#smiling critters x welcome home AU

[imagination-confusion]

Consider...

They're friends! :D

(I'm sorry if Barnaby's arm looks off I tried my absolute best-)

[kedsandtubesocks]

blood on your name

Cowboy!Ezra x F!Reader

summary: Texas 1885 - the town’s ranching competition brings in new souls out from the desert, one unfortunately happens to be a ghost haunting you & he’s still as handsome and dangerous as ever

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY. MDNI, old Wild West AU, slight enemies to lovers, very morally!gray Ezra, fingering, oral (f receiving), pussy pronouns, one moment of spit kink, allusions to p in v, scoundrel but soft!Ezra, themes of violence & reader enacting violence on another, use of guns, blood & injury, morally!gray reader, time period views of marriage & shaming women (brief use of derogatory terms against reader), minor character deaths, light gender language usage, use of nicknames

word count: 7.2k

a/n: here’s to finally putting my 7th grade tx history lessons to some use plus I’ve been really missing west texas so here we are lol! Fun history fact - Pecos prides itself as the birth place of the rodeo so this competition is the inception of that! It took me a while to get here & this truly wouldn’t be here without @gasolinerainbowpuddles @julesonrecord & @perotovar i can’t thank you babes enough, and to you, if you decide to read this too, thank you so much ♡

The newcomers that blew into town stand around the edge of the fence.

Pecos had become famous for hosting this rope wrangling event, and you’re not surprised it’s brought others in to observe the spectacle. Just last week it seemed like more wagons wandered into the edge of town.

You’ve been living here among the desert’s harsh eyes with your aunt for a few years now. When your mother unleashed her wrath after she found you with an unmarried man who had drifted into town, you fled with the caravan heading out west. So far west it brought you to the Pecos River. You’re thankful your aunt welcomed you with open arms. The desert proved to be a harsh host. But you’ve managed.

The actual event in town wasn’t taking place until the end of the week. Except so many already want to see the cowboys proudly warming up, showing off.

It’s why you even stop on your way home from the tailor shop.

Duke Williams currently tries his hand at practicing. The handsome young star all the way from Austin shows promise while he maneuvers his threadbare rope with ease.

He lands a solid catch against one of the practice sheep running around, and the crowd claps already impressed.

His bright face, angelic almost, brightens when he smiles triumphantly. When he spots you among the on looks, he beams even wider. You smile back politely.

However, Martha, the mayor’s youngest daughter, nudges you.

“I don’t know why you haven’t let that man swoop you up yet?” She giggles with a slight tease however, her words sting.

Duke’s been pursuing you ever since he came into town last spring. He reminds you of a newly built chapel, lovely coated in pristine and full of holy hope.

Yet, you don’t care for him.

You understand you should be married by now. Especially at your age, you’re becoming a dusting antique on the shelf by the town’s whispers. You even understood your mothers anger after discovering the man she caught you with had simply scurried away without another word.

Everyone in town seems to see Duke almost as your god blessed savior on a white horse sent to rescue you from a desolate destitution.

But you don’t hold any sense of attraction towards Duke. Even as you watch how handsome and sturdy he looks, a fierce cowboy among the other competitors, you simply admire his skills. And that’s it.

You wonder if you’re simply destined to the life of a happily secluded cactus like creature.

Something tickles against your skin, a sensation of being hyper aware of being caught in another’s gaze. Living in the desert has brought you a heightened awareness to make sure no critters lurking among can strike you.

So your eyes flicker around and find the crowd still enthralled by the sight of the cowboys.

Until you find one man isn’t.

One of the newcomers.

Sun kissed skin, an absolutely striking hawkish nose, sparse facial hair and then, the deepest dark earth eyes you’ve ever seen stare straight at you. The dusty black cowboy hat he wears casts a strange shadow across his features, cloaking him almost sinister.

Your breath hitches fast like it’s stolen from you.

You know this stranger.

One of the other newcomers nudges against him drawing his attention away from you. But your face stays stuck on him.

The men discuss with each other low and close, clustered together like a pack of desert weeds sprouting fast.

Except after the mystery outsider relays something back to the group, his eyes flicker back to you.

There’s a simmered wildness to him.

The commotion of spurs clinking comes and so many giggle around you, drawing your attention away.

Duke moves towards you with a shining grin on his face.

A desire to scurry away tugs at you. So with a polite smile, you silently duck away and decide to head home.

“Hey! Why ya leaving so soon?” He calls out. “Did you see me?”

His voice is so bright but also, so slightly arrogant, as if he can maybe keep you from leaving.

“Yes, you were incredible.” You’re truthful in your words.

Thankfully the others all around begin greedily vying for his attention.

As you turn to head home, that strange itch crawls over you again. Someone’s watching you.

So glancing around you think it must be Duke, but his attention is preoccupied.

However, it’s the handsome black cowboy hat stranger who again blatantly stares so direct at you.

A moment passes of you simply staring back at him.

However you break the contact first, needing to head home. But the entire way you sense his eyes blazing a hole on your back.

By the time you hit the edge of town towards your aunt’s cabin, the day creeps into early evening.

Above, vultures circle around high. However… there isn’t any sign of decay nearby.

- ☾𖤓 -

Your walk towards the tailor shop passes by the large stretch of land where the cowboys practice. Duke cries out your name excited. Politely you turn to greet him good morning only to find he’s not alone.

Other cowboys of course have come to wrestle in their skills. One of them surprises you.

The man you saw a few days ago is here.

His deep midnight eyes flicker to you immediately. That handsome face of his stays entirely composed.

Duke rattles on about his day. Yet you pay no attention as the new cowboy has stolen all your focus. The black cowboy hat he wears is dusty, weathered, and for some reason, you feel as if it both does and doesn’t suit him.

Duke chirps out your name again. Apologizing, you blame your dazed attention on lack of sleep.

Your night has been restless

“Hope ol’ lady Julie isn’t working y’too hard at the tailor shop.” He grins boyish and charming.

“Oh, Duke.” A smooth twang of a voice floats out. Waltzing in besides the cowboy, the newcomer arrives.

“You didn’t tell me your bird was so lovely.” His voice is curled with a smile and his voice, a deep drawl, draws an acidic venom in your mouth.

“I’m not his bird.” You politely reply.

“Not yet.” Duke adds warm, shy. But that only causes your stomach to squirm even more.

“Name’s Ezra, dear honeysuckle.” The newcomer introduces himself with a tip of his hat.

You nod back quietly giving him your name.

“Ezra came for the competition, traveled all this way just to try his hand at it!” Duke, ever the competitor, explains excited for the new competition.

Your eyes unfortunately stay on the newcomer rider.

Compared to Duke, Ezra’s frame is lithe. Then again, Duke with his incredibly tall stature is built like a terrifying boulder. Ezra’s broad shoulders and his striking sleek build makes you think of a river, fluid yet quietly powerful.

As unfortunately handsome as he is, his frame does not seem like a cowboy’s build.

Instead he reminds you of the traveling con man you once knew.

Duke continues rattling on and on about how proud he is to show off the town and this event.

You however hate the way Ezra’s eyes still on you make your skin tighten.

Excusing yourself with a soft nod, wishing them both well, you return on your way to the seamstress. Your body burns the entire way.

The day goes by slowly at the shop. After working on a few ruined blouses, Julie, the elderly shop owner, keeps you busy with tidying up. When the sun starts setting, the door clings open, and you wonder who’s coming in so late.

Ezra saunters in, and your throat tightens.

“Welcome in, newcomer!” Julie greets with a grandmotherly grace. “What can we do for you, good sir?”

Ezra smiles with all the charm of a gilded cactus.

“Seems I am in need of a new stitch for these gloves of mine.” Ezra explains pulling out worn gloves.

Leather frayed along the straps speak of the weathered and worn attention they’ve been given. But they seem too big for his hands. You even swear you’ve seen them before on his old business partner. But you don’t want to think too much on it.

Good dear sweet Julie chatters with the man. You simply stay quiet, not even turning to greet or address him.

You don’t even work on his gloves, deciding to let Julie handle them.

You even hide out in the back room, not even listening to when Ezra leaves.

Julie ends up heading home, and you’re left to close up. The sun sets a dusty fading apricot against the shadow of the tailor shop.

As you pass by the alleyway, suddenly you’re handed into the dark shadows. You’re about to scream, maybe even yelp, until a hand goes flying across your face, silencing you.

“Now now, pidge, don’t need you making too much of a holler.” Ezra.

Anger seethes in you, boiling. Violently and with a harsh yank, you tear yourself away from his grasp. You’re almost tempted to storm away.

“Didn’t think I’d ever be graced by your beauty again. That mother of yours still got that shotgun she threatened me with?” He smoothly asks with the amount of dangerous charm a rattlesnake would carry.

“What? This your last attempt at selling that watered down snake oil you call elixirs and tonics?” You snap back razor sharp.

When you first met Ezra, which now feels like lifetimes ago, he was a smooth talking traveling salesman. A drifter, as your mother so harshly called him.

Instead of the cowboy hat he wears now, he looked more stately in his bowler type cap.

He charmed so many of the women in town, trying to sell them the secrets to youth, vitality, beauty, and anything else he could promise in his elixir vials. You however, were not interested, saw right through his ruse.

Though, you realize now you were just as foolish as the others in town rapidly buying his lies. Because you had been just as charmed and fooled as they were.

This man, who’s sharp wit intrigued you, who spoke to you as an equal, became so dangerous because you were willing to give him everything.

Your heart, your body - all of you should have been reserved for your husband. Instead you freely gave everything to this thief.

The swindler swore he would take you with him, make you his wife. But when your mother’s fury came, he fled like a petrified jackrabbit.

You suppose he is more coyote than jackrabbit, greedily stealing anything he can then sneakily moving on.

Ezra’s composed grin on his face flickers, like all the history resting between you and him resurfaces within him.

“Didn’t you hear, pidgeon? My elixirs were plundered. Even my poor partner, god rest his dear soul, was shot down in cold blood!” Ezra explains with sorrow.

You had heard about that. At the edge of town, on the dirt road leading out into the hills, one of the sheriff’s found the large carriage and Ezra’s associate dead. The carriage crashed, run off the road. The damage screamed of the work of bandits. However, Ezra was nowhere to be found.

“I’m just supposed to believe you miraculously made it out of there alive?” You narrow your eyes suspiciously.

You don’t want to say it, but your instincts twist dangerously in your stomach. You wonder if Ezra did the deed himself, killed his partner and took the valuables.

Ezra shrugs sheepishly.

“That’s the way the desert works, honeysuckle. It’s a harsh landscape that only protects those who can survive its wrath.”

You forgot how much he spoke like a preacher sometimes, so elevated and otherworldly. You hate how badly your heart races just being this close to him again, hearing his voice again.

“So you’re telling me you came all the way here just to try your hand at the competition? Never even seen you ride, much less thrown a rope. Can’t imagine a con-man like you being a cowboy.” You reply skeptical.

He barks a laugh. “You'd be surprised. I’m a man composed of many unrevealed talents.”

You knew that very well.

Cautiously, treading like he’s approaching a mountain lion, Ezra steps closer to you. Out of instinct you step backwards closer to the other shop beside the tailors.

“Now don’t tell me you’re pondering the idea of telling everyone about my past life, pidge?” His voice is low, calm but brewing like an approaching storm.

“Because it pains me just imagining the repercussions that could arise if ya did.” He mutters, and your throat gets tight.

There's an underlying threat below his words.

Fiercely, stubbornly, you glare at him, refusing to speak. But you know you won’t say anything. He must know it too. You’ve left your past far back at home. And you don’t want him reviving your ghosts either.

Suddenly the back of Ezra’s hand gingerly, barely touching your skin, grazes against your cheek. He whispers out your name.

“The years out here have made you bloom, like a beautiful desert petal.” He mumbles with hazed eyes.

Out of spite you snap your face away and scowl even harder at him.

“I have to get home.” You snap angrily, managing to finally remove yourself from him.

“The motel houses me for the time being,” he declares from behind in the shadows.

“Unless that blonde Galahad cowboy of yours is keeping your bed warm now?” Ezra adds almost amused.

Rage bursts a furious fire in you, and it consumes you in its heated path.

“Rot in hell.” You snarl whipping back to him.

“As long as you keep me company, beautiful.” Ezra replies coy.

You’re about to curse his soul when he stomps towards you, fast and steady. His hand flings to your face, pulls you back to the shadow of the tailor shop.

He kisses you with the fierce intensity of a sudden dust storm. It even shakes your soul, spins you around, as if you were caught in an actual twister.

He tastes like the faint hints of a cigar, but something still so deliciously sinful and him. Your knees want to buckle when he easily slips his tongue inside and immediately coaxes his against yours.

You whimper, don’t even realize he’s maneuvered you to the wall of the shop, until your back gently hits the cool wood building.

It’s like your body is imprinted to his, completely answering his call, willingly and wanting to be closer to him while your hands clutch at his broad shoulders.

His body pins you firm against the building, and already he grinds his hips into you.

Then the laughter nearby bursts the bubble, snaps your attention clear.

You scramble and rapidly shove Ezra away. You don’t say another word and simply walk away.

However your lips continue to sting, as if bitten by a bee. Your hands ache empty like they’re missing the presence of his body in their grasp.

You can’t fall for this trap again.

But by the time you arrive back home, greet your aunt warmly, the lie spills from your lips before you can stop it.

“Julie wants to start the inventory sooner. So I’ll be heading back and staying over at the shop.”

Your aunt doesn’t question you, simply grins sweet and wishes you a safe trip back to town.

The sun barely sets in for the night over the horizon. The sky is a dusty blue, the softest color before bleeding into a dark midnight. The desert at night is another creature entirely. Even as you walk into town, you try to stay aware and low from any curious eyes.

The motel approaches fast. The caretaker gives you a curious look but before he can, he’s called away.

Ezra already waits for you at the top of the stairs, hidden in the shadows but still so distinct among them.

He doesn’t tease you, doesn’t even greet you. His presence seems so different with how intense he stares at you. Simply moving to intertwine his hand with yours, he guides you to his room. Inside it’s like the world melts away. It’s only you and him.

He devours you, ravenous, like trying to both make up for lost time and also feel like not a day has passed. Your hands run through his hair, knock off his cowboy hat.

You hate how badly you’ve missed this, missed him. He’s the only man your body has known, and the nights you’ve ached for him your fingers never did him justice.

When you’re bare among his bed, and his fingers slide into your wet core, you whine against his lips.

“This cunt still mine, pretty girl?” He asks mutter.

You wearily nod then all thoughts shatter when he rubs against that certain spot you can never reach. Your body crashes in a climax so shakily fast you have to catch your breath against him.

Ezra kisses the top of your head over and over.

“That’s my sweet peach,” he says in awe.

You greedily now pull him towards you, aching even more for him to be inside.

But he’s not finished with you. Ezra greed swallows your sigh before his lips move down your bare body to your core and kisses you with reverent devotion.

Your body melts into the sheets feeling his tongue trace paths among your wet cunt.

Ezra firmly calls your name. It sounds like your soul is being brought back. Wearily you sit up to see him peering up at you between your legs. Slowly he lifts himself away from your cunt, his face glistening with your arousal.

Those obsidian eyes of his blazing in the candlelight lock you in their gaze. Keeping eye contact with you he suddenly spits down to your wet aching sex, and your mind spins.

It’s obscene, you should be disgusted and horrified. You even wonder if you’ve been transported to the brothel a few ways down the road. But it feels absolutely divine especially when he does it again.

“Oh she likes this.” Ezra coo’s then presses ever the softest kiss against your soaked throbbing pearl. “This pretty little cunt, my lovely lady, ache for me huh?”

You don’t argue with him. You don’t want to. He makes you come again and a creature raw and hungry awakens in you. You claw at him, now needing him inside.

It’s like a piece of yourself returns when Ezra slides into you. It’s hot, heavy, frantic but feels sacred.

Ezra must sense it too, because he doesn’t last long. When he spills over your tummy, his hands become claws and keep you caged in his grasp. Your con artist kisses every inch of you he can.

Sweaty and tangled in him, you still feel a tinge of sadness creep in.

“You left me.” You whimper against his lips.

“And it will haunt me until my dying breath.” Ezra sighs back, his voice weighing heavy. “I was planning to come back for you, my bird. But your mother…”

She had put a bounty out on your drifter, managed to get the sheriff on her side. You knew even in your anger at Ezra leaving, it was smart of him to escape.

His hand cradles your face, and his thumb strokes your cheekbone. Those endless eyes shimmer in the low light.

“But I’m here now, pidge.” Sincerity radiates from him.

You’re now able to bask in his beauty - his gorgeous jaw, his beautiful nose, the striking streak of blonde hair that has been hidden under his hat and you’ve been dying to see.

You nuzzle your face into his palm.

“What are you doing here? Truly?” You ask.

“I told you,” Ezra says, drawing your face towards him to kiss you tender again. “I’m here to try and prove myself victorious.”

You’re not sure you believe his words.

But you end up staying with him. Early morning, before the sun reaches over the desert, his fingers trace your face waking you up.

“Dawn bathes you in her glory.” He mutters. Embarrassed at his words you burrow your face into the pillow.

He doesn’t chase you, but instead lets his fingers draw aimless shapes against your shoulder.

“There wasn’t a day where you did not occupy my mind, even after all these years.” Ezra admits low, as if he didn’t realize those words escaped him.

Slowly you turn towards him and discover those deep eyes hazed over staring at you.

“I hate you.” You tell him without any malice. In fact an emotion something very opposite of hatred soaks your words.

“I know. I’d hate me too.” Ezra agrees muttering then leans down to kiss you gingerly.

You have to leave before the town wakes up, and to seal your alibi.

With a final kiss goodbye, you head to the tailor shop.

Julie finds you in the shop when she arrives and applauds you for your diligence and wanting to get a jump start on inventory. You’re thankful the lie worked out this way. You even manage to convince her to let you finish inventory the rest of the week. Of course she happily agrees.

Ezra drops by to pick up his riding gloves and winks at you shamelessly. You roll your eyes but hate how badly you fight against a grin.

The next few days are spent between the shop and the motel. You already brace your heart for Ezra’s departure approaching once the tournament is over, but you try not to face that.

“You’ve been in a rather good mood.” Your aunt notices when you stop by to drop off goods for her.

“Thought you hated inventory.” She comments.

“Guess not.” You reply with a shrug.

This blissful cloud you’re walking in however does cloud your mind. It makes you sloppy. Instead of taking the longer path to the motel, the one that kept you away from the views of the main road and town, you walk straight into town.

Running right into Duke Williams.

He says your name bright and clear. Dread dawns on you fast.

“Haven’t seen you ‘round. Heard Julie’s got ya working extra hard.” Duke smiles.

You hate this small town and the small whispers that spread like wildfire.

You reassure Duke you’re fine and are even glad you can help Julie.

All his friends, in their sleek cowboy hats, and dusty spurs, stand off to the side snicker. They crowd around each other like an ominous pack of wolves.

One of them even calls your name.

“Might wanna enjoy this freedom while it last!” He proclaims, and your stomach twists.

The other guys snickers, shushing him playfull, and even Duke turns around to reprimand him.

“What does he mean by that?” You cautiously question.

Duke simply waves the conversation off instead offering to walk you to the tailors.

You politely decline.

“Aw come on, sweet thing like you shouldn’t be walking alone at night.” Duke smiles but even with his sweet eyes you’re reminded of a crocodile now.

“Well gentleman, that’s why i’ll accompany this lovely bird to her destination.” Emerging from the shadows Ezra grins warm.

He must have come to find you after you hadn’t shown up at the motel.

The men including Duke go eerily silent. Ezra is older than Duke and the younger men. So he holds seniority now. But besides that, Duke now seems wary, and you don’t blame him. Ezra is a man that radiates a sort of unpredictable energy.

“You sure you don’t want me to walk ya back now?” You almost appreciate the slight genuine worry leaking into Duke’s voice. But shaking your head you move to walk with Ezra by your side.

You do hate how all eyes are on you, even walking away from Duke and his mindless followers.

“Just remain calm.” Ezra mutters.

You do especially with him by your side. By the time you open the tailors you thank Ezra, worried Duke and his men are still watching.

You whisper for him to meet you behind the shop, and he does. Your swindler willingly steps into the back room with you.

“Not my ideal choice for our evening, but I do love a good change of scenery.” Ezra comments amused browsing around the storage. Playfully, you throw a ball of yarn at him.

You’re surprised he even helps you with the small bit of inventory you do.

“That young buck…” until his voice comes out low. “He’s fond of you.”

“Unfortunately.” You reply back unamused.

“Earlier at the saloon…he was boasting.” Ezra continues with the same serious tone.

“About enjoying the last days of being an unmarried man.”

That causes you to pause.

“Must mean he’s gotten over me.” You sigh, thank goodness.

“No pidge…” Ezra stops to turn towards you. “He was proclaiming how you were to be his bride.”

Your stomach drops.

You think of the way the boys just now snickered almost knowingly, and that strange comment one of themselves said -

All of it makes your stomach sick, and you have to sit down.

No. There was just no way.

“I’d never accept his proposal.” You snap out hating how badly your body feels frantic, almost skittish like a cornered road runner.

Ezra kneels before you rubbing your hand with his, a strange solid comfort.

Eventually he gathers you into his arms and calms you with soothing soft words.

“We’ll figure out a solution.”

You still don’t know if you can trust his words. But that's all you have. Your drifter stays with you overnight in the tailor shop. You even feel sinful fucking him in the back room but it’s deliciously sinfull all the same.

Sitting and resting against the work desk you fade in and out of sleep. Tender fingers brush against your fingers, ghost like. Ezra is gone by the time you wake up and Julie’s entering the shop jolts you awake.

Her eyes are frazzled.

“Did you hear? Mister Johnston’s eldest son was shot down early this morning.”

You hadn’t heard. Dread fills you fast when you realize Johnston's boy was the one who had made the joking comment to you last night.

There’s talk about postponing the competition. But others in town, especially Duke, argue to continue the tradition in a way to honor the fallen young man.

An ominous terror looms in you.

Later that night, you return to the motel. Too many thoughts swarm in your head, and Ezra even seems distant. He even slides his duster jacket one before kissing you.

“I have some personal matters to attend to, pidge. Get some respite here.”

His boots echo down the hall and then down the stairs.

You can’t sleep. So you move to slide open the window and let some of the night air in.

The faint mutter of discussion very close outside in the alleyway floats into the room.

It’s muffled at first, but once you step closer and concentrate, you pick up the very familiar cadence of a certain drifter.

“No no, I have it covered. As long as you make sure to double the bets on me tomorrow.” Ezra explains in a hush.

The others with him explain the different amounts they’ve collected, and it hits you.

He’s gambling on the competition.

That’s why he’s here.

You knew the men at the saloon often bet, but this feels heavier.

A new clicking of spurs arrives.

“Y’know, you fellas look like a dangerous bunch all here hidden in the shadows.” Duke.

Panic prickles all over your body.

“Now young buck, we’re just here partaking in a fun and friendly wager.” Ezra with his smooth talking skills deflates the tension easily.

“Waggerin’ on what?” You’re surprised Duke immediately quickly jumps in to gamble.

Ezra and the other men begin conspiring on how to make sure Duke wins to favor the odds of their bets.

“I like the sound of that.” Duke grins.

He makes a hefty wager on himself to win, the price even makes someone whistle.

They offer to place their wagers on him as well and with Ezra even in the competition, he’s argued to be an even better reassurance that the outcome falls in their favor.

Ezra even swears by this.

They’re fixing the match, going to cheat. You don’t know how to feel about any of this.

They end their discussion, and you quietly slide back into bed. Before long Ezra returns, the smell of tobacco and the cold air lingers in the room.

His fingers dance against your shoulders while your back stays to him.

“You’re only here… to make money, and cheat.” You mutter hollow.

His fingers stop.

“You overheard.”

You don’t reply to him. Ezra sighs.

“Indeed I am. But I’m no different than the gentlemen that place simple wagers on a game of horseshoe.” He explains low, under the whisper of the candle flicker.

“But it’s like you’re wanting to play with a weighted or lighter horseshoe.” You argue back.

“Is it not in our best natures to make sure Lady Luck favors us by any means possible?”

You don’t know how to reply to him.

“…I’m doing this for you, for us.” He adds.

You turn to him, your face scrunching up in fury.

“Bullshit.” You tell him.

“Believe me a liar, but I’m honest in my endeavor.” His face becomes a firm steeled frown.

You can’t look at him anymore, turning your back again to Erza in bed.

“My hope was to gain enough funds to pay for the bounty your mother placed on me, return for your hand, and make our way into a new life together.” His voice is steady.

“Unless you wish to stay here and wed that Duke.” He offers.

You whip back to glare harsh at Ezra.

There’s a silence heavy and ancient like the desert that settles between you. But it doesn’t last long before Ezra leans down and sweeps in to capture your lips

The discussion dies immediately as passion burns in its place.

You don’t think of gambling cowboys, or of your mysterious drifter, only of the moment consuming you now, and you almost pray you never leave it.

- ☾𖤓 -

Late in the night, wearily half sleep, the bed shifting jolts you awake, and you even hear the door creak open. Before you can ask Ezra if he’s alright, your eyes so sleepy flutter close for a moment. Then he’s sliding back into the warmth pulling you close into his arms. You fall right back to your dreams.

In the early hours of the morning, Ezra kisses your jaw.

“My lucky charm, are you going to observe our tournament today?” He mutters.

The competition was today.

“You nervous?” You had never seen him ride much less try ranch hand work.

“Never.” He says smoothly.

Eventually he slides out of bed and lets you get ready. But soon Ezra walks over and places something in your hands.

The pistol weighs heavy, cold. And your eyes snap open wide now fully awake.

“Why-”

He cuts you off gently. “You know how to fire, yes?”

You nod weakly.

A small smirk tugs at his handsome lips. “Figured as much, after seeing your mother.”

It’s an attempt to tease, but too much terror bubbles in you.

“I just need to know you’re protected.” Ezra reveals, but with a croak you ask why.

“Cause unfortunate as it might be, it’s even more dangerous for a criminal like me to cherish something.”

Your eyes water. There are too many questions in your head, but the day will be starting soon. You need to leave before you’re spotted.

“Tell me you have another gun.” You snap at him.

Ezra simply taps the side of his head. “Don’t need another firearm when I have this weapon.”

You angrily throw the pistol down back to the bed, refusing to take it. That’s when he snaps your name, hard and serious.

You’ve never heard his voice raise like that.

“Take it.” He grabs the firearm and hands it back to you. His midnight eyes are ominously serious with no room for argument.

His hand grabs your face firm in his hand. Your eyes search his endless midnight lake eyes.

“I call you pidge, my little pigeon bird. But I’ve known right from the start you’re a fierce creature. Don’t ever forget that.”

Ezra’s words are beautiful but barbed. They rip up tracks in your heart. He kisses you quick, fierce and short. You hate how it feels like a goodbye.

With shaking hands and confusion, you slide the gun into your satchel. You walk back to your aunt's cabin in a daze. So much so that you barely notice she’s already awake when you sneak back in.

“You have fun at the motel again?” She asks, and fear freezes you.

“I wasn’t-”

“Mac, your uncle’s good friend, gave me the heads up.” She cuts you off softly.

Mac, the innkeeper. God damn this small town. Venom, anger, indignation, they all swirl violently in you.

“Whatever you’re doing there, you’re only gonna find danger.” She says somber, and you stay quiet.

Your aunt sighs.

“You’re lucky this hasn’t gotten out yet. What would young Duke say if he found out?”

Frustration bursts in you, and you snap furious about why would you even need to care about that man’s opinion of you.

“Because he plans on weddin’ you, and I plan on letting him.” Your aunt fires back and her words shoot right through you.

Your legs feel like they’re about to give out, even have to steady yourself against the nearby chair.

You thought your aunt understood. She’s been alone, a widow since she was around your age, longer than your mother had been a widow. You thought she’d never fall into the trap of forcing marriage.

“It’s for your own good.” She argues, watery urgent m. “You need protection, a home, a husband to provide for you.”

You rush out of the house even ignoring the screams from your aunt.

You’d have to think of a plan fast. Maybe leave with Ezra once the competition ends today. It’s all too much. You swallow back a sob and walk back into town.

The competition was today after all.

The day at the shop is very short. Julie doesn’t even notice your somber atmosphere as she’s completely caught up in the excitement of this day. So many more wagons stretch around the edge of town.

Pecos flutters alive with life.

But there’s already commotion, a dangerous kind that chokes the competition tense.

Duke yells loud and furious. The sheriff along with his deputies are nearby. Thankfully you spot Martha and quickly move to ask her what’s going on.

“Duke’s horse is missing.” She whispers.

From what Martha says, when Duke went to the stables this morning the gate was open and his horse was nowhere to be seen. His trusty companion, you even knew how serious an issue this is.

“Well young buck, if you’re that upset then maybe you shouldn’t partake in the festivities.” Ezra, out of thin air, offers.

He looks confident as he strolls up.

“Or you simply ride with another mare?” He proposes with a coy optimism.

“Fuck you!” Duke snaps at Ezra and even looks as if he’s going to lunge.

Your heart hammers hard in your chest. Thankfully the sheriff settles the commotion down.

Angered but stubborn, Duke declares he’s staying to compete and will simply use another horse. He is favored to win after all.

Other cowboys from out of town have blown in like packs of tumbleweed. So many of them are excited to participate and try their hand at showing off their rancher skills

Some are good.

But it is Ezra who proves to be the dark horse, the surprise underdog.

Watching him on his stallion, your throat goes dry seeing how effortless and strong he manages his horse. You never knew he could ride. The way he maneuvers and stays a quiet presence, he reminds you of an outlaw.

“Moves like a bandit.” Someone in the crowd even whispers.

His rope throwing skills however surprise everyone, including yourself. The calf he manages to wrangle takes you by shock. A dangerous lust slithers over your body watching him wrangle the animal with his strength and sturdy form.

But you realize -

This wasn’t what had been planned. From the discussion given last night, Ezra was meant to perform poorly to make sure Duke did better.

But this is exactly the opposite.

He’s the lead runner for champion of the competition.

And then Duke’s turn arrives. The crowd mummers curious, on edge waiting for the favored cowboy to make his move.

The horse he uses is not cooperative. Duke screams, unable to hide his frustration in wrangling the creature.

But once he stabilizes a manageable ride, he goes to lasso the calf. His rope lands and the crowd cheers. He’s already faster than Ezra.

Until the frayed rope snaps and the calf yanks itself free.

The crowd gasps.

It’s not an immediate disqualification, but it doesn’t look good. Duke argues that his rope was frayed and that someone must have slowly started cutting at it. However it’s a long shot argument. There’s no way to prove that and even the sheriff seems a little wary of the accusation.

“That’s just the way rope is son, you just gotta keep an eye on it.”

Duke screams in anguish canyon splitting anger. You’ve never once seen him like this. It’s like it’s a whole new man, or maybe, his true self being revealed.

He’s offered another rope, but it’s almost horrifying to watch that one as well snap. The crowd again gasps.

This wasn’t the outcome meant to happen.

“Duke’s cursed.” Someone mumbles.

The crowd is in disbelief, you even are. The last remaining competitors try their luck, but none can beat Ezra’s speed.

You can’t believe it. But he won.

And Duke is livid. The crowd tentatively applauds Ezra’s win because of the somber mood clashing.

“You bastard! You goddamn cheated!” Duke screams at Ezra while the deputies try settling him down.

“Poor boy,” Ezra says sympathetically before turning to find you in the crowd.

There’s a gleam of something proud shimmering in his dark eyes.

You don’t question it, don’t want to.

Ezra truly is a man of many facets, dangerous ones, like looking at a raw gemstone that could cut your fingers.

The competition spills into the nearby saloons, and the festivities only seem to intensify as the sun starts setting. You can’t even reach Ezra from the groups swirling around him and want to get as far away from Duke as possible.

So you return back to the tailor shop. Julie urges you to join her and the other women at the mayor’s large property, but you decline.

You simply sit in the store trying to muster up a plan. But in a blink, the night arrives and you have to find Ezra.

So after locking up the shop, you head to the motel.

Until the sound of Duke’s screaming and the rage of violence roars nearby.

You freeze, terrified.

Until someone wearily coughs. “That’s what ya get for gamblin’ with bandits, boy.”

Your swindler’s distinct twang drawls smug and now your body rushes to the secluded alleyway.

You swallow back a scream at the sight you stumble upon. Duke with blood fists has Ezra pinned against the wall, like a mythological creature, terrifying and large looking over with violence in his wake.

Ezra’s face is bloody and one of his arms even hangs limp.

“Pidge.” He coughs, and your heart aches.

Duke whips around to see you and barks for you to leave.

Shakily you snatch down to your bag, and whip out the gun to point it to him. Duke’s face falls a bit confused.

“Honey this man wronged me, I’m only enacting my justice.” He argues.

You snap at him to let Ezra go or else.

That’s when a sinister evil darkens Duke’s golden boy face.

“So, ya little god damn whore…you’re workin’ with this man aren’t ya? I knew I should’ve listened to all the rumors about a slut like you.” He spits with venom leaking from his voice.

“Don’t you touch her.” Ezra snarls, but Duke pays him no mind keeping his sinister eyes on you.

“What?” Duke slowly mutters. “Do ya really think you’re gonna shoot me?”

Tears fill your eyes. You don’t want to, but the way your heart races like a terrified Jack rabbit it screams at you to flee. But… you also wonder if your heart races because it’s urging you to attack, to bare your fangs.

Instead of releasing Ezra, Duke moves to grip his coat harder. He slams your drifter hard and fast against the wall. A painful crack-like smack comes, and you scream.

You fire the gun instantly.

Duke blinks, you even wonder if you landed a hit.

Until deep dark crimson, almost the color of dark sludge, leaks across Duke’s side. He crumbles like a fall leaf.

You cry scrambling to Ezra who thankfully is still standing. Duke wheezes out obscenities and even tries hollering for help. You’re however too worried about Ezra.

“M’fine,” your drifter reassures with a wheeze.

“Hand me the gun, dearest.” Ezra somberly mutters. When you do, without hesitation Ezra fires the gun point black down at Duke. And your eyes shut hearing the pistol strike. Duke goes quiet and stays silent.

“Come on, we gotta hurry.” Ezra urges.

Supporting his body, you manage to get him into the tailor shop to tend to his wounds.

Ezra coughs out your name. “M’dearest, I need to make my escape out of town once more.” His breathing his heaved, he needs to rest.

“Don’t leave me.” You cry sharp, unable to focus on anything now.

His hand slides to your face and he cradles you tenderly. You clutch at his wrist as you blink back tears starting at him now.

“It will not be a pleasant life, staying with a devil like me.” He mumbles.

Doesn't he realize, you’re just as tarnished as him now? Blood is on your hands. You simply turn to kiss the palm of his hand feeling more reassured than ever.

“I’d rather be with the devil than live without him.” You speak soft into his skin while tears dry on your cheeks.

He barks a hollow but watery thick laugh as he says your name. “You foolish bird, my lovely dangerous creature.”

The desert is unforgiving to those who do now learn to grow fangs or become just as fierce as its landscape. You wonder if that’s what has become of you. But you don’t question it. You simply gather all you can, steal one of the horses from the saloon and keep Ezra close to you on the saddle.

If Ezra is a devil, then you’re grateful he saved you from your hell. And for him, you will gladly stain your soul.

Under the eternal eyes of the desert, you wander into the night keeping your bandit close to you.

In the distance a lone coyote howls aching at the moon.

You don’t look back once.

[aerkame]

"One of these days you'll slip up."

(Not in the Alive AU, just general Welcome Home, reader is from the normal world though)

Everyone (mostly Wally) x Guarded reader

__________________________________________________

Ever since you got here you were well guarded, never really giving away too much about yourself no matter how much one of your cheerful neighbors tried and tried to get you to open up more. Not even Barnaby's best jokes could crack you up.

It wasn't that you hated them, everyone could tell you weren't upset or anything like that, nothing like what Frank is sometimes, you would smile every now and then, openly play with Julie when she wanted to play games with you, and you'd give Barnaby a small chuckle if he made a good joke. You just had a hard time being open is all.

That's what brought you here today, sitting on a stool outside for quite some time as Wally sat across from you making a portrait. He had asked you earlier if you could do him a favor and be his muse for today, he just didn't know what to paint and you were the perfect muse! Amongst other reasons for bringing you out here.

"So...I heard you and Barnaby had some fun annoying Frank earlier today?" Wally softly spoke as his brush went across the canvas. He looked completely at peace.

"Yeah, it was fun, I didn't know Frank hated spiders though, I thought he would like all kinds of critters." You smirked slightly remembering the look on Frank Frankly's face when a spider came out of the "surprise gift" you and Barnaby had left on the porch. Though it didn't take long for Frank to figure out who done it with Barnaby's fluffy blue fur sticking out of the bushes nearby.

"That's good." He hummed before dipping the paintbrush in a different color. "So why are you always keeping yourself closed off?"

"What?" The question surprised you a bit.

"You're safe here you know, it's okay to open yourself up. If you're uncomfortable you can be more open around just me." Wally didn't look away from the painting for even a second. He just kept adding onto it while you sat there confused.

"I..." You weren't sure what to say really. You weren't uncomfortable, but you also didn't feel safe here. This wasn't your home at all but everyone acted so normal about everything.

"It's alright, one of these days you'll understand." he looked away from the now finished portrait of you, giving you a tilt of the head and that charming smile of his.

Uh oh. Wally isn't too happy that the reader isn't falling for his charm and letting their guard down.

Another short post, but I really wanted to share this while it was still on my mind.

[hamsamwich23]

Hello and welcome, Silly Critters

About me

My name is Sam and/or Mort, I'm 19 years old. I identify as pan + demiromantic-asexual, and my pronouns are he/they/it/xe. I am also polyamorous and have one partner (whom I love very much💛).

My hobbies include writing (mostly fanfiction), playing video games, role play, photography, and more. I am currently working on two AU's, which will be mentioned later. (After my DNI)

My interests include: Hello Puppets, Doki Doki Literature Club, 1nv4d3r Z1m, Adventure Time, Hollow Knight, Cult Of The Lamb, Don't Hug Me Im Scared, Milk inside a bag of milk +Milk outside a bag of milk, Amanda The Adventurer, Welcome Home, Smile For Me, Happy Game, Slime ranchers, Among Us, Minecraft, Fall Guys, GHOST and pals music, Vane Lily music, R.I.P music, Limbo, Inside, Bojack Horseman, Yo Kai Watch (1st and 2nd Games), Nexo Knights, Night In The Woods, Deltarune, Undertale, Undertale Yellow, The Dog Island, The backrooms, Liminal Space, Tomodachi Life, That's Not My Neighbor (Bolded interests are my current special interests and main focuses)

My DMs are always open, and I'm always up for making friends! However I would like to mention that I am neurodivergent, I have AuDHD and struggle with OCD and heavy mental health problems. I simply ask that you be patient with me. As I may misunderstand things at times, as well as go offline or isolate myself at times.

❗Writing Commissions and trades are currently: CLOSED

❗Requests for Unreality Au one shots are OPEN

❗Hello Puppets Infected Au will be continued in 2025.

🍉This Blog Stands With The People Of Palestine🍉

DNI

I'm aware that people don't Technically have to follow DNI's, but I would still like to state my boundaries. I block freely and often, and will block you if you make me uncomfortable and/or treat people like shit, or for any personal reason that I feel the need to block.

That being said, as I mentioned before I have heavy paranoia issues and OCD that interfere with my every day life, including life on the Internet. If anything at all feels off to me I just block. I understand this is somewhat irrational and I apologize in advance if I end up blocking you for seemingly no reason. This is the easiest way I can explain the issue.

I would prefer if you didn't interact with me if you're any of the following or if any of the following applies to you:

Prosh1p/Comsh1p/Prof1c/ECT, shipping discourse blogs, against oc x canon/self shippers, if you engage in lgbtq+ discourse and/or are a lgbtq discourse blog, support the boyfriends webtoon, hardcore DSMP fans, k1nk/f3tish blogs that are not run by people i personally know, support either or both fox_an_draw and/or scatteredkitbrainzzz/kitruckus, hardcore stranger things fans

(a lot of these will still end up in an automatic block but I'll still at least try to ask for my boundaries to be respected)

Please do not talk to me about: Ship discourse, Lgbtq+ discourse, TheWaltenFiles (unless we're mutuals but even then I would prefer not too), IZfandom discourse, The Amazing Digital Circus.

You will be blocked immediately if: you are bigoted in any way at all (TERFS/radfems, rad-exclus, abliest, pro-isreal/Zionist, antisemitic/Nazi's, conservative/republican, anti-lgbtq+, sexist, anti-choice, ECT), L0Li/Sh0t4c0n, Pro-harassment, Antishippers who tell pr0shippers to hurt themselves/k1ll themselves/to relive their trauma, people who harass others over shipping in general, ai "artists", people who support the use of AI to steal from content creators, people who believe "blackwashing" is a thing and/or defend whitewashing, If you support any of the following people: JKRowling*, Viziepop*, proshippersaretheproblem, thelocalvampyre, inky/Spencer/snax/grey(IZ), Dream/DreamWasTaken, mr-saturnnn, Fluffyphobias, kittensneeze, izzydrawsforfun, lunasol, refrainbow.

(*Fans of Harry Potter and HH/HB who are critical and don't support the actions of the creators are okay to interact)

This list can and probably will be updated at any time

Socials/Other blogs

My other blogs on Tumblr:

@unreality-au-content-hoard - A blog for my Unreality Au, A crossover/multifandom AU inspired by weirdcore, horror, and Liminal Space themes. (Includes characters from Hello Puppets, Doki Doki Literature Club, Inv4d3r Z1m, Undertale +UT yellow (recent addition), Hatsune Miku(/hj), and OCs!! (All content warnings are in the pinned post. Fan content for this au is OKAY with me!!)

@morts-infected-au - A Hello Puppets AU inspired by the MLP infection Aus!! (this blog is still under construction and this Au contains heavy elements of horror and gore)

Discord: hamsamwich23

Instagram: hamsamwich23

Wattpad: judgment23

SquidgeWorld: hamsamwich23

Thank you for reading

[hugs-and-murder]

Characters you can send asks to cause i'm bored

Emerald [Sonic oc] Kitti [Deltarune oc] Trixxter [.EXE oc] Cindy [CFD cartoon vers.] Chloe and BonChi [CFD cartoon vers. Four and X [BFB] Creator [Me] Cindy [Welcome Home version] Lockette [Helluva Boss/Hazbin Hotel oc] Ugly Wugly/Minty Winty [Poppy Playtime oc] ChocoBear [Security Beach oc] Roselis [The Security Breach Show oc] Thrasher Sans [Undertale au] The Yin-Yang Twins/Share Shark and Snark Shark [Smiling Critters ocs] i have more characters to ask but i don't have art for them so i'll be putting them down as i make them

[lemonjoonah]

The Garden Thief (M)

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader Word Count: 9.3K Genre: Hybrid AU, romance/drama/comedy, enemies to lovers Warnings: Unprotected sex, oral sex (fem. rec.), they get down and dirty outside but no one else is there to see them, cum play? (just a little), there’s also a bit of mud (sorry, but also not sorry, they’re outside what do you want from me?!?!), referenced hybrid neglect and oppression (hybrids are wrongfully deemed as pets by law and the majority of society).  

Summary: Your beloved vegetable patch has once again been victimized by a hungry thief in the night. The prime suspect? Jeon Jungkook, your neighbour's rabbit hybrid. But when you finally confront him, he pleads innocent, and proposes a plan to clear his name.

A/N: I wrote this fic’s premise and opening scene for the ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Game’ that I played oh so long ago and now I’ve finally finished the tale!

...

“Oh for fuck’s sake, not again!” You swear upon seeing the leafy green remains of several carrots lying in your garden, inches from where they used to be buried. This maddening mystery of the vanishing vegetables has been playing out all summer. You’ve set out deterrents for every possible garden pest, rolling out chicken wire and spraying natural remedies to repel anything from bugs to small rodents. Yet you still wake to find that your garden has been robbed in the night. The only possible suspect you haven’t been able to protect against resides just next door, in fact—

You squint up at the boarded fence, spotting a pair of long dark ears peeking out over the posts. “Jungkook, is that you?”

The ears immediately disappear, ducking down behind the barrier. The sound of his hurried footsteps trailing away are followed only by the slamming of a door.

You rush into and through your own house carrying the wilted carrot greens. Exiting out the front, and over to the house next to yours, where you repeatedly press the bell.

The entry whips open on the fourth ring to reveal Jungkook. His face is flushed, beads of sweat racing down his brow, and a shirt that one would normally use to cover their chest, is instead thrown over his shoulder. “Something wrong neighbour?” He asks with a carrot stick in hand. Bringing it to his mouth, he taunts you with a bite and crooked grin.

“Is-is your caretaker home?” You stutter trying your best to swallow your nerves. Concentrating hard on his face, you plead with your eyes not to wander down. That’s exactly what he wants, a reason to put you off your mission, to make you so flustered that you have to walk away. He’s always trying to use his allure against you, and you hate how often he succeeds doing just that...  

“No, he’s at work.”

“When will he be back?”

“Not sure, maybe a week, or two? He’s on a business trip.”

Your gaze falters in it’s determination for a brief second as a drop of sweat descends from his neck to his chest. Holding your breath you watch it’s path, tracing the valleys between his muscles. When Jungkook finally wipes it away your brain catches up and scolds you for your weakness. “And he left you here, alone?”  You ask, while trying to recollect your dignity, reminding yourself of how much grief he has put you through.

“Of course.” Jungkook’s smile grows. “I’m not just some common pet. I know how to behave myself.”

The statement makes your brow twitch, enraging you enough to overcome his tactics. “I know you haven’t been here long, but you should know, people typically don’t like it when someone steals from their yard.” You lecture him, waving the carrot tops in front of his face. “So stop treating my garden like your own personal snack bar!”

“Now why would I take from you? I have plenty of food here, even got another delivery this morning.”  The hybrid kicks at a box next him filled with a vibrant collection of fresh produce and grains.

“I don’t know why. I just know it was you.”

“Prove it.” He prods, while taking the last bite of the vegetable from his hand.

The loud crunching gnaws on your composure, stripping you of any patience you may have had for the hybrid. “This all started when you moved in, and I’ve ruled everything else out!” You shout, but as good as it might feel to finally vent your anger, you feel as though you’re somehow playing into his hand.

“That doesn’t seem like very good evidence. It’s circumstantial at best. If you want to find out who the real culprit is you should have a stake out.”

“A stake out?”

“Yeah, you know, watch over the garden for the night, catch the criminal in the act. I could even help if you’d like.”

You scoff at the ridiculous notion. “You really think I should invite you over to guard my crops?”

“I do, so I’ll come over tonight? Say around seven?” You open your mouth to object, but the rabbit hybrid jumps from one statement to the next casually inviting himself into your own home. “Perfect. See you then.”

“I didn’t-no wait, that was sar-” The door closes between you before you can finish. Leaving you baffled and alone on the doorstep. You ready to knock but stop just before your knuckles hit the wood. Trying again right now is a lost cause, it’ll just play into his game. So why waste your breath when you know it’ll just end the same way? Tonight then, as he suggested, that’s when you’ll be ready to hit him with some hard evidence that he won’t be able to refute.

Admitting defeat for now, you retreat back to your garden to pick the surviving vegetables and contemplate the encounter. You wish your could have just spoken to Jungkook’s caretaker—fuck what was his name again? You’ve only seen the man a couple times since they took the house, but at least he doesn't give you a nervous knot in your stomach, or leave you confused and speechless like his hybrid does.

It’s been three months since they moved in. You were excited at first, to have new neighbours in your almost vacant cul-de-sac. Buyers don’t seem to be interested in the old houses with large lots in your area. Too much work to maintain, and not enough good job prospects to go around. So when you saw the sold sign go up you were beyond thrilled. Greeting the new residents with a fruit basket and a smile.

The rabbit hybrid you now know as Jungkook appeared rather shy at first, you did your best to welcome him. Always greeting him when he was outside, trying to engage him in small chat, but the first time you caught him during his workout everything changed. Until that point you had not considered him as anything but a prospective friend. You were stunned to see him in such a confident state, throwing around his weights like they were nothing. In that moment, with you too nervous to admit that you found him attractive, you became the anxious and blubbering fool in his presence, and he, unfortunately, took note. The once quiet and cute rabbit, became a flirtatious and bratty bunny.

And since then, whenever you would work in your garden he’d be on the other side of the fence grunting and panting. Staying close to the gap in the divider, a missing panel you had yet to replace. On days like today you would often look up from your radishes and accidentally lock eyes with the hybrid, drenched in sweat and showing off his skills.

Out of respect and self preservation you tried your best to not to pay attention, to keep your nose buried in your garden, but as the weeks went by the vegetables under your care started to disappear. The ample crops you tended to in the evening, lessened by morning, with only the refuse remaining to indicate it’s former presence. You didn’t want to point fingers immediately, but today was the final straw, and tonight no matter how hard he tries to distract you, you will find him guilty.

After harvesting the choice crops for the day and watering the rest. You dust yourself off, settling inside and in front of your computer; opening the visitors page for your place of work, the city's greenhouse conservatory. To help promote the centre in the community the staff all take turns writing articles revolving around their own projects or home gardens, and you’re up next in the rotation. You stare at the blank document for several minutes trying your best to concentrate on the task, but you are unable to think of anything other than the mischievous hybrid next door.

Embracing the topic of your aggravation, you start the post off with a title sure to catch the eye of any reader, ‘Garden Thieves.’

‘We’ve all been there, finding a tomato just about to reach its peak ripeness. We give it another day to grow into perfection, only to find it missing later on. In your absence something else has taken it into its own clutches. I myself have been dealing with a vegetable thief for several weeks, so if you are struggling like I am, here are a few things that might help. ’

You proceed to outline several garden pests uploading photos of their damage, along with quick remedies to deter their presence. Netting to block the sparrows, raised beds and fences to keep out most rodents or mammals, and a caffeine solution to stave off slugs.

‘I hope this may help you all in your efforts to keep your plants safe, but I must add a disclaimer. Unfortunately nothing here is completely foolproof. Even if you do follow all of these steps you still might lose some of your crops to a crafty critter. But I wish you the best of luck on all of your backyard battles. I myself plan to face off with my own long-eared menace tonight.’

You finish your post with a smile. Sending it off to your coworker Namjoon to get his approval before you make it public.

He calls a few minutes later, his laughter carrying through the speaker. “That was easily the best article you’ve written all year. You should definitely post it.”

“Thanks.” You chuckle, hitting the submit button. At the very least feeling a bit relieved to have one less task weighing on your mind. “I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. I take it you’re still having trouble with that hybrid neighbour of yours?”

“Yeah,” you groan. You’ve complained to Namjoon about the issue several times in the past month. It must have been all too easy for him to read between the lines and see what set you off to create this specific entry.  “But he refuses to admit it was him. It’s like he’s trying to make me question my skills as a gardener and I hate it! I went over to talk to his caretaker but he’s away on business for a couple weeks.”

“He left him alone for that long? What about food?”

“He’s been getting deliveries. By the looks of it, he has a healthier diet than I do.”

Namjoon pauses on the line giving you only a simple, “Huh...” in a long break.

“What?”

“Well it’s just-” A loud buzzing sound erupts through the phone line cutting off his answer. A noise you know to indicate someone is at the back door. “That’s weird. I didn’t think we were supposed to get anything delivered today. No one else is here.... did you have anything scheduled to come in?”

“No.” You double check the calendar sitting on your desk. “I shouldn’t have anything until next Monday.”  

Namjoon puts you on hold while he checks on the reason for the interruption, returning only a minute later. “It’s a delivery all right, but are you sure these aren’t yours? I’m seeing a lot of tropical species on the invoice. Combretum rotundifolium, Heliconia angusta, Myrciaria dubia-”

You mouth a swear as Namjoon carries on with his list. It’s obvious they are indeed the specimens of your expected batch. You're in the process of redesigning one of the tropical habitats. The lead director was adamant that the conservatory host a butterfly exhibition in the next coming year, and in order to support the grandiose endeavour you are required to introduce a vast amount of new flowering species over the next few months. “How many in total?”

“About two dozen. Looking pretty rough from the journey too.”

You’re not surprised by their current state. This summer is already one of the hottest and driest on record, and all the stock you had received this season was excessively wilted and near death because of it. “Do we have any holding houses with humidifiers available?”

“Not at the moment,” There’s a clatter in the background as Namjoon sorts through what must be the slack of clipboards. “But I’ve got the inspection chart here and your last delivery did just finish it’s quarantine. No signs of pests or illness, so they’re clear to plant. That should free up some space for you.”

“That’ll have to do. Thanks for checking.” Standing up from your desk with a sorrowful sigh. You mourn the loss or your afternoon off as you start to dress for a day of hard labour. Throwing on your work-issued overalls over your t-shirt and shorts. Unfortunately you can’t just leave the new stock to sit out under the beating sun. With little humidity outside and no protection they’ll be burnt to a crisp if you delay too long. But the worst part is that your planting staff isn’t scheduled until later in the week, and that volume of work will put you well into the middle of the night before you complete it. “I’ll be in soon to deal with it.”

“That’s a lot of planting to do on your own. I can help if you-”

“I can’t take you away from your trees, isn’t there a bonsai exhibition next week you have to prepare them for?” He’s been agonizing over this showcase for so long you couldn’t possibly inconvenience him now with your own troubles. “It’s fine, really. I’ll call to see if anyone else is willing to come in today.” You hang up letting Namjoon return to his tasks, and work your way down the contacts for the gardening staff as you prepare yourself to leave. Though as expected, all of those who answer have prior commitments and won’t be able to assist.

Grabbing your badge and plans for the updates to the garden you slip back out into the noon-day sun, so strong it’s turned your car into an oven on wheels. You’re just about to pull it into reverse when you spot the blinds shift in your neighbour’s window. Prompting you to recall the plans he had made for tonight.

With all the work you have, it’s doubtful you’ll be back home for seven. You return to Jungkook’s door to give him the news. He has it open before you can even knock, his usual smirk crawling across his face as he greets you.  

“About tonight... something has come up at work and I really don’t know how late I’ll be.”

His ears perk up. “You’re going into the conservatory?”

“Yeah,” you respond, somewhat shocked that he remembered where you work. It’s been a couple months since you mentioned it while introducing yourself to him and his caretaker. “An order came in earlier than expected. I’ll likely be planting all day and night.”

“I can help,” he offers, already stepping out to join you, and locking the door behind him.

“You want to help?”

“Of course, isn’t that the neighbourly thing to do?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t want it or expect it from someone who terrorizes my own garden.”

“Allegedly,” Jungkook corrects. “And wouldn’t you rather have me with you, under your supervision, than here, all alone with only a measly fence between me and your impressive bell pepper harvest?”

“Stay away from my peppers!” You scold, pointing your finger at him. “Even if I wanted to take you, what about your caretaker? Don’t you need his permission to leave and work?”

“He’s never paid attention to my whereabouts before, and it’s not work if you don’t pay me. I’ll just be a volunteer. You have people volunteer all the time right?”

“Yes but-”  

“I’ll be on my best behaviour.”

“Alright, fine.” You finally agree though with a heavy dose of reluctance. Namjoon often brings his own hybrid in so it shouldn’t be a problem. “But if I see you nibble on even a single leaf, you’re coming straight back here.”

“Deal.” He rushes past you straight to your passenger seat and buckles himself in. Practically bouncing with excitement beside you as you pull out and head towards the conservatory.

The minutes pass and you try your best to focus on the road but you’ve never been so close to Jungkook in such a small space. And with his built frame taking up most of the car, he’s hard for you to ignore. His ears folded against the roof and his shoulders so wide they brush repeatedly against yours.

“Ever been to the conservatory before?” You ask, trying to divert your mind from the battle which builds inside you. A wavering war between frustration and attraction, with the former trying it’s best to pin down the latter, a move which only arouses the latter more...

“No, I’ve wanted to go ever since you mentioned it but my caretaker hasn’t had the time.”

“Oh.” A sense of pity joins the ranks of your emotions, nudging at you as you pull into the lot. “Sorry, I didn’t-”

“Why are you sorry?” Jungkook asks in a low whisper, snapping back to his flirtatious behaviours. His mouth turns up at the corner as he leans into you, so close that his drooping ears graze the top of your head.  “Would you have taken me earlier if I had mentioned it?”

“N-no,” you choke out. Placing your hand on his solid chest, you push him back and away. As tempting as his advance might be to accept, you know his forwardness to be nothing more than an act to make a fool of you. Why else would he try to both seduce you, and steal from right under your nose?  “You’re only here today because I am in desperate need of help, and I can’t trust you to be alone.”

...

You lead him through the unoccupied greenhouses. The conservation is closed to the public today (as it is every Monday and Tuesday); which usually allows for some time off, but at least now it’ll give you a chance to work unimpeded by visitors. Your own curated section is located in the most humid of all the houses, set in such a way to mimic the tropical environment you are attempting to represent.

The first stop is the holding house where the carts of new stock wait just outside.  Grabbing an empty trolly you enter and start to load up those that are ready to plant. Jungkook following your actions does the same, easily lifting the heavy planters that you yourself struggle with. “Thanks,” you whisper as he relieves you of a particularly burdensome tree. To which he smiles in return.

After making the switch, by placing the recent delivery in the house for it’s quarantine, you lead him to the supply closet. Where you collect a couple shovels, trowels, and two pairs of gloves. As you continue to scan for anything else you might require, Jungkook pops in behind looking at the shelves with a sense of curiosity. He reaches up and over you to a spray bottle labeled ‘slug repellent.’

“We won’t need that, it’s for the outdoor gardens,” You explain. “It’s just a mixture of ca-”

“Caffeine and water?”

You snap your gaze to him. “How do you know that?”

He bites his lip as a snicker starts to escape. “Just a bit of morning reading. I found an interesting article with that particular tidbit. One which also happened to reference the exploits of a long-eared menace.”

“Y-you read the conservatory blog? You read my post? No one reads that, there can’t have been more than ten views!”

“Which is such a shame.” He goads you. “I’ve found your work to be both informative and comical. You really have me rooting for you in your quest to catch your thief.”

You groan in utter fury. “Why must you be so-so-”

“Handsome? Funny? Caring?”

“Antagonizing!”

“Because you seem to take more notice when I am.” Jungkook answers, with a turn of his heel, his tail poking out from under his shirt as he starts to walk away with the cart. “And I like seeing that perplexed look of yours. Your nose is cute when you scrunch it up like that.”

You remain in the shed, your traitorous heart beating erratically over the fact that he called a part of you cute. While your more sensible side grabs your nose and smooths out the wrinkles he referenced.

“Should we get to work?” He calls out after you. ��The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go home and expose that bandit of yours.”

You roll your eyes and follow him out, before taking the lead to your tropical glasshouse. The air sticks to your skin the moment you enter. Jungkook lets out a long exhale behind you tugging on the collar of his shirt. “Is it always like this in here?”

“It’s a bit warmer today, but not by much. Are you already regretting your decision to help?” You tease him.

“Nope,” he answers, slinging a shovel over his shoulder. “Show me where to dig, and I’ll get to it.”

Pulling out your plans for the new exhibit arrangement, you select a couple species placing them on the empty plots of garden as directed, careful to allow for future growth. Jungkook follows behind digging out their new homes faster than at least three of your staff members combined.

You stare at him for a second, unable to believe the pace at which he’s going. “Something wrong?” He asks, pausing to lock eyes with you.

“No, I just didn’t think you’d be so quick at digging.”

“I’m part rabbit, what did you expect?” Jungkook boasts with a chuckle and a raised brow. “I share their strengths. Especially when it comes to burrowing and fu-”      

His words are cut short when a fresh breeze from the outside washes over the both of you, a  sure sign that someone must have entered the greenhouse. Your neighbour goes rigid, his nose lifts into the air and his ears fall back flat against his head. “Jungkook what’s-” Leaping up he closes the gap and grabs you. Tucking you into him with his chin resting on your head, where a  warm and earthy scent envelopes you.  His breaths are quick and deep, causing his chest to rapidly rise and fall against your back.

Namjoon’s voice calls out to you. “... are you in here?”

“Over here!” You yell out in reply, before turning back to the hybrid who still has you locked in his clutches. “What the hell Jungkook? Let me go! Now’s not the time for your games.” Sure it might feel nice to be wrapped in his arms, to get lost amidst his aroma. At any other time you might even consider taking a moment before chastising his boldness. But here? Now? And with Namjoon coming to greet you? No, this is too much.

You try to push him away like you have before, but this time it’s as if he’s set in stone, and not registering you at all. He focuses only on the direction your coworker's voice hailed from. “That scent, he smells like-”

“There you are.” Namjoon interrupts stepping around a flowering bush and into view, looking surprised by your guest. “Oh, hello there.”

The point of Jungkook's chin rubs against your head as he grips you even tighter. Embarrassed and confused by the hybrids embrace. “Jungkook, this is Namjoon.” You introduce your coworker while delivering an elbow to Jungkook’s gut. He finally snaps out of his trace and lets you go though he continues to hover behind. “He works with the bonsai of the conservatory.”

“You must be the neighbour I’ve heard so much about, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Namjoon extends his hand to the hybrid, but Jungkook ignores the gesture, choosing to glare instead, with his nostrils flared and his ears pinned back.

“Jungkook?” You whisper trying to chase him from his mood.

Namjoon gives him a nervous smile. “You probably smell my hybrid, on me don’t you?”

“A hybrid?” Jungkook confirms, his eyes narrowed at Namjoon.

“Yeah, sorry, I didn’t intend to scare you. I’m sure the scent of a predator, especially a tiger, is a bit of a shock. He’s harmless, I promise.”

“Is Taehyung here?” You ask, hoping to see his affectionate part-feline companion.  

“Nah, he’s with a friend today. I needed to get some work done and he’d be more of a distraction than a help... but it would seem that didn’t stop him from scenting my shirt before I left.” Namjoon explains, and then turns to your neighbour again. “Jungkook would you mind if I borrow her for a second? I need help with one of my tropical species.”

Jungkook gives a solemn nod. For the first time since you’ve known him, he looks frightened, and somewhat hesitant to release you over to your coworker.

Worried by his current disposition, you reassure him with a squeeze on his arm. “Just keep digging where I’ve placed those pots and I’ll be right back.”

Namjoon leads you into the adjacent greenhouse where you can continue to keep watch of Jungkook through the pains of glass. But the instant the doors close between you, Namjoon starts bombarding you with questions. “Why didn’t you tell me? How long has it been going on? ”

You take a step back having been caught off guard. “Tell you what?”

“About you and Jungkook! Is the feuding neighbours just a cover story?” Namjoon’s eyes are wide and hopeful as he carries on, not letting you fit a single word in. “Don’t worry, I won’t inform anyone you're together. I know it’s not easy having a human-hybrid relationship out in the open. But I think you should be careful about going out into public because he’s far too obvious about it.”

“We’re not- we’re not a couple. Why would you think such a thing?”

“Because the way held you, he looked like he was marking you with his own scent. That’s what rabbits do isn’t it? They rub their chins on what they want to claim as their own.”

“They do what?” You ask, stunned by the possibility, before the realism settles back in. It must just be Jungkook’s idea of a joke. “No, that’s not what he’s doing, our connection is nothing remotely like that. Don’t get me wrong he’s very attractive, and he knows it.” You mutter the last part under your breath. “But-”

“But you really are having trouble with him. It's not a cover?”

“You think I would keep something like that from you?” Namjoon over the years has come to be your closest confidant. A good friend and coworker, you would never dream of hiding something like that from him.

“I suppose not.”

“Is that why you brought me back here, to question my relationship status?”

“Not entirely.” Namjoon shakes his head with a small dimpled smile and changes the subject. “I do actually want to get your help with one of my new acquisitions.” He points out an unusual tree on his work bench, much too big for the pot it’s currently situated in. It’s extensive roots spill out over the top and threaten to swallow the pot whole. “A Ficus microcarpa, far from the most sought after species when it comes to reputable bonsai, but I couldn’t pass this one up. It has such good character.”

“What made it grow in such a way?” You examine the plant and it’s container with care, prying between the roots and taking note of cracks starting to form in the terracotta.

“The last owner neglected it for far too long. It sat hidden in the back of a commercial greenhouse, still under the watering and fertilizing system, but since it was confined to such a small space it tried to root it’s way out. If I were to guess, it probably hasn’t seen a new pot for at least five years.”

“It’s a miracle it survived.” You nod impressed by the tree’s determination. “What’s your plan for it?”

“Give it what it wants, let it leach out. I doubt I would be able to pry it out entirely without causing significant damage to the roots that are gripping the sides, so instead I want to put another bellow to catch it and give it the fresh soil and room it needs.” Namjoon lays the tree and pot down on the table, and asks you to hold and support the trunk, while he taps and pokes at the bottom of the vessel with a metal trowel.  Enlarging the cracks, but not breaking the pot fully. It’s a tedious process. The small chunks of clay are removed piece by piece, giving him access to see and free some of the tightly bound roots inside.

While your coworker continues his task, your eyes are free to wonder. You check on Jungkook through the glass, as he kneels in front of the garden bed digging even faster than before.

Namjoon appears to notice your distracted state. “How's he doing?”

“Fine I guess.” You whisper. “He’s acting stranger than usual today though. He stole from my garden again. Invited himself over to my house, then here, and you saw what he did back there.”

“Huh...” Namjoon mutters, trailing off the same way he did on the phone.

“What is this ‘huh’ you keep giving me? You know I don’t like games Namjoon. If you have something you want to say, say it.”

“It’s about what you said earlier, how his caretaker leaves for extended periods of time. Usually if an animal is alone for too long they look for ways to stimulate themselves and resort to their natural instincts, scavenging and such. But he’s a hybrid and therefore part human, so if you were isolated and restricted to your house what would you do?”

“Probably look for the closest person I could find. So he’s acting out in my garden and teasing me, because he’s lonely?”

“I think so.” Namjoon responds as he extracts another root, freeing it from its confines.

“But why?” You ask, worried for the answer to come. “Why wouldn’t he just say something?”

“There could be a number of reasons. He might not understand what he’s doing on a conscious level, or he might be afraid to show any sign of weakness to you or anyone else. Jungkook is part prey animal, and humans are all too often predators.”

“If that’s the case...” You curse yourself for not realizing it sooner. The fury you held for him slowly fades away as you replay every encounter in your mind. He was literally jumping at the chance to spend time with you, to help you with your work, and you were to blind to see it. Your anger over your missing vegetables is so trivial in comparison to what he must have been going through. The loneliness he must have felt, and the inability to admit it, you can’t imagine how he suffered through it alone. “What can I do to help him? I have no legal claim to him Namjoon. What can I do within such limitations?”

He looks down at his work in progress. “The way I see it  you and he, like this small tree, have three options. You could maintain the status quo, leave him be, but how long will he be able to survive like he is? Creeping over the edge but grasping on to nothingness?”

You shake your head vehemently rejecting the idea while Namjoon continues.

“You could report his caretaker for neglect, breaking the container entirely, but that too could be very damaging to him, tearing him away entirely could put him in a state of shock, and in a home that is no better for him, while the legal battle is decided. Or...” Namjoon grabs another container, slightly wider than the one in which the plant is seated. Filling it with substrate he takes the tree clinging to it’s partial pot and places it on top. Pressing the newly freed roots down into the soil.

“You could support him, give him a better home just outside of his own where he can be himself and access what he needs. I personally think it’s your safest option for now.” Namjoon leads over inspecting the bonsai and lowers his voice to an almost inaudible whisper. “Until the day, when it is possible to fully cast the pot aside.”

You nod, though now left to grapple with what you could possibly have to offer the hybrid.  “I’m not sure I would be the best person to care for him.”

“I think Jungkook would disagree. He was already trying to scent you. That to me, implies his desire for something more in the realm of an intimate relationship.” You choke on your breath as Namjoon comes to an additional conclusion. Upon seeing your distress he makes a suggestion. “Of course you could keep it strictly to friendship between the two of you and I’m sure that will improve his situation, but his other needs will need to be met for him to feel completely at home...”

“His other needs? You think he wants to be with me? Intimately?! No! Surely he would have acted differently if that was his intent! He’s done nothing but tease me when he catches me even remotely looking in his direction.”

“So you have been looking at him!” Namjoon taunts you with a massive grin. Apologizing a second later when you proceed to glare at him. “But to answer your question, no, not necessarily. You have to remember most of society deems him a lesser being. He could be feeling a lot of guilt and pressure not to engage with you in that way. Though he might not outright say it, I bet his instincts will continue to shine through. I’ll even prove it to you.” Namjoon takes off a glove and rubs your head. “I bet this rabbit of yours will take less than a minute before he tries to replace the smell of my hand with his own again... trust me.”

You shake your head in disbelief. “I should probably get back to him.” You are just about to step away when your thoughts return to the long neglected plant. “Where do you plan to house that when you’re finished? Ficuses naturally belong in a more tropical location don’t they?”

“They do, especially if I want to give it a better chance. It’s going to need a place far more humid than this space.”

“Was this all your calculated way of guilting me to store it in my greenhouse too?”

“The thought might have crossed my mind.” Namjoon gives you a sly grin.  “But my logic is still sound in regards to Jungkook. He needs someone, he needs a better home... and it would seem he’s chosen you.”

...

You wander back to your greenhouse, still full of doubt. Finding Jungkook to have finished most of the required digging.

“Sorry for leaving you.”

“You-you okay?” He asks, upon seeing the dazed look on your face and then scowling in the direction that Namjoon led you.

“Fine, he just needed help with one of his plants. Sorry about earlier, I didn’t think you’d be affected by the scent of his hybrid, Taehyung is rather sweet though, you’d like him.”

“You trust him then?” Jungkook grumbles as he pierces his shovel into the ground. “You trust Namjoon and his hybrid?”

“Of course, why shouldn’t I?”

“Because it wasn’t just a tiger that I smelled. He’s been around a lot of hybrids. Every scent on him told me to run, all of them put there by dangerous predators.”

“Oh,” you shoot back in surprise. “I’m sure it���s nothing. Taehyung is rather popular, he has a lot of friends and Namjoon often caters them at his place. You don’t need to worry, you're safe here.”

“It’s not myself I’m worried about.”

Jungkook inches closer as you crouch to place the plants in the holes he dug. His nose twitches as he takes a deep breath, his eyes watching while you bury the root ball in the warm soil, firmly securing the trunk of the young tree.

While you are leaning down, Jungkook reaches across to the other side of you. Grabbing the trowel to your right despite the fact that the same tool can be found on his left. The bottom of his chin grazes the top of your head and lingers for a spell. Your heart stops in that moment while questioning his motives. Though Namjoon said he’d do just this, you still can’t be entirely sure that it proves him correct; Jungkook might just not have seen the other option available to him, and he’s never bothered about invading your space. This could be nothing, though there’s a small growing part of you that wants it more and more to be something.

“He’s a good guy,” you promise, returning to the conversation so as to not dwell on his actions. “He even suggested that I should bring you along more often, if you’re interested in spending some of your days here.”

“He did?”

You nod.  A small white lie, but not entirely incorrect, and if it gets him to accept Namjoon easier you’ll all be better for it. “I wouldn’t expect you to work, but you're more than welcome to just hang around. The staff here could always use some company and I’m sure it would beat staying at home alone all day.”

“I would like that. I would like that a lot, but would you want me to keep you company too?”

“If that’s what you want to do.”

“No, I need to know if that’s what you want.” He looks over to you pinning you down in his line of sight.  

“I suppose I would....” You answer and turn your head, unable to bear the nerves that his gaze brings. The both of you fall quiet. Knowing what you know now, being free of your anger for him leaves you vulnerable, open to his persuasion, and now you are no longer certain of how to act. So you start to rely on what has made him comfortable in the past, and interject with a new condition to bring an end to the awkward silence. “As long as you treat this garden better than mine back home.”

Jungkook lets out a long laugh. “I have nothing but the highest respect for your garden.”

...

When planting is finished your clothes are entirely saturated in sweat and your muscles aching from use. It’s hard to believe how much you’ve both done in such a short amount of time. While carting up the supplies, Jungkook’s eyes catch on something behind you. You look around spotting the newly potted bonsai on a back table. Namjoon must have dropped it off while you both were busy.

Looking at it now you can’t help but notice how even the shape of its leaves remind you of the hybrid’s ears, long, pointed, and reaching up to the sky. You consider your friend's words one more time and while Jungkook leans over to inspect the tree. Reaching out to his back, your hand shakes with hesitation before setting down on a spot just below his shoulder. He softens under your touch, a low hum leaving his lips. His attention turns from the plant to you. With your hand still in place, your arm is now wrapped around him, leaving only an inch between the two of you. You stand there fixed and unmoving, but content in the knowledge, that you seem to have left him speechless this time. His eyes darting away from yours, to your lips, your neck, and finally the hand you place upon his chest.  

Only to have the moment broken when you can hear and feel the rumble from his stomach. His nervous laugh follows as he reaches up to scratch behind his ear.

“Hungry?”

He nods in response, his eyes wide as he remains unusually silent.

“Come on, I’ll buy you dinner.” You offer as you turn him around to head to the car.

...

You both settle on a take out spot, and return home to wash up and eat.

After finishing your meal and tearing off your overalls, you both settle down on the hammock in your yard. With Jungkook’s legs long enough to touch the ground, he slowly rocks the seat back and forth.  He’s been near silent since that close moment together. He’s never had a problem with banter and flirtation, but now you’ve come to notice that any attention which can’t be passed off as a joke causes him to flounder.

Laying back in the hammock, both full and content, your eyes threaten to close after the long day as Jungkook continues to sit beside you. The sound of crickets lulling you to sleep. “Keep an eye out for that thief of mine will you?” You may not like games but if it makes him comfortable, and keeps him talking, you’ll continue to play this ruse with him.

“You trust me to keep watch without your supervision?”

“Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?”

“No, it’s just a lot more credit than you usually give me.”

“I think you’ve earned it.” You whisper as you finally drift off.

It feels like only a few minutes of rest before the sun sets and the air turns cool. Jungkook’s chin comes to rest on the top of your head like it did back in the greenhouse. He shifts his weight, burrowing his arms around and behind to cover you as he takes deep breaths. You lean into him seeking the warmth of his chest. No longer restricted by your childish anger to enjoy his company is a welcome relief, you only wish you could relinquish him of any of his own troubles and doubts.  And then, you feel it, a drop of cold rain hitting your neck. The hammock moves again as he adjusts, the back of his fingers running across the damp spot. Another finds your cheek and he wipes that away too, your skin shivering in response.

But when a speck lands your mouth he stops. You wait, a second, then two. Your anticipation grows with face heating up and your chest tightening as you continue to crave his touch. You want him to wipe it away, to touch you, to act on whatever desires he might be keeping. You part your lips with the desperate hope that he will take the hint. Rejoicing when the warm pad of his thumb spreads the drop across the delicate skin.

He comes down on to you, his mouth catching any and all remains of the droplet as he encases your lips. Jungkook places a hand on your neck while the other grabs the ropes of the hammock, his legs straddle your hips. The scattered rain turns to a downpour as he remains fixed to your mouth, even his form isn’t enough to shield you from the current washing down from the sky.

As your hands reach up to his own damp and curling locks entwining your fingers in the strands he moans and nips. But as quickly as it started, so too does it end. When Jungkook snaps up as though jolted from a dream. His ears point back as an apology flows from him. “I-I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Jungkook,” you call out to him but he ignores you as he tries to detangle himself. When one foot hits the ground. You grab his waist and try again. “Jungkook, you don’t have to be sorry.” But instead of stopping he merely pulls you off and along with him, sending you both to the muddy ground, but this time with you on top of him.

“Are you okay?” He asks the loud pouring of the rain forcing him to raise the volume of his voice.

You chuckle at his concern considering he’s the one flat on his back. “I think I should be asking you that question instead.” You pause as he mirrors your grin. “Why did you stop? Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” He looks up at you, his brow furrowing. “You did nothing wrong. It was me. I was the one acting on my instincts. I shouldn’t have done that when I know how much you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you...” You explain, trying your best not to be drowned out by the water cascading down. “The things you did might have annoyed me, but I get it now. I’m just sorry it took me so long to notice.”

“Notice what?”

“How fucked up your situation is. For not realizing how alone you must have been. How caged you must have felt. I’ve been so focused on my own little world that I didn’t realize what was happening or why you were acting the way you were. I like you, a lot, but I was too wrapped up in my frustration to say how I felt...”

“It’s not your fault.”

You shake your head. “I am not innocent in this. I should have been paying more attention.”

“Then pay attention to me now.” He begs with his round eyes shining up at you.  

“But in what way? As a neighbour, as a friend, or maybe something more?" Your voice cracks in desperation, trying to find his needs while also hoping they are the same as yours. “Is that why you were always teasing me the way you did? You wanted something more?”

“You really want to know?” Jungkook’s tone is low as it grips on to his every word. “I did it because it was the only thing that could distract me from my incessant need for you. Seeing your reactions and having your attention kept me in check. I’m very different from you and I’m aware it could cause a problem. I wasn’t sure if you could ever fully want me because of that.” He reaches to rub around the base of his ears. “But every day that I looked over I wanted to hold you, to claim you, to take you right here on this very spot. So often I dreamed of jumping the fence and coming for you instead of...”

You smile down at him, noting his near admission. “Instead of?”

“Instead of watching from a distance.” He smirks, catching and narrowly fixing his statement. Pleading guilty only to his longing for you.

“Then do it.” You demand of him.

He groans from his position beneath you. “Don’t tease me like that.”

“I’m not. You weren’t the only one peeking through the fence Jungkook.” Reaching up to your collar you tug off your shirt. He follows your lead with his own to reveal his sculpted chest he’s taunted you with so many times. “I don’t care if we’re different from each other. I don’t care if it causes a problem.” You shift back on his body traveling from your seat near his stomach down to his hips, his clothed dick firm and pressing against you. A moan escapes his lips, confirming that you’ve made your point. “There’s no one else nearby, so if you want me so much that you’re willing to fuck me out here, in the rain and mud-”  

His hands come to grip your waist, and in one swift motion, he lifts you off, maneuvering out from underneath, to fall into place behind you. From there he pushes you down to your hands and knees, his body bent over yours. “You have no idea how much I want to.” He whispers with a kiss to your bare shoulder damp from the rain that continues to pour.

He takes off your bra before his face moves down your back, nose trailing against your skin and pausing at your shorts. Unfastening the button he pulls them down, freeing you of your underwear too before they are both cast aside. “I want to smell you, and taste you.” Jungkook takes in a deep breath, wrapping an arm around your legs, and barring your thighs. He buries his face between your legs, his tongue reaching out to deliver a long lick to your folds pausing after every lap.

Your palms dig into the ground, the cool mud coming to the surface to meet them. You buck against his tongue but the forearm holding you remains firm, sending your squirming downward to bury your elbows in the soggy grass too.

Jungkook chuckles as you inadvertently give him a better angle. From behind you can hear the zipper of his own shorts. Rubbing the head of his cock against your damp folds, he covers it with the slick of your slit, and with a long groan he eases it inside. He’s slow at first, letting you savor the girth and warmth of him. So you start to edge back and forward on his cock. Taking the time to enjoy every inch, along with the sounds that leave him. But when he returns to take control, the first thrust is so powerful, his thighs hit your ass with a loud clap, and every jolt of his hips after, drives you further down each time.

A stuttering groan escapes him as he fills you. Thinking he’s finished you lean forwards and until his cock pulls out, but in response he grabs your waist. Turning you over, back to the ground on top of the discarded clothes and facing him.

He lowers himself pressing his chest against yours. His fingers reach to grab your chin and take a kiss. His cock, despite having come only moments before, is hard once more and poised to enter once again.

“How are you-” You manage to squeeze a few words in the gaps between his kisses as he draws breath. “Ready for more-” Another pass of his tongue. “Already?”

“You have my hybrid traits to thank for that.” He moves to nibble on the side of your throat. “I have more to give you, if you want it.”

You nod unable to emit any noise other than a gasp as his mouth finds a sensitive spot on your neck. His dick forges in again, your slick and his cum dripping out of you as he fills you with himself instead.

You’ve avoided touching him with your own hands as they are patched with mud, but as his thrusts grow more powerful than even before, you’re forced to grab on his arms and chest. Leaving behind streaks of dirt which display the path of your grip. Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind though, in fact looks rather encouraged by your touch, and the marks you leave him.

“What a dirty woman you are, and getting me all messy too.” He scoffs while admiring your handiwork. “Can I return the favour?”

“Help me come first and you can do whatever the fuck you want.” You gasp on the brink of your climax.  

His ears perk up and a grin streaks across his face. “Close are you?” He grabs your calf and wraps your leg around his back, the other follows suit and his hand comes to rest on your lower back pushing you up and into him effectively grinding your mount against him.

You gasp and flinch with the sudden pressure, but he holds you firm as your back arches to meet him.

His hips beat on at a rapid pace, a small whimper escapes him as you reach the peak, tipping you over the edge. The chilling rain can in no way can douse the searing heat that spreads through you. You're still gasping when his jaw clamps down hard, his teeth poised upon your skin. The first pulse of his cock comes inside, but on the second he pulls out to splatter your chest and stomach with the rest. His hand comes to clutch his shaft, spilling more out and on to you with each stroke.

After every remaining drop has been cast on you he smiles, dragging his fingers across the rain drenched mess of mud and cum on your skin. “Never thought I’d ever see you so thoroughly soiled.”

You giggle at his remarks through your deep breaths. “And now that you do, what do you think?”

“I think it suits you, the dirt, the rain, and me...” He lowers himself down onto you, with his head now resting upon your shoulder. “It’s too bad though. Now I just want more, but we’re both far too filthy to carry on like this.”  

You turn to whisper at the base of his ear. “Who says we can’t continue in the shower...”

...

You wake early the next morning with the sun spilling into the room, lighting up your bed, and the hybrid sleeping next to you. His ears and nose twitching as he continues to rest. Slipping out from the covers, and into a set of clean gardening clothes, you exit the room with as little sound as possible.

On the tile floor of your hall, muddy footprints trail from your backdoor to your bathroom.  A smile pulls at your lips as you recall the events which brought them there. Jungkook had been so excited to keep going he picked you up and rushed you inside.

The feeling from the warm water and hands in contrast to the cool rain was enough to bring back the waves of pleasure. He was so thorough in washing you down, you might have to ask him to join you for another this morning and repay the favour.  

Outside in the garden you find all your harvest from the day before present and untouched. You’re pleased by this new development, but it’s not the fact that your crops are intact which makes you happy, it’s the comfort in knowing that Jungkook didn’t feel the need to take them.

A few minutes later the hybrid in question comes up behind you wrapping his arms around your waist pulling with him a blanket he took from the bed to cover the both of you. “Morning.” He mumbles, as his nose finds the crook of your neck where he exhales with a deep and relaxed sigh.

“Morning.” You respond, enjoying the tickle of his breath before you turn around to better see him. “It seems the thief didn’t strike last night. ”

“I guess they found a new garden to plunder and devour?” Jungkook suggests, giving you a sly grin, before he opens his mouth again. It’s easy to see that he’s getting ready to confess, his face shifts to a stern expression as he looks down at the ground, the guilt weighing heavily upon his brow. Placing your index to his lips you stop him. No longer needing to hear those words of admission, you offer a new proposal instead.

“Maybe, but that was just one night. The thief might still come back. So if it’s alright with you I would like you to stay here. Until we can be sure they won’t return.”

Jungkook lets out a satisfied chuckle, pushing aside your finger and pulling you tighter into his warm embrace. “You’re right, I suppose it would be safer if I stayed.” His lips plant a kiss on the top of your head where he then rests his chin. “A temptation as enticing as this, shouldn’t be left alone and unattended.”

...

[theskamlibrary]

75 dates in the Skam Universe Masterpost

Thank you so much for everyone who participated, we had a total of X dates in the Skam Universe. We are so grateful for every content creators who put such hard work and shared it with us, you are the backbone of this fandom and the ones who make it worthwhile. 

Support your content creators! Reblog their posts, give them feedback, comment, share the love.  

FIC

Cliché by @catloves3 {WTFock - Zoë Loockx/Senne De Smet - 497 words}

written for (fun)fair

Senne, Zoe, Jana, and Luka at a funfair.

*****

click by @butforwardiscalling {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 1613 words }

written for shooting photos 

niccolò has a camera. martino is his preferred model, willing or not.

*****

Cheats and Prank Wars by @toobaddiane {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David Schreibner - 2507 words}

written for prank war

It’s the summer after their first year in university started and the boys are just lazying around. After an episode of Brooklyn Nine Nine gives Jonas an idea, they engage in a harmless prank war. What could possibly go wrong when someone is super competitive and their boyfriend is their teammate?

Or Matteo and David are teammates in a prank war and David is a competitive jerk.

*****

I think I like my eyes by @ayellowcurtain {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 1026 words}

written for building a pillow fort 

*****

shut up and kiss me by @orpheuscris {Skam Espana - Cris Soto/Joana Bianchi - 3441 words}

written for study date

Joana and Cris have been at odds nearly the entire time they've been sitting next to each other in class. So that’s why it’s such a surprise when one day, near the end of the semester, Cris invites Joana over to her house to study. And why she’s even more surprised by herself when she accepts.

*****

show me the things (that you believe in) by @softdemaury {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 6329 words}

written for at home movie night

“Guess there goes your movie, then.” Lucas says while they’re sitting down at the kitchen table.

“Wait, you didn’t organize this to get out of watching that damn thing, right?” Eliott squints his eyes at Lucas, raising his fork in an attempt to look threatening.

Lucas laughs, “You think I’d do that? Of course I didn’t. We’ll just watch it next time, no big deal.”

or

5 times Eliott fails in making Lucas watch 10 Things I Hate About You and the 1 time Lucas takes the matter into his own hands

*****

Future Little Koala by @youleavebehindmemories {Skam Italy - Eva Brighi/Giovanni Garau - 2697 words }

written for wedding 

It's basically Giovanni and Eva at the wedding of Marti and Nicco with glimpses into Gio & Eva's future, domestic life! (as well as background moments from others)

*****

Feels like Love by @tunonseisolonico {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 2602 words }

written for karaoke 

“Come on, Marti! Let´s go and sing a song, the two of us!”

“You for real?!” Marti immediately exclaimed, being full of doubts.

He couldn't help but got flashbacks in his head, thinking back to Silvia´s 80´s party, him sitting close to Nico on the couch, Emma on Nico´s other side. Niccolò asking them to sing a song with him, Marti already refusing to do so back then.

“Of course, I´m not joking!”

“Well, sounds like it. No, I´m not going to sing a song with you!”

*****

come with me, my love (to the sea of love) by @lepetitepeach {Skam France -Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4816 words }

written for aquarium

there’s a small touch of wonder to everything that lives in the ocean

*****

critter cottage by @spacekardemomme {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 1546 words }

As he walked further into the room, he watched the rise and fall of eliott's chest, the way his hair is messily sprawled along the pillow, a few strands scattered across his forehead and cheekbones.

this is who i’m meant to spend the rest of my life with

*****

Yearning for more than a blue day by @modestytreehouse  {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 3723 words  }

written for brunch date 

He really should leave while Isak is still asleep and spare him the awkwardness of waking up beside Even. Spare himself the shame when Isak recognizes him.

*****

Kings of the cargo hold by @evakuality {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen -  3029 words}

written for cruise // art created by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 

“You’re early,” a voice says, a breathy, stuttery quality to it as its owner pants into the room behind Isak, the clatter of his feet loud as his footsteps echoes off the metal of the walls. “I was supposed to be here before you.” “What is all this?” Isak gestures at the table laid out in front of them. “Well, you agreed to eat with me,” Even says, his unfairly gorgeous blue eyes lit up as he stares into Isak’s soul

Aka, the one where Even gets extra as he prepares for the perfect moment with Isak.

*****

sens de la vie by @livvyblxckthxrn {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 2809 words}

written for museum date

a little dive into all of those instagram pics and stories

*****

det betyr jo alltid noe, det gjør jo det by @pagnilagni {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 8722 words }

written for apple picking // in Norwegian // translation in English by Bolomapa

Han står oppgitt ute på den overgrodde plenen og ser på epletrærne. De er gamle og krokete, har altfor mange greiner, de henger for tett sammen under den tette trekronen, tynget av røde epler tett i tett, de skulle vært tynnet, sa naboen, og treet skulle vært beskåret, han sa det et par uker etter at han beskar sine egne trær. “Men det er for sent nå, sevjen stiger, treet kommer til å blø i hjel. Du får ta det neste år i stedet”, hadde han sagt, mens han klappet ham faderlig på skulderen.

Han ser på epletrærne med den modne frukten, en mengde epler har falt ned i natt, mange flere enn i går, han burde plukke dem nå, han burde absolutt det. Men hva skal han med dem, lurer han på, en fortvilende klump i magen spør ham om svaret på det, for han aner ikke, å bruke en kilo epler er greit, kanskje to, han kan vel bake to eplekaker, men alt dette, det må være hundrevis av kilo, hva faen bruker folk dette til?

*****

You’ll never believe how ice cream helped this man to get a date by @nofeartina    {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 3333 words }

written for ice cream 

If it wasn't for Magnus, Isak would never have ended up at this ridiculous hipster ice cream place. But then again, he never would have met that ridiculously cute ice cream guy, either.

Sometimes it really pays off being a good friend.

Or 5 times Isak buys ice cream for Magnus and 1 time Even buys it for Isak.

*****

come and fade me by @ho1ogram {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 3957 words}

written for grocery shopping

And no matter how many times he repeats the same lines over and over again till he runs out of reasons to support why dating should be banned (it's a lie; Lucas will never run out of reasons for this purpose, he just gives in to the looks the boys - or Eliott - throw at him) that his friends understand his struggles, his pleas for them to stop. And always, like clockwork, he ends in having them set him up with an unknown guy.

or, Lucas is tired of going on dates after dates with guys that aren't Eliott, and Eliott has a few tricks up his sleeves.

*****

Thousand spires and thousand bridges by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/ David Schreibner - 46352 words}

written for vacation // art by @hjertetssunnegalskap1

In this world, Matteo and David met during Abitur back in Berlin, just like in the canon story and they made sandwiches and almost kissed at the neon party, but David backed out, Matteo did the same and.... nothing more happened.

Now they are studying in Prague. Matteo thinks he lost his chance with David a long time ago. What David thinks, nobody knows.

*****

it's nice to have a friend by @livvyblxckthxrn {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 6592 words}

written for rollerskating

5 times eliott and lucas definitely were not on a date, and one time they were

*****

to all who come to this happy place, welcome by @tawmlinsun {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4703 words }

written for disneyland // art by @cottonsdraw

"eliott demaury, you just passed your bac. what are you going to do now?"

"i'm taking my boyfriend to disneyland!"

*****

Super Smash Bros by @thegirlnooneknows5 {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 11672 words}

written for video games // playlist

“Okay. Pretend I’m a customer. Sell me this game.”

Eliott's smile was determined. “You ever had a customer you wanted to throw into the wall?”

“Countless.”

“Knock-Out X lets you live that fantasy.” He pulled the game off Lucas’ lap and held it up. The thought of Eliott’s hands so close to him coloured Lucas’ face pink. Eliott continued, “Just imagine if you could throw that customer into a wall and leave with no scratches, bruises or consequences. And look super badass while doing it.” “Seriously, though. You’re going to love it.”

-Or, a Striking Vipers Elu au in which they fall in love through a virtual reality game because love transcends all

*****

Coffee, Gay Gurus, and a Dance by @amyriadfthings {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David - 1242 words}

written for coffee date

Good things happen over coffee. David & Matteo visit a veritable Berlin cultural institution and learn how to swing dance. Gay Gurus in action. Bonus gay gurus to appear eventually.

*****

Small Things by @probablydaydreamingg​ {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 3232 words}

written for concert

Martino gave Nico two tickets for a concert as a graduation present. A cute date ensues.

*****

Hedgehog, on the rocks by @flying-elliska {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4635 words}

written for drinks

Lucas's boyfriend just left him, two days before he has to go to his cousin's wedding, who just so happens to be marrying the town billionaire, and his friends are all otherwise engaged...

So as he arrives alone, he heads to the bar for some liquid courage.

Turns out the bartender isn't having a great evening either. So he embarks Lucas in a creative quest to find him the perfect beverage...

...

It's not a date yet. But there's still time...

*****

If I Should Fall Behind by @irazor {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 14732 words}

written for fancy dinner // art by @lovethem2121

The plan for tonight had been crystal clear. Stay close to his best friend, and steal her away if needed. Hold her hand through the ordeal of meeting Noora again for the first time in years. Then Even shows up – and suddenly, nothing goes the way it was supposed to.

Or: 3 times Isak didn't know what to say to Even, and 1 time he did.

*****

Fontainebleau by @hallo-catfish {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 12770 words}

written for camping

Lucas, let’s go camping, Eliott says, and with a vision of perfect quiet and green leaves unfurling before his eyes, Lucas agrees without even looking up from his problem set.

*

The summer after Lucas' first year in university, Lucas and Eliott take a weekend trip to Fontainebleau. 

*****

Under Starry Skies Above by @fille-lioncelle {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David Schreibner - 7197 words}

written for weekend getaway 

Matteo and David have been feeling a little dejected, so Matteo suggests they get away for a weekend trip.

*****

Lost & bound by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 {Skam Norway -  Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 16397 words)

written for bicycle date

Even has been in a bicycle accident and he has lost his memory of the past three years. However, Isak gets a shock when Even tells him that they’re bonded soulmates, and expects them to be a couple.

*****

Così fan tutte by @hallo-catfish {Skam France - Chloé Jeanson/Lucille, Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 14070 words}

written for opera

Lucille goes to the opera. It’s another double date.

*****

ART

➔ @hjertetssunnegalskap1 : X - X

➔ @cottonsdraw : X

A TOTAL OF 196,241 WORDS HAS BEEN WRITTEN FOR THIS FEST, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS! 

[today-we-will-survive]

Welcome to Camp Bangtan pt. 20

Summer Camp au!

Jungkook x Reader/Y/N

Fluff

Word Count: 2,438

Part 1 | Previous | Next | Master List

A/N: New parts every Tuesday and Friday!

After Y/N and Jin attempted several times to explain what had happened while they were stuck down in the tunnel, Jungkook was still completely lost. They all sat in the Hall, now. Rosé had already been picked up before they’d gotten there which made Jungkook feel better. Not only did he never want to see her again but Taehyung had been through enough. He didn’t need to see the police haul off the girl he’d been pining over for the past three years.

An ambulance had been waiting for them when they got there too and paramedics assessed the boys—and Jin’s nose which wasn’t broken, just tweaked—then left after assuring everyone they were okay, just needed to warm up and eat and rest.

“So, please explain to me again how Jin got caught up in all of this?” Jungkook asked, his fingers tangled in his hair while his elbows rested on the table.

Jin rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “I already told you, Hobi and I saw Rosé following you and Y/N the other night—”

“What were you doing?” Jungkook interrupted him.

“Heading to the craft cabin,” Hoseok said with a sly smile.

“Why?”

Jin scratched the back of his neck. “We were trying to find glitter for a prank.”

“You evil, evil boys,” Y/N tisked shaking her head.

After throwing a glare her way, Jin continued. “So, we’ve been suspicious of her ever since and then last night I saw Jungkook and her heading down to the beach so I followed.”

“You were following us?” Jungkook asked and glanced at Y/N.

Jin narrowed his eyes. “Hey, just be grateful I was there. You and Taehyung would still be stuck in that tunnel if it weren’t for me. When she came back again without you, I figured something was up so I went and woke up Sejin.”

“And Hobi came and got me,” Y/N added, “and the two of us went and told Sihyuk and Jiyoung while Jin and Sejin went looking for you.”

“How’d you find the Cabin?” Jungkook asked.

“Naver,” Jin replied with a shrug.

“I talked to Rosé,” Y/N said quietly. “She confessed to the whole thing. All of it.” Then she looked up at Jungkook, her eyes wide and sad. “She wasn’t even sorry. Just kept going on about how we didn’t have to worry about you guys getting in the way anymore. I had no idea she felt the way she did. I thought I knew her.”

“I just want to know where the heck she found a black widow,” Hoseok said.

“She probably brought it with her,” Jin said.

“Why would she do that?” Y/N interjected.

Taehyung had been quiet for a while now, just looking down at his camera in his lap. Jungkook glanced down at the viewfinder and saw a silent video of Rosé laughing.

“Because she’s freaking insane,” Jin continued. “I’m not about to try and understand why someone would do the things she did.”

Suddenly, Taehyung snapped the viewfinder on his camera shut and got up. The others shut up as they watched him trudge toward the exit.

“Tae?” Jungkook called but the boy didn’t turn around, just shoved open the front door and slipped outside. Y/N locked eyes with Jungkook as he got up and followed after her brother.

He found Taehyung leaning against the side of the building, hunched over his camera, face lit up by the footage playing on the viewfinder. Jungkook didn’t say anything at first, just stood there with his hands digging into the lining of his pockets. 

The night was silent. No wind, no sounds from bugs or other night critters. Which made the audio coming from the tiny speaker on the camera that much louder. He could hear laughter and yelling and unintelligible shouting and immediately knew Taehyung was watching footage from when they’d first brought him to the Dock. After several minutes of this, the sound cut out and the screen went black, plunging everything back into darkness. Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh and closed the viewfinder.

“You alright, man?” Jungkook finally asked.

Obviously not.

Taehyung let his head fall back against the wall. “It just sucks, Kook,” he said. “How’s it possible that I’ve liked this girl for three years and am just now finding out that she’s nothing like I thought she was?”

“I don’t know, man,” Jungkook said.

“It was so weird. Right before she shut the door on me, she just like…turned into a different person. Like a mask slipped away or something. She didn’t look like Rosé. It was like I suddenly didn’t know her.”

“Did she say anything to you?”

Taehyung shook his head and let out a pitiful chuckle. “Just that I was being punished for getting in her way.” Then he locked eyes with Jungkook again. “What does that even mean?”

Jungkook shrugged.

“I thought it was all a sick joke or something. Like maybe Jin roped her into pulling a stupid prank and I just stood there at the door in the dark waiting and waiting and I don’t know how long I waited but I remember hitting the door at one point and hearing the sound it made but I couldn’t feel it.” Moonlight reflected off the glassy film coating Taehyung’s eyes now. “I was really freaked out, Kook,” he whispered, his voice noticeably quivering. “You were so mad at me earlier, I thought you’d just leave in the morning never even caring what happened to me. I thought…”

Jungkook didn’t let him finish before he reached out and pulled the boy to him, wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s shoulders. Taehyung buried his head in Jungkook’s shoulder, his own shaking for just a few seconds before he completely relaxed against him. Jungkook cleared his throat, trying to keep tears from welling up in his own eyes.

“This has been a sucky week,” Taehyung uttered before lifting his head off of Jungkook. He stepped away from him awkwardly and leaned back against the wall.

Jungkook joined him. “I don’t know,” he said with a hard sniff to clear his sinuses. “I thought it was pretty great.”

“Apart from Jin harassing you, and getting food poisoning, and getting in trouble, and almost getting impaled with an arrow, and getting kidnapped, and stuck in a freezing cold, pitch black tunnel…”

“You forgot about my repel line being cut,” Jungkook said. “At least they aren’t sending us home anymore.”

“Welcome to Camp Bangtan.”

A chuckle fell from Jungkook’s lips as he nudged Taehyung’s foot with his. “I don’t know. I’d actually say this was a pretty good first summer camp experience.”

Taehyung lifted his head to meet Jungkook’s smiling eyes. “You’re kidding.”

Jungkook shrugged again. “I mean, I met a really hot girl.”

“Gross.”

“Made out with said hot girl…several times.”

“Grosser.”

“And met a pretty cool guy that seems like best bro material.”

Taehyung perked up like a puppy. “Yeah?”

“And we don’t live that far apart, right?” Jungkook asked. “Like an hour? I think that’s manageable…if you’re up for it.”

The boxy grin that he had come to know and love over the past week spread across Taehyung’s face and he nodded.

—————————

There’s a certain peace in the silence before a battle. A moment of perfect tranquility, a final rest while you wait for your signal to start the slaughter.

According to Taehyung, the Bangtan Camp Games didn’t matter near as much as the Civil War at the end of the week. It all came down to this one event. The rules were simple. Both teams start on the soccer field at either goal with a row of water weaponry lining the borders and boundary lines on the field. As soon as the whistle blows, you charge. It’s a bloodbath. If you get hit, you’re out. The objective is to get out of the field without getting wet and find the opposing team’s flag, which is somewhere at their cabin site. 

The flag can be anywhere. Taehyung told Jungkook that last year theirs was on the roof of the East Blue Boys Cabin. It didn’t matter though. The East Siders always won. It seemed Jin was even more competitive when it came to the Civil War than with the Bangtan Camp Games. Jungkook didn’t think it was possible to be more competitive than he already was. Wrong.

Jungkook stood between Taehyung and Y/N, tapping his fingers against his thighs anxiously as everyone waited for the whistle. They had concocted a pretty good plan and Jungkook just hoped it would play out correctly. It all depended on him. He had to get out of the field fast. The only problem was that everything he needed to arm himself was up at the halfway line. And Jin was eying the same gun he was.

“You ready, Kook?” Taehyung asked under his breath. His camera dangled from his neck, sheathed in a waterproof case.

With a small nod, he glanced at Y/N and she smiled, grabbing his fingers and squeezing them. He was as ready as he ever would be. Geun stood at a safe distance from the splash zone by the Hall and lifted the whistle to his mouth. After several tense, silent seconds, the shrill sound filled the air.

Jungkook sprinted forward, his eyes set on one super soaker in particular when Hoseok snatched it up first. Jungkook skidded to a halt as the East Sider eyed him, his mouth spreading wide into a devilish grin. He needed to get out of there.

As he spun on his heel and twisted to the side, Jungkook saw a stream of water pass over his shoulder. There was no time to grab a weapon so he just booked it for the woods. To his left, he could see Jin disappearing into the trees in the direction of the West Cabins, Taehyung hot on his trail. Hopefully, this plan would work.

Another stream of water shot past his ear. No time to think. Jungkook cut through the trees and past the Pit without another sign of Hoseok. He must have taken a different way. Jungkook was going to really need to be careful.

Everyone is counting on me.

When he stepped out of the trees, the East cabins sat before him. His ears strained for any sudden sounds as his eyes searched the area for the brightly colored flag. There it was, inside the East Red Girls Cabin, dangling like a curtain in the window behind the glass. With another quick, cautious look around, Jungkook bolted for the door and slipped inside. The flag was just taped to the window so he easily peeled it off and wrapped it around his hand to secure it. When he glanced out the window again, he let out a scream. Hoseok smiled back at him.

“Crap,” he uttered and watched Hoseok disappear from view, heading for the door.

Just as the door flew open, Jungkook threw open the window and leapt out. An icy jet of water splashed against the glass above him, sending droplets down the back of his neck. Hoseok let out a frustrated growl as Jungkook sprawled on the ground. He didn’t waste any time, scrambling up and sprinting away from the East Cabins toward the soccer field.

As he jogged down the path, Jungkook looked down at the flag in his hand and smiled. They could really win this. The thought made him smile wider but then he turned a bend, coming face to face with Jin and his face fell.

The two stared at each other silently. Jungkook’s eyes went to the blue flag clutched in the East Sider’s fist. What do I do? Someone had to lose.

Jungkook caught movement out of the corner of his eye and his mouth twitched. There was Y/N, super soaker in one hand, a sling of water balloons across her chest, looking like a hot, female Rambo. Jin’s eyes flickered toward her before locking on Jungkook again.

“Give up, Jin,” Jungkook said and narrowed his eyes.

Jin’s eyes focused on something over his shoulder and he smiled. Jungkook swiveled around to find Hoseok behind him, out of breath, his gun pointed at Jungkook’s head. Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the inevitable shot but it didn’t come.

A warrior cry cut through the tense silence as Taehyung jumped out from behind a tree, a bazooka in each hand. He blasted Hoseok who let out a howl as he dramatically fell to the ground in soaked defeat.

Jungkook smiled wide as he turned around to look at Jin again. The boy glared like a cornered animal. Y/N walked over to him and held out her hand. He was unarmed, what else could he do? He stared at her palm, the gears turning in his head as he weighed his options. There weren’t any. Finally, he slapped the blue flag into her hand, grumbling under his breath. With a satisfied nod, Y/N pulled a water balloon out of her sling and tilted her head to the side.

“I heard you’ve been filling Jungkook’s head with all kinds of lies.”

Jin glanced at Jungkook. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

“Yeah, you do,” Y/N said. “It stops now, alright? Or I’m telling everyone you don’t know how to swim.”

Jin’s ears turned red as he nodded. With her own satisfied nod and smile, Y/N raised the water balloon in her hand above the East Sider and smashed it down on his head. Jin stood there, his eyes shut tight as water dripped down his face. His blonde hair lay wet and limp against his forehead.

Jungkook stepped forward, arm extended. “Good game?” he asked the boy.

Jin cracked an eye open and looked down at Jungkook’s outstretched hand. As the silence stretched on, a rock started forming in the pit of Jungkook’s stomach. Or maybe not? He let out a sigh of relief as Jin took his hand in his own and shook it.

“Yeah, good game,” the East Sider muttered.

The five of them emerged from the forest together, the other campers chasing each other around, shooting each other with water and throwing water balloons, everyone’s clothes in various stages of wetness. They all stopped though when they saw the three West Siders walking up with the East Siders. Jungkook looked around then threw his fists in the air, each holding a colored flag.

Half the campers on the field broke out into cheers, pumping their fists and shaking their heads so water droplets sprayed every which way.

The West Siders had won.

[shy-violet-soul]

Overrated

Title: Overrated Pairing: AU: Merman-Castiel x OFC Binda, Dean & Sam Prompt: merpup Summary: In her world filled with annoying, overbearing boys, Binda just wants something of her own she doesn’t have to share.  Will a kind, quiet merman have the answer? Warnings:  Salt-water fluff.  A couple of curse words. Word count: 2,200-ish

A/N:  I’m so tickled to take part in my first writing challenge!  Thank you to @siren-kitten-his for hosting “Kitten’s Mermaid Challenge”.  This is also my first AU, so I hope I did the characters proud.  A big thank you to @thesassywallflower for being my beta on this one.

Binda - “deep water” (Aboriginal Australia)

This is a work of fiction based upon characters created by CW.  The character “Binda” is my own creation.  Please do not repost without my permission.

(photo: Robert Harding, Getty Images)

With one final grunt of effort, Binda flopped onto her belly and sighed in contentment.  Creating the perfect resting spot took more fussing than a mama sea turtle digging a nest for her eggs, but it was worth it!  The gentle hill of sand she had studiously constructed curved her spine into a gentle arch as she pillowed her face on her crossed arms.  Sheltered here from the currents, Binda smiled as she felt herself sink into a welcome nap.

It was damn hard to get any peace with those two around.

“Bee!”

Damnit.

“Maybe she’s not here, Dean.”

“Nah, Cas said he followed her here.”

DAMNIT!  Binda growled as their voices echoed above her.  She should have known those dumb gobies wouldn’t leave her be.  She also should have known that nosy codfish was going to tail her.

“C’mon, Bee, come out, come out, wherever you are!”

Maybe if she just kept quiet, they’d go away...a clam dropped onto her head and frantically skittered away.

“Ow!” she squawked, flopping upright and glaring upwards as she rubbed the sore spot.  

“Hiya, princess!”  Bright green eyes glinted down at her above Dean’s trademark smirk.  Sam drifted into view, his gaze apologetic, as both brothers blocked out the sunlight drifting into her precious coral cave.  Luckily, her gargantuan brothers were too big to fit through the opening.

“I tried to stop him, Binda.”

“Obviously not hard enough,” she grumbled as she plunked herself back onto the sand.  The poor terrorized clam was struggling to bury itself, and Binda crooned to it soothingly as she sluiced a handful of sand on top of it.  

“Aw, don’t be like that, Bumblebee.”

The childhood nickname grated on her already raw nerves.  “It’s ‘Binda’, Dean.  Go away.”

A chunk of dead coral thunked on her head next, getting tangled in her gypsum-white hair.  Days of being pestered, bedeviled, and hounded suddenly burned like sand in a fresh coral scrape.  Binda snarled, a snap of her tail shooting her straight to the cave’s mouth.  The groans from both her brothers as her skull slammed into their noses was worth the sudden headache.

“What. Do. You. WANT?” she roared into their faces.

“Great Whites, Binda, what the hell?” Dean groused, rubbing between his eyes gingerly.

“I didn’t even do anything this time,” her taller brother whined from behind his hands.  

“Sorry, Sam,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.  “Seriously, just leave me alone, guys!  What’s a girl gotta do to get some peace and quiet?”

“Calm your clam shells, toots.  Geez,  Binda, are you heading into your egg-laying season?”  

Red.  She literally saw red.  Dean literally never saw her right hook coming.

“Son of a bitch!” Blood ribboned into the water from Dean’s nose as Binda turned to glare at Sam.

“Don’t look at me! Chasing you was his idea!” Sam yelped, his gold-striped grouper tail scrambling him backwards.

Binda ignored him, stabbing one slim pointer finger towards her brothers.  “You two listen to me!  If you follow me, I will harpoon you in the Amazon in the middle of a piranha colony!”  Infuriated beyond belief, Binda spun and waved her powerful tail, surging away from them.  “And don’t think I won’t do it!”

Weaving amid flurries of fish, Binda ignored Sam’s shout as she swam away.  It’s not that she didn’t love her big brothers; she did, truly.  With their mother gone and their father always away, they’d practically raised her.  From the first toddling flip of her dorsal fin, her brothers had been there for her through it all.  No mermaid in all the seven seas ever had better brothers.

They were always there for her.  Really.  Always frickin’ there.  

If it wasn’t Dean needling her to go treasure hunting, Sam had his latest scroll he just couldn’t wait to share.  They were there in the mornings, eating her favorite North Pacific krill.  They were there to swim her home after her lessons, glaring off any cute mermen she even blinked at.  They were there in the evenings, arguing over which lagoon to hit for dinner.  As much as she loved them, Binda felt like she couldn’t breathe sometimes with how always...there...Sam and Dean were.

Distracted by her thoughts and frustrations, Binda didn’t check the corner before banking around a coral outcropping and plowed headfirst into something.

Someone, actually.

The someone in question flailed backwards at the force of their collision, straight into a swarm of visiting electric eels.  The alarmed critters sputtered and thrashed, snapping great sparks into the unsuspecting soul thrust into their midst.  Binda shrieked, darting forward and grasping a wrist to yank him out of the spitting, arcing tangle.  The merman collided heavily into her, his face smashing into the curve of her neck and shoulder.  Hissing with displeasure, the eels hurried on their way.

Gasping to catch a breath, Binda leaned back just as the mystery merman did.  She found herself snared by a pair of astonishingly blue eyes.

“Castiel?” she asked dazedly.  The merman straightened and moved away, rotating his shoulders a bit stiffly.

“That was unpleasant,” he rumbled in that deep voice.  

“Oh, my gosh, Cas!  Are you okay?”  Binda’s gaze flitted over him, searching for injuries.  

“I’ve sustained no permanent damage.”

“What are you even doing here?” she quizzed the merman, her brows twitching with confusion.

“I, uh -” the dark-haired mer glanced downwards, rubbing the back of his neck a bit sheepishly.  “I followed you.”

Binda’s eyes popped open at the remark.  “You followed me?”  Exasperated anew, Binda flung her arms up.  “Of course you did!  Everyone follows me!”

Cas cocked his head to the side, squinting at her.  “I do not think everyone follows you, Binda.  There are many species in our cove who aren’t…” His voice dwindled off when the mermaid levelled a hard glare in his direction.  “Nevermind.”

“Oh!  What is it with you mermen?!  Can’t you leave me alone for even a second?” Frustration rolled off the maid in waves, and Cas couldn’t help but stare.  The current washed around them just so, billowing her white, waist-length locks around her in tantalizing tendrils.  Her gorgeous tail, the bright gold and orange of a fan goldfish, gleamed about her in delicate, flowing fronds.  It reminded him of the fancy dress adorning a human woman he’d seen on a distant shore long ago.  Her green eyes, different from her oldest brother’s, shone brighter than any anemone, like a gem he’d spied in a wreckage.  Practical soldier though he was, Cas was convinced Binda’s smiling gaze could soften the hardest of hearts.

That gaze wasn’t smiling at him now.  

“I’m sorry, Binda.”

“No, you’re not!”  She advanced at him, wagging a finger under his nose.  “If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have told those two yahoo brothers of mine where I was!  For carp’s sake, Castiel!  You three are gonna be the death of me!”  Her ire growing with each moment, Binda began swimming a line in front of Cas, arms gesticulating wildly.  “When I wake up, there they are!  When I go out, there you are!  I can’t even go browsing for new top shells alone!  Can’t I, just once, have a moment to myself?  Have something that’s only mine that I don’t have to share?”

“I just...”

“What, Castiel?  Just - what?”

“I just....want to make sure you’re safe.”  With those words, all the ire drained out of her like air out of a puffer fish.  This amazing, strong, handsome merman wanted to make sure she was safe.  Binda would be lying if she said her heart didn’t flutter about the serious Castiel.  While the other mermaids fawned over Dean’s vivid green and black cichild scales, or Sam’s bright gold stripes, Castiel’s midnight blue and black betta tail had always caught her eye.  Different from any other mer, Cas possessed an extra set of fins separate from his tail.  Thin, nearly translucent, the two long slender fins hung from his shoulders like wings.  Chest muscles she’d blushingly admired bore an intricate tracery of gold in some ancient script - Enochian, Binda had heard Sam call it once.

Yes, Castiel was altogether quite the catch, pardon the phrase.  But it was his quiet, gentle presence Binda most enjoyed.  He often joined her as she tended the Pearl Reef, sometimes sitting with her as she rested in the quiet away from the busy-ness of cove life. ��He’d point out some bright flag of seaweed that made a picturesque splash against the rocks, or tell her about the seahorse hatchlings he’d seen the day before.  Binda had always hoped she might catch affection in his gaze one day..

But his gaze held only duty, just like always.

Binda’s shoulders sagged at the thought.  It wasn’t Cas’ fault, really.  Her father or her brothers had probably told him to keep an eye on her.  Trying for nonchalant and failing, Binda drug up a half-assed smile for the merman.

“It’s alright, Castiel.  I’m sorry for yelling.  I think I’ll head on home now.  I’ll see you later.”  With a wave of her side fins in farewell, Binda took herself off for the family caves.  

Castiel sighed, brow creased in frustration as he watched her go.  This wooing was much more difficult than he anticipated.  He didn’t dare ask Sam or Dean for advice.  He needed help from someone who wouldn’t laugh at him.  And he knew just the one!

In a flurry of blue-black fins, Castiel took off for the friendliest corner of the cove.

Curled up under a large network of seaweed fronds, Binda lay quietly, staring up at the surface.  The sun above shimmered like hammered silver in fleeting glimpses between the leaves.  She huffed a sigh as she rolled to her side, twitching when something tickled her.  One, then two, then five little pink seahorses poked their wee heads up above her fins.  Binda smiled as she held out her hand to let them weave between her fingers playfully.  

The boys had mercifully left her alone, and Binda had it in her heart to feel bad.  Almost.  At least for making Dean bleed. Although, she wasn’t going to waste the peace and quiet gifted to her.  And if her smile looked a bit mopey - well, her peace and quiet were the only ones there to see.

“Shhh!”  The muffled sound barely caught her attention, but it did that of the seahorses.  The little creatures bobbed forward curiously, and Binda waved herself upright.  

“Hello?” she called out.

“Uhhh…” Binda would know that confusion anywhere.

“Castiel?”  She swam a bit higher to see over the seaweed; the merman seemed to be hunched weirdly backwards, like his anal fin was caught in his wings or something.  “Are you alright?”

“I - I consulted Garth about my quandary,” he spouted out, his cheeks a bit flushed with...what?

“Oh.  What quandary?  Can I help?” Binda asked, her eyes tinged with concern as she swam nearer.  

“No.  Yes.  I - I -” The poor mer couldn’t seem to make up his mind; the expression on his face looked like he might spontaneously combust.  Was he ill?  He suddenly lurched, his features contorting in discomfort.

“Cas, did those eels hurt you?  Let me see!”  Binda demanded, approaching him determinedly.

“No!  Uh - this is for you!”  The poor soul looked almost green as he thrust something into her arms.  Binda’s arms instinctively closed around it, and the mass came alive as it wriggled and whined and…licked?

The merpup was all white, fur soft as the sand from a place called Puerto Rico her father once visited.  His gleaming scales were iridescent green, showing hints of blue and purple in the light.  And the black eyes that looked up at her had her falling in love in a heartbeat.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, cuddling the little pup under her chin.  Her happy laughter splashed out when sweet puppy kisses found her jaw and cheek.  “Oh, Castiel, thank you!”

“Please accept this canine as a token of my affection for you.”  Castiel thought he spoke out loud but he wasn’t sure.  His heart was pounding so hard with nerves, he honestly thought he might throw up, but Binda’s blinding smile distracted his queasiness.

At Castiel’s mumbled proclamation, Binda’s heart skipped and skipped again.  Without thinking, she wrapped an arm around those broad shoulders and smushed a happy kiss to his lips.  A spark that had nothing to do with any eels leapt between the two, painting matching flushes on both faces.  

“Th-thank you, Cas, I accept!” Binda managed to stammer out.

“That’s...reassuring to hear.”  Binda’s smile widened as Castiel’s shoulders sagged with relief.  The pup continued to whine happily, yipping as he craned his head to swipe more kisses on Binda’s face.  “I don’t know how much peace and quiet you’ll find with him”

“Peace and quiet are overrated!  What should we call him?” she cooed, reaching up to scratch the little ears.

“Garth said his name is Mr. Fizzles.  Which I find confusing because this canine emits no effervescence of any kind.”

Pure delight echoed in the chuckles Binda couldn’t hold in, and she beckoned the merman with a bob of her head as she cradled the merpup closer.

“Come on!  Let’s get him settled!”  

Snared by that blinding smile, all for him, Castiel couldn’t help but follow.  The two spent a lovely hour getting Mr. Fizzles comfortable, and Binda eagerly waited for her brothers to return home so she could show him off.  Her pup and her Castiel. 

(very sad photo editing by me of a very cute puppy)

[imagination-confusion]

In your welcome home x Smiling critters au who does Hoppy get along with the most and the least?

Hoppy gets along with Julie the most! They're the most energetic bunny wanting to do everything and anything all at once and Julie can match that energy and enthusiasm pretty well.

With someone she doesn't get along the least, she doesn't actually dislike any of the Home neighbors.

Hoppy enjoys everyone's company and likes hanging out with everyone individually or in a group. Though Hoppy does not hang out with Wally as much as the others mostly because it's hard for her to sit still like him and do some calm painting.

There's a mutual understanding and when Hoppy's overstimulated and wants to cool down she'll sit beside Wally in silence just to recover.

Bonus: If CatNap and Wally had a sleepover, they'd just be staring at each other.

[cutegirlmayra]

Here's a sad Sonamy AU: Years later, Amy has move on from Sonic and only sees him as a close friend. While he just does his own thing, he ends up falling for her, but nobody knows this and he fakes his way through. He helps Amy and she ends up marrying, He's sad but still can pull off a smile. She asks him to dance but he despises slow dances, she offers to teach him and he gives up. Some blushy moments later and he accidently confesses his love for her. What's next is up to you. ;) (Not Boom)

(x) Thank you to @mangaanonymous for her amazing preview image! :D You are amazing! And a great friend :’)

AU Prompt:

It all started when she turned 18…

I was off doing my own thing, you know, fighting Eggman’s old butt-tastic schemes again, only to notice her face on billboards and signs a lot.

That was the first time I found out she was the ‘logo girl’ for some candy brand.

I wasn’t much into sweets, but I found myself buying some anyway. I don’t know, support her maybe?

Then she wrote a book. A pretty decent book too, I might add. I don’t really know where it started, but while reading the book, I tended to find myself buying more candy.

Amy wanted to see me a lot, but I never knew how to make time for her. I wasn’t that I couldn’t, I just didn’t know if I should…

She started seeing him around a year later…

I felt awkward being around her after that. We had one smoothie and admired an old favorite spot of ours together- One where we first hung out so many years ago.

But then… her smile started to change. She was less girly and more womanly. I didn’t like that, the change anyway. But Amy was Amy, and as long as she was happy with whatever his face was, then so be-

Then I heard he proposed.

I think that’s when I started seeing her more. I couldn’t help it. I got… jumpy? I followed her to work, talked with her down the avenue of the rich places she was staying at for some signing deals. You know, the fancy gigs where people come and want your autograph? I wasn’t sure why. How big was Amy at that point?

Then she called. I kinda was thrilled, to be honest… Tails said this was my last chance, whatever that means. She had told the guy to wait on her, that she needed to think about it… I wasn’t gonna let her think long.

She wanted to write a biography of my life. What?

I thought you were gonna confess you’re undying devotion to me… I didn’t want to sound arrogant, but I guess I did. I was expecting her to want me back or something.

That whole interview, I was… well… salty.

I crossed my arms, my legs, even my teeth crossed the other in agitation at her strictly focusing on the details of my life.

Then it hit me.

“..Um.. this is where I come into your life… isn’t it?”

It was almost sweet the way she paused.

My eyes widened, and I straightened up, looking up as I began to think it through. “Oh, yeah..” I had no idea where we were in the conversation, too fixated on the picture of her and this new guy she’d been seeing. “I guess it was.”

“Ehem.” she fidgeted, moving her tight pencil skirt to the side along with her long legs over like a professional. What happened to her acting like a princess?

“I.. I would understand if you don’t want to answer this.”

“I’ll answer it.” I really wanted too.

“Do.. excuse me, but-”

“Not so formal, Amy. Geez.” I slightly mocked her, starting to relax more.

This was my last chance.

Tails’s words never rang so profoundly deep in me before, but I was trying to relax back in the chair, play it off that I wasn’t nervous.

“Well,… could you recount that time? What impact my friendship had on your life?”

That night I was tossing and turning, hitting barks of trees and scaring little critters from their homes. I couldn’t help it. I knew I blew it. I acted cool. I tried to be smooth- but the second I tried to go deeper… tell her how I was feeling about then to now… I just choked.

I… I let her go.

She was married the following May. What’s with May? Spring is always a good time for anything, but she had constantly- no, BEGGED me for a June wedding. Something about June making you a bride forever or something.

Did she not want to be a bride forever now?

Now I can’t help but smile at her picture on streets or postboards. Can’t help but grin at seeing her in her first movie. Can’t but let the sweet sorrow sink in when I see a robot wielding a hammer and know that Eggman misses her a bit too, in his own way.

Knuckles constantly says he misses her energy, that it’s too quiet now that she never visits him or the chao with picnics. I remember spontaneous picnics… Amy would try to hand feed me, and it always made me uncomfortable. But for some reason, I wouldn’t mind her hand lifting up with her mouth slightly dropping in hopes I would let her do something for me. That makes a sad smile too.

Or when Tails mentions Amy hasn’t spoken to him for a while, but he still gets a new book edition free from her agency. He told me the romantic scenes made him laugh, cause he knew she still pined for me. I didn’t know if he said that to trigger me out of my fake persona or was trying to make me feel better, knowing I would fake-it-till-I-made-it everytime someone mentioned her name.

What really bites is that I can’t seem to help but want to run out and still fight for her.

But what’s left to fight for? That rich dude’s got spontaneous picnics, hugs, affection 24/7. He’s living a life with what most would suggest is the perfect wife. But the second a news channel mentioned a possible baby I smashed Tails’s t.v… I never really knew why I spin-dashed so hard into it.

Tails says it could be that I don’t want it to be permanent. And a baby would mean Amy isn’t coming back to me. To me?

I just wanted Amy back. Whether this was love or not, I wondered if I should have bought that first candy. I wonder if it would have made a difference to tear down all the billboards, all the posters, smack any man that looked at her funny from the signs, but that really would be crazy.

I wondered if I was going crazy…

Missing Amy Rose…

I missed her so much.

It’s like that feeling when something in your life goes off course, makes you stumble, almost unable to fully remain calm anymore. A nagging in the back of your mind that things could be better if you had that one thing…

Tails says If there is a baby, I needed to really step away.

Tails says a lot of things.

Can you really miss someone so much that your dreams start replaying the past?

But I acted differently in my dreams. I held her back. I put my arm around her more. I was confident when alone, and strode with a proud look of certainty when she came running for me… and I went to her.

I hated sleeping.

That wasn’t normal.

Hehe, who knew, eh?

The one girl that was always a no-brainer, a dead give away, would end up falling out of orbit and running off to do her own thing… and leave me behind.

Destiny, she called it.

Was that what this was? I felt guilty for some reason. And… strangely upset.

I tried to not go into town anymore, Eggman said I needed to chin-up, whatever that means. But it worried me that he could tell something was off with me too…

Maybe it was the lack of sleep.

Then I get a call from Vanilla, telling me Amy has invited everyone to a big ball event for some red carpet treat.

How big was Amy again?

Her husba-…ugh.

Her dude friend was paying all expenses, and apparently, leaving for some hotshot gig somewhere fancy.

Amy wanted me to come.

I came.

With the most itchiest and tight suit that Tails could find for me. Rented. Of course, it was rented. I wasn’t gonna take any money from Mr. Fancypants, that’s for sure.

Then I saw her.

Beneath the sweat from my new clothes, and the warmth of the lights, the intoxicating aroma of high-society, Amy walked in with a bright pink dress, sparkly and addicting.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her and mentally cursed for myself for not being able to.

Amy was a woman now, years had gone by and she had transformed herself into something jaw-dropping. But my mouth remained shut as Fort Knox.

Amy…

I gazed at her while I strode aimlessly through the crowd of dancers.

Amy…

She would float along the crowd, a beautiful smile, but not her true smile, I knew better. She was wearing her ‘enjoying but mellow about it’ smile… not my favorite, but a pleasant one at most.

Her eyes were bright with the glasses of drinks all toasting up around her, teeth as white as snow, and her dress flaring up at the ends as she pranced up to her friends and would gently touch their arms in welcome.

Then she turned to see me, and the world shut us out.

Sounds were cut from their strings.

Time halted and stepped back to let her through.

I even saw light pause to admire her before trailing on in its course.

My dreams were flooding the gates of my emerald eyes, and memories of a small, pretty young girl jumping into my arms flinched an impulse to catch her before she fell.

But she wasn’t running to embrace me.

Not this time…

“Sonic!”

Her voice!

Good heaven! Did she swallow an angel’s music box!?

What happened to squeaky and high-pitched?

Chaos, help me. I thought the movies exaggerated it.

It was deeper, fully matured, and rolled with a tumble that caught the ears of men into an endless loop as it repeated slower and slower in their minds…

“I’m so happy you finally made it!” she grinned, there it was… a smile I’d missed so much. But it faded when I didn’t reply fast enough.

Did she take my silence the wrong way?

“I-um…” to be honest, I didn’t know what to say.

I dream of you! I don’t buy your candy anymore! Or your books!

That wasn’t really what you should say in moments like these…

Besides..

I already lost my last chance.

I looked away then, I hadn’t fully realized till she was standing right in front of me but…

I had lost everything.

Even my fame was fleeting.

She looked longingly sorrowful to me, as if worried before she turned to the music and instinctively smiled, getting a crazy idea.

That was the face anyway… for crazy ideas…

“Come dance with me!” she giggled, though, with a voice like that, it sounded flirtatious.

She wouldn’t be flirting with me anymore...

She swayed her body back and forth, before extending her arm out, pressuring me on.

I stared… wanting too.

“I don’t do slow dances.” but I only folded my arms when another thought came to mind. “And besides… You’re a married woman now.”

“He knows I’m asking you to dance right now,” she stated, her head held high. “I told him specifically that at the stroke of midnight, the second slow dance, I was going to the dance with you.”

I didn’t know how to take this.

But my eyes shot down to her hands and my arms immediately unfolded.

“Just one?” I couldn’t believe what was happening…

“Em-hmm.” She nodded, pursing her lips in.

I took her hand,… and she led me to the dancing peacocks all in their colorful and silly arrays.

I felt awkward, but this meant I could…

I could hold her again.

We did dance, although with great difficulty as I knew nothing of dancing this waltz nonsense. But it was fun to twirl her, fun to hear her laughter again, and even better when she got dizzy and had to sit down once I picked up the dance move better.

“Haha! I figured I had to lead for a while but you pick up fast! haha!” We escaped to the balcony for fresh air.

I was enthralled. Not only was the fresh, cool air of the night now loosening my constricted muscles and lungs, but I had my old self back.

Amy just made me feel younger, I guess. More myself. My real heroic self again.

I wanted to do something crazy and stupid, tell her to come away with me, fly off into the night while I stole Knuckles’s emeralds, one more adventure.. just one more...

But I realized that wasn’t enough, I wanted more, and I wanted her to know what I was feeling.

Then, as I pivoted to say something stupid in the moment, I saw her grip her head.. and then her stomach.

My entire flighty being was silently resolved. My foolish, youthful smile faded. The red in my cheeks from the heat of the party was now cooled with the air of reality.

I looked away, “Sorry... I didn’t realize… I should have been more careful.”

“Huh?” She looked up, as if unsure of what I was referring too.

“…I mean, it’s been a while..” I kicked the sleek balcony floor beneath me, not wanting to talk about this further. “Congratulations… Amy.” I looked out spitefully into the darkness.

That’s when her smile faded and she stood up. “I’m not pregnant,” she concluded.

My head bounced on my shoulders, eyebrows rising.

“…We… we tried but…” she looked away, “I don’t think he can medically… I would have to use other means and… And I’m scared of that.” Amy held her sides with her arms, and I suddenly scolded myself for letting newscasters get the better of me.

“You’re not..?” I turned around, it was more tender than I wanted it to be, but she seemed thankful of that.

She shook her head to me, “No. I’m not.”

“…Ever?” I moved a little closer… something sparked. My face burned again, my arms twitched for her, and I couldn’t help but breath and think fast.

She seemed a little uncertain by my response and looked down and away. “Not by natural means… I don’t think so. He can’t. Anyway…”

I got excited! I couldn’t tell why!

“Amy!” my body moved on its own, right up next to her, my hands only seconds away from being able to hold her again… this time… maybe for longer.

“I… The answer! The real answer is-!”

“H-huh?”

“I-!!! That first time… you entered my life, I-!”

I … I had too.

“I was conflicted!” I gripped my chest, my heart was out of control. Something about this all seemed plausible, like Destiny was still on our side, although… I wasn’t sure if Amy saw it that way anymore or not.

“Becuase I didn’t know what it meant. I liked you, but I didn’t feel anything for you. Then I met you again and again. You caught me in your killer-hugs and chased me no matter where I went! I… I fell for that… Amy… and I felt betrayed when you left me for him.”

I ducked my head, eyes turning to coal, and mouth being locked in my swallow.

Her eyes shook, and I knew what I did was wrong.

“…Left you?” she gasped out.

I turned away, “Sorry. Forgive me. I didn’t mean to-”

She grabbed my hand, “You left first! You never were around anymore! I got so popular, thinking you would like someone who had the same fame as you. Someone who was a woman, not a child! I thought that I could all these things, make you notice me, forced to see me everywhere you went! You still never came… you still didn’t seem to care… so I … I found someone. I wanted you to tell me to stay, not to get married, not to be famous anymore! But you were happy... you said you were happy for me!”

I stopped her, gripping her arm and pulling myself towards her. “I never… said that.” My eyes showed the serious sincerity of that.

She started to tear up, dropping a little as her knees seemed to be giving out.

“You… You never said anything against it!”

“I never said anything at all!”

“Exactly!”

“Because I thought you wanted to live this way! You wanted to be rid of me! Of the way I lived my life!”

We both were a mess, falling to the ground and holding one another. Amy sobbed while I scanned the skies.

How could a miscommunication get this bad?

“…Do you love him?”

She gripped my shoulder and nodded as she squinted her eyes as shut as she could manage.

“…Do you still love me?”

She wept loudly.

The divorce never happened.

Because Amy’s husband never came back.

There was an accident and Amy was left with no explanation to why the limo driver pulled him off at a drug dealer’s mafia site.

Amy remarried though.

She had a couple of kids.

Never seemed to complain.

And honestly?

Neither did I.

[singingunderthecurtain]

DIAMOND (CEO AU Baekhyun Series) Part 8

Also on AFF

Diamond Mini Masterlist

Photo not mine, found it on Google.

Author: @julietsoddeye​ AU: CEO!Baekhyun Genre: Angst | Smut | Romance Pairing: Baekhyun x Lee Soojin (You/OC) [Written as if the reader is the OC] Trigger Warning: Smut on future chapters. Mentions of car accident. Mentions of being blind. Baekhyun being an a-hole. Word Count: 3,511

Plot: After 10 years of exile to another country, you are finally back home and you were surprised to find out that you are engaged to the son of your father’s long-time friend and business partner.

On this Chapter:

“You’re not supposed to be here, get out!”

Baekhyun locks the door of the fitting room and slid his way in front of you like a swift animal attacking their prey.

“Why are you locking the door?”

“I’ve been waiting for so long!”

“It’s only been a few minutes, Baekhyun. Please get out.”

“Is this the dress you want?”

He ignores what you said and took the dress from your hands. He examines and puts it in front of you like you were a paper doll.

“Good day and welcome Mr. Byun, Ms. Lee...”

The store manager greeted the moment you and Baekhyun enter the big brand store that you recognized owned by the Byun Group of Companies. You’re not surprised anymore that people who work for them know you already. It’s probably a protocol for them to know everything about their boss. From their favorite colors down to who they are fucking. Well maybe not to that extent, but it’s plausible.

You look around the fancy but empty boutique and they carry not just formal wears for women, but also wedding dresses from different local and international brands.

“We’ve already arranged a number of dresses of the colors and size your assistant asked us about and they are ready for Ms. Lee to try on inside the dressing room.”

“Great.”

Baekhyun beams.

“This way, please…”

The woman said as she points at a heavily curtained area of the store with her palms up. You smiled slightly and both you and Baekhyun followed her steps.

“I’m sorry Mr. Byun, but it’s store policy that Men are not allowed inside the dressing room. If you could just wait here in the lounge area, we will serve you any drinks of your request. I will personally assist Ms. Lee in trying out the dresses.”

“Can I do this on my own instead? I’ll call you when I need a hand.

You said as you got in the dressing room.

“Are you sure, Ms. Lee?”

She asks you, her facial expression hints that she doesn’t want you to do it alone.

“Yes.”

You gave her an assuring smile.

“To be honest with you Ms. Lee, you’re the first customer here who doesn’t want to be dressed. Are you really sure?”

She asks again, her face really desperate as if her job is on the line, it probably is but you’re uncomfortable changing in front of a complete stranger, other than people you’re close with.

“Really? Don’t they have hands of their own to use?”

The store manager kind of giggled but straightened her self just as quick as her little laugh.

“I will leave you alone then, Ms. Lee. Please call for me if you need anything, there is a buzzer over there that’s connected to my little device over here.”

She pointed at a button on the wall near the door and pulled out a small pager-looking thing from the pocket of her corporate jacket to show you.

“Thank you… Uhm… What’s your name?”

“Eunbi. Kang Eunbi.”

She said with the nicest smile you’ve ever seen.

“Thank you, Kang Eunbi-ssi.”

She finally left and you look at the selection of dresses they picked out for you to try. You glance at your bandaged arm and back to the 10 or more clothes hanging on a rolling rack. Only two have long sleeves and one of them is kind of in a thicker side fabric. It’s summer and you didn’t want to die of heatstroke so you take the one with the sheer lace sleeves.

You were mesmerized by the simplicity of it. It was a nude that’s a shade deeper than your skin color with a sweetheart neckline outside of a sheer lace lining that’s connected to the sleeves. There are multiple Swarovski crystal beads scattered elegantly around the chest and sleeves. The floor-length dress flows in the air like a breeze when you sway it around. It’s lightweight and it will be just magnificent to dance to.

It’s the perfect dress that will cover your arms as you’re not sure if the tiny wounds will completely heal by Saturday next week. And definitely a perfect color for a wedding. It’s not loud but the sparkle of the Swarovski is just enough to make you shine a little. You looked in the mirror, the garment in front of you as you admire the overall look of it. You cannot wait to actually try it on. When you were about to hang the dress back on the rack so you can remove the summer dress you’re wearing, the door of the changing room suddenly fly open, revealing a snappy-looking Baekhyun.

“What is taking you so long?”

“Shit! You scared me!”

You cursed as you drop the dress of your choice on the floor. You picked it up and gave Baekhyun an annoyed look.

“You’re not supposed to be here, get out!”

Baekhyun locks the door of the fitting room and slid his way in front of you like a swift animal attacking their prey.

“Why are you locking the door?”

“I’ve been waiting for so long!”

“It’s only been a few minutes, Baekhyun. Please get out.”

“Is this the dress you want?”

He ignores what you said and took the dress from your hands. He examines and puts it in front of you like you were a paper doll.

“This is perfect. Great choice, you’re matching the theme of the wedding and my suit.”

Baekhyun hangs the dress on his shoulder and grabs both your shoulders and twirls you around so your back is facing him. He started pulling the thin straps of your teal sundress down both your shoulders and you shook him away a little bit to stop him as you block your arms against your chest protectively.

“What the hell are you doing Baekhyun?!?!?!”

“I’m undressing you.”

He said in a matter-of-fact tone and turn you around once again and started to tug down the zipper of your dress. Before you can really stop him, Baekhyun swiftly tugs your dress down and it pools beneath your feet. Leaving you with only your mismatched underwear. With your arms still holding up against your chest, Baekhyun spins you back face to face with him. His eyes trained on your own, his cheeks slightly blushed.

“Adorable.”

He whispers and his warm breath blew softly on your face, making you want to close your eyes and enjoy the natural sweetness of him. But you fight hard not to give in to your undisclosed desires. You shouldn’t feel this way towards Baekhyun, you’re still not sure if he’s an enemy or an ally.

“Why did you undress me just now?”

“We’re engaged, why does it matter?”

“Are you forgetting that we—”

Baekhyun stopped you mid-sentence when he gives your lips a quick peck and a playful smile danced along his lips when your eyes grew the size of a big button and mouth slightly hanging open with his unexpected attack.

“Don’t ruin the mood, okay.”

“Baekhyun, I—”

“Just wear the damn dress already, Soojin-ah, so I can see you in it.”

Baekhyun pushes the dress to your hand and quickly left you in the middle of the big room to sit on a white and fuzzy loveseat underneath an even fuzzier white fur rug. The way he lazily sat, stretched and rubs his thighs made your skin tingle faintly.

You shook your head to wake yourself from your weird thoughts and the cold air from the air conditioner made you shiver. You urgently remove the dress from the hanger so you can wear it remembering again that you’re just in your underwear.

The dress fits you perfectly, it would look better if you can actually close the zipper behind you, but you obviously can’t reach it.

“Need help?”

Baekhyun offers, with a hint of jest on the way he said it.

“No!”

You protested and tried hard to zip yourself up again, but to no avail. Baekhyun makes his way to you and helped you pull the stupid zipper up anyway. His long and thin lithe finger trail along the skin of your spine as he zips you up, making your stomach to create little critters that make you want to vomit love.

“T—Thanks…”

You silently curse yourself because of your shaky voice. Why are you so nervous anyway, it’s not like you’re in love with him, right? Right?

“You’re welcome. Look at you, you’re so beautiful.”

Baekhyun was looking at your entirety in the mirror in front of you. You can see the genuineness of his word from his eyes. What is he on again this time? What kind of illegal drugs is he taking? What kind of weed is he smoking that he’s not sharing?

“Baekhyun, are you on drugs?”

You suddenly ask.

“What?”

“Are you on drugs?”

You repeated your question.

“No. I’m healthy. My last check-up was two weeks ago. I’m not sick so I’m not taking any medications right now, why?”

Oh wow, he’s so… Pure. And borderline dense with your sarcasm.

“Nevermind, Baekhyun. Forget that I even ask you that.”

You shake your head slightly in disbelief.

“Wait did you actually mean, like, illegal drugs? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I TAKE DRUGS?”

Baekhyun face sours up and gasps as he put his right palm against the chest of his heart dramatically, he’s legitimately hurt by the realization of your question.

“It’s just… You’re— You’re confusing me. One day you’re an asshole and then the next you’re— you’re playful or sweet and caring and you’re driving me absolutely insane, Byun Baekhyun. I don’t really know what to think of you.”

Baekhyun clears his throat and his visage changes quickly after your little speech.

“What do you want from me then?”

Baekhyun asks seriously.

“I just want that truth, Baekhyun. Why did you agree with this… Arranged Marriage? What are you gaining here? You’re the son of the richest man in South Korea, what more can you want from this, from me?

The happy Baekhyun is back in an instant.

“Now is not the right time for this Soojin-ah okay? Can we just enjoy this for now, please?”

Is he bipolar? You have to ask Yanmei as she’s kind of an expert in this field.

“Okay.”

You silently agreed and Baekhyun flashes you another sunny smile from his lips.

“Change back to your dress, we’re done here. I’ll see you outside.”

~~~

“Wait, you’re really taking me as a date to your cousin’s wedding?”

Yanmei squeaks out in excitement as Chanyeol and Hisako follow her and Jongdae, the two lovebirds (more like fuck buddies), as they walk hand in hand along the fancy and upscale shops of Rodeo Street. Hisako crosses her arms even more against her chest and puffs out an exasperating sigh with annoyance. She cannot believe that her best friends, Yanmei and Soojin are slowly falling for the enemies. Soojin is not as obvious as Yanmei, but she can tell she’s slowly being charmed by Baekhyun. Ugh, such feeble women!

“Of course, who else will I take? You’re the perfect date for me!”

Jongdae replies with the same invisible heart eyes, just as much as Yanmei shows. ‘Oh God,’ Hisako thought.

“Aiyo wei!”

Yanmei tightens her grip on Jongdae’s arm and Jongdae bit his lower lip with too much adoration for the girl beside him. Hisako glances at Chanyeol on her left and he’s scrolling through his phone as he walks. Ugh, hope you don’t trip, she thinks to herself again.

“Oh my gosh is that you, Jongdae?”

A shrill from a girl made the four of them stop on their track. Hisako looks up and saw 2 women with multiple shopping bags from different brands on their arms. One girl glared judgingly at Yanmei before returning her gaze at Jongdae now with a fake smile.

“You said you would call me back, why didn’t you call me back?”

“Oh…”

Yanmei was taken aback a little bit and hesitantly let go of Jongdae, but he stopped her and held her waist tighter.

“I’m sorry, I must’ve forgotten.”

Jongdae confidently laughs as he flashes the girl with a suave smile.

“Hi, Chanyeol.”

The other girl waved shyly at Chanyeol and he just nods his head once and continues scrolling on his phone.

“Well, I heard it’s Minseok Oppa’s wedding next weekend, do you have a date already? You can take me if you want.”

She positively beams as if Jongdae will drop everything for her.

“I’m sorry… What’s your name again?”

“Jinah!”

The girl whines slightly.

“I’m sorry, Jinah! But I already have a date. My girlfriend, Mei-mei!”

Jongdae pulls Yanmei by her waist as if to wake her up from drifting off.

“G—GIRLFRIEND?!?!?! Since when did you have girlfriends?”

Both Jinah and her friend gasps in shock.

“Uhhh… Since 3 weeks ago! Isn’t that right, baby?”

Jongdae nudges Yanmei.

“Oh… Uh… Y—yeah. Three weeks ago, in The Bahamas…”

Yanmei trails off.

“Hey, we were about to go dress shopping. It was nice meeting you again… uh…”

“JINAH!!! IT’S JINAH!!!”

The hysterical girl keeps shouting as the four of you started walking away again.

“Yo, you completely humiliated that girl.”

Chanyeol snorts as he pockets his phone.

“To be honest I don’t even remember where I met her.”

Jongdae shrugs.

“That was mean, Jongdae!”

Yanmei hits Jongdae in the chest lightly.

“Well, she was mean first. She totally saw that we’re together, you weren’t a ghost.”

“Still, that was mean. I could’ve handled it, you know. Woman to woman. I’m not petty though, I know your history.”

Yanmei sticks out her tongue playfully at Jongdae and he smiles sweetly down at her.

“Oh gosh! Enough with this, can we just go already?”

Hisako interrupts when Yanmei and Jongdae were about to display their affection publicly again.

“Oh my God, Hisako you sad granny!”

Yanmei rolls her eyes at her best friend and tugs on Jongdae’s hand to the direction of a boutique that sells formal dresses. Chanyeol chuckles loudly at Hisako when she was left with her jaws on the ground, with Yanmei’s words right in front of the boys.

“What’s so funny?”

Hisako recovers and glares at Chanyeol bitterly.

“Nothing, nothing. Let’s just go, Hisa.”

Chanyeol offers his hand for Hisako to take, but she was now in a foul mood so she just hit his hand with her palm and left Chanyeol standing alone. Chanyeol shrugs his shoulders and catches up to Hisako with a smile on his face. Finally some funny words from Yanmei again, this is Chanyeol favorite when the two best friends bicker.

~~~

The two pairs ended up going inside the boutique of the same store that you and Baekhyun were in. Yanmei opens up the door just as Baekhyun was swiping his black card to pay for your dress.

“Sooj!!!”

Yanmei shrieks and immediately lets go of Jongdae to run up to you.

“What are you doing here?”

You shriek too, along with Yanmei as you two were hugging as if you haven’t seen each other for 10 years already when it’s only been less than an hour.

“Jongdae is taking me to the wedding, so I came here to look for a dress I could buy.”

You both pull away from each other and Yanmei gleams when Jongdae suddenly encircled his arms around her waist.

“She’s my date!”

Jongdae happily announces again to you.

“Waaah that’s great!!! What about Hisa? Who’s taking her?”

“We can be Ménage à trois.”

Jongdae shrugs.

“Uh... No thanks.”

Hisako suddenly enters the shop with Chanyeol tailing her every move. She went around the shop on a different area, to be away from Yanmei.

“What happened?”

“She’s on her period again!”

The exasperated tone of Yanmei’s voice indicates that the two probably bickered again. Oh well, nothing new.

“Why is Chanyeol following her around?”

You ask curiously.

“I don’t know. He looks like a puppy anyway and she smells like ass with her nasty attitude, so I guess it’s just fitting.”

“Bitch, I heard that!”

You heard Hisako shouts out from 3 aisles down. Yanmei just rolls her eyes again and grab Jongdae’s hand and pull him to the nearest couch.

“You sit down and stay here while I look for a dress, okay?”

Jongdae subjects and nod his head with a submissive smile on his lips, exactly like a puppy too. Jongdae, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun were called the Beagles of their group because their personalities are exactly like Beagle puppies. They’re loud, playful and cute to say the least. Not that you think Baekhyun is cute… Well, he’s cute sometimes when he’s not being a total dick to you.

Baekhyun sat next to Jongdae as you were being pulled by Yanmei on the first aisle of cocktail dresses.

“Ahhh, I’m so excited, can you help me choose a dress?”

“What happened to only seducing him for information?”

You whisper to Yanmei and she suddenly flashes you a shy smile.

“Eyyy. He’s not so bad, Jongdae, look at him. He’s so adorable.”

“Are you… You know… Falling for him? Is he finally the first guy you will take seriously?”

Yanmei laughs nervously.

“I don’t know, Sooj. I’m just really excited about the wedding. I know I’m gonna blow up my bank account for a dress here, but I wanna live a little bit, you know. I stopped dating and sleeping around since we graduated college and I’ve been working my ass off so I can help my parents provide for my special needs sister.”

You gave her an assuring smile that you totally understand her situation.

“But they also told you that it’s okay if you don’t help.”

“Yeah, but I still do. They gave up a lot for me too. This is the least I can do for them.”

“Why don’t you take my offer then?”

You offered to give her ¾ of the amount she sends her parents so that she can finally save more money for that dream SPED school she wanted to build in her hometown in China. But she refused, saying she can still make ends meet.

“You know I’ve rejected you a lot of times already, Sooj.”

You dramatically hit your chest as if you were in pain.

“Yeah, and it hurts so much Mei-mei. Your repeated rejection is slowly killing my already black heart.”

Yanmei playfully slaps you on the butt but it made such a noise that Baekhyun and Jongdae actually heard. The two guys look up at you both and Jongdae’s face flushed gravely when he realizes what happened when you were rubbing your ass with the slight pain of Yanmei’s spank.

“Ooh, kinky! I think he likes it.”

Both you and Yanmei snicker silently.

Meanwhile, on the last aisle of the huge boutique, Hisako was pretending to look for dresses even though she won’t even go to the wedding.

“I guess I’ll be bored next weekend…”

Hisako sighs silently as she parades through the aisles and aisles of dresses that are completely more expensive than the whole outfit she’s currently wearing.

“You know, you can go to the wedding as my date…”

Hisako almost cursed out when she suddenly hears Chanyeol spoke out of nowhere.

“Oh my gosh, how long have you been there?”

Hisako clutches her left chest tightly from being surprised.

“I’ve been following you since we got here. Didn’t you know?”

“I—I thought I left you outside.”

“I’ve been following you all along, Hisa.”

Chanyeol beams with his creepily huge grin. It’s kinda cute but she won't admit it.

“Gosh, you scared me for a little bit there.”

“I’m sorry.”

Chanyeol apologizes.

“So, will you be my date for the wedding then?”

“You don’t have to pity me, Chanyeol. I can hang out with Mia next weekend.”

Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows.

“Mia will probably be in Baekkie and Sooj’s entourage.”

Hisako frowns and he’s probably right, she thinks.

“Well… I can go out alone then. Alone time sounds good.”

“But you don’t know Seoul, you might get lost.”

“Uhm there is a thing called ‘The Internet’ and I can use it, Chanyeol. Thanks for the offer though.

“Then I won’t come to Minseok Hyung’s wedding too. I’ll take you around Seoul.”

Chanyeol insists.

“What? That’s crazy. Isn’t he your friend since childhood?”

“Yeh, all nine of us.”

“Wait, there’s nine of you?”

“Yeah!”

“You can’t not go to your Hyung’s wedding, Chanyeol.”

“Well, then you should be my date!”

Hisako sighs in defeat. But nods her head once and Chanyeol grins widely again. Why was he doing this, she wonders but the thought of being left alone at that big and cold mansion made her agree to Chanyeol’s offer.

A/N: As always, feedback, sentiments and other comments are what fuels me. I want to know your reactions❣❣❣

[imagination-confusion]

Ask me about my Smiling Critters x Welcome Home AU

I promise I'll be normal

[imagination-confusion]

Sorry it took so long but here's more Welcome Home x Smiling Critter art! Here's the AU designs of the boys

Catnap casually wears pajamas at all hours of the day and Dogday's hood has his sun emblem on the back of it.

Working the outfits for Bubba Bubbaphant, Hoppy Hopscotch, Bobby Bearhug, CraftyCorn, Kickin Chicken, and Picky Piggy.