#taehyun post

[fairykdh]

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[dagonyang]

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[luvsicktyun]

A KISS FOR THE CURSED - ,, ୧ ‧₊˚ c.yj

》 In a kingdom of stone and gold, there lived a princess with hair as pink as the dawn. Her heart, though draped in royal jewels, was heavy with the weight of expectation, for the king and queen demanded she find a husband worthy of her title. The castle’s walls pressed close, and her spirit yearned for freedom, for something beyond the cold, glittering halls.

One day, when the pressure became too great, she slipped away from the castle and wandered into the woods, seeking solace in its quiet embrace. It was there, among the trees, that she met him—a boy, no older than she, with eyes like the forest and a bow slung over his shoulder. He was a hunter, living in a humble cabin, selling the fruits of his labor to those who passed by. But in the way he moved, so graceful and wild, the princess saw something more—a soul untainted by the constraints of royalty....

》 𝔱𝔵𝔱 𝔪𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱 & 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢…

pairings » archer!yeonjun x princess!reader

𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢 » smut » royal au » forbidden romance »

warnings » smut, loss of virginity, fingering, oral (f) receiving, angst, longing, forbidden romance, yeonjun hunts animals, reader has pink hair, very heavily inspired by the 'once upon a broken heart' series by Stephanie garber, major character death, kai is seventeen in this, also featuring beomgyu briefly, blood, beatings, dungeons, toxic parents, royal hierarchy, a bit of grumpy x sunshine, readers pov is 2nd person "You" yeonjun's pov is 3rd person "He" a lot is in yeonjun's pov though, yeonjun has a noticeable scar on his eyebrow (for the plot), kind of love at first sight, this is not slow burn sorry, there is a disease called "The fever"

« 𝔭𝔩𝔞𝔶𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱 »

word count « 24K »

The golden glow of a single candle bathes your chambers, its light dancing across the silk-draped walls. You sit at your vanity, brushing your hair with slow, deliberate strokes. The polished wood of the brush feels cool in your hand, a small comfort against the storm brewing inside you. Behind you, there’s the soft rustle of skirts, a sound that sets your nerves on edge even before she speaks. “Darling,” your mother begins, her voice sweet, almost sing-song as she opens your door without so much as a knock.  “You’re twenty now. A woman grown. You can’t keep hiding behind those books and tapestries forever.” She glides across the room and perches on the edge of your bed, her posture as poised and deliberate as her words. 

“I’m not hiding, Mother,” you reply without turning to face her. Your reflection catches hers in the mirror—a study in contrasts. You, unadorned and weary. Her, perfect and poised, a mask of maternal care that you’ve come to mistrust. She was not the sweet doting mother she pretends to be, and you felt her icy-ness as soon as she neared you. 

“Of course not,” she says with a light laugh, the sound brushing away your words as though they were a child’s excuse. “But it’s time you thought seriously about your future. The kingdom needs alliances and a good match could secure that.” 

You place the brush down with deliberate care and turn to face her. “And what if I don’t love any of these ‘good matches’? Am I to bind myself to someone who sees me as nothing more than a means to an end?” You had grown tired of this same conversation. One you've had a million times over with her and your father. 

She sighs, and for a moment, the warmth in her voice almost feels real. Almost. “Oh, my sweet girl, love is a luxury we can’t always afford. Your father and I—” She pauses, her hand drifting to her heart as if recalling a fond memory. “We grew to love each other over time. You’ll see. Love often follows where duty leads.” You narrow your eyes, searching her face for cracks in the mask. “Did it? Did love really follow, or did you simply learn to endure it?”

Her expression wavers—just for a heartbeat—but it’s enough. The softness in her eyes hardens, and when she stands, it’s with a grace that feels more commanding than comforting. “Don’t let childish notions blind you” she says, her tone sharper now. “The world isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a harsh, unyielding place, and one day, you’ll rule it. You must start preparing for that now.” 

Your throat tightens, but you manage to keep your voice steady. “I would rather rule with my heart than sell it to the highest bidder.” 

Her lips curl into a smile, and she steps closer, cupping your cheek in her hand. The gesture is tender, but her eyes betray her—calculating, assessing. “You’ll understand someday, my love,” she murmurs. “And when you do, you’ll thank me for guiding you.” You pull away, your skin burning where her hand had rested. She lingers for a moment longer, her presence suffocating even in its quietness. Then, with a swish of her skirts, she moves to the door. The click of it closing echoes in the silence she leaves behind. You stare at your reflection, your chest heaving with unshed tears and unsaid words. The candlelight catches the glint of defiance in your eyes, and in that moment, you vow that no one—not even your mother—will decide your future for you.

You had never snuck out of the castle before. The thought had scared you enough that you hadn’t ever dared to attempt it, but tonight you felt you had to. The suffocating four walls of your chambers had felt so overbearing that the thought of another second in them would cause the end of your life. You had to escape, even if only for a few hours at least. You needed fresh air. To feel the wind in your hair, smell the trees and feel the grass between your fingertips. 

You rarely get that these days, with all the preparations of finding you a husband and shipping you off to some unknown country with a man that was to be your husband and yet a stranger at the same time. You couldn't handle it anymore. You grabbed your cloak and made quick work on sneaking out. 

The castle sleeps. Its towering spires stretch into the star-speckled sky, dark against the moonlight. You slip from your chambers, the soft soles of your boots muffling each step on the cold stone floor. The velvet cloak swirls around your ankles, its deep green fabric blending into the shadows as you descend the servant's staircase. Your heart races, but not from fear. It's the exhilaration of escape, of leaving behind the suffocating weight of expectations.

The conversation you and your mother had not even an hour ago swimming in your mind. The words of your father this morning echoing in your head like a cacophony "This lord has lands to the west," they said. "That one commands an army. It’s time to secure your future.” You grit your teeth at the thought, gripping the edge of your cloak tighter. They don’t understand. Marriage isn’t what frightens you—it’s the thought of marrying someone who sees you as a pawn, not a person. You couldn't bring yourself to have a marriage like your mother and fathers. A marriage that lacked authenticity, lacked real love. You refused it. Rebuked it. 

The air is cooler as you reach the garden gate, slipping through the narrow gap you discovered years ago. The guards won’t check here; they never do. Beyond the walls lies freedom, the forest calling to you like an old friend. The scent of damp earth and pine greets you as you step into the woods. The moon guides your path, its light filtering through the canopy. You keep your pace quick but quiet. You had a general idea of the outlands of the castle from all of your lessons. You needed to know how to get out of the castle in case of an attack. You were sure that your teachers didn't know you'd be using the information they taught you to sneak out, but here you were. 

The forest feels alive tonight. Crickets chirp in the underbrush, and a gentle breeze stirs the leaves above. Each step takes you further from the castle, from the expectations, from the stifling weight of duty. You keep your steps light trying your best to make as little as sound as possible. You couldn't risk being caught. Then you hear it, a faint thwack ahead, the unmistakable sound of an arrow striking wood. You freeze, heart leaping into your throat. Slowly, carefully, you edge closer, stepping around a patch of dry leaves to avoid making a sound. Peeking around a thick oak, you see him. A man unfamiliar to you. He stands in the clearing, tall and strong, his silhouette framed by moonlight. A bow is in his hands, an arrow already knocked. His movements are fluid, deliberate, as if every motion is a part of a dance. The arrow flies, and your breath catches as it strikes dead center on the straw target.

He’s beautiful. The moon shines just enough through the branches of the trees above him creating a halo like light over his head and face. You should turn back. You know this. You should retrace your steps and leave before he notices you. But you don’t. Something about him holds you in place. His focus, the grace in his movements, the quiet strength in the way he adjusts his stance. He’s close to your age, maybe a year or two older, with dark hair that curls at the nape of his neck. He’s the most handsome man you have ever laid your eyes on. And by far the most graceful. 

He reaches for another arrow, the muscles in his arms flexing under the thin fabric of his shirt. You crouch lower behind the tree, your cloak pooling around you. The thrill of sneaking out has faded into something else—something warmer, something unfamiliar. You had never had the privilege of just watching a man so..closely like this. You weren't even allowed to be around a man without a chaperone. You tell yourself you’re just curious. It’s not often you meet someone out here in the woods. But as you watch him, you realize it’s more than that. He’s unlike anyone you’ve ever seen before. 

He has no idea you’re here. And for now, you’re content to watch, hidden in the shadows of the trees, as he draws and releases, each arrow flying true. The world feels smaller at this moment. The castle and its demands are miles away, and the only thing that exists is you, the moonlit forest, and the archer practicing under the stars. You watch for only a breath longer before the stillness breaks under your foot. A dry leaf, hidden beneath the forest loam, crumples with a loud crack that seems to echo in the night. The archer freezes. His body tenses as he pivots toward you, bow raised, an arrow drawn in a heartbeat. The sudden movement sends a jolt of panic through you, and you instinctively step back, pressing against the rough bark of the tree.

“Who’s there?” His voice is sharp, low, and commanding. The moonlight glints off his eyes—hard and narrowed, scanning the shadows where you’re hidden. You hold your breath, heart hammering in your chest. For a moment, you consider fleeing, but before you can move, he spots you. “Show yourself,” he demands, the arrow steady in his grip. 

Slowly, you step out from behind the tree, your hands raised in a gesture of surrender. The cloak’s hood still shrouds your face, but the moonlight catches the strands of pink hair peeking out. His gaze sharpens, and you see his brow furrow as he lowers the bow slightly. “a girl?” His voice softens but only slightly, his tone still laced with suspicion. He lowers the bow completely but doesn’t relax, his eyes studying you intently. “What are you doing out here, creeping around like that?” 

You swallow, suddenly acutely aware of how small you feel under his piercing gaze. “I wasn’t creeping,” you say, your voice soft but steady. “I was… walking. I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

“Walking,” he repeats, his tone flat and disbelieving. He glances at your cloak, the fine embroidery glinting faintly in the moonlight. “In the middle of the night. Alone. Right.” He snorts, shaking his head as if the very idea is absurd. “Who are you?” His demeanor startled you, not expecting such a graceful man to sound so..rough. 

You hesitate. You’re not ready to give your name—or your title. “No one important.” If he knew you were the princess there was no guessing what he would do. Turn you in? Kidnap you? Hold you for ransom, it was unknown but you'd rather not find out. 

He arches an eyebrow, unimpressed. “No one important who sneaks through the woods and watches people like a ghost.” 

Heat rises to your cheeks, both from embarrassment and indignation. “I wasn’t watching you—well, not on purpose. I heard something, and I… got curious.” You couldn't explain to him that you didn't get out much, he would ask too many questions. You'd rather have him think you a dumb naive girl then a sheltered princess. 

His expression softens, but only slightly. He seems to accept your answer, though he doesn’t seem thrilled about it. “Curiosity gets people into trouble. Especially out here.” You should feel insulted by his gruffness, but instead, you find yourself intrigued. There’s something captivating about the way he carries himself, the guarded way he speaks. He’s not like the polished, over-rehearsed lords who populate the castle halls. He’s… real. It was as perplexing as it was scary, how little knowledge you had of the common folk, how little you saw them. He was beautiful like a prince, even more than most but something about him felt unpolished and you admired that. 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” you say, trying to sound nonchalant. But you can’t help the way your eyes linger on him, tracing the sharp angles of his face, the way the moonlight highlights his dark hair. He’s beautiful in a way that feels almost unfair, though his scowl adds an edge to it, like he’s carved from stone. He notices your lingering gaze and narrows his eyes. “What?” How he wasn’t more concerned by a random girl creeping on him in the middle of the night had struck you. 

“Nothing,” you say quickly, pulling your cloak tighter around you. “I just… I’ve never seen anyone shoot like that before.” Which was the truth. You had never seen the guards in true action, you had only seen them practicing and even then they were nowhere near as precise as this man was. 

His scowl deepens, though a faint hint of surprise flickers in his expression. “You were watching me.” 

Your cheeks flush again, and you look away, hoping the shadows hide your embarrassment. “Only for a moment. You’re… good.” 

For the first time, he seems caught off guard. He looks at you as if trying to figure you out, then sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Look, whoever you are, it’s late, and you shouldn’t be out here. Go home.” You hated the way he spoke to you, like you were a useless pesky object in his way. Like everyone around you spoke to you. 

His tone is dismissive, but you don’t move. Instead, you tilt your head, studying him. “Why are you out here, then?” 

He hesitates, his jaw tightening. “That’s none of your business.” 

“And me being here is none of yours,” you counter, surprising yourself with your boldness. You had never talked back to anyone before. Partly in fear of what your mother and father would do to you as a punishment. For a moment, he just stares at you, his eyes catching the moonlight. 

“You’re stubborn,” he mutters, shaking his head. 

“And you’re grumpy,” you reply, the words slipping out before you can stop them. 

“Suit yourself. Just don’t get in my way.” He says with a snark, dismissing you completely. As he turns back to his target, knocking another arrow, you find yourself smiling beneath your hood. For the first time in days, you feel alive—caught in the strange, thrilling pull of the forest, the night, and the boy who doesn’t know who you are. It was hopelessly refreshing, having someone to banter with. He hadn't known you were the princess. All expectations of respectfully boring conversation were not needed here, you felt normal. 

You don’t leave. Something about him keeps you rooted to the spot. Maybe it’s his impenetrable demeanor, so unlike anyone you’ve met before. Or maybe it’s the way he seems utterly unconcerned by you, as though you’re not worth the effort of a proper scolding. Either way, instead of retreating, you take a few cautious steps closer. “What are you still doing here?” he asks without looking back, his voice carrying a rough edge. He draws another arrow and lets it fly. Thwack. It lands squarely in the center of the target. You swear you could have drooled at the sight alone. You were just a girl after all. 

“I told you—I was walking,” you say, folding your arms beneath the cloak. 

​​“In the middle of the night. In that?” He gestures vaguely toward you without turning. Your cloak shifts as you glance down at yourself. The hem of your pink dress peeks out, delicate and impractical. The sight of it makes you wince. It’s not exactly what you’d have chosen for sneaking into the woods, but there hadn’t been time to change. You had very minimal time before the confines of your bedroom swallowed you whole. 

“Yes, this,” you reply, tilting your chin. “Not all of us plan our wardrobe for forest excursions.” 

That earns you a glance over his shoulder. His eyes rake over you, lingering just long enough to make you self-conscious. Then he snorts. “You look like you wandered out of a ball. Did you lose your way to the dance floor?” Your spine straightens at his words. He didn’t know..did he? 

Your cheeks burn. “For your information, I didn’t plan to be out here tonight.” You try your best to avert the subject, avoiding all talk of balls and princess-like duties. 

“Oh, clearly,” he mutters, turning back to his bow. “Because you definitely blend right in.” 

You roll your eyes, stepping closer again. “Are you always this charming, or am I just lucky?” Your lips purse suppressing your smile. That gets his attention. He pauses mid-draw and glances at you, one eyebrow raised. For a moment, you think you’ve caught him off guard, but then his lips twitch in what might be the ghost of a smirk. “Lucky,” he says dryly, before loosing the arrow. Another perfect shot. 

You shake your head, exasperated but oddly entertained. “You’re impossible.” 

“And you’re nosy,” he counters, retrieving another arrow. 

“I don't get out much.” You say with a lift of your shoulders. 

“Clearly.” He deadpanned. “What’s your excuse for being out here, anyway? Fancy dresses and all?” 

The question catches you off guard. You hesitate, pulling your cloak tighter. “I needed to get away.” 

“From what?” he asks, his tone skeptical. 

You glance at the ground, then back up at him. His eyes are on you now, not the target, and you feel a strange urge to tell the truth. Not all of it, but enough. “Look who's being nosey now.” He snorts as you continue “My parents,” you admit softly. “They’re… overbearing.” 

He snorts. “Overbearing parents? Shocking.” 

You narrow your eyes. “I’m serious. They’ve been pressuring me nonstop, telling me who I should be, what I should want. It’s—” You trail off, shaking your head. “It’s exhausting.” 

For a moment, he just looks at you, the teasing edge in his expression fading. “So, what? You ran off to the woods to escape their nagging?” 

“Something like that,” you say, lifting your chin. “Not that it’s any of your business.” 

He huffed a laugh and leaned against his bow. “Fair enough. But sneaking into the woods wearing that dress?” He gestures again at the hem of your gown. “Bold choice.” 

“Do you ever stop criticizing people?” you shoot back, though there’s no real venom in your words. 

“Not when they make it this easy.” His smirk returns, faint but noticeable. 

You roll your eyes but can’t help smiling beneath your hood. “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not leaving.” 

“Suit yourself,” he mutters, turning back to his target. “Just don’t expect me to babysit you if you trip over your fancy shoes.”  

You bite back a retort and instead settle against a tree to watch him. He doesn’t seem to mind—though he throws the occasional glance your way, as if checking to make sure you haven’t disappeared or done something foolish. The silence stretches, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the rhythmic thwack of his arrows. It’s strangely comforting, this moment shared with a stranger in the middle of the woods. For the first time in weeks, the weight of the crown on your head feels a little lighter. 

You watch as he moves with practiced ease, drawing and releasing arrow after arrow. The steady rhythm of his practice feels like the heartbeat of the forest, grounding you in a way you hadn’t realized you needed. For a moment, you close your eyes, letting the quiet wash over you. The weight of the day—the endless parade of suitors, the sharp-edged words of your parents, the suffocating walls of the castle—feels distant now, almost unreal. Out here, under the stars, you’re not the princess with a duty to marry for the good of the kingdom. You’re just… you. 

The thought stirs something bittersweet in your chest. You know this moment can’t last. Sooner or later, you’ll have to return to the castle, to the expectations and the responsibilities. This fleeting sense of freedom, of solace, will be nothing but a memory. You open your eyes again, focusing on him. He’s still at it, firing arrow after arrow with a precision that’s almost mesmerizing. There’s a quiet determination in the way he moves, as though this practice is more than a simple pastime. It feels like a ritual, a way of carving out his own space in the world. He moved like he was meant to be there, like the act of archery was engraved into his soul. 

For a brief, foolish moment, you wonder what it would be like to stay. To slip away from the castle every night, to watch him practice and trade sharp words under the moonlight. But you shake the thought away. It’s impossible. Still, you linger. You don’t want to leave just yet—not while the night still feels alive around you, not while you can still breathe without the weight of the crown pressing down.

Silently, you push away from the tree and step back into the shadows. The forest seems quieter now, as though it knows you’re leaving. You glance back once, catching the faint glint of his bow in the moonlight, the outline of his form as he lines up another shot. You slip away before he can notice, retracing your steps through the woods and back toward the castle. The chill of the night air clings to you, and the weight of reality begins to settle back onto your shoulders with each step closer to the towering walls.

By the time you slip through the garden gate, the spell is broken. The castle looms ahead, its windows dark and silent, the very air around it heavy with expectations. But for a few precious hours, you had tasted something different—something real. And as you climb the servant’s staircase back to your chambers, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever see him again. 

The morning sun filters through the stained-glass windows of the dining hall, casting jeweled patterns onto the long oak table. You sit in your usual seat, the one that feels more like a throne than a chair, the weight of your parents’ presence pressing down on you like the crown you don’t yet wear. Breakfast is a quiet affair, at least for you. The clink of silverware and the murmurs of servants fill the space as your father, The king mutters about political alliances to your mother, The Queen. His deep voice carries a sharp edge, his words precise and biting, even when directed at your mother. You keep your head down, focused on the food sitting in front of you. 

You barely hear him call your name. Your thoughts are elsewhere—lost in the forest, in the soft rustle of leaves and the quiet thwack of an arrow hitting its mark. You see the archer in your mind’s eye, his focused gaze, the smooth movement of his hands as he loosed each shot. “Are you listening?” your father snaps, his voice cutting through your reverie like a whip. 

You blink, startled, and glance up at him. His dark eyes are cold and unforgiving, his thick brows drawn into a scowl. “Yes, Father,” you lie, though you have no idea what he just said. Trying to gather yourself. Your father was a very angry man, even more so when you were being disobedient. 

He doesn’t believe you—he never does—but he waves it off, taking another bite of bread. “Good. Then you understand how important this ball is.” 

The word ball yanks you out of your thoughts entirely. You sit up straighter, your heart sinking. “A ball?” You narrowly avoided most balls claiming to be sick, or having your nursemaid lie and say you had lessons very early in the morning. Not like your parents knew you were lying, they rarely kept track of those things, only that they were being done. 

“Yes,” your mother says, her voice softer but no less resolute. She looks at you with the faintest trace of pity, but it does little to soothe the knot forming in your chest. “It’s time for you to meet suitors. Proper ones. The lords of the neighboring countries will all be in attendance.” 

You shake your head, your fingers tightening around the silver spoon in your hand. “I don’t want a ball. I don’t want suitors.” You regretted the words as soon as they left your lips. Any defiance to your father was a grave mistake, one you were sure you’d regret shortly here. 

Your father slams his goblet onto the table, making you flinch. “You don’t get to decide what you want,” he growls. “You have a duty to this kingdom, girl. Do you think your whims matter when alliances are at stake?” His words shake you. You knew how he felt but hearing him say it didn't make the blow any less hurtful. It brought you back to the quiet nights you spent curled into a ball on your bed at eight years old wondering why your daddy didn't love you like the other daddies did, why was yours so mean. 

You lower your gaze to your plate, your stomach twisting. The archer’s face flickers in your mind again, unbidden. You wonder what he would say if he saw you like this, cowed under your father’s fury. The pink hue of your long hair covering your face shielding you from your embarrassment. “You’ll go to your dress fitting after breakfast,” your mother adds, her tone brisk as though she’s trying to smooth over the tension. “Nursemaid Kora will take you. Everything must be perfect.” 

Perfect. The word feels like shackles on your wrists. 

“Do you understand?” your father demands. 

“Yes,” you say quietly, though the word feels like ash on your tongue. The king grunts, satisfied, and turns back to his food. The rest of breakfast passes in strained silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of servants or the scrape of knives on plates. Your thoughts were loud as they rattled around in your head. 

Oh how did you long for a normal life, with a normal family and parents who loved you. You glance toward the far end of the room, where the king’s guard stands like statues, their polished armor gleaming faintly in the morning light. Their presence is a constant reminder of the cage you live in—one gilded and grand, but a cage nonetheless. 

Your mind drifts again, this time to the forest, to the sense of freedom you’d felt beneath the trees. To the archer, with his sharp gaze and quiet strength. You wonder if he’s out there now, practicing his craft in the clearing. Does he think about you at all? Did he even notice the way you lingered last night? You thought of his beautiful face and the way the moonlight caught it just right. 

Foolishly you thought of a life with him. One filled with love and light, one that you had only conjured in your mind. It was unattainable and you were sure you would never see him again but still the thought loosened your bones and slowled the rapid beating of your heart. You didn't even know his name, and he yours but still you daydreamed the way he would whisper it, into the woods and into wind all the way until it reached you. It would engulf you, swirling around your being and reaching your heart. 

Your mother calls your name with a softness that only you knew was faux. “Come.” She says rising from her seat. “Kora is waiting.” You nod numbly and stand, your pink dress swishing around your legs as you follow her out of the dining hall. But your heart stays behind, tangled somewhere between the memory of the archer’s steady hands and the ache of knowing you’ll likely never see him again. 

The village square bustled with life, though as always, it seemed to pulse around him, not with him. Yeonjun stood near the edge of the market, his wares laid out neatly on a rough-hewn table: freshly skinned rabbit pelts, bundles of dried herbs, and slabs of venison wrapped in cloth. He adjusted the placement of the furs, not because they needed straightening, but because it gave him something to do.

The morning sun warmed his back, but he felt no comfort in it. A pair of women whispered as they passed, their glances darting his way like skittish birds. One muttered a prayer under her breath, her gaze lingering on the scar that cut across his brow—a mark left by a long-forgotten accident but whispered about like it was the devil’s curse. They always whispered about him. Yeonjun the orphan. Yeonjun the cursed. He clenched his jaw and focused on his work, brushing his fingers over the pelts. Let them talk.

“Still brooding, I see.” Yeonjun didn’t need to look up to recognize the voice. Beomgyu, his only friend, or as close to one as he allowed. The man sauntered over, carrying a sack slung across his broad shoulders, his cheeks red from the morning chill.

“I’m not brooding,” Yeonjun muttered, though he didn’t lift his head. 

“Sure you’re not.” Beomgyu dropped the sack beside the table with a dull thud. “You’ve got that same ‘stay away from me’ look you always do.” Beomgyu sent Yeonjun a crooked teasing grin. 

Yeonjun gave him a sidelong glance. “It works, doesn’t it?”

Beomgyu laughed, a deep, easy sound that drew a few more glances from the villagers. Unlike Yeonjun , Beomgyu seemed immune to the weight of their stares. His carelessness was off putting to Yeonjun “You know, you might be less miserable if you actually talked to people once in a while.”

“I talk to you, don’t I?” Yeonjun said flatly.

Beomgyu shook his head, still smiling. “I’m not people. I’m a saint for putting up with you.” A saint was far from what Yeonjun would call Beomgyu. The boy was anything but a saint. 

Yeonjun huffed a quiet laugh despite himself, but the faint flicker of amusement quickly faded. His mind drifted unbidden to the girl in the woods. Her cloak, the way the moonlight caught the strands of pink hair peeking from beneath it. Who was she? Although he rarely frequented the village, opting to stick to his little cabin in the woods, he was sure that he would spot that bright pink hair anywhere on any given day. Everyone came to the village on selling days, surely he would have seen her walking around, right? 

He’d told himself to forget her. To let her vanish into the shadows of memory like everything else. But the image of her standing beneath the trees, her voice soft but bold, wouldn’t leave him. “Anyway,” Beomgyu said, breaking Yeonjun’s thoughts, “I came to ask you something.”

Yeonjun raised a thick brow. “What?”

Beomgyu grinned, a little too wide. “There’s work up at the castle.”

Yeonjun’s expression darkened immediately. “No.” 

“Don’t be like that,” Beomgyu said, unfazed. “The princess’s ball is coming up. They need extra hands for the feast. We’d be in the kitchens, nothing fancy. Just bringing up meat for the royals.”

“I said no,” Yeonjun growled, his voice low.

Beomgyu leaned against the table, crossing his arms. Gone was the playfulness, a look of desperation in its place. “Look, I know you hate the nobles—” 

“I don’t hate them,” Yeonjun snapped. “I just don’t care for their games.” 

“Fine. Call it what you want. But they’re paying good coin, and we could use the work.” Beomgyu’s voice softened slightly. “You could use it, Yeonjun. How long are you going to keep doing this?” He gestured to the table, to the furs and meat that earned just enough to keep him alive. Yeonjun glanced down, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. He did need the money. 

“Fine,” he muttered finally, his voice sharp and bitter. 

Beomgyu clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man.” Yeonjun flinched away from the touch, shrugging it off. He started packing up his things, his movements quick and tense. But even as he worked, his mind drifted again to the girl in the woods. 

Her voice had been so sure when she’d said she was curious, her smile hidden beneath her hood. And yet, there had been something else in her eyes, something that mirrored the ache he carried in his own chest. Almost like a mirror of himself. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t see her again. 

Everyone he loved—everyone he cared for—was gone. His family, his friends. Death followed him like a shadow, and he would not drag her into it. He wouldn’t. He would take the coin from the castle and leave. He wouldn’t think about her again. But as he slung his pack over his shoulder and followed Beomgyu out of the square, he knew it was a lie.

The cabin creaked as the night wind curled around its edges, pushing through the gaps in the wooden shutters. Yeonjun sat by the hearth, sharpening his hunting knife with slow, deliberate strokes. The repetitive motion grounded him, giving him a momentary reprieve from his restless thoughts. The fire crackled, casting shadows on the walls, but the warmth did little to soften the cold weight in his chest. The girl from the woods was still there in his mind, her pink hair catching the moonlight, her voice lilting like birdsong. He hated that he kept thinking about her. 

A sharp knock at the door broke the stillness. Yeonjun froze, his hand tightening on the knife. For a long moment, he didn’t move, his eyes fixed on the door. No one came out here—no one dared, except for Beomgyu. And Beomgyu never knocked, opting to barge whenever he pleased. Another knock, louder this time.

With a sigh, Yeonjun stood and set the knife on the table. He crossed the room, pulling the door open just enough to see who stood on the other side.A boy no older than seventeen stared up at him, his cheeks flushed from the cold and his arms full of rolled newspapers. His oversized coat hung awkwardly on his skinny frame, and his breath came in little white puffs. 

“Mr.Yeonjun!” the boy said brightly, his voice breaking through the quiet night. Yeonjun recognized him as the oldest Huening son, Kai. A paper boy for all of the village. Why he was delivering Papers this late at night was beyond Yeonjun. 

“What are you doing here?” Yeonjun said sharply, glancing past the boy to the empty forest path. “You’re supposed to leave the paper on the doorstep.” 

Kai shifted on his feet, suddenly nervous under Yeonjun’s glare. “I—I know. But I wanted to see you.” 

“Why?” Was all Yeonjun said, not in the mood for a long winded conversation at this hour. 

Kai’s face lit up, his nervousness replaced with eager determination. “I’ve seen you. In the woods. Shooting your bow. You’re amazing! No one in the village can shoot like you can.” He took a step closer, his wide eyes shining with admiration. “Will you teach me?” The light from the cabin illuminated the boy's features, catching the stark blonde of his hair and his boyish features. Although Yeonjun was only a few years older than the boy he had felt far more wise beyond his years. Kai was comparable to a..well a child in Yeonjun’s eyes. 

Yeonjun stared at him, the boy’s words settling like an unwelcome weight in his chest. “No,” he said bluntly. 

​​Kai’s  face fell, but he pressed on. “Please, I’ll work for it! I can help with chores, or—” 

“You don’t understand,” Yeonjun interrupted, his voice low and hard. “I don’t have time to waste teaching some kid how to shoot arrows.”

Kai flinched, but he held his ground. “I—I could learn fast,” he stammered. “I swear I’d—”

“Go home,” Yeonjun snapped, his hand tightening on the door. “It’s late. You shouldn’t even be out here.” Kai hesitated, but he finally nodded. Yeonjun shut the door without another word. He leaned against it for a moment, exhaling slowly as Kai’s footsteps faded down the path.

The room felt colder now, the fire’s warmth unable to reach him. He shook his head and went back to his chair, picking up the knife again. He didn’t need anyone else relying on him. He didn’t need one more thing to care about. Everyone who had ever mattered to him was gone. Kai didn’t understand what he was asking for. Yeonjun couldn’t be a mentor, a teacher, a protector. He wouldn’t risk letting someone else into his life—just to lose them too. The paper still sat on the doorstep, forgotten in the cold. 

The grand hall of the castle was an entirely different world from the forest Yeonjun knew so well. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, spiced wine, and perfumes far too sweet for his liking. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their flickering candlelight casting golden hues over the polished floors and the opulent tapestries lining the walls.Yeonjun had never set foot in the castle before. Being surrounded by so many nobles who shot him noticeable looks of disdain was something he would never get used to, even as the hours ticked by. 

Yeonjun moved silently through the crowd, a tray of roasted duck balanced on one hand. His dark tunic and dress pants, provided by the castle staff, were a poor attempt at blending in. He still felt like a wolf among peacocks. The nobility barely noticed him as he passed, save for the occasional stare, their laughter and chatter a dull hum in his ears.“Keep moving,” Beomgyu muttered as he brushed past with a tray of wine-filled glasses. “And don’t glare at everyone. You’ll scare off the coin.” 

Yeonjun grunted but said nothing, his focus on his task. He hated the castle, hated the hollow grandeur of it all. The villagers whispered about the luxury the royals lived in, and now, seeing it up close, Yeonjun understood why they seethed with resentment. “Ladies and gentlemen!” a booming voice called, silencing the room. The herald stepped forward, his red and gold uniform gleaming in the light. “May I present her royal highness, Our very own Princess. Daughter of The King and Queen!”  

Yeonjun froze.

The crowd turned toward the sweeping staircase, where she appeared, her head held high, her movements graceful and deliberate. She wore a gown of shimmering silver, the fabric catching the light like starlight on water. But it wasn’t the dress that made his chest tighten. Stopping in his tracks in the middle of the dance floor. 

It was her hair.

Pink. 

His breath caught in his throat as memories of the woods flooded back—the girl in the cloak, her bold words, her curiosity. He had thought of her endlessly since that night, but he’d never expected this. She descended the staircase slowly, her expression serene, but Yeonjun caught the brief flicker of nerves in her eyes. She scanned the room, her gaze brushing over the sea of faces, until it landed on him. Her steps faltered, just barely, and only for a mere second. It had gone unnoticed by everyone but him. He knew the look in her eye matched his own. 

Yeonjun saw the recognition in her widened eyes, the way her lips parted as though she might speak. But then she blinked, regaining her composure. Her gaze slid away as though nothing had happened, and she continued her descent. His grip on the tray tightened, his heart pounding in his chest. He had vowed not to see her again, and yet here she was, standing among the very people he resented most. He wasn’t sure what the feeling in his chest was. Resentment? Anger? A little bit of pity? Really he shouldn't be surprised that she didn't tell him who she was the night in the woods but still..Yeonjun felt like a fool. 

The evening wore on, the ball unfolding in a haze of music and laughter. Yeonjun moved through the crowd, refilling glasses and delivering trays of food. But his attention was drawn to her, no matter how hard he tried to focus on his work. She danced with suitors, her gown flowing around her like liquid light. She smiled at them, laughed at their jokes, but Yeonjun saw the tension in her posture, the way her smile never quite reached her eyes. He had only known her a short while and still he knew the true feeling behind her faux smile. How had no one noticed how much she hated this? How did the King and Queen not? Or did they just not care?

Despite the distance between them, she noticed him too. Their eyes met across the room again and again—when he passed by with a tray of wine, when she lingered near the edge of the dance floor. Each time, her gaze lingered a moment too long before she looked away. Yeonjun felt fear that someone would notice, someone who would think that there was more there than what led on. He shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t want to see her. By the time the night began to wane, Yeonjun was certain of one thing: the princess was just as out of place here as he was. 

As the night went on the small glances toward each other had become too much for Yeonjun to bear. The need for food and drink was starting to die down as the nobles became more intoxicated, sticking to their silly little dances and belly laughing conversations. He decided excusing himself to go outside for fresh air was the best thing for him. The cool night air was a welcome reprieve from the stifling ballroom. Yeonjun leaned against the stone balustrade of the castle balcony, the distant sound of music and laughter muffled by the heavy doors behind him. Above, the sky stretched endlessly, stars scattered like flecks of silver against the inky black. 

He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his dark hair. This was a mistake—coming here, taking this job. Seeing her. He knew even being near the castle would bring him trouble. He knew he hated royals for a reason. The door creaked open behind him, the soft rustle of fabric giving her away before she even spoke. Yeonjun closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose. He looked around at his surroundings. “Shouldn’t you be inside, Your Highness?” he said without turning around to look at her. 

“I could say the same about you,” she replied, her voice carrying that same mix of curiosity and defiance he remembered from the woods. Yeonjun turned, his arms crossed. She stood just a few feet away, the silver gown catching the faint light like moonbeams on water. Her pink hair spilled over her shoulders, and she looked more like a dream than a person. A dangerous dream. “You shouldn’t be out here,” he said flatly. “Someone might see us.” 

“I don’t care,” she said, stepping closer, teetering on a thin line close to danger. 

“Well, I do,” he shot back. “If anyone gets the wrong idea—” 

“Let them,” she interrupted. Her gaze was steady, unwavering. “I wanted to talk to you.” 

​​Yeonjun sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “There’s nothing to talk about.” 

“There is,” she insisted. “I—I wanted to explain.”

“Explain what?” He gestured toward her, his voice dropping. “That you’re a princess and I’m just some cursed hunter? That we shouldn’t even be in the same room together?” Her eyes knit together at the word cursed, it had given Yeonjun a small sprinkling of foolish hope that she hadn’t heard about him, and what people whispered about him and his family. 

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t back down. “You’re angry.” Her cheeks flush from the cold. If it weren't for the circumstances Yeonjun would have thought it to be cute. 

“I’m not angry,” Yeonjun said sharply. “I’m realistic. You shouldn’t be here, and I definitely shouldn’t be here with you.” 

She stepped closer, her voice softening. “Why not? Because I’m a princess?” Her pink hair framing her face in the most delicate way. 

“Yes!” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “Because you’re a princess. And if anyone sees us out here, I’ll be the one paying for it, not you.” 

She hesitated, but only for a moment. “You’re right. I am a princess. And all night, I’ve had to smile and pretend that everything’s fine. That I’m perfectly happy dancing with men who don’t know a thing about me. But I saw you, and for a moment, I felt…” Yeonjun’s breath caught in his throat. They were definitely inching towards a very dangerous game, one he didn't want to play. 

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Yeonjun interrupted, his voice low. He couldn't hear her say it. 

“Why?” She asked, crossing her arms. “Because you’ll be tempted to feel something too?” 

He scoffed, looking away. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Unable to look her in the eye. 

“Oh, I think I’m right,” she said, a spark of mischief lighting her eyes. She smiled, and for a moment, the tension in his chest tightened. 

“You don’t understand,” he said finally, his voice quieter now. “This isn’t about you. It’s about me. I don’t want…” He trailed off, his hands clenching into fists. 

“Don’t want what?” she pressed gently, not that she had to press much. Yeonjun would soon turn to a pile of mush for her if she needed him to.  

“I don’t want my head to end up on a stake,” he said bluntly, turning back to her. “All because you’re having some sort of quarter-life crisis.” 

Her mouth opened in surprise, then closed again as she narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re infuriating,” she muttered. 

And you’re reckless,” he shot back. 

She tilted her head, studying him. “Is that why you keep looking at me? Because you think I’m reckless?” 

“I’m not interested in falling in love,” he said firmly, ignoring her question. 

The words seemed to land heavier than he intended. For the first time, her confidence faltered, her expression softening. “You’re lying,” she said quietly. The look on her face hurt Yeonjun more than he would like to admit. 

“Think whatever you want,” he said, stepping back toward the door. “But nothing good can come of this. Go inside, Your Highness. Your kingdom’s waiting.”

“What’s your name?” She asked with a whisper. “Please grant me that.” Her voice pleading was soft enough to melt his heart. 

“Choi Yeonjun, my name is Choi Yeonjun, and I'm sorry.” Before she could respond, he slipped back into the ballroom, leaving her standing alone on the balcony beneath the stars. 

The days following the ball were restless. You went through the motions of royal life—meals with your parents, lessons on etiquette, the endless parade of suitors vying for your hand. But none of it could hold your attention. You couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Yeonjun. 

His name was an anchor, tethering you to something real in a world that felt increasingly false. Every glance exchanged at the ball, every word spoken in the woods, played on a loop in your mind. By the third night, you couldn’t take it anymore. You knew the risks, but the yearning to see him again was stronger than your fear. As the castle sank into sleep, you enlisted the help of your nursemaid, the one person who had ever shown you an ounce of warmth. 

“She’ll kill me for this,” she muttered, bundling you into a heavy cloak. “But I’ll not have you looking like a caged bird any longer. Be back before dawn, child.” With her help, you slipped past the guards, past the watchful eyes of the palace, and into the night. The forest was alive with the sounds of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the wind. It guided you, just as it had the night before, to the clearing where you had first seen him. The path there was more grueling than you remembered, probably due to the anticipation of seeing him again. 

There he was. Yeonjun stood in the moonlight, his bow drawn, the string taut as he aimed at a crude target pinned to a tree. He let the arrow fly, and it struck true, embedding itself with a satisfying thunk. You stepped forward, the forest floor damp beneath your boots. “Impressive as always.” 

He spun around, his hand already reaching for another arrow. But this time, he didn’t nock it. His shoulders stiffened as he recognized you, and his brow furrowed in frustration. “Princess,” he said sharply, his voice low but tinged with anger. “What are you doing here?” 

“I came to see you,” you said, as calmly as you could manage, the rapid beating of your heart against your ribcage a testament to what you actually felt. 

“You shouldn’t be here,” Yeonjun hissed, stepping closer. His eyes were dark, and the tension in his frame reminded you of a coiled spring. “Do you have any idea what could happen if someone found out?” 

“I don’t care,” you replied, lifting your chin. “I had to come.” You could admit that you were being incredibly stubborn but you didn’t care. This was something you had to do. 

He shook his head, his jaw tight. “Go home, Your Highness. Now.” 

“No.” The single word hung in the air between you, and the silence stretched until it was broken by the first raindrop splashing onto the ground. The cold finally sets into your bones and sends a shiver up your spine. You wrapped your cloak closer around your body not letting the droplets of rain sway you. 

Yeonjun looked up at the sky, his expression darkening. “It’s going to pour. You need to leave.” 

“And leave a lady out in the rain? How very gallant of you,” you said, unable to resist the jab. You weren’t above a bit of manipulation. 

He muttered something under his breath before sighing deeply. “Fine. But only until the rain stops.” He turns without another word leading you down a small path. Your footsteps light as you follow closely behind him. The rain picked up in an instant pelting you in only the short walk to the cabin. 

The cabin looked cozy enough, nothing grand but you loved it. It felt intimate and new. You fought a small smile as you overlooked the dark wood, this is where Yeonjun lived. He opened the door without a word gesturing for you to go inside. 

The cabin was warm, the fire crackling in the fireplace as you stepped inside. Yeonjun shut the door behind you, his movements tense. He didn’t speak as he grabbed a blanket and thrust it toward you. “Dry off,” he said curtly. 

You took it, sitting down in the lone chair by the fire. The silence stretched between you, heavy and unspoken. “You’re angry,” you said finally. 

“Of course I’m angry,” he said, his tone clipped. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? If someone finds out—” 

“I’m careful,” you interrupted. “No one followed me. Kora made sure of that.” 

“That’s not the point,” he said, pacing now. “You don’t belong here, and I don’t belong in your world. Whatever this is—” He gestured between you. “It needs to stop.” 

“Why?” you asked, standing. “Because you’re scared?” Throwing the blanket he had given to you onto the chair. 

“I’m not scared,” he shot back. 

“Yes, you are,” you said, stepping closer. “You’re scared to feel something, scared to let someone in. But I see it, Yeonjun. You’re not as closed off as you pretend to be.” 

He froze, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t know me. 

“Then tell me,” you said, your voice softening. “Tell me about your life. Let me understand.” 

“You're making this difficult.” He said looking over at you, his eyes tired. His eyes caught the dark specs beautifully. Although only a few years older than you, you could tell he loved a much longer life. Had to endure things you've never even dreamed of, it aged him. 

“Why? Because I’m here?” You were not going to let this go. 

“Because you don’t belong here,” he snapped, finally meeting your gaze. “You have no idea what this world is like, what it costs.” 

You hesitated before speaking. “Then tell me. Show me what it’s like.” You pleaded again. 

His laugh was bitter, hollow. “What’s the point? You’ll go back to your castle and forget all about it.” 

“I won’t,” you said firmly. “I promise.” 

Yeonjun hesitated, the fight in him faltering as he sank onto the bench across from you. The firelight danced across his face. For a moment his vulnerability painted him as a young boy, one who suffered great loss. “My family,” he began, his voice quiet, “used to live in a village not far from here. My parents, my sister, and me. We didn’t have much, but we were happy. Then the fever came.” You didn’t dare interrupt, your chest tightening as you watched him. “They died within weeks of each other,” he said, staring into the flames. “One by one. And I… I couldn’t save them. Couldn’t do anything.” 

“Yeonjun,” you whispered, your heart aching for him.

“I’ve been on my own ever since,” he said, his voice hardening. “It’s better that way. No one else to lose. The fever hit many families but a lot of them survived. Mine did not. They call me cursed and…I started to believe I am.” 

You leaned forward, your hands gripping the edge of the chair. “But you had something beautiful once, something most people never get—a family that loved each other. I’d give anything to have had that.” He frowned, his gaze flickering to you. 

“My parents… they care about power, appearances,” you said bitterly. “I’ve never been more than a pawn to them. I used to dream of having a family like yours, people who loved me for me. Even if I lost them, at least I’d have had it for a little while.” 

Yeonjun’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t look away. “You still have a chance to love,” you said softly. “To let people in again.” 

He shook his head. “You don’t understand. Everyone I love… they die. It’s like I’m cursed.” You sat across from him, your hands folded tightly in your lap to keep them from trembling. You hadn’t anticipated how deeply his words would cut not because they hurt you, but because they made you ache for him. 

“You loved them,” you said softly, breaking the silence. 

He didn’t look at you, but his jaw tightened. “Of course I did.” 

“And they loved you,” you continued. “That’s why it hurts so much, isn’t it?”

His gaze flicked to you then, sharp and guarded. “What’s your point?” 

“That love isn’t a curse,Yeonjun,” you said, leaning forward. “It’s a gift. Even if it’s fleeting, even if it’s painful when it’s gone, it’s still worth having.” 

His laugh was bitter, a low sound that sent a shiver down your spine. “Easy for you to say. You’ve never lost everything.” 

You hesitated, your chest tightening. “You’re right. I haven’t. But I’ve never had what you had, either.” 

Your voice trembled. “I used to dream about having a family like yours. A mother who held me when I cried, a father who wasn’t so… cold. Even if it didn’t last forever, at least I would have known what it felt like to be truly loved.” You said again. Yeonjun’s expression softened, his eyes searching yours as though he was seeing you for the first time. 

“That’s why I came here,” you said. “Not just to get away from them, but because you made me feel something real. For once, I wasn’t just a princess. I was… me.” 

He looked away, his fingers running along the edge of his bow. “You shouldn’t have come back. You’re playing with fire, and you don’t even realize it.” 

“Maybe I do,” you said quietly. 

He shook his head. “This—whatever this is—it can’t happen. You and I are from different worlds. There’s nothing but heartbreak waiting down this road.” 

“I’m willing to take that chance,” you said, standing and crossing the room to him. And you were telling the truth. You had never truly felt love, so even if fleeting you’d kill to feel it just once. You didn't know what the future held for the two of you but you knew you were capable of loving Yeonjun, for however long the universe would allow it. 

He looked up at you, his dark eyes conflicted. “You shouldn’t be.” 

“Why not?” you challenged. “Because you’re afraid? Or because you think you’re not worth it?” 

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of you moved. Then, slowly, you reached out and rested your hand on his. His fingers tensed beneath yours, but he didn’t pull away. Your heart thumped loudly in your chest. 

“Yeonjun,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. “Let someone in. Even if it’s just for a moment.”

He closed his eyes, his breath hitching. When he opened them again, the raw vulnerability in his gaze stole yours. 

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” he said, his voice hoarse. 

“I know exactly what I’m asking,” you said, leaning closer. 

Your heart pounded as you searched his face, waiting, hoping. And then, slowly, he lifted a hand to your cheek, his fingers brushing against your skin. “I shouldn’t…” he murmured, but the words trailed off as his gaze dropped to your lips. 

“You should,” you whispered. And then he kissed you. 

It was tentative at first, a soft, testing press of his lips against yours. But the hesitation didn’t last long. The tension that had crackled between you from the moment you met ignited, and the kiss deepened, pulling you into its heat. His hand slid to the back of your neck, his fingers tangling in your hair as he tilted your head to deepen the connection. His other hand rested on your waist, steadying you as your knees threatened to buckle beneath the intensity of it. 

You felt everything in that kiss, his pain, his longing, his fear, and you poured your own emotions into it, trying to tell him without words that he wasn’t alone, that he didn’t have to push you away. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, his breaths ragged. Neither of you spoke for a long moment, the sound of the rain outside mingling with the crackle of the fire. 

“This is a mistake,” he said finally, his voice barely audible. 

“Then let it be my mistake,” you said, your voice trembling. “But don’t push me away because you’re scared.” 

His eyes met yours, and for the first time, you saw the cracks in his armor, the pieces of himself he had tried so hard to keep hidden. He didn’t move away. If anything, Yeonjun seemed frozen, his fingers still tangled in your hair, his breath warm against your skin. You could feel the rapid thrum of his heartbeat beneath your hand where it rested against his chest, matching the wild rhythm of your own.

Then, as if something inside him broke free, he pulled you closer. His lips found yours again, no longer tentative but fierce, like he was trying to pour every unspoken word, every buried feeling, into the kiss. You melted against him, your hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders, anchoring yourself as the world seemed to spin away. His grip on your waist tightened, pulling you flush against him as the kiss deepened, heat building between you like the fire crackling in the fireplace. 

Every touch, every movement, felt like a revelation. The roughness of his fingers on your skin, the way he tilted his head to take the kiss deeper, the quiet, almost desperate sound he made when your hands slipped up to cradle his face—it was all overwhelming and intoxicating and completely consuming. When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathless. Yeonjun rested his forehead against yours, his eyes closed as if he was trying to steady himself. His hand remained on your waist, his thumb brushing idly against the fabric of your cloak.

“You don’t know what you’re doing to me,” he murmured, his voice rough and low. 

“I think I do,” you whispered, your own voice shaky. A sense of unfamiliar excitement pooling in your belly. 

“You don’t understand what you’re getting into.” He breathed out. 

“Then explain it to me,” you said, your tone soft but insistent. 

He hesitated, his eyes flicking down to your lips again as though he couldn’t help himself. Instead of answering, he kissed you again. 

This time, it was slower, softer. It wasn’t born of desperation but something deeper, something quieter. His lips moved against yours with a tenderness that made your heart ache, his hands cradling you like you were something fragile. You lost yourself in it, the world outside the cabin falling away. There was only Yeonjun. The taste of him, the warmth of his touch, the quiet strength in the way he held you. 

When he pulled back again, his lips barely brushing against yours, he rested his forehead against yours once more. “This can’t last,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“Maybe it doesn’t have to,” you replied, your fingers threading through the hair at the nape of his neck. “Maybe we just let it be what it is, for however long we have.” 

His eyes opened, and the vulnerability there was almost too much to bear. “You’re going to ruin me, princess,” he said softly.

“Then let me ruin you,” you whispered, leaning in to kiss him again. This time, he didn’t hesitate. The kiss was more hurried, rushed and sloppy. 

“I don’t know if I can hold myself back.” He spoke with a huff. 

“Don’t.” Was all you said as you toyed with the collar of his shirt. “Don’t hold back, I want this.” 

“Have you ever done..anything before?” The question left an embarrassing red tint to your cheeks. Of course you hadn’t. This had been your first kiss. 

“No.” Your voice a whisper as you hide your blush with your hair. 

“Are you sure you want this?” His voice was firm as he gripped your hips firmly in his hand, almost like he was grounding himself. As if it was taking everything in him to not pounce on you this very moment. 

“Please.” You spoke with a newfound desperation. “I’m sure.” 

His lips attached to your neck next. It was tender and soft. The delicacy he used only quickened the speed of your already rapidly beating heart. His hands found the sleeve of your dress before slowly bringing it down your shoulder and your arm. The light from the fireplace is a catalyst to your warmth. The light illuminated the two of you like starlight. His lips moved the expanse of your neck and met your collarbone in feather-like kisses. 

“You're beautiful.” He whispered, moving your hair back. 

“Can I take this off?” Your voice was hushed with a lit of intimidation hanging in the words. You gestured to his white shirt pawing at the buttons. 

“Of course.” His smile was warm, comforting. You made quick work of unbuttoning the buttons yanking his shirt off in one fail swoop. You took your time inspecting the contours of his chest and torso. In awe of his sheer beauty. He was young, toned, and beautiful. Your fingers delicately danced around his body taking mental pictures. 

“Like what you see?” He smirks at you, a tilt to his lips you found incredibly adorable. 

“Yes.” You said simply with a shrug, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

“Can I take this off?” His hands toy with the dress you wore. It wasn't a big puffy dress like you would wear on a normal day. It was flat and required no corset, no zipper. It simply slipped off. A surge of confidence rushed through you and you figured you'd take hold of it before it washed away. 

You pushed Yeonjun back against the plush couch. His back connected with the cushion behind him. His face lit up with an adorable surprise. “What are you-” 

“Shh” You smiled playfully. You rose from your seat now standing directly in front of him. You reached your hands to your sleeves pulling them down slowly. 

Yeonjun smiled, resting his hands behind his head before sending you a mock bow of approval. “Suit yourself, your highness.” 

“Shut up.” You giggle shyly pulling the rest of the dress down until the fabric meets the floor in a pile. 

“Absolutely beautiful.” He said with an unashamed look in his eye. You stood bare in front of him now, only panties and nothing else. No bra to hold in your breasts. You had never been so exposed. You reached down, riding yourself of the last of your clothing. 

You had never been naked in front of a man before. Oddly you weren't nervous with Yeonjun, you felt content, you felt reassured. 

“Come here.” Yeonjun’s voice was rough and almost hoarse, it was incredibly sexy. 

You sat before him, completely naked but full trusting. “I’m going to prep you first okay Princess?” 

You nodded dumbly as he carefully laid you down on the sofa falling to his knees in front of you. “Tell me if you want to stop at any point and I will. Am I clear?” You nodded again, finding it hard to muster up words when he was looking at you like that. 

“Use your words sweetheart.” 

“Yes.” The one word like a green light to Yeonjun. His mouth falling to be level with your core. You watched with keen fascination as his breath fanned the most intimate part of you. His tongue licked up one strip causing a gasp to leave your lips. Your hips lifting from the couch in surprise. His growl of disapproval sent shivers down your spine as his hands firmly pressed your hips back down onto the couch. 

His mouth reattached to your slit lapping and licking at the sensitive bud. “Oh-” You whined your mouth involuntarily curling into an ‘O’ shape. 

His eyes searched for yours wildly, a desire for approval in his gaze. “How’s that feel?” He asked coming up for a breath. 

“G-good.” You stuttered out. “More..” 

“Greedy are we Princess?” he quirked a thick brow at you. 

“Mhm..” You moaned unashamed of your clear desperation. His hand lifted ghosting over your entrance, his tongue back to lapping up your juices. 

“Have you ever touched yourself?” 

“W-what?” Your mind was in a daze as his thumb lazily circled your clit, his tongue still ghosting over your entrance. 

“Has this little princess ever touched herself?” His voice was rougher now, more demanding. 

“Y-yes.” You admitted shyly. “Sometimes” 

Yeonjun tsk’d slowly adding a finger into your awaiting entrance, taking it slower so as to not hurt you. 

“My god.” You whispered. 

“Dirty girl..” Yeonjun trailed off, reaching his free hand up to grab onto yours that was clutching the cushion of the couch in your hand. 

“More..” You whined, grinding yourself against Yeonjun’s hand, a desperate moan leaving your lips. 

“I think you're ready.” He pulled his finger out with ease. A hiss of pleasure leaving your lips. 

“Are you ready sweetheart?” His words were gentle as he quickly removed his pants and boxers. The sheer size of him catching you off guard and rendering you near speechless. 

“Words, princess.” His tone held authority, something that had your mind abuzz and your skin ablaze. 

“I’m ready” You panted. Yeonjun carefully crawled over you taking a second to look down at your body, his eyes traveling the expanse of you. “Beautiful.” He said for what seemed like the millionth time tonight. 

He lined his cock at your entrance running the angry red tip up and down your slit a few times, catching the pool of heat in its wake. “I’ll go slow.” 

You nodded desperately waiting for when he would finally be inside of you. 

He pushed in slowly the stretch of him burning like wildfire in your body, a jolt of pain flying up your spine. 

Your gasp rang free throughout the cabin. The sound of the fire crackling in the distance serves as a comfort to you. “Are you okay?” Yeonjun asks when he was finally fully seethed inside of you, unmoving. 

“Yes.” You breathed out. “Just hurts a little.” 

“I can wait to move.” He suggested but you shook your head at the need for him to move out weighing the pain. 

“No. Please move.” 

Yeonjun nodded, pulling his hips back from slowly pushing them back in. His breath hitched in his throat a sigh of content following. “Tight.” He grunted out. 

He continued to slowly push in and out of you with tender precision. Soon you found yourself craving more, faster, harder you needed to feel him completely. 

“Faster.” You whined out. “You can go faster.” 

“Yeah?” He hissed out “Whatever your highness wants.” 

A small smile graced your lips at his playful words. His hips pushed into you fasted the sound of your skin slapping ringing in the air around you. 

“Feels so good.” You moaned. Running your hands down your body, your fingers finding your clit, making small slow circles over the nub. 

“I’m almost there.” Yeonjun panted, his breath fanning over your face. 

“Me too” You whined, feeling your orgasm creeping up on you like a freight train. 

Yeonjun continued his brutal speed, your body moving in tandem with his, taking everything he gave you. Your heart pounding in your chest as you teetered on the edge. 

“I’m coming.” You squeaked out as your orgasm hit you. It blinded you, your eyes rolling to the back of your skull. Yeonjun followed suit, his hips rutting into you before stilling. 

The both of you stood still, saying nothing only looking at each other. A bubble of a laugh creeping up in your throat and finally leaving your lips in an eruption. 

Yeonjun’s eyes widened as he watched you laugh, him still deep inside of you. 

“What are you laughing at?” He asked with a look of amused bewilderment. 

“I don't know.” You giggled out. “I’m happy.” 

Yeonjun smiled, a small semblance of smile falling from his lips. “Me too.” 

The rain had stopped by the time you stood at the door of his cabin, your cloak pulled tight around your shoulders. The world outside was silent, save for the occasional drip of water from the trees. Yeonjun stood in the doorway, his figure outlined by the soft glow of the firelight behind him. “You shouldn’t come back,” he said, his voice low and conflicted. Even after what you had just done he was still thinking of what could happen and not what was currently happening. 

You turned to face him, your heart heavy but determined. “You can’t tell me what to do.” 

His lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but the weight of the night kept it from reaching his eyes. You had done irreversible things. Things that could quite frankly get him killed.  “I mean it, princess. It’s too dangerous—for both of us.” 

“And yet you kissed me,” you said softly, stepping closer. “You fucked me.” You continued. 

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. “You’re impossible, you know that?” 

“I’ve heard it before.” You smiled with mischief. 

The faintest trace of a smirk crossed his face, but it faded quickly. “If you’re set on defying all reason, at least let me promise you something.” 

Your brows furrowed as you searched his face. “What?” 

“I’ll write to you,” he said, his voice steady. “I don’t know how, but I’ll find a way to get the letters to you. Just… so you know you’re not alone.” 

Your heart clenched at his words, the tenderness in his tone cutting through the sadness that had been building in your chest. “You’d do that?” 

“For you?” He hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I would.” 

The weight of his promise settled between you, heavy and fragile all at once. You stepped closer, your hand reaching for his. His fingers closed around yours, calloused but warm, grounding you even as the moment felt like it might slip away. The thought of not knowing when you'll see him next wounded you. “I’ll wait for them,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. 

His gaze softened, and for a moment, you saw past the walls he had built around himself. “You’d better.” 

You smiled, a small, bittersweet thing, before tilting your head up to him. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before leaning down, his lips meeting yours in a kiss that was softer this time, slower, as though he was memorizing the feel of you. You poured everything into that kiss—the unspoken words, the hopes, the promises—and when it ended, his forehead rested against yours, his breath mingling with yours in the cool night air.

“Go,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Before I change my mind.” 

You nodded, stepping back reluctantly, your hand slipping from his. As you turned and started down the path, you glanced over your shoulder to find him still standing in the doorway, his silhouette illuminated by the firelight. And though your heart ached, the promise of his letters gave you a small, stubborn flicker of hope. You’d see him again, you'd make sure of it. 

The morning light streamed through the small window of Yeonjun’s cabin, catching motes of dust that swirled lazily in the air. He sat at the rough-hewn table, a piece of parchment spread before him. His fingers tightened around the quill, ink blotching on the page as he wrestled with the words he needed to say. How did he write to a princess? Especially one who he kissed, one he made love to. One that looked at him like he wasn't a broken man, and made impossible promises feel real? 

Yeonjun groaned, running a hand through his unruly hair. He had spent the better part of the morning trying to figure out how he was supposed to get this letter to her without drawing attention. The thought of a royal guard intercepting it. Of the consequences for both of them—kept him frozen in indecision. A sharp knock at the door startled him, and he quickly folded the letter, tucking it under the edge of a book before standing. His hand instinctively went to the knife on his belt as he opened the door. 

There stood Kai, the paperboy, clutching his satchel and beaming up at him with wide, eager eyes. “Kai,” Yeonjun said, exhaling. “What do you want?” 

“Good morning to you too,” Kai said, undeterred. “I’ve been practicing with the stick bow I made, but it’s not the same as the real thing. You’re the best archer in the village—probably in the kingdom! Teach me.” 

“I told you before, I don’t have time for this,” Yeonjun said, stepping back and starting to close the door.

“Wait!” Kai stuck his foot in the doorway. “What if I do something for you? Like chores or hunting or—” 

Yeonjun stopped, the boy’s words sparking an idea. He narrowed his eyes at Kai. “You deliver papers to the castle, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Kai said, straightening proudly. “Every morning. They don’t let me in, though. Just to the servants’ entrance.” 

Yeonjun hesitated, glancing back toward the folded letter. “If I give you something—something important—could you deliver it discreetly to the princess? Without anyone else knowing?”

Kai blinked, his face scrunching in confusion. “The princess? Why would—” 

“Can you do it or not?” Yeonjun interrupted, his tone firm. 

Kai considered him for a moment, then grinned. “I can do it. But you have to promise to teach me archery.” 

“Fine,” Yeonjun said, grabbing the folded letter and handing it to Kai. “This stays in your satchel until you hand it to her.” 

Kai tucked the letter into his bag and gave Yeonjun a cheeky salute. “You’ve got yourself a deal.” Yeonjun watched the boy leave, his heart pounding. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake. 

Kai trudged up the winding path to the castle’s servant entrance, whistling a tune as the satchel bumped against his hip. The gray stone walls loomed above him, casting long shadows in the morning sun. Despite his usual bravado, his stomach twisted with nerves. Delivering a letter to the princess was risky business, even for a street-savvy paperboy. When he reached the small, iron-banded door tucked away behind the stables, he knocked twice, then twice more, just like the man had told him. A moment later, the door creaked open, and a woman in a plain gray dress peered out. Her sharp eyes softened when she saw him. 

“You must be Kai,” the nursemaid said, her voice low but kind.

“That’s me,” he said, flashing her a grin. “I’ve got the letter.” 

He pulled it from his satchel, holding it up like it was a royal treasure—which, in a way, it was. The nursemaid took it carefully, glancing over her shoulder before tucking it into the folds of her apron. “You’re certain no one saw you?” 

“Course not,” Kai said, puffing out his chest. “I’m good at being sneaky.”

She smiled faintly. “Thank you. The princess will be grateful.” 

Kai tilted his head, curiosity lighting his face. “Why’s the princess getting letters from a huntsman, anyway?” 

The nursemaid’s expression grew stern. “That’s not for you to wonder. Just keep this quiet, understand?” 

“Understood,” Kai said, holding up his hands. The nursemaid nodded, slipping back inside. The door shut with a soft thud, leaving Kai alone with his thoughts. As he walked back toward the village, he couldn’t help but grin. Whatever was going on between the princess and the huntsman, it was far more exciting than delivering papers. 

The grand hall felt stifling, the air heavy with expectation. You sat at the long, polished table, your parents at either end like sentinels of your fate. The man they had brought to meet you sat across from you, his eyes scanning you like a merchant appraising goods. He was handsome in a sharp, cold way, his words polished but hollow. “This is Lord Kang Taehyun.” your father said, his voice booming with authority. “A man of great standing. He’s traveled far to meet you.” 

You forced a tight smile, your hands twisting in your lap beneath the table. “It’s a pleasure, my lord,” you said, your voice strained. 

Lord Taehyun inclined his head, his smile more a calculated gesture than genuine warmth. “The pleasure is mine, Your Highness. I’ve heard much of your beauty and grace, though I see now that words fail to capture the truth.” The flattery felt like acid on your skin. You glanced at your mother, hoping for some reprieve, but her expression was as composed and unreadable as ever.

“You will have much to discuss,” your father said, his tone dismissive. “Taehyun, perhaps you and the princess might take a walk in the gardens.” 

“No,” you blurted out before you could stop yourself.

Your father’s gaze snapped to you, sharp and unyielding. “What did you say?” His words felt like tiny little prickles in your skin. 

You stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the marble floor. “I said no. I don’t want to walk. I don’t want to… to discuss anything.” This new found confidence surprised not only your father but you as well. The tension in the room thickened, your mother’s eyes narrowing, your father’s face darkening with anger.

“Sit down,” he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. You knew he meant business but something in you wouldn't allow for what was about to take place to happen. You were going to fight like hell. 

You shook your head, tears stinging your eyes. “You can’t make me do this.”

Your father rose to his feet, his hands slamming onto the table. “You will do as you’re told. This is not a request—it is your duty.”

“Duty?” you cried, your voice breaking. “Is that all I am to you? A pawn to be traded away?” The words hung in the air like a slap. Your father’s expression turned thunderous, but your mother spoke first, her voice cold and clipped. “That’s enough.” 

You turned on your heel, tears spilling over as you fled the hall, their voices chasing after you. Your feet carried you through the winding corridors of the castle, past servants who quickly looked away, until you reached the sanctuary of your room. Slamming the door shut, you sank to the floor, sobbing into your hands. It felt as though the walls were closing in, every word your parents had said pressing down on your chest. 

You had only tasted a small ounce of freedom but you would do everything in your power to not lose it. The night you spent with Yeonjun was the best night of your life. For the first time in your life you felt real. You had finally felt like someone, seen you as you and not just a pawn in a nobel game. 

You picked yourself up from the floor as the tears still cascaded down your face. Throwing yourself onto your bed letting your mind think of Yeonjun and Yeonjun only. 

The night was silent when the knock came at your window. You rushed to it, your heart leaping when you saw the familiar figure of your nursemaid, Kora She slipped inside, handing you a folded piece of parchment. “It’s from him,” she whispered, a small smile on her lips. He kept his promise. He wrote to you. Your heart soared a prickling of hope bubbling in your chest. With Yeonjun, the world felt just all the more bearable. This tiny piece of paper was a saving grace in the mess that was your life.

Your hands trembled as you took the letter, the sight of his handwriting calming the storm inside you. Once the nursemaid left, you lit a candle and unfolded the parchment, your eyes drinking in the words. 

“Princess,

I hope this finds you well, though I know life in the castle is anything but kind to you. I don’t know what I can offer with my words, but know that I’m thinking of you. I can’t seem to stop. I spent all day at the woods’ edge, wondering if you’d appear again, though I know it’s foolish.

Stay safe. Write back if you can. Just knowing you’re out there—somewhere—makes the world feel less empty. 

Yeonjun.” 

You clutched the letter to your chest, his words filling the cracks in your heart left by the day’s events. Taking a deep breath, you reached for your quill and parchment sitting on your bed eager to write back. 

“Yeonjun, 

Your letter was exactly what I needed tonight. The world here feels so cold, so confining. But your words... They warmed me. I wish I could tell you how much they mean to me, how much you mean to me. You call yourself foolish for waiting by the woods, but I find myself thinking about you just as often.

There are moments I wish I could escape all of this, if only to spend another night in the rain with you. You make me feel free, even when I’m trapped within these walls. I don’t know how long this will last, or what the future holds, but I promise I’ll keep writing as long as you’ll read my words.

Yours Always”

You folded the letter carefully, sealing it with trembling hands. The nursemaid would come again in the morning to deliver it, but for now, you tucked it under your pillow. As you blew out the candle and lay in the darkness, your thoughts drifted to Yeonjun. His voice, his touch, his promise. It was enough to keep the despair at bay, at least for tonight.

The days that followed were a blur of tension and despair. Your father’s booming voice echoed through the halls, issuing orders to increase security, though you didn’t know why. Guards were stationed at nearly every corridor, their cold eyes watching your every move. Even the gardens, once your brief sanctuary, felt like a cage.  

You suspected it was about control. The more you resisted their plans, the tighter they held the reins. Your father rarely spoke to you directly now, preferring to bark commands to your mother or the staff. Your mother, ever the strategist, would sit by your bedside at night, her hands clasped primly in her lap as she spoke of duty and legacy. Her words slid off you like rain on stone. But even in the midst of their suffocating demands, there was Yeonjun. 

His letters arrived like whispers of freedom, tucked beneath your pillow by your nursemaid each morning. The words were simple, but they carried a warmth that broke through the chill of the castle. You read them over and over, tracing the ink with your fingertips until the parchment softened. 

“Princess,

Every day feels longer than the last without you here. I thought I was a man who had learned to live without hope, but you’ve made me realize how much I’ve missed it. The woods are quiet now, but I hear your laugh in the wind and feel your presence in every shadow.

I don’t know how this will end, but I promise I will keep writing to you, as long as you’ll have me. You’re the first thing in a long time that has felt real.

Yeonjun”

His words were a balm to your raw emotions, and you clung to them like a lifeline. They were your secret rebellion, a quiet refusal to let your parents steal the one thing that gave you solace. You don’t know what you would do moving forward but you knew for certain that the thought of a life without Yeonjun became more and more painful, it was something you wouldn't allow to happen. Even if it killed you. So Each night, by the flickering light of a candle, you wrote back to him. 

“Yeonjun,

Your words are the only thing keeping me sane. I feel trapped here—my parents are relentless, the guards omnipresent. Even my own footsteps feel like they’re being watched. But when I read your letters, it’s like I’m back in the woods with you, standing in the rain. For a moment, I’m free again.

I don’t know how I’ll get through this, but knowing you’re out there, thinking of me... it’s enough to keep going. I hope you’ll write to me as often as you can. Your letters are my escape.

Yours always.”

The exchange continued for days. Each morning brought a new letter, and each night you penned your reply. The routine became your lifeline, a fragile thread tying you to something brighter, something more alive. The grueling dinners with your parents, the endless stream of suitors paraded before you—none of it mattered when you knew a letter was waiting under your pillow. Yeonjun’s words reminded you of what it felt like to be seen, truly seen, and not as a piece on your father’s chessboard. You closed your eyes, letting his words settle into your heart. The stars above seemed brighter somehow, as if he were reaching out to you through them.

Your mother always told you that love was not real. That you could never love someone more than you loved yourself but that was a lie. It makes you sad sometimes. When you thought of your mother. Was she once a girl like yourself staying up until the wee hours of the night daydreaming about the possibility of a real love, had she ever felt it? You weren't sure. 

Your fingers itched to write him back, to tell him how much he meant to you, how his letters were the only thing keeping you from breaking beneath the weight of your parents’ demands. But tonight, there were no words strong enough. Instead, you held his letter close and let the quiet night envelop you. For now, his letters were enough. And soon, you would find a way to see him again. 

The morning sun filtered through the trees as Yeonjun stood by the edge of the clearing, watching Kai fumble with the bowstring. The boy’s arms trembled under the tension, his grip clumsy as he tried to draw back the arrow. "Not like that," Yeonjun said, stepping forward. He placed a steadying hand on Kai’s shoulder and adjusted his stance, forcing the boy to straighten his back. "You’re holding it like it’s going to bite you. Relax." 

Kai exhaled sharply, his face scrunched in concentration. "This is harder than it looks." His blonde hair blowing in the wind that bristled through the clearing they occupied. 

He watched Kai try again. The boy managed to draw the string back this time, though it wobbled precariously before he loosed the arrow. It sailed a pathetic few feet before flying into the dirt. Kai groaned, slumping in frustration. "I’m never going to get this." 

"You will," Yeonjun said, his voice firmer now. "But not if you give up. Again." The boy looked at him, his brown eyes uncertain, but he nodded. He retrieved the arrow and tried again. And again. And again. 

The days that followed were filled with more of the same. Each morning, Kai would show up at Yeonjun’s door with that wide, determined grin, a bow slung over his back and a bundle of arrows that were too big for his quiver. Yeonjun taught him everything—how to adjust his grip, how to judge the wind, how to stay calm and focused even when the target seemed impossible. At first, Kai was frustratingly bad. His arrows veered wildly off course, his fingers blistered from the bowstring, and his skinny frame seemed ill-suited for the demands of archery. But the boy never gave up. Each time Yeonjun corrected him, Kai listened intently, his determination outmatching his skill. 

One morning, as they rested under a tree after hours of practice, Kai finally opened up. Completely unprovoked. There must have been a lot of things weighing on the boy's mind. "My family’s poor," he said, staring down at the bow in his lap. "My father makes paintings to sell, and my mother does her best, but it’s not enough. My older sister works at the tailor’s, and my little sister’s too young to help. I’m supposed to be the big brother of the house now, The one to look to when Father is at work, but..." He trailed off, his voice cracking. Yeonjun didn’t respond right away, letting the boy gather his thoughts.

"I don’t want to feel useless anymore," Kai continued, his voice quiet but steady. "If I can hunt—if I can bring home food or sell furs—maybe things will get better. Maybe my family won’t have to struggle so much." Yeonjun studied the boy for a long moment. He saw the desperation in Kai’s eyes, the same desperation that had once driven him to the woods all those years ago. He understood too well the weight of carrying a family’s survival on your shoulders, the feeling of always falling short.

"You’re not useless," Yeonjun said finally. His voice was quiet, but there was an edge of warmth in it. "You’re trying. That’s more than most people would do." Kai looked up at him, surprised. 

"And you’re getting better," Yeonjun added, his lips quirking into a small, rare smile. "You actually hit the target today. Granted, it was the edge, but it counts." Kai laughed, a sound that was bright and unguarded. For a moment, Yeonjun felt something he hadn’t in years—a faint, flickering sense of hope. He had seen a lot of himself in kai. He too was seventeen trying to make ends meet while also growing and learning. He reminded himself to give the boy some reprieve, he was doing what most people in this village were doing. Trying to make it. 

It was a week later when Yeonjun made the decision. They had finished another grueling day of practice, and Kai was leaning against a tree, his face flushed with exhaustion but glowing with pride. He had hit the bullseye twice that morning, a feat that had him grinning ear to ear. Yeonjun walked over to his small cabin and retrieved the bow that hung on the wall. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, its gold accents catching the light like fire. He had carved it himself years ago, imbuing every stroke with a sense of purpose and pride. It was his favorite bow, his most prized possession. 

He walked back to Kai, who was packing up his own battered bow. Without a word, Yeonjun held out the golden bow to him. It was a present that he had cherished from his father. He had given it to him early in his life when Yeonjun took interest in archery, and now he was giving it to Kai. 

Kai stared at it, his eyes wide. "Is that...?" 

"It’s yours," Yeonjun said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He knew he was deserving, Kai was going to grow up to be an amazing huntsman, maybe even better then Yeonjun. Yeonjun was sure of it. 

The boy gaped at him, his hands hovering uncertainly over the bow. "But... this is your favorite. I can’t—" 

"You can," Yeonjun interrupted. "And you will. You’ve earned it." 

Kai’s hands trembled as he took the bow, his fingers tracing the smooth curves and intricate carvings. "I don’t know what to say," he whispered. 

"Say you’ll keep practicing," Yeonjun said, his voice softer now. "Say you’ll use it to help your family. That’s all I want." 

Kai nodded, his eyes shimmering with emotion. "I will. I promise." 

“Good.” Yeonjun smiled a hand on the boy's shoulder. “Now head home it's getting late.” 

The castle had become unbearable. Every corridor felt like a gauntlet, every shadow a trap. Guards patrolled relentlessly, their footsteps echoing like a drumbeat of oppression. Your father’s anger was a constant storm, and your mother’s calculated words were no less cutting. Everyday a battle for your freedom. Your father would not budge, his demands becoming more cold and less patient. The looming specter of the marriage broke you. The man they had chosen—a stranger from across the sea—was everything you feared. Another piece in their endless political game. You didn’t want to be a pawn, but they weren’t giving you a choice. That night, as the moon rose high above the castle, you made your decision to see Yeonjun again, no matter the beefy guards.

You slipped into the gown you had worn earlier, pulling your dark cloak tightly around you. With a deep breath, you tiptoed past the guards stationed outside your chamber. The halls seemed endless, the flicker of torches casting long, wavering shadows. Every creak of the floorboards felt deafening, every glance from a passing servant a threat. But somehow, you made it. Past the gates, past the patrols, and into the forest that had become your sanctuary. 

The knock on his door was hesitant at first, your courage wavering as you stood in the cool night air. The woods were quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. You wondered if he would even answer, if he was still awake. But then the door creaked open, and there he was. 

Yeonjun stood in the doorway, his expression shifting from surprise to concern the moment he saw you, calling your name in confusion. You were the last person he expected to see tonight. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words caught in your throat. The weight of the past days pressed down on you, and before you could stop yourself, tears spilled down your cheeks. 

His brows knit together, and he stepped aside, gesturing for you to come in. "What’s wrong?" You stepped inside, the warmth of his cabin wrapping around you like a blanket. It smelled of wood and the faint, earthy scent of leather. He closed the door behind you, his gaze never leaving your face. 

"They’re marrying me off," you finally managed, your voice trembling. "To a man I’ve never met. A man I don’t want." 

Yeonjun’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "When?"

"I don’t know," you whispered, sinking onto the edge of the small cot in the corner. "Soon. My father is furious. My mother says it’s for the good of the kingdom. But I..." You shook your head, burying your face in your hands. The weight of what your parents were doing finally settled in. A moment later, you felt the bed shift as he sat beside you. His presence was solid, grounding, and when his hand hesitantly rested on your back, it was as if a dam broke inside you.

"I can’t do it," you said, your voice muffled. "I can’t live like this. I don’t want to be a pawn in their games. I just... I just want to be free." 

Yeonjun was silent for a long moment, his hand tracing soothing circles on your back. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "We’ll figure it out. I don’t know how yet, but we will." 

You looked up at him, your tear-streaked face meeting his determined gaze. "How can you say that? You don’t even know what they’re capable of." 

"I don’t have to know," he said, his tone firm. "I know you. And I know you’re stronger than you think." 

His words were like a spark in the darkness, a flicker of hope that refused to be snuffed out. You searched his face, finding no hesitation, no doubt. Just him—solid, unyielding, and somehow, impossibly, yours. A beautiful man, who had cared for you. Who has seen more of you than anyone before. A man you were falling for, and hard. Before you could think better of it, you leaned forward, your hands gripping the front of his shirt. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t pull away. 

"Tell me you mean it," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me this isn’t just a dream." You didn’t care if you sounded silly and childish. This was the equivalent to whispering pinch me i’m dreaming but it didn't matter, you needed to hear it. 

His hands came up to cup your face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that clung to your skin. "It’s real," he murmured. "I promise you, it’s real." And then his lips were on yours. 

His hands moved to the small of your back, pulling you closer as your fingers tangled in his hair. The world outside faded away, leaving only the warmth of his touch and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against yours. The kiss was sweet but heated like you were catching up on lost time. You had missed his touch only feeling the ghost of him in his letters. 

His arms tightened around you, and for a moment, neither of you said anything. The silence was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that spoke volumes, a language only the two of you could understand. "You should go back," he said eventually, though his arms didn’t loosen their hold.

"I don’t want to," you whispered. 

His lips brushed your temple in the lightest of touches. "I’ll find a way to see you again. I promise."

And somehow, you believed him. There was no way you’d be marrying a man you didn't love, not a single chance. 

The castle was quiet when you slipped back through the hidden servant’s entrance. Your heart pounded with every step, the weight of the evening still clinging to you like a second skin. The cool stone walls of the passage pressed in, amplifying the sound of your footsteps.When you turned the corner into your room, your nursemaid, Kora, was waiting. Her arms were crossed, and her lips were set in a thin line, but her eyes betrayed her worry more than her anger ever could. 

"You’re lucky the patrols didn’t catch you," she said, her voice low but sharp. You had seen her angry before and this was not one of those times, she looked more worried than anything and strangely it made you feel warm. 

You closed the door softly behind you and let out a shaky breath. "I needed to go."

Her expression softened at the sound of your voice, her stern demeanor melting into concern. "Child, what are you doing to yourself?" You didn’t answer immediately. Instead, you pulled off your cloak and sank onto the edge of your bed, your fingers clutching the fabric tightly. The weight of her gaze made it impossible to avoid the question, so you finally looked up. 

"I love him," you admitted, the words trembling as they left your lips.

Your nursemaid’s eyes widened slightly, and she let out a soft sigh as she sat beside you. She reached for your hand, her grip warm and steady. "You’ve always had such a stubborn heart," she said, a faint smile playing at her lips. 

"I can’t help it," you said, your voice breaking. "I don’t want this life anymore. I don’t want the titles, the suitors, the ballrooms. I just want... I just want to be free. With him." Tears welled in your eyes again, and before you could stop yourself, they spilled over. "I can’t do this, not without him. I want to run away, leave it all behind."

Your nursemaid pulled you into her arms, holding you close as your tears soaked into her shoulder. She smelled of lavender and the faint, comforting scent of home. "I understand," she murmured, her voice gentle. "But you must be careful, my love. The world isn’t kind to people like us who dream beyond our station." You had never really felt a mother’s love before, not in the way you had longed for. The closest you ever gotten was with Kora. Not only was she your nursemaid but your mother figure. She was nurturing, caring, compassionate like a mother should be. But she was also stern and would tell you exactly what you needed to hear, even if you didn't want to hear it. You had loved her like a mother. 

You pulled back slightly, your face still damp with tears. "You’ve always been there for me," you said, your voice trembling. "When my own mother didn’t care—when she looked at me like I was just another duty to fulfill—you loved me. You raised me. You’ve been the only real mother I’ve ever known." 

Her own eyes glistened now, and she cupped your face in her hands. "You’ve been my joy since the day you were born. I wanted to shield you from all of this. If I could give you the freedom you want, I would. You deserve to be happy, my dear. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you." The words had felt like another crack in the crippling foundation of your heart. Soon you would overflow then explode with the constant raging emotions inside of you and you were sure when that happened Kora would be right there, helping you every step of the way no matter what decision you decided to make. Admitting to her out loud that you had loved Yeonjun changed something inside of you. 

"I don’t know what I’d do without you," you said, your voice cracking. 

She kissed your forehead, her touch light and filled with affection. "You’ll always have me. But promise me you’ll be careful. If you love him as much as you say, don’t let that love make you reckless. It’s a dangerous world, and I won’t see you hurt."

You nodded, a fresh wave of tears streaming down your face. "I promise." 

The two of you sat there for a long while, her arms wrapped around you like a shield against the storm outside. For the first time in days, you felt a glimmer of peace. Moments like this had made you mourn a relationship you never had with your own mother. 

"I love you," you whispered. 

"And I love you," she replied, her voice soft and steady. "More than you’ll ever know." 

​​You fell asleep that night with her words echoing in your mind, the warmth of her embrace still lingering into the morning when you awoke again and she was gone, a blanket thrown over your body like a last single trace of her. 

The morning sunlight filtered through the trees as Yeonjun stood in the clearing behind his cabin, his bow slung across his back. Kai was already there, eagerly stringing the bow Yeonjun had given him. His tongue poked out in concentration, and the boy’s scrawny arms strained slightly as he drew it back. "Focus on your breath," Yeonjun instructed, leaning against a tree. "Pull smoothly, don’t yank it. Let the bow do the work."

Kai nodded, exhaling slowly before releasing the arrow. It sailed through the air, wobbling slightly before it struck the edge of the target. Not dead center, but better than it had been just days ago. "Yes!" Kai exclaimed, pumping his fist. 

Yeonjun couldn’t help but smile. "Not bad. You might not be completely hopeless after all." 

Kai grinned, his face lighting up with pride. It was very.. Boyish almost. It reminded Yeonjun so much of who he used to be. He reached for another arrow, his excitement infectious. As he prepared to shoot again, he glanced over at Yeonjun. "You know, my parents were really proud of me last night."

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What’d you do to deserve that?"

"I caught my first rabbit," Kai said, his voice swelling with pride. "With this bow. My parents sold it at the market, and we made enough money to buy bread and meat for the week. My sisters were so happy. My mom even cried." 

Yeonjun’s chest tightened at the boy’s words, a strange mix of pride and longing settling there. "Good work, Kai. You earned that." He had the most perfect prodigy of himself. Someone he knew had the potential to be a great hunter and an even better archer than Yeonjun had ever been. 

Kai beamed, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It’s because you taught me. If it weren’t for you—"

"Stop," Yeonjun interrupted, though his tone was gentle. "You put in the effort. I just showed you how." 

Kai hesitated, then said softly, "I just wanted to say thank you. For the bow, for the lessons... for everything." Looking down at the ground to hide his reddened cheeks, kicking at the dirt beneath his feet almost bashfully. 

Yeonjun looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Don’t get all sentimental on me. You’ll ruin my reputation." He said with a laugh. The joke hanging in the air between the two of them. 

Kai laughed, but his expression quickly turned serious. "You’re not as mean as everyone says, you know. You’re actually... really kind."

Yeonjun snorted. "Don’t spread that around. I’ve worked hard to keep people away, and I’d rather not ruin a good thing."

"But why?" Kai asked, tilting his head. "You’re not scary. You’re..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. 

"Cursed?" Yeonjun offered dryly.

Kai shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Maybe." Yeonjun smiled at his Joke, something he found himself doing a lot more lately. 

His turned serious sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. "You remind me of myself when I was your age. Scrawny, stubborn, trying too hard to prove something to the world." 

Kai titled his head “That wasn't too long ago, you're not that much older than me you know?” 

“Yeah, I know.” Yeonjun sighed out, “You Still remind me of my younger self. I’m a lot more grown up than my age suggests. I’ve had to grow up early.” 

Kai’s eyes widened. "Really?" His innocence warmed Yeonjun’s heart. 

"Yeah," Yeonjun said, a distant look in his eyes. "Only difference is, you’ve got a family who loves you. Don’t take that for granted, Kai. Not everyone’s that lucky."

Kai frowned, sensing the weight behind Yeonjun’s words. "What about your family?"

Yeonjun hesitated, then shook his head. "Not something you need to worry about, kid. Let’s just say... it didn’t turn out the way I wanted."

“I know they died..” Kai said, surprising Yeonjun. “I’m sorry. I can be your family now.” 

“I appreciate that.” Yeonjun’s voice was low, soft. Like he was savoring the moment but not wanting to look vulnerable. “You’re a good kid, Kai. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."

Kai nodded slowly, his youthful energy appearing once more. "I won’t let my family down. I’ll keep practicing, and I’ll take care of them." 

Kai grinned, his spirit returning as he straightened his bow. Yeonjun reached into his coat and pulled out a folded letter. "Here," he said, handing it to Kai. "Same deal as last time. Get this to the nursemaid, and make sure it reaches her. No one else." 

Kai took the letter with a solemn nod, tucking it carefully into his satchel. "I won’t mess up. You can count on me."

"I know I can," Yeonjun said softly. "You’re tougher than you look."

Kai flashed a determined smile and slung his bow over his shoulder. As he turned to leave, he paused, glancing back at Yeonjun. "You know," Kai said, his voice tentative, "you’re kind of like the big brother I always wanted." 

Yeonjun froze, the words catching him off guard. He swallowed hard, his voice rough as he replied, "And you’re like the little brother I never asked for." Kai laughed, waving as he disappeared into the woods. Yeonjun watched him go, a strange warmth settling in his chest. 

The wind howled outside Yeonjun’s cabin, rattling the wooden shutters as he sat at his small, worn table. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. He ran his fingers over the letter he’d received from Kai earlier, the princess’s words already memorized but still giving him solace. He was about to turn in for the night when a sharp knock echoed through the cabin. Yeonjun frowned. Kai was long gone, and he wasn’t expecting anyone else. 

He opened the door cautiously, but no one was there. Instead, an envelope lay on the ground, the seal glinting faintly in the moonlight. Yeonjun bent down to pick it up, his pulse quickening.

He stepped back inside, closing the door behind him as he examined the envelope. The weight of it felt different from her usual letters. The paper was finer, the edges gilded with gold. For a moment, he thought Kai had brought it late, maybe as part of some grand gesture. But when he broke the seal and unfolded the paper, his stomach dropped. it wasn’t her handwriting. The words danced mockingly across the page, each one sinking like a stone in his chest. 

“You are cordially invited to a masquerade ball at the royal palace to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of  The Princess to Lord Kang Taehyun.” 

His grip on the paper tightened, the edges crumpling beneath his fingers. He read it again, hoping he’d misunderstood, but the meaning was clear. 

Her marriage announcement. 

The room felt suddenly stifling, the walls closing in as his heart pounded against his ribs. He stared at the invitation, anger and confusion warring within him. She hadn’t mentioned this in her letters. Not once. He knew they were trying to force her into a marriage but not that they were going through with one. 

"Why didn’t she tell me?" he muttered to himself, his voice harsh in the quiet cabin. 

Yeonjun paced the room, the invitation clutched tightly in his hand. Every instinct screamed at him to stay away, to keep his head down and let this royal mess unfold without him. But the thought of her standing in that grand ballroom, her eyes filled with sorrow, surrounded by strangers, was unbearable. He sank into his chair, his head in his hands. The memory of her tear-streaked face from the night she’d come to his door haunted him. The way she’d clung to him, her voice trembling as she confessed her fears. 

"I have to see her," he said aloud, the resolve hardening in his chest. His eyes fell back to the invitation. A masquerade. If there was ever a way for him to slip into the palace unnoticed, this was it. 

But what then? What could he possibly say or do to change the course of her life? With a heavy sigh, Yeonjun placed the crumpled invitation on the table and leaned back in his chair. The fire crackled softly, the warmth doing little to ease the chill that had settled in his chest. Tomorrow, he would decide what to do. But tonight, he let the weight of the truth settle over him, the words on the page a stark reminder of just how precarious their love truly was. 

The night of the ball had finally arrived. Yeonjun sat in the quiet of his cabin, the fire in the hearth reduced to glowing embers. His packed bundle rested on the table ​. Everything felt heavier tonight—the air, his thoughts, the weight of what he was about to do. He’d spent the day going over his plan, but now, as the moment drew closer, his mind turned to the boy who’d become a surprising presence in his life: Kai. He’d spent the day going over his plan, trying to get his affairs in order. Earlier, he’d gone to look for Kai. The boy was usually eager, always hovering around his cabin or running errands in the village. But today, Yeonjun had called for him several times, even gone to the square to see if he was there, but there’d been no sign of him. 

“Probably busy with his family,” Yeonjun muttered to himself, trying to shake off the unease that crept in. He thought of Kai’s bright grin the last time they’d spoken, the pride in his voice as he told Yeonjun about finally catching his first game. The memory pulled at his heart. He’d wanted to talk to the boy, to tell him everything, to hand over the cabin, the bow, and all the tools of his trade. But with no time to waste and no sign of Kai, Yeonjun had to make peace with leaving it all behind without explanation. 

"I’ll leave it all to him," Yeonjun murmured, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "The cabin, the bow, everything." It wasn’t much, but it was all he had. And Kai deserved a chance—a real chance—to make something of himself. He thought back to the day he’d handed Kai the golden bow, the way the boy’s eyes had widened with reverence. That same boy had caught his first animal just days ago and had been beaming with pride when he told Yeonjun about his family’s gratitude. 

“They’ll need this more than I will,” Yeonjun muttered. “Kai will understand.” He sat at the small table, a scrap of paper and a stub of charcoal in hand. The words didn’t come easily, each one feeling like a goodbye he wasn’t ready to say. But by the time the fire had burned down to its last embers, the note was finished, folded neatly and left on the table. Yeonjun stood, shouldering his pack. His gaze swept the small cabin, taking in the worn wood, the faint scent of smoke, the memories etched into every corner. 

"This is the right thing," he said softly, though the ache in his chest made him doubt. As he stepped outside, the cold night air bit at his skin, and the quiet of the woods enveloped him. He turned once to look back at the cabin, the soft glow from the window casting a faint light into the night. “Kai will be fine,” he whispered, as if convincing himself. “He’s stronger than he thinks.” And with that, Yeonjun made his way toward the palace. The plan was set, and his resolve was firm. Tonight, he would find her, and together they would leave this world behind.

The masquerade ball was in full swing, a sea of gilded masks, shimmering gowns, and laughter that echoed through the grand halls of the castle. Yeonjun, hidden in plain sight among the servants, carried a tray of fine goblets filled with wine. The facade of calm he wore barely concealed the storm brewing inside him. He’d caught sight of her several times already, dressed in a gown of deep emerald green that hugged her frame and glimmered under the chandeliers. The mask she wore couldn’t hide her identity from him, not when her pink hair peeked through in soft waves. But it wasn’t just her beauty that consumed his attention—it was the man beside her. 

Kang Taehyun. 

The one she was supposed to marry. 

Yeonjun clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around the tray. The man was broad-shouldered, and carried himself with an air of entitlement that grated on Yeonjun’s nerves. He stayed close to her, far too close, speaking in a low voice that made her frown, though she masked it quickly for the sake of appearances. It made Yeonjun’s blood boil. 

This was why he was here, why he’d come despite the risks. He couldn’t stand idly by while they paraded her around as if she were a prize to be won. Moving through the crowd, Yeonjun kept his head low, blending in with the other servants. He waited for the right moment—when her parents’ eyes were elsewhere, when the suitor was distracted by a gaggle of nobles seeking his attention. Pathetic. And he thought he was worthy of her? 

When it came, Yeonjun didn’t hesitate. He set his tray down and approached her from the side, careful not to draw attention. As he passed, his fingers brushed hers ever so lightly, and he slipped a small folded note into her hand. She flinched at the touch but quickly covered her reaction, slipping the note into the folds of her gown without looking. Yeonjun didn’t wait for acknowledgment. He melted back into the crowd, his heart pounding.

The note in your hand felt heavier than it should, the words scrawled in familiar handwriting still burning in your mind. "The garden. Now." 

Your heart thudded against your ribs as you scanned the ballroom. The glittering chandeliers and elegant guests seemed to blur together, a hazy backdrop to the storm of emotions churning inside you. You’d recognized him instantly, despite the servant’s uniform and the simple black mask concealing part of his face. Why was he here? What was he thinking? You spotted Taehyun across the room, deep in conversation with your father, his smooth laugh carrying over the hum of the crowd. Your mother stood nearby, her sharp eyes scanning the ball for potential allies, rivals, and threats. The guards stationed at the doors kept their watchful gazes moving, their vigilance a constant reminder of your gilded cage.

Slipping the note into the folds of your gown, you waited for the right moment. When your mother turned to speak with a duchess, and your suitor became engrossed in a conversation about trade routes, you slipped quietly toward the side door leading to the garden. The cool night air hit your skin like a balm, the oppressive heat and noise of the ballroom fading with each step. You moved quickly, your gown brushing against the gravel path as you made your way through the moonlit garden. And then you saw him. 

Yeonjun stood near a stone bench, his figure half-hidden by the shadows of the trees. His head turned at the sound of your approach, and even in the dim light, you saw the tension in his expression melt into something softer. "You’re here," he said, his voice low and rough. 

"You told me to come," you replied, your heart racing. "What are you doing here? If anyone sees us—" 

"I don’t care," he interrupted, stepping toward you, his eyes blazing. "I couldn’t stand watching you with him." 

You froze, his words hitting you like a jolt. "Yeonjun, you can’t just—" You couldn't risk someone seeing you. No matter how badly you just wanted to run into his arms and never let go, this could turn dangerous and fast. 

"I had to," he cut in, his voice fierce. "You’re going to marry him, aren’t you? That’s what this whole masquerade is for. To announce it to the world." 

His words stung because they were true, but you didn’t have a choice. "It’s not what I want," you said quietly, your voice trembling. "But I don’t get to decide." 

"There’s always a choice," he said, his tone sharp, almost desperate. "You don’t have to do this. We can leave tonight—just say the word, and we’ll be gone." You stared at him, the weight of his offer pressing down on you. His intensity, his recklessness—it should have frightened you, but instead, it made you ache. Leaving was all you could ever think about. Leaving the prison you grew up in finally with the man you loved would be everything you had dreamed of. 

"Leave?" you echoed, your voice barely above a whisper. "And go where? They’d find us. They always do." 

"Let them," he said, his voice softening as he stepped closer. "Let them try. I won’t let them take you from me." 

His words broke something inside you, the carefully constructed walls you’d built to endure this life. You looked up at him, tears stinging your eyes. "Yeonjun, this is madness." And it was, but word by word he was convincing you. 

"Maybe it is," he said, his gaze locking with yours. "But I can’t lose you. Not to him. Not to anyone." 

The night seemed to still, the world shrinking until it was just the two of you. Slowly, you reached up and removed your mask, the cool air brushing against your tear-streaked cheeks. "I don’t want to lose you either," you whispered, the truth spilling out before you could stop it. He closed the distance between you in a single step, his hands cradling your face as his lips met yours. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but it quickly deepened, years of longing and frustration pouring into it. His hands slid to your waist, pulling you closer, and you clung to him as if he were the only thing keeping you upright. 

When you finally broke apart, your forehead rested against his, both of you breathless. His fingers brushed your cheek, his touch achingly gentle. "What do we do now?" you asked, your voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope. 

“We go.” he said, his voice steady and sure. "Together." 

“Now?” You asked, your voice unsteady and unsure. 

“We have to,” he nodded, his tone urgent, almost frantic. His hand was firm around yours as he began to lead you deeper into the garden, away from the prying eyes of the guards and the glittering lights of the ball. “It’s now or never, Princess.” You hesitated at his words, glancing back toward the castle, its grand silhouette looming like a watchful predator. But the pull of his hand—and the fierce determination in his eyes—spurred you forward. The garden paths twisted and turned, the soft crunch of gravel beneath your hurried steps the only sound in the quiet night. The cool air bit at your cheeks, and your gown tangled around your legs, but you didn’t stop. He didn’t stop. 

“We’ll make it,” Yeonjun muttered, half to himself, half to you. “Once we’re past the outer gates, they won’t be able to follow us. Not tonight.” Your heart thundered in your chest, not just from the exertion but from the enormity of what you were doing. Running. Escaping. Leaving everything behind. Ahead, the garden’s stone archway came into view, the dense forest beyond it a promise of freedom. But as you reached it, something sharp and cold slithered down your spine—a sense of foreboding you couldn’t shake. 

“Yeonjun, wait,” you whispered, pulling on his hand. 

“What is it?” he asked, glancing back at you, his brow furrowed. 

Before you could answer, there was a faint rustling behind you. Then, a muffled cry—a sound so brief and so quiet you weren’t sure you’d heard it at all. 

A hand wrapped around your mouth muffled your screams of protest, throwing you backwards and away from the view of Yeonjun. The last thing before going dark was Yeonjun’s slumped body against the wall and the face of your father looming over the balcony…grinning. 

Yeonjun’s eyes fluttered open, and the world around him spun in dizzying circles. The pounding in his head was the first thing he felt—a sharp, blinding pain that seemed to come from deep within his skull. He was lying on cold stone, his body twisted in uncomfortable angles, the rough texture of the floor scraping against his skin. His wrists were shackled behind him, and he could feel the weight of the iron biting into his flesh, a constant reminder of his captivity. The air was damp, heavy with the smell of mildew, and the faint dripping of water echoed in the darkness.

"Awake at last," a gruff voice sneered from somewhere above him.

Yeonjun tried to lift his head, but the effort sent another wave of pain through his skull, making his vision blur. He blinked, trying to focus, and found himself staring up at two guards, their faces shadowed by the dim light of a single torch mounted on the stone wall. "Where am I?" he rasped, his throat dry and cracked. 

"The king’s dungeon," one of the guards answered, stepping forward with an air of superiority. "You should feel honored. Not many get to see it." Yeonjun tried to push himself up, but a sharp kick to his ribs sent him crashing back to the floor. He gasped, struggling to catch his breath as the pain radiated through his body. His fingers curled around the cold stone beneath him, grounding himself as he tried to regain control. 

“Why were you sneaking around with the princess?” the second guard asked, his voice low and threatening. “What were you planning?” 

Yeonjun didn’t answer. His lips were sealed, his mind racing. He wasn’t going to give them anything. The first guard knelt down, bringing his face close to Yeonjun’s. “Don’t play dumb with us,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt. “We know about the little messages you sent. Through that boy.” 

Yeonjun’s heart skipped a beat. His mind raced. Kai. They had taken him. His body ran cold, a shiver shooting up his spine. “What did you do to him?” Yeonjun demanded, his voice hoarse but filled with venom.

The first guard chuckled darkly, pulling something from behind his back and tossing it onto the floor in front of Yeonjun. It clattered against the stone with a sickening sound, and Yeonjun’s breath caught in his throat when he saw it.

A bloodstained arrow. 

The arrow that had once been his, now soaked in the blood of the one person who had truly believed in him. A boy, not much younger than him but so full of life. Only wishing to make his family proud. Dead..because of him. 

"Recognize this?" the guard taunted, his grin widening. “Your little messenger screamed your name the whole time. Begged us to let him go. Begged for you to save him.” 

Yeonjun’s breath caught in his throat, his vision swimming as the truth hit him like a blow to the gut. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. No. no. no. Kai. 

“No,” he whispered, the words barely escaping his lips. Almost like a plea to any god that would hear him. Any god with mercy. 

“Oh, yes,” the second guard said, leaning in with a malicious smile. “And the old woman? The nursemaid? She put up quite the fight. But don’t worry. She didn’t last long either.” The words sliced through Yeonjun like a blade, and for a moment, everything in him went cold. 

"You bastards!" he shouted, his voice breaking with fury as he surged forward, only to be stopped by the chains holding him in place. He rattled them with all his strength, the metal digging into his wrists, but he couldn’t escape. The guards laughed at his struggles, their cruel amusement echoing off the stone walls of the dungeon. 

“You brought this on yourself,” one of them said, standing to leave. “All of this—on you. On them.” The sound of their boots faded as they retreated down the hallway, their laughter still ringing in his ears. Yeonjun was left in the suffocating silence of the dungeon, his heart heavy with grief and guilt. His body trembled as he slowly sank back onto the cold floor, the bloody arrow still lying in front of him—a symbol of everything he had lost.

Kai. Kai was dead. They had taken him, tortured him, dumped him god knows where. His family, oh god his family. Yeonjun couldn't take it. The curse, he knew it was real and for the first time since the death of his family he had felt it tenfold, piercing him like his very own arrows. They were the archer and himself the prey, left in agony to be eaten by the wolves of the kingdom. How dare they?

Kai was innocent. He was pure. He was good. All things Yeonjun was not. And Kora, Kora had only had nothing but love for the princess. She nurtured her and raised her. She did more than the queen could ever do, gone. Because of him. He closed his eyes, the weight of it all crashing down on him. His chest ached with the unbearable loss, and for the first time in years, tears welled up in his eyes. But there was no one left to comfort him. 

A sharp kick to Yeonjun’s stomach jolted him awake, the breath ripped from his lungs as pain shot through his body. He doubled over instinctively, coughing and gasping for air, but the guards were relentless. Rough hands grabbed him by the arms, dragging him to his feet. His legs felt weak beneath him, his head pounding from the lingering ache of his earlier beating.“Get moving,” one of the guards barked, shoving him forward. 

Yeonjun stumbled, the chains on his wrists clinking with every step as they led him out of the dim dungeon. The harsh light of the corridor burned his eyes, but he kept his head down, biting back the groan of pain that threatened to escape. As they marched him up a winding staircase, the familiar sounds of the grand hall grew louder—the murmurs of people, the echo of heavy boots on marble, the crackling of torches. Yeonjun’s heart sank. He didn’t have to guess where they were taking him.When they shoved him into the throne room, the sight that met him was worse than anything he could have imagined. 

The king sat on his golden throne, his expression smug and triumphant. The queen was beside him, her cold gaze fixed on Yeonjun as if he were nothing more than filth beneath her feet. And there, standing just to the side, was the princess. Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen as though she’d been crying for hours. The moment she saw him, her hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. 

“Ah, the infamous hunter,” The king said, his booming voice dripping with mockery. “I must say, I didn’t expect such a... lowly creature to have the nerve to court my daughter.” Yeonjun said nothing, his jaw tightening as he stared at the marble floor. 

The king rose from his throne, descending the steps slowly, savoring every moment of Yeonjun’s humiliation. “What? Nothing to say? No impassioned defense of your love? No heroic declaration of your intentions?” Still, Yeonjun remained silent. 

The king laughed, a cold and hollow sound that echoed through the chamber. “You see, princess?” he said, turning to his daughter. “This is the man you chose. A coward who can’t even speak for himself.” 

“Stop this!” the princess cried, stepping forward. Tears streamed down her face, her voice cracking as she pleaded. “Please, father, stop this! He hasn’t done anything wrong!”

“Silence!” the queen snapped, her tone sharp and unforgiving. “You will not disgrace this family further by defending him.” 

“But-” 

“I said, silence!” The king roared, and the princess flinched, her shoulders trembling as she bit back a sob. 

The king turned back to Yeonjun, his smirk returning. “Your little messenger is dead, you know,” he said, his tone almost casual. “And the nursemaid. Both gone, thanks to you. All because you thought you could play hero.”

Yeonjun’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing with fury. His heart twisting in his chest. 

The king gestured to one of the guards, who held up the bloodstained arrow as a grim trophy. “The boy cried for you, you know. Right up until the end.” Yeonjun’s chest heaved, rage and sorrow clawing at his insides, but he refused to give them the satisfaction of a response.

The king’s smirk deepened. “No clever retort? No fiery protest? Very well.” He raised his voice, addressing the room. “Choi Yeonjun, the hunter, is hereby sentenced to death for his treasonous actions and his insolence against the crown.” 

“No!” The princess’s scream pierced the air, raw and desperate. She ran forward, throwing herself in front of Yeonjun. “You can’t do this! Please, father, I beg you!”

The queen rose from her throne, her expression cold. “Move aside, child. This is what must be done.” 

“No! I won’t let you!” She turned to Yeonjun, her tear-filled eyes locking onto his. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “This is all my fault.” 

“Enough!” The king’s voice boomed, and the guards seized the princess, pulling her away from Yeonjun. She struggled against them, her sobs echoing through the hall as they dragged her back toward the throne.

Yeonjun stood tall, his eyes meeting the king’s without a trace of fear. If this was how it ended, so be it. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing him break. But as the princess’s cries filled the room, a new thought burned in his mind. The memory of Kai, bright eyed and cheery. And everything he had taken from the both of them. She was apologizing but she was not the one at fault. He was. 

Yeonjun sat slumped against the cold stone wall of his cell, his wrists raw from the iron chains and his body aching from days of neglect and torment. His head hung low, the heavy silence of the dungeon pressing against him like a weight. Every sound—the drip of water, the faint scuttle of a rat—seemed magnified in the stillness. Sleep had come and gone in fleeting, restless bouts, and this time was no different. A muffled commotion echoed from somewhere outside the cell. At first, he thought it was another cruel trick of his mind, the dungeon’s oppressive quiet playing games with his senses. 

But then, there was a distinct clatter—a guard’s voice shouting, followed by a heavy thud. His eyes blinked open, groggy and unfocused. He straightened as best he could, his pulse quickening. Footsteps. He squinted into the darkness, barely registering the soft sound of keys jangling. The door creaked open, and a figure slipped inside, cloaked in the faint torchlight spilling from the corridor. 

“Yeonjun.” a hushed, urgent voice whispered. 

His breath caught. It was her. 

“Princess?” he rasped, his voice hoarse and cracked from disuse.

She was at his side in an instant, her hands trembling as they fumbled with the lock on his chains. Her face, framed by the faint flicker of the torchlight, was a mix of desperation and determination. “What are you—how—” he began, but she silenced him with a sharp look. 

“No time for questions,” she said, her voice low but steady. “We need to get out of here. Now.” 

The chains around his wrists fell away with a loud clink, and she moved to the shackles on his ankles. “How did you even get down here?” he asked, still stunned as he rubbed at his sore wrists. 

She glanced up at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite the dire circumstances. “My nursemaid taught me more than just calligraphy and how to curtsy,” she said, her tone almost teasing. “Turns out, lock-picking and sneaking around are also valuable skills for a proper princess.” 

Yeonjun blinked at her, equal parts impressed and incredulous. “Remind me to thank her—oh, wait.”

The smirk faltered, her eyes darkening with pain. “She taught me everything I needed to survive. And now we’re going to survive this. Together.” 

The last shackle came loose, and Yeonjun rose to his feet, his legs shaky but functional. She handed him a small dagger she’d tucked into her belt. “Where did you even get this?” he asked, gripping it as though it were the most precious thing in the world. 

“Confiscated it off a guard,” she said matter-of-factly, peering into the hallway. “You’re not the only one who knows how to fight, you know.” 

He couldn’t help the faint smile that crossed his lips. “Remind me never to underestimate you again.”

“You’d better not,” she shot back, her gaze darting around the corridor. “Now, let’s go before anyone notices.” The two of them crept through the winding passages of the dungeon, their movements swift but careful. The princess led the way, her steps light and purposeful, and Yeonjun followed close behind, his heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and disbelief. Every shadow felt like a potential threat, every distant sound a prelude to discovery. But somehow, they moved unnoticed, slipping past guards and evading detection at every turn. 

As they ascended a final set of stairs, the faint light of the moon filtered through a nearby window, illuminating their path. Yeonjun paused for a moment, glancing at the princess. “Why are you doing this?” he asked, his voice soft but filled with curiosity. “You could’ve stayed safe, let them—” 

“Let them kill you?” she interrupted, her tone sharp. She turned to face him fully, her eyes blazing with emotion. “Do you think I could’ve lived with myself, knowing I left you here to die? After everything—after Kai, after Kora?” He opened his mouth to respond, but she shook her head. “You don’t get to question this. I made my choice. And I choose you.” Her words rendered him momentarily speechless, and all he could do was nod, his throat tight with unspoken emotion. 

“Now come on,” she said, taking his hand and pulling him forward. “We’re almost free.” The night air hit them like a cool balm as they slipped out through a side gate. The castle loomed behind them, a monolith of power and oppression, but they didn’t look back. They ran, side by side, into the darkness. 

The forest was eerily quiet as they approached the cabin, their breaths clouding in the cool night air. Yeonjun slowed as the familiar structure came into view, his steps growing heavier with every inch closer. The small home that had once been his sanctuary now felt hollow, haunted by what had been lost. The princess stayed close, her gaze shifting between him and the cabin, sensing the weight he carried. 

Inside, the room was as he had left it—simple and sparse, with few possessions to speak of. Yeonjun moved with purpose, pulling the golden bow from where it hung on the wall. He ran his fingers over its polished surface, the faint grooves where his hands had gripped it countless times. It had been his most prized possession, a symbol of his skill and survival. Now, it felt like a monument to the boy he’d lost.

“We’ll bury it here,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with grief. “It belongs with him.” 

The princess nodded, her throat tight with emotion. “I’ll help.” 

They stepped outside into the moonlit clearing, the ground soft from the recent rains. Yeonjun worked in silence, digging a small grave beneath the large oak tree at the edge of the clearing. The princess stayed by his side, her hands brushing against his to offer support when she could. When the hole was deep enough, Yeonjun carefully laid the bow inside, his movements deliberate and reverent. He placed a folded letter atop it—a message he had written to Kai’s family, explaining everything. His voice broke as he murmured, “I’m sorry. You deserved so much better.” 

The princess touched his arm, her fingers light but grounding. “He knew you cared for him. You gave him hope.” 

Yeonjun swallowed hard, nodding as he covered the bow and letter with soil, patting the earth down until the grave was complete. The princess knelt beside him, placing a small wildflower she had plucked from the forest nearby atop the fresh dirt. Together, they bowed their heads in silence, a quiet tribute to a boy whose life had been far too brief. 

Inside the cabin, Yeonjun sat at the worn table, scribbling out one final letter. His handwriting was rough, but the words were heartfelt.

“To the family of HueningKai,

I write this with a heavy heart. Your son was brave, determined, and far too kind for this world. He reminded me of the best parts of myself, and I hope you know he made a difference, even in the short time he was with us.

I leave everything I own to you: my cabin, my tools, and whatever small coin I’ve managed to earn. May it ease your burdens and honor the boy who fought so hard for his family.

Kai deserved better, and I will carry his memory with me for the rest of my days. 

Yeonjun.” 

He sealed the letter, pressing his thumb to it as though it were a seal, and placed it on the table where the family could find it. The princess stood nearby, her eyes glassy as she watched him. “You’re doing the right thing.” 

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable but softening. “I hope so.” 

With that, they gathered the few supplies they needed—food, water, and some tools for their journey. Yeonjun paused in the doorway, casting one last look around the cabin that had been his home for so many years. “This place was never really mine,” he said, his voice low. “It was always meant for someone else.” 

She slipped her hand into his, squeezing it gently. “Then let’s find something that is ours.” 

They stepped out into the night, the forest stretching out before them, vast and unknowable. The princess glanced back once, her heart heavy with the weight of what they left behind, but she didn’t falter. They walked hand in hand, leaving the cabin—and their old lives—behind. Together, they vanished into the horizon, bound by love, loss, and the hope of something better.

taglist. @izzyy-stuff , @beomiracles , @filmnings , @dawngyu , @hyukascampfire , @saejinniestar

[thoughtsforsoob]

how he begs you not to leave in the morning - txt

note: they would for sure never want you to leave bed in the morning :( cut these cuties some slack. Please enjoy!!

yeonjun

tries to be sexy, using sex as a tactic to get you back in bed. you’ll be changing in front of him and he’s whistling at you suggestively. “Damn girl, you look fine as hell. Come back in bed and I’ll show you how good I think you look. Only if you can handle it, of course.” You turn around at glare at him but he doesn’t stop trying. “Come on baby, quiet fighting it. You know you want this dick.” You do in fact go back to bed 8/10 times.

soobin

tries to be cute!! he’ll curl up all adorably in your sheets and whine, “but babe, don’t I look so adorable? I don’t make you want to come back to bed? do you not love me anymore?” Lowkey a little manipulator but he doesn’t care. You always go back to bed to assure him and he’s cute and that you do in fact still love him. It works every single time.

Beomgyu

will throw shit at you from the bed to annoy you into coming back. will also manipulate you emotionally, just like soobin. he’ll start throwing pillows, then a plush you sleep with, and then the manipulation. “Fine, since you don’t want to cuddle with me anymore, I’m evicting you from this bed! You’ll sleep on the couch now.” If that doesn’t work, he gets up and hugs you, begging you to come back. He can only be silly for so long before he gets desperate.

taehyun

always tries to be nonchalant but there are a couple times where he was just upfront about it. He’ll ask you to stay for ‘5 more minutes’ which always ends up being an hour or all day. “My dear, can you come back to bed a little longer? Today is different. I just wanna show my appreciation for you and love on you. You’ll let me, won’t you?”

huening kai

I know people are like, “he doesn’t sleep with plushies anymore!” I simply don’t believe it (aka: refuse to accept it if it is true). He will convince you to come back to bed by saying your favorite plushie is sad! “But baby, you’re going to make Miffy sad if you leave. Right Miffy? If your mom leaves right now, you’re going to cry? It doesn’t seem like she cares very much about your feelings.” He’ll keep going until you sit with him/lay down next to him for a little longer.

[yezznn]

— Making out w/ Soobin - drabble

pairings: soobin x afab!reader

genre: smut but nothing too detailed.

warnings: mdni! mention of making out (duh), big dick sb, kinda sub Soobin¿ I think that’s all

wc: 360 words

a/n: please remember English is not my first language and I can’t fully express what I’m thinking and there’s probably a lot of incoherences and mistakes too, bare w me 🙏🏻

Check out my masterlist.

It started as something innocent, really.

The way he stared at you with his bunny-like features melted your heart; you just wanted to get a better look at your boyfriend's pretty face— by straddling his lap, obviously.

Soobin didn't refuse when you leaned closer, his breath mingling with yours, and pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of his lips, his nose, and his cheek, and started to trail a path down his jawline and neck. As you started nibbling on the sensitive skin, effectively earning a low hum from him, his hands reached down to grip the swell of your ass.

You took it as your cue to start grinding down against him, scoffing at how hard he'd gotten from just a few pecks. You didn't tease him any further, though; he was so big you could easily mistake him for being turned on at any time.

The pathetic whimper he let out at the friction stirred something inside you, lifting your head to crash your lips against his in an embarrassingly desperate way. As welcoming as always, your sweet boyfriend parted his lips for you on instinct, letting you slide your tongue inside to explore his mouth as you pleased.

You pushed him even further against the cushions of the worn-out couch in his room, your knees sinking into the material on his sides. He wouldn’t let you pull away to catch your breath, every time you tried, he was quick to chase after your lips and pull you back into another kiss.

His hips started bucking up against you in an unmeasured way, but his rock-hard bulge kept rubbing against your clit just right even with all the clothes on, making your panties uncomfortably stick to your core.

A new rush of desire washed over you when his big hands roamed over your body, squeezing, gripping and touching every patch of skin they could reach and tugging at your clothes. When he finally pulled away from your lips— a string of saliva connecting you, his eyes were heavy and dark when they found yours- and in that moment, you knew you were in for a long night.

[tyunderella]

a warm embrace~

୨ৎ summary : you go for a cute trip to jeju with your boyfriend, and the stay in the hotel is definitely better!

୨ৎ word count: around 3,1k

୨ৎ warnings: smut and some fluff, f!reader, dom!taehyun, sub!reader, whiny and lowkey loud reader, needy sex because they love eachother so much, some praise, slight degradation, petnames and name calling.. (pretty, princess, cockslut), unprotected sex, creampie, i think that's all!

୨ৎ a/n: ummm it's my first fic… i feel like the smut part sucks and it definitely misses something >.< i also think that i repeated lots of words.. i'm half awake.. i promise to do better the next time! feedback is very appreciated! more under cut :)

the soft hum of the car’s engine dies as taehyun pulls into the small gravel parking lot overlooking the beach. his sunglasses slide down slightly on the bridge of his nose as he turns to you with a grin.

“we’re here!" he says, voice brimming with excitement. his eyes sparkle happily as they reach your face. “your first jeju trip with me—isn’t this special?”

you glance out the window, taking in the sight of the crystal-clear ocean stretched out before you, its waves sparkling under the midday sun. the salty sea breeze filters into the car, carrying the promise of a carefree day. smiling, you turn back to him.

“it’s already special because i’m with you.” you say, voice full of teasing but earnest. you look him up and down, eyes full of appreciation.

taehyun chuckles, his dimple deepening. “you’re getting good at sweet-talking me, huh? come on, let’s have some fun.”

you both step out of the car, and the warm sun immediately kisses your skin. taehyun grabs the small picnic bag from the trunk and slings it over his shoulder, his white button-up catching the sunlight. his casual outfit—a loose shirt and black shorts—suits him so perfectly it feels like a fashion designer tailored the look just for him.

he glances back, holding out a hand. he wiggles his fingers in your direction, raising a eyebrow. “ready?”

“ready.” you say, slipping your hand into his as you sigh contently. the feeling of being close to him makes you even more relaxed.

his touch is warm and familiar, and as you walk down the sandy path together, you can’t help but feel like this moment is pulled straight from a dream. the sound of the waves grows louder as the beach comes into view, the golden sand stretching endlessly ahead.

you pause at the edge of the shore, where the sand meets the water, and look up at taehyun. "it's beautiful.." you murmur, your voice almost lost in the gentle roar of the ocean.

taehyun, however, isn’t looking at the water. Instead, his gaze is fixed on you. "it is.” he replies, the words carrying a weight that makes your heart skip a beat.

when you notice his lingering stare, you playfully nudge his shoulder. "are you going to keep staring, or are we going to explore?" you grin a bit, trying not to giggle.

he laughs, the sound light and full of affection as he eyes you up and down, appreciating the way you look in your tank top. "alright, alright. let’s explore."

the two of you wander down the shore, your footprints leaving temporary marks in the soft sand. you stop every now and then to pick up interesting shells, taehyun occasionally tossing one back into the waves when he decides it’s not ‘worthy’ of the collection.

“look at this one!” you say, holding up a shell with intricate pink swirls. your eyes sparkle with excitement, voice soft and quiet. “this has to be the prettiest one yet..”

taehyun leans in to inspect it, his face so close to yours that you can feel his breath against your cheek. “not bad.” he says, grinning. “but i’ve got something prettier.”

you raise an eyebrow, a bit curious to see what he has on his mind. “oh? show me.” you put the shell down, putting your hands on your hips.

instead of picking up another shell, he points at you with a smile, poking your sides, enjoying the adorable giggle you let out. “found it.”

you squirm and try to step away, jokingly rolling your eyes, though your cheeks warm up at his words. “cheesy.”

“honest.” he counters, and the sincerity in his tone makes your heart flutter. he leans in closer, giving you a small peck and ruffling your hair.

the hours slip by as the two of you lose yourselves in the beauty of the beach. you chase each other across the sand, your laughter mingling with the sound of the waves. at one point, taehyun dares you to go into the water despite the chill.

“come on.” he says, already ankle-deep in the waves. he grins and beckons you with his finger to come closer. “it’s not that cold..!”

you cross your arms, skeptical. you're a bit cold now, even in your sweater, how come the water isn't cold? “says the guy who always complains about freezing practice rooms but walks into cold water..”

he smirks, stepping closer. he splashes some water on his face, running a hand through his now-wet hair. “what’s life without a little adventure?”

before you can protest and enjoy the view, he splashes you lightly, the cold droplets making you squeal.

“oh no, you don’t do that to me without any consequence!” you shout, running after him as he quickly tries to run away into deeper water.

the chase turns into a splash war, both of you soaked and breathless by the end of it. when you finally retreat to the shore, taehyun spreads out a blanket from the picnic bag and motions for you to sit.

“truce?” he asks, holding up his hands in mock surrender, enjoying the way your body looks in the soaked clothes as he looks at you again.

“truce.” you agree, laughing as you sit beside him. you rest your head against his shoulder , playing with his hair.

the two of you share snacks from the bag, the sun dipping lower on the horizon as the day stretches into the evening. taehyun feeds you a piece of a tangerine, his eyes crinkling with delight when you nod in approval.

“it’s really sweet!” you say, savoring the flavor of the fresh fruit on your tongue.

“but it's not as tasty as you.” he replies, leaning closer. His tone is light, but there’s a glint of mischief in his eyes that makes your breath hitch and thighs close.

as the sun sets, the sky turns into a masterpiece of colors—fiery oranges blending into soft pinks and purples. taehyun takes out his phone to capture the moment, but instead of focusing on the sunset, he turns the camera toward you.

“hey!” you protest, trying to cover your face. you giggle softly, trying to leave the frame.

“too late!” he says, laughing as he snaps the picture. he looks at the finished product and licks his lips. “you look perfect.”

you pout, though you can’t hide your smile. you try to glance at the picture, cheeks slightly flushed. “you’re impossible..”

“and you’re beautiful.” he says, his voice than softer usual. his words are sincere, just like always, but the scenery makes it way more romantic.

the sincerity in his words makes your chest tighten. you look at him, his face illuminated by the fading sunlight, and wonder how someone could make you feel so special.

when you return to the hotel later that night, the warmth of the day lingers in your heart. taehyun sets the picnic bag aside and stretches, his shirt riding up slightly to reveal a sliver of toned skin. you try not to stare, but he catches your gaze and smirks.

“like what you see?” he teases, lifting his shirt up so you can see more, flexing his muscles confidently.

“maybe.” you reply, trying to play it cool. you gulp and look down to his abs, feeling your panties slowly dampen.

he laughs, pulling you into a loose hug, patting your butt slowly. “i like what i see too.”

you rest your head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. it’s a simple moment, but it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

“let’s just lay down and get comfortable, hmm?” he says after a while.

you nod, and soon the two of you are lounging on the hotel bed. the tv plays a random movie in the background, but neither of you is paying much attention to it.

the dim glow of the bedside lamps casts a soft warmth over the room. his arms encircle you, your head resting on his chest, and the steady rise and fall of his breathing is both comforting and intoxicating. his hand moves absentmindedly, tracing gentle circles on your back, and the sensation sends a subtle shiver through your body.

“are you cold?” he asks, his voice soft and deep, laced with concern. he knows that it might be his touch that made you react like that, but still wants to hear your words.

you shake your head, looking up at him with a small smile, trying to not giggle. “not at all.”

his gaze meets yours, and something in his expression shifts. the playfulness that usually lights his eyes is replaced by something deeper, more intense. his fingers still on your back, and you can feel the weight of the moment settling between you, like a secret only the two of you share.

“good..” he says quietly, his hand sliding up to cup your breast. “because i never want you to feel anything less than perfect when you’re with me.”

the sincerity in his voice makes your breath catch. or maybe it's his touch? you're not sure now.. he leans in slowly, your foreheads touching. when your lips finally meet, it’s like everything else fades away.

the kiss starts soft, his lips moving gently against yours, but it doesn’t take long for the intensity to build. his hand tangles in your hair, tilting your head slightly to deepen the kiss. your fingers grip the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer, and he responds by rolling slightly onto his side, his body pressing against yours.

you feel the warmth of his palm as it slides down your arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. his touch is both firm and gentle, as though he’s savoring every second, every inch of you.

when you pull back for air, his forehead rests against yours again, and his breath comes in soft, uneven puffs.

“you’re going to be the death of me..” he murmurs, his voice rough with affection and desire.

you laugh softly, your fingers brushing against his jawline. “i could say the same about you..”

he grins, his dimple appearing for a brief moment before his expression turns serious again. “come here.” he says, pulling you fully into his arms.

you shift so that you’re straddling him, your legs on either side of his hips. his hands settle on your waist, steadying you, and the heat of his touch seeps through the thin fabric of your sweater. his gaze roams your face, as though he’s memorizing every detail.

“you’re so beautiful..” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. he grazes his lips against your jawline.

you feel a blush rise to your cheeks, but before you can respond, he pulls you down into another kiss. this one is hungrier, more desperate, as though he’s pouring all of his unspoken feelings into it.

his hands slide up your back, slipping beneath the hem of your sweater to rest against your bare and warm skin. the sensation sends a jolt through you, and he pauses for a moment, searching your eyes for permission. when you nod, his touch becomes bolder, his fingers exploring the curve of your spine.

“mmm, taehyun..” you whisper, his name slipping from your lips like a prayer, lightly grinding against him.

he groans softly, the sound low and throaty, and it sends a pleasant shiver down your spine. his lips trail from your mouth to your jaw again, then down to the sensitive spot just below your ear. each kiss feels like a promise, and the warmth of his breath against your skin makes your heart race.

he shifts beneath you, sitting up slightly so that your bodies are pressed even closer together. one of his hands cups the back of your head, guiding you into another searing kiss, while the other rests on your thigh, his thumb brushing slow circles against your skin.

“you have no idea what you do to me..” he murmurs against your lips, his voice thick with emotion.

the vulnerability and want in his tone makes your chest tighten, and you pull back just enough to look into his eyes. they’re dark and filled with a raw intensity that takes your breath away.

“i think i do.” you say softly, your hands framing his face as you feel his boner press against you. you press down on him, your wet panties brushing against the rough material of his shorts.

his lips curve into a small, almost shy smile, and for a moment, the tension eases. but then his gaze drops to your lips again, and the fire reignites.

the two of you lose yourselves in each other, the rest of the world fading away. his kisses grow deeper, his hands more daring, and every touch feels like a declaration of how much he wants you, how much he cares.

he slowly lifts up your skirt, one of his hands reaching down to rub your clit as you moan against his lips, unintentionally moving your hips as he slowly pulls away from the kiss.

“is my princess so needy already, huh? you want me to help you, don't you?” he slowly lifts you up, unbuttoning his shirt in a teasingly slow manner.

you bite your lip and nod, staring intently at his every move. the veins that decorate his hands, the slight silver of his abs make you even needier.

“taehyun, don't tease..!” you whine quietly, eager hands traveling down to his pants as you quickly unbutton them, opening the fly and pulling them down.

he smirks at your actions, taking his shirt off and putting his hands on your hips again, starting to grind you against him. “don't worry, i will help you.. you're so greedy that you couldn't even wait..”

you let out a moan, trying to speed up his movements, the fabric of your thin sweater falling down your shoulder. your soaked panties wet his boxers, making you feel all the veins on his cock as your eyes roll to the back of your head at the intense pleasure.

“did i tell you that you can move on your own? don't forget your rules, pretty..” he pulls your panties to the side with his middle finger, rubbing against your wet folds as he slides his boxers down.

you close your eyes, quickly positioning his cock at your entrance, looking into his eyes with a pleading look. “please, can i..?”

he bites his lip, nodding his head. he helps you slide down, his voice croaking when he feels your warm and wet walls swallow him. he pulls up your sweater, hands finding your hardened nipples in seconds.

the feeling makes you whimper softly, starting to slowly bounce up and down, breath hitching with every brush of his tip against your cervix. “a-ah, taehyun..!”

he pinches your right nipple, attaching his lips to the other one as he starts sucking, his own eyes closing. he feels his ego raise up knowing that he is the one to make you so bothered.

you pick up the rate of your movements, breasts bouncing against taehyun's face as you let out a soft moan every second, almost forgetting that you're not alone in this hotel.

his thrusts meet your movements as he pulls his mouth away from your chest, connected to your nipple with his saliva. “fuck, you're making me feel so good..” he lets out a low and breathy moan, pulling your head to him and kissing you.

you feel the knot tighten in your tummy embarrassingly fast, desperate to reach your climax as you kiss him desperately, tongues and teeth clashing together.

you both moan and grunt into eachother’s mouth, taehyun bites down on your bottom lip, enjoying the reaction he gets from you.

if your eyes were open, they would be definitely rolled to the back of your head, your brain turning into mush. all you can focus on is taehyun's fat cock hitting all your sweet spots deliciously.

he pulls away from the kiss, his head thrown back as it hits the headrest. his jaw drops lightly, his mouth open in a ‘o’ shape. “god, i'm so fucking close princess.. think you can take it? me filling you up s-so nicely?”

you nod your head, already dumb on his cock, mouth going dry as you close your eyes, letting out a low cry. “p-please, need it s-so much! g-give it to me, pleasepleaseplease!”

he flips you over suddenly, pounding into you so fast that you might start seeing starts. he nips at your neck, leaving small love bites in his way. “fuck, you're such a dumb cockslut..” your hand tries to reach his and he immediately holds it, connecting your hands. “shhh, yeah, i know, i know..”

you start to squirm under him, glistening out eyes looking up into his own dark ones. you feel more tears well up in your eyes, gripping onto his hand and shoulder as you reach your peak with a loud scream of his name. your shaking legs wrap around his waist, heels digging into his back.

he grits his teeth, thrusting one more time as his own climax hits him hard, painting your inside white. his shaft throbs inside you breathing heavily and gasping. he stays like that for a few seconds, then starts to slowly move again.

you whine, feeling too sensitive now as your hands reach out to him. you let out a squeal with each thrust, your back arching almost uncomfortably. “n-no, too much tyunnie!”

he chuckles, wiping the sweat off of his forehead as he stops his movements, falling on top of you. “don't worry, i was just teasing you.. you look so pretty now, you know?”

he slowly pulls out, his eyes darken for a second as he looks at the creamy mess gushing out from your hole. he licks his lips, pushing it back inside you with his finger.

you close your eyes, wrapping your arms around him as you hug him. he licks his fingers and returns your embrace, closing his eyes.

“baby, i want to sleep now.. goodnight..” you mumble quietly, already starting to doze off. taehyun smiles softly, looking at your peaceful expression.

he waits until you fully fall asleep and gets up, grabbing a wet cloth as he cleans up the two of you, laying down on the bed again. he turns the lights off, relaxing in your comfortable presence.

the night goes on as you two rest mindlessy, not knowing about the noise complains you will receive in the morning from the other residents. but it doesn't care now, as long as taehyun has you wrapped around him and you enjoy his warmth everything is good.

@beomiracles here you gooooo :33

[tomorrowxtogether]

241212 Taehyun Weverse Post

[soobjvn]

M𝓐KEUP ( @🐰 ) : a choi soobin oneshot .

IN WHICH, yn, le sserafim’s makeup artist, is also hired by txt, only worsening her crush on the popular idol soobin. luckily for her, soobin has the same issue.

✦ pairing — idol!choi soobin x fem!makeup artist!yn (feat. all txt and lsf members.)

✦ themes — oneshot , smau , co-workers to lovers (?) , fluff , humor , mutual pining

✦ cw — none afaik !

✦ a/n — not too sure if i like this or not but it took me a MINUTE to make so i thought it’d just post it 🧍🏽‍♀️

— soobjvn 𐙚⊹

[lovesickchoi]

100 WAYS TO LEAVE A LOVER ❥ KTH

⋆·˚ ༘ * prince taehyun of the kang kingdom wanders outside the palace every night to escape his life of royalty. what he doesn’t expect is to meet the love of his life beyond the palace’s borders, which only serves to further fuel his hatred of the throne.

pairing: prince!taehyun x villager!reader ✮⋆˙✐ 16.7k

genre: royal au, angst, smut, loosely inspired by jackson wang’s ‘100 ways’ music video, slight romeo and juliet adaption warnings: multiple mentions of death, suicide, execution, blood, weapon possession, pleasure top!taehyun, oral f!receiving, praise kink, unprotected sex, happy(ish) ending if you squint notes: this is not intended to romanticize suicide whatsoever. also, i recommend watching the music video before reading. the song is so good and the visuals are a great way to set the scene! click here to watch it. also want to mention @luvsicktyun for the amazing help with the color grandients!! ˚₊ · »-♡→ masterlist

Taehyun wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place. This he knew, but he could never bring himself to care enough. Walking amongst the common people was far too invigorating for him compared to the monotony of his every day. It generated a sort of excitement in him that he couldn’t necessarily experience inside the kingdom he was bound to rule someday. Typically, he was careful when sauntering the busy streets of the outer village. But as dusk fell, it was fairly empty save for a few merchants beginning to pack their goods up for the night. He no longer felt the need to conceal his identity, removing the hood of his cloak and letting it fall around his neck for the first time. His eyes fluttered closed for but a moment, letting the gentle breeze fan against his skin as he toyed with the necklace resting over his tunic. Just moments ago, he’d been strolling through the quaint village market, curiosity guiding his steps as he took in the colorful displays and loud haggling. It wasn’t until he noticed a commotion near one of the fishmongers’ stalls that his attention sharpened. You had been caught in a dispute with a gruff merchant who insisted you were trying to steal one of his prized catches. You argued back, voice steady but eyes flashing, making it clear you had paid him fairly. But the merchant wasn’t hearing any of it, his stubbornness only escalating the tension. Taehyun intervened before things could get worse, tossing a few coins at the merchant and taking the fish himself. The merchant grumbled but accepted the payment, leaving you to glower at the prince now standing smugly before you. He couldn’t deny his amusement at how your scowl only darkened realizing who he was. The fish merchant hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment of royalty, but you refused to so much as incline your head, defiant against what all subjects were expected to do. Even so, he placed the fish in your hands, which you accepted with minimal grace before shoving it into your bag. “I had it under control,” you grumble, keeping your eyes low. “You call that having things under control?” Taehyun teased. “But I’ll take that as a thank you.” “Thank you so much, Your Highness.” you flash an ignorant smile, the twinge of sarcasm in your voice not going unnoticed. Taehyun found your defiance incredibly endearing. “So, what’s royalty like you doing out here so late at night?” He's taken aback by your question. Taehyun was not accustomed to someone speaking to him so carelessly and casually. He was eager to continue the conversation with perhaps the most breathtaking person he’d seen in the kingdom yet. His shoulders shrug. “The palace gets boring. Sometimes you just need to get away.” You feign a gasp, hand against your chest in pretend shock. “Of course, your golden palace with hundreds of rooms filled with endless food and things to do must be so uneventful.” Your animosity toward royalty had Taehyun’s eyebrows furrowing. “Anyway, it was nice talking to you, Your Highness.” You spin on your heels, abruptly putting an end to the conversation. You've had enough of royalty for one day. About to head in the opposite direction, Taehyun hastily grabs your wrist to stop you. “Wait!” his voice was filled with urgency. Expectantly, you look up at him in annoyance. “You can’t tell anyone that I was here. I’m not allowed to leave the palace.” “I’ll think about it,” you half-joked, though there was no denying the curiosity he sparked. His grip around your hand loosened before dropping to his side, and you felt a pang of disappointment at the loss of contact. It was strange how speaking with the kingdom’s beloved prince felt as ordinary as chatting with any other commoner. “I’m serious." He refused to break eye contact. "Nobody can know.” There was an undeniable panic in his voice, and you decided to let your defense down for the moment, nodding in reassurance. “Thank you-” Taehyun stopped, not knowing what to call you. You finished the sentence for him, your name confidently rolling off your tongue.

He repeated your name softly, and you had to admit it sounded better coming from his lips. “I’ll have to find a way to repay you.” Taehyun offered you a kind smile which you returned genuinely time.

“You could promise to buy me more fish.” you beamed at him childishly, tugging on the strap of your bag.

“I think that can be arranged.” a smirk splayed across his mouth, knowing you weren’t serious. “And call me Taehyun.”

“I think I prefer Your Highness.” With that, you spun on your heel and hurried down the dirt path, leaving Taehyun rooted where he stood. He watched contentedly as your figure faded into the darkness, pulling his hood back over his head. Staying out any longer would undoubtedly cause problems for him back home, but he could hardly care. After all, the only thing occupying his thoughts on the trek back to the palace was you—the strangely enigmatic, fearless girl from the village he desperately hoped to meet again.

Taehyun was not one to break his promises.

There he stood, leaning against the well in the quiet, shadowed emptiness of the village. It was a small town, so Taehyun prayed it wouldn’t be too difficult to find you again. He was right, of course, a quiet satisfaction lighting up his eyes as they followed your figure through the darkness. You, however, were oblivious to his presence. With your head constantly scanning the surroundings, your eyes sharp and focused, you moved with purpose toward the well, oblivious to who might be trailing behind. Taehyun, cloaked in his dark attire with his hood obscuring most of his face, called your name. It quickly proved to be a terrible idea on his part. Without thinking, your fist shot out, landing hard against Taehyun’s shoulder. He hadn’t expected you to be so strong—much stronger than you appeared. By the time you realized it was him, it was almost too late. Your punch nearly sent him tumbling into the well, but just in time, you grabbed his arm and yanked him back toward you. Once he was steady, you shoved him away in irritation. “Are you insane?” you shouted. “You’re asking if I’m insane? You almost sent me down a well!” Taehyun shouted back, rubbing his now sore shoulder. As much as you wanted to stay mad at him, you simply couldn’t. Not with those doe eyes staring back at you as he winced in pain. You knew you had a strong arm, and you felt especially guilty noticing the bag of fish he held tightly in his opposite hand. Rolling your eyes in obvious defeat, you sigh and take his wrist in your hand. “Come with me.” You give Taehyun no choice but to follow you, dragging him along the path that would eventually lead to your home. It was a quaint living space just large enough for four people. Much smaller than what Taehyun was used to, of course. You were self-conscious of how Taehyun's eyes scaled every inch of your cottage. The feeling of your place being scrutinized had a faint heat rising to your cheeks, but you didn't know that Taehyun wanted to savor the space in his mind. He’d never had the opportunity to see anything like it, considering all he’d ever known was the palace. This felt more like a home than his own chambers. "You can have a seat,” you glanced in his direction. “Sorry, I know it’s not exactly what you’re used to.” “Don’t be. I think it’s lovely.” Taehyun's smile made your heart skip a beat for the first time, and you knew he was being honest with you. He sat down, placing down the bag of fresh fish. He watched you retrieve some ice wrapped in an old rag from the kitchen, taking a seat next to him. “Take your cloak off," you demanded. Taehyun hesitated at your instruction before removing the cloak he used to hide his identity in the village. Goosebumps rose on his skin as you helped him remove one arm from his tunic sleeve. He thought your touch was gentle and steady. You carefully pushed the sleeve up over his shoulder, glancing down his now partially revealed bare chest—his necklace falling against his skin. Clearing your throat after staring just a beat too long, you gently pressed the ice against the green and blue bruise already blooming on his skin. Taehyun hissed at the sudden chill, his hand instinctively covering yours as you held the ice in place. “Sorry for punching you," you spoke up.

Taehyun chuckled at your cute apology. “Don't worry. I guess I did sneak up on you.”

It was quiet again for a moment while you moved the ice around on his shoulder, the proximity between you two becoming a distraction. Your eyes were trained on the task at hand, doing your best to ignore Taehyun’s burning stare. Unable to take the silence much longer, you shift your gaze to the fish on the table. “You didn’t have to actually buy me more food.”

His eyes remained on your face. “I wanted to. I can get as much food as you need. I am royalty after all,” he finishes with a sly remark, emphasis on the word royalty.

“Yeah, well you’re a royal pain in my ass.” you retort.

“Okay, just stop.” Taehyun took the ice from your hand and set it on the table before standing abruptly, forcing you to scoot back in your chair, the wood creaking under the sudden movement. “What is all this anger you have toward royalty? Can you just... explain it to me?”

You tensed at the question. His tone wasn’t defensive, but the subject alone was enough to leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

“My parents,” you replied, voice colder than the ice he’d just set down. “I have them to thank for my hatred of royalty.”

“Your parents?” Taehyun echoed, confusion creasing his brow. He wanted more than anything to understand you. “But they’re not even here. right now."

Emotions boiling over, you stepped forward, your face mere inches from Taehyun’s. “Maybe it’s because your precious royal family had them executed. Maybe that’s why."

Taehyun’s mouth opened, but no words followed. The weight of your admission hung heavy between you, the truth settling like stone. His gaze softened as he noticed the way your jaw clenched, desperately trying to hold yourself together. The way your lip trembled, bitten hard to stop any more words from breaking free, stirred something painful within him.

“I’m... I’m really sorry. I didn’t know,” he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity and regret.

You were confused. Taehyun was royalty incarnate, but something about him allowed you to let your walls down. All at once, you let the tears spill over your eyes—completely vulnerable in front of the crowned prince of all people. You were supposed to hate him, despise him and everything he represented. But how could you when he wrapped his arms around you so tenderly, letting your body settle against his as you cried for the first time in months over your family?

He could feel the way you trembled against him, the shakes fueled by both sorrow and rage. Resting his chin gently on top of your head, he hesitated before voicing his question, his tone cautious. “Why were they executed?”

Your ear remained pressed to his chest, where his heartbeat quickened—whether from nerves or guilt, you couldn’t tell. But you sensed his hesitation, the uncertainty of whether he should pry further into the tragedy of your parents’ deaths.

“My brother was killed in battle fighting for this kingdom. A year ago today.” Your words were slow, carefully measured, as if the wrong tone might shatter your composure. “He was so young, forced to fight against his will. That’s when my parents realized just how little the palace truly cares about its people. If you’re not living within those palace walls, your life means nothing to them.”

Taehyun clung to every word, his chest tightening with guilt and sympathy. “What did your parents do then?” he asked gently.

“After my brother’s death, they couldn’t stay silent. They started speaking out, warning the village of the palace’s corruption—how they forced children from their homes to fight in wars, how they stole from the poor to maintain their own luxury. Word was spreading quickly, and people were starting to listen.” You swallowed hard, your voice straining against the emotions welling up. “But before they could gain any real momentum... the guards came. They broke into our home and killed my parents right in front of me.”

Taehyun opened his mouth to say something, but you cut him off, determined to finish your story before your courage wavered.

“And that—” you aggressively wiped away the last tear that stained your rosy cheeks, falling back into your chair with a thump. “—is why I hate royalty. And why I hate that stupid insignia you wear around your neck.”

That was the moment your entire facade clicked for Taehyun. The wall you put up every time he was around—it was a result of everything you had endured. You’d seen too much, and Taehyun’s face was a cruel reminder of all the heartache you’d been through.

Taehyun’s next words catch you off guard. Maybe it’s because you’d half-expected him to defend his kingdom, to uphold the image of his people. Instead, he sits across from you, his tone low and sincere.

“Your brother’s death wasn’t in vain, and your parents were incredibly admirable. They did what was right, and my people took that from this village. I know it might not mean much coming from me, but I’m truly sorry for what happened to you.”

For a moment, it hit you. Despite being a prince, Taehyun wasn’t much different from the common people you knew. He seemed more like someone who shared your struggles than someone who ruled over them. “Why are you so different from your snobby royal counterparts, Your Highness?” The sarcasm slipped out before you could stop it.

You had Taehyun grinning from ear to ear, his shoulder pain completely forgotten at this point. He liked this side of you—your resilience. “It’s not that hard to see through the kingdom’s lies, even from the inside.”

“Is that why you escape that place to come here every chance you get?” Taehyun’s smile falters. He forgot that his time here with you wasn’t his reality. It was reaching the darkest point of the night, and he would have to return to the palace soon before people started to notice his absence.

“It’s nice experiencing life outside of what I’ve grown accustomed to. Every day is the same, and it’s suffocating.” Taehyun heaved a long sigh, running a hand through his hair before fixing his sleeve and throwing his cloak back over his shoulders. “But that’s a story for another day.”

You stood with Taehyun as he flipped the hood back over his head, walking him toward the entrance of your home. “Are you implying that I’ll be seeing you again?”

Taehyun’s heart fluttered, and yours did too when he stopped, turning back to look at you. He longed for nothing more than to see you over and over. “Do you want to see me again?”

“Perhaps I do.”

He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. “I thought you hated royalty.”

“I absolutely do,” you shot back. “But someone has to show you what life is like outside the palace. Who better than me, Your Highness?”

Taehyun gave you one last dazzling smile, his eyes lighting up before he excused himself, jogging back toward the bright lights of the palace, the glow casting a stark contrast to the dark village streets.

It was true that you’d be seeing Taehyun again, and not just once.

Every night at the same time, Taehyun appeared at your front door, and each time he came bearing food and other treats as a thank you for welcoming him into your home.

But it was never the generous gifts that brought you unexplainable joy—it was Taehyun’s company that gave purpose to your days. Every morning when you woke up, you found yourself counting down the hours until he would be knocking at your door.

You couldn’t remember how exactly you’d become so close to Taehyun, but now, you struggled to recall what life was like before meeting him. Months had passed with him woven into your daily routine, a newfound comfort you hadn’t realized you’d needed until now.

Tonight, like most nights, Taehyun had stayed longer than usual. You sat side by side on your bed, the quiet between you comfortable. Somewhere along the way, it became more than just visits—it became the highlight of your day.

Taehyun shifted slightly, his hand brushing against yours. The touch lingered for a moment before he broke the silence. “Where are we headed today?” he asked, his voice soft but edged with concern.

You looked over at him, the weight of your past sitting heavily on your chest. “I thought we could visit where my parents are buried.” You lowered your gaze, but Taehyun gently took your hand in his, his fingers idly tracing the lines of your palm. “It’s in the forest beyond the kingdom’s borders. They stopped letting anyone go there, so I haven’t visited their grave since they were—” Your words faltered, but Taehyun understood, his grip tightening just a little.

“It seems pretty risky. We could get caught,” Taehyun said with caution.

You looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. “I know, it’s stupid. We don’t actually have to go.”

“Hey,” Taehyun said softly, lifting your chin with a finger to meet his gaze. “I never said I didn’t want to go. I just said it would be risky, so we need to be extra careful. I’ll follow your lead.”

You bit your lip, fighting back a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Taehyun stood up, offering his hand to you. “We should go now.” He gently pulled you to your feet. You grabbed your coat, throwing it over your shoulders before stepping outside. Together, you walked toward the forest—the place you thought you’d never return to.

The road you followed weaved between different shacks within the village, the forest coming into your view after some walking. You could see the way the road abruptly ended, nothing but dirt and leaves scattering the open area, signaling that you had reached the town's borders. A chain-link fence stretched along the dirt road, disappearing into the distance. The metal gleamed, still fresh from its recent installation just a few months ago. It completely enclosed the forest, serving as a clear barrier to deter anyone considering defying the kingdom’s orders and venturing into the tree line.

The fence wasn’t very tall. Anybody could climb over it if they really wanted to, but that didn’t negate the fact that you were much shorter than Taehyun. This became clear as you approached the fence, now staring directly up at it.

You flinched feeling two hands come in contact with your waist, swatting them away and turning to look back at Taehyun with an amused look. “What are you doing?”

“I’m giving you a lift so you can grab the fence a little higher.” Taehyun was defensive but entertained by your reaction. “Is that okay?”

“Oh,” Nodding your head, you turn back to face the fence. “Good idea. Thanks.” You didn’t flinch the next time his hands met your waist, much more firm this time. In fact, your heart raced feeling his touch against you with his chest gently pressed against your back.

"Ready?" you hum softly in response, barely catching your breath as he used his strength to lift you onto the fence.

You quickly latched onto it with your hands and feet, shrieking when your foot slipped. Regaining your balance, you tried to steady yourself. "Shhh!" Taehyun whispered urgently, his eyes wide with concern, worried that your shout would alert anyone nearby.

“Don’t shush me,” you angrily whisper back. “I almost fell!”

“Then be more careful!” Taehyun began trekking up the fence close behind you. Swinging your leg up over the top of the fence, you jump down and land successfully on the other side. Taehyun was right next to you a few moments later. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped seeing the way your eyes glazed over, looking out into the dense forest. Taehyun wanted to pull you away from whatever reminiscent thoughts were crossing through your head, so he gently laced his fingers with yours and pulled you forward. “Lead the way.”

You glanced at Taehyun, whose eyes were already fixed on you. Having him by your side eased the burden of this trip. It gave you the strength to ascend deep into the woods, your legs automatically walking you in the direction of your parents' grave as if you’d been there yesterday.

Fear pulsed through your veins as you walked hand in hand with Taehyun. Though the pitch-black night made it nearly impossible for anyone to find you, you couldn’t shake the memory of what happened to your family. If caught crossing the village boundary, you knew it would only take one mistake to meet the same tragic end.

"We're here," you whispered, snapping out of your grim thoughts. Two stones stood to mark their graves, wilted leaves scattered across the mounds of dirt. The sight was bleak and neglected, a reflection of the kingdom’s indifference to the deaths of two so-called traitors. Taehyun let go of your hand, stepping back as you kneeled before the stones, ignoring the dirt now staining your clothes.

Taehyun propped himself up against a tree, watching you rid the area of the leaves, doing what you could to clean the forlorn graves. He smiles sadly as you sit back on your heels, looking defeated. Your mouth begins moving silently, most likely speaking to your parents, Taehyun assumed.

He deemed the scene too private for him to watch, instead scoping the area for fresh flowers to place down.

It goes on like this for some time before you raise your head up, urgently searching for Taehyun as you’d momentarily forgotten about him. “I’m here.” Taehyun reappears next to you, his voice reassuring. “Are you alright?”

You look with glassy eyes from the dirt back to Taehyun. “Honestly, I’m not sure. But I needed this.”

“I brought these.” Taehyun pulls a bunch of colorful flowers from his pocket as he kneels down close to you. They were beautiful—enough to have you wondering how long you must’ve been in your own world for Taehyun to gather such a perfect collection. “I thought these would help liven things up here.”

You couldn't summon the strength to take the flowers from Taehyun’s hand. Sensing your delay, he took it upon himself to scatter them around the stones. Your eyes followed his every movement, captivated by the delicacy of his actions. Every decision, every gesture he made was so selfless and reassuring—but it made no sense to you.

Taehyun continued speaking as he arranged the flowers, entirely absorbed by the task at hand. “I never told you this, but this necklace was my mother’s.” When he was satisfied with the arrangement, he gently pulled at the collar of his tunic, reaching inside to reveal the necklace. “My mother hated the palace, despised everything the insignia represented. Just like you.” His voice softened as he gazed at the jewelry, his eyes filled with sorrow. “She gave it to me, made me promise to never fall for the kingdom's lies—and to never follow in my father’s footsteps.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’ve worn it every day since, even after she passed.”

The air noticeably shifted after Taehyun's confession. It made your head snap up from the ground, looking at the way his eyes reflected equal parts pain and joy at the memory. “Taehyun, I had no idea. I'm so sorry”

“It’s okay. She’s in a better place now. Just one more thing you and I have in common.” Taehyun chuckled to himself, looking up to meet your eyes briefly before looking back at the necklace.

“We can talk about something else if you’d like,” you suggested.

Taehyun hesitated, his mouth slightly parted like he wasn’t sure if he should say what’s on his mind. In any case, he persisted.

“Well, there’s an old myth they tell in the palace. My mother used to share stories about it all the time.” He spoke softer than usual, as though any louder and the moment would break. He seemed to be using the story to keep himself distracted, his words flowing more easily now.

“Mmhm,” you hummed, encouraging him to continue. Without thinking, you edged closer to him, your body unconsciously drawn to him as he spoke.

“An old legend says that two lovers were buried together in this very forest. When the boy died, the girl was devastated. They were madly in love, and she wept over his grave for weeks on end.” He tucked his necklace back into his shirt, his voice becoming more reflective. “The gods, moved by her endless sorrow, took pity on her. They brought him back to life in exchange for her suffering. The myth behind the legend says that only the tears of the deceased’s true love can bring them back, but just for a moment.” Taehyun paused, placing the last flower down and wiping his hands on his pants. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, now that I think about it. It probably doesn’t help you. But… it’s a beautifully tragic story.”

"How do you always seem to know the right thing to say?" You spoke quickly, unable to take your eyes off him.

Taehyun shrugged, looking away for a moment. "I was just rambling, really."

You cut him off again. "No, I mean it. All I want to do is hate you and your stupid royal blood, but I can’t. I look at you, talk to you, and everything just… feels right. And I don’t know why."

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, his lips twisting into a smirk. "So, you don’t hate me?"

You sighed, feeling a wave of frustration and confusion. His gaze was intense, and your heart beat faster than you'd like. "I hate that I don’t hate you."

In an instant, Taehyun's lips were attached to yours, his hands holding your face gently. It was as if all the emotions he’d been holding back after spending every day with you for the past several months had finally reached their breaking point.

He couldn’t ignore his connection to you any longer. Neither could you as you kissed him back without a second thought, wrapping your hands around his neck and pulling his body impossibly closer to yours.

Taehyun pulled away for a moment, resting his forehead against your own while you looked at each other with the same goofy smile. For the first time in a long time, you were happy. He drew his bottom lip between his teeth, breathing you in. “I’m in love with you.”

He anticipated your reply, holding his breath until you responded with an even more fervorous kiss. Strong hands held your waist against him, tilting his head as you wrapped your arms around his shoulders.

It was a while before you both reluctantly pulled away, Taehyun cutely nudging your nose with his while he held you tight. You finally say the words aloud. “I’m in love with you too, Your Highness.”

“Prince Taehyun. Your presence is requested by the King.” A palace guard peered into Taehyun’s chambers unannounced, prompting an irritated eye roll from the prince. He was dressed in his royal attire, hair neatly styled—such a far cry from the dark clothing and cloak he’d grown accustomed to wearing during his secret visits to you. The formalities of palace life felt increasingly suffocating compared to the freedom he found beyond the castle walls with you.

You.

You were the only thought playing through his mind day in and day out. This distraction had often gotten him into trouble during important meetings concerning the kingdom. His mind would drift away from political discussions, lost instead in the memory of your lips against his, the gentle touch of your hands grazing his neck, and the soothing melody of your voice recounting your day.

Taehyun thanked the servant, excused himself, and walked down the large hallway that led to the main hall where his father, the King, was perched on his throne. He looked at Taehyun rather expectantly, almost disappointed. It was a look that was hard to miss. Taehyun halted a few feet away, bowing respectfully at a ninety-degree angle. “Prince Taehyun,” his father's tone was unsettling. “I’ve been waiting to see you.”

“My apologies, father. I won’t keep you waiting again.” Taehyun stood up straight, looking into the King's eyes. “What did you call me for?”

“You've been acting strange for the past month.” The harshness in the King’s voice made Taehyun’s chest tighten. Conversations with his father were never easy, but this one made him fearful. “You’re distracted, lackadaisical. These are not the characteristics of a crowned prince.”

Taehyun’s heart lodged itself in his throat, but he forced his expression to remain stoic.

“You and I both know I won’t be around much longer. Soon, you will be in charge of this kingdom. But people are starting to notice how absent you’ve been. Tell me, Taehyun, do you even want to be King?”

“Yes, of course I do father.” Taehyun lied through his teeth—the promise he made to his mother ringing in his ears. The last thing Taehyun wanted was to rule over this god-forsaken place.

“Then start acting like it.” The King didn’t look so convinced, and Taehyun mentally cursed himself for it. “I’ve arranged for you to meet the princess of the neighboring Choi kingdom. You will need a queen to help you lead this palace. Someone who will align your focus. Someone to help you make the hard decisions.” You were the only one who could do that for him. It was you who made him see so clearly, Taehyun thought. “I’ve spoken with their King already and we will be planning your wedding to happen within the next week.”

Taehyun felt his whole world crumbling around him. It’d been nearly two weeks since he'd confessed his love for you, and already things were slipping through the cracks. “But father-”

“I don’t want to hear another word out of you.” The King’s tone was cold, final. “This is what’s necessary. And once you take the throne, your first act will be to strengthen the guard presence around the village. We can’t risk another… incident. The kingdom’s been far too lenient with traitors and their offspring.” His gaze darkened. “I won’t have another embarrassment like those fools who dared defy me—what were their names again? Ah, yes. The rebels with the cowardly daughter still skulking around the village.”

Taehyun had never hated someone so much in his entire life. The skin of his knuckles whitened from how tightly his fists clenched. He wanted nothing more than to make his father regret ever speaking of you and your family in such a vile way.

Never in his life had Taehyun practiced so much restraint. There was nothing he could do. If the King ever knew his son was sneaking out of the palace every night to see some commoner, especially the daughter of the kingdom’s infamous traitors, it wouldn’t end well for either of you.

He would have to begin plotting sooner rather than later. If he didn't, Taehyun would be married off to someone who wasn’t you, and the guards patrolling the town would prevent him from ever seeing you again. It was the worst possible scenario he could imagine.

Swallowing his pride, Taehyun spoke through gritted teeth, “I understand, father. May I be dismissed?” With an uninterested flick of his hand, the King waved his son off. Taehyun walked until he disappeared around the corner, breaking into a sprint down the hall once he was out of sight. He made a beeline for his room and slammed the door shut once he arrived. What was he supposed to tell you? All he wanted was to kick and scream like a child. Loud thuds echoed through the palace halls as Taehyun repeatedly slammed his head against his door—for once having no clue where to turn.

Shaky hands ran through his now messed-up hair, painfully imagining his life without you in it. The room appeared to shrink before Taehyun as tears stung the corners of his eyes, clouding his vision. He needed to act. Sitting in his room, dwelling on how sour everything was about to turn, wouldn’t benefit either of you. His eyes wildly darted around the room, desperately searching for his cloak. With shaking hands, he threw aside piles of garments, his frustration growing until his fingers finally found the familiar fabric. He yanked the cloak over his head, not bothering to straighten it before rushing to the window.

Throwing it open, he stared down at the castle’s backside—a familiar escape route he'd taken so many times before.

The night wasn't nearly as dark as Taehyun's usual escapades to visit you, but this was the least of his concerns. His only mission was seeing you. He had to warn you of his father's future plans before he lost you for good.

Taehyun managed to slip through the golden palace gates unnoticed, making his way to the charming village he’d grown so fond of. His pace slowed to a simple stride once he arrived safely.

Suddenly hyperaware of his surroundings, he observed the cottages and the quiet atmosphere—he frowned seeing all the people who were oblivious to the torment they would soon endure once the palace guards began patrolling the village.

He was in front of your home in zero time, the journey being second nature to him at this point. With a few special knocks, your cottage door swings open in seconds. A confused look washed over your face. Taehyun was never here this early. You were elated to see him, but that did little to drown your sudden concern.

Taehyun collapses into your arms nearly the second he lays his eyes on you. His weight completely crumpled against your body, holding you so tight as if you'd vanish the moment he let go. You finally question him. “Your Highness?”

With slow hands, you snake your arms up to wrap them comfortably around his neck, hoping to ease his indiscreetly racing heart against your chest. Taehyun pulls away to kiss you, lips lingering there for longer than usual. “I just need to be close to you right now. Please,” he mumbles against your lips, squeezing you tighter. The gesture made you smile up at him, flattered knowing he was so eager to see you.

You’re the first to pull away from Taehyun, nodding your head toward your home as an invitation. He follows close behind, draping his cloak over the kitchen table before his arms find their way around your waist from behind. You giggle at his clinginess, making your way to your bedroom with him still attached to you.

You guided Taehyun to the edge of the creaky bed, its wooden frame groaning softly beneath your combined weight as you settled down. The lumpy mattress shifted unevenly, straw rustling beneath the worn blankets.

His arms remained wrapped around you, pulling you close despite the bed’s quiet protests. He traced lazy patterns on your hip with his thumb and you let your eyes flutter closed, at peace.

The silence that sometimes found its way between you and Taehyun was usually a comfortable stillness, one that you always welcomed. Today, it was both deafening and hard to ignore.

“Is something wrong?” You asked, but with no response. This time, you picked your head up to gently rest your chin on his chest. Looking up at him, you find that he’s already been staring down at you with a small pout. His expression made you extremely upset, so you leaned up to kiss the pout away from his lips. “Please tell me what’s going on because—”

“Let’s run away together.” There it was. Taehyun’s master plan that he’d been conjuring up ever since the conversation with his father ended. It was the best he could think of—the only feasible option.

A nervous laugh erupts in your throat, unsure whether you should take him seriously or not. “What?”

Taehyun repeats himself much more assured this time, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “Let’s run away together. You and me. Tomorrow.”

He didn't have to twist your arm. Running away with the love of your life and escaping this shitty kingdom sounded more than ideal, despite the obvious dangers. You smile with an adventurous look gracing your features, swinging one leg over his waist to sit up in his lap. “Let’s do it.”

“Are you serious?” Taehyun prayed it wouldn't take you much convincing, but god, did he feel lucky. Hearing your words of agreement left him feeling lighter. He slightly shifted in the bed and rested his back against the wooden headboard, admiring every inch of you while picturing running away hand in hand.

Tender fingers toyed with Taehyun’s, lifting his knuckles gently to your lips as you spoke. “Where shall we go?”

“Into the forest,” he answered, voice absent of hesitation. “We’ll keep running and won’t stop until we reach the clearing. Where we can be free from the chains of this god-awful place. There has to be another village. Somewhere far from here. Somewhere we can finally breathe.”

This was everything you wanted and more. It was hard to picture you and Taehyun spending the rest of your days as they had been the last few months—waiting out the daylight so you could see each other for a few hours at night. There was no future here, that was clear. "Will you meet me by the fence tomorrow night?” you ask him.

“I promise. I’ll be there at dusk.” Taehyun’s hands rest on your thighs, his touch gentle as his fingers continue to trace tiny circles against your skin. He’s searching for the right words. “I wanted to give you something.” Your head tilts in question, curiosity sparking in your eyes. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

“What is it?” you ask with a playful glint in your eyes. “More treats you smuggled out of the palace?”

He cracks a smile, remembering your first encounter with one another. “No. Um, it’s actually this." You held your breath when Taehyun lifted one hand from your thigh to touch his mother’s necklace that’s been hanging around his neck since the day you met him.

Your mouth runs dry at his words. Taehyun was really willing to give up his mother’s necklace, the person he admired the most, for you? You grab his wrist to stop him. “There's no way I can accept this.”

“My mother gave me this to make me promise I’d never devote myself to the kingdom.” His voice trembled as his unsteady hands reached behind his neck to unclasp the chain. Your eyes stayed locked on his, tears threatening to spill over at any moment. “Now, I’m giving it to you to fulfill that promise and prove that my devotion is to you. It symbolizes the day I finally leave the throne behind, for good.”

Taehyun leaned forward with the necklace in his hand, his eyes glimmering in concentration. He looked so pretty, his face inches from yours as he gently brushed your hair to one side. Your eyes fluttered shut, and you felt his hands reach behind your neck to reclasp the necklace. You’ve never been more in love than in this moment. One of his hands dropped down to your waist while the other rolled the necklace’s insignia between his fingers, carefully letting it fall to your chest. With both arms now hugging your waist securely, he bent down to press an affectionate kiss to your neck right over the chain of the necklace. Lips ghosted up your neck and across your jaw with more doting kisses, finally landing on your lips, the place you yearned for him the most.

Your hands cradled Taehyun’s face, pulling him closer as if the distance between you was too vast to bear. The darkness in his eyes mirrored your own, a desperate longing that words could never capture. “Thank you,” you whispered, voice soft as a single tear slipped free, tracing the curve of your cheek. His thumb swept it away, eyes frantically searching your face like he was memorizing every detail. And then, as if his restraint had finally shattered, Taehyun’s lips crashed against yours with a fervor that spoke of yearning, devotion, and a promise he could never put into words. His ministrations against you were equally slow and frenzied. With gentle gripping of skin and soft breaths between kisses, neither of you was able to get enough of the other.

The worn fabric of your dress gathered around your thighs in Taehyun’s grip. His touch burned through the thin cloth, and you nearly shuddered as his fingers slipped beneath it.

Taehyun was dressed only in his finely stitched tunic and trousers, his cloak long forgotten in the kitchen in his urgency to be near you.

He looked so beautifully out of place in your modest cottage—an artifact of sorts. The rich fabric clung to his shoulders, showing off the strong arms that held you. Its elegance is at jarring odds with the simplicity of your surroundings. He looked like he belonged to another world. One he was all too willing to leave behind.

“You look ridiculous in that,” you teased, your fingers toying with the delicate embroidery along his collar. “Too formal. Too… royal.”

His lips quirked into a smile, chuckling with you. “It’s not exactly practical for where we're going, is it?” His fingers slid along the now exposed skin of your hips, hiking your dress up around your waist. The pressure of his touch makes your breath hitch. “Compared to you, I’m overdressed.”

“Then take it off me.” The words slipped from your mouth before you could think twice, bold and shameless.

Taehyun’s expression shifted, his eyes darkening with something beyond amusement. “Anything you want, princess,” he whispered, his voice low and rough, the nickname rolling off his tongue. Princess—the word repeated in your head. His hands moved with careful intent, gathering the woven material of your dress and lifting it slowly and deliberately over your head, his gaze locked onto yours.

Taehyun let out a suppressed groan seeing your exposed body in nothing but your linen chemise. Unable to help himself, his fingers skimmed over the nearly see-through piece of clothing. His fingers barely brushed against your bare skin, dancing over the soft arch of your shoulder before trailing down your arm. The touch was gentle, burning your skin into the memory of his fingertips.

His breath caught as his hand ventured over your chest, fingertips following the delicate curves of your breasts, and eventually to your hardened nipples showing through the thin fabric. His hands moved to grip your sides, just beneath your arms, while his thumbs began tracing circles around them.

Goosebumps rose on your skin at the feeling when a soft, breathy moan you've been holding on to left your lips. Subconsciously, you arched your back into his sinful touch, hips buckling down into Taehyun’s lap. Taehyun was impossibly hard beneath you—all because of you. Your mind, your body, every secret and habit he’d memorized. The thought of you consumed him, stirring a primal need to claim every inch of you. He wanted to exist where no one else could, woven into your very essence.

Carefully, your hands reached for the hem of his tunic. Taehyun was eager to oblige, letting you lift it over his head and discard it onto the floor. Your hands explore his soft skin, running across his chest and stomach, which instinctively tensed at your touch.

Taehyun’s mind continued to spiral with thoughts of you. He needed more. He wanted so much of you that he’d never have enough. With this thought, his rough hands gripped your hips, dragging you against him in slow, deliberate grinds.

A low hiss left his lips at the increased pressure. Your hands rested on his shoulders, focused on the way his bottom lip was drawn between his teeth in focus. Testing the limits, Taehyun's hands gingerly tugged at the linen chemise still hugging your body—an annoying inconvenience to him. With a nod of permission, you took it upon yourself to pull the final layer of fabric from your body.

"You're breathtaking," he whispered in awe. "I don't think I'll ever get enough of looking at you."

Taehyun meant every word. Having you laid bare before him felt like a privilege—one he would never take for granted.

A quiet blush crept across your cheeks at the compliment. You couldn't remember the last time you'd been so vulnerable with a man. Nobody had ever made you feel the way Taehyun did. So cherished, so desired, so utterly beautiful in his eyes.

You craved the warmth of his lips against yours once more. Pressing your chest to his, you captured his mouth in a fervent kiss, desperate and insatiable. Your lips moved together in perfect harmony, a dance instinctual and familiar, as if you had been made for this, for him, and nothing else.

Taehyun's tongue pushed past his lips, venturing its way past your own turning the kiss feverish. Flesh against flesh, you allowed him to explore the cavern of your mouth. The sensation spread warmth across your body, quickening the needy roll of your hips against his. A throaty moan was elicited from Taehyun from the sudden change in pace. The soft sounds of his pleasure fueled your confidence, urging you to explore further. You wanted him to feel as cherished and beautiful as he made you feel. Gradually, your kisses trailed down his sharp jawline, each press slower and more heated than the last, like a growing fire.

Your lips moved down his neck, across his collarbone, before returning to his ear, where his breath caught in a delicate whine. Smiling against his skin, you lingered there and savored the moment, your lips teasing the sensitive spot you had found. In a daring move to enhance his pleasure, you trail a sneaky hand down into Taehyun's pants, palming him underneath the material. This time, your name loudly left his mouth in a needy cry, hips bucking up into your hand to match your movements. He was on cloud nine at this point, your hand rubbing his throbbing cock as your tongue traced just beneath his ear. It was short-lived as Taehyun's hand sharply gripped your wrist, stopping your motions. If he let you persist, he'd be cumming just like this. "What's wrong?" you whine, missing the desperate sounds he made. Out of breath, Taehyun wrapped both arms around your body, flipping you onto the bed and hovering above you, caging you in completely. The energy in the room shifted with a single movement. God, how you desired him.

Taehyun’s eyes searched your face, captivated by the sight of you beneath him—angelic, flushed with desire, your chest heaving with each breath, lips slightly parted, and your eyes wide, completely at his mercy. The way you looked at him, as if he were the only thing that mattered in the world, the way you lay there trusting him with everything. You knew him—the real him. And with that knowledge, you made him feel more than he ever thought possible.

He wanted to return that feeling to you tenfold. To make you feel special, seen, adored, and cared for in a way no one else ever had. This was more than just a moment—it was a promise, a perfect send-off before you both escaped together to spend the rest of your lives in a world built just for the two of you. He wanted to show you how a true princess like you deserved to be treated. "Nothing is wrong, my love," he finally responds, his eyes fixed on you as though you were the only thing that mattered. A smile tugs at your lips, and it makes his heart skip a beat. "I don't want you doing anything tonight. I just want you to lay there... to feel good. Let me tend to you like a princess." His voice wavers, and you can hear the desperation creeping in as he buries his head in your neck, grinding against you for some much-needed friction. "Please," he whines, his voice soft and pleading. "Let me take care of you."

You've never wanted anyone more in your entire life than you did at this very moment. You wanted to be devoured by him. "Yes," your voice comes out in a breathless whisper. "Please... you can do anything you want with me. I'm all yours." You're all his. Those words alone made Taehyun spring into action. With a shallow kiss to your lips, he moved down your body, each inch of his journey intensifying the desire coursing through him.

He refused to neglect a single inch of your body. Your neck, jawline, collarbones, shoulders, breasts, stomach—each press of lips followed by a proclamation of his infatuation with you. He was like a lovesick puppy, panting and unable to detach himself from you even for a moment.

Hands gripping the flesh of your thighs, Taehyun parted your legs making room for his face. A gentle swipe of his finger against your soaked folds was enough to have your back arching in pleasure. You were so unbelievably wet from this simple touch. Taehyun was mesmerized by how drenched your cunt was before him. He could hardly believe you were real, that he had the privilege of touching you. The thought alone made him twitch in his pants with anticipation. Settling against the mattress, he positioned himself comfortably, his arms wrapping around your thighs to pin your hips firmly to the bed.

He started with a careful lick of his tongue against your clit, careful and purposeful. Taehyun’s gaze never left your body, his focus honing in on every subtle shift and reaction beneath his touch.

He craved nothing more than to be perfect for you, instinctively aligning his movements with the signals you gave him, ensuring everything he did was exactly what you needed.

The more you writhed beneath him, the harder his tongue worked against you. It swiped across your folds, lapping up every little bit of your sweet arousal. You were addictive to Taehyun, and he couldn’t help but think this might be his favorite thing in the world.

His grip on your legs was unyielding, keeping you pressed to his mouth as he moved with desperation, your body trembling under the waves of pleasure he created. "Taehyun," you moaned his name inappropriately, your hand threading through the tufts of his hair, guiding him exactly where you wanted him. "Just like that… you feel so good," you whined in need. You had never felt like this before.

Taehyun groaned lowly against your folds, the praise making his head spin. He was doing everything right—everything you needed. Slowly, he moved his head back and forth, the firm pressure of his tongue relentless. No matter how much you tugged at his hair or tried to move your hips, he refused to relent. You could feel the edge approaching, and Taehyun could sense it too as he held you firmly against his face. "Yes, please don't stop," you pleaded, practically drooling with how close you were to release. A few more subtle movements of his tongue against you and you were seeing stars. Taehyun never lets up his actions, allowing you to ride out your high and bask in every ounce of the pleasure that coursed through you.

His chest swelled with pride feeling you shaking on his tongue, pretty sounds never ceasing to leave your equally pretty lips. He watched you with a quiet amazement.

The lewd sight before him had Taehyun discretely grinding himself down onto your bed for some form of relief. He thought he could do this to you forever. Taehyun needed to see you release beneath him again as if his very life depended on it. He would do anything to hear those sweet sounds and watch your face twist in pleasure once more. One time was not enough. Taehyun wouldn't care if your next orgasm was around his cock or not. If you asked him to stay between your legs all night, he'd do it without protest. Taking his pointer and index fingers, Taehyun spread your folds apart, rubbing your clit with his middle finger. A sharp shriek escaped you, head thrown back against your pillow at the overstimulation. He relished in the way your hole leaked with arousal, clenching around nothing. Eyes fixated on your cunt, Taehyun continued to grind his hips against the bed. A low moan left his own lips at the thought of how much pleasure he was giving you. The only thing stopping him was your firm hand caressing his cheek, pausing his movements. Mesmerized, he looks up to see what you need, his lips glossy and slick with arousal. "Yes, princess?" he's quick to ask, eager to serve you. "I need more of you," you pant, the longing in your voice undeniable. He knew exactly what you wanted. Taehyun stood up from the bed, slipping two fingers past his lips to clean the arousal from them before reaching down to remove his final layers of clothing.

You sit up eagerly on your elbows, eyes fixed on Taehyun as he removes his undergarments. The sight before you is mouth-watering—such a beautiful prince, once capable of commanding a kingdom, now standing before you, stripped of his title.

And yet, instead of holding any power, he kneels back on the bed, completely at your mercy. Your stomach flutters, overwhelmed by how willingly he offers himself, prioritizing your pleasure above all else.

Your body is once again enveloped by Taehyun’s much larger frame. As if the thought of being separated from you for even a second is unbearable, his lips find your neck almost instantly.

There’s nothing rushed or frantic in his movements. Every action he has taken since he placed that necklace around your neck has been slow, intentional, and with one thing in mind: your satisfaction. His lips and nose traced the cool chain resting on your neck, his kisses gradually migrating to your jaw. Amidst the soft presses of his lips, his hand glided up your thigh with slow movements, each touch sending a shiver through you as he positioned himself between your legs. "You sure this is okay, love?" Taehyun wanted to ensure your absolute comfort. He's sat back on his knees now, straddling you as he runs his tip along your wet folds. Fuck. How could you possibly say no when the man you loved so deeply sat before you, looking like that? You were practically drawing him into you.

"Please, take care of me, my prince. Make me yours."

Taehyun’s breath hitched at your desperation. You sat up for a moment, running a greedy hand down his body, making it harder for him to hold back. With a soft growl, he gently pushed you back onto the bed, unable to resist any longer.

He hovers above you once more, finally pressing his length into your entrance. Loving hands gripped your waist tentatively as if you were made of porcelain. He had promised to be gentle, to give you everything you needed. After a few shallow thrusts, allowing you to adjust to his size, he finally bottomed out inside you, the connection between your bodies complete. Taehyun hissed the moment he filled you, throwing his head back in pure delight. You weren't just his princess—you were a goddess, sent to save him, to claim him. He lay flat on top of your body, skin to skin, as his arms wrapped around you in a loving embrace. Taehyun made tender love to you in a way he never had before. Every careful roll of his hips sent your eyes fluttering closed, your hands digging into his muscular back that flexed with every movement. You couldn’t speak, but your body whispered everything it needed. You held onto him like a lifeline, your legs wrapping around his waist, pulling him deeper into you.

Taehyun breathed heavily as your lewd moans filled the air, far louder than when he had gone down on you. The way your whines and cries grew with each thrust of his hips, the way his name escaped your lips—it sent a jolt through him, sparking every nerve. The feeling of your nails dragging across his skin only made him crave more. When you tried to meet his hips, he pressed you further into the bed, unable to resist the urge to give you everything you wanted. Seeing you like this—so undone, so lost in pleasure—was all Taehyun needed. He never imagined that your pleasure could drive him so wild, that watching you in this state would make him lose himself completely.

He dropped his head against your neck, fucking deeper into you with each painfully slow thrust. His movements were hard and unrelenting, as he ground against you with a raw, desperate need. "Fuck, you sound so beautiful," he murmured against your skin, his voice unsteady. Your moan, loud and breathless, slipped into his ear, making his spine tingle. "Feels good, princess?" Tears begin to prickle at the corners of your eyes when his hips curl just right, hitting your g-spot over and over again. You gripped his hair, tugging him up from your neck, forcing his eyes to meet yours. A wicked smile curved your lips as you watched his breath hitch. "You make me feel so good, Tae. You're doing so well," you purred, your voice dripping with praise. "Shit," Taehyun's eyes widened at your praise, his movements becoming more urgent. You had no idea how much your approval affected him. "I love you so much, I can't control myself." The mix of emotion and pure pleasure became overwhelming. Taehyun lowered his forehead to rest against yours, his breath ragged as his hand reached up to intertwine his fingers with yours, holding your hand firmly next to your head. Your gaze never wavered, locked in an intense connection as Taehyun continued his movements, each thrust purposeful and deep. His lips parted with a low groan before he captured your mouth in a kiss, holding it there as he quickened his pace, desperate to bring you to the edge once more. You called his name in a soft symphony of breathy moans, each one fueling Taehyun's movements, pushing him further into a frenzy. "I want to have you like this forever," he whispered, his words shaky as with his own release drawing near. "I'll never let anything happen to you. I'll always take care of you—just like this." Taehyun’s promises tumbled from his lips, soft and needy, growing more desperate the closer he got. Your body arched against his, your fingers tightening around his hand, knuckles turning white as you clung to him. "I'm gonna cum Tae," you barely choked your words out. Especially as Taehyun reached his hand between you both, rubbing hard circles over your clit to get you there. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice soft as you whined against him. "Let go, princess. I'm right here." One final thrust and you were there, gripping Taehyun's body hard while you screamed his name. The sound leaving your lips combined with your walls clenching around his cock had him cumming almost instantly, as if you' given him permission. It was everything he craved—to see you whole, utterly consumed by him. It took Taehyun a few moments to regain his senses. Even as he softened, he was reluctant to pull out of the warmth that felt so perfect around him. When he finally did, a sinful groan slipped from his mouth, his chin tucked to his chest as he watched the way his release mixed with yours, coating his length as he slid out of you. When Taehyun finally looked up at you, a smile spread across his face. You were already looking up at him, cheeks glowing with a soft blush, hair adorably matted to your forehead, glistening with sweat. He reached out, gently tucking a few stray strands away before cradling the side of your neck, his thumb tracing circles along your cheek.

You looked like an angel before him—his angel. The one he was lucky enough to steal away, to disappear with forever.

Your own heart was beating fast out of your chest. The beautiful boy above you made everything you'd ever been through worth it. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough. Taehyun settled himself next to you on the bed, not once allowing his touch to leave you. He pulled you along with him, securing one hand around your waist while the other found your hair, playing with it as he hummed a tune.

You let out a content sigh as Taehyun tucked you against him. He pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead, his lips warm and tender.

“You okay?” he murmured, voice thick with exhaustion and filled with something even deeper—devotion.

You nodded, tilting your head up to meet his gaze. “More than okay.” Your fingers drew tiny shapes on his chest. “I think… this might be the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Taehyun’s arms tightened around you, his heart thudding beneath your touch. “Good,” he whispered. “Because I’m never letting you feel anything less than this again.”

You smiled, closing your eyes as he continued humming softly, a melody meant only for you. You stayed in each other’s arms like this for the rest of the night. Tomorrow would finally mark the first day of your new life together. But for now, you had this. You had him.

It was nearly impossible for you to sit still the next day. You had woken up much earlier than usual as your body anticipated your escape. Anxious fingers tapped at your leg while thoughts ran rampant whenever you attempted to sit down and relax. Pacing your cottage seemed to be the only way of passing the time.

Taehyun’s actions mirrored your own back at the palace. It was barely seven in the morning and he’d already gathered what little items he deemed important enough to bring on your journey. Quite honestly, the only thing he needed was you. Everything else was meaningless and would only serve as a bleak reminder of the kingdom.

He pushed his way through the heavy double doors that lead outside to the palace garden. Contrary to the rest of the palace, it was a rather beautiful place that Taehyun always wished he could take you, had your circumstances permitted it. Various colors and flora decorated the green, spreading as far as the eye could see. It was the one place inside the palace walls that put his mind at ease. Taehyun felt it was the last place remaining untouched and uncorrupted by the kingdom.

More importantly, it was the last place he'd been with his mother. Just looking at the flowers and greenery sprouted an unexplainable strength within him. Taehyun made a mental note to tell you all about the garden when he saw you tonight.

“Prince Taehyun?” a voice of one of the garden keepers sounded from behind, interrupting Taehyun's inner monologue. He turned on his heel, looking at the stunned guard who quickly bowed as Taehyun faced him. The keeper looked familiar—Hueningkai, if he recalled correctly. A newer guard who’d grown up within the kingdom, around Taehyun’s age. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

With a tilted head, Taehyun looked puzzled at the keeper’s words. “What do you mean?”

The keeper's eyes went wide in realization of the admission he had let slip from his mouth, stumbling over his words in a failed attempt to backtrack. “O-oh nothing, my prince. I didn't—I just mean you’re awake earlier than usual.”

A red flag automatically went off in Taehyun’s head. He took several sudden strides forward, and the keeper backed away as he did so. There was something off. Taehyun felt it in his gut. “Don’t lie to me. Who gave you orders? What’s happening today?”

“I’m not... I'm not supposed to say.” Hueningkai kept his eyes low out of respect.

The immense fear in Hueningkai's eyes made Taehyun’s own gaze soften with guilt. It was the same fear he imagined in the eyes of villagers whenever they felt threatened by the throne.

Taehyun hated himself for wielding his title in such a way. It made him feel like his father, using status and power to instill terror in people.

Taking a swift step back, Taehyun eased the tone of his voice. “I won’t tell anyone you told me, Kai.”

Hueningkai’s eyes flicked up at the sound of his name, darting around nervously. Taehyun could see him weighing the risk of divulging anything to the crowned prince. With a tight swallow, Hueningkai quickly babbled, “A few criminals are being captured and taken to the palace dungeons this morning. They're set to be brought out in front of the palace for the public to witness."

Taehyun didn’t understand. “Why wouldn’t you be allowed to tell me this?”

“The King made it very clear that you know nothing about the execution. That your presence would only agitate things.” "Execution?"A wave of confusion washed over Taehyun. His father had always made a point to inform him of every ordeal that occurred inside and outside of the palace. He was never kept in the dark as the crowned prince, not when he was expected to understand the duties of a King. Why would his father decide today of all days to shut Taehyun out?

It wouldn't matter in the end—he would be gone with you by his side in less than a day. Still, part of Taehyun felt unsettled by the conversation.

"Thank you." He didn't wait for the keeper's response, his body already moving sharply toward the palace. The urgency to see you grew stronger with every step.

You, on the other hand, had been quietly rehashing the getaway plan in your mind while Taehyun busied himself at the palace. Perched on the edge of your bed, you ran your hand over the crease in the sheets where Taehyun’s body lay with yours just the night before.

Your coat hung over the wooden kitchen chair, pockets stuffed with what little items you actually need for your journey with Taehyun; a few pieces of memorabilia from your family, some money, and snacks to keep you satiated.

Uncertain of what else to do to pass the time, you decided to fill a canteen with water for both yourself and Taehyun, knowing that a long journey was ahead.

Walking the short gravel path to the well, you couldn’t help but laugh, remembering your second encounter with Taehyun when you nearly saw him tumble down the well. You two had come so far, and now, you were preparing to run away forever with him. Bending over carefully, you held the metal canteen under the spout, pushing the pump down and watching the cold water flow out. The sun's rays glinted against the shiny canteen perfectly, nearly blinding you. But the longer you stared at the canteen, you couldn’t help but notice a dark figure growing larger in its reflection. After a moment, you could easily figure out that it was a large man approaching you at full speed. You’d recognize that insignia anywhere etched on the front of his garments. It was a palace guard—and he was running straight at you.

With your back still turned, you quickly step back, planting one foot on the ground while swinging your body around. Your arm extends as the metal canteen comes in contact with the palace guard’s face just in time. The impact stung your hand, but it was nothing compared to the way the guard flew back at the blunt force, landing hard on his back. Your strike bought you enough time to sprint in the opposite direction, but as you turned, you saw another palace guard approaching from that same direction. With no other choice, you were forced to retreat down the path toward the forest.

Your heart pounded painfully in your chest, the sound of blood rushing in your ears as you ran. Every step was fueled by fear, by the knowledge that everything was at risk. It couldn’t be a coincidence that guards had appeared in the village today of all days. They’d already taken your parents and brother—what more could they possibly want from you? For a brief moment, a dark thought twisted in your mind: Did Taehyun betray you? Had he told them? But no… He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Your trust in him steadied your breath, the doubt slipping away as quickly as it had come.

Luckily, you were quick on your feet. The familiar chain-link fence that marked the boundary to the forest soon came into view. You were so close. Just a little farther and you’d make it. All you had to do was scale the fence and keep running, not stopping until you were out of sight. Taehyun would realize something was wrong soon enough, right?. He’d come for you that night, and your plan would unfold just as you’d imagined.

You made the mistake of glancing over your shoulder, only to realize both guards were now hot on your heels. The distance was closing at an alarming rate. With the fence now directly in front of you, you mentally cursed yourself realizing that Taehyun wasn’t here to help lift you this time. Regardless, you didn’t stop your momentum as you jumped as high as you could and grabbed onto the fence, smiling in victory once you’d settled yourself onto it.

Your mini-celebration came to an abrupt end as large hands gripped your ankle roughly, ripping you down from the fence and forcing you to fall straight to the ground. You landed hard on your stomach, knocking the wind out of you as you struggled to breathe any air. The first guard grabbed you by your hair, pulling you up to your feet with no remorse. You reached up with all your strength, trying to grab the guard's hands and break his firm hold on your hair. Kicking and struggling with every ounce of power you had, you fought to escape, but it was no use. The other guard swiftly pulled your hands behind your back, tying them together with a rope that cut painfully into your wrists.

“Let me go!” you struggled against the confinements.

“Be quiet," one of them grumbled to you. “We have direct orders from the King to apprehend you.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” you couldn't hide the disgust in your voice. You squeezed your eyes shut at the pain overwhelming your body from both exhaustion and being handled so brutally. “I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“We're just following orders.” "That's your problem," you spat, looking up at the palace guards with pure disdain. "You follow the kingdom’s orders blindly, without question. You’re nothing but dogs with no sense of humanity." They must've deemed your fighting words not worth responding to, silence ensuing. You were out of options at this point. Exhaustion completely washes over your body, and you’ve lost the strength to struggle in your restraints. The most courage you could muster was to glare up at the guard who watched you closely. His eyes were keenly focused on the insignia around your neck. Reaching out to examine the charm connected to the end of the chain, you barely had a second to react before he ripped it off of you, shoving it deep into his pocket. He smirked. “I don’t believe this belongs to you.”

“Give that back!” You further protest against the wrist restraints until the other guard knocks you onto your knees, shutting you up. You fell with a thud, out of breath and completely defeated.

An image of Taehyun’s face played in your mind, etched in a way that made your heart ache. You could see the way his eyes always studied you, full of quiet curiosity, trying to understand every little part of you. You imagined the gentle pressure of his lips, brushing against your temple, soft and reverent, before trailing down to capture your own lips. A smile tugged at your own, the warmth of his touch still lingering in your chest.

That was all you could hold onto before something hard and unforgiving came in contact with your head, forcing your vision to fall completely black.

A sudden panic washed over your entire body. Slowly regaining consciousness, your eyes darted back and forth underneath your eyelids before shooting wide open with a loud gasp.

Everything felt fuzzy. Even through the haze, you could tell that you were no longer in the village. Your surroundings felt foreign, distant, like they belonged to someone else’s world. You blinked several times, the world around you shifting slowly into focus, only to be stabbed by the harsh contrast of sunlight and the palace’s blinding yellow lights, glaring down at you like judgment.

The palace.

Your stomach churned. Those pathetic guards had dragged you, unconscious and helpless, all the way here. You were sitting at the bottom of the grand palace stairs, your body aching as the weight of your situation sank in.

Your chest burned with fury. Anger surged through your veins like wildfire, making your hands clench involuntarily. The sight of the dozen or so guards, poised like statues, made your blood boil. The air was thick with the murmurs of the palace citizens, gathered in some sick mockery of a crowd. They all stood idly by, watching as if this were the best entertainment they'd seen in weeks. It was the King, sitting like some kind of wretched deity at the top of the stairs, who held your eyes the longest. His eyes, filled with contempt, watched down on you and the others, indifferent to the suffering around him. You could feel his gaze like a weight pressing down on you, and all you could feel was the heat of your anger.

When you noticed the line of people waiting behind you as a guard shoved you toward a man with a sharp sword, one thing became clear.

This was an execution.

Taehyun needed to see you as soon as possible. There's no way he could wait for nightfall at this point. Kai’s words had left him teetering on the edge. He knew that he had to leave the palace immediately.

The doors leaving the garden burst open under Taehyun’s force, his urgency propelling him forward as he hurried through the palace corridors toward his chambers.

He snatched his cloak, swinging it over his shoulders along with the few belongings he had prepared. There was no time to sneak around the grand halls, no time for caution. He didn’t care if someone saw him.

But first, Taehyun wanted to see his father one last time before he left for good. There were a few final words he needed to exchange with him—a final nail in the coffin. He would make sure the King regretted every cruel decision he ever made—how he mistreated his late wife and his only son, the only people who had ever been close to him. And when Taehyun was finished, he would disappear with you, leaving nothing but ashes of the kingdom’s sins behind. The King would never see him again.

With a sharp turn around a corner in the direction of the King’s throne, Taehyun abruptly collided with the large body of a palace guard who seemed to be in just as much of a rush as he was. The guard was quick to express his remorse. “Prince Taehyun, my apologies.”

“It's fine,” Taehyun’s words were sharp and to the point, having little time for banter of any sort. “Where is my father?”

“I believe the King is somewhere just outside of the palace.”

“For today's execution?” Taehyun retorted. The guard's eyes widened just in the slightest at Taehyun's knowledge of the executions occurring today. But he was quick to regain his composure, nodding in confirmation with his head hanging low to avoid Taehyun’s eyes.

“Thank you. You may carry on.” The guard bowed lowly at Taehyun’s dismissal. On any other day, Taehyun would’ve paid little mind to the palace guards he came in contact with and continued his mission through the palace, but the faint sound of metal clinking against the marble floor made Taehyun stop cold in his tracks.

A glint of silver caught his attention, and his heartbeat quickened when he saw a necklace lying at his feet.

Slowly, he bent down and let the chain fall into his palm, the familiar insignia cool against his skin. His fingers traced the insignia between his fingers the same way he'd done the night before when he fastened it around your neck.

Taehyun lost all sense of rationality watching the guilt creep its way into the guard’s eyes. They darted frantically between the prince's face and the necklace now in his hands. Taehyun spoke through gritted teeth, “Where did you get this?”

“Your High-”

“Where the fuck is she?” he snarled, shoving the guard against the stone wall with a force that rattled the air. His forearm pressed violently against the guard’s throat, fury blazing in his eyes.

The guard’s silence spoke louder than words ever could.

Taehyun’s chest heaved, his breath quivering as he fought against the truth clawing at his mind. A strangled sob nearly escaped him. He already knew the answer.

Yet he still repeated himself, voice cracking and barely more than a whisper. “Where is she?”

The guard did nothing but turn his head away in shame, eyes looking in the direction of the palace entrance where the execution was being carried out just on the other side. With a final, furious shove against the wall, Taehyun released the guard and took off, sprinting down the corridor with reckless abandon. His boots pounded against the floor as he charged toward the entrance, his breath ragged and his vision blurred. Reaching the grand doors, he threw them open with all his strength, their heavy frames crashing against the walls with a deafening roar. He was met by the glaring afternoon sun that shone, a complete contrast to the scene playing out directly in front of him as his father and the people of the palace turned to see who’d just burst through the doors.

Taehyun’s eyes frantically searched the crowd, his chest heaving as he scanned the sea of faces. When his gaze finally locked onto yours, a helplessness crashed over him like a tidal wave, something more agonizing than anything he'd ever known.

You knelt at the feet of the executioner, hands bound cruelly behind your back. Your trembling body swayed, but your eyes remained steady as you looked up, glassy and sorrowful, meeting his bewildered stare.

“Taehyun!” you screamed, your voice cracking under the weight of terror and longing. It was the last sound to leave your pale lips, the final plea of a soul torn apart.

As if your call had been a signal, the executioner drove the blade of his sword through your torso from behind. Pain rippled through you, sharp and unforgiving, and yet your eyes never left his. Even as darkness claimed you, you held his gaze.

“No!” Taehyun screamed at the top of his lungs, dropping to his knees as he watched the life slowly leave your body. You fell to the ground, your lifeless form marred by the blade that protruded from you by the hands of the executioner.

Taehyun couldn’t hear anything except the high-pitched ringing in his ears. It was as if the world had collapsed in on itself, leaving only that unforgiving, suffocating noise. His body shook so violently that his hands fell to the ground beneath him, palms scraping against the harsh stone.

The entire world had shattered before him. His gaze remained locked on your body, crumpled and still, blood pooling from the wound in your chest like spilled ink staining the ground. The warmth and life that once radiated from you were gone, stolen by the cruelty of this place.

He couldn’t protect you. He didn’t keep his promise to run away. His chest tightened with the force of his sobs, grief tearing through him with a brutality that left him gasping for air. And the realization twisted itself into his soul—he’d lost you. Forever.

It was his father’s voice repeatedly calling his name that brought him back down to Earth. “Prince Taehyun,” the King called over and over, breaking through his trance. He hadn’t realized he was crying either. Uncontrollable tears soiled his cheeks, his face flushing as he watched the guards drag your unmoving body away. “Taehyun, stand up! Kings do not cry over their subjects.” he walked over to grip his son by the elbow and yanked Taehyun to his feet. “Whether we loved them or not.”

Taehyun's chest tightened at his father’s revelation. Without thinking, his hands shot forward, shoving his father with both hands, nearly sending him down the treacherous palace steps. His rage was uncontainable.

“You knew about her—about us—this entire time, didn’t you?” he spat, his voice tainted with betrayal.

The King took a moment to compose himself, surprised by his son's emotion. Tahyun had never been one to act out, let alone in front of the entire kingdom. The guards carefully worked their way toward the altercation, to which the King simply waved off, wanting to hear him out. “Taehyun, you should be smarter than that. I have eyes all over the palace.”

Taehyun’s stomach twisted—the fishmonger.

The only one who had seen his face the day he met you. The same man who had argued with you over payment, unwilling to believe you had paid fairly. He must have held a grudge against you—against both of you. Or maybe he had simply traded village secrets to the crown for his own gain.

Taehyun felt sick. He should have known. His father had always had informants lurking in the village.

“So your solution was to take away the one thing that made me happy?” Taehyun yelled.

His father’s expression remained unchanged, his face a mask of indifference as if Taehyun’s words meant nothing. Cold and callous, he continued, “She would have been nothing more than a distraction from your duties as King.” Without a second glance, Taehyun’s father turned on his heel, striding back into the palace. But before he crossed the threshold, he paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder with a sneer. His eyes locked onto Taehyun’s, swollen and brimming with unshed tears.

“I always knew you were just as foolish as your mother.”

The next thing Taehyun knew, he was on top of his father, unleashing all of the pent-up hatred of him and the throne. It took three guards to finally pull Taehyun off of the King, carrying him all the way to his chambers despite his thrashing and protesting.

The guards dropped Taehyun onto the floor of his room with a thud. His movements came to a complete halt as he quit his demonstrations, completely drained of any willpower he might have had left. The doors slammed shut behind him as he drew his knees up into his chest, wrapping his arms around them.

He remained in that position for the rest of the day, sobs bubbling from his chest every now and then. His cries only became louder as dusk fell, knowing he was no longer meeting you at the fence to escape into the forest that night.

Taehyun rarely left his room in the weeks following your execution. He only came out every once in a blue moon to attend to any princely duties his father forced upon him. Each task was promptly followed by a quick return to his bed.

He had become the unfortunate subject of gossip throughout the entire kingdom. The King, next to mortified, was consumed with shame over how the palace viewed his son—the future King.

To them, Taehyun was nothing more than a disgrace, the prince who couldn’t even hold himself together while witnessing his first execution. In the King's eyes, he had brought shame to the Kang Kingdom and tarnished the family name.

It didn’t help that Taehyun was supposed to be married off soon, with today marking the first time he was set to meet his soon-to-be bride. Despite all he’d endured, he was expected to run the palace alongside a Queen, in hopes of moving past it all. Yet, Taehyun felt like he had never had a choice in the matter.

Standing before the mirror after donning his royal garments for the meeting, Taehyun’s reflection greeted him with nothing but a blank expression, swollen eyes, and a dead gaze. He couldn’t help but notice how incredibly lonely he looked. His eyes, once full of hope, were now empty, drained by the pain his father and the kingdom had inflicted on him since his childhood. His gaze fell to the insignia hanging around his neck, the weight of it reminding him how it wasn’t where it belonged: it should have been with you.

Taehyun found himself in a fit of laughter. Anyone listening in on him would’ve thought he was crazy. It was comical to him. You were the one who was dead, yet Taehyun felt like he was barely alive.

His laughter was cut short by someone tentatively entering his room. “Prince Taehyun, is everything alright?” Caught off guard, he sharply turned to face whoever had caught him in such a vulnerable state. Aggressive eyes turned soft, recognizing the keeper from the garden, Hueningkai, who helped him the day of your execution.

Taehyun stood up straight, his feigned prince persona taking over. “Yes, I’m alright. Thank you.” The keeper didn't look so convinced, and Taehyun could tell he had something more to say. “What is it, Kai?”

“Prince Taehyun,” he began once more, looking towards the floor. “Permission to speak truthfully?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t think you should become King.” Taehyun’s eyes narrowed at the words. He wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to be truthful. “I mean, you deserve better than this god-awful place,” the man continued, his voice tinged with genuine concern. “You shouldn’t have to put up with any of this. I knew your mother, and I know you. Both of you are better than this entire kingdom.”

Taehyun’s father had conditioned him early on to never show emotion in front of his subjects, but that was quite impossible now. He looked over at Kai as his eyes filled with salty tears. “You say that like I have a choice to be here.”

“But you do, my prince.” Kai risked taking a step closer to Taehyun, lowering his voice to but a whisper. “You should get out of here. I won’t tell anyone where you’ve gone. The princess of the Choi Kingdom will not be here for another hour. It's not a lot of time, but it should be just enough to leave without anyone noticing.”

“I don’t think I can—”

“Please, listen.” The keeper’s voice was urgent, and Taehyun couldn’t ignore the urgency in it. “They buried her in the woods with her parents.”

Taehyun’s heart dropped at the mention of you, someone he had been haunted by for weeks.

“I know you know where that is,” Hueningkai continued, his tone softer now. “Go see her. But after that… you have to leave. Get as far away from here as you can. You owe it to yourself.”

Taehyun opened his mouth to respond, but the gardener was already gone, slipping out of sight and disappearing down the hall before anyone could notice. Taehyun knew he had a narrow window of opportunity, and he couldn’t waste it. The mention of your name had lit a fire within him, the last push he needed. Without hesitation, he grabbed his cloak and, in a heartbeat, slipped outside the palace gates. This time, for good.

He reached the village in what felt like the blink of an eye. It was easy to lose track of time when his mind was racing, consumed with images of you. As he passed the old well and then your cottage, time seemed to slow even more—if that was possible. Painful memories surged through him, skewing his senses so intensely that he almost didn’t notice the guard standing motionless at the village border. When Taehyun finally saw him, he jumped, ducking behind a nearby shrub just in time to avoid being spotted.

Had the King really deployed guards into the village so soon? Taehyun distinctly remembered his father saying he would delegate this responsibility to him when the time came. Perfect timing, he thought, rolling his eyes. The King no longer trusted Taehyun with the power of the throne, and now, Taehyun was starting to believe that trust had vanished long before you ever did.

It was now or never, Taehyun finally decided. So, with a few confident strides, there he stood directly in front of the palace guard who sat with his back comfortably against the fence. An unfathomable rage lit inside of Taehyun when he recognized the guard as the same one who possessed your necklace the day you were executed. “Prince Tae-” the guard couldn’t get two words out as Taehyun curled his fist and sent it flying across the guard’s face, crushing his jaw and sending him bouncing against the fence. Taehyun didn’t waste another second, scaling the fence and easily reaching the top as he swung his leg over to the other side. His opposite foot was suddenly caught by the guard, who weakly held his bloodied face with his other hand. Summoning every ounce of energy and strength left in him, Taehyun kicked out, his foot slamming into the guard’s face and knocking him unconscious in an instant.

Taehyun jumped down from the fence, stumbling slightly as he hit the ground. Then, without hesitation, he ran. Ran until the chain-link fence was no longer visible behind him. This was it. He was no longer a prince, but a runaway, desperately searching through the forest for the place where his love had been buried. When the forest finally opened up, revealing a freshly filled grave with a small gravestone etched with your name, he knew he'd arrived.

The sight was beautiful yet tragic at the same time. The last time he was here with you, he hadn’t processed how the trees surrounding the graves blossomed with pretty pink flowers, casting a small shadow over the open area. The fallen petals decorated the dirt in a haunting yet mesmerizing way that drew him in towards your grave. He sank to his knees, his palms pressing into the dirt in front of the gravestone, his head hanging low against his chest. Before much passed, Taehyun broke down in a sob. His cries were deeper than the day you were taken from him, more anguished than when he learned of his mother’s death. He wept for himself, for the unbearable pain he had endured in his short life. He wept for the villagers, trapped in a cycle of fear under the kingdom’s oppressive rule.

Each tear spilled from his eyes, sliding down his cheek and falling toward the side of his nose, marking his sorrow.

It went on like this for several minutes, until one exceptionally large tear slipped from his eye, dripping down to his chin before falling onto the fresh dirt in front of your gravestone. For a moment, nothing happened. The world remained quiet except for the sound of his unsteady breaths. But then, a deep yet faint rumble stirred beneath him. At first, it was subtle, like a whisper beneath the earth. Taehyun barely registered it, too lost in his grief. Then, the tremors grew stronger. The ground beneath him trembled with an unnatural force. Loose soil scattered across the grave as a brilliant light erupted, swallowing the gravestone in its glow.

His head snapped up, confusion flickering across his tear-streaked face. The brightness was blinding, forcing him to lift an arm to shield his eyes as his heart hammered against his ribs. The vibration intensified, turning into a violent quake that had him stumbling back. The ground beneath him shook violently, and Taehyun stumbled to his feet. The persistent quaking sent him crashing into a nearby tree, his hands gripping its rough bark for balance as the tremors continued to rattle through the forest.

It was then that Taehyun remembered, all at once, the myth he had shared with you in this very spot—the legend that said only the tears of a deceased lover could bring them back for just a moment. His heart raced as the quaking earth beneath him seemed to affirm the ancient words. The gods had heard his sorrow, and they were giving him this one fleeting moment to be with you again. His life depended on it.

Still, he squinted ahead, unwilling to miss a single moment of what was about to unfold. The breeze swept through his hair as he slowly lowered his arm to his side. A small figure began to rise from the grave, drawing his curiosity in a way that tormented him. As the blinding light gradually dimmed and the brush cleared, his voice caught in his throat.

There you were, ascending from your grave in a way so angelic it stole the very air from his lungs. Taehyun approached with caution, his heart pounding in his chest, terrified that he was hallucinating. His eyes searched you, desperate to confirm the impossible.

You scanned the forest wildly, disoriented but taking in every detail around you. When your eyes finally locked on Taehyun, time seemed to freeze. He barely dared to breathe as he whispered your name, stepping into the cloud of smoke that surrounded you, “Is this really you?”

“T-Taehyun?” Your voice sounded dry and strangled when you choked out his name. But hearing you say anything at all made Taehyun smile. He stopped sharp short in his tracks, seeing a sharp blade protruding from the smoke, almost having walked directly into it. The closer he got to you, his heart sank as he recognized the sword protruding through your body, the same blade that had been driven through you during your execution. Despite the sight, he stepped carefully to one side of the sword, his hands trembling as he wrapped his arms around your waist above the blade. He pulled you gently against him, desperate for the touch he had longed for, feeling a rush of warmth as he held you once more.

“I'm so sorry,” Taehyun mumbled over and over into your hair.

“For what? You didn’t do this to me, Taehyun. This isn’t your fault.” You soothed him as best as you could, running your fingers gently through his hair that you missed so much. 

You were an apparition, a momentary gift from the gods birthed by the tears he shed, yet he could somehow hear you and feel your touch. You seemed so alive, except for the sword that remained wedged in the center of your body, absent of any blood.

Taehyun leaned in to kiss you, tasting you against his lips after what had seemed like forever. You tasted the salty tears that stained his face, making your own eyes swell up at the heartbreak you must’ve put him through.

You refused to pull away from each other, savoring the moment as your lips moved slowly together. He eventually glanced down at the sword and then back up to your eyes, which were still closed, lost in the memory of his kiss.

“Does it hurt?”

You looked down at the sword sticking out of your stomach and chuckled softly. “I can’t feel a thing.”

Taehyun felt a wave of relief wash over him, and he couldn’t help but kiss you again, his lips lingering on yours. As he pulled away, he bit down gently on your lower lip, a playful smile tugging at his features. He pressed his forehead against yours, a gesture he always cherished.

“I felt that, though,” you said, your voice light with laughter, and soon he joined you, the sound of your shared joy filling the air.

The laughter quickly faded, replaced by an ominous silence that hung between you, the sky dimming overhead. Neither of you wanted to say what was truly on your mind.

Taehyun was the first to speak, his voice hesitant as he tiptoed around the truth. “I can’t believe the legend was actually true.”

You swallowed hard, the words heavy in your chest. “I know,” you responded quietly, unwilling to delay the inevitable. “But that means we don’t have much time left together. I’ll have to leave soon.”

There are a hundred ways to leave a lover.

Taehyun had spent sleepless nights tormenting himself over each one, his mind cycling through every possibility. Abandonment, betrayal, indifference—all the ways people tear each other apart. But death… death was the most permanent of them all. Maybe that was why his father had used it so mercilessly against your family. It was a clean break, an irreversible punishment meant to sever ties forever.

But for Taehyun, it only solidified his resolve. He wouldn’t let the same fate tear the two of you apart. If death was how his father wanted to end things, then Taehyun would meet him on his own twisted terms.

If losing you was inevitable, then maybe surrendering himself to that same fate was the only way to feel whole again.

The thought had consumed him for weeks, festering like an open wound. Maybe everything he’d endured—every conflict, every lie, every stolen moment with you—had brought him to this very decision. With that unwavering determination, Taehyun took a step back from you, aligning the tip of the blade with his stomach as his hands reached behind you to grasp the sword’s hilt

“What the hell are you doing!?” Your hands flew on top of Taehyun’s in a panic, stopping him before he could make any crass decisions.

Hueningkai’s words echoed in Taehyun’s mind—about seeing you and then continuing with his journey—but Taehyun couldn’t bring himself to move forward. Not now, when he felt farther from the kingdom yet closer to you than he ever had before. Leaving you wasn’t an option.

“Don't,” he murmured, his hand gently caressing your face as tears slipped down both your cheeks. “It’s okay, my princess. We can spend an eternity together this way.”

Taehyun’s hands found the hilt of the sword again, his palms sweating as he met your gaze one last time. With a final, shared smile between you both, he shoved the sword back through your torso, piercing his own as it passed through you both.

Your bodies collided, flush against one another now, the blade connecting you in a final, agonizing bond.

You reached out, catching Taehyun against you as his blood seeped from his wound, staining both your clothes. Your arms wrapped around him, holding him steady as his hands pulled you closer, resting his head against your chest with the last of his strength.

You could feel the life draining from him, his weight growing heavier against you with each passing second.

"I love you forever," Taehyun managed, blood trickling out the corner of his mouth when he opened it to speak.

“I love you forever, Your Highness,” you replied sadly, feeling his heartbeat slowing against you. "I'll see you soon."

Eventually, your ghost vanished, leaving Taehyun lying alone atop your grave, motionless. Yet he still smiled, knowing he would see you on the other side. The kingdom was finally a thing of his past, and you would be his future.

tags: @dawngyu @fatbixchwithanopinion @hyunj00 @chubichubs @taebatu ㅤ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ reblogs and comments are always appreciated!

[pinkponytrash]

clever girl | choi soobin

summary: you’ve only ever viewed choi soobin as your rival in school. he was cute and sweet at times but for the most part he usually acted cold toward you—or at least tried to. out of nowhere you hear about his grades dropping and in an effort to save your only motivation to push yourself harder, you accept his persistent offer to tutor him. you quickly learn he had an ulterior motive to always get you to spend time with him and despite how mean you think you might be, Soobin loved it.

➣ college au, smüt, fluff, enemies to lovers [but it’s one-sided]

➣ academic rival!soobin x f!reader [she/her, afab]

➣ 13.8k words

warnings: smut. oc is kinda mean to soobin. soft jealousy scenes. soobin asks oc to tutor him. really clingy. super cute. the smut is… nashty lowkey. heavy on foreplay. oral [both receiving]. handjöb. oc sits on his face. virgin soobin/experienced oc. oc gets jealous at times too. oc is kinda possessive. sub/dom themes but I swear soobin is a switch. breastplay. missionary. no condom. a lot of plot. multiple orgasm. soobin got that cream im sorry. soobin is a known perv. oc got big boobs. soobin is very obviously a boob guy. oc is lowkey dom, aftercare bc soobin cries. oc calls him a perv, dirty talk. soobin is best boy but also brattiest boy.

You never considered yourself a particularly smart person. You weren’t gifted — as teachers would say — but you weren’t dumb either. You rode the fine line of somewhere in between but you also studied your ass off to get good grades so you could get a scholarship to the college of your dreams. It’s for that reason specifically that Choi Soobin drives you absolutely insane.

You’ve known him for two years but not close enough to consider him a friend. If anything you consider him the opposite of a friend. For the past two years he’s been your number one contender in class. He’s really smart, like book smart but lately he’s been plummeting his grades and that only seems to piss you off more. He’s the reason why you would push yourself so hard to be number one but now that he’s barely trying it’s not as fun. You’re a competitive person.

So, when he approached you today asking you if you could please tutor him you seriously stopped to think about it. If you tutored him then you could possibly have your competition back but tutoring him would also mean having to help him and he did not need your help. You knew he was smart enough to learn things on his own and he’s just in some sort of stump.

“Why don’t you hire one of those expensive tutors I know you can afford?” You asked him after pondering on it for damn near two minutes. You stood just outside the library where he had practically ambushed you before you could make it inside the building.

Soobin was one of those rich guys you weren’t so fond of. He had money, he didn’t have to work hard to get good grades and he could afford to go to any school he wants to while you have to work double as hard to do anything. Or course it’s not his fault but for him to ask you to tutor him when you know for a fact he doesn’t need you to just really bothers you.

He looked a bit lost by what you said, looking a bit bored like you’re the one holding him up instead of the other way around, “I don’t know, I figured you could help me out since we’re in the same major.”

You huffed out in annoyance, “Am I going to get paid?”

His eyes widened just slightly but you couldn’t if he was in surprise or in disbelief, “I guess, however much you want, I need the help.”

A small sigh left your lips as you rolled your eyes, “No you don’t, but whatever, if you pay me, I’ll think about it.”

“Can I get your number then?” Soobin asked, already taking his phone out. You didn’t say anything as you typed in your number and before he could say anything else, you left for the library.

He watched you leave without a smile on his face, keeping up his unamused act until you turned your back to him and his lips couldn’t help but curl up in a smile. Soobin knows it’s a bit weird for him to ask you to tutor him. You’re just one year younger than him but you take most of the same classes so he figured you were his best option.

And also… maybe he dropped his grades on purpose to have an excuse to talk to you but that’s something he’ll never admit to your face.

It all started two years ago. He had already been in school for a year or so and he was just soaring by. You were right when you said he could just hire some expensive tutor to help him but he never really needed it. He was book smart even though sometimes he lacked common sense in the real world. Growing up he had it all, tutors, piano lessons, private schooling, et cetera. He was a smart kid all the way until his third year of University.

Well… he’s still smart but things are different now. He’s spent the last two years practically racing you in classes you shared to do better like that would impress you but it didn’t work. Then, he tried being cold to you like you were to him but he could never do it right. It only seemed to push you away and after a while he realized the only reason why he did it was because he wanted to get a rise out of you. You just won’t notice him no matter how hard he tries to get you to and if this is the only way he’ll get you to talk to him more then he’s going to do it.

“So, did it work?” Kai asked, walking up behind Soobin and scaring the life out of him. Soobin released a loud yell that heads turning in his direction but he barely notice as he whipped around to face his friend, “Did what work?”

“Your little scheme to get Y/n to talk to you,” Kai said as he walked toward the library with Soobin on his tail, “What scheme?”

Kai stopped and gave him that look that told Soobin the gig was up, “You’ve been working on this for weeks now, you think I wouldn’t notice? You used to tutor me and now you’re saying you need to get tutored by the one person who seems to want nothing to do with you?”

Soobin cut in front of him to reach the door first as he swung it open, “No clue what you’re talking about. I’ve been struggling in class lately, probably stress over the internship this summer.”

“Right…” Kai rolled his eyes following his friend into the library, “Or the stress of getting ignored by Y/n no matter how hard you try. It’s been two years, pack it up already.”

“How do you know Y/n ignores me?” He asked getting into the elevator with his friend to get to the next level where more computers and desks were. Kai shrugs, “I mean it’s pretty obvious.”

It took days for you to get back to him and he waited anxiously to see what you would say. He didn’t want to blow up your phone because he had a cold image to uphold but every time his phone dinged he checked if it was you. By the third day he had almost given up hope until the simple text you sent nearly made him burst into a million fireworks.

you: meet me outside the library tomorrow

He got there earlier than intended but he acted like he didn’t. He had done at least two laps around the tall building just waiting for you to arrive and when you did, you said nothing to him. You only walked into the building and headed straight to the elevators like he wasn’t even there.

“It’s raining.”

Jesus Christ.

So stupid, Soobin thought as he turned away from you. This is what happens when he tries to make small talk with someone who sort of hates him. He still doesn’t get why you don’t like him much but he assumes it has something to do with your grades. You’re both art majors and have to take similar prerequisites so you see each other a lot. You’re both also at the top of the department and practically battling for the same summer internship so he thought taking a step back might’ve made you happier but it seemed to have the opposite effect.

You looked at him for a second and when he wondered if you would say something you just looked back down at your phone like he wasn’t even there. This elevator ride felt like it would never end. He knows it’s only been a few seconds but it feels so suffocating.

“Did you change up your hair? It looks good,” he said cautiously and you finally looked at him again. He didn’t expect a thank you or anything but maybe a smile.

All he got was; “Why are you talking to me?”

“It was like this last time we talked,” you finally said and looked forward again.

The elevator dinged and he released a breath he didn’t even know he was holding in until he was off. The two of you walked down the hall with you a couple paces ahead of him in complete silence.

Suddenly you turned around to face him as he stumbled back a step in surprise when you said, “I like the black hair, it’s different from the blonde.”

He absentmindedly touched his hair as a smile grew on his face, “Thank you.”

Your brows furrowed, surprised that he was even smiling at you. Usually he acts just as cold to you as you do to him and that’s why you barely acknowledge him nowadays. You knew he wasn’t a bad guy but he always had a smug face when he came out on top in class and it drove you insane. He would even laugh sometimes when you would stumble over your words during a presentation and make fun of you, not even caring if you heard or not.

Of course you didn’t know he was giggling because he found you so cute even when you made mistakes.

Soobin happily followed you to an empty table, just happy to be there and ignored the hand you had outstretched to motion for him to sit across from you just so he could sit next to you instead.

You just looked at him unamused as his smile dropped, “What? How am I supposed to see what we’re doing if I’m sitting all the way over there?”

You released a sigh, “Alright, did you bring your last exam?”

Soobin nodded his head, reaching into his huge backpack to retrieve his laptop and work. He quickly opened his laptop and got onto the school website app to find his most recent Psychology exam. He knew you were in that class too even if you took it at different times [he only signed up because of you and got the time wrong].

You looked at his laptop where a fat 65/100 score was typed in red that made you gasp, “Soobin?! How?”

“I don’t know,” he whispered, “I’ve been stressed, can’t pay attention well.”

Soobin was looking at you with soft eyes, unable to help himself from looking over what you wore today. He hasn’t seen you all day aJust as you opened your mouth to scold him, a high pitched feminine voice cut you off, “Binnie?”

You both turned in your seats, a cute brunette with hair just above her shoulders dressed in a cute coquette style smiled at him sweetly, “I thought I recognized you.”

You knew her well too, you used to call her Soobin’s little sidekick in a class you shared last semester. She always followed him around complimenting him over every little thing he did and laughing at all his jokes, even the ones that weren’t funny.

“Hi Jia,” Soobin said as he looked back down at his laptop. Jia smiled before sliding her gaze over to you, “Hi Y/n.”

“Hey.”

She cleared her throat, “So, Soobin, good thing I found you, I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’re free any time soon.”

“Um,” Soobin look at you, “For what?”

“Oh!” Jia blushed, “Um, I’ve been having software problems and I know you’re a game wizard so I figured you might know how to fix it.”

She already had her laptop out and you watched as she pulled up a chair from a different table to sit on his other side and he looked just as taken back to be sandwiched between the two of you now. Soobin didn’t say anything as he took her laptop once she showed him what’s wrong and he hurried to fix it. His lips were parted in concentration yet his dimples still showed and you couldn’t help but look at him over. You never once thought Soobin was ugly, he had to be one of the most attractive guys you’ve ever seen but you would never even think about it. If anything it’s a bit too late to imagine you and Soobin being anything more than rivals or even tutor and student. It would just be too much.

She smiled leaning into him, "Thanks, it's like you're the only one who knows how to fix it."

"Then you should probably learn how to do it yourself for when he’s not around," you responded out of the blue, flashing Jia a tight smile, "I could teach you but it's just a troubleshooting problem and it doesn’t take a brainiac to figure that out."

"I'd rather have Soobin teach me," Jia smiled looking back at Soobin who looked down at his own laptop to hide the fact that he was furiously blushing at how snappy you sounded. You smiled watching him ignore her, the jealous immature side happy he's not giving her much attention but you couldn’t understand why.

“You hear that Soobin?" You asked, nudging him with your knee, he released a breath stopping what he was doing and waiting for you to talk. Just like that, he didn't ignore you at this moment. "Jia wants you to teach her how to fix her own laptop, she’s taking advantage of your kindness, y’know."

Jia went to argue but the damage had been done. Soobin wouldn’t disagree with you, maybe you were right. He did always get bothered by all the girls who asked him to help them with something and he always felt bad saying no. In the end, half of the girls would use it to flirt with him and compliment him every chance they had and it made him uncomfortable.

Even if what you had said was a bit of a lie and probably more beneficial to you than him, Soobin was on your side — even if you sounded a bit mean, "Sorry I'm too busy but if you take it to the tech lab I'm sure they'll help you."

"He's too busy," you repeated smugly looking up at her again. You’re telling "Oh, I understand," Jia sighed, "Soobin are you doing anything? Maybe we can meet up and do some work."

You couldn’t help but scoff, Soobin immediately looked at you as you moved just a fraction away from. You looked annoyed and he knew it was once again because of him. He asked you to tutor him and yet here you are having to watch another girl try and take him away.

"Um, I don’t know, I’m kinda doing something with Y/n right now and I don’t know how long it’ll be," Soobin said mindlessly, eyes glancing in your direction like you would reward him for being blunt, he turned to you, "Can we continue?"

You stared at him in surprise. This is not how you expected this moment to go. You were almost certain that was thrilled at the idea of ending this and leaving with someone he appears to be close to. Sure, you watched him tell her he was busy but she kept pushing and you assumed he would just go with it instead. You were also being a little rude and she was his friend right, why else would they have looked so close last semester? You assumed he would’ve been annoyed by the way you responded to her and would want to end this study session before it could even start.

“I don’t know,” you said, sounding a bit more harsh than you expected, “Do you want to?”

Soobin looked genuinely caught off guard that you would even think that. Why would he not want to? He’s been thinking about this for weeks, he’s worked for this — or well stopped putting in the work so you could tutor him. Do you think he’s going to want to leave to hang out with Jia?

“Yes,” Soobin said looking all doe eyed and you’ve never seen him make that face to you. You looked to Jia, “So, can we finish studying or is there anything else you want to tell Soobin?”

She stared down at you with a glare but you didn’t budge, looking at her unimpressed and not intimidated at all. All you wanted to do was finish this study session, get paid, and go home. Why were they making this so complicated? Was it even worth all this trouble when you haven’t even gotten to reviewing his answers yet.

The more you thought about it the more you realized it was actually really annoying. Would you have to go through this every time you study in the library? Would some girl with a fat crush on Soomin come and try and take him away? Did you really want to put up with that?

Soobin practically jumped in his seat when you stood up, “It’s getting late and we haven’t even started, let’s just try this again some other time, I guess.”

“Y/n!” Soobin’s voice was a little too loud for the people in the library and a few felt perfectly fine telling him to shut up as he ran to the stairs completely forgetting Jin was standing there waiting on him.

The elevator came to a stop on the first floor and you swung your backpack onto your shoulders, head down as you caught up on your notifications. You barely made it past the elevator doors when you bumped into a very hard service. A strong arm grabbed you from the waist as you nearly stumbled back, your phone unfortunately did not have the luck of having someone grab it before it fell. Your hands clung to the shirt of the person and you finally got a good look at him, annoyed huff leaving your lips, “Soobin!?”

“What?” Play it cool, Soobin “I was coming to see where you went after ditching me up there.”

“I literally said we could do it some other day,” you released a sigh as you picked your phone up and shook his hands off your waist. Soobin loomed over your shoulder, “Damn, your screens cracked, when did that happen?”

He wasn’t thinking straight when he said that, all common sense completely left his body as he looked at your phone with pity, only snapping out of his thoughts when he felt you turn your head to look at him. It was then that he realized just how close the two of you were with him leaning down to look over your shoulder. He couldn’t help but attempt a smile noticing just how close your lips are to his and you smelled so goo—

“About two seconds ago, Soobin,” your voice was laced with sarcasm that had goosebumps raising on his skin at how annoyed you sounded, “When you bumped into me, remember?”

He blinked once in realization, feeling his cheeks heat up, “I did that?”

A tired sigh left your lips as you decided to ignore him. You weren’t sure if he was playing dumb to get on your nerves or if he actually was clueless but now you were more annoyed than before. You don’t have the money nor the time to get your screen fixed and you definitely can’t afford a new one.

“I’m going home,” you mumbled as you turned away from him, “Go find another tutor, probably Jia will help—“

“I don’t want to,” Soobin’s deep voice cut you off as he followed you out the door into the outside, “I want you to tutor me, Y/n. I’m sorry about your phone, I’ll fix it but don’t take back your word, you already agreed.”

You groaned, “Ugh, Soobin there’s so many girls who’ll tutor you and for free, you don’t need me and besides, we can’t study in the library if someone is going to interrupt.”

“Y/n it’s been one day,” Soobin said harshly, “Did Jia bother you that much?”

Soobin couldn’t help but feel hopeful and he wasn’t sure why. He knows you don’t like him so there’s no way you were jealous but to see you act just a little possessive over him made him blush. He liked it. He liked it a lot and he was determined to make you admit it any way you can. He watched you roll your eyes, expression laced with attitude, “I don’t care about Jia, Soobin, but if I’m trying to help your studies I’m not interested in others tagging along.”

He couldn’t help but bite his lip as he tilted his head to the side curiously, “So you want me to yourself?”

Once again you rolled your eyes, turning your back to him, “I’m leaving.”

“No,” Soobin grabbed at your wrist softly, “I’m kidding, come on, let’s figure something out, yeah?”

“Like?” You asked, still not sure why you’re willing to put yourself through this when you don’t even like him that much. You watched as his shoulder rose and dropped in a shrug, biting his lip in thought and you released a small sigh to let him know you were running out of patience. He looked down, “I don’t know, maybe we could go somewhere that it’s just us two.”

You could barely understand him from the way he mumbled but once you processed what he said, you just nodded, “Alright, I’ll go to your place tomorrow.”

“Really?” He asked, clearly thrilled at the idea but trying to play it off. You just nodded and he finally let you leave.

What were you getting yourself involved with him?

Soobin couldn’t sleep all night. He went to his classes looking like a complete zombie and for once he had an actual reason for not paying much attention. As much as he wanted to see you all day you made him wait till late because you had work after your last class. It only made him more anxious and he cleaned around his apartment twice, just to be sure you didn’t think he was messy even if he kind of was. The entire time this all happened, his friend watched him from the comfort of Soobin’s bed.

“So what makes you think Y/n would even want to hang out in your bedroom?” Taehyun asked as he watched his friend go crazy. Soobin was acting like he was preparing a date, he saw him put on Chanel perfume about three times, each time saying he couldn’t remember if he put any on. He even styled his hair on.y to mess it up and restyle it differently.

Soobin shrugged, “I don’t know, but my desk is here, Y/n might.”

Taehyun just nodded, not seeming fully convinced but went along with it anyway, “Wishful thinking, bin, wishful thinking, and just speak your truth, what’s the real reason why you want to be in your room instead out in the living room?”

He smirked watching the way Soobin’s face flushed red, “Privacy.”

He chuckled, “From who?”

Soobin didn’t answer him and it only made Taehyun smile in amusement, “I love you, but it’s never going to happen.”

“What are you talking about?” Soobin asked as he checked his phone, already smiling at the text you sent a few minutes ago that said you were already on your way.

soobin: ok just lmk

soobin: I’ll come down if u want

You didn’t respond but he didn’t expect you to, he only just sent the message but he still found himself waiting for those three dots to pop up on the message thread.

“I’m talking about how badly you want to hook up with Y/n,” Taehyun said, making Soobin look up at him completely shocked.

“I hate Y/n,” obviously he didn’t but he didn’t like the idea of his friends knowing he liked you without knowing how you felt and he had a reason for this. If they knew he liked you despite how mean you were to him, they would think he’s a masochist… it’s better they think he hates you too but apparently he wasn’t fooling anyone considering Kai caught on pretty quickly too.

Taehyun let out a laugh, one of those really loud and obnoxious laughs that told Soobin he was actually very amused by whatever was happening. He went as far as wiping away his cheek like a tear had fallen and said, “Good one, almost believed you there.

“I’m serious,” Soobin said as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, fixing a wrinkle in his shirt, “Y/n is mean to me, why would I like her?”

“I wanna know why too,” Taehyun said as he rolled onto his stomach only making himself more comfortable on the bed, “I mean, she’s hot, but she’s mean—wait a second, you like that she’s mean, huh?”

Taehyun was just teasing him at this point and when Soobin refused to respond, his eyes only widened, “Oh my god! You like that Y/n’s mean to you, are you a perv, Hyung?”

He was only teasing, he swears it. He doesn’t care what his friend is into, what he likes is totally up to him but it’s just fun to poke fun at him when he gets so flustered about it. He doesn’t blame Soobin for liking you, like he said, he can agree that you’re attractive, but you’ve blown Soobin off for three years. Did he really like you enough to keep up his charades and if so did he really go as far as failing his classes just to get you to talk to him? God, what will you do to Soobin once you find out?

“I’m not a perv!” Soobin yelled, a little louder than expected. He’s really not. He’s not a perv… he’s just… he just likes you. Yes, he likes that you’re a little mean to him, yes he likes when you scold him, yes he likes pushing your buttons and yes he especially liked it when you do it and he can see down your shirt or look at the squishiness of your thighs but… but he’s not a perv!

Okay, maybe he’s imagined what it’s like to feel under your shirt and has struggled to pay attention to anything but the sight of you in a short skirt but that doesn’t make him a perv, he’s just an easily distracted guy…

Before Taehyun could rebut, a loud knock was heard on the front door that had both of their eyes widening in surprise. Soobin was practically sprinting toward the door as his friend gathered his things to leave. He meant to leave before you were here but clearly time passed by way too fast and now he’s getting ready to leave just as Soobin was opening the door to you.

You looked at Taehyun curiously as he ran past you and out the door, yelling, “Hi Y/n! Bye Y/n!”

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you let yourself into Soobin’s apartment, “What’s up with him? Why’d he leave in a hurry?”

“Uh,” Soobin gave you a blank expression that sort of reminded you of a confused bunny and you watched him scratch the back of his head in thought, “You said no distractions and… and he would be a distraction, right?”

“I guess,” you took the chance to look around his apartment, it was huge, way bigger than your apartment and it was so painfully obvious that he came from money. He had a grand piano in the corner for fuck’s sake. There was even a chandelier hanging above the dining table and a fireplace by the tv. Too distracted to notice Soobin move behind you, you nearly hit him in self defense when he began to pull on your backpack to take it off your shoulders. Without bothering with a thank you, you headed toward his marble dining table waiting for him to follow but he just stood in place.

“We’re studying in my room,” Soobin said in voice that radiated confidence, completely opposite of the desperate tone he used to prove to Taehyun that he was not a perv. He had an act to play, he assumed you liked mean guys. He’s heard of some of the guys you used to talk to and they all had one thing in common… they were intimidating and Soobin didn’t feel like that at all so he had to play the part.

You didn’t even question it as you followed him into his room, eyes immediately zoning in on the white cage set on its own stand, two different levels to it and a small hedgehog inside. Soobin cleared his throat awkwardly, “That’s Odi, he’s a hood boy.”

Fuck, Soobin thought, why would he say that about a damn hedgehog?

“Cute,”you said coolly as you took the main desk chair, making him have to pull up a smaller chair next to you. You thought Odi was cute after he called him a good boy? Or did him calling Odi a good boy not affect your thoughts on the hedgehog? Oh god, his mind was completely scrambled.

Soobin didn’t have to be asked this time to show you his most recent exam. He knew it was what you were going to ask to see first and he wanted to show you that he could be a very good listener. He looked to you to see how you would react to his quick obedience but you barely even blinked as you pulled it toward you. You pursed your lips in thought and he watched your mouth closely. Your lips looked so soft, so plump and smooth with light lip balm on them.

He wondered how soft they would be in a kiss. Were you a good kisser? Would you think he’s a good kisser? How far would the two of you go or would it just be kissing? He would someday like to get to a point where he can openly adore you because there’s just so much from your pretty hair to your pretty legs and everything in between.

He had a dirty secret that’s not so much of a secret considering his thoughts from earlier but… he can’t help but always notice your breasts—after your cute annoyed face of course—he wasn’t a complete bimbo. He respects you, he can’t just immediately look at your boobs despite the fact that today you were a low cut fitted shirt. He tried paying more attention to your face as it looked like you were about to talk but his eyes couldn’t help but slowly trail down your neck to your collarbone until he saw just the smallest hint of cleavag—

“Are you listening?” He snapped his gaze back to yours looking completely red handed as he nodded his head, clearly not listening.

You released a sigh as you looked at him in thought. Soobin was smart, you knew how smart he was so why did he seem so clueless right now?it’s like he had no thoughts in that cute head of his an—did you just consider him cute?

You blinked in surprise at your own thoughts and just as you were going to ask him to repeat what you said, you saw in real time the way his gaze seem to drop once more and you finally understood what was going on.

Soobin was trying so hard not to stare and failing yet the attempt was cute, especially when he seemed to let his lower jaw go slack and lips part slightly at the sight. Normally you would immediately be disgusted but it’s Soobin… he’s annoying and a know-it-all but just look at that brain empty expression of his, not caring at all now if he gets caught.

Without thinking you dropped a hand to his thigh, squeezing slightly and making his gaze return to yours, “What did I say?”

“What?” Soobin asked, shaking his head like he was snapping out of a trance, the cold and deep voice was back. You rolled your eyes, “You said you were listening so I’m asking you to repeat what I said.”

You’ll admit this was all a bit out of character but you just had to see if you were right… was Soobin really staring at your cleavage openly, and if so, how did you feel about it?

“Um…” Soobin looked down at your hand, “Um…”

“Um?” You repeated sarcastically, “Can you focus? If not, I’m going home.”

“Yah!” Soobin whined with a low groan, “Stop saying that, you already agreed to tutor me, stop trying to back ou—“

“Then pay attention!” You said back and he practically stomped his foot in a tantrum, just wanting to argue now.

“I’m trying but you—you’re,” he groaned in frustration as the words died in his throat and with a defeated sigh, he mumbled, “I’m sorry… I wasn’t listening.”

You smiled proudly, not at all in a rush to figure out what had him so distracted, and instead said, “Good boy, don’t you feel better being honest?”

The words just slipped and you didn’t think much of them as you went back to the laptop, already writing down answers to the questions he got wrong, meanwhile Soobin is trying to calm the painful red blush in his cheeks.

There was a small sphere in the palm of your hand, it was a shade of dark blue with a white swirl on it and it matched the same one Yeonjun held in his hand. You’ve shared one class with him in the last two years and it’s in the one you’re currently in. The two of you have never spoken a single word to each other and the semester started six weeks ago. He looked just as surprised to realize his partner was chosen randomly by a stupid marble.

He released a small nervous chuckle, clearly just caught off guard by this. He’s almost a 100% certain you’re like the only person in class that he hasn’t spoken to. Now, that didn’t mean he didn’t notice you, you were pretty and never talking to you really did make you seem a bit mysterious to him. He cleared his throat, “Alright, when should we get started?”

You checked the time on your phone, you were supposed to be meeting Soobin soon to study at his place but you’ve just been completely blindsided by this sudden partner project in class. You only had about a week to turn in the research paper and you had to work a couple nights this week. You agreed to study with Soobin on days you didn’t work but now with this on the table, you seriously don't know what to do. Well, obviously you have to do the assignment but you don’t know how to tell Soobin. If you just sent him a text about it you’re pretty positive he will just blow up your phone nonstop because for some reason he desperately needs you to continue these study sessions.

“When are you free?” You asked him trying to figure out what time would work best for you to work on this. You were only getting tomorrow to do research in class and after that the two of you are basically on your own as the unit confíes on in class.

Class has just ended so the two of you walked together outside of the room trying to figure out when would work best. It was hard to ignore the looks you received from some of your other classmates and you knew why. Yeonjun was attractive, really attractive and he was popular too.

Yeonjun brought his phone out too, checking his schedule, leaning a little closer to talk to you, “Um, I could do… well I work tomorrow after class… are you free later to get started?”

Soobin had a smile on his face that he knew soon he would need to drop it, he couldn’t let you know how excited he was to see you right now. He was in a good mood, anytime someone said hi to him he was quick to say it back but if a girl tried stopping him to talk he would excuse himself saying he had to go somewhere.

His class ended a little earlier today so instead of waiting in the parking lot for you, he went to your last class.

Just as he turned the corner, his smile seemed to fall without his control anyway. Standing just a few feet away from him he found you and you looked so pretty today in a pair of jeans that hugged your curves just the way he liked it and… and you were standing with Choi Yeonjun.

He watched you smile at whatever Yeonjun said and he debated if he should just wait. He could wait, of course he can and honestly it’s what he should do. You’re just talking to another guy and it’s not like you’re flirting, right? It shouldn’t even matter to him, you’re not dating—you don’t even like him! So why does he feel bothered?

“Hey,” Soobin’s deep voice surprised you as he came up behind you, so close that you felt him press against your backpack, just looming over you with a hardened gaze. You looked back at him, “Hey.”

“Are you ready?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady and he couldn’t help but shift his gaze toward Yeonjun, who he definitely wasn’t happy to see was just standing there.

You looked at him apologetically, “I don’t know if I can make it tonight. We just got assigned this project and we don’t have time to do it in class so…”

Your words slowly died down as you watched his facial expression change. His lips turned downward and eyes seemed to sadden, “What?”

You looked at Yeonjun, “I’ll see you in the library.”

He took the hint and left you alone with Soobin who loomed over you with his height looking like a kicked puppy. You’re not sure why this expression really bothered you and you’re feeling really guilty now even if it wasn’t completely your fault. You found yourself saying, “I’m sorry.”

“But we agreed to meet up today,” Soobin said.

“I’m sorry but we want to get at least the outline finish—“

“Then what about after?” He rushed to ask. You looked at him apologetically, “It depends on what time we get done.”

You’re not even sure why the look on his face was making you feel bad but it was. The two of you didn’t even start to get along till just a couple weeks ago and sometimes he’s just so different from the cold side you’re used to. Sometimes he gives you snippets of how desperate he might be to see you but you can’t help but always brush it off. You just can’t tell what’s the real side of him and you’re starting to be affected by his cuter clingier side even if you couldn’t understand it.

“I’ll be waiting,” Soobin said, rushing away because he didn’t know what else to do. He was leaving before you could say that you can’t keep any promises. You rolled your eyes at how pushy he was but part of you smiled, shaking your head in disbelief and clearly amused.

Soobin didn’t lie either. He waited at home playing video games and checking his phone every couple minutes. He would occasionally send you a text, just a little reminder that you can’t forget him.

soobin: what time do u think u’ll be done ☺️

you: I don’t know yet soobin

soobin: :(

*five minutes later*

soobin: almost done?

you: not yet

soobin: 🥺 well hurry

you: …

soobin: 😞

*twenty minutes later*

soobin: 😞

you: what’s wrong

soobin: nothing :)

soobin: did you forget?

you: ?

soobin: study time?

you: no, I didn’t forget

Listen, the texts were annoying. They were so annoying because you and Yeonjun were trying to finish up the rough draft for your outline but Soobin just kept sending you text after text. It was annoying but…

It was pretty fucking cute. Ugh, he was just being clingy and though you found it annoying it was also so cute and it had you hurrying up your time with Yeonjun so you could text Soobin.

you: just finished

soobin: ok 🥰hurry

That’s how you found yourself sitting across from Soobin in his overly large living room trying to talk to him but his eyes were just straying away from your eyes. It wasn’t his fault though, like he said earlier, you just looked so pretty. Your shirt was fitted today and like usual he can’t seem to get over your chest. All of you really, your pretty face, pretty voice, pretty laugh and smile… your boobs and your butt and your cold attitude, it all just turned him into mush.

“Hey,” your voice scared him out of his gaze and he looked up at you blankly and clearly caught off guard, “Can you look at me when I’m talking to you?”

“Okay,” he nodded his head obediently, “Sorry.”

“You don’t even have your backpack,” you said as he looked down at his lap, “You were blowing up my phone the entire time I was with Yeonjun and you’re not even ready to study.”

“I know,” he gulped, eyes unable to help themselves from slowly looking down to your cleavage again. “I’m sorry.”

You released an annoyed groan, grabbing his shirt suddenly and shaking him, “Are you?”

“Yes,” Soobin nodded, “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again Y/n, I’ll be good, I promise.”

“So next time I’m doing schoolwork with Yeonjun what are you going to do?” You asked.

He released a sudden huff that made it clear he was less than happy to say this but said it anyway, “I’ll wait patiently for you to finish.”

Nodding your head you turned toward the small coffee table where your laptop was, “Kay, go get your bag so we can start reviewing this.”

Soobin jumped to his feet, running away with a smile, “So you’re not mad at me?”

“No,” you said feeling him practically squeal next to you, making you only the more confused but couldn’t help yourself from saying, “It was annoying in a cute way.”

Soobin bit back the urge to smile and did as told. When he came out he had a white bag in hand that he handed you watching your eyebrows scrunch together cutely as you asked, “What’s this?”

“New phone,” Soobin said casually and your eyes widened in disbelief.

“Soobin, why would you get me—“

“Because I broke yours,” Soobin said helping you open the box, “I already called your service and asked if you would be able to add your line to it and they said yes. I can drive you if you want me to.”

You shook your head no, “This is crazy, you didn’t have to do that! I could still use my phone, it was just the screen.”

“But,” Soobin looked down, “But it’s a gift from me to you, can’t you just take it?”

“Soobin…”

“Soobin is so cute,” your friend Yuna said one night as you got to Beomgyu’s house for a party.

You’ve been filling your friends in on your past two weeks with Soobin and it was all a surprise to them. You seemed to despise Soobin for some time and suddenly you’re all about hanging out with him. Even Soobin seemed to always act cold around you so for you to tell them that he’s been surprisingly clingy is in fact very cute.

“He probably likes you,” Beomgyu said with a shrug of his shoulders that had you spitting out your drink in shock. It’s not like you hadn’t wondered the same thing but for a while you wondered if you had just been reading too much into it and then you felt stupid for even thinking about it. Beomgyu bringing it up so suddenly shocked you, maybe it wasn’t all in your head.

“You think?” You asked genuinely and Beomgyu laughed out loud.

“Are you kidding?” Beomgyu asked, “He’s been staring at you since he got here and I bet you he’s been trying to think up an excuse to talk to you.”

“I’ve known him for like three years now, there’s just no way, I’m not even nice to him,” you said as you looked around for Soobin only to find him already looking at you as he talked a

To some of his own friends. He gave you a big and energetic wave that had you lifting your hand to wave back too. You smiled a little when he did and Yuna sighed, “You like him too, huh? I mean he’s cute—“

“No! No, I don’t,” you cleared your throat awkwardly, “I mean… even if I did, would it even matter? He thinks I’m mean, right? It wouldn’t be fair to him.”

They both gave you a blank stare and just as you were going to respond, an arm came around your shoulders as a low voice said, “What are we talking about?”

You said a quick hello to him as your friends started talking, “Soobin and Y/n got a thing for each other and neither one of them will admit it.”

“That’s not tru—“

“Oh, yeah, it is,” Yeonjun said with a laugh, “You should’ve seen the look he gave me when we were talking the other day and yesterday he ignored me when I tried saying hi. I even told him he can have you back because our project was over and he just ignored me!”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, “That doesn’t mean he likes me, we’ve just been studying…”

Soobin was not a mean person, he swears it. He’s really nice and gentle and he would never dislike anyone without a reason. He’s too shy for confrontation yet right now he would really love to go up to you and just pull Yeonjun’s arm away from your shoulders. You’re done with your project so why is he s next to you and why is he touching you? Soobin hasn’t even had the chance to hold you so why does he get to? He watched closely as you talked to your friends and Beomgyu trying to make sure Yeonjun wouldn’t try anything. He let Yeonjun take your attention away from him pretty much all last week so why is he still around you? It wasn’t fair, Soobin should be the one next to you. He was such a good listener this week, after you got him in trouble and he promised to be good, he did just that. He only sent you two texts throughout your time with Yeonjun and he didn’t even bother you in class!

“Who are you staring at and are they hot?”

Soobin jumped in surprise, drink spilling down the front of his shirt as he whipped around to find Kai standing there laughing.

“What?” Soobin asked as he looked down at his wet shirt. Kai just sighed, “Nevermind, go clean your shirt.”

If Soobin was mean, he would’ve smacked the kid upside the head but he was nice and nice people only attack with pillows and there’s no pillows close enough to use. He’ll get Kai back soon, just not now, now he has to clean his shirt. He looked back to you and Yeonjun as if making sure there wasn’t any funny business and practically ran to go clean himself off.

He skipped past the line to the bathroom and walked down to the end of the hall where he knew Beomgyu’s room was. His friend was throwing the party anyway and though the room was off limits, he would understand. Soobin rummaged through his closet and went straight to his bathroom so he could at least wipe off some of the intense smell of alcohol, hurrying himself along so he can watch Yeonjun.

The music from the party was loud enough for him to hear a muffled version of it even hidden away in Beongyu’s bathroom and that made him feel nervous. While he’s in here cleaning off the stench of liquor, you were probably out there surrounded by guys hitting on yo—“Ow!”

Soobin’s head whipped back with a loud thud and his hands immediately flew to his nose as pain shot right through it. The person who pushed the door open stood there in shock, “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. Bin?”

A pool of red began to fill his cupped hands and he moved over the bathroom sink with a groan. You visibly cringed as he moved around you and reached for the toilet paper as you stood there shocked, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know, I—oh my god.”

He finally looked over at you, heart racing as he pulled the paper towel away, blood beginning to dribble again, “Y/n?”

“Soobin, I’m sorry, I saw you come over here and I wanted to sneak up on you but,” your face cringed, “Soobin please, you’re still bleeding.”

“Oh right,” Soobin held the paper towel to his nose again.

“It’s a lot of blood,” you said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Soobin.”

“It’s fine, this happens all the time,” he waved you off with a bloody hand and you bit down on your bottom lip looking hurt, “No it doesn’t, I’m so sorry.”

You sniffled a bit as you looked at your reflection in the mirror while Soobin carefully wiped off whatever mess was left until it was all clean. You struggled to look at him and his red nose even if he was completely clean but he didn’t even notice. He was more excited that you came to see him instead of staying out there with other guys, “So you wanted to sneak up on me?”

“Well you had been staring at me all night and I was just gonna see if you would say hello. I should’ve just waited outside, this is awkward right?” You were rambling a bit but he just smiled lovingly.

He shook his head no as the two of you left the bathroom, “No, not awkward, right? I wanted to say hi but you were busy.”

“Busy?” Your brows furrowed in confusion, “What do you mean?”

You weren’t busy, you were just talking to your friends. Nothing you talked about was serious or anything you just talked about Soobin, he could’ve said hi at any time. Soobin’s smile dropped, going serious for a moment, “Yes you were, with Yeonjun, I saw.”

You blinked in thought, “We were just talking, you could’ve come over any time.”

He released a deep sigh, looking around the dark bedroom happy that it was just two despite the dozens of people out there getting drunk with loud music. Letting his gaze fall back on you, he made a small pout, “Well, how was I supposed to know that? Last time you got me in trouble for not leaving you alone when you’re with Yeonjun an—“

“Soobin, that was just when we were studying, I didn’t realize you were thinking I meant all the time,” you said apologetically. Soobin stepped closer to you, “I was just trying to be good and listen. If I knew then I would have pulled you away the second I saw Yeonjun even come close to you!”

You looked genuinely taken back by his tone, if you didn’t know any better you would say that he almost sounded jealous. Even the look in his eye made it seem like he wasn’t happy and you weren’t used to this at all. The other day when you talked to Yeonjun for the first time, Soobin stormed up to you and took you by surprise when he appeared behind you, so close that you felt his breath on your shoulder.

Now you’re starting to see that it was possibly all because of jealousy.

“Are you jealous of Yeonjun?” You asked him and he audibly scoffed.

He was not jealous of Yeonjun. He didn’t think Yeonjun was better than him, if anything he thought they were pretty much on the same level of attractiveness. Yeonjun was more extroverted than he was but Soobin wasn’t worried about that. He didn’t feel so insecure over things like that so no, he’s not jealous.

He’s possessive. Soobin knows you aren’t dating and he knows that you probably still don’t like him yet but… but you’re his. He’s already called dibs, he’s already put in so much work to make that happen. Obviously he’s not going to be happy if your attention strays away from him, he wants you looking at him and thinking about him all the time, the way he does about you.

“No,” Soobin finally said, “But… but you’re… yknow, you’re mi—“

“Why are you in my shirt?” Beomgyu asked as his bedroom door opened and he stood in the entrance. He looked between you in surprise, “Wait, am I interrupting something?”

You stood there in shock, you weren’t sure what he was about to say but part of you also felt like you had an idea. It really did seem like you had an idea. After all your friends have basically instilled it in your head that he might like you it wasn’t hard to guess what he was going to say but you just can’t bring yourself to fully believe it yet. He was so nice, you can see it now so you just felt bad to think that he might like you after you were mean to him at times. To make things worse, he seemed to be totally okay with you always snapping on him or just ignoring him and you just felt bad because you were genuinely starting to fall for him and you can admit that now.

Soobin shook his head no. He had been watching you the entire time and he can just tell you’re overwhelmed by something right now. He just smiled cutely, “I had to borrow your shirt because mine got wet, sorry?”

You looked up at him, and he smiled wider, eyes crinkling, “I think I’m gonna head home now but I’ll text you.”

Soobin said goodbye to you and Beomgyu and before you could make your leave, Beomgyu pulled you back in, “What happened? What were you guys doing? Were you making out? Ew, oh my god please don’t tell me if you did anything on my bed.”

“What are you talking about?” You asked, clearly thrown off, “No, we were just talking, if you hadn’t interrupted then I would have known what he was going to say.”

He gasped, “I didn’t interrupt, you’re in my room, remember? And why didn’t you just go with him, you like him too.”

You bit your lip, “How do I tell him? I just missed my chance.”

“I don’t know, you’ll probably just have to show him.”

When Monday came you went over to Soobin’s place for your usual study lessons. After the party the two of you have been texting but it wasn't about anything deep. It’s like you were tip toeing around a possible confession that neither of you wanted to do through text. After your last class he invited you over with the intention to just be straight forward and hope that you would want him but he’s still a little scared.

If you tell him you hate him he thinks he might cry so he’s been trying to seem cool and collected this entire time.

He fidgeted in his desk chair as he watched you take your laptop out. With a clear of his throat he stood up, “Um, do you want water? I can get us some.”

“Sure, where is your textbook? I forgot mine.”

He pointed to his backpack and let you get it as he left for the kitchen. Without a single thought, you reached for his huge backpack in search of a familiar textbook. Once you found the book you pulled it out of his overly stuffed bag accidentally bringing a few papers with it too and as you looked them over, your eyes widened.

CHOI SOOBIN

SCORE: 65

You didn’t think about it for a second, he’s been showing his assignment scores and it has been improving little by little bit as you took a closer look you could clearly see a layer of whiteout and the score 98, crossed off. It made your brows furrow in confusion and you looked at the pages finding answers erased and replaced with wrong ones crossed out in red.

It’s like he was purposely grading himself bad and as you put the papers back away you realized why. He asked you to tutor him and you never understood that. He was always smarter than you so you couldn’t wrap your head around why he asked you of all people to help him. Even when it came down to the actual study sessions, Soobin always got things right away and very rarely struggled to find an answer but then he would come to you and quickly show you his bad score and ask for your help again.

Sometimes, studying was the last thing on his agenda when he was with you and you always found him distracted and not fully listening so now you know he’s been lying to you. He lied to get you to study with him yet all you’ve seen was him stare at your boobs, get clingy, and pretend to get bad grades.

Was all this just a little scheme to get you to hang out with him? If that’s the case then did he really like you and expect you never to find out?

Sure, you’ve come to realize that you like him too but for him to go this far just for you to talk to him… well, you’re not all that happy about it. Did he expect you never to find out and now that you have what was your plan?

Soobin came in with a smile on his face, “I brought snacks.”

“Mhm,” you said, moving to sit on his bed and away from his backpack, “Let’s work on the bed today, I wanna get comfortable.”

He watched you make yourself on his bed and all he could focus on was the way your skirt fluttered around your legs exposing more of your thighs and when he looked up at you, your eyes were already on him, catching him red handed in the act of checking you out. This time around you smirked a bit now knowing that he’s been lying this whole time just to get you to hang out with him. It was cute and he was cute so you can’t be mad but at the same time, he was very bold in getting mad when you had to study with Yeonjun, made you feel guilty too. You gotta let him know you know about his lie but you’re working up a plan.

It’s not no surprise that he likes you, that has become painfully obvious and you like him too but you want to get him in trouble. He lied and he thought you would never find out. How long did he plan on keeping this up? He’s gotta get in trouble, right? Maybe a little teasing, just to see if this really was all just to study or for him to get a good look at you when you’re alone together. It’s not like you never noticed the way his eyes would trace down your body while you’re trying to do homework.

If you’re going to tell him you know about his lie, you’re going to make it fun.

“O—okay,” Soobin stuttered as he sat down with a foot of space between you, “I mean, yeah cool.”

You smiled at his awkwardness, now you can see that he’s not as cold as he wants to to think he is and it only makes him look cuter.

The two of you studied for a bit, you couldn’t come right out and tell him you knew the truth, where was the fun in that? You had to play along a bit and see how he would take it so that’s what you did.

“Soobin, you keep getting the answer wrong and I’m starting to get annoyed,” you said as you watched him hesitate over the right answer before choosing the wrong one, eyes sliding over to look at you every now and then. You were wearing a low cut top again and matched with your miniskirt it was getting hard for him to not get distracted and the two of you are alone in his bed… he just can’t focus.

“Sorry, Y/n,” his eyes lingered on your thighs a little longer than usual and you subconsciously unwrapped them a little, the small gap from where the skirt ended and what covered your underwear, slowly widened. You released a heavy sigh, “Why are you so distracted?”

At that his eyes seemed to fall toward your cleavage, catching himself in the act of staring and looked back down, “I don’t know.”

You had to bite back a smirk and without any hesitation, you moved closer to his side, “Do I need to punish you? Will that get you to pay attention?”

You were half joking but tempted to see what he would say and you could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he seemed to become mush at your words, “H-how?”

You released a deep sigh, “How? That’s the wrong answer, I shouldn’t have to punish you. You should say, ‘Okay, Y/n, I’ll pay attention.’ What are you? A perv?”

Soobin went quiet at that and for a second you thought you might’ve said the wrong thing. His face flushed red and he looked down at his lap sadly but before you could apologize for asking him that, he said, “Maybe.”

“Maybe? So you’re a perv?” Your brows raised in surprise, “You want me to punish you?”

He gave a subtle nod of his head making you grow quiet, well this just got interesting. With a huff, pretending to be annoyed, you shifted even closer taking his hand in yours and pulling it to write on his paper with yours over his, “Start writing.”

“What am I writing?”

“Write: I am a liar and a perv,” you said jokingly and he looked up at you cutely so you helped him write, “I lied to Y/n about needing help, and I can’t stop staring at her boobs.”

His hand froze up mid sentence, “Y/n, how’d you find out?”

You smiled, he didn’t even bother hiding it this time, “Because I found your exam scores, you’ve been lying to me Soobin, after telling me nonstop how good you are,” you said with a stern voice.

“Are you mad?” He asked shyly. You released a sigh, pretending to contemplate, “Maybe? Are you going to listen and pay attention from now on?”

He nodded his head, watching curiously as you moved to sit behind him, turning to stare at you but you snapped your fingers forcing him to look forward again. You scooted close until your legs were spread around his big frame with your breasts pressed against his back that had his breath hitching in surprise. They already felt squishy and your arms moved to hug his waist. Soobin sucked in a breath when your hands rested on his thighs and he immediately looked down, already feeling himself begin to fidget in excitement and nervousness.

“I want you to read the question, and tell me the answer, I know you know it,” you said, making him nod his head, throat too dry to give you a verbal response, “But since you’re a perv, I’m not going to make it easy for you, I’m gonna touch you and if you stop, I stop, got it?”

As if to further explain what you meant, your hand moved toward his groin area making him breath heavier, “Mhm.”

“Yes or no.”

“Yes,” he sighed, “I’ll listen.”

His head tilted to the side when you began to teasingly touch the zipper, slowly pulling it down and undoing the button of his jeans, “Start reading.”

Soobin swallowed dryly, unable to help himself from thinking about the fact that you’re brakes today, he could practically feel your nipples against his back and when your hand ran over the expanse of his growing length, he couldn’t find the right word. You were a little surprised to feel his immediate response to your touch, already feeling him harden before you even did anything and you smiled, “I said, start reading.”

“Mhm,” he hummed with a nod of his head, blinking to try and collect his thoughts, “First question, When a gene is expressed, it means that the protein—ohh.”

His breath hitched in surprise as your hand wrapped around his clothed cock feeling him just continue to get more erecting. You even gave it a little squeeze, “Did I say stop? No, so keep going.”

“Mhm, protein that it codes for is being made by transcription and translation…” his word slowly when your thumb circled around his tip, still not touching him under his briefs, teasing him, “Imagine two genes in a eukaryote. One is gene X. The other is gene A—Y/n, I can’t focus.”

“So did you lie to me again?” You asked, finally sneaking your hand under the waistband or his briefs, “You said you would listen and pay attention.”

Your fingers wrapped around his thick length giving him a soft and teasing stroke, feeling his dick twitch instantly as he nodded his head. The words were bef ninny to get blurry when your palm hugged the head of his cock, twisting your wrist and smearing it in his own precum, surprised that it was already leaking. Soobin licked his dry lips trying to focus again, “In the cells you are studying, gene X is being expressed, and gene A is not being expressed—oh my god.”

He stopped when he felt you lean further against him, soft lips pressing a gentle kiss against his neck, fingers brushing along the underside of his tip and he couldn’t help but buck his hips just a little. You pulled his cock out of his underwear, “You still haven’t even finished reading the first question.”

“I’m trying,” he released a moan, “But it’s so hard, Y/n.”

You glanced down at his dick over his shoulder, nearly joking and asking if he meant his dick or the action. The head was red with need and precum leaked from the tip with a thick vein nearly throbbing everytime your hand stroked him. You gave him a small squeeze hearing him moan freely, “Keep going.”

With an annoyed groan he nodded, still waiting a moment when you began to pump his length using his own excess precum to lubricate him for an easier slide. He attempted to pick up where he left off, “—and gene A is not being expressed—ngh. Which prediction below is most likely true in these cells?”

You kissed his neck again, “Now what’s the answer?”

He released a throaty moan that made you suck harshly against his neck with the vibrations of it, stroking faster, squeezing at his base and flicking your wrist around his tip, unable to ignore the way he raised his hips to fuck into your fist. You put your legs on to of his lap to keep him from bucking, holding him in place, “I’m waiting.”

His head lolled to the side, hissing in pain when you stopped, tightening your fist and looked at him expectantly. He had to use his stupid brain, “Ugh, i—it’s B. There are more activa—oh my god—activators for gene X than for gene A.”

Your tongue licked a long stripe toward his ear, sucking on his ear lobe as you said, “Good boy, Soobin, next one.”

“Mhm,” he whined, feeling his heart leap at the name, “Good boy,” he repeated to himself. Unable to help himself he turned his head to look at you, big sparkly eyes staring into yours and without much thought, you leaned forward, letting your tongue slide into his mouth, never once stopping the jerking of his cock until finally… you felt it.

It was a complete overflow of warmth, thick and creamy cum that wouldn’t stop leaking from his tip as he threw his head back with a loud moan, hips lifting up even with your legs holding him down. It felt never ending, your fist was completely covered in his cum and it drenched his jeans and boxers, you were genuinely surprised. You didn’t know someone could cum this much from a simple handjob.

Soobin released a dry groan as you finally freed yourself from the absolute puddle of cum, looking down at the white cream that coated your fingers, letting him go and watching him fall limp against you. His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath and he looked absolutely fucked out that you allowed him to lie down as you pushed the textbooks off the bed, wiping your hand against his own jeans, tugging them off, “Soobin.”

“Mm,” he hummed, looking completely zoned out but let you undress him. You clicked your tongue, climbing on top of his spent cock watching it twitch with life as you sat down, “Did I tell you to cum, bunny?”

His lip quivered as he looked at you, wordlessly shaking his head no. You released a deep sigh, “So you weren’t listening? Is that good or bad?”

“Bad,” he said sadly, “B—but I couldn’t Y/n, I—“

“You what?” You asked teaching for the end of your shirt, “You just thought to cum soon, like a dumb virgin?”

He stayed quiet, watching and feeling completely hypnotized by the sight of your bare breasts for his eyes only, finally. They were just how he imagined, big and soft with nipples he could see harden under his intense gaze. He was so lost in the sight that he absentmindedly said, “Yes.”

You seemed to stop as you flung your shirt to the floor, only wearing your small miniskirt, “Yes what?”

“Dumb virgin—“

“What?” You asked suddenly watching his face redden and you felt goosebumps raise on your skin, “Are you saying… are you a virgin?”

He nodded blankly, eyes on your boobs and nothing else, his cock coming back to life, “Mhm.”

“Oh my god,” you nearly jumped off his lap but his hands moved so fast to hold you by the waist and stop you. Your eyes widened, “Soobin, I—are you—oh my god, is this your first time getting a handjob?”

He blushed, nodding his head shyly, hands unable to stop themselves from sliding up your sides until they were just under the curves of your tits, thumbs nearly touching, “Yes and my first kiss, bu—“

“I am so sorry,” you tried to move but his hands were suddenly cupping your breasts, a blank expression on his face as he stared at them in awe, catching a feel while you tried apologizing, “Soobin, we shouldn’t. I—I—“

“I want to,” Soobin groaned, thumbs running over your nipples, “Please Y/n, I want you so fucking bad. I think about you all the time, I think about this all the time.”

You couldn’t help but grind against his naked cock at his words, “You do?”

His big hands felt good as they groped you, “All the time.”

It didn’t take you long to realize what he meant, a small smile on your face, “When you touch yourself?”

He nodded, releasing a quiet whisper as your nipples became hard pebbles that he couldn’t help but pinch, you smiled, grinding on his fat spent cock, “When you watch porn?”

Once again he nodded.

“When else?”

“Whenever you leave here,” he confessed, completely hypnotized by the bounce of your tits when you grind on his dick, “I tried using a flesh light but I’m too big, it always rips an—“

Now he was blabbing but it made you so fucking horny. He was big, too big to be a virgin and the territorial side of you was taking over. You’re the only one who’s made this big, stupid cock cum and holy shit, he came so much just from a handjob!

Feeling a bit more confident, he tilted his head cutely, looking up at you, “You’ve got big boobs, Y/n.”

“I kno—“

“Can I kiss em?”

Your eyes widened in surprise and a wicked smirk came to your face, shimmying up his torso, “No.”

His jaw dropped sadly, “Bu—“

“I got something better you can kiss,” you said seductively and he looked up at you with the cutest doe eyes you’ve ever seen. How could you ever dislike him? Just look at him.

“Really?” He looked down at the space between your legs, a thin thong right there between your folds and he could make out a wet spot. Licking his lips his big hands found your thighs, taking the honor to help you move up, “I’ve never, y’know…”

“I know, bunny,” you said even as he moved you closer and closer to your head with anticipation, “I’ll talk you through it bu—Soobin!”

A small squeal left your lips as he nearly knocked you forward, face between your legs, “Wait, I’m heavy, don’t do that unless you want me to suffocate you.”

Soobin wasn’t listening, his face was already against your pussy, nose brushing over the soaked fabric of your underwear, “Is okay, I want you to.”

He licks the wet spot on your underwear, lapping at the puddle with a moan, “Smells so good, Y/n, love it.”

You softly tugged his hair, leaning more and more of your weight onto his face and rocking, “Careful, okay? If it’s too much just tell me to stop.”

Soobin nodded his head against your clit, giving you a thumbs up before he completely yanked at your frail panties making you gasp as he tore into them. You yelled his name once more and he made a pout, “Sorry, they were in my way.”

“Slow down Binnie,” you reminded him, for a guy who’s never done it he seemed so experienced. Maybe it was all the porn he watched. You didn’t have much time to dwell on it as his tongue began lapping between your hole and your clit, sucking on it like it was a fucking lollipop, swirling his tongue around it hungrily. It’s not his fault. If you weren’t so pretty with such big boobies and a big brain and a cute laugh… he wouldn’t be so eager. He felt the moment your strength dissipated, hips no longer hovering and practically suffocated him, and he loved it.

He got sloppy, wanting to stick his tongue into your cunt as far as it could go, bunny eyes staring up as you rode his face now, losing yourself to the feeling, “Oh my god.”

Soobin began a repetitive motion with his tongue against your clit, before fucking you with it, he spread your ass with his big hands but his eyes were on the way your tit juggled with each breath you took and he imagined your clit was a nipple. His cock twitched at the thought, legs moving restless against the bed as he tried finding his own release but he jumped bucked his hips into the air.

You were so close, so so so close, moaning like a bitch in heat and accidentally tugging on his hair too hard, but he didn’t mind one bit. He liked it, it egged him on and he made out with your pussy so good that you couldn’t hold back, cum spilling into his open mouth with your thighs clenching around his head. A low moan fell from his lips and as you tried coming down from your heavy orgasm, his own cock released another stream of cum. You turned to look at it, a puddle of white coating his stomach, culling untouched.

Your jaw dropped as he let you go and before you could offer up a break, he was flipping you onto your back, head immediately going between your breasts.

“Fuck,” you breathed out as his mouth attached itself to your left tit like he wanted to swallow them whole. His mouth was covered in your cum and some drool. His cock lay perfectly between your folds and you just felt how hard he was, bringing your hands to his hair, coddling him, “You love my boobs, don’t you?”

At the feel of your hands in his hair, he groans, teeth gently nipping at the hard buds, “Mhm. Love ‘em.”

“I know, that’s why you always stare at them, naughty bunny,” you teased, feeling his shaky inhale. He kissed your tits and sucked on your nipples as his erecting cock jumped your folds, “Not naughty.”

“Really?” You asked, biting back a moan when he shook his head against your boob just soaking in the softness of them against your cheek, “Just being a perv then?”

“Mm,” Soobin moaned, “Wan’ fuck you, Y/n, baby.”

Your brows raised in surprise as the pet name fell from your lips already feeling his hand sink down toward his cock while tonguing at your sensitive nipple. You couldn’t help yourself at this point, stroking your fingers gently over his nipples, smiling as he shudders at the feel, cock slippery in his hands as you said, “Fuck me then.”

With a quick nod he lined himself up, missing your hole a few times till you offered him help and moaned. His body fell against yours, not sure what to do as the tightness of your pussy completely overwhelmed him, face between your tits, tongue trying to lick you even if he was so far away. He whined, “Y/n, Y-Y/n, help—“

His words died when you grabbed his hips, guiding them back before thrusting them into your own pussy until he got the rhythm. You didn’t even think twice about the fact that you weren’t using a condom. You were on birth control and though it wasn’t fully effective it was safer than not having anything and clearly it was too late. You didn’t expect the virgin to have condoms anyway.

“It’s okay, baby, nice and slow—fuck, Bin,” you moaned softly. Where did this new Soobin come from? He was fucking you now at a steady pace dragging his stupidly fat cock out till only his tip was in and drawing his hips forward till he impaled you. His mouth lazily kissed at your breasts before moving up your neck, humping his cock into your stretched out cunt with moans falling from his lips repeatedly.

Soobin was gasping for air and his grunts became louder and louder, slamming into you like his life depended on it, “So good.”

“Yeah?” You asked, clinging to him, “Love your first pussy?”

He kissed you nastily. Tongue down your throat and you could still taste your cum but it only made you moan. He was fucking you roughly, nails digging into your plump hips making sure you couldn’t escape his brutal thrusts even if you wanted to. It was his turn to lose control and fuck, he was so close.

It was a scene out of a porn video, it reeked of sex and his bed sheets were completely ruined. His stomach was covered in his cum that just soaked yours from the way he rutted himself against you and it was just nasty and horny. You hugged him close, legs wrapping around him, tits pressed against his chest, “I’m close, bunny, you gonna cum for me?”

“Mhm,” he whined fucking you so good you were seeing stars. His dick was just so big and the girth on it was insane, he impaled you over and over again, “Gonna cum.”

You know you should tell him to pull out. It’s the right thing to do but…

But…

Hot ropes of his creamy cum filled your cunt suddenly with a cry as his body shook against yours. Despite cumming twice already it felt never ending and you couldn’t help yourself. The stimulation was just too much, his cock still thrusting into the wet space between your thighs.

Soobin sniffled, face between your breasts, clinging to you so hard you had to practically pull at his hair, “Soobin, bunny, I know it was a lot but you have to move.”

He shook his head, you could hear his sniffles get louder, “Don’t wanna.”

You ran your fingers through his hair, pouting when you found his reddened eyes, “I need to clean up.”

He shook his head cutely but he knew better. He slowly pulled out, watching with starry eyes as globs of cum left your pussy, an urge to finger it back into you strong but he let you sit up in shock at the mess.

“Did you lie to me again?” You asked jokingly but it went right over his head even as you said, “You don’t fuck like a virgin.”

“No! I didn’t! You’re my first, I promise,” he basically followed you out of bed, “Don’t leave.”

“I’m not going to,” you assure him, “But I need to use the bathroom.”

“You’ll come back, right?”

You smiled, “I can’t just stay in there, can I? Lay down, I’ll help you clean up next.”

He nodded his head tiredly, doing just what you asked as he yawned.

Once you were done, hoping you got most of it out you opened the door to his bathroom, nearly screaming when you found him standing just on the other side of it. You gasped, “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” he sniffles and it looks like he’s been crying, “Sorry.”

“What for?” You asked, trying to lead him back to his bed feeling sad. What happened? You’re not used to Soobin like this. You laid him down and joined him, “What’s wrong?”

“Sorry for lying—I—I—I just like you so much and—and,” he struggled with words and you pulled him in for a hug, his head immediately on your chest.

“Don’t worry, it’s okay, I promise,” you said, “I like you too, why don’t you try and get some sleep? It was a lot for your first time, I’m sorry.”

“I liked it,” he said with a content sigh, “Promise you won’t leave?”

“I promise,” you said brushing his hair back but he wouldn’t budge.

“Pinky swear?” He asked hopeful that you smiled.

“I pinky swear,” you said, kissing the tip of his nose, “We’ve gotta talk anyway.”

He pouted once more, “About? Y-you don’t like me?”

“Binnie, I already told you I do,” you said softly, feeling him relax, “But we need to talk about what to do, right?”

“Mhm,” he hummed, finally relaxing against you, “Want you to be my girlfriend.”

“Aren’t I too mean, though?”

“Yes,” he said cutely, “But I like it.”

::.

ok this took me forever 😭😭sorry friends but I hope it was worth it.

taglist: @laylasbunbunny @bangchansbae

[jooyeonsvape]

— good morning love

genre; smut

w/c; 0.8k

pairings; husband!beomgyu, female!reader

warnings; morning sex, dry humping, talk of titty fucking, dirty talk, pet names.

[masterlists]

a/n; i was going to do a beomgyu fluff but then i saw that picture and changed my mind reallll quick 😮‍💨 i hope you enjoy! check out my other work!! <3

the sound you hate the most in the world is your alarm clock ringing, but you knew if you turned it off, you’d sleep all day.

with a groan, you reach over and hit snooze, then look down to see your husband beomgyu’s arms wrapped around you.

it was his day off but you completely forgot, you turn over and give his soft cheek a kiss then untangle yourself from his body, even though you wanted to stay there.

since he was off, you take a shower with all of his favorite scents and go downstairs to make a grand breakfast for him. usually you just drink tea and eat at lunchtime but he loves when you make him homemade waffles.

after an hour in the kitchen, you walk up the stairs to see beomgyu sprawled across the bed and you lean down to give his cheek another kiss.

“baaaabbbby.” you sing in a soft tone and you see his face twitching. “wake up, i made you waffles, eggs, and spam.” you say in the same sing-song voice.

beomgyu mumbles something incoherently and you huff, putting your hands on your hips. “come on, i spent like 3 hours on it.” you were being dramatic, but anything to get his eyes open.

he looks at you with one eye and opens his arms wide so you’d lay down with him. “choi beomgyu, i am not going back to bed.” you giggle at his cuteness and see his cheeky smile spread across his face.

with a groan you lay down in his arms, facing away from him so his head was burrowed in your neck. “we can stay like this for 5 minutes.” you mumble but secretly want to stay in his arms forever.

after a good 10 minutes, you were on the verge of falling asleep while you listen to his soft breathing. “okay baby let’s get u-“ your words and movements were cut off by beomgyu tightening his grip around you.

“did you take a shower?” he asks simply in your ear and you nod. beomgyu sighs in your neck and you can hear him sniffing in scents.

“i love the way you smell.” beomgyu’s whispers sent chills down your spine and he presses against your back.

your eyes shoot open when you feel his hard on rubbing against the fabric of your pajama bottoms. “are you?” you try to turn around but he had a strong grip on you still.

although he’s usually playful and sweet during your intimacy sessions, this side of him turns you on just as much.

beomgyu never wore clothes to bed so you can feel his exposed dick running up and down your ass cheeks, growing harder as he goes.

he leans down and kisses your neck weakly then lets out a shaky moan in your ear which made you instantly soaked in your shorts just by his noises.

he pulls your shorts down to your calfs and looks down at your ass as he continues rubbing against your cheeks, “this feels so good.”

beomgyu stuffed his face back in your neck and breathes heavy, knowing him, he was close. “good boy, keep going.” you encouraged and he leaves more tender kisses on the side of your neck.

“keep talking.” he begs and you blush, the two of you never had sex like this before and it was thrilling. “cum on my ass baby boy, i want to feel it drip on my pussy.”

beomgyu lets out a growl and fastens his pace, gripping both ass cheeks in his hands so he could spread them wide. “maybe next time you can do this to my titties and cum on my chest,” you continue and reach your hand down to play with your clit.

“i’m about to-“ he groans then tilts his head back before he shoots a string of cum on your ass and thighs.

beomgyu continued his movements until his high was over and he loosens his grip on you. the two of you sat in silence for a minute while his breathing evens out and you clean yourself with tissue next to the bed. he gives your butt a playful slap. “good morning love.”

you blush and turn around so you’re facing your husband, “good morning.” you smile wide at his silliness and kiss his lips. “were you serious about the titty thing?” he asks, opening one eye to look at you.

you nod and he closes his eyes, “and the waffles?” you giggle at his eye opening again and you continue to nod. “i’ll get them for you, we can eat in bed.” you stand up from the bed and pull up your shorts, “this is why i married you.” beomgyu calls out when you leave the room and you roll your eyes at his silliness.

[sxmmerberries]

ppulbatu dividers

Please give credit if used (^-^)

pngs

[skibidihan]

BOYFRIEND TEXTS ! ( choi yeonjun )

( SOCIAL MEDIA AU ) ─── texts with your boyfriend, yeonjun.

content warning ! swearing, suggestive flirting, overdramatic yeonjun, accusing of cheating (jokes), yeonjun is clingy, both are down bad 🙏🏻, other members are mentioned, taehyun is reader’s bff bc why not. lmk if i have missed anything.

requests are open if you have any.

FIN.

─────

author’s note ! this was fun to make ngl, it kinda makes me want to take requests for this so if you have an idol you want for bf texts, send an ask, comment or dm. 🙏🏻 hope you enjoyed this ! — jelly.

─────

perm taglist ✶ @enhaas @starchasing-cryptid @lavendersloane @academiq @sol3chu if you wish to be added or removed, lmk.

[beomie3]

txt on girlfriend day :3 (summer edition)

bf!txt x fem!reader (mostly fluff, some suggestive material)

⭐️ soobin

soob takes you camping!!

he is such a granola bf lolz, he literally knows everything about how to survive in the wild and you find it so attractive 🤭

he sets the tent up and lets you help him if you want, but mostly he wants his gf to relax in the shade, not overworking herself on her special day <3

"you deserve princess treatment every day of course," he pecks you on the cheek, interlacing his fingers with yours while you rock on the hammock together. "but today you are the queen of the entire universe!" he starts kissing your face everywhere and it soon escalates to a tickle fight.

once the tent is set up by the shore, you walk over to the dock which of course results in jumping into the lake together, fingers interlaced.

"three! two...!" and before he reaches one you're already running full speed towards the edge of the dock, pulling you along with him. you both reunite underwater, coming up for a breath only to meet your lips together and literally could not break them apart ^3^

after drying off, the two of you roast marshmallows as the sun sets, making smores for one another! he made you as many smores until your heart's content. "my baby needs to eat as much as she wants!" he loved seeing the look on your face when you took a bite like it was the best thing you'd ever tasted.

once it was dark and crickets chirped, the two of you got cozy in the tent under thick blankets, only the lantern's warm lighting illuminating his face as you looked into his dark brown eyes. he told you the story of the day he fell in love with you as he held you in his arms, his voice soothing you like no other.

a kiss turned into another, which turned into another, which then turned into a makeout, and then his shirt was off, and then the lantern was turned off and that's when you knew tonight would be an extra special night ;)

(currently working on turning this into a full fic! :P)

⭐️ yeonjun

junie takes you clothing shopping 😋

but first, he wakes you up with snuggles, (really passionate morning sex), and your favorite latte that he took the time to perfectly prepare before you awoke.

you both wear matching outfits ofc hehe.

he takes you to your favorite clothing stores. "get anything you want baby," he kisses the side of your neck before leaving the car and if you didn't have self-control you'd want him to rip your clothes off here and now :p

he always works so hard to be able to get you whatever you need and want, of course there is no problem spending it all on you!!

as someone with impeccable fashion sense, he helps you pick out some summer outfits that he had in mind.

he cannot contain his big grin when you walk out of the fitting room wearing the prettiest outfit ever! he is literally so grateful to have such a beauty like you <3

let's not forget, he also takes you to plenty of lingerie stores and you two have lots of fun there ;)

"this one is for tonight," you wink at him as you hold a red lace piece against your body and his mind goes to unexplainable places.

"can't wait to take it off of you," he whispers in your ear and the tension is already through the roof and you cannot wait to get home.

once you get home from dinner, you get straight to it and boy is it hot ;)

⭐️ beomgyu

you and gyu stay the weekend at your beach house :)

you two had met as kids and grew up together. you crossed paths because both of your families owned beach houses right next to each other! he was always the boy next door <3

anyway, it’s ten years later and you both now own one of the houses together as a vacation home. the two of you love to spend weekend getaways here!

you chase each other around the beach like you're young all over again, falling in love over and over and over again.

you go to the farmers market together and pick fresh groceries for tonight's dinner he is cooking for you :)

you get home, put a record on the turntable, and cook together. you sip red wine, slow dancing in the kitchen as the spaghetti noodles boil.

he serves your plate, carefully using spaghetti sauce to write "happy gf day baby <3" on the side of your plate and your heart melts.

dinner is so yummy and you eat it on the balcony, just watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon, feeling the damp ocean wind comb through your hair.

"you have some red sauce here!" you wipe his lip with your thumb and he wants nothing but to kiss you all over.

he carries you upstaris after dinner once the sun completely sets, laying you down on the queen bed you both share.

he wanted to do so much for you; run you a bath, give you a massage, sing you a song.. but right now, you could not keep your hands off of each other. your eyes said it all.

"i want to show you how much i love you," he whispered against your lips as he pulled you down down into the sheets with him.

(this is a snippet of the full version i've been writing that will be published soon!)

⭐️ taehyun

terry takes you to the national art museum in the city because he knows how much you love going to museums with him <3

he takes the cutest candid pics of you while you marvel over the paintings, sure to post them on his instagram and send them to his family🥺

he takes you out for boba after because how can it be a perfect day without boba??

plus he loves hearing when you compare his large shining eyes to boba pearls hehe.

you walk around a quaint park holding hands, stopping inside little shops and simply enjoying your time together.

he stops at a bench under a tree to get something from his bag. "i have something for you," he holds something behind his back. your face grows hot, stomach twisting with the question of what it might be.

he stretches out his hand, holding a small box, opening it to reveal a pink, sparkling promise ring. "i want to be with you foreve-" he barely gets his words out before you've jumped into his arms, squeezing his strong frame as hard as you could.

tears stain your cheeks. you cannot contain how grateful you are to have such an amazing boy in your life <3

" i want to be with you forever, tae," and you share the sweetest kiss. he's sure to take over 100 pictures of you with your new sparkly ring on too :)

⭐️ huening kai

kai takes you on a drive but you have no idea where he is taking you!

the car ride consists of you blasting music and singing your hearts out, listening to his amazing vocals. you could seriously listen to him sing all day.

you arrive at the spot; atop a tall hill and looking over the entire city. its golden hour, the sun is starting to set and he looks so beautiful in the orange-yellow light.

"close your eyes!" he yells once he leads you out of the car and you hear him rummaging around in the back seat.

you open your eyes when he tells you to as he pops open the trunk of his suv and behold! the cutest arrangement of things decorate large space.

fairy lights adorn the sign he made you reading "happy girlfriend's day to the best girl in the entire planet and universe!!!" with a bunch of colorful hearts and cute emojis he attempted to draw.

there are pillows and blankets and a basket of your favorite candies. he also got you plushies and packed a picnic of your favorite fast food because he just had to.

the two of you sat in the trunk eating an arrangement of your favorite food, candy, and soda. a bit unhealthy, but it’s your special treat that he knows you had been craving it the entire week.

after eating, you lay on top of his car watching the stars, sharing little kisses and giggling over inside jokes.

he hands you a small jar in which you discover holds tons of little pieces of paper. you read them one at a time. your eyes begin to well.

he had written over 100 different things he loves about you on each piece of paper.

"kai," you look at him, tears welling your eyes.

a million i love you’s are what you expressed through the tightest embrace.

note: each and every one of you are so so special, treat yourself to a little something today :) here is a little treat, i <3 you!! also, please let me know if you’d like me to turn any of these into full length stories💓

[yezznn]

You NEED to hear me out when I say that sex with Yeonjun has to be mind blowing. Those are the hips of a DANCER.

mdni 🥲 not proofread. Just me rambling before going to sleep.

Imagine him being so exhausted from his tortuous schedule, he just wants a good night sleep… one that he can only get after being balls deep inside you lol.

Every roll of his hips matches the roll of your eyes to the back of your head— each thrust sharp and calculated like the choreographies he works so hard on perfecting. A bruising grip on your thighs and waist to keep you steady as he angles you to his liking and uses you as a fleshlight, panting and moaning like a dog right against your ear… I’m so weak.

He’s not too loud, but he doesn’t keep quiet either. He moans and whimpers when he’s feeling really good, but only for you to hear. He also might start rambling filthy (or praising) shit when close to the edge, depending on the mood.

Yeonjun might be a little goofy during sex, trying to keep the mood light by teasing you, but oh boy when he’s actually horny, you won’t catch a break. I believe his stamina is really good, combined with a high sex drive, you’re in for a long night whenever he actually gets the time to think about anything else but work.

He wants to try every position, go from slow to fast, from soft to rough. He needs to take his time with you and absolutely ruin you because he knows he’s busy as hell most of the time but then again, quality over quantity!!!

This man knows how to pleasure his partner cus’ he makes sure to memorize every sensitive spot. And even if he doesn’t have the biggest dick among the TXT members he for sure knows how to use it, cough cough.

[hue-kangz]

Tomorrow x Together, Dream Week 2025

Happy 6th year TXT!