruptly.

“Uhm...yes?” His breathing sounded too fast for someone who stopped dancing two minutes ago.

“What are you doing?” I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“Nothing” He muttered quickly, a lie obviously.

“Are you changing?” I walked closer to him, paying attention for the weird noises.

“Of course!” He exclaimed almost too soon and I clicked my tongue.

“How about you stop lying and help Jisung off the floor?” I glared, hopefully, at Heechan. Walking this close, I could hear the quiet whimpers leaving Jisung’s lips.

“I’m--I’m not doing anything” Heechan stuttered, the whole room quiet.

“I don’t tolerate bullying, Heechan” I lowered to be eye level with him “You come here to have fun, to form a passion. Not to steal a passion from someone, do you understand?”

“Ye-yeah” He gulped louder and stepped away, running off to probably change.

“Jisung” I muttered with a quiet sigh, feeling around the floor until my hand made contact with an ankle.

“Noona” Jisung whined, gripping my fingers with his little fingers “Heechan is so mean”

“What did he say?” I asked, helping Jisung to sit up.

“That I dance bad and should never come here again” Jisung said in a small voice and I sighed. I leaned closer to him and placed two fingers against his eyelids, which were wet.

“Look me in the eyes”

“I am” Jisung sighed and I smiled at him, cupping his chubby cheeks.

“You need to stop listening to Heechan. I turn on the lights to see you, and I can see you, Jisung. You dance well, so don’t listen to him. If you are uncomfortable, you can go to Yixing’s class”

“No, I like noona the best” I chuckled at his words, patting his cheeks “And hyung has big, scary kids as his students...I don’t want to go there”

“But hyung is an amazing dancer, later when you grow, you must go to him and Sehun. Ask them to teach you everything they know so that you can become a star”

“Really?” Jisung’s voice seemed to return to life as he sounded more cheerful.

“Really” I nodded, a serious expression crossing my features, at least I hope it’s serious.

“Let’s get up now, your parents are waiting for you...and Coco is waiting for me” I chuckled, helping the little boy up, who gave me a quick hug and quickly ran off.

Smiling to myself, I dusted my pants and walked around the room, turning on the music once again. After feeling like I got out my frustrations and creating a new, short, choreography for the kids, I turned off everything and locked the door.

Hands trailing against the walls, I walked back to the office, beware of those around me.

“Done?” The raspy voice asked as soon as I stepped in and I was taken aback when Coco’s paws landed on my waist.

“Coco” I chuckled, ruffling her fur as I pushed her off me.

“Yeah, I’m done” I answered Sehun, walking further inside.

“We have a new dance instructor” He muttered from the table, nails clicking against it rhythmically.

“Really? Aren’t we three enough?” I chuckled and I heard Sehun scoff, no doubt he rolled his eyes too.

“Well, do you teach ballet? I’m sure Yixing doesn’t and I sure as hell, don’t”

“Ballet?” I asked surprised, opening my locker “That’s a new one”

“I know, Minseok said he wanted to spice things up”

“Or he got bored of us already” I laughed as Sehun chuckled quietly at that, hissing a little.

“Leave Coco alone, you demon!” I yelped as I turned around with a fierce glare, snapping my locker shut.

“Vivi is better” He muttered and I rolled my eyes, calling out for Coco “And can you not glare at me? It’s scary”

“Because my eyes look soulless?” I muttered quietly, feeling a little bit disappointed by Sehun’s words.

“Of course not, it’s just scary how you always glare directly at me, never even once missing me”

“It’s a talent, I can’t get rid of it” I tried to joke, trying to brush off the bitterness I felt. I’d be crazy if I said I never wanted to see the light, the people, the faces, everything. When I was born I couldn’t see a thing, all my life I have known what darkness was. When I turned eight, I had an eye surgery but the most the doctors could do was help me see, if the light was strong enough...and that barely happened. Besides, I prefer pure darkness than having to see silhouettes, it’s very disturbing and distracting for my brain. All I wish for is either see normally or not see a thing.

“Take care, yeah?” Sehun’s words seemed to snap me out of my thoughts, his expensive perfume close to my nose.

“Always, don’t worry” I wanted to pat his shoulder but missed it a few centimeters, patting his firm chest instead.

“What a spot to touch” Sehun snickered when I groaned and pulled on Coco’s leash to leave.

“Let’s go, Coco. Sehun is planning how to kidnap you, I have a feeling” At that Sehun laughed loudly, and quite ugly, the sound following us out into the hallway.

“Let’s go home, Coco” I patted her head, kissing the top of it “Home”

There was a single bark and suddenly Coco was pulling me after her. It’s weird, she’s never this eager to leave. I walked after her, tripping a few times as she tried to speed up. What’s with her?

“Coco, why are you going so fast?” I knew a dog couldn’t answer me but I still asked her. Eyebrows furrowed, I stumbled around the corner, gasping when my shoulder collided with the wall.

“Coco, seriously you--” My words were cut off by my loud gasp as I smacked head first into a warm, broad and good smelling chest. The scent was different, I have never felt it around here before.

“Coco?” I asked as the stranger’s hands gripped my shoulders.

“Miss, are you okay?” His voice was smooth, velvety and I gulped.

“Where’s Coco?” I asked, worry starting to fill me as I stepped back. The stranger still held onto my shoulders.

“You mean...her?” One hand was gone from my shoulder, and I guess he pointed at Coco.

“Uhm...if it’s the dog then yes…” I muttered quietly, growing embarrassed. I had never been embarrassed because of my blindness before, but something about this stranger felt...warm. Maybe his body, well built body probably, his chest definitely agreed with my thoughts.

“Perhaps you don’t...see?” His voice got quiet and I licked my lips before nodding slowly.

“Oh my god!” He exclaimed, startling me “I’m sorry! I wasn’t paying attention! I should have known since there’s a dog with you--”

“It’s alright” It was my turn to pat his shoulder and he seemed to relax but remain tense at the same time “Since I didn’t recognize you, seems like you haven’t been here before”

“Yeah” He muttered and there was shuffling beside us and then Coco barked twice.

“What?” My eyebrows furrowed as I extended my hand to feel her fur, but to my surprise it collided with another hand.

“Oh” I gasped flustered, pulling my hand away like it was fire I touched “Sorry”

“Your dog is cute...her name is Coco?” The stranger asked, I could hear a smile in his voice.

“Yeah, but not because she likes drugs...neither do I…” At that he started laughing and I couldn’t hold back my quiet giggles, his laugh beautiful and contagious.

“She’s really cute and lovely” He said and I nodded.

“Sorry once again” His voice turned softer, almost sheepish “I’ll make sure to keep an extra eye open the next time”

“Next time?” I asked a little confused, who is this man?

“I have to hurry now, can’t be late” The warmness brushed past me, leaving cold air as he quickly hurried away.

“At least I’m not the only one late” I chuckled to myself, strangely missing the warmth radiating off him. It never happened before, everyone is warm, they have different warmness, and yet his is special...feels special. It’s a warm that burns but not to burn you, hurt you, but to protect you, love you. My heart seemed to skip a beat and I furrowed my eyebrows, why am I acting weirdly? Aren’t I weird enough?

“Coco, let’s go now for real” I took the leash in my hands again “And no funny tricks this time, okay?”

It was another beautiful day, perfect to take Coco out for a walk. Dressing up in some comfortable clothes, I pulled my hair in a ponytail and placed Coco’s leash on her.

“Coco, do you want to go to the park?” I asked her as I locked the front door, placing the keys in my pocket. There was no answer from Coco as she started walking, helping me around. I took a deep breath, enjoying the warmness of the sun. It felt amazing to feel it on my skin, warming my body instantly. The birds were chirping, cars rolling by as Coco lead the way to her favourite park. We stumbled upon it one evening, when we were both bored of staying inside and decided to take a longer walk. It was a fifteen minute walk, behind the apartment complexes. The aura here was really calming, the place quiet and both Coco and I liked it. Since then, we’ve been coming here whenever we felt bored, or I did at least. Staying out in the fresh air was definitely better than staying inside my stuffed apartment. I like sitting on the grass and staring into the sun, the light powerful enough to make me see the shapes of clouds if there’s any.

Once getting to the park, I let Coco walk around as I followed her quietly, the light strong enough to make out the forms of people. The playground was full with little kids and their parents as we passed by. Coco started barking all of a sudden, startling me.

“What’s wrong?” I muttered as I dragged her away from the playground gates, walking underneath the big willow tree.

“You shouldn’t bark around little kids, Coco” I scolded her as I took a seat on the warm grass, the sunlight warmed it up “You can scare them, Coco”

Coco only sniffed around me as I leaned down in the grass, staring up at the sky. The sunlight was almost burning on my skin, but it was a reassuring feeling, something I grew used to. Opening my eyes, I gazed up at the sun, the darkness flooded with light. I smiled, able to see a few light shapes of the small clouds. I wish I could actually see them, see the light.

Coco suddenly fidgeted beside me and I turned towards her, “Everything alright?”

She barked once before pulling on her leash, “Coco, what’s wrong?”

As I rose into a sitting position, the leash accidentally untangled from my fingers and there was another bark before I heard Coco’s paws padding away.

“Wait!” I called out startled, heart beating fast “Coco!”

I felt around with my hands in the grass, aware that Coco already left. With a quickly beating heart, I got up from the grass, taking a few cautious steps around.

“Coco! Where did you go!” I called out, starting to walk towards the voices coming from the playground. Coco never ran away before, it’s not in her nature to do something like this.

“Coco, please!” I called out again, trying to focus on more voices “Come back! It’s not funny!”

I couldn’t hear any barking and I stopped suddenly, taking deep breaths. I can ask around and see if anyone saw her. She will come back, she knows I need her.

“Coco!” I called out again, turning in a circle to no avail. Sighing, I started walking once again towards the playground, accidentally running into a bench on the sidewalk. I hissed as my knees started hurting but continued walking, the voices of the kids becoming louder. With my hands in front of me, I felt around for the gates, pushing them open once I reached them. Walking inside, I tried focusing on the light silhouettes of the people but they were blending with the darkness, the sun not strong enough to enlighten everything.

I gasped when I collided with someone, gripping onto their sleeve.

“I’m sorry, but have you seen my dog? She’s a black dog” I told to whoever I ran into and the person scoffed before walking away. That’s a very rude thing to do.

“Coco!” I called out again, hoping she was here and she’d hear me even if the little kids are screaming.

“Coco!” I called again, panic starting to kick in. I really need to find her, I can’t afford to lose her.

Suddenly, there was a hand on my shoulder and I tensed as I turned around.

“Hey, it’s you” I relaxed a little at the somewhat familiar voice. It was the stranger from yesterday.

“Hello” I greeted him back, trying to calm myself down but then something wet made contact with my hand and I flinched.

“Coco?” I asked surprised, gripping her fur.

“Yeah, she was running towards me out of nowhere” The stranger chuckled as his hand left my shoulder. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply, lightly slapping Coco.

“Never do something like that, Coco!” I scolded her, heart still beating quickly “I thought I lost you”

“Oh, she ran away...sorry” The stranger chuckled somewhat awkwardly and I just sighed, looking up at him.

“It’s okay, thanks for finding her”

“She found me first” He laughed and I chuckled.

“At a playground? What are you doing here?” I found myself asking, gripping Coco’s leash tightly this time. The sunlight was helping me to make out the stranger’s features. He was tall and actually really well built, but I couldn’t see anything else.

“I’m with my niece” I could hear the smile in his voice and I nodded with a grin.

“That’s lovely” I muttered, looking away from him “Well, I should probably let you watch over her again”

“Ah, it’s okay” He chuckled, I could hear a little movement and I realized he ruffled his hair “I can see her from here”

“Nice meeting you again, stranger” I said with a smile, ready to leave.

“Stranger?” He laughed and I felt myself warm up from the inside “Well, if you’d wait one second--”

“Have a nice day!” I bowed at him a little before walking away, pulling Coco after me as we made our way to the exit of the playground.

Some people love to read, and same goes to me. But since I can’t read, others do the reading for me. I discovered the reading club five years ago and since then I’ve been a regular. They offer you a small room, which looks like an office, and usually there’s someone assigned to you to read for you for one or two hours, depending for how long they volunteer. So far, the people that read for me were either high school students or people close to their sixties. They are friendly people and I grew to like them quickly, since I’m not really a pretentious person.

There was a knock at the door and I looked up, calling out for them to come inside. There was a pause as the person stepped inside, and my eyebrows furrowed slightly. The perfume seemed familiar, but I couldn’t realize from where. The person didn’t move from the door and my frown deepened.

“Is everything alright?” I called out, trying to sound friendly “I don’t bite, I promise. You can come in”

“Ah, I’m just surprised” My eyes widened at the voice, a smile breaking onto my lips. The stranger walked further inside and the scrunching of material proved that he sat on the sofa, beside the door.

“Hey there, stranger” I chuckled, looking in his direction “Seems like we meet again today”

“No Coco this time?” He asked with a laugh and I nodded, biting my lower lip.

“She’s at home, I need to be independent as well” I said with a shrug.

“Isn’t it dangerous to go around alone after nightfall?” The stranger asked, concern lacing his voice.

“It’s always dark for me” I chuckled, leaning back in my chair “I’m not scared alone”

“You seemed pretty scared of losing Coco earlier” He muttered and I grinned, cracking my knuckles.

“Well, I grew up with her...can’t let her leave me earlier than she’s supposed to”

“True”

“So, stranger...do you have a book in mind or will you continue mine?” I raised my eyebrows and he chuckled, the crunching of the sofa indicating that he leaned forward.

“My name is Kim Jongin, no need to call me stranger anymore” His voice was warm and friendly and I found myself nodding.

“Choi Y/N, nice to finally know your name, Jongin” He chuckled and I smiled at him, the cracking of the floorboard indicating he was standing.

“And do you just...trust whoever comes in here?” He asked, voice turning deeper, almost dangerous. I sat up straight in my chair, growing conscious that he was walking around the room, his light footsteps loud to my ears.

“Usually people who like to help come here, so yes, I trust them” I turned my head to the left, eyes narrowed as Jongin’s perfume got stronger “Why? Are you someone I shouldn’t trust?”

It was quiet and I listened carefully, his footsteps too light for a male.

“I was just wondering” I was startled at how close he was standing to me, probably leaning over me. His cologne invaded my senses and I bit my lower lip as I turned my eyes to the right, startled by his warmness once again.

“What are you doing?” I asked quietly, trying to localize him.

“How did you know?” He asked quietly and I chuckled, growing amused.

“Your cologne and I heard you”

“You are pretty cool” His warmness disappeared as he took a step back “I just wanted to take the book”

“Oh” I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed to think that he’d try doing something. I cleared my throat as I felt his eyes on me, and I had a feeling he was laughing at me.

“Can I start reading then?” He asked, distracting me from my embarrassament.

“Please” I smiled a little, getting comfortable in the chair as his pleasant, warm voice filled the quiet room.

To think that having Jongin read to me yesterday was a shock, my shook got even bigger when I walked into the office to hear Chanyeol and Sehun laughing at something.

“Hey guys!” I called with a smile, taking off Coco’s leash and her paws were loud as she ran towards the boys. She always loved Chanyeol, probably because Chanyeol is a dog enthusiast...or any animal really.

“Hey” Sehun called back and his footsteps were hard as he started walking towards me. I rose an eyebrow as I placed my backpack inside my locker. The appreciative barks coming from Coco made me smile.

“You are early!” Chanyeol suddenly called, surprise lacing his voice, and I laughed as I closed my locker.

“What a surprise, right?--” My words got muffled as I was pulled into a firm chest, the expensive cologne invading my nose.

“Uhm…” My eyebrows furrowed as I patted, a little awkwardly, Sehun’s back “Something happened?”

“Well, besides you being early for once…” Sehun paused for a bigger dramatic effect “Your room has been claimed”

“What?” I yelped, pushing him away “What do you mean?”

“The ballet guy’s first day is tomorrow” Chanyeol explained, still playing with Coco as she was growling now “I’m surprised at how many students he already has”

“Right? I thought people didn’t like ballet” There was a thud as Sehun leaned into the locker beside me.

“Just because you don’t like ballet doesn’t mean others won’t like it either” I rolled my eyes and Sehun only scoffed.

“I was surprised it’s a guy” Chanyeol groaned as Coco barked once.

“Vivi wouldn’t do that” Sehun muttered and I looked at him, eyebrows furrowed.

“Do what?”

“Bite Chanyeol’s hand” I started laughing quietly as Sehun scoffed once again.

“She’s playing around, she didn’t actually bite his hand”

“Toben bites me too, but his teeth aren’t this sharp” Chanyeol muttered as he walked closer and I smiled, pulling my hair in a tight ponytail.

“Well, I’m really not happy that someone else is using my room without asking me first” I grimaced as Sehun only chuckled mockingly and Chanyeol patted my shoulder with his big hand as he walked past me.

“I share a room with Yixing too, and no one asked me if I wanted to”

“But you are Oh Sehun, and no one cares about your opinion” I fired back, walking away from Sehun. From the sharp intake of breathe I could tell he felt offended.

“Burn, buddy” Chanyeol snickered as he poured himself some water and I grinned.

“Coco, be good” I kissed the top of her head as I turned back towards the boys.

“Can I at least get a name?”

“Kim Jongin” Both Chanyeol and Sehun chorused at the same time and my eyes widened. With a quiet goodbye, I left the boys and Coco behind, walking to my class. Kim Jongin? Is it really him? I mean...people with the same name exist, don’t they? But it has to be him since I actually bumped into him two days ago.

As I arrived to my class, I didn’t need to check for the sign on the door, the instrumental music gave it away. I listened a little bit to the calming music, before carefully pushing open the door. I wouldn’t see him either way...but to my surprise, as soon as the door opened, a white silhouette spinning in the air stole my breath away. Too stunned, I couldn’t move away from the door. My lights were on and I could make out every movement Jongin made. He was raised on his tiptoes, hands around his chest as he kept spinning again and again. The air in the room was warm and I realized no window was opened, as Jongin kept dancing flawlessly. His movements were gracious and I was incredibly surprised until someone poked my side and I yelped, scaring both Jongin and the other person.

“Who is it?” I asked slightly surprised as I looked down, hand coming to rest on top of his head.

“Jisung, noona” The little boy chuckled and a smile spread on my lips.

“Jisung-ah, don’t scare noona like that, okay?” My smile quickly disappeared when the music from the room stopped and I turned around, Jongin standing in the middle, a towel in his hand.

“Who’s that?” Jisung asked curiously as he pushed past me and walked inside.

“Jisung, that’s really--” I quickly gripped the little boy’s shoulder, stopping him from going further inside “Rude”

“Sorry, he’s still a kid” I said with a sheepish smile, looking at Jongin.

“Y/N?” He asked surprised as he threw the towel on the floor “What are you doing here?”

“She’s teaching us a new choreography today!” Jisung exclaimed excitedly and I glanced down at him as I shook my head.

“You...teach?” Jongin was still breathless from dancing and I felt my cheeks warming, something that never happened before.

“Well, I’m the dance instructor of the little kids” I said with a shrug and Jisung scoffed.

“We are not little kids, noona”

“My bad, go and change now, Jisung” I felt him nod before he ran away, going to the changing cabin.

“I thought you’d come later, sorry for staying back” Jongin walked a little bit closer and I smiled at him “But the guys told me you are usually late”

I groaned, rolling my eyes, “Let me guess, it was Sehun and Chanyeol”

“Jongdae, actually” Jongin chuckled and I rolled my eyes again, looking at him. With the lights on, I could actually see his silhouette quite well.

“Today it happened that I got here earlier, I am usually late” Jongin laughed at that and I saw him shake his head before his hands started to move.

“I should have guessed you were the new ballet teacher” I muttered more to myself, eyes glued to Jongin’s movements. I gulped a little harder when I realized he pulled his shirt over his head, leaving his upper body bare. I felt my cheeks warm up, but that is extremely stupid since I can’t actually see him. But I can actually imagine the way his worked body can look like.

“Why?” Jongin asked amused and I cleared my throat, licking my lips.

“Well...your footsteps are really light and I guess when I ran into you two days ago, that was your first day here?” I bit my lip from saying the next thing but it still slipped “And your body...quite gives it away”

Jongin started laughing as he backed away a little bit and he leaned down as he took something into his hands, probably a clean shirt.

“Is Coco here too?” He asked, a smile gracing his tone.

“Yeah, in the office” I nodded, fidgeting with my fingers “If you stop by you should greet her. I think she’d be really happy as she seems to like you a lot”

“I noticed that too” Jongin stopped in front of me once again, his warmness hitting me hard. His cologne was there but it was washed away by the sweat that has gained on his body from dancing.

“I have a question…”

“Sure” I offered him a friendly smile and Jongin moved, turning around before looking back at me.

“What’s with the lights?”

“Ah...they help me see”

“See?” His voice rose a few octaves and I chuckled.

“Well, not actually see” I pouted a little bit, wishing it was true “But I can see silhouettes if the light is strong enough. So whenever I’m dancing with the kids I turn them on to see them--and you really shouldn’t look into them, Jongin, they are too strong for your eyes”

I scolded him as he turned once again around to look at the lights.

“I thought they were regular lights” He scratched the back of his neck and I chuckled.

“I will turn them off now, the kids are about to come” I muttered as I walked to the entrance, feeling a little around for the switches. Once I turned them off, the room went dark and I sighed as I walked back where Jongin was standing.

“So...did you see me--”

“Take of your shirt?” I asked with an embarrassed laugh “That’s literally all I saw”

“That’s kinda funny”

“Because you thought I couldn’t see you and then you can go all naked here?” I asked and Jongin gasped, making me laugh.

“I wouldn’t do such thing!” His voice sounded flustered and it made me laugh a little more.

“You partially did it though” I shrugged and Jongin giggled.

“Okay, that’s true” I smiled at him as the door opened behind me and I turned my head.

“Hey, unnie!” Krystal called cheerfully and my smile widened.

“Hey, Krystal...go change quickly”

“Noona, hi!” Yuta and Mark greeted me at the same time. “Hey boys” I greeted them back with a bigger smile.

“These kids are so cute” Jongin cued and I chuckled, looking back at him.

“I know”

“How do you know them?” He asked, voice curious.

“How do I differentiate them, you mean?” I chuckled when Jongin hummed “Their voices, that’s pretty much it. And they have their own place where they have to stand, we made this rule together”

“Oh, that’s really nice...I see they like you a lot” Jongin’s voice was filled with warmness as the chatter of the kids got louder as the exited the changing rooms.

“I’ll go now” Jongin cleared his throat and I smiled at him “Can’t hold you back”

“See you around, Jongin” He patted my shoulder once before he started walking away, his footsteps as light as always.

“Are you ready?” I asked the kids, clapping my hands as they hurried to their places.

“Yes!” They chorused and I smiled at them. I turned around, eyebrows furrowing as I realized I didn’t hear Jongin opening or closing the door, did my hearing get worse?

“Let’s warm up” I started walking towards the laptop to start the music when Hana called out for me.

“Yes?”

“Unnie, what is that ajhussi doing--” She quickly grew silent and I turned towards the kids with a frown.

“What ajhussi?” I asked confused but the kids started quickly saying it was nothing, that Hana was speaking about something else. With a suspicious glance at them, I played the music and walked to my spot, touching the mirror to make sure I kept the fair distance.

“Let’s start” I called out and once I started doing the warm ups, my eyes kept falling towards the door. I couldn’t see anything due to the lights being off but I couldn’t brush off the feeling of someone watching me. The kids kept giggling and I was starting to grow suspicious as we finished the warm up and started walking back to the laptop. On purpose, I went closer to the door, to be able to feel if someone was indeed there like I suspected. The kids were giggling louder and I suddenly jumped in front of the door, the inevitable warmness almost crashing against me. Before I could actually grasp for the person, the door opened and quickly closed, the warmness disappearing. With a huff, I walked to turn off the music and turned towards the kids with my hands on my hips.

“Who was watching us?” I asked loudly, eyes narrowed where the kids were standing.

“No one!” Hana and Krystal were quick to say and I rolled my eyes.

“I know you are lying…”

“There was really no one--” Jaehyun got cut off by Jisung.

“That handsome hyung from earlier!” He quickly exclaimed and a small smile spread on my lips. Of course it was Jongin, his warmness felt too familiar.

“The guy who was dancing when you entered?”

“Yes!” Jisung called, excitement lacing his words.

“Alright, let’s get back to our own things, shall we?” The kids grew excited as I played the new song and for the rest of the class, the little smile refused to disappear from my lips.

One month seems like a long time, but in reality it isn’t that long. In that one month, Jongin and I kept meeting thanks to sharing the same dance room. Or maybe it was because for once I decided to start being early. The lights were always on when I arrived and I could always see Jongin, at the beginning I thought he did it so that I could see him, but it turned out that the lights made him feel like he was on a stage, and the music made him feel like he was all alone in the world.

In that one month, Jongin and I became incredibly good friends and everyone was teasing us, when I say everyone I mean, Sehun and Jongdae actually, about our sudden friendship. I never really expected it either, but Jongin was different from all the other people I have met so far. He was nice, with a warm heart and never once made me feel the weight of my blindness. With Jongin, I felt like a normal, simple person. Coco loving him proves once again that he is a good person, because Coco is a picky dog.

“Robert Langdon wandered barefoot through his deserted Massachusetts Victorian home and nursed his ritual insomnia remedy—a mug of steaming Nestle’s Quik. The April moon filtered through the bay windows and played on the oriental carpets. Langdon’s colleagues often joked that his place looked more like an anthropology museum than a home.

His shelves were packed with religious artifacts from around the world...an ekuaba from Ghana, a gold cross from Spain, a cycladic idol from the Aegean, and even a rare woven boccus from Borneo—a young warrior’s symbol of perpetual youth. As Langdon sat on his brass Maharishi’s chest and savored the warmth of the chocolate, the bay window caught his reflection. The image was distorted and pale...like a ghost. An aging ghost, he thought, cruelly reminded that his youthful spirit was living in a mortal shell.” I blinked as Jongin’s soft voice travelled through the room.

“Y/N…”

“Yes?” I raised my eyebrows as Jongin shuffled on the bed before he sighed.

“I’m kinda tired of reading, we’ve been here for...two hours already!” I chuckled at his cute exclamation.

“Well, you said you wanted to finish the first book--”

“And then you said to start reading a new one!” Jongin’s outburst made me laugh as I rose from my chair.

“Okay, let’s stop here then” I smiled, leaning against my desk. My legs felt quite numb from sitting so much.

“How about--” Jongin rose from the sofa, his footsteps light as he walked up to me “We go out?”

“Go out?” I asked surprised “Where to?”

“That’s a surprise, do you want to though?” Jongin’s voice was close to my ear and I jumped a little. Lately, whenever Jongin gets to close, my heart seems to speed up without a reason. I’d blush if his touch lingers and sometimes, I grow flustered out of nowhere.

“Well…” I ran my fingers through my hair “Let’s go...but I hope you are not kidnapping me”

“I’d never, don’t worry” Jongin chuckled as he handed me my jacket and I quickly pulled it on before following him out to his car. This was already something we are used to doing, usually Jongin would give me a ride if I called him, or if he was really bored then we’d go out somewhere. It was nice having someone beside me finally, after all...most of my life, Coco was my only friend...and having a dog as your friend isn’t that great, she never answered me back.

“Jongin, where are you taking me?” I whined for the nth time and Jongin only laughed.

“A place you will love, trust me” He said with a smile in his voice and my breath hitched in my throat when I felt Jongin’s warm palm patting my knee.

“Ye-yeah” I muttered, gulping as I tried slowing my erratic heart beating.

“You know, Jisung actually started taking ballet classes” He spoke up, bringing me out of my small moment of fluster.

“Really?” I asked surprised “Is that why he’s always early to my classes?”

“Yeah, he’s very talented” Jongin was smiling, I was sure of that “He will become a great dancer one day”

“I know, I already told him that” I chuckled, remembering when I tried sending him to Sehun’s or Yixing’s class “I already told him to go to Yixing instead of my class but he says the kids are scary there...and he’s scared of Sehun”

“I would be scared of Sehun too” Jongin chuckled and I laughed loudly, biting my lower lip.

“Well...Sehun has lot’s of female dancers…” I muttered, remembering him whining about how moody and annoying his dancers could get.

“I mean...having Sehun’s looks, I’m not surprised he has lots of girls there” Jongin chuckled as the car stopped moving.

“Why? Is he that good looking?” I asked, lips pursed.

“Very good looking” Jongin turned towards me, the amusement could be heard from his voice “Maybe you’d like him too, if you could see him”

“I don’t regret not being able to see him” I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned towards him “It’s your personality that truly matters, and his isn’t that bright”

“It’s not that bad either”

“Well, I could debate on that” Jongin laughed and I smiled as we both got out of the car and Jongin was quickly by my side.

“So, where are we exactly?” I asked once again, gripping his arm as he guided me.

“Can’t you hear it?” He asked, a smile lacing his voice. I grew quiet, and listened closely only to hear multiple barks. As Jongin was guiding me, the barks started getting louder and my eyebrows furrowed.

“Are you trying to buy me a new dog?” I asked, turning my head towards him “I’m not tired of Coco yet”

“Don’t worry” He laughed and I chuckled, slightly taken aback by our proximity when his breath hit my cheek.

“I thought it’d be nice meeting other dogs than Coco, you know” Jongin stopped walking and a gate was opened before we started walking again.

“Is this...a dog park?” I asked, growing excited.

“Yeah, pretty much” Jongin chuckled and I looked at him once again, a big grin on my face.

“Jongin!” I wish I could see his face right now, his reaction to me being happy because of him “Thank you! This is better than the reading club”

“I know...let’s meet my dog”

“You have a dog?” I asked surprised and the he shook his head, his hair creating a quiet sound.

“Two, actually” I cooed and I felt Jongin looking at me.

“Why did you never tell me!” I lightly slapped his arm and he just chuckled.

“Never got the chance” I threw him a little glare as we stopped walking and Jongin left my side for a while. I stood there, biting my lower lip in anticipation.

“Say hi to Y/N, Jen” I felt a little lick on my fingertips and I broke into a smile. I crouched down and the dog was already by my side, sniffling my hand.

“Hi, this is Y/N” I greeted the dog quietly as she continued licking my hand.

“And this is Nana” I was taken by surprised when a dog tackled me, making me fall backwards on my butt.

“Nana!” Jongin exclaimed alerted and I laughed, patting the dog’s fur.

“Well, Nana is an eager one I see” I muttered, looking up at Jongin with a smile “I know someone like that too”

Jongin only scoffed as I heard shuffling and the warmness that is already so familiar, entered my senses. Jongin decided to sit beside, knee brushing against mine.

“It’s a pity Coco isn’t here, she’d love to make new friends” I muttered as I patted a dog, probably Jen.

“Next time we’ll bring her along” Jongin muttered, patting as well his dog.

“Who am I patting right now?” I asked as the dog licked once again my hand.

“That’s Jen” Jongin muttered, as I felt him leaning to the front “Her fur is white and she’s actually shy but once you get to know her she’s really crazy. Before moving here, she was my mom’s favorite dog. She even asked me to let her stay with them, but Jen was actually eager to come with me”

“What about Nana?”

“Oh, Nana has dark grey and brown fur, she’s actually pretty mischievous and she always destroyed my sneakers” I laughed as Jongin spoke and extended my other hand to pat Nana too. She pushed her head more into mine and I smiled as I continued patting her.

“Jen doesn’t like new people, but she seems to like you more than me” I grinned and looked at Jongin.

“Touche” I said and Jongin giggled “Coco always pays more attention to you when we are together”

“True, might as well steal Jen from me” I rolled my eyes, bumping my shoulder with his.

“Never would try” Jongin only chuckled and nudged my side with his elbow, making me smile to myself.

After a few good hours of being at the dog park, the weather started getting colder and Jongin was tired so I offered to have dinner at my place. He was surprised, because he’d been over only twice but was eager at the same time as he kept bouncing on his toes as we made our way to my front door.

“Why are you so excited?” I chuckled while opening the front door.

“Coco is here!” Jongin rushed inside, not even letting me enter first. I huffed, hurt, but with a smile on my face. This man likes Coco more than me. As I took off my shoes, Coco started barking and her paws were loud as she rushed up to me.

“Hey, sorry for leaving you alone today” I cooed at her, leaning down and ruffling her fur.

“She’s mad” Jongin muttered and I threw him a playful glare.

“And I’ll be mad if you don’t take your shoes off” Jongin grew silent as I took off my jacket and I smiled when I heard him shuffling, then placing his coat on the hanger.

“I was joking” I muttered as I passed by him, going to the kitchen.

“I know” Jongin cackled evilly and I went to punch his shoulder but he ran past me.

“Hey! You can’t do that!” I yelled, laughing as I opened the kitchen door.

“Right, sorry” His sudden closeness made me jump and I offered him a timid smile.

“Well, I want some pasta for dinner” I cleared my throat, walking around the table to get to the cupboard “What about you?”

“If you put some meat in the sauce, pasta is good” I smiled at Jongin’s eagerness and told him to take the sauce out of the fridge. I raised on my tiptoes and carefully opened the cupboard, taking the box of pasta out.

“Where are the pots?” Jongin asked, voice serious and focused. A smile spread on my lips as I turned towards him.

“In the cupboard by the fridge” Jongin hummed and there were light footsteps as he followed my instructions. I walked to the fridge and took out the meat, taking a plate since the cupboard was still opened as Jongin was looking for a proper pot for the pasta. I walked carefully to the counter, by the cooker, and started adding some spices to the meat after slicing it up a little bit. Jongin filled the pot with water and placed it on the cooker, turning on the gas.

“Oil and salt are in the cupboard above the cooker” I muttered, placing the knife into the sink.

“Done, now we wait” Jongin muttered and I could swear he had a light frown on his face.

“What about the sauce?” I asked and Jongin gasped. I giggled and took out a pot but Jongin snatched the sauce before I could.

“You just sit down, I’ll do the work” My eyebrows furrowed as he took the pot from my hands.

“But this is my kitchen, I want to help too” I said with a pout, leaning against the counter.

“You prepared the meat, now let me do the rest” Jongin huffed and I discreetly rolled my eyes, not to make him think I don’t appreciate his efforts.

“Fine, but you have to let me stir the sauce” I raised my eyebrows and Jongin chuckled.

“Fine, it’s a deal then”

“Great” I grinned and looked around the kitchen, obviously not seeing anything. As I was about to call our for Coco, I was surprised when she suddenly nudged my hand with her head.

“Was she in here all along?” I asked amused as I started patting her and Jongin looked at me for a small second.

“She was by the door, she knows you too well” He muttered and I looked down at Coco, nostalgia taking over me.

“Yeah…” I sighed, a small smile spreading on my lips “I got her when I was thirteen. She’s ten years old now, I’m surprised how fit she still is. Dog’s live up until fourteen, fifthteen years but by nine they start having symptomes of various illness. I’m just grateful Coco is fine. I don’t know what I’d do without her. You know...before we two became friends, I never really had true friends. Some were only my friends because they pitied me and I hate that, I am perfectly okay, I don’t need pity. I never saw, I don’t know how that is, darkness is normal to me. Being unable to see things, even though I really wish I could, is something normal to me. Suddenly seeing things would be weird to me, just like someone who was able to see once loses its sight would be weird. I can’t say it’s easy, but it’s better than not doing anything and mourning over it. The kids keep me energized, the boys from work always make me look forward to seeing them and you...recently, you became someone I think of a lot and wish to have in my life for a long time. I know I can be a burden Jongin, but I hope I still bring happiness to you... I probably made your life a little harder but still interesting”

It was silence as I kept playing with Coco’s fur, Jongin was placing the meat inside the pot as I remained silent. Did I surprise him by my sudden confessions? Probably, because I surprised myself as well.

“I never asked you why you dance” Jongin muttered quietly and I turned my head towards him, indicating that I am listening to him “But to me, dancing is like escaping reality. It makes me forget about my worries, if I fed my dogs or how my niece is feeling. I didn’t have an easy childhood and when we were dealing with hardships, I always ran away for a few hours and just danced by a small river. There was no music but I still danced, until one day my sister followed me and saw. She told my parents and they asked me to show them. When they saw me dancing, the started sending me to dancing lessons and I soon realized that ballet was like a calling, a savior of mine. If we would have had enough money, I probably would have attended some competitions and would have followed an academy to become someone bigger, but thinking of that now...I think I prefer this life, a humble life where I can teach kids what I know and help them have what I couldn’t. And meeting you, Y/N, isn’t a burden. It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. You are bright and your energy always brings my mood up, I never heard you once complaining about your blindness and that proves to me just how powerful you really are”

I bit my lower lip, my cheeks heating up as I pushed Coco slightly away.

“Can I stir the sauce now?” I asked quietly, flustered. Did I make him feel like this too? Or is it always just me affected by him?

“Sure” Jongin’s tone was light and I walked to the cooker and took the spoon from the counter, starting to stir it quietly.

“It took us one month” Jongin chuckled and I raised my eyebrows in question “Well you know, to open up a little bit”

“Oh well, we know each other pretty well if you ask me” I shrugged and Jongin nodded.

“I never said we don’t...it just feels nice that you trust me enough to tell me” I hummed, still stirring the sauce as I heard Jongin move.

“Yeah, I trust you” I muttered as I stepped a little aside, placing the spoon back on the counter. Suddenly, Jongin’s warmness surrounded me and I turned around, startled by his closeness. I could feel him hovering over me, I don’t even need to reach out my hand to touch him. My eyes widened, breath stollen, as Jongin cupped my cheeks, fingers grazing my skin softly. They started to travel, from my cheekbones to my nose, eyes, eyebrows, forehead, temple and slowly to my jaw before to my lips. All I wished for was to see Jongin, not just imagine how he looks like, I wanted to look directly into his eyes and see the emotions. My cheeks felt hot and my lips were slightly open, waiting for something to happen. What has gotten into him? Does he like me? Was Sehun and Jongdae right about him?

“You are really beautiful” Jongin whispered and I would have blushed further if it wasn’t for his lips brushing against mine. For a second, I was so shocked that I stood like a rock, trying to process that Jongin was really kissing me. But my eyes fluttered closed and I pushed my lips against his, enjoying their softness and warmness. Jongin’s hands gripped my waist as he stepped closer and I pulled him closer, bodies connecting, as I held onto him. Sure, I did kiss with people before, but it never felt like this. It was sweet and filled with passion. I could actually feel affection radiating from Jongin’s lips. As I lightly pulled on his hair, there was a quiet sigh before Jongin’s teeth was pulling on my lower lip, separating my lips. Without a second thought, I granted him access, his tongue eager to explore my mouth. One hand travelled to his chest as he pushed me against the counter and I felt like my heart was about to explode when he sucked on my tongue. This felt unreal and I never wanted it to stop and wake me up to the cruel reality. But the food was going to burn, and my lungs were going to give up on me if I didn’t pull away...can’t lose them too.

Reluctantly, I pulled away, lips still hovering over Jongin’s as I tried to steady my breathing. It felt magical, definitely better than dancing.

“I wish I could see you right now” I whispered, eyes still closed as I felt Jongin’s fluttering against my cheeks. He pulled back a little, one hand still on my waist as he took my hand off from his chest with the other, and placed it against his warm cheek. Is he blushing?

“Then see me” He whispered and I smiled as slowly, my fingers started tracing his features just like he did to me. His skin felt smooth, almost making me want to always trace it, his cheekbones were prominent but not to the amount of too sharp. His eyes felt sharp and not as big as I expected them to be. His nose wasn’t small, but still delicate, instead of being pointy, it felt like it was more like a downfall. His eyebrows were on point, perfect for his face, forehead not too wide. And then finally, I traced his cheeks, getting to his jaw. It was sharp almost as if chiseled precisely by someone. His lips were plump, but I already felt that, warm and soft. He pressed a kiss against my fingers and I smiled. I never imagined him to be this handsome.

“You are really handsome, Kim Jongin” I muttered with a smile, leaning my forehead against his.

“And you are so beautiful, Choi Y/N” He chuckled as I rolled my eyes and pressed another soft kiss against my lips.

“Let’s try and not burn our dinner though” He muttered and I nodded, pushing him slightly away.

“I’m sure you don’t want to taste Coco’s”

“They are awful” Jongin shuddered as he finally walked away, to get two plates as I turned off the gas.

“How do you know?” I asked with furrowed eyebrows as there was a pause.

“I...tried them…” My laughter just suddenly erupted and I couldn’t hold it back. How is he so dumb? Jongin started laughing too and I realized, Jongin was someone I wanted to keep in my life forever.

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