#thanks for hitting me right in the solar plexus

[thisonelikesaliens]

第一種家人 總是不會把你丟掉

so many shows lately have been showing us all the different ways adults have failed kids and all the damage that causes. sometimes just having one person who will never give up on you makes all the difference

[alchemistc]

You're an incredible fic writer and I wish I could write you something that you would enjoy.

Thank you!

Here's the thing. Write. Write write write, and then write some more. Every reader is going to enjoy different things. I will admit I'm a fucking snob when it comes to style, so even a lot of published stuff gets five paragraphs out of me before I decide whether to keep going. But writing is a muscle you can hone however you want. You wanna be verbose and dig into details? Lift some weight reading prose you enjoy. Are you aiming for brevity? Read some lyrics, some poetry, dig in there and really see what parts stand out to you that make 20 words feel like a novel.

Write shit that makes you so incandescently angry you title it GARBAGE HEAP DO NOT LOOK. (In five years go back to it and see how much is salvageable)

Write something that makes you weep, or laugh, or even just smile to yourself because you know, you KNOW it's gonna hit someone right in the solar plexus.

Use your own hobbies as jumping off points. Use your interests as heavy handed metaphor.

All I can say for sure is if you wanna write, you gotta... actually write. Sometimes I heed this advice myself, sometimes not. Sometimes I think something in particular is gonna hit and it doesn't. Sometimes I do something I don't even realize that has people pounding on my metaphorical door to yell at me.

Write for you, first and foremost, and then go from there.

♥️

tell me something on anon you'd never say off anon

[writeforfandoms]

Puppy Love 6

Find the series masterlist

The opening of this chapter was my absolute favorite to write. I cackled. A lot. I hope it amuses you too.

Warnings: Fluff, swearing, a bit of flirting, just a hint of spice.

Word count: 1.8k

Price had been acting just a little off all day. Gaz had seen him check the clock three times in the last hour of training. As if that wasn't enough, when Gaz had passed by Price's office earlier, he could have sworn he heard the Captain chuckling. Chuckling! 

(Not that Gaz had been spying. Of course not. That would be beneath him.) 

Gaz had his suspicions about what was going on, but he couldn't confirm. Yet. 

"Any updates?"

Gaz did not jump a foot in the air, because he was a damn well trained soldier. He also did not elbow Soap in the solar plexus, because Soap was a damn well trained soldier. 

Price stuck his head out of his office, glowering at the two men, who absolutely had not devolved into a wrestling match outside his office. 

"Take it somewhere else," he growled, his usual charming self, and shut the door pointedly. 

"I was trying to gather intel," Gaz grumbled, shoving Soap off of him and getting to his feet. "Until you butted in." 

Soap shrugged, unrepentant, staying sprawled on the floor for a few moments. "You're slow."

Gaz seriously considered tackling him again right then and there. "You have a better idea, then?" 

"Yup." Soap smirked as he got to his feet, clapping Gaz on the shoulder and turning him towards Price's office door. "Go ask him." 

"I'm not going to ask him!" Gaz hissed. "He wouldn't tell me anything anyway." 

"No, prob'ly not," Soap agreed easily. "But if you distract him I can sneak a look at his phone." 

"You're both idiots." 

Soap and Gaz absolutely did not shriek at the sudden appearance of the Lieutenant behind them. Ghost absolutely did not leave them both out to dry as part of his own plan to get into Price's office. 

"SERGEANT–!" Price bellowed, door swinging open and hitting the wall hard. 

Gaz and Soap exchanged one single, terrified look. And booked it. In opposite directions. 

"Fucking children," Price growled, glaring after Soap. "Lieutenant, unless you'd like to join them on cleaning duty, I suggest you move the fuck on." 

A shadow absolutely did not slink away sullenly from the Captain's office. 

–

You were only a little anxious as you double checked everything. The dining table had been set, you had a bottle of wine and a few bottles of beer cooling. The bread was out of the oven, the roast was ready just about any time. 

The dogs had been fed and set loose in the backyard to run around and play so they wouldn't be underfoot during dinner. 

You were about as prepared as you could get. 

And just in time, as there was a knock on the door. The dogs started barking, right on time, and you huffed as you brushed down your apron and walked over to open the door. 

"Hi." You smiled up at John, nervous and a bit giddy and hopeful. 

His answering smile was soft and warm and lovely. "Hi, darling." He stepped inside and offered you a bouquet. “It smells amazing in here.” 

“Thanks.” You took the flowers and leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Come on in, dinner is just about ready. What can I get you to drink? I’ve got wine, beer, I think there are a few sodas somewhere in the fridge…” 

“Whatever you’re having is fine.” He followed you into the kitchen, leaning one hip against the counter as you got down a vase and trimmed the flowers before putting them in water. 

“Take these to the table for me?” You held out the vase, and his fingers brushed over yours as he took it. 

Honestly, it was tempting to abandon dinner and just lean into the warmth of him. The way he was looking at you, like you were something precious and incredible, was just… You had no defense against that. You had no experience with it, either. 

“Wine is fine with you?” you confirmed, getting down two glasses. At his nod, you poured for both of you. Wordlessly, he took those to the table, too. 

Which left you to plate up dinner. The bread only took a moment to slice, and you put several pieces in a little basket to take to the table. Each plate got roast, potatoes, and carrots. 

John leaned over your shoulder to inhale deeply, sending blood rushing to your face. “Smells and looks amazing,” he praised gently. “Can’t wait.”

“Go sit, I’ll bring these over.” You gently shooed him out of your way, balancing the two plates and the bread basket easily to the table. “Go ahead, dig in.”

He took one bite and made a sinful sound. “Haven’t had a roast this good in a while,” he admitted. 

“Glad you like it.” You smiled shyly. “How was your day? Anything interesting happen?”

John made a face. “Not exactly,” he grumbled. 

“That face says otherwise.”

John puffed out a breath. “Just had to remind Gaz and Soap that they’re not as sneaky as they think they are.” 

You laughed quietly. “Yeah, they seem like a handful.”

“You don’t know the half of it. You probably have better luck with the dogs, at least they listen.”

You made a face. “I mean. More or less, yeah.”

“Sasha?” he guessed with a wry smile.

“Sasha,” you agreed with a sigh. “Little monster.” But your smile belied your affection for the little monster in question. 

“At least they’re not underfoot.”

“Oh, I threw them all out back before you arrived. They’re probably sitting at the door staring mournfully inside hoping for table scraps.” But you grinned, peeking over to check. Sure enough, three pairs of eyes stared in, with another pair busy trying to pounce on Sasha’s tail. 

“Have you had any more trouble?” John looked at you with a little concern, one of his feet nudging up against yours under the table. 

“No, thankfully.” Your smile was definitely relieved, even as you trapped his foot between both of yours. “But I’m still being careful, just in case.”

“Good.” He smiled and didn’t even try to take his foot back. Apparently this had been his plan all along. “Feel like I should warn you, darling. There will be times I’ll be away for weeks.”

“Okay.” You shrugged a little. “Entirely out of communication or only mostly?”

“Depends, it changes sometimes.” He mirrored your little shrug. “Just thought you ought to know, before you get too involved with a man like me.” 

“Hm.” You tipped your head to one side, observing him carefully. “And what does that mean?” 

“Just means I’ve been married to my work for a long time.” 

“I can work with that.” You relaxed a little, nudging the bread basket over towards him. “Especially if you’re able to give me a heads up, so I’ll know when you’ll be out of contact. If needed, I can take Cupid, too.”

“I’ll mention that to Gaz.” 

The two of you lapsed into quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. On the contrary, John continued your little game of footsie under the table even as you ate. It was almost odd, how comfortable you were with him, but the best kind of odd. 

When you stood to clean up, he was right behind you, carrying everything you hadn’t been able to reach. You didn’t even mind him in your personal space, playfully bumping your elbow into his ribs. 

“Something you want, darling?” Those intense blue eyes pinned you in place as he turned to look at you properly. 

“Is it just me feeling very comfortable right now?” You ducked your head a little, embarrassed. That hadn’t been what you were going to say.

“No,” he murmured, one hand curling warm and firm around your elbow. “Not just you.” 

You peeked up at him through your eyelashes to find him right there, close and warm. You shifted closer to him, lifting one hand to his cheek. The first touch of your lips to his was hesitant, brief. The second was firmer, warmer. 

After that, you lost track, completely swept up in kissing this man. You barely noticed when he backed you up into the kitchen counter, still busy kissing you within an inch of your life. He bit down gently on your lower lip and you whined softly, nearly going limp. He groaned quietly, licking into your mouth with fervor, his grip on your hips tightening. 

There was a bark and a thump as one of the dogs jumped at the kitchen window. 

You pulled back slowly, shivering when his teeth scraped over your lip. “Damn,” you muttered, eyes wide, still looking at him. “You can kiss me like that any time.”

He chuckled, low and rumbling. “I’ll take you up on that.”

Sasha barked again, banging on the window. Because she was a monster. 

You huffed a little laugh. “Let me let them in,” you said, gently nudging him out of the way. “Are you prepared?”

“As I’ll ever be.” John followed you, though he did stand back a few feet when you opened the sliding glass door to let the dogs in. 

Sasha, of course, ran straight to him and did her best to tackle him, tail going a mile a minute. Ginger got distracted with your toes (again), while Lola and Mirabelle started sniffing John. He handled the dogs better than you would have hoped, giving the girls time to sniff him and petting them as they wanted. 

“They’ll settle down soon,” you said, a little nervous that he was getting tired of this.

“They’re fine.” He lifted his gaze to you, smiling. “As are you.” 

You warmed again, and then yelped when Ginger bit your foot. “Look here you little monster–” You picked up Ginger, holding her up at eye level to glower at her. She just wiggled towards you, clearly ready to play. “How do you still have energy when you have three adults to play with, hmm?” 

John laughed quietly. “Pups are like that.”

You huffed but set Ginger down, shaking your head. “Let me know when you need a break, I can always throw them in my room.” 

“I can manage.” One big hand secured around your wrist, pulling you in closer until you were pressed to him. He smirked, eyes glinting as he dipped his head to press teasing kisses to your lips. “When do you need me to go?”

“Never.” You froze and then immediately ducked your head to hide your face against his chest. 

His chuckle rumbled against your skin, one big hand smoothing up and down your back. “Unfortunately, I will have to go back to base.” He paused. “But I don’t have to go yet. Nobody will say anything, long as I’m back for morning training.” 

“Then you can stay as long as you want without getting in trouble.” You tipped your head, hopeful for more kisses.

Which he gave you, slow and sweet. Until it was his turn to pull back with a grumble, looking down at Ginger. “Pup,” he grumbled. “My laces are not toys.”

You gave in and snickered into his chest, shaking a little with mirth. You could get used to this.

[the-golden-comet]

🏴‍☠️✨Fanart Friday Saturday: Peter Hart Moodboard 🏴‍☠️✨

It may be past Friday, but this fanart just has to be shared!! 💛✨

Another fantastic moodboard by the talented @wyked-ao3 !! The quotes are so accurate and well picked out here! These quotes are most definitely Peter, especially the first ones. Benjamin’s are also fantastic and made me laugh like a hyena 😂✨

The, “I hope you’re proud of me dad” quote hit me right in the solar plexus. Very wonderful work here, Wyked!! Thank you so, so much!! 🫂✨

Check out Peter Hart for free at the link below (Mind the tags. This book is explicit!) 🏴‍☠️💛✨

Make sure you check out Wyked’s works as well, and keep an eye out for their pirate novel: TPKODR!! 🏴‍☠️✨

[sitp-recs]

3 Tacky shorts to read this week

I ran against time to get this post out before midnight ET but am still a bit late 🥲 I know T won’t mind so here’s my belated gift to my sun and stars, my first and dearest partner in crime @tackytigerfic! T, I have no words to describe how much I appreciate our friendship. It’s been so special to experience this fandom with you in the last few years. I love that we immediately hit off and share one stupid brain cell when it comes to these idiots; it feels like we’ve known each other forever and 24 hours (especially living so far apart) is not enough to talk fic, headcanons, kinks, squicks and all other irl and existencial topics with you. Navigating such a big fandom can be really scary but even when nobody knew me I’d never feel lonely, invisible or like I had to pretend to be someone else, because I had you by my side. Thank you so so much for being my safe harbour, my sicko soulmate, my confidant, my role model and my biggest cheerleader!

As I thought of new ways to celebrate your day I tried to remember which fics I hadn’t written a rec for. I came to realize that I was never able to put my thoughts into words when it comes to my 3 favorite short fics of yours. They got me in such a Drarry fever, a tingling incoherent state of emotional devastation that I immediately put away the idea of doing recs because there was no possible way to translate my raw, ugly and chaotic feels about them. I tend to do this with fics that leave me with the so-called hangover once I’m done; funnily enough, the last time this happened - when I read Lettered’s By the Grace - it was you who helped me get that rec out by reviewing it and cheering me along the way, tysm 🥹 now it’s time to respond in kind and share love for these short gems that I have the privilege to revisit every time I need some comfort food. Lucky me, it turns out my best pal writes the exact brand of tender romance that checks all of my boxes. You are a fantastic friend and such a brilliant, talented writer. I love and admire you, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved. Can’t wait to see what comes next. Happy day T! 💜

👩‍🚀 Far Side + Relic Radiation (M, 1.7k)

Draco goes into space, leaving behind his son Scorpius (who has just started at Hogwarts, at least), and his not-quite-boyfriend Harry Potter. But Harry can't stop loving Draco just because he's approximately 408km up, in constant orbit.

“You’ll kill that plant,” Draco said, and flicked a lazy charm over the pot with his fingers so the spicy smell of the lavender sharpened the night air.

“You’ll kill me,” Harry said, and Draco turned his face towards the darkened sky, lunar pale, his profile some stupid unearthly thing—a flaring blazar, a supernova—in the light from the kitchen window.

When I say the heart kick factor may hit you in the solar plexus when you least expect, this is what I’m talking about. I’ve obsessed so much over these 2 tiny shorts with single dad!Draco (one of the tropes Tacky does magic with, they are so disgustingly romantic and emotionally satisfying - gimme T’s dad!Draco anthology or give me nothing!!!) that I came up with a whole theory to prove these stories are actually connected. Whether I’m on the right track or just another delusional reader it’s yet to be seen 🤣 Draco’s devotion to baby Scorpius - and Harry’s gentle yearning for the both of them - does things to my poor heart I can’t quite put into words. Let that boy have his found family happy ending, damn it. Every time I reread these gems I get teared up and wish I could stay in this verse forever, watching Scorp grow while these two lovely men find each other time and again. To make your heart melt a bit more, check the breathtaking artwork by the one and only @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm. I cannot— *cries in Drarry*

🏜️ Between the Power Lines (M, 3k)

For Harry Potter, all roads eventually lead to Draco Malfoy.

In New Orleans, they got drunk on Bourbon Street, and Malfoy danced on his own (arms bare, laughing; Harry could have watched him all night) and later on, so late it was almost morning, they let themselves into the St Louis Cemetery—Malfoy unpicking the lock so sweetly—and walked around until the sky was pink-edged with the promise of another day’s heat. Then they sat on the steps of a crypt, watched over by sightless eyes of the statue of an angel. She looked exhausted rather than sad, Harry thought, and that made a lot of sense when he thought about his own longstanding, dull-edged grief.

The best word to describe this (literally) hot fic is “atmospheric”. T does a flawless job building impeccable Americana vibes and packing so much story while keeping it 100% character-driven. I love the elegant, contained, confident writing, I love the evocative prose and how the mutual attraction bleeds through these quiet but intense road trip vignettes. The scenario is rich and immersive, the heat so palpable you can almost taste it, and the confession at the end is my definition of peak romance. A whole sensorial experience, both introspective and exciting, vibrant and melancholy, packed within 3k. Absolutely genius.

🎯Aim For My Heart (M, 3.4k)

Harry's in love, Ron's in control, and Draco just wants a nice lunch. They say three's a crowd, but Harry doesn't always agree. Not when he gets to be in the middle, anyway.

Neither of them had asked Harry what he likes best about them, but Harry watches them and feels the sick curl of excitement low in his belly, like something lost and gained all at once, and he wonders what he’d say if they did ask; would it be mouth or hands or arse, the gleam of clean hair or the hidden scent of a freshly-revealed patch of skin, blue eyes or grey? He doesn’t think he’d tell them what he really loves the most, and that’s the fact that both of them have been his for such a long time, in one way or another, and he loves that he gets to keep them.

For reference, this will always be the Dronarry classic I refer to when I think about this ship. The way Tacky explored the implications and complications of a triad relationship in its early stages (I am so fucking weak for that mix of want, jealousy and vulnerability) combined with exquisite characterization is so well executed I could cry. Beyond that banger of a starting line (“Big hands,” Draco says, and blushes) that made me blush and squeal in delight, Harry’s POV is a triumph. He’s genuinely lovely and relatable in all his yearning and insecurities, soft and longing for both Draco and Ron. The ideia of him realizing that he gets to be loved by, and keep the two people he loves the most in the world, makes my heart burst with warmth. I can pinpoint all the small, quiet but meaningful moments that made my breath stutter and my heart beat faster. This fic is a masterclass in elaborating complex and conflicting emotions, while solving them with a light hand of tenderness and understanding. It is subtle but efficient and all-encompassing in a way that stays with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading. The perfect triad fic.

[kattythingz]

Hi!! My nephew got me to watch fmab and i just finished last night, i went looking for fics and ive been binge reading Crown today :] my first fma fic and im having the time of my LIFE

Like ok Greed and Ling are two of my faves and just. The way you write them. Both their dynamic and them individually just UGH. YOU GET IT!! and oooooohhhh the repeat symbolism with Ed being golden and the sun and warm just. You have to understand what a sucker I am for poetic prose ESPECIALLY for relationships.

Also I wasnt 100% sold on edling before but you have solidly convinced me. And AROACE ED!!!<3<3 tbh I wouldve been commenting on the actual fic but sometimes I get too hyped and my words abandon me, plus Ive been so immersed in reading that a couple times I didnt notice pressing the 'next chapter' button. (also, off topic but I noticed of you add a nose to :] it looks like Gluttony. :o] )

BE STILL MY BEATING HEART?? OH MY GOD

Dude I was having a kinda shit day before I got this ask and SUDDENLY YOU HIT ME IN THE SOLAR PLEXUS??? I don't even know where to start ;;

First of all: WELCOME!!! I'm genuinely so (so so so) honored to be your entry point to the fandom! I hope you have a nice stay! And uh I apologize for maybe ruining your standards right out the gate XD I'm so happy to hear about Greedling's dynamic! They were a bit of a struggle to figure out cuz canon doesn't super elaborate on their relationship growth, but seems I did well enough! I'M ALSO HYPED TO HEAR THAT ABOUT MY PROSE. Imma be so real, but Ling's pov was solely an excuse for me to wax poetic about Ed. For every sun/gold symbolism I wrote, there was a stupid grin on my face to match. I love Ling loving Ed so much.

TALLY UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE EDLING CRUISE, WOOOOOO. I'm glad I helped you see the light >:D AND ARO 👏 ACE 👏 ED 👏, YES BITCH. The only valid take on him, I dare say /j

Thank you so much for taking the time to send this. I hope you have as wonderful a day as I did from getting these sweet words <3

[dumbthunder]

Find the word

Sorry to @justnerdy15. You tagged me forever ago and I'm just now getting to it.

My words were Run, Eye, Danger, Moon, and injury. Most of these are from a first draft, straight from the dome so please bear with me.

Im tagging @aohendo @sergeantnarwhalwrites @ezestreet @marinesocks and anyone else who wants to participate. Your words are: grab, taste, scent/smell, fight, soft

Run

Tazer runs towards Boss, her arms retracting giving her more momentum. At the end of her run, just before getting in bosses range, she jumps, digging both of her heels into his solar plexus. The attack loosens his grip on her wrists. She lands on her back and shoots an uppercut. Boss is quick so she only finds his beard. 

Danger

Geoff laughs. "Damn. El Dorado was right." His two right fists smash into my side. One hits my tit, the other just below my ribs. "I gotta take you seriously." Two hands grab my my waist, dangerously close to grabbing my ass. The other two find the back of my skull and brings my head to Geoffs. Its enough to break my nose first try. All of the hands release their grip, letting me fall to the floor. 

Eye

Boss isn't gentle putting me down. He doesn't drop me, but he has no reaction when I let a cry out as my back touches the table he sets me on. 

      "Wow" a voice says "He did a number on her" I feel latex touch my skin. "Contact dermatitis, broken nose, swelling around the eyes, damage to the esophagus. That last kick mightve broken her back." I hear the snapping as the disembodied voiced takes off their gloves and puts their hands on me.

I havent used the word moon so in doing Night

"So how long does it take?" The blonde girl asks.

      "Depends. It’s a slow night, then one or two. On a good day? I've gotten six guys in one night." Tazer says. "I've gotten at least one every time I've gone fishing though." 

          The fuck are they talking about? 

          Fishing? 

Injury, despite having a story about an underground fighting ring, i haven't used the word injury. Instead, this is an excerpt from something my GF wrote that takes place in the fighting ring. Its about an injury

“Looks like you have two options. Either you play along for a bit, and help me learn more about your affliction. You know, offer some value to the medical field.” I explain as I unlock it and snap open the clasps. “Or, you can be an uncooperative punk ass. I’ll fix up those stains, of course, and you’ll still get your money, but you’ll have to blow all of that- and then some- at the ER. You’ll be broke and in agony for months, when you could’ve had it fixed here instantly. So, what’ll it be?”

“You’re a doctor, you can’t do that.”

“Nurse. Was.” I say gently. “I can’t even remember the Hippocratic oath. But, hey, if it makes you feel any better, neither do any of those fuckers over in Baylor. So, what’ll it be?”

If you made it this far, thank you.

[girlyblunts]

I've been wanting to talk about this for days but haven't really been able to find the right words... During the last few days before my Nan passed, I had started giving her reiki at first just to help ease some of the small discomfort she was having in her abdomen from the tumor, when she would cough. I've been attuned to Usui reiki for a long time probably between the ages of 8-10ish, and received my second level attunement like sometime last yr. I know from experience of my teachers just how real and a miracle that reiki truly is, but I've always been self conscious in talking about and performing it on people that don't really know about it.

Early the morning of her passing, her breathing had kept declining every few hours and we just knew that it was going to happen sometime that day. My aunt and one of my cousins came over early and we were all with her, I never left her side in that bed that day. My body just decided on it's own to start giving reiki again, and I hadn't been and usually would not do so in front of anyone except for my mom. Mom was sitting on the other side of the bed next to my grandma when i had started giving reiki and using the power symbols on her crown and heart chakra, visualizing myself gently pulling in light/reiki energy into her body and she had said immediately within the same minute her breathing just started to gently relax into a rhythm like gentle waves hitting the shore. It all happened so fast, maybe within 3 minutes of me starting at most. I couldn't tell if she really was or not getting ready to pass over in those moments, I had a very brief moment of doubt for what i was doing and what was happening but before I could even respond to my rational brain, this giant wave of emotion refocused me and I moved my hand down to her solar plexus and that's when I could so clearly see her spirit's silver cord that we all have that connects our soul to the universal lifeforce/the other side of the veil. It was translucent and I could physically see the reiki energy swirling around and up her cord to her, it was so many different iridescent colors, but it truly looked like galaxies and stardust. It goes beyond any words I could try to describe. It was exactly like how my mom had described her breathing, like gentle waves. I could feel the energy inside of her build up within those few minutes until it reached its peak and she was completely enveloped within that wave and drifted back out for the last time. she didn't wretch, gasp or moan out, mom said that her brow didn't even furrow. I still cant even comprehend how beautiful it was for me to be a literal midwife in helping her cross over and be reborn again through reiki. I didn't think it was even possible for death to ever be this beautiful, taking care of her so lovingly, and getting to send her home with dignity and grace. I will never forget the gift that we both got to give each other in that moment, and yet again I didn't think that anything else could possibly happen to strengthen the bond and love i have for my Nan. But this really changed my fucking life completely.

After she was gone, I had went outside to the car so that I could call Tristan and tell him what the hell just happened and that she got to pass on in true bliss and comfort. After I had said everything and we were just both sitting there quietly crying, She came to me immediately and put her hand on the back of my neck and said "thank you so much baby, I'm okay. everything's okay now" then without human form, she wrapped me inside of her energy in this totally enveloping hug. It felt like being wrapped in a blanket, or very large angel wings. I knew she was okay and home and completely free but it still meant so much to me to hear. The weather that couple of days had been her favorite kind of weather, there was a small cold front that made it go down into the 70's and it was constantly raining and thundering at night time. Just how strongly I felt her all around outside when I got out of the car to go inside, in the hazy sky, the scent and feel of rain on the ground in my socks, how colorful and full the flowers were from the rain, the way the wind was blowing the trees, I felt her in everything.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Thank you my friend. Lets not waste our time now and get to it.

*Gozu walks backwards and gets in fighting stance. Yayoi then does the same.*

The Human bodies most typical weak spots tend to be the groin, throat, nose, ribs, solar plexus, and jaw. Target those areas but dont put too much power into the attacks. Afterall they're already weak areas so it wont take much to do damage. Now attempt to attack those spots on me.

*Yayoi thought for a moment before charging at Gozu. Since his mask is protecting his jaw, nose, and part of his neck it'd be pointless to attack there. Since Yayoi is already running in a straight line it'd be harder to land a punch on his ribs, considering his Solar plexus is in the center of his body it'd be easier to attack there. One punch, not too hard but it cant be weak either. But just enough for him to lose his guard and become easier to defeat.*

...At this point I can practically hear your thoughts.

*Before Yayoi could hit Gozu he swiftly moved to the right, Yayoi stumbled a bit as stared up at Gozu.*

As you were holding back alot of strength you were holding back some stamina as well. Try and focus your strength into your stamina, make sure your feet are steadily planted on the ground so that if your target moves away you dont stumble or fall. And maintain your breathing. When you run breath through your nose instead of your mouth. And take deeper longer breaths so you dont lose your breath as quickly as you would normally. I know you arent human but I assume even entities like yourself can get out of breath after running.

Hmm... interesting. Alright then. Lemme try again.

*Yayoi takes more time to think before once again charging towards Gozu. This time, instead of primarily focusing on holding back his strength, he focuses more on his breathing, keeping his movements steady, and finally, a plan. Knowing that Gozu would quickly shift to the side to avoid his attack, he made sure to prepare himself. Just as Yayoi got about 2 feet close, Gozu quickly moved to the left, but Yayoi was prepared for this. Using his left foot, he quickly jumped to the left, and using his right foot, he swiftly kicked Gozu on the side of his ribs, launching him about half way across the room. Yayoi landed smoothly on his feet.*

[todaysthinks]

Wedding Cake strain -- stream of consciousness review and panic advice

Start time of this writing: 10:24 PM

First thoughts about wedding cake having taken my last hit about 18 minutes ago: my head is heavy, I can't find the words I need, but I feel compelled to write. I started writing something completely different and just deleted it all because I couldn't find the right words. I just wanted to make sure it came out sounding not-curated at all.

About 20 minutes in, my head isn't heavy any more, and as I look at the screen my peripherals turn mushy. For the last few moments my heart felt like it was racing and I had to take a quick break to check. It wasn't- the effects of this high

-- 10:37: a firework just went off VERY close to the house. Holy hell that made me JUMP! I guess this strain is a jumpy strain because I felt the pop inside my gut. The house is quiet and I'm in the zone, and even though I'm not -fearful- I'm still shaking from the adrenaline. I'll have to be mindful of that.

What I was going to say is, there is a "gassy feeling, if having gas felt like an insides massage" kind of effect that spreads through the middle of your head first and then right after you start to feel it there, you'll feel it in your solar plexus area. Then it spreads upward through your chest and connects to the spread that started in your head. They've about connected and it's getting harder to type. I'm aware of the awkward angle of my wrists right now and sitting up stiff and straight is surprisingly easy.

If my nose is correct I mostly smell citrus and gasoline and a stinky nose tickle. *checking* "Rich and tangy with undertones of earthy pepper," says Leafly. Close enough? I get lots of caryophyllene and probably limonene. I'm not sure where the sedative effect comes from- there's something that smells familiar but that I can't identify. It's allergy season and nonstop storms, so I'll blame it on the stuffiness today.

-- 10:46 more fireworks, and some very angry little birdies outside all squealing about it, lol!

It is hard to get up but I need to. This feels like a strain that will give me the low blood pressure drowsy as soon as I stand up. Where your vision fades and you get heavy for ten seconds? Low pressure strain. I'll have to watch out for it too if that is indeed what this is.

At this point, my body feels.... tight. How else can I explain this? like a balloon exactly my size but 1 square mm of surface area more being inflated inside my body. It fits snug and feels comfy. I can't tell *where* the high lies... in my muscles? I for sure feel it marinating in my back muscles. Normally if I sit too long, one of my deep core guys starts to spasm and it makes me jolt. But that isn't happening right now! (I'll come back and update this if at some point I fall asleep with some still in my system.)

My guy is waking up from a nap and I'm telling him about what I'm up to. I am word dumb. It is extremely hard to put sentences together. I don't recommend it as a social strain unless you're cool with feeling a little awkward. This is definitely a "get your brain latched onto something" strain. I'd love it at a concert (during the concert part only, not the in-between chit chat time). I have yet to see how it will affect art. Update: 11:21, oneish hour after starting this post, words are coming back in small doses!

This strain *thankfully* doesn't bring me to a place of deep ponderings. I say thankfully because I meant to smoke *way* earlier and if it's too dark or eerie outside my mind starts freaking me out. None of that. I feel mostly being present-ness and not a strong need to talk. I'm also thankful that it doesn't make me deep think because I am extremely enjoying the body and ease-of-digital-expression effects, and if it was a strain that makes me susceptible to going to the dark place then it will go on a !huge! list of strains that feel nice/give me creative visions, but also make me go to the bad place. So, this is a nice change.

I'm not really thinking about anything in particular at all. This will be very helpful for sleep time, but it's getting reeeally heady. Which means if it's still in me during sleep time, my head will feel painful pressure and I won't be able to sleep. Will update tomorrow.

Things I will try next time: seeing how playing keyboard and music writing goes. I feel very...... stable. :) And craving tater tots.

If you are on the verge of a panic attack smoking this strain and need a sitter: Try to get yourself to a place where there's a constant, predictable, maybe low-mid volume sound going on around you. The sparkly sensation you feel in your face and ears is supposed to happen! Realize that this isn't a strain that will take you to dark places without some help from yourself. So, all you have to do is get distracted by doing something with your hands, not something that you have to think about too much. Just something you can get sucked into. You might be a little word-dumb so try to keep it brief and don't get sucked into any "I'd like you to meet someone"s. It has been about an hour and 25 minutes and the effects are starting to chill out.

End time: 11:26 PM

[ladyartemesia]

All I Want For Christmas is You

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Female Reader

Summary: When Park Jimin is unable to escort his precious sister through the gauntlet of corporate holiday galas, he blackmails his best friend Taehyung into being her chaperone. After all, who better to safeguard his headstrong sibling than a man who would never want her for himself? (She and Tae have spent the better part of a decade mutually disliking each other, and that’s putting it mildly.) Yet, even the best laid plans may go awry at Christmas and Kim Taehyung is about to discover that the girl he never wanted has become a temptation he cannot resist...

Genre: Comedy • Fluff  • Smut

Tropes: Brother’s Best Friend (Reader is Jimin’s Sister) • Enemies-to-Lovers

Collab: This work is part of the Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tropes Collab featuring original holiday themed works by @ppersonna • @xjoonchildx  • @underthejoon • @yeojaa​ • @untaemedqueen • and @snackhobi

Word Count: 17K (I know—I am shocked too honestly)

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Warnings: suggestive photographs • mention of accidentally being hit with a baseball • hints of jealousy and possessiveness • light tit slapping • explicit sexual content • m/f oral sex • consensual unprotected sex (shield it before you yield it y’all) • Viola’s mirror kink makes yet another appearance •

Acknowledgements:

To @ppersonna​ (Lindy) @underthejoon​ (Fal) and @xjoonchildx​ (Ana) you guys are my heart. Your support, willingness to read (and re-read) and give honest feedback made this fic special. Your friendship is my daily dose of awesome. Truly, I love you.

To @untaemedqueen​ (D) all of the above applies to you, but I owe you a little something extra for the LITERAL HOURS you spent in the doc with me. This fic would not be here without you. You kept me moving. You inspired me. You were amazing. Thank you so very much. This story is lovingly dedicated to you. 

To @hobi-gif​ for being the most thorough and incredible beta reader and for having all the important girl chats with me. I think you learned more about my past than you wanted... Either way you made this story better and I am profoundly grateful for the hours of time you spent. I have removed all the Hope-No-No words in your honor. 

To @lemonjoonah​ as always, you knew EXACTLY what I needed to tweak to make this story work. (Gotta pass that Lemon Litmus Test or no dice lol.) My lovely soul twin. You’re a bloomin’ rockstar. 

Please Picture This Taehyung:

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Yes. Because you absolutely owe me.”

“Then send me a bill, not your unmanageable harpy of a sister.”

Jimin raised a single unimpressed brow. 

“Kim Taehyung. It was exactly five years ago today that I carried your drunken naked ass two miles in the rain after you set your clothes on fire and sprained your ankle at that Beta Phi party.” He paused dramatically. “Do you remember what you said to me that night? After I deleted several pictures off phones and paid off half the party to keep it out of the papers?”

The man in question shifted uncomfortably.

“That incident is a bit hazy in my memory. I’m not sure I recall—”

“Jiminie—you’re the best and I—I owe… you. I owe you the most, Jiminie. I do—I owe you a favor—one BIG favor—anything you ask… Even though... I actually like being naked. I don’t think we need clothes. We should all be naked. Everyone. Then there would be world peace.”

Taehyung’s jaw dropped. 

“You RECORDED IT?!”

Jimin grinned, sliding his phone back into his pocket.

“Naturally. And I had it all ready to go—just in case you needed extra convincing.” He crossed his arms and fixed his best friend of nearly fifteen years with a triumphant smirk. “I’m calling in that favor today, Taehyung. Now are you a man of your word or not?”

“He did WHAT?!”

Your mother winced. 

“Jimin was... uncomfortable leaving you alone for the holiday season. He normally accompanies you to the galas but this year—”

“This year I was going to go alone and finally build my reputation as an asset to this family!”

Park Soomin sighed as she watched her daughter pace fiercely around the living room of their luxury suite. 

“No one doubts that you’re an asset, but… in light of recent events...”

Rage and embarrassment flared up in your chest before you could stop them. 

“This is about Milo… isn’t it?”

The silence that greeted your statement was confirmation enough. 

“Are you ever going to trust me again?” you whispered. 

“Oh sweetheart... it isn’t you we don’t trust...”

Tears burned at the corner of your eyes, but you ruthlessly blinked them back. 

You would play along with their humiliating schemes. 

For now.

“So which one of Jimin’s Ivy League brat pack did he blackmail into babysitting me? 

For the first time in the entirety of the conversation, your mother looked truly nervous. 

“Kim Taehyung.”

You tripped over your own feet and face-planted into the sofa. 

“Jungkook, I need to look into faking my own death. Nothing too over the top. Just a tasteful disappearance—”

The man in question could barely restrain his grin. 

“You don’t pay me nearly enough to deal with your mother in the event of your tragic demise and miraculous resurrection.”

“I could pay you more.”

“Or,” Jungkook replied with a heavy dose of judgment coloring his tone, “you could put on this ridiculous tie and stop trying to weasel out of it.”

“Sometimes I wonder why I pay you at all,” Taehyung growled, yanking the tie from the younger man’s grasp. “Clearly I’m not the one in charge.”

“Your words, sir, not mine. Now shall we go over the details and itinerary?”

If Jeon Jungkook wasn’t the best executive aide in the city (and one of his closest friends) Tae would have drop-kicked him right then and there.

“Could you at least try to look like you’re not enjoying this?”

“I’m sorry, sir. It was insensitive of me to ignore your suffering in this delicate time. The trauma of escorting a beautiful woman to a series of glorified buffets weighs heavily upon you.”

Taehyung tightened the tie so aggressively, he almost strangled himself.

“Beautiful woman?!” he wheezed. “We’re talking about the girl who showed up to our formal graduation party looking like she just escaped from Azkaban.”

Jungkook bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. 

“Tae… how long has it been since you’ve actually seen Ms. Park?” 

“Seen? Maybe three—four years.”

The heir-apparent of Kim Holdings avoided the public end of corporate culture like the plague, preferring to leave the requisite schmoozing to his personable cousin, Kim Seokjin. 

However, he had crossed paths with his adolescent nemesis in... other ways. 

Taehyung was romancing a lovely young socialite who suddenly ghosted him after someone told her that he wanted at least eight naturally-birthed children. 

Soon after, your favorite charity received an anonymous 30,000 dollar donation requesting that you be featured in the dunk tank for an upcoming benefit carnival and then the same anonymous patron paid for at least fifteen little league teams to attend. 

In retaliation, someone petitioned the National Aviary Society (chaired by a very influential senator’s wife that no one ever refused if they wanted their permits to go through) to make Taehyung the MC at their annual awards ceremony—knowing full well he was allergic to birds (not dangerously allergic—just enough to be miserable).  

Taehyung had sniffled and sneezed through approximately one hundred parrots, parakeets, and other assorted fowl until he was ready to commit murder. 

The last several years had been littered with similar incidents of the two of you taking thinly veiled potshots at one another. 

“I can’t imagine she’s changed very much,” Taehyung bit off absently. His mind was abruptly consumed by how he could get revenge for those demonic birds. 

He didn’t notice the smile creeping over Jungkook’s face. 

“No, sir. I’m sure she hasn’t changed at all.”

Taehyung had only ever had the wind knocked out of him once before. 

He was Dionysia High School’s star pitcher for three seasons and during one particularly tense game against JY Prep, Lim Jaebeom whacked a line drive right into his solar plexus. 

That’s how it felt to look up and see you at the top of the stairs. 

In his head, you were still the mischievous imp from his childhood. Every prank he played was directed at the fierce little fiend with braids and braces who’d knocked him and his date into the university fountain while experimenting with her friend’s skateboard. 

But she was gone… and in her place was something far more dangerous. 

A woman. 

Silken fabric wrapped tightly over curves you definitely didn’t have four years ago. That wild hair had been tamed into shining waves and pinned elegantly at the nape of your neck. The wicked slit that traveled all the way up your thigh teased a smooth shapely leg that all but demanded the viewer fantasize about running their hand up the length of it. 

Suddenly it was very clear why Park Jimin wouldn’t let his sister venture into the corporate cesspool alone. 

Because the sight of you could make a man desperate. 

Betrayal—of all things—slowly crept over Taehyung as you descended toward him like some sort of angel floating down from the heavens. 

His mind went blank. Just watching the seductive shift of your hips as you swayed ever closer felt like a violation of his friendship with Jimin. He could feel the judgmental stares of an imaginary Bro-Code Council boring into him from on high. 

“I see you’ve recovered from your memorable tenure as the Aviary Society’s Master of Ceremonies.”

And just like that the brat was back. 

Taehyung breathed a hefty sigh of relief, secretly thrilled to be in familiar territory with you. 

“Naturally I was delighted to help Senator Mitchell’s wife. In fact, Mitchell’s office just fast tracked all my pending permit requests for the new year.” He tilted forward, coming into your space a bit. “I should really send you a thank you card.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you scowled, breezing past him like an indignant queen. 

Tae could practically see the steam pouring out of your ears. 

“Of course not,” he chuckled.

The first gala of the holiday season was an extravagant annual affair hosted by Min Corp., a Seoul based investment firm that commanded billions in assets. This year, the theme of the event was the Joseon Dynasty and the entire ballroom had been gloriously transformed into a stunning celebration of the Min family’s royal heritage. 

Attendees were gifted their own traditional fan, each uniquely crafted by artisans from Damyang. Taehyung’s was all black with bold silver calligraphy while yours was a beautiful bamboo and silk piece decorated with pomegranate trees. 

You had already whacked three people with it by the time dinner was served. 

“It really is a pity these fell out of fashion,” you lamented. “They’re quite useful.”

“You are deranged,” Taehyung mumbled, massaging his temples in exasperation. 

“Nonsense. I only fanned those who deserved it.”

“Harkins?”

“He was staring at my rack for a solid minute.”

Taehyung could hardly blame the man, it was a battle he himself was losing after all, but Harkins was twice your age and married—therefore his ogling was in especially poor taste. 

“Okay... What about Kang?” 

“He was verbally abusing one of the waitstaff.” 

“Alright, fair enough, but why on earth would you go after sweet old Mrs. O’Malley?”

“She was about to grab your ass.”

Taehyung’s mouth dropped open.

“She’s eighty-five!”

“And still kickin’ apparently.” You shook your head in disgust. “As if I’d whack an eighty-five year-old woman for anything less than non-consensual touching.”

“I- I- mean—surely you must be mistaken,” he coughed. 

“Oh, there’s no mistake. That nasty old crone is a serial offender. She likes to play it off as dementia, but she’s as sharp as a tack. Last year she got a whole handful of Jimin. Honestly, I’d call the police on her, but the commissioner is her grandson so I doubt I’d get very far.”

Taehyung turned to the woman in question just in time to see her totter lecherously toward Jung Hoseok, fingers already twitching in anticipation. 

“Is nothing sacred?” he mused hollowly. 

You shrugged. 

“Many people who accumulate as much as our families have start believing that they are entitled to whatever strikes their fancy.” Your eyes met his with a hint of bemusement. “Surely you should be used to this sort of thing by now?”

“Yes, but I was hardly expecting it from little old ladies!”

The remainder of dinner was a terse affair where you pretended he didn’t exist for the entire meal and he in turn pretended that the spunky young heiress seated to his right was the most darling creature to ever walk the earth. By dessert she was ready to get married and you were ready to vomit. 

Afterward, Taehyung found himself quickly converted to your views on fan usefulness as you began strolling through the crowd intent on strengthening your family’s corporate ties. 

“Kim Taehyung,” you ground out through clenched teeth, “how am I supposed to do business if you keep stabbing everyone I speak to!”

“I don’t know what you’re implying. I’m simply not used to carrying one of these. I may have accidentally grazed a few overzealous individuals—”

“My last three conversations have been rudely disrupted by the blunt end of that accused fan.”

Taehyung crossed his arms smugly. 

“And what of it? Jimin sent me along to keep an eye on you and the gentlemen in question were hardly behaving themselves. No one has to put their hand in my back or lean that close to me when they’re talking business.” 

“That’s because no one wants to get that close to you,” you replied sweetly. “You’re gross.” 

A devastating grin slid slowly over his features as he leaned forward to whisper in your ear. 

“I can think of several women who might disagree.”

He just barely caught the hitch in your breath before- 

“Like who? Miss Blushes-and-Giggles from dinner?”

“Jealous?” Taehyung drawled cockily. 

“Only in your dreams, Kim.” Then, with a deliberate flick of your fan, you turned your back to him. “I’m headed for the ladies room. Do yourself a favor and don’t follow me in.”

It was twenty minutes before Taehyung realized that you slipped out the back entrance of the restroom. 

It took another ten for him to locate you on the balcony flirting outrageously with Min Yoongi. 

The young heir of Min Corp. was just leaning closer to whisper sweet nothings in your ear when a black fan slid right in between the two of you. 

“Lovely weather we’re having,” Taehyung observed cheerfully. His eyes bounced between you and Yoongi with barely concealed fury and you let out a miserable groan. 

“Mr. Kim,” Yoongi cleared his throat significantly. “What an… unexpected surprise.”

Frustration clawed at your chest as your overbearing guardian nodded smugly in response. 

It was time to teach him—and Jimin—a lesson. 

“Yoongi,” you sighed, sliding your hand pointedly through the crook of his arm, “I’m not feeling at all well. Would you perhaps… escort me home?”

Taehyung suddenly looked as if he’d swallowed a live octopus. 

Yoongi grinned, clearly thrilled with the prospect of simultaneously spending more time with you and irritating Taehyung. 

“It would be my pleasure.”

“Jimin is gonna kill me,” Taehyung grumbled as he watched Min Yoongi help you into the passenger seat of his Aston Martin. 

An ugly green feeling he refused to identify twisted sharply in his gut when you smiled coyly at the other man. 

“This is ridiculous,” he snarled to no one in particular before yanking his phone out of his pocket. 

Jungkook picked up on the second ring. 

“Sir?”

“I need you to drive to Ms. Park’s apartment and tell me if she goes in alone or if Min Yoongi goes in with her.”

“You want me to what?!” 

“Just do it!” he snapped, downing an entire glass of champagne before signaling his own driver. 

Fifteen minutes later his phone vibrated from the car seat next to him. 

1 New Message from: Jungkook

Her building has four separate entrances. Which one do I watch? 

Taehyung could practically feel the vein pulsing in his forehead as he scrolled through his contacts. 

You picked up on the fourth ring. 

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“Oh it’s you… Wait—how did you get this number?”

“Jimin. Obviously. Now please answer the question.”

“Oh a ‘please.’ Who knew you had manners?”

“Answer the question, Park. I’m tired.”

The distinct sound of a zipper unzipping carried through the speaker. 

“I’m at home, of course. Where else would I be? I just got here like a minute ago.”

He had a sudden vision of Min Yoongi helping you out of your dress. His grip on the phone tightened. 

“Are you alone?”

You snorted. 

“I don’t see how that is any of your business.”

Taehyung saw red. 

“I’m coming over.”

There was a loud crash and several colorful words in at least three different languages. 

“Wha- No! I’m trying to go to bed!”

“With who?!”

“With myself, you idiot!”

“Prove it!”

“Fine! I will!”

The line disconnected and Taehyung swore loudly. He was just about to direct the driver to your building when his phone went off again. 

1 New Message from: Park Gremlin 

He almost choked on his tongue. 

You were clearly in the middle of undressing and—in your irritation—probably hadn’t looked too carefully at the picture you sent.  

At first glance it was simply a shot of your empty room (presumably “proof” that you were alone) but you neglected to consider the floor-length mirror hanging in the far corner…

A mirror that showed you angrily holding up your phone with your gown pooled deliciously around your waist and the soft round swells of your breasts strapped into lacy red lingerie. 

You were exquisite. 

A fierce, hot sensation gripped him ruthlessly, and this time there was no mistaking it. 

Desire. 

Your phone lit up on the bed where you tossed it after snapping a photo for your tightly-wound man nanny. 

1 New Message from: Kim Grinch 

I didn’t know you liked Van Gogh. 

Your head tilted in confusion. 

There was a Van Gogh print in your room, but he couldn’t have seen it because it was behind you when-

Oh NO.

You gasped, scrolling back up to confirm what deep down you already knew to be true. 

… You just sent Kim Taehyung a topless mirror selfie. 

Several miles away, smiling smugly in the backseat of his town car, Taehyung was sure he could almost hear you screaming. 

“Good morning, sir. Which would you like first; the bad news or the worse news?”

Taehyung groaned from underneath his covers. 

“Don’t you ever knock? I could have a woman up here.”

“You’ve never brought a woman up here.”

“Is that the bad news?” Taehyung yawned. 

“No,” Jungkook tossed a small stack of newspapers and printed digital articles into his lap, “this is the bad news.”

Pictures of you, Min Yoongi, and even himself were splashed over the front pages of all of them. 

PARK ANGEL TRADES ONE CORPORATE HEIR FOR ANOTHER AT MIN GALA

WHO WILL WIN THE PARK ANGEL’S HEART? KIM TAEHYUNG OR MIN YOONGI? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS

NEW ROMANCE ALERT? PARK ANGEL LEAVES JOSEON BALL WITH MIN SCION 

“The Park Angel?” 

“That’s what the media calls her... The public is rather fascinated with her actually.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Taehyung mumbled. 

“Of course not, sir. It’s a great mystery.”

As usual, Taehyung chose to ignore his aide’s lethal snark and pressed on to the matter at hand. 

“This is a flaming disaster.”

“Oh I don’t know. I really appreciated the picture of you staring on forlornly while she and Yoongi climbed into the Aston Martin. Takes a real gift to capture all that drama in a single frame.”

“Which one was that?!” 

“It’s right under the MAN DOWN: PARK ANGEL LEAVES KIM TAEHYUNG HEARTBROKEN headline.”

Tae ran his hand down over his face in exasperation. 

“I’m surprised my mother hasn’t called.”

“She has. Twice.”

“I don’t suppose that’s the ‘worse news’ is it?”

“No.”

“Of course it isn’t. I’m never that lucky.” He collapsed backwards into his pillows with a beleaguered huff. “Go ahead then. Tell me.”

“Park Jimin is on the line for you right now.”

After a small eternity on the phone with Jimin (assuring him that NO Min Yoongi had not despoiled his precious sister and YES he would definitely do better next time), Taehyung was forced to attend an impromptu brunch with his mother. It took considerable effort, but he was eventually able to convince her that you were neither breaking his heart nor expecting his child. 

By the time he arrived to collect you for this evening’s event, Taehyung was already sick of hearing your name (he’d spoken it no less than three hundred times since Jungkook woke him this morning).

You were in much the same boat as Taehyung, having spent most of the afternoon pacifying Jimin and clearing up your own mother’s romantic delusions regarding the Min and Kim heirs respectively. 

Tonight’s gala was a Victorian Christmas Ball thrown by the National Literary Fund and the entire venue had been transformed into a Charles Dickens fever dream. 

Unlike the Min Gala (whose theme was guarded like a state secret every year) the Literary Fund’s tribute to A Christmas Carol was tradition and you were dressed accordingly in a custom corset gown with gorgeous detailing. 

Every second of effort it took to lace yourself into the monstrosity was worth the look on Taehyung’s face the moment you slipped off your cape. 

“Something wrong, Mr. Kim?”

Taehyung was desperately trying to look literally anywhere but your chest, where said corset was serving up your breasts like a debauched buffet. 

Jimin. Think of Jimin. Think of what Jimin will do to you. Think of how much trouble she’s caused-

He peeked again.

I would pay a million dollars to suck those tits. 

“Nothing at all,” his voice cracked. 

The itinerary for the evening included performances by a local children’s choir, a traditional waltz, and—of course—dinner.

You both managed to get along without snapping at each other during the choral performance, but as two of the largest donors to the Children’s Literacy Initiative, neither of you could escape being drawn into the waltz. 

The energetic socialite who Taehyung flirted with over dinner the previous night eventually lured him onto the floor while you graciously accepted an invitation from a lovely older gentleman who chaired the Fund’s event committee. 

For the first few movements, you were thoroughly enjoying yourself. Mr. Lee was charming, respectful, and still an excellent dancer despite his advanced age. It wasn’t until a familiar sound caught your attention that the lightness in your chest suddenly felt heavy...

Taehyung was laughing. 

You heard him do so many times over the years, and in each instance, the carefree magic of it never failed to make your heart flutter. 

But now he was smiling down at the pretty little heiress and laughing for her… and the flutter in your chest was accompanied by something else. 

Something that felt an awful lot like longing. 

“Does he know you look at him like that?” Mr. Lee asked quietly. 

Your eyes flew guiltily to his, but it was too late. The old man had caught a glimpse of the secret you buried deeply for more than a decade; so deeply, in fact, there were times you almost forgot it yourself...

Almost. 

“No,” you whispered, “he has no idea.” 

Disaster struck at dinner. 

Taehyung quite liked dancing with the lovely Miss Something-or-Other. She was sweet and funny and (unlike with you) he wasn’t constantly torn between agitation and raging inappropriate lust in her presence. 

The cold shoulder you offered him when he took his seat seemed even more frigid than usual and he spent half the meal wondering what he’d done to earn your amplified disdain when suddenly—

Your hand smacked down on his wrist, seizing it in a vise-like grip. 

Taehyung nearly choked on his steak and was about to give you a searing set-down over your spontaneous grabby-ness when he noticed your expression. 

“What’s wrong?” he whispered, leaning forward in concern. 

“I-I need—” 

It looked as if you were in some sort of physical pain and Taehyung was rapidly becoming worried. 

“I need your help,” you finally managed to whimper and the next thing he knew, you were dragging him away from the table and into one of the secluded alcoves near the main entrance hall. 

“Is there anyone around? Can anyone see us?” The look on your face bordered on unhinged. 

“No. There’s no one. Park, are you okay? What’s going on I—”

“I need you to unlace my dress,” you hissed frantically. 

At that moment, a bomb could have gone off and Taehyung wouldn’t have blinked. 

You, however, were completely preoccupied with your own distress and therefore oblivious to his. 

“My earring broke during dinner and fell down there and now it’s stabbing me—”

Your eyes were beginning to tear. Taehyung remained frozen, still trying to figure out whether or not this was a lucid dream. 

“—it’s definitely pierced the skin and there’s a possibility I’m gonna start bleeding through the fabric—”

The mention of blood snapped him out of his daze somewhat. 

“A-Alright. Just turn around—brace yourself on that wall.”

You quickly did as you were told and Taehyung began to tug fruitlessly at the ties cross-crossing your back.

“Why won’t this—”

His fingers fumbled over the knots, desperately trying to loosen them, but they simply wouldn’t budge. 

“I can’t—I can’t get it. Whoever helped you into this thing made sure you weren’t getting out of it.” 

You whined in frustration and the earring shifted a bit in response. 

There was only one other way to fix this (and you would almost rather be in pain). 

“Taehyung I—” you turned to face him again, forcing your eyes shut before reluctantly doing what had to be done “... I need you to reach down the front of my dress and get it.”

He blinked. Twice. 

“I’m sorry—What did you just—”

“Please, Tae,” you whispered desperately, letting your lip tremble in a way he had never been able to resist, “it hurts…”

He gulped. 

His eyes dropped to the matter at hand.

This is fine. Everything’s fine. She’s in pain, right? You’re basically a doctor right now. You’re just going slide your hand in between the most mouthwatering pair of breasts you’ve ever seen and then—

Taehyung’s manic inner monologue was interrupted by the sound of his own moan. He immediately faked a coughing fit to cover it and prayed you hadn’t noticed. 

(You hadn’t. You were actively being stabbed.) 

“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” he muttered, curling his fingers over the scalloped edge of the bodice. 

You bit your lip, desperately trying to hold back any reaction, but when his knuckle brushed the pebbled tip of your nipple, you gasped. 

Oh.

His hand stuttered, lingering a moment too long over the tight little peak as his gaze suddenly shot up to meet yours. Both of you had been studiously avoiding eye contact, yet now it was as if neither of you could look away. 

Taehyung wet his lips reflexively. 

“It’s too tight,” he whispered, “I need more leverage.” 

Then his arm wrapped over the curve of your lower back and he drew you tightly against him, anchoring your hips just enough to fully slip his hand between your body and the corset. 

You were so warm.

So soft...

“I can feel it,” he grunted, “but I can’t get a good grip on it.” 

His mouth pressed into a tight line as he leaned forward, bringing your back up against the wall. You let out a little squeak and his eyes darted briefly down to your mouth before he spoke again. 

“Hold on to me.”  

You nodded and wordlessly slid your arms around his waist.

If you concentrated hard enough, you could almost pretend that this wasn’t one of the most erotic moments of your life. 

You could almost pretend that it meant nothing. 

Your mind was spinning wildly, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if he noticed how strangely you were breathing or how hard your heart was beating...

“I’ve got it,” he murmured. Shivers shot down your spine at the dark timbre of his voice. 

He was so close. You could feel every word he spoke brushing softly against your skin. 

“On ‘three’ I’m going to pull it out… Are you ready?”

You drew in a final steadying breath. 

“Do it.”

He nodded. 

“One… Two… Three—”

Taehyung yanked his hand back and several things happened at once. 

Your breasts bounced almost entirely out of the corset. 

The decorative clasps on the front of your gown tangled with the buttons on his shirt and when he pulled back, three of them went flying off like stray bullets. 

And finally, the corset didn’t relinquish Taehyung’s hand quite quickly enough and, as a result, you toppled forward and crashed down on top of him, smashing your newly bare breasts to his newly bare chest. 

It could have been ten seconds or ten hours that passed by while the two of you lay there, breathing heavily in a pile of confused arousal when—

“... Is… everything alright here?”

You both looked up to find a thoroughly scandalized member of the waitstaff standing over you. 

Taehyung saw his life flash before his eyes—ending (of course) with Jimin murdering him for this. 

He gulped again. 

“I can explain.” 

It was decided—for the sake of appearances—that you would both leave the venue (immediately) in separate vehicles. 

Taehyung dropped a cool three hundred in crisp bills on the unfortunate waiter in order to help him ‘forget’ whatever he may or may not have seen. 

Neither of you spoke another word to each other in the ten minutes it took to bribe all the appropriate parties, gather your coats, and call for two separate town cars. 

Something had happened when he touched you; a subtle shift in the precarious balance of your relationship that you both felt keenly, but could not possibly begin to define. 

Taehyung barely even remembered climbing into the back of a vehicle. His body was firing on auto-pilot after the sensory overload of the last half hour. It wasn’t until he was nearly home that he realized he was still holding onto your earring. 

His mind began to wander as he examined the troublesome bauble in his palm. It was a striking piece; deceptively complex and unexpectedly beautiful. 

Just like you.

He told himself that the heat pooling low in his belly was anger—that the strange anxiousness to be near you was simply a desire for retribution—that it was merely platonic curiosity that left his hands aching to explore the rest of your curves. 

Lies.

… and pitifully transparent ones at that. 

Still, he clung to them desperately out of self-preservation. 

The gentle hum of his phone suddenly disturbed Taehyung’s silent contemplation. 

1 New Message from: Park Gremlin 

I made it home safely. 

Taehyung’s fingers were typing a reply before he could properly consider the consequence of his actions. 

To: Park Gremlin

I require proof… like last time. 

He nearly threw the phone the moment he sent it, running his hands down over his face in disbelief. 

You’re playing with fire, Kim Taehyung. 

And he was burning up already. He had no business sending you texts like that. Maybe you wouldn’t catch it. Maybe he could just-

The phone went off again and it was embarrassing how quickly he scrambled to open your response. 

His heart stuttered in his chest. His breathing ceased entirely-

And he knew—he knew—there was no coming back from this.

At first glance the photo was nearly identical to the shot you sent him last night. Same room, same angle… 

same mirror.

Yet this time, the reflection was quite different. 

The temptress in the glass wore nothing but that sinfully delicious corset and a pair of silky lace thigh highs, each accented with a green satin bow. 

He wanted to rip them off with his teeth. 

 “Oh Taehyung,” he whispered, as a dark wave primitive longing tore through him, “you are in so much trouble.”

Across town (buried beneath a pile of blankets) you were still struggling to process the boldness of your own actions when his response lit up your screen. 

1 New Message from: Kim Grinch

Green is my favorite color. 

“WHERE IS HE—”

Taehyung awoke to a series of crashes and shouts echoing from the floor below him. 

Jungkook was already seated in the corner of the room reading a newspaper. 

“Good morning, sir,” he said without looking up. “Would you like the bad news or the worse news?”

Suddenly the french doors of his bedroom slammed open and one very irate Park Jimin stormed through. 

“I swear I should have seen this coming. The two of you have always been obsessed with each other, but I never imagined—”

Taehyung’s eyes widened guiltily. He quickly schooled his features into a confused glare. 

“Jimin, I’ve only been awake for fifteen seconds. What the hell are you talking about?!”

Another stack of newspapers hit his lap and this time the pictures were mostly of him with his shirt ripped halfway down his chest. 

KIM HEIR AND PARK ANGEL CAUSE AN OLD-FASHIONED SCANDAL AT VICTORIAN BALL

FORGET MISTLETOE: KIM TAEHYUNG DISCOVERED UNDER THE PARK ANGEL AT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

NAUGHTY NOEL? PARK ANGEL’S STEAMY AFFAIR WITH CORPORATE PRINCE 

PARK ANGEL TOPS KIM TAEHYUNG’S CHRISTMAS TREE

He winced a bit at that last one. 

“You have ten seconds to explain before I start throwing things.”

Taehyung opened his mouth to do just that, but he was interrupted when his mother marched into the room waving the same articles that Jimin had just thrown at him. 

“KIM TAEHYUNG I raised you better than this! How could you!? That poor girl!”

“Mother!” he squeaked, yanking his blanket up over his chest like a frightened debutante. 

Jungkook began surreptitiously filming the whole debacle from the corner. 

“Indeed,” Jimin added darkly, crossing his arms over his chest, “how could you?”

Taehyung sighed heavily. 

“Is anyone else going to come charging into my bedroom?”

“Just answer me once and for all, is she pregnant?” 

“WHAT?!” 

“NO! Mother! Oh my—”

“Why does your mom think my little sister is pregnant?!”

Taehyung waved his arms wildly in exasperation. 

“My mom thinks everyone is pregnant! You know this!”

Jungkook could no longer contain his hysterical cackling. He very nearly fell off the chair trying to hold it all in. 

“Mr. Jeon,” Taehyung ground out irritably, “if it’s not too much trouble, could you please escort everyone out of my bedroom so I can get dressed!” 

“So you see—I was basically like a doctor,” Taehyung finished emphatically. 

He spent the past twenty minutes explaining to the entire table (which now included both you and your mother) why it was necessary to shove his hand down the front of your dress. 

Park Soomin had shown up at his door looking for answers (and dragging you behind her like a sacrificial lamb) about three minutes after Jimin. 

You had taken one look at Jimin’s murderous expression and insisted that the situation be evaluated over breakfast at the cafe down the street (where there were lots of witnesses). 

Which was how you, Taehyung, Jimin, and both your mothers ended up discussing your cleavage over coffee in a public restaurant. 

Jimin was the first to break. It was a few snorts at first, but he was basically in tears by the end of it, wheezing about how he never doubted Taehyung for a second and holding on to his sides from laughing too hard. 

Taehyung’s gaze met yours for a brief, heated exchange. He conveniently forgot to mention your slightly-less-than-explainable ‘check-in’ texts, but their existence was palpable in the air between you. 

“I think I’ll take a walk,” you muttered, excusing yourself from the complicated atmosphere at the table. 

Taehyung’s eyes lingered on you a tad too long as you wandered away, a fact that wasn’t missed by either of your mothers.

“Just a few more events and you can go back to not seeing her at all,” Jimin chuckled, patting him on the back. 

“Yeah,” Taehyung answered with a tight smile. “That’s… great.”

The cafe had a lovely little balcony area decorated with all sorts of comforting Christmas foliage. It was far more inviting than the awkward conversation and confusing stares you and Taehyung had been trading all morning. 

For the first time in the nearly fifteen years of your relationship (such as it was) you didn’t know where you stood with him… and it bothered you more than you cared to admit. 

Taehyung had always been important to you, whether you wanted him to be or not. He mattered—effortlessly—from the first moment you met him and continued to do so without regard for your sanity. 

Whatever was building between you now would almost certainly bring change… though what kind of change was anyone’s guess. 

It was hard to imagine the years ahead without the strange excitement he always brought to your life, but some things were simply out of your control…

“I never thought I’d see you here.”

A profoundly unpleasant feeling (something similar to falling through the ice on a frozen pond) overtook you. 

“Milo.” Even saying his name felt gross. You sighed. “What is so strange about seeing me here?”

The man in question blushed in a way you once found irresistible. 

“I looked for you everywhere. All your usual places—”

“I avoided them.”

I avoided you. 

Milo nodded. 

“I—I figured.” 

He took a step closer and you instinctively moved back. The hurt in his eyes was unmistakable, but you had long since become immune. 

“What are you doing?” you hissed angrily. “I thought I made myself clear the last time we spoke.”

“Yes, but—” his hand reached out to curl over your forearm and you recoiled, “you didn’t give me a chance to explain—”

“Excuse me.” 

You both turned to see Kim Taehyung with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at Milo like he was a roach that crawled across his dinner plate. 

“Your mother sent me to come find you. She wants to leave.” 

You nodded and moved to pull away, but Milo’s grip tightened on your arm. 

“No—please if you just give me a minute—”

“That is enough,” Taehyung snarled, seizing the other man’s hand and forcibly removing it from your person. He angled his body between the two of you protectively. “I think it’s time for you to go.”

Milo’s eyes narrowed. 

“You’re Kim Taehyung. I read all about you in the papers this morning.” His lips twisted into an ugly sneer as he addressed you. “You really think you’re better off with him if that’s the way he treats you?”

Taehyung tensed menacingly beside you, but you laid a gentle hand on his arm to calm him. 

“None of that is any of your concern.” Your gaze rose to meet his defiantly. “Nothing about me is your concern anymore.”

Milo’s eyes fell to where your palm rested on the other man’s sleeve, noticing the way you both unconsciously leaned toward one another. 

“This isn’t over,” he muttered, storming off. 

After he was gone, you let out a breath you hadn’t known you were holding. 

“Thank you,” you whispered (though you couldn’t resist adding), “I could have handled it myself of course…”

Taehyung laughed. 

“Oh I know. I was at that party where you knocked out Tyler Jung for grabbing your ass.” 

You grinned. 

“I’d forgotten about that.”

“Well I’m sure Tyler hasn’t.” 

(He neglected to mention that he split Tyler’s lip behind the library the next day, just to make sure it was extra memorable for him.) 

“I wish I could forget about Milo.”

“... Are you still in love with him?” 

The words tasted like ash in his mouth. 

“No.” You smiled softly. “I’m not sure I was ever in love with him actually. It’s more—” you sighed, “—embarrassment… wounded pride.”

Taehyung tilted his head curiously and you found yourself continuing. 

“In the beginning, he was very playful and charming—and obviously handsome. He reminded me so much of—”

you. 

You cleared your throat. 

“Anyway… I was quite taken with him at first. I didn’t suspect any ulterior motives.” You shrugged, trying to hold back the unpleasant emotions that always threatened to overrun you in moments like this. “I just thought he liked me.”

Taehyung’s eyes filled with sympathy and understanding as you spoke. It felt oddly natural to open up to him this way. 

“Jimin is very protective of me—with good reason it turns out. He was suspicious of Milo and hired people to do some discreet digging.”

Your hands wrapped around your body for both warmth and comfort. 

“Milo’s family owns several companies, just like ours, but they’re all struggling. His father sent him to me hoping that he would eventually get compromising information… a sex tape or photographs—something of that nature. They intended to blackmail Jimin into doing business with them.”

Taehyung felt his jaw clench painfully. Fury, hot and profound, rolled through him. 

“I should kill him.”

You shook your head, amused in spite of yourself. 

“That’s exactly what Jimin said.”

“He has good instincts.”

“Scum like Milo aren’t worth it,” you chuckled. “He never got what he wanted… but I was still mortified. I felt like such a fool for believing him.”

“No,” Taehyung’s hands slid up to cup your shoulders, “it’s not foolish to believe that someone cared for you.”

It would be so easy to care for you. 

“Besides…” his eyes fell briefly to your lips as he searched for the right words, “I saw the way he looked at you and—even though he’s clearly a terrible person—I believe his feelings may have been genuine.”

You nodded. 

“That’s what he keeps trying to tell me—that he did have bad intentions, but ended up falling for me anyway.” You shook your head. “As If I could believe a word he says.”

The silence between you stretched comfortably. Taehyung sensed you had more to say, so he waited until you were ready to voice it. 

“I think that’s why I’m so sensitive about handling things on my own lately… and just now even. I want to prove to everyone—to myself—that I’m not a liability.”

“Hey,” he whispered, tipping your chin up till your gazes met, “no one thinks you’re a liability. And even if you are capable, no one should have to fight their own battles all the time—especially when they’re emotionally compromised…” His thumb gently brushed away the small tear that escaped down the curve of your cheek. “That’s the benefit of having people who care about you.”

“... Like you?” 

The words left you so softly, you could almost imagine they were still in your head where they likely should have stayed. 

Taehyung’s eyes widened in surprise. His gaze became even more intent and you ceased breathing altogether. After a moment his lips parted as if he was about to speak- 

“What’s going on, guys?”

You both jerked back at the sound of your brother’s voice. He was standing in the entrance to the balcony, gaze darting suspiciously between the two of you. 

Taehyung was a bit dazed, but you were always quicker on your feet. 

“I ran into Milo… Tae was calming me down.”

Jimin’s eyes hardened immediately. 

“Where is he?”

“Long gone,” you mumbled, ambling over to the familiar warmth of his arms. “I just want to go home.” 

The Black and White Ball was one of the most coveted invitations of the holiday season. 

The dress code was quite strict (all black or all white—no exceptions) and it was one of the few events where people actually arrived in limousines. 

Taehyung loathed limousines. He felt absurdly pretentious pulling up to your building in such a gauche ride, but traditions and appearances meant too much in his world to simply disregard them. 

His ensemble for the evening was a beautifully tailored black suit with hand-stitched baroque detailing. Oddly, he found himself wondering what you would think of it... 

“You look like a vampire.”

Taehyung turned at the sound of your voice and was struck, yet again, by how incredibly beautiful you were. 

You had chosen to wear white, donning an exquisite gown with delicate pearl beading and a daring sweetheart neckline that molded perfectly to your frame. 

If he looked like a vampire, you were surely an angel. 

Still…

Angel or not, he couldn’t let that comment pass. 

“I think I’m offended.”

“I can’t imagine why. After all, loads of women are attracted to Nosferatu.”

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed. 

“There are so many sexy vampires in popular culture, but you just had to lump me in with the creepy bald one...”

You shrugged playfully. 

“I wouldn’t want you to think I was going soft.”

A wicked grin danced over your lips as you strolled past him regally—just as you had many times before... 

This time, however, he let his eyes linger a little longer on the view. 

Lord have mercy. 

“Of course not,” he coughed. 

“You’re what?!”

You rolled your eyes.

Tonight had been going rather well. 

The two of you formed a mutual unspoken agreement to pretend that your last encounter on the balcony (and on the phone) had never happened and (despite the heated glances you occasionally traded) the bickering and playful banter characteristic of your relationship had all but returned to normal...

Until Taehyung learned of your participation in the evening’s main event. 

“I told you, I’m part of the date auction this year.”

“Does your brother know about this?!”

“I didn’t see any reason to bother him with it.” You were suddenly preoccupied with your nails. 

“Woman,” Taehyung sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “are you trying to make my life difficult?”

“No, I’m just naturally gifted in that respect.”

You turned and began making your way to the front, but Taehyung was hot on your heels and clearly not ready to let the matter rest. 

“I cannot believe you’re actually going through with this! It’s not 1810, you know. We shouldn’t just auction off women for dates—”

“You’re absolutely right, Tae Tae.” You brushed a condescending pat over his cheek. “Nowadays we auction off the men too.”

Then you sauntered off to join the rest of the participating women—and men—backstage, leaving Taehyung to stew about the entire situation from the crowd. 

“As you know, all proceeds from tonight’s auction go to fight childhood hunger right here in our city. For legal purposes, I must advise all bidders that you are only bidding on the company of the individual in question.”

Taehyung shook his head. “Jimin is probably going to kill me for this.”

“If you place the winning bid, then you and your date will receive two VIP tickets to the Governor's Winter Wonderland Gala which comes with a variety of amenities including; a luxury limousine service, one of the private and famously romantic Winter Wonderland dinner experiences—”

His eyes fluttered shut. “Jimin is definitely gonna kill me for this.” 

“—unlimited free drinks, ten complimentary tickets for each of the grand prize raffles, photos with the Governor and his family, along with many more surprises!”

Taehyung grabbed a champagne flute from a nearby waiter and downed it in one go. 

“And now for our first date of the evening! Mr. Jackson Wang!” 

Jackson went for a cool six grand because no one was brave enough to outbid his girlfriend. 

After him, the beautiful Manoban heiress and her handsome cousin Kim Namjoon went for twelve grand each.

Jung Hoseok started a frenzied bidding war between two young socialites and Mrs. O’Malley. He ended up going to the lovely Ms. Ana Fallon for a staggering twenty thousand dollars. 

Taehyung’s own cousin, Kim Seokjin, paid a jaw-dropping twenty-one thousand dollars for Lin Yuna, the young CEO of Lin Cosmetics. (Taehyung made a mental note to ask him about that later.) 

Then it was your turn. 

“The next lady on our list needs no introduction. The lovely Park Angel has graciously agreed to a date with one lucky bidder tonight! Who will it be? Do I hear ten thousand?”

“Ten thousand.”

Taehyung swung his head toward the first bidder and breathed a sigh of relief. 

Tam Martin, one of your best friends and very gay. 

“Eleven thousand.”

“Twelve thousand.”

“Fifteen.”

“Sixteen thousand dollars.”

“Seventeen thousand.”

“Eighteen.”

Taehyung was having trouble keeping up with all the bidders. His ears were starting to ring again and a strange unpleasant nausea was building in his stomach. 

“Twenty thousand.”

“Twenty-five thousand.”

“Thirty thousand!”

At the sound of the last bidder’s voice, you noticeably paled. Your eyes flew to Taehyung’s and immediately he knew exactly who it was. 

Milo.

Before he could even react to the new information, another voice joined the fray. 

“Forty thousand.”

Min Yoongi smiled smugly from the other side of the room and even had the audacity to throw you a wink. 

You smiled shyly at the young heir’s boldness and Taehyung felt something downright unholy rise up in his chest. 

No. 

Milo was still bidding. 

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

Not her. 

“Sixty,” Yoongi countered.

She’s mine. 

Suddenly Taehyung was on his feet. 

“One hundred thousand dollars!” 

The silence in the backseat of your limousine was deafening. 

Tension charged the air like an electric current as the significance of the last hour weighed heavily between you. 

The spacious luxury vehicle allowed you to sit facing one another. Taehyung’s eyes were focused on his hands, but you were looking at him—letting your mind run wild with speculation. 

And hope. 

Part of you was still there, on the stage, watching him stand up and bid a fortune for the pleasure of your company. 

His gaze was so fierce when he spoke, like an ancient emperor calling out his decree for the people to obey. 

You dreamed about him bidding on you when you signed up for the auction (even before Jimin bullied him into accompanying you). You let yourself imagine him speaking out again and again till the others stepped back—

Yet you never dared hope for it. 

However, the last several days marked an unexpected turning point in your relationship. 

For years, you and he were like magnets with a too-similar charge, but something had shifted irrevocably between you, and somehow your stubborn similarities became opposites that could not resist their attraction. 

Kim Taehyung was one of the wealthiest men in the city…

But he didn’t need to buy your heart. 

It had always been his, even if you didn’t want to admit it. 

He had claimed you tonight—and every single soul in that ballroom knew it. 

The next move was yours and you intended to make it. 

“Mmm,” you hissed a bit, bringing your hand to rest just below your breasts. 

Taehyung’s gaze flew up in concern. 

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, it’s just that scratch from the earring,” your fingers rubbed gingerly at the spot, drawing his focus to it, “it still stings.”

“Oh… I—” he shook his head, “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”

“Do you want to see?” 

Taehyung’s eyes rose slowly to yours. 

You watched the subtle rise and fall of his chest as he considered your words. Anticipation vibrated through your blood like notes struck on a piano—

Then he nodded...

And you both were lost. 

Trembling fingers slid the zipper down the side of your gown. The dress itself was a marvel of physics designed to support you without the need for a bra. 

Taehyung drew in an impossibly deep breath as the fabric drifted to your waist, baring the perfect mounds of your breasts to him entirely. 

“Here,” you whispered, pointing to a small red mark just under the curve of your left one. 

He bit back a moan. 

“I—I see. That looks… painful.” His fingers dug into the seat beside him. “Is there anything I can do to help?” 

You nodded. 

“Kiss it better.”

Taehyung felt the air knock out of his lungs like a sucker punch. 

This must have been how Adam felt when Eve offered him the forbidden fruit all those millennia ago. 

He knew he shouldn’t—

but he could never deny you. 

“Of course.”

You watched as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. He looked like a man possessed and you reveled in the power of it. 

It was for you. 

He wanted you. 

Your back arched up the slightest bit, beckoning to him—offering him a taste of what he was so desperately craving. 

Touch me… please. 

Large palms landed on either side of your thighs, bracing him on the seat beneath you. The tip of his nose teased the delicate line of your collar bone and he swore violently under his breath. 

Then his lips were on your skin and your mind went blank. 

“Taehyung—“ you moaned. 

Hot open-mouthed kisses spread over the soft swell of your breast and you gasped— shuddering helplessly as a fierce wave of pleasure tore through you.

Sweet merciful heavens. 

Over the years you imagined a moment like this thousands of times in your head—only to discover now that you had pitifully underestimated both his passion and his skill. 

You had dreamed of a quiet fire—but he had unleashed an inferno. 

The lewd sounds of his mouth nipping and sucking at your tender flesh filled the small space around you as he poured himself into each obscene contact—stopping briefly to flick his tongue over the taunt peak of your nipple. You trembled breathlessly at the sharp snap of sensation, letting your head fall back against the seat as you buried your fingers in his soft curls. 

“T-Tae—”

Finally his mouth fastened over the tiny scratch, and the kiss deepened. You knew what he was doing, what the result of his efforts would be—

He was marking you. 

And you wanted it. 

Oh how you wanted it. 

Suddenly the car took a sharp turn, causing Taehyung to lose his grip on the seat. His arms wrapped around your torso for balance, dragging you fully against him.

“Does it feel better, Angel?” he growled. 

You nodded frantically and he nipped at the underside of your breast. 

“Speak up.”  

“Yes, Taehyung,” you whimpered, “it feels so much better.” 

“Mmmm,” he hummed, brushing his mouth along the sensitive column of your neck. “Who knew you could be such a good girl?”

Then his hand came up to grip your chin, turning it so your lips were almost against his—

“Madame. We’ve arrived.”

The driver’s voice cut over your senses like a shard of ice. 

Taehyung jerked backward and immediately buried his face in his hands. 

Your fingers hastily yanked your dress up and you stumbled out of the car in a daze, letting your feet carry you forward until you collapsed on top of your bed. 

Did we just...

You hadn’t even begun to collect your thoughts when your phone buzzed from inside your purse. 

1 New Message from: Taehyung 🙄🥴🙈

I need to know you made it safely to your room. 

You grinned. 

Greedy boy. 

Back in the limousine, the boy in question was nervously tapping the corner of his phone against his chin as he waited for your reply. 

1 New Message from: Angel 🤬🥵😅

Oh? But you saw me walk in… and I’m already in bed.

Taehyung growled in frustration. 

She would be a tease. 

To: Angel 🤬🥵😅

I tend to worry. Put my mind at ease. 

He shook his head. 

I have officially gone insane. 

The phone buzzed again. 

1 New Message from: Angel 🤬🥵😅

Well… We can’t have that can we… 

Taehyung literally felt the whine tear out of him as he opened the picture. 

Your gorgeous body (the body he’d had his hands and mouth on for one glorious minute) was nestled decadently atop a pile of fluffy blue blankets and wrapped in nothing but a tiny silk robe. 

The neck gaped open just enough to show off the pretty red marks he left on the delectable curve of your breast. 

He groaned, biting down hard on his bottom lip.

To: Angel 🤬🥵😅

That's all I get after I made the pain go away? Good girls send real proof, Angel

The screen lit up again almost immediately. 

1 New Message from: Angel 🤬🥵😅

Guess I’m not such a good girl after all...

Jimin came tearing through the Kim Manor front gate at precisely 7 AM—only to find Jungkook camped out at the entrance with several outdoor space heaters and a giant mug of hot chocolate.

“He told you not to let me in, didn’t he?”

Jungkook took a long satisfying sip of his cocoa. 

“I hope you don’t feel singled out, sir. I’m not allowed to let his mother in either.”

“I need to talk to him.”

“Of course, Mr. Park, let me just pull up his schedule—”

“I need to talk to him now.”

“I’m afraid Mr. Kim is booked solid for the morning.”

Jimin stomped his foot like a petulant child. 

“I know he’s up there.”

Jungkook grinned. 

“You’re welcome to climb the trellis and check. I promise not to stop you if you make it all the way up.”

“COME DOWN HERE AND FACE ME YOU COWARD!” Jimin shouted at the top of his lungs. 

Jungkook took another long pull of his drink. 

“Might I inquire as to the reason for your visit today, sir?”

“The reason for my visit,” Jimin yanked out his phone and angrily began typing into the search bar, “is that your boss paid ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS for my sister at a date auction last night and I want to know what the hell is going on between them!”

The article Jimin pulled up (DEVILISH KIM TAEHYUNG BUYS HIMSELF A $100,000 ANGEL) featured an image of the two of you entering the Black and White Ball. Your head was thrown back in laughter and Taehyung was grinning down at you as if you’d personally hung all the stars in the sky for him. 

A genuine smile crept over Jungkook’s face as he studied the photograph. 

“That’s quite a headline.” He handed Jimin’s phone back. “Have you asked your sister about it?”

“No, I swung by earlier, but she wasn’t home so—” His eyes widened. “Oh my—is she—”

Jimin suddenly took off running for the trellis, and Jungkook scrambled out of his chair to chase him. 

“KIM TAEHYUNG IF MY SISTER IS IN THAT ROOM—”

He was already three feet off the ground when Jungkook yanked him back. 

“I thought you said I could climb the trellis!”

“Yes,” Jungkook wheezed, “but I didn’t think you’d actually do it!” That trellis is a hundred years old! A few more feet and I’d be scraping you off the antique brickwork!”

Jimin scowled and crossed his arms. 

“Are you by any chance open to bribes?”

“Normally yes, but Tae promised to double my Christmas bonus if I didn’t accept them today.”

Jimin continued to eye the trellis speculatively, clearly willing to take his chances. Jungkook sighed and rubbed his forehead. 

“Mr. Park, I promise you… He came home alone last night. In fact, they both returned earlier than usual because your sister had a 7 AM finance meeting.” He paused significantly to glance at his watch. “Which is probably where she is right now.”

“Oh… Well.”

Jungkook bit his lip to hold back a snort and Jimin’s eyes narrowed. 

“He has to come down eventually.”

“One would think.”

The young Park heir glanced toward Taehyung’s window again just in time to see the man in question dart back behind the curtains. 

"I KNOW YOU'RE AWAKE, KIM TAEHYUNG, YOU PHILANDERING SLEAZE BAG!" 

Jimin made another jump for the trellis and this time Jungkook caught him in mid-air. 

“Sir, I’m sure it was just the maid!”

“It’s not the maid! I’d know that raggedy mop of his anywhere!”

Jungkook was out of breath at this point. Park Jimin might be small, but he was fierce. 

“Perhaps it’s best if you took a moment to collect yourself,” he grunted. “There’s a lovely new spa down the street and they sent Taehyung two free deluxe packages.”

Jimin stopped struggling. 

“Oh?”

Five minutes later, Jungkook sighed deeply and fished his phone out of his back pocket. 

“He’s gone, sir.”

“Excellent work, Jungkook. I never doubted you for a second.”

“However…”

“... However?”

“I had to give him your spa passes.”

“YOU DID WHAT?!”

“Are you headed for a gala or the guillotine?”

Taehyung rolled his eyes. 

“I don’t pay extra for commentary.”

“It’s complimentary, sir.”

The Kim heir tugged absently at the material of his absurdly expensive evening wear. 

Why do these events always have to be so uncomfortable? 

“Seriously, Tae… you seem,” the young aide searched for the right words, “unusually tense.”

Taehyung’s mind flashed back to three nights ago when he had his mouth wrapped around your breast. 

“Not at all,” he coughed, loosening the collar of his shirt. 

Jungkook bit his lip.

“Is this about Ms. Park, sir?”

The cufflinks Taehyung was attempting to fasten suddenly went flying across the room and hit a lamp. 

Both men winced. 

“I think that was your grandmother’s.”

Taehyung sighed. 

“I admit there have been… some developments.”

Jungkook nodded nonchalantly, trying to disguise the fact that he was internally frothing at the mouth for details. 

“... Such as?”

Taehyung gulped. 

“It started out rather innocently I suppose…” he cleared his throat, “but there may have been some suggestive photographs.”

“There may have been? Are you not sure?”

Taehyung colored guiltily. 

“Well—”

“Do you need me to check for you, sir? I have an art history degree.”

“Absolutely not.”

Jungkook grinned. 

“That’s what I thought.”

Taehyung yanked his tie out of the younger man’s hand. 

“Things have… escalated a bit.”

“Escalated how?”

I licked her tit in the back of a limo.

“Physically.”

It was everything Jungkook could do to maintain a straight face. 

“That’s… shocking.”

“Then why don’t you seem shocked?” Taehyung grumbled. 

A small smile played across Jungkook’s lips as he pointedly ignored the elder man’s observation.

“So what are you going to do, sir?”

Taehyung was silent for a long moment. 

“I honestly have no idea.”

Watching you walk toward him was an experience.  

Taehyung wondered absently if this was how it would be from now on; if for the rest of his life just the sight of you would be enough to scatter his mind and his pulse and even the way he breathed. 

Your dress tonight was deadly. 

It was a decadent red satin halter that clung to every curve. The truly wicked detail, however, was a daring slit that ran the entire length of your leg. 

Taehyung was certain he was going to trip over his own tongue at some point if he looked directly at you for too long. 

Oh help. 

Memories of your previous encounter flooded his senses. Every second you were getting closer and he didn’t know what to do—what to say. 

So he didn’t say anything at all. 

Not a word when you reached the bottom of the stairs. Nothing but silence as he opened the door of the limo for you. More silence and no eye contact as he settled into the seat across from yours—

And you tolerated that for about three minutes. 

“I never thought I’d see the day when Kim Taehyung didn’t have a comment about something. Perhaps I should mark this down on my calendar.”

The words were lightly spoken, but you were shaking on the inside. The last time the two of you were alone together he had your dress around your waist and you were moaning his name. Now he wasn’t talking and you were torn between panic and irritation. 

Taehyung, however, latched onto your passive barb like a lifeline. 

“Is that a hint of sarcasm I hear from the benevolent Park Angel?” He grinned. “Surely not.”

“Red is not a particularly angelic color. Perhaps I’m feeling feisty today.”

Taehyung leaned back in his seat and indulged himself in a thorough examination of your outfit. The urge to run his hands over the satin-covered lines of your body was nearly unbearable. He curled his fingers into fists to keep them from doing just that. 

She is definitely trying to kill me. 

“Should I be worried?”

Now it was your turn to grin. 

“I guess we’ll find out.”

The Governor’s Winter Wonderland Gala was by far the most extravagant event of the holiday season. Tickets cost a small fortune and sold out almost immediately. 

But it was well worth the price of admission.

Thousands of lights sparkled overhead as you made your way through the great hall of Governor Kim’s mansion. 

It was like stepping into a fairytale. 

Taehyung couldn’t take his eyes off you. The sheer wonder in your expression was breathtaking. 

You were breathtaking.  

“Governor Kim, it is such an honor to finally meet you.”

The Governor was a handsome man in his early fifties with a smile that was every bit as lethal as it had been twenty-five years ago. 

“The honor is all mine, Ms. Park. I trust my nephew is treating you well.”

Your eyes widened. 

“N-nephew?”

Taehyung shrugged. 

“I don’t really talk about it much.” 

The Governor chuckled and you cleared your throat to cover your nervousness. 

“Yes, he’s been a very capable escort.”

“Is that so?” Governor Kim smiled charmingly. “Well if it doesn’t work out, my son Seokjin is still single—”

“Thank you, Uncle. It was lovely to see you as always.”

You squeaked as Taehyung placed his hand firmly on the curve of your back and practically dragged you away. 

The Governor just shook his head and laughed. 

“Oh kid, you’ve got it bad.”

Everywhere you looked there was beauty. 

Whoever planned the gala this year had truly gone above and beyond. Surrounded on all sides by glittering trees and snowy vignettes, it was easy to be swept away in the festive magic of the evening. 

All in all (despite some initial awkwardness), you were having a fantastic time...

Until she showed up. 

“Kim Taehyung! Is that you?”

Every single hair on your body stood on end, but before you could determine the source of the shrill squealing, you found yourself being nudged aside by a blinding golden gown and some very high heels. 

“Aubrey,” Taehyung grunted as five-and-half feet of gorgeous wrapped herself around him like a clinging vine. “Long time no see.”

“Not since that vacation in Aspen,” she giggled. “We had quite a time, didn’t we Tae Tae!”

Suddenly you had the most unholy urge to slap the spray tan right off this woman. 

Instead, you plastered on a vibrant smile and placed your hand on Taehyung’s sleeve.

“Um. Excuse me, Tae Tae, perhaps you could introduce us?”

Taehyung looked as if he’d just been served raw fire ants for dinner. 

“Yes. Of course. This is—”

“Aubrey Alicia St. Valentine,” she interrupted with a smug little smirk. “Taehyung and I go way back.” Her expression grew just the slightest bit tighter. “And you are?”

“His date,” you deadpanned. 

“Aubrey,” Taehyung cleared his throat, “I’d like you to meet Ms. Park she’s—”

“Oh my goodness! You’re Jimin’s little sister aren't you!” Aubrey slapped her hand over his chest and he winced. “That is so precious of you to take her around like this!”

Your eyebrows raised right up into your hairline and Taehyung groaned. 

“Yes, he was kind enough to sign me out of the nursery for the evening.” You offered them both a painfully vacant nod. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I see one of my play-dates near the buffet.”

Then you turned on your heel and sauntered off without another word. 

Taehyung moved to follow you, but Aubrey curled her fingers into the crook of his arm and pulled him back. 

“Oh let her go, Tae. You and I have so much catching up to do.”

Taehyung pointedly removed her hand from his elbow. 

“Some other time perhaps.” 

Aubrey pouted prettily. 

“You’re not running off after her are you? She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself.”

Taehyung crossed his arms and fixed her with a knowing look. 

“Funny... that’s not what you were implying a moment ago.”

“A moment ago I didn’t have you all to myself. Now I do.” She had the decency to blush. “Perhaps I got a bit jealous.”

“You don’t say.” His eyes continued to search the crowd for any sign of you. 

“It seems I had good reason to be,” she murmured quietly. 

“Aubrey... Listen I—”

She cut him off with a finger to his lips.

“Don’t bother Tae Tae. I’m petty, but I’ve never been pathetic.”

He grinned. 

“Never.”

The lady sighed and gave him a heated once over.

“What a shame.”

Then she strolled off with a rueful smile. 

“You know what I don’t understand?”

You turn to find Min Yoongi leaning casually against a nearby column. He looked absurdly handsome as always, but his grin was just the slightest bit mischievous. 

“What don’t you understand, Mr. Min?”

The question was clearly a bait, but you were still fuming from your earlier encounter with Ms. St. Valentine and therefore desperately in need of a distraction. 

Yoongi pushed off the column and lazily made his way toward you.

“I don’t understand how a man pays a hundred thousand dollars for an evening with the most beautiful woman in the city, and then leaves her all by herself.” He leaned forward with a playful grin. “Perhaps you could enlighten me?”

Oh he’s good. 

You made a show of tapping your chin thoughtfully. 

“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that one.”

Yoongi sighed and shook his head. 

“Couldn’t be me.”

You laughed then. He really was a delightful man. In fact, if you still had your heart, you might have considered letting him take a shot at it. 

Alas. 

You tilted your head speculatively. 

Surely there was no need to brush away good company...

After all, no one else is interested in spending time with me. 

“Since my escort is otherwise occupied, perhaps you could join me for dinner?”

Yoongi held out his hand. 

“I’d be delighted.”

Taehyung wandered around the mansion for nearly forty-five minutes looking for his date.  

Panic was just starting to build in his chest when he finally spotted you

—at his private dining table with Min Yoongi. 

It was everything he could do not to storm over and yank the other man out of his seat by the lapels. 

Alright, Angel. If this is the game you want to play… then let’s play. 

Taehyung felt his anger rise with every step, but he ruthlessly suppressed any sign of it and instead adopted a charming smile. 

“Min, I didn’t expect to find you here. What a… delightful surprise.”

Yoongi’s expression was just a shade too satisfied. Taehyung could already feel his blood pressure beginning to skyrocket. 

“Yes, Ms. Park believed that you were otherwise occupied and invited me to share the meal with her.”

“I see,” Taehyung practically snarled. “However,” his gaze landed heavily on you, “since I paid for this table, I hope you won’t mind if I join you as well?”

You avoided looking at him up to this point, but now you were choking on your wine

“Easy there, Angel,” Taehyung murmured as he pulled up a seat extremely close to yours—so close that your thighs were nearly touching. 

Oh boy. 

Over the next several minutes Yoongi continued to flirt openly and you continued to smile prettily and pretend Taehyung wasn’t there (which naturally infuriated him). 

You should have known he wouldn’t let you get away with such behavior so easily. 

This was Kim Taehyung, after all, and if there was anything that could be counted on when it came to your shared history, it was that one (or both) of you was always ready to escalate. 

You had just offered the young Min heir yet another flowery compliment when you felt Taehyung make his move. 

Two warm fingers slid under the silken slit of your dress, coming to rest possessively over the soft flesh of your inner thigh. 

You squeaked and nearly spat up your drink. 

Taehyung leaned forward in fake concern, wrapping his arm around you as if to offer aid. 

“Are you alright?”

His hand continued to move significantly beneath your gown, but his face was the picture of innocence. 

You glared. 

“Just fine, thank you.”

A slow grin crept across his features as he began to trace soft intimate patterns over your skin.  

On the other side of the table, Yoongi tilted his head in genuine solicitude. “Are you sure?”

You nodded sharply. 

Satisfied, he resumed speaking about whatever it was he’d been saying—though you couldn’t understand a word of it at this point because the torturous strokes Taehyung was leisurely drawing over your thighs were moving closer to your center with each passing second. 

Yet you made no move to stop him. 

You should have. 

You should have slapped his touch away—rebuked him for his boldness—

But you didn’t. 

So he just kept nodding and smiling while Yoongi spoke, even as his fingers teased you with the maddening persistence of a man who knew very well what he was doing. 

You gasped aloud when he finally brushed the pad of his thumb over the thin cotton of your panties. 

“T-Taehyung—” 

“Hmm?” he turned to you, seemingly surprised by your attention (it was—after all—the first time you’d addressed him since the beginning of the meal).

“Could you pass me the salt,” you sputtered (hoping to cover the fact that you moaned his name involuntarily). Unfortunately, Taehyung seemed wholly aware of your ruse, offering you the salt shaker with a superior smirk.

You seriously considered stabbing him with a fork. 

However, before you could carry out any bloodthirsty plans, he pressed his fingers directly over your clit and your eyes rolled back in your head

“Oh my g—” you bit your lip stubbornly, “this lamb is just so good.” 

Sweet mother of macaroons, he is too skilled at this. 

You shoveled another bite into your mouth to cover your whine as Taehyung began to rub tight little circles over your sweet spot. 

Across the table, Yoongi nodded in blissful unawareness. 

“Yes, I agree, the lamb is excellent—very tender.”

Taehyung took advantage of the momentary distraction to slip beneath the fabric of your undergarment. 

Your fork clattered to your plate and your hand came up to cover your mouth as he began running his fingers up and down your soaked slit.

It was everything you could do to hold back your depraved whimpering. 

“I can’t wait to taste it,” Taehyung replied, flicking your clit in a way that guaranteed he wasn’t referring to the lamb. 

At this point Yoongi seemed to notice you were in some sort of distress. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and leaned forward. 

“Ms. Park, are you well?”

Taehyung chose that moment to sink his finger into the welcoming heat of your pussy. 

“Yes,” you almost sobbed, “I’m-I’m very well—thank you.”

“Excellent,” Yoongi smiled as he rose to his feet. “If you’re feeling up to it, perhaps you could favor me with a dance?”

Several attendees were already making their way to the center of the floor and the orchestra was beginning to play.

Your entire body, however, was vibrating like a plucked harp string and Taehyung was still brushing back and forth against your clit, driving you toward a release that promised to be explosive. 

There was no way—simply no way—that you would be capable of hiding it. 

“Yes! I would love to dance with you,” you squeaked, grabbing hold of Taehyung’s wrist frantically. The feel of him pulling out of your sopping core was nearly enough to have you coming right there. 

Thankfully, Yoongi remained utterly oblivious to the debauchery unfolding beneath the table. He took your hand and helped you to your feet with an eager smile (and it was a good thing too because your legs were still shaking). 

When the two of you reached the dance floor, you turned back for the briefest instant—

just long enough to meet Taehyung’s heated gaze as his lips closed over the finger he buried in your cunt. 

Emotions were a funny thing. 

They impacted your judgement, affected your body, altered your behavior… 

And occasionally eroded your common sense. 

Sitting alone in the corner of the Governor’s ballroom, Kim Taehyung found himself experiencing a full spectrum of emotional side-effects. 

His hands clenched as he watched Min Yoongi spin you around the floor. 

His heart pounded every time he caught a flash of your shapely leg peeking through the slit in your gown. 

His blood boiled when you threw your head back and laughed at something the other man said. 

It was difficult to pinpoint which emotion was to blame for each of these reactions. There were certainly a number of them boiling over in his subconscious. 

Frustration—

I didn’t even want to talk to Aubrey! How are you acting like anything she said was my fault?!

Rage—  

Why is challenging people to duels illegal? I would fight Min Yoongi at dawn. I would fight Min Yoongi now. 

Jealousy—

You asked her to dance while my fingers were in her pussy. We are not the same. 

But perhaps the most persistent—the most overwhelming— emotion twisting through him was longing. 

You and Taehyung spent nearly four years apart, and he was so desperate to be near you—even then—that he resorted to childish pranks in order to remain a part of your life. 

He hadn’t recognized his actions or desires for what they were. He hadn’t realized what you meant to him...

But now, after spending the last several days with your hand on his arm and your laughter in his ear, he could no longer imagine spending another moment without you. 

Everything seemed to crystallize as he watched you laughing and dancing in the arms of another man. 

Uncertainty became clear. Complications became simple. 

And when he saw Min Yoongi’s hand slide dangerously close to the perfect swell of your backside—

Emotion became action.

“Mind if I cut in?”

It wasn’t a question really. Taehyung was already shouldering his rival out of the way and pulling you into his arms. 

“Taehyung,” you hissed, shooting the bewildered Yoongi an apologetic look over his shoulder, “what are you doing? This is so rude—”

“You’re absolutely right,” he agreed, sweeping you through the couples on the floor with practiced ease. “It is unpardonably rude to steal someone else’s date. He’s lucky all I did was steal you back.”

Your mouth dropped open. 

“Oh? So you finally remembered that I was your date?”

Taehyung’s grip on the curve of your waist became a shade rougher as he pulled you through the next turn. 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means—” you stepped forward vigorously, nearly smashing your body into his, “—that you spent forty-five minutes with Aubrey Alicia St. Valentine when you were supposed to be having dinner with me!”

Taehyung growled and yanked you flush against him. 

“I spent forty-five minutes looking for you while you were giving away my table to Min Yoongi!”

The two of you sailed through the next several movements glaring at one another before you snapped again. 

“None of this would have happened if you had just told Aubrey St. Spray Tan that you were with me—”

“I did!”

“Instead, you let her call me a baby!”

“What let? Aubrey is a grown woman!”

“But—”

“And—you stormed off before I could say anything, so how would you know what I let?”

“You didn’t come after me!”

“Yes actually I did—but she grabbed my arm!”

“Really? Well what else did she grab?”

Taehyung abruptly realized how silent everything around you had become. 

People were staring—and not even discreetly— just full on staring with their mouths hanging open. 

Well that’s great. 

Taehyung’s hand closed around yours and you suddenly found yourself being marched across the dance floor at a breakneck pace.

“What are you doing?”

“Continuing this discussion in private.”

“We can’t just go somewhere private in the Governor’s mansion!” you sputtered, struggling to keep up with his larger strides. 

“You mean in my uncle’s house? Yes—actually we can—and we will.”

Taehyung proved to be a man of his word, dragging you past two security guards and into the roped off section of the manor with nothing more than a nod. 

The residential wing of the Governor’s home was beautifully decorated with traditional Korean artistic touches—all of which you were unable to appreciate while Taehyung was speed walking you through the halls. 

After a surprising amount of turns and archways, he yanked open an ornate wooden door with the words Reflection Suite written on a plaque above it in beautiful calligraphy. 

You almost giggled when you got a look inside. 

On the surface it was a tastefully furnished guest room with a simple cherry wood desk and a cozy double bed set in an elegant matching frame.

However—

The ceiling and one full wall were nothing but massive mirrors. 

Reflection suite indeed. 

The door slammed shut and Taehyung rounded on you with a stormy expression—though you weren’t waiting on him to fire the first volley.

“This is definitely going to get us in trouble.”

“I told you, I can go wherever I want in this house. It’s fine.”

“Then why did you take us here?”

“Because you were shouting—”

“I was shouting?! You were shouting I just—”

Suddenly your back was against the wall and Taehyung’s mouth was on yours. 

He hadn’t brought you here for this. When he grabbed your hand, he was only trying to get away from the crowds. He told himself that he needed privacy so you could talk—so he could clarify things. 

But the minute the door closed and you flared up again in all your magnificent rage, he was lost. 

He had to kiss you then. 

You were so lovely. So fierce. So wildly irresistible and he was too utterly smitten to fight the need to be near you—to be with you in every way that he could—for a single second more. 

The shock of Kim Taehyung pressing his lips to yours lasted about two full seconds—and then there was nothing but ravenous insatiable need. 

Finally. 

Everything was him. 

Everything was this—this sweet indescribable ignition of a desire that spanned years. You moaned eagerly against his mouth in wanton delight. After a decade of sparks, you were more than ready to burn. 

“Taehyung—”

His name poured out of you like a prayer. You needed him everywhere and miraculously he seemed to understand—

Not that he was prepared to be polite about it. 

“Where’s that smart mouth now, Angel?” he growled, tangling his hands in your hair to expose the tender column of your throat. “Nothing to say?”

Your only answer was a desperate whine as he spread hot-open mouthed kisses down the soft skin of your neck all the way to your collarbone.

Now was not the time for patience. He would be tender with you later. You absolutely deserved soft sweet caresses and slow leisurely love making and he was absolutely going to give them to you—every day if you’d let him. 

But not today. 

The minute his mouth encountered the barrier of your dress, he gripped onto the sides and yanked it down to your waist.

“You knew just what you were doing in the back of that limo, you little brat,” he hissed, taking one swollen nipple into his mouth and tormenting it with his tongue.

“Tae-ahhh!” Your back arched involuntarily in ruthless pleasure. 

“I spent hours—days even—wanting to get my hands on these perfect tits.” He licked the other nipple obscenely, squeezing the soft mound till it bulged through his fingers. “And you offered me the barest taste with that coy little grin, knowing it wouldn’t be enough—” 

He reared back and landed a firm slap on both breasts and you screamed.

It was so so good. 

“Look at them now,” he murmured, “so swollen and needy and mine.”

If any other man had said those words, you would have cut his heart out with a butter knife. 

But you had always belonged to this man body and soul, and to hear him acknowledge it so primitively felt like the sweetest vindication. 

“Yes!” you sobbed.

The affirmation only inflamed him further. He teased and fondled the tender flesh till you were shaking.

Your fingers curled into the soft waves of his hair as he indulged himself. He looked so ridiculously good sucking your nipple, moaning lewdly with his eyes pressed shut in cathartic bliss. 

“This is all your fault, Angel,” he groaned. “You just don’t know how to behave.”

His hands gripped the curve of your backside, lifting you right off the floor and into his arms. Your mouths fused together heatedly as he carried you to the bed, and you giggled against him when his words finally processed. 

“You’ve been saying that for years.” 

“It’s been true for years,” he muttered, pulling one of your legs up around him so he could grind against your cunt while you kissed. 

Your fingers tugged at the buttons of his shirt, tearing them off when they didn’t unhook fast enough. You waited too long to be with him like this to care about anything other than the feel of his skin against your own.

“Impatient, are we?” he chuckled, bringing his lips around to nip at your ear. 

“You’re one to talk,” you shot back, yanking the ruined garment right off his shoulder just so you could sink your teeth into it. 

Taehyung moaned loudly, snapping his hips against yours with an involuntary jerk.

“You really are such a brat,” he hissed, fisting his hands in the satin length of your skirt. “Let’s see how fierce you are with my tongue in your pussy—”

His words were so filthy and raw, yet they stoked a frenzied need in your belly like nothing you had ever encountered. 

“This dress is evil,” he snarled, fumbling with the zipper for a moment before switching to a more destructive tactic. “It has tormented me all night and now it’s in my way.”

The stitching proved no match for his resolve, and—after a few vigorous tugs—he ripped it apart from the slit on up, leaving you covered in nothing but the thin cotton underwear he had breached earlier that evening. 

After disposing of your shredded gown, Taehyung paused for a moment just to take in the sight of you. 

“What a perfect little angel,” he taunted playfully, snapping the band of your lingerie against your hips with a cocky grin. 

Then he brushed his nose right up against the sopping fabric and inhaled deeply. “You smell just like heaven,” he growled before licking you right through the cloth, “and you taste even better.”

The sensations twisting through your body were merciless. You needed more or you were going to shake apart. 

“Taehyung please,” you whined, pressing against him shamelessly.

“Oh a please?” he chuckled, throwing your own words from the first night back at you. “Who knew you had manners?”

You would have screamed in frustration, but he cut you off with an open mouthed kiss right over the wettest part of your panties.

“Perhaps I can make a good girl of you yet,” he chuckled, as you opened yourself wider to encourage him. 

You nodded frantically, letting out another moan when he yanked the flimsy little scrap of lace down your legs—smearing a line of arousal over your thighs.

“So messy,” he tsked, tapping his finger right above your knee where the naughty little streak ended. “What am I going to do with you?” 

Then he pressed his tongue over the shiny trail of slick and licked it right off. 

You gasped loudly and his lascivious smirk was almost beautiful enough to make up for all of the shameless teasing. 

Almost. 

"You want my mouth, pretty Angel?” he whispered, letting the words brush maddeningly against your folds. “You want me to feed on this sweet little cunt?”

Every cell in your body cried out for release. He already edged you under the table at dinner and now he was determined to unravel you entirely. You would say anything—do anything. 

"Please—" you whispered.

"Please who?" 

Normally you met his arrogance with a cutting riposte, but an entire evening of methodical torment had left you beyond desperate. 

"Please Taehyung,” you begged needily. 

He grinned. 

“That’s right, Angel. Kim Taehyung. Not Min Yoongi or any other pathetic trust fund prick that’s panting for a taste of this pussy.” His eyes fastened on yours significantly. “You belong to me.”

Then his tongue licked a flat stripe over your glistening slit and you sagged onto the bed in relief—only to be thrown back into oblivion when his lips closed over your clit. 

Your body arched involuntarily as a ruthless wave of pleasure tore through you. Your eyes and mouth flew open in a silent scream and it was in that moment you remembered exactly where you were. 

Underneath a giant mirror. 

The passionate woman staring down at you was nearly unrecognizable. Her body was littered with her lover’s marks. Her hands gripped feverishly into the sheets beneath her—-

And Kim Taehyung was kneeling between her thighs, suckling on her weeping cunt with obscene satisfaction. 

It was the sexiest thing you had ever seen in your life. 

Your hands reached down to tangle in his hair, using it for leverage as you ground against his face. 

Then suddenly his grip on your legs tightened and his tongue plunged roughly into your trembling core. 

“Tae—ahh oh my—I can’t—”

The sensation was so intense that your hips bucked violently. You could not keep still. You were charging towards an explosion and your body was shaking itself apart. 

The noises tearing from you were incoherent. Everything around you focused in on the juncture of your thighs where Taehyung was licking inside of you again and again until—

You shattered. 

And the force of it nearly bent your back in half. 

Delirious sobs poured from your lips as he worked you through it, letting the obscene flood of your cum soak his face. 

The sight of him slowly lapping at the release between your folds, was unspeakably erotic. He ran his hands in soothing circles over your skin while you twitched and fluttered back down from your high. 

Then he was kissing you again. 

It was softer this time, but you felt truly depraved—and instantly obsessed—with the taste of yourself in his mouth—on his skin.

You could barely understand this ravenous hunger. You’d just found relief, yet you were already reaching for more. 

Your hands snaked down and wrapped around his still covered cock and he hissed in ragged pleasure. 

“So eager,” he gasped, as you pushed him back against the headboard—but you didn’t have time to bother with his teasing.

You were gonna blow Kim Taehyung into space. 

He bit his lip when you yanked down his pants and boxers together, freeing his arousal with stunning efficiency. 

It was almost unfair to discover that his cock was every bit as beautiful as he was.

“Of course,” you muttered. 

The sultry smirk he shot you in return had your cunt flooding all over again.

“You think Min Yoongi has a cock like mine?”

“I don’t think about Min Yoongi’s cock,” you retorted, wrapping your hand around his length, “you’ve always been the biggest dick I’ve ever met.” 

“I knew you thought about my dick,” he groaned as you began to work up and down the swollen shaft. 

After a moment, his hand slid over your chin to grip your hair, drawing you forward till your lips were almost touching. 

“I wonder what this pretty mouth can do,” he whispered. 

You gasped against him and he smiled. 

“Do you know how often I pictured your lips around my cock, Angel?”

You mewled shamelessly and he growled, cupping your cheek as your hands continued to service him. 

“Do you know how often I imagined this perfect throat stuffed full of my cum?” 

His palm slid down to lightly grip the soft flesh of your neck and you shuddered against him with a needy whimper. 

“I know you could suck me so good, Angel. I’ve wanted it for so so long...”

Your mouth actually watered with anticipation. 

The desire to be good for him—to give him whatever he asked for—consumed you. 

Taehyung let his head fall back against the headboard with a groan at the first brush of your lips along his shaft. His hips rutted involuntarily as your tongue wrapped around the tip and you hummed with pleasure at his enthusiastic response. 

After a moment you slid him into the welcoming heat of your mouth, taking him in as far as you could in one stroke. His jaw dropped open and his entire body jerked forward. 

“Yes, that’s it, Angel—feels so good.”

His praise was addictive. 

You loved that you could bring him to this. You loved to see the haughty Kim Taehyung coming apart as you sucked him. 

It made you feel beautiful—powerful even—and you reveled in every second of it. 

Your eyes were starting to tear. His length began to throb and pulse against your tongue and you knew he was close—so close you could almost taste him—

Yet suddenly he was pulling you back and you whined pitifully at the loss. 

Taehyung chuckled, dragging you toward him till your dripping core slid across his cock.

“I’m not coming before I get inside that pretty little pussy,” he swore, working your hips over his sex till it was drenched in arousal. 

The crass words filled you with the fiercest, most incredible want and you clenched reflexively against him in response. 

“Is that what you want?” Taehyung whispered as he bore you back into the mattress, pinning both your wrists above your head. “You want me to fill your empty little cunt?”

You did. 

You wanted it so so bad. 

“Please.”

Taehyung gently lowered himself closer to you, resting his forehead intimately against yours as he lined up his cock at your entrance. 

“Are you sure, Angel? Because there’s no going back after this... If you give yourself to me, then you’re mine—and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep you.”

“Taehyung, you idiot,”—a tender smile spread over your face as you wrapped your arms around his neck—“... I’ve always been yours.”

He swore violently—letting the slight tremble in his voice betray just how deeply your words affected him. 

Then his fingers tightened on the soft flesh of your hip and he filled you to the hilt with one delicious thrust. 

There was a moment—the smallest space in time—where your eyes locked together and everything seemed to suspend; a strange perfect calm before a monumental storm. 

Then your world caught fire. 

Taehyung drove himself into you with passionate fury, letting years of denial fuel the insatiable rhythm of his strokes. 

Every time he told himself no. Every time he held himself back—

Every bit of it burned away as you screamed his name. 

The feel of him was indescribable. 

You imagined it too many times to count, yet your dreams fell pitifully short of the visceral reality. 

He was bloomin’ magnificent. 

Your fingers clawed up and down his back, desperate to hold on to something while he pounded into your g-spot like an animal. 

“This tiny cunt is the tightest thing I’ve ever had around my cock,” he gasped and you whined needily at his praise. “Like it was made for me—” his hand came up to grip your breast, “like you were made for me.”

“Yes—”

Taehyung’s need seemed to amplify with every whimper and moan that fell from your lips. The feelings you sparked in him were fierce and unapologetically primitive.

He would go to war for you—build a fortress for you—fight a dragon if one dared come close. 

You were his. 

And he felt like a savage every time you cried out for more. 

Suddenly an unexpected movement in his periphery caught his attention.

He’d been so consumed with the extraordinary rush of claiming you that he’d forgotten—

This guest room was thirty-five percent mirrors. 

And now… he couldn’t look away. 

The sight of your bodies tangling together in headless bliss played out before him like a scene from his most debauched and forbidden fantasies. His reflection grinned back at him in fascinated ecstasy while his beloved nemesis lost herself in the pleasure of his cock.

Something dark and wild began to burn in his chest as he studied the lovers in the glass. 

“Look at you, Angel,” he whispered softly, “you really are perfect.”

Then he pulled out of your core and you whined bitterly in protest, chasing his body to rid yourself of the sudden unacceptable emptiness. 

“Still so needy,” he taunted, gripping your hips and flipping you on your stomach before you could even think to protest.

“I want you to watch that pretty angel in the mirror come on my cock,” he groaned, plunging back into you from behind. 

The new angle was somehow impossibly deeper and your body shook as another wave of pleasure overtook it. 

Your fingers clawed into the mattress for purchase as he pistoned into your trembling mound. 

Only Kim Taehyung could rail you like a whore while he worshiped you like a queen. 

He gave you a moment to adjust before drawing your body back against his chest. His arm wrapped over your stomach as he slowly eased your legs apart, unfolding the lewd tableau of your bodies joined together for the voyeuristic gaze of the glass.   

“Look at yourself, Angel,” he growled, mesmerized by the way your breasts bounced with every thrust. “Look at how well you're taking me.” 

Then his fingers slid down to rub your clit and you screamed. 

“Tae! Ah-ahh!”

The pleasure building within you now was violent. You were coiling too tightly, too fast—

“That’s right Angel. Take it all.”

Your eyes locked with his in the mirror for the briefest instant.

And then you flew apart. 

Taehyung threw his head back with a carnal moan as you clamped down around him. His body was hurtling toward its own release with reckless speed. 

“I’m close,” he panted, “where can I come?”

“Come inside me please,” you begged, and Taehyung’s eyes widened in frenzied lust. 

“That’s what you want? Huh?” his thrusts became rougher as he chased his relief, “You want me to fill this puffy little pussy with my cum?”

“Yes, I want it so bad—“ you sobbed. 

“Sweet Angel,” he groaned, gripping at your breasts as he pulled you tighter against him. 

Then he met your gaze in the mirror again. 

“I want everything with you; a home—a family—your body in my arms every morning when I wake up—” his voice trembled, “I want it all.” 

The raw vulnerability in his eyes nearly broke you.

“Tae,” you gasped softly, too overcome with joy to manage anything else. 

His mouth pressed hungrily against the curve of your shoulder. You could feel his cock throbbing in your core as he bent you forward, pounding into your sex with exquisite precision. 

"Stay with me, Angel,” he whispered. His thrusts became erratic as he neared his high. “I don’t want to live without you anymore.”

The glorious thrill of his words tore over your senses with euphoric brutality. Your walls tightened greedily around his cock and the taunt cord of pleasure finally snapped. 

He came with a broken groan, flooding the welcoming heat of your womb with his release. 

“KIM TAEHYUNG!”

The sound of his name being shouted by the absolute last person in the world whose voice he wanted to hear woke Taehyung from a dead sleep.  

His eyes widened in panic as he began yanking pillows and covers from all over the bed in a frenzied attempt to hide—

The doors to his bedroom flew open with a resounding crash. 

“Jimin,” he squeaked, trying to look as casual as possible next to a giant pile of bedding. “What uh—what brings you here at—” his eyes darted to the clock on the wall, “—7:30 in the morning?”

Then he frowned. 

“And how the hell did you get past Jungkook?”

Jimin’s murderous expression broke momentarily to allow for a smug grin. 

“Kendra.”

Kendra Jackson was Jimin’s executive aide. She was fierce, capable, intelligent—

And insanely gorgeous. 

Taehyung groaned. 

Poor Jungkookie never stood a chance. 

To the surprise of absolutely no one, yet another newspaper landed on Taehyung’s lap.

KIM HEIR BRINGS NAUGHTY ANGEL HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Underneath the headline was a picture of you and Taehyung (dressed in clothes you stole from Jin’s childhood bedroom) kissing passionately against the side entrance of the Governor’s mansion. 

One of your legs was wrapped around his waist and he was clearly grabbing your ass. 

“Ah… well you see the camera distorts everything from this angle—and-and the lighting is bad so it’s not really what it looks like—”

“Is that so? Cause it looks like you’ve got your tongue down my baby sister’s throat!”

“Okay—okay,” Taehyung massaged his forehead nervously, “so maybe it’s sort of what it looks like but—”

“I’ll kill you.”

“No wait—” he held up his hands to delay an already advancing Jimin. 

“Why should I wait?!”

“Because—”

“—I trusted you with the most important person in the world to me—”

“The situation is just not that simple.” 

“—and you grabbed her ass in public!”

“Admittedly not my finest hour.”

“So you tell me right now—”

“But you don’t understand it’s—”

“—Why the hell would I wait?!”

“BECAUSE I’M IN LOVE WITH HER!”

For a moment there was absolute silence. 

Then your head popped out from the massive pile of bedding. 

“Really?”

Jimin’s mouth fell open. 

Taehyung groaned again. 

“As usual, your timing is impeccable.”

You rolled your eyes, ignoring his comment.

“Are you really in love with me?”

“Of course I’m in love with you! What part of I want you to have my children did you not understand?!” 

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Jimin choked. 

“That’s not the same thing!”

“It is for me!”

A radiant smile lit up your face. 

“I’m in love with you too.”

Taehyung’s expression softened. 

“Angel I—”

Then you were kissing and Jimin swung around with a horrified shout.

“Oh! No no no���Come on!”

He stumbled out of the room, hands firmly clamped over his eyes. 

“This is not over, Kim Taehyung!” the scandalized young Park heir howled in exasperation… but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. 

Back in the bedroom, Taehyung shook his head at Jimin’s ridiculous caterwauling. 

“No, it’s not over,” he laughed, pulling you deeper into the comfort of his arms. “It’s only just begun.”

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. 

This baby took FOR-EVER to write. I started it in November and literally worked on it a little every day. 

If you enjoyed it— even just a tiny bit—please consider taking a moment to leave me some feedback. It is so incredibly uplifting and rewarding to hear reader thoughts and reactions to my work.

I promise to treasure every word like gold. It took a lot to bring this story to life. Your kind words would mean the world to me.

[dbgdbw]

224화

퇴색

Washed-Out Color

It was a near thing.

Perhaps because of the All Seeing Eye Skill, or because Sung Hyunjae had underestimated me, or maybe both. I was just barely able to realize that he was closing the distance. But I hadn’t anticipated that he might attack me.

Activating the earrings’ barrier Skill was a near-instinctual response. Though my mind hadn’t been able to anticipate it, my body had still reacted intuitively, should I say. Five years’ worth of accumulated experience and the increased stats from being a C-rank combined to narrowly allow me to put up a shield before I could get hit by the attack. But.

콰득, the sharp kick easily shattered through the barrier. Soon after, combat boots collided squarely with my solar plexus. With a suppressed cry, I was sent tumbling across the ground unresistingly. I was deeply bruised, without a doubt, but it wasn’t to the point that I couldn’t endure. Though I probably would’ve passed out, at minimum, if I hadn’t used the barrier.

It seemed that he didn’t intend to kill me, at least.

‘Dammit, what the hell……!’

I’d been kicked aside, but my head was still filled with question marks. What the hell, it was Sung Hyunjae after all. Or wasn’t it? But, even if there was something wrong with my eyes, there was no way I could misattribute that face. So why was he. 

“Ugh!”

Before I could try to raise my body, my hair was roughly seized by the scalp. My head was jerked forwards, and a gaze landed on the nape of my neck. Soon afterwards, a low voice sounded.

“No mana seal, or a protection seal, either.”

It was definitely a voice I was familiar with. But at the same time, it felt alien to me. The mana seal, I knew about, but what was a protection seal. I threw off the hand that was gripping onto my scalp. He obligingly released his hold. Shakily rising to my feet, I looked the Sung Hyunjae lookalike in the face.

“...what kind of reception is this, from the get-go.”

I took a step backwards. After quickly scanning my surroundings, I returned my gaze to the man standing in front of me. The outer appearance was undoubtedly familiar, but the air around them was different. How should I put it. 

He looked gaunt. Lacking vitality. He seemed to radiate ennui. A tedium that surpassed even the degree of disinterest brought on by the repetition born from regression. As though nothing interesting existed in the world at all, that kind of expressionless face. 

…even when he’d gone on about being bored, bored, there hadn’t been an instance where I’d seen him look this washed out. 

“Camouflage, as well as a barrier. And they’re approximately S- and B-rank, at that. Though your stats only seem to be about C-rank or so, how curious.”

He said, appraising me. He was displaying some interest, but it only amounted to the level of vague curiosity. Something was odd, after all. He didn’t seem to be the same person that I knew. 

I took another step backwards.

“Would your name happen to be Sung Hyunjae, or is that not the case.”

“You don’t know who I am?”

“Though the face seems familiar enough, I can’t quite seem to recall your name.”

The end of my voice shook slightly. Him saying as much meant that his name wasn’t Sung Hyunjae, then, right. Was it actually a different person, or was it that he’d maybe taken a incapacitating hit to the head or something when he ended up over here.

But his attitude wasn’t that of someone who had lost their memories at all. Checking if I had a mark, that was the kind of reflexive action that someone who was used to this world would perform. 

“...I was merely passing through this area, I can continue moving in this direction, correct? Being attacked unprovoked does irk me somewhat, but what can the one lower in rank do other than crawl, right. Then, I’ll be off.”

“This time of day is dangerous for an unregistered Awakened to be wandering about alone.”

One step, he came closer. The sense of pressure slowly increased. Right now, my fear resistance was S-rank, while that bastard was SS-rank. Thanks to the increase in basic stats, with the mental stat going up, my actual fear resistance would’ve been slightly higher than S-rank, but it didn’t seem to be able to stand up to an SS-rank. 

A shiver ran down my spine, and I swallowed with a dry throat. When I held out fairly well, the bastard’s brow arched slightly. Simultaneously, a bit of life came back into his expression as well. When he hadn’t even seemed like a person before, this was at least a bit better. 

“So you possess fear resistance as well, do you.”

“Even then, I’m only a commonplace C-rank. Please do put it from your mind.”

For a moment there, I’d been pleased by how things seemed to be working out so easily, but dammit. It’d been a trap. The Newcomer had definitely vouched for having sent a message in advance, but the guy in front of me didn’t seem to have seen anything of the sort. To begin with, he didn’t seem to recognize me at all. 

Was it really a different person. If that was the case, I had to escape from here. But how. 

‘Using up a life seems too wasteful.’

탓, leaping backwards, I pulled out my gun and took aim. Alighting upon the barrel of the gun aimed at him, golden eyes narrowed. 

“An inadvisable course of action. Futile, as well.”

“Though I may only be a C-rank, I still have my pride, you see. Why not generously allow me to get at least one shot in, SS-rank-nim. With my ability, it would only amount to a tickle anyway, would it not.”

The white gun began to absorb my mana. The Sung Hyunjae lookalike cocked his head slightly. If that bastard had a similar temperament to my partner, then he would likely continue to observe a C-rank’s aberrant actions.

“And if I were to generously allow such a blow, then my recompense?”

“Hmm, well, shall we go with ‘obediently following along’? So long as my body is in the condition to, I mean.”

“That’s feasible now, as it stands.”

“While my fangs may not be capable of leaving a scratch on your(1) throat, they’re quite capable of tearing through my own, you see.”

To think that I’d be using my own life as collateral, to threaten someone who had already kicked me hard enough to send me flying. It wasn’t humorous in the least, but that Sung Hyunjae lookalike didn’t approach any further. …seeing him act like that, it should’ve been the same guy, but he still felt a lot different as well.

I pushed all the mana I could into the gun. My head ached at the feeling of mana leaving my body so abruptly, but I kept pouring it in, right up until the point where I would pass out, right before hitting rock bottom. 

Would that guy have the battle foresight, too. Was he capable of predicting my actions, even now. I wasn’t certain, but I’d have to go ahead and shoot my shot regardless.

“With much thanks to the patient gentleman.”

I pulled the trigger. At the same time, instead of trying to withstand the recoil, I pushed off from the ground.

Pistols. As befitting their smaller stature, their firepower tended to be accordingly weaker. But what burst out from the white barrel could be called a tempest of magic without exaggeration. 

A great mass of energy that was too immense to be called a bullet swirled violently as it shot outwards. On the flip side, my body, which hadn’t even been able to muster a proper reaction, was thrown into the air as-is. Like an arrow that had been shot with great force.

콰과과–!

The vortex of white light and the violent dance of debris chipping away to be flung in every which direction, disappeared from view in an instant. As I twisted mid-air to change directions, I could see the five story building that had been in the distance rapidly getting closer. It was a location that I’d scouted in advance.

Taking out a dagger, I flung it towards the building. 콱, almost immediately after the dagger buried itself into the outer wall, I stepped on the outstretched handle to launch myself upwards. 카가각, unable to withstand the force pushing it down, the dagger scraped lengthily against the outer wall before dropping down towards the ground.

Unlike the falling dagger, my hand was narrowly able to catch on the ledge of the rooftop terrace. Dragging my body upwards, I pulled myself over the railing to step down onto the roof. 

‘...ugh.’

Jarred by my abrupt movements, the place where I’d been kicked throbbed painfully. Gritting my teeth, I looked back at the place where I’d been standing, where the Sung Hyunjae knockoff was still standing. 

The surrounding area looked as though a great beast had ripped through the scene, but Sung Hyunjae was untouched. No, one side of his uniform arm had been torn apart somewhat. Whether he’d actually sustained any injury was unclear, as the tattered remains of cloth obscured the view. 

The bastard was smiling serenely. Though the distance between us was considerable, if he so wished to, he’d be able to close the gap in an instant. Because of that, I had to hurry and escape, but.

“You son of a bitch.”

Because I felt both resentful and furious, I raised my middle finger at him. Though it wasn’t certain if it held the same meaning here. Then, I quickly turned away. Cutting across the rooftop, I reached the railings on the opposite side, and once I got close enough, I tied a wire around the railing before throwing myself over the ledge. 

탁, 탁– While holding onto the wire, I ran across the outside of the building to reach down below. When I put a bit more strength into it and gave the wire a hard tug, the section of the railing it’d been tied to broke off and fell down along with it. Quickly reeling it back, I put it away in my inventory before drinking a mana potion and using my camouflaging Skill.

I’d parked my bike on the complete other side, shit. 

‘Sung Hyunjae, that damn bastard!’

Though I didn’t know if it was actually the real one, since they said that, statistically, there were any three people who looked alike in the world, so maybe it was just someone who just happened to look similar, but.

…fuck, when their behavior patterns were so similar, was it actually a different guy. The Skills were the same, too. Or maybe this place was just the kind of place where it thundered-and-lightning’d even with clear skies? At any rate, even if it did turn out to be a different guy, it was still Sung Hyunjae’s fault. 

Because the camouflaging Skill would be fairly useless against that bastard when he was SS-rank, I forced my exhausted body to keep running. My stomach still ached, and my head felt dizzy as well. Even if I’d taken a mana potion, the repercussions of a sudden depletion of mana weren’t something that could be immediately shaken off. 

‘When it hasn’t even been that long since you were yammering on about not even letting a hair on my head come to harm! You even had the nerve to punt me around with your foot!’

Though I’d turned down the offer, indignation still broke through. Goddamn bastard. If they did happen to be one and the same, then I’d really… Dammit, since I couldn’t do anything with my level of strength, it just pissed me off more!

The occasional low-rank monster cropped into view, but none of them were able to take notice of me. After running along the road for a long while, I slipped into a narrow alleyway between a couple of buildings. Hidden in a corner behind a bend that should shield me from outside view, I sat with my back against the wall. 

Taking out a potion, I lifted my shirt, and was greeted with the sight of a vividly purpling bruise. After sprinkling some of the HP potion on top of the bruised area, just in case there had been any internal damage inflicted, I drank a bit of it as well.

“...tastes awful.”

Unlike mana potions, which were typically drunk, HP potions tended to be directly applied to the affected area, and so lacked any additives. Though variations that were intended for consumption did exist, I didn’t have any of them with me at the moment.

Rinsing the lingering unpleasant taste from my mouth, I stuck one of the dried fruits inside. Once the sweetness hit my tongue, my mood improved a little. 

‘I should’ve looked for Yoohyunie first, after all.’

I wanted to see my dongsaeng. And Yerimie, Peace, Noah-ssi, and Hyuna-ssi, too. Though it hadn’t even been a day since we’d been separated, I already wanted to see them. They would all be alright, right. And did the Sung Hyunjae bastard I know actually exist here, too. 

‘...it wouldn’t be that the other people would happen to be like that too, right.’

Newcomer-ah, are you sure that you did your work properly? Are you certain you actually sent the message? And I didn’t have a way of contacting him, either. Create a customer service center. It seems like there’s a bug of some kind, so take this report, alright.

As I sat with my back against the wall, drowsiness slowly crept in. I was still feeling dizzy as well, which caused me to want to close my eyes and lay down. The floor was cold, but because I’d been anticipating spending less than a day in an A-rank Dungeon while accompanied by a veritable herd of S-ranks, I hadn’t bothered to pack anything like a tent. 

After having spent all that time bathing with spring water and sleeping in a plush bed, what kind of hobo experience was this. Though roughing it was par for the course in a Dungeon setting, because the environment was so close to modern-day, it was a bit depressing. Even before regressing, I’d at least had a place to call my own, still.

And on top of that, I didn’t have any money, either. Even with the quest reward from ‘There’s A Person Here,’ it would only add up to about 1,000L. It wouldn’t happen to be the equivalent of only a thousand won, right. Even if it were ten thousand won, it wouldn’t be enough to pay for a night’s lodging.

‘...isn’t there something like a new player bonus, at least. What a trash game.’

They usually gave you a starting fund, didn’t they. More sub quests had appeared in the interim, but as I didn’t have the strength to check, I simply closed my eyes instead. I’d take just a quick nap, then do whatever I could to find someone else. 

…Sung Hyunjae, that son of a bitch, honestly.

* * *

He gazed towards the rooftop, where the unfamiliar C-rank had disappeared. C-ranks were a dime a dozen. Only, there were few C-ranks who would go around on their lonesome as that one had been doing. Since, typically, they served as support or fuel for their affiliate Guards. A C-rank Awakened going around without any affiliation on their own was no different than saying please capture me, effectively.

But that C-rank just now, had been peculiar. 

Skills that ranked higher than warranted by his stats, as well as the weapon that was doubtlessly high-rank, too. And furthermore.

‘That wasn’t the attitude of a beginner.’

A high-rank camouflaging Skill was immensely useful. As such, he’d planned on capturing him in one fell swoop. He’d used an attack with precisely enough force to knock him unconscious, expecting that he’d be unable to dodge or block it properly, much less fight back in any capacity. 

But the C-rank had put up a barrier without missing a beat. Even if he’d been in a state with the battle foresight Skill disabled and with his guard down, he’d still failed to render a mere C-rank unconscious. Him, an SS-rank Guard. 

And, without cowering, he’d aimed a gun at him, and then used the recoil from the gun to make his escape. 

For a C-rank to have the awareness to execute such a plan, he could be expected to’ve spent at least two or three years in the company of Guards. But then, there was no way that word of such an individual wouldn’t have spread by now, and this was definitely a face he’d never encountered before, nor were the Skills, or weapon familiar either. 

Everything about the situation was odd, but what surprised him the most was.

‘He was… Disappointed, by me?’

Being caught off guard and startled were obvious responses. Feeling upset and angry were natural emotions as well. But disappointment, that was curious. What could he have possibly been expecting. A C-rank, from an SS-rank. 

“Master! We’ve finished sweeping residential area 5-B. It was reported not long ago that 3-A has been taken care of as well, as expected.”

A company of people appeared. The man and woman standing at the very head of the group approached him. Both of them were S-rank Guards.

“Did something happen, perchance?”

“I ran into something peculiar.”

Opening her eyes wide, the woman used an elbow to jab at the side of the man standing next to her. Both her expression and actions seemed to ask if he weren’t surprised by the proceedings as well. To think that the person for whom everything came easily, who so then tired of everything, was asserting that he’d seen something peculiar. And in fact, a rare sense of enjoyment seemed to be faintly circulating, at that. 

The man for whom each passing day appeared to be the same day in and day out, who had lost interest in most things that weren’t related to his monster hunting duties. 

“That’s very nice. And so, where is this peculiar thing?”

“It ran away.”

“Shall I go catch it?”

No reply was forthcoming. This time, amongst the two, the man opened his mouth. 

“It was reported a few days prior, that Achates city’s Alpha ended up going berserk. All of Business District 2 is said to have gone up in flames. The situation seems to be contained as of now, but the City Defense Agency has requested that we be on standby, in case there arises a need to subdue him.”

“Reject the ones asking for suppression. However, a kill order, l’ll accept.”

“So likely a rejection, then. I shall convey as much.”

No Defense Agency would permit the loss of a precious SS-rank Guard, just because the city had sustained some damage. So long as they hadn’t degraded to the point of complete insanity, where nothing separated them from an SS-rank monster.

“As there are no more high-rank monster alerts that have been put out, we should return.”

“Is it really okay to not go after it and bring it back? Though I don’t know what it might be.”

In lieu of an answer, he glanced once more towards the rooftop before turning his body around.

-----

(1) 댁

퇴색 [退色·褪色] → ~하다 (색이) go[come] off; fade (away); (사물이) grow dull in color; lose color; discolor; be discolored.

yj → sigma, polite/formal

sigma → yj, impolite/neutral

spending my precious vacation time on these chs instead of skipping, depressing ヾ(￣▽￣)

[selenityshiroi]

Best things about Sasaki and Miyano episode 12 (from a manga reader who was vibrating in anticipation the entire time):

Miyano running through the halls and speaking curtly to the Discipline Committee because he wants to chase down Sasaki

Miyano later telling Tashiro off for running through the halls to hammer home just how out of character this was

Hanzawa breaking into Sasaki's locker like dude...you are in charge of student morals...

Hirano being the Sasamyaa ship captain despite not knowing how to steer his own boat...

Sasaki living and breathing consent. Like, wow, get you a man who respects your 'no's...even if it's just because he was uncertain if it was a 'fuck yes'

The anime realising how awkward the flashback of Satoko slapping Sasaki with no context would be so they cut it (for now??? 🙏🙏🙏)

Miyano realising he wants to say 'fuck yes' to a kiss from Sasaki

Sasaki very clearly thinking that Miyano had stormed onto the train and was tracking him down to tell him to go fuck himself for trying to kiss him

Sasaki still respecting Miyano and apologising to him even when he was pretty sure it was over between them

Miyano just so so so softly letting out that 'I love you'

Sasaki just being all 'whaaaa....say again?' Because he is still kicking himself

Miyano doing what he does and buckling down and jumping straight in with both feet now that he's thought it through and made his mind up

And not just stopping with 'I love you' but explaining exactly how and why he loves Sasaki so there is no misunderstanding

Sasaki crying because 'holy shit it's happening' and having to hide his face because he is so emotional

And even then GIVING MIYANO THE CHANCE TO THINK TWICE AND GIVING HIM SPACE TO BE SURE

Like, sweetie, take the win. But also fucking hell your respect for you partner...THIS IS WHY MIYANO LOVES YOU

Miyano babbling and misspeaking and double guessing what he is saying and is making the whole confession even more adorable because it was so emotional and REAL AND HONEST

Miyano admitting he wants to touch Sasaki and then grabbing his hand and making that first step into physicality in this moment

Sasaki brushing that finger over Miyano's hand and into his cuff

Like...damn...

That tiny little touch just hit me right in the solar plexus

The King of Consent asking if he can hug Miyano and getting agreement

The actual animation of that hug because it actually looked like two people falling into each other and you could feel the weight of the hug and the way they both sank into it

👌👌👌 👏👏👏

And then asking, and again waiting for consent, for a kiss

And then...I was hoping so much they would build this up properly and they did

Once again, thank you animation team

The thumb across the lip

Miyano not being passive and reaching that hand up to Sasaki's cheek

Sasaki resting his own hand upon Miyano's

And then

Guh

Then

The fucking kiss to the palm

Guuuuuuuhhhhh

And the fucking heated look

And then

THEN

Miyano raises his face up to Sasaki before Sasaki starts to lower his

Because this is fucking mutual

They both want to kiss each other so bad

And then they kiss as the sun sets

Just to be extra

(And I fucking love it)

And then they pull apart and Sasaki looks absolutely godsmacked

And then they just fall together again because Sasaki is too emotional and has to hide his face again

And Miyano is so relieved because he finally did it

And then the heartbeat conversation

Because Sasaki teases a lot but he is also honest about his own emotions. And this means just as much to him

And then they are cute and the phone call is cute

And, seriously, you are very lucky that Hirano is too much of a disaster gay

To not come to the conclusion that Sasaki's mouth is busy elsewhere during that call which is why he can't come to the phone

(Instead the boy is just too giddy and can't stop hugging Miyano and is probably very aware that if he talks to another human being he will probably giggle or something)

And then Miyano, king of tropes, is all 'wait...I'm not falling for miscommunication drama...Sasaki, be my boyfriend'

And the callback to that first time, when Sasaki just blurted it out when he was barely aware of what he was feeling and Miyano didn't think it was serious

But this time they both know exactly what they want and are 100% serious

And Sasaki getting in the first of many sneak attack smoochies now that he has permission 😘😘😘

And, yeah, I'm sad that we don't get all the post confession stuff (yettttt???? 🙏🙏🙏🙏����)

But it was nice to sneak in letting the friend group know

Except Ogasawara because his awareness leads up to THE FLOOR and apparently they don't want to do anything to change the sanctity of that chapter???

But I will take any more animation projects for this manga

Another season? A movie? An OVA? A single 5 minute short? ANYTHING.

Oh, and finally, the fact that I'm gushing this out several hours later because I'm STILL NOT OVER IT AND I'VE WATCHED THE EPISODE 3 TIMES ALREADY

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Hi C! I read Against ab Endless Tide and I just wanted to tell you how much I related to Draco and Harry. But I truly resonated with Harry's monologue about loving himself at the end of the fic. As someone who is still learning to understand and love themselves, what he said made me feel found, and not so alone in my journey. So much that I have what he said copied into my journal. I just wanted to let you know how much your words meant to me. Thank you for all the great writing that you do, and love you! ❤

Hello love ❤️

Oh my goodness, this ask hit me right in the solar plexus. Thank you so much for sharing part of your journey with me and being so brave and leaving this ask for me to read. I can’t tell you what your words mean to me.

It makes my heart so full to know that one of my little fics could be something that encouraged you and made you feel seen. 💕 This is genuinely why I share my little stories and I’m so glad that this fic could do that for you.

You are amazing. The work you’re doing is so freaking hard sometimes and I am so proud of you for going on this journey to find and love yourself. You are doing great (even when it doesn’t feel like it).

I love you. Keep fighting the good fight. You are extraordinary.

All my love, C

[foxymoxynoona]

the one shot made me cry. thank you so much for writing it. i was the one requesting it.

it was so beautiful. you captured perfectly how *i think* yoongi would behave as a parent. his steadfastness and bottomless pit of patience was so on point, but even more realistic was when he could feel himself get overwhelmed when his two babies started crying. joo was so adorable, the way you could totally see how she adored her big brother and thought the world of him.

but most of all, i felt for kija. it was so heartbreaking to see him feel like he was behind in school, that he wasn’t good enough. (those stupid smiley faces… i’ve always thought shit like “rewarding the best by adding special shit and flaunting it in class for all to see” was so unnecessary for younger kids, but that’s just me. im not a parent).

and im really happy how yoongi patiently set it straight that you didnt always have to be good academically because school was not the only way to achieve success, and that kija was still six and so still had a lot of time to learn, and that YOU DIDNT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE THE BEST AT THINGS!!! this is so important!!!! i WISH my parents had told me these things when i was little instead of expecting me to excel at everything and getting severely mad when i didnt!!!

and how yoongi assured kija that he had so much to offer than counting and reading. that he was good at memorizing, that he was good at storytelling… like kija couldn’t see how his own baby sister looked at him with awe. it broke my heart but also warmed it at the same time.

and the last lines here:

“He didn’t make it through the emails. Instead he sent you an email with nothing but a heart emoji in it. It was simple, but it would make you smile. You never seemed to mind when his affection was simple.”

and

“You had now been gone for thirty-two of the fifty-four hours.

Yoongi had never missed you more.

But at least he had two little pieces of you to sleep sprawled across him, just like you would have if you were here.”

i completely bawled.

you’re such a phenomenal writer. the way you string words into these beautiful sentences and phrases that always hit right in the solar plexus. you wield these words like a paintbrush. every stroke is beautiful. im so honored and privileged to be able to experience your writing. im so so so glad i found you.

Waaaaah your comment made ME cry! I'm so relieved you liked it even though I complicated such a simple little sweet scene you had asked for haha. Your description of my writing really made me tear up, you have such a way with words and it made me feel so nice! I'm glad we found each other too and I hope I write many more things you enjoy <3

[sitp-recs]

HP Rec Fest, Day 31

Last day of @hprecfest and I AM NOT READY to say goodbye 😭 so sad to see this incredible coming to an end but also thrilled that I’ve had the chance to participate and found my reccing mojo again. Thank you @givereadersahug for this incredible initiative and to all the mods for for your hard work!!! Of course the last prompt is a banger, it was so hard to pick a fav amongst favs but to honour my commitment to rec fics that deserve more visibility I’m sharing two stunning works that showcase the beauty of short (3k) and medium (31k) form. No better way to close it out than reccing two stories that have been so very special for me ever since I first read them, and informed the way I see the ships and my respect for short-medium length. I can only hope this post will inspire more folks to check and experience these beauties by themselves. I hope you’ve had as much fun with the Rec Fest as I did! Wishing everyone a happy NYE and an amazing start to 2024 🥂

Day 31) a fav amongst favs:

Drarry

Still Life (orphaned, M, 3k)

No summary provided so I’ll quote:

if you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to create a perfect short fic the answer is yes and the proof is right here. what a masterclass in short form! the gorgeous prose, the introspective tone, the slice-of-life atmosphere, the perfect pacing and unexpected ending - everything comes together so seamlessly it might feel casual at first but I promise it’s actually quite profound in meaning. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read Still Life and it still hits me in the solar plexus. every. fucking. time. Harry’s pov is a triumph, nuanced, hilariously oblivious and so charming as he navigates conflicting feelings about his growing attraction to Draco. it’s as if we are right there by his side, watching as he overanalyzes their casual-not-so-casual relationship and Draco’s not helping by being infuriatingly hot, tender and quirky (god what a compelling combo, and he has such brilliant lines too!). I am obsessed with their voices and with Harry’s mental gymnastics from horny denial to stunned resignation. this was such a transformative read for me because it’s one of the few fics that made my jaw drop with every paragraph, masterfully crafted to hit me right in the feels. by now I know by heart the lines that give me the “heartkick” - a physical reaction that makes my heart contract and expand with warmth at reading something that changes me in a permanent way. there’s nothing I could say to do this fic justice so I rest my case by stating that it’s a privilege to have the chance to read seefin’s works! what a legend.

Rare pair

A Fine Foray into Fashionable Fellatio by @wellhalesbells (Draco/Ron, E, 31.5k)

First comes tolerating, then comes shagging, then comes unintended consequences.

this is the fic that effectively and irreversibly pulled me into Dron 🪦 I remember being so completely mindblown and obsessed with this story that I immediately found 1824947 ways to mention and rec it every chance I got. holy shit, what a journey! before reading this fic I didn’t know it was possible to love them together and not even think about Harry. but here Ron and Draco are so fully realized, so well-matched in wit, charisma and personality I was promptly sold on the ship without ever comparing their dynamics to Drarry, after all Ron is so very different from Harry. this is quite the emotional rollercoaster, as chaotic, impulsive and intense as both characters; their chemistry and sexual tension are off the charts (the bathroom sex and smoke kink, my god!!!! 🥵) and the Mpreg plot works surprisingly well and in a very Dron way: jump head first, talk feelings later. love the mix of playful banter, horny smut and tentative sweet romance with a long-standing friendship in the background. this is such a FUN read and I really appreciate that the author took their time to develop both the plot and the characters, it certainly felt refreshing to me as I’m used to short rare pair fics. definitely a Dron classic that deserves to be read and reread many times!