#she’s just down the hall in another room

[jiminomenon]

model! karina taking care of sick assistant! reader

pairing: model! karina x assistant! female reader

word count: 1.6k words

summary: after days of absence, jimin assumes her new assistant, y/n, has quit like all the others—much to her frustration. determined to confront her, jimin shows up at y/n’s apartment unannounced, only to find her bedridden with a high fever. as jimin begrudgingly takes care of her, the two begin to understand each other in ways neither expected, softening the edges of their fiery relationship.

from my series: the devil wears prada

jimin’s day had already been a disaster.

the designer she was supposed to meet canceled at the last minute, her favorite coffee shop got her order wrong, and to top it all off, y/n—her brand-new assistant—hadn’t shown up to work for the past three days.

sitting in her pristine, sunlit penthouse, jimin scrolled furiously through her phone, her jaw tight with irritation. no texts, no calls, no excuses. just radio silence.

“unbelievable,” she muttered, tossing her phone onto the coffee table and crossing her arms. she’d hired y/n on a whim, thinking the sharp-tongued assistant could handle her demands better than the revolving door of incompetents before her. it wasn’t just the job that made people quit—it was her.

she was aware of her reputation: bratty, spoiled, the daughter of some chaebol family who never worked a day in her life until she got bored enough to pursue modeling. but jimin had fought hard to prove she wasn’t just her parents’ money. she worked long hours, pushed herself through grueling shoots, and demanded perfection from everyone around her. if that made her a little harsh, so be it.

still, y/n wasn’t supposed to quit. not like this.

“she said she wasn’t like the others,” jimin mumbled, kicking off her heels and pacing the room. “she looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘i’m not scared of you.’ so what happened? couldn’t even last a week?” she threw her hands up, annoyed at how much this was bothering her.

her other assistants barely lasted a month, but at least they had the courtesy to formally resign. y/n’s silence felt like a betrayal. she’d let herself believe, for once, that she’d found someone who wouldn’t crumble under her demands.

after another ten minutes of stewing in her frustration, jimin grabbed her keys. “fine. if she won’t come to work, i’ll bring work to her.”

jimin found herself standing outside a run-down apartment building that was nothing like the high-rise luxury she was used to. she wrinkled her nose as she climbed the stairs, the paint chipping off the walls and the faint smell of something fried wafting through the halls.

when she reached y/n’s door, she knocked sharply, her patience already worn thin. when no one answered, she knocked again, louder this time.

“y/n, open up!” she called, her voice echoing through the hallway.

finally, the door creaked open, and jimin froze.

y/n stood there, leaning heavily against the frame, her face pale and damp with sweat. her usually sharp, confident demeanor was gone, replaced by someone who looked weak and exhausted. she was wrapped in a blanket, her hair disheveled, and her eyes struggled to focus.

“ms. yu?” y/n croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.

jimin blinked, her irritation melting into confusion. “what… what’s wrong with you?”

“i’m sorry,” y/n murmured, clutching the doorframe to steady herself. “i didn’t mean to disappear. i’ve been really sick, and my phone—” she trailed off, coughing weakly into her hand.

“you’re sick?” jimin repeated, her voice softer now.

y/n nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. “i wanted to let you know, but… i couldn’t even get out of bed. my phone’s dead, and i—” she broke off, her legs wobbling beneath her.

jimin stepped forward instinctively, steadying her. “hey, hey, sit down before you pass out.”

she guided y/n back into the apartment, closing the door behind her. the space was small but cozy, filled with warm tones and personal touches—books stacked on the coffee table, a knitted throw draped over the couch, and photos pinned to a corkboard on the wall. it was a far cry from jimin’s sleek, minimalist penthouse, but it felt… lived-in.

y/n collapsed onto the couch, her blanket still wrapped tightly around her. jimin crossed her arms, looking down at her. “why didn’t you call someone? a doctor? a friend?”

“didn’t want to bother anyone,” y/n mumbled, her eyes fluttering closed.

jimin let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through her hair. “you’re ridiculous. so ridiculous. do you know how worried I was? i thought you quit! i thought you were just like everyone else!”

y/n opened one eye, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite her condition. “you were worried about me?”

“don’t make this weird,” jimin snapped, though her tone lacked its usual bite. “stay here. i’m getting medicine.”

“you don’t have to—”

“shut up and rest.”

when jimin returned an hour later, her arms were full of shopping bags. she’d gone all out—cold medicine, fever patches, soup, electrolyte drinks, even a plush blanket she’d seen at the store and decided y/n needed.

she moved around the apartment like she owned the place, heating up the soup and pouring a glass of water. y/n watched her from the couch, her face a mix of gratitude and amusement.

“you’re really bad at being mean, you know that?” y/n said weakly.

jimin shot her a glare, setting the tray down on the coffee table. “don’t get used to this. i’m only doing this because i need you healthy and back at work. you’re the first assistant i’ve had who doesn’t cry when i yell at them.”

“aww, you care,” y/n teased, her voice hoarse.

“eat your soup before i pour it on your head,” jimin grumbled, though the corner of her lips twitched upward.

as y/n ate, jimin sat beside her, scrolling through her phone but occasionally glancing over to make sure she was drinking enough water or taking her medicine. the apartment was quiet except for the soft hum of the heater and the occasional sound of y/n’s spoon clinking against the bowl.

“thank you,” y/n said softly after a while, her eyes heavy with sleep.

jimin waved her off, trying to hide the warmth creeping up her neck. “just get better, okay? i don’t have time to look for another assistant.”

y/n smiled faintly as she drifted off, her breathing evening out. jimin stayed where she was, watching her for a moment before leaning back against the couch with a sigh.

the silence in the apartment was comforting. jimin sat at the small dining table, absently scrolling through her phone as y/n finally drifted off into a feverish sleep. the earlier chaos—the confrontation, the unexpected discovery that y/n wasn’t the flake jimin had assumed—still echoed in her head.

her thoughts wandered back to their first meeting. jimin had sized y/n up within seconds, assuming she wouldn’t last more than a week. sure, she looked determined enough, but determination didn’t mean much when you were thrown into the chaos of jimin’s world. still, something about the way y/n had spoken—timid at first but sharper as the day progressed—had intrigued her.

and that first confrontation. jimin chuckled softly to herself, remembering the way y/n had stood her ground, staring her down while everyone else cowered. it had been the first time in a long time that someone dared to challenge her, and it had left an impression she wasn’t willing to admit out loud.

she glanced over at y/n now, curled up in her blanket, her features softened in sleep. it was strange, seeing her like this—vulnerable, quiet. the fire that usually lit up her eyes was dimmed by exhaustion, but it hadn’t gone out entirely.

“you’re ridiculous,” jimin muttered under her breath, more to herself than to y/n.

after a moment of hesitation, she stood and began moving around the apartment again, tidying up where she could. she wasn’t used to this—helping someone else. sure, she had assistants, stylists, and an entire team dedicated to making her life easier, but she’d never actually cared about the well-being of any of them.

maybe it was because y/n didn’t treat her like some untouchable star. she called jimin out on her nonsense, pushed back when she went too far, and didn’t seem to care about her status or her wealth. jimin wasn’t used to that.

she paused by the couch, watching as y/n shifted slightly in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent. without thinking, jimin reached down and adjusted the blanket, making sure it covered her properly.

“you better get better soon,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “i’m not doing all this for nothing.”

when morning came, y/n woke to the smell of something warm and delicious. her eyes fluttered open, and she saw jimin standing in the tiny kitchenette, stirring something on the stove.

“are you…making breakfast?” y/n croaked, her voice hoarse.

jimin glanced over her shoulder, her expression as sharp as ever. “what else would it be? i’m not exactly a gourmet chef, but even i can handle instant soup.”

y/n tried to sit up, but jimin was at her side in an instant, gently pushing her back down. “don’t even think about it. you’re staying in bed until you’re better.”

“ms. yu, you don’t have to—”

“shut up,” jimin interrupted, her tone light but firm. “i already told you, i need you back at work. the sooner you recover, the sooner you can start making my life easier again.”

y/n managed a small smile, her heart warming despite her exhaustion. “thanks, ms. yu. really.”

“don’t thank me,” jimin said, setting a bowl of soup on the table beside her. “just don’t make me regret hiring you, okay?”

y/n chuckled weakly. “no promises.”

as jimin settled back into the chair, her arms crossed and her usual haughty demeanor firmly in place, y/n realized something. the train ride to seoul had been the start of a dream, but it wasn’t the city or the job that made it feel real. it was this—finding her place, finding someone like jimin, who made her want to push back, fight harder, and stand her ground.

[loafysainz]

DADDY DUTY | CS 55

carlos sainz x fem!reader

no warn

I got inspired by a request where Charles/Carlos gets sick, and their y/n takes care of them—but I made a version where Carlos takes care of his baby instead. Thanks for the idea, sender! 🤍

Carlos had just come home from a long, exhausting F1 season. The moment he stepped into their house late at night, all he wanted was to collapse into bed. But as he entered the bedroom, his gaze softened.

There she was—Y/N, peacefully sleeping, curled up under the blankets. The dim glow from the bedside lamp illuminated her face, making her look even more delicate. Carlos felt a tug at his heart. She looked tired. No, more than that—she looked exhausted. And of course, she would be. She was carrying their second child, and pregnancy had been tough on her.

Instead of getting ready for bed immediately, he knelt beside her, just watching for a moment. His fingers brushed against her cheek, gentle and slow, as if afraid he might wake her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then leaned in, pressing the softest kiss on her forehead. She didn’t stir, just let out a quiet sigh in her sleep. He smiled, a mix of love and guilt weighing on his chest. He had been away for too long.

After a few more seconds of just looking at her, he finally stood up and headed to the bathroom to shower. But even after cleaning up, he didn’t go to bed just yet. There was someone else he needed to see.

Carlos walked down the hall and pushed open the door to his daughter’s room. There she was, his little girl, fast asleep in her tiny bed, her long lashes resting against her chubby cheeks. She was three—almost four—but still his baby.

He crouched down and kissed her forehead, then her temple, then her cheek, unable to help himself. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake up.

“Te extrañé, princesa,” he whispered, running a hand through her soft hair.

With one last look at his daughter, he finally returned to the master bedroom, climbing into bed beside Y/N. He wrapped his arm around her, careful but firm, holding her close without pressing against her stomach. She let out another soft sigh, unconsciously shifting closer to him. Carlos let out a deep breath, finally feeling at home.

***

The next morning, Y/N woke up first. She turned to see Carlos still fast asleep beside her. His face was relaxed, but the exhaustion was evident—dark circles under his eyes, the slight furrow in his brow even in sleep. Her heart ached a little. He had been running on fumes, and now that he was home, he finally allowed himself to rest.

Not wanting to disturb him, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Carlos stirred slightly, but instead of waking up fully, his arm tightened around her waist. His voice was raspy when he mumbled, “Stay a little longer. Still wanna cuddle.”

Y/N let out a soft laugh. He sounded so clingy, so unlike the Carlos the world saw. “I need to make breakfast,” she whispered. “our daughter will be wake up soon.”

Carlos groaned but didn’t let go. “Five more minutes. Please?” His voice was still thick with sleep, and he was being so dramatic about it.

Y/N sighed but smiled. “Fine. But just five.”

He hummed in approval, but before letting her go, he tapped his lips—a silent request. Y/N rolled her eyes playfully but leaned in, pressing another soft kiss against his lips. Only then did he loosen his hold, allowing her to slip out of bed.

But just as she stepped out of the room, a loud wail pierced through the quiet house.

Y/N’s heart dropped. That was their daughter.

She hurried down the hall and into her daughter’s room. The little girl was sitting up in bed, face scrunched up as she sobbed. Y/N’s concern deepened when she pressed a hand against her forehead—warm.

“Oh, baby,” she murmured, stroking her daughter’s back. “What’s wrong? Does something hurt?”

Her daughter only cried harder, arms reaching up. “Mommy… I want a hug…”

Y/N’s heart twisted. But she couldn’t. Not while she was pregnant.

“Baby,” she said softly, rubbing circles on her daughter’s back. “Mommy can’t hug you right now, There’s a baby in Mommy’s tummy. But how about I hold you in my lap instead? Will that be okay?”

But the little girl just wailed louder, her tiny fists gripping Y/N’s shirt. Tears pricked at Y/N’s eyes, hating that she couldn’t give her baby what she wanted.

The noise must have woken Carlos, because within seconds, he was at the door, hair a mess, eyes still heavy with sleep.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was alert despite just waking up.

Y/N looked up at him, concern written all over her face. “She’s got a fever. And she wants to be carried, but I can’t…”

Carlos immediately crouched beside them, his hand brushing over their daughter’s forehead. He clicked his tongue. “You’re burning up, princesa.”

Their daughter sniffled but shook her head when Carlos reached out. “No… want Mommy…”

Carlos let out a small sigh, but instead of getting frustrated, he softened. “I know, sweetheart. But Mommy has to be careful with the baby, remember? How about Daddy carries you instead?”

The little girl whined, hesitating, still clutching onto Y/N. Carlos pressed a kiss to her temple, whispering, “Come on, just for a little bit? Mommy will still be here, I promise.”

After a few more sniffles, she finally relented, reaching for Carlos instead. He lifted her easily, cradling her close. “That’s my girl,” he murmured, rubbing slow circles on her back. “You scared Daddy for a second there.”

She buried her face in his neck, still sniffling. Carlos rocked her gently before looking at Y/N. “I’ll take care of her. You go rest.”

Y/N shook her head. “No, I’ll get the thermometer and some fever patches.”

Carlos didn’t argue. He just kissed the top of her head. “Okay. But after that, you rest.”

Y/N gave him a knowing look but smiled before heading off. Meanwhile, Carlos sat on the bed, still rocking their daughter gently, whispering soothing words.

[heartsriki]

STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL ⌇ 패션

pairing ᝰ — jake x fem!reader featuring.. heeseung, jay, sunoo | word count: 8800+

⌇ … warnings & genre ↺ Rich/celebrity au!, suggestive content, arrogant reader and jake, make out scene, cussing, fluff, smidge of angst, lots of bickering, heeseung is a asshole, reader is a fashion designer, use of petnames.

synopsis — everyone knew who you were. young, successful, talented and most notorious man eater. you enjoyed the games you played with men but it got complicated quickly when you played it with jake. fashion scenes golden boy.

lee's ₊˚⊹ ᰔ comment ┊oh my god this took so long to write, anyways I hope you guys like it fr! Idk if I like it yet but the bathtub scene 👅👅 good lord. Ima fully check this tmr so sorry for any grammar mistakes!

The night was still young, the air thick with the hum of conversation and the distant clink of champagne glasses. You moved through the grand hall like you belonged there—because you did. Every glance that followed you, every murmured whisper in your wake, only served to remind you of the power you held.

Any other woman might claim to hate these kinds of events, the forced pleasantries, the exhausting game of charm and deception. But you? You thrived in it. You loved the way the room seemed to orbit around you, the way men tripped over themselves just for a second of your attention.

And yet, there was one thing you couldn’t stand. The desperate ones. The men who thought a well-tailored suit and a glass of overpriced bourbon made them worthy of you. As one of them slid a hand around your waist, his touch sensual and unwelcome, you scoffed, effortlessly slipping from his grasp without a second thought.

They never learned.

This was your reputation—the untouchable, the unattainable, the woman they all wanted but none could ever truly have.

But amid the usual sea of admirers, there was one man who didn’t make a move. He didn’t approach, didn’t try his luck. He simply watched, his gaze lingering just a moment too long. You barely gave him a second thought. Another coward, too afraid to step up.

Or so you thought.

“Having fun?” Heeseung asked, swirling the whiskey in his glass before taking a slow sip.

Jake hummed, his eyes still locked on you. “You could say that.”

Heeseung followed his gaze, his lips quirking up the moment he realized who had captured his friend’s attention. Then, he burst out laughing.

Jake raised a brow. “What’s so funny?”

Heeseung shook his head, still amused. “Her? No way. I’d switch targets now if I were you.”

Jake’s curiosity piqued. “Why? She got a man or something?”

“The opposite, actually.” Heeseung smirked, setting his drink down. “She’s a man-eater. Every guy in this room has wanted a piece of her at some point.”

Jake laughed, leaning back in his chair. “What, you trying to scare me off ‘cause you want her?”

Heeseung grinned. “More like trying to save you from embarrassment, man. She even rejected me, and that says something.”

Jake scoffed. “Egotistical bastard. Anyway, she doesn’t even know me. Why don’t I give it a shot?”

Heeseung let out a short chuckle and glanced at the others. With a simple nod, three more men joined the conversation—Sunghoon, Jay, and Sunoo.

“What’s up?” Sunoo asked, adjusting his collar.

Heeseung gestured toward you with his glass. “Jake has eyes on Y/N.”

Jay nearly choked on his drink. “Oh, hell no. Yeah, good luck, man.”

Jake scoffed. “You guys act like I’m not charming and rich.”

Sunghoon smirked. “Listen, if none of us even got as much as a kiss from that woman, you definitely can’t.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “So, you all think I can’t pull? Alright, then. Watch me.” He pushed back his chair and stood up, adjusting his cuffs before striding toward you with confidence.

The group watched in amused silence.

“Anyone busy tonight?” Heeseung asked after a beat.

“No,” they all replied in unison.

“Good,” Heeseung said, taking another sip of his drink. “Because that man is going to come back crying.”

As Jake strode toward you, you noticed him instantly—without even needing to spare him a glance. Finally. The man who had been eyeing you all night had mustered up the nerve to approach. Not that it would make any difference. You can just tell you wont be interested.

It’s just a game to you.

Clearing his throat, he smoothly excused himself into your conversation. The men surrounding you shot him warning glances, but he ignored them, his attention solely on you.

You didn’t even hesitate. With a polite smile, you excused yourself from them and turned to face Jake fully, flashing him the kind of grin that had men falling to their knees.

Too easy.

Jake took that as a good sign. See? She’s already giving such a pretty smile. How hard could this be?

“I’ve been meaning to introduce myself,” he began smoothly, holding out a hand, ready to bring yours to his lips. “My name is Sim Jaeyun, but the people I like to keep close—like you—call me Jake.”

You didn’t give him your hand.

Instead, you tilted your head slightly, amusement flickering in your eyes. “Delighted to meet you, Mr. Sim.”

Jake barely managed to mask his surprise as he quickly withdrew his hand. So, the gentleman act wasn’t going to cut it. Fine. He could adapt.

“You’re the most gorgeous woman here tonight,” he charmed, his voice dripping with confidence. “Where’s that dress from? It works wonders on you.”

You didn’t miss a beat. “I’ve been told,” you said airily, before letting the real dagger sink in. “And this dress? It’s from me.”

Jake blinked. “From you?”

You smirked. “Yes. I made it.”

It took him a second, but then it clicked. Shit.

Realization dawned in his eyes. He knew now exactly who you were.

You leaned in slightly, your voice silky smooth. “Tell me, Mr. Sim… do you always fail to research the women you approach or did you just underestimate me?”

Jake swallowed. “I—uhm—”

Before he could recover, your hands were on him. A slow, deliberate caress up his shoulder, your fingers threading behind his neck. He stiffened, caught between the intoxicating warmth of your touch and the sharp edge in your voice.

“See, it’s men like you I hate the most…” you murmured, voice soft but laced with venom.

You pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, your lips curling in amusement.

“Uneducated.”

And just like that, you turned on your heel.

Jake stood frozen for a moment, trying to process how the conversation had flipped so fast.

Then, from across the room—laughter.

He turned just in time to see Heeseung and the others, barely containing their amusement.

Yeah. No. This wasn’t over.

Jake straightened his shoulders, running a hand through his hair.

If you thought that was the last time you’d be seeing him tonight… you had another thing coming.

After realizing who you were, he knew he needed a lot more than just a prince act to get to you.

Y/N, the youngest successful fashion designer in the country. Your creative silk dresses and outlandish designs shot you straight to the top, allowing you to build your own designer store and amass a massive fortune.

He regretted not researching you beforehand, but to be fair, you didn’t really advertise yourself—just your million-dollar merchandise.

But his greatest mistake was also his biggest opportunity. Jake and his friends just so happened to be ambassadors for your company, and from the looks of it, fashion was the only way to get to you.

As their car pulled up to the photoshoot, Jake grew more nervous. He had already landed himself in the deep end with you, and he had only a vague idea of how to get out. But you? You were a total wildcard.

Jake huffed as he stepped out of the car.

“What’s your problem?” Heeseung asked, walking beside him.

Sunoo smirked, approaching as well. “He’s still trying to woo Y/N.”

Heeseung laughed. “No way! After that shitshow last night? You’re either ballsy or crazy.”

Jake shook his head. “Whatever, I’ll figure it out.”

As they walked in, the photoshoot was already set up. Props were on display, cameras were being tested, and the staff bustled around. Jake scanned the room for you, but you hadn’t arrived yet.

Sunoo clapped his hands as he admired the lavish outfits they’d be wearing. Jake had to admit—you were talented.

The sudden bang of doors flying open caught everyone’s attention.

You walked in, dressed in comfortable yet stylish clothes that hugged you in all the right places. Jake could finally see what everyone had been talking about. You knew how to get eyes on you.

“Cameras, props, and lights ready?” you called out, hands on your waist.

The staff confirmed, and you turned to face the group. One by one, you examined each member calling them out with their valuable features—Sunoo’s alluring figure, Jay’s strong jawline, Sunghoon’s thick eyebrows, Heeseung’s plump lips… and then you paused when you got to Jake.

“Mr. Sim, I didn’t expect to see you here,” you said, grinning as you looked him up and down.

Jake let out a short laugh. “Didn’t know I was one of the ambassadors? I’m hurt.”

You hummed, circling him, trying to pinpoint a striking physical feature that could be useful. But for the first time, nothing came to mind.

“Anyway, let’s continue. Sunoo is first,” you said, brushing past him.

Jake scoffed slightly. It was a small thing, really. But for some reason, the fact that you didn’t highlight anything about him bothered him more than it should have.

He watched as you guided Sunoo through your envisioned concept, your passion evident in every direction you gave. Sunoo followed your cues effortlessly, showcasing the designs exactly as you intended.

One by one, each member had their turn, and every shot looked incredible—each outfit tailored perfectly to their features.

Then, it was Jake’s turn.

You stood in front of the wardrobe, flipping through the options. To be honest, it was frustrating. You had instantly known what worked for everyone else, but for Jake… you were stumped.

You turned around, squinting at him, taking him in. He sat there watching you, his throat going dry as you slowly walked closer.

Then, without warning, you reached out and tilted his chin up.

Jake stiffened.

You studied him, and suddenly, it clicked.

His big, expressive puppy eyes. His soft, round lips. The way he looked almost desperate and vulnerable.

…He looked so good like this.

You laughed to yourself, turning to the wardrobe and pulling out a sleek black suit.

You knew exactly how to take advantage of Sim Jaeyun.

You bitterly laughed as you scrolled through the articles. Of course, you had an eye for things like this.

The internet was in an uproar over Jake’s part of the photoshoot—but in a good way.

The concept was striking. The camera was angled just above him, catching the sharp contrast of light against his desperate, pleading eyes. His lips were slightly parted, pouty in a way that almost begged to be kissed. His shirt hung open just enough to tease, showing only a sliver of skin, while the veins along his arms stood out, practically begging for attention.

You coughed, shaking the thoughts from your head.

Shoving the distraction aside, you sat at your desk, fingers gripping your pencil as you stared at the blank sketchpad before you. Normally, this was the easy part—designs came to you like second nature. But today? Nothing.

Your eyes wandered the room, searching for something—anything—to spark creativity. And then they landed on the stack of freshly printed photos from Jake’s shoot.

It was like a lightbulb flicked on above your head. Thoughts started forming and it was like the cogs in your brain started turning.

You needed a meeting with him. Now.

It took some effort to track him down, but after a few well-placed calls, you discovered he was at a celebration party for one of his many sponsors. A big shot, was he? You scoffed, feeling a twinge of irritation crawl under your skin. No—why did he irritate you so much?

Your sleek, high-end car pulled up to the entrance, drawing the attention of reporters and guests alike. Ignoring their murmurs, you strode inside, brushing past the glittering crowd. The party was far livelier than the ones you typically attended, but you paid it no mind. Your focus was solely on one person.

Jake.

He was easy to spot, standing in the center of the room with a glass in his hand and a woman draped over his arm. She was laughing at something he said, tilting her head flirtatiously.

You scoffed, rolling your eyes before marching toward him.

At first, he didn’t notice, too caught up in whatever meaningless conversation he was entertaining. But then he picked up on the shift in the room—the way heads turned, whispers spreading like wildfire. His gaze finally landed on you, surprise flickering across his face.

What the hell were you doing here?

“Hello, Sim,” you greeted, your voice laced with amusement. “Having fun?”

Jake blinked, momentarily thrown off. The woman at his side tightened her grip, glaring at you as if trying to stake her claim.

You gave her a quick once-over before arching a brow. “Please. If you’re going to try and mark your territory, at least put some effort into that outfit of yours.”

She gasped, her face burning red before she spun on her heel and stormed off.

Jake smirked as he watched her leave, then turned his attention back to you. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were jealous.”

“In your dreams,” you shot back. “I need you to come with me. It’s urgent.”

His brows lifted, a slow grin curling his lips as he leaned in slightly, his voice dipping into something lower, teasing. “Need me that bad, huh baby?”

Your face flamed, and you immediately shoved his shoulder. “That’s not what I meant—ugh! I’m requesting a conversation. Over dinner.”

Jake tilted his head, studying you. He wasn’t sure what this was about, but the fact that you were suddenly giving him attention? Maybe it was for the big success with his contribution to the magazine. Whatever it was, He wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity.

“Alright,” he drawled. “Taking me out to eat before the fun stuff—how classy.”

You rolled your eyes and grabbed his wrist, pulling him toward the exit. He let you, a smirk never leaving his face as he trailed behind you.

The ride to the restaurant was quiet. You stared out the window, lost in thought, while Jake stole subtle glances at you. You were always like this—so effortlessly captivating, playing hard to get like it was second nature. He didn’t mind. The chase made it all the more fun.

When the car finally rolled to a stop, Jake glanced out the window, his brows raising slightly. The restaurant was high-end, even by his standards. You didn’t just pick a fancy place—you picked the fancy place.

“You really like showing off, don’t you?” he mused, stepping out after you.

The moment you entered, the security barely even glanced at you before letting you through. Jake, on the other hand, was stopped immediately.

You turned back, giving him a slow smirk.

“He’s with me,” you said simply.

That was all it took. The guard stepped aside without another word, and Jake scoffed, shaking his head as he followed you in.

You were led to a private, reserved area on the rooftop, where the city stretched out in a breathtaking view. The soft glow of lights flickered over your face, casting delicate shadows. Jake had to admit—you looked stunning.

After placing your orders, silence settled between you. Jake swirled his wine glass, watching you over the rim.

“So,” he finally said, breaking the quiet, “why do I have the honor of your presence tonight, Y/N?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Sim.” You exhaled, looking away for a moment before leaning back. “Do you know how I built my brand?”

Jake raised a brow. “Hard work I would presume?”

You let out a quiet laugh. “A muse,” you corrected. “Every artist needs one. And mine… has grown dull.”

He frowned slightly, trying to decipher where this was going. “And?”

Your gaze locked onto his, unwavering. “Lucky for you, I seem to find creative inspiration just by looking at you.”

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Jake stared at you, and for once, he didn’t have a teasing remark locked and loaded.

Because you weren’t joking.

You had come all this way, pulled him out of a party, taken him to an extravagant dinner— not for some business deal, but because you needed him.

Jake leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as a slow, knowing grin spread across his face.

“Well, well,” he murmured. “Didn’t know I had that effect on you.”

You sighed, already regretting saying anything. “It’s strictly professional, Sim.”

“Sure it is.”

His eyes gleamed with mischief, but there was something else there too—something unreadable. He tilted his head slightly, studying you the way you had been studying him all night.

Finally, he set his glass down and smirked. “Alright, Y/N. I’ll be your muse.”

You arched a brow. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” His voice dropped into something quieter, more serious. “But don’t think for a second that this is a one-sided deal.”

Your eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jake leaned in ever so slightly, his smirk never wavering.

“You need inspiration,” he said. “And I need you.”

Your breath hitched.

Jake leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he swirled the wine in his glass. His eyes never left yours, watching your reaction with amusement.

“Go on one date with me,” he said smoothly, tilting his head slightly. “And I’m all yours.”

You stared at him, blinking once. Then twice.

And then, you burst into laughter. A real, full laugh that made your shoulders shake as you leaned back in your chair.

Jake didn’t say anything—he just sat there, watching you with an unreadable expression. Not smug. Not teasing. Just… watching.

When your laughter finally died down, you exhaled and shook your head. “You’re ridiculous.”

Jake simply raised a brow.

“So, you’re serious?” you asked, searching his face for any sign of a joke. “Just one date? No money? No sexual favors?”

His lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “Yep. One night. Let me have you on my arm for a few hours, and after that…” He shrugged. “I’m all yours.”

You grumbled at the thought. The idea of entertaining a man—even for one night for something as useless as a date—made you want to roll your eyes into another dimension. But you really, really needed Jake. His presence alone had sparked something in you. God, you hated when a man had the upper hand.

You sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Fine. One date. That’s all.” You narrowed your eyes. “And then you’re mine.”

Jake chuckled, resting his chin in his palm as he gazed at you, a lazy sort of amusement flickering in his eyes.

“Yes,” he murmured. “All yours.”

And for some reason, the way he said it made your stomach flip.

The deal was set. One date. That was all.

You repeated that to yourself as you adjusted your outfit, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles while glancing at your reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t like you cared how you looked for Jake Sim. It was just… appearances. You had a reputation to maintain.

At least, that’s what you told yourself.

A knock on your door interrupted your thoughts. Your assistant peeked in, looking a little too amused.

“He’s here,” they said.

With one last deep breath, you grabbed your clutch and headed out.

Jake was waiting outside, leaning casually against his car—a sleek black luxury vehicle that, of course, fit his whole charming celebrity persona perfectly. He looked effortless in his suit, his hair styled just the right amount of messy, like he’d barely tried but still somehow managed to look good.

The worst part? He probably hadn’t tried.

His gaze flickered over you, and his smirk grew. “Well, damn,” he murmured, pushing off the car. “If I knew you were gonna look this good, I would’ve asked for two dates.”

You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the heat creeping up your neck. “Not happening.”

He chuckled, opening the passenger door for you. “We’ll see.”

You slid in without another word, and the moment he settled into the driver’s seat, the engine purred to life.

“So,” you said, crossing your arms. “Where exactly are you taking me?”

Jake grinned as he pulled out onto the road. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

You narrowed your eyes. “If this is some cliché rooftop dinner setup, I’m leaving.”

He laughed. “No trust in me at all, huh?”

“Not even a little.”

Jake shook his head, amused. “Guess I’ll just have to change that.”

It wasn’t a rooftop dinner.

It wasn’t a fancy five-star restaurant, either.

Instead, twenty minutes later, you found yourself in the passenger seat of Jake Sim’s car as he pulled into a bustling night market on the outskirts of the city. The place was alive—bright, colorful lights hanging between stalls, the air thick with the scent of grilled food, fried snacks, and sweet desserts.

You blinked. This was… not what you expected.

Jake shot you a sideways glance, catching your surprise. “What?” he teased. “Thought I was gonna wine and dine you in some overpriced restaurant?”

You turned to him, arching a brow. “…Yes.”

He smirked. “See? You underestimated me too much.”

You scoffed. “I didn’t underestimate anything.”

Jake hummed, clearly not convinced.

Before you could protest further, he was already getting out of the car and walking around to your side, opening the door for you. “Come on,” he said, holding out a hand. “Let’s get something to eat.”

You hesitated before ignoring his hand and stepping out on your own. Jake chuckled under his breath but didn’t push it.

The market was buzzing with energy. Neon lights flashed, the sound of sizzling food filled the air, and people bustled past in happy chatter. You followed Jake as he navigated through the stalls with ease, stopping at a particular vendor selling tteokbokki.

“Spicy?” he asked, glancing at you.

You shrugged. “I can handle it.”

Jake smirked like he didn’t believe you but ordered anyway. When he handed you the steaming bowl of rice cakes drenched in spicy sauce, you took a bite without hesitation.

And instantly regretted it.

Your mouth burned.

You coughed, eyes watering as you tried to keep your expression neutral. Jake, of course, was watching you with way too much amusement.

“You good?” he asked, clearly holding back laughter.

You swallowed, forcing a nod. “Shit—Totally.”

Jake snorted before handing you a drink. “Don’t act tough.” He said with a laugh.

“I’m not acting tough,” you shot back, gulping down the drink. “I just—”

“Don’t want to look vulnerable?”

You glared at him, which only made him grin. He slowly had you figured out.

The rest of the night went like that—Jake teasing you, you pretending to be unaffected, and somehow, between all of it, you… actually started to enjoy yourself.

He dragged you to different stalls, making you try every snack he claimed was the best. He somehow convinced you to play one of those rigged carnival games, and when you failed miserably, he swooped in with that cocky confidence of his and won a stuffed bear in one try.

“For you,” he said, handing it over with a wink.

You scoffed, snatching it from his hands. “You’re so annoying.”

“You love it.”

You didn’t. Well, maybe you didn’t hate it as much as you wanted to.

Hours passed without you realizing.

By the time you both made your way back to the car, the market had quieted down, the crowd thinning as the night stretched on. You hugged the stuffed bear to your chest, glancing at Jake as he walked beside you, hands tucked in his pockets.

“I’ll admit,” you said after a beat. “This was… decent.”

Jake smirked. “High praise coming from you.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

He glanced down at where you touched him before tilting his head at you, something softer lingering in his gaze. “You know,” he said, voice quieter now. “You’re different when you’re not trying to impress.”

You stiffened slightly. “I’m not—”

“You are.” He smiled a little.

You quickly looked away, tightening your grip on the stuffed bear. “Don’t overthink it, It’s just one date.”

Jake hummed. “Just one.”

You didn’t like the way he said that. Like he knew something you didn’t.

Like he knew that one date wasn’t going to be enough.

The ride back was quieter than before. Not in a bad way—just… different. The playful teasing from earlier had faded into something heavier, something unspoken hanging in the air between you.

Jake was focused on the road, one hand gripping the wheel while the other rested lazily on the gear shift. You, on the other hand, sat with your arms crossed, staring out the window, pretending you weren’t acutely aware of every little movement he made.

It didn’t help that the car felt smaller than it actually was. Or maybe it was just the way he’d glance at you every now and then, his lips quirking up like he knew exactly what he was doing to you.

At one point, he exhaled a small chuckle. “You’re quiet.”

You turned your head slightly but didn’t meet his gaze. “So?”

Jake hummed, his fingers tapping idly against the steering wheel. “Just not used to it. Usually, you’re too busy trying to put me in my place.”

You finally looked at him. “Trust me, I still could.”

“Oh, I know,” he murmured, eyes flickering to yours before returning to the road. “But that’s not what’s happening right now, is it?”

You opened your mouth to retort but hesitated.

Because he was right.

And that was irritating.

The rest of the ride passed with that same unbearable tension, neither of you saying much, but the energy thick enough to cut with a knife. Every second felt stretched, every brush of his fingers against the wheel, every shift in his seat, every subtle glance your way felt charged.

When he finally pulled up in front of your place, you should’ve gotten out immediately. You should’ve thanked him—maybe given him a sarcastic remark for good measure—and left it at that.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you hesitated.

Your fingers clenched around the stuffed bear in your lap as you turned to face him. Jake was already watching you, his expression unreadable but his eyes dark with something else.

And before you could talk yourself out of it, you blurted, “Come inside.”

Jake blinked. “What?”

You cleared your throat, shifting in your seat. “For a photoshoot.”

His lips twitched. “At—” he glanced at the clock on the dashboard “—midnight?”

You lifted your chin. “You said you were my muse now, right? I just got an idea. Unless you’re scared of a little late-night work.”

Jake’s smirk deepened, like he could see right through you. “You really suck at making excuses, you know that?”

“Are you coming or not, Sim?”

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head before turning off the car. “Lead the way, boss.”

The moment you stepped inside, the energy shifted again.

Your place was modern yet warm—high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, designer furniture, and mood lighting that cast a soft glow over everything. Jake took it all in as he followed you inside, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“So,” he mused, scanning the room, “where’s the magic gonna happen?”

You rolled your eyes at his choice of words but ignored it, grabbing your camera from the shelf. “In there,” you said, motioning toward the bathroom as you both walked in.

Jake raised a brow as he watched you adjust the settings. “Straight to business?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” you muttered, but even you knew it wasn’t convincing.

He stepped closer, just enough that you felt the heat of his presence. “Whats the plan?”

Your fingers grazed over the camera button as you eyed him without hiding.

Your jaw clenched. You inhaled sharply. Then, without missing a beat, you lifted the camera and snapped a photo right in his face.

Jake blinked at the flash.

You smirked, tilting your head slightly as you studied him. “Take off your suit—leave the button-up—and get in the bathtub.”

Jake froze, his brows lifting slightly. He looked at you like he was trying to figure out if you were serious. But for once, he didn’t argue, didn’t throw a cocky remark your way.

Instead, he simply exhaled, loosened his tie, and shrugged off his suit jacket. His fingers made quick work of his cufflinks before rolling up the sleeves of his already damp button-up. With an unreadable expression, he stepped into the tub, settling against the porcelain with his arms resting along the edges, looking like a king on his throne. His shirt, already slightly undone from earlier, clung to his chest, teasing glimpses of toned skin beneath the fabric.

You hummed, pleased with how naturally he fit into the scene. Lifting the shower head, you turned on the water.

Jake yelped.

“Hey—shit, that’s cold!“ He recoiled, hands shooting up to shield himself from the icy stream.

You grinned mischievously. “Oops. Sorry, princess.”

Jake groaned, dragging a wet hand down his face. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

You only smirked as you adjusted the temperature, letting the water run warm. He exhaled, relaxing under the heat, though you could tell he was still a little wary.

The camera flashed.

Jake’s eyes snapped to yours. “Seriously?”

“That’s it,” you murmured, tilting the lens as you took another shot. “Just relax. You look better when you stop overthinking.”

Something shifted in his expression. His shoulders eased, his body sinking further into the tub as he let go of whatever was running through his mind. The water streamed over him, drenching his shirt completely, making the fabric cling to his torso like a second skin. His hair, already a mess from the rain earlier, now fell over his eyes, strands curling slightly from the dampness.

You almost let yourself admire him.

Almost.

He looked like something out of a luxury ad—lazily elegant, frustratingly attractive, like sin wrapped in silk. He was a glass of dark wine, the kind that burned just enough to keep you coming back for another sip.

But you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of saying that out loud.

Instead, you inched closer, adjusting the focus to capture his eyes. He had the prettiest, prettiest boba eyes—deep and dark, framed by long lashes, almost too soft for someone who loved to tease you so relentlessly.

But something wasn’t clicking. The shot wasn’t right. You frowned, turning off the water to get a better angle, hovering slightly over him in concentration.

Jake watched you past the lens, amusement dancing in his gaze as you pouted in frustration.

“You look cute when you’re trying too hard,” he mused.

You barely had time to process his words before—

Splash.

A gasp tore from your lips as you were suddenly yanked forward, water soaking through your clothes in an instant. Your knees landed on either side of Jake’s lap, hands gripping his shoulders to steady yourself. Your body pressed against his, and the realization hit you way too late.

The camera slipped from your hands, landing with a soft clunk on the dry edge of the tub.

“You—”

But you froze.

Because holy shit.

His hair was a dripping mess, strands falling into his eyes, water trickling down his temples. His lips were slightly parted, breath shallow, chest rising and falling beneath the soaked fabric of his shirt. But it wasn’t that.

It was his eyes. Those eyes.

Gone was the teasing glint, the ever-present mischief. Instead, they were dark, hooded—pleading.

Exactly what you were looking for earlier.

But with something deeper. Something unspoken. It expressed something his mouth couldn’t say.

His grip on your waist tightened slightly, like he was waiting. Like he was testing to see if you’d pull away.

The only sound in the room was the slow, rhythmic dripping of water and the soft, uneven breaths between you both.

Neither of you moved.

Because if you did, if either of you so much as shifted—

You both knew what would happen next.

Jake exhaled shakily, his gaze flickering between your eyes and your lips. Then, voice barely above a whisper, he muttered, “You gonna do something? Because this is killing me.”

Your throat went dry.

“Jake…”

The second his name left your lips—soft, breathless, uncertain—his fingers flexed against your waist, and something in his eyes snapped.

His jaw clenched. His chest rose sharply as he exhaled through his nose, his grip just a fraction tighter, just enough for you to feel the tension between you crackle like a live wire.

“…Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

Without another second to hesitate, his lips crashed onto yours.

A sharp inhale left you as your eyes widened in surprise, but the warmth of his mouth, the way he moved against you so effortlessly, erased any thoughts of pulling away. Your lashes fluttered shut, that little voice in your head telling you to stop quickly drowned out by the sheer pleasure of it all.

Jake kissed you like he had been starving for this—like he had been waiting too long, and now that he had you, he wasn’t going to waste another second. His hands roamed along your back, gripping, exploring, pulling you closer as if he needed you to be right there against him. Your own hands weren’t still either—fingers moving with urgency, working on the buttons of his soaked shirt, pushing the fabric away in greedy desperation.

The wet material slid off his shoulders, discarded somewhere to the side. And then—God—your hands were on him. Palms dragging down the expanse of his torso, feeling the way his muscles tensed under your touch.

Jake sighed into your mouth at the sensation, his breath warm, his body reacting to you just as much as yours was to him.

Your heart was practically pounding. What was he doing to you? You’d played this game before, teased and flirted, danced along the edge of something dangerous—but never like this. Never this raw. Never this vulnerable.

He moved before you could even process it. His hands slid up, fingers weaving into your hair as he shifted you—one second, you were on his lap, the next, you were lying beneath him, water still clinging to both of you.

Jake didn’t hesitate.

His lips left yours only to trail across your jaw, down your neck, to the sensitive dip between your collarbones. He kissed like he was memorizing you, like he wanted to leave a mark in places no one else had ever dared to touch. You sighed at the feeling, your hands slipping up into his damp hair, fingers tugging just enough to make him groan against your skin.

It was intoxicating. The weight of him, the heat of his breath, the way his lips moved against your skin as if he owned you.

Then— Jake stilled.

He pulled back just enough to look at you, his dark eyes flickering over your face. A sharp inhale filled his chest as he took you in—the way you were watching him, the way your lips were parted, the unhidden hunger in your gaze.

Damn.

You looked like you were ready to devour him.

For a moment, he just stared—like he was trying to brand this image into his brain, like he needed to convince himself that this was real.

Then, with a smirk, he leaned in, lips brushing over your ear as he whispered, “Strictly professional, huh?.”

Your brows furrowed slightly, confusion flickering through your desire-hazed mind when he pulled away completely. Jake stood, stepping out of the tub before holding a hand out for you. You took it, letting him pull you up. Water dripped from both of you as you steadied yourself, but your fingers clung to his forearm, your lips slightly parted in silent protest.

Your expression must have given you away because he chuckled, shaking his head.

“Relax,” he mused, tugging you flush against him. “I just wanted to take you to your bedroom—unless you want to do this right here?”

His voice was laced with amusement, but there was something darker beneath it. A challenge. A temptation.

And the way his fingers slowly dragged down your waist, the heat behind his gaze, the way his lips barely ghosted over yours without fully kissing you—

He knew exactly what he was doing.

The warm sunlight streaming through the window pulled you from your sleep, making you groan as your limbs ached from exhaustion. Every movement sent a dull throb through your muscles, a reminder of exactly what had happened last night.

You raised your hand to rub your temple, only to pause when your fingers brushed against something—small, dark bruises dotting your skin.

That jerk.

A lazy smirk tugged at your lips before you turned over, reaching instinctively toward his side of the bed, only to be met with cold sheets. Your stomach twisted.

Your first thought was that maybe he had just gotten up early. But then, the silence in the room became deafening, an eerie reminder of how alone you were.

Your chest tightened, but before the feeling could settle, you noticed the faint glow of light coming from the bathroom.

Relief washed over you, but it was short-lived.

As you moved closer, the sound of his voice—muffled but unmistakable—reached your ears.

You hesitated. Something in you told you to go back, to not listen. But your curiosity, your need to know, got the better of you.

And that’s when you heard it.

“Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. I should just get out of here before she wakes up, right?”

Your breath hitched.

Your heart didn’t just drop—it shattered.

Mistake.

Was that all last night was to him?

A mistake?

The one man you had allowed past your carefully built walls, the one man you let touch you in ways no one else had, was now talking about leaving before you even woke up.

Your hands clenched into fists, fingernails digging into your palm to fight the sting in your eyes. No. No way in hell were you going to sit here and mope about this.

If this was a mistake to him, then it was a mistake to you too.

You turned sharply on your heel, biting down the lump in your throat as you moved quickly to get dressed.

You weren’t going to wait around for him to leave first.

From Jake’s perspective, he woke up to the soft vibration of his phone on the nightstand beside him. Groggily, he turned over, his eyes immediately landing on you—curled up beside him, your arm draped over his waist. You looked so peaceful, your breath steady, your grip on him light but firm.

His heart fluttered at the sight.

With a quiet groan, he reached for his phone, squinting at the screen to see Heeseung flashing across the caller ID.

He sighed before accepting the call.

“Hey,” he whispered, carefully shifting out of your hold so he wouldn’t wake you. Slipping into the bathroom, he shut the door behind him. “What do you want?”

“Yo, I haven’t heard from you since the party. What’s up with you?”

Jake glanced back at the bed through the cracked door before lowering his voice. “I’m at Y/N’s place.”

Silence.

Then, a loud yelp from Heeseung made Jake wince. “What?! Y/N? No way—did you guys—?”

Jake smirked. “Yes. Maybe—we did.”

Heeseung let out a hum of approval. “Damn. Someone finally got to her. Congratulations, man. We should celebrate tonight.”

Jake scoffed. “It’s not like that, Hee.”

Heeseung frowned on the other end. “Wait… you mean you’re actually trying to make something out of this?” A dry laugh followed. “You’re out of your damn mind.”

Jake’s stomach tightened. “What do you mean? I thought—”

“Exactly. You thought.” Heeseung let out a sigh. “I already told you who she is. A man-eater, Jake. If you weren’t at her place right now, she probably would’ve disappeared before you even woke up.”

Jake swallowed hard.

It had taken a long time to get through to you—everyone knew that. But last night felt different. He wasn’t imagining that… right?

“Listen,” Heeseung continued, his voice laced with amusement, “if I were you, I’d take the good fuck and get out of there before she hurts your feelings.”

Jake’s grip on his phone tightened.

“Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. I should just get out of here before she wakes up, right?”

Then, before Heeseung could add anything else, a new voice cut in.

“Don’t listen to that player.”

Jake blinked as Jay snatched the phone away from Heeseung.

Jay shot his friend an unimpressed look before putting the phone to his ear. “If things actually seem like it’ll go good between you two, then go for it.”

Jake exhaled, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. “You think so?”

“Yes. Don’t come crying to us later saying you fumbled.”

Jake let out a short laugh, finally smiling again. “Alright. See you later.”

Hanging up, he set his phone down on the sink and glanced at himself in the mirror. He ran a hand through his messy hair, wincing slightly as a sting shot across his back.

Curious, he turned his body slightly and craned his neck to check—only to see deep, red nail marks trailing down his skin.

A laugh rumbled from his chest.

That was definitely your handiwork.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Another thought crossed his mind, he shouldn’t have listened to Heeseung.

Sure, You had a reputation—everyone knew that. But you weren’t just some girl to him. Last night wasn’t just about the physical.

He had seen the way you softened under his touch. The way you looked at him like he was more than just some guy you had picked for the night.

He wasn’t an idiot. He had felt it.

And yet, for a split second, Heeseung’s words had gotten into his head, making him doubt everything.

Jake stepped out of the bathroom with a light smile, now going back to chuckling at the sight of the nail marks on his back. But as he looked around, his smile slowly faded.

The bed was empty.

The sheets, once messy from the night before, were now slightly straightened—like someone had hastily tried to fix them before leaving. His heart sank.

“Y/N?” he called, his voice hesitant.

Silence.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of you—your clothes, your phone, something. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the closet door slightly ajar. He walked over, tugging it open. Empty.

Jake’s stomach twisted.

You were gone.

His mind raced as he reached for his phone, but before he could dial your number, something on the nightstand caught his eye. A necklace—your necklace. The one you always wore, the one you never took off.

His chest tightened.

What the hell just happened?

Then, it clicked. The way he had found you curled up next to him this morning—the way your fingers had unconsciously gripped his waist, as if afraid he’d leave. You weren’t the type to do that. So why did you—.

Unless—

She heard me.

Jake felt the blood drain from his face. His own words echoed in his head, the ones Heeseung had fed him, the ones he stupidly repeated without thinking.

“Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. I should just get out of here before she wakes up, right?”

He clenched his jaw. “Shit.”

You had heard him. And now, you were gone.

Jake spent the rest of the morning searching for you. He called your phone multiple times, but it kept ringing until it went to voicemail. He texted, only to be met with unread messages. Every hour that passed made his frustration grow—where the hell could you have gone?

Then, it hit him.

Your studio.

Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys and drove across the city, ignoring every red light and honking car. His mind was a storm of emotions—guilt, frustration, fear. He needed to fix this.

When he finally arrived, the familiar sight of your workspace came into view, its large glass windows dimly lit from inside. His heart pounded as he stepped out of his car and made his way to the entrance, pushing open the door without knocking.

The moment he walked in, he spotted you.

You were sitting at your desk, hunched over a sketchbook. From the way your pencil angrily scratched at the page, it was clear you were frustrated. Your usual fluid, elegant designs had been replaced with jagged lines, some pages torn out and crumpled beside you.

You were trying to drown yourself in work.

Jake’s breath caught as he took you in. Your hair was messier than usual, your face devoid of the usual sharp confidence you carried. You looked exhausted. Like you hadn’t slept at all.

Like you were trying to forget last night ever happened.

But when you sensed someone standing in the doorway, you didn’t look up. “Go away.”

Jake swallowed hard. “Y/N—”

“I said go away.” Your voice was steady, but he could hear the underlying hurt beneath it. That hurt made his stomach twist.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, taking slow steps toward you.

You let out a sharp, bitter laugh, finally looking up at him. “Talk? Now you want to talk? Thought this was all a mistake?”

Jake flinched. “That’s not—”

“Don’t,” you cut him off, slamming your pencil down. “Don’t stand there and try to spin this, Jake. I heard you. I heard everything.”

The weight of your words hit him like a punch to the gut.

“I woke up, and you were gone,” you continued, voice rising. “I went looking for you because—because for once, I thought maybe this was different. Maybe I wasn’t just another thing for you to play with. But then I heard you. I heard you say it was a mistake—that you should leave before I woke up.” You scoffed, shaking your head. “Guess I just saved you the trouble.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, his heart hammering. “Y/N, you don’t understand—”

“Oh, I understand perfectly.” You stood up from your chair, stepping closer to him, your expression unreadable. “I was stupid enough to believe that this was more than just another hookup for you. That maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t some temporary distraction.”

Jake took a shaky breath. “You’re not.”

You let out a humorless laugh. “Really? Because that’s not what it sounded like this morning.”

Jake exhaled sharply, gripping the back of his neck. He was messing this up—again. He needed to make you understand.

“I didn’t mean any of that,” he said, voice softer now. “I was on the phone with Heeseung, and he was—” Jake paused, shaking his head. “He was saying a bunch of bullshit, making me second-guess things. But I never meant it, Y/N. The second I said it, I regretted it.”

You stared at him, jaw tight. “And yet you still said it.”

“I know.” He sighed, stepping even closer. “I was stupid. I let someone else’s words get in my head, and I didn’t think. But if you’d stayed just a second longer, you would’ve heard Jay tell me not to listen to Heeseung. You would’ve heard me say that I wanted to stay.”

You hesitated, but your arms remained crossed, a sign that you weren’t letting him off that easily.

Jake sighed, rubbing his face. “Y/N, I don’t do this. I don’t—I don’t wake up next to someone and feel peaceful. I don’t look at someone and think, God, I want more than just one night. But you…” He looked at you, eyes desperate. “With you, it’s different. And that scares the hell out of me.”

Your lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the raw honesty in his voice.

Jake took your silence as permission to continue. “I don’t want to be just another regret for you. I don’t want this to be some game. And if you tell me you regret last night—if you tell me you never want to see me again—I’ll leave. But I don’t think you regret it.”

Your breath hitched. He was right. You didn’t.

But you were scared, too.

Scared because you had spent so long keeping people at arm’s length, convinced that love was a battlefield you had no interest in fighting for. Scared because Jake had found a way past your walls without you even realizing it.

And scared because, despite everything… you still wanted him.

“I don’t regret it,” you admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t know if I can trust you.”

Jake swallowed, nodding. “Then let me prove it to you.”

You stared at him for a long moment, searching his face for any sign of deception. But all you saw was sincerity.

A heavy silence filled the room before you finally exhaled, your shoulders sagging. “This doesn’t mean I forgive you yet.”

Jake’s lips quirked into a small, hopeful smile. “That’s fair.”

You sighed, rubbing your temples. “God, you’re such a pain in the ass.”

“I’ve heard.” He grinned.

You rolled your eyes, but this time, there was no real malice behind it. Just exhaustion. Maybe even the hint of a smile.

Jake took a tentative step forward. “Can I at least take you to dinner?”

You raised a brow. “A real date?”

“A real date,” he promised. “No mistakes this time.”

You studied him for a moment before letting out a small sigh. “Fine. But im paying.”

Jake scoffed. “Just because you have way more money than me doesn’t mean you can show off.”

And as you stood there, sticking your tongue at the boy mischievously who had somehow wormed his way into your heart, you realized— this definitely wasn’t a mistake after all.

BONUS 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bed. You stirred, shifting slightly, only to feel the weight of an arm draped over your waist. A soft exhale tickled the back of your neck, and you turned your head slightly, catching a glimpse of Jake—eyes closed, breathing steady, his features relaxed in a way that made your chest tighten.

It had been weeks since the misunderstanding that nearly tore you apart. Since then, things had fallen into place in a way neither of you had expected. There were no grand declarations or extravagant gestures—just moments like this. Quiet, intimate, and real.

You gently moved his arm, attempting to slip out of bed without waking him, but before you could even shift an inch, his hold tightened.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was rough with sleep, and yet, there was a teasing lilt to it.

You rolled your eyes, smiling despite yourself. “I was going to make coffee. But I see you have other plans.”

He hummed, burying his face into the crook of your neck. “My only plan is keeping you right here for a little longer.”

You let yourself relax against him for a moment before sighing. “Jake, we can’t just stay in bed all day.”

“Why not?” He murmured against your skin. “I finally got you, and now you want to leave me for coffee? You wound me.”

You turned to face him, raising a brow. “You’re so dramatic.”

He smirked. “And yet, you love me anyway.”

Your breath hitched slightly, and Jake noticed—the way your eyes softened, the way you licked your lips as if debating whether to respond. Love. The word had been lingering between you two for a while now, unsaid but present in every touch, every look, every stolen moment.

Instead of answering, you leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was slow, unhurried, filled with an emotion you weren’t quite ready to put into words but hoped he could feel anyway.

He smiled against your lips, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your back. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes, I do love you, Jake. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I don’t know how I survived this long without you.’”

You scoffed, pushing at his chest playfully. “You’re such a dumbass.”

He caught your hand before you could move away, intertwining his fingers with yours. “Fine, fine,” he relented, grinning. “But at least let me make the coffee. You stay here.”

You arched a brow. “You? Making coffee?”

Jake gasped dramatically. “I’ll have you know I make an excellent cup of coffee.”

“You put in twice the sugar any sane person would,” you deadpanned.

“You still drink it when I make it,” he pointed out smugly.

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth in your chest only grew. This—this was what made it different with Jake. The teasing, the tenderness, the effortless way you fit together.

As he finally pulled himself out of bed, ruffling his already-messy hair, you watched him fondly. Maybe neither of you had planned for this, but it was happening anyway.

And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

[theodorenmyth]

Hey in love w you page!!! Sooo my request is kind of a song I think it's from Selena gomez " and what hurts the most is people can go from people you know to people you dont" fiction for Theodore and Mattheo maybe like they change and become distant after getting popular.sorry for any grammar mistakes it's not my first language.thank you in advance:)))

People you know.

Pairings : Mattheo x G/N!Reader x Theodore

Summary : Mattheo and Theodore were once your closest friends—until they weren’t. Slowly, they grew distant, leaving you behind without explanation. When you finally confront them, their indifference cuts deeper than any excuse. The worst part? They didn’t even try to hold on.

A/n ; Heeyy!! Did you miss me? I sure missed all of you. Happy late New year's for all of you mythies :3

Warnings ; ANGST, LITERAL ANGST.

Word count ; 900+

At first, it’s nothing.

Mattheo doesn’t sling his arm over your shoulder anymore, doesn’t ruffle your hair when you’re sitting too focused in class, doesn’t smirk at you like you share a secret no one else could understand.

Theodore stops waiting for you after lessons, doesn’t save you a seat in the library, doesn’t tilt his head with that soft, knowing look when you’re too tired to speak.

It’s fine, you tell yourself. They’re busy. Everyone is busy.

They’ll come around.

But then it gets worse.

──── ୨୧ ──────── ୨୧ ────

You walk into the Great Hall one morning, still groggy from sleep, expecting to find them at your usual spot at the Slytherin table. It’s routine—something you’ve done a hundred times. You’ll sit between them, Theo will shove a book at you and tell you to read something he finds interesting, and Mattheo will steal half your food off your plate and act offended when you try to take it back.

But today, your seat is taken.

Not just occupied—claimed.

Mattheo is leaning in close to some girl, laughing at something she’s saying, his hand brushing against hers on the table. Theodore is across from him, muttering something under his breath to a group of students you barely recognize, his sharp, intelligent eyes focused intently on whatever conversation he’s involved in.

They don’t look up when you approach.

You hesitate for a second, your heart stuttering.

It’s fine. Maybe they just didn’t see you.

“Hey,” you greet, sliding your hands into your pockets to ground yourself.

Mattheo glances up, his expression blank for a second before something flickers over his face—like he wasn’t expecting you.

“Oh. Hey.”

There’s something cold in the way he says it, something distant that sinks deep into your ribs.

You glance at Theo, expecting him to say something, anything, but he barely acknowledges you. Just gives the smallest nod, like you’re just another face in the crowd.

Like you’re not you.

You wet your lips, trying to keep your voice steady. “Are we still studying later?”

Mattheo scratches the back of his neck, looking vaguely uncomfortable. “Uh. Probably not. Got plans.”

Plans.

You wait for him to elaborate. To say something about catching up later, about rescheduling, about anything.

But he doesn’t.

Neither does Theodore.

Something tightens in your throat. You nod once, quickly, and step back. “Right.”

No one stops you as you walk away.

──── ୨୧ ──────── ୨୧ ────

Days pass. Then weeks.

And soon, you realize they aren’t just busy. They aren’t just distracted.

They’re gone.

Not physically. No, they’re still there, in the same places, sitting at the same tables, walking down the same halls. But they aren’t your Theo and Mattheo.

Not anymore.

You’re not sure when exactly it happens—the moment they stop waiting for you after lessons, the moment they stop saving you a seat at the table, the moment your inside jokes stop landing because you aren’t included in them anymore.

But the distance is undeniable now.

One night, you’re in the common room, staring blankly at the fire, your mind tangled in memories you don’t want to let go of. You’re tired. Tired of feeling like you’re chasing ghosts, of grasping at something that keeps slipping through your fingers.

And then they walk in.

Laughing.

Not just laughing—carefree.

Mattheo is grinning as he shoves Theo’s shoulder, murmuring something that makes Theo chuckle under his breath. They move easily, in sync, the way they always have—except this time, you’re not a part of it.

And what makes it worse—so much worse—is that they don’t even see you.

Not until you make them.

You push yourself up from the couch, crossing the room with steady, deliberate steps.

“We need to talk.”

Mattheo sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “Now?”

You swallow hard. “Yes. Now.”

Theodore exhales sharply, looking tired already. “What’s this about?”

You almost laugh. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Mattheo raises a brow. “What’s your problem?”

Your problem.

Your problem.

Anger flares in your chest, sudden and sharp. “My problem is that you two have been acting like I don’t fucking exist.”

Mattheo shifts, crossing his arms. “You’re being dramatic.”

You feel like the air is sucked out of your lungs. “Dramatic?”

Theodore sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Things change.”

You stare at him, disbelief curling in your stomach. “And I guess I just wasn’t part of those changes?”

Silence.

You let out a sharp breath, your hands balling into fists. “Did I do something?”

Mattheo looks away.

Theodore doesn’t say anything.

And that’s when you know.

That’s when it hits you—really hits you—that this isn’t something you can fix. This isn’t some fight you can smooth over, some misunderstanding that can be cleared up with the right words.

You’ve already lost them.

And the worst part?

They don’t even care.

Your throat feels tight, like you’re holding back something too painful to name. “I thought we were—” You inhale sharply, shaking your head. “I thought we were more than this.”

Mattheo doesn’t look at you.

Theodore stays silent.

And that? That fucking silence is worse than any excuse they could have given.

You nod slowly, stepping back. “I guess I just didn’t realize how easy it was for you both.” Your voice is quiet, barely above a whisper. “To go from people I knew to people I don’t.”

For a split second—just a second—Theo’s expression flickers. Like maybe there’s something left.

But it’s gone too fast.

Mattheo looks away first.

Theodore follows.

And neither of them stop you as you walk away.

And that’s what hurts the most. And maybe, just maybe, that’s where the story of you, Mattheo, and Theodore truly ends.

[tribalmajesty05]

Title: The Kiss Hunt

Roman Reigns x Reader

****

It was an unspoken rule by now—before every match, Roman needed his kiss.

No one knew exactly when it started, but somewhere along the way, it became part of his routine. Just like taping his wrists or putting on his vest, he wouldn’t step through that curtain without it. If you were nearby, it was easy—he’d find you, pull you in by the waist, steal a kiss, and head off to dominate in the ring.

But sometimes, you weren’t so easy to find.

Which meant he had to go on the hunt.

Tonight was one of those nights.

“Where is she?” Roman grumbled, already growing impatient as he stormed through the backstage halls.

Jimmy and Jey, sitting on a crate nearby, exchanged looks before Jey smirked. “Damn, Uce. You that desperate for your good luck kiss?”

Roman shot him a look. “You got a problem with it?”

Jimmy raised his hands in defense. “Nope, just funny watching the big uce go on a scavenger hunt for his woman.”

“Shut up,” Roman muttered, moving past them.

Jey laughed. “Whipped.”

Roman ignored them.

He checked catering.

Nothing.

The women’s locker room?

Naomi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, amused as hell. “She left a few minutes ago. You really out here chasing her down, huh?”

“Where’d she go?” he asked, exasperated.

“Somewhere near the production area, I think.”

Roman groaned. He was already supposed to be at Gorilla in five minutes, but he was not stepping out there without that damn kiss.

Meanwhile, you were completely oblivious to the search party forming for you. You had stopped by the production area to chat with Bayley and Rhea when suddenly—

“There you are.”

You barely had time to turn before Roman was right in front of you, hands gripping your waist as he pulled you in.

You blinked. “Uh… hey?”

“I got a match,” he muttered, like that explained everything.

And for him, it did.

A knowing smile spread across your lips. “And what do you need before your match?”

He arched a brow. “You know.”

Bayley, standing off to the side, smirked. “God, you two are disgustingly cute.”

Rhea snorted. “Nah, this is next-level. My man’s been hunting you down like a bloodhound.”

Roman ignored them completely, his focus solely on you. “C’mon, baby. Don’t make me beg.”

Your heart flipped at the way his voice dropped, but you couldn’t resist teasing him just a little. “Beg? Now that I’d like to see.”

He huffed. “I swear to God—”

Before he could say another word, you leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. He instantly melted into it, his grip tightening on your waist like he didn’t want to let go.

The moment should have been sweet, romantic even—if it weren’t for the round of cheers that suddenly erupted around you.

“WOOOO! GET IT, TRIBAL CHIEF!”

You pulled back to see The Usos, Solo, Seth, and even Dean standing there, all of them grinning like they just walked in on a damn rom-com.

Seth cackled. “Man, he really couldn’t go out there without it, huh?”

Dean smirked. “You got this man acting like an addict.”

Jey nudged Jimmy. “I told you, Uce. Whipped.”

You rolled your eyes. “Oh, shut up, all of you.”

Roman, however, was completely unbothered. He smirked down at you, tilting his head slightly. “Don’t act like you don’t love it.”

You sighed dramatically. “I tolerate it.”

He chuckled, then leaned in to whisper, “That’s not what you were saying last night.”

Your face heated instantly.

The guys lost it.

“OH, HELL NO—”

“TOO MUCH INFO, MAN—”

“DAMN, UCE—”

Bayley covered her ears. “I did not need to hear that!”

Rhea just nodded in approval. “Respect.”

Meanwhile, Roman smirked in victory, pressing one last kiss to your cheek before finally backing away. “Alright, I’m good now.”

Jey threw his hands up. “Oh, now you good?”

Jimmy shook his head. “Man, if y’all ever break up, we’re done for.”

You crossed your arms. “Not happening.”

Roman smirked. “Damn right.”

And with that, he walked off toward Gorilla, leaving everyone behind to recover from the overwhelming amount of PDA.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Dean shook his head with a grin. “Man, y’all are something else.”

You just shrugged, smiling to yourself. Because honestly?

You wouldn’t change a thing.

[angstywaifu]

Everyone Has Secrets - Aaric Graycastle

Request: Aaric x reader where the reader is a rider but also a princess of another Provence, but she kept it a secret from everyone because she ran away to be a rider to fight venin because she didn’t want her people to suffer. A/N: This is my first time writing for Aaric so I hope you guys like it. I've seen a few requests come in for him now so I'll definitely be working on them and hope to improve my writing for him.

Warnings: The below contains spoilers for Onyx Storm. If you have not read Onyx Storm do not read the below!

Masterlist | Support Me

“What’s up with you and Aaric?” Sloane whispers to me as Devera asks Violet about her trip.

“Nothing. Why’s that?” I ask as I look up at her.

“Because he’s been staring at you since he sat down. It’s like he’s trying to read your mind.” She informs me.

I turn my head and meet Aaric’s piercing green eyes. And Sloane is right. The way he’s looking at me is like he’s trying to figure something out. And it’s like me looking at him confirms what ever it is he needs, quickly turning his attention back to the front of the room. What was that about?

“Maybe he was trying to see if we were ok? He’s been gone a while.” I whisper back with a shrug.

She shakes her head. “No. This is something else.”

Devera turns her attention back to the rest of us, putting an end to our conversation. It doesn’t take long for me to feel Aaric’s eyes on me, but I don’t turn to meet them this time.

Something had clearly happened while he was away with Violet and the squad she had put together. But I had no way of telling what it was.

Throughout the rest of our classes I feel Aaric’s eyes on me every now and then. But I couldn’t pin point why. And it honestly had me on edge. I’d never seen Aaric like that towards anyone since our time here. I had planned to ask him what his problem was, but his seat at our table remains empty during dinner.

“We’re going to go train, want to come with?” Sloane asks me as we stand up from our table.

I shake my head. “I’m going to have an early one tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I tell her as I back away towards the dorms.

She just nods and lets me go, knowing Aaric’s weird mood towards me had put me on edge. I was glad she’d opted for the let me be approach rather than distract me with training or plotting how we could find out what was going on.

As I push through the door to the dorms, someone grabs me from behind, causing me to yelp which echoes in the empty hall. I turn around to fight back, grasping a dagger in my hand which hangs in the air once I see the familiar green eyes I’d felt on me all day. Green eyes that feel like they’re staring into my soul.

I open my mouth to ask him what the hell is going on, but he just drags me up the stairs to the first year floor and down to his room. He shoves me inside before closing the door behind us, leaning back against it to block any attempt I might make to leave.

“What the hell is going on?” I demand, wanting to know why his behaviour towards me had changed so much since his trip.

“Seems you’ve been keeping secrets. Princess.”

My eyes go wide at his words, my dinner threatening to make an appearance. Shit. How the hell did he know? No one knew where I was from. Nowhere in Navarre knew who I was. Unless… shit.

“Everyone has secrets.” I say with a shrug, trying to play it off.

“Oh trust me, I know.” He replies cockily, causing me to narrow my eyes at him. What the hell did that mean. “And you probably would have gotten away with yours if I hadn’t gone with Violet.”

“What are you going on about?”

He pushes off the door and walks over to his desk. Going through the bag he was yet to unpack from his trip. He pulls out a frame, holding it out to me. I grasp it in my hands, turning it over as dread washes over me. Staring back at me is a painting of me with my parents done not long before I’d left. The family Id left behind to come and do something. To protect them from a war that would more than likely come our way one day. There was no way I could deny what Aaric had figured out.

“I always thought your eye colour was unique. Such an interesting shade of blue. Sometimes looking purple when the light hit it them right.” He tells me as he leans up against the desk, watching me take in the photo. “So you can probably guess the shock I got when we land in Hedotis, and we’re greeted by people with the same coloured eyes. The same ones I’ve been looking at since July. And then when I go looking around, I find this sitting on a desk.”

I look up at him, not sure what to say or do. I had thought my secret would be safe forever. No one here had ever been to Hedotis, and I honestly thought no one would ever go there. But now Aaric stood in front of me, waiting for answers.

“What are you going to do? Force me to go back? Go get whatever reward they want for my return?” I snap at him, shoving the painting back at him.

He shakes his head as he places the painting next to him on the desk. “Fuck no. I want to know why though. I have my reasons, but what are yours? Why make that big of a journey to come here of all places?”

His reasons? What the hell did that mean? Pretty sure it was going to be my turn to interrogate him after this at this rate.

“Because I didn’t want to sit back and do nothing.” I tell him as I walk over to his window, looking out over the forest below. “I was sick of us turning a blind eye to what could potentially come our way. Pretending that everything was fine and blissful. When over the ocean, people were dying. I needed to make a difference, even if my parents wouldn’t. All they cared about was marrying me off to make alliances. Give another province an heir that would make them allied to us. Even though we would never back them up if they needed help. I needed to do something.”

Aaric doesn’t say a word. Silence falling over us. I turn around to see him looking at me, a smile pulling at the edges of his mouth.

“Good. Because honestly your people are kinda shit.” He jokes as he steps away from the desk to walk over to the door.

“Not so fast Aaric.” I say, causing him to turn and look at me with a cocked eyebrow. “Now it’s your turn. Why do you have your reasons?”

[aerichives]

unspoken notes (part 2)

aeri uchinaga x reader

synopsis. aeri expected teasing, maybe a flustered excuse but not for y/n to bolt like she’d touched fire. now, y/n is avoiding her completely, dodging glances, changing seats, slipping away before aeri can even get close. aeri smirks to herself, if y/n thinks she can run forever, she’s got another thing coming.

genre. mutual pining, slow burn, fluff

words. 756

part 1 part 2

aeri doesn’t waste time.

the next day, she waits for the perfect moment. and it comes easily, y/n, sitting alone in the library, buried in her notes, completely unaware of the storm about to hit.

aeri watches, lingering just out of sight for a moment. y/n’s brow is slightly furrowed, her lips parted in concentration as she scribbles something down, eyes scanning the page like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. it’s cute. too cute.

something tightens in aeri’s chest. she swallows hard. damn it. she shouldn't be the one feeling flustered right now. but watching y/n like this, completely unguarded, lost in her own little world, makes her stomach twist in a way she doesn’t want to think too hard about. she forces herself to refocus, clearing her throat as she approaches.

“hey,” she says, resting her chin on her hand as she leans against the table.

y/n hums absentmindedly in response, not even looking up.

aeri waits a beat, then reaches into her bag, pulling out the small device she’s been holding onto since last night. she places it gently on the table between them, alongside the folded sweater. “you left this in your pocket.”

y/n’s reaction is instant. her eyes snap to the ipod, then to aeri, then back to the ipod again like she’s trying to convince herself it’s not actually there. her hand shoots out to grab it.

“oh, right! thanks, i didn’t even notice—”

“i noticed.”

aeri cuts in smoothly, her voice laced with amusement.

y/n’s fingers tighten around the device, her knuckles going slightly white. she doesn’t say anything, but aeri can practically feel the nervous energy radiating off her.

aeri tilts her head, smirk growing. “so… i took a peek.”

y/n freezes.

aeri lets the silence hang between them, watching as realization slowly, painfully dawns on y/n’s face. it’s almost impressive how quickly she cycles through emotions—shock, horror, denial, sheer existential dread.

y/n swallows. “i— what?” her voice comes out slightly higher than usual.

aeri leans in, lowering her voice just enough to make the space between them feel smaller, charged. “you made a playlist for me?”

y/n practically chokes on air. “i— it’s not— that’s—!”

aeri raises an eyebrow, waiting. she’s seen y/n flustered before, countless times, but this is different. this is full-body panic.

“it’s nothing,” y/n mutters quickly, eyes darting anywhere but aeri. “it’s just… just a dumb thing. doesn’t mean anything.”

aeri’s smirk falters slightly.

y/n sounds defensive. not just embarrassed, almost scared. and for the first time, aeri wonders if she might have pushed too hard.

she softens, about to say something. something teasing, but gentler this time, something to let y/n breathe but before she can, y/n suddenly pushes her chair back, standing so fast she nearly knocks into the table.

“i have to go,” y/n stammers, shoving the ipod into her bag without meeting aeri’s gaze. “i forgot i have something to do.”

aeri blinks. “hey.”

but y/n is already halfway out the door.

just like that, she’s gone.

aeri stares after her, the playful spark from earlier fading into something closer to confusion. she expected teasing. maybe nervous laughter, a half-hearted attempt at brushing it off. she didn’t expect y/n to bolt.

and what’s worse, over the next few days, y/n starts avoiding her.

it starts small. aeri walks into the lecture hall only to find y/n on the opposite side of the room, head down, pretending to be completely engrossed in her notes.

okay. that’s fine. maybe it’s just a coincidence.

but then it happens again. and again.

in the hallways, y/n changes directions the second she sees aeri coming.

and when aeri actually manages to catch her, cornering her outside the library with a casual “hey, stranger,” y/n stumbles out some excuse about needing to study and disappears before aeri can even respond.

aeri is… not happy.

scratch that. she’s frustrated.

this isn’t just avoidance, this is full-on, dedicated evasion, like aeri has shingles and it’s driving her insane.

she didn’t mean to freak y/n out. she just wanted to tease her a little, to push the boundary of whatever this thing between them was. because there is something there. there has to be.

and now, for the first time, aeri is afraid she might have just ruined it.

she flops onto her bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, running through the conversation over and over again. did she push too hard? maybe she should’ve handled it differently. maybe she should’ve pretended not to see the playlist at all.

no. that’s not the real issue.

the real issue is that y/n likes her. that much is obvious now. and instead of dealing with it, y/n is running.

aeri exhales slowly, rubbing a hand over her face.

fine. if y/n wants to play this game, aeri will let her. for now.

but she’s not going to let her keep running forever.

[druidwolf21]

Part of first impression

JUST ADDING

This is not proofread, Tumblr uploaded it before it was finished so I had a mad panic to try to get this out!

Lion El'Johnson x f! Reader

Thank you all so much for your unlimited patience! Finally the next part to first impressions!

Honestly I have so many drafts for this, I want through like 4 primarch's lol

As always, 2 endings one fluffy one angsty and a separate smut waaaaaayy below

ANYWAY ENJOY

CW:smut with a warning, swearing. Q

Just lion El'Johnson being a grump

Tags: @beckyninja @lemon-russ @moodymisty @thisuserislilsilly @jaghatai-khock @echo-of-damnation @laura-naruto-fan1998 @cosmic-cryptid-from-beyond @astrohymn @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan

Let me know if you wanna be tagged or removed, I'm just going off my old tags lol!

K THANKS ENJOY

Twisting the soft snowy satin of your dress between your fingers, you edged your way through the crowd towards the burnished doors. Slipping through the huddles of gossiping bodies, you managed to reach the exit with suspicious ease. A giddy smile crept along your face as you reached out, The silvered handle feels cool under your touch as you grip and pull.

And then pull again

Crap

The locked rattled in its setting with each tug, refusing to give any leeway.

"bloody typical" you mutter, spinning on your heels and scouring the room again. "When is it ever that easy"

Your eyes fell to a small door. Carved out to blend in with the wall, it would be unnoticeable if it weren't for the trickling flow of serfs filtering through, shoulders bowed under the ladened trays they handled. Taking one last look around the gilded hall, you gathered your dress back up and swept towards it. Avoiding the lengthy shadows cast by towering men of war and following the ebb and flow of dancers, you edged ever closer, blending in seamlessly with the crowd. You became just another face before slipping silently through the cracks and easing yourself away from the gathering.

You puffed out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding and let out a snort as you began running down the thin corridor. Laughter bubbled in your chest as you slipped further away until the raucous chatter was but a muted haze. Finally slowing your pace, you stepped into a small kitchen, your laughter calming to a content smile as you breathed in the scent of warm foods and hot wine. A few serfs smiled and greeted you by name, chuckling as you told them of your botched escape through the main doors.

The serfs quarters had always been a second home to you and, despite your station, they'd always welcomed you with open arms. An elderly woman slapped your hand halfheartedly, scolding you as you snatched hot rolls, tender meats and fruits from a platter, rolling them up in a small cloth as you perched yourself on a counter. Content, you watched them work, joking with them as they passed around you. The black iron counter felt hard beneath you, but the crackling of the fire and idle chatter made you feel warm and content as you settled in.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

"MISS MISS"

a voice carved through the bustle of the kitchen as a young girl tumbled out of another side door. You slid from your perch and caught her as she fell, propping her back upright. She looked up at you, eyes wide as she gasped for breath. "Miss it's th'lord, your brother, he's come lookin' for ya miss"

The kitchen halted, an uncomfortable silence stretched thin, before the elderly woman grasped your hand and pulled you towards her.

"everyone! back to work! And not a *WORD* that the young miss was here" she barked, ushering you towards the fireplace. With weathered fingers she slid her hands along a groove in the wall, earning a soft click as a door opened up.

"that'll take you to the gardens miss, hurry up now, or your brother will be dragging you back" she pressed your bundle of food into your hands. "Go"

You gripped the linen parcel and grinned "thanks I owe you guys"

"remember that the next time you're in trouble and stay out of my hair" she grumbled, "thought you would've grown out of this by now" offering you a tired toothless smile, she chuckled to herself before pushing you through and sealing the cold brick behind you.

Rolling your eyes, you turned and lumbered down yet another corridor.

I swear if I have to go down one more blood tunnel..

You trailed your fingers down the walls, scrunching your nose up at the damp moss that saturated it's surface. The temperature dropping with each step you took and it felt like a decade had passed in the dark echoing chill before fresh, cool air began filtering towards you. Soft silver light hit your skin as you ducked under a crumbling arch and stepped into soft grass, the smell of petrichor and dew hung sweetly in the air.

It was later than you'd thought. The sky was painted dark and splattered with twinkling stars and the faint flash of engine ignition flashed and dissipated into the distance. Dropping your gaze, you trailed your sight over the swathes of blossoming trees that stretched beneath the endless sky. Their boughs swayed gently, shuddering their leaves and tousling petals loose to dance across the breeze and into the night.

Stepping from the tunnel, you wandered towards the dappled shadows of the orchard sprawling before you, moonlight filtering through thick blankets of leaves and blossoms as you slipped amongst the trunks. The air felt calm and quiet around you as you pressed a hand against an aged peach tree, it's twisted bark marking your palms as you leant against it to pull off your heels.

Dropping your shoes into the grass you stretched and turned back towards the glittering lights of the manor. Flickering shadows as people passed the giant glass filtered down towards the grounds, but the music was distant, drowned by the gentle singing of cicadas.

" I am so dead when this is over"

Rolling your arms back, you cracked the joint, attempting to ease some tension from your limbs. 10 minutes of peace had turned into an unplanned daring escape and your brother was NOT going to be happy. But that was a problem for tomorrow, at least for now you had a chance to enjoy some alone ti-

Crack

A sharp noise cracked the silence and you jolt upright as you peered through the dark to find its source. Ears straining for any sound you stepped backwards, twisting your head as you scan around. From the corner of your eye you see it. A shadow. Heart in your throat you grasp your shoe in your fist, the pointed heel raised as you step out from the cover if the tree.

"Whoever you are, I'm warning you, I'm armed"

"Armed? Is that what you call it"

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

A yell rips from your throat as you spin, lashing out at the voice. Aim true, your heel swings towards center mass until a hand finds your wrist and twists. With a cry, you drop your improvised weapon. Panic rising in your throat, you pull backwards. The bruising grip on your arm released and you stumble, before quickly finding your feet and hissing through your teeth. Fists raised in defense, you bristled as you faced the intruder.

Eyes widened as you faced a mountain of verdant green. Bone ivory silk lined the edges of rich emerald that rippled like dappled shadows in the forest around you. You cast your gaze higher, regarding the tabard, fabric whispering with each movement, heavy yet fluid as it lay draped over broad shoulders.

A grumble dragged your thoughts back as your eyes met with a silent glare. blonde locks fell about his face and a thick beard framed his strong jaw, but it was his eyes that held your attention. They were almost as vibrant as his garb; Vivid, primal, with an intensity that had every inch of your body pickling with goosebumps.

"watch it, girl" he growled, brows creased as he looked down at you.

Lion El'jonson, the emperor's first, primarch of the dark angels, towering over you with a scowl etched on his face.

You continued to stare, mouth slightly agape as your brain turns over itself.

I just tried to stab a primarch

With my shoe

Blood rushed to your cheeks and your hands flew to your mouth.

"my lord, I am so sorry I didn't realise-"

He cut you off with a large hand,brushing your apology off as he turned away.

"I don't need your apology, just keep your eyes open"

You bristled at his tone.

"excuse me?"

He paused, looking down at you over his shoulder as you clenched your hands into fists.

"I should watch where I'm going? You were out here skulking about, prowling around like something for a horror story, but IM the one who needs to keep my eyes open?"

His pupils narrowed as you pointed a small finger up at him, jabbing the air as you stepped towards him.

"you owe ME an apology for scaring me half to death"

A rumble vibrated through the air, silencing you. Your hand dropped and you huffed, refusing to pail under the growl of the primarch as he slowly turned back.

"well?"

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Lion watched as the woman stared up at him, defiance in her face as she refused to bow under his presence, her small hand jabbing the air, inches from him. Pride and curiosity battled within him as he turned back towards her. Who were you to dare talk back to him? Impudent little thing. Brave little thing.

Curiosity won out and he turned back to face you. A grumbled hammered through his ribs, his third lung pushing air through his chest.

You WILL conceed.

But still you refused to bend.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

"who do you think you are" he snarled, stepping towards you, dwarfing you beneath his shadow. His eyes glowing with moonlight and rage as he glowered at your small form. "First you strike me, then you speak back to me?"

You returned his look with one just as fiery.

"and I'll keep doing it, until you apologize back to me'

The tension stretched to breaking point, neither of you moving as the breeze trickled past you.

Finally you sighed, flicking your hair back behind your shoulder.

"fine, I'll agree to watch where I'm going IF you agree not to freak me out again"

Viridian eyes continued to bore into you, trailing from your face, down your figure before returning upwards, lingering on your lips for a moment.

He snorted and you decided that was probably all the agreement you were going to get.

Bending, you picked up your food parcel from where it had fallen, forgotten in the grass. You lowered yourself down, resting you back against a tree and tapped the soft soil next you.

"join me?"

Lion held fast refusing to move until you huffed again.

"I thought knights of Caliban were supposed to protect the weak?" you tapped the ground again. "Besides, if I didn't see you out here, what hope do I have of spotting anything else?"

Begrudgingly, he finally stepped forward and dropped to your side, grumbling as he stretched a leg out whilst bringing the other to his chest, resting his bulky forearm against his knee.

"you are a menace, woman"

You flashed a fake, shocked look across your face.

"you hardly know me!"

"and even then, I still know you too much"

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Lion blinked as you started to laugh. Not a false laugh like he heard so often from the courts, a genuine laugh, a belly laugh that had you rolling your head back.

By now, he had scared most people off, he knew he was intimidating, knew the effect he had of baselines, but you were just... sat there.

Laughing?

"wow you really know how to make a girl feel special" you gasped. He angled his head slightly, watching as you wiped your eyes and gulped for breath. Throwing a genuine smile at him, he felt a brief palpitation in his chest.

Your chest heaved and tears pricked your eyes, as he trailed his sight down, lingering on the curves of your body beneath the pale dress that clung to you as you stretched your legs out.

"you are very odd" he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers

"you have no idea"

"enlighten me then"

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

You didn't know if lion was actually listening, or if he really cared, but he didn't move as you opened up your little bundle and began picking at the food, happily chatting away about the the house, the party and the events that led you to meeting him. He grunted every now and then, barely moving as you continued for what felt like hours.

And soon, he began to open up to you. slowly, at first, offering short replies as you questioned him about Caliban, the dark angels and, eventually, himself.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Lion coughed back a smile as you stared up at him, eyes wide and glittering with starlight as you listened to his stories. not just battles and victories, Stories of sparring matches whilst he was training, eating with friends, travelling and seeing worlds, each tale had your face shining with delight, entranced. He felt...seen, by you, not at a primarch, or as a knight. As a man.

He found himself losing himself in the melody of your voice as you chirped so sweetly, asking for more.

And when you gently placed your hand on his arm, leaning in to hear his coarse voice, he knew he was gone

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

"so what about you?"

"hmm?"

"obviously I know why you're here, but why are you HERE" you gestured around you.

He remained silent, eyes locked on you, stock still not even blinking. You cocked a brow at him, popping a cherry in your mouth.

"I did not like the company"

You nodded slowly.

"I get that, sometimes it's a bit much"

The moon had risen high overhead now, silvering the soft blonde of lions hair until it shone almost white. Chewing the cherry slowly, you brought the little package up, offering it up to him. He shuffled slightly, raising his hand before returning it to his knee.

"not hungry?" You queried, popping another cherry between your lips.

"most baseline foods are not prepared with primarchs in mind" he sighed, twitching his hand.

Pursing your lips, you picked up a strawberry, rolling it between your fingers. "I guess that makes sense, you'd probably squash it"

he grunted in response, watching you as you hummed, still twisting the ripe berry between your index and thumb.

"here"

You clambered to your feet, leaning over his arm as you brought the strawberry towards his lips.

"try it, it's good"

He glanced between the fruit and your face, his face unreadable. Blush started crawling up your neck and across your cheeks as you realised how you stood. your chest pressed to his forearm, leaning against him, your face so close you could see the crowsfeet near his eyes and the tired lines by his mouth.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

You were so close

The faint smell of your soft perfume and the cherry syrup linger on your lips filled his nose. Lion could feel the warmth of your body against his skin and hear how your heart thrummed in your chest, pounding like a jackhammer against your ribs as you leant in close.

Closing his eyes, the strawberry was sweet and ripe on his tongue, the juice swimming in his mouth as he swallowed, his tongue reached forward to like the syrup from his lip, instead finding the soft skin of your fingertip. Both of his hearts jolted and adrenaline flooded him.

He heard your breath hitch, felt you tense at the touch, before a soft sigh left you.

🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

You hummed as you felt Lions lips meet your skin, a gentle kiss pressed to your finger tip. His eyes fluttered open as you slowly drew your hand back. You blinked up at him, a soft smile gracing you.

"see? It's good right?" You whispered.

Without warning, he lowered his face, glittering eyes catching yours just for a single second before his warmth enveloping you as his lips softly brush against your own. The kiss was surprisingly gentle, almost hesitant at first, as if testing the moment, before it deepened, the softness of the touch contrasting with his mass of twisted muscle and calloused skin. You felt yourself melt, giving into his touch as his leg dropped and his hands reached to your waist, pulling you flush against him. The taste of strawberry was sweet on your tongue as you gave in to him.

Sighing as his lips finally left yours, he took your hand and raised it to his mouth. You chest almost flush with his chest as you perched in his lap.

"my lady, it would please me, to take you to Caliban, to see it for yourself"

Go with lion

Your breath hitched in your throat at his words.

"what?"

You felt a soft rumble in his chest as he continued to hold your hand, pressing it to his lips again before replying, The rough hair on his face prickling your skin.

"I have not had company such as yours for a long time, I would loathe to give it up here, allow me to bring you with me"

Your mouth fell open as you continued to blink up at him, your jaw working furiously to try to coax words into being. Finally you swallowed dryly and nodded.

A frown snuck its way across his features at your silence, slowly releasing your hand, he trailed his palm along your waist, resting at your hip.

"your words, woman"

His tone snapped you out of your reverie and you huffed, gently hitting his firm chest.

"you can't just ask me that, then call me woman, I have a name" leaning forward, you rested your head against his chest, listening to the strong thump of his hearts through the soft sea of green silk.

"but yes."

"yes?"

"yes I will go with you, IF you promise to stop calling me woman"

A large hand grasped your shoulder and pulled you back, the other finding your chin and bringing your head up. He searched your face looking for any doubt, his pupils thin as he scoured you, peeling you back later by layer. After a moment, he nodded, relaxing as he pulled you back to his chest.

Looking back at the manor, you see the last of the light flicker and die through the windows as the first peppering of dawn filters through the black expanse of the sky. You felt Fingers tangle in your hair finding your aquilla pin, deftly tugging it out and throwing it to the side.

Lion would find something more appropriate, now that you were his

"I can do that."

Refuse Lion

"you want- to take me to Caliban?"

He nodded, the firm grip on your waist squeezing slightly as he slowly dropped your hand.

"you spent the entire night out here, just to avoid that scene" he tilted his chin towards the now quieted manor, the lights fading to a muted flicker, before expiring, leaving the building cold and quiet in the early morning light.

"you wouldn't need to hide, if you came with me"

Pushing off his chest you clambered off his lap, instantly missing the heat he radiated. You stepped into the chilled grass and wrung your hands before dragging them through your hair, ripping the golden pendant from your locks. You stare at the pin, the creeping red hues of the sky glinting from its wings.

"I can't"

"what?"

You refuse to turn as you hear the primarch rise to his feet, instead glaring down at the elongated shadow he casts over you.

"what do you mean you can't"

Annoyance prickles his voice now as he steps closer to you. Finally turning you smile up at him sadly. Reaching for his hand, you place the eagle in his palm.

"I'm sorry"

You brush past him, breaking into a sprint as you head back towards the tunnel you came from, tears flowing freely down your face. He doesn't call for you, did not chase you and when you finally turned around, he was gone.

"I'm sorry, Lion"

Smut warning below

Alternate ending to going with Lion

"To Caliban?"

He responded with a low hum, allowing his lips to trail up your arm.

"Caliban, Terra, anywhere"

His lips found your throat, peppering your skin with soft kisses, his fingers found the soft plush of your hips, as he nuzzled into you, breathing in your scent.

You tilted your chin, encouraging him on as you threw your arms around his neck.

"say yes" he huffed, nipping and sucking at your pulse point, pulling a soft pink bruise across your skin. "Say you'll come with me"

"y-yes"

"good girl" he captured your lips in another kiss, heated and hungry, the tenderness gone as he devoured the taste of you. His tongue slipped between your lips and you groaned, grinding yourself down into his groin, smirking as his grip on your hips tightened and a growl ruptured from him.

Pulling away, he tore into the knot around your neck, working the bow loose and tugging the fabric over your head, leaving your body exposed to the chill air. Tossing it aside, his mouth found your breast. rolling the nipple on his tongue, he nipped and sucked. His beard coarse against your skin. Your back arched, pressing yourself further into him as your own hands found his hair, rough between your fingers, you tugged and toyed as he left his mark on your flesh.

You jerked as his calloused thumb found your clit and you felt him smirk against your skin. His free hand found your hair and pulled your head back slightly, holding you in place as he stroked circles on your sensitive nub. His tongue traced a line between your breasts and up your throat , pausing at your jaw.

"where has that attitude gone, my lady?"

You try to respond, only a fractured cry leaving you mouth as the knot in your gut tightens and cracks, ripping through in waves of pleasure as you cum. You twitch as his thumb keeps flicking over you, overstimulated, you whine and squirm beneath his touch.

Through blurry eyes, you see his hand move to his trousers, pulling them down enough to free himself. He slowly pulls you forward, his member trailing up and down your slit, teasing, coating him before he slowly slides in.

You cry out at the stretch, inch by inch filling you in a way you couldn't imagine. Lion kissed tears from your eyes as he slowly slid in, words of praise whispered from his lip you never dreamed would come from him, alongside words that made you cunt clench around him.

"good girl"

"you like fucking your lord in the woods?"

"wanted this the whole time? To please your primarch"

"so perfect"

His hips thrust upwards, the tip of his dick pressing into the sweet spot in your center as your mind turned to mush. His hands were on you, grounding your hips as he rutted into you, your own hand bunched into his tabard, clinging to him as you bounced against him.

"l-lion, m'gonna"

He snarled as he fucked into you, his eyes feral and glinting in the light as his bit into your shoulder.

You threw your head back, crying out in pain and pleasure as you came, feeling him twitch inside you as he finished, his teeth marring your tender muscle. His chest heaved beneath you as you collapsed forward, gasping. You could hear the below of his lungs as he sucked in oxygen, coming down from his own high. Thick fingers found your spine, dancing up towards your neck before a soft kiss was placed against your head.

"I'm glad you're coming"

You looked up at him, a cheeky smirk dancing across your mouth and he rolled his eyes, his own smile partially hidden beneath his beard.

"Stop it"

"I didn't say anything, lion!"

"you didn't have to"

You returned your head to his chest, still grinning as you heart finally slowed down.

I could get used to this

[novaursa]

A Lion's Folly (the honest)

- Summary: A story where a lion falls for the eldest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark, you.

- Pairing: stark!reader/Jaime Lannister

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Previous part: what may come

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @oxymakestheworldgoround @butterflygxril @lordofthunderthr @mrsnms @itisjustwhatitis @urdxrling @meowmeowmothermeower

The grand halls of Casterly Rock bustled with quiet efficiency as servants moved swiftly, setting the final touches for the upcoming wedding. The air was thick with the scent of fresh-cut roses, imported from the Reach, their crimson petals arranged meticulously along the golden-lined tables in the Great Hall. Candles were being placed in towering candelabras, their flames soon to illuminate the grandest feast the Westerlands had seen in years.

Jaime walked through the preparations with Bronn at his side, the sellsword looking entirely unimpressed by the extravagance.

"Remind me again why I have to be here?" Bronn drawled, arms crossed as his gaze flicked from the pristine gilded goblets being arranged to the heavy velvet banners that draped the walls. "I’m not the one getting married to a Stark.”

Jaime scoffed, running his fingers over the golden lion crest embedded into the nearest banquet table. "Because if I have to suffer through this, I see no reason why you shouldn’t."

Bronn smirked. "You’re in a right foul mood for a groom. Aren’t grooms supposed to be excited? Joyous? Dreaming about the wedding night and all that?"

Jaime shot him a glare. "Would you keep your voice down?"

Bronn chuckled, adjusting the belt at his waist. "Come now, Kingslayer. Are you telling me you’re not looking forward to it? Your blushing bride, draped in silk, waiting for you in—"

"If you wish to keep that tongue, I suggest you bite it," Jaime interrupted, his patience wearing thin.

Bronn raised his hands in mock surrender. "Touchy, touchy. Fine, let’s talk about something else—like how much bloody coin they’re spending on this farce."

Jaime’s eyes flicked toward the towering cake being constructed in one corner of the hall, layers of honeyed sponge and sugared fruit arranged so decadently it looked like something out of a song. Tywin had spared no expense, and it was clear that this wedding wasn’t just about sealing a political alliance—it was about displaying Lannister power to the entire realm.

"It’s excessive," Jaime admitted, his voice low. "Even for my father."

Bronn snorted. "Now that is saying something."

Jaime sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It’s all for show. The banners, the food, the music, the guests. Tywin doesn’t just want a wedding. He wants a spectacle. A reminder to every lord and lady in Westeros that a Lannister does not bow, does not break. That even the Starks, once his greatest enemies, are now bound to him."

Bronn exhaled, glancing around before lowering his voice. "And does the Stark girl know she’s just another jewel in his golden crown?"

Jaime clenched his jaw, his gaze drifting toward the high table where he and you would sit the next night. "She knows," he said quietly.

Bronn studied him for a moment before shaking his head. "You’ve got it bad."

Jaime turned toward him, brows furrowed. "What?"

Bronn smirked. "The way you talk about her. The way you keep looking for her in every room. You’re starting to care, Jaime."

Jaime scoffed. "I don’t—"

"Oh, save it," Bronn cut him off, waving a hand. "You might not admit it, but I see it plain as day. If this was just duty to you, you wouldn’t be brooding about it. But no, you’re actually thinking about how she feels. And that, my friend, is dangerous."

Jaime exhaled slowly, his hands tightening into fists. "It doesn’t matter how I feel. This is happening, whether either of us wants it or not."

Bronn studied him, then chuckled. "You know what I think? I think you’re more worried about what happens after the wedding than the wedding itself."

Jaime turned away, his golden hand pressing against the edge of the banquet table. He didn’t answer.

Because Bronn was right.

It wasn’t the vows, the feast, or even the spectacle that troubled him.

It was the uncertainty of what came next.

Would you ever accept this union? Would you ever forgive him for all that had been taken from you? For all the pain his family had caused yours?

And, more unsettling than all of that, why did he care so much about the answer?

Bronn clapped him on the shoulder, snapping him from his thoughts. "Well, good luck with that. I’ll be drinking through the whole thing, if you need me."

Jaime rolled his eyes. "Of course you will."

As the final preparations continued, Jaime lingered for a moment longer, staring at the grand hall before him.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

For better or worse.

The corridors of Casterly Rock were eerily quiet as Jaime made his way toward your chambers. The great fortress, usually filled with the sounds of servants and courtiers, felt heavier tonight, as if it, too, was bracing for what was to come. He had spent the day overseeing the final preparations for the wedding, had endured Bronn’s mocking, Tywin’s scrutiny, and the suffocating weight of expectation.

Yet, despite it all, he found himself here.

He had told himself it was only to ensure that you were prepared for tomorrow, that he was fulfilling his duty as your betrothed. But deep down, he knew better. He had been thinking about you all day, about the way you had been so quiet since their arrival, the way your sharp retorts had lessened, the way you had withdrawn more and more into yourself.

He knocked lightly before stepping inside, finding you standing near the window, your arms wrapped around yourself as you gazed out over the darkened sea. You didn’t turn at his entrance, but he could see the tension in your shoulders, the way your fingers dug into the fabric of your sleeves.

“You’ll be my wife tomorrow,” Jaime said lightly, trying to inject a bit of humor into his tone as he closed the door behind him. “Are you ready to wear Lannister colors at last?”

You exhaled, but it wasn’t a laugh. It was something closer to resignation.

Jaime frowned, stepping closer. “Y/N?”

Still, you didn’t look at him. “It feels real now,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

Jaime stopped just behind you, close enough to see the way your hair moved slightly with each breath you took. “It was always real,” he said quietly.

Finally, you turned to face him, and what he saw in your eyes struck something deep within him. Fear. You were afraid. Not of him, not in the way others feared him—but of tomorrow, of what it truly meant to be bound to his house, to his family, to him.

Jaime’s hand twitched at his side before he reached out, hesitantly brushing his fingers against your arm. You didn’t pull away.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice softer than he intended. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

You let out a hollow laugh. “Don’t I?”

Jaime swallowed, his grip on your arm tightening just slightly. “I won’t hurt you.”

Your eyes flickered with something unreadable, and for the first time, you allowed yourself to lean into his touch—just slightly, just enough for Jaime to feel the warmth of you against his fingertips. It was the closest you had ever allowed him to be.

“I don’t know how to do this,” you admitted, the words slipping out before you could stop them.

Jaime’s golden hand rested at his side, useless, while his other hand remained against your arm. “Neither do I.”

Your lips parted slightly, surprised by his honesty, by the rare vulnerability he was offering you. The walls between you cracked, if only for a moment.

Jaime took a deep breath. “I know you didn’t choose this,” he said slowly. “And I know that you still hate me for it.”

You said nothing, but the silence was enough.

He forced a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But if there’s one thing I can promise you, it’s that I’ll never force anything upon you. Not now. Not tomorrow. Not ever.”

Your throat bobbed as you swallowed. “Why?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Jaime exhaled, shaking his head. “I don’t know.”

The space between you felt charged, different than before. The firelight flickered in your eyes, reflecting something fragile, something uncertain. And then, slowly, you reached out, your fingers brushing lightly against his.

Jaime’s breath hitched. This was more than he had ever hoped for. The warmth of your touch, however hesitant, sent something shattering through him.

And then it happened.

Something inside him snapped.

He shouldn’t tell you. He knew he shouldn’t. But as he looked at you—your fear, your uncertainty, the fragile way you had let your guard down just for him—he couldn’t keep it in any longer.

“Y/N,” he murmured, his fingers tightening around yours.

You looked up at him, searching his face. “What is it?”

Jaime inhaled sharply. “Your brother.”

Your expression shifted instantly, your body tensing. “What about him?”

Jaime clenched his jaw. “He’s riding into a trap.”

The words hung between you, heavy and undeniable.

Your breath caught, your fingers going rigid in his grasp. “What?”

Jaime exhaled shakily, bracing himself for what was to come. “Roose. My father. They’ve already made their move. The North is going to fall, Y/N. Robb will—” He stopped himself, but you heard the unspoken words.

Your face drained of color, and suddenly, you ripped your hand from his grasp. “No,” you whispered, shaking your head. “No, you’re lying.”

Jaime’s chest tightened, his throat dry. “I wish I were.”

Your hands clenched into fists, your breath coming faster, ragged. “Why are you telling me this now? Why—why didn’t you say anything before?”

Jaime swallowed hard. “Because I didn’t know how.”

Your expression twisted with anguish, betrayal, fury. “How long have you known?”

Jaime hesitated, but you saw the truth in his eyes before he even spoke.

“Since the night we arrived.”

Your lips parted in shock. “Since—we’ve been here for days!”

Jaime stepped forward, but you recoiled.

“Y/N—”

“No!” Your voice cracked, your hands trembling. “You—you knew. And you said nothing.”

Jaime’s own chest ached at the look on your face. “I wanted to tell you. I did. But—”

“But what?” You spat, your voice shaking. “It would mean betraying your father? It would mean choosing between being a good son or doing what’s right?”

Jaime couldn’t answer. Because you were right.

Tears welled in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. “He’s going to die,” you whispered, more to yourself than to him. “And you let it happen.”

Jaime’s throat tightened painfully. “I didn’t want this.”

Your eyes burned into his. “But you let it happen.”

Jaime had faced battle, had stood before kings, had endured the weight of his family’s expectations for his entire life.

But nothing had ever hurt quite like this.

He opened his mouth, desperate to say something, anything—but you turned away from him, your shoulders shaking as you wrapped your arms around yourself.

Jaime stepped forward again, hesitated—then sighed.

“Y/N,” he murmured.

“Get out.”

Jaime closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose. Then, with a heavy heart, he turned and left.

The door shut behind him, but your quiet, broken sobs echoed in his mind long after he was gone.

The night air was thick with something unnamed, the silence of Casterly Rock disturbed only by the distant crash of waves against the cliffs below. Within the courtyard, the pale silver form of Winter lay stretched across the cold stone floor of the makeshift kennel they had forced upon him. His blue eyes were open, glimmering faintly in the moonlight, his ears twitching at every distant sound.

Jaime had fought to let him roam free, but Kevan had been firm. A wolf does not belong within the Rock. They had caged him, kept him away from you. And now, he was restless.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, his thick tail twitching against the stone. He could feel it—something was wrong. His instincts clawed at him, his senses razor-sharp, his unease growing by the second.

And then, it happened.

A sudden clamor of hurried footsteps echoed from the northern walls. Raised voices, the loud ring of steel, and then—shouts.

She is running.

Winter surged up, his massive form slamming against the bars, snarling as the sounds of pursuit filled the air. His hackles rose, lips peeling back over gleaming teeth as he let out a deep, reverberating snarl.

Beyond the courtyard, torches flared to life as guards swarmed the outer halls of the castle.

“She’s escaping!”

“Find her! Now!”

Winter’s claws scraped against the stone as he pushed against the confines of his cage, his entire body tense with rage. He knew whose scent they were following. He knew who they were chasing.

And there was nothing he could do.

Outside the castle walls, your breath burned in your lungs as you sprinted through the winding paths leading toward the cliffs. The cold night air whipped against your face, your heart pounding violently against your ribs. Your boots kicked up loose gravel as you ran, the distant lights of Lannisport glittering below like a cruel promise of freedom.

But you weren’t free. Not yet.

Shouts rang out behind you, the clatter of armor growing closer.

“There! She’s heading for the lower paths!”

You gritted your teeth, forcing yourself to move faster. You had spent hours planning this, studying the guards’ rotations, waiting for the right moment. You knew the layout of Casterly Rock by now—knew which paths were less guarded, which tunnels could lead you down toward the port where you might be able to stow away.

But they were faster than you had expected.

You veered left, pushing through a narrow passage between jagged rocks, ignoring the sting of stone scraping against your arms. Your muscles screamed in protest, but you couldn’t stop. You wouldn’t stop.

Then—

A shadow moved ahead of you.

Too fast.

Bronn.

You barely had time to react before his arm shot out, grabbing you by the waist and spinning you around. You fought, kicking, twisting, but he was stronger, his grip like iron.

"Seven hells, girl," he grunted, wrestling against you. "You really thought you’d make it far, didn’t you?"

You hissed, slamming your elbow into his ribs. He grunted but didn’t let go. “Let me go!”

“Can’t do that, I’m afraid,” he said, voice strained as he struggled to keep hold of you. “You’ve got a wedding tomorrow. Thought you might want to be well-rested for it.”

You thrashed against him, your breathing ragged, your body twisting with everything you had. “You bastard!”

Bronn sighed. “Look, I get it. Really, I do. But you running through the night like this? That’s just stupid.”

You growled, trying to reach for the small dagger tucked into your belt, but Bronn was quicker. He grabbed your wrist, twisting just enough to make you drop it.

“You little hellcat,” he muttered, exasperated. “If you weren’t worth so much, I’d almost be impressed.”

More guards arrived, torches lighting up the narrow path.

One of them stepped forward, panting slightly. “Shall we take her to Lord Kevan?”

Bronn shook his head. “No. Send for Jaime.”

The guard hesitated. “Lord Jaime?”

Bronn’s grip on you didn’t loosen, but his voice was firm. “Now.”

The guards exchanged glances before nodding, one of them turning to rush back toward the keep.

You were still breathing hard, your pulse a frantic drum against your throat. The realization sank in, bitter and cold.

You had failed.

Bronn sighed again, looking down at you. “You really thought you were gonna get away from here, didn’t you?”

You refused to answer, glaring at him with all the fury you could muster.

Bronn smirked. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

And so you stood there, surrounded by armed men, waiting for Jaime to arrive.

Jaime was pulled from restless sleep by the heavy pounding on his chamber doors. His mind was sluggish for only a moment before years of battle instincts kicked in, and he was out of bed in an instant. He barely had time to fasten his cloak over his nightshirt before the doors swung open, revealing one of the Lannister guards, breathless and wide-eyed.

“My lord, it’s Lady Y/N—she tried to escape.”

Jaime’s blood turned cold. “Where?”

“The cliffs below the keep. Ser Bronn caught her.”

Jaime didn’t wait for another word. He shoved past the guard and strode through the halls, his steps quickening as he made his way outside. The castle was alive with commotion now—guards murmuring, servants watching from the safety of doorways, their gazes flitting toward the path leading down to the lower courtyard.

When Jaime finally reached the scene, his chest tightened at the sight before him.

You stood there, struggling in Bronn’s grip, your hair wild from the night air, your cloak half undone as if you had barely fastened it in your rush to escape. Your face was flushed, streaked with dirt and sweat, and your eyes—your furious, broken eyes—met his the moment he stepped forward.

"Let her go," Jaime ordered, his voice sharp as steel.

Bronn hesitated for only a moment before sighing and loosening his grip. You stumbled slightly but regained your footing quickly, breathing hard, your fists clenched at your sides.

Jaime took a cautious step forward. “Are you hurt?”

Your head snapped up, fury blazing through your grief. “Don’t you dare ask me that.”

Jaime exhaled through his nose, running his left hand through his hair. “Y/N, what were you thinking?”

“I have to go,” you said quickly, desperately, taking a step forward as if you expected him to let you pass. “I have to warn Robb—he doesn’t know, Jaime. He doesn’t know what’s coming.”

Pain twisted in his chest at the sound of his name from your lips, laced with such raw emotion. But he shook his head. “I can’t let you go.”

You froze, your breath hitching. “You can’t or you won’t?”

Jaime clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. “It’s the same thing.”

You shoke your head violently. “No. No, it isn’t. You promised me, Jaime. You swore you would protect him.” Your voice cracked on the last word, your body trembling from exhaustion, from anger, from grief.

“I know,” Jaime murmured, and gods, he meant it. He knew what this meant to you. He knew what he was taking from you.

“Then let me go,” you pleaded, your voice breaking entirely now. “Please, Jaime. Please.”

Jaime swallowed hard, looking at you—truly looking at you. Your eyes were brimming with tears, your shoulders shaking, your chest rising and falling with frantic, uneven breaths. He had seen you defiant. He had seen you furious. He had even seen you vulnerable. But this—this was something else.

This was heartbreak.

This was loss before it had even arrived.

Jaime took a step closer, reaching out without thinking, his fingers brushing against your arm. “If I let you go,” he said softly, “you will die.”

You let out a choked, broken sound, your whole body recoiling. “Then let me.”

Jaime’s breath caught, something deep and unmovable twisting inside him. He stepped forward fully now, reaching for you, grasping your arm before you could slip away.

You struggled. Gods, you fought—thrashing against him, your fists beating weakly against his chest, your voice a raw sob of protest. “You lied to me, Jaime! You lied! You said—you said you would—” Your words crumbled into incoherence, grief consuming them before they could be fully formed.

Jaime held on, his grip firm but gentle, letting you rail against him, letting you sob into his chest, letting you fall apart in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, his chin resting against your hair. “I’m so sorry.”

But no apology would be enough. No words would take this away.

The guards shifted uncomfortably, some averting their gazes. Even Bronn—who had seen death and war and betrayal a hundred times over—seemed momentarily out of place, his usual sharp tongue silenced by the rawness of what lay before him.

And still, Jaime held you, feeling every tremor in your body, every shattered breath.

In this moment, he wished he had never been born a Lannister.

He wished he could undo something.

But he couldn’t.

And so, he simply held on.

The walk back to your chambers was silent.

Jaime kept his grip on you firm but not forceful, his fingers wrapped around your wrist as he guided you through the cold, empty halls of Casterly Rock. Your body had stopped trembling, the sobs had quieted, but the silence was worse.

You had given up.

You didn’t try to break free. You didn’t fight him. You just walked beside him, unseeing, unfeeling, your gaze fixed on some distant point only you could see.

Jaime hated it.

He had seen you burn with fury, had watched you stand against men twice your size with nothing but your will and your tongue to protect you. He had watched you defy kings and lords alike, had heard the bite in your voice when you swore to see your family safe.

But now?

Now you were hollow.

And it was his fault.

As they turned a corner, Kevan Lannister emerged from an adjoining hall, his expression carefully neutral as his gaze flickered from Jaime to you, then back again. He exhaled sharply, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“So, she tried to run,” he said simply.

Jaime’s grip on your wrist tightened slightly, a silent warning for Kevan to hold his tongue. “It’s been handled.”

Kevan studied you for a long moment. “Has it?”

Jaime’s jaw clenched. “She won’t try again.”

Kevan hummed in acknowledgment, but his gaze lingered on you. “She’s a Stark,” he murmured. “And a wolf will always try to escape its cage.”

Jaime stiffened. He knew it was true, but hearing it aloud made something twist inside him.

Kevan sighed, stepping aside. “Your father will hear of this.”

Jaime averted his gaze, leading you past his uncle without another word.

When you finally reached your chambers, Jaime pushed open the doors, guiding you inside before closing them behind him.

The room was as it had been—grand, lavish, a place fit for the Lady of Casterly Rock. But to you, it might as well have been a prison cell.

You moved like a ghost, stepping further inside without a word, your arms wrapping around yourself. You didn’t turn to look at him. You didn’t speak.

Jaime lingered by the door, watching you, struggling with what to say.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

You laughed softly, but it was empty, bitter. “You keep saying that.”

Jaime sighed, stepping closer. “Because I mean it.”

You turned then, your eyes red-rimmed, your expression unreadable. “Then do something about it.”

Jaime when numb.

He wanted to. Gods, he wanted to.

But he couldn’t.

And you knew that.

Your eyes flickered with something—anger, despair, something raw and unguarded. Then, just as quickly, you turned away again.

Jaime felt something snap inside him again.

Before he could stop himself, before he could think, he closed the distance between you in three quick strides, his hand reaching for your arm.

You turned, startled, lips parting just as his mouth crashed against yours.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t planned. It was a desperate, reckless thing—filled with all the words he couldn’t say, all the things he wished he could change.

For a moment, you didn’t respond. You were frozen, caught between the weight of everything that had just happened and the shocking warmth of his lips against yours.

Then, slowly, your hands came up, pressing against his chest.

Jaime’s grip on you tightened.

He didn’t know what he was doing.

All he knew was that he needed to reach you.

To feel something other than the hollow ache in his chest.

To give you something—anything—to hold onto.

And for the briefest moment, you let him.

Your lips moved against his, hesitant, unsure. Your fingers curled slightly against his tunic, not pushing him away, but not pulling him closer either.

It was enough.

It was everything.

Then, as quickly as it started, you broke away.

Jaime’s breath was heavy, his forehead nearly resting against yours, his hands still holding you as if letting go would shatter whatever fragile thing had just passed between you.

Your voice was barely a whisper. “I can’t.”

Jaime swallowed, his heart hammering.

Neither could he.

But that didn’t stop him from wanting to.

Slowly, reluctantly, he released you, stepping back just enough to give you space.

You looked at him, truly looked at him, and for a moment, there was something in your eyes that he couldn’t name.

Then, softly, you whispered, “Goodnight, Jaime.”

Jaime closed his eyes for a brief moment before nodding.

And then, without another word, he left.

The door shut behind him, but his heart remained in that room with you.

The halls of Casterly Rock felt suffocating. The air, thick with the scent of burning wax and old stone, seemed to press down on Jaime’s shoulders as he walked aimlessly through the dimly lit corridors. He had no destination, no purpose—only the weight of your words still lingering in his chest.

I can’t.

He ran a hand through his hair as he descended a flight of stairs that led out into the open-air courtyard. The night air was cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth that still clung to him from your touch.

Jaime clenched his jaw, trying to push the memory of the kiss from his mind. It had been a mistake. A moment of weakness. A desperate attempt to reach something that was never his to begin with.

But gods, he couldn’t shake the way you had felt against him.

He wandered past the stone pathways leading toward the gardens, his footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet night. He had hoped the solitude would clear his head, but the turmoil within him only deepened.

Then, a familiar voice cut through the silence.

“Well, well. That’s one way to spend the rest of night before your wedding.”

Jaime sighed heavily, turning to find Bronn leaning lazily against a low wall, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

The sellsword pushed off the stone, sauntering toward Jaime with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be getting your beauty sleep, or what's left of it? Big day tomorrow, after all.”

Jaime rolled his eyes. “Not in the mood, Bronn.”

Bronn raised an eyebrow. “Clearly.”

Jaime exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose before looking up at the night sky. “I just needed some air.”

Bronn snorted. “Air, is it? That what we’re calling it now?”

Jaime shot him a glare. “Don’t start.”

Bronn grinned, stepping closer. “Oh, I am starting. Because you look like a man who just had his guts ripped out and is trying very hard to pretend he didn’t feel a thing.”

Jaime clenched his jaw, saying nothing.

Bronn studied him for a moment before his smirk deepened. “You told her, didn’t you?”

Jaime’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Told her what?”

Bronn rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t play stupid with me. You told her about the boy, didn’t you? About what your father and Bolton have planned.”

Jaime exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to the stone beneath his feet. “I didn’t mean to.”

Bronn let out a low whistle. “Hells. You really have it bad.”

Jaime snapped his head up. “Shut up, Bronn.”

Bronn only grinned wider. “You know, for all the time I’ve known you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this—what’s the word? Lost.”

Jaime’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “I am not lost.”

Bronn shrugged. “Then what are you?”

Jaime opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Bronn chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s what I thought.”

Jaime exhaled sharply, turning away, staring out toward the distant sea. “She was going to run.”

Bronn leaned against the wall again. “I figured that when she tried to stab me.”

“She begged me to let her go.”

Bronn’s smirk faded slightly. “I was there. I heared. And you didn’t.”

Jaime let out a humorless chuckle. “Of course I didn’t.”

Bronn tilted his head. “And that’s what’s eating at you, isn’t it? Because for the first time in your life, you actually want to do the right thing, but you don’t know how.”

Jaime’s jaw clenched.

Bronn sighed, straightening up. “Look, I’m not one for sentiment, but I’ll tell you this—if you’re waiting for the perfect moment to choose between your father and her, it’s never going to come.”

Jaime glanced at him warily. “And what do you suggest?”

Bronn grinned. “I suggest you figure out exactly what you’re willing to lose, and then make your choice before it’s made for you.”

Jaime scoffed, shaking his head. “You sound like a bloody maester.”

Bronn clapped a hand on Jaime’s shoulder. “Yeah, well, even a sellsword knows when a man’s about to walk straight into a battlefield with no armor.”

Jaime shoke his head, but Bronn was already turning away.

“Get some rest, Kingslayer,” Bronn called over his shoulder. “You’ve got a wedding to survive.”

Jaime stood there for a long time after Bronn had gone, the weight of his words sinking deep into his bones.

Figure out what you’re willing to lose.

Jaime already knew the answer.

The problem was, he didn’t know if he had the strength to do anything about it.

[withering-bloom]

One More Night – Part II

——————————————————————————

Part one of this is somewhere in my account but I literally have no idea how this app works so find it if you want to!!😭😭

@suiseistellar THANK U FOR THE IDEA FOR A SECOND PART POOKIE 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I was just gonna leave the reader off as dead but I had no idea what to post for today LMAOO.

1k words

Arlecchino x reader comfort.

——————————————————————————

The world blurred around her, the dim street lights smearing into streaks of gold and white as she ran.

She wasn’t sure how she got to her feet—only that she did.

Her wife’s body was limp in her arms, head lolling against her shoulder, blood soaking through Arlecchino’s coat in thick, suffocating warmth. Each step sent fresh panic crashing through her, but she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she sprinted through the empty streets, each second stretching unbearably long. She barely felt the ache in her legs, barely registered the rain hitting her skin, too focused on the shallow, uneven breaths against her neck. Still breathing. Still here.

The hospital doors slammed open as she burst inside, her voice raw with desperation.

“I need a doctor!”

Heads turned. Nurses rushed forward. Someone grabbed her arm, another tried to take her wife from her grasp, but she held on tighter, her grip refusing to loosen.

“She’s been stabbed—she’s losing too much blood—help her!”

“Ma’am, let us take her—”

A stronger hand pried her away, and before she could protest, they were rushing her wife down the hall, a flurry of movement, shouting, urgent voices blending together into something incomprehensible.

Arlecchino stood frozen.

For the first time, she was powerless.

Time lost all meaning.

She paced the length of the waiting room, hands twitching at her sides, muscles coiled so tightly she thought they might snap. The metallic scent of blood still clung to her, the faint warmth of it lingering on her skin. But her mind could only focus on her hands—stained with her wife’s blood, trembling as if trying to hold on to the last remnants of her. As if, through the warmth still clinging to her skin, a piece of her beloved remained.

Her mind was racing too fast for her to keep up, a relentless blur of thoughts crashing into one another. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t stay still.

Someone had tried to kill her.

And her wife had nearly died because of it.

Her throat tightened as the memory replayed in her mind—the quiet gasp, the way her body collapsed into Arlecchino’s arms, the way she smiled even though life was passing through her body, so gentle, even as she lay dying.

Her fists clenched.

If she had been just a little faster. If she had reacted just a second earlier—

She inhaled sharply, pressing her fingers to her temples. Now wasn’t the time for this.

Pacing back and forth in the waiting room, each second stretched into eternity, her thoughts spiraling with every step. It felt like hours—until a sudden noise shattered her daze, yanking her back to reality.

A door creaking open.

She turned so fast her vision swayed.

The doctor stepped forward, looking exhausted but calm. “She’s stable.”

For a moment, the words didn’t register. Then—

Her knees nearly buckled.

The breath she hadn’t realised she was holding finally escaped her lips, her shoulders sagging, something painfully tight in her chest loosening.

“She lost a lot of blood,” the doctor continued, “but we managed to repair the damage. The blade barely missed anything vital.” A pause. “She’s incredibly lucky.”

Lucky.

The word felt foreign.

“She’s asleep now, but you can see her.”

Arlecchino didn’t need to be told twice. She was already moving.

The room was quiet.

Machines beeped softly in the background, the steady rhythm of her wife’s breathing syncing with the rise and fall of her chest beneath the crisp white sheets. Her face was pale, her lips slightly parted, her fingers resting motionless atop the blanket.

Arlecchino stepped closer, swallowing hard.

She had seen her wife asleep countless times. But never like this. Never with an IV in her arm, never with bandages wrapped around her torso, never with the lingering scent of antiseptic suffocating the warmth she carried.

A chair scraped against the floor as she sat beside the bed, hesitating for only a second before taking her wife’s hand in her own.

It was cold.

She hated that.

Arlecchino exhaled shakily, brushing her thumb over her knuckles, as if the small motion could somehow tether her wife back to her.

“I almost lost you.”

The words came out quieter than she intended.

She tightened her grip, pressing her forehead against their intertwined hands.

“I thought—” Her voice faltered. She forced herself to breathe. “I should’ve protected you. I should’ve been faster.”

A pause.

A tremble in her fingers.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

“I’m sorry.”

The silence that followed was unbearable.

But then—

Something shifted.

A faint pressure against her palm.

She sucked in a sharp breath, lifting her head just in time to see a pair of tired, half-lidded eyes blinking open.

“Peru…?”

Her heart stopped.

A weak, drowsy smile tugged at her wife’s lips. “You’re crying again.”

A choked laugh left her before she could stop it. “Thank goodness you’re awake.I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”she softly exclaims, as she breaks down crying, her hand covering her mouth, as if trying to stifle the sobs already threatening to break free, but it was no use.

“Thank goodness you’re awake,” she whispered, her voice breaking under the sheer force of relief. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot, uncontrollable streams. The fear she had buried, the anguish she had forced down, all came rushing back at once, tearing through her resolve like a flood bursting through a dam.

Her breath hitched as she tried to steady herself, but it was useless. A sob tore free from her throat, then another, until she was trembling under the weight of everything she had nearly lost. “I—I couldn’t imagine my life without you,” she choked out, gripping her wife’s fingers as if they were the only thing keeping her grounded.

Her shoulders shook, her body curling forward as she wept, pressing her forehead against the sheets. The warmth of her wife’s skin, the steady rise and fall of her chest—it was real. She was real.

She was here.

Her wife hummed softly, voice barely above a whisper. “You worry too much.”

Arlecchino huffed,looking up at the woman resting above her. “You almost died, and you’re telling me I worry too much?”

A tired chuckle. “I’m fine now.”

“You almost weren’t.”

Her wife exhaled, her fingers curling around Arlecchino’s hand, squeezing gently. “But I am.”

Arlecchino swallowed, her grip tightening ever so slightly.

She didn’t trust herself to speak.

Didn’t trust herself not to break again.

Her wife smiled softly. “Stay with me?”

She let out a shaky breath, bringing her hand to her lips, pressing a kiss against her fingers.

“Forever and Always.”

——————————————————————————

WHY DID THIS HURT ME MORE THAN WRITING THE ANGST. I CANT DO THIS TODAY. This was also extremely rushed as my night shift starts in half an hour.

[littlelamy]

Can you do when prince Rafe see reader talking to a other prince after what happened when she saw Rafe with a other woman please

lamy's note: hope you like it!! :)

the grand ballroom of the royal palace shimmered with the glow of a thousand chandeliers. gilded walls stretched high, encasing the room in opulence, the air heavy with the scent of roses and wine. nobles twirled on the polished marble floor, their silken gowns whispering secrets as they danced.

rafe stood on the mezzanine, one hand gripping the carved wooden railing as if it were the only thing grounding him to the spot. his dark eyes burned as they locked onto you—the woman who had been haunting his every thought. the woman whose touch still lingered on his skin like a phantom memory, whose whispered promises had turned to cold silences after you'd seen him with lady celeste.

you were down there, your laughter ringing like bells through the hall, your lips curled into a smile he had not seen directed at him for days. but it wasn't the laughter or the smile that held him in place, an unspoken storm brewing within him. no—it was who you were smiling at.

prince alistair of alden, with his golden locks and ever-so-charming smile, leaned in closer to you, his hand brushing against yours in a gesture far too familiar for rafe’s liking. the other prince’s fingers grazed yours lightly, your heads tilted just enough that only the two of you could hear what was being said. whatever words passed between you, they made you smile again—a real, radiant smile.

a surge of possessiveness coiled in rafe’s chest, hot and bitter. his jaw clenched, his hand tightening on the railing until his knuckles turned white. you were his—his. he’d made a mistake, yes, but this? this was unacceptable. his blood simmered with the sting of jealousy, each heartbeat like the pounding of war drums in his ears.

he remembered how your face had looked when you caught him with celeste, a fleeting encounter blown far out of proportion. celeste had reached for him, laughing, her hand resting briefly on his arm, nothing more. but you'd seen it, and in your eyes had been a flash of hurt, confusion—betrayal. you hadn’t stayed long enough for him to explain. you’d turned on your heel and left, leaving him cold and guilty in the wake of your absence.

and now here you were, punishing him in kind. toying with another prince. the way alistair’s eyes lingered on your form was enough to send a dark thrill of anger through rafe. no. this wouldn’t do.

without another thought, rafe pushed away from the railing, his boots making a quiet, purposeful sound against the stone as he descended the grand staircase. every step he took was measured, deliberate, a lion stalking its prey. his gaze never left you, never wavered. if alistair thought he could claim what belonged to him, the fool had another thing coming.

as he reached the ballroom floor, the music seemed to swell around him, masking the fury simmering beneath his regal exterior. he moved through the crowd with the ease of someone who knew he commanded the room. nobles parted for him instinctively, their eyes flicking to him and then quickly away. there was something in the set of his jaw, the fire in his eyes, that warned them to step aside.

when he finally reached you, he didn’t waste a moment. his hand closed around your wrist, firm but not painful, demanding your attention. your eyes widened, surprise flickering across your face as you met his gaze.

"rafe—" you began, your voice a mix of surprise and something softer, something you tried to conceal.

"may i have this dance?" he asked, though his tone left little room for refusal. it wasn't a question. it was a command, veiled in the thinnest veneer of civility.

alistair, ever the diplomat, smiled politely, though there was a hint of tension in his jaw. "i believe we were in the middle of a conversation—"

"i wasn’t speaking to you," rafe cut in smoothly, his eyes never leaving yours. he could see the conflict in your eyes, the way your breath caught in your throat. he didn’t give you time to answer, pulling you gently but insistently toward the dance floor.

the moment you were clear of the crowd, he spun you into his arms, one hand resting possessively on your waist, the other clasping your hand tightly. the music swirled around you, but for rafe, the world had narrowed to just the two of you.

"you've made your point," he murmured, his voice low and rough, filled with a mix of anger and longing. "you saw me with her. and now, i’ve seen you with him."

you stiffened in his arms, your eyes flashing. "i didn’t realize i needed your permission to speak with someone else, your highness."

"permission?" his lips curled into a bitter smile, his fingers tightening slightly on your waist. "no. but if you think for one second that i’ll stand by and watch you entertain him, you’re mistaken."

your gaze held his, fierce and unyielding. "then perhaps you should have thought about that before letting her touch you."

"it was nothing," he hissed, his voice dropping further, so only you could hear. "a moment of nothing. and yet here you are, throwing yourself at him to punish me."

"throwing myself at him?" you echoed, your voice rising with indignation. "perhaps i was just enjoying the company of someone who doesn’t treat me like a possession."

rafe's grip on your waist loosened slightly at your words, but he didn’t let you go. his eyes searched yours, the fire within them smoldering into something more vulnerable, more desperate. "you aren’t a possession," he said, his voice softer now, though still edged with tension. "you’re everything. and it’s driving me mad seeing you with him."

you faltered at the raw honesty in his voice, your anger wavering. the dance brought you closer, your bodies moving in perfect sync despite the turmoil between you. your breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips brushing your ear.

"come with me," he whispered, his tone more a plea than a command now. "we need to talk. alone."

your heart pounded in your chest, your resolve weakening under the intensity of his gaze. the music slowed, the rest of the world fading away. all you could see, all you could feel, was him.

taglist: @namelesslosers @maybanksangel @averyoceanblvd @iknowdatsrightbih @rafesheaven @anamiad00msday @ivysprophecy @wearemadeofstardust0 @rafesangelita @sstargirln @rafedaddy01 @soldesole @bakugouswaif @skywalker0809 @vanessa-rafesgirl @evermorx89 @outerhills @ditzyzombiesblog @slavicangelmuah @alivinggirl @rafesbabygirlx

[thollandsgirl2013]

Hi, can you write a story where the reader is pregnant with a baby girl. One day while Peter is playing “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder on the piano, the baby starts kicking and they decide to make that her song. Bonus: After she's born, it's the only song that will calm her down when she's fussy.

Hi there! This request was so cute. Thanks for requesting!

°:. *₊ ° . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . °

𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → none

Summary → "Isn't She Lovely" is your baby girl's song.

(gif not mine)

The first time it happened, you were lying on the couch, half-watching Peter fiddle with the piano in the corner of your apartment. You were six months pregnant, your baby bump round and firm beneath the oversized hoodie you'd stolen from Peter, and exhaustion was settling deep into your bones.

Peter was sitting at the piano bench, his fingers hesitating over the keys. "Okay, okay, wait—I think I got it this time," he muttered to himself, adjusting his posture like he was about to perform at Carnegie Hall.

You smiled, resting your hand on your belly. "Are you seriously struggling with ‘Isn’t She Lovely?’ "

"Hey! It's harder than it looks," he defended, shooting you an offended glance over his shoulder. "I wanna get it right."

You hummed in amusement. "For who? Me? Baby girl?"

Peter grinned, turning back to the piano. "Both of you. But mostly her."

With that, he started playing, his fingers moving carefully across the keys. The melody filled the room, warm and sweet, and despite his self-deprecating complaints, he played beautifully. You closed your eyes, soaking it in, letting the music settle into your chest.

And then—

"Oof!" Your eyes flew open as a sudden, strong kick thumped against your ribs.

Peter instantly turned his head. "What? What happened?"

You blinked in surprise, then let out a breathy laugh. "She kicked. Hard."

Peter’s eyes widened. "During the song?"

"Yeah." You placed a hand over your belly, rubbing the spot where she'd moved. "Like, really strong. Try playing again."

Peter adjusted his fingers on the keys, starting from the beginning. The moment the familiar notes filled the room, the baby kicked again—this time, twice in a row.

Your mouth dropped open. "Oh my God, she likes it."

Peter's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Are you serious?" He immediately stopped playing, shifting off the bench and kneeling in front of you. His hands found your belly, warm and gentle. "Hey, baby girl, you like the music?"

In response, another kick.

Peter gasped, looking up at you with wide, excited eyes. "Did you feel that?!"

You laughed. "Yes, Pete, I felt it. She's inside me."

Peter didn’t even register your sarcasm—he was too busy grinning like a lovestruck fool, hands still splayed over your bump. "This is it. This is officially her song. No take-backs."

You melted at the pure joy in his face. "Guess we better get used to hearing it all the time, huh?"

"I don't mind," Peter said, his voice soft as he leaned forward, pressing a kiss to your belly. "Isn’t she lovely? Yeah, she is. She totally is."

---

Four Months Later…

The first time Mayday Parker let out an ear-piercing cry, Peter nearly tripped over his own feet trying to get to her bassinet.

"Okay, okay, baby, we’re here," he soothed, reaching in to scoop her up. You were right behind him, rubbing your tired eyes.

"What time is it?" you mumbled.

Peter glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "Three in the morning."

You groaned. "She just ate an hour ago. What’s wrong now?"

Peter bounced Mayday gently in his arms, whispering soft reassurances, but her tiny face was scrunched up in distress, her cries echoing through the apartment. He tried rocking her, walking back and forth, rubbing her back—nothing.

You sighed, rubbing your temples. "What if—"

Peter suddenly paused. "Wait. Wait, wait, wait." His eyes flickered toward the piano.

You blinked. "Peter, no."

Peter ignored you, making his way to the instrument while still holding Mayday. He sat down, carefully adjusting her in his arms before placing his fingers on the keys.

The moment he started playing Isn’t She Lovely, the crying started to stop.

Your jaw dropped.

Peter stared at Mayday, utterly dumbfounded. Her tiny body relaxed against his chest, her sniffles fading into peaceful silence as she listened to the music.

You pressed a hand to your forehead. "You have got to be kidding me."

Peter looked up at you, his expression torn between amusement and absolute adoration. "She wasn’t kidding when she kicked to this song, huh?"

You crossed your arms, torn between frustration and overwhelming love for both your husband and daughter. "I swear, if this is the only thing that calms her down—"

Peter smirked. "Guess I better get really good at it then."

You sighed, walking over to sit beside him on the bench. Your head rested against his shoulder, watching as Mayday’s tiny fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, her breathing soft and even.

You smiled, pressing a kiss to Peter’s shoulder. "Well… it is a pretty good song."

Peter beamed. "Only the best for my girls."

‎∗ ࣪ ˖༺ 𓆩☆𓆪 ༻˖ ࣪ ∗

[echoessilencepatienceandgrace]

✨The First Talon and The Little Crow ✨

Lucanis is not the step father BUT the father that stepped up✨

Lucanis poured himself another cup of coffee, breathing in the aroma with a smile. He placed it on the table, pushing some of his yarn out of the way to make room. He sat back down, grabbed his knitting needles and resumed his stitching.

It was quiet in the dining hall, peaceful even as he listened to the fireplace snap behind him. He focused on his stitches, the butterflies finally starting taking shape on Amalia’s sweater. He checked with Thea to make sure he had all of her favorites and did his best to add each of them to the sweater.

His focus was broken as the main doors of the hall opened. His eyes were up, waiting to see who his guest was.

A tiny head of curls in a oversized crow cape peered into the hall, quickly making sure the coast was clear. She tiptoed in slowly, doing her best not to make a sound. She hadn’t noticed Lucanis just yet, far too focused on her sneaking.

Lucanis sat still, watching Amalia walk exactly as he showed her, silent as she slipped between the shadows. She snuck around the furniture slowly making her way over to the cabinets where her favorite cookies lay under lock and key.

Lucanis playfully rolled his eyes once he realized where the four year old was heading.

She let out a tiny giggle to herself as she stood in front of her target, standing on her tip toes to reach the lid of the jar. Lucanis stood without a sound, sneaking behind her with his hands on his hips.

“Ahem.”

Amalia let out a scream, letting go of the lid. She turned to see Lucanis, covering her mouth as she giggled.

“Amalia, where does your mother think you are right now?”

“Sleeping.” The little elf giggled.

“So where should you be?”

“In bed.” Amalia frowned. “But I couldn’t sleep! I was having bad dreams.” She stomped her tiny foot in frustration.

“Nightmares are no fun.” He sighed.

“It really scared me and ama was sleepy so…”

“Ahh…so you decided to steal some cookies.” Lucanis smiled warmly.

“And to practice my sneaking!” She said proudly.

“Where the cookies your target?” He smirked.

“Yes! Well… no. I just really wanted one.” She sighed.

Lucanis smiled, tilting his head.

“How about some breakfast first, and then maybe a cookie later?”

Amalia let out a dramatic sigh, reluctantly shaking her head yes. Lucanis smiled, making his way to the stove. Within minutes, he had her little plate full of her favorites: strawberries, bacon and waffles, along with some water in her tiny cup. He made a plate for himself and then one for Thea, setting hers aside for later. The two ate in silence, with every bite a smile appeared on Amalia’s face, warming Lucanis’ heart.

“Your sneaking was good today Amalia, you are doing a great job.” Lucanis smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. "Less giggling though next time."

"But I like to giggle!"

"I know, but when you are sneaking, you should be as silent as a mouse. Remember what I told you?" Lucanis smiled.

"Yesssss yesss I remember. One for silence." Amalia sighed, resting her head on her hand.

Lucanis let out a small laugh, leaning back in his chair. Amalia finished the last of her food, leaning back just like he did. She let out a little yawn, her eyelids fluttering closed as she sighed.

"We should get you back, I don't want your mother to think you're missing." Lucanis tilted his head with a soft smile.

"Oh, ama probably thinks I’m hiding. She doesn’t like it.” Amalia sighed.

Lucanis let out a laugh, shaking his head.

“You should never hide from her.” Lucanis smiled. His looked to the mess of yarn and needles on the table, along with Amalia's unfinished sweater. His eyes darted to the other sweater he finished folded neatly, looking back to the four year old.

“Speaking of your mother-do you think she’ll like this?” He asked, grabbing the sweater.

Amalia’s eyes went wide as she squealed in excitement.

“Did you make this for her?” She gasped, running her little hands over the stitched golden suns and stars.

“I did.” Lucanis said proudly.

“Red is her favorite!! She’s gonna love it!” Amalia squealed. “She loves everything you do.” She said nonchalantly, kicking her legs as she took a sip of water.

Lucanis let out a laugh, folding the sweater back up.

“Really? What’s her favorite?”

Amalia’s eyebrows furrowed, tilting her head to the side as she thought long and hard.

“Hmmm… she smiles really big when you bring her that orange cup.” She said, pointing to the coffee station.

Lucanis could feel his heart beating faster. It was his favorite part of the day: Venturing into the Lighthouse to see Thea when the rest of the world was quiet, all to bring her a fresh cup of coffee and spending time with her.

"Well, let's not keep her waiting, I have a coffee to deliver." Lucanis smirked.

He stood, grabbing their plates and clearing off the table. Amalia followed, climbing up her wooden step stool to help him put everything away. She reached over, tapping him on the arm.

“Everything alright?” He asked.

"Oh yeah! Thank you for my breakfast!" Amalia smiled up at him.

Lucanis could feel his heart burst as he smiled at her.

"Of course, Amalia." he smiled. “Cooking for you and your mother makes me happy.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She giggled, climbing off her stool to grab her water. Lucanis watched her with a smile, drying his hands off. He poured two cups of coffee, adding sugar and cream to the orange mug before grabbing the red sweater.

“Ready to go?” Amalia asked.

“Yes!” Lucanis smiled. “Lead the way, Amalia.”

She hopped off the chair, water in hand as she ran for the door, her crow cape trailing behind her. Lucanis followed right behind her, his heart beating faster with every step closer to seeing Thea.

He couldn’t believe the happiness blooming in his chest, that he had two beacons of light to brighten the darkness surrounding him, bringing peace to him-and to Spite.

He could feel the demon lingering in the corner of his eye, hearing his voice echo:

“The little crow. Thea. Sunlight. Must keep. Them both. Safe.”

Lucanis knew he was right. He had lost so much, he couldn’t lose them either. But for now, he allowed himself to slip into the safety of their warmth, feeling happier than he had before ✨

[paradise-world]

Act Like You Love Me | Sung Hanbin ZB1

Summary : You’re an up-and-coming actress, and Hanbin is a smug, arrogant A-list star who stole the role you wanted. When the media mistakes your heated argument for romantic tension, your agency forces you into a fake dating stunt to boost publicity. You hate the way he smirks when he teases you, but the way his hand lingers on your waist makes your heart race. As the line between acting and reality blurs, one question remains: when the cameras stop rolling, will your feelings disappear too?

Genre : Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Celebrity Romance, Fem!Reader, Actress!Reader, Actor!Hanbin, Smut, Suggestive, Fluff

Warning : The pet name "princess" occurs a lot, smut (there's a warning before it occurs)

Featuring : Hong Seunghyun (Juhan) from BLITZERS

Playlist : New Magic Wand by Tyler The Creator / Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys / Touch It by Ariana Grande / Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars / Into It by Chase Atlantic / Apocalypse by Cigarettes After Sex / True Love by Pink & Lilly Allen / Norman Fucking Rockwell by Lana Del Rey / Scary Love by The Neighborhood / Wrong by Zayn & Kehlani

Word count : 20k (20,910 if you want exact...)

you've always loved slipping into different lives, becoming someone else even if just for a moment. the stage, the screen—it all felt like home. your parents saw that spark early, paying for your first acting lessons when you were twelve. middle school drama club, high school theatre productions—each role you played, each scene you perfected, only deepened your passion. you were never the loudest in the room, never the one begging for attention, but the moment you stepped into character, all eyes were on you. it was the one place you felt invincible.

by eighteen, you were funding your own dream. working odd jobs to afford acting classes, refining your craft, and reshaping yourself—not just in talent but in the way you presented yourself to the world. you started going to the gym, dyed and cut your hair whenever you needed a change, took care of yourself in ways big and small. manicured nails, regular waxes, health check-ups—every detail was intentional, a part of your silent promise to yourself that you would make it. plastic surgery? tempting, sometimes. but you wanted to prove that you were enough as you were. no shortcuts, no regrets.

like most actors, you started at the bottom. background roles, standing just out of focus while others stole the scene. but then came your first real opportunity—han hyojoo, a respected agent, saw something in you. she took you under her wing, guiding you to your first speaking roles. a bit part in "rivalry & roses," a college movie that got decent buzz. then a supporting role in "the rival’s game," a corporate romance that put your face on the map. each step forward was another reminder: you were getting closer.

now, you wanted more. a lead role. not just any lead role—"written in the stars," a fantasy royalty romance that could cement your name in the industry. the kind of film that could turn you from a rising star to a household name.

your hands tighten around the steering wheel as you pull up to the audition venue. deep breath. you’ve worked for this, fought for this. no matter who you have to go up against, you’re not backing down.

today, you’re not just playing a role.

today, you prove you deserve it.

you arrived at the audition venue, a grand hall filled with hopeful actors vying for their chance at a breakthrough. the air buzzed with anticipation, scripts clutched tightly in hands, whispered rehearsals echoing off the walls. you kept your focus forward, but then—

hanbin.

he stood among the crowd, effortlessly commanding attention. his black hair, styled to perfection, and dark brown eyes brimming with confidence. the smug smirk on his lips was enough to make your blood boil. he exuded arrogance, but there was no denying his presence. he was an a-list star, after all. people watched him with awe, whispering about how he would likely claim the lead role.

you clenched your fists, determination burning within you. this role was yours, and you would prove it.

one by one, aspiring actors took their turn before the directors. some stumbled over their lines, others shined, but you refused to let nerves shake you. when your name was called, you stepped forward, every ounce of your training igniting inside you.

"i hate studying, why can't i just go outside & explore like other normal people?" you delivered the line with raw emotion, channelling every ounce of longing and frustration. then, you sang, voice steady, carrying the melody with ease.

"i've got this shake in my legs, shaking the thoughts from my head," you sang, pouring your heart into each note. when you finished, the room was silent for a moment before the directors exchanged glances and nodded approvingly.

"that was incredible," one of them said. "your technique, your voice—it’s all there."

you exhaled, relief washing over you. they motioned for you to step aside, and you did, heart still racing.

then, hanbin stepped forward.

he delivered the same lines, his voice smooth, controlled, effortless. then, he sang more, voice filling the space with undeniable star power. the audience was transfixed.

by the end of the audition, the directors exchanged murmurs before turning back to the anxious crowd.

"we have made our decision," one of them finally announced. "the lead role will be given to... hanbin."

it felt like the ground beneath you had crumbled away.

this was supposed to be your role.

but now, it was stolen.

the moment the words left the director’s mouth, something inside you snapped.

"what?" your voice was sharp, incredulous. your breath came in uneven bursts as you turned toward the panel. "you’re giving the role to him?"

hanbin exhaled a low chuckle, arms crossing over his chest as he looked down at you. "wow. didn’t expect you to take it this hard," he mused. that damn smirk never left his face.

"take it hard?" you repeated, stepping closer, the heat of your frustration rising. "this role was mine. i worked for this. i poured everything into this audition, and you just—" you gestured at him wildly, "—walk in with your celebrity status and take it like it’s your birth right?"

hanbin tilted his head, looking amused rather than defensive. "i mean, can you blame them? talent recognizes talent."

"oh, you arrogant—!" you bit back a frustrated breath, jaw tightening as you stared at him. "you think you’re so untouchable, don’t you? like just because you’re famous, you automatically deserve every role?"

hanbin gave an exaggerated shrug. "hey, if the shoe fits."

something about his careless attitude made your blood boil.

you took another step forward, standing so close you could see the slight gleam in his dark brown eyes. "you didn’t even need this role. you already have a hundred others lined up. this was supposed to be my break."

"maybe you should've acted better, then," he said smoothly, tilting his chin. "the directors made their choice. not my problem if you can’t handle losing."

his words sliced through you, and for a brief second, the hurt almost overshadowed your anger. almost.

you scoffed, shaking your head. "you’re impossible. do you even care about this film, or is it just another stepping stone for you? another notch on your long list of wins?"

hanbin leaned in just slightly, voice dropping into a teasing lilt. "does it bother you that much? knowing they think i'm the better choice?"

the sheer audacity of him made your hands curl into fists. you opened your mouth, ready to fire back, but then a murmur from the crowd made you pause.

you hadn’t even noticed how silent the room had become, how everyone had stopped what they were doing just to watch the two of you. and they weren’t watching like it was a fight. no, they were watching like it was something else entirely. something electric.

"they have so much chemistry," someone whispered.

"i swear i thought they were about to kiss," another person chuckled under their breath.

realization hit you like a slap to the face.

you stepped back abruptly, heart hammering, but hanbin just smirked deeper, as if he had figured it out before you had.

"well," he murmured, eyes twinkling with amusement. "this just got interesting."

the next morning, you sat in hyojoo’s office, a tablet in her hands as she scrolled through endless articles. the headlines were impossible to ignore.

"'a lovers' quarrel? sparks fly between rising actress and a-list star hanbin.'" she read out loud before snorting. "are they serious? a lovers’ quarrel? they must’ve been watching a different argument than the one i saw."

"no kidding," you muttered, leaning back in your chair, arms crossed. "there was nothing romantic about that. we were one step away from throwing punches."

hyojoo tapped the screen, scanning the article. "apparently, the world disagrees. listen to this: 'eyewitnesses describe an intense chemistry between the two actors, their heated exchange dripping with unspoken passion. if this is just an argument, imagine what their on-screen romance will look like.'" she scoffed, setting the tablet down. "unspoken passion? you looked ready to strangle him."

"exactly!" you exclaimed, throwing your hands up. "this is insane. i worked my ass off for that role, and he just waltzed in, took it, and now suddenly we’re a ‘potential power couple’?"

hyojoo shrugged, amused. "people love drama. and apparently, they love you two."

"they love hanbin," you corrected. "i'm just caught in the crossfire."

"not exactly," she said, leaning forward. "your name is everywhere right now. overnight, your social media following doubled. your previous roles are being rewatched. hell, even your old high school drama performances are getting attention."

you blinked. "wait—what?"

"yep," she nodded, picking up her phone and showing you a clip of your past performances. "someone dug up footage from ‘rivalry & roses’ and it’s trending. the internet is eating this up."

"this is ridiculous," you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. "i don’t want my career to be built on some fake rumor."

"welcome to the industry," hyojoo said dryly. "it’s all about perception. whether it’s true or not, people believe what they want to believe. and right now, they believe you and hanbin have some sort of fiery, love-hate dynamic."

"more like hate-hate," you grumbled.

"doesn’t matter," she countered. "what matters is how we handle this."

you glanced at the tablet again, rereading the headlines. "i just... i don’t get it. how did this even start?"

hyojoo tapped her fingers against the desk. "well, your argument was loud, public, and heated. that kind of energy can be interpreted in different ways. and let’s be honest, hanbin doesn’t exactly help the situation. he was smirking the entire time, looking like he was enjoying riling you up."

"he was enjoying it," you muttered.

"exactly," hyojoo said. "so people saw tension. and in their minds, tension equals chemistry. they think you two are one step away from a dramatic romance."

you groaned. "this is ridiculous."

hyojoo smirked. "not to them. to them, it's the start of the next great celebrity love story."

before you could respond, hyojoo’s phone buzzed loudly against the desk. you both glanced down at the screen.

it was a call from your agency.

you swallowed, heart thudding.

"well," hyojoo said slowly, meeting your eyes. "this should be interesting."

hyojoo didn’t hesitate before swiping her thumb across the screen to accept the call. "you’re on speaker phone," she announced, placing the device on the desk between you both.

"who are you with?" a firm, authoritative voice asked through the speaker.

"up-and-coming actress son y/n," hyojoo replied, her tone professional. but the moment she glanced at you, there was a teasing glint in her eyes. she might as well have winked at you with how smug she looked.

you shot her a death glare, but she just barely held back a chuckle.

"ah, perfect! son y/n?" the voice continued.

"that’s me," you responded, keeping your voice steady even though you had no idea where this conversation was heading.

"we’ll get straight to the point," the voice said without any hesitation. "you need to enter a fake dating arrangement with sung hanbin."

you blinked. then you blinked again.

hyojoo’s eyes widened slightly in mild amusement, but she remained quiet, waiting for your reaction.

"excuse me?" you finally said, convinced you had misheard.

"a fake dating stunt. you and hanbin," the voice reiterated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

you let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "you can’t be serious."

"completely serious," they confirmed.

"why?" you asked, voice laced with disbelief. "why in the world would i do that?"

"because the media has already spun this argument between you and hanbin into a full-fledged romantic story," the voice explained. "the public is eating it up. they think your tension is romantic tension. and we intend to capitalize on it."

your mouth opened, then closed, then opened again as you processed their words. "you want me to... what? hold hands with him in public? gaze into his eyes like he’s my soulmate? post cute couple pictures?" you scoffed. "we hate each other."

"that’s precisely why this works," the agency representative countered smoothly. "the push-and-pull dynamic between you two is exactly what the public loves. they’ll eat up every interaction, whether it’s staged or not. and in turn, it boosts both your careers. hanbin’s already at the top, but you? this could catapult you into a whole new level of stardom."

hyojoo let out a low whistle, tapping a finger against her chin. "they’re not wrong, y/n. this could be huge for you."

you turned to her, incredulous. "you’re seriously considering this?"

she lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "i mean, i understand why they’re suggesting it. you’d be everywhere. interviews, magazine covers, brand deals. it’s a free ticket to the next stage of your career."

"at the cost of my dignity," you grumbled. "besides, hanbin would never agree to this. he’s probably laughing his ass off about the rumours."

"actually, he’s already aware of the plan," the agency voice said. "his team has been briefed, and while he hasn’t officially accepted, he’s open to discussion."

you threw your hands up. "of course he is. probably thinks it’ll be fun to torment me even more."

"listen, y/n," the voice softened slightly, but still held authority. "we understand that this isn’t an ideal situation for you. but this is how the industry works. perception is everything. and right now, the world perceives you two as something they want to see more of. it’s a golden opportunity. one that, quite frankly, we highly recommend you take."

you sat back in your chair, exhaling sharply. this was madness. absolute madness.

but the voice wasn’t wrong. overnight, you had gone from an ambitious actress clawing for recognition to someone the entire industry had its eyes on. if you said no, the moment would pass, and you’d fade back into the background while hanbin moved on unscathed. but if you said yes...

"what exactly would this entail?" you asked hesitantly.

hyojoo smirked, knowing you were cracking.

"simple," the agency voice replied. "public appearances together. red carpets, interviews, maybe a few strategically placed paparazzi photos. you don’t have to actually date him, just act like it."

"act like it," you echoed bitterly. "so lie."

"call it what you want," they said. "but make no mistake—this will benefit you both. and if things go well, who knows? maybe it’ll even land you a lead role in your next project."

you swallowed hard. they were dangling everything you had ever wanted right in front of you.

"you have until tomorrow to decide," the voice continued. "a meeting has been arranged at our agency. hanbin and his agent will be there. we suggest you and hyojoo be there as well."

before you could say anything else, the call ended.

the room was silent for a moment. then hyojoo let out a low chuckle. "well, that was something."

you dropped your head onto the desk with a groan. "kill me. just kill me now."

you didn’t lift your head from the desk. "i can’t do this."

hyojoo’s laughter was soft but not entirely unsympathetic. "you’re being dramatic."

"i am an actress," you shot back, voice muffled against the wood. "being dramatic is my job."

hyojoo reached over, giving your shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "look, i know this isn’t what you expected. but take a second and really think about it. this could be the break you’ve been waiting for."

you lifted your head just enough to glare at her. "at the cost of my sanity? my dignity? my peace?"

she raised an eyebrow. "aren’t those all things you already sacrificed when you decided to be an actress?"

you groaned, dragging your hands down your face. "why does it have to be him? why hanbin? of all the people in the industry, why did the universe decide to screw me over like this?"

hyojoo leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "because life is funny like that. besides, maybe this won’t be as bad as you think."

"oh, really?" you snorted. "do you know something i don’t? because last i checked, hanbin was a smug, arrogant, irritating—"

"handsome, talented, incredibly popular—"

"—narcissistic, egotistical menace," you finished sharply.

hyojoo just shrugged. "i mean, all of that is probably true, but so what? your job isn’t to like him. your job is to pretend to like him."

you sighed, resting your forehead against the desk again. "pretending to like him might be harder than actually liking him."

hyojoo smirked. "see? you’re already getting into character."

you groaned again, kicking your foot out in frustration. "this isn’t funny. i don’t even know how to prepare for something like this. what am i supposed to do? mentally rehearse flirting with him? practice gazing into his stupidly perfect eyes without throwing up?"

hyojoo tapped a thoughtful finger against her chin. "honestly? yeah, not a bad idea. maybe you should visualize it. picture yourself on a date with him, hand in hand, smiling at each other—"

"stop. just stop," you cut her off, grimacing. "you’re enjoying this way too much."

"i really am," she admitted, laughing. "but all jokes aside, you need to go into that meeting tomorrow with a clear head. don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. if you go in there all tense and defensive, it’ll make things worse."

"easier said than done," you muttered. "the moment i see that smug look on his face, i might throw something."

hyojoo chuckled. "then maybe don’t look at his face."

you exhaled slowly, rubbing your temples. "i just... i need to find a way to deal with this. to make peace with it."

"then start by remembering why you’re doing this," hyojoo said gently. "this is about your career. about everything you’ve worked for. hanbin might be an obstacle, but he’s also an opportunity. you don’t have to like him—you just have to outplay him."

her words settled over you like a strange sort of comfort. you didn’t have to like him. you just had to act like you did. and if there was one thing you were good at, it was acting.

you let out a long breath, nodding. "okay. fine. i’ll do it."

hyojoo grinned. "now that’s the spirit."

you stood up, stretching your arms above your head. "i’m going to take a nap. i need more than eight hours of sleep if i’m going to survive tomorrow."

hyojoo smirked. "sweet dreams. maybe you’ll dream about your new ‘boyfriend.’"

"if i do, i’m blaming you," you shot back before walking away, already dreading the day to come.

the next day arrived too soon, and before you knew it, you were standing outside your agency’s sleek glass building, staring up at the towering structure as if it held all the answers to your problems. beside you, hyojoo nudged your arm, her eyes dancing with amusement at your evident hesitation.

"stop looking like you’re walking into an execution," she teased. "it’s just a meeting."

"just a meeting?" you scoffed, adjusting your blazer for what felt like the hundredth time. "hyojoo, i am about to be legally bound to pretending i like sung hanbin. this isn’t ‘just’ anything."

she smirked, nudging you again. "well, at least you look good doing it. fake it ‘til you make it, y/n."

rolling your eyes, you exhaled sharply and pushed open the glass doors, stepping into the agency’s pristine lobby. the air smelled of expensive cologne and freshly brewed coffee, the kind of place where business deals were made with smiles that didn’t quite reach the eyes. the receptionist greeted you both warmly before directing you to the conference room at the end of the hall. your heels clicked against the polished floors, each step making your stomach churn with nerves.

as soon as you entered the room, the air shifted.

hanbin was already there, leaning against the table with an effortless arrogance that made your skin crawl. his perfectly tailored suit only added to his infuriating presence, making him look like he belonged in a magazine ad rather than a serious business meeting. his manager stood beside him, just as polished and professional, but at least he had the decency to not smirk at you the way hanbin did.

his eyes met yours, and there it was—that signature smug smirk. "look who finally decided to show up," he drawled, his voice laced with that insufferable teasing lilt. "i was starting to think you chickened out."

without missing a beat, you shot back, "trust me, if i had any other choice, i wouldn’t be here."

hanbin chuckled, extending a hand. "since we’re going to be spending so much time together, let’s at least pretend we’re civilized."

for a moment, you hesitated before begrudgingly shaking his hand. his grip was firm, warm—too steady for your liking. you withdrew your hand quickly, and he merely tilted his head in amusement. hyojoo and hanbin’s manager exchanged pleasantries before the representatives from your agency entered, carrying thick folders and a laptop.

"let’s begin, shall we?" one of them said, motioning for everyone to take a seat.

across from hanbin, you sat stiffly, determined to ignore the way he stretched lazily in his chair, exuding an infuriating air of ease. his fingers drummed idly against the tabletop—a silent, smug reminder that he was enjoying this far too much.

as the presentation began, a slideshow clicked onto the screen. the first slide displayed various headlines from major news outlets, all pushing the same ridiculous narrative—romantic tension, undeniable chemistry, a fiery love-hate dynamic between you and hanbin. the absurdity of it all made your stomach twist.

"as you can see," one of the representatives began, adjusting his glasses, "the media has already taken your argument and spun it into something much bigger. public interest in your interactions has skyrocketed, and engagement numbers are through the roof."

"we all know the power of a good story," another representative added. "and right now, the story people want is you two."

you scoffed, unable to help yourself. "you mean they want a lie."

"they want a fantasy," the representative corrected smoothly. "and we’re here to sell it."

hanbin hummed in amusement. "so, what’s the plan? hold hands, go on coffee dates, stare into each other’s eyes like we’re in a drama?"

"precisely," the representative replied without hesitation. "but there’s more."

another slide clicked onto the screen, revealing official concept art for written in the stars. but something was different. something was very, very different.

frowning, you leaned forward. "wait. this isn’t the same script."

hanbin’s smirk finally faded as he studied the images. "yeah, this is completely different."

"the script has been revised," the representative admitted. "due to the overwhelming attention your chemistry has received, the directors, producers, and scriptwriters made the decision to add a love interest into the movie."

head snapping up, you barely managed to keep the frustration out of your voice. "excuse me?"

"originally, written in the stars was a story about a child’s journey to becoming the heir to their kingdom," the representative explained. "but now, hanbin’s character will be the heir to a fallen kingdom, and you—" they gestured to you, "—will be the cunning princess of his enemy nation."

hanbin let out a low whistle. "so they rewrote an entire movie because of us?"

"this is why the fake dating stunt is necessary," the representative continued. "if audiences believe in your relationship off-screen, it’ll translate into even greater success on-screen."

fingers curling into a fist, you bit out, "but this whole situation is based on a misunderstanding! it wasn’t romantic tension, it was a heated argument!"

hanbin turned to you with a slow grin. "and yet, here we are."

ignoring him, you focused on the contract placed in front of you. scanning the details quickly, your stomach dropped. the fake dating arrangement would last from now until the end of the movie’s promotion. interviews, social media interactions, public outings—every aspect of the relationship would be meticulously crafted for maximum publicity.

this was insane.

but you had no choice.

hanbin didn’t hesitate. with a flourish, he picked up a pen and signed his contract first, flashing you a look of triumph.

"your turn," he murmured.

letting out a final deep breath, you grabbed the pen and signed your name at the bottom of the page.

"excellent," the representative said, clearly pleased. "this will be the start of something huge."

hanbin’s manager clapped his hands together. "now, to make it official, let’s have you two shake on it."

stomach twisting, your gaze met hanbin’s, and—of course—his eyes were glinting with amusement as he extended his hand. "come on, princess. let’s seal the deal."

your fingers curled at the nickname, but with all eyes on you, there was no way out. reluctantly, you reached out, grasping his hand. his palm was warm against yours, his grip steady, firm.

for a moment—too long a moment—the air felt too thick, too charged.

then, finally, you pulled away, rubbing your hand against your thigh as if to rid yourself of his touch.

hanbin smirked. "pleasure doing business with you."

"don’t talk to me," you muttered, and beside you, hyojoo barely suppressed a laugh.

it was official.

the contract was signed.

the deal was sealed.

your life was officially a mess.

the next morning arrived too soon, bringing with it the first official date of your fake relationship with hanbin. as you approached the quaint café nestled in the heart of the bustling city, you could already see the crowd gathered outside. a sea of flashing lights, paparazzi, journalists, and eager fans swarmed the sidewalk, all jostling for a chance to capture a moment between the two of you. the low hum of their excited chatter blended with the sharp clicking of cameras, making your stomach twist uncomfortably.

"well, well, look who decided to show up," hanbin’s familiar voice drawled beside you, his signature smirk in full effect. his dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he adjusted his coat, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, radiating an air of ease despite the absolute chaos surrounding you both.

"unfortunately," you muttered under your breath, keeping your expression neutral as you straightened your posture. "let’s just get this over with."

"aw, come on, princess. at least pretend to enjoy my company," he teased, leaning in slightly. the move was subtle, but the cameras picked up on it instantly, the intensity of the flashing lights increasing as reporters shouted even louder.

before you could respond with a sharp retort, you felt it—his hand, warm and steady, slipping around your waist. your breath hitched, body tensing instinctively at the unexpected contact. hanbin, of course, noticed immediately.

"relax," he murmured, his voice just low enough for only you to hear. "you’re acting like i’m about to bite."

"maybe i’m just not used to people invading my personal space," you shot back through clenched teeth, forcing a picture-perfect smile for the cameras. your mind was already spinning with the inevitable headlines this moment would spark.

as expected, the press wasted no time firing off their questions.

"hanbin, y/n! how long have you two been dating?"

"y/n, did you fall for him on set?"

"hanbin, what’s your favorite thing about y/n?"

neither of you answered, keeping to the agency’s carefully planned strategy of maintaining an air of mystery. instead, you allowed the photographers to capture their shots—every tilt of your head, every shift of hanbin’s possessive hold meticulously documented for the public eye. but something felt different. though you knew this was just a carefully orchestrated act, your pulse refused to settle, especially as hanbin’s fingers lingered a little longer than necessary against your waist.

"let’s get inside before you combust from overthinking," hanbin murmured, his breath warm against your ear before he gently guided you toward the entrance.

as soon as you stepped inside, the chaotic noise from outside was muffled, replaced by the soft murmur of conversation, the clinking of silverware against plates, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. a waiter, quick to recognize you both, led you to a private booth toward the back of the cafe, ensuring that prying eyes remained at a distance. hanbin slid in beside you without hesitation, and to your dismay, his hand remained on your waist even after you were seated.

"you can let go now," you muttered, shifting slightly away from him.

"but then we wouldn’t look like a couple," he countered smoothly. "this is a date, remember?"

rolling your eyes, you reached for the menu. "whatever. let’s just order."

hanbin, of course, didn’t move an inch. instead, he leaned in closer, his chin nearly brushing against your shoulder as he pretended to study the menu alongside you.

"can you even see the menu clearly?" he teased, voice laced with amusement. "i mean, considering all that complaining about the camera flashes."

your grip on the menu tightened. "i swear to god, hanbin, if we weren’t in public, i’d smack you with this menu."

he chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "but we are in public, so you can’t."

before you could retort, a waiter approached, pen poised over a notepad. "good morning! what can i get for you both?"

"i’ll have the american breakfast with scrambled eggs and extra bacon," you said, your tone still tinged with irritation. "and an iced coffee, light on the sugar."

hanbin hummed thoughtfully, tapping a finger against the table. "i’ll have the same," he said, then added with a teasing grin, "but make my coffee extra sweet—unlike my dear girlfriend here."

you groaned, rubbing your temples. "i swear, this is going to be the longest few months of my life."

once the waiter had left, hanbin leaned back against the booth, his expression turning slightly more serious. "so," he said, fingers absentmindedly drumming against the table, "that was quite the reception outside. looks like we’re officially the hottest new couple in the industry."

"don’t remind me," you muttered. "it’s ridiculous how fast the media spun this narrative."

"it’s the game," he said simply, shrugging. "we just have to play along. besides, it’s not all bad. you get more exposure, more roles. the benefits outweigh the annoyance."

you gave him a sidelong glance. "you say that like you don’t mind being in a fake relationship."

"i don’t," he admitted with a lazy smirk. "if anything, it’s entertaining."

"of course you’d find this amusing," you scoffed. "you’re thriving off my suffering."

"not suffering," he corrected. "just… mild inconvenience."

before you could argue, the food arrived, providing a much-needed distraction. as you dug into your meal, the conversation drifted toward the upcoming film schedule. tomorrow would mark the first day of shooting for written in the stars, and the reality of that hit you harder than you expected.

"it’s going to be weird," you admitted, absently pushing your eggs around your plate. "filming a romance scene with you after… everything."

hanbin arched an eyebrow. "everything? you mean our totally romantic, completely unscripted argument that launched this entire fiasco?"

you shot him a look. "you know what i mean."

he chewed on a piece of bacon before replying, "you’ll be fine. you’re a professional, remember? just don’t fall for me for real."

that earned him a swift kick under the table.

"ow!" he hissed, wincing. "i was kidding! jeez, you’re violent."

"just reminding you of your place," you said sweetly, taking a sip of your coffee.

he sighed dramatically. "see? this is why i called you mean earlier."

"no shit, you have your hand on my waist, idiot."

hanbin feigned offense. "that’s mean, you shouldn’t be calling your boyfriend an idiot."

rolling your eyes, you stabbed at your food with your fork. "how am i going to survive the next few months?"

hanbin grinned. "by falling for my irresistible charm, obviously."

you didn’t dignify that with a response.

instead, you stared down at your plate, mind already drifting to tomorrow’s filming schedule. one thing was certain—this was just the beginning of a very, very long ride.

the morning air was crisp as you made your way onto the set of written in the stars. it was the first day of filming, and even though you had spent years preparing for moments like this, there was an unfamiliar nervous energy in the pit of your stomach. maybe it was the weight of the role, the sudden shift in the script, or the fact that hanbin would be there—smirking, teasing, and generally making your life more difficult than necessary.

walking beside you, hyojoo scrolled through her phone, oblivious to your internal struggle. or at least, that’s what you thought until she casually said, “so, how was your date with hanbin yesterday?”

you groaned, running a hand down your face. “i wouldn’t call it a date. it was staged. a publicity stunt. a nightmare.”

“a nightmare where his hand was on your waist the whole time?” she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

you shot her a glare. “yes, and it was awful. he’s so full of himself, hyojoo. always smirking, always teasing. he knows exactly how to get under my skin.”

“uh-huh.” she nodded slowly, clearly enjoying this conversation far too much. “but did it make your heart race?”

your steps faltered for half a second, and you hated that she noticed. “no. absolutely not.”

she grinned knowingly. “liar.”

“i'm not lying. my heart raced because i’m not used to being touched like that, okay? it’s a natural reaction. it has nothing to do with him.”

hyojoo gasped dramatically. “so if I touch your waist, will you react the same way?”

before you could stop her, she wrapped her arms around your waist as you walked, hugging you tightly.

“yah! get off me!” you whined, squirming as you tried to push her away. “hyojoo, i swear—”

“but i just wanna see if your heart races~” she sang, tightening her grip.

you groaned loudly, trying to peel her arms off. “you’re impossible.”

laughing, she finally let go, stepping away but keeping that smug grin on her face. “see? no big deal.”

you rolled your eyes and continued toward your trailer, hyojoo following beside you.

inside, the glam team was already waiting. the moment you sat down, they got to work. the makeup artist, a woman named jisoo, studied your face for a moment before pulling out her brushes.

“we’re going for a monochromatic look today,” she said, blending soft hues onto your eyelids. “everything in the same shade range—eyes, lips, cheeks. it’ll look seamless on camera.”

hyojoo sat on the couch nearby, watching the process unfold. “she doesn’t need makeup to be beautiful, but i’m excited to see the final look.”

you smirked slightly. “flatter me more, why don’t you?”

“just stating the facts.”

as jisoo worked, you could see the transformation happening in the mirror. the soft tones blended effortlessly, creating an ethereal yet powerful look. when she reached for the eyeliner, she hesitated for a moment before nodding to herself.

“i think we need a wing,” she decided. “a sharp one.”

a few minutes later, you had the perfect winged eyeliner that made your gaze even more striking. hyojoo gasped dramatically.

“oh, you look so good. like, stupidly good,” she said, eyes wide with appreciation. “if hanbin doesn’t react when he sees you, he’s legally blind.”

“please.” you scoffed. “he’s too in love with himself to notice anyone else.”

jisoo stepped back, admiring her work. “perfect. now for the hair.”

the hairstylist, minji, pulled your hair into a structured yet effortless messy bun. it framed your face beautifully, adding to the regal aura you were meant to exude.

“wow,” hyojoo whispered. “you’re actually shin mina.”

you frowned. “i don’t even know shin mina. this character wasn’t in the original script, remember?”

hyojoo laughed. “true, but if the directors imagined her, she’d look exactly like you.”

you stared at your reflection, taking in the full effect. the monochromatic makeup, the elegantly messy bun, the subtle yet powerful gaze.

“shin mina,” you repeated under your breath. “who is she supposed to be, anyway?”

hyojoo shrugged. “not much information, honestly. but from what i do know, she’s cunning, intelligent, and a total badass.”

you smirked. “well, at least they cast the right person.”

with your transformation complete, the final step was wardrobe. the costume designers helped you into the battle princess gown—an intricate piece adorned with embroidery and a flowing cape that gave it a regal yet formidable aura. when you stepped out of the dressing room, hyojoo let out another gasp.

“you have to be joking.”

you adjusted the fabric around your waist. “what?”

“you look like you just walked straight out of an epic fantasy novel. like… this is it. this is the look.”

you turned to the mirror and took it all in. the dress exuded power, the makeup enhanced every sharp feature, and the hair completed the ensemble.

“well,” you said with a small smile, “i guess it’s time to bring shin mina to life.”

taking a deep breath, you stepped out of the trailer and onto the set, preparing yourself for the day ahead. this was it—the first day of filming. the beginning of something new. and with hanbin involved, you already knew it was going to be anything but ordinary.

on set, the battlefield scene was already in motion. hanbin, clad in tattered yet regal armour, fought fiercely among a horde of actors playing soldiers. swords clashed, battle cries filled the air, and the director’s voice rang out, guiding the action. you watched as hanbin moved effortlessly, his body twisting and dodging with precision. even through the choreographed fight sequences, he made it look natural—almost too natural.

then came the turning point. outnumbered, hanbin’s character was eventually overpowered. a soldier struck him down, forcing him to his knees. two more actors seized him, wrenching his arms behind his back as he struggled. his breath came in ragged gasps, and then, with a rough yank, he was pulled to his feet.

“take him to the kingdom!” one of the soldiers barked.

hanbin gritted his teeth but didn’t resist. his fate was sealed.

transitioning to the dungeon set, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. the stone walls were damp, torches flickered, and the heavy iron bars cast long shadows. hanbin was thrown inside unceremoniously, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud. he groaned in pain, curling slightly as he caught his breath.

“the princess is coming!” a guard announced, and the room fell silent.

you stepped into the dimly lit dungeon, the soft clinking of your boots echoing off the walls. hanbin was on the floor, leaning onto his forearm, his expression twisting in barely concealed disdain as he looked up at you. even in pain, he had the audacity to glare.

“welcome to my kingdom,” you greeted smoothly, your tone unreadable.

hanbin scoffed. “i’d rather be anywhere else.”

“oh, don’t be so dramatic,” you said, tilting your head. “i could be cruel, you know. but i won’t.”

he stilled, his brows furrowing slightly as he studied you.

“instead,” you continued, stepping closer, “i’m offering you a choice. marry me, and our lands will unite. refuse, and you will rot in this dungeon.”

hanbin’s jaw tightened. “you expect me to marry the enemy?”

“no,” you mused. “i expect you to survive.”

for a moment, there was only silence. your gaze burned into his, unyielding, and his breath was uneven, as if something within him was warring against itself. then, finally, he exhaled sharply.

“fine,” he spat. “i’ll do it.”

“good,” you murmured, lips curving into the faintest smirk.

“cut!” the director called, breaking the moment instantly.

the set was immediately thrown into a frenzy, crew members running around, adjusting lights, preparing for the next take. you relaxed your posture, stepping back from hanbin, who was still sitting on the dungeon floor.

“you okay?” you asked, eyeing the spot where he had hit the ground. “that looked like it hurt.”

hanbin rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. “i’m fine. makes the acting look more real, anyway.”

“well, as long as you’re not actually breaking anything,” you said, crossing your arms.

he grinned. “aww, you’re worried about me.”

“shut up.”

hanbin chuckled before standing up fully, dusting off his costume. “you know,” he mused, “that whole princess act suits you. you should consider ruling a kingdom in real life.”

“if it means ruling over idiots like you, i’ll pass.”

“harsh,” he teased. “but i kinda like it.”

you huffed, shaking your head. “you are insufferable.”

“and yet, you can’t seem to escape me,” he smirked.

flustered, but still annoyed, you groaned and turned on your heel, making a beeline out of the dungeon set. hanbin’s amused laughter followed behind you, his voice laced with pure entertainment.

“see you at the next scene, princess.”

the restaurant was elegant, the kind of place where every glass gleamed under the soft golden lights and the faint hum of classical music filled the air. the scent of freshly baked bread and seared meat lingered, making your stomach tighten in anticipation. despite the luxury, you couldn't fully relax. not with hanbin’s hand resting on your waist as he led you inside.

it had become a pattern by now—his lingering touch, the way he guided you as if you were truly his. the heat of his palm against your waist was impossible to ignore, but you tried your best to maintain your composure. behind you, hyojoo and hanbin’s manager followed a little awkwardly. well, at least hanbin’s manager did. hyojoo, on the other hand, looked like she was having the time of her life watching you squirm under hanbin’s casual affection.

as you reached your reserved table, hanbin smoothly pulled out your chair for you before taking the seat beside you. hyojoo and hanbin’s manager sat across from you two, their seating arrangement mirroring yours. as soon as you settled in, hyojoo wasted no time in sending you a knowing smirk.

“comfortable?” she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.

you shot her a death glare. “oh, absolutely.”

hanbin leaned slightly toward you, peering at the menu in your hands before he smirked. “don’t forget to pick something you’ll actually eat this time. we wouldn’t want another tragic salad incident.”

you exhaled sharply, already feeling the irritation bubble inside you. “that was one small incident on set yesterday.”

“and yet, it lives in my memory forever,” he said with mock solemnity. “a tale of wasted greens and regret.”

“you’re insufferable,” you muttered under your breath, turning your attention back to the menu.

but hanbin wasn’t done. “you know, being angry all the time isn’t a great look for a loving girlfriend.”

hyojoo cleared her throat, and you already knew what was coming. “he has a point. you two need to look convincing. we are in public, after all.”

her words were professional, but the glint in her eyes told you otherwise. she was enjoying this way too much.

hanbin hummed in agreement, propping his elbow on the table as he rested his chin on his hand. “exactly. my lovely girlfriend should be gazing at me adoringly right about now.”

you rolled your eyes so hard you were sure they could have disappeared into another dimension. “you are delusional.”

hanbin let out a low chuckle before nudging your leg under the table. “and yet, you haven’t denied the ‘lovely girlfriend’ part.”

you opened your mouth to retort, but before you could, a waiter approached your table, effectively cutting off your response.

“good afternoon,” the waiter greeted with a polite smile. “are you ready to order?”

you were grateful for the distraction and quickly placed your order, listing off your choices with precision. hanbin followed right after, taking his time as he made his selection. once he was done, the waiter turned to hyojoo and hanbin’s manager.

“and you two?”

hyojoo smiled. “oh, we’re just the managers.”

you barely held back a laugh as the waiter hesitated before nodding and taking their orders as well.

after the waiter left, hanbin’s manager leaned back in his chair and sighed dramatically. “agents never get recognition these days.”

the table erupted into laughter, even you, as the light hearted joke momentarily eased the tension.

as the laughter died down, hanbin’s manager turned his attention to hanbin. “so, how’s filming going? yesterday was the first big scene, right?”

hanbin nodded, leaning back comfortably. “yeah, we started with the battlefield scene and then moved into the dungeon scene. it’s going well so far, considering it’s still the early stages.”

hyojoo turned to you, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “and you? how are you feeling about everything?”

you took a sip of water, thinking for a moment. “it’s… intense. the script changes still throw me off a bit, but the production team knows what they’re doing. the dungeon scene especially was interesting.”

hanbin smirked. “interesting, huh? you mean the part where i got thrown into the dungeon?”

you smirked back. “that was my favourite part.”

hanbin clutched his chest dramatically. “you wound me, princess.”

hyojoo smirked, watching your dynamic with open amusement. “well, the chemistry is working, at least.”

hanbin’s manager nodded in agreement. “i have to admit, the media is loving it. the rumours about you two are spreading like wildfire. people are convinced you’re actually together.”

“which we’re not,” you pointed out quickly, folding your arms.

hanbin leaned in with an exaggerated pout. “but what if i wanted to be?”

“then i’d tell you to wake up,” you shot back, making hyojoo and his manager chuckle.

hanbin shook his head with a grin. “so cold.”

just then, the waiter returned with your drinks, placing them down one by one before disappearing back into the kitchen. you took a sip of your iced tea, letting the coolness soothe your irritation.

“honestly, though,” hanbin said after a beat, “i think the production team really did well with casting. our characters might not have been in the original script, but the tension makes for a good story.”

“you mean you enjoy making me mad?” you asked flatly.

he grinned. “immensely.”

hyojoo shook her head. “well, keep it up. it’s working.”

hanbin’s manager checked his phone before glancing up. “after lunch, you guys have script rehearsals, right?”

you nodded. “yeah. it’s the first official dialogue scene between our characters after the marriage agreement.”

hanbin wiggled his eyebrows. “can’t wait to be your husband, princess.”

hyojoo nearly choked on her drink, and you kicked him under the table.

“ow!” hanbin winced but laughed, rubbing his shin. “abusive wife already?”

“we’re not married!”

“yet.”

hyojoo snorted, and even hanbin’s manager looked amused. you groaned, placing your head in your hands. this was going to be a long lunch.

the rehearsal room was quiet, save for the faint sound of your own voice as you practiced in front of the mirror. your reflection stared back at you, brows furrowed in concentration as you recited shin mina’s lines under your breath, adjusting your tone, your expression, perfecting every subtle movement. you weren’t just memorizing words—you were stepping into character, feeling her emotions, embodying her presence.

hanbin stood in the distance, watching.

he had only come into the room a few minutes ago, but he hadn’t announced his presence yet. instead, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he observed you. there was something fascinating about the way you lost yourself in your work, completely unaware of his gaze. your focus was unwavering, your movements meticulous, like you weren’t just rehearsing—you were already her.

it was frustratingly impressive.

his smirk deepened as he tilted his head slightly, taking in the sight of you. no matter how much you insisted you couldn’t stand him, you were dedicated to this movie, to this role, to making it as perfect as possible. he respected that. maybe more than he wanted to admit.

but that didn’t mean he was going to pass up an opportunity to tease you.

“are you practicing how to glare at me properly? because if so, you’ve already perfected it,” hanbin’s voice cut through the silence.

you startled, whipping around so fast you nearly knocked over the makeup bag on the table. your heart pounded in your chest, half from surprise and half from irritation when you saw his signature smirk in full force.

“what the hell, hanbin?” you huffed, pressing a hand to your chest. “don’t sneak up on people like that.”

he shrugged, strolling toward you with the same effortless confidence he always carried. “i wasn’t sneaking. you were just too absorbed in your own reflection to notice me.”

you scowled. “i was rehearsing.”

“oh, i know. i watched for a while,” he mused, stopping just a step behind you. “you really take this seriously, huh?”

“of course i do. unlike some people, i actually care about the work.”

hanbin chuckled, leaning slightly closer. “that’s a bit mean, don’t you think? what if i told you watching you work so hard was kind of... charming?”

your breath hitched for just a second, but you masked it with a glare. “if you’re going to distract me, at least be useful. otherwise, go away.”

“harsh,” he muttered, but his smirk didn’t waver. instead, his eyes flickered to the mirror in front of you. “fixing your hair again? you know you don’t have to try so hard. you already look good.”

“flattery won’t get you anywhere, hanbin.”

“you sure about that?” he teased, watching as you touched up your lipstick, carefully blotting it with a tissue.

“yes,” you said flatly, setting the tissue down. “now, if you don’t mind, i’d like to finish rehearsing.”

he didn’t move. instead, he placed a hand on your waist, his usual spot, and grinned at your reflection. “you know what we should do?”

“what?”

“take a photo together. for social media.”

“why?”

hanbin sighed dramatically. “you really have no sense of marketing, do you? we’re supposed to be in a fake relationship, remember? we should at least look like we enjoy spending time together.”

hanbin noticed your reluctance and took the lead. “come on,” he said, more assertively this time. “it’s just a picture. i promise i won’t bite.”

“you’re annoying,” you grumbled, pulling out your phone anyway.

hanbin grinned. “and yet, here we are.”

“look at the camera in the mirror.”

he obeyed, tilting his head slightly with his signature smirk, his hand still resting lightly on your waist. you sighed through your nose but put on a small smile, making sure it looked natural before taking the picture.

you snapped a few more, just in case, before lowering the phone and scrolling through them. hanbin leaned over your shoulder, looking at the screen as well.

“which one’s the best?” he asked.

you both paused.

coincidentally, your fingers hovered over the same photo—one where you looked effortlessly natural, and he looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself beside you.

hanbin smirked, clearly satisfied. “see? we make a good team.”

“don’t push it.”

hanbin chuckled, watching as you finally hit post, pairing the image with a soft, romantic song.

“cute,” he commented.

“don’t make me regret this.”

“too late.”

the morning air buzzed with chatter as you stood among the crew, laughing and engaging in gossip about the latest entertainment news. the makeup artists, costume designers, and even the lighting technicians all had something to say about the newest scandal, the latest trending drama, and, of course, the unexpected but widely beloved pairing of you and hanbin.

"you two look so cute together," one of the makeup artists gushed, her hands clasped together in admiration. "honestly, the chemistry is just unreal. i swear, if i didn't know better, i'd think you were really in love."

another crew member nodded in agreement. "yeah, the pictures you posted yesterday? those went viral. everyone is shipping you guys."

"it’s crazy," you laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. "but thank you. we’re very happy with one another."

saying it felt easier than it should have. the crew all beamed at your response, completely convinced, before the conversation shifted to another topic. you let yourself stay a few minutes longer before politely excusing yourself, the warmth of their words still lingering in your thoughts.

as you walked away, the echoes of their compliments about you and hanbin replayed in your mind. the idea of people seeing you as an actual couple was still strange. fake dating was one thing, but seeing how naturally everyone believed in the illusion made your stomach twist slightly. shaking off the thought, you scanned the set until your eyes landed on the director.

approaching him, you spoke up. "do you have any feedback for me today?"

he looked up with a small smile, handing you a few pages of handwritten notes. "of course. you’re doing really well, by the way. your performance is exactly what we envisioned for shin mina."

"thank you," you murmured, eyes scanning the pages.

as you read through the notes, something quickly stood out to you—hanbin’s name was mentioned more times than you expected. in fact, a significant portion of the director’s comments revolved around your interactions with him, your on-screen chemistry, the way your characters played off one another. it wasn’t a surprise, necessarily, since your roles were intertwined, but seeing it written out so explicitly made you pause.

"a lot of this is about me and hanbin," you noted, glancing up at the director.

he nodded. "that’s because your dynamic is the heart of the film. every scene between the two of you carries so much weight. it’s essential that your chemistry feels completely natural and effortless."

humming in understanding, you flipped through the remaining notes. wrapping up your conversation with the director, you handed the papers back with a quick "thank you" before turning on your heel and scanning the set for hanbin.

he wasn’t hard to find. leaning casually against a prop pillar, he was chatting with a few of the other actors, his signature smirk on full display. taking a deep breath, you made your way toward him.

"we need to talk," you announced as you stopped in front of him.

hanbin turned his attention to you, grinning. "should i be worried?"

"it’s about the notes," you said, ignoring his teasing tone.

he raised a brow. "ah, let me guess. they’re all about how amazing i am?"

rolling your eyes, you crossed your arms. "more like how much work we need to put into making our scenes feel as authentic as possible."

hanbin chuckled. "so basically, they love us together. i knew it."

his smirk was as infuriating as ever, but today, you found yourself simply shaking your head instead of snapping at him. maybe you were finally adjusting to his antics, or maybe you were just in a good mood.

"whatever," you brushed off. "we should get ready. we need to let the director know we’re good to go."

as you adjusted your costume and quickly fixed your hair, hanbin watched you with an amused expression.

"you know," he mused, "today’s a special day."

archiving a brow, you gave him a side glance. "and why is that?"

his smirk widened. "because today, i officially become your husband."

scoffing, you shook your head in disbelief before smacking his shoulder lightly. he winced, rubbing the spot dramatically.

"ow," he complained. "i need to start preparing myself for an abusive marriage."

"that’s not a healthy relationship," you retorted.

he shrugged. "maybe, but it’ll be entertaining."

"you’re impossible."

before he could reply, the crew signalled that the set was ready. taking a deep breath, you squared your shoulders and made your way to the stage, feeling hanbin follow closely behind.

just another day of filming. just another scene where you had to pretend to be in love with the man who never failed to push your buttons.

only today, he was right. today was different.

because today, he became your husband—at least on screen.

the next day, you found yourself walking alongside hyojoo through the sleek hallways of your agency, the faint hum of office chatter and clicking keyboards surrounding you. the polished floors reflected the overhead lights, and the air smelled faintly of fresh coffee and paper. you glanced at hyojoo, adjusting the strap of your bag over your shoulder.

"so, what’s this meeting about?" you asked, your tone tinged with mild suspicion.

hyojoo waved a dismissive hand. "nothing to stress over. just some business talk, probably about publicity."

"ugh, more publicity? aren’t we already doing enough?" you sighed.

she chuckled. "clearly not. the public wants more."

pushing open the heavy glass doors to the conference room, you immediately spotted hanbin lounging comfortably in a chair, his agent seated beside him. the moment his eyes landed on you, he shot you his signature smirk, leaning back slightly as if he had been expecting you to arrive any moment now.

"well, if it isn’t my favourite pretend girlfriend," he drawled, his smirk deepening. "miss me?"

rolling your eyes, you walked past him to take a seat beside hyojoo. "in your dreams."

he chuckled, clearly amused by your response, but before he could get another word in, one of the agency representatives cleared their throat, drawing everyone's attention to the front of the room.

"thank you all for coming today," the representative began, shuffling a stack of papers. "we called this meeting to discuss the overwhelming public response to your relationship. the media and fans are absolutely captivated. they love your dynamic—the way you two interact, the playful banter, the chemistry."

hanbin leaned in slightly, shooting you a sideways glance. "hear that? they love our chemistry. you can’t deny it now."

"i’ll deny it all i want," you muttered, crossing your arms.

ignoring your exchange, the representative continued. "with the growing interest in your relationship, we believe it would be beneficial to provide more content to the public. after all, the instagram story you posted the other day gained tremendous traction. fans are still talking about it."

hanbin grinned, nudging your elbow. "see? my idea was brilliant."

"your idea?" you scoffed. "i’m the one who actually took the picture and posted it."

"but who convinced you?" he shot back, his grin never faltering.

before you could respond, another representative jumped in. "regardless of whose idea it was, the fact remains that people want more."

hyojoo nodded in agreement. "it’s true. strategically speaking, this is a great opportunity to further boost your popularity."

"so what exactly are you suggesting?" you asked, exhaling deeply.

"content," the representative stated simply. "more candid moments, more social media presence—perhaps even some planned public outings that allow for natural interactions to be captured."

hanbin chuckled. "so basically, they want to see more of us bickering."

"playful banter," the representative corrected. "it’s charming and refreshing."

crossing your arms, you glanced at hanbin. "well, if they love it so much, maybe you should start paying me extra for putting up with you."

hanbin laughed. "you love it."

ignoring him, you turned your attention back to the representatives. "actually, vlogging has been really popular these days. i recently set up a whole video station at home—computer, microphone, camera, studio lights, everything."

instantly, the representatives perked up, nodding eagerly. "that’s a brilliant idea. it shows you’re in touch with current trends. fans would absolutely love behind-the-scenes content of you two."

hanbin turned to you, grinning. "well then, i guess i’m coming over tomorrow."

"you’re just inviting yourself over now?" you arched a brow.

he shrugged. "of course. you need me there for the content, don’t you?"

sighing dramatically, you leaned back in your chair. "fine. but at least try to look good for the camera."

hanbin placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "please. i always look good."

"right," you said flatly. "just don’t stink up my house."

he gasped playfully. "excuse you, i always smell amazing. you wanna smell me and find out?"

scoffing loudly, you made a face. "absolutely not. piss off."

laughter erupted around the room, even from the usually serious representatives. hanbin looked thoroughly pleased with himself, while you just shook your head, already dreading whatever chaos would ensue tomorrow.

"alright, then. it’s settled," the representative concluded. "we’ll expect some engaging content from you two soon."

hanbin turned to you with a grin. "hope you’re ready for a fun day tomorrow."

sighing, you stood up from your chair. "oh, i can hardly wait."

hanbin winked. "i knew you couldn’t resist me."

hyojoo tugged your arm, pulling you towards the door before you could come up with a sharp retort. as you exited the conference room, you couldn’t help but shake your head, already mentally preparing yourself for what was sure to be an eventful day.

and despite your protests, despite your exasperation with hanbin’s endless teasing, you couldn’t deny the tiniest hint of excitement bubbling in your chest.

the next morning, you were already camera-ready, your outfit perfectly styled and your face glowing under the soft morning light filtering through your windows. your morning routine had gone smoothly—you’d woken up early, taken a refreshing shower, done your skincare, and applied just the right amount of makeup to look effortless yet flawless. your bungalow was spotless after a thorough clean-up, ensuring no clutter would be visible in the background of the video. even the cushions on your couch were perfectly fluffed, and a subtle vanilla-scented candle burned in the corner, filling the space with a warm, inviting aroma.

as you adjusted your camera setup, making sure the lighting hit at just the right angle, a knock on the door echoed through your home. you sighed, already anticipating the teasing that was about to come. when you opened the door, hanbin stood there, dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit that made it obvious he had put in effort. his dark jeans and white t-shirt fit him perfectly, and his hair looked tousled in that effortless way that somehow always suited him. his usual smirk was present as he leaned against the doorframe, eyes scanning your house before flicking back to you.

"cute bungalow," he commented, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

"thanks," you said, stepping aside, arms crossed as you watched him look around.

he glanced around before his smirk widened. "the one living in the bungalow is cute too."

rolling your eyes, you groaned. "piss off."

hanbin chuckled, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he walked further in. "can't. we have to make some quality content for the public, remember?"

you sighed dramatically but didn’t argue, instead shutting the door behind him. as he wandered deeper into your house, his gaze landed on a shelf lined with old photo frames. he stepped closer, examining them with interest before picking one up. it was a baby picture of you, round-cheeked and beaming at the camera, your tiny hands gripping the sides of a birthday cake that was much too big for you.

"these are cute," he mused, turning the frame slightly. "who knew you used to be so tiny?"

"thanks," you replied, crossing your arms as you watched him.

hanbin turned to you with an exaggerated thoughtful expression. "do you think i was a cute baby?"

"i don’t know, i’ve never seen any of your baby pictures."

he hummed, setting the frame back in its place before straightening up. "fair enough. do i at least look handsome now?"

you blinked at him, taking a moment to study his face. his hair was styled effortlessly, his outfit perfectly tailored to his frame, and his skin looked unfairly flawless. but instead of feeding into his ego, you simply said, "you look camera-ready."

hanbin placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "ouch. i wish my girlfriend actually complimented me."

scoffing, you reached out and slapped his shoulder, making him wince dramatically. "piss off, hanbin."

he laughed, shaking his head before you motioned for him to follow you to your room. as you led him down the hall, he glanced around curiously before his eyes landed on your recording setup. his expression shifted from playful to genuinely impressed.

"whoa," he said, stepping closer. "this looks really professional. you weren’t kidding when you said you had everything set up."

you watched as he examined your camera, microphone, and lighting setup, his fingers lightly adjusting a dial on the mic.

"of course," you replied. "i don’t do things halfway."

he grinned at you. "clearly."

you adjusted the camera’s position, making sure the frame was set up perfectly before glancing at hanbin. "ready?"

he nodded. "let's do it."

you pressed record and immediately brightened, your expression shifting into your public-friendly smile. "hey everyone! welcome back to my channel. today, i have a very special guest with me."

hanbin, standing beside you, placed a hand on your waist as he grinned at the camera. "your favourite boyfriend, of course."

you resisted the urge to roll your eyes, instead maintaining your smile. "we're doing a q&a today, answering all the burning questions you guys have been sending in. and trust me, there were a lot."

hanbin chuckled. "people are really nosy, huh?"

"they're just curious about our love story," you teased, before grabbing your phone to read the first question. "alright, first question: how did you two meet?"

hanbin glanced at you before smirking at the camera. "ah, the fated encounter. our eyes met across a crowded room, time slowed, and we knew in that moment—"

"stop being dramatic," you interrupted, making him laugh. "we met during casting for 'written in the stars.' simple as that."

he nodded. "yeah, but if you ask me, she fell for me immediately."

you shot him a deadpan look. "next question."

you scrolled down and read the next one aloud. "do you two fight often?"

hanbin smirked. "define 'fight.'"

you turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "bickering. arguments. me wanting to strangle you at least twice a day."

he laughed. "then yeah, all the time. but that’s what makes us entertaining, isn’t it?"

shaking your head, you moved on to the next question. "what can we expect from the upcoming movie?"

hanbin adopted a more serious expression. "honestly, i think people are going to love it. the story is compelling, the cinematography is stunning, and of course, our performances are top-tier."

"agreed," you said. "and i think fans are really going to enjoy the dynamic between our characters."

as you continued answering questions, the atmosphere remained light-hearted, filled with teasing remarks from hanbin and your playful eye rolls in response. when the q&a finally wrapped up, you stopped the recording and leaned back in your chair, exhaling.

"that went well," hanbin remarked.

"surprisingly," you admitted as you pulled the memory card from the camera and slotted it into your computer. you began editing immediately, cutting out unnecessary parts and adjusting the audio.

hanbin watched you work for a moment before speaking. "you're really dedicated to this, huh?"

you nodded, not looking away from the screen. "of course. content creation takes effort."

"it's kinda cool seeing you in work mode."

you glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "is that an actual compliment? from hanbin?"

he smirked. "don't get used to it."

rolling your eyes, you continued editing. it took a while, but eventually, the video was ready. you uploaded it, selecting a catchy title and an engaging thumbnail before posting it to your channel.

you leaned back, stretching your arms. "done."

hanbin checked his phone, already seeing notifications popping up. "people are gonna eat this up."

you hummed in agreement. "let’s just hope they enjoy it."

he grinned. "they will. after all, we make a great team."

for once, you didn’t argue. instead, you simply smirked and leaned back in your chair, already anticipating the reaction the video would get.

SMUT AHEAD

with the silence now, hanbin took the opportunity to pull you up from your chair flush against him, one hand sliding down to grope your ass possessively.

"now, where were we before the video, princess?"

you gasp softly, squirming in his hold, but don't pull away. "hanbin, stop it. we're not going to do anything like that on camera." you hiss, even as your body betrays you, reacting to his touch.

hanbin just smirks, undeterred. "you're right, princess. let's take this somewhere more private, hmm?"

with that, he scoops you up into his arms, carrying you towards the living room as he pulls the bedroom door shut behind him. he tosses you onto the couch, crawling over you with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"hanbin," you warn, even as you drink in the sight of his tall, muscular form looming above you. "i mean it. no funny business."

he leans down, capturing your lips in a searing kiss, his tongue delving into your mouth possessively. "funny business is my specialty," he murmurs against your lips. "but don't worry, princess. i promise i'll make it feel so good, you'll be begging for more."

you know you should push him away, but your body is already melting under his touch, craving more of his intense focus and desire. you tangle your fingers in his dark hair, giving it a sharp tug, and are rewarded with a low, appreciative moan from hanbin.

"fuck, i love it when you do that," he groans, grinding his hips against yours, letting you feel the sizeable bulge rapidly forming in his jeans.

you bite your lip to stifle a moan, your core clenching with want. you know you should put a stop to this, but the way he's touching you, the hunger in his eyes... you can't help but crave more.

hanbin seems to sense your hesitation, his hand sliding under your shirt to cup your breast, thumbing your nipple through the thin lace of your bra. "tell me you don't want this, princess," he challenges, his voice a low rumble. "tell me you don't want me to strip you bare and worship every inch of your gorgeous body until you're trembling and begging for my cock."

you swallow thickly, trying to find the words to refuse him, but all you can manage is a breathless, "hanbin..."

he smirks, taking your silence as the consent it is. "that's what i thought, princess. now, let me show you what a real man can do."

with that, he tugs your shirt off over your head and tosses it aside, leaving you in your bra as he takes in the sight of your exposed skin with blatant appreciation. "fuck, you're stunning," he breathes, before ducking his head down to press open-mouthed kisses along the swell of your breasts. "i'm going to make you feel so good, you won't be able to think of anything else."

you know you should put a stop to this, should maintain some semblance of control, but the way he's touching you, the promise of pleasure in his eyes... you can't bring yourself to refuse him. you tangle your fingers in his hair again, holding him against you as you arch into his touch, already craving more.

hanbin's lips find your nipple through the thin lace of your bra, his mouth hot and hungry as he suckles at the sensitive peak. his hands roam your body greedily, mapping out every dip and curve as if committing your form to memory. he slides one hand up your thigh, his fingers dancing along your skin until he reaches the hem of your shorts. with a wicked grin, he slips his hand underneath, cupping your mound possessively.

"you're already so wet for me, aren't you princess?" he murmurs, rubbing his fingers along your clothed slit teasingly. "i can feel how much you want this."

you let out a shaky moan, your hips bucking up against his hand as you desperately seek more friction. your core is throbbing, aching to be filled, and the way he's touching you is only stoking the flames of your desire.

hanbin chuckles darkly, clearly pleased by your reaction. he hooks his fingers into the waistband of your shorts and panties, tugging them down your legs and tossing them carelessly to the floor. now completely bare before him, you feel exposed and vulnerable, but also incredibly aroused.

not wasting any time, hanbin parts your thighs, settling between them as he takes in the glorious sight of your glistening folds. he leans in, inhaling deeply, and groans at the intoxicating scent of your arousal.

"fuck, you smell divine," he growls, before diving in and running his tongue along your slit in one long, slow lick. he focuses on your clit, suckling and flicking the sensitive bud with expert precision until you're writhing beneath him.

your fingers tighten in his hair, holding him against you as you grind your hips against his face, chasing your pleasure. hanbin seems to sense how close you are, and doubles his efforts, thrusting his tongue inside your clenching heat and fucking you with it in deep, powerful strokes.

"hanbin!" you cry out, your voice echoing off the walls of your living room. the obscene wet sounds of his mouth on your pussy fill the room, mixing with your wanton moans and gasps.

just as you're about to crest the peak of your climax, hanbin pulls away, leaving you wanting. you whimper at the loss, only to gasp as he sits up and strips off his shirt, revealing his sculpted torso. he undoes his jeans next, freeing his impressive erection, and you can't help but stare in awe at the thick, hard length of him.

crawling back up your body, hanbin settles between your thighs again, the head of his cock nudging against your soaked entrance. he leans down to capture your lips in a searing kiss, letting you taste yourself on his tongue as he slowly pushes inside you with a low groan.

"fuck, you feel incredible," he praises, his voice strained with pleasure as he hilts inside you completely. "so fucking tight and perfect, like you were made just for me."

you wrap your legs around his waist, the heels of your feet digging into his ass as he begins to move, thrusting in and out of you with deep, powerful strokes. the pleasure is intense, unlike anything you've ever felt before, and you can't help but clench down around him, drawing him in deeper.

hanbin sets a relentless pace, pounding into you with a passion and hunger that steals your breath away, and you know your neighbours will surely hear the lewd noises spilling from your lips - but you can't bring yourself to care. all that matters is the feeling of hanbin moving inside you, claiming you, owning you in the most primal way possible.

"yes, fuck yes!" you cry out, your nails raking down his back as you cling to him, meeting him thrust for thrust. "harder, hanbin! fuck me harder!"

he complies with a dark chuckle, hammering into you with renewed vigour, the wet squelch of your joined bodies filling the room obscenely. you can feel your climax building again, your walls starting to flutter and tighten around his pistoning cock.

"that's it, princess," hanbin pants, his breath hot against your ear. "cum for me. i want to feel you cum all over my cock like the dirty girl you are."

his filthy words are your undoing, and with a sharp cry of his name, you shatter, your orgasm crashing through you like a tidal wave. your pussy clamps down around him like a vice, pulsing and milking his cock as he continues to pound into your spasming heat.

hanbin lets out a guttural moan, his rhythm faltering as he buries himself deep inside you one last time. his cock throbs and jerks as he finds his own release, spilling his hot seed deep inside your clenching cunt. he collapses against you, both of you panting and trembling in the aftermath of your intense coupling.

as you lie there, basking in the afterglow, you can't help but think that this is a far cry from the hatred and disdain you normally feel for your fake boyfriend. right now, in this moment, you can't imagine wanting anyone else touching you, pleasuring you, fucking you like this. and if you're being honest with yourself... you never want it to end.

the morning light filtered softly through your bedroom curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. your body felt heavy, your muscles still a little sore from the previous night. as you stirred awake, you slowly blinked, adjusting to the gentle brightness of the morning. before you could register anything else, your eyes landed on hanbin, standing on the opposite side of the bed.

he was adjusting his shirt, the same one from yesterday, slightly wrinkled from being worn overnight. his movements were slow, deliberate, and oddly careful as if he was trying not to wake you. when he noticed you were awake, his gaze met yours, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"morning," he greeted, his voice softer than usual.

you swallowed, suddenly feeling shy. the memories of the previous night flashed through your mind, heat creeping up your neck. "morning," you murmured back, your voice still heavy with sleep.

hanbin tilted his head slightly, observing you. "how are you feeling?"

"i'm okay... just a little tired still."

he nodded, walking around the bed and crouching beside you. "stay in bed. i'll make breakfast."

before you could protest, he placed a firm yet gentle hand on your shoulder, pushing you back down onto the mattress. you sighed but didn’t fight it. the way he was being so thoughtful and caring made your chest tighten. you weren't used to this kind of treatment.

"okay," you relented softly.

hanbin grinned. "good. i’ll be back in a bit."

he left the room, leaving you to stare at the ceiling, trying to process everything. last night had been... different. the intimacy, the way he had held you—it was new. despite his usual teasing and arrogance, last night he had been passionate. attentive.

within ten minutes, hanbin returned, carefully balancing a tray with a plate full of breakfast and a glass of mango juice. the aroma of warm food instantly filled the room, making your stomach rumble.

"breakfast is served," he announced, setting the tray down on your bedside table before handing you the plate.

"thank you," you said sincerely, picking up your fork and taking a bite.

hanbin sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for a hairbrush on your nightstand. without saying a word, he gently ran the brush through your hair, untangling the knots from sleep as you continued eating. the motion was soothing, almost hypnotic.

"you okay with last night?" he asked suddenly, his voice softer now, almost hesitant.

you swallowed your bite of food and turned to look at him. his expression was unreadable, but there was something behind his eyes—concern, uncertainty. before he could say more, he added, "if you didn’t enjoy it or if i made you uncomfortable, i—"

"hanbin," you cut him off, placing your hand over his. "it was okay. i really enjoyed it."

his shoulders relaxed slightly, but he still looked like he needed more reassurance.

"i just..." you hesitated, choosing your words carefully. "i act guarded because... well, it’s just how i protect myself."

he nodded, brushing out a final knot in your hair before setting the brush down. "i get it. i won’t push."

you smiled slightly. "i know."

after a brief pause, he clapped his hands together. "alright, what do you wanna wear today?"

you pointed toward your closet. "that beige knit sweater with the black slacks."

hanbin stood up and went to retrieve them, neatly laying them out on your bed. he made a show of smoothing out the wrinkles, acting as if he was your personal stylist.

"perfect choice, my dear girlfriend," he teased, and for once, you didn’t roll your eyes at his antics.

"thanks, my very considerate boyfriend," you replied, making him chuckle.

after finishing breakfast, hanbin took the tray from you. "i’ll do the dishes. you freshen up."

"you don’t have to—"

"shhh." he placed a finger over your lips before you could argue. "go."

reluctantly, you obeyed, heading into the bathroom. as you stood in front of the mirror, you took a deep breath, staring at your reflection. today felt... different. hanbin was different. maybe things were changing between you two.

once you were fully ready, dressed, and your makeup subtly done, you walked out to find hanbin already by the front door, car keys in hand. he looked up at you and gave an approving nod.

"looking good," he commented.

"you don’t look too bad yourself," you said before realizing what you had just admitted.

hanbin’s smirk widened. "did you just—"

"shut up," you muttered, pushing past him as he laughed.

on the drive to set, the usual bickering and playful remarks were replaced with a heavy silence. not uncomfortable, but... different. hanbin was quieter than usual, glancing at you every so often. the tension from last night lingered between you both, thick and unspoken.

"you’re being weird," you finally said, breaking the silence.

"me?" he raised an eyebrow. "you’re the one being quiet."

you scoffed. "you’re usually unbearable by now. where’s the arrogant hanbin i know?"

he chuckled, shaking his head. "maybe i’m just giving you a break."

you side-eyed him. "or maybe you’re just nervous."

he scoffed. "please. me? nervous? over what?"

you shrugged. "you tell me."

hanbin didn’t answer, instead keeping his eyes on the road. the silence returned, but it was heavier now, filled with questions neither of you wanted to be the first to ask.

when you arrived at the filming venue, hanbin parked the car and unbuckled his seatbelt before stepping out. you reached for your own seatbelt, but before you could undo it, your door swung open. hanbin stood there, leaning down slightly as he reached in and unbuckled it for you.

you blinked up at him. "i can do that myself, you know."

"i know." his voice was quiet, almost teasing, but not quite. "but where’s the fun in that?"

he held out a hand, and after a slight hesitation, you took it. he helped you out of the car before releasing your hand, walking beside you toward the set.

though his usual arrogance wasn’t present, there was something else—an unspoken understanding, a shift in whatever this relationship between you two was becoming.

whatever it was, you weren’t sure yet. but as you walked together, side by side, you knew something had changed. the air between you held an unfamiliar weight, something fragile yet undeniable. each glance held a question, each movement seemed more deliberate. it wasn’t just routine anymore. something deeper was settling in, and for the first time, you weren’t sure whether you wanted to fight it—or let it happen.

the atmosphere on set buzzed with excitement as the crew prepared for another day of filming. you were adjusting your costume in front of the mirror when the sound of an unfamiliar voice echoed through the set. turning your head slightly, you saw a tall figure walking in with confident strides, his warm smile effortlessly charming everyone in the room.

"juhan!" you called out in pleasant surprise, immediately recognizing him. it had been a while since you had seen him, but the familiarity between you two was instant.

"hey, look at you! still stealing the spotlight, i see." juhan smirked as he approached, his deep, warm voice carrying a teasing edge.

"please, you flatter me," you laughed, playfully rolling your eyes. "what are you even doing here?"

"turns out, i'm your new co-star. thought i’d spice things up around here." he winked, making you chuckle.

hanbin, standing a few feet away, subtly tensed as he watched the exchange unfold. his fingers curled into his palm as he forced himself to remain composed. he wasn't the type to get jealous—or so he told himself—but something about the way you and juhan interacted made something burn uncomfortably in his chest.

"well, that explains all the excitement," you said, grinning. "i'm glad you’re here. it'll be fun working together."

"yeah, it will be. i mean, with you on set, how could it not?" juhan's smile was effortless, natural. he had this way of making you feel at ease, and hanbin hated that he noticed it.

hanbin finally decided he had seen enough. he took a step forward, clearing his throat loudly. "so, you two know each other?" he asked, his voice casual but his gaze sharp.

"oh yeah, we worked on a project together a couple of years ago," you explained. "juhan was my first on-screen partner."

hanbin let out a slow breath through his nose. "interesting."

"yeah, we had great chemistry," juhan added, nudging your arm playfully.

hanbin’s jaw tightened. "that so?"

you caught the subtle shift in hanbin’s expression, the way his eyes darkened just a fraction. the tension was thick, almost suffocating, and you weren’t sure why it unsettled you. you felt a little guilty—though you didn’t owe hanbin anything, you couldn’t deny that his reaction made you a little nervous.

"anyway, i should probably let you get back to preparing," juhan said with a charming grin. "we’ll catch up more later."

as soon as juhan walked away, hanbin seized the moment to step closer to you. "hey, we should rehearse before shooting."

his tone was light, but there was something about the way he said it that made it clear: this wasn’t just about rehearsing. still, you nodded. "sure. let’s go."

hanbin led you to a quieter part of the set where fewer people lingered. as you went through your lines, you both fell into the rhythm of your characters, but the unspoken tension between you and hanbin lingered. every now and then, you caught him sneaking glances at you, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to.

just then, soojin, one of the assistants who had always admired your work, approached with a bright smile. "that was amazing! your delivery was spot on."

you smiled warmly. "thank you, soojin. that means a lot."

"i’ve always been such a fan of your work," she admitted, practically beaming. "you bring so much depth to your roles. it’s inspiring."

flattered, you chuckled. "that’s really sweet of you to say."

hanbin, standing beside you, watched the interaction with a growing sense of irritation. it wasn’t that he had an issue with people complimenting you—it was that you were actually receiving the admiration, basking in it. and when soojin placed a friendly hand on your shoulder, hanbin’s patience officially ran out.

"alright," hanbin interjected smoothly, stepping in between you and soojin with a tight smile. "we should probably get back to rehearsing."

you raised an eyebrow. "we were just talking."

"yeah, well, we have a schedule to keep," hanbin replied, not missing the way soojin’s hand dropped from your shoulder.

soojin, oblivious to the underlying tension, nodded. "of course! i’ll leave you to it."

as she walked away, you turned to hanbin, arms crossed. "was that really necessary?"

"what? we do need to rehearse," he said, feigning innocence.

"uh-huh," you said, unconvinced. "or are you just annoyed that soojin complimented me?"

hanbin scoffed. "please, i don’t get annoyed over little things like that."

you gave him a knowing look. "right. and earlier? with juhan?"

his jaw clenched for half a second before he masked it with a smirk. "what about earlier?"

"hanbin," you said, exasperated. "you’re being ridiculous."

he tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "am i? or do you just not want to admit that you like the attention?"

your breath hitched slightly at his words. before you could respond, he leaned in just a fraction, his voice dropping lower. "it’s funny. i don’t recall you ever touching me the way you did soojin."

heat rushed to your face. "that’s different."

"is it?" hanbin’s smirk deepened, but there was an edge to it now. "you seemed pretty comfortable. i’m just wondering where my special treatment is."

"you’re unbelievable," you muttered, pushing past him, but he caught your wrist gently.

"i’m just saying," he murmured, holding your gaze. "if you’re gonna give out attention like that, don’t blame me for wanting my fair share."

you felt your heartbeat quicken, but before you could say anything else, a crew member called for you both to return to set. hanbin released your wrist slowly, but not before running his thumb lightly over your skin, sending a shiver down your spine.

as you both walked back, you couldn’t ignore the shift in hanbin’s demeanour. the possessiveness, the quiet jealousy—it was all new, and it was stirring something in you that you weren’t sure how to handle.

whatever was happening between you two, one thing was certain: things were getting complicated.

the air was thick with the heat of the stage lights, the scent of coffee lingering in the air as the crew buzzed around, resetting the cameras and adjusting the lighting for the next scene. you had just wrapped up a particularly draining shoot, and the exhaustion clung to your body like a heavy blanket. the long hours, the constant retakes, the demand for perfection—it was beginning to take its toll.

wiping a bead of sweat from your forehead, you took a deep breath, rubbing your temples as you tried to shake off the fatigue when juhan appeared beside you with his usual easy-going smile. he always had a way of making everything seem less overwhelming.

"looks like we’ve got some time before the next scene," he said, stretching his arms over his head with a dramatic yawn. "wanna take a break somewhere quiet? i know a good spot."

you hesitated for a moment, glancing around. hanbin was nowhere in sight—likely caught up in a costume change. it wouldn’t hurt to step away for a bit. "yeah, actually, that sounds nice."

juhan grinned and led you through the winding corridors of the film set until you reached a secluded outdoor seating area tucked behind the venue. it was small and intimate, the kind of space that felt hidden away from the chaos. a few trees cast soft shadows over the space, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and the distant hum of the city was barely audible. it was peaceful, a rare moment of stillness amidst the chaos of filming.

he flopped down onto one of the benches, patting the spot beside him. "come on, sit. let’s pretend we’re not actors for a little while."

you let out a small laugh, sinking into the seat next to him. "god, i need this. filming today has been exhausting. i feel like i’ve been running on autopilot."

"tell me about it," he groaned dramatically, throwing his head back against the wooden bench. "i swear, if i have to redo one more take because of a lighting issue, i might just run away and become a farmer instead."

you chuckled, shaking your head. "i think you'd be a terrible farmer. you'd get bored in five minutes."

he gasped, feigning offense. "excuse you! i’d be an amazing farmer. wake up early, take care of my crops, talk to my chickens—"

"talk to your chickens?" you raised an eyebrow, amused.

"obviously. they’d be my emotional support animals. i’d tell them all my problems," he said, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "‘hey, mr. cluckles, today’s shoot was rough. what do you think i should do?’"

"and what would mr. cluckles say?" you played along, a small smile tugging at your lips.

juhan pursed his lips in thought before putting on a mock serious expression. "he’d say, ‘juhan, my boy, you need to relax. eat some corn. take a nap.’"

that was it. the first genuine laugh of the day burst out of you, making your shoulders shake. juhan’s eyes lit up at the sound, clearly proud of himself.

"see?" he nudged you. "mission accomplished. got you to laugh."

"okay, fine," you admitted, still chuckling. "maybe you wouldn’t be the worst farmer. but still a terrible one."

he grinned. "fair enough. but honestly, i get it. filming has been intense. and being in the public eye just makes it harder, right?"

as the laughter faded, you nodded, exhaling. "yeah. it’s like, even when i’m not working, i’m still working. there’s always some article, some interview, some comment section picking apart every little thing. it’s exhausting."

juhan hummed in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "yep. you have to be ‘on’ all the time. people forget we’re actual human beings."

"exactly!" you gestured with your hands, getting more animated. "and if you show even the slightest bit of imperfection, it’s like the whole world is ready to pounce on you. it’s suffocating."

he studied you for a moment before nodding. "yeah… it is. and it’s hard to know who actually sees you for you, and who just sees you as some… image."

you sighed, leaning back against the bench. "it’s like no matter what, we’re performing. even when we’re not on camera."

juhan sat quietly for a moment before turning to you with a small, knowing smile. "wanna hear something embarrassing?"

you raised an eyebrow. "always."

he laughed. "okay, so back when i first started acting, i had this tiny role in a drama. like, blink and you’ll miss me kind of tiny. but it was my first real gig, so i was nervous as hell."

"go on," you urged, intrigued.

"so, my scene comes up, and all i have to do is walk into a room, set down a tray of drinks, and say one line. easy, right?" he grinned, shaking his head. "wrong. because somehow, i managed to trip over my own feet, send the drinks flying, and—get this—knock over the lead actress’s chair in the process."

your eyes widened. "no way."

"oh, it gets worse." he groaned, covering his face for a second before continuing. "instead of apologizing like a normal person, i panicked and just… ran."

that did it. you burst into laughter, doubling over as you tried to picture the scene. "you ran?"

"full sprint!" he confirmed, laughing along with you. "they had to chase me down just to reshoot."

"i can’t believe that actually happened." you shook your head, still giggling.

"oh, believe it. i still get teased about it to this day." he sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "truly one of my proudest moments."

as your laughter subsided, you realized how much lighter you felt. juhan had a way of making things feel… easier. like the weight of expectations didn’t matter for a little while.

he leaned back, looking up at the sky. "you know, i don’t think i’ve seen you smile this much all day."

you blinked, caught off guard. "really?"

"yeah," he said, his voice softer now. "i know things have been stressful, but i hope you have more moments like this. where you can just be yourself."

his words lingered between you, warm and genuine. for a moment, you simply sat there, appreciating the rare moment of peace before the chaos of filming resumed.

and despite the exhaustion, despite everything, you felt a little lighter than before.

but the moment of peace didn’t last long.

as you laughed at another one of juhan’s jokes, a familiar presence approached from behind. hanbin’s voice rang out, light-hearted but laced with something else, something sharper beneath the surface.

“i see you two are having a good time,” he said, his tone dripping with forced cheerfulness. “should i be worried that i’ll have to fight for y/n’s attention now?”

his signature smirk was plastered across his face, but his eyes told a different story. before you could react, his hand found its way to your waist, his grip firm and deliberate.

juhan, however, remained unfazed, flashing a grin as he leaned back against the bench. “ah, hanbin. don’t worry, i’d never steal your beloved,” he teased, glancing at you before adding, “unless she wanted me to, of course.”

hanbin chuckled, but you felt the tension rolling off him in waves. his fingers lightly squeezed your side, and you shifted slightly under his touch. something about the way he was acting made the atmosphere heavy, like an unsaid battle was happening right in front of you.

“bold of you,” hanbin mused, cocking his head. “but i think she’s got enough on her plate without you making things complicated.”

juhan laughed, completely at ease. “oh, no complications here. just some friendly conversation while we waited. right, y/n?” he turned to you, offering an easy smile.

you nodded slowly, glancing between them. it was clear to you now—hanbin wasn’t just joking. he was jealous. and while you weren’t entirely sure how to feel about that, you didn’t want to let the tension escalate any further.

“actually, juhan, could you give us a moment?” you asked, your voice gentle but firm.

juhan raised his brows slightly before nodding, his smile never faltering. “of course. i’ll see you later, y/n.” he shot hanbin a knowing glance before walking off, leaving you alone with him.

hanbin exhaled, rolling his shoulders back as if shaking off some invisible weight. he turned to you, a careful mask of indifference on his face.

“you didn’t have to do that,” he said, though you caught the flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.

you sighed. “hanbin, i didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

his lips quirked into a small smirk. “uncomfortable? why would i be uncomfortable?”

“because,” you started, searching his face, “you were obviously jealous.”

hanbin let out a scoff, though it sounded more defensive than amused. “jealous? please. if anything, i was just amused watching juhan try so hard.”

“hanbin, come on. don’t do that.”

he ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. “do what?”

“act like it doesn’t bother you when it clearly does.”

hanbin studied you for a moment, his gaze unreadable. then, as if deflecting, he leaned in closer, his smirk returning. “you really care what i think that much?”

“of course i do. you and i—” you hesitated, your throat tightening slightly. “i don’t want you feeling weird about anything. we’ve been spending so much time together, and… after what happened, i don’t want there to be any awkwardness.”

hanbin’s smirk faltered for a split second. his playful façade wavered before he chuckled, shaking his head.

“y/n,” he said, voice quieter now. “we’re a fake couple. remember?”

his words hit like a punch to the stomach. you hadn’t expected that to sting as much as it did. something about hearing him say it so plainly, so casually, made your chest tighten.

“right,” you murmured, looking away.

he must’ve noticed the way your expression changed because his grip on your waist tightened slightly. when you finally met his gaze again, something unreadable flickered across his face.

“y/n,” he started, but you cut him off.

“we spent the night together,” you reminded him, your voice barely above a whisper.

his jaw tensed. for the first time, hanbin had no witty remark, no teasing comeback. he simply stared at you, his fingers tightening for just a second before he suddenly pulled you close.

his embrace was firm, almost desperate, like he was afraid of letting you slip through his fingers. his breath was warm against your hair as he held you there, his heartbeat steady but slightly erratic.

“hanbin,” you whispered, but he shook his head against you.

“don’t overthink it,” he murmured, his lips barely brushing against your temple. “just… stay here for a second.”

hesitating only for a moment, you let your hands rest lightly against his back. despite everything, despite the confusing whirlwind of emotions swirling between you two, you let yourself melt into the embrace. because for that moment, even if just for a second, you didn’t want to be a fake couple either.

his grip tightened slightly before he finally spoke again. “y/n,” he murmured against your hair, voice barely above a whisper. “what are we doing?”

your breath hitched, but you didn’t answer.

because truthfully, you weren’t sure anymore.

you sat comfortably on the couch in hyojoo’s office, a warm cup of tea in your hands as you mindlessly scrolled through your phone. the atmosphere was relaxed, the soft hum of her laptop filling the room. it was supposed to be a casual hangout, a chance to unwind after the chaotic filming schedule, but hyojoo’s sharp voice quickly interrupted the peace.

“so, have you seen the latest articles?” she asked, barely concealing her amusement as she looked up from her screen.

curious, you glanced at her. “what now?”

hyojoo smirked before spinning her laptop toward you. bold headlines from multiple entertainment sites filled the screen, along with several photos of you and juhan laughing together on set. the camera had perfectly captured the effortless way you interacted with him, your expressions open and familiar. beneath the images were headlines like: ‘a new romance blooming? juhan and y/n’s undeniable chemistry sparks curiosity.’

“are you serious?” you scoffed, pushing your cup aside as you leaned closer to read. “they think i’m with juhan?”

hyojoo shrugged, crossing her arms. “well, you’ve been fake dating hanbin, but the media loves a fresh angle. and juhan? he’s got that easy charm that makes people want to ship him with anyone.”

she clicked on another tab, revealing a poll with the question: ‘who does y/n have better chemistry with? hanbin or juhan?’ unsurprisingly, hanbin was winning by a landslide.

“well, at least that’s reassuring,” you muttered, rolling your eyes. “the fake relationship is still strong.”

hyojoo gave you a knowing look. “speaking of which… you and hanbin. anything new?”

her tone was too casual, too pointed. your fingers tensed slightly around your phone. “uh—”

“don’t even try to dodge this. spill,” she demanded, her sharp eyes practically pinning you in place. “you have that guilty look.”

you sighed, running a hand through your hair. “we… spent the night together.”

hyojoo’s jaw dropped. “excuse me?”

“after the q&a at my house,” you clarified quickly, your face heating up. “it just happened.”

“oh my god.” hyojoo practically vibrated with excitement. “why am i just hearing about this now? details. now.”

“keep your voice down!” you hissed, looking around despite knowing no one else was there.

she waved off your concern. “i don’t care if the whole world hears. you and hanbin? finally? do you even understand how long i’ve been waiting for this?”

“it’s not like that,” you mumbled, looking away. “it was just… in the moment.”

hyojoo’s grin softened slightly, and she leaned forward. “okay, but be honest—do you like him?”

that question made you freeze. after a long pause, you exhaled. “i don’t know,” you admitted. “it feels different now. like, before, it was easy to separate acting from reality, but after that night, everything feels… real.”

hyojoo studied you for a moment before nodding. “so you do like him.”

“i think so.” you swallowed hard. “but then juhan came along, and now everything is more confusing.”

hyojoo groaned, rubbing her temples. “oh my god, y/n. don’t tell me you’re actually considering juhan.”

“it’s not like that!” you defended quickly. “it’s just… ever since he arrived, hanbin has been acting weird. distant. what if he’s losing interest?”

hyojoo rolled her eyes dramatically. “please. hanbin is the most stubborn, competitive man i’ve ever met. you really think he’d just lose interest in you? he’s probably fuming every time he sees you with juhan.”

“but what if he’s pulling away because of it?” you asked, biting your lip. “what if—”

“you are overthinking everything.” hyojoo cut you off with an exasperated groan. “you and hanbin have been fake dating for a while now, and let’s not forget the private moments you two have shared. if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be acting weird at all.”

you hesitated. “i don’t know…”

hyojoo gave you a deadpan stare. “you are impossible.”

“sorry?”

“you should be.”

you chuckled nervously, sinking deeper into the couch. “so… what do i do?”

hyojoo smirked, leaning back with an air of confidence. “simple. if you like hanbin, tell him. stop making this harder than it needs to be.”

her words lingered in your mind, settling deep in your chest. maybe she was right. maybe it was time to stop second-guessing and finally take a step forward.

the sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden glow over the filming venue as you walked out of your trailer, drone floating effortlessly behind you. the soft whirring of its blades was a comforting background noise as you turned to greet the camera, a small smile on your lips.

"good morning, guys," you said, your voice light and warm. "today's a filming day, so i thought i’d take you with me and show you around."

you adjusted the angle slightly before heading toward the hair and makeup section. the usual routine went smoothly—foundation, blush, a bit of contour, all while your stylist teased you about your newfound dedication to vlogging. once you were in costume, stomach grumbling slightly, you decided to grab some food before heading to set.

as you navigated through the trailers, you spotted juhan already at the catering table, casually stacking food onto his plate. his eyes flicked up when he noticed you, his signature grin forming.

"well, well," he mused, glancing at the drone. "should i be worried? am i being watched?"

laughing, you shook your head. "it's for vlogging. figured i’d show people what a day on set looks like."

juhan immediately turned to the drone, his confidence kicking in as he offered a charismatic wave. "hello, dear viewers! welcome to the chaotic world of filmmaking."

you giggled, shaking your head. "you should join me for a mukbang."

"absolutely," he said without hesitation, motioning toward the seating area. "let’s eat."

setting up the camera at a good angle, you both began eating, talking about the different dishes available, juhan occasionally throwing in exaggerated reactions to the food, making you laugh. the energy between you was light and easy, and it was clear the camera was picking up on that.

"so, y/n," juhan said between bites, "is this drone your new best friend? should i be jealous?"

you laughed. "honestly? it’s pretty loyal. always follows me around."

"i’ll have to work hard to compete then." he smirked, taking another bite.

midway through, a familiar voice cut through the conversation. "what’s this?"

you turned to see hanbin approaching, hands in his pockets, eyes flickering toward the drone before landing on you. "you’re vlogging?"

"yep," you replied casually. "figured i’d document a filming day."

hanbin smirked, stepping closer to the camera. "well then, hello to all of y/n’s viewers. you’re welcome, by the way, for gracing this vlog with my presence."

you rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at your lips. juhan, ever observant, seemed to notice the way you were looking at hanbin and took that as his cue to leave.

"i should probably go," juhan said smoothly, standing up. "i’ll see you later, y/n."

hanbin’s smirk only widened as juhan walked away, his hand immediately finding your waist, thumb grazing the fabric of your costume. "looks like i scared him off," he mused.

"you're insufferable," you muttered, but the warmth spreading in your chest was undeniable.

taking the opportunity, you turned back to the camera, gesturing toward hanbin. "so, as usual, here’s my boyfriend."

hanbin’s grip on your waist tightened slightly as he nodded. "proudly so."

your stomach did a little flip at that, and you quickly turned the conversation toward the set, leading hanbin around as you continued filming. despite the constant movement, his hand never left your waist, his presence grounding in a way that was both comforting and thrilling.

after some time, you sighed. "i need to brush my teeth."

hanbin arched a brow. "should the camera come along for that?"

you shrugged with a teasing smile. "why not?"

his eyes twinkled mischievously. "this should be fun."

with the drone floating behind you both, you made your way to the bathroom trailer. hanbin leaned casually against the doorframe, watching as you grabbed your toothbrush and toothpaste.

"so, dear viewers," hanbin addressed the camera with a dramatic flair. "this is a rare behind-the-scenes moment of y/n’s daily dental care routine."

you chuckled as you began brushing, watching his reflection in the mirror as he continued talking.

"did you guys know," he continued, crossing his arms, "that y/n is the most meticulous teeth brusher in the world? truly, a sight to behold."

amused, you flicked some water at him, making him laugh. as you moved on to gently brushing your lips, removing any dead skin, he kept talking, his voice a steady, comforting presence.

"also, fun fact," he said, tilting his head. "she takes brushing her tongue very seriously."

you rolled your eyes, scraping your tongue with exaggerated movements just to play along. hanbin chuckled, shaking his head fondly.

"you’re ridiculous," you muttered, rinsing your mouth.

he leaned closer, smirking. "you love it."

you shot him a look through the mirror, heart skipping a beat at the way he was watching you.

as you set your toothbrush down and wiped your mouth, hanbin glanced at you with a raised brow. "you good?"

you swallowed, nodding. "yeah. just… thinking."

his smirk softened into something gentler. "don’t hurt yourself."

you nudged him playfully, the usual banter covering up the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside you.

as the drone hovered nearby, capturing the moment, you realized something else.

for the first time in a long time, you didn’t mind being watched.

because if anyone were to see the way you looked at hanbin, they’d know the truth.

you had fallen for him. completely.

the sun was still rising when you found yourself pacing outside one of the quieter sections of the set, the cool morning air brushing against your skin. you had been rehearsing the conversation in your mind all night, but now that the moment had arrived, your heart pounded against your ribs. every inhale felt shaky, every thought swirling in your head more chaotic than the last.

juhan arrived right on time, wearing his usual relaxed smile, hands stuffed in his pockets as he approached. "you wanted to talk?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "you look nervous. should i be worried?"

exhaling, you gestured toward the bench nearby. "let’s sit."

he nodded, following your lead as you both settled onto the bench. the morning bustle of the film set carried on in the background—crew members adjusting lights, actors reviewing lines—but here, in this tucked-away corner, it felt like the world had momentarily paused. birds chirped in the distance, the faint hum of conversation surrounding you, but none of it compared to the pounding in your chest.

"look, juhan," you began, your fingers gripping the fabric of your costume as you willed yourself to speak steadily, "i’ve really enjoyed our time together. you're an amazing person, truly, and i’ve loved getting to know you."

his expression softened, though a flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. "but?"

his voice was gentle, expectant, and yet there was an undeniable edge of resignation in his eyes. you swallowed, meeting his gaze directly. "but i’m dating hanbin. and… my feelings for him are stronger than i ever expected them to be."

juhan held your gaze for a moment before exhaling through his nose, a small, wry smile tugging at his lips. "i figured," he admitted, leaning back against the bench. "you look at him differently. i noticed it yesterday."

heat crept up your neck, but you didn’t deny it. "i don’t want to lead you on or let any confusion linger between us. you’re important to me, but i see you as a friend. i don’t think that’s going to change."

juhan was quiet for a moment, his fingers tapping absently against his knee. the silence stretched between you, not necessarily heavy, but thick with unspoken words. then, with a small chuckle, he shook his head. "you know, i could’ve made this difficult for you. could’ve pretended i didn’t see it, could’ve made things messy." his eyes flicked to yours, playful yet sincere. "but i respect you too much for that. and if i'm being honest? i respect hanbin too."

relief washed over you, a weight lifting from your chest. "so… we’re good?"

he sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "i suppose i’ll live."

it made you laugh, the tension between you breaking just a little. there was still something bittersweet in the air, but you were grateful for the way he handled it. juhan had always been confident, easy-going, but underneath all that was someone who truly cared.

"thank you, juhan. really."

he smiled, his usual confidence tinged with something softer. "you’re worth being honest for, y/n. and hanbin? he’s lucky."

before you could respond, a crew member jogged over, calling out juhan’s name. he glanced toward them before turning back to you, standing up. "looks like i’ve got a costume fix. duty calls."

he hesitated for just a fraction of a second before reaching out, giving your hand a light squeeze. it was brief but meaningful, a silent way of saying that he understood, that there were no hard feelings. then, with a final wink, he turned on his heel and walked away.

watching him leave, you exhaled, feeling lighter than you had in days. the conversation you had dreaded was now behind you, and there were no more uncertainties, no more lingering questions.

only one thing remained—telling hanbin how you truly felt. and this time, you weren’t going to hold back.

you moved through the bustling set, mentally preparing yourself for the next scene. your costume clung comfortably to your form, and the soft hum of conversation between crew members filled the air. then, as you passed a quiet corner where you usually waited for your turn on set, you spotted him.

hanbin.

he was standing there, his posture tense, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. his usually smug expression was absent, replaced with something unreadable—serious, almost hesitant. the second his gaze met yours, he straightened, his features shifting into a more resolute expression. without a word, he stepped forward, his movements purposeful.

“y/n,” he spoke softly but insistently, his voice steady, yet holding an edge of something deeper. “can we talk? before we go back to filming?”

you hesitated for only a second before nodding. something about his tone sent a nervous flutter through your chest. wordlessly, you followed as he led you away from the noise of the set, guiding you to a secluded area tucked between the trailers. it was quiet, private, the sounds of the production fading into the background.

hanbin exhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck as if he were gathering his thoughts. when he finally looked at you, his eyes were unguarded in a way you weren’t used to seeing.

“i don’t know how to say this,” he started, his voice lower, more vulnerable than usual. “but... i can’t keep pretending anymore.”

your breath hitched. “what do you mean?”

his lips pressed together for a brief moment before he stepped closer, closing the space between you. “this whole fake dating thing... it was never really fake for me.”

your heart pounded as his words sank in. hanbin? the one who had always been so composed, so effortlessly in control, now looked at you like he was baring a piece of himself he wasn’t sure you’d accept.

he shifted, as if struggling with how to proceed, then let out a quiet chuckle—self-deprecating, almost nervous. “i’ve developed feelings for you, y/n. real ones.”

you felt like the world had stilled.

“hanbin...” you started, but he wasn’t done.

“i’ve been trying to ignore it,” he admitted, his eyes searching yours for any sign of hesitation. “telling myself it was just part of the job. but i can’t anymore. every time i see you, i...” he exhaled sharply. “i want more. i want to be with you, not just pretend. and i know we’ve been playing this game, but it’s not a game to me anymore. it hasn’t been for a while.”

his confession left you breathless. he looked at you like he was standing on the edge of something unknown, waiting for you to either pull him back or take the leap with him.

the realization hit you like a tidal wave—you felt the same.

a slow smile formed on your lips, your voice barely above a whisper. “you idiot.”

hanbin blinked, caught off guard. “what?”

“i’ve been falling for you too.” the words left your lips before you could second-guess them, and the way hanbin’s expression shifted—his lips parting slightly, his eyes darkening with something unspoken—made your stomach flip.

a tension neither of you had ever acknowledged fully before crackled between you. you barely had time to process it before he took a step forward, and then another, until he was so close you could feel the heat radiating from him. his hand came up, fingers brushing along your jaw, hesitating just long enough to give you the chance to pull away. but you didn’t.

you leaned in first.

and then his lips met yours.

it was slow at first, almost cautious, but the moment hanbin felt you respond, he deepened the kiss. his hand moved to cup your face, his thumb grazing your cheek as his lips moved against yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. he tasted like mint and something unmistakably him, a warmth that spread through you like wildfire.

your hands found their way to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as he pressed closer, his other hand finding its way to the small of your back. he kissed you like he had been waiting for this moment forever, like he needed to make sure you understood exactly what he felt for you. his lips molded against yours in a rhythm that felt natural, like you had done this a thousand times before, even though this was the first.

his fingers threaded through your hair, pulling you even closer, and you sighed into the kiss, losing yourself in the feeling of him. it was dizzying, the way he made you feel—like you had stepped into something irreversible, something neither of you could take back, nor would you want to.

when you finally broke apart, your breaths mingling in the space between you, hanbin rested his forehead against yours. neither of you spoke for a moment, the weight of everything settling between you.

finally, he let out a soft chuckle. “so... i guess that means it’s mutual?”

you laughed breathlessly. “took you long enough to say something.”

hanbin pulled back just enough to look at you, his signature smirk making a return—but this time, it was softer, more genuine. “we should tell the agencies tomorrow.”

you nodded. “yeah. let’s make it real.”

his grip on your waist tightened slightly. “we’ll figure it out together.”

you smiled, your heart still racing, but this time it wasn’t from uncertainty. it was from excitement.

this wasn’t fake anymore. this was real.

and for the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly as it should be.

the meeting room was the same as always—bright, sterile, and professional. the long, polished table gleamed under the overhead lighting, and the walls were lined with framed posters of past successful projects. but today, despite the familiar setting, everything felt different.

you walked in with hyojoo beside you, your fingers subtly gripping the edge of your sleeve, a nervous habit you hadn’t quite shaken. across the table, hanbin was already seated. the moment your eyes met, your stomach flipped. you couldn’t tell if it was anxiety or excitement, but his gaze was steady, reassuring. a silent message passed between you: we’ve got this.

“you okay?” hyojoo whispered as she leaned slightly toward you.

you nodded, exhaling slowly. “just nervous.”

“don’t be,” she said with a small smirk. “this is gonna be fun.”

just as you took your seats, the agency representatives shifted in their chairs, clearing their throats as they prepared to begin. hanbin’s agent, a sharp-eyed man with an ever-serious expression, folded his hands together. your agency’s representative, a composed woman in her forties, adjusted her glasses and prepared her notes. the usual routine. you knew exactly what was coming: an update on the status of your fake relationship, potential adjustments to the media narrative, future appearances together.

but before anyone could speak, hanbin leaned forward slightly and interjected.

“actually,” he said, his voice firm but calm. “before we start, y/n and i have something to announce.”

a brief silence filled the room. everyone turned their attention toward the two of you, their expressions shifting from neutral to concerned. hyojoo shot you a side glance, intrigued.

hanbin inhaled sharply, sitting back in his chair as he dragged a hand through his hair. “i can’t do this anymore,” he muttered, his tone tense.

the shift in the atmosphere was immediate. his agent’s brows furrowed. the representatives exchanged uneasy glances. even hyojoo stiffened beside you.

“hanbin—” his agent started, but hanbin held up a hand, cutting him off.

“it’s been unbearable,” he continued, his voice rising slightly. “this entire thing… it’s been driving me insane. keeping up this façade, pretending day after day, lying to the world. it’s infuriating.”

he clenched his jaw, shaking his head. his body language screamed frustration, and you could practically hear the silent panic settling in the room. hyojoo’s grip tightened on your wrist under the table, likely holding back a laugh.

his performance was impeccable.

of course, you knew better. you knew hanbin—knew the way his eyes sparkled when he was up to something, the way his lips twitched just slightly when he was suppressing a smirk. he was playing his part flawlessly, making every single person in the room believe he was on the verge of walking out.

finally, after a long, dramatic pause, he exhaled deeply. then, in a complete shift of energy, he leaned forward, reaching across the table to take your hand in his.

“it’s unbearable,” he repeated, but this time, his voice softened. “because the truth is, i’ve fallen for her.”

silence.

absolute silence.

the tension that had wrapped itself around the room just moments ago dissipated in an instant. your heart pounded as you felt his warm palm against yours, his fingers curling slightly around your own.

you swallowed hard, but you didn’t hesitate. “i fell for him too.”

for a split second, no one moved. no one spoke.

and then—

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”

hyojoo’s piercing scream shattered the quiet, making you flinch before you burst into laughter. she leaped from her chair, practically lunging at you before wrapping her arms around your shoulders in a bone-crushing hug. “OH MY GOD, FINALLY! FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY! I KNEW IT!”

you laughed against her shoulder as she rocked you side to side. hanbin, still holding your hand, watched in amusement, shaking his head slightly.

hanbin’s agent let out a breath of relief, chuckling as he leaned back in his chair. “well, damn. congratulations, i guess.” he started clapping, and soon, the rest of the room followed suit, a mix of laughter and genuine well wishes filling the space.

your agency’s representative smiled, nodding approvingly. “well, that certainly changes things. congratulations to you both. we’ll discuss how to move forward from a PR perspective, but first—” she glanced at her colleagues, who nodded in agreement. “i think this calls for a celebration dinner.”

you turned to look at hanbin, your heart still racing. he was already smiling at you, his grip on your hand tightening slightly before he gave it a playful squeeze.

without thinking, you jumped up from your seat and ran around the table, practically throwing yourself into his arms. hanbin caught you effortlessly, laughing as he lifted you off the ground for a second before setting you back down, holding you close.

“well, this is adorable,” hyojoo cooed, crossing her arms as she grinned at the two of you. “so sickeningly cute, but adorable nonetheless.”

you rolled your eyes but smiled against hanbin’s shoulder as he murmured just loud enough for you to hear, “so, we’re really doing this?”

you pulled back slightly, just enough to look him in the eyes. “yeah,” you whispered. “we’re really doing this.”

hanbin grinned, that signature smirk of his finally making a return. “good. because i don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.”

you felt your cheeks heat up, but before you could respond, hyojoo let out another dramatic groan. “ugh, you two are going to be one of those disgustingly sweet couples, aren’t you?”

hanbin laughed, finally letting you go, though his hand lingered on your waist. “probably.”

hyojoo pretended to gag. “great. just great. but hey,” she nudged you with a knowing smirk. “you better make sure this lasts even after your movie together releases. no flaking out now.”

you squeezed hanbin’s hand, smiling up at him as he looked down at you with nothing but warmth in his eyes. “oh, don’t worry.” you said. “this is just the beginning.”

a/n : hi everyone! this was my first fic in like a REALLY long time & definitely my longest, i hope you enjoyed it & i'd be very open to advice for improvement! hope you have a nice day :)

[angstywaifu]

No Strings Attached - Garrick Tavis

Request: reader is fwb with Garrick you could even include some spice and they start to fall for each other but they’re not exclusive so one night she sees him talking to another girl and she feels extremely hurt seeing it. then she decides to ice him out and branch out to hang out with other people and he sees her talk to another guy and gets really jealous and feels very possessive. and then they get into a massive angsty fight Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI. Smut. Unprotected Sex (P in V). Angst and fighting. Jealousy.

Masterlist | Support Me

“Cmon sweetheart, just one more. For me.” Garrick whispers in my ear as his fingers dig into my hips as he guides me up and down on his length.

As per usual, Garrick was determined to get another one out of me. This would be the fourth? No, fifth? Fuck, I had no idea. My brain all foggy from the amount of times he’d pulled another orgasm from me. He was addicted to pulling them from me, and I was addicted to the way he made me felt.

The familiar knot in my stomach tightens again as I dig my nails into his shoulder as my lead lulls forward. Garrick notices the shift, grabbing tightly onto my waist as he holds me up, slamming his hips into mine hard and fast. I barely had time to process what was coming as I shatter in his arms, my whole weight resting in Garrick’s hands as I go limp. Eyes rolling back into my head, mouth open in a silent moan as my legs tremble either side of his. I feel Garrick shudder beneath me, his thrusts faltering as he comes undone beneath me.

He gathers me in his arms rolling us to the side as he lays my head down on my pillow, whimpering at the loss of him as he removes himself from me. I barely register him cleaning me up and tucking me into bed as I fall victim to my exhaustion and fall asleep.

The next day it’s back to normal. Everyone none the wiser to how Garrick and I had spent most of our night as we walk the halls the next day. Which is how I wanted it. Garrick and I were just friends. Friends who hooked up a few times a week. An arrangement that worked for both of us since it had started last year. No strings attached, no feelings and no exclusivity. Though neither of us had hooked up with anyone else despite this.

”Quinn and I are having a girls night in her room, did you want to come?” Imogen asks me as we leave the gym, both of us in desperate need of a shower after the training session we had just done.

I turn my head to look at her and tell her I’m in, but two figures behind her across the courtyard near the Rotunda catch my eyes. Imogen turns to look, both of us watching Garrick as he leans up against the wall talking to girl in second wing. I watch as he raises a hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I don’t miss the way she tips her head downwards slightly, and I’d bet any money she’s blushing. I instantly see red. Wanting to march over there and pull her away from him, tell her to stay away. I shouldn’t feel like this. I shouldn’t want to do that. We were just friends. Friends who slept together. Nothing more. Why the hell did I feel like this?

”Sorry, I’ve got plans.” I tell her in the most monotone voice I’ve heard leave my lips as I turn and make my way to the dorms.

Another year done and over. Thank god. I’d been craving a drink since seeing Garrick talking to that girl two weeks ago. Since then I’d been avoiding him, which was pretty easy considering we’d all been sent away for War Games for five days and we were in different Wings. But since that night I’d opted to hanging out with my squad, mainly Imogen and Quinn. Something I knew Garrick had noticed as Imogen had told me Garrick had asked about me after I’d walked off when he’d approached our group at challenges. Even now I can feel his eyes on me across the room. It was not like me to ignore him like this, but I honestly couldn’t trust me feelings.

Movement next to me pulls me from my thoughts, one of the first year repeats sitting next to me. I remembered him from the start of the year. The scattering of freckles across his face had always stood out to me. He’d been apart of our squad till he hadn’t been chosen at Threshing. Which was a shame, from what Quinn and Imogen had told me he was one of the best in our squad.

”How was war games?” He asks me as he fills up his cup from one of the pitchers from the middle of the table.

”Tiring as usual. There’s only one time of year I will ever have thoughts on wanting to be back here, and that’s war games.” I tell him with a smile as he fills up my now empty cup.

We fall into conversation easily, laughing and telling stories and jokes. Something I had missed during the last week. And it was nice to be talking to someone new. Something to take my mind off what had happened. Though it’s not long before my mind wanders back as a tall looming figure hovers behind me, casting a shadow over me and onto the cadet I now know as Sawyer. I watch as his eyes widen as he looks behind me. A look I associated very well with Garrick.

”We need to talk.” He growls out from behind me.

I can practically feel the anger rolling off him against my back. I can see how worried Sawyer looks. Yeah, he was pissed.

”What do you want to talk about?” I toss over my shoulder before chugging the rest of my drink, definitely needing more alcohol in my system to deal with whatever was about to happen.

”In private.”

I turn and look at him. Yep. He was pissed. His eyes are narrowed at me, his jaw ticking from the strain of clenching it. Great. I tear my gaze from his, standing and pushing past him as I head towards the door, leaving Sawyer behind. I push through the door leading into the rotunda, barely making it a few steps before Garrick grabs my arm.

”What the hell was that?” He snaps, gesturing back towards the dining hall.

”Really? I could be asking you the same about you and the cadet a few weeks back in the courtyard.” I snap back as I gesture towards the door leading towards the courtyard.

His brow furrows as he looks towards where I point. “What are you talking about?”

Anger flares with in me. “That blonde who you had in the courtyard a few nights before War Games started. Tucking her hair behind her ear as she blushed and giggled at you.”

”So that’s why you’ve been ignoring me.” He drawls in a monotone voice.

”I haven’t been ignoring you. We’ve been away at War Games if you hadn’t noticed.” I retort as I walk a few steps away, needing to clear my head of the anger that was raging through me.

”Says the one who has walked away whenever I’ve joined the group and has been mysteriously absent from my bed.” He states as he walks over and steps in front of me.

”What do you want Garrick? Want me to confess that even though this isn’t technically exclusive that I’m a little jealous you start showing interest in another girl for the first time since this started happening? That maybe I realised I need to put some space between us and put effort into my other friends or find some new ones?” My voice echoing around the empty rotunda as I glare up at him.

”Please he didn’t want to be your friend.” He scoffs at me.

”Well I wouldn’t know because you couldn’t resist playing possessive guard dog after I start talking to a guy that isn’t you!” My voice cracks at the end, a tear rolling down my cheek that Garrick’s hazel eyes track.

”Trust me, there’s only one things guys want from girls in here.” Garrick looming over me as he takes a step towards me.

I scoff and shake my head at me. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that. Hope she can warm your bed till she also figures that out.”

”Sweethe-”

”Don’t. You don’t get to call me that anymore.” I snap at him before turning and storming back into the rowdy dining hall, wiping away another tear that rolls down my cheek.

[xxsinisterbunniexx]

Midnight Visitor - Jeff the Killer x Female reader NSFW

Warnings: dubcon

Tags: yandere! Jeff, stalking, obsessive behavior, branding? (Idk it isn’t the traditional method), fingering, oral sex, penetrative sex, edging, creampie, degradation & praise, knives & shit, mind break

Words: 6.7k

Summary: A fateful encounter on Halloween night one year ago has left Jeff obsessed with you. You've just started college and live alone. Murders surge in the area and you accidentally leave your window open. The circumstances are perfect for Jeff to come and visit you, but this time he's not leaving without you.

As always:

.°˖✧ all canon will be flexible to make way for sexy .°˖✧

This was actually my first ever creepypasta fic I posted on AO3 (almost a year ago now) and I still think I peaked with it

Your footsteps pattered down the sidewalk, all the way up to the entrance of your simple yet classic apartment building.

You entered the building, the warm lobby offering you refuge from the slightly chilly air outside. You walked to the mailboxes and checked for anything before heading up the stairs to the third floor.

You passed by different ornate doors as you walked down the carpeted hallway, making it all the way to yours.

I really need to decorate more.

You’d only moved in a little over a month ago but you felt that your decor was quite lacking in comparison to those who had lived there longer.

You stuck your key into the door just as the door across the hall swung open.

You turned and saw your elderly neighbor, Mrs. Mills, exiting her apartment.

Oh god, she always wants to chit chat.

As much as you found the old woman to be darling, you just weren’t always in the mood to get trapped into chatting with her for 30 minutes while you two stood in the hallway.

“Oh, hello sweetheart! Did you just get off the school bus?”

“Hi Mrs. Mills. Haha… nope, I’m in college remember?” This was probably the 40th time you’ve told her that and you’ve only lived here a month.

“Oh that’s right! I always forget that.” She chucked a little, warmly. “You do live alone after all.” She paused a bit. “Well I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got to meet some of my girl friends for book club and I’m running a little late. Take care dear.”

Oh thank god!

“No worries. You take care too!” You called down the hall.

You turned the key and opened the door, a dark but inviting apartment awaiting you.

You set your backpack down and switched on the TV. You found comfort in having noise while you were making something for dinner. The news was on.

Before you opted to change the channel, you heard something that intrigued you.

“The victim count now reaches 57 for the Smiley Face Killer, the serial killer that has been active for the last 5 years.” The news reports voice rang through the room.

“Another victim?” You sighed.

That crazed killer had been on the loose for years. No one had even come close to catching him. Only one person had ever seen his face and gotten away, and even then it wasn’t long before the guy came back to finish the job. There were no known survivors of an encounter with him.

Good for nothing cops.

You started walking towards the kitchen area.

“The newest victim has been identified as Tyler Rhode, a 19 year old college student.”

You stopped dead in your tracks. A chill ran down your spine and penetrated deep into your chest. The news reporter continued, but the voice faded out for you.

You knew him. In fact, you had just met the guy. You talked to him for a while at a party just the other night. Now he was dead.

The anxiety pitted in your stomach. This was getting too close to home. Your breathing got heavier as your heart started racing.

You started to pace back and forth, the anxious feeling starting to consume you. It started to feel like no matter how much you panted you couldn’t get enough air.

Calm down. Calm. Down.

You took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

I need air.

You walked to the window and opened it, letting the crisp September air hit your face.

You kept taking deep breaths, trying to not let the fear take over. You started trying to rationalize.

There was no imminent danger. This serial killer had been on the loose for years. The probability of you even encountering a serial killer is low to begin with. You were safe. Everything is fine.

But still… this time it was someone you knew. That meant that the guy was in the area recently. The idea was bone chilling.

Moments like these made living alone suck. You were grateful your parents helped you secure this apartment so you could focus on your studies, but you hadn’t gotten used to living alone.

That feeling of being up at 3 am and hearing something scary could no longer be satiated by knowing your parents were down the hall. This was a feeling you had all the time now.

You decided to distract yourself by making dinner. Despite the intensity of your worries, after a while, you completely forgot about them. You were able to settle back into a comfortable state.

You went about your evening like normal, eating dinner and making some time to study before heading to bed. It was a weeknight after all.

The dark quiet of the apartment you resided in alone was comforting, rather than aiding any fear. You drifted to sleep easily, much like your worries had drifted away earlier.

—

Your slumber wasn’t as peaceful as your descent into it. It was filled with nightmares where you were being chased, hunted by a maniac serial killer.

You abruptly awoke in a cold sweat, your heart racing. You slowed down your breathing, realizing it was all a dream.

A strong gust of wind that came through your open bedroom door caused you to gasp in surprise and shiver a bit. It was then that you realized your bedroom was freezing.

Confusion struck until another strong gust of wind whistled through your apartment.

The window!!!

You got out of bed and walked to your living room. The window was still wide open as your curtains flowed through the wind.

You shut the window, then turned back to go back to bed.

You paused, then turned back to the window, locking it on both sides.

Now feeling satisfied, you turned to walk back to bed. You only made it through the doorway to your bedroom when suddenly you couldn’t move.

Fear washed over you as you were pulled into a tight hold by an unknown assailant. One of his arms was across your chest, fully restricting your arms. The other was over your mouth. You felt the warm heat of another body pressed against your back.

“Caught you~” Your unknown assailant whispered in your ear. His voice was low and a little raspy.

A muffled whimper escaped your throat as your whole body started to tremble. You couldn’t even try to get out of his grasp, you were frozen in fear.

“Ohhh. Shhhh. Shhhh. Don’t cry.”

The words spoken by him were not comforting. The voice was unfamiliar and eerie.

“I’ve been waiting to see you for so long… waiting for you to be ready for me.” His grip remained tight but his touch was gentle. “You gave me such a perfect opportunity tonight.”

Judging by the way he was holding you and what you could tell by him pressed up against you, he was much stronger than you. Struggling wasn’t going to do you any good.

Running wouldn’t be a good option either, he would likely catch you before you made it out of the front door.

The window wasn’t a good play either, you lived on the third floor. A jump from that height would seriously injure you or possibly even kill you.

Your best bet would be to try to scream for help, but he was covering your mouth so tightly.

“I’m excited to see you too, but you have to behave okay? No screaming.” He slowly removed his hand from your mouth.

Seeing this as your golden opportunity, you tried to scream, but were cut off after a fraction of a second. Your body was slammed into the wall, your wrists held down with one of his hands while the other covered your mouth again.

“Why would you do that?” He looked at you with wild eyes. “I just told you not to.”

It was then that you were able to get a good glimpse of him. He was slim, looked to be around your age, and was ghostly pale. He had long black hair that was messily layered. He wore a white hoodie that had been stained with what looked to be blood, and black ripped skinny jeans.

The most distinctive feature on him were the cuts on his face. Two large gashes on either side of his mouth that curved upward, making an artificial smile.

He’s… the Smiley Face Killer!

You looked back at him with wide, fearful eyes that expressed your regret. You immediately wished you hadn’t tried to scream. You were dealing with a deranged serial killer. He probably wouldn’t hesitate to kill you at any moment if you so much as breathed the wrong way.

His anger turned to a smile though. “Ah… those eyes...” He looked elated. “You’re sorry aren’t you?”

You nodded quickly.

“It’s not good to say sorry. You really shouldn’t have done that in the first place.”

He moved closer to your face, his smile growing even wider.

“I’ll forgive you though… because I know deep down you’re a good girl.”

“So I’ll take my hand away, and you’re not going to make a sound.” He said it as a command and not as a question.

He slowly removed his hand, and you let out a shaky exhale, finally feeling like you could breathe.

“See, that’s my perfect girl.” He sounded pleased with you.

Not a second passed before he gripped your chin lightly, lifting your face up to bring your lips to his.

It was a soft, tender kiss. Certainly not the type you were expecting. Or rather, a kiss was not what you were expecting at all.

The kiss slowly heated up, growing in intensity the same way your confusion with the situation grew. It wasn’t long until it started to overwhelm you, the fervor of his kiss, the warmth of his body pressed against you, the surprisingly pleasant scent he gave off. Your head felt like it was spinning, like a whirlpool was twirling around inside your brain.

You didn’t even notice that he had taken his hand off your wrists, and that your hands came to rest on his shoulders.

His now unoccupied hand slid down your body and to your waist before sliding around to rest on your lower back, pressing you to him.

You let out a gasp into the kiss and he finally relented on you, pulling only inches away to let out a low chuckle.

You were finally able to catch your breath and were now left panting. Your lips were red and slightly swollen from the kiss.

He pulled away to gaze at your entire face, his eyes meeting yours with nothing but adoration. “I love you.” He said softly.

Those words made your stomach sink like you had just tied an anchor to it and threw it overboard.

“W-What….?” Your voice was just above a whisper.

“I’ve missed you so much.” He held the side of your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb.

Why was he talking as if he knew you? Why hadn’t he just gone ahead and killed you yet? It just didn’t make sense.

“Missed…? I… I don’t think we’ve met before.”

He leaned in close, “It’s kind of cute when you play dumb, you know?” He whispered in your ear, sending a chill down your spine.

He captured your lips for a kiss once more, reaching the same intensity of the first one. The heat of the kiss started to go to your head, making you almost dizzy.

When he finally relinquished your lips, you spoke between pants, “Seriously, um… I think you have the wrong girl. I don’t think I’m who you think I am.”

“You’re exactly the girl I think you are. I don’t make mistakes, love.”

Clearly the man was delusional, something you already knew. Such a world changing revelation you had made: insane serial killer is insane.

“But I…” you trailed off.

Don’t remember anything…

“Are you trying to act like you don’t know who your heart belongs to?” He asked in a teasing tone.

You were speechless. Just what were you supposed to say in this situation? The confusion flashed over your face.

“Ah, then I’ll just have to remind you who you belong to.”

He lifted a hand to the back of your head, lacing his fingers through your hair before gently pulling your head back, exposing your entire neck to him.

Your breathing became shakier and your heart raced dangerously.

You shivered, feeling his breath over your skin. His lips were so close to touching the sensitive skin of your neck.

His breathing became shakier too, but with excitement rather than fear. “You have such a perfect little neck. So easily accessible right now.”

You looked at his eyes which were focused on the soft skin of your exposed neck. They looked crazed and hungry.

It was then that you realized you recognized him.

—

Around One Year Ago, Halloween Night

Loud music blared through the house. The house was full of people, all dressed in various costumes.

Fake blood was everywhere, there were fake cobwebs lining the walls and fog wisped around people’s ankles.

You had come dressed as a nurse that night, a basic option but one that allowed you to make jokes about giving people “shots” at the party. The joke only grew in frequency the more intoxicated you got.

You were having a great time. The alcohol had taken over your system, a warm heat filled your cheeks and the room felt a little fuzzier as you giggled with your friends.

It was the last Halloween you would have before starting college, the last Halloween that all of your friends would be together.

You were happy the party still happened. You were worried it would be canceled because of all the panic surrounding the Smiley Face Killer. He had already been active for a few years but there had been a few connected incidents around the area and people were going into a literal mass panic over it.

There was no known pictures of him, and the only person who ever escaped him described him as having two big gashes on either side of his mouth, making a gruesome smile.

But that was the least of your concerns right now. Right now, you were with all of your friends, having the best time, on your favorite holiday.

“Hey, I gotta pee. I’ll be right back.” You said to your friends.

“Are you sure? People in horror movies always say that right before they die~!” One of your friends said.

“Ohhhh. I’ll be alright.” You slurred before walking to find the nearest bathroom.

Finding that the two bathrooms on the first floor were occupied, you stumbled your way upstairs, finally finding an empty one.

You took care of your business and then washed your hands. You looked in the mirror and giggled, trying to overcome your drunk stupor by sheer willpower and failing miserably.

You exited the bathroom and staggered down the hall, making your way to the stairs.

Suddenly, you were pulled into one of the empty bedrooms and pressed against the wall.

The light was off, and the glow from the moon illuminated the room softly.

A boy with an artificial smile on his face had just attempted to make his move on you. That makeup definitely obscured his face a bit but he was totally your type.

You looked up at him and giggled. “Ohhhhh. I get it. You’re supposed to be the smiley face killer.”

“That’s not my name.” He spoke in a gruff voice.

“And I’mmmm not a nurse. But I can still give you a shot~!” You laughed way harder than you should have.

He looked at you bewildered, a curiosity in his eyes.

“Okayyy, I know it wasn’t very funny. Why don’t you tell me your name since you seem to want to talk to me~?” You used a flirtatious tone of voice, the alcohol negating your ability to reason.

“…It’s Jeff.”

“Well, Jeff, I’m not sure if you know but you really shouldn’t pull girls into a room like this. People will get the wrong idea about your intentions.”

Again, he looked at you with such confusion. His eyes flickered over your face, like he was trying to analyze you.

“What do you think I want to do with you…?” He asked, furtively pulling a knife out of his pocket.

“Mmm… probably something like… this?” You pulled him in for a kiss.

It only lasted a few seconds, and when you pulled away he was once again stunned.

He sought to make use of the knife he had pulled, pushing you up against the wall. He laced his fingers through your hair, pulling your head back and exposing your neck as he held it against your throat. He was so close to you, you could feel his breath on your neck.

“I was thinking something more like this.”

You giggled. “Ooo~ you’re scary!”

Your lack of terror only angered him, and just as he was debating whether to slit your throat right here or take his time stabbing you the whole party went silent. The music downstairs had been shut off and only the sounds of people shuffling around could be heard.

With how quiet it was he wouldn’t be able to kill you undetected.

“COPS!!!” A voice yelled from downstairs. Well that explained where the music went.

“Uh oh… I think I gotta go.” You said, and tried moving to the door.

“Wait.” He grabbed your wrist.

You turned to him and smiled, “Listen you’re sexy and all, but I gotta find my friends. Sooooo…. See you later okay?” You giggled.

You didn’t wait for a response and drunkenly wandered out of the room, abandoning him.

He had only ever let one person get away from him, and that person he finished off once he found them again. No one ever saw his face and got to live.

Until now.

—

The memories of that night started flooding in, all at once, like a tsunami. It overwhelmed your senses, dulling everything around you and stealing the air from your lungs like you were drowning.

You had kissed him. It was in your severe intoxication but still. This guy was crazy! He probably thought you were in love with him or something.

Then the crushing weight of realization hit you. That night was almost a year ago. Had he been stalking you since then?! Hiding in the shadows while you were ignorantly going about your day?

He had tried to kill you that night. An awful sinking feeling in your stomach began when you came to the conclusion that that didn't seem like what he was here to do tonight.

“You… that night…” you started to say, your voice shaky.

“Hmm? What was that sweetheart?” He looked up at you, still dangerously close to your neck.

“The Halloween party.” You spoke more clearly this time.

“Oh, so you do remember… I love it when you’re honest.” He inched closer to your neck.

“Wait…!” You urged him. “You… you’re the Smiley face killer aren’t you?!” You attempted to push him away a bit but you were immediately captured in the same hold as before, with both your wrists bound by one of his hands above your head.

His expression now looked bored and a bit displeased. “Oh… that. I’m not too fond of that stupid name the media came up with.”

So he’s not denying it…!

You tried to keep your voice from wavering, hating the way it still came out a bit shaky. “Then… You killed that guy… The one on the news… I knew him. Why did you do that?”

“You’re not upset about that are you? You really shouldn’t be.” He sounded indifferent.

“Of course I’m upset…! You killed someone! You’re a murderer!”

He had that crazed look in his eye again as he brought his hand up to stroke your face. “Darling, you have no idea what he was planning on doing with you. I did you a favor. I protected you.”

“You’re crazy…!” Was all you could say in response.

“The only thing I’m crazy for is you.” He immediately replied. “If it wasn’t for me you’d have been left for dead after him and all of his buddies had their way with you.”

Hurt and confusion washed over your features. You were silent for a moment. It was like the air was stolen from you, you felt like you couldn’t breathe. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s not for you to worry about, sweetheart. You just need to let me take care of everything.” His voice was now sweet and soft.

Your heart skipped a beat.

Why am I getting excited over this…?

This entire interaction was giving you whiplash. Your chest tightened thinking about what he had just said.

Was it true? Did that guy really plan to do those things to you? Or was this guy really just crazier than you initially thought?

Why would he even help you anyways? Was he really… in love with you?

“I don’t know what to think right now…” you finally said.

“Then don’t think.”

When he pressed his lips to your neck a mind numbing heat washed over you. You were suddenly aware of how warm your whole body was, how warm his body was, and just how much your bodies were in contact.

He trailed slow kisses down your neck, and you shivered at the feeling, reflexively pressing your body into his. You felt electric waves shooting down to your core.

He started to suck the skin, marking it as his own. You let out a shaky exhale that was just bordering on a moan and you could’ve sworn you heard him chuckle.

Your thighs pressed together, trying to relieve some of the aching tension you felt growing there by the second.

He sucked harder, making a dark purple mark on your skin before pulling back to admire his work.

He wasn’t only proud of the hickey, but proud of your flushed panting expression that was a result of his touch.

“You love this, don’t you?” He cocked his head at you.

His gaze flitted down to where you pressed your thighs together and then back up to meet your eyes, looking at you like he knew something you didn’t want him to know. There was an all knowing smirk on his face.

“Wait-”

“I’m not done with you yet.” His voice was now dark.

He moved back to your neck to add a few more marks, his thigh was now wedged in between your legs. You were feeling weak in the knees, practically using his leg to support yourself. The friction was driving you crazy. His hands started to explore your skin, pushing up under your shirt and around your waist.

His hand trailed up to your chest under your shirt. You were easily accessible given that you weren’t wearing a bra. His thumb brushed over your nipple and you bit your lip hard to trap the small moan that threatened to escape from your lips.

It was too much, you needed to get him out of here before something happened that you couldn’t justify.

“You… need to go.” You said between pants.

“I’m sorry but I can’t do that sweetheart. I love you way too much to leave you like this…” He pulled you off the wall and pushed you down onto the bed.

His body loomed over yours as he looked down to meet your eyes. “I know your underwear is a mess right now.” He said with overwhelming cockiness.

Your face colored. He had hit a bullseye and it was clear from his expression that he knew it too.

“That’s not…!” You said, stunned by his bluntness.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. Just relax, I’ll take care of you.” He held down both of your wrists, and his thigh was pushing into you in such an agonizingly soft manner.

He pushed your shirt up just past your breasts. Your nipples hardened against the cold air as his eyes wafted over you hungrily.

He brought his free hand to your chest, running his thumb over your nipple before pressing down hard. You winced at the sudden pain, only to have pleasure wash over you the split second after when he started sucking on your other one.

The pressure of his thigh between your legs wasn’t enough, you started to feel like you needed more. But that was crazy. You couldn’t do this. It was taking everything in you not to press yourself more firmly against his leg.

Yeah go on and fuck the serial killer why don’t you?!

He redirected his hands to your waistband and started to pull your sleep shorts down. In one quick motion they were off of you and tossed to the side. He pushed your thighs apart a little, while you tried your hardest to clench them together.

“Why are you fighting this darling? I can see how badly you need this.”

Your face heated up just knowing he was likely seeing your arousal soak through your panties. How could you be getting this wet from him?

“Don’t touch me…” your voice came out weak, sounding like you really wanted the opposite.

He ignored your words and started pulling down your panties, and you were so wet that your arousal clung to the garment, stretching out into a thin line until it snapped. He looked elated by this.

“Maybe you don’t understand it yourself. I’ll show you.” He slid a finger down your core, letting your wetness coat his finger.

He held up his fingers, pinching the substance between them. Your arousal glistened in the moonlight.

“See? You want this so badly your little cunt is just begging for it.” He taunted you.

“That’s not true...!” You said, sounding as if you were trying to convince yourself.

He moved down closer to you, his mouth coming dangerously close to your core.

“Want to let me taste you?”

You moved to speak but were instantly cut off, as he spread your thighs apart and pinned them to the bed. His eyes were piercing straight through you, like he could see everything. Like he knew everything.

“Let me be clear. I’m not asking for permission. I’m giving you a chance to let me do it.”

You fell into silence under the weight of his gaze. Your sex was throbbing, a strong rhythm that seemed to be a time bomb counting down to the moment you lost your sanity.

He brought his mouth closer and closer to you, until he could feel the heat emanating from your core.

“Oh would you look at that?” His tone was now vituperative, like he wasn’t in the mood to play games anymore.

“It’s twitching. Stop trying to pretend you’re not my fucking slut.” One of his hands now moved to the bottom of your stomach, where his thumb just almost reached your clit. The other gripped your hip tightly.

You let out a humiliating squeak, but could only feel embarrassed for a few moments before your head went blank. His tongue started tracing your clit, slow and soft.

Your breath hitched before you let out an uninhibited moan. Your hands clung to the sheets as you lifted off the bed, wondering how that was happening until you realized you were arching your back so hard.

He started applying more pressure with his tongue, his movements got faster.

Your orgasm built ferociously, at a speed you didn’t even know was possible. Before you could even process that, you came, your orgasm ripping through you violently and sending pleasure throughout your entire body. Your legs fell open fully, like you were begging him for more.

You could feel him chuckle a bit, audacious as he was, but you couldn’t think enough to even care.

I’ve never came so hard in my life…!

He placed slow deliberate kisses to your clit, waiting for you to come down before he could startup again. The soft heat of his mouth brushing over your clit was euphoria.

As your body relaxed, you started to feel the weight of what had just taken place. You just came from the manipulations of a serial killer. Not only that, but it was the best orgasm you’d ever had.

You didn’t like this. No, you didn’t like this. You hadn’t just spread your legs wide open trying to feel his touch. You hadn’t bucked your hips fervently.

Except you did.

Noticing your breathing fall to a more regular pace, he resumed his activities. He sucked your clit a little harshly, seeming as if it was to grab your attention. Which it did, completely enrapturing your thoughts. The logical line of thinking fled your mind as your focus shifted to the sensation between your legs.

Your shame was forgotten. The only thing on your mind now was how good his tongue felt dragging over your clit over and over.

It wasn’t long before another orgasm started building up for you. Your moans started to fill the room alongside the wet noises. He picked up the intensity accordingly.

You were so close it was almost painful, your body started to tense as you approached the edge of the precipice. But then he toned it down a bit, keeping the same pace but his movements were softer.

He knew you were close so why? He was just barely brushing your clit now, teasing you. Taunting you, really.

You stayed in that state, so close you could cry. There were tears welling in the corners of your eyes. You tried to move your hips but he had you pinned down.

You couldn’t believe it. He was actually trying to edge you! He wanted you to beg!

You bit your lip so hard it almost bled, sucking in a breath. It was unbearable, you needed release more than anything else in this world at the moment.

“P-Please…” your voice broke as you said it.

He only chuckled against you, barely increasing his efforts.

“Please… please, fuck, I… I need it.” You struggled to choke out, feeling miserably pathetic.

But that misery soon resulted in immediate satisfaction. He ramped up the pace, not even giving you enough time to think of anything but coming.

You rode out your orgasm for much longer than usual, he didn’t stop even when you came, dragging out the waves of pleasure. Your eyes rolled back and you latched your hands over his, which were gripping your hips.

Once you had finished he stood up and wiped his mouth, looking cockier than ever. It was clear to both of you that he’d already won, there wasn’t a point in you denying him anymore.

He was on top of you again, kissing you deeply. You could taste yourself on his tongue.

He pulled back, a manic smile on his face. “I’m taking you home with me today.”

The air went cold around you.

No… fuck! This is what you get for fucking around!

“No… I can’t.” Your voice was small, reflecting how feeble you felt under him.

It was like he didn’t even hear you. He started muttering to himself, “but the guys back at the mansion might…” his eyes narrowed.

Then his face looked pleased, like he had just thought of something to solve whatever issue he had.

Whatever it was it clearly wasn’t to solve his mental issues. You had a bad feeling about this.

He clamped a hand over your mouth so hard you thought your jaw would break. you whimpered under his hand when he slowly pulled out a knife.

“Now be a good girl and shut the fuck up while I do this.”

He brought the knife down to your hips, the fleshy part right above where your bone was. The sharp tip pressed against your skin eliciting another muffled whimper from you.

His eyes shot up to meet yours, dark, commanding you to be quiet before he even had to say the words.

The knife sliced into your skin. You screamed, stifled by his hand at the piercing pain caused by his blade. He cut deeper as your crimson blood started to seep out. He wanted to be sure there would be a scar.

A sadistic smile, visually aided by his scars crossed his face at your screams, combined with the captivating imagery in front of him. The pain became dull and aching as he finished. He had carved a J into your hip, a forever reminder that you were his property.

He let go of your mouth and licked the blood off his fingers.

“Why…?” Was all your tiny voice could manage.

He was suddenly inches from your face. “Did it hurt?” He seemed fascinated to know the answer.

You only scowled at him, tears still brimming your eyes. You felt betrayed by him… but why? Why did you expect any different?

“I’ll make the pain go away.” His raspy voice was in your ear.

He started kissing and sucking on your neck again, and the tension you held in your body began to wash away. A sigh escaped your lips.

One hand gripped your face to keep your head turned to the side while the other traveled down your stomach. Maybe it was the blood loss or maybe it was the way he was kissing your neck, but you felt like you were melting under him.

His fingers brushed over your clit before sinking into your dripping wet cunt. First one, then after a few moments he added a second.

It wasn’t long before your sounds filled the room again. His fingers were deep in you, rutting in and out as his palm placed pressure on your clit.

He pulled away from your neck, still gripping your face so he could watch your reactions.

“Perfect, that face is perfect.” There was still a deranged smile on his face.

“Now open up.” He used his thumb to place pressure on your bottom lip, pulling your mouth open. He spit in your mouth, his cock twitching even harder when you swallowed it immediately.

“Are you already about to cum? You’re already squeezing me so much.”

You didn’t even want to resist anymore. The only thing you wanted was for him to keep ramming into that spot that was making your eyes roll back in your head over and over.

“I’ll let you do it, you know? I love watching you fall apart for me.”

“Come on, cum for me. Show me you’re mine.”

You couldn’t take it anymore. You reached your peak, tightening around his fingers.

“Fuckkkkkkk. Good fucking girl. That’s my good fucking slut.”

He took your lips fervently once more, exploring every inch of your mouth with his tongue while you rode out the waves of your orgasm.

When he pulled away, you were still flushed and panting, your eyes still tinged with that wanton need.

“Oh, don’t make that face. Things will get messy if you do.”

“When… will you stop?”

“How can I stop when it’s clearly still not enough for you?”

He grabbed your legs and pulled you towards him, unbuckling his belt. His cock sprang free a moment later. You tried to repress your curiosity and not look, but you couldn’t will yourself to not follow the motion with your eyes.

Your eyes immediately shot back up and away. You’d read somewhere that serial killers were often impotent but he seemed to not fit that trend.

He grabbed your hand, guiding it over his length. You weren’t looking so you could only focus on the sensation of your hand running over the soft skin of his hardened cock.

You should be pulling away, running and screaming, really doing anything you can to get away from him, but you’re not. Once again, hesitation has struck and you wonder if this is really a bad thing.

I mean he’s already proven to be quite good in bed. He seems quite devoted to you. He’s only hurt you… a little bit. Is it really that wrong?

You were yanked out of your thoughts when he placed his hand at the bottom of your stomach, right at the little dip. “When I cum inside you, I’ll make sure you feel it, all the way in here.”

The time for contemplation was over. This was happening.

He pressed the tip against your entrance, your juices coating him. You sucked in a breath. He slowly pushed in and you felt yourself opening up.

He groaned when he got just past the head. As if that was all it took for him to lose control, he grabbed your hips and shoved himself all the way inside.

“Ugh…!” You winced at the sudden searing pain of him thrusting into you forcefully.

“Ah… Fuck… You’re really tight. Just relax sweetheart. I’ll make you feel good.”

“Fuck…!” You hissed. The pain wasn’t getting any better as he was unrelenting, slamming into you over and over.

His mouth was on yours again, drinking you in, devouring you. He didn’t stop, but the pain subsided into more of a dull ache alongside a new feeling of pleasure.

He released your mouth, allowing your hiccupping moans to fill the room. The tension in your stomach built faster than you were prepared for.

“Wait! I- I…!”

“You’re already cumming? God, you feel so good. I knew you were perfect.”

“Fuck… Fuck…!” You repeated.

“Cum for me again. Cum all over my cock like the slut you are.”

You tightened around him, squeezing his cock all the way to the base.

Even after you came he kept going, the feeling started to grow too intense, almost painful at this point.

“Too…much…!” You panted.

“I’m breaking you aren’t I? Your mind is about to go blank.” His voice was almost feral.

He placed a hand to your neck, caging your throat. He squeezed the sides, careful to not crush your windpipe.

Your moans only increased in volume, becoming breathier by the second.

“Your pussy feels good when I choke you, sweetheart?”

The only response you could give was wrapping your legs around him, urging him to keep going as your eyes rolled back and your back arched.

“Aww, that’s it. You’re mine now.” His thrusts were starting to become more erratic and less rhythmic, like he was getting close.

“Fuck. I’m gonna cum inside you.” His voice cracked a little as he slammed into you a few more times, burying himself in you deeply as he came.

Your head felt like TV static. You had completely succumbed to the feeling of his hot cum coating your walls.

He pulled out of you and fixed himself, looking over your body as you still panted, trying to understand what the fuck happened.

“You want to come with me, sweetheart?”

You nodded.

“Then you’ll have to get dressed~”

—

“Are you ready?”

The news anchor flashed a bright smile, holding two thumbs up.

“Okay, live in 3…2…1…” the cameraman said.

The red “on air” sign lit up vibrantly. She turned to the camera.

“Our top story tonight, the disappearance of a 19 year old college student who seemingly vanished without a trace in the middle of the night.”

“Neighbors witnessed her entering her apartment that night, but no witnesses saw her leaving, nor does she appear on CCTV footage around the building.”

“Her parents have put together a search party for her in the wooded area near her apartment. They believe she may have wandered into the woods while sleepwalking during the night, as she used to do that in the last year she lived at home before her disappearance.”

“Police speculate this may be connected to the recent disappearance and murder of Tyler Rhode, who attended the same college. Is this case connected to the Smiley Face Killer and do we have hope of finding her alive? More at seven.”

Jeff turned off the TV. He looked over at the sleeping girl next to him in his bed. You breathed peacefully, chest rising and falling in a rhythmic manner.

Your wrists were resting on either side of your head, causing your shirt to lift up just enough to see just a sliver of your midriff.

He gently ran his thumb over the initial on your hip, now scabbed up. A slightly heavier exhale escaped you, and your lips slightly curled up in a smile.

~pls remember to distinguish fiction from reality

Feedback and constructive criticism always welcome!!!