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hoshiseon-digiarc · 10 months ago

Text

desire ♱ 001

♰ pairings :: ot8 vampire!ateez x fem!witch!reader

♰ genre :: dark fantasy, smut, strangers to ?? to lovers, fluff, maybe slight angst?, soulmates/fated lovers

♰ gen. content :: polyamory , references to religious themes, witchcraft and magick, mythical beings of all kinds, mentions of other idols, vampires with magical abilities, switches povs

♰ chapter warnings :: fear/anxiety, description of injury

♰ word count :: 8.1k 0_0

♰ note :: this took me entirely too long but hey! first chapter woohoo!! this will be my first time ever writing a series but i'm very excited :] pls give me feedback i'd love to hear your thoughts! and if i missed any warnings lmk!!

♰ main m.list | series m.list | next ♰

i've been walking for quite some time, i realize probably much later than i should. the sun had started setting long ago and now the forest was almost too dark to really see anything. but i need this mushroom. if this ointment isn't finished by tomorrow the merchants will never buy it and then how will i feed myself for the next week or so-

snap!

i feel my heart thump against my rib cage as my head whips up at the distinct sound of a twig snapping. i focus my gaze on where the sound came from and watch as a squirrel scuttles up the trunk of a large tree. i feel the tension in my body release a little. great, now i'm being paranoid. if i hadn't gotten so absorbed in that book then maybe i wouldn't have to be out here past dark searching for a damn plant. as i grumble to myself internally, i become less and less aware of my steps which is never good for someone who trips over thin air more than is probably considered normal. and in that moment, the universe seems to prove that point by way of me tripping over a large rock and falling flat on my stomach. i groan as pain shoots through my already bruised knees (from tripping prior to this). brushing off dirt and leaves i stand back up and huff. i accept defeat and turn to hopefully find my way back to my cabin. only to realize, i have no idea where i am. have i seriously wandered so far? i do a 360 and cannot recognize any of the trees surrounding me. anxiety starts to settle in my gut as i come to the conclusion i am very lost. you'd think living in the woods would teach me enough lessons about roaming said woods in the dark...but apparently not. even still, standing here will get me nowhere so i turn back the way (i think) i came from and start to make the journey back. i pray to every god there is that i do not manage to get more lost as i try to keep track of the trees that i am passing… with little luck since its only getting darker.

ssssnap!

i freeze mid step as a branch snaps somewhere behind me. whatever that was sounded much bigger than a squirrel. my heart pounds in my chest as the overwhelming fear twists my gut. reluctantly, my head turns to the sound to see nothing but a vast, dark ocean of trees. the once comforting darkness spikes my paranoia as my eyes struggle to focus on my surroundings. i hear another branch snap and whip my head to my right. still, i see nothing but darkness. this is not good. with no other option, i continue the path i started. anxiety courses through me as i walk and now im acutely more aware of every little sound, down to the puff of my own breath leaving my mouth. as the fear crawls up my spine, i start to walk faster and faster until im damn near jogging. i continuously stumble over the natural debris covering the forest floor but i keep my brisk pace, not bothering to slow down.

as my boots catch on a particularly large tree branch, i fall and look up to see that i seem to have come into a decent sized... clearing. in the middle of the woods? i push myself to my feet and look around to see a near perfect circle of space between the cluster of trees. i step farther out of the tree line and strain my eyes to try and see anything that could help me identify where i am. but i definitely would have remembered this clearing if i'd ever stumbled across it before. i've never seen anything like this in these woods besides the clearing surrounding my own home. as i look around confusedly, i forget that there was a small chance i was being followed by something. instead astonishment replaces the fear as i look around. but not for long. i start to hear the distinct sound of crunching leaves coming from my right. this time my entire body freezes for a fraction of a second and i do not turn to see whatever it is coming for me. instead i turn left and start to run. as i sprint through the tree line, i make it long enough that the clearing behind me starts to morph back into endless trees. but turning back to look proves to be a mistake as i trip once again and fall, unable to catch myself as i collide with the ground. sharp pain shoots through my knee again and i know this time i would not just have a bruise. i wince and cry as i push into the dirt to roll onto my back.

through my fear, i could only hear my boots making contact with the earth beneath me but now that i am still i can definitely hear the pursuit of something coming towards me. it doesn't sound like running but then again i may not be able to hear over the sound of my own pounding heart and heaving breaths. i attempt to scramble to my feet and push through the pain in my leg but i can only manage a weak limping jog. i feel tears pool in my eyes as i stop to lean my side against a tree. there's just no way i'll make it to my cabin like this. and there's no way i'd beat whatever it is that's following me. as the pain in my knee starts to throb, i sink lower until i'm sitting with my back against the tree. through my wallowing i failed to realize that the sound from before had stopped. as i turn my head to look around, i spot a silhouette off to my left. back from where i originally started running. it looks like.... a person? who in their right mind would be out this far? it seems like the seconds drag on as i stare wordlessly at the unmoving figure. i have no options to weigh so i wait. for impending doom most certainly. but there's nothing i can really do. trying to get up again really isn't practical and would just alert them to my location, if they don't see me already.

i blink and suddenly the figure looks a lot closer than they were a second ago. no... my mind is playing tricks on me no one moves that fast. my heart rate kicks into high gear as the figure starts to become larger. they're definitely getting closer. my reflexes kick in and i scramble with no success to get onto my feet. i hear my breath stutter and a cry threatens to leave my lips as the figure finally really comes into view and then stops. though it's still very dark, they're close enough now that i can see the person is a man. he's human looking... enough. but that doesn't really quell my fear. he's still not close enough that he could hear me if i spoke in a normal tone but i know he can see me. i watch as his head tilts to the side for a second before he starts to walk, much slower now, towards me.

"are you injured?" though he's still not very close, his voice carries and i can hear the genuine concern (and confusion) in his tone. he sounds human enough. i nod, not trusting my voice at this current moment. he walks until he's standing an arms length away and then crouches down.

"i apologize. i didn't mean to frighten you, are you lost?" oh. though i tried to focus on his words i became quickly distracted by his voice. a smooth rich tenor that made my brain a little fuzzy. i still can't see his face clearly but he has to be pretty with a voice like that. i was so caught up in my own thoughts i completely ignored his question. "oh, that may not be an appropriate thing to ask... uh if you're okay with it, i may be able to help you." he quickly backpedals once he gets no response from me. it takes me a few seconds to answer but really what have i got to lose? only my literal life. i can't get anywhere like this and there's... something about him. i would say my intuition has never done me wrong and if i'm trusting it, he doesn't seem likely to hurt me. so i nod once again and try to will the shakiness out of my voice.

"okay... i um, i can't walk." i say, my voice quiet as i look to my leg that is still in pain. he follows my gaze as if he could really see what i was referring to. nevermind the dark, he definitely can't see past the two skirts i have on and the knee high socks and combat boots. he seems to realize this fact as he clears his throat and turns back to me.

"i can carry you... if that's alright with you, of course." he answers back. he almost sounds shy... or embarrassed? not being able to see his face clearly is really bugging me but i nod anyway. he moves to make it easier for him to maneuver me before an arm encircles my waist and i'm being lifted from my seated position. i quickly swing my arm to go around his shoulders, ignoring the warmth i feel creeping up my neck, and try to hold most of my weight. once he has me mostly lifted up he scoops his other arm under my legs. i hiss when the movement causes a jolt of pain through my knee.

i feel him tense and i rush to reassure him. "i'm okay, sorry my knee is just.... i'm fine really." i say and he relaxes, letting out a soft ‘okay’ as he stands back up to full height. as he starts to walk i can't help but try and study his face. this close i can see him a bit more clearly but not by much, the only light being from the bright, full moon. i can see enough to notice his hair and the outline of his features but not much more than that. as i look at him, i feel a question bubble to the surface and can't help but voice it.

"why are you helping me?" i ask hesitantly, hoping it doesn't sound like an accusation.

"well... had i not frightened you, you would not have gotten injured. i do sincerely apologize, i had not expected you to run." he says matter-of-factly, like that was the entire reason he approached me in the first place. even though i can feel that that’s not the entire reason he started to follow me, i see nothing else to say so we continue on in silence. i watch as the trees break and we end up back in the clearing. which confuses me but i say nothing. once we're a few paces away from the tree line he stops. expecting to see nothing, i turn and look out into the clearing. except now there's a very large mansion sitting in the middle of it. my jaw drops as i stare. there's absolutely no way i would've missed that! but then i feel it. there's a subtle tremor in the air like a shimmering in the energy. magick. it tingles against my senses and if i didn't practice magick i would never have felt it. but it's definitely there. there’s no way… illusion magick is hardly used anymore and you'll find very few who are able to conjure illusions around anymore, most magick users being wary of them. so how he managed an illusion this strong is beyond me. i reach out with my senses, trying to feel the man's aura but i sense nothing out of the ordinary. he feels… normal. so how in the hell- he's..not alone. as the realization dawns on me, the mansion comes to life, lights turning on inside and out.

"ah, this would probably be a good time to mention that i do not live alone." he says sheepishly as he looks down at my awestruck expression. "most of my housemates should be asleep or off to their own activities so we most likely won't be disturbed." i don't miss the maybes in that statement.

"oh...okay." i breathe out still not believing my eyes. just as he's about to continue walking, the grand front door slowly swings open. i think i hear him mutter something under his breath but i don't pay attention long enough to try and discern what it was. the man standing at the door is tall in stature and i notice a similarity in the way they carry themselves with the grace of someone of high status. almost royal in a way. he strides down the steps towards where we stand but stops farther away than i assumed he was going to.

"who's this?" the taller man says as he looks between me and the man currently cradling me. i probably should've gotten his name. he seems to realize this too as he looks down at me with furrowed brows.

"y/n... i'm y/n." i answer instead, trying to save the awkwardness.

"and i'm yunho, nice to meet you. what...happened, seonghwa?" yunho smiles as he says it but he shares a look with his housemate, who i now know the name of, that i don't understand.

"i startled her and she fell while running. her knee seems to be injured." seonghwa summarizes but there's another look that passes between the two. like they're not just having this conversation out loud.

"ah, i see. well in that case, you're in good hands." yunho shifts his gaze to me and his eyes soften, similar to the way it would if you were trying to console a wounded animal. i can't help but smile at the kindness in his tone. seonghwa walks up to yunho and the latter turns to go back up the steps with us in tow. as we walk through the door, i'm immediately overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the interior. and we're only in the foyer! i can't even begin to imagine the rest of the mansion.

the decor is dark; a blend of black, silver, and shades of red everywhere you turn. in the middle of the foyer sits a small pedestal with a statue of a woman with devilish wings standing atop it. she stares up with long, clawed hands reaching up towards the luxurious chandelier that glitters like diamonds. the floors are dark marbled tile and the ceilings are higher than i thought was ever possible. there's a wide, curved staircase on either side leading up to what i can assume is another beautiful foyer. down the hall in front of us leads to what i can see is the living room on one side and the kitchen and dining area on the other. i can't see the details from here but i see the decor in there is also black and red. the entire place is lit up in a warm glow from the light fixtures lining the walls.

as i admire the opulence, i forget about the two men waiting with me. that is until i feel eyes on me. when i snap out of my daze i see yunho looking at me, there's a gentle smile curving his lips and w o w. in the dark i couldn't make out his features very well but... he is beautiful. even more so than his home. my eyes rove over his tall, lean figure and i try not to let my jaw hang. his brown hair is highlighted with honey blonde streaks throughout and his skin is perfectly clear. he's dressed head to toe in black with a long overcoat that brushes the back of his shins. the only color in his ensemble is the red on the inside of his coat and red accents on the undone buttons of his loose black shirt. the smile curving his lips slowly morphs into a smirk as i continue to stare. we make eye contact and i shift my gaze immediately, embarrassed at having been caught.

"we will have to go upstairs, all of my supplies are in the study at the moment." seonghwa says apologetically, though i only realized halfway through his statement that he was speaking to me. i turn to look up at him and am once again struck by beauty beyond my comprehension. no seriously, what did i walk into? and how many more of them are there?! i try (and fail) to stare less but i can't help it. his eyes are sharp, almost piercing but also kind as he looks at me. blonde strands of hair fall into his eyes and i have the strangest urge to push them away. his skin is clear even this close and he smells delightful. has he smelt like this the whole time and why have i just noticed? i snap out of it quickly enough that neither of them suspects my silence and reassure him that it's fine.

"i'll leave you both to it, i have things to attend to. but if you need anything let me know." yunho smiles and bows his head at me before passing another silent look with seonghwa. he walks away, hands in his pockets as he takes the steps. he turns as he gets to the top, sparing me a last look and there's something i can't put my finger on in his eyes. but then he's disappearing down the hall before i can decipher what his look meant.

seonghwa

i look down at the girl in my arms out of my periphery again. for the millionth time since we arrived at the mansion. i wonder if she's noticed me stealing glances at her. not likely considering she has yet to mention it. i just don't understand. she shouldn't have been able to get into the clearing let alone our home. she stumbled through the barrier completely unaware of the alarm she raised inside these very walls. we all felt it when she passed through. the dim trill in the air, a slight shift in the energy. i can still feel the way my hair stood on edge and my senses heightened. our magick is powerful, we'd made very sure of it. so how was she here? and why? from what i can tell, she seems very human. she smells very human.

she was right to have run at first but then she put up no fight coming here. it made no sense. this poor girl... she has no earthly clue what she's willingly walked herself into. or rather allowed me to lead her into. even now as i carry her up the steps, she seems utterly calm. of course i can still feel the way her heartbeat hasn't gone back to normal and i can feel the nervousness around the edges of her energy. but every time she looks up at me, her eyes are clear. no worry creasing her forehead or apprehension in her gaze. just clear curiosity. and i feel no anxiety with her here. not really. except for the swirling confusion, i feel... relaxed. definitely not how i should feel with an intruder in our veiled home. but i can sense it on yunho too. he wasn't afraid, just curious. maybe a little concerned. for her... she really shouldn't be here.

i look at her once again and can’t help but be endeared at the awestruck expression that hasn’t left her features since we first stepped through the door. her eyes are wide with wonder as she looks around the halls and her lips are slightly parted as she takes everything in. i don’t even realize how long i’m staring, my eyes tracing over her features as we walk. despite how human she looks, she’s… beautiful. in an imperfect way. bright eyes, full lips, round cheeks, moles and freckles scattered across her nose. i watch as her lashes flutter every time she blinks and the way her tongue pokes out to wet her lips before she closes them. she’s enchanting. the thought snaps me out of my trance and i look forward to see us approaching the study.

as we come to the door of the study i can hear the low murmur of voices on the other side. i pause, not wanting to disturb whoever is on the other side and also not wanting anymore of my housemates to know she's here. not that they can't smell her or sense her... but it would be best that no one else saw her. i don’t get much time to ponder my options because within the next second the study door swings open to reveal two more of my housemates. how lovely.

reader

oh you’ve got to be kidding me… i probably have the facial expression of someone who’s just seen a comet but really you can’t blame me. not only am i astonished by the sight of the immaculate study with a large, dark mahogany desk and more shelves of books than i could ever afford. but there’s also two very beautiful men staring at me inquisitively from the open doorway.

“ah, i wasn’t aware we had company.” the shorter of the two says, clear apprehension in his tone as he looks me over. our eyes lock and mine roam over his face, his features somehow both soft and sharp. his blonde hair is styled and he’s dressed in a long, black overcoat that brushes the backs of his knees with red trim on the bottom with a vest over the white button up he wears. the buttons on his garments are all silver as is the jewelry that adorns his wrists and neck. my eyes trail over the necklaces he’s layered, all looking like they’d take me years to scrounge up enough money for one. grand, colored jewels and crosses hang off the chains of multiple while some just look like chain links. i glance back up at his face to see him already looking at me, a smirk curling his lips and a brow quirked. i quickly turn my attention to the man standing next to him to see him already looking at me, his gaze heavy and unreadable. where the other man’s features are softer, his are all sharp. piercing eyes, angled nose, plump lips, and a sharp jawline. he’s dressed in similar clothing except the inside of his coat is a deep purple and he has much more accessories. large rings, long necklaces, a plethora of bracelets. the top few bottons of his shirt are popped open and the muscular planes of his chest are on display. he’s much taller than the other two men and his long, muscular-looking legs show for it. his eyes never leave my face and for some reason, the look in his gaze makes me nervous causing me to look away quickly.

“i apologize, she got injured and i offered my assistance. it is much too dark for anyone to be out there alone. we won’t be very long.” seonghwa says, sounding only slightly apologetic. it seems like he has more to say, an undercurrent to his tone, but he just shares a long look with the shorter male. the two men standing together look to each other, another one of those unspoken looks passing between the two.

“that’s fine, we were… just about finished in here anyway.” the tallest one states and his voice, much deeper than the other two, pulls my gaze back to him. although he was speaking to seonghwa, his intense gaze stayed trained on me. there’s a question in his gaze but i’m not too sure what it’s about. i’m once again forced to look away but not before i got to drink in his features a little. it really shouldn’t surprise me that these two are just as gorgeous as seonghwa and yunho but still i am awestruck by their features. the two leave the room, both brushing past us quickly and not sparing a last glance as they continue down the long hall.

seonghwa very quickly walks into the study and pushes the door closed with his foot. did i hear the lock click or am i imagining things? seonghwa sets me down gently on a soft brown sofa, being conscious of my injured knee. once he sees that i’m mostly comfortable, he paces over to the large desk and rifles through the drawers before pulling out a first aid kit. i take the time to really take in the room, straining my eyes to read the spines of the books i could see from where i sit. i can recognize a plethora of books on foliage and herbs, some i know i have on my own shelves.

“those books are san’s. he takes an interest in anything to do with plants and herbs.” seonghwa’s voice from the desk startles me out of my daze as i look to him. he looks to be pretty busy shuffling through the first aid, i didn’t think he was paying me any mind. but there’s a gentle smile on his face that i know i am not the cause of. there’s a fondness in his tone and aura when he spoke of this san, that must be why he’s smiling.

“well, ’san’ and i have something in common then.” i respond, a smile that mirrors his playing on my lips.

“is that what you were in the forest for?” seonghwa inquires as he rounds the desk with what looks to be an ice pack, black gloves, and bandages in hand.

i nod. “yes, i was looking for something to finish off this ointment i'm making. i was supposed to have it by tomorrow to take into town but… i don't think that's going to happen.” i say the last statement with a sigh as i look down at my hands fiddling in my lap.

seonghwa hums as he comes to stand next to me on the sofa and i take note of how tall he is now that he’s not holding me. he kneels down to be directly in front of my knee, pulling the gloves over his nimble fingers. “well, i truly do not think it’d be safe for you to try and find your way back to your home now that night has fallen. even if one of us went with you, the forest is… different at night. but san may be able to help you find that plant in the morning, if that's something you'd appreciate. i don't assume this area of the forest is familiar to you?” as he speaks, he starts to move my skirts up and out of his way but my socks are still an issue.

i answer him as i lean down to help him remove my boots and socks. “no… no i’m not familiar with this area at all. and i actually have no idea how i found myself over here… i wasn't meant to go too far but then it started to get dark and i lost my way… a few times.” i keep my gaze off him as embarrassment floods my mind. once my clothing is out of the way, we're both able to actually see the injury and i hear seonghwa take a sharp inhale next to me. that doesn't look pretty at all. my knee is inflamed and swollen with a nasty looking bruise right underneath and small cuts all over. i reach out to gingerly press two fingers to it and immediately retract my hand with a hiss.

“how bad is your pain?” i look to seonghwa to see him studying the injury with furrowed brows. his gloved hands are cold as he shifts my leg back and forth, probably trying to gauge my mobility. but even that slight movement causes pain to shoot through my leg and i wince, reflexively trying to move out his gentle grasp. he murmurs an apology as he looks up at me through his lashes. i’m momentarily distracted by his gaze but quickly shake myself out of it.

“it's… pretty bad. there's a dull throb even when i don't move it.” i answer his earlier question and try my hardest to keep still as he grabs a wipe from his lap to start cleaning the cuts. seonghwa nods but otherwise stays quiet as he starts the process of fixing the injury. we sit in silence as he cleans, bandages, and wraps my knee. i find it very difficult to keep my eyes off his face as his hands move nimbly on my skin. his beauty is incomparable, strong brows furrowed with concentration, sharp eyes with pretty lips. as if he can feel my stare, his eyes flick up to mine. i look away quickly pretending to stare at the shelf behind his head. i really hope he can’t hear the way my heartbeat sped up with that nanosecond of eye contact because it feels as if the organ might jump out of my chest. a man i just met should not have this effect on me. get a hold of yourself!

seonghwa continues his work on my knee, seemingly completely unaware of my inner turmoil. between the calming silence and seonghwa’s gentle touches against my leg, i find myself relaxing further and further into my seat. just as my eyes start to feel heavy, a soft knock sounds on the wooden doors. both our heads look to the doors before i hear seonghwa sigh and mumble something along the lines of “excuse me” under his breath. he stands up and brushes the wrinkles out of his pants, making his way to the door. the beautiful, billowy sleeves of his white blouse sway with his arms as they swing at his sides and i watch him walk as if in a trance. i snap myself out of it and instead turn my gaze to inspect my knee. now that it’s cleaned and bandaged it doesn’t look as gruesome. the cool ice pack is relieving the pain and throbbing but the swelling won’t be down for a while. i’ll have to wait for seonghwa to make a decision on whether i’ll require more care or not but it doesn’t feel like anything more than a sprain. i test it out by twisting my leg and of course, feel pain shoot up my leg but surprisingly not as bad as before. my inspection is interrupted when seonghwa opens the door and a voice i recognize speaks up.

“i apologize for disturbing you but hongjoong needs you. right now.” i hear seonghwa make a disapproving sound and i turn to look at the two. yunho’s already looking at me and seonghwa seems to be hesitant to leave.

“i’m sure i’ll be fine, you can leave me if you need to attend to other things. can’t do much like this anyway.” i gesture to my leg and try to smile reassuringly. truthfully, the thought of being left alone in this beautiful strange home is making me nervous but i don’t need either of them to know that. both their brows furrow as they listen to me, neither of them really trusting my words. finally, seonghwa nods with a resigned sigh.

“i would not advise putting pressure on it but you should be alright to walk soon. allow the swelling some time to alleviate and do be careful.” he instructs and turns with a bow. yunho comes into the study and closes the door behind him. he takes long strides to the sofa opposite of mine and takes his seat. just like with seonghwa, i become entranced with the way he moves so gracefully despite his long limbs and stature.

“if you don’t mind me asking, how’d you do that?” yunho inquires curiously. his eyes are on my bandaged knee and he flicks them to my face for a second before looking back.

mildly embarrassed, i laugh before explaining how i’d gotten here. i choose to leave out the part where seonghwa absolutely terrified me and pretend that me falling was all my own doing. i brush my hair back out of my face as i finish my spiel and it dawns on me that i probably look an absolute mess. i suppress the urge to cringe into myself, suddenly self-conscious.

if yunho notices my sudden shift in attitude, he doesn’t mention it. instead he hums and nods as he looks back to me. “how does it feel? i know seonghwa’s pretty skilled with things like that. are you in any pain?” he asks and something about his voice puts my nerves at ease. i try not to think any longer about how the man sitting in front of me makes me feel and focus on answering his questions.

i shrug and shift my knee back and forth but notice the pain has subsided significantly. huh… that’s strange. “well… it doesn’t really seem to hurt at all anymore. doing this before hurt quite a bit but now i feel… fine.” i say, confusion lacing my words. i bend my knee experimentally and although it feels sore, the pain is barely noticeable. my brows furrow and i put my leg back down. yunho seems to understand my confusion and chuckles.

“seonghwa’s got a way with wounds. we’ve all experienced it, trust me. you’ll be back to normal quite fast.” he stands and walks over to the desk, putting away the supplies seonghwa left out by accident. as he busies himself with that, i feel my attention shift back to the row of herbal books. one book in particular standing out to me. the spine is dark green with big, gold letters in a beautiful font and on the base, a golden honey cup mushroom.

“would you like to read it?” i hear yunho’s voice from behind me and i jump, obviously too distracted to have noticed him move from the desk. he chuckles under his breath and the sound gives me butterflies. i shake away the feeling, internally reprimanding myself. “sorry, i didn’t mean to scare you. those are sannie’s books but i’m sure he wouldn’t mind you taking a look. do you want me to get it for you?” i turn around to see him leaning back against the shelves behind the sofa i’m on. this man is sinfully beautiful.

clearing my throat, i respond. “no no, i think i can get up.” i lean down and pull my socks back on before carefully swinging my legs over to plant my feet on the marbled floors. i hear rustling behind me and see yunho making his way around the sofa. i push my hands into the cushions underneath me as i try to stand. yunho extends an arm to me a little panickedly, not trusting my balance and injured knee. but i wave my hand and get to my feet on my own. once i’m standing, i make sure to shift my weight to the non-injured leg and take a step. my face scrunches as i feel the soreness in my knee but it’s nothing i haven’t handled before.

i limp my way over to the shelf and immediately my gaze zeros in on the pretty green book. i run my index finger over the lettering that reads “Mushroom Magick” before gently pulling it off the shelf. the cover has the same phrase with many different kinds of mushrooms decorating a circle around the words. the book feels familiar even though i know i don’t own this one and i flip to a random page. the page has a plethora of notes scrawled in rushed handwriting with highlights on phrases the owner of the book deemed important. i smile to myself reading some of the notes i assume the aforementioned ‘sannie’ left. i continue to flip through and read over the random notes they left before i finally come to a page without any annotations. this is where i assume they left off but i continue to skim through the pages until a presence behind me breaks my focus. i snap my head to see yunho standing a few paces behind me with his hands behind his back. he seems startled by the way i turned but recovers quickly with a polite smile.

“i’m sorry to disturb you… but i promised seonghwa i’d make sure you were resting and i noticed your shifting. you can bring the book with you to the sofa, you probably shouldn’t be standing on your leg for so long.” yunho explains as he gestures to said sofa. in all honesty, i hadn’t even noticed my shifting so his observation is impressive… but that also means he’d been watching me pretty carefully and the thought makes me a little nervous. i have half the mind to decline his offer but a part of me feels like he’s more persistent than that. with a resigned sigh and nod, i limp back over to the sofa, mushroom book in my hand with my index finger in between the page i’m on to make sure i don’t lose it. i take my seat and he follows suit sitting, with much more grace than i had, on the sofa opposite to me. i notice his lack of entertainment and wonder for a second what he’s going to do while we sit here but decide that’s none of my concern before opening the book back up to the page i was on.

the room is silent save for the sound of our a clock ticking and the pages of the book in my hands turning. i become quickly engrossed in what i’m reading, so much so i pay no mind to the man in the room with me. though i did look up one time when he got up to go to the desk. and maybe i stared at his figure for much longer than was necessary. it’s not like he noticed, by the time he’d turned back around my nose was in my book. a few more minutes and pages later, he gets back up again. this time he goes to examine a different shelf, one i can’t decipher the contents of from where i’m sat. i watch as he paces before he sighs softly to himself. he must feel my eyes because he swivels to turn to me. i snap my head down and try to refocus on the book but i can see from my periphery, him making his way over to the other sofa. i look up again as he sits and send him a small smile which he returns. i can see he wants to say something so i wait for him to speak before turning away.

“would you… like a tour of the mansion? i can see you’re enjoying your book so i apologize but… i feel i might lose it being stuck in this room.” his smile is shy as he asks. he tries to look relaxed but the bouncing of his leg is hard to miss. i consider his offer as i stare at the ground, not really able to look any of them in the eye for very long. what i’d seen of their home was absolutely atonisihing and it’s hard for me to even imagine what the rest may look like so out of sheer curiosity (and maybe a small desire to want to be around his calming presence) i nod my agreement.

his smile widens as he stands, holding his hands behind his back. i close the book, making a mental note of the page i was on in case i come back before placing it down on the cushion beside me. i get to my feet and i see yunho’s arm come from behind his back, probably to offer me support, but then he retracts it just as quickly when he sees me walking fine on my own. i start for the door, listening as yunho falls into step behind me. once we reach the door he side steps around me and reaches for the handle, pushing the door open and letting me step out into the hallway before him. the house is quiet as i look down the long hallways, yunho closing the door behind me before coming up on my right side. he smiles down at me as i look to him for directions and standing this close i can finally see just how tall he is. he gestures down the hallway to our right and turns to start walking, me having to play catch up to keep in time with his long strides.

“hongjoong, seonghwa, and i designed this entire place ourselves. though most of the detail was seonghwa hyungs’ ideas.” he explains as we keep a leisure pace, allowing me to take in the beautiful architecture and artwork on the walls. we pass by many doors, yunho telling me what lies behind each one as we pass. another smaller study that only a few of them use, a few bedrooms one of which is unoccupied, a library that belongs to someone named ‘yeosang’. the heels of our boots clack against the marbled tile floors and his coat rustles as it fans out behind his long legs in the same way my skirts rustle as i walk. but a beautiful painting stops me in my tracks and yunho slows to a stop alongside me. i reach my hand out to brush over the canvas with barely my fingertips, mouth agape in awe. in the painting a beautiful woman with wings much like the ones on the statue in the foyer sits in the middle of a meadow, in one hand a large pomegranate and the other a skull of an animal. her lips are stained red with the juices of the pomegranate but the way she’s depicted licking it off her teeth as the juice drips off her tongue makes it look like blood. she’s completely nude, skin glowing from the light of the pale moon in the dark, starry sky over her head. a crow sits perched near her feet, picking at the seeds she took out the pomegranate and a cat is curled by her side, sleeping peacefully. her long dark hair flows beautifully down to her thighs, nearly brushing over the sleeping kittens ears.

it’s completely unlike any painting i’ve seen, the artist putting such detail into the setting and atmosphere of the scene depicted. there’s something serene and intimate about the mood, like your’e peeking in on a moment between this woman and her companions. i turn to look at yunho to see him admiring the painting much like i was just doing. there’s a faint smile on his lips as his eyes trace over it before looking over to me. it’s then that the feeling one of the residents of this home must have painted this themselves presents itself in my thoughts.

“it took yeosang years to perfect this masterpiece but it’s one of his most prized pieces of work.” yunho confirms my previous suspicions as he brings up this ‘yeosang’ once again. looking back to the painting i can offer no other response but open-mouted awe. yunho chuckles at my expression. “yeosangie would be very flattered by your clear admiration. would you like to see more of his art or the rest of this wing?” he leaves the choice up to me as if it’s an easy decision. i look at him and then down the hall, lips parting to answer but the sound of a door opening pulls both of our attention. yunho turns to face down the hallway ahead of us as a figure steps out the opened door into the hallway with us. from the way he’s positioned, the other person can probably barely see me behind yunho’s giant figure. i try to step to the side to see down the hall but yunho’s arm closest to me moves up very subtly, a silent way of telling me to stay put.

“yunho? who were you talking to?” a clear, slightly husky voice asks. it sounds like whoever it was has just woken up.

“ah… no on-” yunho starts to deny my presence for reasons i don’t understand. a pit forms in my gut as anxiety creeps up my spine. why wouldn’t this other man be able to know i was here? i shift my weight to my non-injured leg, biting at my bottom lip nervously. the movement was a mistake because my skirts shift and ripple behind yunho’s legs. the other man’s eye immediately zone in on the movement and i freeze. i see yunho’s shoulders tense as the other man’s gaze slowly trails back up to look his housemate in the eye. then yunho releases a puff of air letting his shoulders drop and he steps to the side ever so slightly. “seonghwa brought her here. she got lost in the forest and hurt herself. i was just showing her around.” yunho explains, sounding defeated. the other man looks me over with his head tilted and cat-like eyes narrowed in suspicion. he’s not as tall as yunho but is broader than him, wide shoulders drawing my attention even from this distance. his jet black hair is ruffled from having just been asleep. he’s clad in a black t-shirt and sweatpants, the most casual dress of any the men i’ve seen thus far. our gazes lock and he seems to be trying to read me as he stares, eyes flitting around my face.

yunho breaks the tense silence by clearing his throat. “y/n, this is san. i think i mentioned him to you earlier in the study. san, this is y/n.” all san does in response is hum, looking away from me back to yunho.

“does hongjoong know you’re showing her around?” san inquires, brow raised. yunho looks away, scratching the back of neck nervously. ah, that must’ve been why he didn’t want san to see me. but who was this ‘hongjoong’? every time he’s been mentioned, they speak of him in this high regard. “yunho… do you even know how long seonghwa plans on keeping her here? should she really be seeing… everyone?” as he asks the last question, san’s gaze turns to me again. there isn’t as much hardness in his gaze, just apprehension. like he doesn’t trust me. i suppose that would make sense, i am a random stranger in his home. yunho opens his mouth to speak but i cut in before he can get whatever he was going to say out.

“i don’t plan on being here much longer, i assure you. i appreciate all of seonghwa’s kindness but i have things to attend to back at my own home. he was just offering me shelter for the night since it’s dark and i lost my way. in the morning, i’ll be going back to my cottage.” i answer san’s inquiries with a polite smile. both men turn to me as i speak and san’s eyebrow quirks up again.

“uh, weren’t you searching for something? san may be able to help you find it!” yunho says, head turning back to the other man who gives him an incredulous look.

san sighs as he looks back to me, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “what is it you were looking for?” he asks in a bored tone that offends me ever so slightly. what is his issue?

“you don’t have to help me, i’m perfectly capable of finding it on my own.” i answer with indignation, matching his stance. san’s bored expression breaks as he tries to fight off a smirk.

“if that were the case, would you have gotten yourself lost?” he asks with an irritating self-satified smirk on his lips. my arms drop from my chest as my brows furrow but san pays me no more mind, turning back to his bedroom door. “if you’d like my help, yunho or seonghwa can bring you to me tomorrow morning.” and with that he walks into his room and shuts the door behind himself. yunho and i are left in the silent hallway as irritation stirs in my gut.

“do you… still want to see the rest?” yunho asks softly as he looks at me.

i turn to him and smile. “yes, you were saying something about seeing more of the art?”

♰ note :: cliffhanger tehe >:) and we met quite a few members... pls pls leave feedback i want to hear you thoughts!! if you enjoyed consider rbing.

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eightmakesonebraincell · 1 year ago

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[fic rec mlist] ot8 x reader | multi x reader

main mlist | next (member-specific)

only general themes and tags are listed - please read through the author's specific tags and warnings

both sfw and nsfw fics are included. minors please dni with nsfw fics and respect the age restrictions put into place by the writers (suggestive, smut, and trigger warnings are highlighted in red)

🩶 favourites

into the aurora | @honeyhotteoks 🩶

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: idol!ateez x non-idol!reader, fluff, angst, smut, trigger warnings

length: 35/35 chapters [completed] - 208.6k

you didn’t expect to run into choi san outside of the venue, especially when your phone was dead and you were stranded in a random city. a kind offer for a phone charger turns into so much more, and you end up falling into a relationship with all eight members of ateez.

murphy's law | @atzfilm

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: alien!ateez, soulmate au, angst, fluff, smut, trigger warnings

length: 5/5 chapters [completed] - 98k

according to murphy’s law, everything that can go wrong will go wrong. black holes circle each other until they collide and merge, a cataclysm so fierce, sends ripples soaring through the fabric, crossing thousands of kilometers within a fraction of a second, leaving behind a wave on the space-time continuum. that’s the simplest way you can describe meeting him. and yet, even that is an understatement.

dewdrops at dawn | @sunmoonjune 🩶

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: demon!au, fluff, angst, heavy suggestive content, trigger warnings

length: oneshot - 17.2k

you’ve never really believed in angels, or anything of the sort, but in a last ditch effort to escape a grave situation – you find yourself to praying for someone - anyone - to come help you. “wow, you would not believe how fast angels are! I had to fight like six of them to answer your call!”

oh my *** | @ohmyamor

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: guardian angel!au, fluff, angst, comfort, near death experiences

length: oneshot - 10.2k

everyone supposedly has a guardian angel, one that’s tasked to always keep their human out of trouble and on the right path of life. but you don’t just have one, you have...eight?!

like the moon | @sunmoonjune 🩶🩶

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: hurt/comfort, fluff, angst, heavy themes, trigger warnings

length: 17/? chapters [ongoing] - 160k

it’s finally the day of your trial. you’ve been waiting for this day for years. will you succeed and become a warrior your clan can finally be proud of? or will you fail, and be banished from the village forever?

the rainbow thief | @bluehwale

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: demigods!ateez, fluff, crack, angst

length: 2/3 chapters [indefinite hiatus] - 5.1k

camp half blood introduces you to a new life — new routines, a goddess as a mom, siblings you've only recently knew about, and of course, the eight friends (or lovers?) you made along the way.

first flight to hongkong | @byuntrash101

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: flight attendant!reader, smut

length: oneshot - 18.3k

yes, you’re suprised when your company offers you a vacant spot in the vip crew. but “surprised” doesn’t cut it when you discover what kind of service your company provides the vips

front row angel au | @bobateastay

pairing: ot8 x reader, some parts ot8-focused

genre: emo rock band!ateez x fangirl!reader, fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, smut, trigger warnings

length: 6/? parts [status unknown] - 17.9k

nil author synopsis

[new chapter added] misfits | @tainsan

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: college!au, fluff, angst, smut

length: 13/? chapters [ongoing] - 113.3k

when your world comes crashing down, the only people who are able to comfort you are the notorious group, ateez. you’ve heard rumours after rumours about the eight males who are as cold as ice, yet for some reason, they are the warmest people you know. when they offer you a place to live after your housing is destroyed by a fire, you end up finding out dark secrets that have been hidden for years.

without a trace | @stayarmytinyzenmoa-l 🩶

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: vigilante!au, action, angst, slight crack, heavy themes

length: 11/11 chapters + 10/10 podcast transcripts [completed] - 98.6k

vigilante work has been outlawed, thus sending nine prominent vigilantes either into retirement or into lower ground and, while some abide by the law, a few continue on. then, one day, a greater threat forces these vigilantes to come together once again, regardless of the law.

pirate king | @chaseatinydream 🩶

pairing: hongjoong x reader, wooyoung x reader

genre: pirate!au, fantasy, romance

length: 90/90 chapters [completed] - 251.8k

life as an amnesiac on board a pirate ship ruled by the one and only pirate king doesn’t seem very promising, but hey, anything’s better than becoming shark food.

this night together | @honeyhotteoks 🩶

pairing: yunho x mingi x reader, ft. seonghwa x san x wooyoung x reader

genre: a/b/o/omegaverse, fluff, angst, smut, trigger warnings

length: 14/? chapters [ongoing] - 126.5k

you’re finally getting your dream job, working with some of the best dancers in the business, but a job change means a break in your healthcare coverage and suppressants these days are expensive. going into heat at the studio pretty much seems like the worst case scenario, but you find yourself in the care of two alphas who won’t let you go through it alone.

not all that glitters is gold | @the7thcrow

pairing: seonghwa x san x wooyoung x reader

genre: action, adventure, fantasy, romance, angst, fluff, suggestive

length: 11/? chapters [ongoing] - 146.4k

as a princess fleeing a royal assassination attempt, you have no choice but to put your trust in a band of three thieves in order to reach the kingdom of kuroku alive. however, amongst magic, deceit, and the bounty hunters that are hot on your trail, you realize that you might have stumbled upon a relationship far more complicated than what meets the eye.

making wishes | @hwaightme

pairing: seonghwa x wooyoung x reader

genre: fluff, established relationship to poly, smut

length: oneshot - 7.0k

making wishes on shooting stars, on burning candles, you wanted one thing to come true. seonghwa and wooyoung are more than willing to celebrate the birthday girl.

outlaw miniseries | @hongism

pairing: yunho x jongho x reader (part iii), san x wooyoung x reader (part vi - coming soon)

genre: outlaw!ateez, dystopian futurism, lore, angst, fluff, smut

length: 3/6 standalone parts [ongoing] - 14.8k

(part iii) ‘two for the price of one!’ the sign outside the shop had read, and well, you’ve never been one to pass up on a good deal.

(part vi) author synopsis coming soon

we ransacked the city | @tenelkadjowrites

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa x reader

genre: richsnobs!hongjoong and seonghwa, badgirl!reader, angst, smut

length: 5/5 chapters [completed] - 31.4k

five years ago, torn between losing your wealth or remaining friends with hongjoong and seonghwa, you chose money. working on leaving your life of bad behaviour behind you, your days are now spent obeying your parents and playing the good girl in order to keep your inheritance. but when hongjoong and seonghwa suddenly return, everything is thrown upside down…and old habits die hard.

letters to a ruined king | @setsugekka (nb: links to ao3 as fic is no longer available on tumblr. author permission to share received)

pairing: hongjoong x reader, seonghwa x reader, yunho x reader, san x reader

genre: pirate!au, royalty!au, fantasy, romance, action, angst, smut

length: 20/20 chapters [completed] - 150.8k

if there’s one thing you remember as a mantra from growing up in a street thief guild, it’s ‘trust no one but your own, don’t get wrapped up with the wrong crowd.’ unfortunately, these seven pirates and their irate captain have left you with little choice.

as the world caves in (to eden) | @atzfilm (nb: links to ao3 as fic is no longer available on tumblr. author permission to share received)

pairing: hongjoong x reader, san x reader, wooyoung x reader, ? x reader

genre: apocalypse!au, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, fluff, angst, smut, trigger warnings

length: 11/? chapters [hiatus] - 55.2k

a mysterious virus has taken over the world, resulting in the undead and the new ‘eden race’ of humans. desperately trying to find your brother jongho with your friends, you stumble across another group in an abandoned hospital tent. strangely, they’re looking for him as well.

better than me? | @beahae

pairing: san x reader, ft. seonghwa x yunho x wooyoung x reader

genre: bf!san x reader x bf's best friends!seonghwa yunho wooyoung, smut

length: twoshot - 10.4k

it’s always been just a harmless game, flirting with your boyfriend, san’s, good friends. he’s even in on it. but one night, he starts pushing things further than ever before.

last updated: 01 april 2024

1K notes · View notes

mint-yooxgi · 2 years ago

Text

Lethal Protectors - Yandere!Vampires!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Vampire AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader

Words: 6,410

Warnings: Violence and blood. Implied stalking. Past trauma and mentions of a physical assault which almost need in death. Scars. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Well, I never expected this to become this long, but it's based on a dream I had during a nap I took last night lol. Not much, but I hope you enjoy! As always feedback is greatly appreciated!

The trip back to your hometown was meant to be short. Nothing more than a pitstop, really. Say hello to your family, maybe even some friends, then be on your way again. You never expected it to turn into a full month. A month filled with people constantly telling you to stay away from them.

Who were they, and why did the eight of them always suddenly seem to miraculously appear around you whenever you were out?

You’d go to the store for some food, and suddenly Yeosang and Seonghwa are bickering in the next aisle over about the prices for cereal, while San and Wooyoung gather produce. Other times, you’d run out to grab coffee in the mornings for yourself and your family, only for Hongjoong and Yunho to appear in line behind you, chatting you up about the weather the town has been having lately. You’ve ran into Mingi and Jongho more times than you can count at different thrift stores, that you’re starting to think they might be stalking you.

The odd thing is, growing up in such a small town, you think you’d remember them. It’s not that they aren’t nice people, or so they seem. You just trust your neighbour, Missus Benson who you’ve known for years over eight complete strangers.

Then, the rumours started. Your old school delinquent who’s always had it in for you wanted to ‘talk’. You know exactly what that’s code for, so you started going out less and less, being cautious to always go out with either your parents, or someone you knew to avoid running into an ‘old friend’.

Only, you weren’t the only one that noticed.

Over the past month, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, you have been growing closer to those eight mysterious men. Yunho and Wooyoung never fail to make you laugh, or crack a smile, even unwillingly. Seonghwa and Jongho are always there with recommendations for natural remedies for sudden aches and pains. Both Hongjoong and Mingi quite enjoy talking to you about music, a topic you never really got to discuss in full with any of your other friends, and both San and Yeosang are great at giving advice, even subtly.

It’s a cold Thursday morning when you coincidentally run into Yunho at the coffee shop. He looks concerned, but as soon as you bring it up, it’s like his expression does a one-eighty.

“Just worried about you, is all.” He smiles politely. “Haven’t seen you around lately.”

The corner of your lips twitch upwards as you tense, “Been busy.”

“Is everything okay?” His brow furrows, concern immediately washing over his features.

“Yeah…” Movement outside the coffee shop draws your attention, and you’re quick to head towards the side entrance. “Sorry, Yun, I’ve really got to go. Talk to you later?”

The sound of the front bell jingling is synonymous with the side door slamming shut, the tall male standing there as he blinks in shock. Clearly something isn’t right, and when he turns back around to face front, he thinks he gets his answer.

***

It’s a misty Monday morning when you find yourself beginning to feel too cooped up in the house. Your whole mind is wound, and every little thing seems to set you off - your mother not muting her phone when she watches funny little videos, the sound of your father’s typing on his laptop. Hell, even the sound of the dog’s nails on the floor running back and forth as your sister plays with him is grating on your every nerve.

Which is why when the mid-afternoon rolls around, you decide that you’ve had enough.

“I’m going for a walk!” You call out, not even waiting for a response as you sling your jacket over your one shoulder, and step outside.

The front door slams shut behind you, finalizing the sudden decision. You’ll take your chances traversing the familiar forest across the street. Ryder doesn’t live in this immediate neighbourhood, anyways, and it’s far too dreary a day for him to be out and about. At least, in your opinion.

Sliding your jacket onto your arms, you’re quick to cross the street. The area seems particularly quiet, but with the grey clouds hanging in the sky, the mist clinging to the air, you understand why.

A small smile tugs at your features as you pause just before the one entrance to the forest. It’s been a while since you went traversing through the woods like you were a kid again, and you can already feel the calming effects of the crisp air cooling your every sense.

Without another thought, you begin.

You walk your old path twice before deciding to sit yourself down at your favourite spot, just beside the small pond in the middle of the woods. A fallen tree provides a natural bench as you stare out across the water, some ducks swimming across the surface.

You can hear the sounds of natural all around you: leaves rustling as the wind drifts through the trees, bugs humming in the background while animals forage for food. Every now and then, you can hear feet shuffling in the underbrush as a couple or two walk by with their dog, holding hands and smiling at you politely as you turn to say hello.

It’s been a while since you’ve fully submersed yourself like this, and to say you’ve missed it would be a huge understatement. Getting out of the house, especially on a day like today, a day with weather you’ve always been fond of, has done wonders for your mood. Enough so, that you practically forget all about Ryder for the moment. Or, at least, he doesn’t worry you as much as before. Really, what can he do to you now that he didn’t back then?

The sound of approaching footsteps trudging along the path draws your attention. Turning reveals a girl about your age with shoulder length golden locks hanging in loose curls approaching you. The closer she gets, the more you realize how blue her eyes are, and just how familiar she looks.

Her head tilts as she pauses in her steps, a curious call of your name falling from your lips. “Do you remember me?”

You smile, standing back to your feet as you face her. “Of course I do!”

She mirrors your expression as you both hug each other.

“It’s good to see you again, Gabrielle!” You comment, pulling away from her for the moment. “I haven’t seen you since elementary school.”

“You look so different!” She chuckles. “Then again, I imagine so do I.”

You nod, sharing a small laugh with her.

“I know we weren’t really close in school, but would you like to walk with me for a bit and catch up?” She offers, motioning down that all too familiar path that leads to the side roads.

“Sure!” You readily agree, already falling into step beside her.

The two of you talk for about an hour, sharing some details of your lives and what you’re up to now-a-days. Only, you see her brow furrowing slightly in worry as you approach that little pond area you first met once more.

“You mentioned meeting some new faces when you came back for a visit,” she chews on her bottom lip. “Did I hear you right when you said you’ve met Yunho?”

Your own brow furrows slightly, “Yeah. What about him?”

“He and his friends are no good.” She warns you, suddenly grabbing your arms in her hands. “You need to stay away from them.”

“Why does everybody keep saying that?” You shake your head, not quite understanding their concern. “They all seem like nice guys to me.”

“They showed up in town about two years ago, right around the time those animal attacks started happening.” She explains. “So many people have been run out of town, or have left because of them.”

“The guys, or the animal attacks?” You inquire, this being the first time you’ve heard anything about there being any sort of animal attacks nearby.

“It doesn’t matter,” she shakes her head. “They’re dangerous people. Don’t go anywhere near them.”

“No, the person I need to stay away from is Ryder.” You comment, gently removing her hands from your arms. “He still seems to hold a grudge towards me since high school.”

“He followed you to high school?” She blinks, almost dumbfounded, at you.

Quickly, you shift your head from side to side, as if checking if the coast is clear. You’ve had this sneaking suspicion that you’re being watched ever since you entered the forest, but it’s only just recently gotten stronger. Once you determine that no one is around, you motion her closer.

“Gabi, he almost killed me.” Your voice is no more than a whisper as a harsh wind blows passed. Gently, you grip the edge of your shirt, shifting slightly to raise it to about the bottom of your ribs.

Her eyes widen, a gasp escaping her lips as her hands come up to cover her mouth.

“Final year, he cornered me in the locker room.” You let the material of your shirt fall back down to cover the jagged scar on your body, spanning from below your ribs on your right side, all the way across your stomach, and almost to your left hip. “Didn’t even use a blade, but a broken piece of glass from the window he smashed to get in.”

“That’s horrible!” Her whole body trembles. “I’m so sorry that happened!”

“Because it happened before his eighteenth birthday, they couldn’t try him as an adult yet. He got two months in juvie and a slap on the wrist. I got twenty-four stitches, and six months in recovery.” You avert your gaze. “I’m assuming he’s looking for me to finish what he started.”

“But why?” She meets your gaze, tears lining her vision.

“I don’t know,” you shrug, straightening out the front of your jacket. “I never asked, nor did I want to.”

“You should get home, then!” She replies frantically, checking her watch. “Ryder and his gang enjoy hanging out at that entrance over there with their bikes in the evenings. It’s almost around the time he gets here.”

Frantically, she starts tugging your hand to lead you in the opposite direction.

Faintly, you begin to hear the sound of motorcycles revving in the distance.

“Hurry!” She tugs you along, sparing a glance behind you only for her eyes to widen. “Shit. I can just make out some of their bikes at the edge of the path. Sometimes they like to joyride through here cause it’s wide and flat enough. Let me see if I can go distract them for a bit. I’ll meet you at the front entrance in five!”

Without waiting for a response, she pushes you behind her and down the path. You can only watch as she scurries off towards the sound of revving bikes and obnoxious laughter.

Reluctantly, you part ways, looking back over your shoulder every now and then to see if you can still catch a glimpse of Gabrielle. Only, the further you get, the harder it is to tell if she’s alright. She took a big risk doing this for you, especially since you don’t really know her all that well anymore, and you both were never really close to begin with. Still, you will not forget her kindness that easily.

At least Ryder shouldn’t hurt her. From what you recall, he was always trying to impress her in elementary school.

Just as you breach the forest entrance she told you to wait by, your eyes widen. What if she did this to set you up?

No. Her shocked reaction was too genuine to fake. Besides, she was never like that before, and you do not think she’s like that now. Either way, she should be back with you in a minute.

Five more minutes pass by, and you’ve still yet to see any sight, nor hear any sound of Gabrielle. Your worry skyrockets with each passing second, and you know you’re not that far from the side road if you decided to cut through the bush. Something must have happened.

At the shriek of fear you hear faintly in the distance, you know something’s wrong. Even that creeping sense of being watched has left you about twelve minutes ago, and you don’t know what’s going on. Either way, you’re not going to leave Gabi to the same fate you suffered under at the hands of this man. If he wants you, then that’s exactly who he’s going to get.

It takes you less than two minutes to reach the entrance at the side of the road, creeping along the trees to avoid being seen for as long as you can. You turn your head left to see nothing, only to turn right and see about six males sitting around on motorcycles, Gabrielle being held in their midst. She struggles to free herself, a switchblade being pressed to her throat by Ryder who wears a smug grin as he whispers lowly into her ear.

“Ryder.” Your stern voice draws all of their attention as you step out of the woods. “Let her go.”

“Ah, there you are.” He hums, fingers tightening on the back of Gabrielle’s neck. “Took you long enough to show up. You know I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Let her go, she has nothing to do with this.” You keep your voice calm, hands raised defensively in front of you as you keep a fair amount of distance between you and the six men. “You wanted me, not her.”

“I suppose you took the bait easily enough.” He chuckles, shoving Gabi to the ground.

Tears stream freely down Gabi’s cheeks as she scrambles away. All the other males offer her is condescending chuckles, tripping her as she attempts to escape.

Gabrielle runs over to you, a small scrape cut into the skin of her left eyebrow. Her hands once more find purchase on your arms, soft apologies falling from her lips.

“It’s okay.” You assure her. “Get home safely, I’ll be fine.”

She squeezes your arms, rushing back off into the suddenly silent woods and out of sight.

“So, you’ve finally returned after years of staying away, huh?” Ryder scoffs, standing from his motorcycle and slowly stalking towards you like a predator would its prey. “What made you stay? I thought you swore to never spend more than one evening in this town if you could.”

“Oh, you know,” you reply casually, backing up all the while. “Lease was about to renew, landlord raised the rent, apartment flooded. The usual.”

“Convenient,” he grins, and the sight only serves to unnerve you. “Had nowhere else to go expect dear old mom and dad.”

“You should know.” You reply bluntly.

Everyone you’ve talked to has explained how much of a deadbeat Ryder is. He’s always trashing the town and causing mischief, but he never gets penalized for it. Bastard’s dad is a cop, no wonder he only really got off with a slap on the wrist when he hurt you all those years ago.

“How’s that scar?” He tilts his head mockingly. “Did wonders to improve your ugly features. Too bad it didn’t kill you.” He pauses ten feet from you, that switch blade getting flipped menacingly in his hand. “Want some more?”

You run; without wasting another precious moment, you turn and flee.

The sound of revving engines reach your ears as you stick to the edge of the road. You’ll have better chances of a car coming by than with people walking through the woods this late in the evening. So, you take your chances on a flat path, sprinting along the wet pavement as the mist continues to hang in the air.

Only, you don’t get very far, for two of his lackeys nearly run you off of the road when they swerve in front of you. The others are quick to surround you, but you don’t even have much time to think before you feel yourself get harshly tackled to the ground.

Blow after blow is given to you, blood seeping out of cuts all along your body. Ryder lets each of his men take turns beating you, saving the knife until the very end when you can no longer feel your right arm, or the left side of your face.

Slowly, meticulously, he reopens that cut he gave you all those years ago. He’s not gentle, either, and all you can think of is that this is just like the first time, only worse. This time, there are witnesses who choose not to help you, screams and pleas of mercy falling on deaf ears.

“There,” he stands back to his feet, spitting on you all the while. “Maybe if you’re lucky, someone on their morning commute will find you.” He kicks you one more time for good measure as your vision begins to fade. “If you’re that lucky, this time.”

Nothing but the sound of their maniacal laughter echoes through your mind as they rev their engines once more. The last thing you see before your world goes black is the faint glow of taillights driving off into the distance.

***

You don’t know how much time has passed, but you do recognize a few things.

One: you’re terribly cold. You can barely feel your body, and consciousness is a battle to maintain as your whole being aches with a pain unlike anything ever before.

Two: you are no longer alone.

Someone seems to be calling your name frantically, your body being held within that person’s embrace. Their caress is tender, cautious not to aggravate your wounds any further than they already are.

Groggily, your eyes blink open, whole body tensing as you hear three unnatural roars sound from just off to your right.

“Tell them to calm down!” The voice holding onto you snaps at someone to their left. “They’re scaring her.”

Finally, your gaze refocusses, and you can just make out the features of the man holding you. Your lips part, his name but a muted whisper as you attempt to speak.

“Shhh,” Yunho coos, brushing a hand tenderly over the top of your head. “We’re here now. It’ll all be okay.”

Faintly, you register the sound of someone pacing just by your head.

“This is all my fault,” a deep voice sounds from above you. It must be whoever was pacing, for they seem to have stopped for the moment. “If I didn’t leave her alone to come get all of you, this never would have happened.”

“You did what any one of us would have, Yeosang.” Another voice replies, a slight sigh on his lips. “If we all hadn’t of gotten here when we did, it would be much worse.”

“Here,” Seonghwa comes to kneel beside you, his arm shaking as he brings his wrist to your lips, “Drink this.”

You try to protest, to resist the red liquid which pours soothingly down your throat, but you cannot. You are far too weak at the moment to do anything other than obey, and besides, you’ll probably die soon. So, what’s the difference if you comply with the wishes of a strange request?

Only, the moment the warmth touches your tongue, you begin to feel strength returning to you. Your breathing is evening out with every breath you take, your wounds slowly seeming to close. The pain is starting to dissipate, and you find you are regaining feeling in all parts of your body.

Your vision clears further, and you can see Hongjoong standing off to the side, both him and Wooyoung looking absolutely livid as the sound of snapping branches reaches your ears. Shifting your gaze, you see both Mingi and San rush out of the woods far too quickly for any human to do, dried blood coating their hands as dirt covers their arms.

Finally, the eldest pulls his wrist away, wiping at the small stain of red that coats your lips with his thumb. Silently, as he does so, the six others standing around you converge.

Yunho’s whole body shakes. You can feel it trembling against you as he pulls you into his chest. His grip is desperate, clinging to you for dear life as if you may disappear again at a moment’s notice.

“Who did this to you?” His voice is calm; deadly. Like the approach of an oncoming storm.

You look down, noticing the torn material of your shirt. Your hands shake as you watch that scar you’ve had for the majority of your life finish healing, the line you’ve become so accustomed to fading into nothing.

Blood still covers the majority of your body, yet all you can do is stare at your hands for the moment. Slowly, you raise them, touching the tips of your fingers to your thumbs, and counting to twenty in your mind. You blink a few times, still debating on if this is really happening or not.

You tilt your head, almost inquisitively, “How…”

“She’s in shock.” Jongho comments.

“Of fucking course she is!” San replies, clearly exasperated as he nearly tears his hair out of his skull. “We only found her bleeding out and on the verge of death at the side of the road!”

You flinch at his tone, and they all take a step towards you.

“Watch it, San.” Mingi warns.

“Like you are fairing any better.” Wooyoung snaps, arms crossed over his chest. “Tearing out the whole forest isn’t going to catch the bastard that did this to our ma-“

“Who did this to you?” Hongjoong’s inquiry is a tad softer than Yunho’s as he crouches beside you. His blond hair is pushed up and away from his face, hiding nothing of his expression of concern as he reaches for your hands. Still, he cannot hide the tremble in his own.

Your lips part, voice catching in your throat. Desperately, you attempt to find the words to say, but none seem to want to come out.

A blink, and Yeosang comes to crouch beside Hongjoong, drawing your attention to him for the moment.

“Was it Ryder?” He keeps his inquiry low, tone even as he meets your gaze.

After a moment of hesitation, you nod. Slowly.

The males all tense around you, but none so much as the one holding you.

“He was the one-“ Yunho swallows thickly. “The one that made you flee the coffee shop that day.”

Again, you nod.

“He gave you that scar you showed Gabrielle today.” Yeosang continues, and in the back of your mind, you wonder how he knew that. Though, from the way your injuries have miraculously healed, the rumours you’ve heard, and those roars that shook the area not even ten minutes ago, you’re starting to piece two and two together. “He did this to you."

The way you swallow, quite thickly at that, is answer enough.

“I’ll fucking kill him for touching you.” Wooyoung seethes, his eyes flashing beneath the dull light of the moon now peeking through the clouds.

“Bastard is lucky to still be fucking breathing right now,” San’s chest heaves with every breath, hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides.

Hongjoong stands back to his feet, turning his back to you as he methodically cracks his neck from side to side.

Gently, Yunho hands you off to Seonghwa, who is more than happy to cradle you in his hold.

“Jongho, Seonghwa, Yeosang, take her home.” Hongjoong rolls his shoulders, only to spare a glance back at you in the next moment. He smiles reassuringly before turning to face front, the others coming to stand beside him in a line. “The rest of us are going hunting.”

A blink, and the five other males have disappeared from sight.

Words of protest begin to form at your lips as you feel yourself being picked up quite easily by the eldest from the ground. You’re still trying to wrap your head around the events that have taken place before your very eyes, but the longer you think about it, the more your head begins to hurt.

“Shh,” Seonghwa coos into your ear, turning back towards the forest and beginning to walk down the path with the other two males in tow. “Just sleep.”

You want to fight it, but at the sudden fatigue that clouds your mind, you have no choice but to fall unconscious for the second time this evening.

***

This time, when you wake, the sound of a crackling fire greets your ears. You can feel yourself being held in someone’s embrace, a soothing hand being brushed over your back as you curl into what you assume is their chest. The odd part is, even though you remember everything, you feel safe, and you certainly feel warm.

A small groan escapes you, your hands coming up to rub at your eyes. You manage to push yourself the slightest bit away from whoever seems to be resting with you on the couch, feeling their chest shake with a chuckle as you nearly fall backwards onto the floor.

“Feeling better?” It’s Yeosang.

You blink, quite a few times at him laying in front of you, just casually holding you steady so you don’t go tumbling from the couch.

“Uh, yeah.” You clear your throat. “Thanks.”

Slowly, with his help, you sit up. He helps you wrap the blanket you had been using around your shoulders, and that’s when you notice both Jongho and Seonghwa sit in the same room as you. Each male occupies a separate armchair, gazes locked on your form as they observe your every move with nothing but worry in their eyes.

“Are you okay?” Jongho leans forward the slightest bit, fingers desperately clutching at the sides of his chair as he looks to you.

You wrap the blanket tighter around yourself as you nod.

You stare at the floor, keeping your voice low. “How did you find me?”

The three males share a look between one another.

“We-“ Seonghwa swallows thickly, averting his gaze to the side. “We could smell your blood.”

Before another word can be said from any of you, the sound of a door opening reaches your ears. Glancing up reveals five more men flooding into the room, red coving nearly every free inch of their skin.

Your eyes nearly bug right out of your head, especially when Wooyoung comes to kneel right in front of you, reaching for you with nothing but concern on his features. Only, you cannot help but to push yourself away from him, and as far back into the couch as you can go.

His expression droops.

“Wooyoung.” Hongjoong hisses.

“Please don’t be scared of us,” he keeps his voice low, nonthreatening. “We would never hurt you.”

“Give her some space,” Yunho drags the male back by the collar of his shirt. “She nearly died tonight, the last thing she needs to be is crowded.”

Each male does not fail to miss the way you flinch at Yunho’s words.

“I understand why people told me to stay away from all of you, now.” You keep your voice low, clearing the roughness of your dry throat as you speak.

You notice the way they all tense, expressions falling, even if only the slightest bit.

“Are you scared of us?” Hongjoong’s tone is soft, nothing but a gentle inquiry as he meets your gaze.

“Should I be?” You quirk a brow. “Because I’m pretty sure if you were half as bad as people said you were, you would have left me for dead at the side of the road.”

This time, it’s their turn to flinch at the reminder of the state they found your body in.

“Right now, I need honesty.” You spare a glance around at all of them as you curl in tighter to yourself. “Can you afford me that?”

“Always.” Mingi breathes, taking a step towards you as if he wants to comfort you.

You take a deep breath in, “You all aren’t human.”

A statement which they pick up on.

“That is correct.” Yunho nods, swallowing somewhat thickly.

“You’re responsible for those animal attacks starting around two years ago that Gabi told me about.” Again, another statement.

“Yes and no,” San grimaces. “There were a few other covens that tried to follow us here. We ran them off.”

You can feel your heart pounding inside of your chest as you continue to stare at the floor. The fire crackles to the side.

“You’re vampires.”

A stillness passes over the room.

“We are.” Yeosang confirms, and he notices how you don’t necessarily retreat any further away from him on the couch this time.

You look up, sparing a glance around the room and fully taking in the bloody appearances of the five males who entered not that long ago. Your hands tighten on that blanket around your form.

“You killed them, didn’t you?” The words are no more than a whisper on your lips, but they all still manages to hear.

“Of course we did.” Wooyoung states, rather firmly.

You meet his gaze. “Why?”

The eight males nearly blink in surprise.

“They hurt you.” Mingi replies, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “He hurt you.”

“Why go through all of these lengths to help me?” You spare another glance around the room at all of them.

They all seem to blink in mild surprise.

“Because you are important to us.” Hongjoong shifts to crouch in front of you, gently reaching over to clasp your hand in his own.

“You met me a little over three weeks ago.” You deadpan.

“We’ve been searching for you for much longer than that.” Seonghwa breathes out, shifting so that he’s sitting on the edge of his seat.

Your brow furrows. “What do you mean by that?”

“How much do you know about our kind?” San asks, sitting across from you on the opposite couch.

Your eyes narrow slightly at him, figuring this to be some sort of test. “I’ll admit, I’m rather ignorant when it comes to your ways. I don’t think Twilight or Dracula are good history books.”

Mingi and Wooyoung snort, “You’ve got that right.”

“Basics are the same,” Yunho says, beginning to list off, “We need blood, or blood substitutes to survive. Strength, speed, abilities, all the same.”

“Sunlight, garlic, and crosses are all null though.” Wooyoung shrugs, plopping on the couch right beside San.

“Though, there always seem to be one aspect never mentioned for our kind.” Yeosang mumbles, somewhat disappointedly.

“No, the wolves seem to get that aspect more than we do.” Seonghwa rolls his eyes, sitting back in his chair.

“Aspect?” You spare a look around the room before your eyes settle in on the soft brown ones of the male kneeling before you.

“There are many different words for it,” Hongjoong begins. “Fated, life partners, lost souls,” his eyes flash as he watches you carefully, “mates.”

Your head tilts forward in disbelief, “You expect me to believe vampires have soulmates?”

“Believe it or not, we do.” Yunho’s voice is but a mere exhale on his lips as he looks to you, a certain type of fondness suddenly shining there that you’ve never seen before.

Your head begins reeling.

“None of our kind really know how it works,” San looks down at his hands, beginning to pick at some of the dried blood lingering there.

“It can happen at any stage in our lives, but there comes a point where we begin to feel drawn to a place.” Seonghwa explains.

“Sometimes it’s a hometown, other times it’s where they currently live.” Mingi adds.

“We all felt that pull,” Hongjoong breathes. “To here.” He meets your gaze. “To you.”

“We spent a full year in this area before we realized you were no longer living in town.” Wooyoung’s gaze drops to his lap, a sort of defeated longing taking over his features.

You notice how none of them meet your gaze now, and realization settles in your bones.

You inhale sharply. “You tracked me.”

“When you’ve lived as long as we have, you begin to think these stories of so called ‘fated’ are simply legend.” Hongjoong admits. “So, when we finally felt that pull, we wanted to do anything to keep it.” He squeezes your hand gently. “To find you.”

A sort of ease lifts some of the tension from the room as it settles over the eight of them

“And we did.” Mingi smiles softly at you, blinking back the tears that suddenly spring to his eyes.

“Getting to know you was the next step,” Wooyoung says, a sort of eager gleam shining in his eyes now.

“Of course, we don’t know everything.” Yunho shoots him a pointed look.

“Once we knew you’d be coming for a visit back home, it made things a little easier,” Jongho admits, his fingers beginning to dance along the armrests of his chair.

Your eyes narrow suspiciously. “That’s sweet and all, but you only talked to me because fate told you to?”

“No!” Seonghwa is quick to protest, extending his arms in front of himself as panic crosses all of their features.

“We wanted to get to know you first, before truly deciding on anything.” Yeosang says, noticing how you turn your gaze to meet his own as he speaks. He smiles shyly, averting his eyes in the next moment.

Of course, they’re not going to tell you the lengths they went to just to get you to stay at your hometown for longer than you had planned. It’s not like they planned to let you leave them. Not when they’ve finally found you. Not when you’re finally theirs.

“And do I get a choice in this?” You quirk a brow.

The males all share a look.

“Of course you do!” Hongjoong assures you. “We would never force you to be with us.”

However, sabotaging any other partners you may desire is not completely off of the table. They’ll all make sure to appear as the best options for you. Them, and only them.

You nod in understanding. Beginning to push yourself off of the couch. Luckily, Hongjoong seems to pick up on your movements, helping you up and onto your feet in the next moment.

“This is a lot to think about.” You reply, rather bluntly. “A lot has happened, and I really just want to go to sleep.”

Seonghwa stands. “I’ll show you to your room.”

Again, your eyes nearly bulge out of your head.

“No.” You shake your head. “I am going home, and then we can discuss this later. Preferably when over half of you are not covered in blood from ripping someone apart.”

“Oh, believe me, Gorgeous,” Wooyoung grins, though it serves to unnerve your more than anything, “We did more than that to that bastard.”

Your whole body tenses, and you watch as San reaches over to smack Wooyoung upside the head.

“Ow,” he rubs at the tender spot, “What the hell was that for?”

At the jerk of San’s chin in your direction, Wooyoung takes in your tense state.

You blink, clearing your thoughts. “One of you, take me home.”

Turning towards the door you’re positive the five had entered from earlier, you begin to make your way out of the room. All eight of them are quick to follow, Seonghwa offering to drive you back to your place for the evening. Both Yunho and Hongjoong offered, but seeing as they’re both still bathed in blood, you opted to decline.

The whole drive back to your parent’s house is silent, Seonghwa attempting some small talk with you only for you to shut him down every time. You’ve been through a lot this evening, and there’s been a lot of information for you to process, so of course the eldest isn’t phased in the slightest. Ever the gentleman, he still bids you a goodnight, and waits until you get inside your house, and have turned on your bedroom light before driving off into the night.

That evening, as you lay in bed, all you can do is toss and turn. Your mind swims with everything you’ve learned, yet you find yourself more relaxed than anything. It’s as if this is always what was meant to be.

With that thought, you turn onto your side, clutching your pillow firmly to your chest. Not even ten minutes later, you succumb to sleep, breathing evening out as your curtains sway in the breeze.

Silently, eight presences enter your room, completely undetected beneath the light of the moon.

“That went better than planned,” Wooyoung comments, a giddy grin tugging at his lips.

“She seems to be taking things well,” Seonghwa nods his agreement.

“It helps that she already knows us.” Jongho hums, shifting in closer to your bed until he’s right beside your nightstand.

“We still don’t know if she’ll fully accept us.” Yunho reaches out for you, only to stop himself when he feels Yeosang’s hand on his wrist.

“Let’s not push our luck tonight, yeah?” He shoots a sharp look at the taller male.

“Either way, we’ll never let her out of our sights again.” There’s a low growl on San’s lips as he says this, filling the space with a promise which is echoed by each one of his brothers standing around you in that room.

“Nothing will ever bring her harm,” Mingi kneels behind the opposite side of your bed, hand gently resting on the edge so as not to alert you of his presence. The whole time, his eyes remain locked on your figure, dead heart racing with nothing but love as he gazes at you fondly. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“That we will.” Hongjoong hums, coming to kneel as close to your sleeping figure as he can.

Softly, he trails his gaze over your body, noticing how you seem to shiver beneath the gentle breeze that flits through your room. He pulls your covers over your arms, risking a tender caress against your cheek once he’s done.

“We’ll watch over you, Our Precious Fated,” He whispers lowly, hearing soft growls of agreement echo once more around the room from all of them. “You never have to worry about anything again. We promise: we'll always bring you home.”

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multiwreckedmess · 10 days ago

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i'm just a simple fujoshi asking for more bisexual yungi content. i need mingi overwhelmed and whining getting his back blown out while he blows someone else's back out. i need yunho grabbing fistfuls of mingi's ass and thighs and mocking the fuck out of both of his partners that both of them need so much care and attention and he's the only one who can take care of both of them properly. i need a cuddle puddle afterwards nuzzling all together under fluffy blankets this is my REQUEST to the universe thank yew

#bisexual yungi truther #ateez hard thoughts #more polyteez faster #pls thank yew kindly

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cybrsan · 8 months ago

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WIP Tag Game

Tagged by the lovely @yessa-vie <3

Rules: Post the last seven sentences you wrote and tag seven people.

“The time has come to announce this year’s recipient of the Nightingale Commendation. As you all know, this award is not given lightly. The novitiate who is bestowed the honor will have earned it through their hard work, unwavering courage, and dedication to the cause.” Sweat prickles at Seonghwa’s hairline, a lone drop dripping down the side of his face and disappearing underneath the neckline of his shirt. This is it. “Over the past year, I have seen great growth in all 46 of you; the Vanguard class of 1020 has been one of the most promising in our history. And while many of you have exhibited extraordinary promise, there is one novitiate who has consistently exceeded all expectations.”

Note: This is a part of something from the collab fic Orion and I have posted teasers for 👀 Coming soon!

No-pressure tags: @nebulousbrainsoup @pocketjoong @kwanisms @seonghwaddict @hee0soo @hwaightme @yourlocaljonghoe

#fic.ttd #tagged #ateez fic #ateez imagines #ateez scenarios #ateez x reader #polyteez x reader #ot8 ateez x reader #seonghwa x reader #seongjoong fic #seongjoong x reader #matz x reader #seonghwa imagines #michi.wu

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harmonie-writes · 2 years ago

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The Buccaneer Queen pt. 15

Pirate! ATEEZ x pirate!fem Reader

Genre: fantasy pirate AU, future romance

Warnings: angst, language, violence, death, gore, mentions of guns, and cannons. The characters in this story are purely fictitious and do not portray actual people. I only own you.

AN: italics are thoughts

Word count: ~3.2k

Summary: Women are considered bad luck upon the vessels that sail the Seven Seas. Before you became the captain of The Astraea, a witch of sorts cursed you and the crew leaving a physical mark upon your chest just above where your heart would lie. Anyone that sees the Black Standard flying on the black and gold ship knows that they have stumbled upon the Armada of the Damned which is piloted by the Buccaneer Queen.

Masterlist

Previous | Next

»»————-　➴　————-««

Previously on The Buccaneer Queen:

Panting, Jamie pointed at the dark ship, "Is that it?"

"Aye, there she is," Mingi confirms, untying the ship from its mooring.

"Time to set sail," Yeosang calls over his shoulder as he boards the Treasure. He can't help the nostalgia that washes over him as he takes in the ship, but he pushes it down as he runs to the captain's quarters to drop off the bag.

When he makes it back to the deck, he sees that Mingi and Jamie have raised the anchor and are working on unfurling the sails. Determined, he makes his way to the helm.

"Don't worry, we're on our way," the blonde murmurs to himself as he navigates the ship out of the pier.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Sweat coats Yeosang's brow as he begins the tedious process of getting the large ship out to open water.

Although it's not long before they hear shouts coming from the docks and rapid approaching footsteps that his nerves are set alight. Three men. That's a load of rubbish, they'd need to send an army to stop them from getting away with the ship.

"Mingi! We have guests!" He shouts, catching the attention of the gunner.

"On it!" The tall pirate calls back, unholstering his flintlock as he leans over the edge of the ship railing.

"Sorry to cut this short, gentlemen, but we have places to be!" He shouts, taking aim and firing his pistol. A choked gasp leaves one of the guards, and Mingi is quick to load and fire another round at the second guard.

While loading his third round, the guard took aim with his rifle and fired a shot at the blue haired pirate. A resounding dut of the rifle echoed over the water as it left the barrel.

Hissing, Mingi dropped his flintlock that was held in his right hand in favor of clasping his left over the wound.

Hearing the shot, Jamie was quick to join Mingi's side. Brandishing his own pistol, he fired without a second thought watching as the last body crumpled into the inky water below the dock.

"Mingi, are you okay?" Jamie asked, quickly putting his weapon away and hovering near the taller pirate.

Biting his lip, peeled his bloody fingers away to access the damage. He took note of the way his white, billowy shirt was now torn and turning a crimson red. Tearing a larger hole in the sleeve he breathed a sigh of relief. The bullet had only grazed his arm, but it still burns like something unholy.

"Shit, this fucking hurts," Mingi mutters, before looking at the blonde kid, "I'll be fine. Just need to clean my arm and tie it up."

Nodding, Jamie starts to turn around to head to the sick bay as if he was on the Astraea before stopping in his tracks. Sheepishly he turns around scratching the back of his head, "Where's the sick bay on this ship?"

"I'll show you," Mingi tells him, before shouting up to Yeosang, "We'll be back! Heading to the sick bay!" They can hear Yeosang's 'aye' before they both head below deck.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Hongjoong’s eyes bore into the back of your head as you watch the Diamond get closer to boarding range.

What could you possibly be thinking right now? Hongjoong thinks, making his way to the railing you're at.

"How long have you considered abandoning ship?"

You don't answer right away, eyes seemingly locked on one figure on the other ship.

Gently, Hongjoong reaches for your hand, pulling you away from your thoughts.

"Hmm, truthfully? Probably since the beginning. It hurts to think about abandoning the place I've called home, but there's larger matters at hand than this ship," you tell him, finally turning to look him in the eyes.

"And you believe that you can find whatever it is through us? Through the Treasure?" Hongjoong asks, confusion and irritation bubbling a little below the surface of his skin.

You avert your gaze back to the other ship before slowly making your way down the stairs, calling over your shoulder, "Something along those lines, Mr. Kim."

His brows furrow. How do you know that name?

Grabbing the rigging in one hand, you lean over the railing shouting above the sound of the cannons, "I believe you have something that belongs to me, Choi!"

Seungcheol frowns, stepping closer to the railing of his own ship. "I owe you nothing!"

»»————-　➴　————-««

Both ships' crew members hold their fire as they listen to the conversation between the two captains.

If they didn't know any better it would be a lovers quarrel, but there's definitely more than what's being told from either party. Leaving crew members in the dark at the vagueness of the situation.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Sprinting to the top deck, Yunho’s eyes look around widely for either you or Hongjoong. Seeing you first he runs in your direction, dodging crates that are sliding on the top deck.

"Ma'am!" He pants, hands grasping the railing in front of him as he gains your attention.

Yunho is caught off guard by how quickly you whirl to face him, the fiery look in your eyes alarming him. Swallowing his nerves he tells you, "the ship, it's filling with water. We have nothing to plug the new holes in!"

He can see the way something shifts in your gaze, the anger that was in them flickered before steeling again.

"Ready the last lifeboat. Grab anything of importance, and sail out to meet the Treasure."

Yunho's eyes widened in alarm. You had sent a group to retrieve the Treasure? Whirling around to face Port Royal, he sees a familiar ship approaching quickly. They did it!

You give him a quick shove to get him moving. "Hurry!"

Stumbling slightly he manages to right himself before running back below deck.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Yunho catches himself at the bottom of the stairs as he makes his way to the sick bay of the ship. He needs to gather the supplies, the medicine, the medicine Jamie freaked out over when you fell ill. Bursting through the door he stops short, surprised to see Seonghwa already in there with a burlap sack.

The majority of the shelves are already empty of their usual contents. And he sees the herb that Jamie bought grasped in Seonghwa's hand. It's almost as if he hesitates for a fraction of a second before he decides to put it in the bag.

Finally looking up, Seonghwa sees the brunette standing in the doorway. "Don't just stand there! Go grab the bandages!"

Snapping out of it, he nods. Quick to grab the rolls out of the chest beneath the table.

»»————-　➴　————-««

After loading what they could, both men scramble up the stairs to the top deck. They see the crew hurrying to load up the lifeboat, each person trying to squeeze in. The only person who hadn't joined them at the port side is you, and Hongjoong who stands in the middle of the deck seemingly waiting for you to join them.

Hurrying over to Hongjoong, Seonghwa asks, "What is she doing? Doesn't she know the ship is filling?"

"She knows," Yunho tells him, shrugging the bag further up his shoulder.

"Then she should be over here, helping to get off this damned piece of wood," Seonghwa grits out.

"Just go put the stuff in the boat," Hongjoong pushes them in the direction of the boat, and turns to you. Maybe he can pull you out of whatever stupor you seem to be in.

Turning on his heel he begins to make his way over to you. Stepping up to your side he can see your hands tightly wrapped on the railing. Gently he covers your hand and slowly uncurls your fingers from the death grip on wood. It seems to pull your gaze away from the other captain, your sole focus on the ashy haired man in front of you.

"C'mon, it's time to go."

Maybe it's a trick of the light, maybe even a lantern flare, but you see a glint out of the corner of light from the opposing ship and without a second thought push Hongjoong down to the deck. The echo of a flintlock being fired echoes loudly and there's a searing pain in your shoulder.

Hongjoong stares in shock as you fall to your knees in front of him, holding your shoulder. In the same instance, another cannonball hits the side of the ship tilting it precariously. Both you and Hongjoong slide across the deck. Hongjoong manages to brace himself against the side rails, but you slide through the hole in the rails where the gangplank would be.

Leaning over the side, Hongjoong can only watch as your body crashes below the surface of the waves. The only thing resurfacing is your feathered hat.

"Son of a bitch!" Hongjoong cries, fist banging against the railing. The one person who potentially had answers for him is gone. Shakily standing to his feet, he doesn't have much time to dwell on the fact that you disappeared. The calls of Seonghwa and the rest are beckoning him to hurry to them so they can get off this death trap. Time is running thin and before they know it, they'll all be in a watery grave.

Pulling Hongjoong into the boat by his sleeve Wooyoung asks, "Where's YN?"

Hongjoong averts his eyes before looking to meet his boatswain. "She fell overboard after getting shot."

The silence is deafening as San and another pirate lower the boat into the ocean.

"So, she's just gone? Just like that?" Jongho asks, eyes scanning the water for any sign of you.

Hongjoong can only nod, not really sure how to answer. The only thing he saw was you getting shot instead of him, and then you falling overboard. He didn't have a definite answer, or at least not one anyone would like to hear.

"Let's, let's just get to the Treasure," Seonghwa murmurs, dipping his oar into the water.

The boat ride is silent other than the sound of water lapping against the edge of the lifeboat, and the oars pushing them along.

Hongjoong watches out the back for anything, maybe a sign that you're out there, but all he sees is the burning of the Astraea as it sinks lower into the ocean.

»»————-　➴　————-««

As the two pirates return from below deck, they pause. Out on the open water is a ship set aflame and sinking below the surface.

Jamie runs to the bow, hands gripping the railing. He can hear Mingi call after him, but it falls on deaf ears as he watches his home descend further into the ocean. Tears prick at his eyes and he bites his lip from letting out the sob that causes his chest to ache.

Running up to the young boy, Mingi points, "Look, the boat is almost here. Let's get ready to haul them up."

Rubbing his cheeks, Jamie nods and follows behind the older man to the backside of the captain's quarters.

»»————-　➴　————-««

"Are you ready up there?" A voice calls from below.

"Aye, we're ready!" Mingi hollers.

Two ropes are thrown up and both men deftly catch them, and begin hauling up the men in the boat. As soon as they are close enough, some of them begin to crawl over the railing to ease the burden.

Seeing as Hongjoong is the last to step out, Jamie feels panic seep into his bones, "Where's Mother?"

There's a long pause between the men that were aboard the Astraea. No one wants to be the one to break the bad news to him.

Swallowing thickly, Hongjoong grabs Jamie's elbow and tries to bring him to his quarters.

Panic swells and turns into aggression as Jamie rips his elbow from Hongjoong's grip, almost like a defiant child. "No, whatever it is can be said here!"

He can see the way the captain's shoulders sag in defeat before meeting his gaze.

"She fell overboard after a cannonball hit the edge of the ship," Hongjoong tells him, trying to contain his own emotion. You saved him.

At his words Jamie can feel himself collapsing. Arms curling around his knees as he lets out the most pained scream any of them had heard. The dam had finally broken on the boy, as he cries. The eerie silence is replaced by the cries of a young boy, who had to grow up too fast and lost the last person who was like family to him.

Yunho gently pulls the boy apart from himself, and carries him like a mother would a child, down the steps to the sick bay.

The group watches as the gentle giant comforts the boy as the cries turn to whimpers.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Seungcheol couldn't help the jealousy that swirled in his gut. Seeing you with him. No one was supposed to be there for you. It should've only been him to comfort you. But he was the bastard that blew it.

After watching your body go beneath the waves he turned away, ordering his men to cease fire and begin heading back to port. Nothing more can be done now.

He could feel the guilt eating at him, but he pushed it down. Running away from the issues he created once again.

»»————-　➴　————-««

The wind was knocked from your lungs a second time as your back collided with the hard surface of the water. Stinging pain runs along your skin as you sink further. Bubbles slip past your lips as you try to focus your watery gaze on the surface. Broken fragments of light reflect through the water, and pieces of wood and fabric sink with you.

This isn't such a bad way to go, you think. Eyes feeling heavy and your chest feeling tight, like someone was sitting on you.

You feel like you should be panicking. For God's sake, you're drowning, you should be feeling something! Except you don't.

Opening your eyes you can make out the mast of a ship toppling over, crashing through the space you were looking at.

Closing your eyes the final time you feel the last of the air slip past your lips. Maybe now you'll finally be set free.

Suspended in the water with bits and pieces of your ship, you feel it. The ache that pulses through your body. The one that starts from the back of your neck and spreads out to your extremities. You feel out of body as your body panics, but you mentally don't feel it.

Righting yourself, you kick your back legs as you begin swimming for the surface. Careful to dodge any pieces of the ship that are still sinking.

Breaking the surface of the water, you grab a plank of wood. The small bits of energy you had ebbing fast. I knew it couldn't be that easy.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Every crew member is sitting near the railings with a lantern, hoping that by some miracle that they'd be able to find you among the wreck.

Jongho's eyes pick apart every piece of wood that still remains on the surface, and finally he thinks he sees something. Hope flaring in his chest as the ship sails closer.

And luck has it, it's you, passed out on some splintered wood.

Pointing he shouts, "Man overboard!"

The pounding of feet can be heard as everyone gathers at his shoulders to see where he's pointing, and sure enough, there you are.

It's San and Wooyoung who are running to the lifeboat at the back of the ship. Using the light coming from the lanterns they are easily able to make it to you, pushing the debris out of the way with their oars.

"Easy does it," Wooyoung mutters, as both he and San lift you out of the water and into the boat.

San begins looking for a pulse and when he finds one he sits back with a sigh, "It's faint, but it's there."

»»————-　➴　————-««

"They have her!" Mingi shouts up to Hongjoong, who hasn't moved from his spot at the helm.

He might not acknowledge it, but his chest lightens knowing that you're safe.

He watches the commotion as his men hurry to bring you on board.

Even Seonghwa can't stop the medic in him from rushing you down to the sick bay. He holds you tightly to his chest with his arms under your legs and head. It doesn't matter that your clothes are soaking his. Whatever he thought about you before doesn't matter.

Laying you on the table next to the bed in the sick bay, he tears open your shirt, save for the band that binds your chest. He scans you for the bullet wound but grimaces at all the scars that adorn your body. Shoving down any of those thoughts he notices a raised bump on your right shoulder near your collarbone. Poking it with his finger he can feel where the bullet lays, the unfortunate thing is that your skin has already formed and closed over it.

Sucking in a breath he pulls out his knife, Seonghwa hated doing this to anyone, but it had to be done. Bringing the blade of his knife to your skin he presses down, cutting away the new skin. Blood bubbles up around the knife as the skin pulls away from it. Finally having an opening large enough, he digs his fingers into the wound trying to retrieve the round bullet. He can hear you groan in pain as he continues to push apart the muscles in your shoulder. After a few more long seconds, Seonghwa's finger touched metal. Gingerly, he pulls it out. As soon as he has it out, he eyes the way his hand and the round piece of lead are stained red with your blood.

Opening the drawer on the table he begins to look for thread and a needle, but stops. Turning to look at you he watches the way your skin begins to sew itself back together.

"Neat trick," Seonghwa murmurs, opting for a rag and clean water. At least he can clean the healed wound at your shoulder.

Arms dangling off his knees he lets his head hang, just sitting on a barrel beside the table you lay on, lost in thought.

It's whe. It's when he feels a hand brush his hair back from his forehead that he sits up in shock.

You wear a tired smile, but it's genuine. A raspy thank you leaves your lips. A small smile settles on his face as he grabs a hold of your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

»»————-　➴　————-««

Masterlist

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Taglist: @ms-starlight @ateenie @feelingw00zi @soft4svt @madnpan @ph0ebevix @myjiminmychimchim @sugarrmint @peachjoong @coffee-in-seoul @mythicalamphitrite @lilactangerine @starillusion13

DM or ask to be added to taglist c:

#harmonie-writes #atz x reader #ateez x reader #polyteez x reader #ateez pirate au #atz pirate au #the buccaneer queen series #the buccaneer queen

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bunnakit · 22 days ago

Note

Fanfic guessing game!:

Touch

never

Ground

Take your pick! (Or do them all, your rules!)

ooh okay ground was the only one that had anything good.

from chapter 3 of my ATEEZ Halazia inspired fanfic Afterimage

Unconsciously, he broke into a wide grin as a marble-perfect, dust covered face emerged from the clouds. “Sangie! We did it!” Mingi threw himself at his lover, nearly knocking them both to the ground in his elation. The dual tones of their laughter bounced off the crumbled streets and walls around them while smoke billowed to the sky like a beacon of their success. They'd downed a Watcher. Not by themselves, no. With the help of nearly every member of the resistance they’d managed to pull the metal demon down until it crashed into the Earth. A palpable release was in the air, an oppressive sort of gravity lifted off the shoulders of every outlier in a wide radius. Freedom.

#oat asks #afterimage fic #oat writes #ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez fic #polyteez #halazia

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neflheimen · 2 months ago

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The yunho puppy/sub fic is turning into a character study ?? Also it's a polyteez fic cause I'm a polyteez truther.

#this was supposed to be a one shot 😭😭😭#ateez #yunho #polyteez #fic writing

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thelargefrye · 2 years ago

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SHE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT … part one

pairing : yunho x idol!f!reader (background poly ateez)

genre : angst, hurt / no comfort, idol au

warnings : insecurities used in an argument, yunho is a big jerk in this, language, y/n blames herself, brief mentions of a car accident

word count : 1.2k

tag list : @tannie13 @icyb3rry @cookiechristie @atinytinaa @jcngh0-hq @kurosism

an argument breaks out between you and yunho which results in yunho saying somethings he shouldn’t have. now you begin to question your place in the relationship.

YOU DON’T EVEN REMEMBER how the argument started.

all you remember is yunho and the others coming home from promotions and you greeting them. you could tell that they were tired and so you tried your best to help them relax.

you had made dinner for the nine of you, something which was rare in itself as you all knew how much you couldn’t cook, but you were determined to make them the meal wooyoung had showed you a few months ago. you had been practicing your skills for this exact moment.

wooyoung had come up behind you to observe your cooking. his head resting on your shoulder as his arms wrapped around your waist.

“i know it won’t as good as yours,” you begin to say as you both watch the food cook, “but i’ve been practicing cooking it ever since you showed me how to make it,” you finish as you give your energetic boyfriend a side glance.

wooyoung smiles at you as he takes to spoon from the side of the counter and gets a small taste of the food.

“it taste great,” he says with a smile before kissing your cheek. wooyoung leaves to go rest on the couch with some of the others.

you can only assume that wooyoung just threw himself on top of hongjoong thanks to loud grunt the leader let out along with curse which is followed by wooyoung’s laugh.

when the food was done, seonghwa was quick to help you set the table as the others came and sat down.

you took your place in your usual spot between san and yunho. you noted how your taller boyfriend looked exhausted, the circles under his eyes doing nothing to hide his tired expression.

you placed your hand on top of yunho’s causing the male to look over at you. “how was your day?” you asked once the others began eating and chatting away.

“fine,” he muttered as he moved his hand away from yours. he didn’t make attempt to expand upon it or to look at you.

he’s just tired, you think as you push the odd feeling bubbling in your chest down in order to eat.

“wow! y/n, this is good! you’ve really gotten better at cooking,” mingi says making you and the others smile and laugh at his words.

“thanks, i’ve been practicing while you all were on tour! eunji-unnie has been a great taste tester.”

after dinner, san and jongho clean up and you try to help, but they are quick to send you off.

you make your way over to yunho who is sitting on the couch, watching as wooyoung and seonghwa bicker over what show to watch. you sit next to him, your head immediately resting on his shoulder like you always do.

however, before you can get comfortable, yunho is quick to shrug you off of him. you’re about to ask him what’s wrong, but don’t get the chance as he quickly stands up and leaves the living room. you all flinch as he slams his and san’s bedroom door closed, making all of you go quiet.

the odd feeling from dinner makes a reappearance as you make eye contact with mingi who takes in your shocked face.

“he’s just tired. you know how he gets sometimes when he gets overwhelmed. i’m sure he’ll be fine tomorrow.”

HE WAS NOT FINE as the next day rolled in as you all got up to get ready for the day. you give each boy their usual greetings which consist of you telling them good morning and a quick kiss to some part of their face.

however, yunho acted like your touch would burn him as he quickly moved away from you. you were honestly starting to feel annoyed by his sudden attitude change. you needed to figure out what wrong before you had to leave for practice.

“yunho what is going on with you? you’ve been acting like i have the plague or something since last night,” you say as you call him out before he can hide away in his room until you leave.

“nothings wrong, you’re just being dramatic,” he says with a huff as he runs his fingers through his hair.

“then why are acting like it’s a hassle to talk to me?”

“because maybe it is a hassle to talk to you!” he suddenly shouts catching you and the others off guard, “have you thought about the fact that maybe i don’t want you clinging to me all the time? have you thought about that maybe i’m just done!”

you stomach twisted as his words, like you were going to throw up, “done with what?” your voice is small as you ask him.

“done with you,” he says looking you dead in the eyes and you know from the look on his face that’s he’s serious. “i’m tired of you being so insecure about yourself and me having to try and make all those worries go away. if i had known that i would have to do that when i asked you out then—

“yunho stop talking,” hongjoong says from his spot behind you. he knew what yunho was about to say and the leader knew that yunho would come to regret it later. “you’re just tired of promotions, that doesn’t give you any reason to take it out on y/n when she’s done nothing wrong.”

“you’re one to talk hyung,” yunho spat with a frown, “last time i checked you’re the one who almost ruined our whole relationship because of some bitchy sasaeng producer. and who did you have that fight with, huh?”

you knew what he was getting at. if you weren’t in the relationship, if he didn’t ask you out when you were trainees then none of this would have happened. if you have just left yunho alone then maybe you wouldn’t be having this argument at six o’clock in the morning.

if you hadn’t accused hongjoong of cheating back then, then maybe he wouldn’t have said those harsh words and you wouldn’t have ran out. if you hadn’t of ran out then maybe you could have avoided getting hit by that car. if you hadn’t gotten hit then maybe you could have actual did some promotions and not caused the relationship to almost fall apart.

maybe it would be best if you—

“yunho, let’s break up.”

“what?” yunho seems taken back by your words.

“you obviously aren’t happy being with me anymore, so let’s break up,” you repeat as you look up to meet his eyes.

“now hold on a second,” seonghwa tries to jump in but yunho speaks before him.

“okay, let’s break up.”

“yunho!” everyone looks between the two of you as you nod your head at him.

“wait a minute you guys—

hongjoong tries to speak up, but is interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. you all look towards the door to see your manager standing in the entrance way.

“what did i walk into?” she asks, but no one says anything as you quickly grab your bag and rush over to her and out the door without a word. your manager looks confused as she looks at the boys before quickly following after you.

the two of you say nothing on the elevator ride down and it isn’t until your in the van that you final break down. tears running down your face as you sob loudly at everything that just happened.

“hey, what happened up there?”

“me and yunho broke up!”

#exile her.#kdiarynet #ateezlovenet #ateez x reader #poly ateez x reader #ateez imagines #ateez scenarios #ateez angst #yunho angst #idol!reader #idol au #poly ateez #ateez ninth member #ateez addition #ateez added member #polyteez.

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jimmysea · 5 months ago

Note

Inn sarin has a bf???? how/where did you learn this?

Yes he has 🥹🥹🥹🩷🩷🩷 oh if you look through twitter you can find pics/videos of them

#polyteez #ask

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hoshiseon-digiarc · 10 months ago

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desire ♰ masterlist

after getting lost in the darkness of the forest you call home, you find yourself stumbling across eight strange men and their opulent mansion. but isn't there always more than what meets the eye? what things will you uncover here in their territory of the forest? what will you learn about the world you thought you had figured out? what have you really gotten yourself into?

♰ pairings :: ot8 vampire!ateez x fem!witch!reader (mainly san, mingi, seonghwa, & yunho)

♰ genre :: dark fantasy, smut, strangers to ?? to lovers, fluff, maybe slight angst?, soulmates/fated lovers

♰ content :: polyamory , references to religious themes, witchcraft and magick, mythical beings of all kinds, mentions of other idols, vampires with magical abilities

♰ gen. warnings :: blood, violence, predator/prey dynamics (non sexual & possibly sexual in later chapters), fear, anxiety, sight obsession, stalking, general dark themes, manipulation

♰ note :: each chapter will have their own warnings so please be sure to read them!! this entire fic is mature, MDNI. i am writing this as i go, there is no schedule or plan for the chapters so please be patient. this is also my first time ever writing a series. i have created an entire storyline/world for this fic and may post little info posts so you guys aren't in the dark about the background as some things may not be mentioned or explained in the fic. i hope you all enjoy this as much as i've enjoyed building it!!

preview

001 | into the woods [wc: ~8.1k]

002 ...

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eightmakesonebraincell · 1 year ago

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rating bff!ateez as fridges

pairing: ot8 x gn!reader

genre: idol!ateez x non-idol!reader, platonic bffs, twitter smau, crack, fluff if you squint

c/w: swearing, sort of breaking into someone's house, mentions of alcohol use as a coping mechanism

a/n: just so that everyone knows - the bday cake story is true. found our man's beige flag?

taglist: @bluehwale-main @thecarnivaloflies @miriamxsworld (lmk if you want to be added)

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atiny-piratequeen · 5 months ago

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Against the Tide: Eighteenth Dal Segno (Ch.18 Pt. 1)

Pairing: Poly OT8

•❥ Rating: Explicit (18+)

•❥ Genres: Heavy Angst, Action, Romance, Fluff, Smut, Fantasy

•❥ Series AU Tags: Demon Pirates, Supernatural, Poly Relationship (mxm), Past and Modern Day AU, Mythology Au, Slow Burn, Slice of Life, College Au, Rock Band Au, Happy Ending Endgame

•❥ Chapter Tws: Migraines, Nosebleeds, Blood, Guilt, Nightmares, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Misunderstandings, Poison

•❥ Chapter Sws: Foursome, Consentacle Tentacles (lets go Whiro!), Temperature Play, Comfort Sex, Finger Sucking, Jacob's Ladder Piercing, Hair Pulling, Blowjob, Frottage, Bareback, Auralism, Scent Kink, Cum Swallowing, Biting, Dacryphilia

•❥ WC: 10.7k out of 25.5k

•❥ A/N: The blue hellsite's devs are full of shit and my chapter was too big to post all in one so now I have to break it up into two posts. It would be real lovely for my AtTiny enjoyers to make sure to reblog my work when they're finished :3 This was going to be the reveal chapter but it was already 25k so I decided to break it up. Which...was clearly the right option since tumblr's new posting limitations hates me and my big chapters lmao. Thank you for waiting and stay tuned :) Also, if you haven't yet, maybe check out my new universe Ataraxia while you wait for the next chapter?

•❥AO3 | Taglist Form (Please make sure your urls are updated and able to actually be tagged) | Commission Sheet𓆩⟡𓆪

•❥ ©atiny-piratequeen 2024. do not repost, translate, or use my works.

•❥Network Pings: @kwritersworld | @cultofdionysusnet | @k-vanity

•❥← previous dal segno next dal segno –>

(banners used created by @cafekitsune thank you sm!)

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

Friday, March 27th

-225 Days Remain-

-7:30am-

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

Siyeon sat in the center of her room, eight flowers in front of her. She glanced from right to left, pursing her lips before she exhaled and shuffled her cards. Her deck had begun to call her, awakening her from a recurring dream she was in.

“I hear you, give me a moment.” She spoke to the cards as she shuffled them, placing a card before each flower. The ex-pirates had yet to come back to her to ask to do another Trial.

She did not press the issue, they had time before she would feel the need to pressure them to do so.

A stream of sunlight came in through her blinds, landing on her face and that was the moment she stopped shuffling. She smiled softly at the sunbeam, pulling eight cards and placing them before each flower.

“Yes, thank you, I’ll have a look.” She spoke directly to the ray of sun and then reached for the card she’d set in front of the gladiolus.

“Jongho and the Evil God, huh? I seem to remember those two being… strangely the second most in sync and harmonious of the bunch. What do we have?” She spoke to herself, looking down.

“Seven of pentacles…I see. For a god like Whiro…both of you are startingly consistent…and positive?” She placed the card aside and looked towards the next flower, Wooyoung’s purple hyacinth.

Siyeon stared at it for a long while before flipping the card.

“Reversed…five of wands.” She brought her knuckle to her lips, staring at the card. She grabbed her notebook, muttering something under her breath as she recorded her findings, tapping her pen against it. She glanced at the recent reading and the one she gave the men after their trial, pressing her lips together.

The sun witch set the card down without another word, sighing softly before her eyes landed on Mingi’s yellow carnation.

“Two of swords….You’ve had an especially hard time for all of these centuries, haven’t you?” She set the card down and adjusted herself on the cushion she’d put under her knees.

“I hope you can find your peace soon. I’d love to do a full pull for you but my cards are already painting a clear enough picture…” she glanced at San’s snapdragon and the card in front of it; a reversed five of swords.

“A clear enough picture for all of you.” she closed her eyes, feeling the next card pull towards her.

She set the reversed card down and looked towards Yeosang’s lavender. Her brows went up in surprise as she picked up the King of Wands.

“Oh? How…curious. Are you to experience a breakthrough soon? Will it be your time to show and prove?” She smiled softly and looked beside it to Yunho’s chamomile.

“Justice? Very fitting.” She hummed, curious it wasn’t tied to his recent romantic accomplishment, but given the theme of the cards, she figured the full picture would clear itself to her soon.

“Seonghwa…reveresed death?” She stopped short, brows pinched together.

That…wasn’t great.

Far from it, actually.

She looked to the final flower.

A lotus, for Hongjoong.

The card in front of his had an…oppresive amount of energy. She pursed her lips together, reaching towards it before startling as a knock came to her door.

“Unnie?”

Siyeon placed her hand over her chest and stood, heading over to the door. When she opened it, Chungha looked up at her, smiling softly.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” She inquired. Siyeon shook her head, relaxing her shoulders.

“Not at all. What is it?”

“Breakfast is done. I didn’t want yours to get cold.”

Siyeon looked at the spread she had and nodded, smiling softly.

She could finish her read later.

“I’m on my way, thank you for waking me, sweetheart.” She winked at Chungha, pretending cheekily that she didn’t notice the way the woman’s cheeks went bright red before the two walked down to the kitchen.

In her room, a strong gust blew in through the curtain, scattering the flowers and their cards, sending them and the rest of Siyeon’s deck scattering throughout her room before the curtain settled, obscuring the rays of sun from coming inside.

Downstairs, Hongjoong was lacing up his shoes, adjusting to make sure they were situated properly on his feet before glancing between his coat and the one Yunho had let him borrow.

Siyeon glanced at him, head tilted.

“Heading out?” She inquired, leaning on the railing at the foot of the stairs. He glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded.

“Yeah, I finished my breakfast already so I was going to go ahead and start placing our orders for everyone since Yeonjun had a slow start this morning and the others are still eating.” He sent her a sweet smile and turned to the door, holding Yunho’s jacket tight to himself as he moved to the handle.

“Hongjoong?”

He turned to look at his friend, tilting his head. Siyeon smiled gently at him and nodded once.

“Maybe we get you a belt for that coat, mm? We don’t want it dragging the ground, after all.”

Hongjoong blushed and nodded.

“Right. I’d feel horrible if I returned it to him all torn and damaged. Thanks. I’ll ask Chungha-noona to make me one soon.”

With that, he waved and left the home. Siyeon pushed herself off the railing and moved quietly to join the others.

Outside, Hongjoong shuddered as the cold air hit him. He tucked his face into the coat collar and headed down the sidewalk toward his favorite shop.

“I wonder how much longer it is until the seasons change…?” He mused to himself, smiling as the scent of flowers and dried tea leaves wafted gently up to his nose with every step.

Idly, Hongjoong wondered how Yunho was.

He hadn’t texted him yet this morning, too flustered from yet another dream he had about his encounters with both the doctor and the god inside of him.

Ah…right.

Hongjoong’s boots crunched in the snow that coated the sidewalk before he stopped, lips pursed.

He’d started out having…rather… avantgarde and very intimate dreams after meeting the men. But then he…remembered?? A man he was certain he had never seen before in his entire life and the whole ass god inside of him .

He remembered him, their intimate touches shared that were impossible for him.

Just…who was Yunho? How did Hongjoong know him? Who was Hongjoong if somehow the man in question (and Geb) remembered him both inside and out.

Hongjoong felt that sensation come back. The head splitting pain, the world spinning. It happened every time he tried to pry a bit too deep. Analyze the situation he was in.

Just a bit more, let him think a bit more.

Gods are real….obviously.

Even if they weren’t, magic or super powers…that was absolutely real, he’d seen and felt it himself.

If Yunho knew him, and Geb knew him, and he clearly held memories from somewhere , did that mean the others-

The head splitting feeling amped up and Hongjoong felt his throat begin to tighten. His body tensed and the telltale sensation of blood running down his nose startled him back into focusing and he coughed, stumbling slightly.

He’d gotten weird, concerned glances from others on the side walk but it was a warm hand on his shoulder that made him focus.

“Excuse me, do you need help? Huh-Hongjoong? Oh my goodness! Are you alright?!”

He looked up and locked eyes with Yeosang, blinking in surprise as the slightly taller man hurriedly put his sleeve to Hongjoong’s nose, holding his arm to steady him.

“Y-Yeosang-?”

“Hey, hold on, let’s get you seated somewhere-San, can you open the door?”

Hongjoong let Yeosang guide him into a nearby shop, cringing at the series of surprised gasps and chatter that erupted as the bloodied man and San came shuffling in.

“I’m sorry, my friend got a nose bleed and he’s a bit dizzy, can we please have some water?”

Hongjoong looked up at Yeosang, feeling nauseous as the world continued to spin.

‘I’ll stop for now, I’ll stop-’

He thought frantically, cringing as whatever it was that was bringing on the headsplitting migraine began to slowly ebb away, like a predator stalking their way back into the bushes. Never too far, simply waiting for the next time he had the audacity to try and figure out the chaos in his life.

“Hongjoong-hyung?”

His vision focused on Yeosang, staring into soft, concerned eyes.

“Can you hear me? What happened?”

San rushed over to where Yeosang had sat Hongjoong down, holding out a cup of water to him.

“I uh…I have these bad migraines sometimes. I think it may be from stress or something. Sorry if I startled you. Uh, good morning-shit, I ruined your sleeve-”

Yeosang looked at his bloodied sleeve and shook his head.

“Clothes can be changed. Here, drink this.” He moved so Hongjoong could drink the water, giving him a bit of space.

“Do they happen often?” San inquired, eyes scanning Hongjoong’s face for signs of injury. Hongjoong shook his head, taking some of the napkins the younger man had gotten together and dipping some in the water glass, he wiped his nose and sighed at the amount of crimson that he saw staining the white napkin.

“Uh, not…often.”

They weren’t happening at all until he met the group of seven.

“They are happening more frequently, though.”

Every time he flew a bit too close to the sun and tried to unravel whatever mystery had fallen into his lap.

San and Yeosang exchanged a look with one another that Hongjoong pretended he wasn’t privy of before Yeosang placed his hand near his on the table.

“Where are you headed? If you don’t mind, can we head out with you? Not that I don’t believe you but I don’t want to risk you having another bad nosebleed…” Yeosang trailed off and Hongjoong nodded without hesitation.

“No, I don’t take any offense to it. I was heading to the cafe to order some things for the others.” He sent them a tired smile. Yeosang nodded and stood, offering his clean hand to Hongjoong. The pianist took it and stood.

“I’ll wash my hands and be out in a moment, then we can head out if that’s alright with you?” Yeosang tilted his head and Hongjoong nodded, watching as Yeosang headed to the bathroom, bowing in thanks to the staff members of the small shop who helped them out.

Hongjoong glanced over at San, finding the man already staring at him, a stormy expression in his eyes.

“You look like I’ve died, San-ah. I’m alright.” Hongjoong tried to joke, but San’s brows pinched together in displeasure at the metaphor.

He glanced away before looking back to Hongjoong as he spoke.

“I…I'm not good at healing ailments and helping nurse others back to health like the others. I just kind of. Lock up and panic."

Hongjoong blinked at the honest way San spoke to him.

Something else is there, isn’t it?

Also, he didn’t mind that San felt that way, but were they close? Close enough that he’d be this torn up about him having a nose bleed and dizzy spell?

There was more. His head was pounding once again, so he knew he was on the right track. Whatever…that was supposed to be.

“San-”

“I’m back!”

Hongjoong looked up when Yeosang came back and decided he’d approach San another time with his inquiry. He waved and apologized to the staff and lead the way out of the store, the March chill once again blanketing over him.

The shock of the temperature change helped him focus a bit as he walked with the other two men.

“How is everyone at home? It’s not often I see you guys split up.” Hongjoong smiled and looked at both of them.

“I’m just checking out some grocery stores to see if they have the ingredients I need to make Seonghwa his birthday dinner.” Yeosang responded, sighing softly.

“He’s been…under the weather recently and I’m sure he has no excitement for his birthday. So I want to give him something hopefully he’s never had before…or maybe something that reminds him of home…Oh, or even-” Yeosang began speaking to himself, muttering the names of things Hongjoong had never heard before. He was unsure what was supposed to be an ingredient and what was supposed to be the dish itself.

“And you, San? Are you out here looking for a gift for Seonghwa?” Hongjoong turned his attention to the other man.

San's fingers tightened on the handle of the coffee shop door. He paused, eyes focused on the worn brass of the handle before he shook his head.

“No, I’m just helping out Yeosang. I’ll help him cook the meal. I’m not the best at giving gifts.” He rubbed his neck and pulled the door open, ushering the two men inside.

It wasn’t the first time he’d heard one of them say that. Last time, it was Wooyoung, but he figured it was a sore spot and opted to leave it be, looking towards the counter.

“Well, if I can help, please let me know. I can’t put on another big performance for a while since Yunho and Seonghwa’s birthdays are so close to each other….but if you need a singer or a keyboard player, I’m your man.” He sent them a big smile and both of them sent him a grateful one back.

“We’ll certainly keep that in mind, Hyung.” Yeosang laughed.

“Thank you very much.” Wooyoung nodded before looking to the menu.

“While we’re here, we might as well get the others coffee.” He mused.

The three fell into a comfortable lull, discussing different menu items as they ordered for their respective groups of loved ones.

Outside, a few flakes of crystalline snowflakes began to fall. Soon, others joined them, as the day’s gentle snow covered the city in a fresh blanket of white.

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

“What do you mean e n d of the world?”

“If you don’t succeed…the world itself as you know it may fall to utter ruin. I don’t want to…pressure you, but if you don’t succeed this time, there’s a very real possibility you won’t get another chance.”

“....”

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

“Aren’t you supposed to, like, be in some college classes or something, pretending you’re a normal boy or something?” Jaemin squinted, holding a cup of coffee as Seonghwa sat in his living room, books scattered all around him.

“I’m sorry, I just…I need to look into a few things.”

“I let him in, don’t worry. As long as someone is seriously pursuing knowledge, my home is open.” Renjun lightly scolded as he made a sweeping motion with his hand, plucking a book from the top shelf with his magic and bringing it down for the ice prince to have a look at.

“ Your house? I live here too, and it’s way too early for me to have someone rummaging around with books everywhere.”

“Jaemin, by the gods, you are a god of time , just rewind or some shit or put yourself in a chronic stasis so you can sleep for as long as you want, then.” The two began to bicker and Seonghwa perked.

“A god of time? Could you perhaps-”

“Absolutely the fuck not. No . I am not interfering with any curse brought onto you and your pirate boyfriends because you pissed off Poseidon’s daughters or whatever. Besides, it takes a LOT of energy for me to rewind time and it has been centuries since your little uh oh. To rewind so far back a alter so many lives for the sake of you eight would cause catastrophic levels of damage control. And think of the PARADOXES-”

“No, I’m not asking you to go back.”

Jaemin paused mid-rant and blinked at Seonghwa, squinting.

“I would like to ask if it is possible for you to…put me in a kind of…stasis, as Renjun put it, so that I may train? How do I describe it…”

Jaemin deadpanned and pinched his brow.

“Dude, it’s an anime concept you just hit me with.”

“...I do not know what you mean. Are you saying you cannot do it?”

Renjun snickered behind his hand while Jaemin twitched and crossed his arms, eyeing the prince.

“You all really like demanding things of us. What exactly is in it for me? Why on Earth would I exhaust so much magic so you can have some shonen anime montage?”

Seonghwa looked at him for a while before he plucked a few books from the floor, beginning to straighten up the mess he had made as he began researching.

“I know I’m asking for a lot with nothing good to offer in exchange.” he sighed and put the stack of books beside him, pressing his hands together to the floor and bowing, letting his forehead touch the floor.

Renjun and Jaemin looked at the ex prince in surprise as he stayed bowed.

“But I have a hunch on what we’re facing if we fail. I can’t do this alone. I love my boys, but I don’t think we can do it without any aid as we are now. Please help me. Help us . I will be forever indebted to you. I just…I’m so tired, Jaemin. I just want to protect them. I want to save them, myself…and apparently, the world.”

Renjun’s sympathetic expression shifted to one of confusion. Jaemin squinted and walked over to the bowing pirate, hands on his hips.

“What the hell does that mean?”

Seonghwa rose his head, grabbing the book he’d placed at the top of his pile, opening it to a page and turning it towards the time god.

His eyes drifted down, widening as he stared at the page.

“What…about it?”

“If I don’t get my Captian back and he doesn’t remember us, that thing’s getting loose. The God of the Sun didn’t tell me explicitly, but I have a strong hunch I’m right.”

Jaemin ran a hand through his hair, swearing.

“You got a week, pretty boy. I’ll prepare. Come back then. Bring your A game because I can’t do the stasis too many times without fucking over my powers and if I ever truly get exhausted, time itself is going to be all out of whack.” He warned. Seonghwa nodded and smiled, grabbing the books he’d be borrowing.

“Thank you, I will work hard. Thank you. I need to go before I’m late.”

Jaemin frowned, watching the taller man leave, shaking his head.

“Park Seonghwa.” Jaemin called to him, eyes hardened. Seongha glanced over his shoulder at him.

“You better not be late. I hate having to waste time.”

Seonghwa nodded and hurried out of view, the wind whipping his blonde locks over his forehead before the door closed behind him.

A beat of silence passed between Renjun and Jaemin before the latter sighed.

“Gods dammit, how did I get roped into this shit?”

Renjun pushed his glasses up and watched Seonghwa leave through the window.

“The sun witch girl did tell us things were bad, Chronos.”

Jaemin scowled, tapping his foot.

“I still don’t have to like it, Thoth. A simple curse should never have spiraled into whatever clusterfuck this is.” he hissed. Renjun hummed and nodded, moving to the kitchen.

“I can’t say I disagree.”

•••••͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•••••••

10:30am

•••••͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•••••••

“ Mon Dieu , what the hell happened to your arm?! Are you hurt?!” Seonghwa was startled when he finally rejoined with the others, eyes landing on the bright red of Yeosang’s sleeve.

The smaller of the two ex princes sent him a soft smile, shaking his head.

“No, our Captian had a nosebleed on the street and San and I helped out. I’ve long since fallen out of the habit of carrying handkerchiefs with me so I didn't have anything else to use at the time….” Yeosang trailed off, noticing the heavy-looking satchel settled against Seonghwa's hip.

“Is that why you were missing at breakfast and were late this morning to class?” He inquired softly, eyes locking with Seonghwa's.

The other ex prince glanced down before looking at him.

‘I'll know if you lie to me.’ Yeosang didn't break his gaze with Seonghwa.

“I stopped by Renjun, Jaemin, and Jenos's place. I wanted to look into a few things and see if I can come up with a plan of attack for breaking the curse as quickly as possible.”

Yeosang continued staring at him before his shoulders subtly relaxed and he cupped Seonghwa’s cheek.

“Can I help?”

Seonghwa pressed his face into Yeosang’s palm, the chill of his skin contrasting with the warmth of the kitsune's.

“Yes… I just haven't gotten to that part of my brainstorming. But… I will need everyone's help.” He closed his eyes, simply enjoying the intimacy.

Yeosang rubbed the curve of his cheek with his thumb before glancing behind him.

Yunho had met up with Hongjoong, smiling wide with his arm around his shoulder and Jongho and Moa trailing not too far behind them, the quartet engaged in light-hearted chatter.

Chan, and Felix had roped Mingi's introverted self into an animated conversation about something that seemed to have made him comfortable after the initial shock of the two singling him out to talk to.

Wooyoung and San were leaning against a wall a bit further off, sharing a pastry Wooyoung had gotten this morning and talking softly, not even Yeosang could hear them. He wondered for a moment if they were talking at all, or simply reading each other’s lips before he turned his attention back to Seonghwa.

“Just let us know what you'll need and I can assist. I've never been the greatest at organizing anything in combat, but food is always a good icebreaker for motivating troops.” He joked, pulling Seonghwa into a kiss.

Seonghwa let him, melting slightly into the hold before breaking it, pressing their heads together.

“I appreciate you.”

Yeosang smiled.

“And I appreciate you.”

Hongjoong glanced over his shoulder at the others before looking up to Yunho, nudging him lightly.

“Do you want to invite everyone over? Have a movie date or something at my place?” He inquired. Yunho smiled and nodded.

“I’ll ask the others. 8 sound good?”

Hongjoong smiled and nodded, a pep in his step afterward.

•••••͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•••••••

6:30pm

•••••͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•••••••

“Wait, you’re not coming?”

San frowned, watching as Seonghwa placed books down on the dining room table, spreading them meticulously.

Wooyoung, Yeosang, Yunho, and Jongho all stood near the door, staring at the ice prince in shock.

“Non, I will pass this time. Please tell everyone I said hello and I hope you all have a good evening. I’ll be up when you get home.” He waved at them and an immediate curtain of confliction fell over the men.

Mingi decided he wouldn’t be joining either, telling the others he’d be familiarizing himself with the new culture they were surrounded with so he wouldn’t stand out so much when he spoke to the others surrounding their resurrected Captain.

No one believed him, but for the sake of avoiding an argument, no one pressed him.

“Maybe we should reschedule…” Wooyoung trailed off and Seonghwa waved a hand, cutting him off briskly.

“Nonsense. It’s been…centuries. Please, you all deserve to unwind we have enough looming over us. Go.” He spoke a bit more firmly, leaving less room for them to contest him.

“Next time,” Yeosang spoke up, his eyes landing on Seonghwa’s.

“-next time, you’re coming.” His voice matched Seonghwa’s authoritative one and the older immortal smiled softly.

“Deal.”

The remaining five ex-pirates filtered out into the cold night, leaving Seonghwa in the quiet home.

As soon as the door closed, his shoulders slumped, his eyes landing on the scattered papers before him.

Gods, he felt like he was going mad.

“A week. I have a week. Come up with a plan, Park Seonghwa.”

He spoke to himself, grabbing a pen and a notepad and beginning to scribble wildly, jotting down every single plan of action that came to him.

Devise a plan, find the flaws, throw it out, repeat.

Adjust the plan, weigh the variables, revise once more, repeat.

This won’t work.

That won't work, either.

It won’t work.

None of it.

Is this all a strategist like him has to offer?

Seonghwa grit his teeth and ran his hand through his hair.

“Come on, Seonghwa. It’s not that hard.” He scolded himself and looked back at the papers around him.

From the top of the staircase, Mingi glanced down, watching Seonghwa work almost manically, muttering to himself and making plan after plan, only to crumple them up and toss them away.

“....” The ex boatswain pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and turned to leave, disappearing back down the hall.

⋆⋇⋆⋇⋇⋆✦꘏✦⋆⋇⋆⋇⋆⋇

8pm

⋆⋇⋆⋇⋇⋆✦꘏✦⋆⋇⋆⋇⋆⋇

“Oh…they stayed home?” Hongjoong frowned after San delivered the news. The “younger” man nodded, putting his hands in his pockets.

“Mingi wanted to study and Hyung is keeping him company.” He lied without missing a beat and Hongjoong glanced at the remaining men.

“Are you sure you don’t want to reschedule? We have these little family game nights like, multiple times a week-”

“We made them promise to come next time.” Yeosang piped up, sending him a reassuring smile as he held up a platter of snacks he made.

“I made these. Where would you like me to put them?”

Hongjoong glanced at the platter and smiled, reaching over and taking it from him. Their fingers brushed against one another lightly as he did, and Yeosang almost recoiled at the small static shock that ran through him the moment they did.

“Oh? Oh thank gods, they brought food, c’mon, get out of the doorway and get inside.” Yuta’s voice startled them all to attention as he leaned against the staircase.

Jongho noticed the subtle headcount Yuta did with his eyes before arching a single, sharp brow.

‘Keep an eye on that one, yeah?’ Whiro growled inside of him. He hummed in agreement before taking the first few steps into the home after toeing off his shoes at the door.

The others followed suit, following Hongjoong and Yuta deeper into the home.

“Oh! Just in time, I just counted and set up the controllers for smash bros, and Yeonjun-ah found the Uno deck for those who need to sit out between rounds.” Chan greeted them with a big smile while Suzuka pointed to the table at the corner of the room.

“You can set the food there. Moa and Yeonjun have the drinks set up.”

The boys dispersed into different groups, some curious to play smash brothers, some watching over as Chungha, Felix, and Yuta showed them how to play Uno.

Hongjoong relaxed into Yunho’s chest, sitting comfortably in his lap as he explained how to play smash brothers, occasionally stealing kisses from the man behind him between character selection screens.

It was a bummer that they weren’t all together, but he intended on making the next gathering even more eventful so Mingi and Seonghwa could enjoy it just as much.

⋆⋇⋆⋇⋇⋆✦꘏✦⋆⋇⋆⋇⋆⋇

“Goodness, they might as well stay the night.” Siyeon exhaled softly, taking a blanket and pulling it over Hongjoong, Yunho, and Jongho. The trio lay in a heap on the floor, sprawled over each other after an exciting series of Uno matches.

The shadows shifted along Jongho’s skin for a moment. Small, subtle movements Siyeon caught from her closeness, pulling the blanket snugly against them before settling back onto him.

She smiled. So it was true. The God of Evil and darkness wasn't so bad after all now that he'd been stuck inside of the ex-gunner, hm?

Curiously, she moved her finger to poke Jongho’s arm, biting back the small laugh that nearly bubbled out as a shadow subtly pushed her finger back. The lines shifted before settling once more.

It was endearing.

“I’ll grab some pillows.” Chungha disappeared down the hall and Siyeon looked around, finding that San and Wooyoung had fallen asleep with their heads in Yeosang’s lap as he gently pet them, watching over them all with a quiet gaze.

“You are still awake? Aren’t you tired?” Siyeon approached him, cleaning up some of the refreshment platters that were on the coffee table.

“We all are. I’ll rest in a moment.” He spoke softly, gently scratching his nails along their scalps. Siyeon nodded and continued cleaning up. Chungha helped her put the pillows under Hongjoong, Jongho, and Yunho before passing Yeosang one of the others.

“You sure you want to rest there? You may have a sore neck if you stay like that.” Chungha warned him. Yeosang sent her a soft smile.

“I’ll be okay, Noona. Thank you.”

She nodded and turned to Siyeon.

“Unnie, I’ll be in the kitchen cleaning up. Are you heading to bed?”

“No, my sweet. I’ll be there in a moment to help out. You shouldn’t have to clean up after everyone.”

Chungha’s cheeks went bright pink and she quickly darted into the kitchen, leaving Siyeon alone with the slumbering boys and Yeosang.

“Siyeon, how long have you known Hongjoong?”

She smiled softly and put the Uno deck away on the shelf in the room.

“Mmm, in his last lifetime or this one?”

The kitsune perked and stared at her, following her movements before she knelt down in front of him.

“Tell you what. If you want to sit down with me and talk a bit, I am willing to do so.” She looked towards the men in his lap before meeting his eyes.

“I’d love to do a proper reading on you all one day. No charge, of course.”

As she turned to leave, Yeosang’s voice called out once more.

“What…what was the old Hongjoong like? The one from…your other life time?” He squinted and tilted his head. Siyeon laughed lightly and looked at him over her shoulder.

“Joong? He was a chaotic jackass but he was the bestest friend a girl could ever hope for. That’s why,” She looked to the pianist, his face tucked into Yunho’s clavicle.

“That’s why I’m honored to protect his reincarnation and help you all. I won’t ever get my Joong back, but I’ll give everything to help you all save our little artist and your Captian.” Siyeon walked away after quietly saying her peace.

If Yeosang noticed the quiver in her voice, he was polite enough not to mention it, settling into the couch, his hands going back to running through San and Wooyoung’s hair.

✰✰(¯`*•.¸,¤°°¤,¸.•*´¯)✰✰

Saturday, March 26th

-224 Days Remain-

-5:30am-

✰✰(¯`*•.¸,¤°°¤,¸.•*´¯)✰✰

Mingi heard the door to his room opened and was fully alert in an instant. The stress had made him a lighter sleeper than usual, and while he didn’t open his eyes immediately, he was tensed and on alert.

“Cheese, can you please stay here so the house isn’t empty when he wakes?”

Mingi’s brow twitched.

Seonghwa…?

“Cheese will remain by his side but….where are you going, Master Captian?”

“Seonghwa is fine, Cheese. You needn’t waste your time calling me things I have not earned.”

“Okay, Master Captian Seonghwa.”

Seonghwa paused staring at the dog. Cheese wagged his tale, tongue out and delightfully happy. Seonghwa let out an amused exhale before he scratched the Jindo behind the ears.

“Nevermind. I’m going out to train. If anyone needs me, please come get me, okay?” He lowered his hand, offering his scent to the Jindo out of a formality.

The spirit hunting dog had long since imprinted their scents into him once they got him.

Still, the canine sniffed at his chilled hand before letting out a single affirming gruffaw. Cheese licked his hand and climbed into bed with Mingi, curling up at his side and settling down as Seonghwa turned his back and headed towards the door.

He glanced over his shoulder at Mingi, his lips twitching up in a mournful smile.

He really wasn’t very good at playing dead, was he?

Seonghwa left without audibly saying he knew the other man was awake, heading down the stairs and out of the house.

As soon as the chilled air touched his face, his eyes sharpened.

He had a lot to do today.

Back in their home, Mingi counted the minutes in his head before he felt Cheese nudge his hand.

“Cheese smells the change in your scent. Cheese believes this is…’ apprehension’? Would you like to ‘vent’? Cheese may not be the smartest, but Cheese is a very good listener.”

Mingi opened his eyes and sighed.

“I don’t know what the hell I should do, Cheese.”

Cheese shuffled closer, resting his head on Mingi’s chest.

“Cheese believes what is often said is to ‘follow your heart’? Cheese has no idea what this means but Cheese is good at following. What does your heart say, Windy Master?”

Mingi worried his bottom lip between his teeth.

For obvious reasons, he was still…rather sore about some of his past lovers, and a huge part of him still wasn’t sure how he felt about this ‘new’ Hongjoong. He’d told him that he had no issues with him to quell some of the worry in the pianist, but was that really true?

No, of course not.

Absurd as it may be, wasn’t he betraying his Captian by falling for this…lookalike?

It seems Mingi didn’t adapt to change as easily as the others.

Part of Mingi felt horrible, harboring these feelings for someone who truly didn’t deserve it, but he still needed to sort through some of the shock before he could see himself…’letting it go’.

“Captian, what do I do….?” He muttered into the stillness of the room.

✰✰(¯`*•.¸,¤°°¤,¸.•*´¯)✰✰

Joong felt his body getting violently jostled as the dragon once more began to move, dragging his tail along the floor as he rolled to his feet.

He’d ducked back into the safety of the silken fur of his tail, but he couldn’t resist peeking out more often than he had been before, staring at the crystal whenever he had the chance.

The man inside of it. No doubt, was him.

Or…a version of him? He wasn’t sure what the fuck was going on at this point, if he were being honest.

He’d never been a religious or spiritual man-that was more Siyeon’s thing-but he did believe in things he could see.

Right now, there were ‘two hims’, a fucking dragon, and the monster the dragon had nearly killed once he found this crystal.

It’s times like this, the motorcyclist wished he did have the guidance of his best friend. Siyeon always seemed to have a calm head and a knack for explaining things that could not be explained.

Joong flinched as the dragon roared and slammed its head against the crack in the crystal, grunting and possibly swearing in a language he did not understand.

He peeked out between the dragon’s bouts of frenzy and saw the small crack grow just a bit larger. He couldn’t help the anxious clench in the pit of his stomach.

✰✰(¯`*•.¸,¤°°¤,¸.•*´¯)✰✰

The ground around him shook violently, and through those motions, Hongjoong startled awake, looking around.

He was…in a palace, as it was, though as he looked out from the carved jade columns, he saw ocean life. He looked below him, finding the familiar scene of his feet causing ripples with every step, though they illuminated the way as he walked down the corridor.

The shaking only grew more violent, and Hongjoong found himself stumbling.

“What is happening?!”

His body jerked left and right before he grit his teeth and took off running down the hall.

Where is he going? What is he doing?

These questions floating around his mind did not stop him as he threw open the doors before him, storming out.

“Go up to the surface and find out what is causing those awful tremors. I am the Lord of these waters.”

Hongjoong looked for the person speaking, but found that everyone in the room were staring at him, their heads knelt down.

A hulking beast stood to his full height.

“I will go, Milord. Please leave it to me.”

Hongjoong could not find his voice, watching as the man left. He glanced at the others in the room, pressing his lips together in a line before he turned around to leave.

He found that his head was raised higher than it was before, and he stood much taller now. The watery halls now had creatures bustling through them, all of whom scrambled to get out of his way when he walked by them.

They uttered terrified ‘good days’, and ‘hello Milords’ to him before scurrying out of his way. Others looked upon him as if he was some kind of magnificent being.

“You look radiant today, Milord.”

“Thank you for the rains you’ve blessed the lands with, My King.”

Hongjoong walked until he reached a room he believed to be his wash room.

It was…gaudy, certainly worth millions. He’d had plenty of dreams but this one had a bit more glitter and gold (or, rather, jade) than ever before.

He sighed and looked to the wash basin, finding it had no knobs or faucet. His brows furrowed, but he found water began to shift and swirl around the space above the jade basin. He reached out hesitantly, startling at the turquoise scales and claws he had been met with when he brought his hands up. His lips parted in surprise as the water danced between them.

‘This is weird.’

He looked up at the mirror, finding the image staring back at him was of his own. Two sided hair and all. He reached up to press his clawed hand to the glass and blinked.

In an instant, the image shifted.

Scales, the same familiar clawed hand, and piercing jade eyes.

One was a bit dimmer than the other.

Hongjoong startled. The man looked exactly like him, but there was a frightening anger in his gaze that made a chill run down his spine.

The pianist noticed his hand was back to normal and moved to pull it away from the mirror. As soon as he did, the clawed hand reached through, grabbing him sharply and yanking him through.

Head over heels, he stumbled through the mirror, falling. He couldn’t find his voice, however, simply staring into those piercing jade eyes, staring back as the two of them hurtled towards the ground.

“Well, well, well~”

Hongjoong opened his mouth to ask who this man was, but the moment he did, water flooded into his lungs.

(_¸.•’´(_¸.•’´*♫♪♫♪*`’•.¸_)`’• .¸_)

“Hgh?!” Hongjoong jolted up, knocking into Jongho and making the man jolt awake. Whiro twitched along his skin, watching Hongjoong from the dark lines. Yunho was a bit slower to rise, but he looked up at Hongjoong, rubbing his eye.

“Baby? Are you alright? ” Both he and Geb responded on instinct and Hongjoong coughed, touching his thoat in a panic as the last tendrils of the strange dream unraveled. He touched his face and looked around, unfocused.

As if on instinct, his eyes scanned the room, counting.

Yunho, Jongho, Yeosang, Wooyoung, San.

Mingi and Seonghwa, where are they? He needs them all together, something dangerous is approaching he needs to protect his cre-

“Hongjoong?”

His eyes focused in an instant to the sound of Jongho’s voice as he cupped his face abruptly, pressing his forehead to his and staring directly into his eyes.

“-H-ho..Jongh..ho…”

“Look at me, breathe, okay?”

Hongjoong stared, wringing his hands into the blanket Siyeon put over the three. From behind him, he could feel Yunho loop a hand around his waist, a sturdy support while he looked into Jongho’s eyes.

“Where are you right now, Hyung?” Jongho’s voice spoke strongly and Hongjoong’s eyes broke contact only to scan the room.

He’d woken the other three, and he felt his brows pull up, guilty as Wooyoung, San, and Yeosang scrambled over themselves to get closer, hurriedly also asking him if he was alright.

“Focus, Hyung. Where are you?”

“H..Home.”

“Yes, you’re home. Who am I?”

“Jongho…”

“Good. Can you breathe? Does your chest hurt?”

Hongjoong looked down, finding Jongho had placed a gentle palm over his ribs. He found himself slightly melting, putting his hand over Jongho’s, shaking his head.

“No…No. I’m..I’m alright. Just a bad dream. I’m sorry.” He finally let out a relaxing sigh and smiled at the men around him.

“Thank you. Sorry to worry you all.”

“We don’t mind.” San spoke, leaning out of his space once he was sure the man was doing okay.

“So uh…good morning?”

The six men startled, looking over and finding Felix and Changkyun staring at them curiously from the entrance of the kitchen.

“Everything alright? Hongjoong?” Changkyun spoke firmly, eyes landing on the hand Jongho still had on Hongjoong’s chest and the…compromising position it looked like he was in.

Hongjoong went beet red and cleared his throat.

“Yes, it’s not anything dirty, I swear.” He stammered. Changkyun’s eyes narrowed, unimpressed. A single, pierced eyebrow rose and Felix pursed his lips.

“I didn’t say it was, but since you so graciously brought it up-” Changkyun cut his gaze over to Jongho like a disapproving older brother.

“He had a nightmare. He was having a panic attack, it’s not anything inappropriate, Hyung.” Jongho spoke for himself without tripping over his words. Blunt, honest, and to the point.

A moment passed before the poet’s shoulders relaxed. Changkyun seemed to appreciate it and take it for truth, if the way his eyes softened were anything to go by.

“You’ve been having a lot of weird ones lately. C’mon, we’ll start some breakfast and get your mind off it. Let’s make today a lazy day.”

Hongjoong’s shoulders relaxed as Changkyun turned to go into the kitchen. Felix lingered for a moment longer before following his hyung into the next room.

“Weird ones? Have you been having nightmares a lot recently, Hyung?” Wooyoung inquired, a frown settled on his face.

Hongjoong looked around at them, rubbing his neck.

“I’ve always had vivid dreams, they’ve just been vamping up recently.” He explained.

Yeosang watched him, noticing the small change in his scent.

‘That’s not the full truth, is it? Is it us? Are we why you’re having the influx of dreams?’

“I’ll go help with breakfast.” Yeosang stood, dusting his clothes off. He wasn’t really…one to confront others, and he figured it would do more harm than good to pry into it a bit more.

Instead, he’d do what he was great at, healing through cooking.

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

1:37pm

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

“Ngh! Again! I can go again!”

“Forgive me if this sounds…mmm…rude, but if you intended on training, why are the others not also with you?”

Seonghwa wiped away the bead of sweat that had rolled down his brow and tightened his grip on his falcatas.

“They will be, I just-”

Across from him, Miyavi sighed, lowering the gleaming bow he had in his hands.

“Tearing yourself up for the past is not how you all are to overcome this. The trials, making my son remember, it its all a group effort. You called me out to train with you early in the morning and you’ve been holding your own well but-”

“ They will be involved .” Seonghwa shifted his posture, cutting the Sun God off.

“I just. How can I expect them to follow my lead if I’m weak? I had them jump into the Trial and all of them were worse off because of it. No one was ready, not even me, but if I can get better, become stronger, I can-”

“Seonghwa, who is this for?”

The ice prince paused, staring at the deity as he dispelled his bow.

“I don’t take pleasure in senseless violence. If you can answer for me, with full honesty, who is this for , I’ll happily train with you and give my all. I understand your urgency to have my so remember, but if your body and mind is torn up, will you truly be able to help yourself? Let alone the others.” he walked over to Seonghwa, staring down at the ex pirate.

“Have you even realized you’ve been healing slower with each of my bows that have pierced your skin? That’s enough for today.” he sent Seonghwa an understanding smile.

“Be kinder to yourself, Mr. Park Seonghwa.”

Seonghwa’s shoulders slumped as the god walked away from him, leaving him alone with his own racing thoughts in the abandoned warehouse they’d been training in.

His grip on his falcatas tightened, the ice one let out a cracking noise, but did not shatter and Seonghwa’s eyes narrowed.

He didn’t need soft words of encouragement. He didn’t need rest . He needed results .

Seonghwa let out a harsh breath, summoning a series of ice dummies, completely freezing the floor over in the warehouse.

Again, go again.

It’s the only way.

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

10:25pm

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

“I’ll be back. Cheese, c’mon.”

The group of ex pirates looked up as San stood, whistling for Cheese to follow him.

“ Cheese is right beside you, Blood Master!”

“San, it’s freezing outside, where are you going?” Yeosang inquired. San pressed his lips in a line and looked towards the stairs before looking back at the others.

“Seonghwa hasn’t come back, you know. We haven’t seen him all day.” He reminded them. Everyone tensed, and Mingi fidgeted. The others hadn’t gotten back in until late in the afternoon and he’d…neglected to tell any of them that Seonghwa had left so early all by his lonesome at that ungodly hour.

It really slipped his mind, he was just excited to have them return so he wasn’t alone (sans Cheese) with his own conflicted thoughts.

Yeosang looked at the time and startled, setting aside the food he was prepping.

“Gods above, I didn’t realize the hour. I’m coming with you.”

Wooyoung stood, followed by Jongho and Yunho, with all of them quickly trying to devise a plan to break up into pairs to go see if they could locate the prince-

“The Master Captian is here!”

All heads snapped towards the door as Seonghwa walked through, his face pale and his posture slouched. He looked up when he felt everyone’s eyes land on him.

“Oh, pardon. I didn’t mean to interrupt-”

“Where the HELL have you been?!”

“Are you okay?! Where were you?!”

Seonghwa rose his hands in surprise, startled by the burst of noise as the ex pirates rushed him, all chattering over top of one another.

“I’m alright-Goodness, I did not mean to worry anyone, I was merely out training.”

They all paused, staring at the tired man as he gave each of them a kiss, properly greeting them before he rose his head to look into Mingi’s direction, waving at him.

“...Good evening, Mingi.”

Mingi glanced away.

“Hey.”

Seonghwa took it for what it was, though he smiled at not being ignored.

“Pardon me, everyone. I’m very sore and I’ll be heading to bed after a shower. I’m sorry if I worried any of you with my absence.”

They watched him leave, glancing at one another. Cheese trotted after him, his tail curled and wagging as he occasionally nudged Seonghwa’s hand with his head.

“Cheese has made sure the Masters are safe in your absence. cHEESE DEMANDS PRAISE FOR HIS WORK!”

Seonghwa laughed gently and summoned a bone made of ice, handing it to the canine. Cheese took it, running back and forth through the hallways, playfully growling in excitement.

Tomorrow, he’d be up early again, he had an idea of who he could ask to help him train if the Sun God was unavailable.

“We should be doin’ more too, you know.” Whiro spoke once Seonghwa and Cheese relocated. Jongho nodded in agreement as the shadows rose from his skin.

Wooyoung and San exchanged a look, worry on the formers while an unreadable look was on the latter’s. Yeosang touched his neck gently, remembering the burning feeling of humiliation at being defeated so soundly by Yugyeom during their first fight.

The kitsune grit his teeth and frowned.

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

Tuesday

March 31st

-221 Days Remaining-

“Is everything alright?” Hongjoong leaned over, running his hand through Yunho’s chocolate locks. Yunho put his head on Hongjoong’s shoulder, gently breathing in his scent.

“I feel…like I’ve made a mistake.”

Hongjoong felt a pit in his stomach, hand tensing. Was Yunho referring to him…? They did start this relationship abruptly…

Yunho, sensing this, looked up instantly.

“No, not you! Gods, no. I’m sorry my love.” He pressed a kiss to Hongjoong’s cheek and the musician relaxed for a moment before tilting his head.

“So then…what? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“I…said something before to Seonghwa and I think I….I’ve put a lot of pressure on him and that’s not..at all helpful. I don’t know what to do.” He sighed, closing his eyes. Hongjoong frowned and tilted his head.

“Pressure? Pressure in regards to what?”

Yunho kept his eyes closed, but sighed.

“I…I’m sorry. I don’t think I can say yet without hurting you.”

Hongjoong looked down, lips pursed.

So it was in regards to…whatver the hell this supernatural thing was that was going on. The memories, the migraines, the nosebleeds, the dreams.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He inquired, pressing a soft kiss to Yunho’s head as he leaned on him. Yunho sighed again.

“We can’t always expect you to fix our messes. I think…our reliance on one person always fixing things and leading us is part of why we’re not seeing eye to eye.”

Hongjoong stared at him. There it was again. That phrasing. It implied he’d been in this position many times before. ‘Fixing their messes’, as Yunho put it. His temple began throbbing in subtle dull pulses, but he decided not to pry too much.

He could read between the lines, though.

“So…have you all came together to do something for him since he seems to be stressed? I haven’t seen him in days, are you all sending him out of the house for birthday preparations? I haven’t seen Mingi, either.”

Yunho sighed.

“Mingi has been keeping to himself, he takes a bit longer to warm up to new people so he’s been declining coming out.

Hongjoong was about to nod in understanding when he felt his vision distort slightly. He squinted, rubbing his head before hearing distant voices rattling around in his head.

“_____, I made friends with a shopkeep in town and she gave me a new book! Do you mind reading it with me?”

“Of course I don’t mind, baby. Let’s go get Seonghwa and we can read it together. Who knows, there may be a poem in there for you?”

“Hey, ____…?”

“Yes, Mingi?”

“Thank you…so much, for giving me the opportunity to meet so many new people and see so many new things. I can’t thank you enough”

“...Heh, of course, baby. I’d do anything for you, y’know?”

Hongjoong tensed.

Yunho noticed and turned to him, tilting his head.

“Hongjoong?”

He blinked, focusing back.

“Sorry, I spaced out. Do you think I can help with anything?”

Yunho smiled and nodded.

“I think I focus better when I hold you close. Mind if I test that out?” He smiled boyishly and Hongjoong shoved his chest lightly, muttering something about him being cheesy, all whilst leaning into his arms for more cuddles.

He couldn’t help the small downward tug to his lips, his mind wandering in concern for a different tall man.

✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤♖✣✤✣✤✣✤✣✤✣

“You’re holding back. I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Prince .”

Seonghwa scowled and threw up a shield of ice, blocking a glowing blade. It’s owner bounced off of the shield and spun on their heel, rolling their neck and adjusting the large bladed tonfas in their hands.

“We’ve been fighting for hours and you’ve only cut me once. You are taking this seriously, right? Don’t waste time I could be spending training on my own if you’re going to bullshit me.”

“I would hate to have to explain to my beloved why his brother is dead otherwise.” Seonghwa growled.

Across from him, Yuta tilted his head, a bewildered look on his face before he threw his head back, peals of laughter rumbling from his chest.

“ You ? Kill me? With that stuffy, old ass way of fighting? You wish .” He taunted, standing straighter and circling Seonghwa. The blonde mirrored him, carefully matching his steps, eyes narrowed.

Gods above, if he knew how snarky this one would be, he would’ve asked Moa or Suzuka to help him, or even Whiro and Jongho.

Yuta’s foot shifted, and Seonghwa had a fraction of a moment to brace himself as the man lunged towards him.

“The cut you hit me with has already healed. Won’t even bruise in the morning. Can’t say the same for your wounds.” He teased, slashing downwards and tearing through Seonghwa’s sleeve, gashing his arm.

He swore in one of his many learned languages and moved to parry the second blow Yuta threw his way, knocking the blade back and catching him in the side.

The guitarist retreated, smiling like mad as the red creeped into his clothes, staining them.

“There we go. Get angry, Blondie. Get your shit together.” He dug his heels into the dirt, the blades of his tonfas beginning to glow as he laughed.

“I wanna see the man who’s going to save my brother go all out. If you give me anything less, I’ll cleave your damn head right from your fucking body, throw the shit back on till it reattatches, and fucking hack it right off again.”

Seonghwa’s jaw set as he exhaled, a chilly vapor escaping as he froze over his still bleeding wound. He missed the way the edges had been tinted purple before the ice obscured it.

“Fine, as you wish.”

(_¸.•’´(_¸.•’´*♫♪♫♪*`’•.¸_)`’• .¸_)

Hongjoong looked up from his screen, startled at the 2:24am that glared back at him from the clock he kept above him in the studio.

"Shit-" He could feel both fatigue and hunger grip him at the same time and sighed, knowing he'd ended up skipping dinner as he was engrossed in his composing and planning for the group's next piece. He stood, cracking his back and neck after a good stretch and then moving to leave his studio.

His home was quiet and still, and the pianist felt a bit guilty as he glanced towards the kitchen.

If he went now, he'd wake everyone up.

Wait, there was a convenience store down the street, right?

A smile came onto Hongjoong's face as he headed to the door, sliding on Yunho's coat and heading out into the chill of the early morning April hours. As he walked, he felt the wind chill him down to his bones. His body was wracked with a shudder before he pulled the jacket taught against his body, thrusting his hands into the oversized pockets.

"It's already April..."He muttered quietly to no one in particular. In an instant, he remembered Yunho's voice from earlier in the day. Hopefully, they’d be able to come up with an idea of something that could help the man with his current stress.

"Seonghwa-ya's birthday..." Hongjoong ducked into the convenience store, bowing in greeting to the cashier before grabbing a hand basket.

He couldn't whip up another performance like he had for Yunho so close together. He wasn't even sure if Seonghwa would enjoy that as much as Yunho did.

What did he like again…?

Hongjoong stopped in the middle of the store, pursing his lips.

Maybe….if he tried a bit, really tried to wring his brain a bit, he could…remember?

He knew all of them, that much was obvious to an extent. But he had yet to have the same cosmic revelation on how he knew the others like he had with Yunho.

Yet.

He couldn’t deny he saw Seonghwa in a lot of them, though. Bits and pieces, but he knew those eyes staring out from the obscure figure. He’d heard his voice through those distorted dreams.

He just…didn’t know what the man would like.

Hongjoong sighed and grabbed some snacks, deciding he’d make ramen and an egg using the convenience store’s microwave and he’d just eat while he was out so he didn’t disturb anyone else.

Hongjoong sighed, swinging his foot as he ate, zoned out.

Outside, a figure watched him through the window, sneering.

‘Ah, there’s the brat. I’d hate to end my fun early, but if I kill him now, that shitty dragon will be out of my space.’ Pricilla watched Hongjoong before plucking a marble from her pocket. She tossed it to the ground, watching as it morphed and formed into the shape of a man.

‘When he’s out, get rid of him. It's no fun playing with my toy anymore if the dragon is going to get in the way.’ She waved a hand and turned her back to the entrance of the alleyway.

‘I’ve gotten sick of the pirate, anyway. He’s gotten stale and boring. I refuse to let his lizard-brained self run rampant in my space I created. He’ll regret the day he slinked out of the shadows and DARED to mess with Scylla.’ She disappeared into the night, leaving the minion she’d summoned to handle Hongjoong.

He stretched when he got outside, the bag high above his head before he rolled his neck and headed down the street.

Maybe he’d take the day off or something, he tried to not make it a habit of going to class exhausted and wiped out.

‘Crunch, crunch’

Maybe if he went out later today, after a nap, he’d be able to go to a department store and get Seonghwa a gift. Surely something there should catch his eye.

‘Crunch, crunch, crunch’

Was he a fashion type of man? Maybe if Hongjoong brought along Chungha and Yeonjun, they’d be able to advise him on what would look well and suit Seonghwa. Hongjoong wondered if the man was more conservative with his fashion or if he was more daring?

‘Crunchcrunchcrunch-’

Hongjoong spun on a dime, dodging a strike from the person who had been following him, grabbing their arm and twisting roughly.

“Who are you?” He growled. The man opened his mouth, letting out a bark like a wild dog.

Hongjoong’s eyes grew, he’d heard that bark before.

Fangs sinking into his body, tearing into him violently.

Serpentine tendrils tightening around his form, yanking him back.

Yunho has his hand in a tight grip, horror in his face as he tries to fight against the jaws yanking him towards the ocean.

The man turned and lunged at Hongjoong, and the pianist looked up, lip curled up as a burning, unspeakable a n g e r pumped into his veins.

༻(ᵔᴥᵔ)༺

White ears perked, followed by insistent sniffing.

Cheese rolled onto his stomach, ears standing alert atop his head as he sniffed around the home for the scent. He guffawed and looked towards the front door.

“Cheese smells….something is off.”

“Cheese? What are you doing up so late?” Mingi inquired, watching as the dog beelined towards the door.

Cheese did not respond, fur ruffled and eyes glowing as he phased through the door. His lip curled up, fangs elongating as he snarled. Mingi rushed to the door, opening it and watching the dog take off down the hall before vaulting the stairs.

“Mingi…?” Yeosang came downstairs, eyes squinted as he tried to wake up fully.

“What are you doing?”

“Cheese ran out?? I don’t know why?”

Yeosang’s eyes widened and he rushed over.

“I’m following him.”

“You’re what? ” Mingi startled as Yeosang’s tails unfurled, deep red streaks appearing along his cheeks as he looked at Mingi.

“Are you coming with me or not?”

Mingi hesitated before sighing and grabbing a jacket.

“Let’s go find our dog.”

Cheese was already several blocks ahead, running along the sky and chasing the bold flurry of scents that caught his attention and triggered his instincts.

Amber, bloody lotus, ocean.

He smelled all of it.

Amber, bloody lotus, ocean.

Amber, amber amber, blood, blood-

Cheese looked down from the platform he’d created, finding the one he was looking for and diving down, landing in the snow at the end of the alleyway. He let out a howl only a certain few could hear and rushed over, standing before the familiar oreo-haired man.

Hongjoong stared down at the fallen man that had attacked him, eyes narrowed, but still their natural brown color.

Cheese could see the scales that had crept up to his neck and jaw as he backed away from the man, seemingly shaking off his daze.

“W..what…? Where-” He shook his head, holding his head. Cheese sniffed, the scent of blood, lotus, and ocean water dissipating, leaving an overpowering amber. Cheese stepped forward, headbutting his hand.

“Woof!”

Hongjoong startled and looked down, finding Cheese looking at him, his fur back to normal and his eyes normal once more.

Just a normal dog.

“C..Cheese? What are you doing so far from home off leash…?”

Cheese glanced behind him before barking once more, spinning in a circle, and heading out of the alleyway.

Hongjoong startled and rushed to catch up with him despite his lingering wariness around canines. He didn’t glance behind him, not remembering anything from the past few minutes in the alley as worry flooded him.

How the hell did his boyfriend’s dog get all the way out here this early in the morning all by himself? Would the dog listen to him if he tried to wrangle him back to his home until he could call Yunho?

Gods above and below he hoped the dog didn’t bite him if he tried-

“Hold on, I should call one of your dads so you can get taken home-oof-” Hongjoong ran right out of the alley and into Mingi’s chest, stumbling back for a moment before looking up.

“Oh!”

The two stared at one another in surprise before Hongjoong looked to his side, watching as Yeosang quickly dispelled his tails and ears, looking at him in confusion.

“Ca-Uh, Hyung? What are you doing out so late at night?” He inquired, checking him for signs of injury. Hongjoong rubbed his neck, explaining to them that he’d come out for food after staying up late producing.

As they talked, Cheese slinked back into the alleyway, finding the ‘man’ had transformed back into a marble, a remnant of one of Scylla’s dogs. The Jindo bent down, taking the marble between his canines and swallowing it whole.

“No one will be threatening Cheese’s Masters.”

“Cheese? Where’d he go again-” Mingi called for him and Cheese spun on his paws, bounding out of the alleyway once more, happily bouncing and nuzzling up to the three men’s side, tail wagging energetically.

“Cheese is here! Let us go home! Cheese will blend into the snow if he stays out like this! Now you see Cheese, now you don’t!” Cheese happily trotted forward again, jumping into a pile of snow before jumping back out of it eagerly, shaking his fur off, and rushing down the block.

“Wh- Cheese!” Yeosang took off after him in worry. Mingi glanced down at Hongjoong, watching as the smaller man scratched his cheek in confusion.

His knuckles were bruised.

He glanced at Mingi and smiled softly.

“Does this happen often?” He inquired, trying to make light conversation, seemingly not feeling the pain. Mingi stuck his hands in his pockets.

“No, he’s normally a lot better behaved than that.” He mused before shrugging a shoulder, choosing not to address Hongjoong’s injury and beginning to walk.

If he had, perhaps, the two of them would have noticed the way the bruising began to heal quickly mere moments later as Hongjoong began to walk a few paces behind him.

* ◄ ◊ ► ◄ ◊ ► ◄ ◊ ► ◄ ◊ ► ◄ ◊ ►*

“Ugh, even in this life the shitty pirate gets on my nerves. I lost a dog, too. Ugh...Fine, I'll regroup.”

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---------Taglist-----

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