#round 3 will open sometimes AFTER this sunday. my rest of the week will be for other business I gotta take care of

[b4kuch1n]

dip pen ink comm second round for in order R. Burry, @sega-bass-kissing, and Solaris

[marginalmadness]

Summer Nights: 2/4

Pairing: Rabbit!Hybrid Jungkook x Y/N

Rating: Mature (later explicit)

Genre: Hybrid!Fantasy, Romance, Fluff

Synopsis: A freak weather anomaly leads to a chance encounter with a rabbit-hybrid, and your kind nature results in you gaining a small, fluffy lodger, who questions your taste in television shows. It’s won’t be for long…will it?

Warnings/Tags: This chapter involves Jungkook going into heat.

Author’s Note: If I called @johobi​ patient before, I fucked up the tenses to bad in this chapter, it took her HOURS to fix. But she approved of the chapter which I’m happy about because this is the one I was most worried about. Jungkook Goes into heat in this chapter, and I hope nobody wants to kill me when they finish it.  Chapter 3 is only a week away! <3

Previous Chapter: Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Tags: @kookiebunny97​ @mintyrae​ @skswriting​ 

Word Count: 5.6K

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. The events depicted here are entirely of my own imagining, and have no basis on actual people or events.

I hope everyone is enjoying BE, and Life Goes On.

Summer Nights: Chapter Two

The next morning is the first day of your new-new normal. You wake to the sound of music coming from the living room. You pull yourself to your feet, shuffling from your bed to find the sourc

The next morning is the first day of your new-new normal. You wake to the sound of music coming from the living room. You pull yourself to your feet, shuffling from your bed to find the source of the enchanting sound. To your shock and delight, you find Jungkook hopping around the kitchen happily, ears and hair bouncing as he sings along to the radio and prepares pancakes. His voice is divine. You stand there enraptured, caught under his spell. He drops the spatula in fright when he turns to find you leaning against the wall, watching him silently.

 “Please continue,” you urge him. But he shakes his head, blushing and hiding behind his ears. “Your voice is so pretty. Please?” you coax, stepping towards him. Jungkook considers you from behind his ears for a second. Then, tentatively, he picks up the spatula and resumes his song while he washes it clean.

 From that day onwards, he wakes you each morning the same way, voice drifting through the bedroom door he leaves slightly ajar. There’s always a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes waiting for you in the kitchen, and beside it a bowl of yogurt-drizzled fruit. As soon as you’re seated, Jungkook extends a freshly brewed cup of breakfast tea to you. You eat together in the early morning light, the radio playing in the background. And while you get ready for work, Jungkook cleaned up the dishes from breakfast. 

 Domestic heaven. 

At the end of your work day, you come home and thank God he’s still there. Sometimes he’s typing away on your laptop. Jungkook signed up as a freelance transcriber as a way to make money while staying with you. It was something to do while you were at work, too, restless soul that he is.  Sometimes, though, you come home to find him flopped on his side in a patch of sun, having a nap as a bunny. 

You cook dinner together now. Well, when you say together, you mean you take his direction, since Jungkook is a much better cook than you. He uses some of his free time to look up recipes he thinks you’ll like. 

It’s ridiculously heartwarming. 

After dinner, as is your routine, you split the washing up and curl up together to watch some Netflix. On the days you do all the washing up, Jungkook doesn’t fight you for control of the TV. 

You still tease him over the first and only time you watched a horror movie. The first jump-scare forced him into rabbit form and he leapt into your lap in fright. Jungkook spent the entire movie there, shivering. And the rest of the night he spent pressed against your side in a tight, furry ball. Of course, the next day he insisted he wasn’t that scared, he just didn’t want to bother you by transforming back and forth.

He did a similar thing when you were watching a sappy romantic movie, but you don’t tease him about that. The second you noticed him sniffling at the lovers’ separation, he turned into a rabbit and hopped off his chair and over to you. You expected him to come cuddle, but he scrambled onto the back of the sofa and situated himself by your head instead. Every time there was a particularly romantic moment, he would nudge you with his nose and tickle you with his whiskers. And when he was feeling particularly bold, he’d grip your shoulder with his front claws and rub his chin over your cheek and neck. It tickled so much it made you squirm. 

After extricating yourself from his clutches, a quick search on the internet told you that rabbits do this to mark their territory. You have trouble looking him in the eye the rest of that day. You know he’s attracted to you; have done since that first night. But he’s been ever so respectful. For some reason, the thought of him marking you as his makes your skin flush and burn.

Shopping for groceries is an experience, too. Jungkook skips around the store, picking multiple things up, asking you if you like them before throwing them in the shopping cart. It doesn’t matter whether you need them or not, just if you like it. That’s good enough for Bun. He’s so happy and energetic, his smile wide and eyes sparkling until you bend over into a freezer to pick up some ice cream. When you turn back, Jungkook is clinging to the cart, his eyes wide and entire body stock-still. All but his foot as it wildly pounds the ground.

“You okay, Bun?” you ask with a tilt of your head. His mouth drops open into a shape as round as his eyes. Mimicking you, Jungkook tilts his head before blinking and shaking it. And then he coughs, practically vibrates, before muttering something about cereal and running off in the opposite direction of the cereal. 

Ever since that peculiar day, Jungkook has insisted on going grocery shopping alone. Something about getting out of the house and becoming more independent. But he blushes and averts his eyes as he says it, foot tapping wildly until he kicks over a plant pot. He cleans up the mess without another word, chewing on one of its stricken leaves and purposefully avoiding your eyes for the rest of the day.

Your weekends become different too. Before Bun arrived, you’d spent them relaxing after your work week, alone and in peace. Now you have a tiny, demanding rabbit that follows you around your apartment, tripping you up. And now you also have a fully grown, demanding man. A roommate - for lack of a better word - with which to do things. Now you have Saturday walks in the park and Sunday brunches. Imagine that.

 Jungkook is incredibly physical. Forever moving, rarely still, bouncing from foot to foot, wiggling when excited. When you praise him, he claps and dances. The day you get a promotion at work, he hugs you so tightly, lifting you up and spinning you in the air because he’s simply that happy. He binkies about in excitement just as much as he did in bunny form, long hair and floppy ears bouncing wildly as his eyes crinkle in happiness, sending things flying in his excitement. You’ve already replaced one particular lamp three times.

But then Jungkook starts marking his territory in human form, too.

You’re chopping something for dinner on some nondescript day when Jungkook approaches you from behind, hands sliding gently over your hips. You could shake him off easily if you wanted to. But you find yourself not wanting to. His chin rests on your shoulder as though he’s just watching you work, but then the subtle rub starts. Across your shoulder and into the crook of your neck, until an involuntary shudder runs down your spine. It snaps Jungkook back to his senses and he pulls away.

—-

The day everything changed was the day from hell. Work had been awful, just one fuck up after another. None of which were even your fault, but all of which you were expected to fix.

You come home to a tidy apartment, subtle scented candles burning and soft music playing. Jungkook is in the kitchen cooking, and you’re sure the ingredients you can smell are ones he’s shopped for today.

“Welcome home.” He smiles over his shoulder at you. “Dinner is almost done if you want to get washed up.” He turns back to stir the pan on the stove. When you walked through the front door you were on the verge of tears. Now your eyes are misting up for the complete opposite reason.

You drag your sorry ass over to him and practically collapse against his wide, strong back, wrapping your arms around his tiny waist like he often does you.

“Thank you,” you practically sob into his shirt, screwing your eyes closed in an effort to not actually cry. You try to keep the emotion out of your voice but Jungkook knows you well enough to sense you’re upset by something. He immediately switches off the stove burners and turns to wrap his arms tightly around you, holding you without a second thought.

 “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asks, voice full of concern. Large, strong hands brush the hair back from your face.

 “I just had a really shit day, and you just—” You turn, arms flailing, motioning to the clean apartment and dinner on the stove. Jungkook nods in understanding. “—you made it all better.” His eyes go round as he blinks at you in shock, before melting into something warm. He tucks your hair behind your ears and tilts your head as he moves in, as though he were going to kiss you. Your eyes flutter closed as his nose brushes yours, but his lips never touch yours. “What’s this?” you ask in a whisper, blinking your eyes open to find him smiling at you softly.

 “A rabbit thing,” he says simply, resting his forehead against yours with a soft grunt of air. It doesn’t quite reach a growl. You know it's a rabbit thing; you researched. But you didn’t expect it in human form.

 “Okay.” You don’t push, don’t demand an explanation for a deeper meaning, just accept the affection from him. You lean in and brush your nose against his in return, causing him to gasp and grunt again, hand moving from your face to your waist. It lingers there for a few seconds before Jungkook gently, physically, pushes you away, his large eyes looking bigger than usual. His pupils are blown out, almost entirely black. Breath comes from his parted lips in short pants and huffs.

 “You should get cleaned up while I finish dinner,” he says softly, stepping backwards. There’s an arm’s length of space between you now. You nod at him, hands finding his, giving him a squeeze as you back out of the kitchen. You don’t let go until the space between you is too far for your fingertips to touch. His eyes don’t leave you until you’re completely out of sight.

 You close the door quietly, leaning your forehead against it and taking slow, deep, grounding breaths, trying to calm the racing of your heart. What was that? Sure, it isn’t the first time he’s done it; he did it on the night he transformed and kissed you. Somehow, though, it felt as intimate as him kissing you again. Is it wrong to feel this way towards Jungkook? He’s your Bun, your charge; you’re his caretaker. Are you taking advantage of him? Is he only acting like this because he’s thankful to you for taking care of him?

 You push off and away from the door, feeling heavy. It’s almost like there’s a rope connecting you to Jungkook and forever pulling you towards him. You change out of your work clothes into something more comfortable. If that more comfortable thing happens to be something just a little clingy in certain, flattering places, and it makes you feel pretty, then you tell yourself you need the ego boost after the day you had. It has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to look good for Jungkook. You head to the bathroom to wash your face and brush your hair into something more relaxed before returning to the kitchen. And Jungkook.

 “Nope!” Jungkook yells, stopping you before you can even enter the kitchen, two strong hands taking you by the shoulders, turning you around and practically marching you towards the living room. You pout over your shoulder at him, but he’s just grinning and laughing at your pouty face. You slump onto the sofa and he leans over the back of it, hovering over you, his eyes crinkling as he laughs musically. Ever so carefully he takes you by the jaw, rubbing his chin over your head, tilting you to the side so he can whisper in your ear.

 “Sit and relax, I’ll bring you dinner.” His voice is light and full of joy.

 You sit and pout, grabbing the remote to put some music on. At the exact moment you drop it back to the table, a bowl of food is placed in front of you. You blink up at a grinning Jungkook as he retreats eagerly to the kitchen, presumably for drinks. His enthusiasm is infectious. You pick up the bowl of pasta, twirling your fork in the creamy sauce and noodles, and take a big bite. It’s delicious. Delicious enough to have you moaning with pleasure and sliding back against the couch.

 “Kookie, this is amazing!” you groan, licking the sauce from your lips.

 Jungkook stares at you, eyes wide, focused on your tongue as it slides along your lips. You hadn’t even realised he’d come back from the kitchen. He places a glass of wine on the table in front of you, ducking his head and hiding behind his ears as he shuffles to his spot on the sofa, bowl in hand. You watch him slyly out of the corner of your eye. His face is so red, so glowing you can almost feel the heat radiating from it. “I made it,” he says, still staring intently at his food. “I found a recipe online I thought you would like.”

 “From scratch?” you ask, amazed. He nods, biting his lip and refusing to look at you. You reach across the space between you and thread your fingers into his soft, wavy locks, rubbing the spot just behind one of his floppy ears. “Bun this is amazing, it tastes amazing!” His head lifts up, eyes so big they sparkle in the low light. “You’re amazing,” you whisper in a soft voice. Jungkook ducks his head again, hiding once more behind his long ears and curly hair. He eats his food slowly, more picking at it than anything. You, on the other hand, tuck in enthusiastically, all manners and grace gone, letting him see and hear your enjoyment of the food. You know how much it pleases him when you unabashedly enjoy his cooking. When you ask for seconds, handing him your empty bowl, Jungkook binkies across the room to the kitchen, bouncing on his heels as he piles a second serving of noodles and sauce into your bowl.

 He hands it back to you soon after and sits beside you on the sofa, knees curling under himself. Reclining on the back cushions, he observes you as you eat, arms crossed and eyes sparkling. When you’re half way through your second serving and can’t eat a bite more, he whisks away the dishes and returns quickly to your side. 

 Jungkook flops over and places his head in your lap. “Will you…” He bites his lip, turning to bury his face in your sweater, his cheeks burning crimson again.

 “What? What do you want, Kookie?” you ask, carding your fingers through his hair and rubbing a thumb over the gentle fur of his ear. It twitches repeatedly.

 “Just this. Will you play with my hair? Stroke my ears?” he asks in a small voice. It’s unusually meek for him in his human form.

 “Of course I will, Bun. Anything you want.” You smile, running your fingers through his hair, nails trailing down his scalp. His leg kicks out, narrowly missing the coffee table. You hand him the remote. “Pick something to watch.”

Jungkook shuffles, turning to face the TV. With his head still in your lap, he curls up into a ball, enjoying your ministrations. You continue to pet him, running your fingers through his hair and stroking his ears, twirling locks of hair around your finger before releasing the resulting curl. You lounge there together, the stress of the day bleeding away from you thanks to a stomach full of good food and your hand tangled in the hair of—Jungkook—whatever he was to you right now.

You don’t know exactly when you fall asleep, but you wake to strong arms holding you, carrying you to your room. Jungkook places you delicately on your bed and you fling yourself backwards, curling up to drift off again. But before long you’re being shaken gently awake and sat back up. Soft, cotton pajamas are pushed into your hands.

“You need to get changed,” a soft, deep voice says firmly in your ear. A warm body presses against your back.

You pout, eyes resolutely closed, but begin taking off your sweater. Large hands help you when you get tangled on your arms. It’s even more of a struggle to unhook your bra. You flail for a while before dropping your arms and slumping back against Jungkook with a tired, pathetic whine. If you were properly awake you might have noticed how his breath hissed through his teeth, or how his nose rubbed your temple. 

With more force than is probably necessary, Jungkook grips you by the shoulder and props you forward. Then, with just one finger, he pulls your bra band away from your back, taking all care not to touch you at all. By some black magic he manages to unhook it, sliding the straps down and off your arms before discarding it on the floor. Not once does he look over your shoulder. He pulls the camisole of your pajama set over your head, guiding your arms through the straps before you wake enough to take over and pull both arms through.

“Now the shorts,” he grunts, low and gruff. It’s unusual enough that you pout at him over your shoulder.

“Bossy bunny,” you mumble, standing and kicking off the comfy leggings you had on. Somewhere in the back of your head you register a soft ‘”shit’” that you’re too tired to acknowledge. You pull on your shorts and sit back down, immediately flopping to your pillow. You feel your body being turned, tucked beneath the sheet pulled over you. Sleep comes easily to you after that.

—-

You wake up while it’s still dark outside. Jungkook’s chest is hot against your back, his knees curled and tucked behind yours. A muscled arm hangs heavily over your waist, keeping you close to him. You lift it as carefully as possible and slide out of bed, tip-toeing stealthily across the soft carpet and out of the room. You head to the kitchen and grab a glass in the dark, in search of a drink for your parched throat.

You drink your fill and shuffle back to bed, bringing a glass with you just in case. Although you slip into your room as stealthily as you’d left it, Jungkook is awake when you return. He sits with his arms wrapped around his knees, bottom lip snagged beneath his prominent front teeth.

“Kookie?” you ask softly in the darkness, making your way back to your side of the bed. “I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, I just—I reached for you and you were gone,” he says, watching you place your glass of water down and climb back into bed. “I was waiting for you to come back.”

“Silly rabbit,” you coo. Jungkook rolls towards you, wrapping his arms around your waist and tangling a powerful, muscular leg with yours. You settle back, stroking his head and mulling over his unusual clinginess as sleep comes to claim you. 

But then you feel a pressure against your thigh, and you’re suddenly very awake. 

Jungkook undulates his hips to a subtle rhythm. “Wha-” you begin, turning to look at him. But he buries his nose beneath your jaw, his breath coming out in soft,  heavy huffs in time with his movements. He grinds against your hip with a desperation. You swallow audibly, forcing yourself to ask as your face burns. “Jungkook, what are you doing?”

“Sorry,” he whines. “I can’t help it, I just—” He throws his thigh over your hips, shifting until he’s hovering over you, weight on his knees and forearms. His hips drop to roll against your stomach, a thick bulge straining the thin material of the pajama bottoms you had bought him. Jungkook ruts against your sweat-covered skin as you stare up at him, eyes wide, frozen in shock. Heat floods through you, stirring your insides until you’re panting. He is, too. His mouth hangs open as he huffs in time with his thrusts, lips grazing your jaw until they reach your mouth. He caresses it softly with his own, barely a whisper of a touch. Once. Twice. Just like that first night he turned. The third time, he kisses you. Your eyes flutter closed and you kiss him back. Nothing more than a delicate tilt of your head and a careful brushing of your lips against his. This is wrong, a voice in the back of your head whispers. This man is practically a stranger.

Only he’s not.

He’s shared your bed as a human for the past two weeks, and ten weeks before that as a rabbit.

You’ve spent evenings curled up together, watching shows you both enjoy. You know his moods, as he knows yours. Your hand feels as comfortable tangled in his hair as it does amongst his fur, and you can read his eyes in both forms exactly the same.

He’s your Jungkook. Your Kookie. 

Your Bun.

He exhales heavily, his tongue lapping at your lips for more. Warm breath fans your face and you practically tremble with anticipation. Jungkook tears himself away to run his hands down the curves of your body, and as you look up at him, your mouth dries at the sight of his godly form. The ever-present glow of the city creates a subtle neon halo behind him, heightening his otherworldly, divine presence.

“I-I—“ As suddenly as he came onto you, Jungkook scrambles backwards off the bed, falling ungracefully to the floor. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry!” he yells, eyes watery and wide with terror. He rushes out of the room so quickly he doesn’t even stand up straight. Just heads straight for the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. You follow too late, reaching your bedroom doorway just in time to hear the bathroom lock snap into place.

You drop to your knees outside the bathroom door, knocking on it gently. “Jungkookie, what’s wrong? Please, come out,” you call.

“I can’t,” comes a whine from the other side of the door. It almost sounds like a sob. “I have to stay here. Can I have a blanket please?” The voice is strained and tight; unsure. It’s not like the warm, bright voice you’ve come to know at all.

“Okay,” you agree. “I’ll get that for you. I’ll be right back.” When you return with the requested blanket, you let Kookie know with a small knock on the door. He cracks it open just enough for you to push the bedding through. In doing so, you catch a glimpse of his eyes. They’re wide and a little teary, his pupils huge. His face and upper chest is worryingly flushed. Jungkook notices you scrutinising his appearance and slams the door shut before you can comment. You hover on the other side of the door, not wanting to leave him. “I’m not upset with you, Bun. I understand if you want some space. Good night.”

You shuffle your way back to bed, curling up under the duvet for the first time in weeks. Because despite the heat and humidity of summer, it feels far, far too cold.

—-

The fullness of your bladder wakes you, demanding you seek relief immediately. You can tell by the noise outside that it’s late morning, and you hope Jungkook is already awake. You roll out of bed and shuffle over to the bathroom, trying the handle and finding it still locked.

With a reluctant sigh, you knock. “Jungkookie? Bun, I need to pee. Can you let me in please?” A few moments later there’s shuffling behind the door and the soft click of a lock opening. A sunken-eyed Jungkook stands on the other side, eyes averted. The duvet you gave him wraps him like a shroud. It hangs over his head, hiding his ears, his hands clutching it tightly at his chest. He stares pointedly at his feet as he shuffles past you, and if it weren’t for your desperate need to pee you’d stop and talk to him. But that’s a conversation that can wait until you’ve made breakfast.

You finish in the bathroom as fast as possible and make your way to the kitchen, noticing how he sits curled up on the chair in the corner of your living room.

You pull out all the things you need to make pancakes and crank up the volume on an upbeat playlist; mostly songs Jungkook likes listening to in the mornings. “Jungkook, could you help me please?” you ask sweetly. “The strawberries and bananas need slicing.”

He perks up at that, ears twitching before his eyes dart over to you. He loves bananas, almost obsessively loves them. I knew that would work, you smile to yourself. Jungkook fiddles with the waistband of his pajamas and you try to forget the outline of his hardness straining against them. Try to forget how your skin flushed when he rocked it against you. You focus back on the batter, giving it an extra hard stir, making sure there’s no lumps in it. That’s the reason for you beating it so vigorously. No other reason.

You sigh, pinching yourself before switching on the burner on the stove.

Jungkook begins chopping fruit. Yes. You smile to yourself, watching him out of the corner of your eye as you work on two stacks of pancakes. The tension in the air between you two eases, and soon you’re both dancing to a song that Jungkook listens to often; its easy choreography something you developed together. The song changes into something new, something you’ve never heard before, but you sway your hips nevertheless as you ladle batter into the hot frying pan. Jungkook bounces from foot-to-foot, endlessly energetic as he works his way through half a bunch of bananas and the entire bowl of strawberries. He’s piling the chopped fruit up on plates when you push between him and the counter with a small, murmured excuse me. The step he takes back to allow you access isn’t quite big enough. Even then you don’t notice; so used to squeezing around one another in the modestly-sized kitchen as you are.

 Jungkook, however, notices.

Your ass slides firmly against him and he grips your hips almost painfully hard, pressing you into the counter.

“Ow! Jungkook, what are you—” Your question becomes a squeal of surprise when he buries his nose behind your ear and grinds his rapidly hardening cock into the cleft of your ass. Only two, flimsy layers of clothing separate you. 

“I need you so bad,” he growls as he rubs his nose through your hair, the underside of his chin skimming the column of your neck. You arch back into him, throwing your head back to expose more of your neck to him. You’re usually a lot more reserved with men—a lot—but something about Jungkook makes you want to be wild. Maybe it’s the way you feel so safe with him. His body is a solid presence against your back, his thrusting desperate and needy. Gone is the sweet, delicate Bun you’ve come to care about. He’s been replaced with someone who grips you, growls at you, and yet you still feel safe in his arms.

It’s Jungkook. He’d never hurt you.

You groan, something between a whine and a whimper being ripped from the back of your throat as he rubs himself against you. Then, suddenly - unwelcomely - cold air hits your back. 

Jungkook has torn himself from you for a second time. 

You turn but he’s not behind you. Spinning in place, you see a fluffy tail vanishing around a cabinet and a pair of light grey pajamas left in its wake. You follow fast enough to watch him hightail it out of the kitchen and across the living room, straight under the chair in the corner. He never sits in it as a human, preferring to sit next to you on the sofa, but it’s his favourite place to hide as a bunny.

You crouch, peeking under the chair, trying to coax him out.

“I’m sorry, Jungkookie. Come out and talk to me, please?” you beg to the huddled mass of fur under the chair. He stays where he is, shifting in a way you know means he’s settling in for the long haul. You stand up, running to turn off the stove before dashing to your bedroom and throwing on some clothes. After grabbing your bag, you check under the chair again. Jungkook is still there. “I’ll be right back, okay?” you tell him, before rushing out the door.

You all but run out of your apartment building, dodging people on the street as you head to the florist a block and a half away to get a custom bouquet made. It’s ugly as hell, but it’s not supposed to be for looking at. All of the flowers are suitable for rabbits to eat, and you get triple the ones you know Jungkook is particularly fond of.

You rush back to your apartment on a sliver of energy, taking extra care to preserve your gift, but the whole journey takes you less than twenty minutes. You discard your shoes and bag by the door and head straight for the chair, placing your peace offering on the floor before it.

“I have a gift for you,” you say, pulling a white hibiscus from the bouquet and presenting it to him. “Please come out and talk to me, Bun.” You watch as Jungkook hops forward, unable to resist the pull of his favourite flower. You untie the haphazard collection of flowers and lay them out on the decorative wrapping paper for him. It does the trick and draws him out from under the chair. You hold your hand out to him carefully, letting him come to you on his own terms. Jungkook devours a rosebud and hops forward, bumping your hand with his nose. You sigh, tension you didn’t know was building melting from your shoulders.

Somewhat placated, you head back to the kitchen. The pancakes are now cold but nothing that can’t be reheated. You store his breakfast in the fridge and slip a couple bits of banana onto the paper with the flowers. Jungkook leaps at them, devouring them with relish before following you into the kitchen and circling your chair as you eat your pancakes. He reaches up, nudging your foot to get your attention. And by attention, he wants more bananas.

Once you’re all done with breakfast, you move to the living room. There are several episodes of a TV show you and Jungkook have been watching together that you need to catch up on, and that’s your usual plan for the weekend. Jungkook, however, has other plans. He jumps into your lap, purposefully knocking the remote out of your hand. You tangle your fingers through his fur and feel him shudder under your touch.

“Do you want to tell me what's wrong now?” you ask softly, thumb rubbing soothing circles between his eyes. Beneath your hand, Jungkook transforms. He curls in on himself, doing his best to obscure his nudity, and buries his head in your stomach. You run a hand down his back and find his skin is clammy and feverish. “Oh my god, are you sick? Bun, you’re burning up!” you exclaim, panic injected into your tone.

“I’m going into heat. It’s why I keep—why I keep—” His voice is high-pitched and strained again.

“Why you keep rubbing against me?” you finish for him, raking your nails through his long locks. His ears and tail twitch and Jungkook whines. Nodding, he curls in on himself tighter. “You need a partner,” you say matter-of-factly, but he shakes his head in disagreement.

“No. I don’t need a partner...” he says simply, the implication left hanging. You move his ear carefully, brushing his hair from his face and cupping it with one hand. Your thumb strokes his cheekbone until his tightly-clenched eyes open.

 “Then, tell me what you want,” you whisper. His eyes narrow like he’s assessing you. Assessing the full implication of your words and trying to decide how to answer you.

 “Normally I’d mate with someone in a nest—” Jungkook starts before he’s racked by shudders. He buries his face in your stomach again and whines.

 “My bed,” you offer. “You can build a nest there if you need to.”

He shoots upward at your words, watching your face carefully. “But—” His eyes are wide, mouth agape as he draws the logical conclusion but not daring to hope. “--where will you sleep?” He asks as though he is scared of the answer.

 You carefully brush his hair back from his face, thumbing over a floppy ear. “I c-can—“ you stutter, before taking a deep breath. “I’ll figure something out.” You lean forward, pressing your forehead to his. Your lips are so close like this, close enough to brush against each other as you speak. It’s not quite a kiss, but your intention is clear. “If you need anything—if you want anything...” You trail off. 

 Jungkook wastes no time. He sits up and crawls into your lap, his bare, muscular thighs straddling yours as he kisses you deeply. His hands, no longer rough, cup your face delicately as though he can’t believe he’s been gifted something so precious. Even as his naked hips roll against your stomach.

 “Iwantyouwantyouwantyou. Need you,” he chants between kisses.

 And in an act of madness - or perhaps sanity - you give yourself to him completely.

Next Chapter

[carocane]

any day is perfect with you by my side

Flufftober Day 3 - Lazy Sundays

9-1-1

Eddie Diaz/Evan “Buck” Buckley

Sundays off are Eddie’s favorite days. There's just something special about them. Lazy days camped out in the living room with his two favorite boys, watching movies, playing video games and just hanging out. 

This Sunday is his and Buck’s first off together in awhile. Things have been hectic at the firehouse with a couple of team members out on leave for various reasons. Those various reasons have left other people to pick up extra shifts, mostly Buck. Eddie picks them up when he can, but that’s a little more difficult with Christopher. He needs to arrange child care and he doesn’t like spending that much time away from his son.

So this is their first lazy day at home in several weeks and Eddie plans to make the most of it. Christopher is getting older and is starting to sleep in later, like the pre-teen he is becoming and not the little kid he used to be, up with the dawn. Eddie sometimes mourns those lost days but is content to trade them for sleeping in a little bit longer with Buck in his bed beside him. They should get up soon but Eddie takes this opportunity to lay there and soak in the quiet for a little longer. Christopher and Buck have yet to stir and he doesn’t want to disturb them yet.

He’s just starting to plan breakfast when he feels Buck stir and tighten his arm around Eddie’s chest from behind. Eddie stretches his arms above his head and turns around in his partner's embrace. He takes a moment to study the face he knows so well, still slack from sleep. Buck hasn’t fully opened his eyes yet, his gaze heavy lidded on Eddie’s face. It might be sappy but they lay there for a few more minutes in each other’s arms, feeling peaceful and in love. 

Until Buck’s stomach growls in hunger and breaks the silence between them. Eddie laughs and rolls out of bed. 

“I was just about to ask if you were hungry, but your stomach just answered that for you” Eddie chuckles. 

Buck groans and stretches sleepily “I’m not that hungry yet. There’s still time to cuddle. Come back to bed.”

“Nope, time to get up sleepyhead.  You’re worse than Christopher sometimes.”

“Not true. The pre-teen is definitely worse about getting up. I just want cuddles,�� Buck says as he sinks back down into the mattress. 

“I’ll make you a deal. Breakfast first and then more cuddles on the couch.”

And that does the trick of getting his boyfriend out of bed and into the kitchen. 

There’s a few minutes debate of what to have for breakfast, Buck lobbying for pancakes and Eddie trying for something a little more healthy. 

Christopher isn’t yet up to side with Buck for pancakes, so the debate goes on for a few long minutes. Buck plays dirty and bribes Eddie with kisses, so pancakes it is. Eddie tells himself they’ll have something healthier for dinner but he knows that’s probably already a losing battle.

The smell of pancakes lures Christopher from his room and they settle in to eat. Eddie manages to get a little bit of fruit on his son's plate and considers that a win. 

Eddie and Buck clean up the kitchen while Christopher goes to the living room to decide what they’re going to do that day and get it set up. They just got a new fighting game and Eddie wouldn’t be surprised if a few rounds of that aren’t first up. Christopher had soundly defeated Buck the night before and Buck swore his revenge. Christopher, of course, is eager to beat him again.

By the time they have the kitchen all squared away, the game is loaded up and ready to go and Christopher has selected his character. They play a few rounds, which Christopher easily wins against Buck. 

Buck tosses his controller down with a mostly fake pout. “I was promised cuddles and all I’ve gotten so far is beatings. Let’s watch a movie instead.”

Christopher laughs and agrees to switch over to something new, happy with how many times he beat Buck at the game. 

They put the game away and flip over to Disney+, choosing Coco for the first movie of the day. Buck rearranges himself so he’s leaning against Eddie, finally getting his promised cuddles. He dozes off about halfway through the movie. He’s seen this movie many times before, so it’s not like he’s missing much. It’s just nice to relax and sleep away the rest of the morning. 

They make some quick sandwiches for lunch before doing some housework that needs to be done. The coming week will be just as crazy as the last one, so they take this opportunity to do some laundry and light cleaning as Christopher does the last of his homework. 

Next up on the lazy Sunday list is the Lego firestation Buck and Christopher are building. It’s got what seems like a million pieces and it’s been slow going but they’re enjoying the process so Eddie leaves them to it. He helps a bit but is mostly just happy to observe the process. They continue with their project as they all decide what they want to do for dinner that evening. Nobody feels like going out, that’s the one thing they know for sure. Pizza or Chinese almost becomes a full blown argument before cooler heads prevail (Christopher is of course the voice of reason). They wind up going with burgers delivered from a neighborhood place, which makes everyone happy. 

No dishes means there’s time for another movie and a few rounds of the fighting game from earlier. Christopher wins all but one round, which has Buck again claiming the younger Diaz was cheating.

“Just face it, babe, you’re not very good at this. Time to give up for the night.” Eddie teases. 

Buck mutters something about giving it up that night that’s thankfully too low for Christopher to hear but makes Eddie grin and steal a kiss. 

From there it’s a flurry of activity, getting the living room cleaned up from their lazy day and getting everyone ready for the next day of school and work. 

Christopher is getting a little too old to be put to bed with a bedtime story but sometimes he still likes the routine. Tonight is one of those nights, though Christopher reads Buck and Eddie a few chapters from his latest book rather than them reading to him. Eddie misses the days he would tuck in his little boy and read him a simple story (or 2 or 3, depending on how persuasive he is that night) but is so proud of the young man in front of him. 

Christopher still allows goodnight kisses from both him and Buck as he’s tucked in. 

The two men settle in with a beer as it’s still a little early for them to turn in yet. They have a shift tomorrow but not until mid-day. They’ve had a relaxing day but it’s still nice to take a few minutes to unwind with just the two of them. They discuss the week ahead and anything special they have coming up but make sure to keep it all light. 

This has been a perfect lazy day at home and they’re reluctant to see it come to an end but it’s getting late. 

Eddie makes sure the house is locked up tight as Buck heads to the bathroom and starts getting ready for bed. After everything is secured, Eddie makes his way to the bedroom to change and turn down the bed. He and Buck trade places and kisses as Eddie finishes his nightly routine, then goes to join his boyfriend who is already in bed.  

Eddie takes a second to take in the sight of Buck tucked in bed, propped up by too many pillows and waiting for him with open arms. Eddie is soon wrapped in those arms, exchanging kisses with the man he loves before they both settle in to get some sleep.

Eddie reflects on the lazy Sunday they shared and warmth fills his chest. He can’t believe this is his life and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

[runtedfiction]

tomorrow

day 3: flight @zelinkweek2021

ao3

AN: i fucking love haikyuu!! also this week has been lots of fun :)

* * *

Revali finds someone who flies nearly as high as he does on the court. The world implodes.

* * *

When Impa asks Zelda to be on an intramural volleyball team, she doesn’t think about it too much. They’re studying in the library, and she nods absentmindedly while organizing her cybersecurity notes.

“You’ll just be an alternate,” Impa says, over-explaining even though she knows that Zelda would agree to hide a body with her. “We have six people already, so occasionally you might have to sub in, but I don’t think that would happen. You can also borrow my gear.”

“Well, you remember how bad I was in high school,” Zelda says with a shrug. “And it’s been two years since then, so.”

“Don’t worry!” Impa waves her hand. “Most of them are Mipha’s friends, so they’re chill. We’re all very casual.”

Zelda nods again, and begins reading about different kinds of web attacks.

(If this were a sitcom, this would be the part where the narrator tells the audience, “They were not chill. Or casual.”)

* * *

She shows up ten minutes late to their first game. It’s not her fault--the exam ran over, and she had to get changed before coming--but it’s a bad look nonetheless. Everyone’s looking at her, already lined up on the court, and she smiles apologetically while dying inside.

“Midterm started late, sorry!”

“No worries,” Impa says. “We’re just getting started!”

The whistle blows, and a boy with black--no navy--hair does a jump serve that slams into the opposing team’s court. Zelda doesn’t know if she’s seen anyone jump this high.

“Way to go, Revali,” the burliest person she’s ever seen says. He pulls Revali in for what looks to be a bone-crushing hug.

The other team doesn’t score a point until Revali misses his fourth monster serve; the ball goes just outside the lines. But even when the other team finally gets the ball, it’s easy for the burly boy to receive, Mipha to set, and her roommate (Urbosa?) to spike.

Zelda realizes very quickly, much to her horror, that everyone on this team is good. She can’t even do an overhand serve--what was Impa thinking, what was she thinking--but she doesn’t have time to continue to despair because someone else is serving now.

He has a powerful overhand; again, the ball goes straight into the court. But for his second serve, he takes a few steps back, and flies for his jump serve. He’s shorter than the first boy, but he’s jumping almost as tall as him. Zelda’s mouth opens slightly.

“Nice one Link!” Urbosa says. Revali snorts.

Their team--the Champions--wins the game in what must be under half an hour. Zelda thinks about how she hasn’t done an underhand serve in two years and wants to scream.

* * *

After the third game (another ridiculously easy win), the burly boy--Daruk, she’s learned--suggests that they all go out for frozen yogurt. It’s 11pm and the brunt of exams have passed, so everyone is free.

“Perfect!” His voice booms throughout the gym and matches his giant smile. He claps a hand on Link’s shoulder. The force of it undoes his loose ponytail. “Let’s celebrate the little guy for his final block!”

They go to Selmie’s Spot and eat on the sidewalk. It’s a chilly night, but the chocolate is so delicious that she can’t complain.

“Link,” Revali asks, “where did you learn to play like that?”

“I started in middle school,” he says. Zelda wonders if she’s taller than him--they’re definitely the same height at least. “And then I played through all of high school.”

“Nice,” Revali says in a way that makes it clear he does not, in fact, find that nice.

“Your vertical is quite impressive,” Mipha says. Revali’s eyes look like they could shoot out murderous laser beams.

When everyone’s finished with their ice cream, they figure out logistics for walking back home. Impa, Mipha, and Urbosa head north; Daruk and Revali accompany them.

Zelda finds herself alone with Link, who doesn’t have much to say.

“You’re quite good,” she says.

“Thanks.”

“Did you ever consider playing for real in college?”

“Nah.”

Zelda shuts up quickly, and they reach her gate soon enough.

“Thanks for walking me here,” she says.

“No problem.”

Euch, she thinks as she walks him away. The night swallows his bright blue hoodie. Standoffish.

* * *

For the next two games, Zelda sits on the sidelines and alternates between clapping and getting work done on her laptop. Everything goes swimmingly. Link and Revali rack up points from serves and general talent, Daruk receives steadily, and Mipha and Impa set to Urbosa for spikes.

Then Zelda gets called into the next game. When Revali mentioned that he needed to leave for someone’s birthday party, she agreed to sub in, assuming that the game might end before them anyway.

The game, however, is not ending early; the Guardians might hand the Champions their first loss.

They’re one point behind when Zelda steps in, and then they’re five points behind. The best server on the opposing team aims the balls straight for her, and even though she can get the ball up most of the time, it’s punishing. It slams into her forearms, sometimes spiralling off (Link manages to dive and save it once), and rarely making it to Mipha.

Finally the serve goes out of bounds, and it’s a relief. But then it’s her turn to serve, and oh God, it’s match point.

“It’s ok, you got this!”

Impa’s too kind. Zelda takes one swing at the ball--underhand, how humiliating--and loses the game.

* * *

On the walk back, she’s the quiet one this time.

She doesn’t understand why she’s so upset; intramural volleyball doesn’t matter. Her grades are excellent, she probably has a second date with that cute classmate, and she definitely has a second interview with the university research lab.

Link speaks, unprompted, for the first time in her presence.

“You don’t need to look so worried,” he says.

“I don’t look worried,” she counters. Are her brows furrowed? They are. She makes a conscious effort to smooth them out.

He smiles. “Whatever you say.”

She spends the rest of the walk wondering if she looks worried. Then she remembers how she lost the game for everyone tonight, and that awful feeling pools in her stomach again.

“Hey,” she says when they reach her gate. “What did I do wrong tonight?”

He looks surprised. “Oh, hm--”

“Too much to count?” She tries to say it as a joke, but it comes out a bit desperate. Fuck.

“My roommate books practice courts sometimes, and always asks if I want to come,” he says instead of answering. “Maybe we can practice this week and I’ll show you some stuff?”

She nods. Her brows are furrowed again.

"Don't worry," he says. "It'll be chill."

“I’m not--I’m not worried,” she says.

“Ok,” he says, and she thinks he’s laughing as he walks away.

She scowls. Annoying.

* * *

At the practice court, he teaches her how to serve. Thankfully only Impa and Link’s friends get to dodge her serves that first go into the net, then way too deep, before finally she starts hitting the court.

“Nice,” he says after what must be two hours. She’s exhausted. “Remember you want to hold the ball steady in your left hand before you pound it with your right.”

“Uh. Ok.”

When they’re all walking out of the gym at the end of the practice, Link turns to her. “Sidon booked the court for Sunday night too, if you want to come then.”

“That would be great, thanks."

“He’s cute, right,” Impa says when Link leaves.

Zelda raises her eyebrows. “What?”

Impa just laughs.

On Sunday, he teaches her how to receive.

“Bend your knees more,” he says. “Instead of swinging your arms upward.”

They fall into a rhythm where he does a light spike and she gets the ball back to him. Her forearms are red when they break for water.

“Nice. You learn quickly,” he says. The compliment, said so matter of factly, makes her a bit embarrassed. “Before the qualifying game on Tuesday I got the sand courts up by the track if you want to practice a few hours before. I want to do my serve and Daruk said he might need to come late to the game, so.”

“Yeah, I'll come!” she says. She wonders if she hears a “please don’t mess this up” hidden between the lines, but she has a feeling he’s too nice to think that. He’s patient and an understanding teacher and--frick.

She examines his face more closely.

Impa wasn’t lying. He is cute.

Frick.

* * *

Zelda subs in for Daruk, and surprisingly it isn’t a disaster. She gets all her serves over the net, and only messes up two digs. Revali and Link's jumpserves are also particularly nasty this time around, and they win easily.

They make it to the elimination round, and then semifinals. Frozen yogurt at Selmi's becomes a regular tradition after each game.

Before they reach the finals, she asks Link to practice with her once more. It’s very likely that the Guardians will beat the Zorans, and they’ll have to face them again. Impa has a conflicting exam this time around, but can sub in once it ends.

“Sure, I’ll book the sand courts again,” he says. When they reach her gate, he smiles. Cute. “Night.”

Her mouth still tastes like chocolate when she smiles back. “Goodnight.”

She meets him at the court on a sunny day. They have a small rally, just the two of them serving, bumping, setting, and spiking to each other. Even though it’s late autumn, it feels like summer. They take a water break in the shade of the tree.

His water bottle is empty, she notices.

“Here,” she says, holding out hers. “Have some.”

“Ah, that’s ok--”

“Have some.”

“Ok.” He pauses before taking a small sip and handing it back to her. Huh, his eyes are really blue. “Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

On their way back, they reach the intersection that they normally split at when they’re walking during the day.

“Hey,” he says. “You want to get lunch?”

Her heart is pounding. “Sure.”

* * *

When they face the Guardians again in the finals, she’s the most confident she’s been in her skills. The monster server is back and targeting her, but she only misses once, and even then Daruk is there to cover for her and get the ball to Mipha.

Mipha sets it to Zelda this time, which catches everyone by surprise. Urobsa’s been hitting the entire time, barely getting past the blockers.

Zelda sets up for a spike that ends up rolling off her fingers and functioning more like a tip, but no one is covering her, and they’re one point ahead.

“Yes!” Impa yells from the sidelines. It looks like she ran from her test; there’s still a pencil in her hand as she punches her fist in the air.

“Thanks,” Zelda says as she subs out.

“No problem,” Impa says. “You did great!"

Zelda watches as the Champions go toe to toe with the Guardians. She cheers when Mipha does an elegant dump, when Urbosa hits the ball so hard it goes off the blocker’s fingers, when Daruk digs balls with gnarly spirals, and when Link and Revali pull off superstar plays.

The game ends when Link hits from the back row with impossible strength and precision right on the line.

“Nice!” she yells along with everyone.

(But she could swear that he smiles right at her, and it floods her with warmth.)

At Selmie’s Spot after, even Revali gives Link one of those boy handshakes where they do a one armed hug.

“Nice one,” Revali chokes out, sounding only minimally pained.

“Oh come on,” Daruk says. “The little guy won us the whole thing! Your yogurt’s on me.”

“No, no.” Link shakes his head. “Team effort.”

“Yeah,” Impa agrees, putting her arm around Zelda. “Team effort! To the Champions!”

Zelda smiles. ”To the Champions.”

On the walk home, they’re both quiet at first. She keeps racking her brain for funny things to say to break the silence, or excuses to see him so regularly again.

But then he reaches for her hand, so easily, and that’s all she can think about as they walk. His hand is warm and rough and lovely.

Hm, so lunch the other day was probably a date, she thinks. But I didn’t get that specific vibe? But hm, he’s holding my hand now, fuck. He’s holding my hand. Ok, concentrate--so lunch was a date. Ok but even if it wasn’t--maybe we should talk about this. Do we need to? Is there a “this” even?

The stress makes her palm sweaty. He probably notices, but thankfully he doesn’t break his hold and keeps the same steady pressure.

In the end, she manages a lame, “That was fun.” when they reach her gate. Instead of entering in the code immediately like usual, she turns around to face him. She drops his hand so he doesn’t drop hers first, but she wipes it on her sweater to have an excuse.

“Yeah,” he says, smiling faintly. The warm feeling starts to come back. “Really fun.”

“I definitely got better thanks to you,” she says.

He shrugs. “You were really determined to get better. Stubborn, even.”

It’s so easy to joke back. "Worried about it?”

“Oh, yeah. Always. I feel like you’re worrying right now.”

“Well, yeah,” she says. His eyes are so kind when he picks up her hand again. He laces his fingers around hers, and squeezes. The warm feeling multiplies tenfold. It makes it easy for her to ask, “Let’s do something tomorrow?”

He's really smiling now. “Let me cook for you.”

The seed of hope in her chest blooms. “Sounds good. See you tomorrow?”

“See you tomorrow.”

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Kiss of Death

Warnings: nonconsent (fingering and intercourse)

This is dark!(mob)Loki and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: You (literally) run into a powerful man but find it hard to shake him.

Note: So we’re taking a tiny break from Painted Windows. The last chapter was intense and even my heart needs some respite. So I let myself wonder down the backstreets and wrote some mob!Loki with a good chance of a sequel.

Thank you. Love you guys!

Please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

After a long day and a longer week, you were looking forward to the small get together. Several nights in a row you came home late and gulped down a microwave dinner before passing out on the couch. An unglamorous life, to say the least.

For Nisha’s birthday, you agreed to meet up at a nice restaurant downtown for drinks and hopefully dinner. Tiana and Ana were already there with Nisha as you rushed in. You weren’t used to being the last to arrive. Usually you were the first there and waiting for at least twenty minutes.

You gave a frantic greeting to the small group and dropped your purse in your empty chair.

“I’m so sorry. Nisha, happy birthday but I’m gonna burst,” You said as you caught your breath. 

They laughed at your panic and waved you towards the restrooms. You snaked around tables and to the narrow hall that led to the facilities. You were quick to sweep inside and into a stall. Your pants were barely past your thighs before you sat; the stream was painful and squeezed your bladder terribly. You sighed and took a moment to gather yourself as soft classical music plucked from the speakers.

Finished, you washed your hands and stared at yourself in the mirror. Your jacket hung open over your flowery blouse and pressed slacks. You wore a pair of low wedges that gave you a few inches. You were exhausted and you looked it. A night of drinking would surely wake you up… or at least lull you into the sleep you’d been lacking.

You smoothed out your shirt and slipped out of the jacket. You slung it over your arm and tried to fix your hair as best as you could. Your latest client was demanding and worse, a perfectionist. Usually, your suggestions were accepted without a single glance but Stacey Forrest was very particular. She needed to impress her new circle of peers; many twenty years her senior. Just thinking of her stabbed your temples with frustration.

You shook off the moment of chagrin and took a breath. Work was done. You had Saturday to sleep off the hangover you planned on feeding tonight. Sunday was far away at the present. 

You pushed open the door and strolled back to the dining room. You spotted the table of women awaiting you, giggling as they sipped from their respective glasses, and set off to join them. In your tunnel vision, you didn’t notice the party to your right. The man whom you walked directly into and barely kept you from tripping over his leather shoes. You were so embarrassed, you hardly realized how the entire room had gone silent.

You backed up and slipped free of the man’s grasp. You looked up at him and caught your coat before it could fall to the floor. 

“Oh, sorry,” You said as your cheeks burned. “I wasn’t…” You glanced around. “Paying attention…”

“It’s quite alright,” The lilt in his voice surprised you as much as the glimmer in his green eyes. “These things happen.”

“Yeah, I… Sorry again.” You sidestepped between some tables. “Um, okay.”

You spun away awkwardly as you tried to ignore your audience. Even Nisha, Tiana, and Ana had turned to watch the debacle. Well, the night was never complete without you making a fool of yourself. You hung your coat over the back of your chair and moved your purse as you sat. The room was still in a hush.

“Smooth,” Tiana raised her brows.

“Shut up,” You grumbled.

“Only you.” Nisha chided.

You peeked around at those who whispered around you and followed their own attention to the man you’d nearly tackled. He was with a group of several men and was shown to a booth near the back of the restaurant. You turned back and shook your head.

“I need a drink.” You declared.

“I’d say you do,” Tiana shook her head. “And a knock in the head.”

“You do know who’s foot you just stomped, right?” Ana asked.

“When do I ever know what is going on?” You said dryly. “So we doing just drinks or dinner?”

“She doesn’t even care,” Tiana gasped. “We should leave before she gets in anymore trouble.”

“Oh my god, what is the big deal?” You demanded.

“Take another look at that man,” Ana intoned.

You huffed and turned in your chair. You looked at the man as the server listened intently to him and you felt as if he was familiar but you couldn’t place him. He smiled at the waiter and then his eyes met yours. You blinked and spun back so quickly your chair wobbled. You shrugged as you steadied yourself.

“His name, which I’m sure will shake something loose, is Loki Laufeyson.” Tiana scoffed. “You might have heard that somewhere through that haze you call sentience.”

Your eyes rounded. A waitress appeared and asked for an order. You opted for gin on ice and rubbed your forehead.

“Shit.” You swore. “Well, I mean, it was just an accident. Not like I pulled a gun on him.”

“You scuffed his shoe,” Ana mused. “I’ve heard stories of him taking offence at less.”

“Don’t,” You warned. “I already have enough on my plate without worrying about…” You lowered your voice. “...the mob.”

“Oh, we’re teasing you,” Tiana insisted. “So how is Mrs. Forrest.”

“Nee Marris,” Ana added.

“Oh, you know, the same girl she was in uni,” You grinned. “Only this time she’s married her sugar daddy.”

“And she hired you to style her new house?” Nisha asked.

“Manse,” You corrected her. “As she prefers.”

“Definitely hasn’t changed,” Tiana smirked.

You all laughed as the waitress set your drink in front of you and you thanked her. You continued to gab over your menus and eventually ordered. You forgot about the bumpy beginning and were soon lost in the cheer. You had longed for a night out. A rare occasion when you reverted to the college girl procrastinating on her studying.

When your dinner came, so did another round of drinks. You paused and stopped the waitress before she could flit away.

“Sorry, but we didn’t order another round,” You wondered.

“Compliments of Mr. Laufeyson,” She said quietly. 

You froze and the other women looked at you curiously. You raised a brow and tried to subtly look over your shoulder. You didn’t turn all the way as you sensed another’s gaze on you.

“You can thank him but we can pay for them,” You insisted. “Really…”

The waitress blanched and your friends tittered.

“Oh, what’s the harm,” Nisha chimed. “Better than him sending something else.”

“Loosen up,” Tiana took a large gulp. “The free drink should help with that.

You sighed and Anna added to the plea with a grin. You rubbed your chin and relented. “You can thank Mr. Laufeyson.”

She exhaled in relief and agreed to do so. You grabbed your glass reluctantly and sneered at the girls before you forced your finest smile. You turned and found the man in question watching you. You raised your glass at him as a gratitude and quickly righted yourself in your chair.

“Oh,” Ana preened. “You think he’d pay for the whole meal? Give him a wink or something.”

“An,” You warned. “Really. That’s not the type of man you want to owe favours.”

“Really?” Tiana challenged. “Twenty minutes ago you barely recognized him.”

“Maybe not but I’d heard of him and his… supposed deeds.” You said. “You aren’t really encouraging this, are you?”

“He must like the whole clueless vibe you’ve got going for you,” Tiana trilled. “Rather endearing even if it does leave your toes a bit tender.”

“Hush,” You hissed. “Really. Let’s eat and then we shall relocate so that I do not entangle myself further with thugs.”

They laughed and you flaked away a piece of salmon with your fork. You shook your head. You had the sense of being watched and didn’t need to look to know why. It sent a frightful tickle along your spine. You were always quite skilled at walking, or rather, tripping head first into trouble.

🐍

That night was just another fleeting thrill in a series of missteps that never quite came to fruition. You didn’t need to worry about the mobster or your little stumble. Sometimes a kind gesture was just that and a coincidence was nothing more. No serendipity, no fate, just another anecdote about how your clumsiness had nearly gotten you in trouble.

You finished your dinner and found your way to a pub just down the way. The music was a little young for your tastes but the cocktails were on special and it wasn’t too rowdy. It was like Sex and the City but duller; and likely sadder. You shared stories of failed dates, workplaces peeves, and the latest drama witnessed on the tube. Provoking stuff.

Nisha crashed at yours. You woke on the couch, the birthday girl was offered the bed. You drank coffee with the curtains drawn but she didn’t wake up until noon. When she did, she finished the pot and dressed in her wrinkled clothing. You saw her off to the station and stopped by the shop for some orange juice and paracetamol.

You spent the rest of the day in the dark with Netflix in the background. You dreaded another day of Stacey’s obstinacy. What kind of person needed more than a dozen bedrooms in one house? Oh, and she did mention their summer house in the south? Well, if you couldn’t start appeasing her Cher Horowitz tastes, she might not need you for that.

The only thing you could do to prepare was set your alarm and sleep off your hangover. When you woke, the ice pick had dislodged from your skull and the fog outside helped mute the harshness of the sun. You dressed, had your coffee, a small breakfast, and readied to face off with Stacey.

The drive was an hour out of the city. Your small car puttered along but never failed to get you where you needed. You sang along to Petula Clark on the scratchy radio station as you yawned over the steering wheel. The old house rose before you; a hideous mishmash of an old Tudor cottage and a modern geometric renovation.

You drove up the winding drive and around the back. Classified as a member of the help, you weren’t permitted to park with the Bentley and the Rolls. You didn’t recognize the Aston Martin but you assumed it was another of Mr. Forrest’s associates. You climbed out, locked your car, and dropped your keys in your pocket.

There was a backdoor, formerly the entrance to the servants’ quarters, and you ducked through the arched doorway. The old corridor had recently been remodelled with a couple guestrooms, a modified laundry room, and a wine cellar. Paintings left by the former owners had been reframed and hung. Stacey couldn’t decide if she wanted to be old aristocracy or the new age elite.

You found Stacey in the kitchen. Her assistant, Deanna, was making her a green smoothie. She greeted you with a smile and flicked her finger across her tablet.

“Just in time,” She beckoned you over as Deanna set the glass down beside her. “I was thinking this lamp would be perfect for the master.”

You looked at the image. The clear glass body of the lamp was filled with large round sequins; a fishtank of tackiness with a feather shade. You had to hide your distaste.

“It could work,” You allowed, “But we would have to revert a few other choices.”

“Revert?” Her voice went deep and she sipped noisily through her straw.

“The curtains. You want sheen or lace. Not both.”

“Hmm,” She pressed her lips together. “I suppose. We could still have the curtains, they would be cute in the loo.”

“Cute,” You repeated as you resisted a laugh. “Well, as long as we keep to that theme in there.”

“I was talking to Paul,” She batted her lashes as she always did when she spoke of her husband; you suspected she held more affection for his last name and wallet than his person. “He did mentioned he wouldn’t mind a hint of snakeskin in his office. He doesn’t want anything too stuffy or old.”

“Oh yes, he is one for the… younger tastes,” You intoned. “We could probably work it in subtly. We don’t want it to be overbearing.”

“I suppose…” She rolled her eyes and took another long drink. “Well, I’ve tracked down those lamps in the city. I say we go and have a look around the boutique while we pick them up. Perhaps we can muster some inspiration, maybe even some imagination.”

You smiled and accepted the rebuke in stride. “At your leisure, Mrs. Forrest.”

“Stacey,” She corrected. “You know that makes me feel old.”

“Stacey,” You repeated and leaned on the counter.

“I’ll just finish this and then I’ll have Stuart drive us into the city.”

“I have a car,” You offered. 

“And so do I. It’s much nicer,” She insisted. “And we will discuss ideas on the w--” 

She turned completely in the tall chair and stood. “Paul,” She greeted her husband in a sing song. 

You watched her and angled yourself to keep your eye on her. Paul’s silver hair was thinning and still wore hints of the black dye he’d used to reclaim his youth upon his wedding day. His wrinkles deepened as he grinned and welcomed her against him. She wore stilettos and a skirt so tight it looked painful. 

Your amusement dwindled as another figure appeared behind him. You recognised the man immediately. It hadn’t been two days since your first and last encounter. As you remembered him, you were sure he remembered you. You were convinced of it as his green eyes sparkled and he smirked in your direction.

“Sweetheart, I thought you’d be off already,” Paul’s arm held Stacey around her waist. “I was just discussing our renovations with Mr. Laufeyson on his way out and was about to show him the east wing.”

“We were just on our way,” She announced. “We’ve some items to pick up for the master and soon enough we’ll move onto the rest of guest rooms.”

“Mr. Laufeyson,” Paul turned back to his visitor, his arm still around his young wife, “Pardon my negligence, this is Stacey’s designer.” He introduced you kindly. He might have been an easy dupe but he was nice enough. “They go back a ways. To university I believe.”

“Oh yes, I was in fashion and she was in interior, and so we ran into each other a couple times a year,” Stacey explained. “She always did have a good eye.”

“Ah,” Laufeyson neared and held out his hand cordially. You eyed it and the scene of you crashing into him replayed in your head. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” You shook his hand awkwardly and prayed Stacey would not stay too long to boast.

“Actually,” He let go slowly, “If you’re not too tied up at the moment, I have a place not far from here that needs a breath of fresh air. You see, it was my father’s and it still bears much of his tastes. Not very akin to my own but I am terribly obtuse at these things.”

“Hmm, well,” You swallowed and looked to Stacey, “My roster is rather full at the moment. How many rooms did you say there were in this place, Mrs. Forrest?”

“Oh, but she is not that burdened, Mr. Laufeyson.” Stacey insisted. “We have sorted plans for most of the rooms. You might take her on the odd days, if you wish?”

Your nostrils flared. She acted as if she owned you. As if you were to be lent out like one of her designer dresses.

“I do have a waiting list--”

“We are old friends,” She interjected, “As a favour from me, Mr. Laufeyson, as a thank you for your wonderful wedding gift, you might have a consultation upon us. Right, Paul?”

“Oh, yes,” He seemed to have awoken from a trance at the mention of his name. “That old place your father kept, it could use a good dusting.”

You glared at Stacey. If she wasn’t paying twice your hourly rate, you might have walked out. You quickly wiped away your chagrin as the attention turned back to you.

“Well, I suppose if Mrs. Forrest can spare me…”

“Tomorrow,” Stacey affirmed. “Leave the address with Paul and she’ll meet with you in the morning. I can survive the day without her. The contractors will be back for the west wing.”

🐍

The next morning, you left early to make sure you arrived on time, all so that you could eventually leave on time. Mr. Laufeyson’s house was not far from the Forrests’. You pulled up to the tall gates and rolled down your window to push the buzzer. A voice rose from the crackly speaker and you called out your purpose several times before you were understood.

The wrought iron gates finally opened and you pulled through slowly. The drive was even longer than Stacey’s and the house grander. It was indeed old-fashioned. You pulled up before the large garage off the side of the house and stepped out onto the cobblestone. Your thick heel skidded over them and you nearly tripped. You locked your car and carefully walked along to the front steps.

You climbed them carefully but stumbled up the last. As you fell and scraped your hands on the stone porch, you heard the door open. You looked up and cringed as Mr. Laufeyson looked down at you. He stepped out onto the porch and you dragged yourself up by the column at the top of the railing.

“You okay?” He touched your elbow gently as you dusted your hands off on your jacket.

“Fine,” You assured him. “You know, gotta make an entrance.

“You’re early,” He said.

“Shall I wait?” You asked.

He chuckled and waved you ahead of him to the door. “Not at all. I’ve been eagerly awaiting you.”

You were silent as you neared the open door and entered the large foyer. He was close behind as he pulled the door closed and you tried not to flinch as he brushed close to you. You looked up at the grand chandelier and the towering portraits of ancestors.

“Where shall we start?” He asked.

“Well, I usually begin with a walk through and then we can go over my notes at the end. Discuss what you want to change, what you’d like to keep,” You took out your notebook as you spoke. “You’ll have a copy of it all. Should you choose to carry out the plans with another designer, you’ll still have them as reference.”

“Very well,” He nodded and you waited for him to lead you; up the stairs, through the door to your left or to your right. Just to start the whole awkward day. 

“Mr. Laufeyson?” You glanced over at him and he smirked.

“Loki,” He said. “We can go without the formalities for the day, I think.”

“Loki, where should we start?”

“I know you remember me,” He ignored your question. “And I certainly remember you.”

“I did appreciate the drink,” You said evenly. “And again, I do apologise for my carelessness.”

He considered you a moment. He didn’t move.

“And you know who I am?” He asked.

“Who doesn’t?” You answered as you looked around tensely. Heat began to crawl up your neck. 

“A thug, no?” He wondered. You blanched at the word you’d used only days before.

“It was a joke…”

“I do not deny it,” He assured you. “Or take offence. I’ve been called worse.”

You took a deep breath and tapped your pen on your notebook. Your turned to look at him directly.

“Did you bring me here to reprimand me?” You asked.

His smirk remained and he buttoned his jacket.

“I brought you here to rid this place of my father’s stench,” He said coolly. “And because this universe has a peculiar way of aligning the stars.”

“Left, right, or up,” You pointed to each door and then the broad stairway. “We should begin before the time gets ahead of us.”

“We should,” He agreed. “The left, dear.”

🐍

It took you all day to get through every room of the house. As you explored, you pieced together the story of the old place. A family property passed down through the generations. Nobles until the Great War, criminals in its aftermath and since. They hid their delinquency beneath their titles.

Loki seemed to have little love for his late father. His words were resentful. He explained that this was the lesser of two houses; the other was bequeathed to his brother. Expected but still a thorn.

He talked more than you expected, as if to fill the silence as you jotted down notes. Perhaps to loosen your own tongue. A man used to charming others. His words were as useful a weapon as a gun. You found it hard not to let them sway you. It was easy to see him as pleasant when his task was not so odious.

You caught yourself several times. He followed a bit too closely, leaned in a bit too much to look over your shoulders, held doors for you, brushed against you a little too conspicuously. You sensed him closing in the further you delved into the old family stead. Felt him looming around you as you tried to focus on the peeling wallpaper and golden candlesticks.

You were on the third floor. The walls were lined with geometric sconces of the art deco era. They could be restored easily and once more stylish even a century later. You reached the end of the hall and tucked your notebook under your arm as he pushed open the door there. He stepped back and waited for you to enter. You did, cautiously.

You walked the perimeter of the room, around the armoire and the bed, the standing lamp, the curled feet of the night tables. An extravagant fireplace with statues of lions on its mantle gaped back at you. You stopped before it as you scribbled on the paper. You turned and looked around once more.

“Are you set on the bed frame?” You asked. “An antique but clunky.”

“Hmmm,” He thought as he neared the foot of the bed. “I’m not sure.”

“I suppose if you removed the canopy and replaced the duvet it might…” You glanced at him and your eyes strayed behind him. The door was closed. You hadn’t heard it shut. You shook off the tremor and looked back to the tasseled canopy. “It might work but you could free up a lot of space, make it a little more open with something less… imposing.”

He rounded to your side of the bed slowly. He dragged his fingers along the bedding and stopped beside you. 

“I think I know what might make it look a little nicer,” He said.

“Oh?” You kept your eyes on your notebook as you scribbled down nonsense.

“Yes,” He lifted his hand from the bed and grabbed your notebook. “I think you might look rather striking in it.”

He dislodged the book from your hand and you tried to catch it before he flung it across the room. You stared up at him in shock and he ripped the pen from your hand in kind. You stepped back, startled.

“Loki,” You gasped. “What are--”

“You knew the kind of man I was back in that restaurant,” He blocked you as you tried to skirt past him. “You knew it at the Forrests’, and yet you came here.”

“I came to work.” You insisted. “I came because another said I would.”

You tried to push past him but he caught you around your waist. He swept you off your feet and swung you onto the bed. You bounced on the mattress and sat up quickly.

“Loki,” You tried to shimmy off the bed. “I don’t--”

He was on top of you before you could get your feet over the edge. He shoved you back down and straddled you beneath him. You tried to wriggle out, tried to push him off, bat him away, but he caught your hands and pinned them to the bed.

“You knew that night who I was and what I can do.” He purred. “And I knew what I would do. Sooner or later.” He leaned over you until his nose almost touched yours. “I knew I would find you again.”

“Please,” You breathed shakily. “Please, you can stop and we can both forget--”

“I can’t forget,” He sneered. “I won’t.”

“Let me go,” You begged. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean for any of it. I said sorry, I--”

“Oh, dear, this isn’t about that,” He rubbed his nose against yours cloyingly. “This is about the way that ass looks in those pants.”

You whined and kicked helplessly beneath him. “Help!” You yelled. “Someone, please!”

“I dismissed the help when you showed up. It’s an empty house, dear,” He rocked his pelvis against yours. “In the middle of the country.”

You grunted in frustration. He sat back and released your hands. He pushed your jacket open. He barely noticed as you slapped his arms and chest. He chuckled even. He tore your blouse and his hands cupped your bra. He squeezed and rocked his hips. He groaned as he groped you.

He slid his body down over yours until he was draped over you. He bent his head to your chest and kissed along your cleavage. You pulled his hair roughly as you tried to wrench him away. A hand slithered up and closed around your throat. He squeezed as his teeth pinched your flesh. You cried out from the pain.

Slowly, he raised his head. A black strand fell across his forehead. “My dear, it means nothing for me to hurt you.” His grip tightened. “So if you insist upon it, I will.”

You grasped at his hand as you tried to breathe. Your eyes watered and you nodded frantically. Your head was starting to throb. He let go and once more buried his head in your chest. His hand crawled back down as he held him over you, he flicked your fly open with one hand and pushed the zipper down slowly.

You were paralysed. Shock, fear, mortification washed over you. You were stupid enough to come hear. Weak enough to go along with Stacey’s demands. And desperate enough to be inflamed by his touch.

His fingers hooked beneath the waist of your pants and the elastic of your panties. He tore them down. He jolted your entire body and backed off of you as he forced them down your legs and over your boots. You tried to sit up but he was quick to shove you back down. He put his arm across your throat and held you there as he pushed his knees between your legs.

You shook and clung to his arm as he leaned on your windpipe.

“Loki…” You pleaded.

He tickled along your thigh and slipped two fingers between your lips. You gulped as he flicked your clit and your thighs tingled. You bit down and he did it again. He delved between your folds and your arousal was soon obvious. He returned to your bud and rubbed until your thighs were tensed against his.

“You can try to resist me, dear,” He snarled. “But know, I’ll always find a way to get to you.”

He shoved his fingers inside and you cried out. He pressed his thumb to your clit as he drew his fingers in and out. You slapped his shoulder and latched onto it as he kept on. You could feel your ascent and he urged you to your tipping point. You moaned and closed your eyes as your body quaked in betrayal. You came on his fingers. You could feel it, hear it.

You tried to catch his breath as he left you empty. He slipped his arm off your throat and leaned on his elbow as he unzipped his trousers. You squirmed and he grabbed a hank of your hair and pulled. You whimpered and he rolled his pants down to his thighs. He dragged his tip along your wet folds and you spread your hands over his chest.

You shook your head and tried to beg with your eyes. You pushed on his chest and he lined himself up with your entrance. He slammed his hips down and you yelped as he impaled you to his limit. Your fingers clawed at the lapels of his jacket as he began to rock. You went limp beneath him as your body buzzed. You were repulsed by how good it felt.

He sat up and grabbed your thighs. He held your legs against him as he watched his cock slide in and out of you. Each thrust came sooner than last, harder than the last, deeper than the last. You reached out and balled the duvet in your fists as you tried to breathe away the mixture of agony and ecstasy. It didn’t work.

You came again. This time you shook even more and exclaimed louder than before. He let go of your left leg and reached to pulled your bra down beneath your tits. He kneaded as he tilted into you.

“Say my name,” He commanded. You shook your head and he pinched your nipple. “Say it!”

“Loki,” You whimpered.

“Again.” He growled.

“Loki,” You repeated.

“Keep going.” 

His name tumbled from your lips over and over. Each time he pounded into you, you recited the syllables. You came a third time and covered your face in shame. You were dizzy and confused. He sank into as deep as he could and the bed stilled. You felt him spill inside of you, his cock twitched as he groaned.

You went quiet and all strength drained from your body. He sighed and eased himself out of you. His cum leaked down onto the duvet between your legs as he crawled backward off the bed. You drew your legs together as he stood. He bent to grab your pants from the floor and tossed them over you.

He tucked his cock away and zipped up his fly. He pushed his shoulders back and let out another deep breath. He watched you smugly as you shakily sat up and grasped your pants. His eye brow crooked and he felt around in his jacket as it began to buzz. He pulled out his phone and read the screen.

“That’s the wife,” He said. “Shit. I’ll have to let her know I’m running late.”

You blinked as he turned and answered the phone. Your eyes were wide and your heart seemed to stop as he opened the door and disappeared into the hall. His wife. You hadn’t thought you could feel worse but like many things, you were wrong.

[unbridgeabledistances]

ok i have an inbox full of prompts, but i was making valentine’s day plans & all of a sudden felt very inspired to write some valentine’s day gallavich! featuring uncle mickey, homemade cards and a lot of domestic fluff- i’ll probs have a part two up sometime this week!<3

--

It was a lazy, slow-paced Sunday afternoon at the Gallagher house. Mickey had been lying on the couch passively watching trashy reality TV for god knows how long—and apparently at some point he’d fallen asleep, because now the TV volume was just a low hum, and he was being woken up to the startling crash of the kitchen back door slamming shut, and the rustling of shoes and coats being taken off and discarded by the front door.

“Alright Franny, let’s set this stuff up on the kitchen table.” Mickey heard Ian’s voice sail across the room, his eyes still closed to block out the cheery sunshine teeming in the living room.

Mickey tried to doze off again, attempting to block out the bright light infiltrating his eyelids, but it was no use— whatever Ian and Franny were doing, murmuring and clanging in the kitchen, there was no way for Mickey to escape the sound now and drift back into his sunwarmed sleep. He begrudgingly shoved the scratchy crocheted blanket off of his lap, stretching as he rose and stumbled into the kitchen.

He wasn’t expecting the carnage that he saw when he turned the corner; the kitchen table was covered in an explosion of sheets of multicolored construction paper, all reds and pinks and whites, with tiny multicolored stickers and tubes of glitter and shiny ribbons arranged and spread wide across the countertop, scattered with glue sticks and pairs of scissors and an exploded box of crayons. There was a small mountain of cut-out hearts piled high on the table, smattered with glitter-glue and blocky handwriting.

Mickey rubbed his eyes, taking in the scene. “What’re you two Picassos up to?” he asked drowsily.

Ian looked up, his eyes light. “Look who’s awake!” He gestured at the table emphatically, like it was Christmas morning. “Isn’t it great? Me and Franny grabbed all this stuff at the dollar store for less than ten bucks. The glue sticks definitely kind of suck, but I think it’ll get the job done.”

Mickeys eyes scanned to Franny, who was hard at work trying to cut a shape out of a piece of red construction paper, her brows furrowed in concentration. Ian kept chattering on as he unwrapped another sheath of the paper.

“Debbie left Franny with me since some rich lady called her with a weekend handywoman emergency that popped up at the last minute, so now I’m helping Franny make her valentines for school.”

Mickey scoffed. “Fucking valentines?”

Ian rolled his eyes as he contentedly started to glue together two pieces of paper. “Yes, Mickey, valentines. You know, those nice things that normal people give to each other on Valentine’s Day, along with a box of chocolates or some shit and a note about how much they love each other—”

“Yes, I know what they are, smartass. Don’t know why you didn’t just buy the little cardboard ones at the store though.”

Ian smirked, his eyes still focused on the paper beneath him that he was smudging glitter on. “Yeah, well. Franny wanted to make them, and I thought it’d be kind of fun.”

Just then Franny gasped triumphantly, raising a lopsided and crumpled paper heart up for Mickey to see. “Look, Uncle Mickey! I cut a heart! Uncle Ian showed me how!”

Mickey raised his eyebrows at Ian, who had a sheepish look on his face. “Didn’t know you had so many hidden talents, Gallagher.”

Ian flashed a grin. “I used to be really into art class in elementary school, what can I say.”

Franny looked up at Mickey with wide eyes. “Do you want to make valentines with us? We have to make twenty-seven, because that’s the number of people in my class.”

Mickey faltered. Sitting here gluing fucking glitter to pieces of paper was not exactly what he’d had in mind as his plans for the weekend…

“Uh. That’s okay kiddo. I think you two’ve got it covered.”

Franny seemed to readily accept Mickey’s answer, instantly looking downward again and grabbing a fistful of crayons from the table to continue enhancing her masterpiece. Ian, on the other hand, tore his gaze from his own valentine.

“Oh c’mon Mick, you don’t wanna help?” Ian asked, his voice goading and his eyebrows raised.

Mickey rolled his eyes. “Yeah, thanks but no thanks.” He turned, walking over to open the fridge and grabbing a beer from the top shelf.

“C’mon, just one valentine. Franny can show you how to cut out a heart shape, right Fran?”

Franny nodded vigorously. “Yes, I know how!”

Mickey took a swig of his beer and sighed. “Jesus, fine.” He pulled a chair between Ian and Franny, slowly scraping it on the linoleum, and then perched on the edge uncomfortably. “Alright Franny, show me what you’ve got.”

“Okay, so the first thing that you have to do is pick which color is your favorite. What’s your favorite color?”

Mickey had taken another sip of his beer, and now he sputtered slightly. “I don’t know Franny, you pick for me.”

Franny’s face melted into a pout. “But you have to pick, Uncle Mickey, it’s your favorite color!”

Ian bit back a laugh, his eyes still bright and cheerful. “Yeah, Mick, c’mon. What is your favorite color? We’ve never gotten this deep in our relationship before.”

Mickey gulped again from his beer can and flipped Ian off in the process. “I don’t fucking know. Never thought about it before.”

Franny held the stack of construction paper up to Mickey. “Look! There’s red, and yellow, and blue, and purple, and green—”

Mickey cut her off. “Uh, give me a green one.”

Ian smirked. “Green?”

“Fuck you, it was the first color I thought of.” Of course, that wasn’t really true—if Mickey needed to have a favorite fucking color, it was obviously going to be green, like the green eyes that met his gaze every morning and were the last thing he saw before he went to sleep at night— even if he would never be caught dead admitting that sappy bullshit to Ian.

Ian looked like he was holding back a smile. “Right,” he mused. “Hey, Franny, pass me a blue paper? Cause y’know, that’s my favorite color.”

Mickey gently shoved Ian in the square of his chest. “You’re being fucking soft.”

Ian let a crooked smile burst onto his face. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

Mickey leaned back in his chair, holding the piece of thick green paper in front of him appraisingly. “Okay Franny, what’s step two?”

Franny stretched her body across the table to reach for one of the strewn pairs of scissors. “Now, you fold the paper in half, and then you cut out the shape of half of a heart, like this.” She drew an example of the curved pattern on the backside of Mickey’s paper with the tip of her finger. “And then you unfold it and it’ll be a perfect shape!”

“Sounds easy enough.”

Mickey took the scissors from Franny’s grasp, and held them up to the paper. It was just a fucking half circle with a little indent at the top— this wasn’t going to be too difficult. Ian and Franny went back to being absorbed in crafting their valentines, while Mickey started to botch and slash at his piece of construction paper.

When he was finally satisfied he unfolded the shape, the outer shell of the paper falling away. It was… well, it was kind of a heart, with two slanted sides and a wonky top half. It looked more like a blob attached to an angle than anything else.

Ian looked up from where he was doodling on a glittery heart and snickered.

“That’s uh… that’s a good first try, Mick.”

Mickey slammed the piece of paper down onto the table. Fucking arts and crafts, he was never good at this shit even when he was little—he fingers were always too fumbling, too clumsy for him to make anything delicate and pristine. Ian’s hands should have been as ungainly as his, but instead they were quick and nimble, smoothly cutting perfectly-rounded circles and gluing neat lines of glitter.

Franny noticed that Mickey was done cutting his shape. “Good job Uncle Mickey! Now you just have to draw on it, and put on stickers and glitter.”

“Yeah Mickey, let’s see those artistic skills.”

Mickey aggressively flicked some flecks of glitter from the table in Ian’s direction, then picked up a crayon and gripped it with an iron fist. What the fuck was he supposed to draw? This was a valentine for kids at Franny’s school, the fuck did kids like anyways? He started to draw some sort of stick figure, but the arms were too long and the head was too small, so he tried to color over it and make some sort of tree or some shit…

As Mickey scratched at the paper, he looked over at noticed suddenly how content Ian looked—how blissed out and settled he was, just running a crayon over the colorful paper and shaking bits of glitter onto pools of glue. If Mickey was being honest, he hadn’t seen Ian this light and happy in a while; he’d had a hunch in his shoulders for months after the wedding and the pandemic and all the minimum-wage job bullshit, the shadows of expectation hanging over him and causing a deflated weariness in his gaze that was impossible to ignore. But right now, Ian looked like he was having as much fun as Franny was, practically vibrating with satisfaction as he put the finishing touches on his drawing and reaching to place his completed valentine in the growing pile.

Mickey snatched the paper out of Ian’s hand, slightly crumpling it around the edges. “Wait a second. How the fuck did you do that?”

The valentine was immaculate, the heart symmetrical and traced in a thin outline of glitter. In the center of the paper there was a perfect little cartoon of a dog in a top hat, with an air bubble that read “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Ian shrugged. “Watched a lot of cartoons when I was little. And I’ve always kind of liked to draw.”

Mickey shoved the valentine back in front of Ian. Goddamn perfect fucking husband who’s good at fucking everything. He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, suddenly losing all motivation to play along.

Ian smirked, then reached to rest a hand on the back of Mickey’s neck. “Giving up already?”

Mickey rolled his eyes. “Fuck you, Gallagher.”

Ian’s smile just widened. “Here, how about I cut the fucking shapes and you glue stuff onto them. That’d still help me and Franny a lot, right?”

Franny nodded. “It’s okay Uncle Mickey, I was bad at cutting the shapes too at first.”

Mickey huffed. Okay, so maybe he was horrible at this shit, but the least he could do was suck it up for Franny’s sake. “Fine,” he muttered, and grabbed a glue stick and a bottle of glitter.

A few minutes passed and they settled into a comfortable silence, enveloped in the sound of the scissors gliding and Franny scribbling on paper.

Suddenly, Franny looked up as Mickey reached across the table to grab a pad of stickers.

“Hey Uncle Mickey, what do you and Uncle Ian do for Valentine’s Day?”

Mickey didn’t really know how to answer that question— he darted a glance over at Ian, trying to signal as much. Could you ruin the spirit of Valentine’s Day for kids in the same way you could fuck up Christmas? “Uh, nothing really.”

Ian chimed in. “We used to like Valentine’s Day when we were little like you Franny, but now that we’re big we don’t really celebrate it. Right Mick?”

“Yup.”

Franny’s brows were furrowed again, this time in contemplation. “But. You love each other, right?”

“Sure, Franny. But we don’t need a special day for us to remember that,” Ian explained.

Franny seemed appeased enough by that answer to resume her drawing. “You don’t give each other valentines or candy or anything?”

Mickey almost laughed. Of course he and Ian had never celebrated fucking Valentine’s Day; if he was being honest, he didn’t remember even really thinking about Valentine’s Day before now, other than it being a day when Mandy came home crying in middle school because the boy she liked didn’t ask her out, or buying all the half-priced chocolates in red and pink wrappers at the drugstore a week later with his brothers. With all the shit in his life the past few years, frilly fucking holidays like Valentine’s Day were just… not on Mickey’s radar.

But maybe— maybe this year was different. This year, for maybe the first time in his life, Mickey felt secure and steady in a way that he never had before, like the ground was solid beneath him and wasn’t going to cave in at any minute. He had a fucking husband that he loved—why couldn’t they celebrate Valentine’s Day like a normal goddamn couple? Ian didn’t seem to be too bothered that they both didn’t give a fuck about the holiday, which was all the more reason to catch him off guard. He kept pressing stickers down onto the construction paper, his mind starting to churn.

By the time they’d made the twenty-seven fucking valentines, Mickey had made up his mind; this year, he and Ian were going to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

part two here!

[kpop---scenarios]

Good Enough

Pairing: Byun Baekhyun x Reader 

Genre: Idol! AU 

Warning: Smut, Mention of Domestic Violence, Miscarriage, Angst, Fluff 

Word Count: 15.4k 

Summary: Ayn (another y/n) and her friends meet Super M from a contest they win. She's a bit of a disaster but he doesn't care. Even when life tries to keep them apart, it never works. 

“I’m sorry…,”you whispered to the man who was supposed to love you, who was carelessly and harshly dragging you along the path to your apartment. You would think by now you would know your limits with alcohol, the one thing you had a love-hate relationship with, but instead you hate yourself every time you get as drunk as you currently were. You should not have drank as much as you did, is what you tell yourself, again. Everytime. You knew it as always. Your body knew it and hated you for it, and so did your equally unimpressed fiance. "I can't do this anymore," he grunts carrying you into your apartment and down the short hall to the bedroom. Soyoung lets out a loud sigh, a sound of frustration and annoyance flying from his tongue, as he practically shoves you on your bed. His tall body, moving quicker than your eyes can in the dark of the room, you watch dizzily as he opens drawers and your bathroom briefly grabs something else, before coming back to stand over you. "Did you hear me?" Grabbing your cheeks and squeezing with one hand the other painfully grasping a breast, making you gasp,  before grabbing some stuff from your bedside table. "I'm done." He finishes, walking out of your apartment, slamming the door and leaving your very drunk self to pass out. You wanted to follow him, ask him what you had done wrong now. You were trying to cope, was that so wrong? You wanted to move but your body wouldn't let you, you were frozen to your bed in an unimaginable state of drunken paralysis. Thankfully all the thoughts drowning you shushed your mind to sleep. Before you knew it, a persistent old-fashioned alarm eventually registered, blaring through your ears. You rolled over in your bed, feeling your dress from the night before twist around you, making you frown in confusion. Usually, a night out of drinking with Soyoung leaves you naked and most times sore in the right spot, sometimes pleasantly so, sometimes not. Shutting the alarm on your phone off, you sent a dreary voice message to your fiance sweetly begging for medicine and his special hangover soup. You desperately needed it. You really shouldn't have drank so much, again. Laying back down, phone tossed to the side, you take several slow deep breaths, trying to not throw up the unfortunate amount of tequila you drank last night. Closing your eyes against the dim light in the room, a flash of memory hits you making you touch your jaw knowing that all the pain isn’t from alcohol this time. You struggle to hear the words he spit at you last night in your head, something important, but you just couldn't remember as you drift back to sleep. Ding Your phone wakes you up. Groggily, you grab your phone, checking your conversation with Soyoung, and he's read your message but the reply wasn't from him. Maybe he was on his way? Going to your other conversations, you see it's your group chat with your three best friends. Beth, Maggie and Lisa. [2:43pm] Beth: I can't breathe. Everything smells like Tequila. I want to die. [2:45pm] Maggie: Did I break my foot? Cause it kinda feels like I did. Fuck. [2:49pm] Lisa: So round two tonight!? Let's get ready to paaaarttyyyyyyyy. [2:54pm] Beth: Are you insane? I'm crying tequila tears right now. I cannot [2:56pm] You: Don't be a pussy Bethy. Let's do it [3:01pm] Maggie: I mean.. i'm in [3:05pm] Beth: Fine. But I'm not drinking [3:09pm] Lisa: The fuck you're not. I will drown you in a bowl of Tequila beth. Try me. You knew you could always count on your girls. With a smile on your face, you text your fiance again, letting him know you were going out again tonight, and asked him if he wanted to come out with you guys. Usually when you message Soyoung, it wasn't long before he replied, but now you had been waiting two hours and that was so unlike him. But you weren't going to be that fiancee, you figured he was probably busy with something, even though the nagging feeling in your stomach was telling you otherwise. ** That night as you continued to drown your sorrows in liquor, again, your mind lingered on the fact that you still haven't heard from the person who was supposed to love you and be there for you. The person who was supposed to be your person but wasn't. Thinking back to the voicemail you’d left, well voicemails, plural. And thinking on the obvious smudges on your breast and face, that you’d gotten too used to covering up.   "You okay?" Maggie asks you, taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah girl. All good," you say forcing a smile. You weren't okay; not even close and drinking was the only way you knew how to cope and there was a lot you needed to deal with but couldn't. You weren't mentally strong enough at the moment. You struggled internally with whether or not to unload everything on your friends, but you knew they had their own shit to deal with. You couldn't do that to them. "Come on," Beth slurred, slapping at the bar to get the bartender's attention. "Let’s close out and go! Next bar, up!" "Thought you weren't drinking tonight, Beth?" You slur, a knowing smile on your face. "Fuck off." She spits, placing a hundred dollar bill on the counter to cover everyone's drinks. Something the four of you often did. Someone would pay at one bar while another would pay at the next. The four of you finished your drinks, giggling as you walked out of the bar, walking to the next one. While three of you gossip, Beth lags behind, gasping at her phone. "What the fuck are tou foing," You slur, fumblimg your words and stopping the group. "Just shut up and keep walkin," she shoos you away, not looking up from her phone. Minutes later, you reach the next bar, Beth puts her phone away while she has a concerning smirk on her face. Do you confront her or ignore it? You choose to ignore, not wanting whatever it was to possibly ruin the night for everyone. Whatever your uwu girl was up to couldn’t be that bad. Beth wasn't one to stir up trouble or cause a scene. If anything, she likely ordered some more candles from Etsy. You all spent the rest of the night getting drunk and dancing on each other, without a care in the world.   Sunday morning you wake up, smelling Tequila everywhere. It was seeping through your pores. Your heart sunk, still no word from Soyoung. So you try to call him again. No answer. You tried again, and again no answer. You didn't understand. What did you do that was so wrong? You spent the entire day going through everything, old texts, playing in person conversations in your head,  trying to figure out how you might have fucked up in the last month or so, but nothing came to mind. So now the question you had was, what the fuck was his issue? You knew he didn’t like you showing up at his home unannounced, but at the same time this was past petty. The thought of calling his mother, who did not bother to hide her hate for you physically made you ill, you let your finger hover over her contact a little longer before closing the phone. You tossed it to the other side of your sofa, decisively picking up the remote to look for a movie to watch. Fuck him, you decide, just fuck him. ** After you had finished work on Monday, you still hadn't heard from him. When you woke up on Tuesday, again there was nothing. Everytime you called you were either sent straight to voice-mail or he just didn't answer. By the 3 week mark, you felt as though you might not even be together anymore. Three months later, you had heard nothing from him until your neighbour who was getting her mail had let you know he was out of town filming for a movie. She thought it was quite weird that you didn't know, and honestly, you thought the same but you weren't at all surprised, given Soyoung's past with you. Later that night, you had found out that night that when Beth was intensely looking at her phone, she had been entering a meet and greet with Super M, the band that the four of you were obsessed with. When she had gotten into the top five, she sent a video explaining who she would bring and why, and apparently they liked the way she represented you guys and how real you sounded. She should have told them you were all psychotic and loud because Super M was going to be in for a wild ride. At the four month mark, you still had not heard from him, and actively decided you were single. You took your ring off, leaving it on your bedside table. You didn't know why you tortured yourself like that, maybe you hoped he would walk through your door again one day, telling you that something had happened and he says so sorry before telling you how much he loved you, and would slide that ring back on your finger, telling you that's where it belonged and to never take it off again. Wishful thinking on your part. ** Finally Friday had rolled around, the night you were going to meet Super M. You had a hard time containing your excitement. All day you were a giddy mess, acting like a child who had gotten up early on Christmas morning to find a shit ton of presents. Friday afternoon, you had left work early to make sure you had ample time to get ready for meeting Super M. You unlock the door to your apartment, and walk in, being met with the face of your fiance, or the man who was now your ex. "Soyoung.. you're back?" You whisper, dropping your purse to the floor. "No I'm not. Just wanted to grab a few things.. and my ring." He says, sliding the ring off of your bedside table, and putting it in his pocket. "You're.. what is going on? Where have you been? Why did you leave? I thought we were happy?" You say. "Us? Happy? You're delusional." He laughs. "What? "I ended things four months ago." He deapans, hands in pockets with his feet braced apart. "Well thanks for telling me!" You yell, heart racing. "I did,"He shouts back. "Do you remember the night I dragged your drunk, embarrassing ass back home?" "No.. I had been drinking." You say, your chest tightening at the hurtful words you knew were going to come next. "Yeah you had, like usual. I ended things that night. I'm done. I have an important reputation to uphold and protect, and frankly your alcoholic, large self doesn't fit into it." He sneers. "Not to mention the vast difference in our status. Do you know what it's like being an actor with chances and then having an alcoholic teacher as my fiance? Fucking disaster." "I was coping. The loss of our baby was hard on me." You whisper, as it gets harder to breathe, tears freely slipping down your face now. "You know I've always wanted to be a mom." "Yeah well you losing our child was the best thing to happen to me. Imagine having a child with a low class whore. I can't believe any school would look at you and think you and that body, which is only good for one thing, should teach someone's kid. The universe knows who should be a mother, and you're not it." He continues as if her defense were nothing. "Also tell your friends that having them text me, asking me to check up on you while I'm out of 'town' is just fucking embarrassing." He finishes, sliding the ring into his pocket, and picking up his box before leaving. Tears fall from your face as what he said replays through your head, making you feel even worse. You didn't think that stuff like that was important, so it hadn't occurred to you that he thought that way. He had never mentioned anything to you, or brought it up, at least in so many words. Flashbacks play through yohr head, things he said during sex which should have set off some flags. "Fucking whore. You like getting your pussy rammed by a higher class man?" "Take that dick like the dirty low level slut you are." Did they make you uncomfortable? Sure, a bit but he had always been into dirty talk, so you chalked it up to that. Great to know he was being serious. Why did he have to show up tonight all night? The night that you get to meet one of your favorite bands, and your ultimate bias, Baekhyun. You couldn't look like a wreck tonight, so you dried your tears, took a few shots and put on your favorite song and started doing your makeup. ** A few hours after you were drunk and ready to go. A car outside beeped a few times, letting you know your friends were here. You locked your door, making sure to hold onto the railing as you walked down the stairs, not wanting to trip and fall. "Ladiessss." You slur, getting into the car, throwing your head back on the seat. "Let's go." "What happened?" Maggie asked, turning her head from the passenger seat to face you. "Apparently." You begin, clearing your throat. "Soyoung broke up with me when I was drunk four months ago and I don't remember, I'm in such a lower class than him and that's why I miscarried 5 months ago. Also that I'm a fat whore." You sniffle. Your lips begin to quiver as you remember the words again. You didn't want to cry, you couldn't but fuck it still hurt. "What the fuck." All the girls say in unison. "I've always hated him." Maggie spits. "Seconded." Beth yells. "Third..ed." Lisa partially answers, not knowing if that's a word or not. "Thirded is not a word, but thank you." You laugh as Lisa pulls you in for a hug. "We can cancel with Super M." Beth suggests. "Don't be dumb! Cancel on Super M? Who are you!?" You yell. "We don't cancel on kings. I'll be fine." You finish, taking a deep breath to shake off the sadness. "Are you sure?" Lisa asks, looking nervous that you might actually say yes. "Oh my god, no. We're not canceling." You laugh. "Lets go. I need a good distraction." 20 minutes later, the four of you sit outside the restaurant taking deep breaths. "I'm going to faint." Beth states, fanning herself with her hand. "Fucking Taeyong and Kai.." "Im going to meet Mark and Lucas." Lisa squeals. "Taemin, and Ten, my babies." Maggie groans. "And I'm going to meet Baekhyun. The only man I need." You say, a weird smile appearing on your face. "Fix that." Maggie says, pointing to your mouth. "You are not entering that restaurant looking like you're hiding a gun inside your vag, okay? Serial killer looks stay in the car please." She finishes, opening her door and adjusting her dress. "Less creepy. Got it." You say, hopefully smiling like a normal person. The four of you walk away from the car, your hands shaking as you make your way closer to the door. You felt like your heart might just drop right out of your ass when you walked through the doors. "We're here for the Super M meet and greet." Beth says, showing the man the confirmation. "Right this way." He says, motioning for the four of you to follow him to a private room. Whenever someone had told you they almost died when meeting their favorite celebrity, you never understood. Until today. When you walked in the room, all the guys were sitting at a table, four spots between them opened. Lisa sat in between Mark and Lucas, Maggie in between Taemin and Ten, Beth between Taeyong and Kai, while you sat beside Baekhyun with no one else on your other side. But you didn't care. Yes you loved the whole group, but Baekhyun was your one and you were in heaven. "Hi, im Baekhyun." He says with a gorgeous smile, holding out his hand. "Oh I know. I'm Ayn." You smile, shaking his hand. It was no surprise that it was soft to the touch. "Would you like a drink?" Baekhyun smiles, his eyes never leaving you. Call it crazy, but you absolutely felt something between him and you, and you could tell that he felt it too. "Tequila please." You laugh. "A Tequila fan? My kind of girl." Baekhyun smiles, waving over the waiter. Over the next few hours, you and Baekhyun talked about everything while the two of you took more shots. He asked you about your job, family, friends, ambitions, passions, everything. But you should have known not to drink too much, in order to not embarrass yourself in front of Baekhyun, but when he asked you if you were seeing anyone, you lost it. "I was engaged, but he dumped me when i was drunk, ghosted me for 4 months, told me I was a low class whore who basically deserved to miscarry and that I was fat." You sob. Everyone sits there stunned, mouths hanging open as you sob into a napkin that Baekhyun had given to you. "What an asshole." Baekhyun declares. "Like literally, I want to fuck him up. Who does he think he is? You are beautiful and I'm so sorry for your loss, you didn't deserve that. Where is he? Can I please beat the fuck out of him?" Baekhyun asks, rolling up his sleeves. "You're sweet." You giggle. "Honestly yes, you can beat him up. I hate him." "What's his name?" Baekhyun asks. "Kim Soyoung." You scoff. "That piece of shit!?" Mark asks from across the table. "Man we hate that guy already." Lucas mumbles. "Well there we go, now I have more of a reason to shit kick him." Baekhyun smiles. "But seriously, you're like a 20 out of 10. Stunning." He smiles. Your heart melts as his words replay through your head while he and the others make a plan for the rest of their night. "You guys down to come to the club?" Taemin asks, looking around the table. "Yes!" You all yell out in unison, excited for the next part of the night to begin. As you walk out of the restaurant, you pass through the dining room, where a familiar laugh rings through the room. You look around and see Soyoung sitting there, with a woman sitting across from him. "Wow, Kim Soyoung!" You yell, rage fueling your body with adrenaline. "Already engaged after you only left me 4 months ago?" You ask. "Ayn, stop it." Soyoung hisses. "Who are you?" The woman asks, standing up. When she turned around, your heart sank into your stomach, nausea consuming your body. She was at least 7 months pregnant, wearing your engagement ring. "It's not yours.. is it?" You whisper. "It's only been four months!" You yell. "She's got to be at least 6 or 7 months?" "Im 7 months, and we've been together for 3 years, what are you talking about?" She snaps. Tears fall down your cheeks as you try to piece together what she was saying. So were you the other woman or was she? You were engaged but now you're not, and she was having a baby, and you were not. "She could give me what you clearly couldn't. She's in the same league as me, unlike you. Get over it Ayn, I'm fucking done." "Oh I'm over it. I'm so done with you. Glad a pathetic piece of shit like you is no longer in my life." You say before he cuts you off. "You know what?" He asks, looking around the room. "There's always that one person in a group that doesn't quite fit in, someone they need to make the rest of them look good, that's you and you do a wonderful job at it." He smirks. "You're a miserable person, and a shitty lay. It was hard to feel anything when we fucked, considering you have such a small dick." You smile, Baekhyun grabs you by the wrist to drag you outside while Soyoung shakes with rage. He knew that if you kept going like he thought you would, Soyoung would probably do something that he shouldn't and you'd likely get hurt. "I'm sorry. That just felt so good to say." You tell Baekhyun, now sobering up from all the adrenaline. "It's all good." Baekhyun laughs. "I enjoyed it. Let's get out of here." Everyone climbs in two different vans, preparing to head out of the club. You began climbing when something stopped you and pulled you back out. Turning around you see a still fuming Soyoung, standing there with his fists clenched by his side.   "You think you can just say all that shit in front of my fiance and a room full of strangers and get away with it!?" He yells unclenching to grab the collar of your shirt, pulling you against him. "Why are you letting someone who is in such a low class bother you so much? Mhm? Maybe because you're not as high and mighty as you think you are? You're lower on the totem pole than I am." You whisper. Soyoung shoves you to the ground, raising his fist as if he was about to hit you. "I dare you." You say, knowing he wouldn't. "Hey!" Baekhyun yells, jumping from the van and shoving Soyoung back. "I always knew you were a piece of shit, but now you're an abusive piece of shit? Wow." Baekhyun snaps, staring hard at Soyoung, who sighs before walking away. "You okay?" Baekhyun asks, extending a hand to help you up. "I'm all good." You smile. "You sure?" He asks, making sure. "Positive. Let's party!" You laugh, climbing in the van. "She's amazing." He whispers before climbing in after you. ** Walking into the club, all eyes are on Super M as they glide past the dance floor, all of them looking like angels. They all head for the VIP section, which gives a perfect view of the dance floor. After everything that happened earlier with Soyoung, you were ready to forget everything with a few shots before you got lost on the dance floor. You, Maggie, Beth and Lisa all cheer your shots, each time you take one. After three, and a good song was finally playing, you all head out to the dance floor, finding a spot in the middle with an opening to view the VIP room. Your eyes lock with Baekhyun as you begin circling your hips, shaking your ass while running your hands over your body. You watch as Baekhyun licks his lips, his eyes trailing your body, watching you move so effortlessly. He takes a sip of his drink, his body slouched in his chair with his legs spread wide. You can feel yourself becoming more and more horny as you see the outline of his cock growing in his pants. As you continue dancing, you feel a pair of hands slide around your waist and a body press against you. Still looking at Baekhyun you notice his eyes go dark as he sits up, watching you dance with the strange man. He doesn't know why, but the jealousy he felt was coursing through his body. You break eye contact, turning to look at who you were dancing with and if you knew him. You didn't.  When you looked back towards Baekhyun he was gone. Had he left? Seconds later you feel the man leave from behind you, being replaced by another body. "You're a bad girl." You hear whispered in your ear. Shivers dip down your spine as Baekhyun grabs your wrist, taking you off the dance floor and towards the bathrooms. He pulls you into the men's bathroom, locking the door behind you, his eyes dark and needy. He grips your shoulders, pushing you against the wall, pinning your hands above your head. “If you wanted to make me jealous, it worked. Since the moment I first saw you tonight, I wanted you." he growled into your ear. His hands reach down to touch your thighs, slipping his fingers under your dress as you spread your legs slightly for him. Baekhyun glides his fingers across your clothed pussy, teasing you. “Please give me more” you whine as you buck your hips towards his already erect cock. “This is going to have to be quick." he smirks, unbuckling his belt and sliding down his pants just enough to allow his cock to spring free. Your mouth watered at the site of Baekhyun's thick and juicy cock. He backs away, letting go of your hands, allowing you to drop to your knees. Your hand barely wraps around his cock, pumping it a few times before you lean in to wrap your lips around it. Just as you reach the tip, a frantic knock comes from the other side of the door. It was Taeyong, and he only had to say one word for Baekhyun to panic and get the two of you out of there. "Saesangs." Baekhyun pulled up his pants, pulling you towards the only window in the bathroom. He sent a quick message to his group chat, letting them know to meet him at the van, asap. "I'm gonna lift you up and the climb up myself." He tells you, looking very serious but you can't help but laugh. "You.. you're going to lift me up? Me?" You giggle. "You're little." "Hey! I have muscles okay? I'm strong. Shut up." He grunts, just barely lifting you. "See." He says, his voice shaky and struggling. "Yeah okay." You huff, climbing through the window. "I can hear you on the struggle bus." You can't hear what Baekhyun's reply was, as you were too busy trying to drop to the ground. "Hurry up." He tells you, watching you dangle from the side of the building. "It's terrifying." You whisper shout. "It's like 4 feet. Get over it." He whispers back to you. "Before I peel your fingers off this ledge." "You do that and I will never give up this pussy." You say, not able to hear his mumbles. Taking a deep breath, you let go, dropping down not very far at all while Baekhyun effortlessly jumps from the window, landing gracefully as usual. Finally you confirmed, he was in fact just CGI and not real at all. There was no way a human could possibly be as perfect as Byun Baekhyun and not be fake. Just wasn't a thing. "Stop staring at me, let's go." He laughs, pulling you towards the van. "Baek we gotta go." Taemin says, rushing him. "Gimme your number, quick." Baekhyun urges. Quickly you write your number on his arm before he climbs into the van. "I'm sorry. I'll text you." He says before the van door closes and they drive off. "What the hell happened?" Maggie asked, walking up to you with Beth and Lisa. "We almost hooked up." You whisper, eyes wide. None of you can believe it, except Lisa. "Well he was watching you all night so I'm not surprised." Lisa tells you, raising her eyebrows. "We'll meet tomorrow for breakfast?" Beth asks the group. You all agree before going your separate ways to head home. Tonight had been a night that you would honestly remember forever. You really didn't have any expectations of Baekhyun to text you. He was a huge celebrity and you were, well a teacher with an alcohol problem. Not quite the catch you should be. When you finally got home,you stripped down into your underwear, hating yourself for wearing such sexy lingerie that no one got to see. You climb into your bed when your phone dings. A number you don't recognize. [3:08am] 4739272943: Hey, I had a great time tonight.. did you make it home? The smile on your face widened. You quickly added his number to your contacts before replying. [3:12am] You: I did, thanks for asking. I'm snuggled warm in my bed. [3:15am] Baekhyun ♡: I wish I was your blanket. Damn. I can't stop thinking about what happened in the bathroom [3:17am] You: Me either. I was excited. [3:19am] Baekhyun ♡: My cock is so fucking hard [3:22am] You: can i come over? [3:25am] Baekhyun ♡: (address) You crawled out of your bed and ran to your closet, putting on a trench coat over your sexy lingerie, and a pair of sexy heels. You rush down the stairs of your building, standing on the sidewalk to hail down a cab. Once you do, you begin telling the driver the address, double checking your phone to make sure it's correct. Sure it probably looked suspicious that you were going to a hotel at almost 4am, dressed like a hooker but if he knew who you were going to meet, he wouldn't judge. But he probably still would anyways. ** You stand outside the room number Baekhyun had given you, taking a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door. Before you could even knock a second time the door swung open, revealing Baekhyun who grabbed you and pulled you inside. "A trench coat?" He asks, trying to hide the smile on his face. "Why don't you see what's underneath before you judge." You say, glaring at him. Baekhyun reaches forward, unbuttoning a few buttons before you let the coat fall down your body, revealing the sexy lingerie you had on. "Yes, wow, good trench coat." He breathes. Baekhyun takes your hand, pulling you into him before pressing his lips to yours. Immediately you as though you’re melting into his lips. His mouth moves along yours, without any hesitation you open your mouth, just enough to allow him to slide his tongue in.  Every single worry you had quickly disappeared from your head. Every problem, insult, anything was gone. Baekhyun reaches down, placing his hands on the back of your thighs, giving a little push to signal you to jump up. You hesitate a little, but when he pushes even more you know he won't give up, so you jump up, wrapping your thick thighs around his waist. He walks forward and crashes you against the wall, deepening the kiss while pressing his body against yours. He removes your hands from going through his hair, and instead pinning them above your head. He breaks the kiss, placing small kisses along your jawline before moving down to your neck. You pant as he nibbles at your neck. "Do you want me as much as I want you?" He asks, looking you in the eyes. “Even more" you breathe. Baekhyun sets you down, reaching behind you tk unclasp your bra,  your nipples perk as the cold air of his room hits them. Baekhyun bends down slightly, taking a nipple into his mouth, giving it a small tug with his lips. "Fuck." You moan. He smirks as he takes your hand, leading you towards the bed. He lightly pushes your shoulders back, causing you to fall back onto the bed as he stands at the edge. His smile widens as he stares at your thick, beautiful body on display for him, and him only. He climbs on the bed with you, hooking his fingers into your panties, slowly sliding them down your leg. Baekhyun spreads your legs, memorizing every curve and crevice of your body. He licks his lips and smiles as he lays down in between your open legs, your pussy already dripping wet. He lowers his head slowly, spreading your lips open with two fingers before licking a slow strip up, his tongue stopping right above your clit. He moves his it slightly, using the tip to give you a few small kitten licks. Your hands grip the sheet of the bed as you let out a loud moan, your fingers turning white. “Fuck" you cry. It’s been too long since you’ve had someone take care of you. Never having been with anyone since Soyoung. Baekhyun moves his tongue faster, you buck your hips, grinding yourself against his face. “Shit that feels so good" you whine. Baekhyun picks up his pace, moving his tongue in every direction, your orgasm coming fast. “Please don’t stop. Just like that” you groan. Your breath hitches as his hands grip your thighs, steadying himself in-between your legs. “I’m.. I’m gonna cum" you cry, your hands moving from the bed sheets to his head, gathering a handful of hair and gripping it tightly. You move your hips faster, needing to cum now. A few more circles with your hips and you’re met with a delicious release as you cum, a wave of pleasure radiates through your entire body. Baekhyun looks up at you, smirking while he licks your juices from his face. You just lay there attempting to catch your breath as your chest heaves up and down. “Fuck me now” you breathe. Baekhyun's eyes go dark as he stands up off the bed, you maintain eye contact as he strips his shirt off, your mouth practically watering at the sight of his toned stomach. Yout mouth drools again at the sight of his thick cock, standing straight at attention. “It's not going to suck itself” he smirks, looking from his cock to you. A wide grin appears on your face as you sit up and begin to crawl towards him, you lay at the edge of the bed with your head level to his cock and mouth open wide. Baekhyun groans as he slides his cock into your mouth, pushing himself in as far as he can before you wrap your mouth around him. At first he starts out slowly, gently thrusting himself in and out of your mouth. With every pump, his thrusts become harder and faster. Tears begin forming in your eyes as he rams his cock down your throat, it burns, but you love it. “Jesus baby, your mouth feels amazing” he moans, his thrusts becoming sloppy. Almost as quickly as he moaned, he pulled himself out of your mouth, stumbling his way over to the wall. “Are you okay?” you ask, your voice hoarse. “Yeah, I was just close to cumming and I didn’t want to do it yet" he breathes. "You want to cum in my pussy, don't you?" You ask, feeling extra naughty. Baekhyun lets out a deep throaty growl as he stalks back towards you. You scramble to sit on the bed, with your legs clenched, the need for him to be inside of you so strong. “Get up and ride my cock “ he growls. The moment you move, he lays in your spot ready for you to sit on his cock. You move your leg over to one side of him, gripping his cock as you align yourself with him and sink down slowly. You clench yourself around him as you hit the base, your walls stretched. “Your pussy feels even better than your mouth” he grunts. You slowly begin to rock your hips back and forth, getting a rhythm you enjoy. Baekhyun rests his hands on your hips, pushing for you to ride him faster. Your hands reach down to rest on his chest, as you lift your ass up before bringing it back down onto him. After a few minutes you go back to slower thrusts, your clit rubbing perfectly against his pubic bone. Baekhyun sits up, bringing the two of you chest to chest before he slowly brings a hand up your back to grab a chunk of hair and yank your head back, exposing your neck. You let out a small moan as he places soft kisses. He smirks at you before changing his pace and flips you over to your back. He smiles as your legs are in the air and he slowly pumps himself in and out. “Fuck me harder” you beg. “Happily" he says before his face turns from a smile to dark. His thrusts are slow but powerful. He makes you shiver every time he thrusts in, hitting your G spot without a problem. Without a word, his pumps quicken as he consistently rams himself into your dripping pussy. “Play with my clit" you whine. Baekhyun removes a hand from your leg and places it in-between your thighs, spreading your lips and placing his thumb on the exact spot you need it. He begins to  rub as he continues to pound himself into you. “I’m not going to last much longer” he pants, his thrusts becoming sloppy again. “Choke me" you cry out. Baekhyun abandons your other leg, wrapping his large hand around your throat, giving it a tight squeeze. A few more thrusts and circles from his thumb, a stronger orgasm than before washes over you, pulsating through your body, leaving you breathless. A few hard thrusts and a few seconds later Baekhyun cums, soaking your walls with his juices. After milking himself, he half collapses on to you, the two of you breathing heavily. You both chuckle as he pulls out of you, laying his equally as sweaty body next to you. Just as you were about to say something, you're cut off by the sound of knocking on Baekhyun's hotel room door. "Shit." He whispered, looking at you with terrified eyes. He mouthed an apology to you before shoving you off the bed, leaving you naked in between the bed and the wall. "Come in." He says, clearing his throat, making sure he was covered. "Hey Baekhyun.." Lucas begins. "I heard some grunting.. just wanted to make sure you were okay?" He says, looking around the room. "Oh yeah, all good. Just working out." Baekhyun says awkwardly. "Naked. It's my naked workout time. Do you wanna join? We can not be naked. Unless you wanna be naked." He suggests. "Nah, I'm good." Lucas smiles, backing out the door. "Don't forget, flight leaves at 9am." He reminds Baekhyun. But he knew and he was trying to avoid talking about it or bringing it up for as long as he could. Lucas closes the door, and Baekhyun scrambles to the side of the bed you're beside. "Guess I should get going." You say, standing up and searching for your lingerie. "You don't.." Baekhyun begins before you cut him off. "It's fine. I get what this was. It was fun, you have to leave and go back to your life and I'll..go back to whatever mine is." You say. "It's fine. I knew this wouldn't turn into anything.. I mean look at the different worlds." You finish. "Are you done now?" He asks. You nod your head. "Finally. Look, I don't want to stop talking to you, or stop seeing you. I was going to suggest making long distance work until I can come back or you can come out there." He says, pulling his boxers on. "If you want." You stand there in your bra and panties with a giant smile on your face, trying to remain cool. "Yeah sure, I could do that." You say, shrugging your shoulders. "Don't sound so excited about it." He says, rolling his eyes.   The smile never leaves your face as you walk towards him, wrapping your arms around him, as he does you, holding you close for a few minutes. Another knock at his door breaks the two of you apart, knowing he now has to leave. "You go. I'll wait 10 minutes and then leave." You say holding back your tears. Yes you'd only met yesterday but it already felt like you've known him for a lifetime, things with him were just beginning and now they're ending just as fast as they began. "I'll text you." He says, placing a quick kiss on your lips before grabbing his bag and slipping out the door. Your heart sunk into your stomach at the thought of him getting on that plane and going back to Seoul, but you couldn't do anything. You had zero expectations of him texting you, and you sure as shit weren't going to text him first.   Just as you were leaving his room, your phone dings. Your stomach twists and turns with excitement as you see a text from Lisa, telling you where to meet them for breakfast. Thirty minutes later you arrive at the restaurant, after quickly running home to put on some clothes before going. "Why are you so happy?" Beth asks, referring to the giant smile on your face as you sit down next to her. "I'm just in a good mood." You laugh. A very good mood. "Bullshit. What or who did you do?" Maggie asks. "I'm not sure what you could be talking about." You murmur, avoiding eye contact. "You didn't." She gasps. "What?" You ask with an awkward laugh. "You slut!" Lisa screeches, making the other people turn to look at your table. "Oh ky god, what!?" You laugh.   "You and Baekhyun fucked didnt you?" Maggie asks. "When would that have even happened?" You ask, rolling your eyes. "You left us at 230am." She says. "Anytime after that." "I may or may not have gone to his hotel last night.." you pause, pursing your lips while they all sit there mouths hanging open. "Girls.. when I say he's big.. I mean he's biiiig." You smile, your facial expressions showing them exactly how big you meant. "Tell us everything." Lisa laughs. Leaning forward, you start from the beginning at the club, and how neither of you could take your eyes off one another. ** "You weren't naked working out last night, were you?" Kai asks Baekhyun, sitting next to him on the plane. "I was. I rather enjoy doing pilates.. naked." Baekhyun says, clearing his throat. "Really? I didn't know that. I also didn't know that you moaned like a girl when you worked out. Is 'fuck me harder' a part of thr pilates workout?" Kai laughs. "Actually it is." Baekhyun says, trying to keep a straight face. "Look, i don't wanna tell you what to do, Ayn seems like a great girl, but she seems to have a lot of shit going on." Kai says. "Just be careful." "We all have a lot of shit going on. That doesn't mean we're any less deserving of someone to care for us. I know what I'm doing." Baekhyun smiles. "Then I'm happy for you man." Kai smiles, closing his eyes, preparing to sleep for the long flight. ** You waited and waited for a text from Baekhyun, but nothing came. You understood when it was a few days, but after a week, you decided it was exactly what you expected. You had actually believed him when he told you it wasn't just a one night stand for him. When he told you he wanted more, that he would text you and facetime you. You knew people got busy and he was an idol but it didn't take too long to send a text, just a hey, how are you or something like that. The more you stared at your phone the more it made you sad that the last thing he sent to you was the hotel address. At least you would always have that night. Sitting in your bed, your blankets are wrapped around you as you scroll through the saddest sounds on your tiktok, tears welling in your eyes. Fuck this hurt. As you scroll, Maggie's name flashes across your screen in a phone call. "Hello?" You sniffle into the phone. "Come out." She tells you. "Beach day." That perked you up a bit. "Okay. Yes." You say, knowing it would be good for you to get out. You wiggle your way out of your bed, put on your cutest bikini and brush your hair before putting it up in a cute bun. You put on a little sun dress and your flip flops before grabbing a bottle of wine and heading to your car. When you're about twenty minutes away from the beach, your phone dings and since no one else is on the road with you, you decide to check it and see Baekhyun's name at the top of the text. He finally texted you! You smile down at your phone as you read the message. [1:23pm] Baekhyun ♡: Hey beautiful, I'm sorry it took me so long to text. Things have been crazy. But I miss you and I can't wait to see you again. Let's plan something soon, okay? You heart flutters, excitement taking over, until panic rushes in instead. You drop your phone when you hear the honking of another car, not realizing you had drifted into the other lane. Unable to get back into your lane in time, you go the other direction, your car crashing through the metal guard, the sound of metal scraping while you cry, trying to pump your brakes but they're not working. Everything happens so fast, one minute you're happy and driving, the next your car plummets into the water, sinking fast. You struggle to take your seat belt off, while also trying to kick out your windshield or even punch out your driver's side window. You can hear the people above, the people on land screaming and crying, begging someone to help you while you cry out yourself, pleading for someone to come save you but now it's too late, your car is completely submerged in the water. You wish you could breathe but you just keep sinking. Sinking. And sinking. Until the world fades to black. ** Baekhyun has his phone right beside him for the rest of the day as he actively waits for your reply. He saw that you read jt, but maybe you were just busy at the moment and couldn't reply, or maybe you were too busy fangirling to reply. Maybe you fainted? Maybe he took too long to text you? It's not that he didn't want to, but for the last week, from the moment he got off that plane, his schedule had been hectic. He had appearances, promotions, rehearsals, shows, and more. He barely had a moment to sit and breathe, eat or think. He wished he had messaged you sooner, just to let you know he was still thinking about you, that he hadn't forgotten. Great, you probably thought he used you for a one night stand type thing. He debated within himself if he should text you again, or leave it until tomorrow and send another message. Looking over at the clock, he decided that since it was so late he would wait to text you again, hopefully this time yielding a reply from you. ** That next morning he woke up, sending you a good morning text, but it didn't really go through. He thought it was strange that his text was green, but it didn't say not delivered. Maybe your phone was off or you forgot to charge it. [3:48pm August 23rd] Hey.. you're worrying me now. Are you okay? Please.. let me know. [11:54am August 24th] Seriously? Come on Ayn. Something, anything would be fine. He was trying to keep calm, trying to not think that you were ghosting him. But by the second week when none of his green texts turned blue and he hadn't heard anything, he felt like he understood now. You weren't interested anymore. You could have at least had the decency to tell him you weren't interested instead of ghosting him. Three weeks went by. Three weeks of him texting you and receiving nothing, not even a goddamn apology from you. This was it. He was done. He was tired of trying, of keeping his hopes up that maybe, just, maybe you'd message him back. ** Three weeks after the accident, you had finally woken up, and you were okay, for the most part. Your body wasn't like it used to be, considering you had been laying down for the last few weeks. Your muscles were weak, your body was sore, your left leg had a bit of a limp and you felt disgusting. This wasn't you. You weren't the girl who cried over her body, but you didn't recognize yourself anymore. When the doctor suggested you try Physical Therapy you were hesitant but Maggie reassured you that she would be there with you through it all. "My phone?" You ask, a few days later while stretching. "They're going to call me today. They're pretty sure they can back everything up." She tells you. Thank god. And they did. During the next three weeks of your therapy, you had four different tech guys working on your phone, trying to get your messages and contacts back but due to all the water damage, it was taking some time. Seven weeks after the accident, you were finally 98% percent back to your normal self, a few large cuts and bruises that still needed healing but mentally and physically you were feeling okay today. Today was also the day you got your phone back, contacts and messages and all. You couldn't wait, you felt terribly guilty for leaving Baekhyun on read like that for so long. You couldn't wait to message him, tell him everything that happened. You turn your phone on, and everything starts rolling in. Messages from Baekhyun, cute and sweet, and then they get frustrated and annoyed, and then he just gets mad. He goes from wondering if you were okay, to telling you that he thought you were different, to him telling you he thought Kai was right about you, and how he should have stayed away, that maybe you were too damaged for him. And then he's done. Your heart sinks but you can sort of see where he's coming from. You haven't messaged him in so long, but if he claimed to have liked you so much, then why didn't he try to reach out to anyone? Try to find out if something has happened to you? Regardless, you send him a text, trying your best to explain the situation in hopes that he understands. He should, who wouldn't? He didn't believe you? What did he mean he knows the truth? You were so confused. You tried to call him, multiple times but unfortunately for you, he denied your call each time. You got the hint. You weren't go8ng to be pushy with him, but it hurt your heart that he was acting like this. You had really liked him and now it seemed like he just wanted one thing from you that night and had no intentions of actually attempting to make things work with you. Just before you're about to walk away from your phone, it dings again, excitedly you look at it, hoping it Baekhyun but it's not. Instead it's from someone you want nothing to do with, Soyoung. Of course he was trying to get back in your life, unfortunately for him, no amount of apologies was going to work to get you to even talk to him. You had his toxic ass once, you didn't want it again. You'd rather get into another accident than deal with him. You turn on your TV, waiting for your show to come back on when an interesting commercial caught your eye. 'Become a teacher in Seoul. Live in South Korea for a year while you teach English.' This was it. This was your reason, besides trying to talk to Baekhyun for you to finally go to South Korea. 'Call 18004738234 now!' Picking up your cell phone, you dial the number with no hesitations. With the year you had, you needed a change in just about every aspect of your life. You were still coping with the loss of the baby you so wanted, despite who it would have been with, as well as your painful departure from Soyoung. Your meeting and falling out with Baekhyun, someone you really and truly could have seen yourself with for the long haul. The car accident, that even though you basically fully recovered, it took something from you and you didn't think you would be able to find whatever it was while staying in the States. "Hello? Yes, I'd like to apply for the job in Seoul. Yes I am a teacher." You smile. This was the change you needed. Three long weeks later you received your letter in the mail, the one telling you that you had been accepted into the teaching position and that you were to fly out to Seoul in exactly 1 weeks time. Squealing, you pick up your phone, making a call to your three best friends and asking them to meet you at your favorite restaurant. "So what are we all doing here?" Lisa asks, margarita in hand. "We are celebrating!" You announce. "Celebrating what?" Beth asks. "I was accepted into the teaching program in Seoul!" You announce, excitement plastered over your face. Beth and Lisa scream in excitement with you, while Maggie sits there, looking concerned about something. "Are you not happy for me?" You ask her. "It's not that. Just what's your reason to go to Seoul specifically? What do you think you'll find there?" She asks. "You know I've always wanted to go there." You say. "Yeah but are you going to see Baekhyun? I don't think that it's a good idea." She states. "What's with you? You were all for it in the beginning, what changed now? What if we're meant to be?" You ask. "You're not meant to be with him, okay? So just leave him alone." She spits, taking a sip of her drink. "What is your issue? I don't understand!" You yell. "My issue is that you're not ready for anything! You've been through alot and you were rushing! So I told him you weren't interested in him anymore." She whispers. (Flashback) Maggie sat beside your hospital bed, holding your hand as the ventilators breathed for you. Her heart ached for you while her mind tried to remain positive. She told herself over and over again that everything would be okay, that you would wake up soon. But everyday, that day never came. One day, she was scrolling through her Twitter when she noticed a DM waiting for her. As she opens it, she sees that it's Baekhyun, reaching out to her about you. Where were you? Were you okay? Taking a deep breath, she told him you were too nice to say it to him, but you don't want anything more with him. You got what you wanted from him and that was it and that you wished he wouldn't contact you anymore. Maggie felt terrible and Baekhyun never replied to her message, but she thought she was helping you, not hurting you. "When did you tell him?" You ask, trying to hold back the tears. "When you were first in the accident." She sighs. "I told him you only wanted him for the night and nothing else." "Wow." You laugh, no humor to be found. "And just what the fuck gives you the right to make those decisions for me?" "As your friend, I felt like it was my duty to help you when you couldn't help yourself. I wanted to protect you." She says. "Where was that when I was with Soyoung? He was so shitty yet you never said anything to me! And here I want to be with someone who is actually good and decent and you do that? Some fucking friend." You snap. "Where were you when he was threatening to hit me? I told you about that. Or when he yelled at me and talked down to me at the restaurant when we were out for dinner, you sat there silently. So don't try and act like you were protecting me from Baekhyun. There was nothing I needed protecting from. I needed you back then. Before he broke me down." You finish,walking out of the restaurant. ** For the rest of the week you spoke to no one. You ignored the calls from Maggie, the apology texts, and the texts from Beth and Lisa telling you to just take it easy on her. She was trying to be a friend. You hadn't planned on ignoring them until they took her side. You knew she was wrong, and so did they but they still took her side. You were over it. Your stomach was excitedly nervous as you boarded your plane. Sitting in your seat, your mind begins to wander, thinking about what you want. This was your chance to find out who you were by yourself. You had finally realized that you had no idea who you were or the woman you were supposed to be. You had always done what made Soyoung happy, bringing yourself down to lift him up, taking his abuse just so he would be happy and you have someone that told people they loved you. You had a hard time believing that you deserve any love because you weren't the smallest woman, the prettiest, the smartest, basically you serent good enough to be loved. But now that you have been alone, thinking about what you want and what kind of life you want you realized something. You deserve all the love in the world. You were an amazing, beautiful woman who was good enough. You were too good for Soyoung, and you were good enough for Baekhyun. ** When you arrived in South Korea, you knew you had a lot of work to do. First you had to find your apartment that you were sharing with another teacher, who had been here for a few months already and would be able to show you the ropes, and get settled in. But you also had to figure out how to run into Baekhyun. You just needed to explain to him what Maggie had done and how you had absolutely no part in it and didn't believe anything she had said. You tried to message him but he had blocked you on everything. Instagram, Twitter, Messaging, this was your only shot and this time you wouldn't blow it. You couldn't. You felt it in your bones that Baekhyun was meant to be your happily ever after. That you endured all you did because it led you to where he was, and where he was, was where you were supposed to be. ** Your first week in Seoul was.. well challenging. Gaining your students' trust, the beginning of teaching them how to speak English, it all started out a little bit rough. But as the time went on things became easier, your students began catching on, they started to feel more comfortable around you and you felt like you were finally home. This was where you were supposed to be, with these students, in this city, doing what you loved. As time went on and you stayed in Korea, you came to love yourself. Everyday you worked on yourself, becoming a stronger, happier version of yourself. Through the first year you were there, you made multiple changes to yourself. You dye your hair, started working out to feel better,  even made some friends who you went out with on the weekend. But there was still something in your life that you felt was missing. You hadn't dated anyone. Sure, there were a few guys you'd gone on dates with but for whatever reason they never worked out, or stuck and most of the time it was something about them you didn't like. Or they just didn't fit well with you, or the fact that they weren't Baekhyun. It had been a year since you spoke to him and he still crossed your mind at least once a day. You partially kept up with how he was doing through the tabloids but once it was rumored he had a girlfriend, you left it alone. Even though you'd been working on yourself, you didn't think you could handle it if there was any truth to it. Once your year working was up, you were offered full-time employment with your class, if you wanted to stay and continue to teach. You most definitely accepted it right then and there. That night you went out with some teacher friends to celebrate in Itaewon, which also happens to be a well known place that Idols like to frequent. You'd be lying if you said you didn't hope to even just catch a glimpse of his beautiful face in person instead of on a screen. After taking a few shots, you are dragged to the dance floor by one of the male teachers who you knew had a bit of a thing for you. The attention was nice, you were flattered but you were not interested and he seemed to have a hard time taking the hint that you didn't want anything sexual with him. He spins you around so your back is facing him, his hands on your hips trying to guide them to grind your ass on him. You turn around and tell him again, you're not interested in dancing with him like that, and he gets mad. "Why won't you just return my fucking feelings?" Kyungdo yells, grabbing your wrist to pull you into him. You try to pull your wrist from his grip, but his hand is holding onto you so tightly you can't.  "Please. You're hurting me." You whimper. "I'm not interested." You yell. Kyundo rolls his eyes, pulling you away from the dance floor, towards the door to leave the building, when you're stopped with a hand on your free wrist. "She said she wasn't fucking interested." A familiar voice yells, pulling you closer. Turning your head, you see the handsome man you had seen a year ago, his eyes dark, his lips pursed while his face even pissed off, was beautiful. "Mr. Byun. I'm a huge fan. Don't mind my girlfriend, she's just being difficult." Kyungdo says, bowing to Baekhyun who looks less than impressed. "Girlfriend?" He asks, looking at you. You shake your head no. Baekhyun peels Kyungdo's fingers from around your wrist, dropping his arm. "Leave her alone." He snaps, pulling you away from the now annoyed man. "Thank you." You say ask Baekhyun to pull you into a quiet, dark room. "Why are you here?" He asks. "I've been teaching here for a year. They asked me to stay so i'm out celebrating tonight." You whisper. "Fuck." He hisses, pushing you against the wall. "You shouldn't be here. It was easier when you weren't." "What Maggie told you.. wasn't the truth. I was in a coma for 3 weeks.. it happened the day you texted me. She thought she was protecting me." You say, needing him to know the truth. "So you never said any of that?" He asks. "No and I told you I didn't." You say. "I was mad. And confused." He admits. "I shouldn't have believed her." "No you shouldn't have." "I can't believe you're here. I've missed you." He breathes, his face so close to yours. Ring Ring Ring Baekhyun sighs, answering his phone frustrated.  "Hello?" He snaps. "Oh hi babe. Yeah I'll come over when I'm done. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Bye." He says, hanging up his phone. "You have a girlfriend?" You ask. "I do." He says, backing away from you. "Shit." "I mean.. old friends can catch up right?" You ask. "And talk." "You're right. Definitely. What's your KKT?" He asks you. You give him your chat ID before hugging and going your separate ways. Not even 10 minutes later he messages you, telling you how much he missed you and how often he thought about you in the last year. [2:43am] You: If I'm being honest, there wasn't a day that went by that I never thought about you too. It might sound creepy but I've been keeping up with you from watching things online. [2:46am] Baekhyun: Oh yeah no, that's not creepy at all. Hahah. It's good to talk to you again and it was good to see you.  You look great, minus the creep. Let me know if he bothers you again. [2:50am] You: unfortunately I have to work with him, so I'm sure he will be an issue. [2:53am] Baekhyun: Just let me know and I'll take care of it. [2:56am] You: i will. Good night Baekhyun. [2:59am] Baekhyun: Goodnight, beautiful. ** The next week you took your students out for a walking field trip, and imagine your surprise when you end up running into Baekhyun at the park. Of course, most of your female students start to lose their minds. "Guys, this is my good friend, Byun Baekhyun." You say, introducing them to him. The smile on Baekhyun's face fades away as you mention him as your friend. "Hello! Yes, I am Ms. L/N's friend." He says through gritted teeth. "It's so nice to meet you all." An hour later, Baekhyun had taken pictures and signed autographs for all the children in your class, leaving them beaming on their walk back to school. You can feel your phone buzz in your pocket, and you just know that it is Baekhyun. Opening your app, you were right, he was complaining about what you had called him. [11:13am] Baekhyun: Your friend?? So now we're just friends?? [11:15am] You: Yes we're just friends. Lol. You have a girlfriend, remember. [11:21am] Baekhyun: but still. You owe me. Date, tonight. [11:25am] You: if it's just as friends, i'm all in. [11:28am] Baekhyun: yeah sure, friends. The rest of the afternoon you spent trying to teach, but also trying to plan out your outfit in your head. You and Baekhyun were friends now, and that was good. He had a girlfriend and that was fine, because you were friends. But you didn't want to just be friends. You so wantex more with him. You wanted to kiss him, hold hands, cuddle, have him fuck you. But again, he had a girlfriend. You had to tell yourself that multiple times that afternoon as your thoughts would begin to wander into the dirty neighborhood, thinking about your first time together, the way his hands felt on your body, the way his lips moved against yours, the way your bodys meshed together perfectly. He had a girlfriend. ** That night Baekhyun picked you up in his Audi, playing a song that you'd heard on tiktok quite often, the trend of the men moving to their back seats. Your pussy instantly became wet. He had a girlfriend.   "So what's the plan?" You ask, getting comfortable in the passenger seat. "Ice cream?" He asks. With a smile on your face, you nod yes. Who could ever say no to ice cream? As the two of you drive to a stand way out of Seoul, Baekhyun rests his hands on your bare thigh, causing your clit to throb. He had a girlfriend. You could feel his thumb moving, rubbing your thigh in circles. Fuck. You wanted him bad and you wanted him now. "Stop the car." You say, taking a deep breath. "Everything okay?" He asks, pulling over to the side of the highway, parking the car. "You can't do that.. you can't rub my leg like that." You breathe heavily. "You're turning me on and you have a girlfriend." "Am i turning you on? I haven't even done anything yet." He smirks. "Stop it." You warn him, a hint of a smile on your face. "So you don't want me to do this?" He asks, leaning over, placing a soft, sweet kiss on your lips. You feel like you might faint. "N-no." You stutter. "Or this?" He asks, running his hand from your face down over your breasts, to your thighs, stopping at the hem of your skirt. "Fuck." You whisper. You look over at Baekhyun who slouched back in his seat, slightly bucking his hips, showing off his very large hard cock through his pants. You lick your lips as your body begins to move towards him, before your mind even realizes what you're doing. You reach your hand over, rubbing his clothed cock, his head thrown back against the seat, little moans escape his lips. "Shit." He grunts, bucking his hips once again. You reach your other hand over, working on undoing buttons and zippers. Baekhyun helps you by pulling down his pants, letting his cock spring free. It was bigger than you remembered, but just as thick. You get up on your knees on the passenger seat, leaning over to wrap your lips around the tip of his cock, slurping up the pre cum that had been spilling down. You wrap one hand around his length, pumping him while you twirl your tongue around his sensitive tip. "Oh my god." He groans, pushing your head down deeper, making you swallow his cock. You bring your head up, taking a breath before you begin sucking more harshly, Baekhyun's hand remaining on the back of your head, pushing you down. "Stop stop stop." He begs. You lift your head, letting go of his cock with a pop. "I'm gonna cum if you keep going and the only place I wanna cum right now is in your pussy. Back seat. Now." He demands. With a giddy smile, you crawl to the backseat of his car right behind him. Baekhyun sits in the middle seat, his legs spread wide with his cock standing tall, waiting for you to sink down on it. You hike up your skirt, moving your panties to the side while you straddle him, before lining yourself up and sinking down on his cock, stretching out your walls. You pull down your low cut shirt, exposing your perky tits. Baekhyun takes one in his mouth, gently sucking and tugging on your nipple, while you bounce on his cock. "I've missed the way your tight pussy grips my cock." He groans, helping you move your hips to ride him. Baekhyun reaches his hand up, grabbing a clump of your hair, tugging your head towards him, bringing your lips to his. Immediately he slides his tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss. You quicken the pace, grinding yourself on his cock, your clit being rubbed the perfect way. "Oh god, yes." Yoh cry out, breaking the kiss. "Cum for me baby, cum all over my cock." Baekhyun grunts, lifting himself to meet your thrusts, holding you tightly. The two of you are too distracted and desperate for your orgasms, you don't hear Baekhyun's phone ring, two different times. "I'm.. cumming." You cry out, wrapping your arms around Baekhyun's neck, holding him tight as you ride through your high. He continues with his hands on your hips, bouncing you on his cock as he chases his own oragsm. "Fuck." He cries, grunting as he shoots his cum inside you, filling you up. The two of you sit there for a moment, catching your breath before you hear Baekhyun's phone ringing again. "Pass that to me." He says, his cock still inside you. You reach back, grabbing his phone and with the way you moved you can feel his cock growing hard again inside you. "Goddamn." He groans, thrusting into you again. He looks at his caller ID, and puts a finger to his lips, telling you to be quiet while he answers the call. "Hello?" He answers. You circle your hips on his cock. "Whats up?" He asks. You grab your breasts, pinching your nipples. "Yeah no that's fine." He says, clearing his throat. You let out a small moan. Baekhyun reaches his hand up, covering your mouth while you start to really ride his cock. "Look, they're calling me back. I gotta go." He moans, his hand still covering your mouth. "Bye." He says, hanging up the phone, tossing it back up front. "You're a bad girl." He smiles, pulling you in for a kiss. ** For the next few weeks you and Baekhyun would meet up and nine times out of ten, you ended up hooking up. Everytime before you met up, you told yourself you wouldn't sleep with him again but then he would give you a look, or say something that made you melt and give into him. Of course you felt guilty, but you couldn't help yourself. Baekhyun was like that addiction that you couldn't escape. He was the one thing in your life you didn't want to get rid of. "We need to talk." You say, panting as Baekhyun pulls himself out of you. "Do we have too?" He pouts, laying down next to you, his cock still hard. "Yes we do. You have a girlfriend. We can't keep doing this." You say as he sighs. "I know. I know we can't but I don't want to give you up, and it's not like her and I are really heading anywhere, anyways." He says. "Then why not end it?" You ask. "It's good for publicity." He says, pulling you in close to him. "When the time comes, things with her will be done and then you and I can announce our relationship." He smiles. "Are we in a relationship?" You ask. "I would like for you to be my girlfriend." He tells you. "She's my girlfriend on paper but you're mine in real life. You're all I've ever wanted." He smiles, rubbing his head. "Are you sure you want a low class teacher?" You ask. "I couldn't ask for anyone better." He smiles, holding you even closer. ** Dating Byun Baekhyun was hard. Much harder than you had actually anticipated. He was always busy with rehearsal, if not that then promotions, variety shows, interviews, concerts, meetings etc. The list always went on and on. Of course he did his best to make time for you, but at the moment, his relationship with his girlfriend was at its most important peak, so often you found yourself watching videos of them being out in public together, posing together, featuring each other on their social media. Basically doing all the things you wish he could do with you but is unable to. You did your beat to remain positive but the lack of seeing each other, the secluded dates and whispered phone calls were beginning to be a little too much for you. Especially today, when you checked your Instagram and are mey with a very romantic photo of Baekhyun kissing this girl. A kiss that looks sincere and serious. The next photo he looked insanely happy. Maybe it wasn't just for the press, what he had with this girl. Maybe he had real genuine feelings for her but did also for you and didn't know how to choose. Maybe you should just make it easier for him and end things now, before you get anymore attached because if you do, you will never be able to leave, no matter what happens. You want to take your time with this, really think about it before you make a rash decision. You left your apartment, going for a walk to clear your head instead. As you walk passed an alley, you're pulled inside and pinned against the wall by a scary looking woman. "Leave Baekhyun and his girlfriend alone, homewrecker." She shouts, slamming you into the wall before running off. Startled, you ran back to your apartment, calling Baekhyun immediately. "Hi baby." He whispered into the phone. "I'm done, Baekhyun.. i can't do this anymore. Someone just told me to stay away from you and Hwasa. It's just too much and I can't." You say panicked into the phone before hanging up. You toss your phone on the couch, not wanting to talk anymore to him. Your whole body is shaking as you turn on your shower. Shivers spread down your spine as you undress, stepping into the hot water, trying to calm your nerves. "It's okay." You whisper to yourself, taking a deep breath. Twenty minutes later you're still in the shower, sitting on the floor, knees to your chest when your bathroom door opens and Baekhyun walks in. "Baby. You can't do that." He sighs, taking off his clothes to join you. "I can't do this anymore Baekhyun. And it's not just the girl. It's the secret dates, no being in public, not seeing you. It's too hard." You cry. "I know." He whispers, pulling you up and into his arms, the one place that never fails to make you feel safe and secure. "All I want to do is make you happy, so that's what I'm going to do. I'll get this sorted out okay? You need to talk to me. I can't fix things if I don't know what needs fixing." He says. You knew he was right. But you were scared. "I'm all in. Are you?" He asks. You nod your head yes. "Good. I have an idea." He smiles. "Stay there." He tells you, pulling out his phone. A few minutes later, your phone dings, notifying you that Baekhyun was live on his Instagram account, and you felt nervous. You had a feeling you knew what he was going to do but you weren't sure. If there was one thing that you knew about Baekhyun, he was unpredictable and usually liked asking for forgiveness more than asking for permission. "Hello everyone! How are you?" He smiles. You watch him walk around your living room, answering some of the questions. "You're right. I'm not in my usual place. This is a new place. No, it's not Hwasa's." He laughs. "I actually have something to tell you guys." Your stomach drops. What was he doing? "Hwasa and I were never a couple, really. It was for sales for her new album, our managers thought it was good marketing." He says. "No, I'm not single. Guys, I'd like you to meet the love of my life, my beautiful Ayn." He says, grabbing your hand and pulling you close to him. "She and I met a year and a half ago at a Super M meet and greet. We've recently reconnected and I couldn't be happier." He smiles. You look absolutely terrified. You know Baekhyun stans and they could be vicious, vile and just mean. You managed to peek at the comments, and surprisingly they were mainly positive. 'She's so beautiful' 'What a lucky girl!!' 'I ship it!!' Your heart melted at the fact that people were a tally supporting the two of you, something you never expected to happen. "Thank you for all the kind words but now I have to go and make some calls." He laughs, looking at his phone lighting up with texts from his manager, telling him to call him, now. "You didn't have to do that!" You say, after he ends his live. "I didn't but I wanted to. I never want you to feel less than in this relationship, Ayn." He tells you, making you melt. "But now my manager is losing his mind. I have to go. I'll call you later. I love you." He smiles, placing a kiss on your lips before answering his phone and leaving your apartment. Was this real life? Because it sure didn't feel like it. To think you had gone from Soyoung who rarely wanted to be seen in public with you, to Baekhyun who announced his love for you on his Instagram live, in front of millions of fans, was insane. The difference between a toxic relationship and a non toxic one was amazing and you loved it. ** Later that evening, Baekhyun had called you, asking you to come over because he wanted you to have dinner with him and the rest of Super M. Of course you said yes, they were basically his family and you wanted to get to know them better. You only had to knock once before the door was opened for you by Mark, who had a giddy smile on his face. "Nice to see you again. Baekhyun's in the kitchen..but" He pauses "Do you think I could have Lisa's number?" He asks right away. With a laugh you give him the number he desperately seeked, running off the moment he got it. Walking over to the kitchen, you open the door partially before you hear a conversation you're not sure if you should be interrupting.   "She's not good for you Baek." Someone says. "How do you know? You won't even give her a chance." Baekhyun responds. "Kai, i'm sick of this. Back off. I love her. I'm going to marry that girl." "You're going to make her life hard. Harder than it already is. She's damaged goods. You deserve more." Kai says. You know he's right. Even though you've been trying to work on yourself, you're a mess and you likely always will be. Did you want to put Baekhyun through that? Your random mood swings, issues with alcohol, problems with fertility. He probably wanted a family but you weren't sure if you could give him that. "Yeah I know I deserve more. I deserve a better friend who supports me." Baekhyun scoffs. "Don't talk shit about her again. There's nothing wrong with her. Everyone has baggage, everyone has issues, if I didn't want to be there for her and help her through the problems, I wouldn't have bothered. But that's what you do when you love someone. You're there for them regardless if it's good or bad, or you're mad at them or not. Her last relationship was terrible.. she was treated like dirt so yeah there are some problems." Baekhyun says. "But.." Kai starts, before being cut off. "But nothing. You're choosing to see the bad, when I'm looking at the good. She's beautiful, funny and smart. She's got a mouth on her like a sailor and drinks like liquor is going out of style, but she's also generous and courageous and loyal." He tells Kai. This man. This man makes your heart melt. "Im done talking about this. Don't bring it up again. She's my future." He finishes, opening the door to the living room, seeing you standing there with tears in your eyes. "Did you.." he pauses. You nod your head. "Shit. Im sorry baby." He apologises. "I'm too problematic for you." You whisper with a sniffle. "That's one of the many things I love about you." He laughs, taking your hand to drag you into the dining room. The rest of the night was filled with laughter and jokes between you and the rest of the guys. Kai was quiet for most of the night, not actively participating in the conversations. "What's wrong?" Taemin asks him. "I don't think it's a good idea." Kai says, glaring at you. "What have i ever done to you?" You ask him. You're tired of this. You've never done anything to Kai for him to dislike you this much. "I've become quite close to Soyoung, and he's told me quite a bit about you." Kai says. "I didn't want to tell you Baekhyun, but since you're not listening to anything else I guess I'll have too." "Tell me what?" Baekhyun asks. "Ayn here went crazy on Soyoung. He went out with friends one night, and when he came home she had trashed his entire apartment, was screaming and crying and threatened him with a knife. Is that the type of woman you want?" Kai asks. You are still there with tears welling up in your eyes. He wasn't wrong, but clearly Soyoung didn't tell him the full story either. "Do you know why that had happened? Did he tell you?" You ask, your voice shaky. "He said he didn't do anything. You just lost it on him." Kai says smugly. "Hah. Sounds like him." You sniffle. "So I guess he didn't tell you earlier that night before he left he had hit me a few times? Told me that I was stupid and useless and a waste of skin. Said that I deserved to be hit, that maybe it would knock some sense into me." You cry. "Did he tell you that when he came home he tried to hit me again, and that's why i threatened him with a knife? I fully admit to trashing his apartment but I think I had a pretty good reason. Same with threatening him. I was sticking up for my life. Remember there's two sides to every story before you start sticking up for a woman beater." You snap, standing up from your chair. "I'm sorry." You whisper to everyone, hurriedly leaving the room. "You're a piece of fucking work." Baekhyun snaps at Kai, leaving the table to follow you. While he walks away he can hear the rest of the members standing up for you. Baekhyun opens the front door and finds you crouched down, crying into your hands. "Come here." He whispers, picking you up and bringing you to his room. He lays you on the bed, arms wrapped tightly around you as you cry into his chest. "I'm sorry." You whimper.   "You have nothing to apologize for." He tells you. "You deserve someone not so fucked up." "I don't want anyone else. Just you. Past and all." He answers. "I don't think I can have children." You say. "We will figure it out when it is time to." He tells you. "I just want you." You fell asleep that night still wrapped in his arms, never have been feeling more safe. ** Over the next few months, Baekhyun had been hinting at a surprise he had for you, but refused to give you any details on it, telling you that you had to wait, that it called for the right moment. Then one morning, he called you at 7am and told you to get ready and be ready by 8am. Today was the day for your surprise. Baekhyun picked you up in front of your apartment, making sure to blind fold you before leaving anywhere. "Any guesses?' He asks, driving to a special destination. "Breakfast?" You ask, hungrily. He laughs. "No baby, sorry." "I don't know." You sigh, waiting for the ride to be over. A little while later the car stops and Baekhuun brings you inside a noisy building. You can hear announcements over the speakers, so you knew it was the airport. "Are we going somewhere?" You ask. "Nope." He answers, taking off your blindfold and making you face him. "Are you ready." He asks. You give him a look before he turns you around and you see your three best friends running towards you. The tears are instant as you run towards them, embracing them all at once. "W-what? How? Oh my god." You cry, holding them all tightly. "Baekhyun set it up." Lisa cries. Letting go of the group, you hug Beth first, then Lisa, leaving Maggie for last. You hadn't talked to her much, since you hadn't left things very good between the two of you. "I'm sorry." She whispers as he hugs you tightly. "I'm so so sorry." "It's the past. It's okay. Let's leave it there." You say, hugging her back. ** That night, the five of you went for dinner at a fancy restaurant and for whatever reason Baekhyun was very nervous. He sat there, his leg shaking as you four girls talked about everything. His mind seemed to be off in space, as he thought hard about something. No matter how many times you asked, he was always telling you that things were fine and that he was just letting you guys all catch up. After you all had eaten, Baekhyun stood up from his seat abruptly, looking you in the eyes as he got down on one knee, pulling out a ring box. You sat there shocked, with your mouth opened wide as your friend squealed and screamed. "Ayn L/N. You are the light and love of my life. Would you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?" He asks. You can't speak, just nod. So that's what you did. You nodded yes a million times, unable to even believe that he had just proposed to you. You got to spend the rest of your life with the love of your life. ** A year later, you're in a room with your best friends, while you wear a big poofy white dress. "Just do it after." Beth whines. "No I need to do it now." You demand. With a sigh, the four of you make the way into the bathroom. They all lift up your giant dress, letting you stick the small test underneath you while you pee on it quickly. "How long do we wait?" You ask, placing the test on the sink. "Three minutes." Maggie answers. Your stomach twists and turns as you wait the longest three minutes of your life. The doctor had told you and Baekhyun to not get your hopes up and that the chances of you ending up pregnant were slim to none. So when you missed your period and felt nauseous, you were skeptical but decided to take the test anyways and now was the moment of truth. You grab the test, turning it over and see two very bright pink lines. Positive. You do your best not to cry, not wanting to ruin your makeup before you get married. "Bride, lets go." You hear from outside the bathroom. Making sure you're okay, you head out, your new friend, and escort down the hall Kai waiting for you. You link arms as the grand double doors open, revealing Baekhyun waiting for you down the aisle while your friends and family fill up the room. "Welcome everyone. We have gathered her today to witness the union of Ayn L/N and Byun Baekhyun." The officiant says. "Before we begin, is there anyone who thinks this couple should not be wed?" You nervously waited for someone to say something but when it didn't come, you told him to continue. "The couple has written their own vows." The officiant says, letting the two of you speak. "I promise to always love you, even when things are bad, to never yell, or leave angry. I promise to always tell you how beautiful you are and hold you when you're sad. But most of all, I promise to always remind you that you are good enough, too good for this world and for me, and I promise to never let you forget it." Baekhyun whispers, holding back his tears. "I promise to always love you, be there for you through the good and the bad and in between. I promise to always support you in the decisions you make, and to always remind you how important you are to me. I promise to be your rock when you need it, your everything." You cry. "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." He says. Baekhyun pulls you in for a kiss, dipping you down before bringing you back up. ** Later that night, during the reception dance, you slide your test to Baekhyun, leaving him speechless. "Are you serious?" He asks. "Doctors appointment Monday." You whisper, crying again. "Why are you crying?" He asks, pulling you into him. "What if it doesn't stick? What if I'm not a good mom if it does?" You ask. "Baby." He smiles. "It will stick. You're perfect. You'll be an amazing mom, you know why?" He akss. "Why?" "Because you are good enough." For once in your life, you finally believed someone when they said that. You knew Baekhyun wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it. You always have and will be, good enough.

[aww-writing-no]

For @winterhawkbingo Round 3, Square D4: Recovering Together

Ao3 Link

Brisé:

Clint was struggling to open the door of the studio without dropping his crutches when he heard a rapid set of footsteps behind him.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Bucky called out, jogging down the hallway. “We’ve gotta stick together, right?” he said, pulling open the door with the arm that wasn’t strapped to his chest in a sling.

“Broken dancers stick together?” Clint asked, making his way into the studio where the rest of the company should have just finished their warmup for the emergency rehearsal. Steve was taking over Clint’s role as the main Captain America while Clint was out with a broken foot and they were working on the grand pas from Act III today.

“Sure, we’ll go with that,” Bucky said, following Clint into the room. “How long are you out for?”

Clint tossed Wade’s bag off one of the chairs and sat down in quiet relief. “Two weeks on crutches, four more in the boot, and another six weeks before they’ll even consider letting me do any jumps,” Clint moaned, dropping his head back in defeat.

“No double tours for a while then?”

Clint laughed mirthlessly. “Seeing as it was the double tours in The Scarlet Witch that got me in this position in the first place, I don’t think so, no.”

Bucky dropped to the ground next to Clint’s chair and spread his legs in a center split. “Wait,” he said, pausing to look at Clint, “the last time we did The Scarlet Witch was over three weeks ago.”

“Yep,” Clint said, popping the ‘p’. “I mean, I could be wrong, but I thought I heard a crunch when I landed one of them in the Sunday matinee. After my pointe shoe stopped fitting even after icing my foot, I figured I should get it checked out. You know how it goes.”

Bucky sighed. “Yeah. I wouldn’t do anything else with my life, but being a professional dancer sucks sometimes.”

“Amen, sister,” Clint replied, reaching over for a fistbump which Bucky obliged. “What about you?” he asked. “How much longer are you out for?”

It was Bucky’s turn to moan. “At least another week immobilized in the sling, but the doctors said it could be up to six months before I can do any heavy lifting.”

“Oh shit,” Clint said. Six months was a long time to be on a lift restriction. “Your surgery was what, two weeks ago?”

Bucky nodded. “I’ve heard anywhere from three to six months, so I’m hoping like hell it’s three and bracing myself for six. The timing sucks, but it got to the point I couldn’t put it off any longer.” He flopped onto his back and brought his legs up and together to point straight in the air. “I was really looking forward to going on the South America tour.”

Clint stretched his arms over his head before holding them out to the sides and rolling his shoulders in tight circles. “I know, right?” he complained. “I was really looking forward to all the empanadas in Quito. Now I have to stay here and stick to my health plan next week while the rest of the company frolicks around South America for a month.”

They stretched out quietly for a few minutes before Clint asked “Hey, how’d you end up needing shoulder surgery so young anyway?” He slid off the chair, joining Bucky on the floor and bending over to touch his face to his knees. “You’re what, twenty-six, twenty-seven? I’m surprised it gave out so soon.”

“Oh my god, it’s so dumb,” Bucky groaned, sitting up from the butterfly position. “The damn thing’s been giving me problems ever since I dislocated my shoulder as a kid. The class bully pushed me off one of those little trains at the carnival and I managed to fall completely wrong. You shoulda heard Stevie screaming as he tried to beat up that kid who was about twice his size. You’da thought the other kid had killed me, the way Steve was going on.”

Clint laughed, glancing at Steve where he was doing a rond de jambe. “I can totally see that. I was walking with him one time when some guys in a car cat-called a group of women and I think he was ready to chase them down and rip the car door off.”

“That’s Stevie for you,” Bucky said, looking fondly at Steve who was repeating the rond de jambe as part of a combination.

“You’ve both been dancing together since you were kids, right? Did you - oh god, no Steve, why would you port de bras there?” Clint interrupted himself. “Sorry, did you know you wanted to be professional dancers even then?”

“Oh yeah. That’s why that kid pushed me off the train in the first place. He thought doing ballet meant I was gay and apparently that bothered him enough to shove me off a moving vehicle.” Bucky frowned and shook his head. “He did end up being right about the gay thing, but that didn’t stop me from fantasizing about doing a dévelopé right into his face.”

Clint laughed. “With or without the pointe shoes?”

“Oh, definitely with,” Bucky said.

Clint opened his mouth to reply but got distracted by what was happening in the middle of the studio. “Christ, Steve, you’re gonna break Wade if you dip him like that,” he called out, scrambling to his feet and grunting in pain when he accidentally put pressure on his injured foot.

Bucky held up a hand as Clint hopped on one foot, but Clint used the top of his head for balance instead, fingers digging into Bucky’s hair as he pivoted and reached down to grab the crutches he’d tucked under the chair.

“Wade, do not encourage him,” Clint admonished as he made his way to the center of the room. “You know you need to use the alternate choreography here; Steve is six inches shorter than me and you need to play up the height difference without actually smashing Wade’s face into the ground. Yes, I know Captain America is trying to kill Red Skull here, but you need to do it without actually murdering your dance partner.”

Bucky smiled, smoothing down his hair and watching Clint in his element. He hoped he was still dancing with the Trocks when Clint eventually retired as a dancer and took a job as one of the dance masters. He had such a good eye and Bucky really hoped he’d get to work under him some day.

*

When Clint showed up to work on Monday, he was surprised to find the door to the studio open. The rest of the company had left for Lima so who… oh right, Bucky.

Bucky was standing at the barre doing a bunch of relevés when Clint came into the room. He met his eyes in the mirror and smiled. “Hey Clint,” he said, “I propped the door open for you.”

Clint smiled back. “Thanks, I appreciate it. I didn’t think it was worth getting one of those peg leg crutch things, but I’m starting to regret that decision. Who knew doors would become the enemy?” he asked with a self-deprecating shrug. His eyes flicked to Bucky’s head. “Nice cap,” he smirked.

Bucky rolled his eyes. “If doors are your enemy, long hair is mine,” he said, gesturing to his arm in the sling. “Steve’s been putting my hair up for me, but…” he let the sentence die out. “It was the hat or having my hair in my face.”

“Oh,” Clint murmured, feeling guilty for making fun of Bucky’s cap. “Come here then. You propped the door for me, I’ll put your hair up for you.”

Bucky pulled off the cap and draped it over the barre before walking over to Clint, who handed him his crutches and gestured for him to turn around.

“How do you want it?” Clint asked, running his fingers through Bucky’s hair.

“Mmmmm,” Bucky sighed, tilting his head back. “As long as it’s out of my face you can do whatever you want.”

“Ooo, free reign?” Clint said, massaging his fingers into Bucky’s scalp. “You have really nice hair, by the way.”

Bucky hummed, pressing his head further back into Clint’s hands. “Or you can keep doing that,” he mumbled.

Clint laughed but continued to massage Bucky’s scalp. “What are you, a cat?”

“Maybe…”

Clint continued to massage Bucky’s head and neck for a few minutes before smoothing out his hair and starting to braid. He glanced at Bucky’s reflection and saw that he had his eyes closed.

“Comfy?” he asked, sliding a finger under a lock of hair and adding it to one of the strands of the braid.

“Mhmm,” Bucky mumbled, not opening his eyes.

Clint smiled, continuing to add hair to the braid. It had been a while since he’d gotten to braid someone's hair and he’d forgotten how relaxing it was. The soothing repetition of looping strand over strand and then getting to admire the finished product at the end. It almost made him want to grow his hair out like so many of the other men in the company did.

But as always, the thought of having to deal with hair in his face was enough to nip that daydream in the bud. Plus, having to deal with finding Nata’s hair all over the place was bad enough. He didn’t want to think about having double the hair to deal with.

Maybe he’d just claim the right to play with Bucky’s.

“You finished back there?” Bucky asked, breaking Clint out of his reverie.

“Sorry, yes, just zoning out. Do you have a hair tie?”

Bucky tensed. “Fuck.”

“I’ll take that as a no?” Clint laughed.

“I’m so sorry,” Bucky said. “I might have one in my bag, but,” he trailed off, looking at the grey duffle bag across the room and then meeting Clint’s eyes in the mirror helplessly.

Clint laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Here, give me those,” he said, reaching for his crutches with the hand that wasn’t holding the end of Bucky’s braid. “Okay, now hold this,” he said, handing off the braid. Once he was sure Bucky had a good grip on the end of the braid, Clint let go and slotted his crutches under his arms. He made his way over to Bucky’s bag, Bucky following behind.

“You keep them in the front pocket, right?” Clint said, reaching towards the bag. “Do you mind?” he asked, pausing with his hand on the zipper.

“Sure, go ahead,” Bucky said. “Just watch out for the condoms.”

Clint jerked his hand back and whipped around to look at Bucky in horror.

Bucky snorted, shaking with suppressed laughter. “I’m joking, my god. I don’t keep condoms in my dance bag.”

Clint gave Bucky a suspicious look before reaching into the bag and pulling out a couple of loose hair ties. “Do you have a color preference?” he asked, holding out one hair tie in each hand. “There’s grey and there’s… darker grey. Monochrome, much?”

“How about grey?” Bucky said, deadpan. “I hear it goes with everything.”

“Sure, but so does purple and that’s an arguably better color,” Clint said, leaning his crutches against the barre and gesturing for Bucky to turn around.

“That’s certainly an opinion,” Bucky said as Clint wrapped one of the grey hair ties around the end of his braid. He turned his head to look at it in the mirror when Clint finished. “Oh wow,” he said, turning his head back and forth to take in the different angles, “that’s amazing. Where’d you learn to braid like that?”

“My roommate,” Clint said, looking smug.

“You’ve gotta thank them for me,” Bucky said, doing a pirouette before wrapping Clint in an awkward one-armed hug. “This is awesome.”

“I’ll make sure to let her know,” Clint said, holding onto the barre with one hand and patting Bucky’s back with the other. “I’m just glad to feel like I’m doing something useful right now.”

“Ugh, tell me about it,” Bucky groaned, stepping out of the hug. “I’m still going to classes, obviously, but I can’t do half the stuff and I just feel so useless. I just wanna dance,” he moaned, sinking to the floor with his back against the mirrored wall and his legs stretched out in front of him. He tipped his head back, hitting the mirror with a clunk and sighed.

Clint dropped to his knees before turning to mirror the position. He slid closer until their hips were pressed together and reached over to take Bucky’s hand in his own.

“It gets better, I promise,” he said, giving Bucky’s hand a squeeze. “Sure, the recovery part sucks, but we’ll be dancing with the company again soon enough.”

“Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough,” Bucky countered, leaning over to bump his head against Clint’s shoulder.

Clint huffed out a quiet laugh. “Okay, you do have a point there. At least you’ve got a friend to suffer with together?”

“Yeah,” Bucky murmured, giving Clint’s hand a squeeze back, “at least I’ve got you.”

[caxsthetic]

Balter

Tendou Satori x F!Reader

(v.) to dance artlessly, without particular grace or skill but usually with enjoyment.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. 500 MASTERLIST .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The room was dark, the only light that shone through the entire room was the dim light from the laptop screen. You type away at a speed of lightning, but you tried to keep the sound to be as minimal as ever.

There laying in the bed with his mouth hanging open, was your husband. The two of you were workaholics, but you were way too mad since you never take a break.

Meanwhile, he was good with his time management. And sometimes, you were envious about it with how well he could manage his daily life.

You were not always like this though, you were not someone who would type away in the middle of the night, trying to finish all of the report even before the due date.

But it was all changed when your boss promoted you to be the director of administrations. Something stirred in your mind since that day. You felt like you needed to do everything right, all of your work needed to be done perfectly.

It was always like this now, going round and round in circles. Every week, you would always go to the office early and go home late, a habit that started to develop around three months ago.

Your husband notice this, notice how you always conceal the bag under your eyes. So he pulled you to the bed early today, forcing you to cuddle and sleep with him.

But when he already drifted off to sleep, you just can’t do the same.

So you untangled yourself slowly, looking at your red headed husband who still stuck in the dreamland. You were feeling bad from it, but you know you couldn’t possibly sleep if you still had work to do.

And here you were right now, typing away all of the work. You simultaneously glanced towards the bed, making sure that your husband was still asleep.

Tendou never liked how you always did everything non stop. You rarely eat lunch if he didn’t call you at the office, he rarely saw your figure even at home, he rarely got any affection from you,

And he started to get tired of it.

It was cold tonight since snow already started to fall down from the sky. Even when the heater was on and he used a pile of blankets, he just felt like something was not right.

The cold may be the one who woke him up from his slumber. But the fact that he didn’t feel the warmth from your body anymore, was the reason why he decided to stay awake.

He sat on the bed, rubbing his eyes groggily before yawning. His hair was down, cascading perfectly as it fell to his face. You were not there beside him, and he started to get upset by this constant event.

His eyes bore to your figure, letting out a long sigh when he realised what you are doing. The moonlight that was peeking through the curtains notified him that it was still late.

Your typing was fast, and the screen illuminate your face as your orbs solely focus on the screen in front of you,

“Working again?” You jolted when you heard your husband’s voice. Your fingers stopped typing immediately, “At this time? Really?”

Tendou Satori wasn’t someone who could be angry so easily, but right now he was too frustrated to even notice the malice voice that came out from his lips.

He was always gentle towards you, caring for you and just pout when you didn’t hear his warning. So when you heard how different his voice was, you couldn’t help but shudder.

You let out a long sigh, straightening your leg that was folded on the chair before. His gaze piercing right through you, waiting for any kind of excuse that you blurt out usually.

“Y-Yeah,” He raised one of his eyebrows and decided to approach you, “I am sorry, Satori. I-” You stopped when you could feel his hand crept on your shoulders.

The ministration made you moan a little. You could feel how your body relaxed as he started to massage you. No matter how stubborn you could be, he couldn’t get angry at you, at least not for more than a minute.

After all, you were the only woman who could see through all of his imperfection.

“Let’s sleep after this, okay?” He kissed your head, making a smile bloom on your face from his affection, “You can continue this tomorrow morning, you know that, right?”

He expected you to smile and let him lead you back to sleep. So when he saw you slumped your shoulder away from his grasp, he knew that his words were all in vain.

“Just… Just a little more minute, okay?” You stood up and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Go back to sleep, Satori. I will catch you up after this.”

The red haired man could only sigh at how hard you were to crack. He grumbled like a child when you sat again on your chair, focusing all of your thought on your work.

He stood there for a while, waiting for you to turn your head and just shut down the laptop. But after minutes, you are still muttering about work. That’s when he knew he should just go to bed.

Frustrated, he grumbled once again and left the bedroom, going downstairs to the kitchen to grab some water. It was dark as he walked on the first floor. The only light that illuminated the whole floor was the one from the kitchen.

And in the middle of the night like this, his pinky toe was longing to kiss the table leg. He almost yelped, but he decided to bite his lips immediately so he didn’t have to make you worried.

“For shonen jump shake, who the hell decided it was good to put the table near the staircase!” He mumbled while he tried to soothe his pinky toes by massaging it a little, “Oh, it was me who decided that.”

His dark red eyes fall to an item that was put on the table. He widened his eyes, orbs twinkling with excitement as an idea popped into his mind.

This idea? He was sure you will love it. At least that’s what he hoped for.

You were currently finishing one of the reports for the office, ready to continue another piece of work. The truth, your eyes were getting tired already, but your mind just wouldn’t rest before finishing the last report.

That’s when you realised that something was off. No, it’s not a bad kind of feeling that you felt right now. But something caught your hearing that made you stop your works completely.

♪ I been working so hard~ I'm punching my card~ ♫

You choke on air, jaw dropped as a wide grin started to appear on your face, surprised to hear the song in the middle of the night like this.

♪ Eight hours for what~ Oh, tell me what I got~ ♫

Your eyes darted to the laptop screen once again, trying to focus on your work. You started to type, but it was much slower than before.

♪ Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose~ Kick off the Sunday shoes~ ♫

That’s it, you were done for real. You immediately save your work progress and shut down your laptop. Your feet stride as you were so eager to just see the culprit behind the music.

You were just touching down towards the first floor when your eyes promptly fell to your husband. With a blue shirt and black boxer, he was there, moving his body to synchronize the beat.

It was awful, an awful dance that everyone would laugh at. You leaned your body to the wall, eyes still focus on the man that caught your heart.

A wide grin plastered on his face, eyes closing and just… listened.

It was a beautiful sight to behold, to see someone could let loose of their dignity and just move their body around like that.

When you first saw him, both of you were in a club. His friends were laughing at him for dancing uncharismatic on the dance floor. But you could see the appeal from how he moved his body.

“Took you long enough,” He extended his right hand towards you, inviting you to the gala of the year, “Let’s dance, my lady.”

“You are crazy,” You said that with playfulness flying around your voice, “It’s 1 am, Satori. We would wake-”

“Just join me,” His left hand was now put on his hips, waiting for you to take his right hand, “Join me to the party where you could ease all of your problems, when else you could dance with the miracle man, Tendou Satori?”

“Uhm, everyday?” He pouted when he heard your answer, making you chuckled to see how childish he was right now, “Alright, alright. Just one song.” You put your hand on his, a cheeky grin was now plastered on his face,

“That’s what they all said at first,” The first song was done, and now you wonder what kind of song that he would play this time of night. He grabbed both of your hands and wink, “Prepare for the night of your lifetime~!”

You laughed when the tune intrude your ear, and the sight of you looking so happily like this, brought a loving smile to the man in front of you,

“Rick Astley? Really?!” You started to bob your head to the left and right, “What playlist is this? I never thought you listened to all of these songs!”

“Well, I know my wife enjoys some old songs,” He kissed your hand and twirled you around, your giggle just blessed his soul, “So enjoy~ Today, your night will be filled with my OK BOOMER playlist, made by Tendou Satori~ Just for his beloved wife.”

You were cackling uncontrollably by now. Your husband, just literally blurt out that you were a boomer when it comes to song.

Both of you were now bathed in the rhythmic sounds of drums and bass, piano and guitar, chants and cries as you move your arms and legs in a frenzied way, losing yourself in the bewilderment of a dance.

Rule 1: Enjoy the Music

Everything feels like you were all in a mirage as you close your eyes, trying to sync your hips to the beat of music.

Rule 2: Relax

Dancing had nothing to do with dancing well, at least this is the rule that you know when you met this man all of those years ago.

Rule 3: You Know What to Do!

Everyone has their own way to enjoy the music. And for the two of you, dancing without style and just absorbing the passion between each other was the way to relax.

You feel free as you laugh at how your husband moved his body. He would bam his hips with yours occasionally, making you almost fall because he used too much force sometimes.

Right now, both of you didn’t even know how many songs had passed. You have been dancing on the couch on Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, standing on the coffee table as Super Trouper playing in the background, that, and so much more.

“Ooooh! You're gonna take me home tonight,” You stopped when you heard your husband singing the new song. Your mouth hanging open as you realised immediately what song it was.

To say that this song was fun, it is fun that you couldn’t help but snapping your finger to match the beat. But this song would always bring the sexual tension up to the roof.

You locked eyes with him, a smile slowly turned into a smirk. He was on the corner of the living room before, but in second, he stood in front of you, putting his hands on your hips.

“This song is dangerous,” You shook your head, but the smile was never once dissipate, “Oh god, what if they-”

“Shush!” He pecked your lips, a little bit harder than usual, “Enjoy this while it lasts, baby.”

That’s when you decided to let your mind free. Right here, right now, with him on the dance floor. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore as you allowed him to take you anywhere.

The two of you become one with the song, with the crazy dance, and of course, with each other.

There was something in his eyes, something between lust and mischief. And so you put your arms on his shoulders, staring intensely as the song brought the atmosphere to the next level.

The two of you still danced like before, purely idiotic and move with delight. There’s no shame, both of you just embrace the dazzling strangeness and derangement.

But yet, the movement was so different from before. There’s a lot of skinship already right now. You would dance in front of him as he pampered you from behind with kisses, starting from your lips, until down to your neck and bite it playfully.

You turned around, facing him again, a hint of mischief overpowering your worries from before. As your husband for more than five years already, he knew what’s the meaning behind your gaze.

He pushed your body to the couch, dark red orbs even get darkened by lust. His hands started to slip inside your clothes, feeling your smooth skin who was now covered with beads of sweat.

You were panting, due to the ecstatic action from before, and now added with heat as your husband started to create a magical feeling for every second passed.

One of your hands crept at his nape while the others teasingly trailed down to his boxer, trying to give him the hint. He kissed your neck patiently, making you moan out while the song was still blaring in the background, coating the action with a little more push.

“Why are you still up late?” You pushed your husband to the side, making him fall to the ground in a second, “Are you guys having a party without me?! Not fair!”

With the music blasting throughout the first floor, both of you couldn’t hear the little steps from your son. The little boy was now standing behind the coach, peeking at the two of you who were just… dancing.

“W-We were-”

“Wrestling!” Your husband who was now crying inside because he knew he wouldn’t get any action tonight, only smiled at the copycat of him who stared at his parents, “And why are you up, Shinichi?”

“I am thirsty! And I heard some brouhaha downstairs, so yeah! Here I am!” The red haired boy decided to jump out from the back of the couch to your lap, “But now I just want to sleep! Would you tell me some bedtime story, mom? These past few days have been dad non-stop and he was bad~!”

“Hey! That hurts!” You cackled, kissing your four years old son and lifting him to your embrace. The music was still blaring, but now it was changed to a ballad song, “I will clean up our mess, you go ahead, baby.”

You peck his lips, earning a little Eww by your son. Tendou just stood there as he looked at the two most important people in his life. You carefully go upstairs with little Tendou on your arms, leaving your husband to clean up the living room that looked like there's been a fight there before.

He turned off the speaker, tidy up the pillows that were splattered around the room. With you in his mind, he just wants to drift off into the dreamland with you by his side.

The magic from the dance before started to dissipate as he yawned while going upstairs, done with the living room like nothing happened there tonight.

He walked lazily to your shared bedroom, but stopped when he passed his son’s bedroom which the door was wide opened. He peeked inside, expecting to hear your soft voice as usual.

But the sight in front of him made him feel like he was the luckiest man in the world. There on the bed, you fall asleep with your son’s head falling to your shoulders.

He decided to tiptoed inside the room, trying not to wake any of you. His face was comical as he slid himself to the small bed, circled his arm to bring you and Shinichi closer so no one would fall to the floor in the middle of the night.

Even in such a little space, he felt comfortable. He was ecstatic to know that his plan worked perfectly. And right now, nuzzling on the cramped bed with his family, was the perfect outcome that he could ever ask.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*     ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶    *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Tagged Lovelies:

@benewol​ @letmeshouyou​ @nitricflame​ @vventure​ @heccingdead​ @muffins-puffins​ @miyulovestowrite​ @nanashinanashi​ @vlovers-world​ @proplayer-kenma​ @kashika​ @cuddlyasahi​ @blacckdiamondposts​ @muffngw​ @baby-boy-taichi​ @of-heroes-and-dreams​ @for-ests​ @giyuwu-san​ @oli-imagines​ @lordeofthunder​ @miyatsunami​ @analyze-hq​​ @tendoustan​@allywritesimagines​

[sardonic-courtney]

Crowley x Reader. We Met Before. P2/7

Summary: You end up living with Bobby after your parents die. You go to church and meet Priest Crowley and you end up getting along (if you know what i mean). A few years later when Bobby passes you move the the bunker with Sam and Dean and end up meeting Crowley again.

Part 1  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6 Part 7

Warnings: Mention of loss, Spelling mistakes, Picture of gun (straight after keep reading), you go to church?

Around 1700 words.

Meeting:

(Around season 5 but not following story at all)

…the day before your 18th birthday. The day you can finally start training and helping on hunts. You fall asleep after the movie and wake up to your alarm reading 8.30am (Birthdate) Sunday. The day you had been waiting for. You could finally start training. Well after Sunday service, it was something your mother never failed to attend no matter what state she was hunting in and you kept that alive, even if you weren’t exactly sure how you felt about religion, but going helped you feel close to your mum again, and after hearing briefly about what the Winchesters had gone though it could be useful to learn a bit more. You got ready and headed to the kitchen where you met with Bobby.

“Happy Birthday kid” he said trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible, even though he had woken up kinda early on a weekend.

“Hey, I’m 18 now, no longer a kid.” You smiled at him.

He shook his head in response chuckling as he grabbed an envelope with a box attached to it. When you received it you could see your name written messily on the envelope in a blue ink, you opened it and to no surprise was a card with (Your fav animal) wearing a hat, just like every year. You smiled and read the inscription inside. Then headed for the black box with a gold ribbon loosely tied around, Bobby had never been the best at bows, but you love the effort. Untying and opening the box you see a silver gun with carvings on, and a wooden handle with a pentacle carved. (Like below but you can change to preference)

“I know it's not much, but it was your dad’s, the boys found it when they…” he trailed of for a second. “when they were searching the nest, I thought it was the best time to give it to you, seeing as you’re so god damned persistent on training.”

“I love it Bobby, thank you so much” You gently lay it on the table and encase him in a hug, which he allows for a few seconds”

“Alright” He said patting your back and stepping away, “just because you have a gun doesn’t mean you are ready to hunt though. Understood?”

“Yeah I know” you reply trying not to laugh at his stern expression.

“Right well there’s some (f/f) if your hungry” he said moving to reveal a plate behind him.

“Oh my gosh you didn’t have to” You say looking at the counter with a neatly plated breakfast. You grabbed it and sat down enjoying the change from the usual cereal or toast, and with a mouth half full asked. “When can I start?”

“Lunch time. We will start with some basics ways to hunt and defend yourself.”

You were about to speak when he interrupted guessing your thoughts.

“You won’t be going on any hunts anytime soon until you are 100% ready. You can help out with some of the research though”

You rolled your eyes, as if you didn’t already help with the research. You finished your food and said your goodbyes, Bobby probably heading back to bed for a nap, you left heading for church to see Priest Peter. He was a nice priest and you got to know him a bit with the visits you made.

You were stood outside the church on time at 9:30 when you friend Lena came up and you started heading in. Lena was lovely, you had met at your first church service and continues to go together ever since. You didn’t really see each other outside, but you grew close nonetheless. She was only a year older than you but sometimes it seemed like she was half her age. She like the rest of people outside your small family didn’t know it was your birthday, and you liked that.

“So (Y/N), did you hear Priest Peters gone away for a while?” she spoke grinning at you, unlike you she didn’t like Peter, said his voice made her want to sleep.

“What, how come? I didn’t hear anything” you replied completely confused.

“Yep, No one knows for sure, but I think it's something about a family member getting married in Australia.”

“So, do we have Marcus today then?” Marcus was as you called him jr Peter, he was still in training and followed Peter around like a lost dog.

“Must do” She replied smiling, she never said it but you could tell she liked Marus a lot more, you took your seats, you sat on the second row back always. It was good for the winter because it was next to a heater, and good for the summer because it was near an openable window. You and Lena sat and talked about pointless things until everyone had sat down and the service started.

The priest walked up, but it wasn’t Marcus or anyone you had ever seen before. It was a very attractive man. He had messy hair, and very short beard on his pale skin. He was slightly chubby and wearing the usual priest get up, but for some reason seemed slightly us of place. Your eyes were drawn to him, it was like you couldn’t look away.

“Good Morning. I am Father Crowley, and I will be covering for Peter whilst he is away at his sister’s wedding.” he spoke confirming Lenas rumor.

He had a beautiful English accent and managed to get everyone's attention without raising his voice. The service went on as usual, although you payed more attention to the man in front of you instead of his teachings of God. Before long, it was over, and you all got up to give blessings and mingle a bit before you were to go. After a while Lena had left having to go run an errand, and you were talking to an old woman you did the occasional job for who lived about 5 minutes away. Just as you finished your conversation and the women went out, your phone buzzed, and you pulled it out of your pocket. 10.45 am, and two new messages.

One from Sam “Morning (Y/N), Happy Birthday, hope you have a good day, me and Dean will try to visit soon, I found a book in the bunker library you will like.”

Another from Dean “Happy Birthday (N/N) good luck training today, have a good one. Me and Sammy will swing round in a couple weeks to check in and make sure Bobby’s not driving you too crazy. Be safe xx”

You smiled as you slid your phone away deciding to reply later. You had been close to the Winchesters after the accident, both becoming brothers to you, Dean was however much more protective of you then Sam was. You looked around and noticed you were the last to leave, as you turned towards the doors you noticed Father Crowley still stood there looking at you.

“Did you enjoy the service?” he asked casually walking over to you.

You hesitated a moment before replying with a simple “Yes”. You don’t know why but he made you feel slightly nervous, not in a bad way, but you couldn’t describe it. You noticed up close his eyes were a sort of green colour.

“Good, I’m new to holding services to be honest with you…”

“(Y/N)” you filled in the blank.

“(Y/N) what a lovely name. Do you always come to church (Y/N)?” He asked lingering on your name.

“Yes, Father every week” you replied composing yourself a little. “It seemed like you had done a thousand services before, I don’t think anyone noticed”

“Thank you, and please just call me Crowley, I’m not a big fan of the whole Father thing” he said smiling. “What were your thoughts on the passage read today?”

“I’m not sure. I think in some ways it………...but it seems a bit………” You gave your opinion and Crowley responded with a grin.

“I agree completely. Well I assume you will be here next week?”

“Yes, I will be, and you?”

“Peter will still be away so it will be me again for at least another 2 weeks. Would you perhaps like to meet up after service for coffee and discus some more of your views?”

“Sure, I would love to” you replied trying to hide your smile, “I better get going though, goodbye Crowley.”

“Until next time” he nodded as you left to go back home.

Meeting up next week? For coffee? You thought as you walked along the path. Okay (Y/N) don’t think to much into it, he just wants to talk about the service. Oh, why did I agree, I don’t want to sit and talk to a priest about the bible, although I do want to talk to this specific priest more. Why am I even worrying about it it’s not like it’s a date, can priests even date? I wouldn’t even want it to be, he seems nice and he is attractive, but if he can date he's probably already married he did seem a bit older. It's probably a group thing and he just invited me along to go with them, of course that makes sense.

You finally arrived though the front door and are greeted with the sound of yelling coming from in the house.

“…no, you idjit, you’re supposed to give them the second number if you want the FBI………. Just don’t mess up again your lucky I have common sense.” He put the phone down just as you walked in the room.

“What was that?” You asked sitting on a chair.

“The wheelers, giving out the wrong numbers again. Your back later than usual service run over?” He asked looking at his watch.

“No just stayed to chat a bit after, it was a new priest.”

“Ahh I see, well do you want to watch a film seeing as its your birthday we could go get some snacks and rent a movie?”

“No way, you’re not getting out of this one, you said we would train at noon, its 11:30. We can watch a film after.” You looked up at him and he frowned.

“I don’t know kid, maybe we should wait another year.”

“Nope no chance, I’m going to get changed and then we can start.” Bobby looked unimpressed so you added on a “Please.” Giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Fine all right, alright go change we can start today”

“Yay thank you” You yelled heading up the stairs to get changed.

 A/N I don’t really know what a service looks like because i haven't been to one for ages, so apologise about that. Sorry if your names Lena as well don't worry show wont be mentioned much. Thank you for reading hope you enjoyed it. :D

[tienganhmoingay]

Bài tập về các thì trong tiếng anh

Ngữ pháp là một chủ điểm rất quan trọng với bất kì ai học tiếng anh phải nắm bắt được. Đúng vậy, nếu bạn có nền tảng các thì trong tiếng Anh tốt thì bạn sẽ có thể sử dụng các kĩ năng đọc và viết rất tuyệt. Dưới đây, Báo Song Ngữ sẽ đưa ra bài tập các thì trong tiếng Anh để các bạn tham khảo và luyện tập có thể giúp cải thiện tốt ngữ pháp cho các bạn.

Trong tiếng Anh có 13 thì (12 thì cơ bản và 1 thì mở rộng). Thì tiếng anh được chia theo thời gian quá khứ, hiện tại và tương lai. Các bạn đọc muốn hiểu biết chi tiết thêm và áp dụng công thức thành thạo thì hãy cùng theo dõi nhé.

Tổng hợp công thức 13 thì tiếng anh.

Exercise 1. Bài tập thì hiện tại đơn - Điền dạng đúng của từ trong ngoặc

1. She always ______delicious meals. (make)

2. Tome______eggs. (not eat)

3. They______(do) the homework on Sunday.

4. He ______ a new T-shirt today. (buy)

5. My mom ______ shopping every week. (go)

6. ______Duong and Hoa ______ to work by bus every day? (go)

7. _____ your parents ______with your decision? (agree)

8. My sister ______ her hair every day (wash)

9. Police ______ robbers (catch)

Xem thêm: Bài tập về thì tiếng anh hay

Exercise 2. Bài tập thì hiện tại tiếp diễn - Viết câu dưới đây ở thì HTTD.

1. My/ dad/ water/ some plants/ the/ garden.

________________________

2. My/ mom/ clean/ floor/.

________________________

3. Mary/ have/ lunch/ her/ friends/ a/ restaurant.

________________________

4. They/ ask/ a/ man/ about/ the/ way/ the/ railway/ station.

________________________

5. My/ student/ draw/ a/ beautiful/ picture

________________________

Exercise 3. Bài tập thì hiện tại hoàn thành - Chia động từ trong ngoặc.

1. They ______a new lamp. (buy)

2. We ______our holiday yet. (not/ plan)

3. He just ______ out for 2 hours (go)

4. I ______ my plan (not/finish)

5.  ______ you ______ this lesson yet? ( learn)

EXERCISE 4: Use the correct form of verbs in brackets.

1. In all the world, there (be) __________ only 14 mountains that (reach) __________above 8,000 meters.

2. He sometimes (come) __________ to see his parents.

3. When I (come) __________, she (leave) __________for Dalat ten minutes ago.

4. My grandfather never (fly) __________ in an airplane, and he has no intention of ever doing so.

5. We just (decide) __________ that we (undertake) ____________ the job.

6. He told me that he (take) __________ a trip to California the following week.

7. I knew that this road (be) __________ too narrow.

8. Right now I (attend) __________ class. Yesterday at this time I (attend) __________class.

9. Tomorrow I'm going to leave for home. When I (arrive) __________at the airport, Mary (wait) __________ for me.

10. Margaret was born in 1950. By last year, she (live) __________on this earth for 55 years .

11. The traffic was very heavy. By the time I (get) __________to Mary's party, everyone already (arrive) __________

12. I will graduate in June. I (see) __________ you in July. By the time I (see) __________ you , I (graduate) __________.

13. I (visit) __________ my uncle's home regularly when I (be) __________ a child.

14. That book (be) __________ on the table for weeks. You (not read) __________ it yet ?

15. David (wash) __________ his hands. He just (repair) __________ the TV set.

16. You (be) __________here before? Yes, I (spend) __________ my holidays here last year.

17. We never (meet) __________ him. We don't know what he (look) __________ like.

18. The car (be) __________ ready for him by the time he (come) __________tomorrow.

19. On arriving at home I (find) __________that she just (leave) __________a few minutes before.

20. When we (arrive) __________ in London tonight, it probably (rain) __________.

21. It (rain) __________ hard. We can't do anything until it (stop) __________

22. Last night we (watch) __________TV when the power (fail) __________.

23. That evening we (stay) __________up to talk about the town where he (live) __________for some years.

24. I (sit) __________down for a rest while the shoes (repair) __________.

25. Half way to the office Paul (turn) __________round and (go) __________back home because he (forget) __________to turn the gas off.

26. London (change) __________a lot since we first (come) __________ to live here.

27. While we (talk) __________on the phone the children (start) __________fighting and (break) __________a window

28. He used to talk to us for hours about all the interesting things he (do) __________ in his life.

29. You know she (stand) __________looking at that picture for the last twenty minutes.

30. I (spend) __________ a lot of time travelling since I (get) __________this new job.

31. When we (be) __________ at school we all (study) __________Latin.

32. When I (meet) __________ him , he (work) __________as a waiter for a year.

33. After he (finish) __________ breakfast he (sit) __________down to write some letters.

34. She (have) __________a hard life, but she's always smiling.

35. I think Jim (be) __________ out of town.

EXERCISE 5: Choose the best answer among A, B, C, or D.

1. When I last saw him, he _____ in London.

A. has lived

B. is living

C. was living

D. has been living

2. We _______ Dorothy since last Saturday.

A. don’t see

B. haven’t seen

C. didn’t see

D. hadn’t seen

3. The train ______ half an hour ago.

A. has been leaving

B. left

C. has left

D. had left

4. Jack ______ the door.

A. has just painted

B. paint

C. will have painted

D. painting

5. My sister ________ for you since yesterday.

A. is looking

B. was looking

C. has been looking

D. looked

6. I ______ Texas State University now.

A. am attending

B. attend

C. was attending

D. attended

7. He has been selling motorbikes ________.

A. ten years ago

B. since ten years

C. for ten years ago

D. for ten years

8. Christopher Columbus _______ American more than 500 years ago.

A. discovered

B. has discovered

C. had discovered

D. had been discovering

9. He fell down when he ______ towards the church.

A. run

B. runs

C. was running

D. had run

10. We _______ there when our father died.

A. still lived

B. lived still

C. was still lived

D. was still living

11. They ______ table tennis when their father comes back home.

A. will play

B. will be playing

C. play

D. would play

12. By Christmas, I _______ for Mr. Smith for six years.

A. will have been working

B. will work

C. have been working

D. will be working

13. I _______ in the room right now

A. am being

B. was being

C. have been being

D. am

14. I ______ to New York three times this year.

A. have been

B. was

C. were

D. had been

15. I’ll come and see you before I _______ for the States.

A. leave

B. will leave

C. have left

D. shall leave

16. The little girl asked what _______ to her friend.

A. has happened

B. happened

C. had happened

D. would have been happened

17. John ______ a book when I saw him.

A. is reading

B. read

C. was reading

D. reading

18. He said he _______ return later.

A. will

B. would

C. can

D. would be

19. Jack ________ the door.

A. has just opened

B. open

C. have opened

D. opening

20. I have been waiting for you ______ .

A. since early morning

B. since 9 a.m

C. for two hours

D. All are correct

21. Almost everyone _______ for home by the time we arrived.

A. leave

B. left

C. leaves

D. had left

22. By the age of 25, he ______ two famous novels.

A. wrote

B. writes

C. has written

D. had written

23. When her husband was in the army, Mary ______ to him twice a week

A. was reading

B. wrote

C. was written

D. had written

24. I couldn’t cut the grass because the lawn mower ______ a few days previously.

A. broke down

B. has been broken

C. had broken down

D. breaks down

25. I have never played badminton before. This is the first time I _____ to play.

A. try

B. tried

C. have tried

D. am trying

26. Since _______, I have heard nothing from him.

A. he had left

B. he left

C. he has left

D. he was left

27. After I _______ lunch, I looked for my bag.

A. had

B. had had

C. have has

D. have had

28. By the end of next year, George _______ English for two years.

A. will have learned

B. will learn

C. has learned

D. would learn

29. The man got out of the car, ________ round to the back and opened the book.

A. walking

B. walked

C. walks

D. walk

30. Henry _______ into the restaurant when the writer was having dinner.

A. was going

B. went

C. has gone

D. did go

31. He will take the dog out for a walk as soon as he ______ dinner.

A. finish

B. finishes

C. will finish

D. finishing

32. I will be glad if he _______ with us.

A. had gone

B. did go

C. went

D. goes

33 Ask her to come and see me when she _______ her work.

A. finish

B. has finished

C. finished

D. finishing

34. Turn off the gas. Don’t you see that the kettle ________ ?

A. boil

B. boils

C. is boiling

D. boiled

35. Tom and Mary ______ for Vietnam tomorrow.

A. leave

B. are leaving

C. leaving

D. are left

36. He always ________ for a walk in the evening.

A. go

B. is going

C. goes

D. going

37. Her brother ______ in Canada at present.

A. working

B. works

C. is working

D. work

38. I ______ to the same barber since last year.

A. am going

B. have been going

C. go

D. had gone

39. Her father ______ when she was a small girl.

A. dies

B. died

C. has died

D. had died

40. Last week, my professor promised that he ________ today.

A. would come

B. will come

C. comes

D. coming

EXERCISE 6: Choose the underlined part in each sentence (A, B,C, or D ) that needs correcting

1. After Mrs. Wang had returned (A) to her house (B) from work (C), she was cooking (D) dinner.

2. Jimmy threw (A) the ball high (B) in the air, and Betty catching (C) it when (D) it came down.

3. Linda has worn (A) her new yellow (B) dress only once (C) since she buys (D) it.

4. Last week Mark told (A) me that he go (B)t very bored with his present job and is looking (C) for a new on (D)e.

5. Having (A) fed the dog, he was sat (B) down to (C) his own (D) meal.

6. When I turned on my computer, I was shocked (A) to find (B) some junk mail, and (C) I delete (D) it all.

7. They are going to have to (A) leave soon (B) and so do (C) we (D).

8. The boss laughed when the secretary has told (A) him that she really (B) needed (C) a pay (D) rise.

9. The telephone rang several times (A) and then (B) stop (C) before I could (D) answer it.

10. Debbie, whose father (A) is an excellent tennis player(B), has been (C) playing tennis since (D) ten years.

11. I have seen (A) lots(B) of interesting (C) places when I went (D) on holiday last summer.

12. When my cat heard (A) a noise in the bushes, she stopped moving (B) and listen (C) intently (D).

13. I think (A) it’s time you change (B) your way of (C) living (D).

14. Roger felt the outside (A) of his pocket to make (B) sure his (C) wallet is still (D) there.

15. When I’m shopping (A) in the supermarket, I ran into (B) an old friend who I hadn’t met (C) for (D) five years.

16. The police (A) arrested the man while (B) he is having (C) dinner in (D) a restaurant.

17. Peter and Wendy first (A) met in 2006 (B), and they are (C) married for three years now (D).

18. Some (A) people are believing (B) there is life on (C) other (D) planets.

19. Recently, the island of Hawaii (A) had been (B) the subject of intensive research (C) on the occurrence (D) of earthquakes.

20. Every morning, the sun shines (A) in my bedroom window (B) and waking (C) me up (D).

21. The man died as (A) a result of falling (B) asleep (C) while he drives (D).

22. I haven’t finished (A) the report yet (B),but by the time you return (C) I will certainly complete (D) it.

23. Caroline has worn (A) her new yellow (B) dress only once (C) since she buys (D) it.

24. We’ll be cycled (A) to Hoa’s village (B) at (C) this time next (D) Sunday.

25. What will (A) you do (B) when (C) your friends won’t come (D) ?

26. Someone was knocking (A) at the door (B) when I was doing (C) the washing up (D).

27. My friend didn’t drink (A) any (B) beer since we came (C) to live here (D).

28. We have written (A)to each other (B) when (C) we were (D) in primary school.

29. After (A) breakfast, I‘m gone (B) to walk to (C) school with (D) my friends.

30. Did (A) he go to (B) the pop concert next weekend (C) for a change (D)?

EXERCISE 7: Choose the correct sentence among A, B, C or D which has the same meaning as the given one.

1. Eight years ago we started writing to each other.

A. We have rarely written to each other for eight years.

B. Eight years is a long time for us to write to each other.

C. We wrote to each other eight years ago.

D. We have been writing to each other for eight years.

2. The boy was so lazy that he couldn't stay up late to learn his lessons.

A. The boy was lazy enough not to stay up late to learn his lessons.

B. The boy was too lazy to stay up late to learn his lessons.

C. The boy was lazy enough but he stayed up late to learn his lessons.

D. The boy was lazy enough to stay up late to learn his lessons.

3. My father is tired of seeing any violent films.

A. My father hasn't seen a violent film.

B. My father has enjoyed all the violent films he has ever seen.

C. My father is worried about missing the next violent film.

D. My father never wants to see another violent film.

4. As soon as he waved his hand, she turned away.

A. He saw her turn away and he waved his hand.

B. No sooner had he waved his hand than she turned away.

C. She turned away because he waved his hand too early.

D. Although she turned away, he waved his hand.

5. John wishes he had remembered to send Mary a Christmas card.

A. John regrets not to send Mary a Christmas card.

B. John regrets forgetting not to send Mary a Christmas card.

C. John regrets not remembering sending Mary a Christmas card.

D. John regrets forgetting to send Mary a Christmas card.

6. My father hasn't smoked cigarettes for a month.

A. It's a month since my father last smoked cigarettes.

B. It's a month ago that my father smoked cigarettes.

C. It's a month that my father hasn't smoked cigarettes.

D. It's a cigarette that my father smoked a month ago.

7. Having finished their work, the workers expected to be paid.

A. The workers expected to be paid because they had finished their work.

B. Having their work finishing, the workers expected to be paid.

C. Having expected to be paid, the workers finished their work.

D. Having been finished their work, the workers expected to be paid.

8. Mr. Brown bought this car five years ago.

A. Mr. Brown started to buy this car for five years.

B. It has been five years when Mr. Brown has bought this car.

C. Mr. Brown has had this car for five years .

D. It is five years ago since Mr. Brown has bought this car.

9. John used to write home once a week when he was abroad.

A. John doesn't write home once a week any longer.

B. John enjoyed being written home every week when he was abroad.

C. John never forgot to write a weekly letter home when he was abroad.

D. When he was abroad he remembered to write home every week.

10. I haven't enjoyed myself so much for years.

A. It's years since I enjoyed myself so much.

B. It's years since I have enjoyed myself so much.

C. It was years since I had enjoyed myself so much.

D. It has been years since I have enjoyed myself so much.

EXERCISE 8: Give the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. He went to his house, lied down on the bed, and (sleep) ……………… right away.

2. I (buy) ……………… the ticket yesterday. I am (go) ……………… Dalat tomorrow.

3. Tim (attend) ……………… the meeting at school at the moment.

4. He (have not) ……………… English for 2 years.

5. Our class (start) ……………… at 9am.

6. I always (brush) ……………… my teeth before I go to bed.

7. I (study) ……………… English since I was 21.

8. He was listening to music when his boss (come) ……………… yesterday.

9. I (have do) ……………… all the homework all afternoon.

10. I (be) ……………… a student.

11. She (wait) ……………… you for all day.

12. He wasn’t working when his boss (call) ……………… him yesterday.

13. She (be) ……………… at her boyfriend’s house yesterday morning.

14. I (talk) ……………… to my father at the moment.

15. We (be) ……………… in Nhatrang on their summer holiday last year.

16. The sun (rise) ……………… in the east.

17. He (meet) ……………… his old friend near his house yesterday.

18. The World Cup (take place) ……………… every four years.

19. They (play) ……………… in the garden at 4 pm yesterday.

20. She was watching a picture while her mother (cook) ……………… soup.

21. They (play) ……………… now.

22. Anne was riding her bike to school when Peter (see) ……………… her yesterday.

Exercise 9. Khoanh vào đáp án đúng.

1. He fell down when he …………towards the church.

A. run B. runs C. was running D. had run

2. The train …………. half an hour ago.

A. has been leaving B. left C. has left D. had left

3. He has been selling motorcycles……………..

A. ten years ago B. since ten years C. for ten years ago D. for ten years.

4. I ……..Texas State University now.

A. am attending B. attend C. was attending D. attended.

5. The little girl asked what ……… to her friend.

A. has happened B. Happened C. had happened D. would have been happened.

6. John ……… a book when I saw him.

A. is reading B. read C. was reading D. Reading

7. I………….to New York three times this year.

A. have been B. was C. were D. had been

8. I will come and see you before I………….for America.

A. leave B. will leave C. have left D. shall leave

9. I have never played badminton before. This is the first time I ……… to play.

A. try B. tried C. have tried D. am trying

10. He will take the dog out for a walk as soon as he ……….. dinner.

A. finish B. finishes C. will finish D. finishing

11. When I met him , he ……. as a waiter for a year.

A.had been working B. worked C. have worked D. work.

12. I………….the dishwasher on when heard the shot.

A. am turning B. were turning C. was turning D. turned

13. There was a time when watching TV really……………family entertainment.

A. were B. was C. had been D. Is

14. The Olympic Games…………every four years.

A. take place B. takes place C. took place D. is taking place.

15. …………….you go to the dentist?

A. how often are B. how often do C. how often does D. how are

16. By the end of next year, Kelvin ………English for two years.

A. will have learned B. will learn C. has learned D. would learn.

17. By the age of 25, he …….. two famous novels.

A. wrote B. writes C. has written D. had written

18. I think the weather……………nice later.

A. will be B. be C. had D. has been

ĐÁP ÁN

Exercise 1. Bài tập thì hiện tại đơn - Điền dạng đúng của từ trong ngoặc

1 - Makes; 2 - Does not eat; 3 - Don't; 4 - Buys; 5 - Goes

6 - Do – go; 7 - Do – agree; 8 - Washes; 9 - Catch;

Exercise 2. Bài tập thì hiện tại tiếp diễn - Viết câu dưới đây ở thì HTTD.

1 - My dad is watering some plants in the garden.

2 - My mom is cleaning the floor.

3 - Mary is having lunch with her friends in a restaurant.

4 - They are asking a man about the way to the railway station.

5 - My student is drawing a (very) beautiful picture.

Exercise 3.Bài tập thì hiện tại hoàn thành - Chia động từ trong ngoặc.

1 - Have bought

2 - Haven't planned

3 - Has gone

4 - Haven't finished

5 - Have - learned

Exercise 4:

1. are - reach; 2. comes; 3. came - had left; 4. has never flown;

5. have just decided -would undertake; 6. would take; 7. was ;

8. am attending - was attending; 9. arrive -will be waitin;g 10. had lived;

11. got- had already arrived; 12. will see - see - will have graduated;

13. visited -was; 14. has been - haven’t you read; 15. is washing - has just repaired;

16. Have you been - spent; 17. have never met - looks; 18. will have been- comes;

19. found – had just lef;t 20. arrive – will probably be raining; 21. is raining - stops;

22. were watching - failed ; 23. stayed – had lived; 24. sat – were being repaired;

25. turned – went – had forgotten; 26. has changed - came;

27. were talking – started - broke; 28. had done 29. has been standing;

30. have spent - got; 31. were - studied; 32. met – had been working;

33. had finished - sat; 34. has; 35. has been;

Exercise 5:

1. C 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. C 6. A 7. D 8. A 9. C 10. A

11. B 12. A 13. D 14. A 15. A 16. C 17. C 18. B 19. A 20. D

21. D 22. D 23. B 24. C 25. C 26. B 27. B 28. A 29. B 30. B

31. B 32. D 33. B 34. C 35. B 36. C 37. C 38. B 39. B 40. A

Exercise 6:

1. D. was cooking -> cooked

2. C. catching -> caught

3. D. buys -> bought

4. C. is looking -> was looking

5. B. was sat -> sat

6. D. delete -> deleted

7. C. so do -> so are

8. A. has told -> told

9. C. stop -> stopped

10. D. since -> for

11. A. have seen -> saw

12. C. listen -> listened

13. B. change -> changed

14. D. is still -> was still

15. A. I’m shopping -> was shopping

16. C. is having -> was having

17. C. are -> have been

18. B. are believing -> believe

19. B. had been -> has been

20. C. waking -> wakes

21. D. drives -> was driving

22. D. will certainly complete -> will have certainly completed

23. D. buys -> bought

24. A. We’ll be cycled -> We’ll be cycling

25. D. won’t come -> don’t come

26. A. was knocking -> knocked

27. A. didn’t drink -> hasn’t drunk

28. C. when -> since

29. B. gone -> going

30. A. Did -> Will

Exercise 7:

1. D; 2. B; 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. A; 7. A; 8. C; 9. A; 10. A;

Exercise 8.

1 - slept; 2 - bought - am going to; 3 - is attending; 4 - has not practised; 5 - starts;

6 - brush; 7 - have studied; 8 - came; 9 - have been doing; 10 - am;

11 - has been waiting; 12 - called; 13 - was; 14 - am talking; 15 - were;

16 - rises; 17 - met; 18 - take place; 19 - was playing; 20 - was cooking;

21 - are playing; 22 - saw;

Exercise 9. Khoanh vào đáp án đúng.

1.C 2.B 3.B 4.A 5.C 6.C 7.A 8.A 9.C 10.B

11.A 12.C 13.B 14.B 15.B 16.A 17.D 18.A

[tirednotflirting]

french press on the kitchen counter - a.i.

i recognize the severity of all that is going on in the world and i encourage all of you to please stay home and away from the humans you don’t already interact with on a day to day basis. my late night wine-tipsy fluff should not in any way encourage you to seek out additional company during these quarantined times.

I wrote most of this on sunday/monday and actually posted for about five min mon night and then ash put out that video and we were all concerned and i felt eh about putting out content then but now that we have a video of him dancing with a puppy in his lap i feel better so-

tagging @aspiringwildfire​ bc i actually started this before falling asleep after we talked fic and yelled about the guys for a bit the other night. thnx for the late night writing party <3

stay healthy and happy. xx

wc: ~ 1.4k

 as she let her eyes blink open from sleep, she found herself asking a silent question that had become a standard to most mornings: was that the sound of rain pattering against the wall of windows in the living room or drum sticks against a practice pad once again left on the coffee table?

she closed her eyes and focused on the noise. while it mostly sounded like the white noise of a spring rain, there was something distinctly rhythmic behind it that led her to believe it might be a rare morning when she got both. she sat up slowly against her pillows in the room darkened by black out curtains, the ones she had begged ashton to buy for the guest room since she had been finding herself often falling asleep at the drummer’s house after parties and nights out since they had met some several months earlier.

their friendship had been an easy one. a friend of a friend had invited her to a house party just a few weeks after she had moved to the city, insisting this was the best crew in la to spend time with. upon meeting the hazel-eyed host of the party, the two of them found miles of common ground and spent the whole night chatting about her new master’s program and their shared adoration for the city she had recently moved from. she was added to all of the group texts before the night was over and as the weeks went on, she often found herself on ashton’s living room floor, leaning against the couch with a beer in hand, teaching her favorite party games to this glittery, talented crew of artists that had adopted her into their circle.

given the near ever-present place they had in each other’s lives during the first few months of 2020, it wasn’t all that surprising to her when she received a call from ashton inviting her to quarantine in his home rather than all on her own after hearing that her on-campus studies were to be put on hold for the rest of the semester. they spent enough time around one another that it made sense and the thought of spending at least the next month or so alone in her studio apartment did sound pretty lonely. so she sent him a confirmation text, packed up a bag, and soon found herself sitting shotgun in frankie cruising down the interstate to her new-ish best friend’s quiet home.

that was 8 days ago. since then they had been working their way through dozens of movies and books, taking turns on who cooked and who queued up music on Spotify while sipping on topo chico (sometimes spiked with tito’s and lime). there were nightly facetimes with the band, the two of them squeezing together into the frame to see what everyone else had been up to during the days stuck inside. when he got antsy, she would leave whatever book she was annotating for class to help him rig up a camera to record another drum cover. it was a fine way of living, she supposed, with all of the pain going on in the world beyond his four walls.

she was reflecting on the state of the world (and reminding herself to do her daily news check on her New York Times app) as she padded out to the living room to check if her ears had proved her right today. she turned the corner to find ashton beating away at a dark red practice pad as he faced away from her and towards the windows that were being beat with raindrops by the angry storm clouds above their sunshine city. so she was right.

she didn’t want to scare the man yielding the fast moving sticks so she moved around the far end of the long couch to take a seat beside him. when his eyes landed on her as she rounded the back of the black sofa, noting to himself how small and homey she looked in a tshirt of his she must have stolen to sleep in, he finished the lick he was on and moved the pad from where it had rested on his lap to the coffee table in front of them.

a lazy grin stretched across his scruffy face as he watched her pick up the coffee mug he had filled for her only about ten minutes earlier. after 8 days in the same house, they were starting to learn each other’s routines. setting down his sticks, he lifted the French press he had brought out from the kitchen to top off his own mug before bringing it to his lips and lifted his other arm to allow her to rest comfortably against his chest.

“hope i didn’t wake you, love,” he mumbled, his first words out loud of the day coming out groggier than he anticipated.

he felt her hum against his chest after she took another sip of the hot, pleasantly bitter brew. “nah, my body could feel the rain and knew it was time to see the world.”

“not much to see beyond my backyard, unfortunately,” he replied, his head falling to rest against the top of her own.

he felt her smile against his chest through the fabric of the old, worn tshirt he had thrown on after rising that morning. “ah, well,” she mused, “who needs anything beyond that anyway.”

they both remained quiet for a few moments, not quite sure where to go from there. his calloused fingers drew shapes against the skin on her arm that his fingers could reach as he sipped from his mug. she sat up some and his arm fell from around her shoulders to her waist as she tossed her sock clad feet over his lap. “tell me about paris today?”

this had become another regular activity in their days shacked up together. she would think of a big, beautiful city she had always dreamed of traveling to and, after remembering that he had gone on a few world tours and had probably been to most of them, she would get him to tune into his nostalgic side to tell her stories of his travels with his brothers.

he squeezed her hip before moving to stand. he grabbed the French press and both of their (now cool and nearly empty) mugs. “paris will need more coffee,” he nodded his head toward the kitchen. “come on.”

in the kitchen she jumped up onto the island and let her legs swing back and forth as she watched him refill the kettle and exchange the old coffee grounds for new as he started his stories. he told her about andy convincing all of them to take cheesy pictures with roses in front of the eiffel tower in the night time and about what he tried at the different bakeries and cafes he had discovered in their few trips there. he recalled on a fashion show they had all attended at one point and smiled with his eyes as he spoke fondly of their first trip to the louvre.

she wiped tears of laughter from her eyes after he finished the story of how they all tricked luke into eating snails during their first trip to the city of love as he stepped between her legs to hand her a fresh mug of coffee. neither thought anything of it as he stayed at that spot and gently set his own mug beside her bare thigh on the counter to wrap his arms lazily around her waist. the counter has leveled the playing field on their height difference so after taking a big sip from the mug, she mirrored his actions except letting her arms lay across his shoulders. “once this is all over and done with, we should take a trip,” she hummed, her fingers playing with the soft hair at the back of his neck.

“to paris?” he teased.

she pouted at him, her eyes rolling some. “no, silly, just somewhere.”

“why do you wanna go somewhere with me?” he was fishing, he knew that. but as he allowed himself to wrap his arms more fully around his still somewhat new friend’s waist, he couldn’t help but wonder if all of this time together had her feeling the same way that he did.

she looked into his hazel eyes with a content look to her own. “you tell the best stories,” she responded easily. “best people to go through life with are ones that know how to tell you a good story.”

and as a smile spread slowly across the drummer’s face, he couldn’t help but look forward to all the stories he would get to write with her.

*

[artificialqueens]

The Goode Case, 3/14 - Juno

Chapter Summary: Jaida can’t sleep, thanks to her recurring nightmare, which prompts her to relive how Jackie revealed her own gift, and how she found out about Jaida’s, in an evening that Jaida, Jackie and Brita are unlikely to forget any time soon …

(A/N: I really appreciate your supportive comments, thank you! Hopefully I will have another update ready in the next couple of days on this monster of a story. For now though, here is part three.)

Sunday 29thOctober

4.13AM

Jaida sat up, drenched in sweat from the familiar nightmare.

She blinked, and she could still see her Papa in the corner, as she had that horrible night.

The nightmare was almost always just a replay of the experience. The first time she recalled seeing a spirit.

She and her parents had stayed in the room with her beloved Papa’s body in the coffin the night before his wake, when Jaida was just seven. She’d known her Papa was in the coffin, but suddenly his spectre was in the corner, pale and blank; she’d watched him walk from the corner of the room to Jaida, while Jaida lay paralysed with fear, unable to make a sound; and reach his hand towards her, bringing his face closer …

That was always the point that Jaida woke up, and today was no different. She waited for her eyes to focus in the dark, her breathing to calm, and she closed her eyes, counted to five, and when she opened them, Papa had disappeared as he always did.

But the memory didn’t fade. It never did.

Jaida had not had many close relatives die, but she remembered her friend Marty back in senior year of high school, seeing his mom behind him, reaching to shake his shoulder, but Jaida being the only person to see her. Marty had spun round at Jaida’s cry, not seeing his mom even though she was right there, clear as crystal, to Jaida’s eyes at least. He’d then avoided Jaida the rest of senior year when it had turned out his mother had had a fatal heart attack earlier that day.

And later at college. Laura stood on the bridge, looking down at the water, then at Jaida, then at the water again. A day before Jaida had found out that Laura had leapt from that same bridge three days ago.

Part of Jaida really hated the gift – or curse, as she thought privately – but without it, she and Jackie wouldn’t have become so close so quickly. Jackie’s telepathy, and subsequent mental bond that she’d formed with both Jaida and Brita, had been weird at first, but now Jackie was the only person who knew about Jaida’s ability.

Jackie referred to it as mediumship, while Jaida just called it a pain in the ass.

Jackie couldn’t see these spirits, just as Jaida couldn’t read minds, but at least Jackie knew that she wasn’t crazy, or lying. And as the oldest, the self-appointed ‘mom friend’ of the group, Jackie would often look after them at her own expense.

For instance, at this moment, Jaida knew that her nightmare, and seeing her Papa in her room, would have made Jackie wake up, sensing Jaida’s terror even from this distance, thanks to that psychic bond that Jaida had insisted on trying out with her. Jackie would now be online, waiting for Jaida to message her if she needed anything.

Sure enough, when Jaida picked up her phone, waiting for her eyes to focus, Jackie was the only person online, apart from that one girl from college who’d moved to London and was five hours ahead.

Springing from her memory, she remembered Jackie describing her telepathy to her and Brita, after they’d taken Jackie to Vanjie’s after her first week.

————————————

It was, oddly enough, Brita’s idea. Brita was not one to suggest a trip to the bar, normally being more inclined to rest at home in the evenings one of her hoards of books and a mug of hot chocolate; but the day Jackie joined back in June, that fateful Monday, Brita was dumped. By text, as well.

Brita had pulled Jaida into the bathroom at the end of the day, outwardly as always a tower of strength, professional and proud; to crumple into a heap over the sink, inconsolable, crying so desperately that it was all Jaida could do not to cry herself.

Luckily for Brita, her seemingly endless torrent of friends rang her phone off the hook the next few days, trying to persuade her to go out, telling her to forget him, sending her pictures of plenty of hot men and women to drool over. Brita had just chuckled, but Jaida knew she was feeling the love from all angles at this time.

That week she’d already been out with her friend Paul Mantione and his sister Jan on the Wednesday; and her two older sisters on the Thursday for food and plenty of red wine; but Friday she suggested to Jaida a trip to Vanjie’s after work, as Vanjie’s was for an LGBT+ crowd which suited them both. They’d invited Jackie mostly out of politeness, not sure how she would feel in a gay bar, but Jackie had accepted with such enthusiasm that it seemed to seal the deal.

Vanessa, the owner of Vanjie’s, and Brita had been joined at the hip through most of college, but Vanessa had bought the lease to the bar after winning big money on her spontaneous trip to Vegas that time, along with her on-again off-again partner Brooke. At that time, they were off-again, which meant Vanessa wanted everyone to enjoy themselves as much as possible, and that meant free shots.

So the tequila slammer was free, and that served to loosen the pockets for one more each. Tequila slammers were not Jackie’s strong suit, but Jaida could probably take three and be fine, and the three of them had ended up in a booth afterwards with some tall cocktails, heads feeling fuzzier and fuzzier.

After two slammers and a cocktail, Jackie’s tongue had loosened considerably. She had started finishing Jaida’s sentences, and then Brita’s too. It started to become a little annoying, Jaida had to admit.

But then Jackie was finishing sentences, and starting sentences that Jaida was only thinking.

“How are you doing that?” Jaida had asked Jackie, whose face was getting quite pink. She had leaned in towards Brita and Jaida, putting a finger to her lips.

“I can hear other peoples’ thoughts,” Jackie had whispered, laughing at her own remark.

Of all the things that Jaida might have expected Jackie to respond, that had been pretty low on the list. Jaida could only stare open-mouthed, and finally nod. “Okay, that’s cool.”

“Maybe you’ve had enough now, Jacks,” Brita had laughed uneasily.

“No, you don’t understand, it’s a gift, my mom says. Well, I didn’t ask for it, and it’s a bit strange, and sometimes I don’t know what it does, so it’s like, a perfect birthday gift from relatives,” Jackie had continued, still laughing.

“Child –“

“You’re joking, right?” Brita had asked in a low voice.

“No, Brita, it’s real,” Jackie had sighed. “Okay, think of something and I’ll tell you it.”

“Alright,” Brita had screwed up her face in concentration.

“Oh, come on, you have to think of something harder than that! You’re just thinking about your birthday. It’s September 16th. I thought you were going to test me!”

The smile fell from Brita’s face, and Jaida had felt her own stomach twist uncomfortably. Jackie had just snorted with laughter at both of them.

“Your faces! Oh my god! You didn’t believe me at first!” She’d placed a hand on Jaida’s forearm. “Do you believe me now?”

“What’s mine, then?” Jaida had asked, thinking of a random date.

But Jackie had cocked an eyebrow. “You’re thinking of July 10th, but you’re trying to throw me off. That’s not your actual birthday.”

“Wait, what?” Brita had looked stunned, her eyes wide, turning from Jackie to Jaida and back again.

Jaida had felt a strange lump in her throat. “That was the right date I was thinking, but it’s not actually my birthday. How – how did you know?”

Jackie had shrugged. “I hear almost everyone’s thoughts. Mostly just whispers. So if there’s a lot of people in a group, they all get confused, but if I’m just with one or two people, I can hear the whispers.”

“Can you hear, like anyone’s thoughts? Like, can you hear Lisa Rinna’s thoughts?” Brita had asked in awe.

But Jackie had shook her head. “No, I can only hear people who are nearby, like, not more than about two metres away. So I can hear your thoughts, just the whispers, but I can’t hear Vanessa’s at the bar. Only people who are nearby. Unless they’re someone I’ve connected with.”

“Connected with?” Jaida had asked.

“So if I form a mental connection with someone, I can also know when they’re feeling an extreme emotion, wherever they are in the world. When my mom was ill, I felt it every time she woke up in pain, or was in hospital, or thought she was dying, or was scared or like, really excited when she was getting better. She’s in Toronto.”

“Is she better now?”

“She’s much better, thank you.”

“Does that mean she can read your thoughts too?” Brita had whispered.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone can. Unless you’re also psychic.” Jackie had hiccuped and then giggled. “Sorry, alcohol makes me chatty! But, I think everyone is a little bit psychic, maybe in different ways.”

And Jackie had turned to Jaida, looking straight in her eyes.

Could Jackie hear her own thoughts …

Jaida forced herself not to think about anything, to make her mind as blank as possible.

“SHOTS! Who ordered shots? Oh wait, it was me!” It was Vanessa who’d broken the spell, appearing at the corner of the booth, three more tequila shots and a plate of lemon and salt beside it. “Get some shots down your throats ladies, and maybe later get something else down your throats too!” Vanessa had cackled at her own joke.

Jaida had felt her shoulders relax a little. Jackie wasn’t a big drinker, and was a bit more drunk than she and Brita were, so Brita had taken two slammers leaving Jackie to just relax, and take a sip of the water on the table.

“Who do you have a connection with then?” Jaida had asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Whoever I choose,” Jackie had replied mysteriously, wriggling her fingers in both their directions before collapsing into giggles.

——————————————————

Jaida looked at her phone. Jackie was still online, and Jaida knew she wouldn’t log off without a prompt.

Jaida:I’m ok Jackie, thanks

Jackie: He can’t hurt you

Jaida:I know

Jackie always told Jaida this, every time Jaida had seen … someone. She wasn’t sure how Jackie had so much knowledge of all this psychic stuff, and she wasn’t even sure why Jackie was so open about it with people she had hardly met. Part of Jaida was convinced that Jackie found out about it from that night in Vanjie’s, although it wasn’t confirmed until … until that night at Jackie’s apartment.

She had a gnawing sense of regret at asking Jackie to do what she’d crudely titled “the connection thing” with her. Brita had been a bit more cautious as usual, but Jaida had wanted to know what it meant. And if it would make her know Jackie’s thoughts too.

——————————————————

In mid-July, Jackie invited them both to her apartment, as a bit of an attempt to get to know the two of them a little better. She had moved in with some girl who had so many jobs that she was never in, but left a whirlwind of clothes and bowls of cornflakes in her wake.

Jaida marvelled at the atmosphere that Jackie had managed to create. They rented, so they weren’t allowed to do major renovation, but a patterned shawl here and a plant or two there had given the plain magnolia walls some life. The living room led out to a tiny Juliet balcony with just enough room for the ashtray and a packet of menthols next to it, and a pair of dirty walking boots on the floor.

There were two bookshelves along the wall of the living area, a large oblong room with a dining table pushed against one wall. Jaida ran a finger along the titles, several French books among them too, and a small collection of Farsi books in the top left shelf.

“You got almost as many books as Brita!”

“I’ve got far more books than this!” Brita waved her hand dismissively.

“Some of these are my housemate’s as well.”

“Wait, you speak French?” Jaida pointed to one of the French titles.

“Sure. I’m Canadian, we had to take French at school.”

“And are these Farsi?”

Jackie nodded. “I’m bilingual in Farsi and English. I wish I got the chance to speak it more, normally I just chat to my mom or her siblings, when they call up. It’s easy to lose bits of it when you don’t speak it or use it too much.”

“And is this … oh, girl,” Jaida pulled the chess set out from one of the middle shelves, her eyes lighting up. “I haven’t played since seventh grade.”

“What? That’s when I started playing!” Brita exclaimed.

Jackie laughed. “You’ll both have to teach me again, I’m so bad at chess. But go ahead and play if you want, while I get the food ready.”

A beautiful smell was coming from the kitchen area. When Jackie had said she’d cook for them, Jaida had maybe expected frozen pizza, but Jackie had really put in an effort to impress them, running back and forth, chopping and blitzing noises filling the room. Jaida and Brita unpacked the chess pieces and started to play, but Brita kept calling to Jackie to see if she needed any help.

“Nope! It’s all under control!” Came Jackie’s chirpy reply each time.

In chess, Jaida had learned long ago to watch her opponent’s eyes to see where they was thinking of moving to and from, and sure enough Brita’s brown eyes flicking between the pieces gave away her every thought. Jaida liked to pride herself on having a much better poker face, letting her vision drift across the board, and trusting her instinct, even if her pieces started disappearing.

When Jackie finally came to sit in front of them, it was Brita’s move, and she was scratching her neck and licking her lips. Brita was one of those who took five minutes or more with each move, planning her strategy each time, always meticulous to take every single angle into account.

Jackie moved her gaze between them both, a small smile playing on her lips, not attempting to break the silence, just enjoying having their company in her home.

“You’re both really interesting to listen to, while you’re playing,” Jackie said finally, as Brita moved her bishop into place.

“What?”

“I mean, your thoughts, your plans for the game. You’re both strategising. You’re both just thinking about your plans.”

“Oh, okay.” Jaida ignored Jackie and moved her rook past Brita’s bishop. “Check.”

“Wait, how?” Brita peered at the board. “Ah, shit,” she mumbled as she realised. “Shit, sis, I completely missed that.”

“Sorry,” Jackie whispered, getting up and moving back to the kitchen.

Brita reached to her. “No, wait, I didn’t mean it like that!” She got up and followed Jackie to the kitchen. Jaida glanced at the board, then sighed and got up.

A minute later, Brita measuring out rice, while Jackie handed Jaida some vegetables from the bottom drawer of the fridge. Brita had felt like she’d insulted Jackie, and had insisted they help with some food prep. Jaida had been volunteered for salad.

“What is it?” Jaida peered into the simmering pan. “Smells great.”

“Khoresh Bademjan. It’s Persian. You’ll like it, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t. And don’t worry, Jaida, I made it vegetarian.”

“Cool, thanks,” Jaida smiled.

The food was gorgeous, although Jackie kept glancing at them, as if looking for some kind of validation – but once they were all done, Brita immediately leapt from her chair and dragged Jaida to the sink to tackle the washing up. With Jaida drying and Brita washing, Jackie insisting on putting the dishes away, they settled into a comfortable silence between the three of them.

“Thanks for everything, Jackie.” Jaida passed her the last dish and cleared her throat. “Sorry I made you feel a bit – you know, weird. That was rude of me. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Jackie shook her head sadly. “I’m used to keeping it to myself, but it kind of feels nice to talk about it though.”

Jaida had to admit she’d only half-considered how Jackie was feeling about talking about it.

“Do lots of people know?” Brita asked her.

But Jackie shook her head. “My mom does, and one or two of my closest friends back home. And you guys, but we’re friends too, right?”

“Sure, we have each other’s backs!” Brita pulled Jackie into a one-armed hug, squeezing Jackie into her side.

“If you’re psychic, why can’t you just wash these dishes with your mind?”

They’d rarely heard Jackie laugh louder than at Jaida’s remark. “Jai, that’s telekinesis! I’m only telepathic! Well, I say only telepathic!” And she carried on laughing. “I only hear thoughts, nothing else, I can’t move things!”

“So you can hear our thoughts, but you have to, like, connect with someone to be able to have a mental bond?” Jaida asked. “I don’t quite get it.”

“I guess … people I have a bond with, I hear more clearly. People I don’t I just hear whispers, but anyone I have a bond with, I can hear what they’re thinking really clearly, and from a longer distance.”

“Who have you got a bond with then?”

“Oh, you know, not many people,” Jackie murmured.

“Family? Friends?” Brita badgered.

Jackie sighed. “Those kinds of people, yes. My mom, a couple of my friends. One ex.” Jackie shuddered. “Bad decision. Wouldn’t recommend it.”

“What about us? Would you do the connection thing with us? For work?”

Jaida hadn’t expected the words to come right out of her mouth, but now that they were, Jackie looked as if she was pondering it. Maybe Jaida had felt that she needed to make it up to Jackie for earlier. Maybe … it was a sort of morbid curiosity.

Jackie’s gaze had softened, and she’d shrugged.

“It’s not a bad idea,” Jackie mused, “if we’re working on any high profile cases together, and if anything happens to you, I would know.”

“And vice versa?” Jaida asked.

“I’m not sure,” Jackie muttered, “but nothing has really ever happened to me.”

“You can’t tempt fate, sis,” Brita chuckled darkly.

“Okay,” Jaida said, “it makes sense to do it. What do you do, to connect?”

“I’m not so sure about this,” Brita hesitated.

“Come on Brita, it does make sense. Especially in our line of work. Does it take long, Jackie?” Jaida asked.

“It probably won’t take longer than about fifteen seconds, and I just need some form of touch, and eye contact. And you need to be willing, of course.”

Jaida held out a hand on the bench, and Jackie gingerly took it, raising her eyes to meet Jaida’s.

“You sure you want to do this? You don’t want to back out?” Jackie’s voice was higher than usual, and a little bit timid, as if she were afraid to have any form of connection with them.

“Go ahead, Jackie,” Jaida tried to make her voice sound as stable as she could.

“Okay. And you have to keep eye contact, until the end. You’ll know when it’s the end.”

Jackie took a deep breath in and out, and Jaida did the same, feeling her body relax a little bit as she did so. At first Jaida felt nothing, but held Jackie’s eyes, both of them falling silent. She could see Brita shifting out of the corner of her eye, but she kept focused on Jackie, breathing steadily, normally.

The seconds passed, but nothing was happening. She could see Brita biting her lip, a little confused.

“Nothing’s happening,” Jaida opened her mouth to say, or at least she thought she did, but nothing came out of it, and she wasn’t even sure her mouth moved.

“What?” She tried to say, but her mouth definitely didn’t move that time.

Jackie was still staring into her, and it was becoming intrusive, unnerving, but Jaida found she couldn’t look away, she was becoming a little light-headed at the focus.

She felt an internal jerk, as if electricity had gone through her; felt her mind race, a whole rush of emotions and memories play back to her in her mind, some echoes of thoughts that weren’t her own; saw herself briefly through Jackie’s own eyes, felt her own hand in Jackie’s, heard herself thinking thoughts that were definitely not her …

Jackie pulled back, blinking and shaking her head wildly, and Jaida was finally freed, feeling as if she had been yanked backwards out of a vacuum. She rubbed her forehead, finding she was sweating.

“Woah,” Jaida whispered.

It was rare to see Brita scared. Her wide eyes flicked between Jaida and Jackie, her mouth agape, looking less and less sure she wanted to do this.

Jackie held out a hand to her. “Brita?”

Brita was no coward, Jaida knew this well from the various jobs she had seen Brita complete. She might have been frightened, but she nodded slowly, holding her own hand out, facing Jackie and locking eyes with her.

Jaida watched them both. Watched as Jackie’s face grew intense with concentration. Watched as Brita’s brow furrowed, as if she were in pain.

“Ow,” she breathed.

But Jackie didn’t relent.

“Oww,” Brita’s voice was weak, but she maintained focus.

They both flinched at the same moment, pain etched in the lines on their foreheads, but Jaida didn’t know what to do in this strange psychic battle. It seemed to be going on longer than she had done with Jackie, their stares so intense they could have burned through each other.

“Jackie, what’s happening?” She asked, but Jackie didn’t respond, nor Brita, both still intensely concentrated on each other.

“What’s –“ Jaida raised a hand, but they both jolted at that moment, breaking apart, Brita ripping her hand away, and Jackie looking down at the floor, biting her lip.

“Sorry,” she muttered, “it’s not meant to hurt so much. It never has with anyone else …”

But Brita, her eyes glassy, blinked twice and stumbled out of the room as if she hadn’t heard, making her way away to the bathroom.

“Brita?” Jaida started to move after her, but Jackie grabbed her forearm.

“Let her go, Jaida, I think she needs to be alone,” Jackie murmured, and Jaida stepped backwards, watching Brita’s dazed walk to the bathroom.

Jaida’s own mind was reeling at the contact. Her mind raced with questions.

Were she and Jackie now bonded to each other mentally?

Did that mean that Jackie knew about Jaida’s own sixth sense, the Bruce Willis cliché twist; that Jaida saw spirits that most others didn’t?

“Yes,” Jackie muttered. “And yes.”

Jaida saw Jackie watching her, her eyes full of something that Jaida thought was … pity.

————————————————————————

Jaida sighed at the memory. It had brought the three of them closer, that was for sure, but Jackie had refused to tell Brita what Jaida saw. Just as she had refused to tell Jaida what had happened with Brita too – she’d argued that they both needed to take charge themselves.

The clock said almost four thirty by now, and Jackie was still online, so Jaida turned her phone off. Jackie would go offline and back to sleep, as long as she knew Jaida was alright. The mom-friend, who wanted to save everyone in the world.

Jaida wondered if Jackie had craved that support, that care, when she was learning about her own telepathy; to make her offer herself so selflessly now.

She lay back down, pondering that warm July night.

And Brita … she and Brita knew so much about each other. Jaida had been the first person to whom Brita had confessed to being attracted to women as well as men, and Jaida had helped Brita plan her coming out to her sisters and parents. And when Silky had broken up with Jaida back in May, Brita had been at her house within half an hour, mopping up the tears that Jaida rarely let the world see, getting them both dressed and made up, and pulling both Jaida and Widow to a karaoke bar to belt out some tunes, Heidi hot on their heels.

Jaida smiled fondly at that memory. Jaida was a terrible singer, she knew that, and Widow was a bit too shy to sing, but Brita’s voice was fantastic. When Brita had hit the high note in Unbreak My Heart, Jaida had felt goose pimples run down her arms, before she was crying again and Widow had wrapped her up, not saying a word, simply letting Jaida unravel in her arms, while Heidi had stroked her back soothingly.

It was wrong that Brita still didn’t know what her gift was. Jackie was right – Jaida knew that she and Brita were keeping huge parts of themselves hidden from each other, even though they’d been friends for three years.

Enough was enough.

Jaida resolved to talk to Brita in the morning.

[aruandaiden]

How Long Does Love Last?

I have pulled an all nighter to write this chapter and I have to say that I am very proud of this one. 

Literally, instead of sleeping, I spend the night writing this, watching Undertale videos and reading fanfics.

Well, please, enjoy!

Chapter 3: Apocalypse

“Get the hell out of here!” Aiden can hear Aru scream, as he gets his bag and slams the 5th door of this week. It is surprising that any neighbor has complained.

Aiden wears a stoic expression, in a desperate attempt to hide his mixed emotions. A mix between anger, sadness and confusion.

He walks silently to the nearest park, the same one in which Aiden and Aru had many dates, so full of nostalgic memories.

Aiden sits in an old, kind of rickety bench and sighs heavily, as he covers his face with his hands.

Why have things to be this way? He thinks as he retires his hands from his face and admires the view.

The Cherry Blossoms are as beautiful as always, the pink petals slowly falling into the lake, covering its surface. In the background, kids run around the playground, some are enjoying the cinnamon buns from the cafeteria.

As he sees the kids play, Aiden remembers how much wanted kids of his own. It was a dream that he and Aru used to share, until, well, things went to the ditch. Aiden can still imagine a small kid with Aru’s round, dark eyes but with little blue sparkles, just as his.

Aiden shakes his head, trying to push away his fantasies, because they are just dreams that aren’t possible.

Aiden deeply sighs again, reaching for the phone in his pocket, dialing the number that he knows way too well.

The phone is immediately picked up.

 “Ammamma?” Brynne asks through the phone, with evident worry in her voice.

“I’m coming over. Be there in 10.” Aiden says, it is a statement not a question, as he already knows the answer to it.

“’k, I’ll be waitin, but you ok?”

“We’ll talk later.” Aiden ends the call.

 Aiden heavily gets up of the bench, directing himself to the nearest portal with direction at New York, to Brynne’s and Hira’s place

--------------------------------------

It takes him a while to get to it, but when he finally does, Aiden walks silently through New York City and takes the subway that goes to Brooklyn.

The subway moves smoothly underground, the station pass and pass. To be honest, Aiden would prefer other method, because looking at all that happy couples, sometimes with kids, is starting to make him sick.

Why can’t he be happy as they are? Why thing went so wrong? Is it my fault?

These are constant thoughts that flood his mind, forcing himself to look away when he feels the tears starting to grow in the corner of his eye

Should I have thinking before proposing to her?

This is the main question on his mind, as his feet follow the path that he knows by heart, the stairs are way too familiar for him, especially in the last months.

And there it is, the door to Brynne’s and Hira’s apartment.

Aiden’s fingers tremble as they reach for the doorbell and the tears are almost escaping from his eyes.

He doesn’t even need to ring the bell, Hira is already opening the door, her concerned light hazel eyes look directly into his and pulls him into a warm hug.

Aiden hugs her back, letting the tears flow freely and lets out some sobs. His knees are trembling and the only thing that prevents him from falling to the ground is the strong way Hira is holding him close.

Aiden hears some hurried footsteps, and the next thing he sees is Brynne with a soft blanket on her arms. She adds herself to the hug, giving him the warm that he didn’t knew that needed so bad.

After some minutes of standing in the doorway, holding him close and Brynne’s hand stroking his hair and Hira consolations, the couple pulls him to the living room’s comfy couch.

The house smells like an Indian restaurant, Brynne was definitively cooking before Aiden came. He wishes some of that familiar food.

Hira stays close to him as Brynne puts a blanket on his shoulders and softly calms him down.

Brynne hugs him tight when Hira leaves to the kitchen and immediately returns with a bowl of Khichdi, which he accepts thankfully.

Aiden eats slowly, enjoying himself with the comforting Khichdi, which gives him a sensation of safety.

Brynne puts on his favorite documentary and the three of them cuddle, Hira is singing soft lullabies and Brynne cleans the tears from his face until Aiden falls asleep.

-----------------------------

Aru takes a sip from the glass of water; her throat is horribly aching and the salty tears fall in the kitchen’s floor.

Aru can feel some little taps on her head. Maybe it is the headache or her soul sisters are trying to contact her. She just hopes it isn’t Brynne ranting at her.

“Aru?” Sheela says at the same time, her voice echoing on her head.

Aru doesn’t reply and remains silent until a memory hits her.

They are young again, sitting at the Night Bazaar and Sheela is talking in a singsong voice.

“-n her birthday and anniversary. The only sad thing was that she loved one brother more than all the rest.”

Sheela’s eyes immediately direct to Aiden’s direction.

“Even lifetimes later?” Sheela asks to herself.

Aru takes a deep breath, as her heart clenches in her chest and the tears are now constantly falling.

“Sheela,” Aru says slowly and her heart breaks with every word she pronounces “Years ago, yo-you said that Arjuna and-d Draupadi love each other even lives times later. Are you sure that it is true? Why is our marria-age falling?”

The line stays silent, a heavy atmosphere surrounding the area. Aru expectantly waits for the answer, if she has it, maybe she could fix things.

“I don’t know.” That’s Sheela’s answer.

Aru’s heart fully breaks in a million pieces, her head hurts as hell.

And her world is falling apart.

.

.

Playlist

1.      Apocalypse -Cigarettes After Sex

2.      Creep -Radiohead

3.      El Aguacate -Julio Jaramillo

4.      Solo -Clean Bandit, Demi Lovato

5.      Take me the Church -Hozier

6.      La Nave del Olvido -José José

7.      Gloomy Sunday -Matt Forbes

8.      I’m Not In Love -10cc

First Chapter

Second Chapter

[cakesunflower]

Quiet Hours [College!Luke AU] Ch. 13

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12

Chapter 13

INSTEAD OF STRESSING out about what some boy thought of her, Ophelia made sure her frustrations were dedicated towards the schoolwork she had to get done. She was a junior in college with a big workload that she was constantly trying to lessen—she didn’t need to get distracted over what the hell was going on with some boy that she had sex with a couple of times. Even if she did sometimes, quite creepily, found herself straining her ear to make out what Luke was doing in his bedroom in the apartment over.

She stopped doing so when she realized just how strange and pathetic that was.

Ophelia found herself at The Hideout with her friends, with Shawn coming along with Tanya and Isabelle bringing Jill, a girl she had recently started seeing. It was a good way to unwind after a long week of writing two research papers and presenting a project. She felt the special need to reward herself because she submitted the weekly paper for her online class early even though it’s due on Sunday, so Ophelia virtually had no homework for the weekend and a lot of time to find some kind of distraction to keep her from thinking of the one person who kept creeping into her mind.

“I love these,” Ophelia commented as she took a sip of her Coke, lips wrapped around the straw as she drank the beverage from a classic glass bottle. Not many places served the soda like this, and it was one of the little things in life that made Ophelia happy.

Shawn, sitting across from her in the booth with his left arm draped around Tanya’s shoulders, snickered as he used his free hand to pick up the nachos on the table between them. “Don’t break it like last time,” he remarked, to which everyone laughed while Ophelia whined about her dropping the bottle when she was drunk and it shattering to pieces happening only one time.

Just then Tanya perked up as her dark eyes went to something over Ophelia’s shoulder and past the booth. “Oh, the dart board is available—c’mon, Lia.”

She had been wanting to play a round of darts since the group of them walked into the bar, but the board had been occupied until now. So the two slid out and wandered towards the back wall by the bar, with Tanya plucking out darts from the board and handing Ophelia the green ones. Jesse’s Girl by Rick Springfield was playing through the speakers as, on the other side, the sound of pool balls clinking together could be heard. Ophelia went first, standing the appropriate distance as she threw the first dart. It was on the outer ring, the second landing there as well before the other two landed on the inner one and the last being a bullseye.

As she pulled off her darts and stepped aside to let Tanya go, Ophelia crossed her arms over her chest when she heard her friend say, “okay, spill. What’s been bugging you for the past few days?”

Ophelia blinked before frowning at Tanya, leaning back against one of the wooden pillars that supported the bar. “What?”

Tanya rolled her eyes, throwing one of her darts as it landed in the inner circle before shooting Ophelia a knowing look. “You’ve been drowning yourself in your work—we rarely saw you outside of your room or the study. You only do that when you’re trying extra hard to distract yourself from something else.”

Rolling her lower lip into her mouth, Ophelia glanced up at the wooden ceiling as she wondered if she really was that easy to read. When she looked back at Tanya, she let out an exasperated huff when she saw the same pointed expression on her face. “I’m fine, Tan, really,” she assured, tightening her arms across her chest. “Just trying to get my shit together,” Ophelia added with a light laugh.

“Does that include your feelings for Luke?” her friend questioned, followed by the sound of the dart hitting the board.

Ophelia pressed her lips together, feeling her skin warm up with an embarrassed flush. “Is it that obvious?”

She wasn’t even going to bother denying it—Tanya was her friend and Ophelia knew she was going to end up telling her anyway. So Ophelia let out a sigh, throwing her head back as it collided on the post with a light thud and she would complain about how much it hurt if she wasn’t already thinking about how annoyed she was with her stupid boy problems.

“Only because I know you,” Tanya scoffed, prompting Ophelia to let out a wry chuckle. Then, Tanya smirked, “also, Iz may have mentioned something about you catching feelings for someone you were only meant to fuck around with a little while back.”

An affronted exclaim escaped Ophelia, brows furrowing into a glare as she looked behind her to where their friends sat. Of course, Isabelle was out of her sight in the booth, so Ophelia turned to look at Tanya again. “The bitch can’t keep anything to herself.”

Tanya laughed, throwing her last dart and letting out a huff when it didn’t lie in the center. “But seriously though,” she began once more after pulling out the darts and looking at her friend once more. “I haven’t seen you and Luke hang out in a while. Hell, even Michael asked me about what was up with you two.” Ophelia’s brows raised at that, taken aback. “You don’t fuck with him anymore?”

Ophelia scoffed, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice as she grumbled, “more like Luke doesn’t fuck with me anymore.”  

Thinking about it now, how her and Luke haven’t even had a proper conversation ever since that game night, twisted Ophelia’s stomach unpleasantly. She hated that she had grown so attached to a guy she hooked up with so quickly—that’s never happened before. But then again, she’s never had sex with tall Australian singers who made her knees weak by a single look. Luke had a tight hold on her, whether it be physically or mentally, that she was struggling in loosening.

Tanya’s eyes widened as Ophelia moved to take her spot to throw the darts. “Oh my—did he ghost you?” she demanded, a fire lighting up in her dark eyes. Luke may be taller than her, but Tanya was willing to fight him on behalf of Ophelia. Or, maybe, have Shawn do it for her.

Ophelia’s eyebrows furrowed, the hurt evident in her fallen expression as she mumbled, “I guess so,” before forcefully throwing the dart, feeling a sense of annoyance as it went to the outer edge of the outer ring. “I mean, it’s my fault,” she added, waving the darts in her hands around. “I should’ve known better than to expect anything else from someone who I know hooks up with whoever. I mean, I hear it, for fuck’s sake.”

“You can’t help how you feel, Lia,” was Tanya’s immediate and honest response as a classic rock song Ophelia didn’t recognize began playing through the bar. “And have you, like, heard him? You know. . . In his room with anyone?” she cringed when she asked, not wanting to offend her friend in anyway by asking if she heard the guy she liked having sex with other girls.

Ophelia pursed her lips, throwing another dart. “No,” she answered truthfully. She then glanced over at Tanya, “but that doesn’t mean—”

She cut herself off immediately as her gaze flickered over Tanya’s shoulders, words dying in her mouth as she saw the bar’s doors open and in walked the devil himself with his friends. Ophelia’s throat dried at the sight of the blonde in his Rolling Stones shirt and black leather jacket and jeans, hair in its usual curls that her fingers itched to run through.

“What?” Tanya questioned in confusion, noticing Ophelia’s change in demeanor before turning around following her gaze. “Oh,” she sounded when her eyes landed on what Ophelia was staring at.

Luke and the boys approached the bar, giving their orders and receiving their drinks moments later before they turned to sit down at one of the round tables in the middle since the booths were full. Ophelia couldn’t help but look at him from where she stood on the other side of the bar, feeling some kind of dull ache in her chest at the sight of his wide grin as he laughed, the sound drowned out by the music and people talking. He looked happy, utterly fine. Not at all like Ophelia, who now was resigned with herself for moping over him in the first place. Why was she so hung up when he, at least on the outside, seemed perfectly content?

Forcefully tearing her gaze away from the Australian, Ophelia took in a sharp breath and looked back at the board across from her, tightening her grip on the dart before throwing it right at it. Tanya pressed her lips together to stop the smile growing on her face when she saw the dart hit the bullseye. “Were you imagining Luke’s face on the board?”

That got a laugh out of Ophelia, pausing when she was about to throw another dart as she shot an amused look at Tanya. “Of course not,” she responded in a knowing tone, smirking as Tanya let out a giggle. Ophelia wasn’t going to outright say that she had briefly imagined blue eyes and a dimpled smile on the board.

They finished their game and went to go back to the booth, though Ophelia made a detour towards the bar since she had finished her drink. She found an empty spot at the busy counter, leaning against it on her arms as she gestured for the bartender for a beer. The guy was familiar with her face—and, unbeknownst to him, her fake I.D.—so he gave her a nod of acknowledgment.

 As she patiently waited, tapping her hands on the countertop with her college peers flanked her on either side, Ophelia froze when she heard, “hey, R.A. Ophelia.”

Her throat worked, teeth grinding together as Ophelia turned around to see the familiar man standing right behind her. Luke stared down at her with bright blue eyes, a small, almost nervous, smile on his face as he peered down at her. His hands were buried in the pockets of his jacket, broad shoulders hiding the rest of the bar behind him from her.

She wasn’t going to lie—it bothered her that he would just come up to her and try to spark conversation after avoiding her like the Plague for the past few days. One minute he was ghosting her and now he was coming up to her at a bar? Ophelia hated boys. “Hi, Luke.”

Luke, to his credit, had picked up the uncomfortable shift in Ophelia’s body language, her jaw clenching and arms coming up to cross over her chest as she looked up at him. Honestly, he didn’t know what compelled him to come up to her—he had seen her approach the bar and straightened in his seat, feeling the sudden urge to talk to the girl he had been deliberately annoying like an asshole. He wasn’t surprised that she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in front of him at the moment. And it hurt something in Luke’s chest even though he knew he had no right to feeling anything like that, not when it was his own fault that she couldn’t even offer him a smile upon sight.

So he swallowed inaudibly before asking, “can we, uh, talk?”

Ophelia didn’t even try to stop the scoff from escaping her as she rolled her eyes, hip jutting slightly as she retorted, “oh, now you wanna talk?” Luke tried not to recoil, not missing the edge in her tone and the narrowing of her eyes. “I don’t wanna hear it, Luke.”

Oh, but she did. She totally did want to hear it and just when those words slipped past her mouth, Ophelia mentally berated herself. What if he was about to explain himself? Ophelia let her big-headed pride get in the way of finding out the answers to the questions that have been bothering her, and she’d slap herself for it if Luke actually did end up leaving her alone.

Just then, the bartender behind Ophelia handed her her beer, and she gave him the money before picking up the bottle and moving to take a step around Luke’s broad figure. “Wh—you’re just gonna walk away?” Luke questioned with furrowed brows, watching as she brushed past him with an indifferent expression painted on her face that was merely a mask to hide how she truly felt.

She threw him a narrow eyed glare over her shoulder, took in the disgruntled and bewildered look he wore, and suddenly felt a newfound surge of some kind of power as she countered, “doesn’t feel good, does it?” before shouldering past some guy and walking to the other side where her friends were seated.

Ophelia could feel Luke’s gaze burning into her back, only boosting her confidence and making her feel all the more powerful for brushing him off like that. Sure, she wanted to know what he had to say, but she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of immediately listening to his explanation the first time he came up to her after ignoring her for days. She had more pride than that. And stubbornness.

So she went to sit back down with her friends, purposefully avoiding glancing Luke’s way as he, in turn, let out a small breath of disbelief and surprise before reluctantly returning to his seat at the table with the boys. “You look like you struck out,” Calum commented as the blonde sat down across from him defeatedly. Calum glanced over his shoulder to where Ophelia sat with her friends. Looking back at Luke, he frowned, “she didn’t wanna talk?”

Luke let out a sharp breath and shook his head, tugging at the front of his jacket. Next to him, Michael scoffed as he set down his beer. “Are you surprised? You’ve been ignoring her.”

The muscle in Luke’s jaw twitched at his words because he knew Michael was right. He shouldn’t have expected Ophelia to want to talk to him right away because he definitely offended her by avoiding her more often than not lately. Luke, in his defense, didn’t know what to do. He was confused as to how and what he felt towards Ophelia because at first he had figured she was just someone to hook up with. But then they had sex twice, then three times and he found himself not being able to get enough. Luke hadn’t wanted someone so badly the way he did Ophelia, a desire so intense he had to take a moment and step back. Unfortunately, he didn’t go about doing so the right way.

How in the world could he have thought just ignoring her would make what he felt go away? Would help him make sense of what was going on in his head? It only made things worse for him—both emotionally and in the face of Ophelia as well. Now she didn’t even want to speak to him, and Luke had no one to blame but himself and his incapability of figuring shit out.

“You gotta apologize to her, man,” Ashton instructed after swallowing down a couple of French fries. “Tell her you’re sorry for being a dick.”

Luke shot him a flat look, though mildly annoyed because that’s exactly what he wanted to do before Ophelia shot him down, as he took a sip of his whiskey. It warmed his throat and settled in his stomach with a calming buzz. His eyes kept flickering over Calum and Ashton’s shoulders through the night to gaze at Ophelia sitting in the booth, having utterly no regard for him as she laughed, chatted, and took occasional sips of her beer. Luke bit the inside of his cheek at her smile—something he’d only been able to see through her social media. He felt a smile twitching on his lips at the sight of hers, even if it wasn’t directed to him. Even if he wasn’t deserving of it.

When Ophelia and her friends got up and began filing out of the bar around midnight that night, momentary panic set in Luke as he realized she was leaving and they hadn’t yet talked. So quickly finishing his new bottle of beer and slamming it on the table, Luke scrambled to his feet and didn’t bother giving his friends an explanation before running out the door, leaving them staring after him in bewilderment. The cold October night air slapped him as he stepped out, but he paid it no attention as he caught sight of who he was after and called out, “Ophelia!”

The hazel eyed girl’s laughter ceased, her and her friends all pausing in approaching the parking lot as they turned around to see the blonde dressed in black. His curly hair was tousled because of his wind as they stood a few feet away from the door. “We need to talk,” he stated clearly before his lips set into a firm line.

Ophelia gazed at him, taking in the seriousness of his expression. Her brows furrowed before glancing at her friends, pocketing her car keys. “I’ll see you at home.” She shot a reassuring look to her friends before they nodded and began walking away—though not before all three of Ophelia’s roommates shot her knowing looks. When Shawn’s and Isabelle’s cars drove off, Ophelia looked at Luke, who had neared and stopped about five feet from her. “What?”

Luke peered at the pretty girl in front of him, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he took in how comfortably adorable she looked in her dark red winter coat and matching beanie that sat atop her head. The cold already had her nose and cheeks flushing pink and Luke wanted to do nothing more than to pull her close and keep her warm.

“I owe you an apology,” he stated regretfully and roughly while shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket. The music from the dive bar behind them was muffled and there was no one in the parking lot but them, allowing them to hear the occasional whistle of the wind. “I was—I don’t know what I was thinkin’, ignoring you like that. It was childish of me.”

Ophelia let out a scoff at that, crossing her arms over her chest whether it be defensively or from the cold, neither of them could be sure. “Yeah, it was,” she agreed easily, with a defiant quirk of her eyebrow. She hadn’t expected to have this conversation in the middle of The Hideout’s empty parking lot with only a couple of street lamps lighting the area, but she guessed the time to talk was now. “You could’ve been upfront about not wanting to, like, fuck around anymore,” she added, shifting her weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably.

“I don’t—that’s not what this is, sweetheart,” Luke assured hastily, almost desperately as he took a step towards her, long legs bringing him closer to her rooted figure. Ophelia had to swallow inaudibly as the term of endearment slip past Luke’s lips, unwittingly feeling more affected by it than she liked. Luke paused for a moment, tongue poking out to wet his lower lip and Ophelia tried not to follow the action as he spoke up almost hesitantly. “If I’m bein’ honest. . . I can’t stop thinking ’bout you.”

That caught her off guard. Ophelia blinked in surprise, unsure of whether or not to believe Luke, though the earnest expression on his face told her he was being honest. And he was. Luke may have been ignorant and avoiding her lately, but the thoughts that ran through his mind constantly reminded him of the girl living on the other side of his room. Multiple times he had wanted to march right over to her, but refrained himself because he wasn’t sure of what he wanted.

Truth be told, Luke still didn’t know what he wanted, not exclusively. All he knew was that he wanted Ophelia in the way he had her before and for now, that would have to be enough. And he hoped she would be okay with that, should she agree.

“You have a funny way of showing that,” Ophelia pointed out, pouty lips puckering even more and the mere action had Luke’s jeans tightening and jaw clenching. She then licked her lips and Luke wished she stopped playing with the skin because he was losing any ounce of self control he had. With a sigh, Ophelia asked, “what do you want, Luke? Because not to sound like too much of a girl, but you ignoring me after all of that made me feel seriously used.” She scrunched her face up at her own words, knowing they sounded needy and clingy but she didn’t know how else to say what she needed. “If you wanna end whatever the hell this was, then do it to my face. Don’t ignore my damn existence like we’re in high school.”

Her confidence when it came to Luke was always something to come and go, but after being offended and hurt by Luke avoiding her as if she had done something wrong had her standing up for herself in whatever capacity necessary. Ophelia knew that people ghosting others was relatively normal, especially those you’ve hooked up with, but she hated that. If she didn’t want to do anything with someone anymore, she was straight up with them and she would hope they would give her the same courtesy. Ignoring them until they go away was childish and rude.

Luke’s expression fell somewhat, a pang of guilt resonating through him at the knowledge of how he had made her feel. Fuck, I’m an ass. He ran his ring clad fingers through his curly hair, pushing it back and away from his disgruntled face of steepened brows and lips rolled into his mouth. “I’m a dick, I know,” he relented, taking yet another step towards Ophelia, the closing distance rising her gaze because of his height. “I promise I’m not gonna disappear on you again, babe, I swear.”

Babe had so effortlessly rolled from his lips that it made Ophelia’s heart thud as a gust of wind blew against her face, prompting shivers to run down her spine despite the coat she wore. Whatever was going on with her and Luke, she was going to accept it as it came. Ophelia may have feelings for Luke but she didn’t know where he stood on that matter and unless he was absolutely clear, then she wouldn’t assume anything. If he just wanted to fuck, she was okay with it and if he wanted more, that was definitely okay, too. It would be hard for her, hooking up with a guy she has feelings for but only keeping it physical, but she would take it in stride.

She was way too attracted to Luke to prioritize her feelings over her desire for him.

So, swallowing down her emotions for the Australian in front of her, Ophelia took a breath and stated, “you never answered my question.” When Luke shot her a quizzical look, Ophelia briefly bit the inside of her lower lip before repeating, “what do you want?”

Luke’s blue eyes locked on her green, silence surrounding them despite the music inside the bar. He didn’t know how to truly answer that question because putting a label on what he wanted wasn’t something he was quite ready for. He didn’t want a relationship, not yet anyway, but the sight of the pretty girl in front of him had Luke’s stomach clenching and heart quickening.

So, he gave the only answer both of them would be satisfied with. “You.”

That was all it took for Ophelia’s breath to hitch and confidence to strengthen as she grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and pulled him in for a searing kiss, one which warmed them both to the core despite the cold nipping at their bodies. The heated rush of the kiss had Ophelia and Luke melting into each other, having gone too long without the other’s touch as Luke’s hands cupped her face, Ophelia feeling her toes curl as the cold metal of his rings touched her skin.

Her car was only a few feet away, so it’s safe to say the two had no trouble in walking towards it without detaching their lips and climbing into the backseat, more than ready to get rid of their clothes and give into the unadulterated hunger that always sparked to life the moment their eyes met.

--

tags: @irwinkitten @glitterprincelu @softforcal @valentinelrh @sweetcherrymike @meetashthere @astroashtonio @captain-what-is-going-on @angelbbycal @calntynes @invisiblexcth @soulmatecashton @calumsmermaid @kchillout @thewackywriter @akacalciumhood @calumculture @ohhmuke @empathycth @flannelpunkcalum @poppedpins @novacanecalum @walkedhomealone @calistheloml @gettingjillywithit @hearts-to-the-sky @old-zeppelin-shirt @5sos-stan4lyfe @all-i-want-is2b-loved-by-you @calumthoodsyonce @xhaileyreneex @rosecoloredash @asht0ns-world @cxddlyash @mysteriouslycali @lmao5sosimagines @monsteramongmikey @calteahood @5secondssofssummer @sublimehood @biwriting @findingliam-o @isabella-mae13 @canujustnotplease @vxidhood 

[fantasiesandbooks]

Hearts Don't  Break Round Here iv

I don’t own any of the photos.

  Prologue Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4  Part 5

There were a lot of people in the big living room. Chanyeol’s mother was chatting nonchalantly with the ladies while his father and friends went to another room to play some cards and talked about business. Chanyeol was playing chess with Baekhyun when he heard the clock announcing it was 10:00 pm. He was feeling anxious because he wanted to finish the game already and go to the kitchen to find you. Probably she has already finished with the dishes by now the boy thought sadly and let out a sigh.

“Is something wrong?” Baekhyun asked him while looking at the chessboard still concentrated in doing his next move.

“No” Chanyeol said.

“You seem... desperate” Baekhyun said and gave him a quick glance.

“I’m not. It’s just that I hate this game. We should had brought the deck of cards” Chanyeol complained.

“You only said that because you’re loosing” Baekhyun smiled cheekily at him.

“No. I’m saying it because it’s boring” Chanyeol countered back. Baekhyun moves his queen over the board and said triumphantly “Checkmate”.

Chanyeol groaned in frustration, put his hands over his face and leaned back on the sofa. Baekhyun chuckled at his friend’s reaction.

“That’s not the way a gentleman should sit young man” Chanyeol’s grandma, who was passing by in that moment, scolded him.

“Sorry grandma. I’m tired” Chanyeol excused himself and sat properly again.

“So? That’s not an excuse for you to sit like that. Do you think I’m very comfortable with these heels?. ” Her grandma asked him rhetorically. Chanyeol and Baekhyun looked at her feet, although the heels weren’t that high, for a woman of her age must be tiring going around with that shoes or at least that’s what both boys have thought.

Chanyeol shook his head at her in response. “I’m not but we have an appearance to take care of” She said solemnly.

Chanyeol looked awkwardly at his friend and get his posture straighter. “That’s better” She said pleased.

Baekhyun gave a little snort and the old woman turned to looked at him. “May you pardon but who are you, young man?” Chanyeol’s grandma asked Baekhyun.

The boy cleared his throat and answered her “I’m Baekhyun Byun Mrs. Park. Nice to meet you”.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Byun. How do you know my grandson?” The old woman asked him.

“We go to the same school” Baekhyun answered.

“Ah! Wonderful” Chanyeol’s grandma said. Once her gaze returned to Chanyeol, Baekhyun relaxed a little bit.

“And how are the preparations going for the founders ball?. It’s the upcoming week and the last time I came here I’ve told your mother she had to buy your suit before all the good ones disappear” The woman said to Chanyeol.

“She bought it. It’s in my room along with the shoes” Chanyeol answered flatly. - The city’s founders ball was a massive event in which all the upper class get together to celebrate the city’s foundation every year. Most of the men and women from the age of 15 to 18 had to initiate the celebration with a special dance. Although neither Chanyeol’s nor Baekhyun’s family were part of the founding families, their presence was still required in every major event.-

“Aren’t you two excited for it?” Chanyeol’s grandma asked enthusiastically and went to sit next to his grandson. Chanyeol rolled his eyes “Not really. It’s just a dance granny.” Chanyeol said.

“Well, you should be. It’s one of the most important events in this town and the fact that this year you were chosen to be in the opening dance must bring you such a pleasure” The old lady explained.

“Granny I don’t know how to dance nor I’m interested on learning. For me it’s like an endless torture until that day comes” Chanyeol said bluntly.

“Don’t be dramatic boy” His grandma scoffed. “You could meet your future wife there. That’s how I meet your grandpa. He was my dance partner and we were flawless on that dance hall” The woman said proudly. Chanyeol looked at the other side and sighed.

“Are you going to the ball too Mr. Byun?” Chanyeol’s grandma asked the boy sitting in front of her.

“Yes Mrs. Park. I have to be on the opening act as same as Chanyeol” Baekhyun explained although not very thrilled about it.

“Oh... and by the way you said it I can see you share the excitement of my grandson too” The old woman said sarcastically.

“Yes ma’am” Baekhyun said awkwardly.

“Oh boys! Most of the families here in town would killed to be represented on that ball”. Chanyeol’s grandma sighed. “These modern times are killing the best of our traditions”.

“More like the traditions are killing us” Chanyeol muttered.

“What was that Chanyeol?” His grandma turned to looked at him quizzically.

“Nothing granny. I coughed” Chanyeol lied.

“Well I’ll leave the two of you. I need to talk with your mother” The lady said and used her walking stick so she could stood up. Chanyeol and Baekhyun stood up too as a way of courtesy and Chanyeol helped her getting straight.

“Thank you” She said to the tall boy. “Good night boys”. Both boys said their farewells and saw her walking away.

“Let’s get out here” Chanyeol said quietly, Baekhyun nodded and went after him.

Both of them were sitting on the house main entrance’s stairs waiting for Baekhyun’s driver to pick him up. They were throwing little rocks to see which one went further on the road.

“I didn’t remember the ball until your grandma mentioned it” Baekhyun said.

“I can’t say the same. She doesn’t let me forget it” Chanyeol complained.

“I don’t want to dance either but I guess we have no choice” the brown haired boy said resigned.

“I know” Chanyeol sighed.

“My mom told me I will have to dance with my cousin Genrieta” Baekhyun grimaced at the thought and Chanyeol sneered.

“There are no exclusive partners in the opening dance. You switch from time to time during the act” Chanyeol remembered.

“There aren’t?. Thank God” Baekhyun sighed in relief.

“The only thing that comforts me, it's knowing that this is the first and last ball in which I’ll ever have to participate” Chanyeol said.

“You know, I wished every night since I was 15 for not to be chosen for this, then one night I felt asleep while studying and forgot to ask for my wish. This is the consequence of that day” Baekhyun said bitterly and Chanyeol chuckled.

“Lets forget what my grandma said. There’s no point in torturing ourselves with that today” The tall boy suggested.

“I guess you are right” Baekhyun sighed.

After a couple of minutes in silence, with only the sound of the rocks crashing against the floor, the brown haired boy asked out of the blue “ So what is y/n’s job here?”.

“She works in the kitchen and sometimes she helps with the rest of the house chores.”

Chanyeol answered. “Why do you ask that?” he looked at his friend inquisitively.

“I was curious. She wasn’t wearing a maid’s uniform” Baekhyun shrugged.

“That’s because she spends most of her time in the kitchen or doing errands when Jongin is not around” Chanyeol explained.

“Who’s Jongin?” Baekhyun asked him. 

“He is the one who does most of the errands and also takes care of the animals“ Chanyeol explained.

The brown haired boy nodded “Is it the boy that y/n likes?”

Chanyeol shook his head “No. He is her brother and my best friend”.

Baekhyun looked at him surprised “I have thought I was your best friend”.

“From school” Chanyeol pointed out. “Jongin is like my brother. I have known him since we were babies. We had grown up together” Chanyeol explained calmly.

“Ok so if he’s like your brother then y/n is like your sister?” Baekhyun said curiously. Chanyeol wanted to say no but he didn’t want for his friend to knew about his feelings for you.

“Mmm... My relationship with her is different”. Chanyeol said awkwardly.

“How come?” Baekhyun asked him. Chanyeol went quiet and was trying to think what to say to his friend when they heard the engine of a car approaching and both boys focus their gazes on it. It’s was Baekhyun’s driver who had arrived to take the boy back to his house. Thank God Chanyeol thought.

“Oh look! Joseph is here” Chanyeol said. Both boys were standing and dusting off their pants when the car stopped in front of them.

“Good night Mr. Byun, Mr. Park” Joseph greeted them. Chanyeol and Baekhyun greeted the man back.

“Thank you for inviting me” Baekhyun said to his best friend and gave him a handshake and a pad on his back.

“No problem” Chanyeol said and smiled at him.

“Hey would you like to go to downtown center on Sunday? I don’t want to be on my house bored all the weekend” Baekhyun said to him.

“Ok. I’ll see you around 12:00pm?” Chanyeol asked him. “Sure. That way I don’t have to get up early” Baekhyun said enthusiastically and Chanyeol snorted.

“See you mate” Baekhyun said as he was hoping inside the car.

“See you” Chanyeol said back and waved at him goodbye.

When the car was moving away Chanyeol let out a heavy sigh. This day had been so long and tiredness was catching up with him. He walked inside the house lazily and looked at his mother coming out of the living room.

“Chanyeol” Her mother said. “Are you all right darling?”

“Yes mom but I’m tired. Can I be excuse for the rest of the evening?” Chanyeol asked his mother, tiredness clearly in his voice.

“Of course honey” The woman said and cupped her son’s cheek affectionately “Are you sure you are ok? I can tell Emy or Nana to take a cup of tea to your room”.

“I’m fine. I just want to sleep” Chanyeol yawned.

“Ok, then. Rest well my child” Chanyeol’s mom said. She smiled at him and grabbed his head gently to gave him a kiss on his forehead”.

“Good night mom” Chanyeol said and went up the stairs.

Once he was settled under his sheets, Chanyeol thought about Jongin and what he had said earlier to Baekhyun. He hadn’t seen him today and although he knew he was working again thanks to you, he still wanted to see him and talked to him. 

At first he had thought in giving him some space to calm himself down but as the days went by, he felt the weight of the other’s boy absence.  That’s why he decided to wake up at dawn on a Saturday morning, put on his field attire and went out to look for him at the place where he’d know he could find him at this hour. He ran down the stairs and entered to the kitchen. Mrs. Patmore and Emy were taking out some pans and pots to start making breakfast. Both looked at him surprised.

“Good morning” He panted and scanned the room rapidly.

“Good morning” both women said.

“Mr. Park, what are you doing here? It’s too early and we have barely started with the cooking” Mrs. Patmore said to the young boy.

“I know. I’m looking for Jongin” Chanyeol breathed out.

“I sent him downtown to pick up some errands” Mrs. Patmore said.

“He’s still outside” Emy said as she was looking out the window.

Chanyeol ran towards the back door as he said a quickly “thank you”. He opened the door hurriedly and went down the stairs that led to the side of the house. Jongin was walking through the garden at a slow pace, he was kicking at a rock while heading towards the main entrance when he heard someone calling him from afar. He turned around and saw Chanyeol running towards him and screaming something he didn’t understood.

“What?” Jongin yelled.

“Wait” Chanyeol screamed louder and the other boy came to a halt. Once the tall boy was in front of his friend he bent over a little bit and tried to regulate his breathing. “Why are you up so early?” Jongin asked his friend weirded out.

“I want... to talk with you” Chanyeol said in between breaths.

“I can’t right now. I have to come back before they served breakfast” Jongin said and started walking again.

“I know” Chanyeol said while following his friend “I’m going with you” he said.

Jongin sighed “Chanyeol if you want to discuss something about y/n, that’s not a way of starting a morning for me.” 

Chanyeol grabbed the other’s boy shoulder to stopped him “It’s not about that. It’s just...”

Chanyeol sighed in frustration “You have been avoiding me since that day and I wanted to give you some space too for you to clear your head up but... can’t we just be back to how things were before I told you about my feelings for her?” Chanyeol asked him, hope visible in his eyes.

Jongin sneered “I have known about it even before you told me”. At that Chanyeol looked at him bewildered.

“You do?” Chanyeol asked him baffled.

“Yeah. There’s this look you have when you see her. Like your eyes light up and to be honest, for me it’s kind of awkward to watch” Jongin said, scratching the back of his neck and averting his gaze from the tall boy.

“I...mmm... sorry. I have thought I was more discrete” Chanyeol said embarrassed.

“I get that you can’t help it but...” Jongin sighed “We are talking about my sister. And you are my best friend and like a brother to me”.

“I know and I consider you like that too” Chanyeol said. “I’m not going to talk about her with you if it bothers you but please don’t judge me for loving her”.  The tall boy looked at the ground.

Jongin looked at him intently and after a moment of silent he said “I won’t”.  Chanyeol lifted his gaze. Jongin was looking at him, his stare softened and gave the tall boy a side smile. “Are you coming with me or not?” Your brother asked his friend.

“Let’s go” Chanyeol smiled at him.

Along the way Jongin and Chanyeol started catching up with each other. Chanyeol had told him about his report, the detention and the stories that Nana had told him about you and your brother. Jongin as well as you, laughed at the memories.  There came a time in which both got quiet and just were looking at their surroundings. Chanyeol wondered if you would be awake by now and his mind kept lingering with thoughts about you. Every time that would happen he felt a mix of emotions and although most of them were good, there was also the fear that didn’t leave him.

“Jongin” Chanyeol said hesitantly.

“What?” The other boy yawned.

“I know I just told you that we wouldn’t talk about my feelings for y/n but if I don’t say this I’m gonna go mad” Chanyeol said.

“What is it?” Jongin sighed.

“I’m scared” Chanyeol confessed.

“Scared? Of what?” Jongin asked weirded out.

 “That she doesn’t like me back” Chanyeol said quietly.

Jongin stopped walking and groaned “Just tell her already. That way you won’t get crazy and you won’t make me going crazy”. You brother said frustrated.

Chanyeol looked at him “Are you serious?” He asked bewildered.

“Yeah. I talked to her about it” Jongin said.

“You told her I like her?” Chanyeol asked alarmed.

“No. I talked to her about what would mean for her to be with someone out of our class. She said she just wants a good man, regardless of his position.” Jongin explained.

“And you are ok with that now?” Chanyeol asked his friend.

“I believe it’s not that simple but she left very clear that at the end it’s her decision so you might as well take this as your chance to talk to her about it” Jongin said. 

“Will you be ok if we... you know... date?” Chanyeol asked hesitantly.

“The idea it’s still weird to me but I guess I would get used to it. You know my dad isn’t around much because of his job and for that I feel it’s up to me to take care of her. I know you are a good boy and her happiness is important to me, if she finds it with you I’ll be ok” Jongin said.

“That means I have your blessing?” Chanyeol said curiously. Jongin laughted at his friend “You could say so. But even with it you will have to talk with my father eventually”.

“I’m good with your approval for now” Chanyeol said “Don’t get me wrong. Your father is a good man but he is quite intimidating”. Jongin snorted at his friend’s last words. “I guess we’ll have to see how it goes” Your brother said amused and Chanyeol gulped.

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In the afternoon Chanyeol was in his room sprawled on the bed with Toben playing with his pillows. The boy was troubled with thinking how could he confessed his feelings towards you.

“What if I just say I like you y/n?” Chanyeol asked himself. 

“Would it be too straightforward?” Chanyeol said and the puppy barked as in response.

“I wished I could be you right now buddy, that way I wouldn’t be so concerned with these things” Chanyeol said in despair.

He sat up on the bed and looked out of the window “Maybe if I write something to say to her it would be easier” he thought and went over to his desk. He sat on the chair and took out his notebook and a pen.

“Ok, I can do this” The tall boy encouraged himself.

Y/n I think you are beautiful and I like you “No. This is so simple” He said and crossed off the words written on the paper.

Y/n, we had known each other since we were babies and we have been friends but now I like you “No no no this doesn’t sound good” He said seriously.

Chanyeol was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn’t hear when you entered his room so you could pick up his laundry basket and took it to Emy for her to wash his clothes. Toben started barking when he saw you but Chanyeol thought it was the puppy’s usual way to ask for attention so he didn’t even turned to look at him.

“Y/n, you look lovely today...” Chanyeol was saying while he was writing.

“I don’t think so. My apron is soaked and stain with food and my hair is a mess but thanks for the shallow compliment” You said sarcastically.

At hearing your voice Chanyeol got startled “Good Heavens! You scared me. What are you doing here?” he said frantically. Chanyeol closed his notebook quickly and tried to cover it with some sheets and anything he could find on his desk.

“Relax, I’m just here for your dirty laundry” you said as you look around the room for his basket.

“The basket is near the closet” Chanyeol said as he stood up and stuck on his place near the chair.

“What were you doing anyway?” You turned to looked at him and he looked at you like a deer in the headlights.

“I was... doing my homework” Chanyeol cleared his throat.

“Really?” You said inquisitively “You never do your homework on Saturdays” you pointed out.

“Yeah well... I do now because this way is more convenient” Chanyeol said.

You eyes went from his to the things he had on his desk. You couldn’t see anything weird on it. Chanyeol followed your gaze and took a step aside so he could prevented you from looking at his things. Your gaze returned to his face but he avoided it and said “Are you going down?. I could help you with that” The tall boy said and rushed towards you so he could carry the basket.

“It’s alright. I can carry it.” You said and shrugged.

“No, I insist” He said as he took it out of your arms. “Can you open the door for me?”.

You did what he asked and both exited from his room with Toben following you behind.

“Thank you” you said as you two were walking down the stairs.

“No problem” He said.

“So, how are you today?” Chanyeol asked you.

“I’m tired but good overall. What about you?” You asked him.

 “I’m good.” Chanyeol said nonchalantly.

“It’s good to hear that” You said and averted your gaze from him.

“Hey, do you happen to know where is Jongin?” Chanyeol asked you.

“He must be at the stables now. Do you need him?” You asked him curiously.

“Yeah, I need to ask him for a favor” Chanyeol answered.

“What kind of favor?” You asked the tall boy.

“It’s regarding the ball” Chanyeol said awkwardly.

“Oh yeah. It’s this upcoming week, isn’t it?” You asked excitedly.

“ Yes” Chanyeol said, not sharing your excitement at all.

“Do you have a partner?” You asked, trying to sound calm but deeply inside you were fearing for his answer.

“Yeah, it’s my cousin Chloe. My uncle will visit my grandma and he’s coming along with his family” Chanyeol explained.

You felt your shoulders relaxing at hearing that and hummed in understanding. “That’s good” you said.

“Do you think me going with my cousin it’s good?” Chanyeol sneered since he knew most of his classmates will mock him for not getting a real date.

“Well I mean, you won’t have to get all the trouble of looking for a girl to be your partner that night” You explained, trying to cover the relief you felt due to it.

“You are the only one that sees it that way” The tall boy pointed out.

“Sometimes I’m curious about that ball. It must be nice getting all dressed up and dance the night away” You said, trying to imagined that scenario.

“Believe me, it’s far away from nice” Chanyeol said dismissively.

You two arrived at the kitchen where Mrs. Patmore and others servants were preparing dinner. “Good afternoon” Chanyeol greeted everyone and they greeted him back.

“You can leave it here and I’ll take it to Emy, thank you.” You said and smiled at him.

“Are you sure?” Chanyeol asked you.

“Yes. You can go and play with my brother now” You said teasingly.

“We are not going to play” Chanyeol scoffed “We are going to talk about men’s stuff” He said as he stood taller.

“Whatever, see you” You said as you were walking away towards the laundry section of the house.

“See you” Chanyeol said out loud. He smiled and turned around to headed towards the stables.

 “You are good for today buddy. I’ll see you in the morning” Jongin said as he was caressing his horse and saying his farewells. He started walking towards the entrance of the stable when he saw Chanyeol approaching. “Hey, are you still working?” Chanyeol asked his friend.

“No, I just finished for today. What’s up?” Jongin said to him.

“I need a favor” Chanyeol said hesitantly.

“Ok, what is it?” Jongin asked him weirded out at seen his friend’s awkward demeanors.

“I can’t tell you here. Let’s go where no one can watch us” Chanyeol said quietly.

“Ahh... should I be concerned for my safety?” Jongin joked as both of them were walking towards the woods.

“Ha ha. No” Chanyeol said sarcastically and Jongin laughed.

 “You want me to what?” Jongin laughted out loud while Chanyeol gave him a pointed look.

“Are you done laughing at me?” Chanyeol asked irritated.

“I can’t help it. Of all the things I could have imagined this one I didn’t see it coming. You want me to teach you how to dance?” Jongin said, still shaking from all the laughter he had seconds ago.

“I’m desperate. I don’t want to make a fool out of myself at the stupid ball” Chanyeol explained.

“But why me?” Jongin asked.

“Because you know how to dance. I’ve seen you when you dance with y/n, Nana and your mom. You moved so graciously that it seems effortless. People always comment on your good dancing skills and I want to be good too” Chanyeol pointed out.

“I appreciate the compliments” Jongin said. He wasn’t so sure about this idea but at seen Chanyeol’s pleading face he sighed and said “Fine. Do you know the dance steps?”

Chanyeol showed him the main steps for the opening act. Jongin thought his friend wasn’t that bad but there were parts where the tall boy look stiff on his spins. “Ok I think I got it. You are not that bad but there are points in which your posture stiffens and you have to loosen up a bit on the spins. Here, look at me” Jongin pointed out. Your brother started counting and dancing around while doing so. He was standing tall with his arms simulating being around someone else’s body. Chanyeol looked at him and he thought Jongin could be a wonderful professional dancer. His eyes were glued to his figure like he was mesmerized by the way his body moved.

“Got it?” Jongin asked him once he finished.

“I think so” Chanyeol answered doubtfully.

“Lets try it then” Jongin said and extended his hand towards his friend for him to take it.

“What?! I’m not dancing with you” Chanyeol said bewildered.

“I’ll play the lady role, I should be the one embarrased not you” Jongin retorted.

“Just one time” Chanyeol pointed a finger at him.

“Yeah, now hurry up. I’m hungry and I want to go home” Jongin urged the other boy. Chanyeol took his hand and settled in front of his friend.

“Take a step closer” Jongin indicated him “You have to keep this hers and yours hands up all the time and place the other at my back”. Chanyeol did what he was told but still he felt uncomfortable about it.

“Uh... like this?” Chanyeol asked him.

“Yes” Jongin said. “The man is the one that leads the dance so I’ll start counting and you will have to guide me, ok?”. Chanyeol took a deep breath and nodded. “And... one, two, three...” Jongin counted and Chanyeol moved on cue. Both boys were swaying between the trees. Jongin marking the steps and each spin they have to make while Chanyeol was trying to synchronize his feet with his friend’s voice. After 15 minutes he had decided it was enough practicing and stopped dancing.

“How was I?” Chanyeol asked short of breath.

“Not that bad. You still have a week left for practice” Jongin said and gave him a pad on the back.

“I think one time is more than enough for me” Chanyeol said and Jongin snorted at his words.

“As you wish but maybe it would be more helpful if you practice with a women” Jongin suggested.

“Yeah because It’s so easy to find one who is willing to practice” Chanyeol said sarcastically.

“You could ask your mother… or y/n” Jongin said nonchalantly.

“No” Chanyeol said firmly “I don’t want her to think I’m clumsy for dancing”.

“She already knows you’re clumsy for some things, one more wouldn’t make the difference” Jongin said teasingly and Chanyeol smacked him in the head. Jongin laughed and took off running towards the kitchen, Chanyeol followed him behind

“You’re going to suffer once I catch you” the tall boy yelled.

It was dinner time and there was only Chanyeol and his mother on the dining room since his father hadn’t returned home from his friend’s house. “Mom, do you think dad is going to come home late?” Chanyeol asked his mother who was sitting in front of him.

“I don’t know darling. You know your father always lost track of time when he is discussing business” The woman said to his son “Why you ask? Do you need anything from him?”.

“No” Chanyeol answered rapidly “Actually, it’s you the one I want to talk with”

“Ok, regarding what matter?�� Chanyeol’s mom asked him.

“After we finished here, do you think you could come with me to the ballroom and teach me how to... dance?” Chanyeol asked him hesitantly. His mother looked at him taken aback by the sudden request but answered nevertheless “Ahh... sure” and both of them continued with the dinner as usual.

Once in the ballroom Chanyeol closed the door and turned to look at his mother who was standing in the center of it. “Son, I must ask. Why did you ask to teach you?, Wasn’t enough the lesson you had at school?” Chanyeol’s mom said weirded out. “Not really, I’ve never danced with a girl before and I don’t want to look like a fool at the ball” Chanyeol said shyly and his mom looked at him fondly. “Is it just that or you want to impress some girl?” His mother looked at him quizzically. Chanyeol looked at her wide eyed for a moment. It was as if she had read his mind because when he asked her about this he thought of you.

He tried to hide his nervousness “That’s not it” he said dismissively “I just want to learn because you don’t know when it will be useful”. “Alright then, don’t tell me anything but I’ll will find out, eventually” His mother said teasingly and he gulped slightly. The woman instructed him just as Jongin did for the body and arms posture.

“Now put you hand on my back” She said and Chanyeol placed it between her back and her waist.

“A little bit higher darling. We want you to make a good impression not to be imprison for getting touchy with a girl” The woman said jokingly.

Chanyeol moved his hand and cleared his throat “here is fine?” His mother looked up at him and smiled “there is fine.” Chanyeol smiled back at her and she started counting. Mother and son stayed there for a while trying to perfecting his dance.

At night Chanyeol was laying on his bed with Toben beside him. He had spend the last couple of hours writing his confession and once he thought it was decent enough he sighed heavily. “I think I’m done Toben” He said exhausted and placed his head near the puppy’s body, who was snuggled against a pillow.

The dog nudged him softly with his head and Chanyeol turned to look at him.

“I’m going to put this on the desk so you don’t chew it” The boy said and stood up taking his notebook and pen with him. He ripped the sheet from his notebook, folded it, and put it on the desk.

He went over his bed and knelt before it to make his prayer. Toben went over to his side and laid in front of him “Maybe I should use you to deliver my message. That way she couldn’t refuse to it since you are so cute” He said and the dog licked his cheek. Chanyeol chuckled at his actions and looked at the ceiling.

“God, you know I don’t ask you much but this is something I really really really want. Please make that y/n likes me back” Chanyeol said quietly. Once he finished with them he laido on the bed and felt asleep.

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There was a lot of people in the plaza already. It was 11:00 am and Chanyeol was sitting on a bench already waiting for Baekhyun. He didn’t want to be late so he left after breakfast. He was looking around, saw people taking a walk and some others going from one place to another since they were working on the shops nearby and the market. In that place he could noticed the difference between the people of the city. The relax and slow pace from the upper class ones who were walking and going from shop to shop without any rush in their lives while the pace from the medium-lower class was quicker, without taking a second look at their surroundings due to their busyness. He wondered how that people must have felt. If they would think that life was unfair to them. He put his hands on his pockets since the air was chilly and he felt the sheet brushing his palm. He decided to take the note with his feelings for you with him since he didn’t want that anybody from the staff or his parents could read it. He still wasn’t sure about when it would be the right time to tell you all of it but at least, having that note on his pocket made him feel like in any given moment when he gathered the courage, we would be ready for it. He was lost in his thoughts when he spotted you. You were wearing a green cloak that covered your upper body and your hair was loose. You were walking across the other side of the plaza and had a bag on one of your arms. Chanyeol stood up and went to meet you.

“Y/n” Chanyeol yelled and you turned to look around. Once you saw him you smiled fondly at him and he smiled widely.

“What are you doing here?” You asked him.

“I’m waiting for Baekhyun. And you?” Chanyeol said to you curiously.

“Mrs. Patmore send me because she wants some butter and flour to make a pumpkin pie” You explained.

“Oh” Chanyeol said as you were looking around to cross the street. “And what are you doing after that?”.

You looked at him quizzically “Jongin and I are going to the Evans house. Junmyeon and the others had invited us to hang out there. I believe the boys are going to play football and I will be with Kate”. “That sounds good” Chanyeol said.

“Yeah. It will be nice to do something different” You said smoothly. “What are you gonna do with Baekhyun?”.

“I don’t know. Maybe walk around here” Chanyeol answered. He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of you seeing Junmyeon again. Although the black haired boy gave him the impression of being a good person, he couldn’t stop thinking he was his opponent in a way. In that moment, your friend came up with an idea. “Hey! Do you think that Baekhyun and I can go too?”Chanyeol asked you.

“Sure, if you want to. But there’s gonna be only servants”. You pointed out.

“So?” Chanyeol asked weirded out.

“Do you think your friend wouldn’t mind?” You asked him.

“Oh, He’s not like that. He gets along with them too. Actually with everybody” Chanyeol explained. You nodded in understanding.

You two arrived at the shop, you entered and turned to look at Chanyeol, still holding the door for him to come inside. “Come” you said and gestured him inside. The boy entered hurriedly and started looking around. The place had a lot of shelves and a smell like cinnamon and bread.

“Good morning Mrs. Wang” you greeted the woman behind the counter.

“Good morning Y/n, boy.” The woman said and gestured towards Chanyeol. “Is he your boyfriend?” The woman asked you curiously. You giggled and Chanyeol’s cheek turned to a pinkish color.

“Oh no! Nothing like that. He’s just a friend” You explained.

“Oh sorry for the misunderstanding. It’s just that you never brought anyone with you aside from your brother” The lady said.

“He was around” you shrugged casually.

“Ah, in that case you should meet my nephew. He will arrive next week. Jackson is very charismatic and I’m sure you two would get along” The woman said excitedly.

“No” the word slipped from Chanyeol’s mouth with his serious voice and he knew he had made a mistake right away. Mrs. Wang and you turned to looked at him.

He looked at the two of you in shock and averted his gaze towards the counter behind the woman. “No... way there’s strawberry pie here” He said and his features changed from ones of seriousness to ones of excitement. You looked at him weirded out but said nothing to him.

“Sorry Mrs. Wang. Sometimes he gets really excited for the things he likes” You excused him. The lady chuckled “It’s ok girl. Don’t we all get like that when it comes to pastries?”.

You chuckled hesitantly “I guess so”.

“Anyway. What can I get you?” Mrs. Smith asked you.

“I need 1 kg of butter and flour please”. You said.

“Ok. I’ll come right away” Mrs. Wang said and went to the back of the store.

“What is wrong with you?” You said quietly to Chanyeol.

“Nothing. I just noticed the pie.” Chanyeol said. “I’m going to buy a slice. Do you want one?”. 

You shook your head “No, thanks”. Mrs. Wang came back in that moment with your things and your paid for them.

“Mrs. Want could you give me two slices of that pie?” Chanyeol asked him and smiled at the lady.

“Sure”. The woman said as she took the pie from the shelf. She cut it, wrapped the slices in paper and put them in a bag. She handed it to Chanyeol and he gave her the coins.

“Thank you kids. Come back whenever you want and have a wonderful day”. Mrs. Wang and smiled at you.

“Thank you Mrs. Wang” you and Chanyeol said at unison. You two walked over to the door and the tall boy exited first, holding the door for you.

“See you” you said as you waved goodbye. You were walking with Chanyeol when he asked you “Would you stay with me while I wait for Baekhyun?”.

“Sure. If Mrs. Patmore says something to me I’ll just say you distracted me” you said smoothly and Chanyeol frowned at you.

You two went to sit on a bench near the Plaza’s kiosco. Chanyeol opened the bag with the pies an took one out. You could smell the sweet scent of the freshly baked pie and your stomach crumbled a little bit. Thankfully, Chanyeol didn’t hear it since he was so focus eating it.

“It’s delicious” Your friend muffled.

“Can I have one bite of it?” You asked him as your were looking at the pie with hopeful eyes. Chanyeol looked at you and handed you the slice. You bit it and it was as if there was an explosion of flavors inside your mouth. You could taste the strawberry marmalade, some nuts and almonds in there too. It had a sweet flavor but not cloying, it was perfect.

You looked at Chanyeol in delight “This is so good” you muffled and he nodded eagerly. You tried to take another mouthful of it when Chanyeol snatched it from your hands. You looked at him surprised “Give me more” you complained.

“You said one bite” Chanyeol said with his mouth full of pie.

You scoffed “When I share my food with you I let you have as many as you want”.

“Really? What about the bisquets Nana always make for you and you only let me have 5” Chanyeol countered back.

“Five it’s a lot” You said.

“She makes an entire jar” Chanyeol pointed out.

“I care about you. I don’t want you to get fat or have diabetes later on” You said. Chanyeol snorted “How thoughtful” He said sarcastically as he took another bite. He had his smug face and was humming happily.

“Fine, don’t share” You said and turned to look the other way. Chanyeol was looking at you amused. He just love how easy was to tease you. Your back was facing him, you heard him grabbing the paper bag, he stood up and walked to the other side to face you. He put the bag at your eye level.

“Here. You can have the other one.” He said and shook the bag gently. Your frown soften and you looked at him. He was smiling mischievously at you.

“It’s not for Baekhyun?” You asked him hesitantly.

“Nah, It was for you” Chanyeol said.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?” You asked him as you took the bag from him.

“You said you didn’t want it“ Chanyeol shrugged and sat beside you “but I know you too well to know that you saying that means that you don’t want it in that moment but 15 minutes later you will”

You squinted your eyes at him “Well, Thank you”. “Your welcome” He sneered.

You ate half of it in one bite and the tall boy looked at you in disbelief. “Good heavens, at least try to chew it before you eat the other half” Chanyeol said surprised while you were humming cheerfully.

You swallowed and said “I did but I can’t help it. It’s so tasty”.

Chanyeol shook his head amused. He remembered when you were younger and Nana had to hide all the cookies and chocolate to prevent you from eating them in one sitting- Out of Jongin, you and him, you were the pastrie’s lover. You preferred sweet over sour and that haven’t changed-. Once you and Chanyeol finished eating you stood up to put the garbage on the trash can. Chanyeol was cleaning his clothes from all the crumbs when he noticed a spot of jam on his shirt.

“Oh no” He said mortified while you sat back next to him. He took the jam with his finger and ate it. You looked at him amused. 

“Do you think the stain will come off?” Chanyeol asked you.

You sneered “I’ll try my best with it”. Chanyeol nodded and you noticed he also had a little bit of jam and crumbs on the corner of his lips.

“You also have some on your mouth” you signaled the spot and Chanyeol rubbed his hand over his mouth.

“Done?” Chanyeol asked you but the reddish dot was still there.

“No” you chuckled. “Here, allow me” you said, sat nearer him and used your thumb to rub off the jam and the crumbs. 

Your gaze was focused on the task at hand that you didn’t noticed the slightly pinkish color on Chanyeol’s cheeks and ears.

“Done” you announced and smiled at him.

“Thank you” Chanyeol said awkwardly and tried to smiled back.

You looked at the front and sighed.

“I feel happy now that my belly has something sweet in it” you said joyfully and padded at it softly .

“You always get extra happy when you are eating sweet things” Chanyeol pointed out.

“And I’ll keep eating them while I can” You said happily.

Both of you went quiet for a couple of minutes. You were enjoying looking at the people passing by and hearing the birds chirping. Chanyeol on the other hand, was debating inside his mind whether if this was a good time to tell you about his feelings for you. Should I tell her now or not. Maybe not. But what if Junmyeon asked her out first?. No, that can’t happen because I’m gonna be there too. 

How do I start the conversation

Wait! I have the note in my pocket. He thought and went to reach it. He feel it on his hand

But I can’t read it now with her here and I don’t remember most of it, Damn! Or should I go straight to the point? Y/n I like you.  Should I had brought something special like flowers or chocolates? Ahg... get it together Chanyeol. This is your chance ok?, don’t blow it.

Chanyeol cleared his throat and sat straight. “Y/n” he called you and you looked at him curiously.

When you settled your gaze on him he could feel himself shrinking a little bit “I... need to tell you something” Chanyeol said.

You looked at him quizzically “I’m listening”.

“You know... I...” You were looking at him intently, he had to avert his gaze and looked at his surroundings.

He sighed “maybe this is not a good time but it’s a beautiful day so I think maybe it is a good time. I don’t know how you can tell if it’s the right time, and we are here sitting and it’s a beautiful location too...” he was babbling went you cut him off.

“Yeol I’m not understanding anything of what you are saying to me. Take a deep breath and continue” you said.

Chanyeol breathed in and followed your gesture of exhaling “What I’m trying to say is that... I li...” he was saying when Baekhyun’s loud greetings interrupted him.

“Hey! Good morning everyone” Baekhyun said loudly. You looked at him startled and Chanyeol cursed under his breath.

“What’s up mate? How are you?” Baekhyun asked him cheerfully and gave him a pad on the back. Chanyeol tried not to let his frustration be shown on his features. The brown haired boy didn’t wait for his friend’s answer and turned to look at you “Y/n you look so beautiful today. How are you?” Baekhyun smiled widely at you.

“Thank you” you said shyly. “I’m good and you?” You asked him.

“Ecstatic. I got to wake up later than usual and it’s a wonderful day” Baekhyun said and opened his arms wide. You chuckled at his energized self. “Are you going to honor us with your company this day?” Baekhyun looked at you expectantly.

“No, I’m sorry. I was just keeping your friend company while you arrived. Now that you’re here it’s my time to go back to the manor.” You said apologetically. Chanyeol was quiet the whole time thinking of all the time that took him to prepare himself mentally for this moment, only to be blow out by his friend.

“Oh well, I totally understand you have to fulfill your duties” Baekhyun sighed. “Although I hope one day you and I can have a longer talk” he smiled at you.

“Of course. Actually, me and my brother are going to hang out with some friends at the Evan’s house. Chanyeol wanted to come too, didn’t you?” you said and asked Chanyeol.

“Oh yeah, I was going to tell you about that” Chanyeol said to his friend.

“Cool. I’m totally up for it. I’ve never had friends around my age who were servants before” Baekhyun said excitedly but Chanyeol’s surprised face made him realized he had made a mistake. The brown haired boy turned to looked at you “Oh my god. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for it to sound like that” he said rapidly, remorse readable on his face.

“It’s ok. You’ll see that we are more fun to hang around with” you said and smirked at him.

“Just watch your words with the rest of them. Some are more... sensitive”.

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind”. Baekhyun said.

You started gathering your things and looked at Chanyeol “So I’ll see you at 02:00 pm there?” You asked him.

“Yes. We’ll be there” Chanyeol answered.

“Do you know how to get to the house?” You asked him.

Chanyeol thought about it for a moment “I... no”. He admitted. You shook your head in amusement “you have to go the other way from our house. Take St. Margaret street and go up five blocks. You’ll get to St. Brook street and you will have to turn to your right. It’s a yellow house with white fences.” You explained. “Got it” Chanyeol said and Baekhyun nodded.

“Well, I’m going. Enjoy the rest of your day” You said to both boys.

“See you later” Baekhyun said to you.

“Be careful” Chanyeol said and you nodded. 

Baekhyun was saying something to Chanyeol when you started walking away. Almost immediately you remembered something.

“Oh Chanyeol” you said and said boy looked at you.

“What did you want to tell me earlier?” You asked him curiously.

“I...” Chanyeol said hesitantly. You and Baekhyun were looking at him. “Nothing important. It can wait” he said. You kept staring at him, he seemed nervous?. Awkward?. You couldn’t quite describe his features.

“Are you sure?” you said after a moment.

“Yes” Chanyeol reassured you.

“Very well then, bye.” You said and with that you turned around and continue your trip. That was weird you thought to yourself as you kept walking.

The boys were walking around when Baekhyun remembered the news he received before leaving the house. “Hey, I forgot to mention that my aunt Jane send me a letter saying that my cousin Genrieta has a terrible cold and she will not be able to come to the ball”.

“Oh! I’m sorry to hear that. Do you have a backup plan for a partner?” Chanyeol said curiously.

Baekhyun looked at his friend surprised “I have thought with this the committee will spare me the dance” he said baffled and his friend sneered. “As if... they are not going to give back the money your family invested in having you in the opening ball. They are capable of pairing you with anybody. Even with an older woman”. Chanyeol explained and Baekhyun grimaced at his comment.

“Ahg... I rather get sick” Baekhyun said and Chanyeol shook his head in amusement.

According the plaza’s clock it was 01:20 pm when Chanyeol and Baekhyun headed towards the Evans house. After a while Chanyeol stop thinking about his fail attempt in talking with you and talked with his friend about how his day had went so far.

“So am I going to meet Y/n’s brother?” Baekhyun asked out the blue as he was kicking at a rock while Chanyeol was focused in reading the names of the streets.

“Yes” Chanyeol answered.

“Is he scary?” Baekhyun asked. Chanyeol laughed at that.

“No, he is good. Although when it comes to y/n he can turn into a whole different person. Once when we were kids he beated two boys by himself because they were picking on her and she started crying” Chanyeol explained and Baekhyun looked at him bewildered.

“Why didn’t you help him?” Baekhyun asked him.

 “It was at school. If I’d have been there, believe me I would had fought too” Chanyeol said.

“You know how to fight?” Baekhyun said quizzically.

“Yeah. Jongin’s father taught us” Chanyeol answered.

“So their father it’s the scary one. Cool cool” Baekhyun said sarcastically.

Chanyeol sneered “Not really. I mean, he has this aura that it’s imposing, as well as his appearance, but he’s very cool once you know him” he said.

“Does he works for your family too?” The brown haired boy said curiously.

“Yes. Actually their whole family works at my house. Jongin’s father is one of the foremen, his mother is one of the first maids and Nana is his grandmother” Chanyeol explained. Baekhyun nodded in understanding.

“You speak very fondly of them. Seems like you are very close” Baekhyun  pointed out.

“Well Nana is like a grandma to me. She was my mom’s nanny too and she raised me alongside with Jongin, then y/n was born and it was the three of us. It’s thanks to that woman that I have a second family” Chanyeol explained and gave his friend a little smile.

“I haven’t thought y/n was younger than us. She doesn’t look like that” Baekhyun said.

“Don’t tell her that if you don’t want to get beaten” Chanyeol said teasingly.

“And have you met the boy that she likes?” Baekhyun asked curiously. Chanyeol frowned at him.  Ahg, here we go again. Why is he so persistent? Chanyeol thought annoyed. If he answered him no, his friend would keep pushing on the subject and he wasn’t planning on helping him getting you. That simply was not going to happen so he had an idea. Maybe if Baekhyun knew the boy you liked he would leave the subject and leave you alone. 

“Yeah. His name is Junmyeon. It’s one of the boys that works at the Evans house” Chanyeol said unfazed.

“Oh. But like she really likes it or it’s like a silly crush?” Baekhyun asked him. “She’s head over heels for him. We went to see a play at the park with him and other friends and she was drooling over him the entire time. It was gross to watch” Chanyeol said irritated at the memory of that day.

“But they are not dating. I still have a chance” Baekhyun said confidently.

“I don’t know mate. He’s handsome and taller than you. A lot of the girls in town have a crush on him.” Chanyeol said bluntly.

Baekhyun scoffed “I’m handsome too. Plus, I’m very charismatic and her grandma loves me” he said smugly.

Chanyeol snorted “Yeah, you are like his third grandchild after the small talk you had with her” the tall boy said sarcastically.

“Just wait and see” Baekhyun said determined.

Chanyeol sighed heavily. Maybe he will have to confessed his love for you to his friend before he had the chance to talk to you about it.

When both boys arrived at the front gates they could see a bunch of boys on the garden running around and yelling.  You were walking alongside with Kate and both were carrying jars with cold lemonade.

Jongin spotted Chanyeol and Baekhyun and he went over to them.

“Hey!” Jongin said out of breath.

“Hey mate!” Chanyeol greeted him. “This is Baekhyun. A friend from school” The tall boy said gesturing at the brown haired boy. “Oh hey! I’m Jongin.” Your brother said. He smiled at Baekhyun and offered him a handshake.

“Baekhyun. Nice to meet you” The shorter boy smiled back and took his hand.

“Y/n said it would be alright if we came to hang out with you. It’s that ok?” Chanyeol asked  your brother.

“Totally. We need two more in our team. The others are crushing us since they had Bailey” Jongin said pointing at the tall boy who was celebrating with his team another point they had scored.

“Hey guys! We had just gotten two more to play on our side” Jongin yelled at his team in which there was Jongdae and Junmyeon also.

The last one went running to meet them.

“That’s awesome, we really need some help” Junmyeon panted. “What’s up mate?” The boy greeted Chanyeol.

“Hey. This is Baekhyun, a friend from school” Chanyeol said.

“Hi! I’m Junmyeon. Nice to meet you” Junmyeon said politely and shook his hand.

“”Hey. Baekhyun” The brown haired boy said.

“So you are rich kid too, huh?” Junmyeon asked him and looked at him quizzically since he wasn’t wearing expensive garments. His clothes were very similar to Chanyeol’s.

“Yeah. My family is rich but not Park’s level rich” Baekhyun explained awkwardly as he felt the scrutinizing gaze of the others over him.

“Well, still you’re considered from the upper class”. Junmyeon chuckled a little.

“Anyway, we need to get back to the game. We need a striker and a center midfielder.” Jongin said.

“I’ll be in the center” Chanyeol offered himself.

“Are you good at the front?. You will play with Jongdae” Junmyeon asked Baekhyun.

“Sure” Baekhyun said nonchalantly.

“Ok then. Let’s go to introduce you to the rest of the team” Junmyeon said and started jogging towards the field followed by the rest of them.

“You lied to me” Baekhyun muttered angrily to Chanyeol.

“What?” Chanyeol asked weirded out quietly.

“You had said he was taller. We are the same height. After seen that I totally have a chance.” Baekhyun said quietly and Chanyeol rolled his eyes at him.

While they were playing you and Kate were sitting under a tree. You two were chatting while you watched the boys running from one side to another. Everybody seems like they were having a good time. You could heard the familiar voices of your brother and Junmyeon giving instructions on how to protect their goal and Jongdae’s peculiar voice yelling at Baekhyun to pass the ball.  Your eyes landed on Chanyeol. He was jogging and stopped when he was beside Jongin. He was saying something to his friend while he was scrunching his nose.- A gesture he did sometimes after he had made some kind of effort- Jongin said something and the tall boy laughed. You liked to see him like that; happy, smiley, as if in this moment he could forget about the lessons and the etiquette and just be a regular boy.

“Your eyes are going to make a hole in his face if you keeping looking at him like that” Kate said to you and you turned to looked at the blanket in which you two were sitting on. The other girl laughted at your reaction.

“Shut up. I wasn’t looking at him in any way” You said dismissively.

“Uh, I sense someone likes our tall and dorky friend” Kate teased you.

“I don’t” you tried to sound confidently.

“Good thing he likes you too” Your friend said teasingly. “No he doesn’t” You assured her. “He... hasn’t told me anything”.

“You know, our bet it’s still on. I just hope he tells you something quickly so I can stop doing everyday’s errands, at least for a while” Kate said and laid on the blanket.

You sighed and turned to look at her. “Do you think I’m wrong?. That I should forbid myself from looking at him like that?” You asked quietly. “No, you are not wrong. You are a human being with feelings like the rest of us, regardless of our positions. I’m almost sure Chanyeol likes you. Obviously, you liked him too. Unfortunately, we still live in a world where people care more about social status and money than other’s feelings. The question is if you two would bear others people’s opinions”.

That left you thinking. Just as you had said to your brother, you could bear it as long as you had someone who was willing to stand beside you and you wanted to believe that Chanyeol could do that. But what if he couldn’t?. Why couldn’t I just keep my crush on Junmyeon?. Things would have been easier that way. You thought and sighed heavily.

“Are you ok?” Kate asked you.

“I don’t even know how that happened” You said and the girl looked at you confused “You know. Me liking him, sort off” You said quietly “I have thought that I liked Junmyeon but for the past few days I’ve been thinking about him a lot”.

Kate sat back straight “Well you have known him since forever. You spend a lot of time with him. He’s a good boy and handsome too.” Your friend looked at Chanyeol briefly “You could say he’s one of the few that can be considered like a whole package”. The girl pointed out. “I know but it’s my friend. It’s my brother’s best friend.” you said.

“Y/n feelings change and when those feelings are good and transform in something more beautiful, I think you shouldn’t be afraid of them.” Kate said sincerely “You have a lot of things on your mind right now. Looked at them, they are all playing without a worry on their minds and here you are sitting and feeling bad over nothing. Just clear your mind for the time being and cheer up” Kate said. 

“I’ll try” You sighed.

In that moment Baekhyun came running towards you two.

“Girls Can you give some water please?” The boy panted and tried to catch his breath.

“Sure.” You said as you grabbed the jar next to you. You poured over the water and handed him the glass.

 “Thanks” he said and took a sip from it.

“What were you doing?” Baekhyun asked you.

“Nothing, just chatting about girls stuff.” Kate said nonchalantly. “You are the newbie?” She asked him.

“Oh. May you pardon, I think we haven’t been introduced. I’m Baekhyun Byun, nice to meet you lady...”. The brown haired boy said and extended his hand so she could put hers on his.

“Kate” she said and Baekhyun kissed her hand. She smiled at him.

“Hum, this one has manners” Kate joked and Baekhyun smiled proudly. You chuckled at your friends.

“As every man should with every woman” Baekhyun said solemnly and finished drinking his water.

“Thank you so much.” He said and handed the glass over to you. “Now I have to go back and tried to save our team’s honor. If you’ll excuse me” He said and bowed gently at you.

Kate and you giggled as he walked away “he’s kinda weird, but cute” she said and you agreed.

After the game finished the boys were heading towards the wood table that was placed near you and Kate. You two had prepared some sandwiches and a salad and were already sitting at the table. “Ok boys this is all the food we have so be sure that everyone had 1 one sandwich on their plates before you go beast mode with them” Kate said and everybody agreed. You were sitting at one corner of the table with Jongin on the other side. You had Baekhyun and Chanyeol sitting in front of you and the rest of your friends scattered around the table. “These are so good” Jongdae muffled as he had another bite of his sandwich and everyone at the table agreed.  “Thank you boys. It’s always pleasant when someone says something good about our cooking” Kate said proudly and she winked at you.

“So you guys are excited for the ball? We heard your families name’s are included in the opening act.” Junmyeon asked Baekhyun and Chanyeol.

“Not a bit” Chanyeol said and Baekhyun nodded.

“Why is that?” Jongdae said curiously.

“One, we don’t know how to dance and two don’t have a real date” Chanyeol explained.

“But there are a lot of pretty girls at the ball, aren’t they?” A boy named Mike asked them.

Baekhyun and Chanyeol turned to looked at each other “Well...” they said hesitantly “there are some but most of them tend to be mean”. Some of the people around chuckled.

“That’s sounds bad” Jongdae chuckled.

“Yeah” Baekhyun and Chanyeol said at unison.

“We also celebrate that day but in a different way” Junmyeon said, referring to the servants. The rich boys turned to looked at him curiously.

“We didn’t know there was also a ball for you” Baekhyun said.

“It’s not as fancy as your ball. It’s more like a party. Everyone brings food, drinks and the music is different. More... lively if you want to call it like that” Kate explained.

“And certainly were are not dressed up in our finest clothes. It’s more comfortable that way” Jongdae sneered. “That’s sounds more fun than the things we do at our ball” Baekhyun said.

“Do you have to take a partner to the party with you?” Chanyeol asked.

“Not really. Everyone can dance with whoever they like” Junmyeon shrugged.

“That’s better. That way you don’t have the pressure to invite someone” Chanyeol said and most of the boys at the table agreed.

“I guess sometimes not being in the high society has it’s perks” A boy called Yixing said and smiled.

“Yeah” Baekhyun and Chanyeol sighed sadly.

“We could invite you to one of our parties, right everyone?” Junmyeon said and everyone at the table agreed. “But you will have to dress up a little bit less fancy than this” Jongdae said, gesturing at the boys garments.

“This is not fancy” Baekhyun pointed out.

“The fabric is” Jongin pointed out.

“Yeah, Maybe it’s worth 3 times my daily wage” Kate joked.

“When it’s your next party?” Chanyeol asked.

“By middle of November” Jongdae said.

“Cool. Thanks for the invite” Baekhyun said cheerfully.

“Sure mate. Just make sure you know how to dance by then. Some of the girls around would not take a no for an answer” Junmyeon said mischievously and the rest of you laughed and focused back on your meals.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You, Jongin, Chanyeol and Baekhyun were walking back home. You could spot the sunset rays looming over the shape of houses and trees, painting their leaves with orange and golden rays. Chanyeol and your brother were walking a few steps ahead of you. Baekhyun was walking alongside them but once he noticed you were falling behind, he slow down his pace and walked next to you. He could tell you were lost seeing the silhouettes and facades of the houses.

He cleared his throat and said “Seems like it is a wonderful afternoon, isn’t it?”.

You turned to looked at him a little bit surprised for the sudden realization that you have a companion now “Oh, yes it is” you confirmed.

“Did you have a good time talking about girl’s stuff with Kate?” Baekhyun asked you awkwardly. “Yeah” You giggled “It’s always nice to talk with a girl that has the same age as me. She has become one of my best friends”.

“That’s good” Baekhyun said and smiled at you.

“Do you have a lot of friends?” You asked him.

“Not really. Chanyeol has been my best friend since my family and I moved here. I know other guys from school but I don’t consider them as my friends. You see, in our school most of the friendships we make is because either our parents know each other or because the families of those boys could be great allies for businesses. With him it’s different because we have a lot of things in common and I feel I can talk to him about everything” Baekhyun explained.

You knew what he was talking about, Chanyeol had a special ability to make people comfortable even if they had just met him.

“I know what you’re talking about” You said while you looked at the tall boy discussing something with your brother.

 “Y/n?” Baekhyun said and you focused your gaze on him.

“I been thinking about the ball since we were talking about it at the table and I was wondering if you would you like to come with me to the ball?” the brown haired boy looked at you expectantly and you looked at him wide eyed. “I...” You said doubtfully and focused your gaze towards your brother and Chanyeol, both boys laughing loudly at something you didn’t know what it was.

”Please, I’m desperate. My cousin Genrieta who was supposed to be my partner got sick and she will not be able to come. Chanyeol said the committee will pair me with whoever the want and honestly I don’t want to dance with an older woman. I don’t even want to dance at all”. Baekhyun said, you could see the despair in his features and you felt sorry for him. You knew this could be a mayor mistake but he look so miserable that you didn’t think about it thoroughly and agreed.

“Ok” You said hesitantly “I’ll go with you but just as friends.” You said firmly.

“Really?” Baekhyun face lighted up “Thank you so much. You are the best” he said and grabbed your hands to kiss them.

“Ok now let them go” You said as you pull your hands away from him.

“Sorry It’s just that I’m so relieved” Baekhyun said and realized about something “oh! Don’t worry about the dress. I’ll get you one”.

“Thanks but I won’t accept it. I’ll see what I can find. Me or my grandma could make one” You said.

“No, you’re helping me and I won’t make you or your grandma work. I insist. I’ll make sure you will look like a princess out of a storybook ” Baekhyun said solemnly. You shook your head amusingly “Thank you” you said and both kept walking.

“Yeah I’m going to tell the guys this news” Baekhyun said and took off running to catch up with Jongin and Chanyeol. “No” You tried to stop him but it was too late. “Let me explain them first” You trailed off and facepalmed yourself.

“Hey guys! Guess what? I’m not going to suffer with the anxiousness of getting a partner for the ball. y/n agreed to go with me” Baekhyun said loudly and the other boys came to a halt.

“What?!” Chanyeol and Jongin said at unison and looked at Baekhyun in astonishment.

“Yeah well, she took mercy on me and accepted to be my partner” The brown haired boy said again. You could feel everyone’s eyes on you. Jongin looking at you in shock, Baekhyun seeing you as his salvation and Chanyeol had a big frown on his face. The one that he always has when he is confused or mad.

“I... am trying to help him” you said and averted your gaze towards the floor.

Baekhyun looked at Jongin and tell him “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her”.

Jongin noticed the tension in the air and tried to distract the shorter boy from it “You better. Now, changing the subject, why don’t you tell about that play that made us won. Where did you learn that?” He said, put his arm around Baekhyun’s shoulder and pulled him to keep walking.

Chanyeol didn’t faltered his gaze on you. He inhaled sharply, shook his head in disapproval and turned around to keep walking.

You felt small after that and the only thing you wanted was to avoid him at least until the ball has passed.

 Baekhyun has left for his house and you, Jongin and Chanyeol were almost at the manor. The walk was silent most of the time since Jongin knew Chanyeol was mad and he wouldn’t want to talk to anybody. You on the other hand, felt so awkward and uncomfortable and the thing that angered you was that you didn’t even know why your friend was acting this way.

You were helping one of his best friends after all. Wouldn’t that was a good thing?

“What were you thinking when you tell him yes?. You don’t even have a dress” Jongin scolded you as you were passing the entrance gates. “I didn’t think of that and he really seemed desperate” You said honestly.

“You should have thought things through better” Jongin sighed and walked towards the kitchen’s door.

“Yeah you should” Chanyeol said angrily as he kept walking but you took him by the arm to stopped him.

“Ok what is your problem?. I don’t understand why you are so mad.” You snapped at him.

“You really are that desperate for going to a ball that the only thing it tooks for you to saying yes was his pleads?” Chanyeol spatted.

“I’m not desperate for going to a stupid ball with your class. He said you told him he will have to dance with anyone your committee will paired him, even older women. You know how mean boys and girls can be. They will make fun of him.” You said angrily.

“Oh that’s rich of him!. You know that was just an excuse to get you going with him.” Chanyeol scoffed.

“No! I didn’t know that and it didn’t seem like that” You said sternly. Chanyeol sneered “Oh come Y/n! you know he’s interested in you”.

“He has been kind with me but same he has been with Kate. We are friends.” You stated.

“Yeah right!” Chanyeol snorted and turned around to keep walking.

“I would have done the same for you” You yelled at him.

“Then why didn’t you? Why didn’t you offered to go with me instead of him?” Chanyeol looked back at you. There was rage in his stare but so there was in yours.

“Because you never asked me to” You spat.

Chanyeol and you kept looking at each other, both breathing rapidly and when you felt your eyes started getting watery you decided to averted your gaze and walked towards the kitchen’s backdoor.

Chanyeol followed your figure walking away with his gaze, he pulled at his hair in frustration and slammed the entrance’s door once he went in.

 Chanyeol’s parents were talking inside the studio. Chanyeol’s mother was sitting in one of the couches looking at his husband dumbfounded.

“That can’t be possible” She managed to say. Chanyeol’s father was leaning on the desk, his back facing his wife. The tension on his shoulders was visible.

He sighed in frustration “Well it is.”

“I don’t understand. How are we in bankruptcy?” She said.

The man turned to looked at her “I invested the money on the train’s project. Jack told me and the other investors that it would be a success and that we will double our investment by this year but the roads aren’t even finished yet” he explained.

“But maybe with my money we could managed to live for a few months” Chanyeol’s mother said hopefully. His husband sat next to her and gave her a regretfully look “I invested all the money”.  She sighed sadly “Oh my lord!”. She covered her face in frustration.

“What are we going to do now?” She asked him.

“We don’t have other choice but to sell the house” Chanyeol’s father answered.  She looked at him as if he had gone crazy.

“But what about the employees? Carson, Mrs. Patmore, Emy, the farmers, Nana and her family?” She said, realization sinking in her.

“We can’t afford to bring them with us, maybe just Carson. I will have to talk with my mother so we can live with her and ask her for help with Chanyeol’s college tuition” The man said. Chanyeol’s mother started sobbing and his husband tried to soothe her.

The next morning all the employees were gathered at the foyer since Mr. Carson has told them that Chanyeol’s parents wanted to talk to all of them. You didn’t see Chanyeol going out for school nor you had wanted it it. You were still mad at him for the way he had reacted last night so you had decided that you won’t speak nor look for him. He was the one that had overreacted. He should apologize not me you thought

“Why would they want to talk with all of us?” Emy whispered to you but you shrugged since you don’t have any idea of what this could be about.

“Mr. and Mrs. Park are coming” Mr. Carson announced and everyone went quiet.

“Thank you Carson” Mr. Park said.“Good morning everyone”.The man said and all the employees answered his greeting.

“First of all I want to tell you that all of you had been excellent employees. Me and my family really appreciate all your effort throughout the years that you have been with us.” Chanyeol’s father said and turned to look at his wife briefly to take an inhale of breath.

“That being said, I’m afraid that I don’t have good news. Some of the businesses in which mine’s and my family’s money were invested didn’t go as planned and we are now in bankruptcy.” He said flatly and some of the employees started murmuring and whispered things. 

“Silence please” Mr. Park requested.

“Truth is we don’t have the money enough for you to keep working with us nor to maintain this house so we will have to sell it”.

You, Jongin and Emy were looking around in shock. You were so taken aback that your mind started running with thoughts about you and your family. You will have to find another job and that would have to be soon.

“Please don’t panic. We will put the house on sale as soon as we can. In the meantime you still have a job here and your wages will arrive on time but you will have to start looking for another one. I’ll make sure to speak with all the people I know so you can find a job with them if you like and the idea is that by the end of the year this house will not longer be ours” Mr. Park finished his speech and the questions started coming from every way.

All the employees were in shock, some were anxious and you didn’t know what to do. You turned to look around the crowd and saw Nana near the stairs. Her features were full with sadness and she was holding the hand of a crying Mrs. Patmore. Mr. Carson was with them and he was trying to soothe the cook.

“Mr. Park can I talk to you?” One of the first maids named Susan asked him.

“Of course. Everyone who wants to talk to me feel free to come to the studio. I’m sorry for this situation and know that if I find the way to solve this, I’ll let you know. But I thought letting you know about it would be better than if I have kept it from you” The man said firmly although in his features you could see there was sorrow and remorse.

Chanyeol’s mom was crying silently next to his husband when they both went upstairs. Some of the employees got back to their work although you could felt the despair in the air.

You placed your hand over Jongin’s arm and he looked at you “What are we going to do?” You asked him quietly.

He looked at you with sadness on his eyes “Look for another job” he said simply.

“Do you think we will find it fast?” You asked him.

He took your hand in his and squeezed it “Let’s have hope in it. We are going to be fine” he told you although he wasn’t so sure about it.

Thank you for the support and the love. I hope you like this new series and enjoy this chapter. Sorry for taking so long to post it but I’ve been so busy. I’ll try to come up with the next one as soon as possible. Also If you have any comments regarding this chapter  feel free to send me a message. I think it would help me a lot.^^