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philliamwrites · 4 years ago

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The Dawn Will Come [Chpt.2]

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Pairing: Dimitri x Reader, Claude x Reader, Edelgard x Reader, Yuri x Reader, Edelgard x Byleth, lots of minor pairings

Tags: #gn reader, # platonic love byleth & reader, #reader is a tactical unit, #angst, #slow burn, #subplots, #unreliable narrator, #pining, #remporary amnesia, #reluctant herp, #canon divergence, #lost twin au, #many chapters, #original content

Words: 6.7k

Summary: Waking up in a forest without any knowledge of your past and who you are, you join the house leaders of the Officers Academy to search for a way to return your memories. Unfortunately, the church has different plans for you, and Fate places you in the centre of a cruel game with deadly stakes. It certainly doesn’t help to fall in love with a house leader who is doomed to be your demise.

Notes: Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

Chapter 02: The Herald of Dawn

Hold me, O Night, with motherly affection, While the wan earth wakes with a misty yawn. By my blood will be born the Dawn and from my fleeting dream—the undying sun!

[Gabriele D’Annunzio]

Hushed whispers wake you from the dark. The crackling of fire sweeps away the last remains of weary unconsciousness, and you blink at a tent's ceiling. Someone draped heavy blankets over you, and with every breath you exhale, puffy white clouds rise up. The shadows of a fire dance across the walls, their blurry movements flush another wave of dizziness over you, and as you sit up, you notice a tight feeling around your head. When you raise a hand to your forehead, there is a bandage sitting tightly wrapped around your head, covering your right eye. The pain has finally stopped, but it still feels dully raw, like an injury that hasn’t healed properly and serves now as a reminder of anguish.

The memories from the battle rush back to you, the sound of metal hitting metal and heavy bodies dropping to the ground echo in your mind. Death was nothing new to the soldiers and mercenaries, so how come you don’t feel particularly sorry for the fallen? You’re no soldier, at least that’s what every fibre of your body tells you, so normalising killing isn’t right. You rebuild your surety of that, one shaky brick at a time.

Once on your feet, you make your way outside, drawn in by the smell of cooked meat and quiet chatter. The sight of a small camp greets you: more tents build a row on this side of the camp, and in the centre, solders sit around a small fire, their voices barely audible. They lean over a steaming kettle, their weapons at their feet or beside tree trunks—laid down for the night but still within reach.

“Heey, you’re finally back with us!” Claude’s voice rings through the camp, and several heads turn in your direction. As he waves for you to join him, you duck your head and move quickly to his side, wishing you could just merge with the ground and disappear from everyone’s attention. “Little one, you got us worried there,” he says. On his knees, he’s balancing a steaming wooden bowl, and the sight and smell reminds you how hungry you are. Your stomach agrees by providing a low growl.

“How long have I been out?” You barely recognise your own voice, the sound rough from exhaustion. Claude hums in thought and gestures with one hand to a soldier to bring you food, while his other pats the ground beside him for you to sit down. “We managed to march a couple of hours after cleaning up the mess from the battle. Right now we’re near the edge of the forest. There should be only one more day of marching until we reach the monastery.”

“And you guys are sure they can help me up there?” you wonder, watching the first group of soldiers get ready for the night watch. They’re frighteningly young, jostling and bumping into each other, laughing and stamping their feet against the cold snap that still lingers, the last gasp of winter before spring begins in earnest.

“If not there, I’m not sure there’s anyone out there who can help you.”

You glare at Claude. “Surely you must be the voice of confidence in this merry bunch, right?”

He laughs. “I’m the closest you’ll get to an optimist around here.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Reassuring is my second name.”

“No, you said it’s von,” you mumble. Claude stares at you for a long minute, then bursts out laughing, the sound dark and rich. “No, that’s a noble prefix. You don’t even remember that?”

You open your mouth, and close it like a fish, feeling your cheeks raise in temperature. He shouldn’t make you feel guilty for forgetting something like that, and yet the shame settles in your bones and you want to smack your head against something to help your brain remember.

“Ah, but pardon my rudeness,” Claude purrs and gives you a mock bow. “I can tell you everything you want to know about nobility and how overrated it is. In fact, I might as well convince you to join the Alliance before Their Highnesses steal you to their side.”

“I’m not going to be on anyone’s side,” you mumble, and steal Claude’s blanket as payback, relishing in his offended expression. “It has nothing to do with me.”

Claude raises an eyebrow. “Ehh, I’m not so sure it’s that easy.”

“It is,” you insist, unable to hide the sulk from your voice. “Because I say so.”

Claude raises both eyebrows. “That’s not how it works.”

“Watch me.”

Something like a shadow flashes across his emerald eyes, but it disappears quickly enough for you to think it’s only the light from the campfire playing a trick on you. “We’ll see about that.” He scrapes the remaining contents from his bowl and lets out a satisfying yawn when he’s finished, stretching his long limbs like a cat getting comfortable. “Sooo,” he starts, unnecessarily dragging out the vowel and the sound of it locks up your shoulders into one tense muscle in preparation of what he’s going to say next. “Care to explain what happened back there?”

You take a deep breath. “You mean when it felt like my eye was going to fall out of its socket?”

“Actually I meant when you tripped over that one root after we found you.” He gives you a crooked grin. “But that’s interesting too, please go on.”

“I thought no one saw that,” you mumble, and avoid his gaze as you remember that stupid root that nearly broke your neck. Well, Claude surely knows a thing or two about tricking someone into talking about exactly what he wants to hear.

You thank the mercenary that brings you food, and notice it’s the one from the battle with the crooked nose. He gives you a just as crooked grin and limps back to his comrades. The stew warms your chilled bones, the rich flavour of meat and vegetables lifting your spirits and filling you with energy. As you eat, you drag out the minutes but Claude doesn’t even squirm as you let him wait, and starts whistling an off-key tune until you start to feel uncomfortable.

“Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t be afraid that it might happen again,” you admit begrudgingly. “Because that was scary.”

“Yeah, it didn’t really look like fun,” Claude agrees. “But what was it in the first place?”

“I don’t know.” You start to become weary of those words. “But it hurt.”

Claude gives you a sympathetic look, and goes silent, allowing you to eat, but you can’t shake off the feeling his mind is still trying to figure out what’s the deal with you. He can, for all you care. And once he’s done, he can write a report and hand it right to you so you’ll understand as well.

Out of the corner of your eye you notice someone moving towards you. Dimitri approaches you with caution like you’re a small animal he might scare off with hasty movements. But the look he gives Claude is that of a disappointed father, and he shakes his head once he’s standing in front of him. “Claude, we were supposed to not disturb our guest,” Dimitri says sternly, then bows his head in your direction. “Apologies. We should let you rest.”

“No, it’s okay,” you admit, and shuffle a little to the side to make room. “Please stay.”

Both boys exchange a quick look, but then Dimitri sits down, minding a polite distance unlike Claude who only needs to stretch his legs for his feet touch your knee.

“We were worried,” Dimitri starts. Just like Claude, he’s taken off most of his armour, and nothing about him stands out as a member of the royalty. He looks just like any other boy, and you’d never admit it out loud, but you already miss the blue tones on his uniform, the colour making his remarkably ice-blue eye stand out even more. “Luckily we could dispose of all bandits and return to a safe area. Byleth carried you here all by herself.”

“Yeah, remind me not get on her bad side, okay?” Claude laughs, but you think you hear a slight nervous tremble in his voice. “She looks like she can decapitate me with a butter knife.”

“She doesn’t look like it. She very certainly will behead you with a butter knife,” Dimitri provides with a pleasant smile as if he’s talking about the weather.

“See, and that’s why she fits best in the Alliance,” Claude says, winking at you. “We’re always full of surprises.”

Dimitri rolls his eyes and crosses his arms in front of his broad chest. “You might try it. I personally plan to convince her to join the Kingdom.”

“I think you’re both too late for that,” you say as you look to the other side of the camp where Byleth and Edelgard are currently engaged in a deep conversation, their heads leaning close to each other. Claude groans miserably, but quickly recovers as he turns to you, his eyes brightening up with excitement. “It’s okay, because once my disarming charm has wrapped you around my little finger, I’ll have an impressive tactician on my side.”

You almost choke on your next spoon of stew. “Tactician? I wouldn’t go that far.”

Beside you, Dimitri clears his throat. “Though I have to question Claude’s way of persuasion, I must admit he isn’t wrong about the latter. What you did back there was impressive.”

“I really didn’t do anything special,” you mumble at the same time Claude raises both hands leisurely and says, “Hey, it’s not my problem you think you’re immune to it, Your Princeliness.”

Dimitri grumbles something in a foreign language under his breath. Grinning smugly, Claude turns to you, and nudges your side. “Have confidence, little one. They’ll teach you everything you need to know up there.” He points up towards a mountain where you’ll apparently be heading tomorrow. If you squint, you think you can make out lights in the horizon brightening the night sky.

“That monastery,” you say, trying to ignore how Claude’s body radiates heat. “What exactly is that place? I’ve never heard of a monastery that holds a school. I think,” you quickly add, unsure what thoughts provided by your hazy mind are facts.

“The Officers Academy is a facility where students learn the arts of warfare, magic, and leadership,” Dimitri explains. He’s very obviously trying not to look at Claude, which in return has Claude’s grin widening even more. “The lessons provide us with everything we need as upcoming heads of our families. Swordsmanship, sorcery, authority, the history of our continent. There is much to learn for everyone attending the classes.”

“So it’s a death factory,” you translate, the sudden bitter taste in your mouth overshadowing the taste of the stew. “How can they just teach that stuff like it’s normal?”

“You saw it yourself, didn’t you.” Claude stretches his long limbs and leans back until he props his body up on his elbows. “Bandits and thieves everywhere.”

“And most students come from a noble house,” Dimitri adds. “They need to be taught how to take command, and about the responsibilities coming with leadership.”

You blow a strand of hair away from your face, mood dropped now that you know where you’ll be from tomorrow on. “This doesn’t sound right.” Though you can’t really say how a school is supposed to be instead. This is a world with different rules, and you aren’t sure if it’ll be easy to accommodate to them.

While the boys bicker how good the plot of the tale mentioned earlier really is, you see Byleth approaching. A bruise is forming on her left cheek, and she holds her arm as if bearing the pain from a wound. But nothing of that is portrayed on her face, as if her brain hasn’t registered she’s wounded yet and hence doesn’t need to express it.

“How are you?” she asks, sending the boys a quick look. Dimitri and Claude climb to their feet and wish their good nights with a quick bow. They hurry to Edelgard and gang up on heir, probably interrogating her about the conversation she's had with Byleth.

“I’m better,” you say, a little surprised you actually mean it. You feel refreshed and nourished, ready for another day of walking. Byleth sits down and watches the camp for a moment in silence. The chaos from before has settled into a quiet hum. Men and women sit together in little circles and tell their glorious battle stories with boisterous laughter, selling the illusion of a victorious life. But that might easily end the next day because of a hasty recklessness. No one thinks of that. Everyone is just celebrating, reaching for flasks and living in the moment. It’s a beautiful sight.

As the buzzing sound of people chatting subsides and the first turn in for the night, Byleth turns towards you, her voice lowered. “What you did back there,” she starts, and for whatever reason remains silent as if she decided talking about it isn’t a good idea. Shadows from the weakened fire dance across her face, and again you’re flooded with the unfathomable feeling of familiarity. It’s in the sharp lines of her face, the way her eyes move and settle on something as she observes her surroundings. It’s almost a painful sense of nostalgia. Something about this woman just brings you an unusual amount of ease, like it doesn’t really matter who you are, and rather that you’re here that makes the difference.

Before you can stop your brain, you’re already asking, “Do we know each other by chance?”

Byleth looks at you for a long minute, then slowly shakes her head, and you try not to show your disappointment too much. “I’ve travelled a lot with my father,” she says. “We’ve come through many lands and villages. You may have seen me at some point, but we’ve never exchanged a word until yesterday.”

You nod at the plausible explanation, but the feeling that this isn’t the right answer curls like a hook into your heart. “And your father hasn’t said anything about me as well?”

“No.” Byleth’s eyes follow your hands as they set down the empty bowl. Seeing that you’ve finished everything, she nods in approval. “And he doesn’t forget a face.”

“How do you all just … trust me,” you wonder, looking to where Jeralt is miserably leaning against a tree trunk as Alois keeps talking and talking. He looks like he wishes someone would take him down with an arrow.

“He doesn’t,” Byleth says. “And he calls me a little whippersnapper for that. He hasn’t called me that in the five years.” At the sound of the smile in her voice you snap your head in Byleth’s direction, but when you look, she wears the same bland expression like before.

“But you do,” you start carefully, not trusting your ears again, so you settle on staring at her until she gives another emotion. “Care to explain why?”

“For now, you haven’t given me any reason not to,” she states as if it really were that simple. It couldn’t be. Up until now Byleth has been your only anchor that your meeting wasn’t purely coincidental—that the reason shrouding your memories would dissipate like the night once dawn breaks if you just stick to her side, and everything will be revealed in time. But now without anything to hold on to, you feel like you’re slipping deeper and deeper into an abyss from which you can’t ascend. This feeling is terror fizzing in your blood like poison, and you shudder at the thought that you’ll forever remain adrift.

“Your powers,” Byleth continues, unaware of your mental breakdown right next to her. “They’re unusual, and if you learn to use them right, very dangerous.” Spoken by everyone else, this might sound like a threat, but Byleth says it like a simple statement, a fact, unaware how much she tilts your world with it. “What do you plan to do with them?”

You don’t have to think long about it. “I won’t do anything. Whatever it was, it’s over,” you say and gesture at your bandaged eye. It’s true. Since you woke up, your eye has remained calm, no red veil or eery proclamation someone might step into the campfire and burn alive. The pounding has stopped, and the normalcy of it is like a soothing balm.

Byleth studies you. You really wish she could give you more than her vacant expression. “You don’t know yet … your eye.” She takes your spoon and with the end of it, she draws a symbol on the ground. “Do you know what that is?”

You look at it, but nothing comes to your mind. It’s just a four pointed star with two lines crossing the right and left tips. “No, I’ve never seen it.”

Byleth holds your gaze as if she hopes to find a lie written between your eyes, and this time you don’t look away until she relents with a barely audible sigh.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because before you passed out, it appeared here.” She taps a finger against her closed, right eye, then points at you. Your body goes rigid. Immediately, your hands fly up to tear off the bandage, but Byleth catches your wrists and holds them down. “Not yet.”

“I want to see it.” Your breath catches in your lungs. It sounds like you need air because you’re drowning. “I want it off. Take it off!”

“I can’t show you, there are no mirrors,” Byleth says quietly, and throws a quick glance around the camp to see if your panic has alarmed anyone. You want to point out that you could use the reflection of her sword, but maybe Byleth has considered the same and thought it a bad idea, because she doesn’t know what else you might do with a weapon in your current state. Seeing that fighting against the vice grip she has on your hands is futile, you slump down, your arms falling slack back to your side. “Just what… what is happening. What is that?”

“Edelgard said it might be a Crest, but none she or the others have seen before,” Byleth explains. “They told me there is a teacher at the monastery who studies Crests.” She gives your arms a barely noticeable squeeze before she lets go. “So it’s going to be okay.”

“How can you say that?” you nearly sob, and wish you could hold onto her longer as she stands up and brushes dirt off her uniform. “How can you be so sure?”

“I’m not,” Byleth says, giving you one last look. You want to tell yourself it’s something like worry you see in her eyes, but her expression remains blank, like a board that’s been wiped clean. “I can only hope.”

The next morning, Jeralt and Alois set an unforgiving pace, determined to reach the monastery shortly after dawn broke. While everyone else couldn’t wait to reach their home as fast as possible, you feel worry grow with every step up the hill towards the walls and towers. The monastery looms like a stronghold, a building so tall and intimidating, built to make people feel small.

You were allowed to take off the bandage, and there was nothing worse than knowing something was on your eye but you couldn’t see it. Unlike everyone else. They kept staring at you, mumbling to each other in quiet whispers, and more than once you considered telling them that just because your eye was different it didn’t mean you were blind. It was reason enough for you to put the bandage back on and stay away from the soldiers and mercenaries, leaving them to their superstitious rumours. Who could have thought that you’d grab someone else’s attention entirely with that revelation.

Even before the first sunbeams broke through the budding branches, the wind carrying the smell of spring and new life, Edelgard stuck to you like a tick. It wasn’t hard to find out she was more interested in your Crest than you as a person, and every question you couldn’t answer fuelled her irritation. Still she was nothing but determined to squeeze the tiniest information out of you, and even though you tried to avoid her by either marching way too fast or way too slow, Edelgard didn’t relent and remained by your side. Fear is a little exaggerated to describe what you feel towards her, but it's close. Whenever her sharp eyes focus on you, unease takes hold of your brain and the words leave your mouth as nervous stammers. It certainly doesn’t help that you know she can easily hack off a grown man’s arm without so much as blinking. Or that the corners of her mouth curl up into the sweetest, rare smile.

Once you’re on the trade road up to the monastery, pebble makes way to smooth cobblestone. Giant iron doors stand wide open, and as your group enters, a merchant’s cart rolls past you and greets the returning knights. After the first entrance point, the second waits in the form of a portcullis and more knights standing on guard. Past the second ring of walls, you enter a small forecourt. On both sides are stalls and booths with merchants screaming their prices and the sound of metal hammered into the right shape at the blacksmith’s. At the foot of wide stairs leading up into the first building, a man dressed in dark blue robes awaits you, his strong arms crossed behind his back.

“Welcome back,” he greets Alois and the students. “Your messenger bird has reached us yesterday late into the evening, and preparations have been made.” To Jeralt, he says, “My name is Seteth. I am an adviser to the archbishop. Lady Rhea awaits you.” Jeralt nods but he looks a lot more cautious since you’ve entered the monastery grounds. At the mention of that name, his posture visibly tenses, but he gestures to Byleth and you to follow him nonetheless.

“We shall return to our respectable classes for now and make known we are unscathed,” Dimitri says. “Please, Byleth, and you too, if things have calmed down, meet the other students as well, won’t you?”

“Ohh, good idea. You have to go around and introduce yourself as our great saviours.” Claude winks at you with both thumbs up. Edelgard slaps his hands back down.

“We’ll be standing here until evening if we don’t get going," she says. "Please give Lady Rhea our regards. We’ll report to her once everything is sorted out about you.” She eyes you sideways, then ushers the boys down another hall like a mother hen. You exchange a quick look with Byleth who already looks very exasperated with the student’s antics.

Seteth leads you into the Audience Chamber, a rectangular room with statues decorating the walls, and asks for you to wait. The moment he leaves the room, you turn towards Jeralt and Byleth and ask, “Who is this Lady Rhea?”

“I’m aware Byleth doesn’t know much about her, I haven’t taught her he teachings of Seiros, but you—” He stops mid sentence seeing the way you look at him, and clears his throat. “Lady Rhea is the archbishop of the Church of Seiros. She’s commanding the knights and sees that the people don’t do anything stupid in the name of Seiros.”

“Seiros?” you ask, turning the name in your head. Nope, nothing.

“You know, the one who defeated the King of Liberation and founded the Church of Seiros?” When you just shrug, Jeralt scratches his beard and hums in thought. “Well, I sure won’t be the one preaching what you should know or not. But maybe don’t make it all too obvious you aren’t a follower.”

Or what, you want to ask, but Seteth returns and he isn’t alone. The woman walking ahead of him looks like she belongs on the portrait of a saint. It isn’t much that she walks towards you, but rather strides in grateful steps to the middle of the room, her chin raised high and shoulders squared. And yet when she looks at your little assembly, her eyes are soft and kind, her expression open and friendly.

“I welcome you into these sacred halls,” she says, her voice like soothing velvet on your skin. “Alois informed me of what happened, and I thank every one of you for saving the students.” Lady Rhea smiles at you all separately. Her eyes linger on you, and she titles her head slightly. “I've also heard about the wondrous things that happened to you. Please, be so kind and remove the bandage. Let me take a look at this Crest.”

You hesitate, your fingers playing with the hem of your shirt. But Rhea waits patiently and raises a delicate hand when her advisor Seteth flinches to repeat her request. Slowly, you take the bandage off, barely able to imagine how the symbol or Crest as they call it looks upon your eye. When you meet Rhea's gaze again, her smile freezes, and her eyes widen in surprise. Her lips part slightly, then stretch into an ecstatic smile. Beside her, Seteth inhales sharply. “This is impossible,” he breathes, growing pale. You start to panic.

“Why, what's wrong with me? What is impossible?”

“Nothing, nothing is wrong,” Rhea quickly reassures you, but it's hard to believe when Seteth looks like he's seen a ghost. “A fortunate day indeed. Not only does one of the strongest knights to have ever walked these halls return, but it also seems that a new chapter of history dawns upon us.”

All eyes land on her, one more puzzled than the other. Even Seteth doesn’t look like he fully comprehends what’s happening. “Lady Rhea?” he asks cautiously at the same time as Jeralt demands, “What are you talking about?”

The archbishop ignores them both, and the longer she gives you that pleasant smile, the more unsettled you feel. “When Alois wrote about a Crest appearing on your body, I was not sure what to think of it. But now, I cannot hide my joy at the return of a Crest that we thought was lost to history.”

“I—I don’t know why I have it,” you quickly say, feeling you have to defend yourself before they accuse you of stealing it. Can Crests be stolen in the first place? “I don’t remember why I have it.”

Lady Rhea nods, her solemn expression making way to worry. “Of that Alois informed me as well. You may stay here until your memories return. Allow me for now to tell you about the Crest. Maybe that will dissipate some of the darkness shrouding your mind.”

You nod, and brace yourself for whatever she’ll reveal. It certainly helps that Byleth stands close to you, her mere presence a standing stone you can hold onto for now without drifting away.

“It is a Crest most uncommon,” Lady Rhea explains, her hands gracefully crossed in front of her. “For there was only one person who bore it. This Crest belonged to the very one who served our Lady Seiros against the evil powers that threatened Fódlan thousands of years ago. He was known as Seiros’ Champion. The Herald of Dawn.”

She allows those words to sink into you, and how deep they sink. Now that they’re out here, you feel like they pull you down, deeper down into a dark sea from which you can’t surface. The only result is drowning.

“Herald of … you don’t think. You can’t think—” Your thoughts move way too fast, you can’t grasp any to sort them.

“What I think means nothing in light of what has transpired and therefore is reality. You are chosen by the Goddess herself to bring hope to the people of Fódlan. You are the Herald of Dawn.”

You feel sick. It may be phantom pain, but you could swear your right eye starts hurting again, as if the Crest is reacting to the revelation, the call of its true nature. You dig your trembling fingers into the fabric of your jacket, considering for the tiniest second to gouge your eye out. Can’t be anyone’s champion or Herald without the Crest, right? “So, you’re saying … am I the one from back then? This Champion?” If you were really the same person, how were you still alive after a thousands of years? The prospect of finally having an identity is great, but you aren’t sure you’re ready to pay the price that comes with it. And this one seems to carry a very heavy price.

“That seems quite impossible.” This time Seteth speaks up. He looks just as unnerved by this revelation as you feel. “The Herald appeared when Saint Seiros was in dire need, and once his duty was fulfilled, he vanished. ”

“But now, another Herald has come, and with you the promise of suffering and hardships,” Rhea explains, her expression now strict and foreboding. “The task of giving hope is the most difficult to ask of a person. But that is the path the Goddess has chosen for you.”

“No, no, you’re wrong. I’m no Herald … and certainly no Champion of anyone. I can’t give people hope, I don’t even know what to give them hope for!” Your voice borders on hysteric, but you’ve never been more determined to plead your case. “I’m not the right person. I’m really not.”

“Then how come you bear the Crest of Seiros’ Champion, my child?” Lady Rhea asks, and you notice the tiny shift in her voice. The kindness grows thiner and thiner, and in its place austerity and even coldness settle—the voice of authority and undeniable command. “It is Our Goddess’ will. The Church of Seiros needs you. The people of Fódlan need you. You cannot turn away from your Fate.”

You want to argue that yes, you can; you’ll turn around and leave this place filled with crazy people and their fanatic beliefs. One look from Byleth stops your thoughts. Lady Rhea interprets this silence as compliance, and nods, visibly pleased. “We have waited for this opportunity for so long,” she continues, now smiling again. “There shall be festivities today. As a welcome to our Herald, and the return of Blade Breaker Jeralt. For you, his daughter, we have also thought of a task that will greatly help Garreg Mach.”

Jeralt grunts, clearly unhappy, but Byleth only cocks her head to one side. You’re astonished that after everything, she’s still awfully calm and collected.

“A teaching position has become free as of yesterday,” Lady Rhea explains to Byleth. “By Alois' recommendation, you are to take that position and teach one of the Houses here at the Officers Academy. Your colleagues will provide you with further information. As for you,” and you flinch when she turns to you, afraid what else she has in store, “you too shall teach the students the course of leadership and command. Seiros’ Champion was a great tactician. He honed Saint Macuil’s abilities. I would not be surprised if you too show an unparallelled gift for strategy.”

“Well,” you start, but the hesitation is clear, and Lady Rhea smiles like she knows what you can do once the Crest is activated. “Whereas you are to choose one house,” she tells Byleth, “the Herald will hold seminars. As a servant of the Church, you cannot call in favourites.”

“I don’t even know what to teach,” you mumble weakly. “How to teach.”

“Me neither,” Byleth says, the first time she’s spoken since entering the Audience Chamber. The amusement glinting in Lady Rhea’s eyes is like the sun reflected on a purling river. “Do not worry,” she says. “You will learn in time. And we are here to help you as well.”

On your lips lie the words that they certainly didn’t help you. You came here so they could help to search for a way to return your memory.

Instead, they made everything worse.

The ceremonial robes hang heavy over your shoulders. The feast hasn’t started yet, but you’re already sweating and panting with the weight of the golden embroidery and the head piece decorating your forehead. When Seteth brought everything in a couple of hours ago, he was grumbling something unintelligible under his breath, at his side a little girl who, unlike him, was happy to meet you and to see that you’d take on the role as the Herald. You wanted to tell Flayn there was a difference between want and have to, but she was already focused on helping you dress and prepare for the festivities. Servants handled the remaining tasks of making you presentable, and now you’re standing in front of a giant mirror, observing yourself.

It was scary how things changed so fast. Not even 24 hours ago, you were a nobody, a nameless figure roaming the woods, and now there is a name that isn’t your own—no, not a name. A title. A title that will all but replace your name. History won’t remember you as a person, they will remember the deeds that you’ve done, the mistakes that you’ll commit. Lady Rhea spoke of honour like it’s a crown on your head, but you see the noose that it really is around your throat. The head piece feels too heavy, and the golden necklace sitting on your neck reminds you more of a dog collar.

There’s a knock on your door. Seteth said that someone would get you before everything starts, and you don’t even try to hide the relieved sob when Byleth enters the room. She examines you from head to toes, and leans her head to the side, one finger on her chin. “You look … different,” she says.

“You mean ridiculous.” You move your arms, demonstrating how the wide sleeves flap uselessly at your side. “I wish we could do this all without me looking like a sack of potatoes.”

“I had to think of cabbages, but you aren’t wrong either.” She crosses the room and looks outside the window. You can already hear the masses as they enter the Cathedral, and it does nothing to calm your haywire nerves. Byleth seems to notice as much. She turns to you, and asks, “How are you holding up?”

“Do you want the real answer or the one I prepared for Lady Rhea?”

Byleth raises a brow.

“Not good. I’m just … how could this happen?” You throw up your hands in frustration, and the robes give a dangerous tearing sound. Your arms fall immediately down, the thought of damaging a hundreds of years old ceremonial robe the last thing you need today. “Of all the things, how could I suddenly become some figure of the Church.”

“Is it so hard to believe that the Goddess of Fódlan has lead you to this path?” Byleth crosses her ams and leans against the wall next to the window, eyeing you curiously.

“I don’t even believe in this Goddess,” you groan, flopping on your bed. The chambers chosen for you overlook the bridge leading to the Cathedral where people swarm inside like little ants returning to their anthill. It was a small room equipped with all necessities for comfort but no additional expenses on luxury. A bed, a dresser, a simple table and chair, a mirror, and a shelf take up all the space. Not that you could have brought anything with you.

You look up at Byleth and dread the next question. “Do you believe in it?” you ask. “That I’m someone chosen?”

“Hmm.” Byleth casts one last glance outside, then pushes off the wall, gesturing you to follow her. You sigh, and mentally prepare yourself for what will happen in the Cathedral. Before you leave the room, Byleth rests her hand on the door handle and looks back at you over her shoulder. “I don’t know. Where I’m from, belief doesn’t save you from the sword of a thief. Only deeds and actions. It’s the reason my father and I are still alive.” She considers you for a moment, and when you blink you imagine you see the tiniest smile on her face. “What you did yesterday was very much real to me. Maybe a Goddess guided you, maybe it was just lucky instinct. But you saved my life, and that certainly is something I can rely on.”

She doesn’t wait for an answer, and swings the door open. You quickly follow, your steps feeling a lot lighter than before. “I guess I’m just frustrated,” you admit, carefully paying attention your voice isn’t too loud. “That they think there’s someone who can just decide how my life is going to be. Like this herald business suddenly defies who I am.”

“As long as you don’t forget who you are, does it matter?” Byleth wonders aloud, turning down another corridor that ends in stairs leading down. “As long as there is just one person who doesn’t forget, does it really matter?”

Maybe not to her, but for some inexplicable reason, it means a great deal to you. So you answer with a grumble, and Byleth hums like she knows she’s right. To change the subject, you ask, “What about you? How can you just follow along with being a teacher here?”

“Truth be told, I’m not happy,” Byleth says, nodding to the knights standing on guard in the first floor that leads outside. “But at the same time I can see Lady Rhea’s reasoning. Those students need someone who teaches them not to be stupid on the real battlefield. Especially when they are to be future rulers of Fódlan. If I’m the one shaping those little whippersnappers, I can rest at ease.”

You follow her down the hallways, staying silent until, “Whippersnapper is such a weird word,” you say.

Byleth gives a huff of air that barely passes as a chuckle. “It is.”

Together you leave the living quarters and enter the Cathedral at the backside where everything is closed off for the rest of the people. Lady Rhea and Seteth are already waiting for you, both dressed in equally complicated robes as you.

“Thank you, Professor.” Lady Rhea nods towards Byleth, who nods back and joins the other teachers. “And now, Herald, it is time to meet the sheep you shall shepherd from today on. Please, follow me.”

She doesn’t give you time to prepare for the crowd waiting for you, and glancing at Seteth for help doesn’t do anything either as he just crudely nods towards Lady Rhea, telling you to go along. You square your shoulders and hope for the best.

The Cathedral has been decorated with candles and tapestry showing the banner of the Church of Seiros and above it the Crest of the Herald. A platform has been built for your entrance, and stepping on it, your gaze roams over all the assembled students, clergy, and knights. Seeing them, you feel terror seize your body, locking up all muscles. The masses look at you with hunger in their eyes, ready to devour you like you’re the last piece of bread on the table. “Herald, Herald! ” they cry, and each time they open their mouths, the noose tightens around your neck. Saint and Martyr vaguely dance at the edges of your mind, beyond your grasp, mocking how you know them but don’t understand their very being. This is bigger than you. This is far bigger than you can manage, and you want to run away and hide from their greedy eyes.

Scanning the crowd, you notice the house leaders in the far back. Edelgard looks unpleased, her mouth set into a grim line, while Dimitri claps politely with the rest, and Claude raises a golden cup in mocking salute. You really want to break down and cry. The only solid point is Byleth, has always been Byleth up until now, at the other end of the room, holding your gaze steadfast like a pillow of strength in troubled waters.

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batmads-ao3 · 2 years ago

Text

Chasing Starlight

St. Petersburg: Victor’s city is the same, but different. Or maybe it’s just that he’s the one who’s changed. Alone again, Victor aches to be back with Yuri, so they can keep exploring what they started together, instead of worlds apart.

Detroit: Yuri’s eyes are on the future, and the promise he and Victor made to each other at the end of the summer. But when Yuri and Patrick get pulled back into each other’s lives, Yuri knows there’s no moving forward without tying up all the loose ends in his past.

The Promise: To come together again, even when life keeps them apart. When Victor and Yuri are both assigned to Skate America in Chicago, they have the chance to do just that. But will the world get in their way, or will they have the chance to finally admit what they feel in their hearts?

**Part Two of the Defy the Stars Trilogy**

Soulmates!AU • College! AU(kinda) • Angst

Read Chapter Ten here!

In which Victor and Yuri meet each other halfway, and begin to chart their future.

Posting every day at 5:00, chapter preview below the cut

When the time came for the event to finish, Victor walked with Theia, Maria, and Nolan back towards Over the Rainbow. Yuri and Patrick had been tapped for clean-up crew, as well as helping to tally how much they had earned that night, and Theia insisted that they would be along later. It had been a while since Victor had been to Over the Rainbow, but the moment he stepped through the threshold, memories came flooding back. Dancing with strangers in the living room. Standing with Theia in the corner over there, talking about poetry and music one night. Walking down this hallway and pushing out the door into the night after Yuri and Patrick had emerged from the crowd, noticeably disheveled, hands still all over each other.

All things considered though, he had always liked the way that the house was decorated on the inside. It seemed more like something taken out of wealthy suburban America than a place where college students had been living year after year. Pride flags lined the hallways and were draped from the walls, photos of club members and prominent community members marched up the walls by the staircase, like some proud assemblage of family portraits. The ceilings, on the ground floor at least, were tall enough that more than once, Victor had seen people easily step up onto the polished dining room table and dance without risking hitting their heads. Over the Rainbow was one of those places where you walked in the front door and no matter who you were, or where you came from, it felt like home.

Nolan took it all in with a loose smile.

“I feel like I just walked into the Big House at Camp Half Blood,” he muttered, leaning over so that just Victor could hear.

“What?” Victor asked.

“You know, like Percy Jackson,” Nolan said. “Like, this is where I was meant to be all along.”

Victor smiled, finally understanding the sentiment. “That’s how I felt the first time too.”

“Come on,” Theia said, taking his hands and leading him down the hallway, “I want a drink and you make the best Manhattans.”

Victor laughed and allowed himself to be led away, Nolan following half a step behind him. In the kitchen, enough alcohol to supply a small liquor store was set up on the counter, and Victor got to work. Theia sat on one of the barstools and watched him, her head on Maria’s shoulder, who stood besides her. Nolan leaned on the counter without saying anything, but Victor knew that the other man was carefully assessing the dynamic between all of them, trying to gather more information about the inner workings of their little group.

People came in and out, grabbing drinks from the fridge or mixing concoctions of their own while the four of them lingered. Even in here, they could hear the music playing in the main area of the house. Theia sipped her drink slowly. Maria downed two shots in one go and then went back to chatting. Nolan held a water but didn’t drink it. To Victor’s never-ending surprise, conversation was surprisingly civil. Either the alcohol or her chat with Maria earlier that evening had turned Theia friendlier, and she asked questions to Nolan directly without a lick of hostility underlying her words. After a while, a cheer went up in the rooms beyond the safety of their kitchen, and they all looked up, but none of them moved to investigate. Theia just shrugged and said it was probably just people doing stupid things.

Continue on Ao3

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hogwarts--imagines · 4 years ago

Text

History

GIF NOT MINE

Time Set: College

Kenma x F!Reader

Warning: Angst, abusive relationship, talks of trauma, some Fluff.

(A lot of this relates to me and to be honest it hit me close to home, but this inspired me to write about it and talk about it. a lot of my writing is truly personal to me and the only way I can vent that out is to write..)

Summary: After finally breaking free from him, y/n was able to find herself again and make some friends along the way.

This song has been stuck in my head and I had to make a mini series with Kenma because Kenma Would be perfect for this story idea :)

Please watch Yuri on Ice because its a perfect anime and I love it so much

History Maker

Y/n sighed, this café attracted way to many people, more like too many girls. All to meet Kuroo the barista. Even though he looked as if he was the type of guy that would play around with just about any of the girls that constantly came in, he paid no mind to them. Doing his job he just kept a friendly face.

“Ah y/n are you on your way to your evening class?” He greeted you as your approached the counter. Ever since she came to this college Kuroo has gotten to know her favorite drinks and occasional food choices. She came her every day about 2-3 times a day.

“Actually,” She took a deep breath, she hated having to force herself to talk, “I was wondering if there was any job openings.”

“Really?” Kuroo raised his eyebrows in shock, he had mentioned to his boss many times that they need the help and he had been considering asking her and his friend to come work with him. “We actually are in desperate need of more people.”

“Is there a job application I can fill out?” She blushed, she never wanted to work here but with the new changes happening to her, she needed to find a job desperately.

“Give me a moment to grab it!” Kuroo was excited, he was finally going to have extra help here.

After she got her hands on the job application she stayed in the café to fill it out. When she was done she handed it to Kuroo and thanked him.

“Don’t you have classes today?” Kuroo asked a little confused as to why she hadn’t run off to class already, it must’ve started already.

“Oh, um well my professor canceled for the day today and my last class is online.” Something in her voice made her sound hesitant. Kuroo didn’t bother to push since it wasn’t his place.

“Oh okay, well I’ll give your application to my manager and he should give you a call in the next few days.” Kuroo smiled, now he just needed to convince his roommate to come back to this place.

“Thank you” She gave a relieved smile, something was definitely wrong.

“Kenma, I’m back” Kuroo called out.

“mm” Kenma responded, “I’m in the kitchen.”

“You good?” Kuroo walked into the kitchen, seeing his friend leaning over the counter on his phone.

“I'm fine.” He didn’t look up from his phone, “My friend hasn’t been on in a while, normally I get a message from them once a day.”

“Maybe they are busy?” Kuroo asked going to the fridge, “I'm gonna make some dinner.”

“Yeah maybe.” Kenma shrugged,” It’s unlike them though, even if they were really busy they always sent some type of message.”

“You have always worried about your friends.” Kuroo chuckled, “Oh that reminds me, we had someone apply at the café so it won’t be too stressful for you if you decide to come back.”

“I can’t, with my new streaming schedule it’ll be hard to work two jobs and do school.” Kenma shoved his phone into his pocket.

“Oh yeah I didn’t think about that, but you should stop by once she starts her job, she’s cute.” Kuroo smiled brightly.

“Maybe, but only because your café has good coffee.” Kenma walked away towards his room and started up his pc. Once everything turned on he launched Discord and sent his friend a message.

‘Hey N/n, are you busy?’

---

Y/n plopped down on her bed, she was done with the day. She just wanted to sleep and forget about her problems. She sat up and looked around her room, boxes were all over her room and everything was almost packed away.

Thankfully he hasn’t been back. He left for a week vacation back to his hometown and thankfully she wasn’t forced to go. This was her chance to leave and she was going to take it.

*ding*

Her phone went off, the familiar sound of discords notification filled the silent room. She knew who it was right away and smiled. It had been a long few days she forgot to respond to her online friend.

‘Hey N/n, are you busy?’

The discord name KoKen was across her screen above the message. She missed her friend a lot.

‘Hey Ko, sorry, I have been packing a lot this week.’

‘Are you moving?’

‘Yes, I found an apartment closer to my college and I have one roommate and I also got a new job.’

‘Is he still there?’

‘He comes home Friday but I’m leaving tomorrow.’

‘Does he know where your college is?’

‘No, I never told him’

‘I wish I could be there to help you move.’

‘You don’t even know where I live :P’

‘I will if you tell me :)’

‘No :)’

She smiled to herself, KoKen was always worried about her and she always worried about him. They had met through playing Apex Legends, they had played a match on the same duo team and before the match was over she had sent him a friend request through steam and that led them becoming friends on Discord and they would spend hours playing the game while in a voice call.

It annoyed her soon to be Ex boyfriend that she talked to this person she met online but that didn’t stop her. She would just talk to them whenever he wasn’t around.

She sighed and got herself ready, She was going to take all over stuff out of here and be gone by tomorrow.

---

Two weeks had passed since she moved and she felt at ease going home to her own place everyday. Her roommate was pretty loud mostly but he was extremely friendly when she met him. He and his boyfriend helped her move, she had explained her situation to them, without giving them to much information, but enough that they needed to know.

“Well starting today, you will be my roommate and We are going to become best friends!” Oikawa smiled excitedly.

“R-really?” She wanted to cry, it had taken her a long time to find a roommate, it was last minute when she saw a flyer for a roommate in her college that made her give him a call. “

“Do you need help moving?” Iwaizumi stood behind her new roommate, he had his arms resting on Oikawa’s shoulders.

“Um, If it’s not too much trouble.” She felt her cheeks flush.

Since then, Oikawa and Iwaizumi became her friends. It had only been two weeks but she loved hanging out with them.

“I’m off to work boys!” She called out, heading out the door. She adjusted her sweater, covering her arms completely as she headed towards the café.

“Hey y/n!” Kuroo was excited to see her, she had finished her training early and she was already confident enough to take orders and make drinks on her own.

“Hello” She smiled at her now coworker, “How’s business?”

“Slow today,” Kuroo shrugged and watched as she threw on her apron, “So y/n, do you live around here?”

The question shocked her, she kept to herself mostly and all Kuroo knew was she goes to the same college as him.

“I only ask because I noticed you walk here a lot.” Kuroo pointed out, “And I was going to offer you a ride home if you ever knew it.”

“Oh, I live close, my roommates normally meet me here before I head home.” She let herself relax.

She was lost in her thoughts while she was making another pot of coffee. She thought about KoKen, She missed her friend, not being able to play games with then was a struggle. She sent them messages daily but it was hard not being able to hear her friends voice and she just wanted to talk to them again.

“Kuroo” A voice called from the other side of the counter, a voice that sound way too familiar.

“Hey Kenma!” Kuroo was excited, “Hey y/n come meet Kenma!”

“I just want my Coffee.” Kenma sounded annoyed. But why did his voice sound familiar?

“Y/n’s making a fresh pot right now.” Kuroo informed his friend.

“mm, fine.” Kenma shrugged, he just wanted to go back home and try to get his friend to talk to him again. He missed their voice.

“Kuroo can you come here please?” The coworker’s voice called out, a voice that Kenma could recognize from anywhere.

“N/n?” Kenma asked unsure if he heard the voice correctly.

Y/n’s head whipped around quickly, she felt her heart skip a beat there was no way this was-

“KoKen?”

#haikyuu kenma #kenma x reader #kenma x you #kenma kozume #kenma imagine #haikyuu!!#haikyuu imagines #kuroo testuro

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alecxaheart · 4 years ago

Text

Wish I Were | Kim Seungmin Oneshot

✎ Genre : High School Student AU, Angst, Fluff

✎ Pairings : Kim Seungmin X Reader (?)

✎ Word Count : 1.1k words

✎ Synopsis : Winter has already passed, yet Seungmin is getting colder and colder as time flies by.

✎ Warnings : Explicit Language

✎. . . Another angsty oneshot but a song inspired one. It's been a while since I wrote a very short oneshot. Btw, the whole oneshot is in Seungmin's Point of View. Enjoy my loves, mwah. <3

Kim Seungmin.

Save the date, 3rd of December. Where in the middle of a snowfall, sunshine appeared out of the blue. The time I was saved from the inner demons haunting me, from the bothering cold of winter. The time I never thought would come to the point that I lost care for myself.

With a small yet simple gesture, I was saved. She came just in time and the best part of her rescue was probably her giving me her soft light-tinted blue sweater. " It looks better on you than it did on me, Seungminnie, " She giggled as we sat in front of her fireplace, my cup of coffee laid unfinished on the table. Her arms around my waist while I lay my head down on her shoulder. All the warmth I received on that day was completely comfortable. From the fireplace, the hot coffee she offered, her sweater and her care and love. I couldn't ask for more than that to feel enough.

With a small yet simple gesture, I couldn't help but fall.

Fall.. In Love?

Just another new start allotted for this school year happened on this very day. Months had already passed ever since me and Yuri met. Right now, it's just me and her having a wonderful conversation. Her beautiful smile appeared once in a while with a small chuckle as we continued to just pass some time before class started.

" No way, this happened when you hit the baseball with your bat? You're that strong? " Her eyes twinkled as I showed her the picture my friend, Bang Chan, posted on Instagram. I responded with a nod and a hum, smiling.

" It looks like teeth marks at first glance, " Both of us giggled in unison while I tucked my phone back in my pockets. " But hey, that's really an impressive strength. You'll be in my speed dial in case I want you to kick some asses for me. "

Then there was a short silent pause in the area as the main doors opened. I took a glance towards it to figure out what caused such distraction from multiple individuals. And I must say or rather I could tell it already, he's definitely gonna be the elephant in the room.

His face defines ethereal, perfectly sculpted by the Gods to the point that they placed a star beneath his eye. He was indeed shining, everyone blinded by his beauty.

What broke my heart was when I took a glance back at you, you were one of them. I saw your eyes sparkling, filled with adoration towards the newcomer. You couldn't look away, trapped into his spell as he walked towards us. He caught your attention and you couldn't help but fawn over him more. What a sight for sore eyes.

I slowly distanced myself away when he was now onto you, both of you sharing smiles brighter than the blue sky and exchanging a few words. You're too lost in his eyes to notice my presence vanishing from your area, too lost in love while I'm starting to lose love itself. You never looked at me the same way as you did to him.

With one last glance, I witnessed how you got him so mesmerized before I die.

Or Fall.. Apart?

Back in place, like it was the start of winter once again. The time I was emotionally and mentally going downhill. But the difference is that it's far from almost winter, the sun shines too bright these days and I hate it.

Messages

💟 : Hey, can't meet you up today

💟 : I promised Hyunjin I would go with him, sorry

It's okay. : KSM

Go and have fun with your man. :) : KSM

Read – 5:03PM

Closing the door, I leaned my head back on it before silently letting my body fall onto the ground with the phone in hand, the picture of the two of us showing in the lock screen. I knew that behind me, behind this door stood Hyunjin and you having the greatest time of your lives. Exchanging words, smiles, and laughter with one another.

The scene I saw a few moments ago played. I walked into the rooftop, supposedly to be looking for you – which I did but never thought of it to be something like this. I watched you two there standing before the golden sun setting in the horizon then he held your hand. You, too, gave one of your sweaters to him. Putting his arms around your shoulder afterwards when you two took a seat on the ground, your head resting on his chest as you both took in the scenery.

I wanted to hate him so much, for he took away my chances of even having the confidence to confront you and confess my feelings towards you, ruining all of my plans to have the greatest life I've ever had in my grasp. Although as much as I wanted to, I just couldn't bring myself to do so. Hyunjin-hyung never treated you or anyone else badly, being the angel that he is. He's also true to his feelings, I overheard it from a conversation he had with Minho that he likes you, the same way you like him. However, I did prefer him not existing at all – thinking that maybe it would go the way I wanted it to be if he was never there.

In the end, I'll only get colder and colder to the point that my heart will freeze, slowly distancing myself away from you. While you're looking beyond exquisite than ever with a smile brighter than the sun, twinkling stars adorning your eyes and the pinkness of your cheeks – all of it was because of Hwang Hyunjin. Just for the sake of your eternal happiness, I have to disenthrall you.

Laying down alone on the bed, in the middle of my gloomy bedroom, drowning in my own pool of thoughts. Wearing the light-tinted blue sweater to feel the warmth back in the 3rd of December that I always loved, but I knew it would never be the same as before. Today, she wouldn't be able to save me. This would've been the aftermath back then.

Eyes red plus the visible dark bags underneath it came all from excessive crying and insomnia. Body tired like hell. Lost my appetite. Pale skin and dry lips. Too many emotions mixed up in my heavy chest. My mind screaming and yelling in agony yet none of it was heard since I lost my own voice as well. All in all, I feel like shit.

Beside me laid my journal, the messed up pages filled with black ink shown. The words " Wish I Were Hyunjin " were mindlessly written on the pages, repeatedly scattered.

Why would you ever kiss me?

I'm not even half as pretty

You gave him your sweater

It's just polyester

But you like him better

Wish I were...

Breaking the silence, a knock on the wooden door was heard out of the blue.

End.

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writemywaytoyourheart · 5 years ago

Text

Onsra-Chapter 33: Did You Miss Me?

banner created by: @envity ♥️

pairing: vampire!jungkook x female reader (also vamp!tae x ga-in oc & vamp!jimin x yuri oc)

genre: romance, drama, horror, angst

word count: 8k

warnings for this chapter: blood, guns, knife wound, death of insignificant characters, asshole vampire, panic attack, language, dead deer, u might want to kill me after this chap idk ;-;

Onsra: ML, Previous

I'm trying my best, pls bear with me y'all ;-; 'm sorry. But I really hope u like this one!

____________________________________

“I want to do it.”

Jungkook’s head whips sharply over to where the eldest is stepping into the middle of the open circle. The hush over the crowd of vampires makes Jungkook’s stomach clench.

What the hell is he doing?

This wasn’t a part of the plan.

Yoongi is staring at Seokjin in shock, his brain trying to come up with some way for their plans to work with this unexpected turn. The tall black-haired vampire’s face contorts in rage for a split second, then it snaps right back to a cocky expression as he looks Jin up and down. The vampire smirks and cracks his knuckles, taking a step into the circle and grabbing a handful of the human girl’s hair, making her wince when he pulls it.

Seokjin stiffens and the vampire chuckles.

“You think you could punish a stupid little human better than me?”

Jungkook sees the eldest cock his head from behind, but he doesn’t see the smirk dancing across Jin’s face when he speaks. “Yeah, I think I could.”

What the fuck are you doing, hyung?

The leader tuts and roughly shoves the girl back on the ground, “You must be new here, no one that stays here and knows who I am is stupid enough to talk shit to me, and think they can get out of it alive.”

Jin doesn’t seem fazed as he casually stares back at the vampire advancing slowly. That seems to set him off as he glares at Seokjin angrily.

“You want to fucking fight, asshole? Seems like you have a death wish.” He seethes and to everyone’s surprise, Jin just chuckles darkly.

“The fact that you’re a little taller than me gives you a slight advantage. So, sure. I think it gives you a fair enough chance to hold your own against me.” Jin muses absentmindedly.

Some shocked gasps sound from the crowd and a few chuckles float around at the sight of such a daring newcomer. Jungkook glances around the crowd and sees most of the faces are shocked, but a fair amount of them are just amused, wanting to see how this whole thing will play out. He curses under his breath and silently hopes that Seokjin knows what the hell he’s doing.

Another survey of the room shows him that a little more than half the vampires are male, and the rest are female, all of them starting to eagerly await Jin’s fate. The leader vampire stops a foot away from Seokjin, smoke practically coming out of his ears as he appears to try and stay calm.

“You asked for it. Vera, get this bitch out of the way, he can do whatever he wants to her if he comes out of this alive.” The girl vampire immediately drags the human girl to a corner of the room and shoves her to the floor. Jungkook hears Namjoon curse quietly, no doubt trying to come up with some way out of this.

Then Yoongi leans close to Jungkook’s ear and whispers so quietly that Jungkook almost misses what he says. “Once things start to look sour, we’re going to start a fight. You hit me and then we’ll go at it like a couple of schoolboys. Get everyone’s attention toward us and hopefully we can start some chaos. If everyone starts fighting, we can start picking them off and it’ll be hard to pinpoint who’s fighting who. Tell Namjoon.”

Jungkook nods subtly, then waits a few seconds before leaning into Namjoon’s ear to relay the message. He’s almost flooded with relief that Yoongi has come up with some kind of a plan to deal with this, even though they have yet to find out if it works.

At least it’s something.

Namjoon doesn’t acknowledge the maknae’s words, but Jungkook knows he heard them. Then they turn back to the scene unfolding before them. The circle has gotten a little bigger to accommodate the two with enough room to move around, and the looks on the vampires faces have all turned into bloodthirsty grins as some of them even chant for their leader to rip Jin’s throat out.

Jungkook hears the name Jeong repeated a lot, so he’s assuming that’s the leader’s name. Jeong is a few centimeters taller than Jin, but it doesn’t look like it’ll do him much good. If an outsider came in and made a bet on who they thought would win, Jungkook is sure they’d pick Jin; he might be a little shorter, but he’s still tall and he has more visible muscle than Jeong. The only thing that makes Jungkook nervous is the fact that Jeong is probably a vampire that wasn’t turned from a human, so even if he doesn’t look like he has more muscle than Jin, he’s going to be a lot stronger anyway. Jin doesn’t look nervous though, as he sizes his opponent from head to toe with a laidback manner.

The first swing is so sudden that no one was expecting it, except Jin that is, who ducks swiftly and sends a quick jab at his opponent, hitting him in the stomach and making him stumble a little. But Jeong has gained his balance after a split second and is angrier than ever when a titter of amusement floats through the crowded room.

“I’m going to fucking kill you.” He hisses at Jin, and Jungkook doesn’t doubt for a second that he means his words. Jungkook tries to look on the leader to see if he’s hiding something, like a weapon. Because there is no way he’s going to let Jin live, but he can’t kill him with anything but silver.

A couple minutes pass as the two throw a few more punches, the tension in the crowd growing. That’s when Jungkook sees the tiniest glint of something in Jeong’s pocket. The vampire starts to reach for it after getting a hit at Jin, and Jungkook realizes with a pit in his stomach what it is.

He has a knife.

And Jungkook is willing to bet that it’s made of pure silver.

So, he turns to his left suddenly and hits Yoongi square in the jaw, sending him a silent apology for no warning. He holds back as much as he can, but Yoongi still stumbles and falls right on his ass, the shock that slowly turns to anger on his face is something Jungkook doesn’t think he’s trying to fake.

Thankfully, a few vampires noticed it and jump back in surprise. Yoongi gets to his feet and lunges at Jungkook. He’s a lot shorter, but he is no weak vampire. Jungkook braces himself for the hit he knows is gonna hurt, only flinching a little at the bone breaking pain his older brother sends him in the form of a punch right in the nose.

Fucking ouch.

Then he’s inwardly praising Yoongi’s acting skills as he takes another swing at him, “You little shit! I’m going to fucking kill you!”

Ok, maybe he isn’t acting.

Jungkook dodges his older brother’s hits and notices with satisfaction that they’re drawing the attention their way. Namjoon picks up on what they’re doing and when it’s chaotic enough for him to get away with it, he turns and punches a random vampire in the face. “What the hell? You fuck!” He yells as if the other vampire had done it first.

That sets all hell loose as fists start flying all around the room, some just wanting to join in the fight and others in retaliation for getting beat for no reason whatsoever. Jungkook almost starts laughing at how easy it was to get the room of vampires riled up, but he holds back his laughter as he starts to realize maybe he hit his hyung a bit too hard when Yoongi lunges angrily at him again, getting another good punch in for revenge.

Sounds come from all over the building as other vampires run to find out what the ruckus is all about, Jin and Jeong’s fight completely forgotten by everyone but the two of them. Jeong was distracted enough with the initial disruption for Seokjin to catch him off guard and tackle him to the floor, where they now roll around and punch and kick each other fiercely, bloody mouths spitting angrily.

When Jungkook has a second to breathe, he looks up and does a double take when he sees Jimin through one of the windows, waving his hands frantically and screaming something that Jungkook can’t decipher. Then Jimin seems to see something behind him and ducks back into the darkness.

What the fuck is he doing?

Then, Hoseok bursts through the back door, panting as he scans the chaos that ensued while he was gone. He’s got blood on his chest and hands and Jungkook sighs with relief with the knowledge that Hoseok must have taken out the group that went hunting. Then he turns and barely misses getting clocked by a girl vampire that was swinging a wooden club at his head with a crazed look in her eyes.

He grabs the club before it hits him and kicks her in the stomach, sending her flying across the room. Jungkook flinches and moves to punch whoever grabs his arm, but when he turns and sees Hoseok, he checks himself and lets the older drag him away from the fighting.

Hoseok is shouting something, but Jungkook can’t hear him.

“What? I can’t hear you! What are you saying?” Jungkook screams back, trying to be louder than the absolute roaring in the building. Hoseok’s eyes are huge with fear as he grips Jungkook’s shoulders and yanks him closer, screaming into his ear.

“HUNTERS!”

That’s when the front door flies open and people dressed in all black, masks and baseball caps helping to hide their faces, stream through the door. They’ve got guns with silencers on them as they start shooting at random. Jungkook’s stomach plummets to his feet and he pushes Hoseok towards the back door just as Taehyung and Jimin barge in, their own guns up and shooting at the vampires, being sure to not hit one of their friends.

The Hunters aren’t so careful.

Jungkook sees Namjoon in a fight with a male vampire and yanks him away, pushing him towards the back door before plunging back into the fight and looking frantically for Yoongi and Seokjin. He finds Jin still tangled on the ground with Jeong, his nose and mouth bleeding freely. Jungkook spots a Hunter making his way through the crowd swiftly, heading right towards them.

“Hyung! Come on!” Jungkook screams and Jin looks up to see what’s going on, his eyes widening as he grabs Jeong’s hair and punches him in the face until his grip loosens. Then Jin is up, Jeong groaning on the ground but quickly starting to recover. Vampires drop like flies around them as Jin and Jungkook maneuver their way out of the fight. Jungkook sees Yoongi fighting another vampire and he goes to grab him when Jin pulls him back and shouts in his ear.

“I’m going to go get her!”

Jungkook watches Jin disappear into the crowd and growls in annoyance. They don’t have time for this! The Hunters will take care of her if she isn’t dead already. He trips over a body on his way to get his hyung, who seems to not have noticed the Hunter infiltration, he rights himself quickly and grabs Yoongi’s arm. Yoongi’s eyes widen when Jungkook gets his attention and he finally realizes what’s going on. Then, they squeeze through all the vampires and Hunters, trying to get to the eldest.

Jungkook sees Jin on the other side of the room, in a tousle with a Hunter that has a gun. Another vampire pops out of nowhere and grabs the Hunter, pinning him to the wall and moving to bite his neck. Jungkook sighs in relief, then his throat closes when he sees Jeong stumbling across the room as Jin hesitates. He can’t get through all these fucking people to get to him and his shouting is drowned out in the din of the fight.

“Hyung!”

Why in the fuck isn’t he running?

Then it clicks in Jungkook’s brain and he watches in disbelief as Seokjin leaps forward to rip the vampire off of the Hunter that was just trying to kill him a moment ago, freeing the man that stumbles away in shock.

The Hunter doesn’t seem to care that Jin just saved his life as he raises his gun to shoot him. But he’s too late.

Jungkook watches in horror as Jeong comes up behind Jin and reaches his arm around him to stab him in the side. Jin doubles over instantly, his hand moving to the knife as Jeong pulls it back out. The eldest falls on the ground, blood already seeping through his white shirt.

“Jin!!” Jungkook screams and fights his way towards them, finally getting through and grabbing Jeong by the shoulder, tugging him towards himself before sinking his teeth into the vampire’s neck. Then Jungkook grabs the knife out of the vampire’s hand and stabs him where his heart would be, watching the vampire crumple to the ground within seconds.

The small girl is suddenly by Jin’s side and pressing her hands to his wound as Taehyung rushes towards them. Jimin grabs Jungkook’s arm, shaking him out of his shock and screaming, “Get out of here, Kook! Go to the front!” But Jungkook shakes him off and strides towards the eldest, scooping him up and then turning to make his way out, hoping they don’t get shot before they can escape.

~ ~ ~

You stare open-mouthed at Jungkook in amazement as he finishes telling you what happened at the vampire hide-out. Then you look back at Jin and feel tears brimming in your eyes, watching him breathing heavily, his eyes shut tight.

“He’s hurt because he saved the man that was trying to kill him?” You whisper quietly and Jungkook nods. You sniffle and gently pat Jin on the head, relieved that you and the mysterious nurse girl were able to stitch him up and stabilize him a little while ago. You really thought you’d lost him when you saw all the blood. Your heart is still racing with fear as you feel Jungkook take your hand gently, bringing it to his lips to give it a small kiss. He pecks each of your knuckles before putting his head down and resting it on your closed hand.

“Thank you, y/n. For saving him.” He whispers and you hear his voice break. You lean up to plant a quick kiss on his hair. “We did what we could. He should wake up in a little while, and then we can give him something for the pain. We still don’t know why he turned human though…” You muse as you glance at the sleeping eldest once more.

Jin is like a big brother to you, and you can’t imagine what would have happened if he didn’t make it. You would all fall apart at the seams, you’re sure of it.

Jungkook lifts his head to look at his oldest brother, then he bites his lip and stands up. “I’ll be back in a little bit. You should have someone keep an eye on him while you get some rest, you haven’t slept all night.”

You nod and stand up to follow him out of the living room. Hoseok is just coming down the stairs, and he sends you a smile small. “You need to get some sleep, y/n. I’ll watch over hyung, alright?” He whispers kindly and you thank him quietly.

Jungkook slips out the front door, but you don’t ask him where he’s going. You know he would tell you if it was something you needed to be worried about. So, you head up to your room to find the girl from earlier curled up on the floor, a bunch of blankets under her to form a make-shift mattress and two more blankets on top of her as she looks over at you with wide eyes.

Ga-In is sitting on the floor next to her and a moment after you close the door, Yuri opens it and comes into the room, having been to the restroom. You walk over and sit down next to the girl, offering her a smile.

“Thank you for helping me earlier, I couldn’t have done it without you.” You say softly, noting the slight fear in the girl’s eyes that she tries to cover with a small smile.

“Of course. But I think you had a pretty good idea of what you were doing.”

That makes you laugh internally, feeling like you looked like a blubbering fish out of water as your head spun around in circles, trying to figure out how to save Jin. You look back at the girl and recognize the anxiety in her gaze, even as some of it is covered with relief.

“What’s your name?” You ask and she wipes her eyes tiredly. “My name is Sooyoung.” She whispers, making you smile.

You introduce yourself, finding out that her and the other girls had already gotten a bit acquainted while you were downstairs. Sooyoung tells you that she had been with that particular group of vampires for two weeks before the boys showed up. They had kept her alive because it amused them to make a game out of her fear. You feel like there is more to it and there’s something she’s leaving out with the way her eyes shift around, but you stay quiet.

Maybe she’s just nervous.

You don’t push it, just listen intently when she tells you that she was grabbed one night a couple weeks ago as she was walking home. You learn that she’s twenty-five years old, and as she had mentioned before, she is a nursing student. She was staying late with some classmates to study for their big exam that night and while she was walking home, she was knocked out and taken before she knew what happened. Sooyoung woke up in the back of a van full of vampires as they took her to that building the boys came to.

When she finishes her story, you four talk about random things to try and keep her mind off the vampires, hoping she knows she’s safe for now. More or less.

You know what it’s like to be taken and have no idea what’s going on, then to wake up in a place full of people you don’t know that will take amusement in your torment. You just hope she’ll be able to put it behind her and not come out of it too hurt.

You offer her your place in the bed, but she assures you that she actually asked to sleep on the floor, and she prefers it that way. She used to have a little mattress on the floor in her old apartment, and it reminds her of home.

A little while later, you lie in bed and stare at the ceiling even though you can’t make out anything in the dark. Today went better and worse than you had anticipated. Thank goodness no one was more seriously injured, but it was a close call for Jin…You turn on your side and put a hand to the side of your head as you try to think hard.

Why is Jin a human again?

It just doesn’t make sense.

There was no girl that kissed him…

You huff out a sigh and move to your other side, knowing you don’t need to worry about the two heavy sleepers on either side of you. You frown into the darkness.

Being kissed and turning human seems very farfetched, this isn’t a fairytale.

So, why did Taehyung and Jimin turn back after being kissed?

This is all too confusing and not something you think you’ll figure out anytime soon. You run your hands down your face and groan quietly. There’s also this Sooyoung girl, that you feel is hiding something.

She seems sweet and genuine, so you don’t feel like she’s keeping something that will hurt anyone but herself. Several times it looked like she was going to say something, then decided not to, biting her lips and darting her eyes away. If it wasn’t for her, you don’t think Jin would have made it. You sigh again and turn onto your back to resume staring at the ceiling.

This is all too confusing.

~ ~ ~

The next morning, the breakfast table is awfully quiet. Everyone is silently eating the pancakes that you made, which are good, but they don’t taste the same as Jin’s cooking. The bite in your mouth feels like paste as you try to swallow it.

Seokjin is asleep on the couch still, and the lack of dad jokes from him is really bringing the mood down.

Hoseok clears his throat and forces a smile onto his face, always the one to try and brighten the atmosphere. “Hey, cheer up everyone. I know things look bleak, but Jin hyung is alright! Thanks to everyone’s help, he’s pulled through. Now, we just need to make sure he doesn’t try to get up and mother everyone.” That causes a few giggles around the table and he continues. “It’s his turn to get a break and be babied…but nobody tell him that I said that, he’ll have my hide.”

Another round of laughter sounds and the mood lifts a little, everyone reminded that he’s okay, and the vampire camp was taken out. Jungkook comes in then and sends you a smile from the entrance where he’s hesitating. You wave him over and he comes in to sit next to you. He’s acting shy around everyone again, you notice.

Jungkook takes your hand gently under the table and you feel a blush dusting your cheeks, you don’t think you’ll ever get used to his sweet affection. After breakfast is done, everyone splits up the chores and go to do their work so that when Jin is awake, he’ll be waking to a clean house.

You and Jungkook take the kitchen. Jungkook insists on scrubbing the dishes while you dry them, saying that the washing part is harder, and you deserve a break. You giggle as he hums while cleaning the plates, soapy suds up to his elbows. His muscular arms look a bit out of place with Jin’s pink dish gloves on as they dunk into soapy water and clean thin glass plates decorated with flowers. You just keep trying to hold in your giggles and smile, so he doesn’t catch you staring.

Jungkook hands over the last plate and sees the smile you’re trying to bite back. He raises an eyebrow and leans his arms on the sink, flipping his long hair back by jerking his head and grinning at you as he takes a break. “You like what you see?” He asks teasingly and you feel your face burst into flames.

Your voice shakes a little as you dry the plate and try to look casual when you tease him back, “Maybe I do. You know, the helpful husband look looks great on you.”

Jungkook freezes at your words as he’s about to dunk his gloved hands into the sink to wash the forks. His lips twitch and you swear he would be blushing right now if he was a human, with the way his eyes dart around, trying to figure out what to say.

Your own cheeks heat up even more when you realize that what you said is also embarrassing to you. That wasn’t supposed to backfire like this.

Jungkook regains his composure and gives you a side glance that has your heart thumping in your chest. “Mm, really?” You see him smirk to himself as he rinses a handful of forks before turning and holding them out to you.

You reach out and wrap your fingers around the forks, then Jungkook pulls you towards him and you squeal when you almost smash into his chest. You stop a few inches from him and look up to see him grinning at you.

“Have you thought that about me before?”

You look away and will your blush to go down. “No.”

“You’re cute when you’re flustered.” He chuckles and you snatch the forks out of his hands, moving to a different part of the kitchen to escape his teasing. As you dry the forks furiously, you feel him watching you from the sink. Then he finally goes back to washing the cups.

Stupid.

Annoying.

Tease.

You wish you could find a way to get back at him without embarrassing yourself while you’re at it. He’s too good at this teasing thing and it’s getting on your nerves that you always end up being the one that gets flustered by the end.

You’ll think of a way to get him.

Jerk.

The both of you finish the dishes without you combusting into a flame of humiliation as you wipe the counters while he sweeps before you declare your job to be done.

Jungkook puts the broom away and lifts his hand up to you, which you clap with your own as he smiles. “Good work, partner.” He smiles sweetly.

Damn it, Jungkook.

~ ~ ~

“Ohh, no way!” You squeal and snatch the tattered blue book from the bookshelf that caught your eye as you were scanning your options. Jungkook chuckles and leans against the bookshelf as he watches you with a sparkle in his eye.

“Kookie, look! It’s the original Beauty and the Beast!” You exclaim and show him the title. He nods with a huge smile on his face.

He never knew watching someone look through old books and getting excited about what they find could be so endearing. But then again, you’ve proven him wrong about a lot of things. You always love when he reads you the book he found a while ago, so he proposed that you find a book to read him and you could take turns.

You trace over the delicate gold etching in the blue book, following the lines of the title with your finger.

La Belle et La Bête

“I want to read this one to you.” You say quietly and Jungkook wills himself not to scream from how cute you are.

“I’d like that.” He says calmly, opposite to the absolute storm of emotions swirling inside of him.

“I’m going to read some to myself first, though. I always read better when I’ve read it before.” You say shyly, keeping your eyes on the book. Jungkook tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear, “Alright. We can start whenever you want to.”

“Ok.”

Oh gosh, he is really going to need you to stop being so cute if he’s going to live through this.

~ ~ ~

“Hey there, bookworm!”

You look up from the book you’ve been so engrossed in for the past two days since finding it, your back leaning against the trunk of the willow tree in the clearing. Tae is striding towards you with a smile, waving his hand in the air as greeting.

You wave back and smile. “Hey, Tae! What’s up?”

The pretty boy stops in front of you and nods towards the book in your lap, “Whatcha reading?”

“Beauty and the Beast.”

“Ah, very fitting.” Tae smirks and you roll your eyes, “Shuddup.” He laughs again and you shake your head in amusement before closing your book. “It seems like you were looking for me, did you need me?”

He takes a seat next to you on the grass and groans as he stretches his long legs out in front of him. “I’ve been meaning to talk to someone about this, but every time I bring it up, they get uncomfortable and upset.”

“Even Ga-In?”

“Especially Ga-In.” Tae sighs sadly, “She has a tender heart.”

“She does.” You agree quietly, then you set the book down and give him your full attention. “What can I help with?”

Tae bites his bottom lip for a moment before responding, thinking about how to word it. “I know you must be thinking this too. I’m just wondering how Seokjin hyung became human…that’s all…” He mumbles before glancing at you. You nod in agreement, “I’ve been wondering that too. It really scares me how he could’ve died from that knife wound, being human and all.”

Tae shakes his head and you look at him curiously as he speaks slowly, “Actually, I think him turning might have saved his life.”

“What do you mean?”

“He must have been turning before he was stabbed, or else the silver knife would’ve killed him as a vampire.” Tae muses, his brows furrowed as he thinks about it.

Oh…

Oh gosh, you never thought of that.

You lick your lips to wet them and clear your throat, “H-how does that work, anyway? The whole silver thing.”

Tae keeps his eyes straight forward as he answers you, “I don’t really know why silver kills vampires. All I know is it needs to be pure silver, and if you get them in the head or where their heart would be, it’ll kill them almost instantly. But if you hit them in the arm, or say, in the abdomen like Jin hyung, it’s almost like a poison that will spread and lead to death slower.”

You nod, your stomach turning at the thought of Seokjin almost being poisoned slowly by silver if he hadn’t turned human before being stabbed.

So that leads you back to the main question.

Why and how did he turn human before he was stabbed?

“I just don’t get it…” Tae grunts in frustration. “I don’t get why Jimin and I turned, and why Jungkook hasn’t. And now Jin hyung turned and there wasn’t a girl involved at all.”

You try not to snort in laughter at the way that sounded.

“I don’t get it either. How could a kiss turn a vampire human again?” You wonder aloud, not bringing up the fact that it didn’t work for Jungkook.

Tae squints as he racks his brain. Then he turns to look at you, “Unless, it wasn’t the kiss.”

“What else could it have been?” You ask, your brain turning to figure it out.

You’re both grabbing your heads and gently knocking them with your fists, almost like you’re trying to physically beat the answer into your minds. After another minute, Tae growls and stands up, his hair a mess from pulling at it. “This is driving me crazy, gosh.”

“Me too.” You sigh.

“I’m going to take a walk and hope it comes to me. Enjoy your story.” He sends you a grim smile before turning to leave.

That’s when it hits you.

Tae whips around at the exact moment that you gasp. His eyes are wide and you’re sure he’s thinking the same thing.

“The story!”

“The book!”

You both shout at the same time, and Tae rushes over to sit next to you again. “Oh my gosh!” He starts laughing maniacally, his eyes wide and shining. “It wasn’t the kiss!” He shouts and starts to laugh again as you finish his thought.

“It was when they said they loved you.” You speak quietly and he nods tearfully. “It’s because they love you guys…you.”

“I guess that’s what happened in your story too, right?” He says and you nod. “Yeah, Belle loves the Beast for who he is inside, not outside. But what about Jin?”

“It’s because he saved that man…the one that tried to kill him.” Tae whispers breathlessly.

You both look at each other in wonder at your realization. “You turned human again when it was proven that you didn’t lose yourselves!” You shout, then clamp your hand over your mouth, looking around before taking your hand away and whispering. “Ga-In and Yuri saw the goodness in you two, and it proved you weren’t monsters. So, you overcame the darkness and became yourselves again.” You have tears in your eyes as Tae wipes at his own.

“Seokjin hyung.” Tae wipes his eyes again. “He didn’t need someone to fall in love with him, he proved his humanity by saving someone who tried to harm him…he never lost his kindness.”

You start crying freely as everything clicks into place. You’re feeling such overwhelming emotions right now, you don’t know what to do. You’re beyond happy about your new findings, but now your hope for Jungkook is plummeting.

You know he has a good soul.

But why won’t it work?

You love him, you know you do.

So, it’s because of you. It has to be.

Your love must not be strong enough to combat the darkness.

You failed him.

Tae watches your smiling face slowly start to crumple, another tear slipping out that he can tell isn’t from joy. He knows exactly what you’re thinking as he reaches out to touch your shoulders. “Hey, y/n. It isn’t like that, alright? You love him, and he loves you. There’s no denying that. I don’t know why it didn’t work, but it isn’t your fault. We’ll figure this out, ok?”

You nod and wipe your eyes, pushing the feelings of hopelessness, anger, and pain down and corking it inside. “We’re not going to lose him, y/n. Don’t despair, not now and not ever.”

You give him a sad smile, encouraged by his words of comfort. Then Tae frowns, “I don’t think we should tell the others.” You look at him in surprise.

“Why not?”

He messes with his fingers and looks away from you. “I love the boys, of course I do. But I also know them, and I know how badly they want to be human again. I’m afraid if we tell them, it’ll make them feel as though they aren’t good enough and they are beyond hope.”

You nod slowly in understanding as he continues, “They might also try to do something that will turn them human, and we can’t say if that will work, or if it has to happen without your knowledge of it. And again, if they do something and don’t turn back, they’ll lose hope. That’s the only thing they have left…they can’t lose hope.” Tae whispers so quietly that you’re leaning in to hear him.

You pull back when he’s finished and nod your head, “Ok, let’s keep it between us for now.”

You aren’t happy about the decision, but you know he’s right. You already saw Jungkook having a panic attack and not drinking blood because he was afraid it was his fault after he somehow found out that Jimin and Tae turned because of Ga-In and Yuri.

This is best for now.

After another minute of silence, Tae takes your hand and helps you to stand. “Well, let’s get back and see how Jin hyung is holding up. When I left, he was scolding Namjoon for dusting the mantel the wrong way.” He rolls his eyes playfully and you laugh as you grab your book and follow Tae back to the house.

You never saw him.

You never heard him.

Jungkook stands with his back pressing against the willow tree where he hid himself after hearing an odd conversation between you and Tae.

He was coming to sit with you…he thought maybe you could start to read to him today.

Now he’s trying his best to breathe evenly, and not panic.

Don’t panic.

Jungkook feels tears prick in his eyes and he covers his face with his hands, sighing shakily. “Fuck.” He mumbles into his hands. He knew he was too far gone. There isn’t any human left in him. He’s going to turn. He can feel it already, and he’s panicking.

Jin hyung never lost who he was.

Tae hyung never lost who he was.

Jimin hyung never lost who he was.

The rest of them still act like themselves and they will all turn back. They’ll all turn back and leave him all alone.

Fuck.

Oh fuck.

Jungkook brings his hands down, his eyes glazing over and slowly turning a deeper shade of red as the anger and panic swarm his mind. Then he pushes off the tree and moves deeper into the forest.

~ ~ ~

“Jungkook~” You knock on his door three times, then you wait. You have your book in hand, ready to start reading to him today. When he doesn’t answer, you frown and knock again; three soft raps.

“Kook, open up! Don’t you want to read?” Your frown deepens at the silence that follows, then you crack the door open and peek your head in. “Kookie?”

The room is empty. His plain grey bed a little messed up, but everything else is in its place.

Oh, maybe he’s out getting some blood?

He usually hangs out with you during the day, so that’s the only explanation you can come up with for him being gone. You sigh and close the door, then you make your way back downstairs to hang out with Seokjin and wait for Jungkook to get back.

“Hey, Jinnie!” You call happily when you see him sitting up on the couch, propped up with pillows as he sips on some broth. A huge smile breaks out on his face as you situate yourself on the chair next to the couch. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve just come back from the dead.” He grins and sends you a wink, making you laugh. “What are you reading?” He glances at the blue book in your hands and you hold it up to show him. “Beauty and the Beast! I was going to read it to Kook today, but he must be out getting some blood.” Jin nods in understanding. “Well, that’s a good choice. I’m sure he’ll love it when he gets back.”

You and Jin keep talking, a few people coming in every once in a while, like Namjoon making sure Jin has taken his pain medicine, and Sooyoung shyly refilling his bowl of broth. Before you know it, the sky is starting to darken. You look out the living room window and frown, not having seen or heard Jungkook come back yet.

“You can go and see if he’s outside.” Jin says kindly, noticing the look on your face. “Don’t feel like you have to sit and talk with an old man like me.”

You look back at Jin to glare at him. “Don’t talk like that. You’re one of my closest friends, and you’re not old.” You grumble, crossing your arms. Seokjin’s eyes light up and he smiles brightly, “Tell that to the little shits next time they tease me. Thanks y/n, for everything.” He says quietly, “But seriously, go and see if he’s outside. He might not be feeling well, and I’m more worried about him than myself.”

You nod reluctantly, but only leave when Namjoon comes in to hang out with Jin. You make your way out the front door, glancing at the sky again and hurrying down the porch steps to find Jungkook before the sun sets. You decide to head to the clearing, hoping he might be there.

~ ~ ~

“Maybe you misunderstood, yeah maybe you heard them wrong.” Jungkook wrings his hands, smearing the blood on them and coating them even more as he tries to calm himself down. He takes another shaky breath and refrains from touching his face as he looks back down at his bloodied hands and tries not to let the tears fall. Jungkook swallows thickly, “Ok, just calm down. Calm down and go back to y/n, she can help you. She can fix this.”

“You turned human again when it was proven that you didn’t lose yourselves!”

Your words ring in his ears and he feels his chest tighten with anxiety. He’s been trying to convince himself this whole time that he’s okay, and that you love him. Now, he knows he’s too far gone. There’s nothing he can do to stop himself from turning. And it’s all his fault.

A choked sob leaves his throat and he wipes his nose with the back of his hand where there isn’t any blood.

Fuck.

They’re going to leave him alone…all of the boys are going to turn human without him and you’re going to see that he really is a monster, that he is too far gone and then you’ll leave him too.

He’s going to be alone forever and he’s going to be trapped in this body that he wants nothing to do with anymore, forced to drink blood forever.

Jungkook sobs again, grabbing at his hair. He doesn’t want this, he doesn’t want any of this. Why did this have to happen to him? What did he do to deserve this??

His legs start to shake and he pulls at his hair roughly, trying to focus and not break down. But he can’t do it. He can’t calm down. A pained and angered scream leaves Jungkook’s throat and he goes into the forest again before his right mind can convince him to think rationally.

A few minutes later, Jungkook is standing over a dead deer, no memory of killing it in his mind. He’s covered in blood down his entire front, his shirt soaked with it, a deep red that makes him sick to look at. Jungkook wipes his hands down his shirt, trying to wipe it clean, but he only succeeds in making it worse.

He stumbles out of a clump of trees into the clearing that he must’ve somehow found his way back to. Then, his legs give out underneath him and he’s on the ground, curling his legs inward and holding them tightly to his chest.

“C-c-calm down…calm down. You didn’t do it, you didn’t hurt the deer. That was not you, you just need to go home and see y/n and go to sleep. Y/n will make it better.” Jungkook whispers to himself, his voice hoarse and panicky as he tries to convince himself that he didn’t just brutally kill a deer and drink its blood.

Tears well up in his eyes as memories of him drinking the Hunter’s blood and shoving you to the ground in the psych hospital flash through his mind. The way the sun hurts his skin when he stands in it and the fear in your eyes when you looked at him after you had been lost in the woods all night. The hurtful things he’s said to you, and the fact that even you loving him can’t save him.

He is too far gone. He always was.

You’re right, you are fucked.

Jungkook flinches violently and covers his ears with his bloody hands, “Oh fuck. You’re not here, you’re not here, you’re not here.” He looks around frantically as if someone is about to come out of nowhere and pounce him.

Did you miss me?

The voice chuckles wickedly and Jungkook feels his throat constrict and his chest tighten with horror.

You didn’t think you’d actually gotten rid of me, did you?

~ ~ ~

You just step into the clearing when you hear a scream come from somewhere over by the willow tree. Your heart leaps to your throat as your feet take off toward the sound, praying that he isn’t hurt. You know who it is.

Jungkook is crouched on the ground, folded almost into a little ball as he plugs his ears and screams at the top of his lungs.

“GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAY!”

You run over to him and gasp, your hands flying to your mouth when you see him covered in blood. His shirt is drenched in it, it’s up his arms and on his face too. Your fear only lasts a split second, then you’re rushing to him and kneeling next to him on the ground, pulling at his arms to try and get him to look at you.

“Jungkook! Jungkook, look at me, I’m here! I’m here, Kookie!” Tears stream down your face, unnoticed by you as you tug on him firmly. His eyes fly open and he looks over at you, then he pushes you away from him and moves himself back until his back is pressed against a big rock.

“D-d-don’t touch me.” He cries and wipes at his arms and face. “P-please don’t look at me, y/n. Don’t see me like this.” He breaks down in tears again and chokes on his sobs. “I can’t do this! I never wanted this! I don’t want to be a monster!” He’s screaming so loud you’re sure someone miles from here could hear him.

Your heart breaks into pieces at his words and how vulnerable he looks pressed against the rock and desperately scrubbing at his messy arms and face. You crawl forward and grab his wrist, pulling it to you and wiping his hand with your clean shirt before he has time to protest. Jungkook watches you, his chest heaving as you make quick work of taking his other hand and wiping it clean as well. You get up on your knees and shuffle closer to lift your shirt and get his face cleaned off gently. Jungkook’s whole body is shaking as he watches you with wide red eyes. Fear, confusion, and relief swim in his gaze when you look at him.

“I- I didn’t do it.” You hear him whisper, almost as if he’s talking to himself. You pet his hair gently and stroke his cheek, “You’re okay, Kookie. I’m here now, and you don’t have to be scared.”

Jungkook blinks a few times, his eyes trying to focus on you again. “Y/n?” He asks quietly and you nod, “I’m here.” When you put your hand on his cheek, he leans into it a little, then something flashes in his eyes and he pulls away.

“I’m fine.”

“Ok.”

You don’t want to push him, not when he’s just had another panic attack. Jungkook looks down at your shirt and mutters, “Your shirt is ruined.”

“It was getting old and ratty anyway, this gives me an excuse to call dibs on the ones we found in the attack yesterday.” You reassure him, waiting for him to give you a small smile like he usually does, even when he’s upset.

But it never comes.

Jungkook takes your hands and moves you gently away from him enough for him to have room to stand. You look at him sadly, but he doesn’t make eye contact with you. Jungkook stands and starts walking to the house, silent as a grave.

You follow him quietly, watching him from behind and hoping he just needs some sleep. When you two make it to the house, he goes upstairs to his room, shutting the door before you get a chance to say anything.

The next morning, Jungkook doesn’t come to the kitchen archway.

He doesn’t smile shyly at you and sit next to you.

He doesn’t hold your hand under the table or help you feed Koko, giggling at the way the little fish gobbles down his food.

He doesn’t offer to read to you or pick flowers with you.

Jungkook doesn’t even talk to you.

You’re sitting on the front porch, your chin in your hands as you look out at the afternoon sun lighting the forest with its warm glow. A small sigh leaves your lips as you stare at a patch of blue flowers and will yourself not to cry.

You don’t move when the front door opens, but when you see it’s Jungkook walking down the front steps with his hoodie up, you straighten and call out to him.

“Kookie! Can we please talk?”

Your hearts sinks to your feet when he completely blows you off, making his way into the shade of the trees without sparing you so much as a glance.

A single tear slips out and you take a shaky breath.

This is what you’ve been so afraid of.

You thought maybe you were just paranoid, overthinking things like you always do.

But as you watch his back disappear into the woods, you know it’s true.

You’re losing him.

____________________________________

a/n: sorry :'(

Tag list: @jjungkook99 @ditttiii @xxxanimangxxx @rubinora @nikikookie @howbizarre @mygukandonly @hopeworld-baseline @adelina1299 @krystle1990 @karissassirak @lettersforjoon @squidyelmosquidbutt @jeonjungkookismyfuture @fekitza @your-best-behaviour @elliegrace1999tvd

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jeonchan26 · 5 years ago

Text

Love Me Not (Part 3)

Theme; Angst...Very Angst.

Warnings; Heartbreak, Saddness. Super Low Self-Esteem. Abuse & Toxic Relationship. Mention of sex.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’m sorry he is your what?” Jimin asked you looking confused.

How were you going to explain to him that you were dating a guy that not only embarrassed you in the public eye but also had the audacity to put his hands on you. But you were trying to move on from Jimin, why was he the only Happy? Why couldn’t you be happy?

Looking down at your hands you answered him, “Yea we started dating a few days ago. He is really nice once you get to know him.” Lies that was all that was coming out of you mouth but you wanted to show him that you were doing better.

“(Y/N) you cannot be serious!? This is the guy that put his hands on you not that long ago. & was screaming on you for bumping into him. I don’t like him.” Jimin exclaimed getting up from his seat walking back and forth, pushing his hair back. He was trying to process the new information that was giving to him. He saw the way he treated you today. Theres no way you would date some like him. Why were you dating him!?

“It doesn’t matter if you like him or not Jimin. We are not together anymore” even though you said it in a small whisper it still made Jimin stop his movement and turn to you slowly giving you a shocked face.

“I still care about you!? How can you that someone like him when we just broke up a few months ago!!” Jimin was angry at you for dating someone else but mostly himself because he broke you beyond repair. He could see it on you face, your body. Everything about you changed in a matter of months and he was scared that he might lose you.

“I didn’t love you anymore. Why would I stay with you if I didn’t love you anymore? Everything was changing between us and by the looks of it now. You’ll do anything to get my attention. I didn’t know you were so stupid to date a low life like him. But I guess you’re that much of a desperate whor-” he was cut of by you hand striking his cheek. He was shocked he never thought you would hit him.

This made you angry, how dare he judge you. “You don’t get to call me a whore. Because YOU LEFT ME! YOU LEFT ME FOR YURI & 3 DAYS LATER AFTER YOU LEFT ME YOU WERE DATING HER ALREADY SHOWING HER OFF TO THE WORLD. You didn’t even bother doing that with me. But I understand you were ashame of me. Fuck I mean look at me I’m nothing compared to her!” You were pulling you hair. It was so much to take the pain everything was driving you crazy. Couldn’t he see how much you were hurting because of him. He decided to end you relationship and move on days after. And now that you are trying you turned out to be the bad guy.

This wasn’t fair.

“(Y/n) I’m sor-”

“Get out. I never wanna see you again” you cut him off looking so defeated. Jimin was scared to leave the look on you face said everything. He saw you were tired, hurt, sad, but mostly angry. He didn’t know if it was towards him or yourself. He wanted to hold you and apologize, he didn’t know what came over him and he just snapped not only were you dating someone else but this was mentally and physically abusing you and you were just letting him.

This wasn’t the girl he fell in love with. The girl he fell in love with was strong, independent, loving, caring, kind and so many other things. But this girl was different she looked broken and he was the reason why.

“I told you to get out. I never wanna see you again.” With one last shove you opened the door for him, jimin stepping out but not before looking at you with a sad look.

“What have I done? Why would I hurt the girl that I love the most?” Jimin thought as you slammed the door on his face. He heard you slide down the door and cry. Jimin put his hand on forehead on the door silent tears running down his face. He still loved you, so deeply. He needed you back in his life just didn’t know how.

Weeks later....

You were back in school, you noticed that Jake was becoming more demanding, making you do everything for him. He didn’t treat you like a girlfriend, he treated you more like a slave than anything. And god forbid you got anything wrong or said the wrong thing. The bruises from last week were barely getting better. You were label as the quiet girl, had no friends but was still dating the hottest and richest guy in school. The students couldn’t find an explanation but they didn’t bother either.

Every day you would see Jimin drop or pick up Yuri at the same spot. You were so numb from the pain, you didn’t know if it hurt because of Jimin or because of Jake.

You completely changed and Jimin took noticed. Especially after Jungkook and Yoongi has informed him about what they saw last time they saw you with Jake.

“Hey Jimin have you talked to (y/n) at all lately?” He heard Jungkook asked him as him and Yoongi walked into the living were him and the rest of the members were watching tv.

“The last time we talked we ended in bad terms. It’s been weeks since we’ve talked.” Jimin said grabbing the attention of the other members.

“We saw here at the store with some dude and she didn’t look too good. Did she start dating someone” Yoongi stated. Jimin felt his heart stopped. He knew exactly what they were talking about.

“Oh yea that’s her umm new boyfriend?” Jimin felt the venom in his mouth as soon as the word boyfriend left. He hated to think that you had someone else, someone that didn’t fucking deserved you. It made him angry, his hand clenching into fist.

“Wait, she has a boyfriend. How come you never told you” Taehyung asked him.

“I didn’t think you guys would care plus it’s the same dumbass that screamed and touched her at the park” Jimin stared shrugging his shoulders.

“Wait hold the fuck up. You mean to tell me that she is dating the fucker that treated her like shit in public!? And you fucking knew and didn’t tell us about it! What the fuck is wrong with you?” Namjoon stood up from his sit looking angry. Namjoon had always had a soft spot for you. You were like a little sister to him. He hated himself for pushing you to the side when you and Jimin broke up but he figured you needed space.

“Hyung he doesn’t look like a good guy. He was yelling at her and pushing her for grabbing the wrong thing. We stepped in but the guy pulled her away before we could ask her anything. She had bruises on her body. She looked like she had a black eye but he took her away too fast to confirm” Jungkook said in a sad voice.

“What happened the last time you saw her?” Him asked him. The boys were shocked to hear what Jungkook had said.

“Well it didn’t go so well. I confronted her about it because she attends the same University as Yuri. And she was with that guy, he was being stupid and screaming at her. He force her to agreed to go to her house even after she has declined the offer. I got to her house hours later and when she opened the door she was wearing my tshirt but she has bruise in her body umm sexual bruises” Jimin felt his jaw tighten after he said those words out loud.

The members were quiet waiting for Jimin to finish the story but he could tell they were getting angry, “anyways so we started talking and she told me she was dating him and I flipped I told her that how could she move on to someone as low as him in the matter of weeks. Fuck I even accused her of being a desperate whore begging for my attention. She slapped me and told me I had not right to judge her since I had moved on after 3 days after I left her. I just don’t know what happened. I flipped and she kicked me out but she looked so broken. It’s all my fault” Jimin was looking down at his hands, to scared to look at the members.

He knew the members cared deeply about you and the fact that he said that to you, he definitely deserved the slapped. When he looked up he noticed the flares from his members he knew they were pissed at him for his actions.

“You mean to tell me that you fucking knew that bastard was touching her without her consent and you decided to call her a desperate whore.” Hoseok asked him with a disbelieved look on his face. He was angry, Jimin couldn’t have been more stupid.

“You left her Jimin for a someone new. You had to fucking right to judge her because if anybody was meant to be judge it would be you!” Hoseok finished looking like he was ready to punch something or him.

“Fuck I know okay? I was angry it took me that to realized that I still love her. But I just don’t know what to do. I’ve only been with Yuri to keep an eye on her but every day she looks worse and worse and I can’t take it anymore. I know I should of told you guys sooner but I just didn’t know how to tell you guys. I feel like shit because just starting at the dumbass makes me angry. I just FUCK I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. HOW TO GET HER BACK!” Jimin was at the average of pulling out his hair.

“Look you made a mistake. We are humans after all. You should’ve told us as soon as you noticed. Not let it go by months and waited til now. The first thing we gotta do is get her away from that guy. If you don’t love Yuri you need to break up with her. She doesn’t deserve for you to be playing with her. Once (y/n) is better and ready maybe you can try and see if you can get her back. But right now what matters is her. Not you. Her. So if you really want her back you need to understand it’s going to take some time and you have to be patience. She is broken not only by the guy but by you too. We will help because you are our brother but don’t ever let something like this happened again.” Yoongi told him while she took a seat next to him patting on his shoulder.

Jimin knew his brothers wouldn’t leave him behind. He was going to get you back no matter what happens. He loves you, you are it for him and he knows this is a fight he is willing to fight for.

Part 4 Finally Coming Soon🦋

Sorry if this wasn’t good and the grammar.

#bts series #jung hoseok #kim seokjin #bts jimin #park jimin #jeon jungkook #jimin scenarios #park jimin angst #min yoongi #kim namjoon #kim taehyung #jimin angst #bts angst #bts scenarios

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jimlingss · 6 years ago

Text

The Third & Sixth

➜ Words: 7.9k

➜ Genres: 99.99% Fluff, 0.01% Angst

➜ Summary: One. Two. Three. Fantastic things come in threes, that includes you and your two best friends. But when they start dating each other, you quickly come to realize that you’ve become the infamous. third. wheel. Left out — invading their date — forced to watch them canoodle — an unnecessary extension to the group. It only worsens when you upgrade into the fifth wheel.....until a special sixth comes along.

[Friday] One. Two. Three. Everything incredible comes in threes. The proof lies in the three musketeers, Alvin and the chipmunks, the three-piece suit, the three wise men, the three stooges, the primary colours, the rule of three. The list could go on, but it’s not short of you, Seokjin, and Yuri. You’re the perfect trio — joining forces in high school when each of you were lost, forging a friendship that was to be reckoned with, and making it through the university years without drifting apart. The three of you are basically Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith. Gorgeous, glowing, godly. You guys are the best of friends, cause to make everyone else envious. Together, your beauty and power is amplified by three. And the bond only got closer when Seokjin and Yuri started dating. “Don’t go! Please!” He shouts, roaring above the rain and you watch, swallowing the thick lump in your throat. “I waited for you! I waited for you for a thousand days! I waited three summers right here. And I sent you a letter every single day. I never, ever stopped loving you.” She turns around to scream, “Then why didn’t you tell me before you left?!” “I did!” The movie continues to play, sound echoing throughout the theater. Discreetly, Seokjin lifts his arm, stretching out his tired limbs that have fallen asleep and he slings them over the chair next to him. Within a second, his arm drops to her shoulder, slowly pulling her in closer. Yuri smiles softly to herself and allows herself to lean into his chest, cozying up to her boyfriend. No one says anything as the romantic movie continues. They both allow the intimate moment to happen in the dark theater without anyone else knowing. That is…..until you lean over. “Hey….” You’re whispering above the character’s love proclamation, invading in their personal bubble and practically leaning over Yuri’s lap to whisper to Seokjin. “Is there any of that popcorn left over?” “Huh?” He looks over at you, blinks once. He removes his arm from Yuri’s shoulder and reaches down to where he put the bucket. “Oh yeah. We do.” Jin passes the popcorn over to his girlfriend who fumbles and her lap becomes full of the buttery kernels, staining her dress. But she still manages to give the oily bucket to you and you grab it with a grin. “Thanks.” The film continues as you stuff your face with popcorn, eating till the bottom of the bucket is empty and you’re downing the medium-sized soda you got earlier. Dusting off your hands, you look over, tapping Yuri on the shoulder. She immediately pulls away from Jin again and you wonder what they were doing. “Do you guys know what time it is? My phone died.” Yuri glances at you and then peeks at her phone in the cup holder. “It’s almost eleven p.m.” “Thanks.” Twenty minutes pass and out of the corner of your eye, you find bodies shuffling, one of your best friends moving farther away from you. Turning your head, it hits you like a freight train. They’re making out. While you thankfully can’t see the details of their snogging, it’s obvious that they’re eating each other alive in the darkness. Seokjin’s arms are wrapped around Yuri’s and her body is completely turned away from you. You shift away uncomfortably, focusing on the ginormous screen in front of you instead. You’re equally disgusted, appalled, and jealous. You’ve never felt more alone sitting next to your best friends. “That was a pretty good movie, huh? I really liked the part where the mother came back really angry. It was fun watching her break them up.” Yuri blinks twice and she frowns. “There was a part like that?” “Well, I mean, yeah….” You walk alongside them, ignoring how they’re holding hands and your own are dug deep within your jacket pockets. “It was part of the entire second half.” “Yeah, how did you not know? Did you not pay attention?” Seokjin pouts at your friend and jabs her in the ribs, words full of insinuation. “Or were you busy doing something else?” “I...uh….w-what?” She’s sputtering and both you and Seokjin laugh. “I was not! I was just tired, that’s all. Must’ve passed over my head or something.” The conversation continues as all three of you walk down the street. You critique the characters and their actions while Seokjin talks about how cringey the plot was and it spirals into a debate if the cheese in the movie was unbearable or not. Yuri’s able to chime in to talk about how handsome actors are which leads to a whole other argument with Seokjin taking the stance that he’s much more good-looking. You laugh, listening to their banter. Eventually, the sidewalk becomes narrower and you fall behind. Your natural line of sight pins to where their hands are interlaced, arms swinging back and forth as the couple strolls down the night street. They’re close, holding onto one another, voices light and airy, contentment leaking into each of their words spoken from their kiss-bitten lips still swollen from earlier. You stare at the backside and another thing occurs to you — you’re the third wheel. The two of them are happy. In love. And somehow, you’ve wedged yourself in-between on what should be their date. There’s nothing you can even say or add into their conversations. There’s no way you can pick up your pace and walk alongside them. You’d only be an unnecessary extension. You’d ruin the mood. You’d ruin their beautiful relationship. There’s no place for you here. There’s no reason for you to be here. “Y/N?” “Huh?” “Are you alright?” Yuri is turned around, staring at you in concern. “You went really quiet.” “Oh.” You smile sheepishly, trying to hide your pained emotions. “I was just thinking about something. Where are we eating again?” But you can tell they see right through you. After being best friends for almost a decade, they notice the way your smile is tense, how your brows are slightly twitching as they try to raise innocently. It makes you feel even worse when they regard you with pitiful expressions, sympathetic ones that are etched with guilt. Luckily, Jin doesn’t outright question you. He has enough mercy to play along and spare you from having to confront them. He even lets go of Yuri’s hand and throws a casual arm around your shoulder, grinning. “Only the best chicken restaurant in town! Opens till two in the morning and it’s all you can eat for only thirty bucks!” You scoff, picking up your pace after grabbing Yuri’s arm. “Then what are we waiting for then?!” She laughs, letting herself be dragged by you. And for one perfect moment, it no longer feels like you’re ostracized, the unneeded member in the relationship. It almost reminds you of back in high school where you guys tore up the town in your mischief. When it was three and not two. But unfortunately, you know it won’t last.

[Saturday] On a Saturday night, you have no plans but kicking it back at home to catch up on some shows and eat some ice-cream sandwiches in bed. It’s a plan, the best plan, in fact. But before you can even load up what you want to watch, you’re disturbed by a certain someone. “I don’t want to,” you whine, feeling too comfortable underneath your toasty covers. “It’s going to be fun!” Yuri on the other side of the line argues, “I promise.” But she said that the last time and your fun was ruined with their public displays of affection. You sigh, pout practically heard in your voice, “Why don’t you just go with Jin? You don’t need me on your date.” “Well, it’s not a date. It’s a hangout. And it’s not just going to be the three of us this time.” Your eyelids peel back, on alert, and you’re skeptical at the strange news. “Who else is coming?” “Remember that really nice coworker I was talking about? He’s joining us and bringing some of his friends. C’mon, Y/N. We’re just gonna grab dinner together. They’re all guys and I don’t wanna be alone. I promise if it’s not fun, you can leave.” There’s an extended silence. You throw the covers off of yourself with a groan, already regretting your decision. “Fine.” The choice is something you mull over while getting ready, haphazardly throwing on a simple sweater and pair of jeans, as you uber over, sitting in the car and leaning your head on the cool window, while standing on the street at the destination that was texted to you, in front of the cozy restaurant. But you get pulled out of your slight bitter mood when Seokjin and Yuri introduce you to Taehyung and Jungkook. They make good impressions — a kind bunch that are cheery and fun. Jungkook is tall with dark hair, doe eyes, and boyish charms while Taehyung’s handsome appearance is cold and sharp until he melts into a smile and laughs mischievously, blonde stands poking into his eyes when his head downcasts. They’re friendly and make you forget about your inner predicament. They don’t make you feel alone. Outcasted. “Y/N, can you take a picture of us?” Yuri passes you her phone and you’re used to it, already getting into the proper stance. You squat near the sidewalk close to the street to snap a picture of them in front of the restaurant. Seokjin wraps his arm around her neck, squishing a wet kiss to her plush cheek and making her grin. It’s a sickeningly sweet photograph that has you smiling as well. “Here.” You hand them back the phone and the both of them crowd at the screen to look. They’re more than satisfied with the picture, expecting nothing less considering you’ve taken pictures of the couple a thousand times before. “Oh.” Taehyung’s eyes suddenly light up. “Can you take a picture of us too?” “Y/N takes the best photos.” Seokjin flashes you a thumbs up, making you scoff. “Sure.” You smile, taking Jungkook’s phone and returning to your position as the photographer. The two of them stand side by side. And right as you focus on the picture, Taehyung suddenly pulls Jungkook into his chest. He wraps his arms around his shoulders and the younger nearly fall into his chest. They both giggle, eyes crinkled, laughter filling the air. The shot is snapped. One thing becomes clear as you lower your arms and they share a brief kiss on the lips. They’re not just friends. They’re dating. And you’ve upgraded to the fifth wheel. “You almost made me trip!” “I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me, Koo-Koo.” “Fine….” Seokjin laughs. “Should we go in now?” Yuri turns around. “Y/N?” This wasn’t a hang out at all. Maybe to her it is; it’s a casual occasion, a friendly meet-up. But the truth is too clear to see — this is a double date. And you’re designated as the photographer, a person to join the backdrop, to ignore and help when convenient. You’re alone. You shouldn’t be here— “Y/N.” You’re broken out of your trance, smiling and nodding. “Yeah, let’s go in! I’m starving.” The restaurant is dim, people huddled together, sharing warm conversations. It’s cozy, but you notice that most are having candle-lit dinners, holding hands over the table, thumbs rubbing over the back of their hands, gazes dripping in adoration. It’s not like you’re dripping in envy, wishing you were the woman in the corner, in her heels, having a partner to shoulder your life with. It’s the fact that you feel that you’d ruin the mood. You’d ruin the beautiful relationships. There’s no place for you here, no rhyme or reason. Nothing you can say or add to their conversation. You are an unneeded extension, a wedge, a fifth wheel meant to make things awkward. It doesn’t help that they look at you without knowing these thoughts, without knowing what kind of situation they’ve placed you in. Their inability to empathize makes you even more alone. A car doesn’t need a fifth wheel. A bike doesn’t need a fifth wheel. A table doesn’t need a fifth leg... “Hello there, I’m so sorry for the long wait. It’s been a very busy night. How many of you are there?” You smile at the waitress, maintaining your exterior in case you ruin the atmosphere even more. “Table for five, please.” “Oh no, actually six,” Jungkook suddenly pipes up and then turns to you with a grin, ignoring the way Taehyung throws his arm over his shoulder and nuzzles into his hair. “I have a friend coming. He’s the sixth. He’s just running a bit late.” “Oh. Okay.” You don’t have high hopes, but news of another person instantly makes you more relieved. Maybe it won’t be so bad after all— “Holy fucking shit. Traffic was so bad. And then I thought I fucking busted a tire in the middle of the freeway.” “Yoongi, language,” Taehyung scolds with a laugh. “We’re in a restaurant.” Seokjin is sitting in between you and Yuri, across from them is Jungkook and Taehyung. The seat in front of you was empty, until this stranger flopped down. You lower down the menu held in your hands, staring over the edge, narrowing your eyes in. He has a tender face, rounded cheeks and sleepy eyes, hair messy. You assume he just got off of work and he’s seemingly tired, especially with the way he chugs his water. He downs the entire glass, breathing out after finishing and you shift over your own glass. “Uh...you can have mine if you want.” “I’m good.” He looks at you, brows lifting. “You are?” You grin, slapping down your menu. “Y/N.” Your arm extends and he shakes your hand while you flash the brightest smile. Yoongi’s taken back by your overwhelming energy and you have to physically force yourself in order to hold back a giggle. You’re bubbling with happiness. You’re no longer the fifth wheel. You’ve returned back to being the third and he’s become the sixth. Great things come in sixes. The proof lies in the fact that dice have six sides, that half a dozen is six, that six is needed for a volleyball or hockey team, that six packs are awesome, that there are six strings of a guitar. The list could go on, but it’s not short of the sixth sense….. And it’s a sixth sense that tells you Yoongi is your saviour. “Al...rig...ht then…” Min Yoongi pulls his hand back, prying your grip off of him and you realize you’ve been shaking it for a good thirty seconds now. In the meanwhile, your two best friends look at you like you’ve grown another eye. But the tables have turned and you no longer pay attention to them. “Nice to meet you. I’m Yoongi.” Taehyung hums. “You remember Yuri and Seokjin, right?” “Yeah, I met them twice. How are you guys? Engaged yet?” “We’re good. And unfortunately no.” Seokjin looks over and his head falls on her shoulder affectionately. “Not yet at least.” Yuri scoffs, unimpressed. “He says that every time.” “Babe, you know I mean it every time.” The two of them banter with one another and Taehyung looks over at Jungkook. “Are you going to propose any time soon?” “Thought you said you’d rather adopt a dog than marry me.” He pouts, purposely jutting out his bottom lip. “I changed my mind……” You watch the four of them with a soft smile, silently observing the way they tease and taunt one another without malice, eyes gentle and words quiet, actions affectionate and careful. It’s almost like they’re universes away despite being beside you. You’re about to pull out your phone to mindlessly scroll through stuff, allow yourself to fade into the back, but then someone invades in their space, bursting their little bubble without caring. “Hey, have you guys ordered yet?” Yoongi leans over, looking and when they haven’t, he steals Taehyung’s menu, flipping through the pages. But half-way through deciding, he begins to break a sweat, feeling the pressure of an intense gaze set upon his face. Yoongi looks up and his eyes lock into yours. You’re staring at him with another smile. How could you not? He’s glowing like an angel. // Dinner is fun — Yuri indeed fulfills her promise and the thought of ditching never once comes across your mind. For the first time in ages, you don’t feel ostracized or singled out. Everyone talks to each other, sharing old stories back in high school to gossip in Yuri’s office that Taehyung knows about and Jungkook’s able to chime in once in a while. The food tastes better with good company. It’s better when you’re with your friends. But when conversations divide, Jungkook and Taehyung privately chatting while Seokjin leans into Yuri to show her something on his phone, you turn to Yoongi. You have nothing to say, but you stare at him expectantly and he breaks under the pressure again, asking about your job and allowing you to ask about his. It’s nice that you finally have someone to talk to. “You’re not a dessert person?” “It’s too sweet,” he says and passes the dessert menu to you. “I prefer savoury food.” “Hmmm….how do you feel about sweet and savoury then? Like pineapple pizza.” He leans back, getting comfortable in the chair as he crosses his arms. “It’s a monstrosity.” You scoff. “It’s not. It’s a perfect balance. It’s delicious.” Yoongi’s brows are lifted and amusement makes his lips curl upwards. “Would you put apples on pizza? Don’t think so.” “But pineapple’s different,” you argue. “What about bell peppers?” The man across from you shakes his head. “That’s equally as bad.” You’ve never been offended more in your life and you’re beginning to think this Min Yoongi isn’t the shit after all. He’s kind of an idiot. “What do you like on your pizza then?” “I don’t like pizza.” “Excuse me?” He grins, pink gums peeking out at your reaction. “Is that so hard to believe?” “Yes! Pizza’s delicious. It’s flavourful.” “It’s oily and there’s too much bread and wheat in it.” “What kind of pizza do you even eat?” “I don’t eat any.” “Obviously not.” You scoff again and you’re not angered as you are entertained, lips tickling into a smile. “I don’t think you’ve had any proper pizza in your life.” Yoongi laughs. It’s small, soft, but you hear it well. His dark eyes glimmer with mischief. “You should show me what proper pizza is then.” You’re caught off guard with the proposition. But it isn’t unappealing. “Oh. I mean—” “Is everyone enjoying themselves?” The waitress slides next to you, unknowingly interrupting you from answering. “Anyone like to order anything else? Any desserts perhaps?” One look around, Jungkook comments about being full and Seokjin leans back, saying he’s good. The consensus seems to be reached and you smile politely at her. “We’ll probably just grab the bill then.” “Sounds great,” she chirps. “Does anyone need the card machine?” Dinner ends and you part ways from Yoongi, Taehyung, and Jungkook, bidding them goodbye. You walk with Seokjin and Yuri, sliding into the passenger seat while they sit up front together, driving to drop you off before they make their way into their own apartment. Seokjin turns and asks if you had a good time and you did. But as you look out the window and the car begins to move, you realize…. You forgot to get Yoongi’s number.

[Sunday] “His number?” Yuri laughs on the other line, mumbling something along the lines that you’re cute, and you already know what she’s insinuating by that tone of voice. “This doesn’t mean anything,” you swear, “I just have to recommend him a pizza place cause we had this conversation….and he....-uh…...it’s just complicated, okay?” “Sounds complicated,” she teases. It’s not like you’re necessarily interested in Yoongi beyond a platonic sense. He’s just your comrade. A fellow third wheel ally. And it’s been bothering you that your conversation was left unfinished. You’re not sure what you’ll exactly text him, but you feel a need to at least tie up loose ends and not make it seem like you’ve outright ignored his offer. “Contrary to popular belief, I actually like being single, okay?” “Uh-huh.” “Don’t uh-huh me. You know I like my freedom. I don’t have to worry about anyone else and I can do whatever I want. The idea of being tied down sucks. I don’t need anyone. I’d rather spend time focusing on myself and improving who I am. Plus, sharing a bed sounds awful. What if they snored?” The idea of being like Yuri and Seokjin somehow irks you — romantic couples are cringey and can be suffocating to be around. But the more you talk, the more it sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself that relationships are gross. The prolonged silence on the other end doesn’t help either and you consider you should’ve just texted your best friend instead of being impatient and calling. You sigh before saying, “He probably doesn’t like me either, alright?” “Yoongi seems intimidating, but he’s actually really sweet. Or at least that’s what Jungkook tells me. I don’t know.” Your best friend giggles softly. “He didn’t seem all that bad yesterday. You might’ve come on too strong though. You kept smiling and staring at him last night. What was up with that?” “Oh god. Did I? I mean….never mind...just…” “Okay, okay.” She backs off, deciding to spare you. “I’ll text Taehyung and when I get his number, I’ll text you it.” “Hey, Yuri. Don’t tell Jin.” “Why not?” “He’ll poke fun at me.” “You know we don’t keep secrets with each other, right?” “I hate you.” “Don’t kid yourself, kid.” In the next hour, your phone lights up. Your best friend’s text message has Min Yoongi’s number, the golden string of digits that you’ve been thinking about ever since last night. And while your mind scrambles, you end up typing up a sentence and pressing send impulsively to stop your brain from combusting and overthinking. 2:36pm. Y/N: hey, it’s Y/N. still want me to show you that pizza isn’t gross? Min Yoongi never texts you back.

[Monday] It’s during your lunch break that you decide to do something different. It’s pure impulse that moves you forward, down the elevator and the block, towards the coffee shop that recently opened and you’ve been dying to try out. There’s few people in at this time of day, folks sitting near the large windows and chatting with their friends, atmosphere warm and inviting. “Hi! What can I get you?” “Can I get a tall iced latte?” The barista takes your name and you pay the total amount with your card before moving to the side station, waiting for your drink to be made. But as you’re humming to yourself, looking at the menu to see if there’s anything interesting, a voice interrupts your daydreaming— “Y/N?” You turn around, coming face to face with someone familiar that you thought had disappeared off the face of the planet. “Yoongi?” He smiles, one made out of surprise and curiosity that catches you off guard. You expected him to ignore you or acknowledge your presence merely for the sake of politeness, not be so open and friendly. “What are you doing here?” “Getting a drink.” You lifelessly point to where the baristas are busy behind the counter, unprepared to see him and made speechless. “Right, right. Yeah, I’m just here grabbing my own drink.” Yoongi looks down at your frame and your face warms as it occurs to you that he’s checking you out. But he catches himself quickly and meets your eyes again. “Were you at work?” “I’m on my lunch break.” “Oh, yeah, I’m on mine too. What a coincidence.” There’s a noncommittal sound made from the back of your throat and then it goes quiet for a long second. It’s awkward, but Yoongi seems chirpier, more energetic than the other day — maybe this is what he’s like when work hasn’t worn him down. It doesn’t make sense otherwise. He can’t be happy to see you. He’s ghosted you after all. Perhaps his good mood is a facade, but you doubt he’s the type to be fake. Yoongi leaves you befuddled to say the least. He breaks the silence. “You work around here?” “Two blocks that way.” “I’m four blocks that way.” He hitches his thumb in the opposite direction. The barista interrupts, “Tall iced tea latte for Y/N?” “Right here, thank you.” You get a straw before considering what to say, what excuse you can make to leave and spare him from having to interact with you when he obviously doesn’t want to. But you end up lingering for a moment longer. Yoongi’s eyes linger on your latte. “Is that all you’re having for lunch?” “Yeah.” You grimace. “I should’ve gotten a pastry, huh?” “I was actually thinking of grabbing lunch after this...if you want to come with.” “Oh. S-...sure.” He smiles, lips in a tight line but corners pulled and he waits to get his venti sized Caffè Americano. You’re going to be late if you have lunch now, but you don’t particularly care, at least not when Yoongi’s walking you out the door, not wanting to leave you waiting. “I know a great place and it’s only a block away. It’s a bistro and has a lot of great stuff. I’m a fan of the chicken parm.” “Sounds good.” The pair of you find the small restaurant bustling, the waitress welcoming you as you both wait outside to be seated. “Oh, we actually don’t allow any outside drinks.” “Oh. Sorry.” You turn to chuck your newly bought drink in the trash but you’re stopped mid-step, watching as Yoongi rips his drink’s cap off and blowing over the brown liquid before chugging it. It’s smoking hot, steam wafting upwards, but he seems unbothered by the temperature. You’re speechless and his effort compels you to sip the rest of yours. Within a minute, you’re both done and propelled into a caffeine high. It’s miraculous that Yoongi ends up sitting across from you like this and not jumping up when he drank practically double your own size and double the caffeine. He’s peculiar. And you also wonder how he was going to grab lunch at this bistro after ordering a drink like that…... “Hey, you alright?” His brows are lifted, expression impassive. “Yeah, just thinking.” “About….?” “I’m surprised that you wanted me to eat lunch with you.” He languidly smiles, fork swirling his pasta. “Why? Did I come across—” “No, it’s not that. You just….uh...didn’t...reply to my text so I...thought….” “Your text?” His lips pout, brows furrowing, confusion written across his face. “I didn’t get a text.” “But I sent one to you.” You’re confused as well, the great mystery putting suspense on your shoulders and you grab your phone from your purse, pulling up the message and showing the screen to him. “See?” Yoongi stares. Then, a grin slowly spreads into his cheeks. “Where did you get this number?” You’re embarrassed by the sudden question. “I...Yuri gave it to me.” It’s not entirely a lie. “She got it from Taehyung.” The man hums. “It’s my old number. I changed it recently and I only told important people. Don’t tell Taehyung I don’t think he’s important….but yeah….that’s why I never got it.” His palm opens, motioning to your phone. “I’ll give you my actual number.” You hand it over and he casually types it in before handing it back. Finally, your first text message is sent in the simple form of ‘hello’ and you see his screen by his side light up. He waves it towards you with a smile. “There we go.” Your own mouth draws into a grin. “I really thought you ignored me.” “Nah, I’m an ass, but not that much of an ass. And I don’t ignore people I actually like.” The implication of his words hits you, but you’re unable to say anything back when the waiter saunters by to fill your glasses — constantly, you feel you’re interrupted by waiters and waitresses. But luckily, the conversation continues smoothly without any more awkward pauses, instead filled with him talking about his work project that he’s been doing and you chatting about how you came to meet Jin and Yuri. Time goes by quickly and the fifteen minutes it takes to finish your food feels like two minutes. The bill is split and that’s when time really smacks into you and anxiousness eats you from head to toe, realizing that you’re running extremely late. You hope no one in the office notices. “I had a really nice time,” you tell him, stepping out of the bistro, bell ringing behind you two. “Me too.” He smiles and checks his phone for the time. “I’ll see you around then?” “Y-yeah, I mean I have your number now.” “You do.” With a few more words exchanged, the pair of you end up leaving your own separate ways, but as you walk farther away, you turn around to catch one last glance at Yoongi. But he’s gone. As if he sprinted away. You wonder if he was running later than you.

[Tuesday] “—could barely work, I thought I was going to faint in the washroom and be left to die on my own.” “It’s only a headache,” you counter and Jin still pouts, purposely sniffling hard to make a ruckus and draw attention to his sickly state. “You weren’t there. Thank god I managed to crawl to the pharmacy and got some medicine. I’m barely alive now because of it.” “Oh shut up, you big baby.” Yuri leans up on her toes, planting a kiss on his cheek. “It’s just a cold.” “Yeah, and I’m about to give it to you.” Jin suddenly pulls her in by her waist, planting a slobbery kiss on her mouth, making giggles bubble out of her throat and the couple grins against each other’s lips. You smile — but this time, your self-awareness is higher. Once again, you’re the third wheel. “Gross.” Yuri wipes her lips with the back of her hand. “If I get sick, Jin, I’m gonna kill you.” “Then who will rub your feet at night?” “Hey guys. I think I’m gonna go,” you interrupt, stretching your limbs over your head. “I’m beat.” “What?” Yuri spins around in surprise. “What about the movie?” You rub your eyes. “I don’t think I’ll last. That dinner made me really full and the theater is dark and warm, I’m gonna end up falling asleep.” “Like that time we watched Transformers?” Jin reminds. “God. Don’t even remind me. I didn’t mean to snore so loud.” “Are you sure though?” He asks, more serious this time. “Weren’t you excited to watch When Spring Meets Autumn? You’ve been talking about it for a while.” “Nah. I want to watch it when I’m more awake. Tell me if it’s good.” “Well, okay then.” Yuri moves over to hug you. “Get home safely and sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Jin also comes over, wrapping his arms around both of you tightly, purposely squeezing the life out of you and making you laugh while his girlfriend complains. You tell them to have a good time, bidding farewell and walking in the direction you came from, leaving them to enjoy their date. You march down the street, somewhere where an uber driver could find you easily and you end up in a more populated area, in the midst of a bustle of people enjoying the nightlife. But before you can even pull out your phone, something across the street piques your interest. It’s a cozy bar that’s warm and inviting, much like a place you were at yesterday. And something compels you to cross the road, walk inside, right up to the bartender. “Hi, can I get a whiskey?” “Sure, coming right up.” “Y/N?” You turn towards your left, discovering Min Yoongi sitting right there on the stool, less of serendipity and more like destined fate. You’re shocked, blinking twice to make sure you’re not dreaming. “Yoongi?” And he grins in a way that tells you the drink in his hand did a ways in relaxing him. “What are you doing here?” He must’ve come from work, top buttons of his white dress shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to the elbow, black slacks wrinkled with his hair ruffled — tiredness is a look on him. “I...uh….am getting a drink.” “Right.” His smile is gummy, and it reminds you of your last encounter with him when he asked the same question and got the same reply. “Me too.” “Who’s this?” Someone slides up beside him, cute eyes and rounded cheeks, mischievously scanning you from head to toe like you’re dessert served on a silver platter. “Go away, Jimin.” The dark-haired man looks conflicted and too curious to leave, but when Yoongi’s eyes narrow into slits and unspoken threats, he gives in. “Alright, fine.” The stranger throws a wink at your way and walks towards a booth of people. “Sorry. He’s someone I work with. They’re my coworkers.” “And you’re not sitting with them?” “Nah.” He sips on his drink, ice clinking against the glass. “Just trying to take a break. They’re noisy. I was dragged here anyways since it’s happy hour and everyone wanted to drink.” You hum and the bartender passes you the concoction you ordered. It’s cold against your fingertips and when you bring it to your lips, taking a sip, immediately you wince away, coughing as your mouth dries, tongue becoming stale. Yoongi laughs at your reaction. “Ugh, that is so gross.” “Why did you order a whiskey?” “I don’t know. It was the first thing to come to mind. I don’t drink much.” “Obviously.” He signals the bartender. “Can we get a strawberry daiquiri? Add it to my tab.” “Coming right up.” “Is that okay?” “Yeah, don’t worry about it. My treat. I promise it’ll taste better than the whiskey.” Mentioning the horrid drink, he looks at it. “You’re gonna drink it?” “It’s all yours.” You pass the glass and he takes it, impressively gulping it down like water. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down in his throat, but before you’re caught staring, you tear your eyes elsewhere. “We keep running into each other, huh?” Maybe the two of you are at the right place at the right time. But it’s almost beyond coincidence at this point. “You’re not following me around, right?” Yoongi peeks at you slyly, a teasing smirk adorning his face, noticing that you came alone to a place like this. “What were you doing around here?” “I was with Seokjin and Yuri. We had dinner and we were going to watch a movie together.” “But…?” “I ditched. Thank you,” you passingly say to the bartender as he hands you the new concoction tinted pink. Yoongi’s right — the drink is much better, sweeter, and you almost can’t taste the alcohol. It eases your muscles as you sip and after five good seconds and the thoughts of why you were here in the first place brewing, you down half of it. The glass slaps against the counter once you’re satisfied and you exhale. “I realized I was the third wheel.” He nods in sympathy. “Ah, the great third wheel.” And it’s enough to set you off. Sparks ignite in your eyes and you slap the bar counter with a clenched fist. “I know right?! It’s horrible! Do you even know how often I’m the third wheel between Yuri and Seokjin? Every time. The answer is every goddamn time.” Amusement makes his lips curl and he nonchalantly sips the whiskey, eyes above the rim and set on you. “I’ve been the third wheel with Taehyung and Jungkook before. Most of the time I don’t care but when there’s only buy one get one free deals, yeah, that sucks.” “Right?!” Your eyes light up — finally, there’s someone who can empathize. Min Yoongi is truly a fellow comrade. “That’s happened to me before and oh my god, we once travelled somewhere together, y’know, just as friends, but we ended up sharing a room and I slept on the couch while they took the bed. It was so awkward.” Yoongi grins, arm propped up the counter and chin in his palm as he stares at you. “What about when you’re in the car and they sit up front and you’re in the back?” “Makes me feel like they’re my chauffeurs.” “Which isn’t a bad feeling,” he points out, “and at least there’s more space for you to stretch your legs.” “Okay but what about when they leave to go to the bathroom at the same time and you’re left sitting at the table for like twenty minutes.” He laughs, a tinkling sound emitting from his chest. “Can’t say I’ve ever experienced that.” “It makes me look like I got ditched and then the waitresses stare at me with these sad eyes….I can’t even look at them properly when they get back because I know what they did in the bathroom.” You shudder before sighing and taking another long drink of your cocktail. “You look like you need another drink.” A light scoff pulls out of your throat. It’s a massive understatement, but you still muster up a practiced smile. “Yeah, I do.” “If it bothers you that much, maybe you should talk to them. You guys have been friends for like years, right? I’m sure they would understand where you’re coming from and what your concerns are.” “Yeah...but I don’t want to make it a big deal.” Or be a damper, a downer, or make them worry about you. You already feel like a burden on most days. Knowing Jin and Yuri, they’d end up overly concerned and purposely distance themselves from each other in your presence which would make you feel even more uncomfortable. “It’s not cool that they single you out, dating or not dating. They’re still your friends and they shouldn't leave you out,” he says, staring straight ahead and stealing a glance at you. You have a small smile on your face — Yoongi’s words go a longer way than he’ll ever know. It makes you feel better. “Hey, if it helps, we’re third wheels to our parents from the day we’re born.” The realization sinks in, making you laugh. “I never thought about that.” Yoongi has a warm smile. “Hey, Y/N?” “Hmmm?” “You wanna get out of here? For ice cream.” “Ice cream after drinks?” Your brows lift, not sure if you heard correctly. Min Yoongi shrugs. “I’m craving it.” A grin pulls into your heated cheeks. “I thought you didn’t like sweet foods.” “I’m surprised you remembered,” he remarks to which you tell him you remember everything he’s told you. “Well, I don’t mind ice cream. You wanna?” “Sure.” You grab your coat, leaving together after paying for your drinks and Yoongi waves goodbye to his colleagues who hoot and holler, thinking he’s gotten lucky. But you don’t go home with him for a scandalous rendezvous. Instead, you sit on the curb of the street like you’re kids, having ice cream. It would be cold on a night like this if not for his body heat that warms your side. For someone who prefers savoury foods, Yoongi sure has a sweet personality.

[Wednesday] 2:22pm. Yoongi: did you end up getting sick 2:24pm. Y/N: no 2:24pm. Y/N: i’m good thanks for asking 2:24pm. Yoongi: good 2:25pm. Yoongi: I don’t want to pay for your hospital bills. 2:27pm. Y/N: then we shouldnt eat icecream when its freezing outside lol 2:28pm. Yoongi: hey 2:28pm. Yoongi: you said you didn’t mind 2:29pm. Yoongi: and i even gave you my jacket 2:29pm. Y/N: which I should keep as compensation for my health 2:30pm. Y/N: that’s a joke btw i’ll give it back 2:31pm. Yoongi: that jacket’s way more expnsve than any hospital bill 2:31pm. Yoongi: *expensive 2:31pm. Yoongi: but jk you can keep it 2:36pm. Yoongi: it looks better on you anyways

[Thursday] “You’re chirpier these days.” “I am?” You turn towards your friend and he nods. “Did something good happen?” Jin’s eyes widen in excitement. “Don’t tell me you finally got that fucking promotion! Oh my god.” “No, it’s not that. I wish.” “Pft. I should go strangle that boss of yours for overworking you.” His hands curl in front of him as if he can choke the air. “We could devise a plan. You’d attack from the front and I’d attack from the back. We ambush her at her house during midnight when it’s dark and we can even wear disguises. I have a ski mask that I bought recently. It would come in handy. It’s leather.” You burst out laughing, hoping strangers passing by won’t pick up on what he’s saying and call the police for conspiracy to murder. “I’m pretty sure Yuri wouldn’t be happy if we both got put in jail.” Jin scoffs and shakes his head. “Are you kidding? She’d be the mastermind behind the plan.” “You wouldn’t last a day in prison, Jin.” “You’re right.” He grimaces at the realization. “I’m too pretty for that.” The two of you are walking down the street and he’s about to ask you what it is then that’s put you in such a good mood, but he’s interrupted. Someone else is heading straight your way. The person is walking in the opposite direction. He’s right in front of you. And immediately, your feet halt on the concrete. A smile instinctively spreads into your heated cheeks. For the first time, you’re the one who calls out to him. “Yoongi?” “Y/N?” He stops too, tearing his eyes away from the pavement, and he grins as well. “What are you doing here?” “I should be asking you the same.” Your grip tightens on the strap of your bag slung on your shoulder as your face warms. “I’m helping Jin look for an anniversary gift for Yuri.” “Hi.” Your old high school friend waves with a small smile and Yoongi politely greets him back before focusing his attention towards you. You’re prompted to ask, “What about you?” “I was on my way to get dinner.” “Oh cool.” “I can see you’re wearing my jacket.” He points out with a gummy grin, teeth shown in his smile. You look down, laughter bubbling up your throat. “I thought it was mine now.” “It is. Just didn’t know you were going to wear it so soon.” “Well I’m not gonna let it collect dust.” You tug nervously on the soft fabric, finding it all too comfortable on your body. “It’s warm.” “It is,” he hums a rumbling note, still staring. “Looks good on you.” “Thanks.” Your grin widens unconsciously, cheeks aching and you give up on repressing your smiles. “I can’t believe we ran into each other again. Isn’t it our third time this week?” “Are you sure you’re not following me?” He’s skeptical, but not serious. Yoongi’s narrowed eyes and pout are playful and part of his teasing. The expression on his face makes you giggle. “I don’t have time for that. You’re not following me, right?” The dark-haired man scoffs. “You think I have time for that?” “Right, right.” You nod. “You’re busy on your project. How’s that going, by the way?” “Well….it’s going.” “Not that great then?” “We’re making progress,” he says nonchalantly and by now, you know he’s trying to act cool and play it off. Unfortunately, his facade has an opposite effect — it makes him endearing. “I’d work on it more, but I was running out of steam. Haven’t eaten since lunchtime.” “Oh, same here.” “You wanna join me then?” The question is proposed so smoothly that you’re caught off guard, suffering from whiplash and made speechless for a good three seconds. “S-sure.” Yoongi looks over at Jin. You turn to your friend. For a moment you forgot he was even there. And he’s standing there awkwardly with an entertained smile, brows raised, having witnessed the whole flirting-banter spiel. He’s impressed at your game, fascinated and astonished that this progressed so quickly, and he looks between you and Yoongi as if he’s deciphering some kind of code. It’s the first time that the tables have turned. Kim Seokjin has become the third wheel. “I’m good,” he says, “I had a full bowl of mac and cheese before I got here. Y’know, the kind you make in the box and it has powdered sauce you pour milk into?” Jin looks over at you and his hand plops on your shoulder, squeezing gently with unspoken encouragements, a twinkle in his eye that tells you to ‘get it’. The connotation of his tone makes you embarrassed. “I already have an idea of what to get Yuri anyways. So don’t worry about me, Y/N. Go off and have fun. Lots and lots of fun. Shouldn’t put off eating dinner either. It’s not good for your health.” “Okay…” “Bye! Goodnight! Nice seeing you again, Yoongi.” Jin waves with an arm extended above his head, being loud and noisy before trotting forward. You and Yoongi wave goodbye and once he’s gone, you sigh with a smile, walking with the shorter, dark-haired man. He remains quiet, allowing his steps to naturally sync with yours and after a savoured moment, he breaks the silence. “Hey, Y/N.” “Hmm?” “We still haven’t had pizza yet,” Yoongi comments and you realize he’s right. “Weren’t you going to show me what proper pizza was?” “Oh yeah, I almost forgot.” “How about tomorrow then?” he mumbles and you recognize he’s formally asking you out. “Just the two of us.” You steal a peek, finding him pouting at the floor, staring at his own shoes. “Aren’t we going out right now?” “It’s not pizza,” he mischievously retorts, “and I want to secure another date with you.” You’re sputtering, especially at his word of ‘another’ that implies this outing isn’t just a platonic arrangement spurred solely on coincidence. Then again, you’re not sure if your previous ‘hangouts’ with Yoongi were platonic either and without any deeper intentions. You try to dip your toes in the water, testing your theory. “Isn’t this technically our third date?” He hums and nods, cute eyes pinned ahead and stealing glances at you when you’re unsuspecting. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want a fourth.” “You’re going to have to impress me with tonight then.” “Deal.” There’s no more third wheels, fifth, or even sixth. There’s only two which is enough for you. Everything incredible comes in twos — pairs of socks, shoes, slippers, soft mittens, even arms, legs, sets of sincere eyes. It’s two that makes peanut butter and jelly, day and night, left and right, sweet and savoury. The list could go on, but it’s not short of— You and Yoongi.

#bts fanfic #bts fluff #yoongi fluff #yoongi fanfic #yoongi scenario #HALLELUJAH - something that isn't Jungle Park for once

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dreamer95 · 4 years ago

Text

Love Me Not (Part 3)

Theme; Angst…Very Angst.

Warnings; Heartbreak, Sadness. Super Low Self-Esteem. Abuse & Toxic Relationship. Mention of sex.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’m sorry he is your what?” Jimin asked you looking confused.

Looking down at your hands you answered him, “Yea we started dating a few days ago. He is really nice once you get to know him.” Lies that was all that was coming out of your mouth but you wanted to show him that you were doing better.

“(Y/N) you cannot be serious!? This is the guy that put his hands on you not that long ago. & was screaming on you for bumping into him. I don’t like him.” Jimin exclaimed getting up from his seat walking back and forth, pushing his hair back. He was trying to process the new information that was giving to him. He saw the way he treated you today. There’s no way you would date some like him. Why were you dating him!?

“I still care about you!? How can you that someone like him when we just broke up a few months ago!!” Jimin was angry at you for dating someone else but mostly himself because he broke you beyond repair. He could see it on your face, your body. Everything about you changed in a matter of months and he was scared that he might lose you.

“I didn’t love you anymore. Why would I stay with you if I didn’t love you anymore? Everything was changing between us and by the looks of it now. You will do anything to get my attention. I didn’t know you were so stupid to date a low life like him. But I guess you’re that much of a desperate whor-” he was cut off by you hand striking his cheek. He was shocked he never thought you would hit him.

This made you angry, how dare he judge you.

“You don’t get to call me a whore. Because YOU LEFT ME! YOU LEFT ME FOR YURI & 3 DAYS LATER AFTER YOU LEFT ME YOU WERE DATING HER ALREADY SHOWING HER OFF TO THE WORLD. You didn’t even bother doing that with me. But I understand you were ashamed of me. Fuck I mean look at me I’m nothing compared to her!” You were pulling you hair. It was so much to take the pain everything was driving you crazy.

Couldn’t he see how much you were hurting because of him. He decided to end your relationship and move on days after. And now that you are trying you turned out to be the bad guy.

This wasn’t fair.

“(Y/n) I’m sor-”

“Get out. I never want to see you again” you cut him off looking so defeated. Jimin was scared to leave the look on you face said everything. He saw you were tired, hurt, sad, but mostly angry. He didn’t know if it was towards him or yourself. He wanted to hold you and apologize, he didn’t know what came over him and he just snapped not only were you dating someone else but this was mentally and physically abusing you and you were just letting him.

“I told you to get out. I never want to see you again.” With one last shove you opened the door for him, Jimin stepping out but not before looking at you with a sad look.

Weeks later….

You were label as the quiet girl, had no friends but was still dating the hottest and richest guy in school. The students couldn’t find an explanation, but they didn’t bother either.

Every day you would see Jimin drop or pick up Yuri at the same spot. You were so numb from the pain; you didn’t know if it hurt because of Jimin or because of Jake.

You completely changed and Jimin took noticed. Especially after Jungkook and Yoongi has informed him about what they saw last time they saw you with Jake.

“Hey Jimin have you talked to (y/n) at all lately?” He heard Jungkook asked him as him and Yoongi walked into the living were him and the rest of the members were watching tv.

“The last time we talked we ended in bad terms. It’s been weeks since we’ve talked.” Jimin said grabbing the attention of the other members.

“We saw here at the store with some dude and she didn’t look too good. Did she start dating someone” Yoongi stated. Jimin felt his heart stopped. He knew exactly what they were talking about.

“Oh, yea that’s her umm new boyfriend?” Jimin felt the venom in his mouth as soon as the word boyfriend left. He hated to think that you had someone else, someone that didn’t fucking deserved you. It made him angry, his hand clenching into fist.

“Wait, she has a boyfriend. How come you never told you” Taehyung asked him.

“I didn’t think you guys would care plus it’s the same dumbass that screamed and touched her at the park” Jimin stared shrugging his shoulders.

Namjoon had always had a soft spot for you. You were like a little sister to him. He hated himself for pushing you to the side when you and Jimin broke up, but he figured you needed space.

“Hyung he doesn’t look like a good guy. He was yelling at her and pushing her for grabbing the wrong thing. We stepped in but the guy pulled her away before we could ask her anything. She had bruises on her body. She looked like she had a black eye, but he took her away too fast to confirm” Jungkook said in a sad voice.

“What happened the last time you saw her?” Him asked him. The boys were shocked to hear what Jungkook had said.

“Well it didn’t go so well. I confronted her about it because she attends the same University as Yuri. And she was with that guy, he was being stupid and screaming at her. He forces her to agree to go to her house even after she has declined the offer. I got to her house hours later and when she opened the door, she was wearing my t-shirt but she has bruise in her body umm sexual bruises” Jimin felt his jaw tighten after he said those words out loud.

The members were quiet waiting for Jimin to finish the story but he could tell they were getting angry, “anyways so we started talking and she told me she was dating him and I flipped I told her that how could she move on to someone as low as him in the matter of weeks. Fuck I even accused her of being a desperate whore begging for my attention. She slapped me and told me I had not right to judge her since I had moved on after 3 days after I left her. I just don’t know what happened. I flipped and she kicked me out, but she looked so broken. It’s all my fault” Jimin was looking down at his hands, too scared to look at the members.

He knew the members cared deeply about you and the fact that he said that to you, he deserved the slapped. When he looked up, he noticed the flares from his members he knew they were pissed at him for his actions.

“You mean to tell me that you fucking knew that bastard was touching her without her consent, and you decided to call her a desperate whore.” Hoseok asked him with a disbelieved look on his face. He was angry, Jimin couldn’t have been more stupid.

“You left her Jimin for a someone new. You had to fucking right to judge her because if anybody were meant to be judge it would be you!” Hoseok finished looking like he was ready to punch something or him.

“Fuck I know okay? I was angry it took me that to realized that I still love her. But I just don’t know what to do. I’ve only been with Yuri to keep an eye on her but every day she looks worse and worse and I can’t take it anymore. I know I should off told you guys sooner but I just didn’t know how to tell you guys. I feel like shit because just starting at the dumbass makes me angry. I just FUCK I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. HOW TO GET HER BACK!” Jimin was at the average of pulling out his hair.

“Look you made a mistake. We are humans after all. You should’ve told us as soon as you noticed. Not let it go by months and waited till now. The first thing we got to do is get her away from that guy. If you don’t love Yuri, you need to break up with her. She doesn’t deserve for you to be playing with her. Once (y/n) is better and ready maybe you can try and see if you can get her back. But right now, what matters is her. Not you. Her. So, if you really want her back you need to understand it’s going to take some time and you have to be patience. She is broken not only by the guy but by you too. We will help because you are our brother but don’t ever let something like this happened again.” Yoongi told him while she took a seat next to him patting on his shoulder.

Jimin knew his brothers wouldn’t leave him behind. He was going to get you back no matter what happens. He loves you; you are it for him and he knows this is a fight he is willing to fight for.

Part 4 Finally Coming Soon🦋

Sorry if this wasn’t good and the grammar.

#park jimin #jimin #bts jimin #jimin angst #bts angst #park jimin angst #jimin scenarios #park jimin scenarios #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #jung hoseok #min yoongi #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook #bts scenarios #bts v #bts suga #bts j hope #bts rm

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manggojooz · 5 years ago

Text

Foolish Love, Fake Love (Part 2)

pairing: idol!Jungkook x bodyguard!reader

word count: 3,045

genre: idol!au; angst; romance; drama; enemies to lovers sort of thing

warnings: none

previous part: Prologue | Part 1

summary: If all you can give me is a fake love, then I will be the fool to pretend that it is all true.

comments: too excited to start writing again, not edited just posting first. please reblog or comment if you liked this chapter <3

“Oh my gosh, my ankles hurt so much... I wish we were just chilling in the streets of Hongdae and eating odaeng right now...”, Yuri whined.

You walked around the well-equipped apartment with mouth still hanging half-opened. They provided an apartment for the both of you to stay, in that same lavish building with the boys, just one floor below their dorms.

“Guess that’s what we have to suffer for this kind of welfare?”, you threw open the living room curtains revealing a ceiling-to-floor window that has the most stunning view of Hangang river.

“Yeah you know they are only letting us stay here because we have to be on call 24/7 just in case they find a random creepy fangirl hiding in their closet upstairs right?”, Yuri was turning on her snappiness.

The horror stories which Sejoon relayed while you girls were waiting for the photo shoot to be over were sometimes a little too absurd to believe.

Once they found a fangirl who managed to sneak into the boys’ apartment, pretending to be a plumber, and she was digging through Jimin’s cupboard when they nabbed her. Another time a fanboy tried to pose as the new assistant to the managers and almost drove Namjoon away in his own mini van. Then there was the time a sasaeng got mad that Jungkook was not answering her calls or replying her messages so she stalked him in the hotel during their concert and set fire to his room door when he wouldn’t open it for her.

“Those people are cray cray...”, you mumbled.

“Yeah and guess what, we are going to be dealing with those cray-crays... you see why they have to hire us? Because crazies don’t follow no rules, but people like us, we gotta follow the rules. A man can’t touch a woman... so they hire a woman to "touch" the woman...”, Yuri clicks her tongue and drags herself off the couch, undressing herself for the shower.

---

The next day Yuri and you were brought in to see the management, the management. Her name is Lee Heeyoung, people call her Direction Lee. Even though most people know Bang PD to be the head of Big Hit, he was a producer after all. The reins on the business operations, or in plain simple words, the money, was held in the hands of this woman.

She wore a midi nude dress, which clinged to her gym-built figure alluringly, making it difficult to put a pin on how old she actually is. Yuri and you shifted uneasily in your seats on the couch in her room.

“I hope you girls don’t mind chlorophyll?”, she smiles as she takes her seat and the secretary places three glasses of dark green liquid housed in tall transparent glasses onto the coffee table.

“Excuse me?”, Yuri responded a little too quickly.

The office lady simply continues, “Chlorophyll. I drink one glass of it every morning, it has many benefits. I don’t drink coffee, you see. Try it”, she urged, her facial expression almost never changing from that plastered on polite smirk.

“Thank you”, you said as you nudged Yuri to pick up the glasses and drink from them. It tasted... healthy, and you quickly placed the glass back down.

“Sejoon says that your company needed us to pay a deposit for your services? We don’t usually do that. But Sejoon’s been a great help to the boys since they debut and he said it’s a senior he knows, so I agreed”, she narrated calmly after taking a sip of the seaweed-coloured drink. “I’m not saying this to make you feel indebted to me. I just want you to know that we have done everything within our means to get the boys to the top and we are willing to do even more to keep them there, so please, don’t think of your jobs as inconsequential.”

It was hard to ascertain which of her words bore sincerity, her tone and expression never falters.

---

The boys had no schedule that day, so Yuri and you spent the most of daytime exercising, gaming, and generally bumming around in the apartment. When Yuri’s phone rang, you both assumed it was the jjajangmyeon delivery guy who must have lost his way since it’s been almost twenty minutes from the time Yuri ordered the food.

“Oh Dad it’s you... I thought it was the delivery... Huh? How much does he need?”, and Yuri walks away to answer the phone nearer to the window.

When she finally hung up, you asked her cautiously, “Your Dad? Is everything ok?” You have known Yuri for close to a decade now, her father was the sweetest man, but he often involved himself in other people’s matters and that always makes Yuri miffed.

“Our uncle’s sick and needs money for his surgery. He has no children so my Dad wants to lend him the money. He’s asking me to send it over tonight”, Yuri said through gritted teeth, “He always thinks about helping others, what about us? Why do I have to keep giving away my hard-earned money... ughhhh...”, Yuri blows up and looks at you.

You said nothing.

“Sighs, he’s my uncle, I can’t just watch him die either”, Yuri closes her eyes tight and accepted her fate. You smiled a little watching her solo struggle. She takes after her father after all.

Then someone rang the doorbell. You ran over thinking it would finally be the delivery guy but when you opened the door, Sejoon was standing outside.

“I need one of you to get ready and come with me now”, Sejoon directed.

“Huh? But it’s past 10pm”, you answered instinctively.

“So?”, his eyes widened at your reply, genuinely surprised, “Jungkook needs to go somewhere, just need one of you to tag along. Who’s free now?”

You thought for a moment, “I’ll go, Yuri’s busy...”

“Good. Carpark in ten minutes”, Sejoon then turns to walk off quickly.

---

The car ride was silent. You sat in the front passenger seat while Jungkook sat in the back, typing furiously away on his phone. He was dressed rather formally for his standards, black skinny jeans, black T-shirt and a black jacket fashionable adorned with embroidery. He even styled his hair up for something this late at night. It must be an important meeting.

You entered a building from the back door situated in a soulless alley, eventually realising the place was a restaurant. The private room you walked into was dim, a table was already set up in the middle of the room with two seats, Jungkook taking one of them.

“Jungkook, we’ll be outside, if there’s anything just text me”, Sejoon says it as though it was routine and then pushes you along with him to exit the room.

Both of you then made yourselves comfortable at a table outside in the hall area which was otherwise empty and had a view of the narrow corridor leading to the private room. Shortly after, you spot a lean and dainty woman walking briskly towards the room. She was wearing a cap pulled low to cover her eyes and a black face mask.

You shot up to check on the situation when Sejoon grabs your arm and pulls you right back down onto the hard wooden chair. “We’re good, it’s ok”, Sejoon says as he continues to play his game on his handphone.

---

Time crawled along and when you checked your phone you saw that it was only 11.33pm. This time though, when you looked up again, a woman was strutting forcefully towards your table.

“The paparazzi are gathering outside, I saw at least two from different tabloids. We gotta go, get them out of here, I'll pick them up from the back”, she spat at Sejoon in lightning speed and turns to dash off, not without turning around to make sure Sejoon and you were moving along, “Go! Go!”, she shouted.

“Who was that? What-”, you stammered.

“No time for questions now! Come come!”, Sejoon runs off first towards the private room.

By the time you reached the room, Sejoon was dragging Jungkook out the door. A girl was following closely behind him. As she comes through the door and looks at you, you recognised her. Kang Yeonjoo, a popular girl idol who was well-known for her singing skills. “Are they... secretly dating now?”, you thought to yourself.

“What are you waiting for? Get them to the back door and-”, Sejoon chided as Jungkook and Yeonjoo squeezed past you to run towards the back door. Just then, a flash of light bursts and you turned around to see a huge camera pointed in your direction, aimed right at this narrow corridor.

Sejoon dashes towards the cameraman and yelled at you, “Go! Go!”

---

You ran after the two figures in the dimly-lit back alley. A car screeches to a halt before them, the door flies open and they get into the car. Another man alighted and the vehicle leaves in a rush.

The man walks towards you sighing in a serious tone, “These paparazzi are like hyenas, I guess we have to throw them some meat to fend them off.” With that, he grabs your arm and swings you around, his arm circling your shoulder, causing you to crouch down under the weight.

Something with a cotton-like texture was swung over your head but you could still see flashes of light and hear loud voices through the soft material.

“She’s there!!”, someone shouted and you could practically feel the energy of humans closing into you.

“Hey! Hey! Back down!”, the man who was holding your shoulders bellowed loudly. You felt at least a dozen hands trying to pull and tug at you at the same time, then suddenly the dark cloth covering your head was hauled forcefully onto the ground.

“Ya!! Quick!! Where's the camera?!”, a woman’s voice was thundering into your ear drums.

“What the?! Stand back! I said leave her alone!!”, the man was still holding on to you but was now futilely shielding your face from the piranhas with his forearms. A car horn beeps from far away and you see a black vehicle stop abruptly in front of you.

“Get in! Quick! Get in!”, the man shouted at you and shoves you into the van. But for the chaos that was surrounding you, you would actually have thought that this was a kidnapping attempt.

Whoever was driving the car floored the gas pedal and the car sped off with you in it, still trying to catch your breath. “That was some intense shit, so much for coming back from a vacation and immediately having to fight off an army of paparazzi”, the mysterious man mumbled.

For a moment you actually contemplated whether this was really a mafia’s van. Now that you looked at him a second time, the man has the looks and demeanour of a typical thug, the kind you would expect to be working for people like Madam Yoo.

“Kijin Hyung, Y/N, are both of you ok? I thought I was in a zombie apocalypse movie...”, Sejoon’s voice came from the driver’s seat and you were relieved to see a familiar face behind the wheel, assured that you were now in safe hands.

“Sejoon-ah, the apocalypse is only just starting...”, the man known as Kijin warns forlornly as he leans forward to pat Sejoon on his shoulder. “Let’s send her home first, then we are heading to your office”, Kijin instructed Sejoon.

---

You had fallen asleep almost immediately after you plopped down onto the sofa in your apartment. The next morning you were awoken by the sharp piercing noise of your handphone’s default ringtone. It took you a while to register that it was your phone that was actually ringing since you were not used to this tune.

“Hello?”, you picked up the call after locating your phone on the floor with your eyelids still glued to each other.

“Y/N, are you still sleeping? Come over to the office quickly!”, you bolted up upon hearing Director Lee’s voice.

“Yeah yeah ok, I'm going over now”, you tried to enunciate as clearly as your numb lips allowed you to.

---

You dashed into the agency’s building, impatiently waiting for the lift that never seemed slower.

Finally, you reached the tenth floor where Director Lee’s office was on, and her secretary hastily ushered you in, “Ms Lee, she’s here”.

Inside the expansive office was a bulky black leather sofa set. Director Lee sat in one of the one-seaters, while Kijin and Sejoon were on her right side, Jungkook sat crouching with his hands covering his face to her left. Namjoon sat next to Jungkook, looking rather perplexed but lightening a little when he saw you enter.

“Have you seen the papers?”, the lady queried.

You meekly shook your head, noting the mood in the room to be generally an unpleasant one. She jerks her head slightly towards a pile of newspapers, “Or you could have just used your phone on the way here...”, she said somewhat sarcastically.

Steadying yourself you walked over to the low-rising coffee table, picking up one of the tabloid papers.

“BTS Dating Scandal – Jeon Jungkook’s mysterious girl”; “Boy with Luv – Is Jeon Jungkook secretly dating one of his staff?”; “A Midnight Rendezvous with BTS”

You scanned through the photos, they were all of you dashing out from the restaurant behind Jungkook, and of Kijin shielding you from the paparazzi. A frown starts to appear once you began to understand the situation. At least for now, your face was blurred out in the photos.

“What were you thinking, Kijin Hyung? I know it’s your job to protect Yeonjoo but why did you need to pretend like Y/N was the one meeting Jungkook?”, Namjoon sighed rather aggravatedly.

“I didn’t expect them to catch photos of her face. And they were all ready to chase after our car. If they had followed it thinking that Jungkook and “the girl” were both in it, they will stake it out and they will eventually see that he was with Yeonjoo”, Kijin explained.

“Sure, that’s all fine. But Hyung, how could you tell the media that I am dating her?!”, Jungkook yells at Yeonjoo’s manager, and then glares straight at you.

“Look Jungkook, the scandal has been brewing for a while now. The tabloids continuously send us photos of you out there with someone looking like Yeonjoo and asking us to confirm it. We have paid off so many of them, this isn’t a long-term plan”, Kijin almost sounded like he was pleading with Jungkook.

“Yeah ok, then just deny that I was out there with anyone! Why do we have to say that I’m dating her?!”, Jungkook was exasperated by now.

“There is a girl in those photos Jungkook. Either we have to say that it was Yeonjoo or we have to say it was some other girl. But if we said it was Yeonjoo... would she be prepared to confirm it? Are you two even really... I mean formally... dating right now?”, Sejoon jumps in to clarify, gently proding.

There was a tense silence between the men. And then someone raps on the door.

“Ma’am, Director Park from Rapid is on the line, he wants to speak with you urgently”, Director Lee’s secretary peeped in to say.

“He probably wants a scoop for his tabloid. I owe him one since he blocked out the last one for us. Well I guess the decision is yours then young man, we have to come up with a story this time. Who was it? Her? Or Yeonjoo?”, Director Lee was still as unpredictable as she threw the ball into Jungkook’s court.

Jungkook was tormented, he looked tormented. The entire surroundings started to resonate with him. That was when Kijin stepped in to persuade him, “Jungkook listen to me. It will just be for two months, or at most three. Then your agency will say that you broke up with her. This will quell all the previous rumours about you and Yeonjoo too. Think about it... don’t you realise this is the best way you can protect Yeonjoo from all of this now?”

You could see it in his eyes – his heart was swaying, his mind was being bought over. Kijin knew how to sell him the idea, because Kijin knew that to Jungkook there is nothing more important than protecting Yeonjoo.

“Are we not going to ask for her opinion in this?”, Namjoon blurted and pointed at you.

You were displaced, the only person still standing in ceremony in the room. The black outfit you still wore always suited you, because a bodyguard was meant to be a shadow.

Sejoon shifted a little in his seat before saying uneasily, “I don’t think she has much say in this...”

Without mincing her words Director Lee said as much, “Do you disagree? Should we terminate the service contract with your company and take back our deposit?”

You always hated people who don’t play by the rules, those who punched below the belt. You always hated anyone who took advantage of another when they were down on the ground. But this is reality. There are no rules to the fight.

Yet your insignificant silence was still unsettling, Sejoon stood up and quickly came to your side. “It’s only two months, we will double your pay. And Yuri’s too. Deal?”, he whispers to you while stretching out his hand. You held Director’s Lee challenging stare. “Deal”, Sejoon proclaims himself and grabs your hand in his to shake it, turning to smile awkwardly at the others.

“Good. I am starting to like this narrative. Isn’t this a popular drama trope? Poor girl meets handsome rich guy kind of thing? Maybe this scandal will turn out to do us some good instead...”, Director Lee smirked as she gets up to prance towards her phone.

In ordinary circumstances you will never, never, let anyone use you like this. But you see it, it was a win-win situation for everyone involved. Everyone except you. From the way he looked at you, you knew... that even if Jungkook had not already started disliking you, he surely was starting to resent you now. You were just a shadow, what right do you have to stand in the light, in the place that should be rightfully hers?

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leihey · 5 years ago

Text

Late Night Talks (One Shot)

Word count: 6,279

Pairing: Kanghyun (Onewe) x OC, gxb

Genre: Friendship fluff, angst

Warnings: Hints of (former) suicidal thoughts, cheating, toxic relationship, character death, re-creating your own self (does that make sense?)

Summary: A stranger takes care of a broken hearted Kanghyun, who reveals step by step the story why he’s so sad.

Theme Song: Day6 - Congratulations

[A/N: First ofall, special thanks to Jojo, Liana, Pauli and Lou who motivated me and helped me a lot with the translation and correction. Also, thanks to the person who made that beautiful cover. Second of all, English isn’t my first language and this is the first time that I wrote in English. Please tell me if you find mistakes. Last but not least, I want to become better at writing and need some criticism. I would really appreciate if you’d tell me what you think about my OS.]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Thought we were meant to be.

Pain.

I thought that you belonged to me.

Tears.

I’ll play the fool instead.

Loneliness.

Oh, but then I know that this is the end.

Truth.

Plain truth. A truth that seemed so untrue, felt so wrong, that everything else seemed unreal too. That everything in front of my eyes became blurred. That took my safe place and let me break down. That took my breath. That destroyed me. That took away my happiness and my joy for life. With a sigh I turned off the music, took the headphones out of my ears and put them back into my pocket.

My gaze followed by a small leaf that slowly slid down into the shallow river in front of me. Single drops found their way onto the leaf and let it shine slightly in the moonlight. A full moon. Formerly a symbol for inner warmth and satisfaction. Now a fading memory which filled me with coldness and dissatisfaction.

Generally, the whole place shone with beauty. At least for others. For me it was just a grey, dreary image of pain.

“Where’s she?” An unknown voice pulled me out of my thoughts. A girl. She whispered. Why was she whispering? Who was she?

I shrugged and acted like I don’t know what she was talking about: “Who?”

She came closer. I didn’t look at her. My eyes were still fixed on the leaf. “That girl” She was still whispering.

“Which girl?” I replied, trying to sound emotionless. She sat next to me.

“You were often here together. But only when it was full moon. 25 times or something.” She took my hand but I pulled it away again.

“27 times.”, I corrected her. She took off her shoes and stuck her feet into the water below us. Goosebumps spread over her legs, which made me smile. Even when it is summer, the water is cold at night.

"2 years and 3 months. And today is the first time that you’re alone here. Why?“ She had stopped whispering. I didn’t know her, but her voice seemed familiar to me. “How do you know about it that much?” I remained emotionless. She giggled. “You’re very fixated on her, aren’t you? Another reason why it’s weird she isn’t here. I came here everyday for the last 3 years. It’s a part of my evening routine. I can’t fall asleep otherwise.” She explained to me. I looked at her. Now her eyes were on the leaf that was slowly being carried away by the slight flow of the river. Unlike me, she didn’t seem to be inhibited. Not frantic. Rather dreamy.

“Why are you even interested?” I asked confused. She just shrugged and slowly moved her feet in the water, propelling the leaf. “I’m just curious.” I sighed and ran my fingers stressfully through my hair.

“Not here.” I got up to leave, but was held on. “Please don’t go.” Just like her eyes, her voice was pleading. I just sighed again, but sat down again.

“Thank you. I didn’t want to annoy you and certainly didn’t scare you away.” I nodded because I didn’t have the strength to answer with words.

I searched the riverbed with my eyes. The leaf was already washed away by the flow of the river. Gone. Just like her. The water in front of my eyes made slight waves as small drops of water hit it. Tears. My tears.

“It’s because of her, am I right?” She put an arm around me after I nodded weakly. Yes, it was because of her. Yuri. Lee Yuri. The reason, the only reason I was here this day. The reason why I’ve been already here 27 times before. Yuri, the reason for my tears. For my pain. But at the same time someone I owe my life to.

“Will you tell me what happened?” She whispered again. “Why are you whispering?” I asked without paying any attention to her question. “To instill trust.”, she replied calmly, still whispering, “So that you feel more secure. And more welcome. To keep your inner self warm.” At the end she stopped whispering, but remained quiet and calm.

She pulled me closer to her, into her arms. I didn’t do anything against that, even though it was a strange, unfamiliar feeling. After a short time, she gently stroked my back. Enjoyable, but also unusual.

“I don’t know.” I replied after a while. This time I was the one who whispered. “What do you not know?” She asked a little confused. “Whether I’ll tell you what happened or nor.” I clarified, as I laid my head shyly on her shoulder. “That’s okay. Tell me what you want and remain silent about the things that make you feel uncomfortable. The most important thing is that you feel good.” She assured me. I put my arms around her and pulled her into a shy hug, after which she gently ruffled my hair and giggled. A slight, reserved smile crept onto my lips, which is why I finally started to recount: “We were together.”

Her movements slowed down a little bit. “You and the girl?” she inquired. I nodded and continued: “Yuri. That’s her name. Lee Yuri. She was my girlfriend.” I sighed. “My first one, I want to mention. I was used to get fooled by my friends, or rather classmates, because I was the only one who hasn’t had already a girlfriend, but that never changed anything. I just didn’t fall in love. And even if I did, I probably would have been too shy to speak to the person.”

She tightened the hug a bit, which startled me at first, but then I enjoyed the closeness and attention of another person. Even if I still didn’t want to admit it to myself, I knew that it was exactly what I needed.

“What about her? How did you get to know her?” She wanted to know. “It’s a pretty cheesy story, I think.” I uttered while I laughed shyly. “Who doesn’t like cheesy love stories?” She smiled encouragingly. Even though I wasn’t looking at her face because my head was still on her shoulder, I could hear it in her voice. “Well, that’s right...” I started a little shyly. “You probably noticed it already, but playing the guitar is a passion of mine.” She nodded. “You played here a lot for her. At least 10 times.” I smiled a little and continued talking: “13 times, to be exact. At least here.” I sighed heavily again.

“But to get back to the story, I’m already playing for years and I do it really often and I really enjoy it. Even before I knew her. I came here often when I had time. Mostly during the day, but also sometimes in the evening. Just rarely at nighttime. This place is beautiful, but probably not beautiful enough to go out in the evening. And probably too quiet for young people. There were rarely a lot of people here, if anyone was here at all. So, an almost perfect place to calm down and let your thoughts stray. I think most people feel the same way, but for me calming down means to pursue my passion, as in playing my guitar. I often covered songs. Songs that got stuck my head all day long or songs that simply described my current mood. But sometimes it happened that I just played anything. Not a special song but anything that went trough my head and that feels right in that moment. Whenever I did this, I just ignored what it sounded like and played how I felt. It was winter, about a year before we got together, when she sat down next to me. It was just evening, but since it was winter, it was already as dark as if it was midnight. Basically, it was similar to today. Full moon, dark and this place. The only difference was, that it was way colder and I had my guitar with me. Like every time during winter, I took heating pads to warm my hands in between so that it didn’t hurt when I plucked the strings. It’s because I’m this cliché guitar player who has incredibly sensitive hands.” I laughed briefly.

“Not just sensitive hands.” The girl murmured. I gave her a quick, confused look, but since she made no move to explain, I thought it would be better to just leave it at that and tell my story: “I usually go back home when those pads have cooled down. But this day it was different. I felt that it wasn’t time to leave. I didn’t want to go. So, I gritted my teeth and struggled through the pain. Of course, the pain affected my play. I often gambled away and took too much time between the individual notes until my hands were ready again. I didn’t know if she was there more often and had heard me, or maybe she just walked casually by that day. It doesn’t matter. The only important thing is she was there and she noticed something was wrong. She came to me and took my hands. Her hands were very warm and after a short while this warmth spread onto my hands. She said something like ‘Now play something for me, little Penguin!’, which of course I did.”

I closed my eyes to be able to recall the scene. The tears came again. I missed her. I missed her so much. I needed her. I still loved her.

“Why did she call you penguin?” She whispered again. Doubtless because she had noticed I started to cry. “She said I remind her of this animated penguin from that children’s series, Pingu. She wasn’t the first to feel that way. In fact, penguin was kind of an occasional nickname of mine before. However, since it has always been difficult for me to speak to people and I’ve never really had any friends, I no longer have anyone to call me that. Unfortunately.” I blushed slightly and pressed my face carefully into her shoulder.

“Hasn’t anyone ever spoke to you on their own?” She questioned incredulously. “Of course, they did. There were a few. Mostly others who were never really popular in the class or something. Sure, for what other reasons should you talk to the ‘Weirdo’ when you have another choice and can talk to someone else? But that never became a really close friendship either. I’m not usually that kind of person who talks a lot.” I laughed a little helplessly, firmly convinced she would think I’m a liar.

“I’m even more proud that you can tell me all this that detailed and comprehensive, you cute penguin.” She mentioned, clearly proud. She didn’t seem to be lying, which calmed me down but made be blush even more. “You don’t have to be embarrassed to be a cute penguin.”, she giggled.

“I am not cute.” I contradicted in a pouting tone. “Oh, you are not? And what do you want to call it that you’ve been lying in my arms and telling me about your worries for the last half an hour instead?” I shrugged. “A coward.”, I replied, “Or being stupid. After all, we don’t know each other.” She sighed and released the hug to look me in the eyes. “Hey, don’t say that. Cowards are the ones who fail to open their hearts and get help. And stupid are those who know they need and can get help, but don’t accept it. You’re not stupid because you opened your heart to a stranger.” She trembled, but her voice was firm.

“Are you cold?” I asked her, ignoring her words. “Doesn’t matter.” She responded just as firmly, but this time without trembling. “It does. I answered you, now it’s your turn. And please be honest.” She nodded hesitantly but seemed to doubt whether it was a good idea to answer. I took off my jacket and put it with the words “It’s very thin, but still better that nothing.” carefully over her shoulders. “But now you’re cold!” She protested compassionate. “That doesn’t matter. You’ve already done so much for me, I should retaliate! And girls become cold way faster than boys and freeze more, so everything is fine.” I smiled gently at her while saying that. “But then at least I want to wrap you in my arms again.” She demanded stubbornly. Softly giggling, I put my head back on her shoulder, my arms around her, and waited for her arms to do the same to me.

“Then tell me, penguin, how did you two get together?” I closed my eyes again and projected the picture back in front of my eyes. “I played something for her. Ed Sheeran’s Castle on the Hill. A wonderful song in my opinion. Like most of his songs. She felt quite the same and therefore asked me to play another song by him afterwards. Of course, I did it. I played his songs until my hands froze again. And I sang individual passages a few times as well.” My cheeks turned red again. “I really like to sing, but I don’t do it that often. I’m just too shy for that. And unlike playing the guitar, singing is just a hobby and not a passion to me. But after my hands and hers were cold like ice and I just couldn’t play the guitar anymore, we stayed here anyway. Neither me nor she left. While I was playing she leaned against me and put her head on my shoulder. I-it was kind of like what I’m doing with you right now. Only that she was sitting next to me and not that she was laying in my arms.”

I was quiet for a moment and waited for her reaction. She seemed to notice that I was waiting for something and began to stroke my back. “Cute. Did you like it as much as I do?” She asked calmly. “It was a bit weird. I never really felt the need to take care of anyone. I was never the kind of person who likes to wrap someone in my arms.” I looked up to the sky where the full moon was shining at me. “Rather the one someone takes care of? The kind of person someone wrapped in their arms?” She questioned. I nodded slowly as an answer. “That suits you a lot better.” She grinned. “And it’s better for me too.” She replied, hugging me tightly.

“Why didn’t you tell her that back then?” I shrugged. “I liked her. She was nice to me and warmed up my hands. And she was the one who started the conversation. I also was hopeful. Hopeful because I thought I might have a chance to have a friendship again. A real friendship. A close friendship. I didn’t want to mess up everything right away, so I just did things that were unusual for me.” It was quiet between us for a moment. I went through our whole story again in my mind. For the seventh time today. I relived all the feelings I had. And I wept away the tears again.

“What kind of things?” She sounded hoarse. No, she sounded like she wanted to hide something. As if she was suppressing something.

“What’s wrong?” She didn’t answer.

“Tell me what kind of things you did.” She demanded.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” I repeated.

She gave up and promised: “Later. Promise. But it’s your turn first.”

I was okay with it and started to enumerate: “You should know that after this evening we became really close friends and I wanted to maintain this friendship as long as possible. So, I took on the role of the person who started the conversation. We gave each other our phone number and after a few days on that we spent a lot of time together, I started some kind of ritual. She was the kind of person that wakes up really late while I was the kind of person that wakes up really early in the morning. So, I wished her a good morning every morning. And we had a phone call every evening. She asked me to play the guitar or to sing for her. Or just to speak, because the sound of my voice helped her a lot with falling asleep. I would be lying if I’d say that I didn’t wish something like that for myself. Someone who takes care of me and makes sure that I can fall asleep well. As I said, I’ve never seen myself in the role of the one caring for someone else. But to maintain the friendship with her, it was worth it to me. Then she was a big fan of going to some club or bar in the evening, while I preferred to go to places like this and enjoy the silence. But because I wanted to make her happy, I often came with her to those places. When we were in a relationship, we agreed that we would always spend full moons here and enjoy the silence. But in general, she was more of a fan of places where there are many people, where it was loud and especially when there was alcohol, which I don’t like at all. And she also thought that the man or boy in a relationship, whether it was a friendship or a real relationship, is the more dominant and the one who takes care of the woman or the girl. Maybe that applies to the most, but to me not at all.”

She seemed to be deep in thoughts, which I concluded from the fact that she didn’t react to my words and her movements had slowed down considerably. Since I didn’t want to disturb her, I just enjoyed the moment in silence. The warmth she gave me though the hug and the beautiful view.

“Didn’t you ever tell her you weren’t like that?” She broke the silence after a while. Still relaxed, I shook my head. “Why?” I straightened up a little and answered her question: “I liked her. I really did. So much that at some point I started loving her. More than I’ve ever loved anything or anyone. More than I’ve ever expected to love something or someone. She was the first and of course, the only girl I’ve ever fallen in love with. To whom I’ve given my heart and dedicated all my feelings. The first person to be in my thoughts all day and in my dreams all night. The first whose mere thought kept making me smile broadly and made my heart beat faster. The feelings completely overwhelmed me back then. And they still do. Just that they were beautiful back then. Even when they hurt, it was a beautiful kind of pain. Now it’s just a cruel, rough pain. A kind of pain that only tears you apart from the inside.”

The tears overwhelmed me again. Memories dragged me down again. My feelings destroyed me again. “Do you know what I noticed? You cry quietly, without any noise. How do you do that?” I looked up. She was right. I had never noticed by myself. “I-I just let the tears flow. I don’t know. I-it just h-happens. Why do you ask?” I stuttered. “To distract you so that you stop crying, Pingu.” She responded honestly. It worked. No sooner had I thought about anything else than my feelings ceased to destroy me. At least they stopped destroying me that much.

“How did you know that would work?” I mumbled in her ear. She smiled slightly. “I have a little sister and I often had to make her feel better. Do you want to take a break from talking?” I nodded cautiously. She let go of me and I sat next to her.

“What’s your name actually?” I wanted to know. “Lian. Wang Nai Lian.” She replied immediately, as if she had been waiting to finally answer this question. “Taiwanese, right?” I asked.

“You’re right. And you’re Korean, right, Hyungu?” I swallowed as it froze down my back. “How do you know my name?” I trembled slightly with fear. I was sure I didn’t say my name once in the whole conversation.

“Later.” She said firmly. I nodded. At first just slowly, as a sign that I agreed, then a little faster, in response to her question about my nationality.

“It’s beautiful here.” She whispered after a few minutes of silence, looking up at the sky. “You’re so right.” I agreed. She put an arm around me and pulled me back a little. “Are you ready to tell me more? Or do you need some more time?” I shook my head and assured her: “I’m ready.” I played nervously with a few blades of grass next to me and let my feet hang back into the water.

“How did you get together?” I rowed slightly with my feet in the water to create a soothing splash. “We were here. Two years and three months ago. 26 full moons ago. I had my guitar with me and played some love songs for her. Self-composed. At the moment when I played them, she didn’t know that yet. I had long considered what to do and how to tell her about my feelings. However, the moment she smiled at me and told me how beautiful the song was, I knew that my plan had failed. From that moment on, I just let everything happen and followed my heart. I did what my feelings told me. I blushed and looked shyly at the floor. She pushed my face up a bit at the chin and smiled at me. A simple smile. It triggered so much in me. My cheeks literally exploded at that moment and I was sure I looked like a tomato. My heart started racing. It got so fast I was sure it was already unhealthy. But all of the sudden it became a minor issue. In general, everything seemed to just to disappear. I’ve read so many romance novels and watched so many cheesy movies, but I’ve always suspected that all of this was completely over the top. It wasn’t. Not a bit. On the contrary, it was completely understated. Everything around us disappeared. The sounds echoed away from us. The only ones left were her and myself. How we looked at each other. I looked in her beautiful, golden brown eyes and she in mine. I looked on her pink, soft lips and she on mine. She was beautiful. But I’m sure you know that since you’ve seen us together several times. But that day, from that day on, it was different. She was more beautiful. I’ll never be able to forget this picture. How the moon shone through her brown curls and lit up half of her face. I don’t know how it happened, it just did. I kissed her. I never expected having the courage to overcome my shyness and just kiss her. But I did. And she returned the kiss. It was the most beautiful feeling of my life and more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. It wasn’t a long kiss, but a beautiful one. But no sooner it had ended and my shyness returned. I realized what I have done. What would’ve happened if she hadn’t wanted to? I would’ve lost her. Probably forever.”

I dug my fingernails into my shirt to keep myself from crying. “But luckily that wasn’t the case. She returned the kiss, as well as she did my feelings.”

I looked shyly at the floor. “It was my first kiss. I didn’t know how it worked. How to kiss. How to kiss well! But I’m glad I did. That it happened.” I smiled lightly at the floor and felt my heart floating again when I remembered it. Seconds after that I was back on the ground and realized that all of that was over, I continued:

“The relationship with her was probably the best as well as the worst that could’ve happened to me.” I took a short breath, in which Lian asked, why. “I was no longer myself. No, worse. I had forgotten who I am. I loved her more than anything else and I didn’t want to lose her or risk that she could start liking me less. So, I started acting and talking like the way she likes the most. I replaced my real self. My real personality. And created a new self. A different one. A better one. At least for her. Not for me, not a bit. But it didn’t matter. It took its time, but after a while I got used to being a different person. Started ignoring the pitiful cries of my real inner self. And I started ignoring the pain…”

“You were in pain? What pain?” She interrupted me a bit upset. I affirmed this with a short, gentle nod before continuing my speech: “Pressure, pain, whatever you want to call this. I wasn’t myself. I was no longer in control of my actions. I suppressed myself, the real me. Of course, it hurt. Incredibly painful. You can’t imagine how bad.”

I leaned back a little and rested on my hands. “Can’t I?” She asked somewhat skeptically. I closed my eyes.

“Maybe. Maybe you can, maybe you can’t. Why?” I replied.

“Later.”, she said calmly, “After you finish talking.” I smiled a little. “Well, the pain was definitely unbearable.”, I resumed my story, “But not as cruel as the thought of living without her. I forgot my pain. Which doesn’t mean that it disappeared or I managed to hide it. But I forgot the cause of my pain. Just as I had forgotten myself before. I just wanted to be the way Yuri liked me the most. Because she meant everything to me. And she did a lot for me too! She supported me in one of the hardest times of my life. I would even say the hardest right after the current one. If not the roughest in general.”

I looked up at the sky. “Beautiful.”, I sighed heavily, “Just beautiful.” Lian put an arm around me and mildly stroked my shoulder. “What did she help you with, Pingu?” She tried to hide it, but her concern was clear in her voice.

“I had a sister.” I said even though it was very difficult to say. My head fell down and I started sobbing loudly.

“You h-had a sister? Pingu, why had? What do you mean by that? What happened?” She sounded surprised. Very surprised. And shocked. A normal reaction. But something bothered me about it. Something wasn’t right. Something was wrong.

I pushed these thoughts away for now and concentrated on calming down again. “Yes. I had a sister. Hyejin, that was her name, was born sick. Her heart was weak. Too weak. She spent her entire childhood in the hospital for some kind of surgery. It was finally over a few years ago. She came out on her 15th birthday, but we had to be careful that she was hardly exposed to stress, as it could have been problematic otherwise. And we did! Every evening when she couldn’t sleep or just wanted me to stay by her side, I played her one of her favorite songs on the guitar.”

Tears streamed down my face. “Often it was sad songs. Songs that were about death. We knew she wouldn’t live as long as normal people. Me and our parents knew that. We tried to keep it a secret from her. In vain, of course. But how should that even be possible? She received extra treatment all her life. She got private lessons, although we could hardly afford it. How could she feels normal about such things and have no idea?” I narrowed my eyes.

“But she also asked me to play her love songs. She often told me she wanted a relationship before she died. Or at least a friendship.” I swallowed. “I always told her that I was her friend. That always made her smile and she always assured me I was the best friend she could ever imagine. It meant so much to me. More than anything else at this point. But sometimes she asked about songs I had composed myself. She knew I didn’t have many of them because I rarely write them down, but rather play by feeling. Sometimes she asked about that. Whenever she noticed something was going wrong in my life. She always looked after me, although that was my job with her. That’s why she sometimes asked for songs I had composed myself. She knew how shy and self-critical I was and she always assured me that the song, just like my guitar playing, was beautiful. Our parents had barely time for us because they worked so much to be able to afford private lessons. That’s why Hyejin and I always took care of each other. We had a lot of late-night conversations, where mostly one special question came up. ‘Will mom and dad be happier when I’m gone?’ She always asked me. You can’t blame her, because our parents had lots of stress because of her illness. But every time she asked, I promised her, and I was 100% honest, that our parents love her and are happy she exists. And even if not, I could never be really happy again if she were no longer my cute little sister. But then came the day when I had to start studying and move out. I barely had time for Hyejin. It broke my heart. I just wanted to be with her again. Hug her. And play the guitar for her. Our parents got into arguments more and more often and I wasn’t there to help Hyejin. It was my duty as a big brother! But that wasn’t everything. A short time before our parents broke up, it must have been about sixth month ago, Hyejin and I got into an argument. Because of my behaviour. She accused me of no longer being myself. And in a way, she was right. At that point, however, I no longer noticed it myself. And since she never liked Yuri, I just thought that’s the reason back then. Shortly after our parents broke up, s… she…”

I started crying softly but also violently. “I-it was all my fault. I s-shouldn’t have left her alone. I should’ve been there for her. I had to s-support her. B-but I was so stupid and didn’t do it. I didn’t notice it! I-I should’ve thought about how hard it would hit her!” I stuttered.

Lian softly stroked my back and tried to calm me down: “Hey… Hyungu… Don’t say that. It wasn’t your fault.” She looked at me pityingly and carefully wiped the tears from my face. “You did everything for her, you were a great brother.” She added.

I shook my head wildly and felt my heart break again. The second time that day. “She is dead! And I could’ve prevented that if I hadn’t been such an idiot and just been there for her! But no! And instead of simply accepting the pain as punishment, I let Yuri comfort me! No wonder she’s gone! I should’ve just followed Hyejin as I wanted to at first.”

Lian stared at me in shock. Even more shocked than before. “No! Pingu! Stop that right now, you SHOULD live! That’s important to ME! That’s important to Hyejin! It’s important to everyone who matters!” She almost shouted.

“Stop talking like you know me or Hyejin right now! Just stop! You barely know me and don’t know her at all!” I hissed unintentionally. It just happened, against my will. I was startled. Scared of myself. “I-I’m sorry.” I stammered when I realize what I had done. The only person to whom I seemed to begin to mean something, and perhaps the only one I would ever mean anything to again. She looked at me. But neither surprised nor angry, but understanding.

“No. It’s okay. You’re nerve-wracked, your emotions are killing you and you can’t possibly know about it. It’s okay. Just tell me, should I go or should I stay? Do you want to be alone or have someone to stay with you? Do you want to go on with speaking or take rest?”

I slid a little closer to her. “Is that okay?” I asked. She nodded and smiled briefly at me. “Please stay. And if it’s okay, I would still like to tell the end.” I responded. “Of course, it is. More than that. I’m glad about it. Besides that, I was the one who asked, wasn’t I? So, tell me, how could this, at least for her dreamlike relationship end?” Lian smiled softly, which I could only return weakly.

I took a deep breath and ended my story: “She cheated on me. For 9 months. That’s a third of our entire relationship. And I just didn’t notice it. No, worse. After I found out, she promised me it would never happen again, and after a few weeks in that we took a break of our relationship we approached each other again, she broke the promise right on the first day. Today. And as the idiot I am, I trusted her and thought she’d still love me. Just me.” I rubbed my eyes, but had stopped crying again and didn’t start again.

“She’s a bitch.” Lian said coldly, drilling her fingernails faintly into my shoulder. I swallowed because of the pain, whereupon she looked at me apologetically and loosened her grip a little bit.

“Maybe. Maybe she is. No, probably she is. But at least I am rid of this monster now and can be Kang Hyungu in peace again.”, I agreed, “Even if it will take time until I forget her or can get over her.”

Lian grunted understandingly. “Obviously it will. But you can do it, even if it takes time. And I will support you.” She promised in a firm and serious voice. I looked at her gratefully with a hint of joy.

“But I guess it’s my turn to tell. I actually don’t have a lot to say and will be brief if that’s okay.” She giggled. I gave her a quick approval and then looked at her waiting and asking.

“Well, where do I start? So, as I said, I also have a sister. Also, a younger one. About the same age as Hyejin. Her name is Tzuyu. When you said Hyejin had no one, you weren’t quite right. Shortly after you were gone, she met Tzuyu. They’ve been to our home many times and Hyejin has told us a lot of good things about you. She almost always talked about you and there was never a bad word. Just about your girlfriend. She suspected that she wasn’t entirely loyal. And that killed her. She was worried about you. She just wanted you to be happy. You, the person who brought her happiness and joy in life. She just wanted you to be fine no matter what happened to her. At some point her life stopped meaning anything to her. She knew she didn’t have much time left. And when I asked her why she was this laid-back, she replied that the most important thing for her wasn’t her life, but the happiness of her brother. I had heard a lot about you at this time and I just wanted to get to know you. I asked her what her brother looks like and…” She got something out of her pocket. “She gave me this picture.” The girl held out a picture. A selca with me and Hyejin.

“S-she gave you that?” My voice was brittle and squeaky. I would’ve expected anything, even that she was a werewolf. But never that she had anything to do with my sister.

“Yes, she did. And when she laid in the hospital bed, at least Tzuyu, who had visited her, told me from her that I should look after you and take care of you because she could no longer worry now.”

There was silence between us. Minutes of silence. Pleasant silence. “Then you got all the information about me from Hyejin?” I was still incredulous. Lian nodded carefully. “She loved you, Pingu. And she still does. Don’t do that to her and don’t blame yourself for her death. Try to be strong for her and smile for her like you used to do.” Lian asked me to. I forced a slight, dazed nod.

“Thanks.” The girl purred happily. I looked at the sky, at the full moon, and then at the mirrored imagine in the water. Countless feelings ran through me once. My head was all empty, as if all thoughts had been washed away by the river.

But I knew at least one thing. Even though I couldn’t clearly determine what I was feeling right now, I could say that I felt better by worlds than before the conversation. Before Lian.

“Are you ready for someone new in your life?” Lian whispered again. As at the beginning. Everything was like the beginning.

Just that everything was different.

“It will take me time to get over that with Yuri.” I answered.

“I’m just talking about a friendship.” Lian purred.

“I know.” I replied with a smile, put my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes.

Everything was perfect.

For her, as well as for me.

For us.

#Onewe #Onewe imagine #onewe imagines #onewe one shot #onewe kanghyun #Onewe fluff #kanghyun #kanghyun fluff #kanghyun Imagine #kanghyun imagines #kanghyun one shot

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philliamwrites · 4 years ago

Text

The Dawn Will Come [Chpt.5]

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Pairing: Dimitri x Reader, Claude x Reader, Edelgard x Reader, Yuri x Reader, Edelgard x Byleth, lots of minor pairings

Words: 5.4k

Notes: Chapter 4 | Chapter 6

Chapter 05: Born to Trouble

Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.

[Hiob 5:7]

A breeze picks up loose leaves and carries them over a steep hill. The sun, directly above your heads, emits no blazing head and still, wearing light armour and carrying weapons leaves a layer of perspiration on your forehead. Every minute marching towards where the Eagle House students and their astute professor are waiting builds worry and the desire to turn around and put as much distance as possible between you and them but the rope tying you to the task called obligation makes it impossible to sate it.

A slight pull makes you pause and scratch the thin skin under your eye, the feeling so strange as if someone is tugging your mind in the complete opposite direction. Now that is a new sensation, and you’re careful to remember that when answering the onslaught of questions Hanneman will surely prepare once he’s back. Feeling no pain, you write it off as exhaustion for now, already looking forward to relax in the sauna later and wind down.

“Is something the matter, Herald?” Dimitri asks. Save for a few scratches and a smudged cheek, he looks fine and appears to be in great spirits. You want to lick your thumb and wipe off the dirt but smearing spit on the heir of a kingdom might not be a great idea in front of his future subjects.

“Everything is fine,” you, the Liar, say with as much conviction as your conscience allows, which is surprisingly easy. Maybe you were a performer before your amnesia, acting on a stage for an audience that celebrated you switching roles with an ease like changing clothes. Dimitri as well trusts your words, though he could as well be playing the role just to lessen your worry.

The last possibility to stall the unavoidable confrontation vanishes. They are waiting for you near the stronghold just beyond the forest from which you emerge after another painful, tense march. The remaining Black Eagle students are positioned in a triangle around Byleth. At its tip stands Edelgard, strong and tall, her axe ready to strike whoever stands between her and victory. Flanking her are ever-brooding Hubert and—

“Linhardt?” you gasp, freezing on the spot which makes everyone sticking to your heels walk right into you. Sylvain only saves himself from falling because he quickly holds onto Dedue who tolerates it like a friendly bear allowing a little bird to sit on his back.

“Is he doing something?” he asks, tiptoeing to get a better look. “What’s going on?”

You point a finger at the Black Eagle student. “No one told me it was allowed to bring students back from the sidelines.”

“Because it isn’t,” Dimitri says, patiently pulling a twig out of his hair. “Those who have lost cannot re-enter the mock battle.”

You stare at everyone separately, hoping it carries enough weight for them to understand your problem—rather why is no one questioning the obvious? They consider you with as much confusion though, at least something you have in common.

“Then why is Linhardt participating again?”

They share worried glances.

“Herald, what are you talking about?” asks Dimitri with a crease between his eyebrows.

It is enough to make your next protest come out more desperate. “An hour ago, Felix and I dealt with Ferdinand and Linhardt. I told you!”

“But—” Sylvain’s face goes blank with surprise. “Didn’t you say you guys got Ferdinand and Dorothea?”

“Dorothea?” You didn’t even know she participated. “No, I swear, we— Why would I claim something different?” They lack the answer to that just as you and any minute pondering it longer is stolen by a vicious MiasmaΔ that splits a tree behind you in two.

“Hey!” Sylvain shakes a fist at Hubert. “Use magic only in moderation!”

His answer is another MiasmaΔ that nearly knocks Sylvain off his feet. Before you can form words, Edelgard takes a swing at you. The hit would have undoubtedly leave you with a concussion were it not for Dimitri’s quick intervention. He deflects her blow though his lance gives a worrying crack.

“Dimitri.” Edelgard’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s time. We can finally settle the question of who’s stronger.”

“Very well.” Dimitri’s stance doesn’t falter even as sweat gathers at his temples. “I accept your challenge. With you as my opponent, I won’t hold anything back.”

Edelgard’s mouth twitches. Dimitri demands with a sharp jut of his chin for you to get out of the way. You don’t argue. Not with the rest from the Eagle house approaching. Dedue, reading your mind, or rather the frantic look in your eyes, charges towards Byleth, leaving Linhardt and Hubert to Sylvain and you.

You focus on Linhardt, mouth burning to question, “What spell did you use to switch places with Dorothea?”

He is so baffled by that, you move without thinking—a swift strike, the sword turned midway so the blunt end smashes into his nose. He stumbles back with a sharp cry, a hand flying up to stop the blood running in rivers down his uniform. There is no time feeling bad for catching him off guard like that. A picture flashes before your eyes. You throw yourself to the ground and feel the lance swipe over your head not a second too soon. You roll back up on your feet, glaring at Hubert. He simply raises a brow in challenge. Sure, you accept, fully aware there is only one way to win against him.

“Edelgard!” you gasp in horror. Hubert’s head twitches but he doesn’t fall for your scheme.

“Really, Herald? I know Her Highness can take care of herself. You need a better trick than that.”

“Really? Then how about this trick?”

This time, Hubert whirls around and is greeted by Sylvain’s fist to his jaw. Combined with your MiasmaΔ, he doesn’t stand a chance. That victory is only short lived though. Out of nowhere, Byleth appears and knocks Sylvain out, not batting an eyelash. She towers like a vengeful spirit, arriving to seek retribution. Trying to move around her, you don’t leave her out of sight for once, your mouth dry and your heart beating so fast your ribcage hurts. The tension is thick enough your swords could cut right through it. It is so tense, in fact, you only manage a dry, “Hey.”

Byleth raises her sword. “Hello.”

“Great day to … you know.” You mirror her movement. “Clobber each other with wooden swords.”

“Less talking, more fighting.” Byleth charges.

You turn and run away.

She immediately pursues like a wolf chasing after a deer. If you weren’t so focused on moving your legs as if your life depended on it and not tripping over something, you could swear someone from the sidelines is cheering for you. Someone sounding like Claude.

“Herald, try a surprise attack! She’ll never expect you to stop and swing your sword at her!”

No, no, no, he can come down here himself if he has a death wish. But another chance emerges before you, one waiting in the lush thicket that you disappear into in hope to lose her. That hope is quickly vanquished when twigs and dry leaves break right behind you shortly after you breach the edge of the forest. In your panic, you grab onto a branch and pull it with you until you’re sure the blow will at least make Byleth stagger to catch her breath. When you let go, she already knows what you’re up to. With a vicious blow, she breaks the branch and throws her sword at you when you try to run past her back to the field. The pain is unlike anything you’ve felt during training. It brings you to your knees, the stronghold in sight and yet so far away from the forest’s borders. The impact knocks all breath out of your lungs, making you unable to call out for help.

Byleth stands before you, her sword back in her hand and risen to deliver righteous punishment—until it isn’t Byleth, it is a man, but you can’t see his face, his features hidden by dark shadows.

Don’t, you think but your mouth forms “You don’t have it in you” instead and before you know it, you speak those words out loud. The picture disappears in a flash so bright, a paper bursting into flames, pain explodes in your head before everything zooms back into painfully sharp focus.

Something changes in Byleth’s eyes, her hesitation a surprise immediately costing her gravely for Dimitri appears by your side, facing her and a desperate sound of relief escapes you because that means Edelgard is out of the game. It is only a battle of stamina at this point, the battle blurring as you stumble to your feet and help Dimitri to overpower Byleth even though your back is a medley of pain. Judging from how her reacting slower, you get a picture of who from the Black Eagles was fighting the most up until this point.

Everything happens too fast. It takes one turn, one swipe of Dimitri’s lance, incredible luck that Byleth starts to get exhausted, and a second later, her knee gives in and she’s on the ground, a wooden edge to her throat. The silence is only disturbed by the second roar of trumpets signalling the end of the mock battle.

You gasp.

Dimitri gasps.

Byleth blows a strand of hair out of her face, her face a blank slate.

Screams and shouts erupt from where everyone else is waiting for you, drowning Jeralt declaring the Blue Lion’s win.

“Herald.” Dimitri’s smile dazzles you more than the sun’s light, radiant and handsome. “We did it. We did it thanks to you.”

“No, it was you—” A wave of fatigue washes over you from overusing your power. Exhaustion smothers you, so suddenly that your vision blurs around the edges. Your limbs are leaden; you feel as though you are sinking into mud. Before you hit the ground, Dimitri catches your arm and steadies you.

It is the unpredictable comedic sort of timing were the cosmos decides it is the right timing for the rest of the students to catch up.

Sylvain lets out a loud, suggestive whistle, appearing way too chipper for someone just brought back to consciousness thanks to white magic. “Who knew His Highness would decide to court someone wide out in the open like that? Did you invite our dear Herald to dinner first?”

Ingrid pushes him hard. “His Highness isn’t like you,” she says at the same time Dimitri asks, “But I do plan to invite our Herald to dinner.” All eyes are on him. It is suddenly really hot even though his gauntlets around your arm are cold. “We all are invited to celebrate our victory with a feast in the dining hall.”

“Aww, goddess help him,” Sylvain sighs, looking like he’s about to facepalm his hand through his forehead.

Any response on your part is delayed by Rhea and Seteth reaching your group after congratulating each student who participated on their work.

“Congratulations on winning the mock battle, Herald,” Rhea says, looking incredibly pleased. From the very beginning she’s probably expected nothing less and you wonder if her smile were as content had you failed. “You showed great leadership and trust in your students, who all did exceptionally well.” She’s smiling at every one of them like a proud mother. It leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling inside your chest, her contentment a beacon that banishes the last shadows of doubt in your heart. You could get addicted to this feeling.

“Now, please return to the monastery,” Seteth advises the students. “We have a few matters to discuss with the faculty members.”

As the students disperse, Dimitri quickly ducks his head in your direction. “We will speak more later.” He trails after his friends, falling into step with Dedue.

“Look at them, being so excited. How adorable.” Manuela smiles, not showing any signs of anger about losing the fight or exhaustion flicking the students back together. “Good job leading them, Herald.”

“And yet, I must advise you to participate more actively in the battle itself next time.” Seteth crosses his arms in front of his broad chest, not sharing Rhea’s idea on how a good job looks. “Professor Byleth showed great assistance and fighting spirit. You would do well to learn from her.”

Byleth gives a little shrug when you glance at her. She doesn’t seem to care much for that.

“Don’t be so stern, Seteth,” Rhea chastises him fondly. “There is still so much room to grow for all of them, our dear Herald, Professor Byleth and the students. For now, let us return and allow them a moment of respite. Their first real mission awaits them at the end of next month.”

Seteth pulls a face as if he bit into a lemon but doesn’t object.

“I have one concern myself,” you quickly throw in before tracking back, wondering how no one else mentions it. “When Linhardt and Dorothea—”

“I would like a word,” Byleth suddenly says, grasping your wrist lightly in such an easy, familiar way you immediately shut up. They leave you two to it as you follow them a couple hundred feet behind, both silent though the voice in your mind doesn’t shut up about the dozen of questions bouncing back and forth. After what feels like hours, Byleth finally says, “You noticed it, didn’t you?”

You stare at the road, a yawning void in your head where just a second ago a cacophony of questions caused a headache, unable to put two and two together. When it finally clicks, you wipe your head so fast in her direction it pops in your neck. “It was you? How did you do it?”

Byleth doesn’t answer immediately. Her gaze drifts over the treetops, calmly swaying from left to right. The battle has concluded half an hour ago, but it already feels like a lifetime has passed and the peace and quiet of nature around you is like a completely different world. The land surrounding the monastery is exceptionally beautiful, luscious and overgrown with flora that covers the ground in a colourful patchwork rug. How the rest of Fódlan must look like…

“When we first met, you asked how I could trust you. It will sound strange but you and I, we are connected.” She’s still looking up ahead, now at the towering spires of the monastery piercing the sky.

Your mouth is dry. “Connected how?”

She stops now. When she turns and looks at you, again the thread that ties you two together strums in an ancient tune. You stop breathing for that second.

“You control the flow of the future, and I control the flow of the past.”

You still don’t understand. Byleth reads as much from your lack of response. “What I mean to say is, I rewind time. When you defeated Linhardt, I turned back time’s hands to have Dorothea walk his path instead to keep my healer. I just never expected anyone would notice. And no one did. Except you.”

It’s like those words don’t reach you. They recoil from a waterfall that rushes through your ears, distorting the words. When your brain finally finishes freaking out about it, only one thing appears of importance. “You cheated!”

Byleth wears an expression that clearly states, That’s rich coming from you.

“I— That—” How can she remain so calm? This information tilts your world, turning every hour you spent lying awake at night in your chambers wondering if you’re the only one with a power like that into a painful memory. “Does that mean you have a Crest as well? If our powers are alike, surely there must be an answer to why we have it. If we talk to Hanneman about it—”

“You won’t,” Byleth cuts you off, her tone as sharp as her sword. “You will share no word with anyone about what I just revealed, or I will strike you down.”

The wind picks up, flickering your robes left and right and rocking trees that bow in humility to a force much greater than them—a feeling you can relate to. Cold sweat runs down the back of your neck. This isn’t a threat. It’s a promise.

“You spend too much time with Hubert,” you manage with a trembling smile only held together when the tension dissipates from Byleth’s face.

“Professor Hanneman is still studying my Crest,” she says, a tinge of sorrow in her voice that strikes you harder than any danger or threat, “but I can assure you my abilities are not tied to it. I’m sorry.”

She must have felt what you so desperately wished for: a connection. The assurance that you are not alone in this world with this strange power.

It makes the way back to the monastery like a march through mud, laden limbs walking towards a goal you don’t know will be worth all the exertion. When the silence becomes too unbearable, you build up the courage to ask, “What are we, Byleth?”

She drops her gaze to the ground. It is the very first time you see uncertainty hover like a shadow over her face. “I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know.”

The sky turns an orange canvas when you finally return to the monastery. The last villagers from the small town downhill start returning home, their tools laid to rest inside their carriages. You can’t wait to sink into a nice hot bath, washing away the dried sweat and grime from the battle and change into loose, comfortable evening robes. You don’t come further than past the entrance hall. Leaning against a high pillar, Dimitri is adjusting the loops on his gauntlets, blond strands falling into his face like golden strips of sunshine. Before you reach him, Byleth says with a light touch to your elbow, “Please see Professor Manuela about your wound, okay? You did great today.” You promise her you will and watch her until she disappears through a hall leading to her personal quarters.

With your attention on him, Dimitri looks up and stands straighter. He grins at you, his smile sudden and jarring like a thunderclap.

“I have been waiting for you, Herald,” he says and takes you by the wrist. The cold of his gauntlets bites at your skin, making you hiss. His hand immediately drops, and he turns around in panic. “Oh, apologies. It is difficult to control my strength sometimes and—”

“No, no, that’s not it. I was just a little surprised.”

He sighs in relief. “Still, I am sorry. I will try to refrain from doing that in the future.”

“Dimitri.” You graze his clothed underarm with a finger, unsure if that was a wise decision when his eyes widen in surprise. How is it you only notice now how long his eyelashes are? “I think we have seen today I am not that fragile.”

His eyes jump away, avoiding contact, the blush creeping up his neck clearly standing out against his pale skin. He clears his throat. “I just wanted to make sure you will join us for dinner. I was not joking earlier when I said we should all celebrate our victory.”

“Are you guys sure? I’m not your teacher and in the end, I didn’t do all too much.”

Dimitri shakes his head. “Nonsense. You fought with us and led us to victory. We would love to celebrate with you, and while you won’t be with us all the time, I’d love nothing more than to share our happiness with you. Joy can be so fleeting, after all, and I’m sure the rest of the class feels the very same.”

“If it really is okay with you all…” You glimpse over at him. Why not. Why not enjoy some leisure time with the students. You could surely use it to get to know them better and distract your thoughts from Byleth’s revelation. “Just give me some time to get ready. I’ll see you in the dining hall.”

“Actually, please come to our classroom,” Dimitri says. “I don’t know how Sylvain managed it, but the kitchen’s head lady allowed us to dine in the classroom.”

Your brows fly to your hairline. Dimitri answers with a little, low chuckle. You both have a pretty good idea how he managed to pull that stunt.

Back in your quarters, you wash away the dirt and pick a simple robe the colour of freshly pressed parchment. The water’s heat renders today’s injuries to a dull pain save for the scrapes on your knees that still burn but are clean now. Hunger quickly catches up as well, dispersing your last doubts of intruding the class’ celebration. After leaving your room, you stop by the infirmary where Manuela makes quick work of your remaining wounds with her magic, turning purple bruises into faded yellow spots you immediately forget once you step out and head to your destination.

The tables are already laid, arranged into a formation that resembles a circle allowing conversations to flow easily. You expected them to be already stuffing their faces but when you step into the Blue Lion’s classroom, the only source of light is a dim candle flickering in the middle of some students huddled together. Only Mercedes’ soft voice is audible, not counting the little whimpers from Annette or Ashe shuffling as he tries to hide behind Dimitri who appears to be the only one invested in her story.

“… no one knows how deep the tunnels underneath the monastery run. But once they reach where walls are built from skulls and bones, they turn and go back … or try to do so, for who knows what horror lurks behind every corner.”

“Nooooooo,” Annette cries, clutching to Dimitri’s sleeve. “Why would anyone go somewhere like that?”

“A-and who built it in the first place? Tunnels lined with bones…” Ashe shudders, still looking smaller than Dimitri even though he is the one sitting.

“A fascinating idea.” Dimitri’s excitement, bright as a spark, doesn’t bounce over to his friends. “To imagine there could be a whole civilisation living right in plain sight like that.”

“I can’t imagine we wouldn’t notice,” Ashe reasons. His conviction would be more credible, would he not still cling to a white tail of Dimitri’s shirt. Before you can join and see if you would fare better listening to stories about haunted and forgotten places, Sylvain steals past you, his voice making you jump. “Shouldn’t you guys be finished by now?”

Seeing your sour expression, he simply winks and hurries inside, carrying a big steaming pot. Followed by the rest of the Lions, they carry plates with dried meat, slices of bread, vegetables and cheese, and place them on the tables for everyone to just pick whatever they want. With a flick of your wrist flames flicker to life inside both fireplaces and the candles on top of the chandelier above your heads. Everyone hurries to find a seat. The students have all changed out of their battle garments into the academy’s summer uniform, its fabric much lighter than the heavy embroidered regular uniform they wore upon your first meeting.

“My dear friends.” Dimitri raises a cup, holding the thin stem between slender fingers. It would look more elegant were its contents not simply orange juice. “To our victory today and many more to follow.”

They raise their cups to toast except for Felix who knocks his drink back as if it were strong liquor he desperately needed to sit through this evening gathering. He doesn’t look as pale as before. A quick check up by Manuela after the battle affirmed that he was alright and simply fatigued from countless sleepless nights spent at the Training Grounds.

The other participants don’t look too bad either. Bruises that vividly blossomed hours ago have faded, swollen purple eyes already start to heal—all certainly thanks to Manuela’s quick work. Sylvain surely won’t be as successful chasing girls with a shiner that makes the prettiest violet jealous of his colour and Dimitri tries to hide it but you don’t miss him tensing from time to time or moving his hand towards his side; probably a bruised rib he doesn’t want anyone to know. He catches your stare and offers a slight, boyish grin under half-closed eyes that only whispers of a shared secret only meant for you two. It does a funny thing to your stomach, a flip or drop, a light twist like missing a step and the fear of falling only to meet solid ground a split second later. You quickly look away and focus on spreading curd on a loaf of bread, not trying to think too much about how the muscles strained under his clothes wielding his lance or the fierce determination colouring his eyes a shade brighter when victory is in palpable proximity.

You feel a piercing gaze, hot like a solid touch on your skin. Quickly whipping your head around, you catch Felix’s glare from across the room, completely ignoring whatever Sylvain is telling him. It leaves you completely tense for the rest of the dinner, wondering what his problem is and why he is so hostile towards Dimitri specifically. You’ve heard from some students who have walked into an argument those two had, something about a massacre two years ago but details, as is their nature, grow hazy over time and distort until they evolve into something completely different and unrecognisable.

Felix holds your gaze for a long second, and it is only later after you all clean the classroom from your festivities and decide to retire to bed that you catch him by himself. The monastery at night is a desolate, lonely place save for a couple stray souls wandering about, either on their way to their chamber or out for a quick, last evening prayer inside the chapel. Felix’s destination is none of those as he strides towards the Training Grounds and you call out to him. He slows but doesn’t stop his step until you catch up. “You’re on your way to training, right? Shouldn’t you call it a day? Especially after what happened—”

“I’ve got no time sitting around and making smalltalk,” Felix snaps, and a month ago you would have thought he aimed his anger towards you but recently you’ve discovered he’s towards the whole world—always glaring, always hissing like a cornered, wounded animal. “There are more important matters like growing stronger—”

“And suffering from overexertion, I suppose.”

Felix pulls a grimace. “It was a mistake I don’t intend to repeat. You saw Professor Byleth’s strength. It took two of you to win, and even then, it was mostly luck. I just want to try out some moves Professor Byleth exerted today so I can surpass her strength next time I challenger her.”

“Why is it that you seek to fight so much?” you ask, deciding forwardness to be a better approach than idle chatter with a person like Felix. He doesn’t give immediate response, not because he ignores you, as is your first assumption, but because he gives it some thought.

“Why, hm… I learnt to thrust a sword before I learnt to write my name. This is how it is for all children in my country, the perfect environment where I could live free of stodgy values and virtues. Grow strong so you may live, and live to grow stronger. That’s what I was taught.”

It is no secret Faerghus is the land of knights and chivalry, and still it is hard to imagine a small version of Felix wielding a sword even before he learnt how to use a quill, scraped knees instead of black inked fingertips. What a strange world.

“As long as you don’t forget to take a break should it get too much. Everyone was worried today.”

“Everyone should mind their own business. I’m not their problem, and they aren’t mine.”

You’re too tired to argue relationships don’t work like that, any minute longer on your feet and they’ll simply give out. Wishing Felix a goodnight, you turn towards the chapel but don’t get very far.

“Herald.” Felix is halfway through the door. “Let me give you one advice.”

“That is?”

“Don’t get too close to that damn boar.”

You’re about to ask what he’s talking about, but he continues, “Beneath all that princely polish, he’s an animal, nothing more. He’s strong and skilled, sure. But don’t place your trust in him as a human being. Take care he doesn’t chew you up and spit you out.”

Not waiting for a response, Felix moves on, leaving you with more questions than answers. Every creature with two eyes can see hostility between Dimitri and Felix crackling like lightning about to strike the ground and burn down forests and villages. But to go this far and say these words about his future king … Words that couldn’t be more contrary to the impression he’s left on you.

Whatever Felix wanted to accomplish, his words succeed to remain in your head the whole night, driving off any sleep you direly needed after that day. But even without that, your mind is occupied with questions. It is like stumbling into a spider web, sticky tangles everywhere with no way out.

Who is that man you remembered? It was such a brief, yet striking memory, of what moment you cannot recall. His hostility was evident in his stance, sharp sword high up to drive down with enough force to cut your head from your shoulders. And yet here you are.

And your words, You don’t have it in you. If you were familiar enough with that person to know this, who was he to you, and what had stopped him? Did he have a change of heart and instead used the blunt end, giving you a concussion and amnesia instead? Where is he now? And would he return to finish his work?

Since that day, you look out for anyone fitting that built: tall and lean, visible even through robes with a design completely different from anything you’ve seen around the monastery. Asking Rhea or Seteth could be an option, but strangely enough, you don’t want to reveal it to anyone yet, not until you’ve found an answer yourself first.

That is how your first moon at the monastery passes. Now there are more questions than before, more secrets to carry with no clear goal in sight. Lessons continue, you attend seminars and life unfolds in Garreg Mach, surprising you how easy it is growing accustomed and familiar with the place and its people—some more so than others.

Byleth still invites you to her obligatory weekend-tea time sessions, rarely accepting no for an answer even though tea isn’t really what you consume to wind down. She’s acting like your talk after the mock battle has never happened and you do your best to mimic her even though you’d love nothing more than to see her power in battle. That opportunity shows at the end of the following month when Byleth and her class are tasked to deal with bandits the knights cornered in Zanado, the Red Canyon, but Rhea has different plans and instead sends you with the Golden Deer House to the village at the foot of the mountain to help clear debris a flooding left on one of the main roads leading to Alliance territory. It takes two days until the stench from the muddy riverbank is completely washed out of your hair.

There is still no sight of the man from your memory, even though word about the Herald’s return has reached every corner of Fódlan by now. It makes you wonder if it’s less a matter of if and rather when he sets food inside the monastery. No additional memory has resurfaced, no sudden epiphany provides explanation and you doubt that will change even though Seteth drags you inside the chapel to pray for the goddess’ help whenever his time allows. Mostly, you use those occasions to ask her to make Raphael and Ingrid leave some Nirvana Cake for you.

Then there is your other little secret of course. After another month of waking to an indistinguishable voice calling out to you every once in a while, you’ve grown used to it, finding a strange comfort in someone or something looking over you. Maybe it is the goddess. Maybe she is trying to reach out to tell you something important, to give divine insight and reach out to her followers. You just hope once she comes through to you, her words won’t proclaim hardships and sorrow.

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restlessmaknae · 6 years ago

Text

tears & raindrops mingle

In which you bump into the CEO of a nearby bar when you are just as heart-broken as him, and it doesn’t seem to go well at first.

♦ Pairing: bar CEO!Yunhyeong x jewellery shop CEO!reader/you

♦ Genre: fluff, light angst

♦ Words: 4.1k

♦ Warning: mentions of cheating (on other characters’ parts)

♦ Dedicated to: @flora-jimin for the Spring Fic Exchange based on the spring rain prompt! I really hope you enjoy my story as I’ve really enjoyed writing it! 💖

Song Yunhyeong had the most horrifying day ever. It wasn't enough that he got to know that the girl who had been his girlfriend for 3 years and to whom he had proposed a month ago was with him only for his money. He even eavesdropped that she was planning to hijack the success of his business using his weakness (aka her) against him. She knew that he would do as much for her as he could do within his power, but he would have never thought that she would want to ruin the image of his bar by a scandal. She said that she would gladly be found humping with another man in Yunhyeong's office, caught by a gossip magazine's journalist who was hungry for any juicy details in the CEO's life.

The young man couldn't believe his ears. Where did it go wrong? Was she a traitor from the beginning? How could he not see it? It's true that Yuri and him had almost the same opinion of everything and had almost the same preferences but was it all for just to seduce him? Was it all fun for her? While he knew from the beginning that Yuri was nowhere near as rich as him, it never bothered him. He didn't have a say in which family he was born into and she didn't have a say in it either. So why? Why did she do it? Was she really that heartless? Was Yunhyeong that terrible at reading people?

He was raging, feeling like a volcano that could erupt anytime soon, as he walked down the corridor from his office to the security guards and IT guys' office, bursting in without knocking on the door first. Everyone assumed that he was in a bad mood if he wasn't being dead polite.

"Do not let Kang Yuri into the bar ever again! Not today. Not tomorrow. Never!" He yelled frantically, and his fervent reaction was enough for the guys to shut their mouths and don’t ask about the reason behind his command. He shot another glance at them before he turned on his heels and shut the door behind him, listening to the echoes while he walked down the corridor.

He pushed the emergency exit door with all his power as he stepped into the chilly midnight air. The moment he stood outside, he was showered by rain, but he didn't mind. He didn't mind that his expensive suit was about to get totally drenched, he didn't mind that he would look like a fool who got caught in the sudden downpour that was so common in spring. He didn't mind. He was used, he was betrayed, he was being played. He couldn't care anymore. He wasn't going to go home anyway; he needed some time to himself to decide on the least problematic and most peaceful way to end whatever was going on between him and Yuri. Even if she didn't deserve it.

While he was just standing there in the rain, inwardly enjoying being hit by the merciless raindrops, you bumped into him and murmured a quiet apology. No matter how gentle he usually was, he couldn't take it today.

"I don't think I've heard what you said," he blurted out coldly, the air becoming even chillier around him. The equally soaked you was about to walk away, then suddenly turned around to face him. You were examining him, eyebrows furrowed in question, looking all businessy in your black women's suits, stylish high heels and designer bag. You wore an expensive necklace that stuck to you like second skin due to the raindrops claiming their place on your exposed neck.

Yunhyeong had no idea if you were always this stern, fierce flames dancing in your eyes, or it was the situation that made you uncharacteristically frustrated.

"I've said I'm sorry," you repeated again, lips in a firm line. "There must be something wrong with your hearing." You fixed the bag on your shoulder as you shot him a glare and was about to turn around again if Yunhyeong's words wouldn't have stopped you.

"Are you really trying to play this game?"

"I wasn't the one who started this," you stated matter-of-factly, the dancing flames in your eyes starting a more fervent routine than before. You seemed unfazed by the rain that was pouring onto you, not caring about the condition of you expensive dress. Funny how you seemed all tight and rich (and annoying), yet you let your designer bag get soaked in the rain. Not to mention your perfectly braided hair.

"You bumped into me," he pointed out as he took a step closer to you. He didn't seem to intimidate you though. Maybe it's because you were as tall as him with your high heels, or maybe you had just enough pride in you not to be swayed by a man like him.

"That was accidental. Haven't you heard about accidents?" You got back at him immediately and took a step closer to him, so that you would be even closer to him, your faces only an inch away. Yunhyeong could hear the erratic beating of your heart and wondered if he had played a role in its state.

"Oh yes, I did. I certainly did." He nodded nonchalantly, bitterness scratching his throat. "I've accidentally eavesdropped a conversation today that made me realize that my fiancée's with me only for my money. You can tell that I don't like accidents," he confessed straightforwardly, not caring if you knew who he was or if you would pass on the news. He didn't care. After all, his fiancée has wanted to do something similar to him.

"Today, I've accidentally walked in on my best friend having sex with my boyfriend of four years whom I've thought would marry me soon. And if that's not enough, they did it in our apartman, on my birthday, before I was supposed to go out for dinner with him. So you can tell that I don't like accidents either," you told him without a blink of an eye, without being ashamed of the past events. It's not like Yunhyeong thought that you should be ashamed. After all, it wasn't you who had cheated on your boyfriend.

On the other hand, the fact that you got to know about it today and you seemed so composed surprised him. A lot. On top of that, he was convinced that boyfriend of yours must have been either completely dumb or just another chaebol who didn't care how much money he lost by such a scandal. If it was ever going to surface.

"You look like you need a drink," Yunhyeong said quite emotionlessly, even though his grudge against you wasn't so powerful anymore. He began to understand you a bit more.

"Oh yes, I do." You nodded, half-laughing and half-snorting.

"I'll buy you a drink."

It was a mere offer on his part. If anything, it was a kind one. He knew you both had your own hardships to deal with, so he assumed that a drink or two may come in handy for you. On the other hand, you didn't take his side.

"I don't need your pity."

"If not for your douchebag boyfriend, then for your birthday. I'm the CEO of Full Moon, and I would need a drinking buddy anyway. You can join or you can go home drinking alone." He shrugged, his vision getting blurry because of the raindrops that got into his eyes. The rain didn't bother him though, it felt like as if it was going to wash away all the events from the day, all the bad that had happened. Even though he knew a mere spring downpour couldn't solve his problems, at least it wasn't sunny to make him feel even worse.

You weren’t bothered either. You were standing fierce and tall, clothes getting soaked and hair looking like a lost girl’s.

"I'm not going home," you blurted out after a few seconds of complete silence, except the sound of rain.

"Exactly." Yunhyeong bobbed his head agreeingly, and waited a bit before he headed back to his own bar. He wasn't surprised when you followed him, it wasn't that hard to imagine after seeing the flames in your eyes that became more powerful when you declared that you wouldn't want to go home. Considering that you had mentioned having a shared apartment with your boyfriend, he could understand why you didn't want to go home.

So you did. You followed him into his bar, taking a seat on the black leather seat beside him, elbows resting on the cold surface of the wooden counter. You enjoyed the slight jazz music that was playing from the speakers, the dim light that illuminated only what was needed to be illuminated and the rest was left in mysterious darkness, the chic yet somewhat fitting design of the whole place, black and burgundy being the dominant colours. There were only a few people at this hour, but considering that Yunhyeong had introduced himself as the CEO of the bar, you weren’t afraid that you would find yourself outside the place because of closing hours.

He ordered himself a drink and so did you. You seriously needed something strong, hoping that the euphoria that the alcohol would bring would be enough to erase the picture of your best friend getting down on your boyfriend, or at least to help to ease the pain. Anything but to face the consequences.

"So did it happen to you today, too? Getting to know about your fiancée's true intentions?" You couldn’t help but ask since the young man himself seemed so easily annoyed by a simple act of carelessness on your part. He must have gotten to know about it lately or he must not have been over it yet.

"Yes." He nodded, an aghast sigh escaping his lips. "I wish it didn’t happen today though. I should have known about it before. I wouldn’t have proposed to her then," he explained, eyes staring far ahead, breathing more erratic than it should have been. You looked at this heartbroken young man and wondered if he was really that blind to not see the signs or his fiancée was that good of an actress. After all, you couldn’t see things coming your way either. Maybe you were both too lost in your own feelings that you didn’t catch up to what was going on around you. Maybe you both just wanted to be loved and feel loved.

"It’s still better that you got to know about it now than if it happened later," you pointed out with a tilt of your head, thinking of the consequences of a later revelation. They hadn’t gotten married yet, so at least he didn’t need to worry about that part if he decided to leave his fiancée for good.

"Maybe." He nodded hearing your words, and you could definitely feel the sorrow in his words. It soaked through his voice, his shirt, his actions. He was a heartbroken man, his confessions dripping rawness and desperation. No matter how much he tried to hide it, you could see the real man behind the mask, you noticed his intense gazes and momental daydreams.

You soon fell into a comfortable silence that only the light music from the speakers interrupted. Your drink was ready in no time, and the barista put down both your order and the man’s order at the same time. You exchanged a glance with the CEO as you reached for the glass.

"Cheers!" He said, holding up his shot of vodka.

"Cheers!" You emulated his actions and consumed the soju in one-go. You immediately felt the warmth spreading through your body, the alcohol making its way through your system. It wasn’t a very familiar feeling as you didn’t drink a lot. In fact, you only drank if it was socially required at parties or other events that were more about your money than you personally. Sometimes you really hated your life. Sometimes you were thankful that you could start your own business because you were born into a rich family. Sometimes you imagined being just an ordinary woman, sometimes you enjoyed the glamour. It was nothing new though; the chaebol life had always been ambivalent.

"Oh, and happy birthday!" The CEO added after he gulped down his own drink and visibly flinched when the taste hit in. You bobbed your head as a sign of gratitude.

"Maybe it’s not my day but it can be my year," you added with a bittersweet smile as you looked at him, his lips also curling upwards. It wasn’t a friendly smile though, it was more like an empathetic, an understanding one. It was genuine and raw, it was all you could have asked for in such a situation.

"You’re right. You deserve better."

You had no idea what to say. You didn’t even know each other, you had met half an hour ago, and he was already talking about you as if he had known you all your life. It was weird, this kind of act right at the beginning of your conversation when you were so used to people sugarcoating their words or outright lying to you, keeping their distance from you when they got to know who you were. He either didn’t care or didn’t know how it was supposed to be.

"You don’t even know me," you remarked rather confusedly, hoping that he wouldn’t take your words the wrong way. He didn’t though.

"No one should be cheated on," he mused out loud, keeping the eye-contact for another minute or so before he turned back to order another round. Then, he casually loosened his necktie and stared far ahead.

You assumed that you two had more in common that you would have previously thought, and this night was enough to prove you right. More than enough.

The next morning you woke up at the exact same spot you talked to Yunhyeong the day before. You probably dozed off after your fourth bottle of soju because you had no recollection after that, hence the location seemed fitting. You didn't mean to stay the night, you didn't even mean to drink so much, but through the shared sorrow and compassion somehow you found talking to the CEO quite enjoyable. He was a breath of fresh air after meeting so many lifeless, two-faced rich people you had the chance to encounter. He was intelligent, not the obvious one, not even the fake one, yet the way he connected the dots and looked at the world was saying it all. He was kind and considerate too, not the pushy type though, he had just the right amount of curiosity. He was also a lot kinder throughout the night than compared to the way you met. Maybe it was because you went through kind of the same, or maybe he was usually this kind. You didn't know, you knew only a tad bit about him.

When you opened your eyes, you needed a minute to realize where you were and why you were there.

You stood up, but you immediately knew that it was a horrible idea when you needed to hold onto the bar counter, so that you wouldn't fall down.

"Easy there," a familiar male voice suggested gently, yet you could detect a bit of amusement behind his words. You could already feel him smiling even without properly looking at him.

"I'm perfectly fine," you tried to reason as you turned around to face a perfectly sober Yunhyeong with a neatly ironed shirt and clean cotton pants. So you were the only one who got knocked out last night. Good to know.

"Your reflexes wouldn't say the same." He giggled to himself before his features became solemn again. You eyed each other for a few seconds before he made his way around you and got behind the counter, filling a glass with water. "Here. You must be dehydrated," he added while a faint smile was dancing along the edges of his mellow lips. You knew that he was right as your throat was as dry as a desert, yet you needed a moment before you reached for the glass to gulp down its content in one go.

You put it down with a satisfied sigh, and looked back at Yunhyeong.

"Thank you." You bobbed your head as a sign of gratitude, hoping that he wouldn’t expect too much of you in such a state. You wouldn’t say that you had a headache or that you were that hungover. However, you definitely felt the heaviness in your body and you were definitely thirsty like never before. You should have eaten the night before, too, you reckoned as your stomach growled loudly.

"Seems like someone’s hungry," the CEO commented with a lopsided smile that you wished you could swipe off his face. You weren’t used to such cheekiness, especially not from someone who was your age (as you had discussed that you were the same liners). Yet, there was something childishly innocent about his playful behaviour you couldn’t quite pinpoint. He had this duality, and you weren’t sure when to take him seriously and when not to.

"It’s okay." You shook your head. "I’ll grab something on the way to work," you declared as you looked at your watch and realized that it was time you headed out for work. Even though you were the owner of your very own jewellery shop, even though you could have come by any minute and you could have skipped any day without notifying anyone, you weren’t one to abandon what you’ve been working for years, and you were definitely not one to call in sick just because you had a drunk night.

"Are you sure you don’t want to eat here?" Yunhyeong inquired with a quirk of an eyebrow, but you nodded anyway.

"Yes, I’m sure. You’ve already done enough."

"It was nothing, really." The CEO shrugged like it was really nothing when it was more than you could have asked for. Even though it wasn’t intentional, at least you had somewhere to sleep, at least you didn’t need to face neither your boyfriend, nor your best friend, and at least Yunhyeong kept you company. Come to think of it, it wasn’t that bad of a night despite the horrible events that led you to the bar.

"Thank you, Yunhyeong," you repeated with a grateful smile for which the young man just shook his head.

"No problem. You can come by anytime," he offered with a soft smile, and you felt odd under his stare. Maybe it was because you were still very much affected by what happened the day before, or maybe it was because you had lost all faith in males, and there was this gentle young man showing you that not all guys were as much of an asshole as your boyfriend was. Or ex-boyfriend. Whatever. There was still something left to discuss with him.

"I will," you promised equally casually, and headed out of the bar with a lighter heart and a newfound acquaintance in the same district you had your own shop.

As both your shop and Yunhyeong's bar was on the same shopping street (which was said to be the most chic in Seoul), you didn't hesitate a lot when you finished with work in time, and didn't feel like going straight home. Yunhyeong even paid for your drinks every time you were there even if you insisted that you earned enough, so you could pay for your own order. When it came to business, he was as serious as no one you had met before, yet when he was off-work, he wasn't so stern. He joked around a lot and whined like a child even though he was already in his mid-twenties. He seemed like such a brat sometimes. He was also very enthusiastic and curious, so when you showed him around your shop for the first time, he looked around like Alice in Wonderland. It was odd seeing him among all those fancy rings and necklaces you were selling, and it was even more weird because he was a male. You didn't like stereotypes but males were rare to find in your shop.

Truth to be told, you weren't used to having a companion almost every day. You tried to be on good terms with your employees, but none of them were close to you. Not to mention your family. You didn't hate them, but you didn't even fancy spending time with them when it wasn't necessary. You were thankful for what you had, yet you had such different mentalities that it was difficult not to pick a fight with them whenever you spent time together.

With Yunhyeong, you weren't lonely even if you had just broken up with your boyfriend and had also lost contact with your best friend after what had happened. You knew that it was over, but you decided to give a chance for both of them to explain themselves, and it didn’t go well, to say the least. You ended up drinking at Full Moon yet again, complaining to Yunhyeong about what those two had dared to bring up as their excuses.

You didn’t keep count of the weeks and months that passed by because you were always looking forward to each and every day to meet Yunhyeong, to get to know him a bit more. Despite your initial dislike towards him, he turned out to a very gentle, attentive and incredibly funny young man, and soon your days became filled with his contagious laughter and self-made meals because the CEO loved nothing more than cooking.

This is how you actually ended up in his house one day after he had insisted that he would want to teach you how to cook one of his favourite meals. It was about half a year after your first encounter and also your first time to visit his house.

It was all going well as Yunhyeong was a very patient chef, and he didn’t make you feel completely useless even though he did most of the actual work. You weren’t a kitchen fairy, but you’ve tried your best, and worked as diligently as you would do at your own shop. It wasn’t until a careless turn on your part and his closeness that the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. You had just turned around to look at him and ask what else you could do, but he was already behind you, so you practically bumped into him and almost lost balance but he caught you in time. He grabbed you by the waist, and even when he could see for himself that you were stable, he didn’t let you go. You didn’t care though. You were more focused on his face. To be precise, on his eyes.

You didn’t even dare to look away, you didn’t feel like you knew how to do so. You were mesmerized, stuck in the moment, in the fantasy world that the situation created. You had never been this close to Yunhyeong ever before, and the close proximity did odd things to the state of your heart. You found it difficult to breathe properly, and your lips were parted because you were about to say something, yet nothing seemed right.

Then it happened. All of a sudden, only for a moment, your lips touched his, and you were even more mesmerized than before. However, your rational part made you back away and apologize immediately.

"I’m sorry. I really didn’t…" You started immediately but he cut you off.

"It’s okay, it’s really okay." He shook his head, then a lopsided grin started stretching on his lips. "I was just about to ask if it’s okay if I kiss you," he added with a nervous giggle and sheepishly scratched his temple.

You were so shocked than you didn’t even know what to say for the next few seconds. Your heart was racing so wildly that you were afraid that you would have a heart attack soon. Luckily, Yunhyeong saved you.

"Then, it’s my turn next," he declared as he hovered over you and waited for you to push him away, to reject him. Needless to say, you did neither, and so he kissed you while you could feel him smiling to himself. You did the same as him, your insides melting.

What an interesting turn of events when it all started with an innocent little cooking session.