#shin hoseok fluff

[multiphandomunnies]

monsta x

reactions

how would monsta x cuddle

imagines

shownu

getting greys

wonho

you knew it

getting greys

minhyuk

getting greys

kihyun

forgive me (*M*)

getting greys

hyungwon

pleasuring (*M*)

wot

getting greys

jooheon

getting greys

bf! jooheon

i.m

daddy (*M*)

bf! i.m

i promise to call

getting greys

were doing this now?

single dad au

[awrkive]

Wer is grumpy jk! We badly need it 😫😭

summary: you and jungkook are getting closer, moving forward – but to where, exactly? what does that entail for your relationship? 

w/c: 3.3k

note: this is for all the girlies who asked for part 2 for this drabble. nothing but fluff in here ): ive been thinking abt college jk lately and i lowkey like this grumpy!jk guy… basically this takes place two months after the first drabble u may read this amm for grumpy!jk for a brief bg on what their relationship has become before u go read this parr. anyway the ending is a bit diabolical and im saying sorry in advance

also pls listen to come here by kath bloom, its literally so them 😮‍💨😖

It’s almost natural the way Jungkook immediately slings his backpack on one shoulder, heads straight out of the lecture hall, and starts the almost ten-minute walk from his department building to yours the moment his last class for the day was dismissed. 

He waits outside by the hallway along the lecture room, scrolling through his phone mindlessly, knowing that any minute now you’ll be coming out of the door. 

And just as a slew of students’ chattering becomes louder, their heavy footsteps coming out from the hall, Jungkook instantly spots you; talking to a friend animatedly – Joy, maybe? – before you look to the other side and finally see him. 

“Jungkook!” You exclaim with excitement, smiling up at him and even doing a little wave. Jungkook watches as you turn to your friend. “Sorry, I gotta go. Zoom meeting at five, right?” He hears you say before she nods, bidding your goodbyes to each other before she goes in the opposite direction while you saunter towards him with that usual dashing grin on your face. 

Jungkook meets you halfway, lips curling up slightly at your enthusiastic greeting. Even more so when you don’t fight off the way he goes for your tote bag, taking it off your shoulder and wearing it on his own, the weight not adding that much to his own bag perched on his back. 

He remembers the first time he tried to do it (awkwardly, might he add), and you vehemently refused. But Jungkook can be persistent sometimes when he wants to, and eventually you gave up trying to resist.

Currently, as you walk along the hallway out of your building, standing close together, Jungkook tries not to think too much about how easy this feels. Like it’s normal the way you immediately interlock your arm around his own, skipping a little bit upon your walk as you begin speaking.

“You really did cut your hair.” You marvel at him when he looks down at you. And he can’t help it; the blood rushing to his cheeks and certainly on his ears. 

“I sent you a picture.” He simply says. It was yesterday. He originally went to his barber for just a trim but he remembers you saying something about a particular actor’s haircut… and look, it’s not like he was trying to look like that man but it may have influenced the decision a little bit… 

Anyway, he thinks it looks okay on him. He trusts his barber and Hoseok said it suits him. From your response, you also said it looks nice. 

And you tell him so. “I like it! You look so good. Especially with this frame!” You point to his eyeglasses, smiling up at him. “I was thinking you were just sending me a random picture last night.” 

Jungkook chuckles. “I wasn't, and uh, thank you.”

“You're welcome. Anyway,” you say, “Did you wait for long earlier? Sorry ‘bout that. Prof. Shin had to extend a little bit ‘cause there were a lot of questions about our new project.” 

“You have a new project?”

“Yeah, but nothing really heavy. Just a hotel lobby interior design. We got a week and it’s a paired task thing, that’s why you saw me with Joy earlier—”

He sees a flock of students ahead huddling by your side of the pathwalk, and because you have a tendency to not really pay that much attention to your surroundings, he takes you by the waist slightly to avoid bumping with them, causing you to stumble closer to him. 

You crane your neck to look behind you for a moment, gaze falling back up to Jungkook with widened eyes. “Sorry.” you say with a jutted lip and a little frown. 

“It’s okay.” Jungkook says with a reassuring smile. He means it. He likes being close like this and if you don’t watch your surroundings, he’ll just do it for you. He doesn’t mind. 

You grin. “Anyway… I was saying, it’s a hotel interior. But! The thing is, it’s a themed hotel, which I’m really excited about ‘cause I’m tired of designing contemporary, luxury ones. They always tend to be so redundant.” 

Jungkook nods. “I think so too. What’s the themed hotel about?” 

“Have you heard of a film called Metropolis?” He shakes his head. You nod at that. “Well, yeah, me neither. At least a week ago. Prof gave it to us as an assignment and it’s a silent film from the ‘20s. A sci-fi tale, so very futuristic – at least for that time. So that’s the theme of the hotel, right, and Joy and I immediately thought of art deco.” 

Jungkook intently listens as you go on about your initial ideas, and he doesn’t even have to worry about the terms he doesn’t understand because you always take time to explain it to him in layman’s. It’s funny, really, because ever since he’s learned that you study interior design and started to talk to him about it, he found himself taking interest in it as well. Two months ago, he couldn't have given a single care about a couple named Charles and Ray Eames and their weird chair called La Chaise, but here he is, anyway.

Maybe it’s because of the way you so passionately talk about it. Your zeal oozes out so much when it comes up as the topic of conversation, and there’s always been something about you that pulls people right in. And Jungkook’s at peace with himself now that he’s just one of those people. 

He’s willing to be pulled right in, anyway. You don’t exactly make it hard to. 

And Jungkook finds that the newfound dynamic between you two isn’t… so bad. He finds excitement at the prospect of seeing you after his classes are concluded, going to Fro-yo for a quick snack because you’re obsessed with it, and studying together at his place later in the day.

A lot of people would say he’s making up for all the times he’s ignored you. The times when he pretended to not care about you. The times when he was just unprovokedly mean and treated you the way he regrets now. And sure, it may have started that way. Ever since your Environmental Science project was finished and the term was over, Jungkook started to feel like he couldn’t go back to the life where you weren’t within his perimeter. Couldn’t imagine you both being back to – practically – regular strangers, so he just… opened up to you more.

He shares his own stories now. Tells you about his day after you do so, and invites you to Fro-yo and other cafes and restaurants around campus whenever your schedules align. 

And maybe at first it was, indeed, because he was trying to make up for his past behavior – but that may have only been what he convinced himself of for the first few weeks. When the week stretched into months and the months suddenly involved you doing sleepovers at his place whenever his roommate, Hoseok, is not around, Jungkook is starting to question himself if this is all still about simply making it up to you. 

Because frankly, he’s starting to feel like it's a little more than that.

He’s not just buying you frozen yogurt and helping you with any assignment (that requires his silly and minuscule math and science expertise) and letting you borrow and keep his hoodies and shirts whenever you sleep over because he’s trying to make up for the past – he’s doing all of these because he genuinely enjoys your company and would like to do more for you… with you… to you… and just… just more. 

He wants more with you. 

And every single day is a daunting battle for his internal mullings. 

Because he knows he’s been stupid all this time not to realize right away that he’s got romantic feelings for you. That his confusion when it comes to you didn't come from the reason that you were extremely extroverted and had way too much energy – it was that those things made him like you and his little heart and brain couldn’t comprehend any of it the way he can easily wrap his head around math equations and concepts.

But he keeps himself on the sidelines. Thinks about keeping himself there until he’s sure of what you truly think about. 

You’re always nice to him. But you’re kind of nice to everybody… so that gets him a little twisted.

On Monday, when you were supposed to hang out – when you usually sleep over at his place, you bailed on him to study with Jae, as per Taehyung's words, your mutual friend.

He just can’t tell if the way you treat him is different to the way you treat everyone else, and that’s what’s been on his mind lately. 

“Oh, Kookie,” you say as soon as Jungkook takes out his keys, going for his keyfob when you arrive at the parking area. He looks at you in question, completely ignoring the way his heart flutters a little at the nickname. He kind of hates it, thinks it's too childish when other people call him that – but with you it sounds so much like an endearment, so he doesn't protest. You press your lips into a thin line before you say, “I can’t go to Fro-yo today. Joy and I agreed to have a zoom meeting later to start conceptualizing.” 

“Oh,” Jungkook blinks. “Rain check?” 

You pout. “Yeah.” 

“You can do it at my place? Hoseok’s doing an all-nighter with his study group, so he won’t be there ‘til the morning.”

“But I didn’t bring my laptop today.”

With furrowed brows, Jungkook steps closer to you. “It’s alright. We can drive to your place, get your laptop then go to mine,” he smiles. “Sleepover?” 

Jungkook doesn’t want to toot his own horn but he may have seen your face light up at that. But it comes off easily and he begins to worry.

“I want to, but I don’t want to impose.” You say. 

Instantly, Jungkook’s forehead creases. “You won’t be imposing.” When he sees that you’re about to decline again, he lets out a, “Please?” 

At that, you stop. You stare at him for a moment. 

“Uh…” you trail off. “You sure? Are you not busy tonight?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll probably start on an assignment so we can be both busy–” you nudge his arm at that, laughing. “– but other than that, no. I’ll cook us something. Or do you want to get take-out instead?” 

“I’d really, really appreciate your black bean noodles tonight.” You muse, looking at him like he holds the stars in the sky. With you gazing up at him like that, how can he say no?

“I think we have the ingredients in the fridge. Black bean noodles it is, then.” Jungkook says before you’re muffling your own squeal in your excitement, saying your little delighted “thank you” when Jungkook ushers you in the passenger seat after opening it for you. 

He rounds the car before he settles on his side, and when he starts the engine, he can’t help but smile slightly at the way you lean comfortably on your seat, as if you’re so used to being in his car – which you are.

And Jungkook finds he likes that. He likes you that way; being used to being around him. 

“You’re done?” Jungkook looks up from his computer, seeing you doing some arm stretches and leaning into his gaming chair to do it on your neck as well. 

“Yep.” 

“Then come here already.” He shuts his laptop close, places it on the bedside table, and pats the space on the mattress next to him. 

It’s nearly 10pm and your zoom meeting with Joy went for nearly 4 hours. You got on it immediately after you two ate your dinner, and like clockwork, asked to borrow one of Jungkook’s shirts because your top was getting a little too uncomfortable on your body. You’ve both already showered – separately, of course – and that’s one of the many things that Jungkook smiles about when he enters his bathroom sometimes. Because the fact that you shower in his bathroom means your essentials are slowly making a space for themselves in his own place; the yellow cup holder of your toothbrush sits next to his blue one, and a bottle of your moisturizer is also in his lavatory cabinet. 

“‘M so tired” You let yourself fall on the mattress, bouncing a little on it face down, sprawling across the bed like some starfish, your other hand landing on Jungkook’s abdomen. 

“Meeting went well?” Jungkook asks, and he’s a little disappointed when you remove an arm on him, but that’s okay, because soon you’re leaning sidewards to properly look at him and it makes him smile to see you so cozy like this. Barefaced and in his shirt. 

“Yeah, we got some work done,” You say. Jungkook watches as you try to get comfortable on your side of the bed. “I think I’m sleepy now.” 

“Yeah?” He follows after you, and he doesn’t hide his huge smile when you go and turn your back to him immediately after he slides his arm under your neck, spooning you from behind. Snuggling closer to him, Jungkook wraps his other arm around your waist and lets out a contented sigh against the back of your head. “My first class is at one thirty pm tomorrow.” 

“I have one at eight am. Then the next one is at ten.” 

“Tough.” 

“I know… I wish I didn’t enlist in morning classes.” 

He chuckles, closing his eyes as he starts to feel that familiar lull of sleep dancing behind his eyes. But truth be told, he doesn’t want to give into that just yet.

“You were with Jae on Monday?” He asks, carefully treading through the subject. It’s Thursday now. It's not like Jungkook’s a jealous guy… it just kind of threw him off a little, because you didn’t tell him you were with Jae. 

“Uh… yeah?” Jungkook feels you freezing in his arms. “How’d you know?” 

“Taehyung told me.” 

“Oh.” He can practically hear the wince. “He has such a big mouth.” You say drily. 

That earns you a laugh from Jungkook. But he decides to take down the jokes for a more honest and open conversation with you tonight. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” It’s not accusatory. It’s soft and gentle, the way he asks it, with his thumb rubbing the exposed skin of your hip due to the hem of your – his – shirt riding up. 

Your answer takes awhile. 

“I was… getting help with estimates.” 

“... Okay,” Jungkook tightens his hold around you, growing confused. “But I’m really good with estimates. I could’ve helped you.” It was easy math for him. And you never shied away from asking him for help before… why now?

“Well, he offered.” 

Jungkook’s brows crease deeper. “That’s not…" he trails off, then continues, "You know you can ask me for anything, right? Jae’s not even on the dean's list. How’d you know he’s teaching you the right stuff?”  

Silence hangs in the air before Jungkook hears your laughter. Shuffling in his arms, Jungkook loosens his hold around you to let you turn to him. When he sees your face, there's a huge grin on it.

“He’s not even on the dean’s list?” You sound intrigued.

Jungkook assumed you were curiously speaking, and so he nods, looking into your eyes seriously. “He isn’t. Look, I’m not saying–” when he notices your smile only getting wider by the second, he realizes you’re just trying to fuck with him, so Jungkook cuts himself off, letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I sound like an asshole.”

You scoot closer until both the front of your bodies are stuck. Jungkook tries not to think too much whether you’re wearing a bra underneath his shirt or not. 

You shake your head. “Not really. I believe you’re way smarter than him.” 

“Then why come to him and not me?” 

You stare at him for a moment, then you let out a heavy breath. “I just feel like you’re doing so many things for me nowadays. You were also really busy on Monday– don’t deny it–” you say before he opens his mouth to oppose that. He shuts his lips close, listening to you go on instead. “– and I was just being considerate. Jae offered because we saw and sat next to each other at the library, and I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to disturb you.” 

Jungkook blinks, processing your words. After a pregnant pause, he slowly nods, still dumbstruck. 

“Ah… okay. I understand.” he says, embarrassment slowly filling his system. 

You smile at him. Playfully. “Sorry for asking help from someone who’s not on the dean’s list.” Jungkook drops his expression into a poker face at that, which makes you laugh even more. You nibble on your bottom lip before you stretch your hand to his cheek and pinch it. He doesn’t bother dodging your hand. With a giggle, you say, “Sorry, sorry. That was just so funny. You’re so funny without even trying sometimes, you know?” 

“Not really.” Jungkook says and you can tell the tell-tale signs of his grumpiness starting to kick in.

What he doesn’t expect is the way you suddenly squeal and launch yourself on top of him, causing him to lie fully on his back with you sprawled all over his body, hugging him tight and burying your face in his chest. 

“You’re so cuddly and warm. Can we stay like this for awhile?” You break away from his chest and look at him from a low angle. 

Jungkook meets your gaze. 

Sure, you’ve been cuddling (platonically) all these past few months – but they never went to this length. And he’s not sure what the difference is, anyway – just that you’re much closer like this and Jungkook can feel everything. Still, that doesn’t deter him from wrapping his arms around your waist, slightly locking you in the position. Quite frankly, he doesn’t even want you to move. 

“Alright.” Is his simple answer. Not like he needed to think about it.

“I’ll sleep now, okay?” But you don’t wait for his response before you lay on his chest again with your cheek pressed on his hoodie.

Because the moment just feels right somehow, Jungkook lets his hand wander on your head. Then slowly, he lets his fingers comb through the strands of your hair, tentatively at first, lest you didn’t want him touching you or something like that – but once he hears a sound akin to a purr coming from you, he continues and finds himself getting comforted by the action as well. 

“The Jae thing really bothered you?” You ask suddenly, not breaking away from the position you’ve assumed on top of his body. But your words are slightly slurred in the haze of sleep.

Jungkook hums. “Yes.” 

“Sorry for not telling you myself.” 

“It’s okay,” Jungkook reassures you. His gaze falls to the ceiling, hand still caressing your hair. The surface is empty, and there’s not really much going on. Meanwhile, in your own bedroom, you have those glow in the dark star stickers pasted on your white ceiling. He’s never slept over there, but he thinks it would be nice to lay under your makeshift galaxy with your homely scent surrounding the two of you. “Are you not gonna ask why I was bothered?” He says after a beat. 

“I was gonna. But I think I know.” You answer, and Jungkook doesn’t expect that one bit.

He stops his ministrations on your hair, and it’s obvious that you’re about to question it when you suddenly peel your face away from his chest again. 

When you do, Jungkook meets your gaze and with a leveled tone, he asks the question he’s been mulling about for the past two months.

“__, what are we?” 

[livingformintyoongi1]

Four Kingdoms Masterlist

Panic reigns in Korea when one of its four kingdoms, Silla, rebels against its kings, capturing and hanging the king and his queen. The sole survivor of the Shin royal family, who was never introduced to society because of her useless power, vows to take revenge for the death of her parents, setting her sights on killing the second of the Kim sons, Taehyung, the prince of shadows.

-> Fantasy!Au, Prince!Taehyung, Princess!Reader.

-> Angst, Fluff, e2l.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Heir!Seokjin, Princess!Reader, Reader is Jimin's sister.

-> UTS Prequel, Fluff, Angst, childhood friends to lovers.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Prince!Jimin, Duchess!Reader, Reader is Taehyung's cousin.

-> Fluff, s2l, slight smut.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Prince!Yoongi, Criminal!Reader, Reader is Hoseok's sister.

-> Slight angst, Fluff, Angst, Smut.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Criminal!Hoseok, Princess!Reader, Reader is Taehyung's sister.

-> Angst, Forbidden love, Fluff, Love at first sight.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Knight!Jungkook, Bodyguard!Reader.

-> UTS extra, Angst, Unrequited love, Fluff, slight smut.

-> Read here.

-> Fantasy!Au, Royal Advisor!Namjoon, Housekeeper!Reader.

-> UTS extra, Angst, Fluff, Smut.

-> Read here.

[jooniperbonsai]

I'll Give You the Sun (jhs) | Part Two

Pairing: SunDeity!Hoseok x MoonDeity!Reader (afab)

Rating: 18+

Part Two Length: 14.8k

Release Date: October 17, 2024

Genre: Smut, fluff, angst, fantasy au, royalty, mythology

Summary: You have been assigned to a life of duty. You're okay with it. And now, all the plans of your life are unfurling.

Warnings: Swearing, reader is engaged to an old gross man, fuckbuddy! Taehyung, we are entering the lore! I may need to make a map or list of terms here soon because I got a little free with it, Hoseok breaks the prince's nose, sexual desire, nonbinary character, minor character death, trauma, slight reference to gore but super mild

a/n: For months this fic has been dancing around in my head, waiting for me to find the threads of the story and how I want it to be told. I'm finally there, and just in time to welcome back our sunshine from the military. Welcome home Hoseok. Thanks all for your patience and for reading! I hope you enjoy the world I'm building. -h

The coronation is in full swing, lively music greeting guests as the Great Hall floods with nobility and commoners alike. Against the wall to the right of the dais, a row of chairs reserved for the Elder gods and your parents sit partially filled, but you know better than to sit in them. Even if the Elder gods are too bored to attend this momentous event, it’s known to all that the seats are to remain unoccupied for them and them only. In all your life, you’ve only seen two of them at a time within a handful of events; they usually only presented themselves if they had a personal stake in the matter. Despite there being two new gods upon ascension, despite the many consult meetings between them and your brother (and you assumed Hoseok), none of them it seems found this occasion fascinating enough to grace their presence with. 

It is ironic, really. The entire balance of all, the breaking of Mang Shin’s curse and the reverse of the accelerating armageddon relies on these two being crowned today and yet that still isn’t enough of a reason for the Elder gods to show themselves. 

You take position to the side of the dais, among the festively dressed citizens of the Solar Kingdom. You know your own kingdom is having a banquet in celebration of today. The palace has been opened up, and you imagine the large expanse of the ballroom has been filled with moonflowers and evening primrose. Just before you left, you’d seen various memorabilia with your brother’s face had been printed and for sale in the town square, along with commemorative spoons and chinaware, replica crowns, and various bric-a-brac adorned with your family’s crest. 

How many people are gathered there now, eating the canapes you love so much and counting down the moments before they, too, can witness at least the partial eclipse?

A sharp tug in your chest reminds you that you’re not supposed to think this way. Not supposed to be thinking so fondly of home when you know in a matter of days you’ll be returning only to leave again, but this time forever. 

You didn’t tell Hoseok this after that argument, or rather because it is none of his godsdamn business, but you’ve already agreed to marry the Duke of Nebula. In your room back home, there is a sizable diamond ring that is waiting for you on your dresser. What were you supposed to say to someone who offered you an escape from such a bleak destiny? 

There are only so many options when it comes to being royal and unFated. You are not in a position to be picky. The Duke, while “ancient” as Hoseok put it (and unfortunately right in that description; you have no idea how old this man really is), had never really shown you anything but kindness…until recently. During your childhood, he was always nothing more than another man of stature and wealth in society, another one of your father’s friends. He never paid you any mind or you him. As it should be. 

He had only become more present in your life after your twenty-second birthday, when he questioned your parents about why your education was not advancing beyond the private schooling you had during your youth. 

It was he who encouraged your education to expand, who introduced you to the great philosophers and offered you respite in the cozy library within his Lunar Kingdom residence. He’s been a friend. A generous one at that. 

Though, admittedly, his proposal came as a shock to you, and you aren’t entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s because you never imagined he would want to marry again after having done it so many times. At his age, he should be on the southern shores of the Nebula territories, taking long naps in the sun and drinking iced yuzu tea on his terrace while one of his many children or even grandchildren run his estate. 

Instead, it would appear his decision to maintain his lordship will continue until he dies, whenever that ends up being. And in the meantime, he’s asked for your hand in marriage, a proposal which your father asserted was “the only viable option left” for you. Your mother worried her lip when you’d discussed it together, neither voicing her support nor objection in the union. Not that it would matter anyway. Her silence speaks volumes. 

When he proposed, the Duke had argued that your acceptance would supply security more than any other form of companionship. He promised you could further your studies, even offering to write you a letter of recommendation for formal art lessons and a potential residency at the elite Nebula Commons Art Society. “You have talent that deserves to bloom, Y/N,” he’d said. It seemed so promising, almost too good to be true. A place of belonging and safety? A place to nourish your inner artist?

And as destiny would have it, immediately after your acceptance, the other shoe dropped. “Other parts of you could bloom too, you know.” You remember all too well the way his foggy eyes traced the outline of your body, how his hand found its place on your thigh. Sex. Ownership. A reminder that you would never truly be free. 

But you said yes. And you know how binding and damning that single word is. 

Yes, you had said not an hour ago as the prince–soon to be king– of the Solar Kingdom pulled from you the truth that until that very moment you never had the words for. And he did it so effortlessly, playing you like a fool, unraveling the very carefully woven tapestry of the life you are living, simply by rutting his hard length against you. And how quickly you caved, left panting and utterly unsatisfied not to mention uncomfortable from the damp stain that you can still feel in your panties. He’s a phantom on your body, the way his tongue ghosted over your breasts, teasing you, challenging you to take what you wanted. You can still feel him, his hair tangled between your fingers, his lips, and even in the matter between you two, the ragged breaths agitating the atoms. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. 

Nothing you’ll ever experience again. 

The room becomes colder, though you’re not sure how. Everyone in the kingdom seems to be packed into this place. The walls are lined with people on tiptoe trying to see. The crowd begins to swell around you. 

This can’t be anything, you remind yourself. Because that would mean things are different. And in reality, the dull throb between your legs is just as fiery of a reminder of how little your desire for anything matters. This is a feeling you’ll have to get used to. 

“Hey,” you hear a familiar voice breathe softly into your ear, startling you with a jump. You whip your body toward the source, slightly embarrassed that you have drifted into thinking about this in public. At your brother’s coronation of all places. Your eyes lock with the warm gaze and boxy smile of the voice’s owner, Taehyung.

A knight of the Solar Kingdom, Taehyung has been a familiar face over the years, serving as the primary messenger between the two kingdoms. During his extended stays between travels, he and you have formed a friendship, often doodling in notebooks on days when you both waited for your father to finish meetings or holding court to compose a formal request or response, or spending long nights out on your bedroom balcony facing the sea, looking up at the stars as you quiz him on constellations and their ties to your family’s ancestry. Since the very beginning, Taehyung has given you the gift of friendship and a little bit of light within your brother’s shadow. 

He is also someone you sometimes have with sex with.

The thing about Taehyung is that everything with him is easy. When you want space, he gives it to you. When you want to be mad at the world, he listens. He doesn’t challenge you to defy the inevitability of your future, to try to shove you skyward to shine in the night. He understands just as well as you how having status only matters when you’re meant to rule. Every other position in this life is one that is based on rules and structure you have no choice to abide by. 

Taehyung will within the next few years also be expected to marry. He will have a decent home within the kingdom that ensures his heirs are well educated and cared for. He will probably marry a Lady or extended family member of the Solar King, and that will be that. Trading away the wildness of youth and freedom as Hoseok called it to live a life that grants him his own security, too. 

Taehyung is also one of Hoseok’s closest friends, making the question that Hoseok asked about your sex life a bit cutting toward Taehyung. Unless he doesn’t know. Not that you expect him to. What you and Taehyung have is private, and if Hoseok doesn’t know about your trysts, it’s for the better.

The sex with Taehyung isn’t bad. You’ve had plenty of orgasms because of them. 

Do you know how it feels to really fuck for the sake of pleasure, Y/N? 

Do you? Hoseok’s question from earlier is something that caught you by surprise, because truly, you didn’t know how to answer. What was it that he said that’s supposed to be like? 

Letting someone else hold the reins of your undoing and pulling them so taught you think you’re going to snap, only to finally give you what you truly need and set you free over the edge. 

No, you don’t think you’ve had that with anyone, not even Taehyung. And while sex with your friend has been, well…decent, you can’t think of a moment where it has been so controlled, or even maddening. 

What would sex like that look like? You can’t imagine it with Taehyung, he’s far too needy himself. But with Hoseok? Your memory circles back to being shoved against the door, his hard length rolling against the swells of your body, his thigh flexed for you to find something to find release on. How his tongue swirling across your breasts felt like something more than sex. 

Like he was claiming you. 

The cold chill you felt before has been replaced with a flame so hot, you feel like you have to fan at your body to get some relief. 

Either that or the room really has accommodated the entire kingdom. 

You turn to face your friend, shutting down the depraved sexual fantasy. For now, anyway. 

“Hi,” you say, a smile forming on your lips in response to his. His eyes are a little glassy, his cheeks a little flushed. He clearly has been enjoying the free champagne. 

He opens his arms and you instinctively move, allowing yourself to be enveloped in his comforting hold. Yes, he’s been drinking, you confirm as his breath spills down the space between you. The faint smell of tobacco on him confirms he also just returned from smoking. Still, it is comforting as ever, and you find your arms wrapping around him, holding him tightly as you inhale his familiar scent. 

“Something happen?” he mutters into your ear and you sigh, pulling yourself away too soon. 

“A lot of things happened, Tae. But it doesn’t matter now.” 

His brows knit for a moment, but then relax. He knows better than to push for more information.

“Are you ready?” you ask him to redirect the conversation. He scoffs. 

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?” 

“I don’t know. You have to do that whole dance with the other knights and ladies. We’ve been practicing for the last three months to make sure you don’t accidentally stab someone with your sword. I think it warrants the question.” 

He laughs, his smile wrinkling his eyes. 

“It has a sheath! And it’s not like hyung will exile me if I suddenly forget the moves. Besides, I had a really good teacher. Someone who knows quite a few moves herself. Tell me, have you learned any new moves since I saw you a few weeks ago because if I remember correctly your tongue learned a particularly sinful trick as it swirled on my c–”

You reach your hand up to cup over his mouth, heat flaring into your cheeks. 

“Shh. Shut up! Shut up!” You glance around to see if anyone overheard what was just said, but it seems that the champagne has left everyone a little less attentive. 

Taehyung laughs again, shamelessly challenging you with a glint in his eye. His tongue darts out, licking your palm. You pull yourself away, scoffing as you wipe your damp hand onto his suit coat. 

“Alright, alright. Anyway, I’ll be fine. You however…a little birdy told me that you’ve accepted the Lord of Nebula’s proposal? Which, you already know how I feel about him.” He makes a gagging sound in disgust. “I still can’t believe that’s the only option.” 

“Yeah, well, it’s not like anyone else proposed,” you say. He cocks his head.

“You know, I could help.” 

“You’re not marrying me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what were you going to suggest?”

He gives you a sheepish look. You already know it’s pointless. Taehyung is too romantic to marry you out of convenience. Yes, he cares about you. But you know that marriage to him is about love more than anything else. It would be unfair of you to accept a proposal from him when you know this. 

You sigh, pulling your hand away from his chest to squeeze his bicep. “Thanks, though.” 

He gives you a sympathetic nod. “It’s going to be okay, Y/N.”

“Sure.” You muster up a smile, the ache in your stomach twinging a little. Please let this be over soon. 

“Hey, before all of this stuff happens and we are forced far away again, maybe we make it a night to remember.” You feel his hands begin to drag more sensually across your back and sides. “Once everyone is drunk enough we’ll sneak out to the southern lawns. Dance in the dying light before you’re whisked away from me forever.” 

Your chest clenches. You hadn’t thought about how this marriage will probably be the end of your friendship. There will be no reason for a royal messenger in the Nebula territories. This will be the last time you see each other. 

Before you can answer, the side entry to the Hall opens, and you recognize Namjoon’s tall frame as he walks through, nodding to the palace staff with his dimpled smile. Looking around, you remember your purpose for being here and the dread dives deep back into your gut. 

You turn from Taehyung to face forward, but you allow him to keep touching you, his hands falling to your waist as he leans into you like a human shield, protecting you from what you assume is your mother’s disapproving gaze at the public display of physical touch. Normally, you would consider being more careful, but you assume that within a few hours, the doting affection she’ll give your brother and flutes of champagne she’ll drink will spare you from any strict lecture until tomorrow. Today, you couldn’t be any more invisible, and you’re grateful for it.

The casual symphonic music changes tune to something more grand, and your father rises from his seat across the room and approaches the dais. Hoseok’s parents have already arrived, seated in their thrones on the dais, awash with relief of their son’s arrival instead of the carefully veiled annoyance you knew they truly had before. His sister is not present, though you remember your parents mentioning that on the journey here. She is pregnant, and the current stage of her condition has her constantly nauseous, one a long trek home would not be suited for. 

The eclipse is well under way, the light outside turning a dull, hazy color as the sun begins its game of hide and seek. Hoseok, it seems, has waited until the very last minute to make his appearance. 

Upon being announced, he strides in with your brother, both side-by-side stepping in sync as they approach the dais. 

Your brother is as solemn as ever, not letting anyone ever see any potential weaknesses in his impenetrable shield, his eyes glazing over the room around him and skipping over your head to view the rows of chairs reserved for the Elder gods. Though it’s subtle, you see the tiny tic of his mouth as he processes their absence. Disappointment. 

Good, you can’t help but let yourself think. At least now you know a fraction of how I must feel. 

While your brother’s expression is masked with a harsh, empty stare, Hoseok’s couldn’t be more different. While he, too, is keeping a straight face, his eyes are sparkling as they meet those of everyone in the room. So much warmth is set in the soft squint of his features as he searches the crowd and recognizes people from the back and nearby. 

Without smiling, he seems to be doing it anyway, delivering something truly godlike to the people around him without needing to do so much as speak. As his eyes flit around the room, he takes it all in, and finally, as if he knows exactly where you are in all of this, his eyes find yours. 

His gaze is smoldering, though not in the heated, sexual way it was before. No, something in him has shifted, and you can see as he rakes his eyes over your body that the hunger he unleashed on you before hasn’t fully dissolved. That is until he sees how Taehyung has laid claim on you by placing his hands on your hips so confidently. 

To everyone else, he’s still soft and composed. And if he and you weren’t locking gazes at each other, you might miss the way his tongue pushes to one cheek as his jaw tightens, or the way his nostrils flare when you cock your eyebrow at him. 

Then, the High Priestess moves to the dais, a representative of the Elder gods, and Hoseok breaks his stare, turning toward her as she stands between your brother and Hoseok. She’s a woman you’ve known your entire life, tall and curvy, with deep skin and long hair that is often braided into intricate patterns. Today, however, she has worn her hair naturally, with tight coils that fall down to her shoulders freely, resting perfectly upon her long silken gold dress. Your father bows to her, to the Solar King and Queen, and then returns to his seat next to your mother. 

“What the hell was that about?” Taehyung asks, clearly also noticing his friend’s behavior. 

“Later,” you say, and detach his hands from your hips, needing the space–the air–between you. 

“Greetings to all,” the High Priestess says, and a hum flows through the room as guests quiet, tuning into her lilted voice. “I come to you on this blessed day as we bear witness to the greatest prophecy of our time. As these two souls ascend from mortality to godliness, as they ascend from princes to kings of their kingdoms, they shall demonstrate today the leadership and strength needed to end a timeless suffering we all have faced. The Fates have gifted these two young men the potential of great power and duty, where their rule and responsibility will bring forth new life and justice to our lands. Collectively, as we shift between two worlds that often appear in opposition, we honor and celebrate the harmony of these two kingdoms’ union on this sacred day.” 

Cheers explode through the hall. The High Priestess holds up her hands to quiet the crowd. 

“I know we are all very excited and hopeful for the end of our strife. However, it is of our best interest to ensure these two are worthy of such gifts. As such, an oath from both of these men proclaiming peace, balance, and honor must be made to uphold the alliance of these two kingdoms. Without it, these two noblemen cannot break the maleficent curse of Mang Shim’s rule.” 

Another eruption of cheers streams through the room, a tinny, almost melodic sound accompanying the clapping and vibrance. You look around. From what you can see, it appears many citizens of the Solar Kingdom are wearing bronze brooches adorned with a moon eclipsing the sun. From the centerpiece, small chains dangle, fastened at the end with some kind of crystals. The rattling of the crystals against the chains, buttons, and each other, are the source of the song.

Warmth floods your chest, a reminder of what you’re here for taking root in you. Union, the ending of generations of suffering. The cacophony of hope. You almost wish you could bathe in the tune. 

It’s short lived, however. As silence falls upon the crowd, it is not by the effort of the High Priestess. A mocking, boisterous laugh coming from across the room cuts through all the celebration. 

Many heads, including yours, whip toward the source of the disruption. There, in the once empty and symbolic chairs, sit six Elder gods.

More than you’ve ever seen before. Some of whom you’ve never seen. There’s Embria, an Elder goddess who has been known to start feuds with other gods out of boredom, Davien, a god who one year drowned three dozen sheep in the Lunar Kingdom because someone rejected him for a date, Talavyr, who you were pretty sure growing up was just a statue since he never seems to blink, Alma, who has always been friendly, but her choosing to spend time among the older Elder gods has made you start to wonder if you have wrongly assigned her kindness, and Benador, who is laughing as he sits sideways on his reserved chair, a glass in his hands as he tips it to the High Priestess. 

“Is something funny, Benador? I presumed with all the empty chairs, none of you were coming. But sure enough, here you are.” The High Priestess keeps her tone even, but you’ve learned over the years through palace gossip that the pair once dated centuries ago. And every so often it seems they try their hand at reconciliation only to publicly shade the other when at the same event. This, you assume, must be one of those times. 

“Well, we’re here now, aren’t we Pree? Anyway, we’re short on time, no? Best that you get on with the silly little spiel before those two ascend without your blessing.” 

The High Priestess sighs and nods, reclaiming attention as she recites the prophecy. 

The sixth god is one who you don’t recognize, and you can tell you’re not the only one. Covered in a thick black veil and cloak, they keep quiet in the distorted shadow that has cast into the room. All of the god is covered; you can’t make out a single detail about what they make look like. Just that they are covered head to toe, unmoving. A soft murmur travels through the room as others shift to look at the unknown god as they become further shrouded in darkness. Minutes. There’s only minutes until the eclipse. 

Six of the Elder gods are here. Six. Which could mean that this event is going to turn out alright after all. But given who has come, who has decided to bear witness, you can’t help but feel a bit queasy. Where are Milladria? Silax? Any of the Elders who come to weddings or baptisms or even funerals? The five present are all of different weights and social groups, not in attendance because they all decided to pop over from the tavern to see the show. No, these gods are here for a reason. If one of them who no one can recognize from either kingdom is present, something big is about to happen. Curse breaking, even. 

You whip your head around and see a smug look has broken through your brother’s haze as he takes in the attendance. Even one god in attendance is something to brag about. But your brother has received six, one of whom is sure to be the talk of the evening. He’s just received bragging rites for a lifetime. 

Hoseok looks pale, his eyes still locked forward on the shadowed god in the corner, though he eventually remembers to shake himself loose from whatever pull had him hypnotized. He swallows heavily, and then refocuses on the High Priestess. 

Some red rope appears, binding the hands of your brother and Hoseok as they prepare to take their vows. The ceremony is a little similar to that of a traditional marriage vow, though the red rope here is representative of the fated and how their gifts have tied your two kingdoms together. 

A large tapestry hangs behind both of the men, rays of moon and sunlight threading together to create a color shifting, singular beam that shimmers in the light of the room. A continued symbol of the unity between kingdoms. 

You adjust your stance, trying to appear a little more happy for your brother, despite the fact that the clock ticking down to the eclipse is also ticking down to the end of life as you know it. But in the presence of the gods, you don’t want to draw any unwanted attention. Any sign of doubt toward your brother or Hoseok for that matter could result in your death. Any question toward the fates could be even more lethal, perhaps forever damnation to the Underworld. While the stories you’ve read of the gods are likely a myth, you aren’t entirely sure if you want to risk it today finding out who or what is in charge of  descension.  Fixing a smile upon your face, one that could be interpreted as pride for your family, you continue to listen to the High Priestess drone on and on about the line of duty that your brother will be undertaking. 

“The last thing I would like to say is that this gift for the two of you is a gift for us all, and that means that it holds great weight of responsibility. It is essential you carry this weight with all your strength. Denying your destiny will only result in your sooner death. Avarice, pride, and entitlement will not serve you once you ascend.” 

You hear a guffaw from one of the seated gods behind you. You feel Taehyung shift behind you, his pinky finger searching for yours under the swaths of lace and embroidered cloth. You embrace the comfort of your friend’s softness. Despite Taehyung’s knighthood, the gods have always made him nervous. So long as Hoseok doesn’t give you the death stare once more, you think you can sneak a finger hold. 

As you look upon the dais, you see that your brother has abandoned his bored expression for a sly smile. Oh, he’s loving this. Acid tightens your throat and you shift your gaze back onto Hoseok.

If he’s nervous about the word of the High Priestess, he doesn’t make it known, just remains in his stiff posture, chin high as he keeps his eyes locked on the goblet she has conjured into her grasp, a silver, shimmery liquid spilling a bit over the sides from being so full. 

“Now, you two must speak your vows. Being that we are in the Solar Kingdom, I invite his highness to step forward and speak himself first.” 

Hoseok nods, and you feel your skin prickle as your brother rolls his eyes. What an ass. 

“I, Jung Hoseok, the heir to the Solar Kingdom, do vow to forevermore act in service to my people. It is with this great honor I hereby accept my fate. On this day that turns to night, I promise to stand for the peace and prosperity of these two kingdoms’ alliance, to usher forth a new era where the fires that blaze will only bring with them new life. That each dying ember will serve as a reminder of what power I hold, and that my duty to others will always be there to achieve balance. On this blessed day, I stand for the unity of night and day, that darkness and light both serve in this world to let us all flourish.” 

As he finishes his vows, Hoseok wipes a tear from his eyes, and the room explodes into cheers. You know that he isn’t doing any of this for the attention, that his words move him with complete sincerity. 

You’ve never heard anyone speak with such love for their people. Hoseok so carefully crafted these words that represent so much of your own sentiment toward the people of your own kingdom. Come next week, the idea of the people you have come to love– from the bakery owner in the center of town who always sneaks you petit fours while you are on official business for the palace to the grouchy, senile farmer who paces the edge of his land with a pitchfork and muttering about changelings– will all become just memories. And they’ll be placed into the careless hands of your brother. 

You’ve heard him talk before about his plans for your kingdom. With a careful tongue he has remarked time and time again that there is a severe “disorder” within the kingdom that needs to be “eradicated”. Just before your leave, he filled out an official request with the main city government to receive emergency fund approval to “restore the kingdom to its former glory”, meaning that he wants to revive the red light district exclusively. 

To your parents, this is his foray into leadership. He is passionately undertaking a project that is “sure to clean up a disgraceful area that needs a much needed rezoning”. They fail to see that he has no plans to protect the workers of the night, rather he intends to exploit them as much as he can until he sees no more use for them. 

But none of this is meant to be your concern. Not the people in the kingdom any longer. So you shift your attention to the end of your brother’s vows, tuning in as he winks at the crowd. 

“Of course when I get my official title and powers, I’ll be the first to buy you all drinks.” He nods toward the bored looking Elder Gods, Benador being the only one who seems to be entertained. He raises his chalice to your brother, dismissing customs by drinking before the ceremony has even ended. 

Though the crowd chuckles uncomfortably, it’s the encroaching darkness that seems to stun everyone into silence. 

“It’s time,” the High Priestess says, moving to hand the goblet to Hoseok as shadows begin to overtake the room. He takes a deep gulp and then passes it to your brother, who does the same. 

Before you are fully wrapped in darkness, a soft glow begins to form along the dais, the shimmering light appearing to brighten inside of Hoseok’s chest. In the refraction of light onto your brother, you see him cupping the goblet, the silver liquid still lining his lips. He holds a hand out to his face, but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything. As beams of light begin to form around Hoseok’s crown, the crowd murmurs in awe, a beautiful, golden sunrise almost emanating right from the source like he is the sun himself. 

“Is this supposed to be happening?” your brother asks. “Am I supposed to glow too?” 

“What do you mean glow?” Hoseok responds. He holds his hand up to his face and frowns. “I don’t see anything.”

The High Priestess hums. “I suppose the elixir has a different effect on everyone. I was not aware that he would glow either. Perhaps it is what the Fates have signified as a sign of true leadership from the Solar Kingdom. They must be pleased with this decision.”

The crowd chitters. 

“And I’m not going to because I’m not worthy?” your brother accuses. You don’t need to see his face to know its expression, pinched tight and bloated with anger. “Unwise for you to claim such a thing when the Fates have decided I am the one to end Mang Shim’s curse. And in front of six Elder gods. Choose your next words wisely, High Priestess.”

Heat licks into your chest. A comet aflame as it crosses the horizon. Before you can even think to stop yourself, you’re speaking into the dark room. 

“That’s not what she’s saying and you know it.” 

The room goes silent, and for a moment, you think in the darkness you truly have become invisible. It’s not until you hear the voice of the High Priestess that you realize what you’ve done.

“Y/N,” she says shakily. 

A tremor runs up your spine, sweat immediately beading in your palms as the crowd turns to you, your clear effort to make yourself as invisible as possible useless under the command of the Elder Gods. Your throat tightens, and as the blood rushes to your face, you know you have no other choice. You can’t run now. 

As you pull away from Taehyung, you feel him squeeze your hand, and the terror begins to set in. What have you done? In a moment of weakness, you look at Hoseok and freeze. 

He’s staring at you with wide eyes. The glow of his body becomes less as you get closer. Perhaps the eclipse is over. Perhaps the ascension is complete.

“Y/N,” Taehyung says, “You’re–”

And this seems to be the popping of the cork. The entire room floods with chatter, people shoving into each other in the crowds. A flurry of hands drag across you everywhere. 

“Is it on me? Did I get some?” 

“Out of my way! I want to see!” 

“It’s the Fates! They are telling us she is not worthy!”

“No it’s a sign she is a Fated one!” 

“You’re crazy! How dare you suggest such a thing!”

“There are only two kings we must answer to! Who are we to question the prophecy?”

The swirl of hands begin to dig further into you, claws digging into the tender areas of your skin. 

“Let go of her!” you hear Taehyung yell from somewhere. 

“She must answer for her treason!”

“Treason? How has she committed treason? Let go!”

The High Priestess shrieks over all the yelling, though you still cannot see in the dark. 

You feel as though you’re floating, the only thing anchoring you down to earth at this point are her nails digging into your shoulders. 

“What exactly do you mean! Am I not fucking worthy enough for you?” That’s the voice of your brother, enraged. 

“Get your hands off of her,” Hoseok says suddenly, within close enough proximity you know that he is next to you. You see the golden glow of him as his hands reach forward and effortlessly brush the others from you. “You should all be punished for treating someone this way. Have you no respect?” 

“Your highness, we just—”

“Enough!” Hoseok yells and the entire room falls quiet, the only sound is that of your synced footsteps as you walk away from the mob, Hoseok holding a steady hand around your waist. The fabric of your dress swishes against his, briefly reminding you of the moment you two shared not even an hour ago. 

What different lives you both have lived within mere moments. 

Light has begun to fill the room, a slow crawl but consistent, almost like the dawning of a new day when there was never any eclipse at all. 

How did any of this happen? Is it over? Have you ruined the one chance there is at Mang Shim’s curse finally breaking?

There’s a different feeling sinking your stomach and it’s not the doom of your own future; it’s the iron weight of shame heaving into your bones and chest, a feeling that you have somehow just ruined the future of not just yourself, but everyone. 

The Elder gods have already approached the dais. Their reactions speak different volumes of interest. The room has become completely still, all eyes trained on you and Hoseok or the gods on the floor. You can’t look at the gods, so you look past them, and realize that most people are focused on Hoseok’s hand. The law of both Kingdoms is that you two never are to touch. Yet you seem to have broken this rule twice today. 

“Thank you, Hoseok. Now, how do you think we should handle this?”Alma says, stepping forward. The second part of the question is not directed to Hoseok, who has only moved closer to you, his pinky brushing yours. Your hand twitches. “High Priestess, get back to your position on the dais.” 

The High Priestess turns, and you can see that she is shaken, rigorously moving her head back and forth. 

“I can’t. It’s all wrong!” 

“Well, clearly!” Embria says, her bright red hair swirling forward as she speaks. It’s enough in your periphery to risk a glance over at her, your gaze immediately falling to the floor when you see she’s looking at you. 

“I…I misunderstood,” the High Priestess bellows. 

“What did you misunderstand?” 

“I…” She turns again, this time looking at Benador. His brow is furrowed, though you can still read some empathy on his face as he looks at his ex. 

You risk glancing over to your brother, who is looking at you with pure hatred. His hands are bound tightly in fists, and he has begun tapping his foot as he glares your way. You can’t help but shiver. 

“I think everyone here can plainly see what is happening, Pre,” Benador says, sighing. “Spit it out.” 

“The prophecy,” she gasps. “I misunderstood the prophecy.” 

Ice freezes your veins as you process her words. How? How did this happen? The prophecy can only mean a few different things. If it has been misinterpreted and the actual end to Mang Shim’s curse is unknown, then generations of preparation and patience will have all been for nothing. What does this actually mean for your people? For the future you’ve long hoped for? You feel a tight knot form in your throat as tears spring to your eyes. No, don’t let this mean that there’s no hope afterall. 

“How?” your voice breaks into the quiet air. The sharp turning of everyone in the room back onto you is accompanied by the chiming of the pendants again, and shuffles of fabrics.

“Funny thing about prophecies. They can be just vague enough to make you believe in them. ‘The moon stepping forward with nothing to hide is burdened not by the sin of pride.’ You really thought this fool over here wasn’t burdened by pride? Look at him, he’s been gloating all day.” Davien’s voice cuts through the room, his sharp gaze and even sharper teeth shredding at your stomach as you see him step onto the dais.

He easily stands half a foot taller than Namjoon, which means next to your brother, he appears to be a giant. Your brother, the fool that he is, squares his shoulders and looks up directly at Davien, only losing some of his sneer. Davien clicks his tongue, and you see how his teeth look nothing like that of a human’s but rather fangs of a snake. Did he file them down for appearance? Or were his teeth like that naturally? There’s so much you don’t understand about this process of ascension. Will Hoseok look that empty when it happens to him?

You hope not. You can’t imagine him fading away from his new glow. You shiver again, and as if on cue, Hoseok shifts closer, pulling you into his side. 

When your eyes rise again, you see the cold stare of your mother as she remains frozen in her seat. 

“But, but I was gifted! I was given the kaleidoscope! I was gifted and she wasn’t!” Your brother backs away from Davien, coasting over to you. As he approaches, you notice his coronet digging into the skin of his forehead. An ill fitted crown for an ill fitted king. “Tell them, Y/N!”

The brute force of him overtakes you instantly, and you can feel yourself receding into the small box you often go into when you upset someone in your family. Right now, you wish for nothing more than for the room to be dark enough again for you to disappear into. 

Your brother hangs over you, and you feel Hoseok’s arm once more, urging you backward. 

“Leave her alone,” he says firmly. “She doesn’t owe anyone anything.” 

Your brother snorts, an ugly, disgusting sound. “I beg to differ, Hoseok. Unless. Is there something going on between you two?” His eyes dance back and forth between you and Hoseok, and he widens his eyes with some mocking epiphany. 

“Oh, I see how it is. You’ve been trying to sabotage me! Taking the crown for yourself by fucking my rival? Does he know you’re also fucking his best friend, Y/N?” 

Your brother jabs a finger in Taehyung’s direction, and you can hear your mother gasp under her breath. 

“You know damn well that I wasn’t orchestrating any of this!” you yell, trying to hold your ground. You know this intimidation tactic, the shame that comes from the unwritten rules of being in royal society. While no law states you need to remain pure, it is definitely something that your family still tried to project. As if your virginity is what makes you worthy in all of this. 

What a laughable, inconsequential thing. None of this matters with the end of the world approaching. None of it. 

Your brother snarls, lifting his arm as if he’s about to strike you and you flinch, ready to take the sting of his ringed hand. 

But before your brother’s fury can come down onto you, you feel a shifting of fabric, a blur of dark hair between you and your brother. And just as fast as you process what’s happening, you move your gaze to see he’s on the floor, his nose a waterfall of crimson. Broken. 

“Hoseok!” Your head shoots up, seeing Hoseok slowly unclenching his fist, cracking and stretching his finger. Casual. As if he didn’t just punch a prince during both of their coronations. 

“Mother,” he responds, with no discernable emotion in his voice.

A chill runs down your spine, though it’s not due to Hoseok’s flat tone. Rather, the room seems to have dropped in temperature exponentially, almost like it is winter in the Solar Kingdom and not mere days from the summer solstice. 

Hoseok shifts too, clearly sensing the same chill in the room. You risk a glance over to him, noticing that goosebumps have formed around his forearm. 

No one else in the room seems to be affected. Rather, they all have their eyes fixed on the same part of the room: the chairs placed for the gods. 

One of them has remained seated in all this. The veiled sixth god whose face you still have been unable to see. It is odd to see a god so covered; most of them have become vain in their many years and do many things to ensure the attention is on them at all times. 

Almost as if reading your mind, the god turns their head and rises, passing your parents, who look as though they are about to vomit, and the king and queen of the Solar Kingdom. Hoseok’s mother has her brows knit and eyes on you, though it’s not a look of anger that you’ve ruined her son’s day. More like concern. For her son. Concern for you. 

The room has come to a dead stop. The only sounds are the groaning wails of your brother as he cups his hands over his nose and shouts for a palace assistant to bring him a towel and ice. 

No one moves though. No one except your brother and the sixth god. 

They coast forward with a grace that no amount of etiquette training could ever provide you. Your mother had tried, truly, to raise you to be a perfect member of society, but there was really only so much anyone could do about you tripping over your own feet on occasion, or enjoying a meal and falling prey to when it slipped off of your fork and into your lap. These are things beyond your control. 

As they approach the dais, you hold your breath, feeling like one of the animals ensnared in a trap you were unfortunately witness to many times during your youth when your father took you out on the hunt. How many rabbits or squirrels or even foxes you’d seen trying to save themselves only to exhaust their bodies from the efforts and eventually, succumb to death by nature or your father’s hand. Your stomach churns at the thought. 

“Well now,” the sixth god says, voice smoky and low. “Are you all really too stupid to put all of this together?” 

They reach forward, a black gloved hand taking hold of your wrist. Part of you is relieved. At least this god has a hand and not a claw or hoof or sharp blades instead of fingers. Their touch is firm, but not painful. Nothing like the way you’ve been yanked around today. 

Hoseok moves, his own fist wrapping around the wrist of the god. 

“What exactly do you mean? Who even are you?” His voice is slightly shaky, but far more steady than what you would be able to offer. 

“Zenith.” The High Priestess pulls away from the crop of the other gods, stepping back toward you and Hoseok. 

“You can’t be serious,” Hoseok says, incredulous. 

“Who is Zenith?” It’s a whisper under your breath, but with the room so silent, there is no doubting that everyone heard. Even your brother has stopped his groaning. 

“I take it you were not given the opportunity to learn much in that dreadful excuse of a school you went to.” The god sneers. You shiver, due to the cold or their voice, you’re not sure. 

“Only those who are Fated in the highest decorum are given the honor of knowing,” the High Priestess says carefully. 

“And yet why is it that her brother is standing upon the dais and being made king, when she is the one I gifted all those years ago.”

“I–I don’t know. I was never told at the academy that it could ever be anyone else besides the two standing in front of you today. The two who were gifted. In the census, hers never listed a gift.” 

“I always hated the census. Way too easy to lie about or forget. Maybe Milladria had too much to drink that night and forgot to document it,” Benador chuckles, but no one laughs. The High Priestess narrows her eyes at him. 

“No one writes into the census books. They’re scribed by magic. You should know this by now.” Benador shrugs casually at the High Priestess. 

“Well, maybe the magic is wrong.” 

“The magic is never wrong!” the High Priestess screeched. 

“Then why are we still here, after a prophecy declared that during an eclipse the curse would be over and the Fated ones would ascend but neither of those things have happened?”

“Because the wrong person stands in anticipation of the crown.” The sixth god chimes in, and the cold air washes over you like a winter chill. They are still clasping your arm, now turning it toward everyone. 

“I knew long ago it would be far too easy for a simple gift to be lost among the mortals, so I gave the two Fated to break the curse with a special marking. On this arm here, you can see her birthmark. The mate to this marking is on the arm of the Solar Kingdom’s Fated. You, boy, reveal your arm to me.”

Hoseok stares at the bend of your forearm, studying the line of three small dots on the tender skin. The one in the middle has always looked faded, almost like it was hollowed out. At the urge of Zenith, he blinks, releasing the god’s arm from his grasp to remove his suit coat and hand it to the High Priestess before rolling up the sleeve of his shirt. 

There, in the crook of Hoseok’s elbow is a similar marking to yours. Only, the two outer dots are hollow, the one in the middle solid. Your eyes widen as you look up to him. His body is tense, eyes unfocused as he skirts across the room to look at his father. 

“Just as I thought. Marks of the Fated from the Fate themself.” 

“Wait, you? You’re not a god?” You tug at your wrist, finally feeling the give of the grasp you were held by. 

“No, Y/N. They’re not a god. They’re one of the Fates.”

The news washes over you with prickling heat. You feel it travel behind your ears and down your spine, twisting around at your ribs. 

None of this makes any sense. For what reason is a Fate at this coronation? What reason is there for you and Hoseok to have similar, matching birthmarks? You were not gifted. There is nothing in your possession that ever could hint that you would be the one at the center of the prophecy. 

“You would think that,” the Fate says, and you jolt your head up, wondering if you’d let your thoughts spill out from you. 

“No, I can read you. I can read anyone I have gifted. Dozens of people in this room, just as clueless and rigid as the others. Except for one person. One of you is reeling with the delicious terror of your own actions.” 

The Fate steps around you, heading into the direction of your brother. “Are you finally ready to confess?” they ask, raising a hand that wills your brother’s body from the floor. “And don’t bother to lie to me. Or I will slice your tongue out from your mouth.” 

His eyes widen, and your brother scrambles forward to the center of the dais. 

“I…I took it. Her gift. I was awake the night she was visited. There was the pouch, a-and inside there was a ring. Like his. But with a moon. A silver one.”

“And what did you do with that ring?” the Fate snarls. Your brother gulps and he looks at you. 

“I tossed it. Years ago. On a fishing trip to the Craters. I tied it to a heavy stone and threw it so that it would go into the darkest and deepest of the waters. Down with the fanged beasts.” 

A pang of sadness bristles you. How can you be sad over something you’ve never even known existed? But the gleam of the gold ring on Hoseok’s hand. It feels solid and natural. How would your ring feel on your hand? Foreign? Cold? The idea of it now, anchored to the bottom of the Craters, the area of waters known for having leviathans, large sea serpents rumored to serve the Underworld, is sickening. Those are the same beasts Mang Shim used to threaten all the old sea ports, to gain control of trading posts and their people. Your brother has thrown your destiny down into the pits with them. 

If the ring still exists, then you imagine it’s a loss you’ll have to live with. Even if it holds answers to who you are. Unless you go down there. Dark water. Much like before. With Youngmi. 

“What have you done?!” Your mother’s voice pulls you from the depths of the waters you imagine floating in. She is now in front of your brother, shaking him hard as tears fall freely from her eyes. “Why? Do you not understand the importance of breaking this curse? ” She whips her head in your direction, eyes widening with recognition. “Oh, gods.” 

Bendor cackles. “Don’t blame us. We didn’t do this.”

The High Priestess sighs, coming between you and Hoseok on your left side, who in all of this remains perfectly still. 

Your father slowly stands, walking across the dais to your mother, unclamping the hands she has on your brother’s now-rumpled suit coat. 

“This is not the time nor place for any of this,” he says, turning to the Fate. “What must we do now?”

“Can…can my son still ascend?” Hoseok’s mother asks quietly from her place on the throne. The King and Queen of the Solar Kingdom have not left their positions, almost as though they are frozen in place. 

Your head feels like it’s going to explode. So much is being unsaid, so many new and unfamiliar rules and universes now beckoning to your call. 

“What is even happening?” you hear yourself ask. 

You’re taken aback by how the whole room seems to shift toward you, every person in attendance watching you intently. In the crowd, Taehyung looks at you with sympathetic eyes. 

“You’re the Fated one, Y/N. Not your brother,” Hoseok says softly. 

“Thanks, I gathered that. I meant more how that’s even possible. How were there no other signs? Why didn’t you correct this entire mess when it started?” 

You focus your gaze on Zenith. Gods, you wish you could look at their face so you could truly channel the anger brewing in your body. You feel your jaw tic. 

“If I show you my face, Y/N, you will go blind.”

“Get out of my head!” 

Never in your life did you think you would be standing here, much less standing here and yelling at one of the Fates. 

“Well then. To answer your question, I am not able to intervene once something is set to course. I merely construct your fate, I do not control it. That is how this works.” 

“So you knew this was going to happen?” 

“In a way, yes.” Zenith’s voice is softer, almost as if they are smiling. “It’s more an instinct. While I knew that your brother had stolen your ring and that he planned on ascending the throne, I was not entirely certain if you would have figured all this out sooner and planned to object. This entire event was under your control all along.” 

How? How were you ever supposed to have known that you were truly Fated and had a say in all of this? Had control? All your life you have spent your days growing comfortable with the loneliness and the shadows you’ve had to live with. Nothing was ever a choice you made. It was all given to you through someone else’s decision and planning. A marriage you never wanted, a place of duty and tradition that you, much like Hoseok, were told you must uphold. 

The things you felt control over were never so large scale. Drawing, you think, has always been one of the few things within your control. You can hold different pencils in your hand with precision and care. Can outline on paper the horizon and cast it into darkness with only a few heavy strokes of charcoal. The constellations as you know them, the milky galaxies above you, they all exist within your grasp when spilled onto the page.

But to mess with the balance of what felt like a Fated event? There was no way you could ever know your true destiny in all of this. 

Even now, it’s unimaginable to wrap your head around. 

“I…that is an impossible thing to figure out.” 

“Not impossible. Rather, very indirect and challenging. Something I’m sure you would have put together in the end. And here we are. In a place of clarity.” 

“Hardly,” you object. “It still doesn’t make any sense. Isn’t the ring just a gift you bestowed as a token? Does it really matter?” 

“Yes,” Hoseok says hoarsely. He clears his throat. 

“In what way?” His eyes flash wide and he looks around. 

“Um, I can’t tell you,” he whispers. 

“Fantastic. So I am to just read your mind too then I suppose?” 

Zenith snickers. “You’re a surprising sort of human. You spend most of your time in your own head and drawing that one would think you to be mild. But you’re quite the opposite. You are like a hunter striking with long venomous teeth. Biding your time before you snap and escape.”

You hate the comparison, a deep frown settling onto your face. “You’re changing the subject.”

Benador cackles, now standing in front of one of the buffet tables, plucking grapes into his mouth. 

You ignore him and focus your attention back on Zenith. 

“So I am,” they say. “And that is because this information is not for all ears to hear.” 

Oh. Of course it isn’t. You keep forgetting that you’re not the only ones in the room. Benador still remains at the banquet table. Davien and Embria have become disinterested, instead having some heated and hushed argument in the doorway. Talavyr has not moved since he followed the others up to the dais. He stands there with no expression or movement, his eyes focused on something far past you or this palace or even kingdom. Alma has placed herself snuggly between the King and Queen’s thrones, also muttering something in their ears you can’t make out. All the Elder gods have moved on to whatever their own interests are. Despite this momentous occasion. It’s as though the only interest they had was the drama of the reveal, and now in the stunning settling of dust, they’ve made their way toward whatever will tantalize them next. 

“We need to finish the coronation. At least for Hoseok. The shadow period after this eclipse is short.” The High Priestess releases your hand, tugging Hoseok toward the altar that held the chalice he drank from earlier. “To answer your question, your majesty, yes. He will still ascend.” 

Finally, Hoseok’s mother and father approach, standing next to their son as the High Priestess mutters a few words to them both. Hoseok’s father nods, removing his crown from his head and placing it over Hoseok’s coronet. 

Perhaps they are talking loud enough, because the guests in the Great Hall politely clap as he takes the first steps forward as the newly crowned king. 

But you can’t hear any of that. Instead you only hear a high pitched ringing that is blocking out everything else. 

You. You are the Fated one. The heir to the Lunar Kingdom’s throne, the ender of Mang Shim’s curse alongside your newly formed ally. You are meant to return to the steep, cool cliffs of your home and set forth the actions that will end the flooding. It has been you all along. An hour ago, you were standing with your ally between your legs, rutting yourself up against his thigh and then telling him that he must bear the weight of all of the universe. Suddenly, the problems you had thrown at him, the pitiful anger and sadness that rocked through you for having to leave your home all seem so trivial. Because you feel the weight now. Solid. Damning in how it is shifting your life faster than you can think to grasp at it. 

How could anyone handle this feeling? As you watch King Hoseok, the King and soon to be God of the Solar Kingdom take his first strides across the room, you’re certain that he knows you’re staring, pondering the heft of it all on him. But he never meets your eyes again. Not until he’s standing in front of you in his father’s study again, only this time in the company of many others. 

The newly-appointed king instructed the orchestra to play, for there to be food and merriment anyway while he slipped away for a moment. You can hear the echoes of chatter down the hall and the lively music inviting parties to shuffle around the floor. Perhaps Taehyung is doing his sword dance that he spent weeks stepping on your toes practicing. But none of that matters now. Not the idea of running out into the courtyard, or letting your body lie with your friend one last night before packing your things and preparing to meet the Duke. All of the plans are ruined. 

And you can’t help it. A part of you feels lighter, freer. Though you know you’re leaving one life behind for another you know nothing about living. In a way you still wish you could escape. Especially now when so many people are watching you, almost all of whom are frowning. 

Zenith stands at the hearth of the fireplace, the flickers of firelight unchanging their dark figure while shadows dance around the room. It’s crowded here. For a large study that doubles as a library, it can accommodate many. However, all five gods, your parents and brother, the High Priestess, Hoseok, you, and Hoseok’s parents have crowded into the space, with the Elder gods spreading themselves into entire corners to avoid being touched. You feel like you’re suffocating. 

“So, what is going to happen now?” Hoseok’s father is the first to break the silence, latching the door to his study and turning to face the group. 

He looks to you, face so much harsher now than a handful of hours ago when you were sketching him. Hoseok’s father has always shown you kindness. During your visits to and from either kingdom, he was certain to ask you of your drawings, and each time a sense of warmth and care washed over you for attention. Your parents never had time to ask such questions, constantly escorting your brother to secret meetings with the deities, visiting flood-ridden towns or handling other urgent matters. This passion of yours was always something that slipped into the background, much like you did. 

“What are we going to do about this?” He jabs a finger in your direction. 

“Father,” Hoseok says. “Please.” 

“Are you not furious about this, Hoseok? Your entire life is now in upheaval and the curse cannot be broken. Do you not feel an ounce of fury?” 

You know he does. But the thing is, you also know this isn’t the same kind of fury. Hoseok has spent all of his life preparing for this. It doesn’t mean he wanted any of it.

“What do you mean the curse can’t be broken?” you ask, turning toward Zenith. How can it be that one switch of you and your brother is enough to undo everything, when the prophecy is somehow being fulfilled in the end? 

“Well, firstly. The rings you asked about. These are not just simple tokens, Y/N. Rings are a sign of unity, a cycle that one belongs to. You are to finish what has been started for the balance of kingdoms and end of the curse. That at its core is a symbol of great duty. But as Hoseok said earlier, you do need them. For the practical part. Imbued in each ring is the key to your ascension. You need to be in possession of it in order to become a goddess.” The High Priestess gives you a sympathetic look from her spot on the velvet chaise in front of the window. 

Your breath catches. “What?”

“When you were given the gift as a baby, it was in ritual and celebration, a sacred way to mark you to become trained for your future. At the time, it was nothing more. Because a baby is not able to wield that kind of power safely, are they? So the powers you are meant to have, they were placed within the ring until your coronation.” The High Priestess nods toward Hoseok’s ringed hand. 

The ring looks as though it is glowing, honing whatever vibrance Hoseok had during the eclipse. You wonder if you are still glowing, or if you’ve fallen back into your dullness. 

“In order for the curse to be broken, you will need to ascend. And without your ring, you cannot ascend.” 

“Why is this nothing that we knew about before?” Your father gives a piercing look at Hoseok’s father. 

“Well, you didn’t have a ring. We’d assumed your familial power was located in the kaleidoscope, as that could also be some totem for honing power. Do you not remember this discussion? When the prince was young? I specifically spoke to the two of you after to confirm your understanding.” The High Priestess responds cooly, smoothing her hands over the fabric of her dress. 

Your father concedes with a huff, folding his lips into a tight line. 

“So, if I don’t have the ring, I can’t…I can’t help anyone?”

The world feels so fragile already. The wreckage of the natural disasters, the growing tension between kingdoms throughout the years as time dwindled beneath your fingertips. All that waiting was done, generations’ worth, centuries of family lineage born and disappointed to find they were not what the prophecy spoke of, all to come down to your brother throwing it all to the bottom of the darkest seas. All for nothing.

Hot, bright anger cracks open inside of you and you find your works sharp and precise as you turn to your brother. “There must be a way to fix this.” 

Your brother has remained blank and expressionless since his confession. Even as you wield your words in front of you like a sword, he does not so much as blink in your direction. His face is swollen and the bruises around the broken cartilage have already taken scape. 

“I’m afraid it’s not that easy, sweetheart.” The nickname your mother gives you feels like ice against your skin. She never uses it anymore. Hasn’t since you were small and fragile. You try not to let the bitterness of all of this land on your parents. You know that your brother pulled them away from guiding you, from knowing. His betrayal must feel like an arrow to their hearts, too. 

But they also were complicit in all of this. Too afraid to speak out when your brother was greedy and cruel to you or the workers of the palace. Didn’t they create this mess themselves? Out of the fear that correcting your brother, a Fated child, would end up in their own destruction? Is that not what happened anyway? 

How better can you describe this now than destruction. Of cities and beautiful places you love. Of the lives of tens of thousands over the centuries since this curse all began. Your best friend drowned in the flood, her beautiful face blue and swollen from the wreck of the tides. How many times this could have been prevented, how she died for nothing because you couldn’t save her. 

“I don’t care! I don’t care if it’s hard. I’ll go down to the depths of the waters myself to find that ring. I will face the leviathans! I will let my lungs fill with water if it means I can end this!” Tears spring loose from your eyes as you gasp into the air. 

The room shifts, though no one moves to comfort you as you sob, clenching your arms around you to hold yourself together. 

“You will do no such thing,” Zenith says when you finally pull a breath into your lungs again. 

“But how can this be fixed then? If I don’t have that ring. If I don’t ascend. There has to be a way.” 

“Your mother is right, Y/N. It is not that easy.” Your head falls in defeat and you wipe your cheeks with the back of your hand. “However, it is not impossible.” 

Hoseok jolts, almost like he’s been struck by lightning. 

“How?” he asks. 

“Well, the first way would be to send someone to retrieve the ring.”

“But you just said Y/N can’t–”

“Let me finish, boy. She can’t. It’s too risky. The leviathan will sense the connection between her and the ring’s magic and instantly attack to protect themselves. Whoever goes down there must be without any special gift. No foresight. No skills. They must be so insignificant that they may go undetected.” 

Zenith turns away from the fireplace and approaches your brother. “Someone like you.”

Your mother gasps. “You mean to say that…”

“It seems like a fitting punishment, does it not? Send the one who cast the ring into darkness down into the depths to retrieve it. Since you are the one who meddled with the prophecy and have caused greater harm to this realm, you will be the one to right it.” 

Your brother looks sickly, almost like at any moment he will vomit. 

“And if I fail?” he asks. 

“You won’t.” 

“How do you know that?” He raises an eyebrow. 

“Because if you fail, you will spend the rest of eternity being shredded apart by the leviathans. Interesting thing about the Craters. They touch the gates to the Underworld. And because there is so much power down there, time is an interesting thing that can be warped so simply. Imagine being eaten alive over and over again.” Zenith chuckles darkly before they step away from your brother, lining themselves between you and Hoseok. 

“Once you have the ring, you can ascend. Unless you trigger the ascension another way.”

“How would I go about doing that?” you ask. Given that your brother isn’t particularly good at being reliable, you can’t say you trust the method of him going down into the Craters to find the ring. 

“That I cannot say.”

“Because you know or because you don’t know?” Hoseok chimes in. 

“Yes,” Zenith says and shrugs. 

Hoseok’s jaw ticks in response. 

“What about everyone else? The people? The coronation? There were so many who witnessed something happen. All of this seems a bit too delicate to have exposed, especially if Mang Shim sympathizers live among our people and are looking for a reason to resurrect him or fulfill his curse.” Hoseok’s father rubs his hand over his clean-shaven face. “All of this is a mess.” 

It is. Even as you make sense of it all, you never knew there were so many moving parts to this prophecy. You’d thought you knew all there was to know as a member of the royal family. But as it turns out, so much has been kept from you all this time. Critical history, components of magic and duty. You have no idea how to fix this. When you ascend, what is it you will even have to do to break the curse? Is it a blood tie? A war? Are you waving your hands and reciting some spell? What powers will you even have? 

“If I may be so inclined to speak,” Benador says from the shadows of the far corner. 

“By all means. Gods know you would anyway,” The High Priestess groans. 

Benador ignores her, stepping into the center of the room. “This one is the one who hasn’t ascended.” He points to you, then Hoseok. “But this one did. I can smell it on him. The warmth of a new god’s blood is unmistakable. Citrusy. Fresh. But the only ones who know that are other gods. Mortals can’t tell, don’t know the distance.” 

“And your point is?” Embria stifles a yawn as she stretches against an old bookcase.. 

“He’s saying that the mortals don’t know that Y/N isn’t a goddess yet. All they know is they saw both her and Hoseok glowing during the eclipse, probably some remnant of the prophecy’s binding magic. And if we want to protect our chances of being able to actually break the curse, we need as many people as possible to be convinced that we know how to break this curse and are only a few moves away from acting upon it.” Talavyr’s voice rings through the room, much deeper than you ever imagined it could be. 

Your bristle from the shock of him speaking, and you’re not the only one. Hoseok and even Benador’s eyes are wide. 

“So he speaks!” Benador says, coming to the side of the other Elder god and clapping him on the back. 

“Yes, when relevant and in the company of people I actually enjoy, I can be quite social.” His voice eases into a consistent monotone. “I suppose I could have let you squabble about it for another hour, but I’m getting tired and would like to return home soon.” 

Talavyr, like quite a few of the Elder gods, spends his time in the Northern part of the Solar Kingdom. While you have never visited his residence, you know he owns a vineyard and spends much of his time tending to it. Alone. The idea of him having friends or any relationship that highlights how “social” he is is almost laughable. 

“Yes, please get on with it!” Davien hisses. 

“You know none of you have to stay? I didn’t even invite you into this meeting. You simply strode right in,” the High Priestess says.

“Thank gods!” Embria says, and shoves herself away from the bookcase, knocking a few to the floor in her wake as she heads to the door. Davien follows closely behind, and then surprisingly, so too, does Alma, her large doe eyes echoing her apologetic statement.

“I’m sorry. I must see to the rest of the Council and inform them of the current news. They’ll want to hear about this, Pree. And Y/N, I’m rooting for you.” She bows once to Zenith, and then shuts the door softly behind her.

“What, you’re not leaving?” Benador asks Talyvyr. He shrugs. 

“I said I wanted to go home. Not that I shall. Not until a plan is set forth.” 

“Speaking of which, can we please get back to it?” Your mother urges. You meet her eyes and see deep concern swimming through it. 

“Yes, please. Benador, if you will continue.” This is the nicest the High Priestess has been to Benador since his arrival. 

He blinks at her, also processing the sudden shift in tone. A blush creeps up to his face, and he clears his throat. “Right, so I think the plan should be to let the kingdoms believe both royals have ascended. That way Y/N doesn’t become an unnecessary target.” 

“Won’t she already be? Now that it’s known that she’s Fated?” Hoseok asks. 

“Well, they know you’re Fated and nothing has happened to you.” 

“Nothing that you know of anyway.” The words shock you. 

“Have there been assassination attempts on you?” you ask. 

“Of course there has. Attempts, threats, a few close calls. Ask your brother. It comes with the territory.” 

You know it’s rhetorical, but given the look on your brother’s face, you know it’s true. What else has been hidden from you all this time? 

“Okay, so what’s the difference? If I now have hits out on me versus you?”

“Well, it’s obvious,” Hoseok scoffs. “It’s not like you were trained to avoid these kinds of attempts. Have you had basic combat training? Any lessons in self defense? Do you know how to break from a headlock or thwart someone who attacks you from behind?” 

No, you haven’t. The most training you’ve gotten has been in the woods with Taehyung when he visits. And even then, he has never let you hold his actual sword. He always makes you use fencing sabers. 

You shake your head. 

“Exactly. If there are attacks on you, you will be unable to defend yourself. Before, no one tried to attack you because while you are part of the royal family, you weren’t seen as an important party. No one expected you to be involved with breaking the curse, much less worth slaying in some act of rebellion,” Benador adds. 

“Wow, what a lovely way you put it. Do you wish to add that you think she’s ugly as well?” The High Priestess deadplans. Before Benador can answer, Hoseok speaks. 

“It doesn’t matter. We can’t let people think Y/N has ascended. It’s too dangerous. She’s too vulnerable.”

Vulnerable, not important. Weak. It’s so apparent how they talk about you like you’re not in the room. Like you can’t make decisions for yourself. But of course they do. Because before this moment, you didn’t have the ability to do so. Now, though…

“How about I decide what’s best for me?” You say sharply, shooting daggers with your eyes into Hoseok. 

His nostrils flare and he exhales deeply. You see the lick of anger rumbling through him, tugging him toward you to prod at. 

“You don’t know the first thing about this, Y/N.” 

“Then maybe it’s time I finally start learning.” You stride forward so that the distance between the two of you is merely inches in length. 

“You’re going to get hurt. Your ignorance will lead us to the end of everything.” 

“Then let’s make sure I’m not ignorant. Let me learn the ropes, just as you did. Let everyone believe something that is based on the truth: I’m away from the public to become educated on my official duties and queen.” 

“You haven’t had your coronation. You’re still a princess.”

“Well, you became king quietly. Why can’t I become queen the same way?”

“You don’t need to do any of this,” he replies, his voice quiet, almost like a breathless whisper. 

“Yes I do. Duty. Honor. Just the same as you.” 

For a moment, you and Hoseok are locked in each other's gaze, speaking through memory about the conversation you’d had a handful of hours ago. About not having a choice in what either of you were to become. Little did you know you would too soon see things from his side. 

He surrenders, his shoulders falling. “Fine. Get your training.”

You turn toward Zenith. “Is that…can I do that?” 

“You not only can, but you should. Hoseok is right. He is trained in ways you aren’t. And I think in order to truly break this curse and help you see your range of power is to bear witness to it firsthand. Therefore, I think you should stay here in the Solar Kingdom until you are able to access your abilities.”

Your stomach plummets. 

“What?” Hoseok says, eyes wide. 

“They’re right. Y/N’s going to need your guidance. Help her learn her new role in all of this. And it’s good for her to see the ways ascension changes you. It’s both a physical and mental hurdle. You know this. You two are going to have to work together to break this curse, why not forge a friendship as you do so?” The High Priestess stands, walking over to your parents. “We’ll need to hold off on her coronation, though. She can’t return to the Lunar Kingdom to rule before she receives her training. Once she’s been briefed, hopefully the ring will be returned and we can ascend her just as we have with Hoseok.” 

“How long do you think it’ll be?” Your father asks carefully. 

“It’s hard to say. It took Hoseok years to learn all that Y/N will have to in order to be fit to rule. Granted, he was an unwilling participant in his studies.” 

Benador snorts, and Hoseok rolls his eyes.

The High Priestess continues. “But, given how imperative this all is, and from what I’ve heard of your passion for studying art, I would wager you’ll pick it up in no time at all.” She smiles at you softly. “Perhaps six months? A year?” 

“We don’t have that kind of time!” Hoseok’s father roars. “The drought is only getting worse here. Soon our own farms on the outskirts of the capital will be impacted. Whether by drought or fire or some other disaster. If that happens, the people we’ve brought into the city will starve, only they will starve and be displaced from their homes.” 

“I am well aware of what is happening in the outskirts, your Highness. Do I need to remind you that I am one of the people who has been displaced?” 

The High Priestess once lived in the Great Forest of Solaria like Hoseok’s friend Namjoon, an area that has now been destroyed due to forest fires. 

Your father clears his throat, breaking the awkward tension flurrying through the air. 

“I hate to say it, but he’s right. The flooding in our kingdom is only getting worse. Last month it killed Y/N’s best friend.” 

Your eyes flick to the floor. 

You tried to save Youngmi. You did. You followed her down the stairs of the alleyway to her small home as the water began to cascade. You helped her move her grandmother out of the way of the flood and her little brother and sister. You carried both of them up the slippery stone steps as she promised you she wouldn’t go back for anything else. She swore. And then she went back because her neighbor was calling for help. 

“I can do this, Y/N,” she said. “You’ve forgotten that I’m strong as an ox from throwing sacks of flour around in the bakery and helping with the twins. I’ll be fine! Take them up to the prairies. To our spot! I’ll meet you there!”

You climbed the stairs. You told her grandmother and the twins where to go. On the Eastern side of the city, away from the floodland and the moonstone that gleams from the cliffs, there’s the prairies. It’s where you and Youngmi would go as children, free to wander freely while your brother was holed up in the palace. The prairies were lush with life: small, colorful asters at the end of the summers, and bold crocuses to signify the springs. A large apple tree stood in the center of the prairie, somehow withstanding the years of wildlife pecking at it, or the two of you climbing its gangly branches. It would be blooming, ready to welcome Youngmi’s family. 

But you couldn’t leave her. You turned around, slid down the slick stairs as the current became stronger, the flooding overtaking the homes below, breaking out windows and pulling personal belongings out into the streets. 

You called for her but to no avail. So you swam, dove under the door frame to the neighbor’s home. When you surfaced, she was nowhere to be found. So you kept your search. You dove back into the frigid, black water. And that’s when you heard her. 

A soft sound. Weak. She was four houses down from you. Her head was barely above water. 

“Youngmi! I thought I lost you!”

You paddled to her, though the current did most of the work. When you propped yourself against the windowsill to the house, that’s when you noticed. She was unmoving, despite the pull of the water, the increase of pressure threatening to suck you into the blown-out window. You dug your nails into the wood, trying not to wince as they bit into shards of glass. 

“I-I, Y/N. I can’t move. My arm, it’s stuck under something. And it hurts.” 

“Okay,” you said. “I’ll, gods, I don’t know, let me see.” 

She shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous. The current is so strong. If you dip your head under you won’t come back out.” 

“It’ll be just for a second! I can do this!” you said, releasing one of your hands from the windowsill. Your feet kicked up, threatening to pull you away from the house. 

“Fuck!”

“I told you! I told you! Don’t do it. You’ll die out here!” 

The word rocked through you as you realized what your best friend was saying. 

“But, so will you! I can’t let you die, Youngmi! Your grandmother, your siblings!”

“I know, but...I can’t move, really.” She tugged, wincing at whatever pain was ripping through her arm. 

You didn’t think about it. You just moved, slowly releasing your hands from the house and coasting the distance between you two. You smacked into her, felt for where her arm was snagged with one hand as you propped your other on the door frame above her. 

You found the problem. A shard of broken wood from the door was pulled through her arm like a hook. And it was a large piece of wood. You tugged at the door with your one hand, but as you did so you slipped, and soon you were head underwater as you fought against the door, against Youngmi’s kicking legs, against the current that sucked you into the house.

You don’t remember what happened after that. You tumbled under the water until you felt nothing. You dreamt you were swimming through the stars. You thought you died. 

Yet somehow, you woke up. Heaved air into your lungs as the darkness of the unconscious transformed into the darkness of the nighttime. 

Voices hummed somewhere above you. 

“Is she dead?”

“No.” 

“How?”

“Because this isn’t how this is supposed to end.” 

“You don't know that. She’s just a mortal. She could die like everyone else.”

“But she won’t. As I said. This isn’t how this is supposed to end.” 

When you awoke, you were coated in mud. The silt and dirt of the floods remained while the water receded. As you pulled yourself from the broken earth, you wandered into the moonlight, studying the wreckage. Multiple homes were nothing more than some stones and rubble. In the alleyways, piles of wood and debris stacked atop each other, forming something like a barricade. 

It was in one of the piles you saw her. Youngmi, crumpled like a bird with a broken wing. Her arm was intact, but the shards of wood and pressure from the water had shredded much of it, exposing muscle and bone that made your stomach turn. But her beautiful face, caked with the same grime that coated you, was peaceful. Almost like she was sleeping. Almost. 

You never told your family about all of this. Instead, you said you were helping during the floods and found Youngmi’s body. You let the royal healer dig tiny shards of glass out from your nail beds. At some point, someone bathed you and there was soup placed in front of you to eat.

The idea of returning there now, to any of the recovering floodlands, to your bedroom that has never felt warm since, feels wrong. 

Which is why you finally clear your throat and look up, into the eyes of The High Priestess. 

“I can do it. I can learn it all sooner. I have to.” 

“While I appreciate your passion, I don’t think you understand just how much–” 

“I can do it. Three months. I can be ready to become queen in three months.” You turn to your father. “Is that soon enough? Can we wait that long?”

“We’ll have to,” your mother answers. 

You glance around the room, noticing Talavyr is staring at you. “What?”

“I’m fascinated by your sudden shift in ownership of your role, is all.”

“It’s not like I have much of a choice,” you respond, knitting your eyebrows together. 

He chuckles. “Oh, you’ll learn soon enough that choice is the one thing in all of this you do have. But I won’t spoil the rest.” He picks up a glass of water off the desk and downs it before placing the class back down gingerly and striding to the door. 

Without any salutation, he leaves, followed by Benador, who nods in the direction of the High Priestess. Are you missing something? 

“Well, I suppose it is settled. You will stay here to train and study under Hoseok in order to prepare for ascension and your coronation. Your brother will take the first ship out of the port to the Craters and begin searching for the ring. Your parents will rule the Lunar Kingdom in the interim, and Prin-King Hoseok, you will begin your rule under the guidance of your parents, especially as you adjust to your ascension.”

“I don’t feel anything. Is there really that much to adjust to?” Hoseok shrugs. 

“It takes time,” Zenith says. “The powers within you need something more akin to a warm up. They will slowly begin finding their way throughout your body to locate their place in it. It can take a while for any signs to show up.” 

“How will I know? When they show up?”

“Oh,” Zenith laughs, a high melodic sound that is so antithetical to the gruffness they have been demonstrating all day. “You’ll know, trust me.” 

“Of fucking course. Another cryptic answer,” he mutters. 

Zenith walks toward the door, opening it. “Yes,” they respond. “And now I would like you all to leave.” They reach a gloved hand forward and point to your brother. “Except you. You and I need to have a nice, long chat.” 

©2024 by jooniperbonsai

[sweetestofchaos]

BTS and Their Wedding Songs

paring: bts x reader

rating: pg16

genre: fluff, marriage au

warnings: none. one of my safer works lol

a/n: I went to a wedding yesterday and I had such a fun time. After I left, I couldn't stop thinking about different situation with the guys. So here is my little list on what song I think the members of BTS would play at their wedding.

masterlist

Seokjin - All My Tomorrows by Kenny Lattimore / Love U 4 Life by Jodeci bonus Finesse by Bruno Mars

Seokjin wants the songs to speak for themselves. You know how he feels, he has no issues with telling you he loves you. The two songs hold a special place in his heart 'cause they say everything he feels. The bonus song is what he would dance to without a second thought. After a few drinks he would really enjoy himself with all your family and friends.

Yoongi - Forever Ain’t Enough by J. Holiday / Beautiful by Tweet bonus Back That Thang Up by Juvenile

Let's be real. Yoongi is the silent lover. His actions speak louder than words, so the songs he picked helped get his feelings across to the other people in your lives. Beautiful was his first choice hands down and he was excited to share it with you. His bonus song was something that had everyone on the dance floor and if you were throwing it back in front of your more older family members, well who was Yoongi to stop you?

Namjoon - The Matrimony (ft. Usher) by Wale / For You by Kenny Lattimore bonus Ribbon in the Sky by Intro

Namjoon is all about following his heart. He's gonna let the songs speak and work their magic as the two of you dance together. He'll be rapping and singing along, holding you close to his chest. His bonus song is a little bit of a joke but he sings softly in your ear as the two of you sway back and forth on the dance floor.

Hoseok - Happy by Ashanti / So High by John Legend bonus sobeautiful by Musiq Soulchild AND Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper

Hoseok is happy and you are the reason for his nonstop smiling. The songs his picked were songs that played during important milestones in your relationship that you personally never paid much attention to. Once Hoseok pointed out the why behind his songs, you were in tears as you danced with him. His first bonus song was the song that your late father had loved, so he had to honor the man. As for his second bonus song, Hobi was gonna get down with the get down. He would be cutting up on the dance floor, keeping up with the older folk and teaching them a lil somethin, somethin.

Taehyung - Love Ballad by L.T.D. / Sweet Love by Anita Baker bonus Get Me Bodied by Beyonce

Tae spent so much time picking his songs. They fit his heart and soul since he loved so deeply. The words were meaningful and the beats were soulful, everything your love was. Taehyung picked his bonus song because he knew you loved it. He just wanted to see dancing with your friends and he couldn't stop the smile that slipped on his face when you pulled him into the middle of the circle with you.

Jimin - Flaws by Beyonce / Best Part (ft. H.E.R) by Daniel Caesar bonus One Dance by Drake

Jimin wasn't one to hold back is feelings when it came to you and with the songs he picked, it was clear that you were each others safe place. The love that shinned in your eyes as you danced had some of the wedding party crying. Jimin's bonus song was picked by him simply because he wanted people to dance and enjoy themselves.

Jungkook - Love On Top by Beyonce / I Want You by Luke James bonus Right Here by SWV

He refused to have a boring wedding. It was you and him and that equaled a fucking good time. His songs were picked because they were upbeat and lively, much like your love. He picked the song by Luke James 'cause it was the song he sung for you on your fifth date before he asked you to make your relationship official. His bonus song was a nod to your parents loved that song.

[theharrowing]

Collateral 🗡️ POV: Seokjin

After a successful day of scheming, Seokjin calls his favorite plaything to join him and Hoseok for a little fun. 

PREVIOUS | INDEX | NEXT

❗ THIS IS A CHARACTER POV CHAPTER!!!

if you do not wish to perceive any POV that is not the main character, please feel free to skip this one!

🗡️Seokjin x Hoseok

🗡️ word count: 7.2k

🗡️ mafia au, dishonest characters, established relationship, bdsm, poly, smut, angst, fluff, nsfw, explicit, 21+

🗡️ warnings: top Seokjin with mention of bottom Hoseok; top Hoseok & bottom Seokjin; scheming; mention of the use of heroin; use of the word "whore" not meant derogatorily, but not always kindly; allusion to puppy play; talk of manufacturing and selling drugs with the purpose of getting people addicted; shower play; enema play; light humiliation; ass eating & fingering; Seokjin is...morally grey at best.

🗡️ notes: mc is referred to in 3rd person (she/her) pronouns for this chapter! listen: Seokjin is not the nicest person, so please take the way he speaks with a grain of salt. it is hard to put everyone's full intentions into the POV scenes because i still need there to be surprises later on!!! but i feel like this is going to really help to solidify the way many of you feel about this character hehehe. i hope you enjoy!

🗡️ early draft beta read by @blog-name-idk - with minor unbeta'd edits done since.

🗡️ posted march 2024 - originally jan. 2023 | read on ao3

"She's not going to go for it," Hoseok teases as he reaches around Seokjin's broad shoulders from behind and straightens out his burgundy satin tie. 

Seokjin's tie matches a fitted burgundy Armani suit, which he wears with a cream undershirt. His hair is pushed off his forehead, bringing together the look.

He has a meeting at House of Cards with some investors who are looking to build near the Shin territory just outside Busan, in a smaller port city, and Seokjin wants to make sure those men are on Yoongi's side if push should come to shove. 

But first, he plans to make a stop by the mansion to discuss something with Yoongi's little pet. 

"She doesn't have to go for it," Seokjin responds, watching Hoseok's reflection with adoration swelling behind his lungs. Recently, Hoseok has been letting his hair grow out, and he looks devastating with dark brown waves falling past his eyes and longer bits tucked behind his ears.

Hoseok raises an eyebrow and cocks his head, done with his task and letting his arms hang over Seokjin's shoulders. Seokjin spins on the balls of his socked feet and wraps his arms around Hoseok's waist, pulling him close. 

"I am merely planting a seed. I want the actual idea to be hers when the time comes."

Hoseok grins. "Elaborate."

"Well," Seokjin says, "for starters, the plan is terrible. Shipping her off to Busan for a week—or whatever the span of a vacation may be—is hardly enough time to turn her into an informant. She is smart enough to know that much. But I will pose it to her that way, insisting Yoongi cannot know, which will force her to stew on it. I know she wants revenge for the recent attack on Jimin at Paradise, and if Shin sends any more men to try to shake us up, it will only fuel her fire."

"And you want her to do this, because...?"

Seokjin chuckles. "Because, my love, Ryujin has always responded best to the friendships and authority of women. As sweet and empathetic as Hyunjin is, she has not gotten as close to him as we hoped. Yoongi's wolf cub, on the other hand, is the perfect bait. Not to mention, she comes from the honey bee ring, which Ryujin will sympathize with."

"And if Ryujin recognizes her from Serendipity?"

Seokjin pouts, sticking his lip out and down-turning his eyes. "Seokie, baby, you pretend I haven't thought of absolutely everything, and it wounds me."

With a roll of his pretty eyes and a soft giggle, Hoseok says, "Then humor me, love."

Seokjin rubs the tip of his nose against Hoseok's, then places a soft kiss, making Hoseok smile widely. "All we have to do is spread a rumor that Yoongi has harmed or upset her in some way. Nothing too damaging to his reputation, just a simple whisper. Ryujin may be hesitant, but, given her feelings about Yoongi, I think she will fall for it."

Hoseok leans in and mimics Seokjin's motion, rubbing their noses together, making Seokjin's heart pound just a little bit harder. "And if Ryujin doesn't believe the rumors? We don't think Yoongi was abusive to her at any point?"

"Not abusive..." Seokjin drifts off, squinting slightly while he chooses his words. "But when his parents died, he went off the deep end with drugs. All the voices have to whisper is the word heroin, and her ears will perk up."

Hoseok purses his lips, thinking over what Seokjin says but looking unconvinced.

"And anyway, she's competitive," Seokjin continues, gently kissing the tip of Hoseok's nose, "even if she doesn't buy the rumor," Seokjin kisses the apple of Hoseok's cheek, "Ryujin might still take her in, thinking she can convert her to actually become part of her family."

"Or, she might kill her," Hoseok responds with a pointed gaze.

Seokjin places a kiss on Hoseok's other cheek as he shrugs. "Sometimes, the cat must wet its feet, no matter its dislike of water, in order to eat fish."

A soft, pretty chuckle comes from Hoseok, who presses his lips against Seokjin's and then mutters, "Idioms to describe a human life, Jinnie bear? Tsk tsk."

Seokjin hums, says, "Sacrifices need to be made for the greater good," and licks over Hoseok's lips until his partner parts them, pulling him into an eager but soft kiss. 

Time comes to a halt in Hoseok's arms, and Seokjin holds him tight, kissing slow and deep, savoring each taste, touch, and sound. There is nothing in the world quite like being in his lover's arms. Even the joy of watching the light die in his enemy's eyes pales in comparison. Seokjin thinks that he would do absolutely anything for Hoseok.

"Join me?" Seokjin asks. "She may be more comfortable with you around; you seem to have made a better impression on her, anyway."

"Fine," Hoseok mutters. "But I do not condone a plan that may get her killed, just so we're clear." Seokjin playfully rolls his eyes, and Hoseok smacks him on the shoulder as he continues, "I do like the idea of her running off to Busan for a while. For her sake and for Yoongi's."

"Oh?" Seokjin asks with a curious cock of the head, studying the microexpressions that tug gently at Hoseok's lips and eyes. To the untrained pupil, one would hardly notice these quirks, but Seokjin sees everything. Hoseok is nervous.

"Namjoon thinks he's becoming unhinged again," Hoseok finally says. "Slipping from reality. He's worried about another bender...so your plan to tell the voices about heroin use seems more grounded in reality than you realize."

"And you think taking her away from him won't just make him worse?" Seokjin teases, bending at the knees to smack a kiss on Hoseok's chin. 

Hoseok nibbles on his bottom lip, considering his words. "I think she needs to spend more time out of the house, and out from under Yoongi's shadow. He is still very controlling, despite her willingness to stay, and whenever she's not directly in his line of sight, he gets paranoid and on edge."

Seokjin mulls it over. "I have noticed he is on edge more when we are away from home for extended periods."

"He needs to break out of that loop. We can't have a mad king on our hands. Especially one who could raze the city to the ground."

"So, we need to somehow get him to grant her more freedom, in a way that does not cause Yoongi to completely lose his shit," Seokjin clarifies.

Hoseok nods. "I'll talk to Namjoon about it."

"Good plan."

And with that, Seokjin presses one more kiss against Hoseok's lips, then releases him, linking their hands together as they make their way out of their bedroom, through the hallway, and down the stairs. 

"And what is our excuse for visiting the mansion?" Hoseok asks as Seokjin sits on a charcoal grey chaise lounge beside the front door, reaching for a pair of black wingtip shoes. Seokjin slides his feet into both and begins tying the laces on one after the other. 

"I am either going to catch Yoongi before he leaves for the day and discuss what he would like me to say to the investors this afternoon," Seokjin sighs, "or I will message to let him know that I was trying to catch him before he left, yadda, yadda, yadda."

As Seokjin stands and rubs his hands over his slacks to straighten them out, Hoseok pulls his black shirt sleeve back to reveal an elegant black timepiece. "He should be home for another fifteen minutes, assuming Namjoon is making him punctual and not late."

With a pleased hum, Seokjin offers an elbow and says, "The weather is nice. Shall we walk?"

The weather truly is beautiful, and the two of them take their time, walking hand in hand along the gravel path. Seokjin does not like to be nostalgic, but it is hard not to smile as he remembers the years spend in this secluded stretch of trees with Hoseok, before there were mansions on the property, and they would steal away to be alone.

As timing will have it, Yoongi and Namjoon are just about to leave when Seokjin and Hoseok arrive. Seokjin can hear the two of them laughing on the other side of the bulletproof door and opts to use the large brass knocker rather than scan his retinas, and all that. 

The door swings open to Namjoon's tired but smiling face, and he walks outside, followed by Yoongi. They are in their standard black outfits, and Yoongi wears a cardigan rather than a blazer. Seokjin wonders what the two of them may be up to; Yoongi only mentioned meeting with some people concerning the mess Jeongguk recently made—which, Seokjin thinks, is a very flippant way to address a killing spree. 

"Gentlemen," Yoongi calls with his arms held wide, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Looking sharp, Jin," Namjoon mutters, making Seokjin grin. 

"My reason to visit today is twofold," Seokjin begins. "I was hoping the chef was in so I could have a plate of his fabulous eggs benedict.

"Of course," Yoongi responds with a smile. 

"And, I wanted to let you know that I will be meeting with the Choi brothers about their desire to open a casino near Busan."

Yoongi hums and then nods. "The chef is in, although, I am surprised you haven't perfected the recipe on your own."

With a shrug, Seokjin lies, "There is something about his hollandaise sauce that I cannot quite nail, but he refuses to give me the recipe." 

The truth is that the chef adds horseradish rather than dijon mustard, and just a dash of dried ginger, giving it more of a bite. Seokjin figured it out almost immediately, but he likes that the chef can whip it up on a whim, saving him the trouble of purchasing the ingredients and doing it himself.

"And the men?" Yoongi asks as he reaches into his front pants pocket, pulls out a metal cigarette case, and opens it, revealing a row of perfectly rolled joints. 

"Shall we offer to buy them, or shall we threaten them?" Seokjin simply asks.

With a smirk and a shrug, Yoongi pulls a joint to his lips, muttering, "Offer first, threaten second?"

Seokjin nods, watching as Namjoon pulls a lighter from his pocket and ignites Yoongi's joint, feeling glad that the two of them are finally able to be together once more. Yoongi needs a lapdog more than anything, and Namjoon is the perfect fit. 

"Excellent," Seokjin says with a small bow, "then I will be on my way to the kitchen. Shall I order an extra serving for the wolf cub?"

Yoongi takes a long drag of the joint, holds it in, and then slowly lets it out, creating a plume of skunky smoke between them. "I doubt she'll be up for another hour or so."

Perfect, Seokjin thinks; he actually was hoping to be fed. "Sounds good."

The front door hadn't been closed completely, so Seokjin enters the mansion easily, stepping aside to remove his shoes while Hoseok does the same. They close the door tight and make their way toward the kitchen. 

"You're so hot when you lie," Hoseok mutters, leaning in close enough for Seokjin to smell his cologne.

Seokjin twists and bends to place a kiss on Hoseok's lips, saying, "As are you, my love."

* * *

Despite having to wait more than thirty minutes on the balcony for Yoongi's darling to wake up, Seokjin considers their little meeting a success. He was certainly able to get into her head and could tell she was not ready to completely write off the idea of taking a trip by the time they made their exit, giving him just enough time to get into town on schedule for his meeting.

House of Cards is a raucous place even in the daytime when fewer men are around to throw away their money. The machines ding and play loud soundtracks, and televisions blare with various sport and fighting events. 

Seokjin enters through the main doors after leaving his sedan with valet, and he walks past all the drunks and coke heads with a straight face, making his way to his decoy office on the main floor to meet with some men whom Namjoon claims are going to be good for business if they can manage to keep him on their good side, and bad for business if they do not. 

Frankly, Seokjin could hardly give a fuck about what is good for business—Yoongi has inherited one of the oldest families in Korea, and by far the wealthiest. House of Cards brings in money simply by existing, and he hardly has to do any actual work. The boxing nights were Jeongguk's idea because he likes watching men fight to the death, and the wealth gained from those simply fuels the family's more expensive drug habits. 

The Shins in the east hardly have a stronghold on their own docks, and the Songs in the south are happy to form an alliance when the price is right, showing loyalty to no one but their own pockets.

Rumor has it the Song family turned down the Choi men because they do not wish to be in the business of entertaining tourists, and a casino might bring in the wrong crowds. Let the tourists flock to Jeju, they say, and Seokjin agrees. The Shins, on the other hand, are desperate for anything they can get their fingers on, and more or less offered them a stretch of land. 

All Seokjin has to do is offer the Choi brothers more money and an illusion of influence. Seems like the easiest thing in the world. The only variable he thinks that could possibly make those men want to side with the Shins would be an old family bond or rivalry, and as far as he can tell, these men have neither. So now, all he has to do is meet with them and find out what he can find out. 

Seokjin has a way with men. A look, a gesture, and a veiled threat are all he needs to get them talking. He has no doubt he will be able to make these men sing. 

* * *

Seokjin barely manages to light a cigar before his phone rings. The Choi brothers left mere minutes ago, and Seokjin had been hoping for a moment of alone time, but it is his informant who has been living with the Shin family, which makes this call potentially very important.

"Hyunjin, darling, what's the news?"

Seokjin sits back in his large, black leather chair, listening to the shocks whine as he leans, bending the springs a bit too far. He is in his real office on the second floor, and has a cigar between his teeth, slurring his words around it while he holds his cell phone to his ear. His informant, who works on Ryujin's drug-running team, sighs. 

"She plans to intercept Yoongi's next shipment of pills. Apparently, one of his dock men was bought. A man by the name of Kang Daesung is going to steal the shit."

"Fuckers," Seokjin mutters, spit flying from his lips. He takes a puff from the cigar and holds the smoke in, then lets it out with a bitter huff. It feels lackluster now, and he gently stubs the cigar out on a golden ashtray, then sets it aside to let it extinguish itself the rest of the way. 

Shin has really been coming for the drug operations, which has Seokjin feeling concerned for Jeongguk's safety. And his sanity.

"I am also one of the only people who knows this information, so now that I have passed it along, I have put a target on my back."

Seokjin hums and considers his options. 

"You want to come home, or hop off the peninsula for a while?"

Another sigh comes through the line, and Seokjin gives him time to consider. Hyunjin has been with the Shin family long enough that leaving the country may be his best bet, but he does have a family of his own, which could complicate things. 

When Hyunjin does not respond, Seokjin says, "We can get your little girl into a prestigious American school. Or Australian; there are plenty of Koreans in Australia. And we could assist with getting you and the wife nice jobs." 

"Yeah," Hyunjin says. "Yeah, you're right. I'll think it over and talk to Jisu. Maybe Australia would be good."

"Let me know," Seokjin says as he thumbs through his files, opening a folder that reads "Hwang Hyunjin'' and pulling out documents. "Your passport is current, and I have a burner identity on the books with a line of credit. I can have you on a flight within an hour, any time, day or night, alright?"

"Thank you, Seokjin-ssi."

As they end the call, Seokjin pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. He hates giving Yoongi bad news. This will also put another man in Jeongguk's crosshairs, and Seokjin really hopes that hunting him down will not also include killing fourteen of this man's closest friends. 

Seokjin dials Yoongi and is surprised he picks up on the first ring. "Jin."

"Yoongichi, bad news." 

Yoongi sighs and hums, and Seokjin continues. "Hwang called. Says Kang is planning to switch teams and sabotage the next shipment of pills."

"She bought him, eh?" Yoongi asks. 

"Yup."

"Fuckers."

"Yup."

"What about Hwang?"

"I offered him an out, and he said he would think about it. Considering Australia."

"Sounds good. I may call everyone to meet later. Taehyung has an engagement until nine, so it will be a late one if I do."

"Alright. I'm headed home soon. Should have my hands full for a few hours, so after nine is perfect."

"Thanks, Jin."

"No problem."

At least Yoongi's tone was pretty flat; no reaction from Yoongi is the best reaction. Especially if Namjoon is worried about him falling off the rails. 

This bump in the road aside, Seokjin considers the day a win, and he lifts his cigar, fits it between his lips, and lights it back up before locking up and heading out.

* * *

Seokjin My winning streak continues. This calls for celebration.

Hoseok In the pink dollhouse room?

Seokjin Of course, baby. Where else?

Hoseok ETA?

Seokjin 1 hour. Going to make a pitstop. I called Puppy, and he will be there in 20.

Hoseok  I'll be home to get our guest ready.

Seokjin Thank you, baby.

Hoseok  Anything for you, Jinnie bear.

To celebrate, Seokjin calls Hyungwon—his and Hoseok's favorite whore—to join them in one of the dollhouse rooms. Hoseok is home to get him ready while Seokjin stops at one of the boutiques to buy him a white leather muzzle that is shaped to fit a dog, with pointed ears on top and a pretty pink bow in the center. 

The pièces de résistance, however, is a bar inside the muzzle for Hyungwon to bite down on, ideally making a mess of himself with drool. 

One of Hyungwon's favorite toys is an anal plug with a long white tail, and Seokjin wants to see him with a pretty new accessory to match it. And, although Seokjin has plenty of items like this in his puppy playhouse room, this muzzle is a gift specifically for his most special whore. He is feeling rather generous tonight.

The drive home is short and sweet, and when Seokjin arrives, he is pleased to see a motorcycle parked in the driveway and light shining through the sheer white curtains of the first room on the second floor, confirming that Hyungwon has, in fact, already arrived, and that Hoseok must be getting him ready. 

Seokjin always finds it incredible how the man can strip down from all his worn, thick leather and stand in the prettiest pink lingerie, and he laments briefly that he was not home to witness the transformation. 

When Jimin first hired Hyungwon at Paradise, Seokjin thought that, perhaps, the heavens had opened up and shined just for him. He has a cold indifference to him that makes Seokjin want to break him apart and make him sob. And he does.

Hyungwon is the only man who allows Seokjin to do every little sadistic thing he desires, then leaves at the end of the session with a soft kiss and a promise to return. Seokjin treasures him dearly. 

Many whores blacklist him for less. 

Of course, now that Jimin has returned to their bed, Hyungwon may have to take second place, but that is a discussion for another time. Seokjin is eager to make Jimin sob again and again, but he worries about coming on too strongly and scaring him off. Jimin has always been quite sensitive, which Seokjin will never understand, but he does his best to respect it.

Seokjin takes his time exiting the car, grabbing the black paper shopping bag with an expensive monogram on all sides. He knows the men have heard his car pull up, and he wants to draw out the anticipation and make them wait. 

Hoseok, in particular, hates to wait. His temper is as explosive as the incendiary devices he so enjoys crafting, and Seokjin takes pleasure in pushing his buttons.

As he punches the hex code of his partner's favorite shade of sunshine yellow into the door and waits for the device to scan his retina, Seokjin takes a deep breath and allows a hint of a smile to creep over his face.

Things within the family have been a bit of a mess lately, but everything seems to be going fairly well, aside from their drug runner turning heel. Men on the lower ranks tend to chase money, after all; they are no stranger to these types of incidents.

If he can ensure the Choi brothers remain loyal and convince Yoongi's darling to leave town for a while, everything might even be perfect for some time. Seokjin hesitates to dwell on the thought.

Once inside, Seokjin closes the front door as quietly as he can and has a seat on his chaise lounge to remove his wingtips one at a time, placing them carefully beside the rows of footwear. Then, he takes the handles of the bag gently in his fingers and creeps up to the second floor, stalking like a tiger in the hope of catching the men off guard. 

He can hear their voices coming from the room, though what they are saying is difficult to make out. Hoseok has an excited lilt to his voice, and Hyungwon is speaking too softly to be detected clearly. Hyungwon is often quite soft-spoken—another thing Seokjin enjoys about him. 

As Seokjin gets to the top of the stairs, he forgets that the landing step is particularly creaky, putting down his weight as the wood whines beneath his toes. He lets out the breath that he had been holding, dropping his head in a defeated sigh as a tuft of brown hair shoots out from the first door on the right, and Seokjin spots his partner. 

"Gotta get that step fixed," Seokjin complains as he straightens his posture and smooths down his burgundy jacket. 

Hoseok grins from ear to ear, and he stands in the doorway to the pink dollhouse room with his hair disheveled and the top four buttons of his dress shirt undone. The sight of exposed sun-kissed skin has Seokjin's heart thudding behind his ribs, and he lifts a brow, playfully assessing the sight. 

"Did my puppies begin without me?" he teases as he approaches with his shoulders hunched forward to give Hoseok the impression that he is stalking his prey.

Hoseok chuckles, and Seokjin can tell he is feeling shy from the accusation as he bites his lip and shakes his head. "Hyungwon messed up my hair because he wanted you to think we had started without you. But we are being good puppies, I promise."

With a hum, Seokjin stalks further, watching Hoseok become increasingly antsy the closer he gets. "And is he all ready for me?"

"He is," Hoseok beams, taking a step back to allow Seokjin to enter the room. 

Seokjin, however, pounces, pressing Hoseok into the far side of the door frame and caging him in with his arms, giving him nowhere to go. With a hand on the dollhouse room wall and the hand holding onto the shopping bag on the hallway wall, Seokjin towers over his partner and gazes down at him hungrily.

"But are you ready for me?"

A silly question, since a stipulation to being Seokjin's lover is to be ready at all times. Hoseok cleans himself every morning, and he inserts a plug every time Seokjin is expected to be home so that there is very little need for prep and Seokjin can take what he wants. 

Of course, Seokjin is no monster; if they are unable to engage in play, Hoseok simply removes the plug—or gets himself off and then removes it—ensuring that it does not stay nestled up inside him long enough to cause any kind of complications or health risks. 

But Seokjin tries to be very clear about his expectations, and they communicate their schedules in order to make sure Hoseok can be ready for him at the drop of a hat. Seokjin's appetite is insatiable, and it is not unusual for them to fuck five or six nights a week. One of the reasons they invite so many whores to play dress up and join them is to give Hoseok a little extra help. That, and whores tend to come pre-used.

A plus side of fucking Jimin back in the day was when he would come home from the club, already stretched from his clients. Even when he would whine about being sore and sensitive, he would be such a good, pliant boy for Seokjin. Not a day goes by that Seokjin doesn't dream about the sweet sounds Jimin would make, becoming an overstimulated, sobbing mess long before either of them would reach their first orgasm. 

Hoseok's smile falters ever so slightly, and Seokjin already knows what he is going to say. He must have assumed that, because they have a guest for the night, Hoseok would not be expected to be stretched. He should know by now that when Seokjin calls with good news, that a victory fuck is in order, whether or not they are tending to a guest for the evening. 

And this, Seokjin thinks, is the danger of falling in love. Years ago, Seokjin would plot ways to punish his puppy for being so short-sighted and disobedient. But now? Staring into his deep brown eyes, downturned beneath a knit brow, all Seokjin wants to do is kiss him and tell him everything will be alright. His heart has become soft. 

Before Hoseok can excuse his bad behavior, Seokjin plants a soft smooch on the tip of his nose and grins. "I'm kidding," he assures softly. 

"You're not," Hoseok groans as relief paints his face. 

"I'm not," Seokjin admits, taking a step back and allowing Hoseok to breathe. "But I am in too good of a mood to make you cry."

"Lucky me," Hoseok teases with a wink. 

Seokjin leans in and places a kiss on Hoseok's forehead, then enters the room. The walls are all painted cotton candy pink, and there is a large bed on the left with plush pink bedding and a white wrought iron sleigh frame with beautiful spiral designs at the head and foot—perfect for attaching restraints. 

Hoseok's favorite addition to the room is a pale pink sex swing that hangs from the center of the space, with vines wrapped around the long arms that stretch to the ceiling. Seokjin is partial to the vanity with a large mirror that is very sturdy and perfect for humiliation play. 

The wooden furniture and wainscoting are all painted pink with gold accents, the floor is covered in pink carpeting and large, white cloud-shaped rugs, and every light fixture is a giant, white orb. In the corner of the room furthest from the bed is a chair in the shape of a giant pink high-heel, and when Seokjin enters, that is where he finds their guest. 

Hyungwon is breathtaking in sheer pink babydoll lingerie with little ruffled sleeves that hang from his shoulders, and a skirt that falls just above his thighs. He reclines on the shoe chair with one knee bent, bare foot adorned with pretty silver chains and rings, perched delicately atop the chair, and the other leg down, spread slightly to accommodate for the chair's width. His hair is long enough to be styled behind his ears—straight and black as a raven's feather—and he wears a thick silver choker of shimmering zirconias and a glittery lip balm.

"Master Seokjin," Hyungwon states as he moves from his reclined position—which Seokjin assumes he only sat in to be a tease, in the first place—and slowly lifts his leg, leaning forward and getting onto his hands and knees. "You look ravishing tonight, sir."

Seokjin turns to Hoseok with a puzzled expression, then back to Hyungwon, "Baby, did you give our pet permission to speak?"

"I did not, sir," Hoseok responds simply, standing near the wall with his arms flat at his sides. "But you do look ravishing tonight, sir."

How in the world Seokjin wound up with two disobedient puppies, he will never know, but he cannot bring himself to be upset when they are so devastatingly pretty and so good to him. Seokjin reaches to tap the underside of Hoseok's chin with the pad of his finger—a playful gesture that also tells him to keep that gorgeous fucking mouth of his closed unless he is asked to open it.

Hoseok smiles, winks, and does not say another word.

"I got you something," Seokjin beams as he turns back to Hyungwon, closing the gap between them. 

He reaches into the bag, pulls out the leather dog muzzle, and holds it up. Hyungwon's eyes widen, and a soft smile plays on his lips. If the man truly is excited, Seokjin has no idea; all he cares about is that he acts the part, as he is paid to do. And Hyungwon, as always, is a brilliant performer.

* * *

The shower down the hall in the guest bathroom runs as Seokjin pushes a hand through his hair, walking from the dollhouse room to his bedroom. His cream shirt is unbuttoned and hung open, burgundy pants are undone, and he is covered in a sheen of sweat. 

Hyungwon practically needed to be carried away when Seokjin was finished with him, and Hoseok is currently assisting with washing him and tending to his various marks with creams. Seokjin was not too hard on him, but his nails did break skin a couple of times, and he spanked him until both cheeks were tomato red. 

Although it is getting late, Yoongi has called to request everyone to congregate at the mansion at the top of the hour. It gives Seokjin thirty-five minutes to change into a black dress shirt and slacks and see that Hyungwon is able to get home on his own or has a suitable bed to sleep in for the night. Ordinarily, Seokjin is not as kind to his whores, but after what he did to the guy's ass, he takes pity on him for driving out on a motorcycle. 

The sound of the shower shutting off is followed by muffled voices, and Seokjin shrugs out of his shirt, dropping it into a hamper near the closet door, and grabs a black shirt from a hanger. He attempts to listen for the men—to get a sense of whether or not Hyungwon will need to stay—but all he can make out is Hoseok's bright, happy laughter. 

Seokjin loves it when Hoseok laughs loud and unabashedly. It rings like music to his ears. 

"Baby?" Hoseok calls down the hallway. 

Seokjin takes a step out of the closet as he buttons his shirt and shouts, "Bedroom," then returns to the racks of clothing and wiggles out of his slacks, picking them up and placing them into the hamper, and then reaching for a black pair to slide into.

"Ah," Hoseok says as he rounds the corner and finds Seokjin dressed in all black. "Yoongi called."

"He did," Seokjin responds. 

"For all of us?"

"For all of us."

"Hyungwon should be good to drive, but I'll go check on him."

Seokjin flashes Hoseok a smile. "Thank you, love."

Once he is ready, Seokjin switches off the light and exits his and Hoseok's massive closet, then he leaves the bedroom and makes his way down the hall, to the pink dollhouse room. The dark wood wainscoting and blood-red walls adorned with pretty brass sconces is such an abrupt change of scenery compared to the pink playroom, and from time to time, it makes Seokjin chuckle softly when he leaves one atmosphere for the other. 

Hyungwon sits on the edge of the bed dressed in blue jeans, a blue and white flannel shirt, and a black leather jacket, with his hands in his lap. Hoseok stands before him, dabbing a salve to his lip, which Seokjin split from slapping a little too hard once the muzzle came off. To Seokjin's credit, Hyungwon was the one who begged him to hit him harder. 

As Seokjin enters, both men turn to him with smiles, and Seokjin leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. 

"How is our puppy feeling?"

"Amazing," Hyungwon responds, always saying so no matter which state he seems to be in. 

"Good. And I take it your ass isn't too sore for the bike?"

Hoseok shoots Seokjin an incredulous glare, which he pointedly ignores. 

Hyungwon chuckles quietly. "No, sir. Not too sore."

"Good. I will be downstairs, then." He turns his gaze to Hoseok. "Join me soon?"

Hoseok nods and screws the cap on his balm, then leans to place a soft kiss on Hyungwon's forehead as Seokjin takes his leave and goes downstairs, to the kitchen, to have a few shots of whiskey before heading out to Yoongi's place. 

It does not take long for the others to join him, and they bid Hyungwon farewell with kisses to his cheeks and forehead, then link hands and take the long way to Yoongi's property, up toward Taehyung's place and cutting through the gardens. It is eerie out here at night with low lighting and tall, dark shadows. They walk all the way around the mansion, to the front door, and find Taehyung and Jeongguk on the stoop, smoking a cigarette.

"Fellas," Seokjin calls, and everyone lifts their hand hello.

"Is it just us?" Hoseok asks, and Taehyung shakes his head, saying, "Jimin is inside."

Seokjin takes a puff from Taehyung's cigarette, then goes inside, happy to find Jimin and Namjoon seated on the couch as he takes his place on the far end. Seokjin assumes Yoongi would be upstairs and is surprised to see him enter through the front door with Taehyung and Jeongguk. Once they are all seated, Yoongi begins. 

"We have two orders of business, which are somewhat related. The first is that Jeonggukie has been working with a team to formalize a new type of ecstasy that contains amphetamines, to give the user more of an upper-type high. It will be smoother than the shit the Americans sell, which contain meth, and the users will crave the experience, ideally getting them hooked on it."

This news comes as somewhat of a surprise to Seokjin, but he does not show it, keeping his expression stoic. He is curious when Yoongi decided to pivot into selling drugs for the purpose of creating addicts, and thinks perhaps the man really is losing his mind. He sounds like his late father, which is no compliment.

Yoongi continues. "So far, the trials have been pretty positive, and we should have those on the streets within the next month, or so. Let Jeongguk know if you would like samples."

Yoongi sits up and sighs, "And for our second order of business, it seems our main dock man Kang has been bought, and he plans to fuck with our next shipment of pills. I will be orchestrating a hit some time this weekend."

"I can go," Jeongguk offers, and Seokjin is pleased when Yoongi holds his hand up, turning him down.

"I need you to stay here this weekend. I want us to start going to the range again, and there are some other things I want you around for. I'll put Changkyun on the job."

Jeongguk opens his mouth to complain, and Yoongi cuts him off. "Ggukie, we have men hired to carry out hits. Let me utilize them."

Silence falls, then Namjoon clears his throat. "Is there anything anyone else would like to share?"

Seokjin cannot believe everyone was called over for this, and he crosses his arms over his chest and glances around. When nobody says anything, he shrugs and says, "Guess that's it."

"Alright," Yoongi says as he slaps his palms over his knees and stands with a sigh. "I thought this would be more of a conversation, but it seems pretty cut and dry. Thanks for coming by."

Seokjin studies Yoongi as he stands, curious about what Namjoon sees that makes him so paranoid. There are bags under his eyes, and he seems quite tired, but he does not seem jittery or pale, or any of the other symptoms Seokjin tries to remember from his last bender. 

It could be his more recent shift in seeming colder than usual. Prior to the pet moving in upstairs, Yoongi even went so far as to have a nasty little violent streak. Still, violence is not an indicator of drug abuse.

Yoongi has always been good at hiding shit until it is really bad, however, and he has always been quite unreadable, wearing parts of himself on his sleeve while keeping the rest locked away. He hopes that Namjoon's suspicions are false, but nobody would know better than him.

With that, everyone stands to leave, including Yoongi. In fact, the only person who seems to hang back is Namjoon. They say good night, everyone begins to head back to their homes, and Namjoon locks up the mansion as Yoongi slides his hands into his pockets and sets off in the direction of Namjoon's home.

Something is definitely amiss, but Seokjin does not feel like asking. The warmth of Hoseok's hand pulls him from his thoughts as he is tugged in the direction of home.

When they return from the meeting that could have been a conversation via group text, Seokjin sits with a huff on his chaise lounge. He bends his leg to lift it in order to untie his shoe, but Hoseok drops to his knees and places a hand on Seokjin's foot, guiding it to the floor. 

"You seem off, baby," Hoseok mutters sweetly. "Let me take care of you."

With an affectionate smile, Seokjin crosses his arms over his chest and lets his posture droop in a sigh. "Always taking care of others."

Hoseok's eyes shine as he mutters, "I live to serve."

Seokjin chuckles and sits up straight as Hoseok removes one shoe, then the other, and places them neatly aside. "We both know that is untrue."

"Yes," Hoseok responds, also laughing. 

Seokjin leans forward, takes Hoseok's chin in his hand, and pulls him close. Hoseok strains to get near enough, sitting high on his knees, but Seokjin stays just out of reach as he says, "You can still take care of me, though."

He revels in the way Hoseok's tone drops as he asks, "And how would you like me to do that, baby?"

Seokjin begins to think of all the ways he would like to make Hoseok whine, but Hoseok continues, "It's been a while since you've submitted to me and completely let go of control."

It has been a while. Probably months. Seokjin mulls it over with a squint of his eyes. There is nothing in this world that he likes more than pulling sweet sounds from Hoseok's lips, but he knows that Hoseok also enjoys being in control. However, relinquishing power does not come easily to a man like Seokjin.

"You are correct," Seokjin finally responds. "It has been a while."

Hoseok's eyes glimmer with mirth, and even if Seokjin had not been considering it before, he would certainly cave now. With a nibble of his bottom lip, Seokjin leans close enough to kiss Hoseok. 

"I'll let you fuck me tonight. Give me twenty minutes to get ready?"

With a pout, Hoseok shakes his head. "I want to get you ready."

"Oh?"

"Please."

"Enema play, Seok? Really?"

Hoseok shrugs. "I want to watch you tremble and whimper as the water falls out."

Seokjin, admittedly, gets it. "Alright, let's go."

Hoseok is gentle as he takes Seokjin's hand and leads him up the stairs and down the hall to their master suite. He is gentle as he undresses him and leads him to their shower. Gentle when he bends Seokjin over—hands splayed on the white tile bench that runs along one wall—and inserts the nozzle of the enema. Seokjin gasps from the sensation; he hasn't done this in quite a while.

When Hoseok takes Seokjin by the hair and lifts his head, pulling him into a standing position, he is less gentle. Lifting the bag, which is full of tepid water, so that it can enter his body makes Seokjin gasp, sending a shudder through him. 

Hoseok holds his chin, firm and not very gently as he says, "Eyes on me," and slowly pulls the nozzle out, releasing the water to the floor of the shower. 

Seokjin keeps his eyes on Hoseok as the water rushes from him, a sensation that he thinks should not be in the least bit erotic. Hoseok knows that this is mildly humiliating, which, Seokjin thinks, is the reason he is insisting on it. 

Hoseok inserts the nozzle two more times, sending water rushing from Seokjin's rectum, holding him in place while they stare into one another's eyes. Warmth covers Seokjin's face in a mix of embarrassment and arousal, and when Hoseok bends him back over right there in the shower to eat him out, Seokjin practically blacks out. 

"Fuck, feels so good," he whimpers as Hoseok teases his hole with his tongue, circling the rim and prodding inside. 

"You like it, baby?" Hoseok groans, biting Seokjin's buttcheek and circling a finger over him, gently pushing inside and pulling out, making Seokjin sigh and tremble from pleasure-pain. 

"You know I do," Seokjin whines.

Hoseok groans. "Too bad I won't let you cum until you're begging and sobbing."

Evil. Pure fucking evil. Hoseok loves making someone like Seokjin beg. He whimpers before he can stop himself, and Hoseok chuckles and crashes a hand over his ass with a loud, wet smack.

"Come on, big boy," Hoseok sing-songs "Let's tie you to the bed and make you scream."

Seokjin already fears for his life, knowing that Hoseok will edge him for hours. But the earth-shattering orgasm that tears his world asunder, followed by Hoseok's sweet, pretty smile, makes everything worth it. How could he possibly resist?

*

THANK YOU FOR READINGGG!!!

i didn't give Hyungwon a relationship tag since he's not a main character in the story, nor does he appear again. for those of you who aren't monbebe, this is the man i was talking about:

i also remember being too exhausted to write a smut scene when i was putting this POV together, which is why we don't get to experiencing these three together hahaha. i think i wrote Hoseok and Seokjin back to back.

REBLOGS AND COMMENTS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THIS SITE, BUT LIKES ARE ALSO SUPER APPRECIATED!!! THANK YOU FOR READING, I LOVE YOU!!!

tag lists will be on separate reblogs! they’ve gotten too big to contain as one! if you would like to be tagged in this fic, please let me know!!! 💜💜💜

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Collateral is copyright 2022 - 2024 theharrowing, all rights reserved. no translations or reposts allowed!

[winter-dayz]

Fictober 2023

winter-dayz

A collection of oneshots for Fictober 2023.

Not every story is a romantic pairing. In some oneshots, the reader/main character is a villain; in some, the idol character is a villain. Please be aware that many are heavily horror or angst-themed.

READ ALL WARNINGS AND TAGS IN EACH ONESHOT.

Taglist:  @soobin-chois

Kim Jisoo: It's only a dream... College AU; Nightmare on Elm Street AU Genre: Horror

Lee Hoseok: Freedom or the Kindness of Death Hybrid AU; Shapeshifter AU Genre: Horror

Lalisa Manobal: Eternal Love Vampire AU Genre: Angst, Fluff, Horror, Smut

Mark Tuan: A Polite Haunting Ghost AU Genre: Horror

Jeon Jungkook: His Treasure Dragon AU Genre: Horror; Smut

Lee Jooheon: Anything Goes The Purge AU Genre: Smut

Felix Lee: So naive... Fairy AU Genre: Angst; Horror (if you squint)

Kim Seungmin: Lonely St. Grim Reaper AU; Soulmate AU Genre: Angst; Fluff

Min Yoongi: Betrayed Gumiho AU; Korean Mythology AU Genre: Angst; Fluff; Horror

Choi Yeonjun: Old Wives' Tales Werewolf AU Genre: Fluff

Shin Yuna: Bringer of Death Mummy AU; Inspired by The Mummy (1999) Genre: Angst; Fluff

Kim Namjoon: Reclamation Dryad AU; Greek Mythology AU Genre: Fluff; Horror

Park Jimin: Movie Marathon Scary Movie Night Genre: Fluff

Kang Taehyun: Only silence remains Shadow People AU Genre: Horror

Lim Jaebeom: I Can't Lose You Deadly Games AU; Inspired by Squid Game & Alice in Borderland Genre: Angst; Horror

Choi Beomgyu: Field of Daisies Dokkaebi AU; Korean Mythology AU Genre: Fluff

Jung Hoseok: Avra K'davra Golem AU Genre: Angst; Fluff

Kim Yugyeom: Guardian Demon AU Genre: Fluff

Lee Chaeryeong: First Serial Killer AU Genre: Horror

Yang Jeongin: The Walls The Boy AU; Inspired by The Boy (2016) Genre: Fluff

Shin Ryujin: For the Best Alien AU; Yandere Genre: Fluff; Horror

Kim Taehyung: Capable Android AU Genre: Smut

Han Jisung: The Ring Ghost AU; Possession AU Genre: Fluff

Lee Minhyuk: Promise Haunted House Genre: Fluff

Lee Minho: Left Behind Friday the 13th AU Genre: Angst (with a happy ending); Horror (if you squint); Smut

Kim Jennie: Catch 'em, kill 'em Amityville Horror AU Genre: Horror; Smut

Yoo Kihyun: Luring Siren AU Genre: Fluff; Horror (if you squint)

Choi Youngjae: Consequences of a Spellbook Magic AU; Witchcraft AU Genre: Angst

Hwang Hyunjin: Bound to You Cerberus AU; Goddess AU; Greek Mythology AU Genre: Fluff; Smut

Choi Soobin: Every side of the story Greek Mythology AU; Gorgon AU Genre: Fluff

BamBam: Best Halloween Ever Halloween Party; Non-Idol AU Genre: Fluff

[persphonesorchid]

Constellations Of You - JHS

Summary: A new chapter of Him and You begins. He’s waited a long time for this, for the mornings where he could wake next to you in a house you’d both made a home of.

Genre: Est. Relationship, Fluff, smut (minors begone)

WC: 3.3k

Warnings: Soft Dom Hoseok, he's a little bit mean. Unprotected sex, lots of pet names, uh Hobi puts his thumb in Mc's mouth at one point, hand on throat but not actually choking. Hoseok is soft as hell for MC and I'm gonna marry him or some shit.

Notes: Happy birthday to my man Hobi. Genuinely hope he's having a great day. Also I wrapped this fic up at like 2am this morning so if you see any mistakes, don't hesitate to tell me!

Check out my other works- HERE

If you enjoy my content, please consider donating- Here

It’s cold, and somewhere on the cusp of sleep and wakefulness, Hoseok shifts closer to you out of habit. The arm he throws over you meets the chill of the air too soon, and he lifts his head away from where it’s tucked against your neck. Sleepily, he squints against the light of the rising sun, it’s not quite there, but it’s peaking through the crack in the curtains and annoyingly, right in his eyes.

Shifting a bit more, Hoseok realizes that it’s cold where his hand is because you’ve kicked the sheets away from you at some point. Though he could see the furrow of your brows and the telling curl of your spine against his front, where you’d drawn your knees up and close to your chest.

Sighing, Hoseok sits up, yawning as he tries to pull the covers from where it’s tangled at his legs and somewhere – somehow – under you. Successful, he fixes the covers over you and sinks back into the warmth of it when you relax.

You murmur something that sounds like his name, rolling over and tucking yourself against him. Your feet are cold against his shins, but Hoseok doesn’t mind too much despite the quiet swear he lets out.

He’s awake enough now, to stare at the bare wall on the other side of the room. There’s two rolls of wallpaper leaning in a corner because you’d decided against painting, boxes stacked on top of each other because you’d both done everything but unpack them yesterday.

There’s still a lot to do, but Hoseok would like to wait until the sky is blue and he’s not as tired.

“What time is it?” you ask, lips brushing against his collarbone. He slips his hand under the oversized jersey you wore, pressing his fingers into the warmth of your skin.

“Too early,” Hoseok sighs, “go back to sleep.” He hikes his leg over your hip as you get comfortable. Just as he settles, eyes drifting closed again, you call his name and he answers with a hum that rumbles in his chest.

“When does the furniture get here?” Your voice is quiet, and Hoseok knows you’re already on your way back to sleep. He is too, and his answer is equally quiet.

“’Round eight...”

When Hoseok wakes again, you’re gone and he’s hugging the covers. There’s a clang from somewhere down the hall and a soft swear that follows. Rubbing at his eyes, Hoseok sits up, scooting to the edge of the bed to swing his legs over the side.

He walks out of the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen where you stand facing away from him. There’s a soft popping of eggs in the frying pan, bacon set aside on a napkin covered plate and the electric kettle is whistling. He knows better than to sneak up on you while you’re over the stovetop, so he waits until you’ve set the spatula aside.

Walking over, he wraps his arms around your waist, setting his chin on your shoulder to peer into the frying pan. You startle still, giggling, you lightly pat his arm, “You scared me.”

Hoseok places a gentle kiss on your neck in apology, “Thought you heard me.”

“S’okay,”

Hoseok sways you gently in place, forehead against the spot where your neck meets your shoulder. He’s content to just stand there, and if time freezes around him, he wouldn’t notice nor would it matter. In this moment where it’s just you and him and nothing can separate you both.

He’s waited a long time for this, for the mornings where he could wake next to you in a house you’d both made a home of. Even though, right now, it’s barely anything, a house full of your presence but lacking in memories. Something that will build in time. The space in which you’d share your highs and lows, when days would blend together on repeat and he’d lose track of them.

Hoseok could spend forever here, wrapped tightly in the little bubble of comfort. Where the scent of your coconut shampoo invades his senses and the warmth of you is a welcome sensation. He inhales softly, nose against your hair and presses a kiss where his lips could reach.

“I can’t do anything if you’re glued to me, Jay.” You chuckle, wiggling against him like a worm caught, but you don’t push him away. You turn the heat of the stove off with a quick movement of your fingers. You shift to the left and he moves with you, unwilling to separate by even a few inches. “Hoseok.”

Hoseok ignores the whine of his name, “Just pretend I’m not here.” He tightens his hold, only releasing when you whine louder.

Chuckling, he shuffles over to the kettle that’s long turned off, steam rising out of the pointed lip. The mugs you’d used last night were the only two in the cupboard overhead, and a half empty packet of instant coffee tucked into the corner. “Coffee or tea, babe?”

You look over at him, from where you’ve started cutting into an avocado. “Is the tea in the cupboard?”

Hoseok shakes his head, eyes darting to the boxes tucked in the far corner near the fridge behind you. “It's in there somewhere, I think.”

The face you make has him chuckling; he doesn’t want to go digging through the boxes anyway. He takes the mugs down, letting the dark grains of coffee roll on into them in even share. He pours less water in your mug, knowing that you’d put milk because there’s no creamer. Carefully, he takes the mugs over to the table and sets them down, the table that has two more chairs than needed but would be filled someday – one day.

You smile as you set the plates down, fingers reaching to dance at the back of his neck. Hoseok watches as you pour milk into your mug before you stick it into the microwave to bring back the heat it’s lost.

“What do we have to do today...besides unpacking everything?” Hoseok asks once you’ve settled opposite him, picking at the crust of his buttered toast.

You hum, “Grocery, and we have to replace the plates that broke yesterday. And the furniture’s supposed to be here soon.”

Nodding, you’d both spend the next ten minutes not doing much talking, mouths being busy otherwise. When finished, Hoseok does the clean up while you shower, and busies himself with unpacking the dishes. By the time you’re out, the mover’s truck is parked outside and for the next hour and a half, you and Hoseok decide how and where everything would go.

Distracted, for moments where you’d talk from different sides of the room, or doing silly dances to the hip-hop tracks coming from the stereo. And Hoseok, was more specifically distracted by you struggling to drag a large bag of drapes into the room from the hallway. You laugh as you stumble, deciding to stop and push instead of pull, the soft light from the sun coming in through the windows glows against the backdrop of your form.

“What color should we go with?” You ask, hands on your hips as you stare down into the open bag.

Long before, a good four or so years ago, Hoseok never had to worry about the ‘we’. He didn’t have to measure his actions to suit the cause and effect of another person, free to be who he was in all his lonesome. When he’d work and return to his apartment that was solely his. His own space in which he was content, where he’d cook only for himself, or didn’t have to worry when he left the toilet seat up in his half awake state.

When the framed pictures on his walls were of him and his friends, treasured moments that belonged only to them. Then, you came and that had to change, I became Us – a unit that took time to build upon and get used to. Suddenly, he wasn’t cooking for himself anymore, and he would put the toilet seat back down no matter how sleepy he was. The framed pictures on the walls never changed, only new ones were added, treasured memories that belonged only to you and him.

It wasn’t all easy, no relationship ever is. There were ups and downs, arguments where you’d both said things you hadn’t meant when anger and frustration persisted. Moments when it was better to just give each other space to cool off, and all would be forgiven after a long talk.

And there were moments where Hoseok felt like he was floating somewhere above the clouds. So high up, tethered to earth by a string that wound itself around your wrist. Sometimes he worried, in late nights after a particularly bad fight and too much whisky, that you’d cut him loose one day and he’d come crashing down like a comet. You never did, though, you’d only hold tighter to the string that kept you both.

Hoseok walks over to you, you’re digging through the bag, pulling out different shades of lighter curtains to get to the drapes at the bottom. He lays his palm against your lower back, fingers dipping under the edge of the sweater you’ve taken out of his side of the closet. You hum in question, straightening against him. “Can I help you, sir?”

“Maybe.” Hoseok smiles, letting his hand roam around to the soft expanse of your tummy and leaves it there. “I don’t need anything, just love you.”

“I love you, too?” Your brows furrow and you chuckle out your confusion. In all his dramatics and flare, Hoseok pulls away from you, a hand pressed against his chest as though wounded.

“A question?” he gasps, “Doth the fair maiden not share the same sentiments?”

“Oh, God. Never say that again.” You turn to face him, a laugh on your exhale, but you go along with it anyway; never one to deny him. “A rash assumption, Sir Jung.”

On your toes you tip, and Hoseok meets you halfway when he leans for your sake, expecting the kiss that you brush so lightly against his lips with a sweet hum. “I love you too, silly.”

Hoseok is reaching for you, but you slip away too quickly, free from the grasps of his hands you nudge the bag at your feet. “Now if you would be so kind. Help me pick a color.”

“Should we get this?”

You’re a little ways away from Hoseok, where he’s manning the shopping cart filled with groceries. You’re standing near the freezers, a box of ice-cream pops in your hand. You’re not looking at him though, instead, pondering the different flavors in your sight.

Hoseok wheels the cart and sets it to the side and out of anyone’s way. You’ve long run through the list of essentials, now, Hoseok’s only trailing behind you as you ask his opinion on random things you wanted. “If you want, yeah.”

He looks at the flavors too, and picks up a box that marketed a pistachio flavor. You glance at it and make a face, “It's not that bad,” he chuckles, taking your plain chocolate and placing them both in the cart.

By the time you’re out of the grocery and on the drive back home, it’s almost four pm. Most of the morning and early afternoon was spent organizing the house, and a late lunch left you both behind on getting everything done.

With the indicator ticking rhythmically, Hoseok turns onto the neighborhood street. You lean forward in your seat, squinting, “Is that Seokjin’s car?”

It was, and once Hoseok parked in the driveway, he’d found his friends sitting on the sidewalk. Hugs and congratulatory greetings were shared, Jungkook is holding a stack of pizza boxes, a couple more than Hoseok thinks they’d be able to run through. Seokjin’s complaining about the crick in his neck that he acquired and blames on the length of time he’d spent driving over.

Namjoon and Yoongi are standing a little ways off to the side of the group, both laughing at the fact that they’ve brought the same bottle of whisky. Jimin’s clinging to Hoseok’s frame, saying that he missed him too much even though he’d seen him the day before in the city. Taehyung’s trying to get everyone to quiet down, camera in hand and wanting to take a photo.

So you all stand there once Taehyung has the camera on the tripod and they all surround you both, with smiles and peace signs. A photo that would be framed to put somewhere in the living room. And you all clamber inside, out of the cold before Yoongi could start to complain about it. A housewarming get together that was entirely unplanned, but not unwelcome.

When the sun pulled the moon into the sky, and the pizza boxes were surprisingly empty, the boys said their goodbyes at the door. Wandering off to Seokjin and Yoongi’s cars with promises of visiting as often as their time allows.

You and Hoseok called an early night, after you’d both washed the day away. He’d left you to settle into bed while he locked the doors and windows. Eyes wandering around the space that was previously open, now comforting, and with a memory that’s on its way to sinking into the walls.

Hoseok makes his way up the stairs, after making sure he’d left the kitchen light on because you wouldn’t be comfortable if all the lights are out. He finds you, just as you place your phone down on the nightstand. Shutting the door behind him, he quickly crawls under the covers and into your space.

He draws you closer to him with an arm around your waist, kisses your shoulder where your tee shirt’s tugged down to reveal your warm skin. You shift in his hold, turning to face him and Hoseok peppers small, fluttering kisses all over your face.

Nudging your chin with his fingers, Hoseok tilts your head back enough to slot his lips against yours. The kiss is languid and patient, much like his love for you, his fingers drifting softly against your jaw and into your hair.

It wasn’t long before Hoseok’s sucking on your bottom lip, slipping his tongue into your mouth to slide against yours. His hand trails away from your hair, down and back under your tee shirt where he gently grips your hip. He brings his knee up between your thighs and he swallows the sound you make when it pressed flush against your core.

He directs the motion of your hips against his thigh, and the whimper you let out when he pulls his mouth away from yours runs like electricity on a wire straight to his cock.

The hand that’s trapped under the weight of your head twists towards you, lacing into your hair so that Hoseok could press his lips against your neck. He nips at your skin with blunt teeth, there’s a desperation in the way you try to rock your hips faster than he’s letting you and the way softly whine his name.

“Hobi.” He feels your hand curl into the material of his tee and the way you tug. He hums, too busy sucking a bruise below your jaw to properly answer.

“Want you.”

Hoseok pulls away from your neck, his eyes adjusted enough to the darkness of the room to make out the outline of your features. He needs no light to guess how you look right now: pupils swallowing the expanse of your irises, flushed cheeks and kiss swollen lips.

Tilting his head, he halts your movement with a firm grip. Allowing you your moment to protest against it, there’s a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth and dark need swirling in his chest.

“Yeah?” Hoseok coos softly – mockingly – tongue flicking out to wet his lips. He feels your nod more than he sees, and he chuckles, “Ask nicely, little girl.”

“Please, please.” You chant, begging so, so sweet for him, and Hoseok catches your hand that snuck under his tee shirt. Softly, he clicks his tongue against his teeth, and pulls away.

He shifts, raising to throw the now too warm covers off. He settles you how he wants, on your back with his knees on either side of your hips. He keeps your wrists in his hand, above your head, while his other hand teases at the band of your panties. He kisses you softly, pressing his lips against yours and not doing much else, shifting to get himself between your thighs.

“So desperate for me, hm?” Angling his hips just right, he lets his arm hold his weight and presses the firmness of his cock against your covered cunt. At your moan, Hoseok draws his bottom lip between his teeth. He could barely stand it himself, his boxers felt too tight against him, he could feel just how worked up you are. There’s a dampness that’s all you, easing the grind of his cock against you. “Tell me what you want, baby.”

“Touch me, please.” You request breathlessly, hips raising to meet his.

“I am touching you, doll.” Hoseok squeezes your wrist gently in his hold to remind you, and he could only chuckle at your frustrated exhale, “You know how this works. Tell me exactly or I won’t know what you want.”

He stills his hips and waits – ever patient – until you catch your breath.

“Want your hands, cock – anything, please.”

Leaning down, Hoseok presses a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth, before he draws back again, letting go of your hands. Running his hands along your sides, he tugs lightly at the hem of your tee, “Off.”

You raise slightly, hastily pulling the shirt up and over your head. Hoseok does the same, quickly clambering off the bed to get out of his clothes and getting back in just as quickly.

He puts himself right back between your legs, a hand fumbling blindly to press against your clit. His fingers slide against you easily, sinking into the warmth of you, his other hand squeezes at the base of his cock to mirror the tightness he feels. He’d barely gotten a few thrusts in when you’d turn restless, the way your hips rose to meet the motion of his hand gave way to your frustration.

“Hobi...”

“Okay, okay.” Hoseok chuckles as your impatience is his own, too. He tugs you to him with his arms around your thighs, using a hand to rub the sensitive head of his cock against your sodden folds. A groan leaves him as he sinks his cock into you, keeping a steady pace of shallow thrusts until he bottoms out.

“Fuck, baby.” Hoseok squeezes his eyes shut, leaning forward over you, caging you in with his hands beside you head, “Always so good for me.”

The kiss you share then is teeth and tongue as Hoseok finds his rhythm, the sound of his hips meeting yours is loud in the stillness of the room. He groans into your neck where he licks and sucks at your salty skin.

Hoseok almost blows his load when your pussy clenches around him. He knows he’s hitting the right spot when you shudder, thighs tightening as you try to pull him as closely as you could. “Gonna cum?”

“Y-yeah.” Your words broken, pitched high with your need, eyes rolling back as Hoseok began to drag out his movements.

“Yeah? Then beg for it little girl.” His hand shifts, resting against your jaw gently, “Beg me to let you cum.”

His thumb slips into your mouth and you suck on it like you would his cock, tongue swirling around the digit. Hoseok groans low in his throat, cock twitching inside your cunt. Eyes trained on your mouth, he presses down on your tongue to pry your lips apart. “Come on, sweetheart.”

His fingers squeezing into the plump flesh of your thigh, hips rolling against yours, “Beg.”

“Please, please let me cum, Hobi.”

“Good girl.” Hoseok hips snap, wild and chasing his own release. Nimble fingers with jagged movements against your clit, your moans raise in pitch and it had Hoseok’s hips stuttering.

“Fuck baby, c’mon.” Hoseok’s eyes roll back, he rests his forehead against yours, “Cum for me, pl-please, baby.”

He kisses you, when you gasp his name and shudder - all tongue and teeth and a sloppy mess, pace slowing to measured thrusts, and then he was coming. His hips stutter as he mutters a string of curses that blends into your name. There’s stars behind his eyelids and he can’t hear past the rushing of the blood in his ears.

Your fingers are running through his hair when Hoseok finally feels like he’s not melting into a boneless puddle against you. He presses kisses to your skin, wherever he could reach, with a lazy smile.

“Hobi,” You grunt, though there’s humor in your tone as you pat his side, “Please get off me I can’t breathe.”

Hoseok sighs, long and drawn out, “But I like it here.”

“I will bite you.” It’s a threat, and a promise, and Hoseok takes it seriously. Carefully, he raises up and off you, sitting near the foot of the bed.

He rubs at your calf with a light touch, “Wanna change the sheets now or after a quick rinse?”

“After,” you mutter, “I don’t even think I can move right now.”

Chuckling, Hoseok helps you sit up, crowding your space once more to place a kiss against your nose.

When all is said and done, you’re both laying in bed again, on fresh, cool sheets. Hoseok has his arm around you, and you’re both sleepy enough to drift away in the comfort that you’d both created.

"I love you.”

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[bangtaninborderland]

JHS- Twisted Feelings (10)

Summary: After working at an award show for 2 years everything had become normal, idols were no longer exciting to see, performances became dull and every day blended together, that was until an unexpected man asked for your help.

Genre: idol!jhope × fem!reader, angst, fluff, strangers to lovers, ongoing series

Warning: none for this chapter!

A/N: I’m back from seeing yoongi and it was such an experience. This is kind of a filler but I love building these characters up. Did you miss twisted feelings as much as I missed writing it?

Ch.09 < Series Masterlist > Ch.11

You woke up later than expected, Na-Rae not leaving until 1 am definitely being a bad idea. You were thankful for the late night/early morning shower you had taken which allowed you to get ready in half the time you usually would.

Today was Yoongis day, you would be lying if you said you were excited. At first, he seemed to be easy to have a conversation with but the recent events with the translation mishap only served to leave him suspicious of you, which admittedly is not great when you have to spend hours teaching him.

The conversation last night still bugged you, keeping secrets was never your thing especially when it came to work and your career but Rae had made a few good points on just why the Jung-Woo story had to remain a secret. No company would want a near murderer to work with their most precious assets.

The company lacked the reporters that Jungkook had mentioned swarming the building yesterday, you were grateful for how quickly Bighit seemed to manage security infractions.

“I need your company ID.” The woman’s voice was familiar and you recognised her as the same woman from the day of your interview.

“Oh, of course so sorry.” You chuckled lightly hoping to break the tension as you hand over the company-issued ID, the smile she returned to you is faker than the Gucci sunglasses you chose to wear this morning at the sight of the raring sun but you brushed it off, wanting to start the day in a good mood.

Even if she was a snarky bitch.

She sighed loudly, sliding your ID pass across the desk. “You’re signed in, next time come straight to the desk with the ID please.” You gave her a nod before walking away, you were not going to lose this job by running her face along her keyboard, not today at least.

The rest of the walk was quiet, a few idols passing by giving you small nods and others completely ignoring your existence. You were fine with both, too tired to care.

“Where’s your smile this morning?” You were not expecting Hoseok to come up behind you, his touch on your shoulder making you physically jump.

“HOLY SH-“ you turned to face him, calming at the sight of him and quickly composing yourself. “Hoseok-ssi.”

He tried to hold his laughter in but failed, his eyes creasing. “Sorry sorry I’ll warn you next time, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” You lied, forcing a small smile.

“Would you like to get some coffee? There’s a machine around here.” His face was warm and for some reason you wish you didn’t have to decline.

“I have a class with Yoongi-ssi. I’m already short on time.”

“I’m sure Hyung won’t mind, I’ll call him now besides he was stressed and stuck on a song anyway so you probably would sit waiting for a while anyway. Only if you want of course.” He pulled out his phone waving as if tipping the scales on your decision.

You held up your hands in agreement. “Okay…but only and I mean only if he is okay with it, I would like to try and be a little happier for my class with him especially if he is having a stressful day.”

He nodded at you, grinning as if he had just won some kind of award. It left you wondering if he was truly like this with everyone. “He said it’s fine.”

“Lead the way.”

The walk there was pleasant, similar to the last time you had gone together. Hoseok made small conversations, mostly about random information he had learned about the world and his craft. His eyes seemed to hold a particular shine when he mentioned the fun they had on tour, the story of how they would pick rooms when they were unable to have one to themselves making you double over in laughter.

“Here let me.” You swiped your card, paying for both yours and Hoseoks' coffee.

“Oh.” He took the cup, eyeing you as he stirred in the sugar. “You didn’t have to do that we get them free.”

“Still, my treat. I’m happy to pay, you got the last one.” You added your own milk, stirring it before wrapping a tissue around the cup. “I’m going to get ready for my class with Yoongi-ssi, even if he is working I should be there when he finishes to start whenever he is ready.”

“You take your work very seriously, don’t you?”

You smiled, nodding. “I do, I think if you commit to something it should be taken seriously even on hard days or days you don’t want to do that particular thing.”

He hums, his lips pressed together in a hard line. “What do you think about giving up?”

“Giving up on?” You responded, sipping at the froth of your coffee.

“Anything.”

“I think in order to give up you must be brave enough to face what happens when you do, many people find a weakness in it but I find something admirable. I also think it’s okay to take a break, if you give up you can always try again. I think there are two sides to it because in life we want to see those around us reach a level of success that makes them happy so in some cases it’s okay to encourage people to not give up and to keep working towards their goals, giving up should never be something final. It’s okay to stop one thing if there’s something you want more.” He stared at you and you were absolutely sure you’d said way too much but before you could apologise he began to speak.

“Not many people have a mindset with views like that, I think when they get to know you more the members will like you.” He come to a stop as you reached the genius lab studio.

“Hyung?” He tapped his knuckles on the door, trying the handle to no avail.

“Wait.” Yoongis gravely voice called out, it was an easy sign he had been rapping. “I’m coming.”

The door opened and a dishevelled yoongi stood before you. “Oh shit.”

“Hyung!” Hoseok exclaimed.

Yoongis eyes shot open before he shook his head, apologising. “Sorry, I forgot we had a class. Let me just save my work.”

“It’s okay, take your time I’m here all day.” You tried to sound as reassuring as possible, not wanting to leave him feeling bad. He nodded to you before turning away, the door closing behind him.

“Sorry, it’s a busy time.” Hosoek swirls his coffee, sighing.

“You don’t seem as stressed, I thought there’d be staff running around and non-stop practices. Sorry, I don’t have much of an idea regarding behind-the-scenes stuff. Award shows are intense.” You try to laugh off some of the awkward and somewhat sad tension that fills the air, wanting to bring back the calming vibe held between you only moments ago. “Things will be okay.”

“Thank you. Give it a few weeks and it will be exactly like that, this is more of the mentally draining process. Preparing and practices are structured, it’s when the last-minute details get finalised and songs get finished, altered or scrapped. We’ve changed songs entirely a day or two before the same goes for choreography.”

You never truly understood how difficult it was for artists, especially the biggest group in the world. Sure it could be hectic at award shows and more than once you’d been privy to a group argument or mishap backstage but you’d never fully grasped the difficulties they face and you never be able to but you knew looking at Hoseoks false smile, you’d do anything to try and help. “If there’s anything I can do let me know, I know my work here is only a portion of the difficulty you face and has an entire lower level of importance but don’t hesitate to ask for something if you need it, the same goes for all the other members.”

“That’s really kind of you, I’ll pass it on to the other members. I should get going Hyung won’t be long, you’ll be okay?”

You stare stupidly for a moment before blinking “Yeah I’ll be okay, thank you for getting coffee with me.”

“Thank you for paying it was re-“The door beside you leading to Yoongis studio swings open, stopping just before it hit the wall.

“Oh, sorry.” The rapper mumbled, locking the door behind him. His previous state of stress was seemingly better.

“I’m just leaving Hyung, I’ll stop by later to go over those demos.” Hoseok gives you a smile before leaving, heading in the direction of his own studio.

Yoongi watches the younger man disappear around the corner before talking to you. “Sorry about the wait, you have an office right?”

“There’s no need for apologies it’s absolutely fine and yes I do, please follow me.” Thankfully there wasn’t much of a distance between Yoongis studio and your significantly smaller but still cute office.

The artist looks around some before taking a seat at the table. “It’s cosy here, you are allowed to decorate I’m not sure if anyone has told you that.”

“One of the managers did but I wanted to wait a little, I thought it would be better to focus on settling in and building up lessons with yourself and other members first.” You shuffled through the folders you had assembled for each member, finally finding the black one with Yoongi across the label.

“You made us folders?” He raises an eyebrow as you place it down on the table. “Colour coded too?”

“I like organisation and the colours for the most part were random.” You laughed, handing him a pen.

“So there’s no reason in particular mine is black, Jungkooks is black and Jin Hyungs is bright pink?”

“When you look at it that way.” You paused allowing the small joke you’d built up between you to linger. “Maybe you’re right, I’ll never spill my secrets when it comes to my filing process.”

“You sound like me when I would talk about my old USB sticks.” You felt relieved you were able to break the tension that had accompanied your previous meeting with one another.

“What can I say, I’m a genius.” You both laugh for a second before he begins reading over the lesson plan you handed him seconds earlier. “You said you wanted to be able to have conversations and you weren’t too happy with your pronunciation so I thought we could go over some exercises that may help you sound clearer. I also thought we could work on some vocabulary, because you don’t want to be fluent to the point you could live in a foreign country I think just relearning basic sentence structure and vocabulary should be enough.”

He scanned the sheet, “You really were thorough with this, to be honest when Hobi pulled you out of a job to be a translator I had more than one worry. I’m glad to see you taking this seriously.”

“He didn’t exactly pull me out of a job.” You laughed, handing him a highlighter. “My contract was nearing its end and it gave me an opportunity to have time to write and work.”

“What do you write?” He asked, eyebrows raised.

“Stories mostly, anything my imagination can conjure. I like creating a world I can escape to, where anyone can escape to even just for a short while. It’s nothing special I’m just trying to have a book published.” You laugh lightly, attempting to brush off the sudden embarrassment.

“I think that’s similar to music, I love reading I think it’s admirable you’re following your passion.” You were happy the atmosphere between you felt calmer, and he too seemed to be less stressed.

“Thank you.” You often wondered why people would do something that stressed them out to such a degree of devotion but you’d be a liar if you said you didn’t understand, when you love doing something you accept whatever it comes with.

He placed the sheet down, uncapping the pen. “Should we start?”

“Sure, whenever you’re ready.”

Whenever you were teaching time never felt slow, you were used to that. Work being slow all the time despite the fast-paced environment but here it wasn’t like that, it was too fast nor too slow but time seemed to fly away which is how you were surprised when the alarm yoongi had set went off, declaring the end of the class.

You’d spent the two hours discussing conversational English, mostly things he already had an idea of but needed the specifics clarifying. He had attempted to speak English for half of the class but gave up when his memory of the language came to a standstill.

“Already? Did I set the alarm wrong?” You knew the question wasn’t directed at you as he picked his phone up, double-checking the time. “How did I do?” He turned to you, sliding the exam-style sheet back.

“You did well especially for your first class, don’t be overwhelmed by the vocabulary or speaking even. These things take time and you have to take them slowly. For an English speaker to become fluent in Korean it can take up to five years, we have an advantage because most of the time it’s taught in school, you have an extra advantage on top of that because of your continued exposure to the language. Things like vocabulary and pronunciation are easy compared to grammar and you seem to already have a great idea of that. So my overall rating is that you’re making my job very easy.”

“Maybe I should ask you to make me a report card to show my parents.” He laughs, standing up.

You follow suit, walking towards the door to open it. “If you need one let me know, I’ll even stamp it.”

“Yes, teacher.” He laughed. “Thank you for the class.”

“Please don’t thank me.”

“What are you doing here,” Yoongi asked, his voice pitched in surprise.

You greet both Taehyung and Hoseok as they step around into the doorway. “Here to pick you up Hyung, Namjoon says you’re needed for the army track.”

Yoongi shifted his feet, shaking his head. “What happened? I thought we were finished with that song already.”

“We were but Namjoon Hyung hit the wrong button and now it sounds funky rather than family,” Taehyung responded, laughing.

“It’s not that serious, we just need your input to make sure it’s back where it was.” Hoseok responds, seemingly calming Yoongis' sudden worry. “How was the class?”

You don’t realise the question is directed at you until the room falls silent. You look up from the patch on the floor to see three sets of eyes on you. “Oh, OH forgive me I’m so sorry I spaced out. It was an amazing lesson, Yoongi-ssi is an exceptionally fast learner.”

“Ah Hyung I’m proud.” Taehyung slaps his hand over his chest, pursing his lips together as he fake cries. “Is this what proud mothers feel like?”

“Why a proud mother why not a proud father?” Hoseok asks, thrown off by the comment.

“Because it’s Taehyung. Come on let’s go.” Yoongi turns to you, saying a quick goodbye. “Thank you for the class once again.”

“Literally any time.” You respond, waving them all out.

They leave in a hurry and suddenly the busy room is left with you and you alone. You just about sit down before your phone busses with a notification.

You can’t help but smile at the new text from Hoseok that reads:

JHS: “Your job isn’t unimportant nor is it easy. Have a good day.”

[miastideclock]

masterlist

hello, my loves! i'm back i guess? i have updated the masterlist, so here we are♡ please let me know of you feel i have labeled my posts wrong in terms of angst or triggers, and we can look into it together!! thank you x

also, take these labels with a pinch of salt as i have zero clue what the damn hell i write :)

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fluff; ᰔ angsty-ish; ☁︎ triggering; TW suggestive, and i use that term loosely; ༄ stupid/attempted humor; 𓍯

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stray kids

bang chan ink, a bang chan series (finished) part zero, part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen ᰔ ☁︎ 𓍯 bang chan drabble, “can i sleep here tonight?” ☁︎ bang chan drabble, “the one where the dog gets away.”  ☁︎ bang chan drabble, “exhausted.” ☁︎ bang chan social media ᰔ 𓍯 bang chan drabble, “figure it out.” ᰔ ☁︎ bang chan drabble, "bunny." 𓍯 bang chan drabble, "home." ᰔ bang chan drabble, “quiet” ᰔ bang chan drabble, "nightfood" ᰔ 𓍯 a year with bang chan; ᰔ january 2nd february 14th march 2nd april 17thmay 30th june 4th july 14th august 1st september 12th october 3rd november 1st december 31st

lee know lee minho drabble, “water.” ☁︎ lee minho drabble, "whale watchers". ᰔ

changbin seo changbin social media ᰔ 𓍯 valkyrie street, a seo changbin series (coming) ᰔ ☁︎ ༄ 𓍯

hyunjin hwang hyunjin drabble, “i’m right here.” ᰔ ☁︎  TW

han han jisung social media ᰔ 𓍯 han jisung drabble, "cruise ships" ᰔ

felix lee felix drabble, "how incredible." ᰔ ☁︎

seungmin none yet

i.n yang jeongin drabble “inside beauty.” ☁︎ᰔ

group and plurals stray kids reaction to their soft s/o accidentally cursing ᰔ stray kids reaction to their girlfriend flinching ☁︎ stray kids reaction to their s/o sleeping in their bed ᰔ stray kids reaction to their s/o filming an intimate scene ᰔ stray kids reaction to their relationship going public ᰔ stray kids reaction to their s/o being shy about their singing-talents ᰔ 𓍯 stray kids reaction; everyday texts ᰔ 𓍯 stray kids reaction; love at first sight ᰔ stray kids reaction; realizing they love you ᰔ stray kids reaction: dancing with you at 2am ᰔ stray kids as taylor swift songs ᰔ𓍯 bang chan & hwang hyunjin drabble, “1. 16. 33.” ᰔ ☁︎ TW-ish 3racha reaction to ice skating ᰔ 𓍯 3racha reaction to their girlfriend being from a different country ᰔ stray kids drabble, "twisty-tie." ᰔ stray kids drabble, “tan lines and late nights.” ᰔ stray kids texts, summer edition ᰔ

dating bang chan ᰔ𓍯 dating lee know ᰔ 𓍯 dating changbin ᰔ 𓍯 dating hyunjin ᰔ 𓍯 dating han ᰔ 𓍯 dating felix ᰔ 𓍯 dating seungmin ᰔ 𓍯 dating i.n ᰔ 𓍯

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bts

rm kim mamjoon drabble, “drunk.”  ᰔ kim mamjoon drabble, "chai lattes." ᰔ kim namjoon drabble, "go to gate." ᰔ kim namjoon drabble, "2. 21. 50." ☁︎ kim namjoon drabble, "9:52pm" ᰔ

v kim taehyung drabble, "the ringing of a library." ☁︎

group and plurals rm, suga, j-hope drabble, “ddaeng.” ༄

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extras

pick a number

name playlists sasha leigh anne leilah alice rubina grace darryl

former

day6 day6 reaction to kissing their crush ᰔ day6 reaction to being in a long-distance relationship ᰔ day6 at their wedding ᰔ kim wonpil drabble, "highschool!au" ᰔ

got7 im jaebeom drabble, “cravings” ᰔ

monsta x shin hoseok drabble, “you make me feel alive.” ᰔ im changkyun drabble, “are you really in love with him?” ᰔ im changkyun drabble, “10. 45. 49.” ᰔ ☁︎(?) chae hyungwon drabble, “oceans.” ᰔ ☁︎ chae hyungwon drabble, “1. 38. 41.” ᰔ lee jooheon, drabble “I Love You.”  ᰔ

nct jung jaehyun drabble, “for you”  ☁︎ TW

seventeen seventeen reaction to asking you to be their girlfriend ᰔ seventeen hip hop unit at their wedding ᰔ seventeen reaction to you overhearing them confess their feelings for you ᰔ seventeen reaction to meeting their ex girlfriend ᰔ

Feel free to request, but please read the rules first! Thank you x

cheers, bentley♡

[borathae]

chapter 1

“Thank you good sir” i havent seen this in a serious manner in a long time, and laughed cuz it sounded like 1890s memes 😭 im sorry

pulls the door open with ease. NO WAY I PUSHED AN PULL DOOR BYE U DIDNT HAVE TO ATTACK SOME OF US LIKE THAT 😭 violence i will be meditating

ALSO IS IT TAE OR JIN AAH HOLD ON JOON IS TALL TOO maybe kook??

“I’ve been a student here for quite some time actually” this sits at the same table as "how long have you been 17? a while"

oh it was jooniebug WHY IS OUR PRESIDENT A DICK 😭😭

“At least I don’t look like a stoner from the seventies” JIN STOP, HOBI U LOOK AMAZING

funky what is funky why is funky when is funky where is funky how is funky who is funky

what is she studying to have history and human anatomy together?/srs. ooh literature with different stuff for minor

boi i havent heard the word coolio in a decade, the last time probably while reading ff in 2014

oh my god its the bad boy. is it yoongi? YES I WAS RIGHT

4 HOUR LECTURE ON ONE TOPIC?? BOI I WOULD HAVE DIED AND RESURRECTED IN THAT TIME. i have 2 hour lectures with 5 minute after an hour and its amazing

"No reason really”, *plays why u always lying meme

Hoseok agrees with a quirk of his perfectly styled eyebrow. YES HIS EYEBORWS ARE HOT AS FUCK

ofc kook is a sports major

rest of the Alpha dirt”, damn hoseok really got beef with them

status from royal blood? eww hoseok is slay for that *me acting like i wasnt being a thot while reading yoongi, tae, kook drabbles/oneshots

FUCK SOCIETY

“Dear lord, give me strength”, jin and joon with bangtan

JIMIN WTF U WERE SUPPOSED TO BE LIL FLUFF BEAN *bitch stop u knew how they were in the beninging(yes i misspelled for the meme) YES KICKING IN THE SHIN SUPREMACY

what is a hacky sack? i found out its a game? but what is he exactly studying lol?

also its the way she is making friends and talking to people LIKE SHE SPOKE WORDS YALL could never be me, sure i would have asked someone to help me to my classes but i wouldnt be talking after that, would have said im busy even though im not

if you would excuse me, but you’re quite weird, BYE IM LEAVING THE EARTH THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IM EMBARRASSED you can find me in 134340 business days, where i will be rotting under my blankie bye

“Perfect, now that everyone is welcomed accordingly. an example of when theater theaters in the most theater form

It leaves you wondering what he meant with that. u know what he meant by that, this is where you do the whole twilight thing

“I feel I just witnessed a man high on three different drugs theatre kids in a nutshell (apparently people on tumblr are either gay, english major or a theatre kid, and i sent the meme to my friends, guess what they said................... "looks like you fit all three category" our schools dont have it, but im apparently a theatre kid to them 😭)

WHY DOES THIS MAN WANT TO KILL ME SHUT UP I HATE YOU GO AWAY *gets closer again

How is he walking that quietly you walk with your entire feet, part by part, like in those "special" shoes ads, that helps in reducing sound. slow yet quick

“well, that is indeed a predicament.” oof so elegant, classy, AND RUDE (there 2seok, happy?)

your voice actually comes out squeaky. girl mine would have came quiet yet squeaky way before 😭

BABY CONNECT THE DOTS HOW DID THEY GET THAT FAST QUIETLY??

let’s get the 1860 one.” IS SHE THAT SPECIAL?? WHATS GOING ON AAAH

Seokjin actually answers him with a quiet “yeah!” OFC HE WOULD DO THAT

THEY GOT DEAD BODIES IN THE FREEZER

If you died here tonight EXACTLY U GONNA DIE BYE GIRL, YOU WILL (NOT) BE MISSED jk jk lol

ig kook is scared of girls *eww that was cringe bye Maybe he just needed to take a really urgent shit OH MY GOD PLS😭😭 this is going to stay in my mind forever, everytime i see him running im gonna think of this no doubt

“exactly, that is the reason. He is really shy.” aww such a shy lil bean OK BUT IK THATS NOT THE REASON *inserts suspicious hobi eyes

you must have the crispiest oxygen sounds like an indian water ad, that said "more of oxygen " Arrey yaar h2o water has not turned into h2o2 toxic hydrogen peroxide 😭

i love ur descriptions, they are very picturable and i love the vibes. it is soo good, i could smell the place? the seats, library, just the university smell, restaurant. it was great. i dont think my words do any justice lol

NO WAY I PUSHED AN PULL DOOR BYE U DIDNT HAVE TO ATTACK SOME OF US LIKE THAT 😭 violence i will be meditating

I think this is like a universal human experience to push a few pull doors lmaooa

ALSO IS IT TAE OR JIN AAH HOLD ON JOON IS TALL TOO maybe kook??

questions over question mhmhmmhm

oh it was jooniebug WHY IS OUR PRESIDENT A DICK 😭😭

QUESTIONS OVER QUESTIONS INDEED

what is she studying to have history and human anatomy together?/srs. ooh literature with different stuff for minor

honestly? i gotta be honest with you, don't think too deeply about the logistics of her studies. i chose her courses for the sake of plot and nothing else LMAOAO

boi i havent heard the word coolio in a decade, the last time probably while reading ff in 2014

coolio still slaps like 10/10 word (also you see how I made them using "outdated" words wink wink almost as if they were from a different time wink wink)

oh my god its the bad boy. is it yoongi? YES I WAS RIGHT

BADBOY YOONGI AWOO

Hoseok agrees with a quirk of his perfectly styled eyebrow. YES HIS EYEBORWS ARE HOT AS FUCK

THEY ARE THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT

ofc kook is a sports major

djjfja thinking back, it makes no sense for him to also study JFJDAFJ (you'll understand it later fasdjfj)

JIMIN WTF U WERE SUPPOSED TO BE LIL FLUFF BEAN *bitch stop u knew how they were in the beninging(yes i misspelled for the meme) YES KICKING IN THE SHIN SUPREMACY

HAHHHAHAH he may have tricked you fadjfjas

what is a hacky sack? i found out its a game? but what is he exactly studying lol?

yes it's a game fakdsfka in theory he studies dance PLEASE don't think too much about the logistic I literally just went with vibes

also its the way she is making friends and talking to people LIKE SHE SPOKE WORDS YALL could never be me, sure i would have asked someone to help me to my classes but i wouldnt be talking after that, would have said im busy even though im not

i get both sides like i would want to make friends but would be too scared that they would hate me FADJFJ if people like 2seok talked to me though? helloooooo :)

if you would excuse me, but you’re quite weird, BYE IM LEAVING THE EARTH THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IM EMBARRASSED you can find me in 134340 business days, where i will be rotting under my blankie bye

hahahahhaha this part is actually so embarassing bHAHAHHAHAHAH

“I feel I just witnessed a man high on three different drugs theatre kids in a nutshell (apparently people on tumblr are either gay, english major or a theatre kid, and i sent the meme to my friends, guess what they said................... "looks like you fit all three category" our schools dont have it, but im apparently a theatre kid to them 😭)

i don't get the hate on theater kids, all I see is people who don't fit into the "societal norm" and are therefore labelled as weird losers. we don't have stuff like "theater kid" or "sports kid" in Austria either becuse school is solely there to study not to offer clubs but I still never understood the weird hatered some clubs get in America jfdjfa

THEY GOT DEAD BODIES IN THE FREEZER

👀👀👀👀

ig kook is scared of girls *eww that was cringe bye Maybe he just needed to take a really urgent shit OH MY GOD PLS😭😭 this is going to stay in my mind forever, everytime i see him running im gonna think of this no doubt

as for now it seems like he is ooooh 👀

“exactly, that is the reason. He is really shy.” aww such a shy lil bean OK BUT IK THATS NOT THE REASON *inserts suspicious hobi eyes

SUSPICIOUS INDEED MHHHHM

i love ur descriptions, they are very picturable and i love the vibes. it is soo good, i could smell the place? the seats, library, just the university smell, restaurant. it was great. i dont think my words do any justice lol

OMGG THANK YOU!! gosh this is actually such a big compliment :( I'm so happy to know that I managed to really make you exprience the place gaaah thank you for this review heheh 💜💜

[luckyhyuki]

MY END AND MY BEGINNING BY InterstellarBlue  

SITE: AO3 PAIRING: SHIN HOSEOK X SON HYUNWOO

RATING: GENERAL WORD COUNT: 25.6K “After Son Hyunwoo's military career is cut short, he heads back to university and falls in with a group of six other young men - and falls in love with one of them. Featuring crafty boys, cameos from K-dramas, a bit of angst, and a lot of fluff.”

[mintyjin]

mermaid au: wonho

sorry for the late post!!! I have no excuse except that I’ve had the very best day I’ve had in a while and I’ve just been basking in it lmao

every summer, you go to the same beach at least once

it gives you a sense of peace to revisit a familiar shore

to sit on familiar sands

and it’s not a very popular beach, but it’s all the more gorgeous because of it

the beach is clear of trash, the waters more deeply blue, the town free from the grossly touristy stores littering other spots along the shore

you love to rent a paddleboard and row into the ocean, ignoring the slight burn in your arms as the wind gently moves your hair and the sun warms your skin

once you get past the rougher waves near the shore, the water is much easier to push through

so you sometimes lay back on your paddleboard and close your eyes

feeling the waves lift you slowly up and down

the sun bright red through your eyelids

one day you were doing exactly that, one hand hanging in the water, when suddenly, you were thrown underwater

to be more exact, you were pushed underwater as a wave crashed into you, throwing your board far from arms reach

you felt yourself turn in the water, your hands outstretched, unable to find the surface

briefly, your head breached water and you took in a gasping breath

but seconds later you tasted only seawater

your hands scraped against corals and sand and needless to say, you felt your heart pounding from fear

stories that start with the feeling of drowning don’t end well

your lungs are burning and you can’t see a way out of the situation

and then something takes your waist and pulls you backwards

you vaguely make out the sight of the wave rolling over your head

and then you’re pushed up to the surface

gulping air, you look frantically around for whatever it was that saved you

it wasn’t what you expect, to say the least

there is a boy staring at you

a handsome boy… with dark, kind eyes and pale hair

ok y/n not what you need to be focusing on you almost drowned a minute ago

“Are you ok?” he asks

“I-I’m fine. Ah, are you?” you ask between coughing from swallowing sea water

because obviously he was in the same situation as you to have been this far from shore

“Huh? Yeah, of course!”

you look back towards the beach and you’re not that far out anymore, but you’re feeling too winded to try to swim back right away

your paddleboard? no where to be seen

“We should get you back to shore…” the boy says

“You, too…” you start, but then you notice something kind of… odd

the boy has…. scales…. lining his jaw and hairline

he watches your eyes trace his scales and laughs almost nervously

“Um, so-“

“Hold on, I just need to check on something,” you say, ducking under the water, your eyes wide open

and there, in front of you, is a tail

like. a tail belonging to the boy who saved you from near drowning

you pop back up out of the water, sputtering

“You’re. You’re a mermaid!”

is he shy? he’s a little pink and is rubbing the back of his neck but he’s also shooting you a kilowatt smile 

“Yeah, I am... which is how I saw you get pulled under. Are you sure you’re ok?” 

you’re like yes of course I’m ok 

but also you’re like.... were you,,,, watching me???

he’s like oh well,, um,,,, I’ve seen you here before and I just wanted to make sure nothing bad happened to you... that’s ok right?

wait... you’ve seen me before?

he’s like yes you come here every year don’t you?

and this is.... not how you thought your day was going to go 

but it’s strangely touching that this boy... mermaid... didn’t want anything bad to happen to you 

the ocean is a scary place, after all

and there are a million things you want to ask and say but instead you smile, laughing incredulously, and say, “Thank you. I’m Y/N.” 

he’s smiling so bright the sun seems to get darker when he says, “I’m Wonho! And I couldn’t just let you drown- it really doesn’t deserve thanks.”

“Of course it does!” 

“No, really. Ah, maybe I shouldn't say this?”

“What?” 

“I’m kind of glad you got knocked off... because I wanted a chance to talk to you without scaring you.” 

and you're like... yeah... if you had just popped up out of nowhere I probably would’ve screamed 

and he’s like,,, lightly splashing you with water 

“I’m very scary, Y/N, I don’t blame you.” 

you splash him back and yes. it turns into a war

and you’re laughing and having the time of your life 

totally brushing past that whole thing where you almost drowned 

cause wonho is so easy to get along with

he’s just a good person.... mermaid. 

of course you want to talk to him, to learn about him 

(not just because he’s a mermaid, mind you, but also because he seems so kind)

(and he’s hot)

but you feel your limbs growing heavy, your brain getting foggy from the stress of the day 

“Let me swim you back to shore,” he says, moving closer 

you’re too stunned by everything to protest, instead nodding 

you’re like... this might as well happen 

and he gently takes your waist in his hands like he did when he got you out of the wave’s grasp and wowwww you’re suddenly very close to his face 

he notices your flustered expression and looks down, shooting you a wink 

you’re like, “Are you flirting with me?” 

“Blatantly.” 

but hmmm he’s blushing so the confidence act really isn’t fooling you

you just wrap your arms around his neck and hold on tight as he starts to swim you to shore 

and every once in a while, the end of his tail is visible above the water for a second or two 

and maybe it should be a little more weird but... it’s very pretty 

wonho is very pretty

just stating the facts 

and his hands are cool against your skin, flushed from exposure to the sun

and when you get to shallow water, you release your hold on him and he sets you down ever so softly 

but his hands,,,, they’re still on your waist 

his eyes are darting between your lips and your eyes 

and you’re so, so down to kiss this boy

mermaid, whatever 

but instead of a kiss, you feel his hands leave your waist 

and you’re like wait no get back here

but his hands are going behind his neck to unlatch a necklace 

you didn’t notice before but... the stone on his necklace is peculiar 

kind of a milky white, but you could swear it changes color when it leaves his chest 

he reaches around behind you and fastens the necklace around your neck

“Wonho, what-” 

“It’s bonded to me. If you come into the ocean near here, I’ll feel it. And I’ll come see you.” 

you place a hand over the stone on your chest and you could swear you feel a subtle warmth from it... along with... a pulse? 

“I’ll come back soon,” you promise 

“Pinky promise?” he says, smiling 

you lock your pinky with his, returning the smile, and say goodbye

but as you unlatch your pinky, he takes your hand to his mouth and kisses it

“See you soon, Y/N!” he says, and then he’s gone

like... the boy just disappears 

gone into the waves

but you look down at the stone on your chest and feel the small beat it emits and...

wonho will keep his word, you know it

he’ll be there the next day

spoiler alert: you were right. and he was so happy to see you again

[theharrowing]

Collateral 🗡️ 12: Loose lips sink ships

Your ex-boyfriend gets in over his head working for the local mafia, and Boss Min has come to collect his payment: You.

But was it simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or has he always had his sights on you?

PREVIOUS | INDEX | NEXT

🗡️ Yoongi x Female Reader x Namjoon 🗡️ word count: 11.6k 🗡️ mafia au, strangers to lovers, graphic violence, major character injury, poly, smut, angst, fluff, nsfw, explicit 21+  🗡️ chapter warnings: the return of our favorite gossip girl Felix, graphic descriptions of violence (use of incendiary device to start fire, use of kunai knives and glass to stab & slit throats, use of drugs to force an overdose, smothering), sleep paralysis nightmare, fingering and face-sitting in the garden, joonbug is a real softie, 2seok are up to something. 🗡️ beta read by @neoneunnajimin! <3  🗡️ posted on jan. 2023 | read on ao3 🗡️ note: happy new year, friends! so excited to kick off 2023 with a chapter of my beloved Collateral! this chapter was fun to write, and it is introducing so many things that will be important for the rest of the story. the descriptions of violence in this one are pretty wild, so please be ready!

Light pours into Yoongi's bedroom, and you grumble as you stretch your arms over your head, feeling the final dredges of sleep wash away to wakefulness. The bed is empty, and the light pouring in is still soft with hints of pink, signifying dawn, so you assume that the men had gotten up much earlier and probably will not be back until afternoon. 

Feeling hunger pangs in the pit of your stomach, you grumble and concede to getting out of the warmth of the giant, lonely bed, to make your way into the kitchen for something to eat. Perhaps Felix or Changbin will be around to join you—though you still feel put off by the latter's behavior the last time you saw him, you would still welcome his company.

As you push the heavy door open, making your way out into the balcony, you find two bodies sitting on the bench outside your bedroom door. However, neither are the men you expected. 

Seokjin sits tall in a burgundy three-piece suit with one leg crossed over the other, holding his phone as if he is watching something on the screen. Beside him, Hoseok is dressed in his standard black garb with his head on Seokjin's shoulder, smiling at whatever he is looking at. Suddenly, you feel exposed walking out in only one of Namjoon's oversized black shirts and panties, and you take a step back to rethink your attire and consider putting on some of Yoongi's sweatpants. 

However, before you can make it back into the safety of the master bedroom, Seokjin looks up and, with a grin, clicks his phone off and keeps his attention on you. 

"Well, well," he mutters, "if it isn't the wolf cub we were hoping to see."

You rock on your heels, still deciding whether or not to excuse yourself into Yoongi's room, but Hoseok sits up straight, and Seokjin stands, both with their eyes fixed on you. 

"Come," Seokjin says, slipping his phone into his front pocket while holding out his free hand. "I have something I would like to discuss with you."

"Oh," you mutter, reluctantly stepping forward and padding over to the men. "Okay."

"Before we begin," Seokjin says, moving into your personal space and wrapping an arm around your shoulder. Seokjin wears an expensive-smelling cologne—woody and musky with fruity and floral notes; more feminine than you would expect. "This proposition I have for you...it has to stay between us."

"What do you mean?" you mutter as Hoseok stands before you with a pointed stare. 

"We have devised a plan to spy on the rival family," Seokjin says.

"Yoongi's ex," Hoseok adds, though you already know. 

"But in order for this plan to work, Yoongi mustn't know."

You hum, already feeling trepidation over doing something behind Yoongi's back that involves mafia activity. Especially considering the Shin family is all the way in Busan; how would they suppose you can spy on them?

"We have a little bird on the inside," Hoseok continues, "but he is afraid to get too close."

"We were thinking," Seokjin says, "that if we could get you into her home, you would be able to get a lot more information."

You shake your head. Into her home? Absolutely not. Not to mention—

"How would we get me into her home without him knowing?"

"Deception on both sides, of course," Seokjin answers as if it is nothing. "Yoongi gets word that you are feeling suffocated and cooped up, and you need to take a vacation. I offer to set everything up—as I am wont to do—and we send you to Busan."

"And Ryujin?" you ask incredulously. "She has already seen my face. How would we get me into her house?"

Hoseok shrugs. "Someone leaks information that you are being abused and need somewhere safe to hide from the Min family. She's a softie; she'll take you."

The thought of framing Yoongi as abusive to win his ex's favor settles like a brick in the pit of your stomach, and you tense in Seokjin's hold, clenching and relaxing your fists at your sides. In an attempt to play it off, you shrug and scoff, rolling your eyes as you glance from Hoseok to Seokjin.

"A softie? She sent men to beat your boxer to death, and to attack Jimin. I would hardly call her a softie."

"Compared to what your hubby does," Hoseok snarls playfully, "that's nothing."

A shiver runs through you at the word hubby. Something about it stirs your insides in all the worst possible ways. Setting that aside, the plan seems foolish. How long do they expect you to feign being on vacation? Getting to know someone well enough to spy on them is something you imagine would take months, if not a year, at least.

"This plan is terrible," you respond, turning away from Seokjin and letting his arm fall away from your shoulder. "I can't imagine I will be able to gather as much intel on her in the timespan of...whatever a getaway is."

Hoseok shrugs. "So we tell him you're on sabbatical."

"It won't work," you insist. "Yoongi is far too clingy for that."

Seokjin hums, and you turn to find him studying you with squinted eyes.

"If I revise the plan and make it more believable, would you reconsider?"

There is a part of you that wants to say yes, if only as payback for what they did to Jimin. But there is no way someone as possessive as Yoongi would let you leave. And even if he were foolish enough not to see through the lie, you doubt that Namjoon would be.

"If it is actually a believable plan then yes, I will reconsider."  

Both men smile, and Seokjin reaches to pat you on the shoulder. He shares a knowing glance and says, "Loose lips sink ships," before turning to walk down the stairs. 

"See you soon, little cub," Hoseok sing-songs, following close behind. 

You sit on the bench outside your bedroom door, feeling the soft upholstery on your thighs, and wait for them to get enough of a head start before making your way to the kitchen. Part of you hopes that Yoongi has been around all along, rendering the whole conversation moot so you can all move on and forget about it altogether. But, when you finally do make your way downstairs, toward the kitchen, the main hall is empty, and the mansion is quiet. 

After a small breakfast of cereal and fruit, you walk into the main hall to find Felix at the entrance, kicking off his shoes. You fail to hold back a squeal as you run through the hall, and Felix looks up with a wide smile, holding his arms wide to catch you.

"Hello," Felix beams in his deep voice, Australian accent adding unnecessary consonants—something you have missed dearly.

"Poolside!" you shout as you step out of the hug. "Champagne and catching up! Don't say no!"

"I wouldn't dream of saying no," Felix responds, rubbing a palm over the top of your head as if you are a child. To his credit, you are still running around in nothing but a giant t-shirt and underwear, which seems like something a child might do.

With a mock-offended groan, you swat Felix's hand away and turn, running for the stairs. Although Felix follows behind, his footsteps are much slower, taking his time. You slam your bedroom door open and jet into the closet, tugging Namjoon's shirt off as soon as you are safe around the corner of the walk-in, and fling open a drawer that contains bathing suits.

Grabbing a black two-piece, you hardly give it a glance as you hop out of your panties and into the suit, then you yank the first baby blue sun dress you see from its hanger and unceremoniously pull it over your head, spinning it several times around your neck before your arms line up with the correct holes. 

Felix appears in the doorway in swim shorts and a tee.

"I wore the trunks here knowing you would wanna swim," he says as you pad over.

"Of course you did," you mutter in response, delighted by how predictable you are, and the two of you bound down the stairs. 

The moment you step outside, the bartender approaches, and you wonder if the poor guy ever takes time off—what must his hours be like? At least he has the wherewithal to leave the open bottle behind right away, saving himself a trip. It only takes two glasses of bubbly before your lips are too loose for your own good—ignoring Seokjin's earlier advice.

"Is the mansion bugged?" you ask as you hold your champagne flute to your lips.

Felix's eyes widen, and he stares unblinkingly for several seconds. "Why do you ask?"

With a shrug, you mutter, "Just curious."

"Are you having conversations you don't want master Yoongi to hear?"

With a scoff, you shake your head and mutter, "Please do not call him that," making Felix laugh. 

"On the contrary," you continue, "I may have overheard a conversation that I wonder if he should know about."

You do not want to divulge what Seokjin and Hoseok said to you up on the second-floor balcony, and attempt to separate yourself from the conversation. All good lies come from a place of truth, after all. 

"But you don't want to snitch," Felix suggests with a grin.

"Of course."

"Because snitches get stitches."

You chuckle as you say, "So I have heard," then you gulp back the rest of your champagne. Felix finishes his, as well, and takes your glass to refill it.

"No," he continues as he pours, "the mansion is not bugged, save for the dining halls, I believe—rooms where meetings with outsiders may take place. But, as far as I know, those systems are only switched on when needed."

You nod and accept your full glass, taking a sip.

"Yoongi trusts his men implicitly. So if the conversation you overheard was between two of them, then you may want to sow some seeds of discontent, making Yoongi investigate on his own. Or record any future conversations they may have."

"Do any of the family men need Yoongi's approval to enter the mansion when he's not here?” you ask, eager to sway the conversation. 

Felix shakes his head. “The family men have twenty-four-hour access. And the retina scanner pings Yoongi’s phone so he always knows who is coming in and going out.”

“I suppose you also have access, since your room is upstairs.”

Felix blinks at you several times as if confused, then chuckles and shakes his head.

“We only occupy that room when Yoongi wants constant watch over someone. Changbin and I live elsewhere, on a nearby property.”

“Oh,” you mutter. That explains why you have not seen either of them in a while. 

“And we do not have constant access. Yoongi sends us a code for the door that changes daily, so we can only come in on days when he wants us to.”

You suppose you should not be too surprised that Yoongi is paranoid even of his security staff. He is, after all, more powerful than even you still realize, but something about it is a bit unsettling…though, what that something is, is hard to put your finger on. You decide, instead, to sway the conversation a bit.

"And the parties that used to take place out here? Which have all but stopped."

"Mostly Jeongguk and Taehyung's doing, as far as I know," Felix responds. "But ever since the whole ecstasy fiasco, they stopped letting people over. And with Jeongguk getting stabbed..."

Felix trails off, and you find yourself biting back a smirk. It is, of course, not funny that Jeongguk got stabbed, but whenever you remember a very exasperated Seokjin carrying him over his shoulder while Jeongguk was high out of his mind, you cannot help but feel amused. He is fine, after all.

"What...was all that about?" you ask, wondering if Felix can even tell you. "Namjoon and I met up with Changkyun once to beat some information out of a couple of guys, but I haven’t heard Namjoon or Yoongi mention it since.”

The surprise in Felix's voice takes you off guard. "Yoongi never told you?"

You shake your head and shrug. "No, but, to be fair, I never asked. And we have had other things come up, I suppose."

After a pause, Felix asks, "Are you sure you wanna know?"

You nod, wide-eyed and eager, and you must really look silly because Felix chuckles and shakes his head.

"The whole thing feels like a scene from a movie, honestly; it was so weird hearing about it that I almost didn't believe it was real. Even while I watched it, myself, it felt too insane."

Anticipation hangs, and you watch as Felix stares at you with a grin. You kick his shin and urge him to continue.

 "Alright, alright," he says. "But it gets pretty...gruesome at times. So stop me if you need to."

"I'm a big girl," you tease, "I can handle myself."

"Yeah?" Felix challenges with a raise of his eyebrows. "Do you know how many men Jeongguk killed that night?"

Until this very moment, you were unaware that Jeongguk had killed anyone that night. You shake your head as your eyebrows knit—the concern written on your face only seeming to delight your friend all the more.

"Fifteen," Felix says slowly, drawing out each syllable.

"Fif—what?"

With an eager nod, Felix takes a gulp of his champagne and begins. "Apparently he had these ecstasy pills that were laced with meth, and he popped two of them, drank down a bunch of whiskey, snorted a pile of cocaine and just went ape shit on a room full of men who were linked to the one guy who ripped him off."

Your mouth hangs around words like who and what and how but nothing comes out. 

"I watched the security footage, so everything I am about to tell you is the truth. And you need to believe me when I say it is the craziest shit I have ever seen. At one point, Jeongguk reached into his shirt and pulled out a kunai knife that he twirled on the end of his finger. And over the course of the fight, he pulled out several more, so I don't know if he had like a bandolier of them strapped to his chest, or something."

"Kunai?" you ask in disbelief, and when Felix nods, you add, "Like, from Naruto?"

This makes Felix double over, spilling some of the champagne from his glass.

"Yes!" he shouts as his head hangs between his knees. "Like from Naruto!"

The idea is so funny that you join Felix in laughter; you know that kunai is a real weapon, but you have never actually seen them used outside of television. Of course, the fact that Jeongguk used these knives to at least kill some of the fifteen men is hardly funny, but the visual is just ridiculous. What kind of person is Jeongguk? This is a question you find yourself thinking about often. What goes on inside his head?

"Okay," Felix says, sitting up with tears in his eyes. "I will spare you all of the gory details, but basically, Jeongguk orchestrated a gathering of these fifteen men—including the one who had stolen from him, Jae."

The name Jae rings a bell from when you accompanied Namjoon to beat those two men with a baton. 

"They were at some dingy bar that Jeongguk owns, and Jeongguk showed up, told the outside door guard not to let anyone out, and bid the bartender farewell. Then, he hopped over the counter and began constructing a molotov cocktail."

Already, this sounds like a fever dream, and you take a gulp of champagne, feeling tipsiness begin to swirl in your chest and head. 

"So," you inquire with a raise of an eyebrow, "he grabbed a bottle of..."

"Vodka."

"Right, of course," you respond, biting back a grin. "Then he shoved a rag into it and what? Lit it on fire?"

"Exactly."

"Wh—" You begin to wonder who in real life, in their right mind, even thinks to do that. But then you remember that Jeongguk was most certainly not in his right mind. 

"Then, he hopped up onto the bar with the incendiary and chucked it over the crowd of men so that it smashed against the ceiling, raining fire down on them."

Again, you attempt to ask questions that never form, only finding yourself able to mutter, "That...sounds fake."

"It was honestly incredible," Felix beams, perhaps a little too excitedly. "Fire rained down on these men and they began to panic. Only one man caught fire to the point of needing to stop, drop, and roll, but the commotion it created was precisely the type of chaos that someone like Jeongguk feeds off of.”

You imagine men running around frantically as their hair and clothing burn, and although the imagery is cartoonish in your mind, the idea makes your stomach churn. 

“Jeongguk managed to isolate the Jae guy and restrain him to a pipe,” Felix continues. “It’s an older brick building, kind of industrial, with some of the pipes coming out of the walls and snaking back in, and I believe Jeongguk used handcuffs to restrain his wrist. Then, he went to town on the other fourteen while Jae watched.”

“What do you mean by he ‘went to town’ on them?”

“With the kunai,” Felix responds as if it is obvious, then he screws up his face in thought. “Mostly by stabbing the tips into the men’s necks, or slicing their throats open. A couple men attacked with punches, and he would use one blade to punch into their arms, blocking their swings, while advancing with the other kunai into this jugular. Some got headbutted before throat-gauged. It was a mess. At one point, there was so much blood on the floor, and vodka from the Molotov, that a guy slipped and broke his head open on all the broken glass.”

Suddenly, you do not think you want to know how the situation escalated so much that Jeongguk got stabbed. Though, considering he was outnumbered and the floor was covered in broken glass, you can wager a guess. 

“One of the details I overheard Taehyung tell was that in his pocket, Jeongguk had a bloodstained mouth guard. Imagine that sight. Jeon Jeongguk, high out of his fucking mind, covered in blood and sweat, wielding kunai knives with this wide, plastic grin. Maniacal.”

“And he only got stabbed once?” you ask incredulously as you remember all the substances in his system while he fought all these men. 

“Twice, technically, but from the same guy. He most likely got cocky. He was facing Jae—saying his final words, I assumed, judging by how he stood—and a guy who must have been playing dead before gathered two large pieces of glass and first tried stabbing him in the guts under his ribs, but only really managed to get him between the shoulder blades.”

“And, let me guess,” you deadpan, “he got a kunai to the throat?”

“Two to the stomach, I believe. He was already bleeding pretty badly, though from where, it was hard to tell.”

“And I assume Seokjin found him somehow and brought him home?”

Felix nods.

“Luckily, Jeongguk had the wherewithal to call Seokjin before it all went down and tell him he would need a ride home. Unfortunately for Seokjin, however, Jeongguk failed to mention he had driven his bike into town.”

A scoff rocks through your chest as you try to imagine Jeon Jeongguk—dressed head to toe in his standard mobster black attire with his pupils dilated into black disks—riding a bicycle like a carefree child. 

“And this bike,” you inquire, failing to hold back a smile, “what does it look like?”

Felix beams. “Oh, it’s the cutest thing! Mint green with a little brown basket on the handles.”

“You’re lying,” you mutter in disbelief. 

Felix shakes his head. “It has a bell and everything! He pulls up to the house and brrring brrrings it with a shit-eating grin.”

Now that is something you would pay to see. 

“Wait, so Seokjin brought him back here on a bicycle?”

With a hum, Felix says, “He must have a luggage rack over the back wheel, because Seokjin complained about him sitting behind him, leaning hard into his back while his feet kept slipping from the pegs and bumping into the tires.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“Good thing I befriended Jimin and not Jeongguk,” you mutter. 

With a knowing grin, Felix leans forward and says, “According to a little bird, Jimin recently orchestrated a murder, too.”

“You’re lying,” you gasp as you chug back the rest of your champagne and begin to refill your glass. 

Felix shakes his head and holds his empty glass for a refill, as well. “Well, I think technically, Seokjin finished the job. Jimin is by far the biggest softie of the group.”

"And the least soft one is Jeongguk, I presume?" you mutter jokingly.

Felix's eyes widen, and he says, "That would be Taehyung."

You cock your head to the side, pointing an ear in his direction, as if you may have misheard. "Taehyung?"

A grin tugs at Felix's lips, sending a shiver down your spine.

"Taehyung didn't become a doctor because he likes to help people. He became a doctor because the human body fascinates him, and he enjoys ripping them open. He just happens to be very good at taking care of the select few men he has no desire to rip open. Evidently, the man has a stare so deadly, it makes even Jeongguk cower. But this is all conjecture; we do not dare talk about Taehyung's personal life unless he tells us something directly."

“This is too much information,” you grumble as you top off Felix’s glass and set the empty bottle onto the small table between the heads of your poolside beds.

You definitely want to know more about this situation with Jimin, but after Jeongguk’s murder party, you have heard enough; you cannot even begin to fathom what goes on behind Taehyung's closed door. Instead, you store the information away for later, chug the remaining champagne, and then ask Felix if he would like to swim. 

You must have fallen asleep poolside after returning to the padded bed, feeling a little too drunk and quite a bit tired. The last thing you remember is Felix continuing to swim and convincing the bartender to strip down to his briefs and join him. 

Although your eyes are open, everything poolside seems strange. It feels muted and still, and although you can hear the gentle sloshing of the water and several distant male voices, you are unable to detect any movement. Like an abandoned movie set, closed up, and left for the night. 

A shadow looms over you, and you wonder at first, if you are imagining it. It looks huge—great enough to fully engulf and crush you if it wanted to. You attempt to close your eyes or look away, but you are stuck, paralyzed as the shadow hovers closer and closer. In the recess of your subconscious, you recognize that you are still dreaming and that you need to wake up.

Although you open your mouth to scream, nothing comes out. You thrash and claw at the cushion below, but it is useless as the shadow creeps closer and closer. It does not even touch you—does not have to—yet it pushes the air from your lungs until they burn, desperate for oxygen.

Warm hands touch your shoulders, and you hear a familiar voice. 

"Hey, sweetheart? Are you having a nightmare?"

Namjoon—an anchor in a storm—gently pulls you from hell, and you sit up, eyes wide and pouring tears as you gasp for breath. The sun is still up, and although you are in the shade, everything is incredibly bright, causing you to squint. You feel dehydrated—mouth dry with a headache blooming in your temples. A product from day drinking in the heat. 

"Fuck," you mutter under your breath, overwhelmed and out of sorts. "How long have I been out here?"

Across the pool, Felix is asleep under one of the awnings, curled up like a child and gripping onto a bottle of champagne. You cannot help but snicker. 

"Long enough," Namjoon responds sweetly as he sweeps hair off your seat-sticky face and leans in to place a kiss on your cheek. "Are you hungry? We were thinking about grabbing dinner after a shower."

You do not have to ask who we is, though you do wonder where the other half may be.

With a smile, you nod and mutter, "Sounds perfect."

Namjoon stands and twists, then scoops you up, carrying you into the house. Your sundress is still discarded on the end of the pool bed, but you decide not to bother with it at the moment and curl against Namjoon's chest, breathing him in. 

"Did you have a good day?" Namjoon asks, deep voice vibrating from his chest to yours.

"I did until the nightmare," you admit sheepishly. 

"Wanna talk about it?"

Concern laces Namjoon's voice, making you feel so giddy, you bury your face into his neck and shake your head.

"Just sleep paralysis."

"Glad I came to find you at just the right moment, then."

Gently, slowly, you press a kiss into Namjoon's skin. Then two. Then three.

"Me too."

Upstairs, you enter Yoongi's room to find his shower is already running. Namjoon takes you straight into the en suite and sets you down beside the sink, then turns to the linen closet to grab more towels. You begin to strip from your bathing suit and tiptoe toward the shower. It feels like ages since you have seen Yoongi—even though you fell asleep in his bed last night—and you want to surprise him.

Namjoon, however, stops you with a firm hand around your bicep.

"Hey Yoon," he announces loudly. "We're here to join you."

"Perfect," Yoongi grumbles, voice sounding uncharacteristically low. 

"Best not to surprise a mob boss," Namjoon mutters into your ear, giving you chills. "Even a shampoo bottle can become a weapon."

You clear your throat and nod, forcing a smile. Suddenly, you feel apprehensive to find what kind of mood awaits you. However, when Namjoon steps ahead and pulls the shower doors open, you find Yoongi standing below a stream of water with his head back, rinsing off with a small smile on his lips. Suds fall from his nearly jet-black hair, running down past taut muscle, deep scars, and pretty pale skin. 

Yoongi straightens out and rubs the water from his eyes, then fixes you with a soft, happy smile.

"Darling, come," he says with his hands outstretched, and you realize you had been standing and staring from the doorway the entire time. 

Namjoon makes his way past Yoongi, grabs a rag, and lathers it with liquid soap. You enter slowly, closing the door behind you, and let your eyes flit between Namjoon and Yoongi, feeling the dizzy, shitty sleepiness from napping after day drinking as you approach Yoongi and let him pull you into a hug under the warm stream of water. 

"I only saw you this morning, yet I missed you all day," Yoongi mutters softly against the side of your head.

You chuckle and hug him tight, letting water pool in the space between your cheek and his chest. 

"I was asleep," you tease, and Yoongi responds with a soft, "And looking so precious all bundled up."

Seokjin's proposition from this morning comes back and sends a chill through you. The thought of deceiving Yoongi and leaving him feels impossible, and you decide that even if he does come back with a convincing lie, you will turn him down again. And again, and again, as much as it takes.

"I always miss you," you admit quietly.

Yoongi kisses your temple and pulls from the hug, so you drop your arms to your sides and glance up at him, taking in his sullen expression. Even with his lips tugged into a smile, you can see sadness in his eyes, and you reach up to stroke his cheek and neck.

"Everything alright?" you ask softly.

You do not miss how Yoongi's gaze flicks to Namjoon before he glances back at you and gives a smaller, less convincing smile.

"Everything is not alright, but we are working on it."

Dread pools in your tummy, and you swallow a lump that's suddenly formed in your throat.

"Oh."

"Nothing you need to worry too much about," Namjoon says as he begins gently rubbing a sudsy cloth over your back and arms. "Jeongguk and Jimin made a couple of messes that we have to...clean up."

Your conversation with Felix returns, and you nibble on your bottom lip.

"I may have heard something about that."

"Did Felix tell you?" Yoongi asks, voice stern but steady. You worry that perhaps Felix was not supposed to tell you and that he might get in trouble, but as you nod, Yoongi's expression softens. "I was hoping he might. It probably came out a lot more playfully than if one of us explained it. And, although Jeongguk's mess is not yours to worry about, it does affect what happens under this roof, so you have a right to know."

"And Jimin?" you ask before you can stop yourself. 

Namjoon washes your legs and taps each ankle so you can lift your feet one after another, making this conversation feel so out of place during such a domestic moment.

With a sigh, Yoongi's gaze falls.

"Jimin found out the man he was dating was sent here by Ryujin to spy on us. Allegedly, according to Jimin, Jiyong said that he stopped performing his duty when he and Jimin got serious, which caused Ryujin to send someone to shake Jiyong down, but rather than following his order, he ended up booking Jimin at Paradise and attacking him. You saw the aftermath of that."

"Jesus," you mutter under your breath. Your heart aches for Jimin—for how he must have felt to find out the man he may have loved was working for the enemy.

"So, Jimin drugged him with the intention of killing him, but he called in reinforcements when it didn't go according to plan."

"Seokjin," you mutter, remembering the smug way he regarded you this morning.

"Gotta hand it to Jimin," Namjoon says as he turns your body to face him and rubs the cloth over your chest and stomach, "his plan was extremely tidy. Mixing triazolam and codeine into cocaine with the intention of forcing an overdose is some black widow shit. I would have just left a bullet in his skull."

The thought of Namjoon shooting a man in the head makes your blood turn cold, and you wrap your arms around your chest.

"What did Seokjin do when he arrived?"

"Smothered him with a pillow," Yoongi answers simply, and your eyes fall to the tile floor. You feel bad for Jimin, who must have been pretty heartbroken to be unable to complete the task without help. 

"The men Jeongguk killed are more or less nobodies," Namjoon adds as if to assuage the tension that suddenly hangs. "Only one of them has a family who might come looking, so Yoongi is going to make them an offer and pay them off."

Yoongi adds, "Jimin and Seokjin's target is a little less of a ghost. When word travels back that he was killed by our men, Ryujin may retaliate, so we need to prepare for that. And find out if any of the people who Jimin met through Jiyong can also be bought."

"Sounds complicated," you mutter as Namjoon approaches the line of bottles and squirts more liquid onto the cloth to clean himself.

"It's not, really," Yoongi says. "Men care more about money than pretty much anything else. But, this will take me away for a day or two. I want to meet with everyone as soon as I can, while making a bit of a loop through the city to find out whether anyone may be trying to tail me. Gonna stay at one of my hotels and pretend to lay low." 

"Oh," you mutter, turning your gaze from the spot on the wall that you had spaced onto, to Yoongi. "When?"

"According to the terror twins, the brother of the man Jeongguk killed has accepted an invitation to House of Cards tonight at 11 PM. If all goes well, I should be back tomorrow night."

"The terror twins?" you ask, glancing between Yoongi and Namjoon, who both crack a smile.

"It's what we lovingly call Taehyung and Jeongguk," Yoongi says, and Namjoon adds, "Behind their backs only."

You suppose that after everything Felix has told you, the name makes sense. Overwhelmed by the thought that Yoongi could be putting himself in danger by meeting with these people, you wrap your arms around him, pulling an oof from his lips as you slam his chest into yours.

"Darling, I'll be fine," Yoongi assures you as he lifts his arms and gently drapes them over your shoulders. "Namjoon will be here with you. I'm sure that with all the attention he is willing to give you, you will forget that I am even away."

Petulance overtakes you at Yoongi's candor, and you release the hug, giving his chest a playful shove as you pout, "Not funny."

"Alright, no rough-housing in the shower," Namjoon says as he takes you gently by the arms and pulls you into a stream of water to rinse off all the soap that he has so kindly covered you in. 

"Let's unwind with takeout and a drink before I go?" Yoongi offers once Namjoon has finished washing himself. You find Yoongi fixing you with a devious grin, and you feel the last of your frustrations melt away.

"Fine," you concede, pouting once more, though less convincingly.

Namjoon is the first to exit, and he dries off, wrapping the towel around his hips, then he grabs a second towel and holds it open for you to step in, draping it around you with a kiss to your forehead. He does the same for Yoongi, and you watch in awe as Yoongi momentarily melts in his hold, then searches for you with a smile.

With several hours to spare, you return to the bedroom, to the large couch while Yoongi and Namjoon exit the room for several long minutes. They return with a bottle of white wine but no glasses, and you pass the bottle around and enjoy slow, sloppy makeout sessions with both men until a pile of Chinese takeout is delivered to the room by a very drunk, very sleepy Felix.

By the time Yoongi has to get dressed and leave, you are back to feeling tired, and you curl against Namjoon's naked chest, doing your best to avoid the erection beneath his towel. Perhaps later, when it is just the two of you, you will work him up again just to help him out.

"Feel free to have fun without me," Yoongi groans against your lips as he pulls you to your feet and kisses you goodbye.

Rather than respond to his invitation, you lean in for a kiss, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with worry.

"Please be safe. Come home in one piece."

Yoongi smiles against your lips.

"I will, darling. I promise."

Namjoon walks Yoongi out, muttering to him while thumbing through his cell phone, and you hang back and pad over to Yoongi's closet for some clothing as a shiver runs through you. Although you are certain that Yoongi has gone on missions that are far more dangerous, you fear for the worst. 

The conversation that you, Yoongi, and Namjoon had about love has been playing on repeat, thawing a part of your heart in a way that you never expected it could, and it serves only to ramp up your anxiety. You grab an oversized tee from the section of the closet that Namjoon has begun filling with his own clothing, and a pair of sweatpants from Yoongi's side, slipping into each garment before making your way back to the far side of the bedroom. 

When it is the three of you, the size and shape of the dark blue sofa is welcoming—an invitation. But alone, you feel small and uncertain, and you bring your knees to your chest to sit in a ball and move your fingertips along the soft blue fabric while you wait for Namjoon to return.

It does not take long, and when he steps into the room and closes the large doors behind him with a smile on his face, you relax and allow your lips to tug into a gentle smile of your own. You twist and sit high on your knees, resting your arms over the back of the couch as Namjoon approaches.

"Oh, sweetheart," Namjoon drawls, "don't look so worried. Yoongi is in good hands." With a playful raise of his eyebrow, he sits beside you and adds, "And so are you."

"I know," you respond softly, suddenly embarrassed by the surge of emotion that feels almost overwhelming and difficult to parse. 

"What would you like to do in the meantime? We can eat some more, watch a movie, go to bed early...I think we have a stash of Jeongguk's molly if you wanna get real weird."

You let out a boisterous laugh, feeling the mood lighten.

"I think I'm good not dipping into Jeongguk's ecstasy stash after the story Felix told me."

Namjoon laughs and shakes his head.

"That shit Jeongguk had sucks. It came from America, laced with meth. The stuff we actually put on the streets and do ourselves is pure, not laced with anything. Just a clean, euphoric high."

That actually does sound nice, and you imagine how adorable Yoongi and Namjoon would be while rolling.

"Maybe when Yoongi is back," you concede.

Namjoon chuckles as he says, "Deal."

"A movie might be nice. I haven't seen anything in ages."

Namjoon reaches for a remote that sits on the small table and turns on the large television that must have been installed on the wall at some point while you were passed out poolside. Every streaming service you can imagine—and some you have never heard of—come up, and you watch as Namjoon scrolls through and chooses one, then surveys the options.

When you finally settle on a film that came out earlier in the year, that Namjoon seems excited to watch, you curl up to his side, suddenly feeling the weight of everything dragging you down. Perhaps you should have opted to sleep, instead. 

Namjoon fiddles with some controls that are nestled between the various cushions, causing both your and his sections to recline, with the bottom of the couch becoming an elevated footrest. 

"Is this good?" Namjoon asks with his lips pressed to your temple, adjusting to wrap his arms around you. "Do you mind if I stay here and watch the movie?"

"'S nice," you mutter against his naked chest—he still wears only a towel. 

Draped over the back of the couch is a soft, tan blanket, and Namjoon grunts quietly as he twists and yanks, making his best effort to grab it without jostling you around too much. Your lips tug into a lazy smile as you wrap an arm and leg over him while he covers the two of you and pulls you close. You do not make it past the opening scene before you are sound asleep.

Briefly, you wake to the feeling of Namjoon slipping out from under you and removing the blanket. You groan from the sudden cold, and from being pulled from your slumber, as Namjoon scoops you up and carries you to bed. The sheet and blanket are cold beneath you as he sets you down on your back, and you roll in toward the center, curling into a fetal position as the mattress dips behind you and Namjoon's warm, strong arm wraps around your waist, cradling your back against his chest. 

"Sleep sweet, beautiful," Namjoon mutters into your nape. 

"You too," you grumble, drifting back into the dark, warm heaviness of sleep.

You are not sure if you imagine Namjoon whispering he loves you or if he really does, but you think you might say it in response if you were more awake. You think that, perhaps, you could come to mean it the way he wants you to—the way you think you would like to.

"Yoongi expects to return sometime tonight," Namjoon reports as he steps out from the bathroom with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, wearing a plain white tee and black basketball shorts. 

You nod and use the palms of your hands to rub the sleep from your eyes, then stretch with a long, deep yawn. Sunlight fills the room, dappled by dark blue curtains, and you let your hands fall to the mattress, to your sides, as you adjust to being awake. 

"Alright," you mutter in response as Namjoon leaves the room to rinse his mouth. The sink runs for a moment, and you hear him swish and spit, then shut the faucet off. 

"I was thinking maybe we could walk around the gardens today?" Namjoon offers as he returns.

He grins as he climbs onto the end of the bed on his hands and knees and begins to crawl to you, and you cannot help but smile back with affection blooming and bursting behind your ribs.

"That sounds nice," you respond as Namjoon places his arms on either side of you, hovering close and caging you in. He nuzzles his nose against your neck, and you giggle, attempting to push him away with one hand to his shoulder, groaning, "Why are you like this?"

Namjoon chuckles—voice as deep as the ocean—and you lift your shoulder to your chin, attempting to stop his breath and lips from tickling your skin, which breaks out in goosebumps. 

"I like you," Namjoon responds playfully, nestling his face deeper into the crook of your neck.

Every nerve is on fire, and you feel jumpy from the sensation. You begin to swat and shove at Namjoon, leaning back, uselessly.

A giggle rocks through you as you complain, "It tickles, you jerk." 

Namjoon only presses further, and when you fall back against the pillows with a huff, he hovers over you with a devastating smile before leaning down to slot his lips against yours. Once more, you begin to swat at him. 

"I have morning breath," you attempt to say with your lips sealed as tightly as possible.

With a wide, mischievous smile, Namjoon licks a long stripe across your lips, leaving a minty scent in its wake.

"Have some of my mouthwash."

You squeal and attempt to shake your head from side to side as he licks over your lips once more, in the other direction. 

"You're a monster!" you shout, giving him one more shove with both hands. 

Namjoon collapses beside you with laughter, leaving you to lie dazed, staring at the ceiling ahead with your lips covered in minty spit. In a last-ditch effort to have any control, you swing your arm to the side, smacking Namjoon square in the chest with your palm while you mutter, "What is wrong with you."

Your hand is caught between both of his before you can pull it back, and Namjoon yanks you gently until you comply and roll toward him to settle with your head against his chest. 

"You love it," Namjoon grumbles, a vibration you can feel better than you can hear.

You hum in response and close your eyes. Namjoon smells like a fresh bouquet on a spring morning, and you breathe his scent deeply with a smile, muttering, "I guess so," while nuzzling your cheek against his pec.

"Shall we get up and have breakfast?" Namjoon asks with a gentle squeeze of his arms around your middle and a kiss to the top of your head.

"Soon. Wanna stay this way for a little while longer."

"Alright," Namjoon responds, wiggling slightly as if to get comfortable. "We can stay this way for as long as you would like."

A dangerous proposition, you think, as you consider the pros and cons of never getting out of bed again. 

Breakfast consists of omelets that Namjoon nearly burns. Despite his efforts, it comes out delicious, and you beam from across the kitchen counter at the blush that reddens his cheeks while you take another bite. 

"It is hard to reconcile you being this domestic while also being the guy that beat those two men with a metal baton," you mutter with a mouth full of food.

Namjoon smirks, but something dark, possibly sad, flashes over his eyes.

"I've done much worse than that."

You hum and nod; you suppose he has, but you are not so sure you feel like asking what he means, exactly. 

"Does it bother you?" Namjoon asks, sounding somewhat apprehensive.

With a shrug, you say, "I'm adjusting," then take a drink from the large glass of orange juice shared between you. "On one hand, I'm used to the lifestyle. Growing up on the streets, watching people die, finding bodies....killing a man."

The memory sends a chill through you, and you take a deep breath, then continue.

"I thought that I could escape it and make an attempt at a normal life—date a normal dude and all that. But it seems that I was always going to return. Perhaps I was never as far away from it all as I thought I was."

When you lift your gaze to Namjoon, his eyes are on his food, but he does not move to eat.

"Yoongi would have wanted you no matter what," he mutters.

All you can bring yourself to say is a soft, "Yeah."

It is a thought that has haunted you for some time. 

No matter how far you would have run, Yoongi would have brought you back to him, if that was his goal all along. If you allow it to, the thought will easily consume you—make you feel suffocated and at a total loss of control. But, as you come to settle into his home and get to know his family men better, you find yourself becoming more at peace with it, as long as you do not allow yourself to overthink.

Better this than living on the streets. And if Yoongi really does come to love you the way he says he would like to, then you will be protected. At least, you allow yourself to believe that there will not be a permanent crosshairs attached to your back—you allow yourself to sleep at night with the belief that his men will keep the two of you safe. 

The rest of breakfast is eaten in silence, and Namjoon excuses himself to answer a phone call as you finish up. You decide to clean, taking your time washing and rinsing the handful of dishes the two of you used and placing them in the large metal drying rack. 

When Namjoon returns, he seems distracted, but he takes your hand and guides you to the pile of shoes by the front door where the two of you slip into some sneakers, then you walk down the narrow hallway, to the large glass doors that lead out to the garden entrance.

You walk much the same path that you had taken with Felix during your second or third day at the mansion, but it is nice to see everything once again. The statues and fountains feel alive against the backdrop of the clear blue afternoon sky, and birds flit around overhead.

Although the weather is warm, you are glad that you chose to wear a sweater and sweatpants from Yoongi's closet, feeling a slight chill to the air and wanting comfort. Namjoon is in blue jeans, a white tee, and a soft brown cardigan, looking perfectly huggable and not at all like the mobster you know him to be. 

"I don't know why I don't come out here more often," you mutter with a sigh.

"Yeah," Namjoon responds. "I used to come out here a lot more, but lately, I haven't found the time."

"Is your home nearby?" you ask, turning to watch Namjoon, who looks to the east, nodding his chin.

"Just over the fence, in the next house over."

A smirk tugs at your lips. "Never too far away."

Namjoon tongues the inside of his mouth and smiles widely for the first time since breakfast.

"Indeed."

"And the others?"

Namjoon points as he explains.

"Taehyung lives behind this garden, and Jimin is just past my house, in between the two. On the opposite side is Seokjin and Hoseok's house, and just past them is Jeongguk. There are small roads that lead to each property so you don't have to exit the gates and use the main road, and they all lead directly to Taehyung."

"Makes sense," you respond, imagining that the doctor would need to be easily accessed. 

Gently, Namjoon takes your chin in one hand and strokes his thumb over your lip.

"You're welcome to come to my home any time, you know. I can show you the path that leads there." 

You tilt your head down slightly, parting your lips to take Namjoon's thumb gently between your teeth and flick the tip with your tongue. Namjoon groans and bends, standing face-to-face. 

"Use your words, sweetheart. What is it you want?"

Until this moment, you had not had anything on your mind, but the gaze in Namjoon's eye is exciting, and the prospect of him putting his hands on you out here, in the garden, appeals to you. You suck on Namjoon's thumb, then release it with a pop.

"I want your hands," you respond sweetly. 

"My hands?"

You hum and nod your head. 

"What would you like me to do with my hands, sweetheart?"

With a smirk, you say, "I want you to touch me, silly."

Namjoon rolls his eyes and takes you by the hand, pulling you past the Greek statues to a stone bench just inside the shrub maze. He unbuttons his cardigan and shrugs it off, placing it down on the bench and tugging your hand in its direction, a silent order to sit down. Namjoon gets on his knees in front of you and runs his hands up your thighs, sending a shiver through you.  

"The one time you don't wear a dress," he teases as he reaches up, slipping his fingers below the waistband of your borrowed pants and pulling. 

You angle your hips upwards, lifting yourself off the seat as you allow Namjoon to pull them down, past your hips and thighs. He rubs his hands over your bare skin, up and back down, then begins to pull the garment over your knees. You help expedite the process by lifting your right leg and pulling your foot free, and Namjoon leaves the sweatpants around your left calf.

Namjoon stands and joins you on the bench, pulling your right leg over his lap and rubbing his hand up your thigh. Between Namjoon's touch and the gentle breeze, goosebumps break over your skin, and a shiver tingles down your spine. 

"Is this how you want me to touch you?" Namjoon asks, leaning to brush his lips across yours. 

You let out a soft, satisfied sigh and close your eyes, nodding your head.

"This is a good start."

A deep, sweet chuckle ghosts warm breath over your skin.

"A good start, you say? What can I do to make it better?"

"Touch me higher."

Namjoon brushes the tips of his fingers up your thigh and hip, and then higher, under your shirt to circle your belly button. You huff a scoff of frustration and amusement, and shake your head.

"Lower," you whine, "in the center."

With a deep hum, Namjoon nuzzles his nose against your skin as he moves his hand down, over your panties, leaving featherlight touches across your labia. The gentle contact makes you whine, sending a rush of arousal through you.

"Namjoon, please," you moan, spreading your legs further. 

"Use your words, baby."

A shattered exhale leaves your lips, and you tilt your cheek toward his face, suddenly feeling shy to voice what you want.

Your voice is soft and weak as you beg, "Touch my pussy, daddy. Please."

"That's my good girl," Namjoon groans as he presses against your clothed lips and rubs his fingers up and down.

The wave of pleasure that rushes through you is abrupt, and you arch your back, moaning and shuddering from the sensation. Namjoon twirls his fingers over you several times, then he drags his hand up slowly and pushes it past the waistband of your panties. 

"Does my baby like the way I touch her?" Namjoon asks as his fingers separate your lips and graze over your clit, down to your entrance, and back up, slick with your arousal. It feels heavenly, and you nibble on your lip and whimper. 

Namjoon's voice is stern and low.

"Be a good girl and use your words."

"I love the way you touch me, daddy."

Namjoon spins his fingers over your clit in slow, steady circles, building you gradually as heat flushes over your skin. 

"I'm dying to taste you, baby," Namjoon groans, sucking a spot gently into your skin and licking over the mark. The sensation of him teasing your neck makes you tremble and moan as you imagine that talented tongue between your thighs.

"Then taste me, daddy," you gasp.

Namjoon's hand leaves you, pulling from your panties and letting the elastic waistband snap gently against your skin. You whine, desperate for his touch once more, but he moves your leg away from his lap and gives your hip a gentle slap. 

"Stand up," Namjoon instructs, and you sigh as you follow his order, watching as he stands, picks up his cardigan, and rolls it into a little ball, then places it on one end of the stone bench. Namjoon sits, then lays back with his head cushioned by the shirt, and pats his shoulder with one hand commanding you to, "Sit."

"Sit?" you ask incredulously.

"On my face," he specifies with a raise of his eyebrows. 

You approach and swing your leg over the bench, kneeling on the cold stone as you place your hands above either side of his head and lift your other leg. Yoongi's sweatpants dangle from your ankle, and you reach down to yank it free over your sneaker, then lift your leg, hovering above him. 

Namjoon places his hands on your ass and pulls you forward, craning his neck as you settle, and lapping his tongue against you. His tongue is warm and wet, instantly building your arousal once more, and making you moan. One hand slides away from your ass, reaching between your legs to press two long fingers inside you.

"Fuck," you moan, feeling your arousal rapidly build from the stretch. "That feels so good, daddy."

With a deep, muffled groan, Namjoon licks hungrily at your pussy as his fingers steadily pump in and out. Your hips tremble and gently grind against him as he alternates licking and sucking your clit.

Yoongi's voice pops into your mind, teasingly groaning, "So easy," as you feel yourself quickly reaching the precipice of pleasure. 

"You're gonna make me cum, daddy," you whine as your hips grind a little harder. "Please don't stop."

Namjoon picks up his pace, fucking his fingers into you relentlessly, and you begin to dissolve, vibrating from head to toe as the dam breaks. A sob rips through your chest as you peak, orgasm pulsating through you, and Namjoon does not slow down, pulling wave after wave out until you can no longer take it and begin to shutter from overstimulation. 

"Please," you whine. "It's too much, daddy."

As his fingers and lips slow, you continue to tremble, feeling sensitive and fucked out. As soon as Namjoon pulls completely out, you sit on his chest and lean forward on your hands, caging in his head.

"You're so good to me," you purr as you attempt to get your bearings enough to stand. Namjoon lays patiently as you slide haphazardly, placing one foot on the ground and swinging over the other. 

"Of course I am," Namjoon finally responds as he sits up.

You gather the sweatpants and step out of one shoe and into the leg hole, sliding into the shoe as your foot breaches the end, then repeating with the other side, wiggling your hips as you pull the pants up. Then, you approach Namjoon, slotting a leg between his and grabbing his face as you bend to leave a soft, chaste kiss. 

"I like you a lot, Joonbug," you mutter against his lips. 

Namjoon wraps his arms around you and pulls you close, licking into your mouth with a moan. You melt against him, tasting heady hints of your release.

"I like you a lot too, sweetheart."

"Let me take care of you?" you ask sweetly, reaching for his erection, but he shakes his head softly and says, "Later. This was just about getting you off."

You tilt your head back to get a look at Namjoon, endeared by his soft gaze and dimpled cheeks.

"Show me your house, then? I want to learn more about you."

With a grin, Namjoon nods and says, "Let's go."

Namjoon stands and takes your hand, lacing your fingers between his.

"If we continue past this part of the garden, there is a path that leads from Tae's property to the backs of the homes, but I want to show you the more direct road from the mansion."

You hum and nod, following Namjoon's lead through the garden the way you came. Just before the driveway, there is a path that leads through trees and a clearing in the garden wall, which opens to a wide gravel area that narrows into a road. With each step, the earth crunches, and you take a deep breath, letting out a contented sigh, holding Namjoon's hand while you walk in comfortable silence. 

As you continue down the road, a large brown house comes into view, partially surrounded by trees. While the home is smaller than the mansion, it is still far too large for just one person, and you frown as you imagine Namjoon returning here alone in the past, knowing he would rather be in the mansion, with Yoongi.

"Once you've been in my home, you're more or less been in them all. They were built from the same mould. Except for Taehyung's place."

"Is his bigger?"

Namjoon hums. "His is massive. It might even be larger than Yoongi's place."

"Why?"

With a chuckle, Namjoon gives your hand a gentle squeeze. "Discussing Taehyung's personal life is something I do not allow myself to do. But I will just say that the man has some interesting hobbies, in addition to his various examination and surgical rooms."

"Not cryptic at all," you tease.

Felix's words return, and you shudder at the thought of him ripping people apart in his big, state-of-the-art hospital-slash-mansion. You hope that he was trying to intimidate you by exaggerating. 

Namjoon's property is surrounded by various trees and bushes, and he has a garden of his own, though it is much smaller, with more greenery and fewer statues, on the side of the house. A large black sedan sits outside the garage, looking identical to those the rest of the family men drive, and you wonder if his Porsche is inside the garage. 

As you approach the large, brown two-story home, Namjoon releases your hand and steps up to the thumbprint and retina scanner, then punches in a long code before his front door clicks open. You follow his lead inside, sliding your shoes off beside his large, chaotic shoe stash. A set of stairs lead up along the nearby right wall, and the house opens into a large living room, with what appears to be a dining area past the stairs, to the right.

Namjoon takes your hand in his once more and leads you into the living room. Everything is earth tones, reclaimed woods, and leather, and you are pleasantly surprised by the number of paintings and sculptures he has displayed throughout the space. One cozy brown leather chair is surrounded by a large pile of books, and he has a small stack of art and photography books on his coffee table.

"I don't know why I'm surprised to find all this art, considering our museum date," you tease, turning to Namjoon and finding his gaze soft and sweet. 

Namjoon smiles, giving your hand a delicate squeeze.

"We should do that again, sometime. Minus the torture pitstop."

"Yes," you agree with a laugh. "We can skip the torture next time."

Gently, Namjoon tugs on your hand, pulling you toward him, and you step in close, rubbing your palm over his soft brown cardigan. The room smells of his musk with earthy hints from the many plants that sit atop furniture and shelves, and it feels much more like home than Yoongi's mansion. 

"It's been so long since I've brought someone here," Namjoon says, gently taking your chin in his free hand. "It feels nice letting you see me a little bit more."

"It's nice being welcomed to see you a bit more."

Namjoon leans forward, and you tilt your head up, expecting a kiss, but he leans and rests his forehead against yours, closing his eyes with a smile.

"I like you a lot."

Your tummy does a swoop, and you wrap your arm around his neck, playing with the hairs on his nape, and give his hand a tight squeeze.

"I like you a lot too, Namjoon."

When Namjoon opens his eyes, his expression is hungrier, and he tugs his lips into a smile. Then, he drops his hand from your chin and stands up straight, eyebrows knitting as he reaches into his pocket to pull out his phone, which is vibrating. One glance at the screen, and he answers the call.

"Yoongi-hyung."

Excitement and anxiety pool in your tummy at the mention of Yoongi, and you watch Namjoon as his gaze flits to you, then he nods his head.

"She's with me. We were walking through the gardens and I decided to show her how to get to my place. … Nah, I was just about to give her a tour and bring her back home, but we can cut it short and come back now. … Sounds good, I'll see you in a bit. … I love you too." 

He does not take his eyes off you as he ends the call, and you feel another more powerful swoop in your guts when he speaks those last four words. Heat rises to your cheeks, and you do your best to hide how affected you are by it, keeping your expression flat while he slips his phone back into his pocket. 

"He's home much sooner than expected; shall we head back?" Namjoon asks, leaning in to slot his lips against yours. 

You reach for Namjoon's shirt, just above his pec, and gently gather the fuzzy material between your fingers as you lean into the kiss and let out a groan of satisfaction. Even the faintest kiss from Namjoon is so sweet and soft, filling you with warmth and adoration, and you lean into him, letting your lips slowly open and close against his—languid and saccharine.

When Namjoon releases the kiss, you open your eyes with a smile.

"I suppose we shall."

He nods as he says, "I'll give you a tour next time."

Namjoon leads you back to the front entrance, and you slip on your shoes, lamenting having to go back so soon, but eager to see Yoongi. It hasn't been long since you said goodbye, but you find yourself missing him more and more whenever he is away. 

The walk back to the mansion is quiet, and Namjoon holds your hand as he hums softly to himself. You enjoy these calm, peaceful moments with him, and gaze around at the Japanese maple trees that line the area. Soon, their leaves will begin to change and become a pretty bright red. 

Rather than taking you back toward the garden, Namjoon leads you along a path that opens by the driveway. Leaning against the garage door is a mint green bicycle with a brown basket on the handlebars and a slender luggage rack over the back tire, and you smile to yourself, knowing that it is undoubtedly the bicycle that Felix had described. 

"Ah, Jeongguk is here," Namjoon mutters. "I wonder if that means Taehyung is, too."

"Do they often travel as a pair?" you ask.

Namjoon clears his throat and gives your hand a squeeze before releasing it.

"Sometimes."

As you approach, the front door swings open, and Seokjin walks out, dressed head to toe in black and tapping a pack of cigarettes against his palm. When he turns and meets your gaze, he grins.

"My, what a pleasant surprise. And just what were the two of you up to?"

Although you are sure all of the family men must know about the state of your relationship with Namjoon, you feel anxiety bubble under Seokjin's scrutiny. 

"Going for a walk," Namjoon responds. 

Seokjin hums and nods his head, then pulls a cigarette from the pack and places it between his lips. As he fishes a lighter from his pocket, you and Namjoon step past, into the door, which has been left open by a crack. The main hall of the house is empty, but you notice movement out by the pool. You step out of your shoes and wait for Namjoon to do the same, then follow him toward the back door. 

"Ah, there you are," Yoongi calls from the top of the stairs as soon as you are near the landing, and you turn to find him smiling widely with his hair wavy and overgrown, wearing a black tee tucked into black slacks.

"Going to change," Namjoon mutters to you, leaving a kiss on your forehead. "I'll be back."

Yoongi begins to make his way down the stairs as Namjoon walks up, and you stand and watch as they meet in the middle with Yoongi one step higher and slightly towering above Namjoon, smiling as he pulls him into a kiss. They mutter between them, then Yoongi continues down as Namjoon walks up, in the direction of the bedroom. 

"Darling," Yoongi calls sweetly, opening his arms as he reaches the final steps. 

You approach, and once he is on level ground, you wrap your arms around him, burying your face against his shoulder as you squeeze him tight.

"Miss me?" Yoongi rasps, deep and oh, so sweet.

Your voice sounds breathy as you respond, "I did," releasing the hug just enough to gaze up into his eyes. "How did everything go?"

There is a twitch in Yoongi's jaw that almost goes unnoticed, and when he responds, "I handled everything," his tone is completely changed. 

"I'm glad."

Footsteps come from upstairs, and you look past Yoongi to find Namjoon dressed in his standard black button-up and slacks. Yoongi draws your attention with a kiss to your temple and an invitation.

"How would you feel about joining us at a gun range?"

The question feels somewhat random, but it is something that has crossed your mind, especially living in this house with the goings-on that take place.

"Alright," you respond, clearing your throat, which suddenly feels dry. "That would probably be a good idea."

"Taehyung, Jeongguk, and I used to go on a fairly regular basis, and we have been discussing starting up again, this week. I talked to them about having you tag along and they seemed receptive to it."

You are unsure if going to a shooting range of all places with the terror twins is an exciting prospect or a frightening one, but you do not argue. You are certain that Yoongi wouldn't intentionally put you into a dangerous situation, but being that you do not know either of them very well, you have no idea what to expect. 

The glass door leading out to the pool slides open, and you turn to find Taehyung entering shirtless with his wet hair swept off his forehead and a big white towel wrapped around his hips. He looks stunning with his sly boxy smile and the droplets from his hair streaking his golden skin.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Taehyung asks with his gaze fixed on you.

You hum and turn to Yoongi, who says, "I thought we would start shooting right away."

"Oh," you respond, eyes wide as you look back to Taehyung, who asks, "Have you shot a gun before?"

You nod; you have done shooting practice with cans and other trash, but never had to put a bullet through another person. "I have, but only a little."

"Good," Taehyung says with a smirk. "I can't wait to see how you handle it."

Yoongi gives your shoulder a squeeze, and you attempt to keep your breathing level and steady, but there is something in those sharp, cold eyes of Taehyung's that unsettle you. You glance past Taehyung through the doors to find Jeongguk standing, towel-drying his hair with a deep, unmistakable frown, and you force a smile, swallowing down a ball of anxiety as you turn back to Yoongi.

"C-can't wait."

(Mm-mhm)

숨을 내쉬고 뱉어 like (Mm-mhm) Breathe out and еxhale like like (Mm-mhm) 경계를 넘어서 like (Mm-mhm) Bеyond the boundary like like (Mm-mhm)

내 품에 널 안아 like (Mm-mhm) Hold you in my arms like like (Mm-mhm)

다른 생각은 하지마 Don’t even think about other things

🎵 visit the playlist

are we having fun? i am so sorry the updates continue to be spread out, but i am not undertaking so many side projects this year, so hopefully we can get this story wrapped up in the next three or four months. i am excited to show you more of taekook. they are a trip!

 as always, please don’t be a silent reader! feedback & reblogs do so much to help content creators! and likes are always appreciated.

a seokjin pov scene takes place during this chapter, where we follow him through a typical day. you can access his pov here (or learn parts of it in later chapters from the reader’s perspective!)

tag list: @afangirllikeme-blog, @angel-121, @artgukk​, @btsiguess-kpop, @bts-ficreviews @che-er-ful, @codeinebelle, @dasexydevitt13, @giriiboyy, @illnevertrustmyselfagain, @jalexad,  @kissme-ornot, @leanimal90, @likeshatteredrainbowglass, @m1sss1mp​, @mayeolorie, @mwitsmejk, @openup-yourmind, @sleepilysworld, @stocking221, @spookyminyunki​, @thirstyforjoon, @valhallawhispers 🗡️ comment or dm to be added!

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[squishylilmochi-blog]

֎ Dating Shin HoSeok (Wonho)

sweetest and purest person on earth

(Fight me in this!)   o(´・ .・`)9

although he looks confident and strong

inside he’s really insecure

and a scary-cat

is a very sensitive person

can speak out his mind and heart easily

he’s more innocent than what it might seem like

if you stare at him intensely

he’ll blush quickly

(will hide from you his rosy cheeks with a smile on his face)

his favorite sound is your laugh

there will be lots of hugs

and kisses

he loves having long walks as you hold hands

doesn’t really care about gender tho

but his person has to have one quality

(which is a MUST have)

that person must know how to cook

(Y’know, he wants his ramyeon well done~)  ~~旦⊂(･∀･ )

he loves coffee

so having dates in a cute cafe won’t be a surprise

loves movie nights

cuddling in the sofa

will take you to the gym from time to time to have a ‘date’

(more like to show off a little in front of you tho)

not that you complain   ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

loves animals

and children

(Have you seen him in ‘Monsta X Ray ep.5’? OMG such a cute guy~)

marriage is not in his plans

at least in the near future

now a little of NSFW Time~

in one word:  SWITCH

a soft and caring lover in bed

will check on you all the time

will not let you leave the bed until you’re in cloud9

not that you complain tho

LOVES ORAL

both, giving and receiving

is an experimentalist

will try anything new, at least once

but has two favorite positions:

doggy style

(so that he has the control and can go deeper)   ʅ（´◔౪◔）ʃ

and the cowgirl

(so that you take control and he has a nice view of you)   (*＞ｖ＜)ゞ*゜

lots of whispering

loves biting your ear

is kind of a teaser

will leave you hanging from time to time

loves it when you get sexually frustrated/triggered

hearing you asking for it, turns him a lot

has a thing with public/open places

so you better get ready for some action in those kind of places

(mostly in cars, balconies, swimming pools tho)

will leave love bites

everywhere

every inch of your skin will be touched and kissed with passion

will hug you till you both fall asleep

[shineebebe]

HOME

(A long-ish fluff with a tiny bit of smuttiness just because it’s wonho but it’s mostly cute af.)

The sky was without a cloud on a warm, sunny day. The cab you’d taken began to turn the corner and go down the street full of gleaming white, fairy tale-like houses and your brand new home. The timing of your work trip was incredibly off but as the director of your company, you had no choice but to go out of town and leave your boyfriend, Hoseok, in charge of the construction of the rest of your house. You smiled to yourself, knowing the house was the start of an incredible future for you and Hoseok; a milestone for the two of you. Everything was finished up and flawless. Stepping out of the cab and gazing at the work of art before you, your toothy grin reached your ears and your happiness shot through the roof when your red haired boyfriend opened the door. 

“Baby! You’re back!” 

He cried excitedly, his plump pink lips curling in to a jaw dropping smile. After years of being a couple, his existence still made your heart flutter and your body feel dizzy with infatuation. The love you felt for him every single day was indescribable. His bright locks flopped over his forehead as he ran down the driveway to you, impatient to have you back in his arms where you belonged. You nuzzled your face in the crook of his neck and softly inhaled his scent. With his masculine hands resting on your lower back and his lips upon your head, you knew you were home.  

“What do you think?” 

He asked with a twinkle in his stunning eyes. Once more, you gazed at the house you were already so proud to call your own. You and Hoseok worked so hard to earn it and now, you could begin the next chapter of your life. 

“Hoseok, it’s perfect. I love it.” 

You answered, making him flash that idol smile that made every girls panties drop to the floor; he was so hard to resist. 

“You haven’t been inside yet.” 

Before you could go and look, he gently pressed his lips against yours. A huge firework display went off in your body as you wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders dreamily. With your eyes closed, you bathed in the heart melting sensation of his lips claiming yours. It was a picturesque scene; a painting of an extremely happy couple kissing in front of a sparkling new house with a white picket fence. 

You had to admit, when you left the rest of the construction and decorating to Hoseok, you were secretly nervous that you wouldn’t like some of the choices he would make. Hoseok put your nerves to shame; you were stunned at how much you loved the decoration. He used your ideas of old wooden furniture and warm colours and mixed it with his bright and modern taste. Your hand squeezed his as he showed you around; you were so proud of what he had done while you were away. You bit down on your lower lip as together, you headed up the wide staircase that was covered with a lush cream carpet that tickled your toes as you stepped upon it. Luckily, you were home when the decorators came to turn your bedroom in to a boudoir but seeing it after such a long time made you fall deeply in love with it all over again. You’d only ever dreamed of such an elegant, big bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a small balcony that looked over the glittering city lights at night. Hoseok sat on the edge of the King bed and watched you get familiar with the room you’d be spending your long nights in. With amorous eyes, he studied the way your thighs gently jiggled as you walked, the curve of your seductive hips, the shine of your luscious hair as the sun beamed in to the room; he’d missed you more than you’d ever realise. While you were away, he’d been doing some thinking: in fact, a lot of thinking. A lot of ideas and hopes for the future came to him while he was laying in that very bed, pouting over the empty space next to him. 

“What are you looking at?” 

You asked with a smirk on your face, catching him gawping at you red handed. Hoseok had no shame. 

“You. It’s hard not to stare at someone so beautiful.” 

You felt your cheeks turn in to tomatoes within seconds; it was impossible to hide your giddy smile. 

“Hoseok!” 

You softly nudged him on the shoulder while trying to hide your embarrassed face. With a grin, he took hold of your hand and pulled you on to his lap, causing you to giggle in to his buff chest. His heart pumped so hard when he heard your innocent laugh; no one had ever made him feel so important in his life. When the pure love he felt for you rocked his body, his once playful eyes turned more serious. Tilting your chin up with his finger, he gave you that look that never failed to make your spine tingle. Your eyes fell on his plump lips as the world around you stopped, all that mattered was the undeniable, magnetic connection the two of you shared. Once again, he placed his lips upon yours. At first, he was gentle, barely grazing your puckering mouth until you whimpered in to the embrace. All of a sudden, the desire he’d been saving for you erupted from his soul. Before you knew it, your hands were grabbing fistfuls of the red head’s hair as he squeezed the plump mounds of your back side, a hard lump beginning to poke in to your crotch. Your skirt was in a bunch around your waist, revealing sheer black panties that Hoseok would always go crazy for. With lipstick smudged down your chin, you struggled to catch your breath. In years of being together, you’d never kissed him with such intensity before: your lips had began to tingle. Your eager hands moved from his hair to the bottom of his simplistic designer shirt, desperate to christen the new bedroom with the heated sounds of needy lovers. Reluctantly, Hoseok grunted and moved away from your lips. 

“Baby wait, there’s something else I have to show you.” 

He uttered, looking shockingly beautiful with messed up hair. You were confused, not knowing what else could be so urgent that you had to pause your steamy encounter. 

“Hoseok.”

You whined his name. 

“Can’t it wait? You’ve kind of got me on the edge here.” 

That’s when Hoseok noticed your dishevelled hair, your messy makeup and untidy clothes. He also noticed your wetness soaking through your panties and on to his semi-hard erection, creating a musk in the air but he decided not to mention that extremely hot detail: he knew he wouldn’t be able to control himself. 

“I can’t wait. I have to know what you think.” 

He explained, the flush in his cheeks slowly dying down as he became increasingly nervous to show you what he’d been thinking about. 

“Okay.” 

You nodded before climbing off him, your legs still wobbling with arousal. Hoseok chuckled and grabbed your hips to help you stay up. Though he was feeling anxious, he loved the way he could make your legs weak with just a kiss. Attentively, he helped you straighten your clothes and gently wiped the lipstick around your mouth with his thumb, all the while looking at you as if you were the most majestic Princess. Hoseok took your hand; you noticed how jittery and uptight he seemed as he lead you through the corridor and up to the room that hadn’t been decorated: as far as you knew.

“Um. Remember how we couldn’t decide what to do with the spare room?” 

He asked timidly, his palms getting clammy upon yours. 

You nodded, your stomach churning with anticipation. The way Hoseok was acting made you concerned at what the room would be. 

“Well I..um. I kind of did something with it. I’m not sure if you’ll like it and we can always change it if you don’t like it, I mean it was only an idea I had while...”

You cut off Hoseok’s extremely cute nervous rambling by opening the door. Your mouth formed an ‘o’ as your eyes and brain tried to process what was before you. It wasn’t bad feelings that flooded your system, only surprise. With Hoseok being so nervous, you assumed it would be something far less innocent. It was nursery. With wall paper that mimicked fluffy candy cotton clouds in a summer sky, a tall white crib with tiny elephants painted on it, stuffed animals on a changing bed that no doubt, Hoseok picked out himself; it was a baby wonderland. A sudden ache to carry a baby made you want to feel your tummy and imagine a creation of yours and Hoseok’s love in there. All the while, Hoseok had been watching your reaction like a hawk, his pulse racing at the speed of light. 

“I know it’s kind of out of the blue because we haven’t really talked about children a whole lot but I know I want them with you because I really really love you and...” 

This time, you had no other option but to quieten him with a deep kiss that told him exactly how you felt. Hoseok smiled in to the kiss, completely smitten with the girl in his arms. You couldn’t fight your happiness either as you knew how incredibly lucky you were to have found a man who wanted you and your future children: that man was one in a million, a truly special saint. Pulling away from the romantic kiss, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders, gazing in to his enigmatic eyes that were locked on yours. 

“You know, I think it’s my favourite part of the house.” 

You said, making him show his model smile that made his chubby cheeks move up to his eyes. 

“Really? You like it that much?” 

He questioned, admiring the hard work he’d put in to the room. 

“Of course I do baby.” 

You replied. Since the day you got together, you imagined mini versions of you and Hoseok crawling on the floor to you, cutely attempting to take their first steps and tumble in to your arms, gurgling and giggling. Slowly, you walked through the room, smiling at the tiny details that Hoseok had added like the canvas pictures of a mummy and daddy bear holding a baby bear and the mobile that hung from the ceiling, playing gentle music as twinkling stars dangled from it. 

“It’s perfect Hoseok. I can’t believe you did all of this. I mean, of course there’s a few things to do first. You have your promotions and I have some work to finish and we’re not even married ye...” 

It turned out that the nursery wasn’t the only thing he’d been thinking about. On one knee, he held out a ring that sparkled so much, it nearly blinded you. His eyes were sincere, honest: this was his way of pouring his heart out to you. The nights you were gone, the ache of you being away from him was crushing to his sensitive soul. He knew that he’d never want another woman beside him. All he wanted was your touch, your kisses, to hear your obnoxious laughter, to smell your sweet perfume, to hold you and protect you for the rest of his life. 

“(Y/N). I know this probably isn’t how you imagined this moment but I couldn’t wait a second longer. Every time we’re apart, it’s so obvious to me how I’ve found my soulmate. It’s obvious that I want to be with you, through the good times and the hard times for the rest of my life. This is our house but you, you are my home and I just want to know, will you marry me?” 

By the end of his heart jerking speech, Hoseok was wiping tears from his angelic face. You were on your knees with him, tears smudging your black mascara as you blubbered. Your entire body felt weak, overwhelmed with emotion but your heart had never been more alive, beating so hard against your chest that you could hardly speak. Luckily, you only had one thing to say, and that was: 

“Yes. It’s always been yes.”