#then the big nice man with beautiful brown eyes arrived and i said i feel not so good actually.

[westmeath]

Peter O'Toole and Philippe Noiret in Murphy's War, 1971

[pitchsidestories]

fight like a girl II Ona Batlle x Reader

masterlist I moodboard I word count: 2202

pairings: Ona Batlle x Reader (romantic), Barcelona Femení x Reader (platonic)

warnings: disgusting men, mentioning of blood

“Look who has finally arrived.” Jana noticed you first when you stepped into the restaurant where the Barcelona women were having dinner. She was one of the closest friends of your girlfriend Ona in the team and you couldn’t help but to smile at her.

You might be small in height, but you always left quite an impression despite that. Even though your arm muscles were hidden underneath an oversized sweater you have stolen from your lover.  

“Hi everyone, sorry for being so late.”, you apologized, nervously redoing your ponytail.

“No worries, come here.”, Ona padded on the free chair next to her, her jaw looked tense. Something about the atmosphere was off.

You wondered why but the answer to the question in your head came promptly through a man and his male friend, you could hear the alcohol loosened their tongues in a way which made the women around the table deeply uncomfortable.   

“Oh, there’s another one.”, the taller man punched playfully into his mate's side.

“Not bad either if you know what I mean.”, the smaller but bulkier wiggled his eyebrows.

“Sorry, we asked them to leave several times now.”, Alexia sighed, she’s been clearly tired by their behaviour.  

“But they didn’t listen?”, you stood up abruptly from your seat next to her girlfriend.

“Y/n.”, Ona begun concerned, trying to stop you from doing something possible very stupid.  

“Let me deal with them.”, you asked her to, looking into her worried brown doe like eyes.

“Don’t.” she shook her head determined.

“But-.” you started.

“Just ignore them.”, your girlfriend begged gently.

“Come on you just finished training you need to drink and eat something y/n.”, Mapi changed the topic smoothly.

The older defender was right, in the box ring you forgot time and almost everything else. If you were honest with you were quite hungry at this point in the evening. Yet it was so hard to ignore the men close by.

 “Oh, she’s the baby of the group? What’s your name, beautiful?”, he cooed.

“Not your fucking business.”, you shot back grumpily.

“Oh, she’s a feisty one. You know how to make yourself interesting to men, huh?”, the smaller man grinned dirtily.

“Sorry to hurt your little ego guys but I’m not interested in men at all I’m a lesbian.”, you smiled smugly as you thanked the waitress for bringing you all the drinks before taking a big gulp of your beer waiting for their response.

It was like a dance in the boxing ring, attack, waiting for the response, defending and you wanted them to leave so you could have a nice peaceful evening with friends. But the other truth was you simply loved playing a dangerous game. Some might even say you were addicted to it.

“You just haven’t had the right one yet.“, one of the men replied with a laugh.

You almost rolled your eyes. Not even a creative insult. “How many times have I heard that sentence before? But I hate to break it to you, it’s a no.“

Instinctively you reached for Onas hand under the table.

The men remained unimpressed. The taller one flashed you a toothy grin and turned towards Jana: “Fine then. I’ll just take one of your friends.“

You wanted to laugh. None of the girls would even look at a sleazy guy like him. But you knew men like that. If women didn’t want him, he would get more aggressive until he got what he thought was his. You decided to keep your eyes fixed on him.

“No, you won’t.“, you said calmly.

He snorted: “What are you going to do about it?”

That was the moment you could feel your brain go into autopilot. Anger spread through your body like a wildfire, burning hot in your stomach and your chest. Your hands curled into fists, your nails digging into your skin as you slipped from your seat. There was nothing you hated more than being underestimated.

“You should be scared.“, you said plainly.

The tall man burst into laughter: “Of you? You’re tiny!”

His laugh was like gasoline to fire, only feeding your rage.

“And you’re tall with not a lot of brain to match your height apparently!”, you snapped at him.

He considered you for a moment before he ordered: “And you only have a big mouth so sit back down!”

With a frown, you took a step towards him: “I will. If you stop harassing my girlfriend and our friends!”

“Harassing?!”, he echoed and glared at you. “What are you on about? We’re just talking to them!”

“But they’re clearly not interested.“

You got angrier with every word out of his mouth but you also got this perverse sense of pleasure out of arguing with him.

“Amor, your food has arrived.“, Ona interrupted you. Her voice was gentle and cautious.

You waved her off: “I’m not hungry right now.“

“Please.“, she asked but your focus was back on the two men.

“I’m only asking you to leave on more time.“

The first man bent down to you like an adult would do with a young child. “Or what? You’re not scary at all, little one.“, he sneered.

That was all it needed. You swung at him and struck him right in the face. There was the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking and blood dripping on the floor. You heard the gasps from the football players behind you.

“Fuck! You fucking bitch!”, he cursed under his breath. You waited for him to lunge at you but he was too busy trying to stop the bleeding.

“I warned you.“, you said cooly and shot a warning look at his friend, signalling that you were ready to break a second nose that night.

“Time to leave, girls.”, Alexia announced in her captain voice.

“Please.”, Ona muttered.

“No, she’s got to pay for this!”, the man who you didn’t injure demanded hissing.

“What? You want your nose broken too?!”, you replied shaking your head in disbelief. Alarmed your girlfriend called your name but you couldn’t help to add. “That was no coincidence. I know how to do it.”

“Yes, but they aren’t worth it.”, she whispered into your ear.  

“Everyone harassing my friends is worth it.”, you told her fiercely while her teammates and you slowly made your way out.

“These men could’ve hurt you.”, Ona remarked. There was worry swinging through her words.

“No, they couldn’t. I’m a good boxer.”, you disagreed confidently as you wrapped protectively an arm around the brunette’s shoulder.

“I know you’re, what I’m trying to say is that you don’t need to protect us.”, she explained softly.

“He deserved that broken nose though.”, Mapi commented chuckling from behind.

“See?”, you grinned triumphantly at your lover.

“Just great, Maria.”, Ona groaned in frustration.

“Good night, girls.”, the older defender said with an innocent smile on her lips as she went for Ingrids hand to start the walk to their home.

“That’s our cue to leave too. Night.”, Jana declared.

“Goodbye, text me all when your home.”, the captain of the team hugged everyone before going her own way.

“Your captain can be such a mum, Oni.”, you smirked amused. The balmy night air felt nice against your skin, it made what happened in the bar appear like a faint memory.  

It didn’t have the same effect on your girlfriend for her the scene of you hitting that man was still replaying in her mind. Alone the thought of it made her heart sank.

“If she were more of a mum, she would’ve stopped you from doing that.”, Ona objected.

“Not that again.”, you grumbled.

Once you reached the safe walls of your home the adrenaline has worn off and your fingers started to hurt which didn’t get unnoticed by the defender even though you tried your best to hide your pain from her.

“Wait, I’ll get some ice.”, Ona noted.

“I’m fine.”, you assured her quickly. Although your sayings turned out to be useless, she was already up getting something to ease your hurt.

“No, you’re not I can tell that from the look on your face.”, the brunette sounded mad, but despite that there was a tenderness in the way she took care of you despite her furiousness.

“Ona…“, you whispered quietly, in hopes to calm her down but also because you weren’t sure what to say next. Of course, she had seen right to you even when you tried to ignore the throbbing pain in your hand. Your knuckles were still red and swollen.

“Yes?”, Ona asked. Her voice was tense as she took in the damage on your hand and gently applied some ice.

You watched her hold your injured hand in the dim light, her gaze directed downwards.

Only when she looked up with an inquiring expression on her face, you remembered to speak.

“I didn’t mean to… you know? I just never know what to do with my anger.“ You bit your lip. Nothing that came out of your mouth did your feelings justice. Nothing conveyed the message enough that you weren’t malicious, you were just an angry girl. Something that people didn’t want to see for some reason.

Onas eyes softened. She sighed quietly: “I know. And you don’t need to fight all the time. We could have handled that as a group together, not just you alone. Besides I get angry too, but only on the pitch.“

“That’s different.“ You blew out a short, hard breath of frustration. That was not even remotely comparable.

Ona nodded slowly: “Yes, you’re right… still.“

“Yes. Maybe. But I’m tired, Ona. Everyone sees my anger as something bad when it’s not!”

You regretted saying it as soon as Ona looked away again.

“You need to sleep…“, she said softly.

But you both knew it was not that kind of tiredness you were talking about.

You pulled your hand away from her: “No, you don’t get it. It helped me a lot in the past!”

“You never tell me anything about that so how am I supposed to know?”, Ona asked, frowning with her jaw set.

“I was telling you now!“, you retorted, rolling your eyes in annoyance.

Ona remained calm, unfazed by your rage: “Go on.“

To your surprise, her composure seemed to rub off on you.

“Doesn’t matter anymore. All you need to know is that I’m not ashamed of my anger.“

She shook her head determinedly, clearly not ready to let you sweep that topic under the rug: “No. I want to hear everything, the whole story. You don’t have to sugarcoat anything. Plus, I want you to teach me how to box.“

You blinked at her: “Wait. You do?”

“Yes, I do.“, she replied, leaving no room for doubt.

You studied her face. She looked so serious.

You could feel your heart beat faster thinking about Ona in a boxing, just because you loved the sport, just to get to know you better.

“How about I’ll take you boxing tomorrow?”, you suggested.

Ona finally smiled: “Sure.“

“And then we can talk.“

Ona and you went early to the gym the following day, mainly because it meant that you were completely alone. The morning light streamed through the large windows and highlighted the boxing ring which stood in the centre of the room. This was the place you felt most at ease and somewhere your anger wouldn’t be judged.

You recognized how your girlfriend struggled a bit with her boxing gloves, carefully you helped her to put them on.

Curiously she looked up to you. “When did you’ve to learn to fight for yourself?”

“When I was very young. People always made sure I knew that I was very different from them.”, you confessed alone the thought of it made you shudder.

“It must have been very painful for you especially when you were so young.”, Ona replied empathetically, the defender didn’t know she wasn’t standing right.

Gently you moved her into the right stance before continuing your story.

“Yes, and then people were surprised when I got angry for being treated differently.”

A cloud moved in front of the sun and darkened the whole room.

“And the boxing ring was a place to deal with your anger?”, the defender wanted to know genuinely interested.

“Well, when we had to flee from my home country, we were feeling so helpless and I never wanted to feel like this again. That’s a story for another time.”, you explained quickly.

With a cheeky smile on your lips, you advised her. “Hands up we want to protect your pretty face.”

While you showed her the essential boxing moves, Ona stopped your movement for a moment urging you to take her all in. “No, I want the full story.”

“Alright, but it’s going to be a long one.”, you warned the brunette.

You have circled around this topic for so long it was time to face it. And two things you were certain about, one your girlfriend was strong enough to handle what you’d tell her and second you were brave enough to speak about it.

Fight like a girl wasn’t an insult to both of you it was a compliment.

[angelicafx]

★.° - 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄...

Yandere Zhongli X Fem! Reader

WARNINGS: YANDERE, unrequited love, death, jealously, reincarnation, obsession, delusional behavior, angst, a little bit of aether x reader, and aether as the traveler!

2nd POV:

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒... that's how you felt while you were on the cold floor which was full of blood. All you were thinking in this moment was about 𝐇𝐈𝐌..

Does he knows that your life was gonna to end in some seconds? Does he knows that you were full of pain? Does he knows that you 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 him?

You doubted that he noticed your stupid feelings when he already catching feelings for Ghuizhong. You always noticed how his behavior changed when he was with her. He was 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 in love with her.

"H-heavens.. please.." You muttered with pain in your voice while spitting blood from your mouth. "I-In my 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄.. d-don't make me fall in love with him... even if w-we were meant to be together.." You prayed before closing your eyes forever..

☆

𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃... and you were reborn without your memories of your past life. You were born in a very rich family in Fontaine and became a very independent woman.

You decided to go to Liyue and go to the famous event, "Lantern Rite" with the famous traveler, 𝐀𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑. He wanted to invite you with Paimon to see it and spend some time together, and of course you accepted thinking that it would not 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓 you by going with him.

When you arrived at the place, you saw Aether and Paimon talking to a brown haired man. You decided to greet him since it will be quite rude to not greet him... 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓?...

☆

"Woahhh!! You finally got some money in your wallet, Mr. Zhongli !??" Paimon exclaims surprised. "Haha... Don't get so excited since I actually got it from Childe" Paimon let's out a sigh after hearing those words.

"Greetings, traveler and Paimon" you greeted them while Zhongli froze...

Was it really you..?

The woman that died centuries ago..?

"Helloo [Name] !" Paimon greeted you while Aether just waved at you. Zhongli didn't knew what to say.. 𝐘𝐎𝐔 had the exact name of his dear 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃.

"I'm sorry but, didn't catch your name" You said to him with your normal voice but for him... he was 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 by hearing that. He hasn't heard that beautiful voice a VERY long time ago, he missed that.

"Ahem, my apologize, name is Mr. Zhongli but just called me Zhongli" he answered you with a big smile. "Name is [Name], nice to meet you !" you grabbed his hand and shaked it.

𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇, he missed that touch for many centuries and now he was able to touch it again. That made him realize...

Was it 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 that brought you two together again?

Did you two were 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 to be together?

Zhongli soon realized... he 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 was in love with Guizhong... it was you. But don't worry, he will fix this ! You two 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 have a happy ending.

Yet... he will 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 find out the deal you had with the Heavenly Principles...

"𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆.."

a/n: HEHRHRHRH ANGST, MAYBE PART 2 ?? DECIDED TO MAKE THIS SHORT SINCE WANTED TO DO A SHORT FIC . TAKE CAREE <33

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Painful ink words and snowflakes

Cregan x Jacaerys

warning : be/become in love (implied love at first sight), fluff, comfort, angst, emotional, kiss

Summary : The high wide cold north a realm where Jacaerys first flew on his dragon Vermax. The cold had always fascinated him when surrounded only by fire, warmth and no cold snow and ice. Gray eyes meet beautiful darkness and dark eyes meet the gray pretty sky. A young lord and a young prince together in the north find themselves in pain and care as a raven arrives with painful inky words and snowflakes meet tears.

Info : Episode one was a rollercoaster of emotions and I need more of these two so cute and hot but most of all so ahhh. So I hope I don't make the first episode even more painful here and have fun reading ;)

masterlist

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

The north lay high above King's Landing. It was a great land, the greatest that not only served under the House of Stark. A house as old as the house of Targaryen, the dragon and the direwolf, two houses that had always seemed to have an alliance.

A bond that became even stronger after the death of Visery. A time in which two princes of the realm rose up from Dragonstone, sent by Queen Rhaenyra, to reestablish not only allies but also old alliances.

In a war you needed every man you could get and while her younger son his beloved brother Lucerys Velaryon was sent to Storms End to join the Baratheon who had a connection to the Queen through Rhaenyra, he Jacaerys the eldest son and heir to the Throne of Black was sent to the far north.

The warm clothes he had barely worn in his life, clothes he had still found too warm in King's Landing and had joked with Vermax, ,,I will become a dragon in the warmth," to which his mount replied with a snort and swift flight to cool his riders.

But soon a few hours later, as the sea receded and they crossed fields and paths and valleys, he saw the land becoming more and more barren, barren farms and villages with lights and snow. White snow.

A thing of nature snow was something he had only really experienced once the short winter in King's Landing short winters are good but he found it fascinating even then.

He would help his mother, honor his family and end this dispute. It took a few moments before the inhabitants of the north also saw the prince of the realm and looked up into the sky, excited and slightly frightened. Jace circled the magnificent castle before carefully landing his dragon in the large courtyard, which still seemed a little unusual for the greenish dragon.

He had always been surrounded by warmth since he was born, warmth from fire, from love and from dragons…so he was even more fascinated by the cold.

,,There it is Winterfell and our destination" he speaks with Vermax who understands his ancestors here were their common ancestors here the good Queen Alysanne with her dragon Silverwing a feeling of pride filled the prince.

Vermax looked around with orange eyes and seemed to be interested in the snowflakes that not only circled him, but Jace had to admit that he had never seen such big flakes dancing around him. It was beautiful. Just as beautiful and mesmerizing as the lord before him.

A man only a few years older than himself, a young lord in charge of a house and a wall fortress. A young man of rather and plfihct as he bowed dressed in black with the Valyrian steel weapon ice on his back as Jace did the same.

,,It's nice to finally meet you my prince" came from the elder's lips and he held out his gloved hand which the prince took more hastily than he intended ,,It's an honor to be here in your seat Winterfell you'd think it was an old tradition" Jace said for the first time seeming unsure if he was saying the right thing but those greyish eyes like the cloudy sky he loved to fly through was something that captured him.

The brown hair slightly lighter than his, the face strong, the body seemingly hardened and barely concerned with winter as if he were a direwolf himself. But that smile, that smile of understanding as he pulled Jace close for just a moment, not a real hug, perhaps more of a coming closer as their eyes met.

The dragon met the direwolf and felt small, intimidated and yet…drawn. ,,It is an old tradition and honor indeed my Prince please follow me" he said and walked towards the inside while the prince walked next to him, the younger's gaze just too fixated on the older and Winterfell.

This coolness seemed like something completely different. Not warm, but all the more inviting. ,,I should have visited the north much earlier it's so different from King's Landing or Dragonstone" he said as they arrived in the great hall he looked inside and yet even though they were seated inside it seemed cool rather than warm.

He had turned away from Cregan and looked around slightly, seeming completely fascinated, not seeing the look of admiration on Cregan's face as he scrutinized him. The direwolf looked to see if he could trust the stranger to let him into his pack territory.

His brown eyes are as pretty as the dark starry nights in the woods the lord thought and couldn't stop the smile on his lips, a smile that only showed for a moment, a smile that disappeared when he saw the stranger. A sword at the prince's side let him know why they were here, what was going on out there towards the south and even if the creatures of winter were behind the walls he could probably only fight two wars badly.

,,I'm glad my Prince that you like it so much…not everyone finds beauty in something like this," Cregan said and gestured towards the corridor to go to his personal consultation room, interrupting his ally's exploration who nodded at him, slightly puzzled and then with a stern face, ,,Of course, Lord Stark" came from his lips before he followed the brown-haired man.

The two young men stay in the room for a few hours until the afternoon. They took off their heavy coats of fur and thick fabric because of the warmth that seemed to bother them both.

Their bodies bent over the table, the chairs barely used, too eager to look at the maps, papers and plans they all revealed. The supplies, the men, the weapons and the strength, ,,You see my prince it is not very much but for the rightful queen we give all we can" he said and signed some papers on which the goods and men would have been fixed while Jace secured back the support of men to strengthen the wall and help the north through winter which they always needed.

Winter is coming.

Winter always comes after the hot fiery summer is gone. But Jace knew he could count on Cregan, the look that sirchiet gave him was sincere and honest, ,,For this the Crown and I are eternally grateful to you Lord Cregan," he replied, his smile meeting the elder's as they looked at each other for a moment in silence.

The brown met the gray and vice versa as they faced each other and Jace faded from the gray Freely infinitely beautiful as the sky he seems to be utterly alluring thought the prince and heir to the throne of the realm.

But this momet passed, this breath of cold and fire passed and they decided to go to the wall and put on their cloaks and capes it almost seemed more intimate as they put on their clothes.

A thought that made his cheeks flush and Jace tried to cover it slightly with his curly hair…but Cregan had seen it with an equal thought. The two were silent as they walked side by side, the wooden box of the elevator swaying meters above them, ,,Are you sure you don't want me to take my dragon, my lord?" Jace asked, scowling as he heard the shaking and scraping as the wood was lowered.

But Cregan grinned and placed a hand on the prince's shoulder and squeezed it lightly, ,,Even Queen Alysanne and her dragon only came to the wall not the wall I assure you nothing will happen…and please if you like call me Cregan" an offer Jacaerys accepted with a nervous yet drawn out smile before he placed his hand on his shoulder as well and said, ,,Jace will do…Cregan".

The elevator up Jace felt the height didn't bother him it was the uncertainty that it wasn't a dragon that lifted him into the air. The height and the coolness that surrounded him was familiar and beloved, but this wobble and backlash was reminiscent of their first flights with Vermax when they were both barely practiced.

,,Is flying a dragon less shaky? You looked as graceful as the queen back then," Cregan said with a hint of amusement in his voice and moved a little closer to Jace, seeing surprise in the dark eyes before he heard the short hearty laugh.

A laugh that infected Cregan and they enjoyed the moment of bliss as the wint blew around their strands and they exchanged glances again as they reached the top. Duty entered their eyes as they walked past the men.

Duty and honor they both had and goodness they knew what was at stake and they would stand behind it forever. Jace knew he had Cregan's strength on the ground and Cregan knew he had Jace's strength in the sky. It was a knowledge of each other's worth as they arrived at the small observation deck.

The wind around Jacaery's hair played loose and Cregan could feel it wanting to run through the dark curls, wanting to keep Jace here longer, wanting to show him so much more. ,,The winter and your north is beautiful my Lord Cregan," Jace said, looking out over the endless expanse of ice and snow and he clung to the wooden railing held by the best ice, rope and metal.

,,Infinitely wide and wondrous with bright stars in the sky, dark impressive expanses and yet…at night death," the older man said and looked from the view to Jace who turned to him, he had only heard in books about the danger beyond the wall but whether it was real. He saw how Cregan was probably reminded of this something but was at least intimidated by it.

Jace stepped closer to him and placed his hand on Cregan's, ,,I'll light your night with Vermax Cregan, no harm will come to you. Not tonight, not in the war, never, I promise," he promised the older man and was about to step closer when footsteps interrupted them, ,,A raven from Dragonstone has delivered a message, my lord," were words that made them both pause. Jace looked at Cregan as he unfurled the note of duty that had come back to them both.

Words written in dark ink the second prince of the realm Lucerys Velaryon killed while performing his duties. They were words in ink that gave Cregan a jolt of realization that their abrogation would come into effect sooner than he thought, that he would lose Jace sooner than he would have liked, and that he would have to tell his dragon prince what had happened. His gray eyes full of seriousness looked into the uncertain dark eyes of Jace who waited unthinkingly for the answer.

It was still the hope that this horrible act of reality had not happened but Cregan just shook his head and handed the note to Jace placing a hand on his shoulder, ,,My condolences I'm sorry my prince…Jace" were the words that left the Starks lips as he saw the horrible realization in the dark eyes. As he saw something break inside the prince as if a piece of him had been torn out.

He saw the glimmer of tears come into the prince's eyes as he turned his gaze with an appathetic nod and blink to Cregan, then to the letter and then to the snow. ,,Yes-I thank Cr-Lord Stark…I'd like to be alone-I have to get back," came from Jace, who broke away from the older man and ran slowly, then ran to a platform on which several crates were stacked.

If he jumped it would be the end, he would lose Jace even more than he already had, a fear that immediately gripped the older man. ,,My prince! Jace!" he shouted the name as he saw the brown-haired man mumble something too quietly for him to understand before he threw himself down, his own startled cry piercing the cold, silent north and his hand reaching for the younger one.

He didn't want to lose the one to whose heart his was beating the same. ,,Jace! Wait, come back!" he shouted in anguish and fear as he saw the prince on Vermax clinging to the saddle and seemingly about to fly away in his current state, a distance back in an emotional state that could lead him to suicide.

But the brown-haired boy flew away with Vermax but not towards Dragonstone relieved in the heart of the north dweller who saw the green dragon scream out cries of pain and fear and seem to disappear behind hills in the neighboring forest.

,,Get my horse ready now!" the young lord shouted and hurried into the elevator that was being lowered as fast as he could, his fingers drumming on the wood for fear of what Jace would do. The loss of a brother, a blood relative, a loss that must be more painful than any battle wound.

As soon as the wood reached the ground, he sprinted out to the servant who was already holding his horse, ,,Keep guarding everything until I get back," he said before telling the animal to gallop off towards the forest. The forest in front of him was only a few minutes away, but due to the density of the forest it was difficult to find anything.

But finding a dragon shouldn't be difficult, ,,Faster, come on boy," he instructed his horse, pushing a little harder to the side and was glad that he came to the wooded, uncertain ground as they jumped over tree trunks, he ducked under branches and the roots didn't break the horse's hooves. He shouted the prince's name, he shouted the younger one's name, he saw nothing next to the brown and white that indicated Jace's frustration and fear.

They had only known each other for less than a day and yet something seemed to connect them, not age, not royal blood…it seemed stronger. ,,Jace! Jace where are you!" he matured again and rode on, trying to find his way through the forest that could look no more than the dark eyes he was lost in until he saw a movement in the corner of his eye.

Pulling on the reins, his horse came to a sudden stop, ,,The dragon," the lord muttered, seeing the slightly lighter scales than the single trunks and the looming orange eye, ,,Jace, it's Cregan!" he shouted, slowly coming closer with his horse. He suspected that Vermax would not attack him but creatures of such power who knew?

Slowly dismounting not letting the beast out of his sight his horse bucked however and he let go of the reins knowing it would find its way back on its own if it had to as he strode on. With a whistle his mount would have come back without him he had important things to do.

Even if he just got to the ice he wouldn't stand a chance but he didn't have to because he saw that the dragon had wrapped its wings and tail around something as if it wanted to shield something or rather someone. ,,Jace?" he asked more calmly and empathetically and now stood next to the dragon that radiated a warmth that resembled spring or summer, a strange feeling, but it was a warmth that somehow always surrounded Jace.

He heard several heavy breaths and was afraid that the prince had fallen off the dragon and was injured, but these were followed by cries and a broken, ,,I'm fine…Cregan just go…please me," he heard the broken voice and placed his hand carefully on the green dragon's wing.

Vermax seemed to look at him, his orange eyes looking at him for a moment before he lifted the wing and let Cregan into the safe space where Jace was sitting. He looked down at the ground, his knees drawn up, the sword with splinters of wood next to him and a face lying in his hands.

Wordlessly, he sat down beside him close enough for the brown-haired man to lean on if he wanted to, if he wanted to soothe the pain of hot tears with cold. He let him cry, let him scream and mumble incoherent words, let him come close to him in his arms and detach himself.

,,Let it out Jace…let the pain and the thoughts out it hurts I know my dear prince…just let it happen for this moment" he said and almost fell over when Jace suddenly threw himself against him, chin on his shoulder and just held him, crying silent tears and Cregan, Cregan held him, stroked his back and held him. Again and again Jacaerys seemed to want to mumble something about what he could have done, his fault and the war.

But everything was interrupted by crying while thick, cold snowflakes slowly flew down on them. ,,Snowflakes freeze feelings for a moment Jace look up let yourself be lulled before you travel to the queen" Cregan murmured only hugging him closer yet feeling the brown eyes look up the fast beating heart calm down a little and the sniffling stop.

Instead, it was the prince's tears that were frozen by the snow and the kiss on his head, brief yet effective, that helped the young prince's tears to stop, or at least to hold back until he was in the warmth of Dragonstone in his mother's arms.

,,No matter what happens Jace in the snow and in the cold feelings are waiting for you…I am waiting for you and always will. Fly as fast as you can the war will break out do you understand? Fly and help the queen my prince Jace" were Cregan's words as he rose and pulled Jace to his feet, the prince still looking up at the sky and only now his dark eyes into the gray eyes that were indeed covered with a gleam of sorrow and fear. Jace looked at him for a moment before he nodded wordlessly,

,,Yes-yes I will come back Cregan I must leave…the flame in my heart was waiting for the next meeting" he murmured still slightly in shock but with sincerity as he placed a hand on the older man's cheek and Cregan did the same, wiping away the last of his tears.

,,Fly my prince, hurry up I'll always be here for you!" he called after the prince who had taken to the skies with Vermax to look at them both one last time before Jacaerys disappeared into the gray clouds on the green dragon Vermax and Cregan remained on the ground surrounded by dark trees.

But the next meeting was sure to come when the direwolf and the dragon met again and could lie in each other's arms under different circumstances with affection, understanding or perhaps even love.

[lovelyd0gg]

The Air of Summer.

Welcome back to Story Sunday, for those who are new to it, every Sunday, if I'm not busy or something happens I write a story about one of the BoB boys and the reader. I apologize for not writing one for 2 weeks, I was extremely sick and I had to visit the doctor, but I am feeling all better now so enjoy and relax<3

Summary: You and Speirs met in this one big field of flowers, and that's when you both fell in love, every summer, you got to that same spot and enjoy each other's presence and how lucky you both are to have each other.

Warnings: Fluffy<33, soft boy Speirs, a minor mention of the war.

P.S: This story doesn't have anything that is action related, this is just a cute fluff story about how you and Speirs met.

You both met in July, a beautiful month with sunshine and a calm breeze with birds singing a different tune each day when you wake up to a nice morning glow in your room. It was all unexpected really, you wanted to just go out for a nice calm walk, enjoying the fact that summer is finally here and it's not leaving soon. You went to your favorite spot, a flower field, you always went there when you were sad, happy, frustrated, it always made you calm and relaxed. But once you arrived at the field, you noticed some other person there, a man to be exact. You couldn't really see him well from this far but you approached him. You sat down beside him, he seemed to be in a deep thought or he was looking at the sky. He had a slight curled brown hair and the sun rays made his skin glow, his eyes were a nice shade of brown and he seemed to be calm. You decided you wanted to strike up a conversation.

"Excuse me, sir?"

He turned to look at you, he hadn't heard the word 'sir' since 1945, when the second World War ended.

"Yes?" He replied with a gentle tone.

"I was just wondering, what're you doing here?"

"Just sitting, enjoying the breeze, the sun, the air of summer."

His answer made you nod slightly. You couldn't help but notice he was staring at you for quite some time, taking in your appearance.

"And you? Why are you here?" He said unexpectedly.

"Oh, this is my favorite spot to go to whenever I'm feeling sad or frustrated or.. anything really."

He nodded and kept looking at you.

"I must say, you have beautiful eyes."

The compliment was unexpected and it caught you off guard. But you weren't just going to stay silent after he complimented you, he was good looking himself. But you were still in shock that you only managed to get out a slight 'thank you' out from your lips.

And that's when he felt, he fell in love. The way you were shy and polite just made something click in his head..

"What's your name?"

"I'm Y/N, but you can call me Y/N/N.."

"It's a nice name, suit you, I'm Ronald Speirs."

You both chatted for a while, well, you did and Ron just listened. He was a great listener. By the time the sunset started you checked your watch.

"I have to get going now, it was nice chatting with you, but I gotta g--" But before you could finish your sentence, Ron took your arm and gently held it.

"But the sunset just started, you wouldn't want to miss out on it, would you?"

He had a point, but was he just hoping you'd stay longer just because he wanted to be with you?

"You're right.. I'll stay."

You swore you saw him try and hide his smile, you sat back down and watched the sunset. By now, you were getting pretty tired, so you leaned against his shoulder and he had an expressionless face. But deep down, he was freaking out.

After the sunset, he noticed you fell asleep, so he picked you up in his arms and walked to his place, this wasn't kidnapping right..?

When he got to his place, he put you on his bed and entered as well, pulling you in his arms and falling asleep with you, and when you woke up the next morning, you were confused and wondering why you weren't at home! And he was right next to you! Asleep!

Well, a couple months later, and you both started dating, you both were already planning on what you both would do after you'd get married, and what type of crazy story you'd tell your children when they would ask "How did you guys meet?" Well, your story is certainly unique. But, you both had boundaries and weren't getting married or having kids yet, you both needed to get a bond with each other, it was just something you both needed in a good relationship.

Now, everytime it's July, you both would go to the same flower field you both met, sat at the exact same spot, and stayed to watch the sunset.

[lala1267]

Bow down bitches (part3)

Summary: You were on tour with Elvis, but Jerry was getting too comfortable.

I sat on the couch with Elvis and my daughter. Elvis was holding Jasmine, playing with her and admiring her. Her giggles made a light gleam in my heart. Looking at Elvis, playing with my child was the best sight to see. He would be such a good dad. I was 20 years old, and I already had a baby. I knew this journey was going to be hard, but I would do anything for my beautiful daughter. Elvis looked at me with Jasmine in his hands.

"You have a beautiful daughter. Takes after her mother." He said as he played with her curls. I smiled before replying.

"Well, I think we know that." I said sarcastically. We both laughed. I was getting a strong feeling of deja vu. I felt his warm soul radiate of him like when we first met. I remembered when we first kissed, it felt like heaven. He continued to play and giggle with my daughter. My heart was warm just watching it.

"You know I will always be here if ya need me. I can take good care of ya." He said as he turned to look at me with his piercing blue eyes yet again. I moved closer to him so that I we were touching shoulders.

"I know you will. You're a good man, Elvis." I said before placing a kiss on his cheek without thinking twice. He just giggled before placing a peck on my daughters cheek.

"I wanna take ya on tour with me, I think you will like it." He said as he batted his long eyelashes. I didn't hesitate to say,

"Yes, I would love to." I said eagerly.

Before I knew it I was packing a bag of clothes and essentials for tour. All of the clothes that I packed were ones that Elvis had brought me. Ever since i began to stay at his house, he would spoil me like a child. I didn't complain, though. Once I was done, I passed the bag to one of Elvis's assistants. I picked up Jasmine and placed a kiss on her button nose.

"Honey, we have to leave now." Elvis shouted from the bottom of the stairs. I smiled as I headed down to him. I reached the bottom of the stairs, and I was met with Elvis. He had a big smile on his face.

"I love seeing ya with your daughter, it makes me smile." He said sweetly. I stepped towards him and planted my lips onto his. I didn't know why I did it, I just did. We weren't even toughether, but there was definitely a spark between us. I pulled away, and we headed to the car. He opened the door for me, I got in, and he followed behind me, grabbing my hips slightly. I sat Jasmine on my lap and tied her curly hair up. She was only one year old, and her hair was shoulder length. She had light brown, luscious curls. Elvis watched me do her hair with a grin on his handsome face.

"I love her hair, it's nice to see a mixed race child." I just smiled at his comment as I continued to do her hair.

We soon arrived and I could already see the paparazzi. My heart pounded faster, and I gripped my daughter tightly. I looked at Elvis with a worried expression on my face.

"Elvis, I can't go out there. All of the shouting and flashing will be too much for Jasmine." Elvis looked at me and then at Jasmine, who was curiously trying to look out of the tinted window.

"Hmm, take this and put it over her head. She won't be able to see all of the flashes." He said as he handed me a black handkerchief from his pocket. I put it over my daughters head and exited the vehicle with Elvis by my side. He grabbed onto Jasmine and me tightly and rushed us inside. Cameras were flashing, and fans were shouting. Once we were inside, I let out a sigh of relief. I took the handkerchief off my daughters head. She had a cute smile on her face, I was glad that she wasn't fazed by the fans and paparazzi. Elvis walked up behind me and slightly squeezed Jasmine's cheek.

"See, happy as ever." He said with a little giggle. I felt his hot breath on my neck as he inched closer to kiss my cheek. Just his touch made me so happy.

A group of men, known as the Memphis Mafia, walked over to us. Their eyes widened, and eyebrows furrowed as they looked at me, with a baby in my arms. Elvis was quick to speak.

"Don't worry, boys, i ain't a father yet." He said with a slight giggle. The boys laughed before talking amongst themselves. Once all the attention was away from me, Elvis leaned down towards my ear and whispered.

"But I wish I was." I turned my head to look up at his smug face before planting my pink lips on his once more.

A group of professional looking men walked over to me, Elvis, and the Memphis Mafia.

"Elvis, the show starts in thirty minutes. Your dressing room is backstage, and your outfit is already in there." One of them said confidently. Elvis nodded before grabbing my free hand and escorting me and Jasmine backstage. We walked into through the tall door that had Elvis's name on. It was quite small and had just one bench to sit on. I placed myself on the wooden bench as Elvis walked over to his costume. He picked it up and showed it off to me. It was pure white and was studded with red, blue, and yellow diamonds. It also came with a rather large belt that was also covered in diamonds. He stepped behind the curtains. He walked back out with the jaw-dropping outfit, fitted to his body perfectly. It exentuated his small waist and flared at the bottom of his long legs. His broad shoulders looked strong and big. Everything about this man made me want to scream. Jasmine was sat in my lap, giggling and smiling as usual. Elvis stepped closer to me.

"Do ya like it?" He asked in curiosity. I smiled.

"Like it? I love it!" I said. He bent down to place a kiss on my cheek. Jasmine reached her small, chubby hand out to play with the diamonds on Elvis's expensive suit. As he stood back up, he looked down at Jasmine whilst giggling.

"I think Jasmine likes your outfit too." I said cheerfully before placing a kiss on Jasmine's rosy cheek. He just laughed like a child before stating,

"Well, the show is about to start. I've got you a private seating area, it's away from all the noise so that Jasmine won't cry. Is that ok with you?" He asked as he raised his brows.

"Yes, that's fine, but will I still be able to see you perform?"

"Of course ya will, honey."

Just then, a man walked into the room and laid his eyes on me.

"Natalya, I'm here to escort you to your seat." He said with a smile. I simply nodded and followed him as I blew a kiss to Elvis on my way out. He led me to the area, and Elvis was right. It was settled and quiet. I sat down, and the Memphis Mafia sat next to me. I placed Jasmine on my lap and grabbed the baby milk bottle that was sat on the marble table in front of me, just for Jasmine. I placed it in Jasmine's mouth, and she began to drink. And the show had also begun. Elvis was singing and dancing like a mad man, but it was so sexy. I was still feeding Jasmine when I felt one of the members of the Memphis Mafia, Jerry, move closer to me. He placed his hand on my back and rubbed slow, tender circles onto it. I tried to ignore it, but soon he was playing with my long black hair and caressing my pink cheek. He whispered seductively into my ear.

"I can put another baby in ya, I bet you would like that." His breath smelt of liquor, and his hand was moving down towards my breasts. This man was crazy, he was all over me whilst I had a baby in my hands. I looked at him with a disgusted look as I turned away from him. I held Jasmine tight.

"Don't go all cold on me baby, I know you want me." His cold voice said to me. His voice made me physically ill. His hands traced down my hips and waist. This was getting out of hand. I turned to face him.

"Get your dirty fucking hands off me." I said whilst raising my voice slightly. He just giggled.

"I like my women when they are angry." He said with a smug look on his rodent face. I quickly picked Jasmine up so that she was secure in my hands. I got up and looked at Jerry with furious eyes.

"Just wait till Elvis hears about this!". I said before angrily storming off into the backstage corridor. Little did i know, Elvis was watching this all play out, and he was going to stop this. Jerry followed behind me. I stopped In the hallway as I felt Jerry's hand in my shoulder.

"Come on baby, don't be like this."

"Don't call me that." I said coldly as I turned to face him, with my baby still in my arms.

"Elvis doesn't have to know. Either way, you're going to do what I say." He said as his face dropped. His cold gaze sent chills down my spine.

"She won't be fucking doing anything you say." a deep voice called from the hallway. It was Elvis. He ran to Jerry, and before I knew it, Jerry was on the floor getting strong blows to the face. Elvis nuckles were red, and so was Jerry's now bloody nose. I just stood there, watching in shock. Once he was done, he got up and stepped closer to me.

"I'm so sorry baby, he won't be seen near me or you ever again." Elvis said in his deep breathless voice. He looked at Jasmine, in my arms with soft eyes. He kissed her cheek, then mine. I just smiled as I looked into his blue eyes. Jerry was on the floor, bloody nose and unconscious. Elvis and I were loving eachover, this felt like a movie. I felt safe and protected around Elvis. I knew that he would go to extreme lengths just to keep me safe. He would cause disaster just for me. I was the queen of disaster.

[lifeonstar]

Them Bones

Pairing: Leopika.

(7/7)

The end is here. Thank you very much for reading and I am sorry for having calculated the number of chapters wrong, I will correct that

7. The happy ending.

Kurapika carefully inspected the tomato before pulling it off the vine and placing it in the basket with the rest of the harvested tomatoes.

In the year and a half that he had lived there, he had managed to harvest many vegetables and fruits in the small garden. He had enlarged its dimensions and had put all the effort and love in the world into it.

Leorio had even brought him a nice blue overall for gardening as a gift on one of his trips to the city of Lukso. Kurapika had seen the garment in one of the many magazines they had in the house and had fallen madly in love with it.

Leorio walked past him carrying a bucket full of food for the boars.

"Lunch is almost ready, do you think your parents will take much longer?"

"I don't think it will take too long," Kurapika replied. "Today they come with Pairo, so their delay may be due to that."

Leorio tossed the remains of food into the pen and patted the female boar on the back before heading back into the house. Kurapika finished ripping off the remaining tomatoes and went into the kitchen, placing the basket on the counter.

"That smells so good," he commented, resting his face against Leorio's arm. A large, bubbling pot brimming with pranka stew filled the air with a pleasant, homemade aroma."My mother will be delighted with your progress."

"Slow progress," Leorio grumbled, putting out the fire. Kurapika was going to protest at that, but a sound in the small room next to theirs caught his attention.

He took Leorio from his clothes and led him to stand in front of the open door. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

A small laugh, beautiful and happy, came from that dark room, filling the house even more with that homey feeling.

They both laughed and Kurapika went to turn on the light in the little room, meeting the small round and happy face of his nine-month-old daughter.

"Good morning, Kippie," he greeted her, taking her into his arms. "Is it so funny that your parents do the kissy kissy?"

Leorio and Kurapika had been the last to get married, but the first to have a baby. Their baby girl, Kippie, had been baptized in the river a couple of months ago. At each baptism the eyes of the babies turn red without fail, it was part of the process carried out by the elders of the tribe. Even so, their little girl's never changed, they continued with the same beautiful brown color with which she had been born.

Kippie had the same hair and eye color as Leorio. Hair in waves that grew fast and ruffled easily, and eyes that were warm and expressive.The shape of the eyes, nose and mouth were the same as Kurapika's, it was a perfect mix.

"I am so hungry" was Pairo's warning to indicate that they had already arrived.

Pairo's seven-month-old big belly was the first to enter the home. Leorio went next to him and helped him up the small step that the guy could no longer see due to his stomach.

"I made a separate stew just for you," Leorio commented as he guided him to the chair to sit down."It has pranka liver, nuts, seeds and edamame."

"That sounds so delicious," Pairo said sarcastically, tapping on his heels to kick off his shoes. "How much longer will I have to eat those delicacies?"

"Until you recover the iron in your blood," Kurapika commented to which Pairo stuck out his tongue.

"No one spoke to you," he replied in an exaggerated tone of offense. "I don't beat you up just because you have my son's or daughter's future wife in your arms."

Pairo's lack of iron had been quite alarming, but Leorio's diet rich in meats and vegetables and a special homemade medicine had managed to regulate it.

Kurapika's parents entered the house loaded with a lot of food and other gifts for Kippie, as usual, and went directly to her, paying absolutely no attention to anything else.

When it was discovered that Kippie did not have scarlet eyes, Kurapika had feared, deep inside, that his parents and Pairo would reject her, even internally. But that had never happened; there was no change in the way she was treated or loved.

They had lunch on the patio, as they had done for a couple of Sundays; the spring was warm and the weather was optimal to spend the rest of the day there.His parents took advantage of the afternoon to try on all kinds of tunics on Kippie, and Pairo basked in the sun with his belly exposed while he complained about the dust in his house from the remodeling of what would be the baby's room.

Kurapika adored those moments. His life was simple and beautiful, he could spend the whole day with his family, with his animals or his crops, and then he could sleep hugging his husband every night.

A good life, a profitable life.

His parents and Pairo left at dusk, the lights of the village indicating a way back from the little house hidden in the bushes.

"Oh, Pairo forgot the medicine," Leorio commented when they had finished bringing everything into the house.The white bottle was forgotten on the table.

"With all the liver you put in his stew, I think his body will last just fine until tomorrow morning," Kurapika assured him, stroking his arm.

Leorio had Kippie lying on his chest, fast asleep."You're right," he smiled, turning a little so he could place a kiss on Kurapika's forehead.

"Don't worry, I'll bring it to him first thing in the morning while you attend to Mr. Frand" Kurapika said, taking advantage of the proximity to plant a deep kiss on his lips.

Kippie gave a little laugh, almost inaudible, and when they both turned to look at her, she was sound asleep.

"Even when she's asleep we make her laugh," Leorio commented, caressing one of those rosy, round cheeks. "I feel that we are going to embarrass her in the future."

"Remind me to give us the best kisses in front of her when she's a teenager," Kurapika joked, accompanying his husband to the little girl's room.They laid her down in the beautiful wooden cradle, covering her with a light sheet and turning off the light, leaving the door ajar.

Life was good and peaceful, no kind of pain or eccentricity crushing their souls and wearing down their lives. Life was good, even down to their bones

[alba8688]

Wicked game

Warnings:18+ no minors 🔞

After an hour of walking the guys arrived at Saddle up .

They stop at the entrance noticing it was packed for a Thursday night .

Eddie was the first one to walk in and he was glad he did because the fresh Ac  felt so good on his face after that long walk on the summer heat .

He looked around and he knew right away his band and him didn't belong there .

They where all wearing black with ripped jeans or jean battle vest .

While everyone had a cowboy hat or boots they really looked out of place .

The bar had a nice ambiance it was something Eddie wouldn't usually go to because all they where playing was country music .

Eddie wasn't a big fan of country music but for now I guess it was ok .

His uncle Wayne would ave love this place maybe one day he will bring him here .

The guys sat down at the stools near the bar and waited for someone to take their order .

"Deb will be right back she is kind of busy right now ." An old man dressed like the guys from one of the movies Wayne watches told the guys .

The old man pointed to the girl riding the bull she was wearing a black cowboy hat with a glittery dress and long boots that went up to her knees .

Eddie felt like cupid had hit him straight on his heart.

He had never seen a girl so fucking beautiful in his life.

He thought he might be in love maybe he was just overreacting but that's how he felt .

Well he has never been in love once in his life I mean if you count the hook outside the bar then yeah he has never been in love.

The girl riding the bull had a beautiful smile and dark brown short hair .

Eddie felt like it was love at first sight.Thats what he always said she he met a beautiful girl .

"Here we go ." Gareth noticed Eddie  staring at the girl dumbfounded.

Gareth imagined him floating all the way till where she was .

"I think I'm love Gare."

Gareth just rolled his eyes he knew where this was going .

Eddie was going to flirt with that poor girl until she felt for him and when he felt that he was falling he would push her away .Like he always did.

Gareth knew Eddie was always such a hopeless romantic but always afraid to fall in love  because always thought he wasn't worth it coming from a trailer park and from parents that never wanted him that's why he live with his uncle Wayne .

His father and mother being drugged addicts his mother afraid to leave her father because he was the reason she will get her stuff .His dad an asshole a cheating asshole who cheated on his mom while she was at the same house high as fuck sitting down on the couch watching her husband fuck Some other chick.

While little Eddie was locked in his room

With the stereo so high up that he couldn't hear anything he would fall Asleep to whatever song was Playing.

Eddie thought he could never love and be love because he thought he would Be the same way his dad would be with him .

That's why he always pushed people away especially any girl that wanted something serious that's why he only went for one night stands .

But something about that girl riding the bull made him Feel something funny inside his little

Cold heart it felt like it was beating or trying to beat ..or maybe he was having a heart attack.

Nah it wasn't that .

He was too lost in thought that he didn't realized that Deb the girl riding the bull was already taking his friends orders .

Gareth was already asking for any mechanic available right now .

"So what's gone to be your order handsome?" Eddie spin around on the stool when he heard the voice .

"Dude she is talking to you ." Gareth smack Eddie's arm getting him out of the trance he was .

"Here's the menu for the food and here's the menu for drinks." The Bartender name Deb Place two different menus in front of Eddie .

Eddie felt his cheeks reddened by the eye contact they where doing know-one has ever done that before always to afraid to look a the freak .

"U-umm what do you recommend?" Eddie finally got the guts to speak up because right now he was like a sophomore all over again when he tried talking to that cute girl in his science class .

It's like he was going back in time all that confidence had gone down the drain the minute the pretty bartender talked to him .

"Well for me my favorite is the Tacos I make them myself so they are delicious ." Eddie just heard her speaking and he knew he was smiling like an idiot right now .

"I'll take that ." Eddie smiled at her passing the menu back at her.

"With Everything!" She asked him

"Yeah ." He responded ,not knowing what everything was.

"Ok,I'll be back to take your drink order if you still need time ,so I can get started on your orders .

Yeah ,all the guys had asked for tacos but they thought there where Taco Bell tacos .

They where in for a surprise .

After a few minutes Deb came back with there orders pulling a plate in-front of each boy .

"Ok ,here you go ." She told Eddie

Eddie smiled like the hopeless romantic he was .

"Thank you ." He hadn't even noticed the plate infront of him .

"Are these tacos?"Jeff asked  Deb

"Yes ,what kind of tacos where you...oooooh you guys are not from here are you ." She chuckled "You where expecting Taco Bell tacos ." The 3 boys and Eddie nodded yes all four mesmerized by the beautiful girl talking to them .

"Well im sorry to burst your bubble but this are the real thing ,now can I get your drinks ?" She asked them

They all asked for beers except for Eddie he asked Deb to give him whatever she would drink .

So she did ,she made a strong Dirty Martini right infront of him.

"It's my favorite ,I like my Martinis to be the dirtiest ." She winked at him .

And Eddie thought he melted right at the spot from the inside little ole him Was jumping from excitement but from the outside he had a tough guy facade .

And Deb Was falling for it so hard she always fell for the bad guys but they always broke her heart .

And she always fell for them over and over again and here she was once again falling for a guy she barely knows, that look like a rockstar,she knew that  One day she was gonna  regret it but tonight she knew she wanted him .

As the night went on Deb stayed with the four boys letting the other bartender attend the other customers .Deb was completely lost in those pool of brown eyes .

"So how long have you been working here ?"Gareth asked her .

"January of this year "

"And why this job?" Eddie asked her ,he wanted to know everything about her he was fascinated by her .

"Well ,I was actually in college but decided it wasn't for me ,my parents weren't that happy about there youngest Daughter being a college drop out and kick me out of the house and I found this place and Javier the owner of this bar offer me a job and with the job came the apartment ." She pointed upstairs with her index finger .

"You're parents suck." Jeff blurts out

"Yeah they do ." Deb chuckles because indeed they did .They where embarrassed of her being drop out when all the family had a college degree mostly phds they wanted her to be a doctor but she wanted to be a bartender and a chef and that wasn't a job that was good for her .

But she didn't care it was what she love to do and what she was going to do .

"This tacos are amazing!!" Gareth moan his mouth full of food.

"I know they are ." Deb winked at him making choke on his food .Eddie hit him the back to help him passed the food .

"Holy shit this salsa is spicy ." Jeff chugged his beer.

"Yeah the read one is the spiciest ,green one is meh."

Now you tells us Eddie had his lips inside the martini.He was holding up the glass to his lips.When he put the glass down Deb bit her bottom lip.His pretty plump lips where red and a bit swollen and she wanted to kiss them to make him feel better .

What is wrong with me?

She thought getting those damn thoughts out of her head she couldn't do that .

She just met this guy not that long ago and she wants to get in his pants .

Well one night stand wouldn't hurt.

She thought again.

"Deb get those thoughts out of your head ." She told herself .

But she couldn't.

Eddie was just there eating looking so damn cute.

Fuck she was gonna get in his pants tonight .

She told herself .

She sounded so desperate but is not her fault she hadn't slept with anyone since January.And now her hormones were going crazy when seeing a cute metalhead .

As the light went by the boys decided to ask Deb for information about a mechanic and also they told her that they had nowhere to stayed and that there van had broken down and they asked if she knew of a close by hotel but  she told them she had an extra room in her apartment plus  and a comfortable couch.

"A-are you we wouldn't want to be a bother ." Eddie told her .

Is not that Eddie didn't want to stay with her but he knew himself he wasn't going to be able

To sleep knowing there were in the same place .

"Yeah it's just me so I don't mind some company plus some nights are lonely." She winked at Eddie making him choke on his drink Coughing and spluttering all over the bar making Deb and the rest of guys laugh.

"Ha ha really funny that I forgot to laugh." Eddie rolled his eyes getting a napping and cleaning his mess .

"I'm out in 30 if you guys want a place to crashed ."Deb knew it was a crazy idea she just met this guys for all she knew is that they could

Be murderer and she was over here

Letting stay at her place .

they all agreed so fast because they weren't planning on staying in the van in the middle of nowhere.Plus they where so fucking tired they just wanted to sleep .

"Ok so it's settled after my shift I'll take you all boys home." She winked at them making all the poor boys blushed .

So when Deb's shift ended the boys followed her upstairs to her apartment .which was just upstairs of the bar pretty hidden for anyone to find .

It was right next to the main office hidden from everyone and there was a door to go upstairs and Eddie was glad for that because he fear for Deb's safety from all these drunks .Even though just had met her his uncle always thought him to treat women with respect and he did.But sometimes girls didn't want to be respected .

"So this is my apartment ." Deb tells the boys opening the door .and getting Eddie out of his thoughts .

"Holy shit !" The guys gasped ..

"Yeah the living room is nice it's the only big room the rest are small ." Deb takes her boots off by the entrance and the boys followed her lead .

"The room is over there and well here's two couches whoever wants to the take bed is a full size bed so two can sleep there ." Deb tells the boys .Eddie is not listening to anything she is saying because he is not thinking correctly right now well he is thinking with the wrong head .He doesn't know how he is going to be able to sleep

In the same apartment as Deb.

He was use for the girls to be jumping on his bones but Deb was making everything so hard if you know what I mean.

"Yeah the living room is nice, it's the only big room, the rest are small ." Deb takes her boots off by the entrance and the boys follow her lead .

"The room is over there and well here's two couches. Whoever wants to take the bed is a full size bed so two can sleep there ." Deb tells the boys .Eddie is not listening to anything she is saying because he is not thinking correctly right now well he is thinking with the wrong head .He doesn't know how he is going to be able to sleep

In the same apartment as Deb.

He was used to the girls jumping on his bones but Deb was making everything so hard if you know what I mean.

"So the bathroom in down the hall the third door at the end of the hall there's some shampoo and conditioner also body wash if you guys want to shower .towels are in the closet inside the bathroom.Make yourselves at home." She told them before going into her room to shower and get ready for bed .

Eddie watched her go into her room and he waited quietly to make sure to hear the clock sound of her door meaning she locked it but she never did .

Eddie punched the air silently .

"What was that for ?." A sleepy Anthony asked

"N-nothing I-I was stretching my arm ." Eddie lied and Anthony just shook his head and lay down in the sofa covering himself with the blanket and turning the other way with his back to Eddie .

Later that night while Deb was laying down in her bed wide awake not being able to sleep thinking about the boy who was sleeping in her couch .She kept moving around changing positions in her bed .She couldn't get him out of her head or maybe it was because she hadn't had sex in a while and her body was asking for it.

She knew what she was doing when she decided to get up from bed to grab a bottle of water when she had a mini fridge in her room.She wanted to be notice by Eddie especially with what she was wearing she decided to wear a pink over sized tee with only panties.Yes she wanted to tease Eddie.She open the door to her room and look to both sides to make sure know one else was awake it was a small apartment .She step out and made sure not to turn on the lights to the kitchen because it was right next to the living room where Eddie and Anthony were sleeping .

She tiptoed to the kitchen, her heart beating faster. She didn't know why ,well maybe she did it was because of the metal head sleeping on her couch right now.

She opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water and chugged it all .She needed to cool herself down.

Her body needed to behave .

Meanwhile Eddie was laying down in the sofa not being able to sleep as well thinking about Deb he had never been attracted to anyone like he is to Deb.

Suddenly the door to Deb's�� room open getting Eddie out of his dirty thoughts.There she was walking out or her room,Eddie couldn't see her correctly because everything was dark but when she open the door to the fridge she saw her she was wearing a pink oversized shirt Eddie couldn't tell if she was wearing shorts and that made his dick twitch in his boxers .

Then to make things worse for Eddie when Deb was drinking the water her shirt raised up showing that she was only wearing panties and something broke in Eddie .He got up from the sofa slowly trying not to wake up Anthony and slowly walked to the kitchen .

He was on a mission .

"Hey." He whispered ,Deb Gasped putting her hand on her chest .

"Jesus!" She blink too many times trying to

Adjust her eyes to the dark .

"S-sorry." Eddie stuttered ,he thought he could be tough but as soon as she saw her pretty eyes he became Eddie from sophomore year .

"It's ok ."Deb closes the fridge door leaving them both in the darkness .

There was an awkward silence for what seemed like hours but it had only been like a minute.

"Can't sleep." Eddie said in a low voice breaking the awkwardness.

"Yeah me Either." Deb said softly, her heart beating faster and so did something else .She didn't know what was happening right now .

She didn't think it was the right idea to be alone with him.She knew herself ,she knew she would fall easily and she didn't want to.

All she wanted was just one night stand of good sex that's all she wanted, no strings attached .

Just some good sex.

So One thing lead to another Deb invited Eddie to her room to watch a movie .yeah at 3am .They chose some scary movie The conjuring to be exact .The thing was that Deb wasn't scared and Eddie was waiting for the moment to protect her but it never happen.She wouldn't even get close to him to at least feel her arm or something she was so far away from him .

Eddie was going crazy. He wasn't even paying attention to the movie; he kept  moving around trying to find a way to hide his boner .

He didn't think he could pop a boner while watching a scary movie but Deb had to stretch and he saw her panties and  it was driving him mad .He kept shifting uncomfortably.He kept thinking of things to make his boner go away.but nothing worked .

She was fucking wearing white lace panties !!

How can he forget about that .He couldn't get that picture out of his head he beaded to see what was under those panties .

"Jesus Christ." Eddie said under his breath .

"Huh?" Deb asked when she heard him say something.

"Oh Jesus Christ that was scary ." Eddie chuckled awkwardly .

Deb giggled "you can scoot over so I can Protect you from the bad guys ."Eddie blushed and scooted over just a tiny bit .

"I don't bite ." She smirks "unless you want me too ." Eddie gulped .He didn't know why he was feeling so damn shy right now .I mean he just met this girl and she was driving him crazy.

He tried to concentrate on the stupid movie but he wasn't interested in it anymore, not when he had seen Deb's panties.And he was right next to her his bare leg touching her soft leg .

Deb stretched one more time and Eddie couldn't help it. He looked down wanting to see what was in between her legs yes he knew he looked like a perv but there was something about her that was addicting. He wanted to know what she tasted like on his lips.

Why was she teasing him?

Eddie close his eyes and tried to contain himself counting

"1 Mississippi 2 Mississippi .." but he stop when he felt Deb's small hand on his thigh so close to his raging boner.

He gulped keeping his close.

Play "Wicked game "Chris Isaak

"Eddie." Deb said in the most flirty voice,distracting Eddie once again from his dirty thoughts.

"Yeah." Eddie gulped turning to look at Deb .

She didn't say anything her legs move on their own and the next thing she knew she was straddling Eddie and kissing those damn soft plump lips .pressing down on Eddie's hard cock.Giving him the friction he needed.

Eddie grip her thighs hard probably leaving a mark for Deb to see tomorrow but she didn't seem to mind she was enjoying herself too much at the moment.She started rubbing her clothed pussy against Eddie making him go completely crazy.

He didn't think that just the smallest friction would have him rolling eyes to the back of his head .She had him so lost in pleasure that he was so close to bust in his boxers.

Eddie stopped her movements and kissed her lips biting the bottom lip .

"If you keep doing that I'm not gonna last much longer." He said in a low voice that sent shivers down Deb's spine .

Eddie didn't know what had gotten into him he needed her bad he wanted to taste every single part of her .Eddie lean to kiss her jaw and down her neck looking for that soft spot that would make Deb crazy .A little moan escape her lips when Eddie found that special spot on her neck totally making Deb a mess.

"Right there huh?" He smirked ,Deb couldn't respond back .She was too lost now the damage was done ..

It all started from a kiss to a little bit a grinding and the next thing they know they were both naked .Eddie was in between Deb's legs Eating her out like a starving man .She was glad she had shave down there.She was glad she had also shave her legs maybe it was a sign from the sex Gods .

"Fuck baby you're so wet ." Eddie groaned, his mouth still on Deb's clit, his voice vibrating, sending wave shocks all over her body .

Deb was trying her best not to be too loud because she had company and she didn't want to be heard.But it was so hard when Eddie knew exactly what to do with his tongue.Eddie was enjoying the moment he didn't give a fuck who heard him he was loving the sounds she was making just for him.He wanted everyone to hear who was making her feel this way .

"Oh fuck Eddie im .." Deb wasn't even able to finish her sentence because her orgasm hit her like an electric shock all over body .It was by far the best orgasm she has ever had in her whole entire life .

"Fuck baby that was hot ." Eddie grinned his mouth glistening with her arousal.He crawl over on top of her attacking her lips .Deb could taste herself on his lips and for some reason that made her even more wet .There was something about Eddie that drove her crazy maybe it was the fact that he made her have the best orgasm ever .Nobody has ever made her feel the way Eddie does..But she reminded herself it was only sex and nothing else she couldn't let herself get hurt once again.She couldn't get attached because that what she did .She tends to fall easily then gets hurt.

"Please." She begged.She needed to feel him inside her .

"Please what sweetheart?" Eddie coo teasing her by rubbing the tip of his dick on her clit.

"Fuck." Eddie moaned

"Eddie please fuck me ." She rolled her eyes. She was used to getting what she wanted but Eddie was making it hard for her because he loved teasing her.

"Only because you ask so nicely sweetheart ." Eddie smirks and gently pushes himself inside until he bottoms out both moaning in uníson not caring who was listening .

Right now they were both too lost in the euphoric feeling that they had totally forgotten about the other guest who had woken up by all the noise they were making .

Gareth chuckled knowing dam well this going to happen with the fuck me eyes Eddie and Deb kept making to each other the whole night .

Jeff just out on his earphones putting his music so loud to cover the moans coming from the room next to them.

Anthony opened the door to the room and walked in with the blanket "they are too loud ." He grumbled laying down on the bed with his friends.

"It won't stop ." Jeff said

"It's worse out there ." Anthony pointed to the living room.

"Guys just tried to rest ." Gareth told his friends

"We are trying but they make it hard ." Jeff groaned ..

The next morning Deb woke up sore her whole body ache but in a good way .Memories from last night flash back to her making her smile so hard .

"Goodmorning." Eddie said in his morning voice making Deb feel things she wanted because it was supposed to be a one night stand and here she was cuddling with Eddie the morning after the events that happened last night.

"You have a mini fridge here ?" Eddie smirked knowing that Deb had a reason first having gone to the kitchen and it was to get his attention.

"Shut up ." Deb pushed him away..

"Get up!!!" Gareth knocked on the door freaking them out .."we got to look for a damn mechanic Eddie so our your clothes on cause I'm

Coming in to dragged out !!!"

"Yes we know !!." Jeff shouted

"You didn't let us sleep." Anthony shouted

Eddie and Deb looked at each other and laughed .

They knew it was just a one night stand.And it was never going to happen again.

While getting ready Deb gasped realizing that she hadn't taken her pill last night and they didn't use protection.

I mean nothing could happen right ?

Next chapter

[iwasinloveonce]

Do you know what it's like to finally find your soulmate? I do.

He was a sweet man, he had brown eyes that looked like firewood, one look and everything seemed to get warmer. His dirty blonde hair shone like the sun in an autumn day, his shy smile hid behind a beard, but it was a perfectly aligned row of pearly whites with long canines that could be as beautiful as it was scary. He was a tall guy, but not too tall, he was lean but not muscular. He had some tattoos on his arms, but nothing too big, just reminders of what he liked. His name? Oh, I would tell you but I don't want to get caught professing my love for a man to the whole wide world to read, do I?

I remember when I met him, he hid his eyes behind large glasses. He was for me, at that time, an ordinary guy, with interests very different from mine, we didn't have much to say to each other and I sincerely thought that he didn't like me much. Maybe because I'm a bit harsh, maybe because I'm a bit older than him, maybe because I tend to observe people and they perhaps feel judged.

Months went by, I fell in love in the meantime, my ex was not very nice to him. He, I guess, was in love with a slender young woman, covered in tattoos. He left, I stayed, I wasn't in love anymore. Some time later, he came back, and everything went back to the way it was before. No more glasses for him, I had become blonde. While he was gone we saw each other in passing, but we only said hello and didn't bother to talk much. He went back to his job as before, and I continued to pretend that I had some fucks left to give about mine.

Then the pandemic hit, with its share of lockdowns, and its share of surprises. At the end of the second lockdown, I get a message. It's him, Ha, that's weird... Ok, we talk, we even laugh, I share with him my worries, how I feel like a worthless piece of shit who isn't capable of getting her driver's license at 27, he shares with me the fact that he has moved to an apartment now, I shoul come visit, he will pick me up. Well, the days pass, we go back to work, he invites me to have a drink at his place. We chat, I explain my misery, we laugh about it, I notice the intricacy of his tattoos, I admire them. He is kinda hairy, ha, I did not expect it. I also notice, and I keep this for myself, that when he smiles his eyes almost disappear, becoming sort of half moons. He is handsome, that too I keep to myself. He is too young, girl, that's a seven years difference... I'm a woman, I can't have feelings for this guy, I tell myself. He takes me home, we say goodbye, I feel a mixture between shame and lust, I just don't want to feel any type of way about him.

Work goes on as if nothing had happened, hands accidentally touching, little smiles, my heart beating wildly and my brain going a thousand miles an hour trying not to think about it too much. Then one evening, the fateful question... Do I want to go for a drink at his place, again? Sure, I guess we've started a friendship, we talk on Instagram a fait bit, we don't have much time to talk at work. That's probably it, just friends, right?

Wrong.

We arrive at his place, we talk, we drink, we eat, we show each other pictures on Facebook. We laugh, a lot. I touch his arm, I trace his tattoo with my fingertips, I tell him that I like this tattoo, it is my favorite among those that he has, he smiles, wide. We talk again, I don't see the time passing, I laugh again and again, I touch his arm again, he looks at me with his warm wood colored eyes, he kisses me, my heart doesn't know how to beat anymore, my breath has gone missing, I feel a fever like heat all over me... I do love his perfume, always have, but now it's the only thing I want to smell for the rest of my life.

Maybe I'll tell you the details of what happened that night, maybe not. What you need to understand is : first of all, I fell in love that night, second, it was a kind of love I've never experienced before and third, I fucked up and now, a year and a half later, I still miss him with my whole being.

[nastasiyanena]

Drafting Rivers. How It's Made

It was Monday morning when I took that local train. Quite a long one, around three-hours journey. I will likely be the only foreigner inside when it starts departing. A bunch of high school students filled up the train. I enjoyed watching their keychain hanging on their backpack. A lot of cute characters and my mind was full of wonder, imagining what kind of person are they by the keychains they owned.

This journey started after I confessed to a friend how I felt emotionally exhausted in my current “home”. It was a good hiking day we took when the sun shone brightly and the breeze of the mountain took both of us leaving the town down there, escaping the reality by the humming while Elton John’s Rocket Man played along. Yes, we both are in search of a "home". We felt and know the exact emotion that is caused by our current "home". There is a question that came up, something like, "Are we gonna be someone else, hiding our real feelings, hiding our true wills, collecting all the recognition, even if we don’t feel it’s right, in the hope of better "home"? Looks like I am the stubborn one. I knew what I was gonna choose even in the coming soon days. It’s a sad hard choice—I can’t say what others choose is wrong. I experienced it as well. You know, when you stay because there is no choice. It’s really hard. Before we said goodbye that time, I got some info about the beautiful local train route. It could lead me to the beach in Shizuoka and seems as if my soul had a strong calling to follow this route. The keychains still swinging as before 8 am they all get off at Ichikawahonmachi station. It's their school station likely. The train continues the long journey again. Passing by some station I like the name of. Passing by a big river with a sparkle on it. Passing by a green bamboo forest with an old couple that got in and took a seat close to me. The song in my earphones keeps looping. Sounding the one which I always listen to. Feel relieved after kind of running away from "home". It was nearby Shizuoka when a foreign couple came and seat across mine. I thought they were cool. They also took a local train and chose the long journey as I do. 

When it finally reached Shizuoka, the clouds appeared and covered the one that I wanted to see, Fuji-san. I kept my eyes on the side that I was sure it was there. Hoping the clouds will disappear a little bit. For a moment, the train track surprised me with a view of the city from up the hill. It was a beautiful moment. And there, not so long after, I saw Fuji-san! Still shy under the clouds but I knew it greeted me with a huge smile as I also did. After Fuji-san left behind, my train stopped at the last station. There we are to our destination. I already screenshot the way I should take for today's walk. It was around 5 km. I look around and take it slow as usual. Immersing new place as an alien that came from far away. I saw a small veggies farm with a huge soramame that was ready to harvest. The manhole cover also shows a new look with Fuji-san and another one with Princess Kaguya, I believe. It's so nice being in a new place where you know nothing a lot about it and decided to explore it by yourself. The hot sunshine made me swing by to the Seven-Eleven. Went a bit for the toilet and bought yummy sweet coffee milk to celebrate the day while walking. It was quite a hot day as I opened my brown jacket and put on my blue hat. 

I walk through the direction until I reach a sign of the place I want to go. Some wild grass covered along the way as the road changed into sand. My face was full with a huge smile when I heard the waves. It's there finally! I arrived at the place where the Fuji River met the Pacific Ocean. The vivid colour of both of them gave me a goosebumps. I sat on the driftwood and enjoyed the breeze over my face. Today's bento is a roast sausage, a simple sandwich and our sweet Seven-Eleven coffee milk. I found some vibrant stones while enjoying my lunch. Putting on the big stones close to me and planning to bring them back as a souvenir. A little dog comes by with a smiley woman. Playing around its feet with the water and running across to the sand. There are some surfer afar, enjoying their sunny day with the waves. I like the place like this, seems quiet yet every corner has its energy.

Finally, it's the time. I put out my drawing and looked around. Feeling the sadness that still and always be there these past couple of months. Or maybe way far long before? I said to myself, yes it is as it is. I hold my Nokia phone after putting in my drawing inside the water. Letting it drown with a plastic bag and stones that holding it on. My tears came, my hands a bit shaken, and my knees got tired. But the sun shines beautifully, the wind blows gently yet steadily gets harder, and the river, there it is already. 5 minutes shoot. One take that I don't even know what it is for.

I was quite shocked when realized no one was on the beach. I likely sat quite long after shooting the video. Quickly packing and going, I saw some young fisherman with their fishing gear, joking around and walking towards me. It helps me feel at ease again. Walking back along the way before, taking another route to the station, found some things that made me stop a bit to enjoy, until I was on the train again, back to another three-hours journey, where the sunset accompanied me. Where the old man across me enjoyed his fruit and wine which was funny because he seemed a little drunk and peeling the apple with a knife as it was his kitchen.

As the train closer to that station. I have decided already. I am leaving. I am stopping it here. I am dropping it all here. I will say it all here as well. It's likely will be the worst in 20 years. It's likely will be muzukashi. But I am happy. I am happy that I am standing up for myself and for other artists who chose to stay. They stayed because they had no choice. It’s not easy to come to this "home". We are all in our process.

As with drafting the rivers, the stones will stop us at some point, yet the flow of the waters remains. Even at its tiny phase. It's still there.

© 2024 Nena Nastasiya

[lady-ashfade]

Regret and guilt, forgive or forget?

Chapter two: Camp reunion

Steve harrington x Plus-size reader x Luke Patterson.

Prev. Or. Next.

Plot: You’ve arrived at camp, finally after needed a break. You reunite with your friends after four years of not seeing them. Feeling started to show up again and he returns them. You couldn’t deny how he makes you feel. Maybe things will happen if you let them. It’s a Sumer full of love.

Notes: Is this a Julie and the phantoms cross over? Yes. So don’t come after me. Also I really like this chapter but I hate the way it’s written but it look me so many hours to finish so I’m not redoing it. So it sucks, my apologies. I tried something new.

Warnings: Nothing really you’ll just have to find out. No spoilers.

The girl stepped out of the bus and onto the ground. The suns heat hit her skin as the she heard other people chatter loudly.

"Welcome to Camp Symphony" A girl with a camp t-shirt on handed girl hand her a paper with the map of the camps grounds.

The H/c girl smiled and said her thanks, she looked around at all the people getting of the buses and the forest around her.

She started heading towards the big wooden building that everyone was going to. It was beautiful out here, to the trees and the stone paths. She could see some flowers and buildings in the distance.

Once she was half way there a voice called out from behind her.

"Hey beautiful, miss me"

Y/n stopped and her heart start to pick up, a warmth in her body started to rise up because she knew that voice. She knew who he was. So a smile found its way to her face as she turns around.

A boy with shaggy brown hair, hazel eyes and light pale skin. His muscles poked out his sleeveless shirt, and she wasn’t surprised that he had that one. But the smile on his handsome face is what made her feel at home. She missed him. No, she missed them.

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” She tilted her head in question but he knew to well by the cocky look on her face that she was joking.

“Me? That depends, have you seen me in your dreams” he stepped closer and gave her a smirk. He knew how to flirty with girls but this wasn’t something new that he did to her. This was their thing.

“Only in my nightmares” At her words he swing his hands up to his heart acting hurt. “Oh you wound me” she tried her best not to laugh.

“I’m y/n” She held her hand for him to shake and he didn’t even look down at her hand and only at in her eyes. “Luke” He took her hand and shakes it.

It was silent as they both looked at one another. With only a few seconds of staring at each other, they quickly moved towards the other and into a embrace.

He wrapped his arms around her wider body and pulled her close, and she did the same to him. Best friends reunited again after all the time away from each other.

“You can’t believe how happy we are to have you back” He let out a happy chuckle as he still held onto her waist while pulling apart.

“I needed a break. You guys are family and I missed you, if I didn’t miss you so much I wouldn’t be out here in the hot ass Sun” Non of that was a lie but she was really happy to be here.

“Then we should get you inside? Benny goes over everything and the guys are in there” He stepped away and took ahold of her hand.

She giggled as he pulled her to the building. She forgot about everything else but this moment. Hawkins, her other friends. Or the man that left her heartbroken.

As he dragged you into the doors of the big building you saw rows of people and some empty ones as people where still getting here. It was a lot of people and it made you feel intimidated since you were the biggest girl in the room. Or people will have their eyes on you.

“Most people are nice here. Plus you have us” he watched as you looked around the room and he remembered how you got. He turned away to look for the rest of your small group but before he could stop what was about to happen. It happened.

You felt a big impact crush into you and wrapped around you. Two boys hugged you and cheered as they held you tight, you let out laughs but then also felt suffocated.

“It’s y/n” another dark haired boy said while into your neck. “I figured that out” a blond taller boy said from over your shoulder. Your arms patted both their backs.

“Hello to you too” they finally pulled away and you could see the happiness on their faces.

“You look amazing” The darker haired boy, the one you knew as Reggie, the biggest flirt you knew, gave you a wink. But Luke pushed him back a bit so he stopped.

“What he means to saying is that you look great.” The blond one, Alex said. You knew he wasn’t flirting with you since he wasn’t into people like you. He wasn’t into girls at all.

“Right back at you guys. We seem to have all grown up a little since the last time” They all nodded. Alex started to walk into the sitting row and all of you followed.

“I can’t believe you came” They all missed you so much. “To be honest I wasn’t planning on it” You took a set down next to alex and Reggie was about to set next to you but Luke pushed him out the way when you weren’t looking.

“What do you mean by that” Luke asked while sitting next to you.

“Well I had a lot of plans this summer, then” you stopped when the memory’s you just forgot about came back. “It was suddenly freed up” they looked at you in worry. Alex looked in pity.

Luke stared at you from the side and noticed your body language and the sadness hint in your eyes that wasn’t there before. He was going to ask but got interrupted.

“Good morning campers” A boys voice came through the microphone as everyone took their seats. You looked forward and saw him at the front of everyone.

“I am so glad to see all your beautiful faces here today.” Luke rolled his eyes and you caught him in the acted and leaned close to him.

“What’s that about” you whispered at him and he just shook his head.

“You’ll see” And you leaned back and watched as he went on.

By the end of it, your face was red and almost all the other girls were too. The guy Benny, Luke mentioned earlier, had taken his shirt off for some reason that you couldn’t remember.

“Now that we’re at the end, you guys have been spread into teams for four. Some of you payed extra to get into groups with friends. Others are paired randomly and by age.” You kicked yourself for not even checking for the opinion.

“I see why you don’t like him” You giggle at Luke and he nodded his head. “He didn’t even have a good reason for it” you shrugged at his comments and stared back at the shirtless guy.

“He has a good reason to me” Alex nodded in agreement from beside you.

“Oh please, he isn’t half as jacked as I am” Luke said flexing his muscles. You rolled your eyes and got up with the rest of them, to the front to get your schedule.

“It’s not about being super jacked, I mean Steve isn’t jacked” you didn’t fully understand what you said until you said it. For a moment you forgot you and him weren’t together.

“Steve?” Reggie and Luke questioned you at the same time. But Alex tensed up.

“Who? Oh look it’s the girls line” you quickly went over to the line of girls and hoped they would forget about it and not question you later.

“Who the hell is Steve” Luke walked with them. “No clue” Alex replied quickly but Reggie had he’s own ideas and a grin grew in his face.

“Maybe it’s her boyfriend” Luke’s head spun towards up at reggie. You would have told him, right?

“Guys stop she clearly didn’t want to talk about it. Leave it for another day, it’s time to have good times like we used to” Alex pointed out. They both nodded to agree but Luke couldn’t stop thinking about you having a boyfriend.

As you got your schedule you waited for them in the corner of the room. But they aren’t the only once’s who noticed you or wanted your attention.

“You must be new” A voice you recognized said from close behind you. You turned around to see the boy named Benny who spoke earlier. He had a shirt on this time.

“Oh yeah I have friends who invited me.” You smiled at him with your schedule in hand. “Well, I’ll have to thank them” He flashed a smile and you almost couldn’t believe that he was talking to you.

“Y/n” You both looked towards the area your name had been called. You saw your friends walking towards you and relief washed over you.

“Have you looked at your schedule yet” Alex was the first to come over and talk like he didn’t even see Benny.

“No” you answered him. Reggie came over in the other side of you. Luke however stayed close to Benny almost to protect you if he went too close.

“Patterson” Benny glared at Luke as he did the same but with with a smirk. “Madden” Luke replied and crosses his arms.

“Well I have to get things done, it was nice meeting you y/n” Benny smiles at you but glares at all of the boys around you before walking off.

“Is he that bad?” You asked as they nodded.

“Each year he finds someone new, then has his way then repeats” You made a “o” with your mouth and looked down at your paper.

“It’s says I’m in group…” You looked at the name and a huge grin spends its way onto your lips as you looked up.

“Patterson” Luke winked at you. “You think I’d let you go with anyone else then us” he put his arm around your shoulders and brought them close.

“You paid for me?” You couldn’t stop your heart from fluttering at the thought he would do that for you. He stared right into your eyes and a spark you haven’t noticed before caught your eyes.

“Of course i would” the other two boys looked between you two and gave the other knowing looks.

“I’d do anything for you” He didn’t say those words out loud but he thought them.

“Thank you” you give him a smile and then looked at the others not to make it look weird or anything. “Can you show me around?” Reggie was the first to pop up at your side.

“My lady” He held out his arm for you to take and of course you took it, gigging in the process. And then he dragged you off.

“I just noticed how you haven’t changed” Alex put his hands in his pockets while they watch you walk off with Reggie.

“What are you taking about?” Like tore his gaze from you and to Alex confused.

“You still have a crush” The smirk on Alex face and his words made Luke flustered.

“I do not” Alex raised a brow as Luke crosses his arms and puffed out his now red cheeks.

“You look at her like you did when we were kids, and trust me I know when you have a crush. I’m the one you come to when you ask about what to get girls” Alex explained but luke wasn’t having any of it.

“I’m just happy to see her again, no romantic involved. Now lets go before he does something stupid” Luke walked away from Alex.

“Idiot” Alex mumbled a huff and followed Luke.

It’s been five days since you’ve arrived at the camp, and you couldn’t believe all the fun you’ve been having. You haven’t seen your friends in three years and you missed their company so much.

“I can’t believe you said that” you guys finally walking back to camp from a day of exploring. It was getting dark at the camp, and they were going to have some sort of sing along.

“It’s true! He couldn’t even sing. What was i supposed to do” Luke raised his voice slightly and you just shrugged a laugh.

“Something other then that.” You carefully walked over the tree roots. Alex and Reggie walked in front of the two of you.

“He wasn’t leaving” Alex added and you gasped a bit. “Not you too” he only put his hands up. “You weren’t there”

You guys came back into the big building with all the seats and sat at last row to the door. You sat on the outside of the row.

Before Luke could take a seat next to you, Alex took it first. He knew that you two were growing close again because he saw the looks you two gave each other.

Of course he knew you two could be good to each other but he can’t let what happened again. When you moved away Luke took it the hardest since he knew the longest, had a stronger bond and he wouldn’t admit it but he had feelings for you.

Alex knew what happened before you came here with Steve because you called him. You both kept in touch more but not often, but he knew Steve and you were in a relationship.

When you received the letter you called him immediately and told him everything and asked if you should actually come. He knew you were hurting and not fully recovered so maybe you two having feelings for each other wasn’t good at the moment.

But undoubtedly he wanted you to get together, he just thought it should be later.

So when Luke glared at him he ignored it. “You like sing alongs right” Alex questions from beside you.

“Haven’t really been to one” you replied.

Then ten minutes later and you haven’t said anything yet. They all were love songs. And it reminded you of Steve, you tried not to let it. But everything reminded you of him.

You glanced around the room and your eyes noticed a boy and his hair look exactly like Steve’s. And he was singing with another girl and she looked perfect, skinny and pretty.

Stomach dropping and you could feel your body get ready to cry and break. “I think I’m heading to bed” you stood up and put your arms around your plum belly trying to hide it.

“What are you-” before anyone could ask you ran out the door. The look on your face had them all worried. But Luke’s heart ached at the sight of you being so sad.

“I should-”before Alex could even make it out of his seat he was slight pushed back down. Luke pushed him down.

“No I’ll go” he walked passed him and out the door. Alex wanted to stop it but you guys had to talk at least once alone, and what’s the worse that could happen.

“Was it my fault?” Reggie asked from beside him in a sad voice.

“No, no. Not your fault” Reggie sighed in relief.

“Y/n” you heard luke shout from behind you, causing you to speed up more. You already had tears rolling down from your eyes. You couldn’t control it anymore.

“Y/n, what’s wrong?” You hear his voice get closer and the sounds of his running feet hit the leaves on the ground. You we’re about to tell him to leave you alone but you tripping on a tree root. Fuck, why didn’t you take the stone path.

You fell onto the ground and that just broke you even further. You let out a sob as Luke finally reached you. “Darling, what’s wrong” you haven’t heard that nickname in a long time.

You tried to push him away as he leaned next to you but he wouldn’t budge. Taking you in his arms once again and held you close.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you” He’s voice was soft and gentle towards you and his body felt warm against you.

You felted protect and safe. He made you feel better. And soon your cries stopped and your breath died down. He felt his heart at ease again knowing you had calmed down.

“You want to go somewhere private? You can talk to me there” He helped you back up.

You didn’t trust your voice but you nodded at him to give him the answer and he smiled grabbing your hand and lead you into the woods. Taking the stone paths this time.

He never let go over your hand, and you didn’t mind. You felt safe with him so this wasn’t unusual for friends to do. Friends hold hands all the time, so no reason you freak out.

Soon you saw a dock and a lake come into view the moon shining off it. “Woah” you said admiring the beautiful lake in front of you.

“Yeah” Luke agreed but he wasn’t looking at the lake but at you. He admired everything about your face, to your eyes and then to your nose and then your lips. He felt himself looking at every detail from the side.

But he quickly caught himself and turned away. “I know, I’m the best” he walked backwards towards you and pointed at himself.

“You take all your girls here?” You joked and walked with him. He winks at you “Only you doll face” You laughed at his remark.

He turned back around as both of you walked towards the end. Luke sat on the bench and looked up at you. His eyes twinkled as the moon hit them and you swear the moon light hit his face just right.

“Want to tell me what’s wrong?” he asked with a hint of hope in his voice that you would trust him. You look a second and caved, sitting next to him quickly.

“It’s a lot” you put your hands beside you down on the bench. But he reached down put his hand over yours.

“I have all night” He said in a playful manner but he was serious. He would stay up all night just to make sure you felt heard.

“I fell in love. Steve was his name” Luke’s heart squeezed as he heard the word “love” and the boys name you mentioned earlier.

“He was a douchebag when I meant him, the school’s popular guy. He got every girl just by walking by, and he wasn’t the nicest to every one. But then it all changed one day after he got together with her” It was your turn for your heart to squeeze.

“Nancy wheeler, school’s good girl. She was smart, pretty and beautiful. She was everything I wanted to be and soon I noticed how good he treated her and how I wish I was her. Then something brought us all together, then I got to see up close that he wasn’t a bad guy.

Soon they feel apart, she loved another. I was there beside him and I guess he clinched onto the first thing he saw. He called me beautiful every day, kissed me and treated me just like he did her. At first. Then about a few weeks ago he stopped all of it. Never told me he loved me or called me beautiful it was like he stop trying.

So at the last senior party Steve dragged me to it, it went so quick. He got drunk and tired to force me to dance with him and then his hand slipped and he spilt his drink on me. Robin was the one who came and found me in the bathroom, she’s my best friend but I wished it was him. Because when I came out the bathroom I found him kissing Nancy.

I should have saw it coming by the way he looked at me then her. I wasn’t ever going to be her. I mean look at me” you paused as you stood up with anger in your voice. You walked closer to the edge.

“I could never be someone first choice. I’m fat, too nice and annoying. All I want is to be beautiful” You looked down at your reflection in the water below.

“What the fuck are you taking about” luke shouted from behind you, and you turned quickly with shock.

“You are beautiful. I have no idea what the hell that guy was seeing but it wasn’t you because he should’ve said it every second.” Luke looked pissed as he moves towards you.

“I grew up with you so I know the person you are deep down. The one who would never hurt anyone, the kindest person I’ve ever meant.” He stopped and gazed into your eyes.

“And the most beautiful”

Pound..

Pound…

Pound…

That’s what both of your hearts sounded like. You shouldn’t feel the way towards your friend.

“Y/n” He reached for your hand but you pulled away. But when you took a step back your foot didn’t hit anything so you lost your balance.

Shit.

Then you fell into the water. Luke watched you disappear into the water. “Y/n” he yelled as you came up to the surface. Your hair wet and clothes sticking sticking to your body.

But what he didn’t expect was your laugh. You were laughing. It wasn’t a light hearted one but a full one. He leaned down and laughed softly with you.

“Fuck it” he dove down next you and the water splashed into your face. He came back up and flipped his hair, both of you socking wet now.

“It’s surprisingly warm” he said while moving his arms. “It’s the summer” You replied with a laugh. He gave you a look and you knew a fight was about to break out.

“Oh no you don’t” You quickly made the first move and slashed him. He took the splash and then returned the favor. It hit you and you let out a gasp.

“That’s what you get” you looked at him and glared. Soon you two started to repeatedly slashed one other. It went on for quite a while until luke had enough.

“You’ll pay for that” He quickly moved towards you and grabbed your waist. He start to rapidly push small slashes onto your face and you begged him to stop while laughing.

His arm around your waist held you close to his body. Both of you didn’t notice in the moment but your body’s did. Both of you felt warm inside.

Soon you coughed as it got into your mouth but you also couldn’t stop laughing. So even thought he was worried he also couldn’t stop laughing with you.

“You bitch” You said between coughing and laughs. He just throws his head back and laughed harder.

You noticed his shirt sticking to his toned chest and your eyes fluttered at bit. You never really noticed how good it looks- No..stop. This isn’t normal. You still loved Steve…Right?

You looked away just as the laughs stopped from both of you and left you two silent. And the silence was loud. Filled with so much wonderful.

“Y/n”

“Luke”

You both said each others name at the same time. You broke out into a nervous smile as he moves closer to you.

“You don’t deserve to feel like he made you. You know that your beautiful” You looked away from him and into the water fade away from you.

“Look at me” he put his fingers on your chin and pushed your head back to his. Faces inch’s easy from each other and he made sure to keep you looking at him.

“The moons jealous as it shines on your skin” his fingers move to your cheek and caresses it. “Because only in this moment it knows true beauty” this feeling wasn’t going away.

Not matter how hard you tried to push the feel away you couldn’t. You looked down at his lips and his eyes followed towards yours. Then you felt body moves on its own and leaned into him.

You both stop, lips almost touching if the slightest movement were made. “What are we do-“ before you could finish his lips crashed onto yours.

You kissed him back and wrapped your arms around his neck as both of his hands found your waist again. This feeling of being appreciated and safe hit you in a flash.

You remember feeling this way right before you left your home town. Leaving your friends behind and him. You had fallen for the boy when you where younger because he saw you and treated you good. Made you feel like you deserved love.

He gripped your waist tight as a groan left his lips and brought you closer. His heart was racing as fast as yours because he felt the same relief when kissing you. He was in love with you for years but only discovering it when you left.

He couldn’t have you that’s why he was so heart broken when you left. His best friend and his first love just disappeared from his life.

Maybe it was built up tension from all those years ago…But if that’s what it was you weren’t going to stop it.

But someone else could..

“Y/n” Alex voice called from the woods. “Luke” Reggie’s voice followed his. You both pulled apart and both flustered.

“We’re here” you shouted as you fixed yourself. Try to acted normal…

You heard their foot steps get closer on the wooden deck above you. Soon you saw their faces looking down at you both and confusion set on their faces.

“What are you guys doing?“ Reggie question.

“Late night swim” He hummed in reply and Alex looks between the two of you. The look on Luke’s face gave it all away.

“Mind if we join you?” Alex asked and Reggie turn to him.

“But I don’t want to-“ he let out a yelp as Alex pushed him into the lake. The blond boy took off his hat and shoes then jumped in.

“How about a warning let time” Reggie whined while holding his nose trying to get the water out. You and Luke burst out laugh as Alex came back up.

“You deserve it” Reggie pouted and then grabbed the blond boy and dunked him under. “I’ll show you who deserves it” The boys roughly tried to drag each other into the water.

You and Luke glanced at each other but a evil grin appears on your faces. You pulled the boys apart from each other and gave them a minute to relax.

“Now!” You shout and took ahold of Alex’s shoulders and dunked him under while Luke dunked reggie under. You both laughed as the came back up with gasps.

This was how the night went on laughing with your friends like you needed. You guys stayed out there for about two hours but finally got out. Still had chats and pushing each other while making back to your cabins.

The first cabin you came to was the boys. You had your wet shoes in your hand while you looked at each of them. “Goodnight boys” Your eyes flickered to all of them and turned around.

Alex looked at luke as he looks at you. “Go” he whispered and hit his chest. It was dark and they had clearly interrupted something earlier.

It didn’t take much time for Luke to finally catch up with you. “Why can’t we go” Reggie asked. But Alex look between the two of you and Reggie got it. “O” he realized. He smirked at you two then Alex dragged him inside before he could watch.

You both walked in silence again but this time it was more tension fulled then it ever has before.

Her lips so kissable. Skin so soft and plush. Her body perfect in my arms….His thoughts went on

Hands so rough but hold me so soft. The breaths he let out. The feeling of his body against mine….Her thoughts went on

Fuck they were already back at her cabin. Not looking at each other you stop. You had to talk about it. Come one spit it out. It was just a kiss.

“We should” Your words in unison. And turned to each other.

“Lady’s first” you watched as he put a hand up to his wet hair. He looks nervous and frustrated and you took that as a bad thing. You shouldn’t have kissed him and bod he regrets it.

“I was going to agree that we should forget what just happened” His breath stopped and his stomach twist. You wanted to forget it? Fuck, he shouldn’t have kissed you. You were vulnerable and hurt and he just took advantage.

“Forget” he stutter and tried to stand up straight. “Yeah, forget. That’s exactly what I was thinking” He was lying. He wanted to remember and talk about it. To kiss you again if he could.

“Okay, good” You clicked you tongue and nodded your whole body. “Goodnight Luke” you turned your heel and walked into your cabin with out another word.

He watches you walk away. His whole body screaming to call after you, run after you and kiss you. But he never did all he could do was watch in regret.

Maybe it really just was relief from all those years. He couldn’t blame you for it because he was the one who pushed on. He leaned in first and he could tell you needed someone to comfort you.

He shouldn’t have kissed you and he knew that but why did his heart not care? Why would he do it again and again if he could go back.

He walked back to his cabin while you stayed in yours.

As soon as you closed the door you took a look around to see all your fellow bunk mates asleep. You leaned against the door. Your wished he went after you.

You felt stupid for feeling anything again. He kissed you because he felt bad for you. You loved you so much that he would do anything to make you feel better even if it meant kissing you.

Luke went back to his cabin and both pairs of eyes were on him. “How’d it go?” Reggie asked wiggling his eyes but Luke walked right passed them.

“Fine. It’s been a long night so I’m heading to bed” He grabbed his clothes and went into the bath.

They watch him with pity both knowing it didn’t go fine.

It’s been one week and two days since that night and you haven’t mentioned the kiss and to your surprise it wasn’t awkward. Or at least it wasn’t shown.

Hell his flirting didn’t even stop but you missed the look he gave you when you turned your head. But other then that it was like it had never happen.

And since it was the last day of camp, you all tried to make it the best day yet.

Starting off with breakfast. You guys found your way to the eating area and had a fun time. Between laughing, story yelling and a bit of food thrown.

Then the camps last games. You didn’t really partake in the big ones but you guys made your own games. Like you and Alex against Luke and Reggie in arm wrestling, tug of war, and other games.

Then it was hiking in the woods trying to collect flags for your team together but you guys ended up in last place since you guys got distracted.

Then they had a bright idea of sneaking into the band room. You followed of course. And you finally agreed to sing along with them this time.

You and Luke tried to not stare at each other while singing but it was like all times. The other eyes looking between you as usual.

“Cause we’re standing on the edge of great” You sung again as you walked back to the piano and began to play. You’ve knew how to play since you were little but you never did it anymore. Now you had a reason to.

You felt the movement of the chair you sat on and looked at the person who sat down next to you. You both leaning close to each other.

“Running from the passed. Tripping on the now. What is lost can be found, it’s obvious” You both looked down at your lips and back up to the eyes. You both didn’t move but by the look on Luke’s face he finally caught you.

“Okay. I think it’s lunch time” Alex said breaking the two of you up. Your cheeks burned with heat as Luke grinned. “Coming” Luke got up and followed Reggie out.

“You really like him don’t you” Alex immediately asked as soon as they were out the door. You shot up and went into panic mood.

“What?- No I don’t- It’s not like that” but even though you kept on trying to deny it Alex just gave you a dead stare. He didn’t believe you.

“I don’t know” you screamed as your hands flow into the air. “He makes me feel things, makes me happy. We kissed and then promised to forget it but I can’t. But part of me wants to. I don’t know if what I’m feeling is just because I’m broken or what. But I don’t want to lose him” Putting your head in your hands as you sat back down.

“I don’t want to lose him” you repeated.

Alex sat down next to you and put his hands in his pockets. “You know I have someone back home. He makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine and when I’m away I can’t stop thinking of him.” You listen closely.

“I know what love looks like and I know you and Luke. You guys can’t be away from each other, the staring is all you two do anymore. I know being heartbroken is hard and confusing so you have to decide if this is real or not.” Alex took ahold of your hand and you rested your head onto his shoulder.

“The feeling are there but you guys have to decide if it’s just a fling or lasting. Either is fine if you do it right. I mean you both care for each other and love one other so I’m sure you guys can come to agreement” his voice of reason was the only thing that was actually getting through your head at the moment.

Then the thought of Steve running through your head as you knew you missed him deeply. You tried to push it away when really you should have focused on it and got over it.

Maybe being in Luke’s arms was your way to be whole again.

It was the last lunch of the day, the moment all the campers regrets since after this ended they had to get on the bus and go home. Some students drove and but most kids under 18 had to take the bus home.

“I can’t believe this is our last moments together” you sat down with lunch in your hand. The Boys glanced at each other before nodded.

“It’s so sad” Reggie cried but it sounded like he was being sarcastic. Woah, that hurt.

“I had a fun time this summer, with all of you” glancing to everyone at the table. “I don’t want it to end” You looked down sad knowing the time with them is up.

“I can’t take it anymore” Reggie groaned as the others glared at him. “Shut up” Alex kicks his leg from under the table.

“What are you talking about?” You looked back up at him but before Luke could over his mouth he started to talk.

“We planned to come back home with you since we wanted to spend more time with you. We brought Lukes car and everything” he rambles on.

They already planned this? He knew already? They all did! You couldn’t believe they would do that for you, you really loved them. “You guys” you awed at them.

“That is the sweetest thing ever”

“It’s all Lukes idea” Reggie lets out a groan as Luke hits him.

“You did that?” Luke’s looked away for a moment then back at you. Hoping he didn’t do anything bad.

“Yeah”

You smiled at him and took his hand from across the table. “Thank you” you looked back at the other boys.

“All of you” Letting go of his hands you started to talk about everything you wanted to show them. Your hang outs, your friends and so many things.

You were bringing your friends to Hawkins. It was going to be like two worlds colliding, and it was going to be awesome.

What could go wrong?

“What do you know?” Steve followed Robin around the store as they were about to close.

“I don’t know anything! All I know know is that it should be her last day” Robin frustratingly stocked the tapes.

“Today? I have to call Dustin-“

“You’re calling that child”

“Dustin is actually really smart, and he knows y/n too so maybe we can-“

“Y/n is my best friend, steve. I knew her before you even paid attention to her. So you drive to get us food then to Dustin’s house and make a plan” He stopped when his mind flys somewhere else.

“Wait you don’t think she meet someone else do you?” Steve question and Robin stopped for a moment. That was all the Steve needed.

“Oh shit” he stepped back and leaned on the counter.

“I didn’t say anything”

“But you hesitated that means their is a possibility”

“It’s summer camp Steve. What did you expect to happen, if she did its ended by now. Just a fling, not like she’s being him home” But just the thought of her being with someone else had his heart aching.

He needed to make it all up to her. That’s all he’s been able to think about, was her.

But little did they know that what Robin said was true. Y/n was bring him home. And for better or worse the two boys loved her.

A war was near. And if they had their way the other wouldn’t survive it.

Are you on Steve or Luke’s side?

Taglist: @f4iryluvy @darklingbrekksov @officialfangirls-blog @aleemendoza2425-blog @deadpoolgirl23 @mightiestheroes @in-this-minute @notahappystan @tinkerbellthebard @buckys2thicc @simpingfortoomanypeople @strawberrycloudsnpinkskyies @samlovesthemoon @andrea-stark @loveshineslikethesky @thiccchocolatebar @casually-cassidy @a-night-2-remember

Some people weren’t able to be tagged! So I apologize.

[shangchiswife]

din djarin- the protector

summary: you go out to the cantina and drink a lot and get into a dangerous situation

din djarin x fem!reader

word count: 1838

warnings: men trying to take advantage

Din Djarin rarely gave you the day off. It wasn’t really his choice to give you days off despite him being your boss. 

You worked as Grogu’s babysitter and mechanic and you were always either watching the child or fixing the Razorcrest.

It was a late night and you sat in the cockpit of the ship with Grogu in your lap, stroking his wrinkly head.

Grogu cooed, his big brown eyes lighting up as a Beskar-clad Din entered the room.

“Hey,” you smiled at the armored man.

“Hey,” his voice was soft through the modulator making your skin prickle with goosebumps.

It was no secret to you that you had a fondness for Din considering that he was the only other person on the ship.

And it didn’t help that he was so sweet towards you.

“You know-uh I’ve noticed how you’ve never seemed to catch a break and…you know if you want I could watch Grogu even now and you could go out and have some free time,” Din’s voice shook slightly.

You were always working hard for him and he wanted to treat you. You were there for him when no one else was and your presence was something that he had grown to love.

A smile stretched across your features.

“Really? That’s really kind of you, Din,” you grinned.

“It’s nothing,” his helmet turned downward towards the floor.

“Alright well I’ll get changed and take a short trip to the cantina,” you announced as you bounced Grogu once in your lap and then stood up and handed him over to Din.

In the process, your hand brushed over his and your heart jumped.

After hearing a shaky breath, you darted over to your room with your heart hammering in your chest.

Ignoring the feeling in your body, you went into your closet and scoured through it to find something nice to wear.

You had limited clothing due to the fact that you were always traveling and having access to nice clothes wasn’t really an option.

Finally, your eyes found a beautiful sparkling dress that went just below your thighs. 

It had been a while since you had gotten attention for people since Din barely acknowledged you. You hoped that this dress would be an invitation to that attention.

“Perfect,” you mumbled as you slipped into the dress.

….

After you had finished doing your makeup, you exited your room, ready for a night of fun.

Right as you were about to exit the ship you felt something tugging on your leg.

You looked down to see Grogu staring at you with his adorable brown eyes.

“Hey buddy, I’m gonna be out for a bit so you behave for your dad okay?” you told him as you heard metal footsteps thud in the hallway.

“Y/N I’m-” Din’s voice was interrupted as his helmet turned towards you.

Feeling his intense gaze on you, you suddenly felt subconscious about your outfit.

“Do you not like the outfit?” you questioned as you nervously fidgeted with your hands.

“No-no-you it’s just that- you look beautiful,” he stammered.

Damn it, you can handle a Krayt dragon and murderous bounties but you seriously can’t compliment a woman? Din thought.

You felt your whole body warm from the compliment.

“Thank you, Din,” you smiled.

A moment of silence passed as Grogu looked between the two of you, a little smile on his face.

Din cleared his throat and then took the child from your arms.

“Uh I’ll see you soon then,” he nodded in your direction before disappearing around the corner.

You felt giddy all of a sudden as you took the ramp down and exited the Razorcrest.

….

When you arrived at the cantina you were greeted by the bright strobe lights and booming music from the band.

Excitedly you started towards the bar and sat on a stool.

The bartender passed a purple-colored drink to the Twi’lek next to you and then turned his attention onto you.

“Hi what can I get ya?” he questioned.

“Whatever will make me have the best time,” you said as you put some credits across the counter.

His eyes widened as he looked from you to the credits.

“Coming right up, miss,” the man tipped his hat to you and started rummaging through the bottles behind him.

You looked behind you to see the boisterous behavior on the dance floor, a small smile forming on your lips.

That would be you once the drinks kicked in.

A few moments later, the bartender came back with a bottle and a glass full of pink liquid.

“Pretty,” you admitted as he placed it in front of you.

“Thank you,” you looked up at him with a beam that he returned.

“Enjoy ma’am,” 

Without hesitation, you chugged down the drink.

The fruity taste was divine as the flavors danced on your tongue.

Once the drink was done, you practically slammed your hands on the table for another one.

Many drinks later, you somehow ended up on the dance floor.

It was nice being back in a cantina. You hadn’t been to one in a while since you joined Din’s crew which was understandable because you didn’t want to come back drunk one night to Grogu.

You felt good. Your entire body felt loose and light as you bounced up and down to the beat of whatever the band was playing.

Suddenly you felt a tap on your shoulder and spun around to meet the sight of a handsome man.

He had piercing green eyes and was dressed in a loose-fitting white t-shirt that suited him well.

“Hey gorgeous,” a mischievous grin formed on the man’s lips.

“Hi, guy,” you smiled, dazed out of your mind from the number of drinks you’d had.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he said as you continued to dance.

“Thank you,” you giggled as a prideful look washed up on the man’s face.

“What do you say we get out of here, huh? I think you’d have a better time in my bed rather than on the dance floor,” the man grabbed your wrist.

A look of disgust crossed your face. Yeah, you were drunk but you would not be taken advantage of.

“Get off of me!” you hissed as you grabbed his clammy hands and tried to pry them off of you.

No one in the crowd seemed to notice since they were all busy grinding on one another.

“Come on, you’ll have fun sweetheart,” the man dragged you out of the crowd towards the exit of the cantina.

“Stop I don’t want to do this,” you clawed at his arm which he ignored.

Suddenly the man’s grip wasn’t on your arm anymore and he was splashed on the ground.

Your jaw dropped as you looked beside you to see Din.

“She said no so stay away from her,” Din’s voice was more dangerous than you’d ever seen before as the man cowered beneath him.

Din kicked his boot into his stomach as his face contorted into one of pain.

Then he started kicking him repetitively.

The blood pounded in Din’s ears as he did it.

How dare this pathetic man try to take advantage of Y/N. His Y/N.

Fear washed through your entire system as you watched Din’s foot change direction and kick the man’s face.

At this point, the music in the cantina had died down and the only sounds that were heard were the sounds of Din’s grunts and kicks.

“Din, please stop,” you shook as Din kept going, not pausing in his actions.

Your lip trembled as a waterfall of blood poured down the man’s lips.

“Din,” you cried as you took hold of his arm making him stop and his helmet turn towards you.

“Let’s just go,” you whimpered as the Mandalorian took in your glossy eyes that had tears threatening to spill from them.

Din removed his foot from the man’s stomach and took a long look at the man’s blood-coated face.

You took his arm as he led you out of the cantina.

You didn’t know if you wanted to laugh or cry because of the situation that just happened.

Your legs wobbled as you walked and felt dizzy, the after-effects of all the drinks hitting you like a storm.

“You should be more careful. If I wasn’t there what would’ve happened?” the Mandalorian’s tone was harsh.

Yeah, maybe I’ll cry you thought to yourself before you tripped over your feet before Din caught you.

“Just-just-can we take a break?” you slurred your words as you leaned your head on his chest.

If you were completely sober you would’ve noticed that he had stiffened up but you were too drunk to care.

Din sighed before tossing you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing.

Once you were back at the Razorcrest, Din laid you on his cot.

God, it smelled just like him. 

“Where’s Grogu?” you questioned, your eyes wide.

“He’s sleeping,” the Mando’s voice was raspy as he put the covers over you.

You gulped.

“I’m sorry, Din,” you swallowed, trying your hardest to hold back tears.

“I really am,” you whispered as a tear slipped down your cheek.

You watched as Din put one of his gloved hands to your cheek, swiping away at the stray tear.

“It’s okay-just kriff are you okay?” he asked as his fingers started to stroke your face as you leaned into his touch.

“Yeah I just had too many drinks,” you mumbled as you heard a laugh come from his helmet.

“Why don’t you just rest up and I’ll be there for Grogu in the morning,” Din’s motions were gentle.

“Thank you, Din,” you yawned as you curled into his pillow, inhaling its scent.

“Goodnight,” he bowed his helmet as he started towards the helm of the ship.

“Where are you going? Why don’t you stay with me?” you pouted as you widened your eyes to try and persuade him.

Despite Din’s heart beating wildly in his chest, he sighed and then started towards his cot. At that moment he was blessed to have his armor because he was blushing.

He laid beside you and shut off the lamp leaving the two of you in darkness and silence.

You heard the sound of armor clanging on the floor making you feel nervous.

Din was in his most vulnerable state. He trusted you enough that you could be around him in his most vulnerable state.

Your heart skipped happily as you took a chance and moved closer to his side and laid your head on his chest.

Your sober self would’ve killed you for doing something risky like this.

You heard his breath shake for a moment before you felt arms wrap around your body.

You hid your smile into his chest as you shut your eyes.

This wasn’t the place you expected to be at the end of the night but you were grateful that you were to be in the arms of your protector.

[littlebodybigdreamz]

Strawberry Fields... Where Nothing is Real

Hi all! I wrote an Au about the lovely George Harrison <3 I've always loved The Beatles but it wasn't until this year I really got into each individual Beatle as an artist after they broke up. But nontheless here is an Au I wrote one night trying to get my inner feelings out for a musician gone too soon.

I hope you all enjoy <3

btw him with this guitar is iconic. I can't - breathe.

It was 1967, the Beatles were at the height of their fame, and the boys were having a release party for a new record that was set to be released. You had been in love with George for a while now, of course you had, every single woman who came around tended to fall head over heels for the man. You had become one of the unlucky girls, although you hid it well because you didn't want to lose your assistant job. 

You had started out as their assistant, helping run errands and fetch whatever they needed. You were a pretty girl; with a Hispanic background who somehow ended up living your whole life in Liverpool like the boys. You had jet-black long hair and beautiful caramel skin that turned pale when you didn't go out in the sun for a long time. Big brown eyes that you considered ugly due to the fact most of the boys tended to go after the girls with beautiful blue or green eyes. 

You weren't the jealous type either, except for when it came to Pattie, although she was nice, she often caught the eye of George. You knew you had no reason to be jealous though, not because you couldn't be because of your contract, you just knew no matter what, George had never once tried or at least never seemed interested in you from day one. You weren't hurt by this either, you just knew you had fantasies that would never play out the way you wanted. And you were okay with all of that. 

Until, that day, the day of the Beatles' album release party, you had decided to wear a nice flowy dress with flowers all over. You wore some brown platform shoes to give you a few inches of height as you were a shorter girl. You had accidentally taken the wrong turn a few blocks away and thus were late to the party by an hour. This had never happened before, and you'd hoped Brian wouldn't fire you over a small mistake. How were you supposed to know the street was a one-way? 

Anyhow, you arrived how people would say, "fashionably late". When you walked through the big wooden doors you saw Brian and his date casually drinking whatever they had in their cups. "Oh, look it's the beautiful y/n!", he said loudly quickly bringing a cup to your face. The smell of vodka hit your nostrils; Brian was offering you what seemed like a cup full of vodka. "Come on y/n! You work so hard! Relax for one weekend! Come on!", the girl next to him was eyeing you with jealousy. She had no idea you only had eyes for George. Nobody did. 

With the music coursing through your veins, you grabbed the cup and took a big swig of it. "WOOO! Y/N!", Brian yelled, he was gone, to say the least. From the corner of your eye, you saw Ringo, you excused yourself away from Brian to the chill and peaceful Beatle, Ringo Starr. "Hello their love. What took you so long? We were all looking for you". You smiled at his words, the hot feeling in your stomach was growing as your boldness grew more and more. "Oh really? You asked slyly. Ringo and you had been close for years, he even was dating one of your closest friends, so you had no hate for the guy. In fact, you loved his whole peace motto. George was the one you really loved talking to and even though you had just taken a swig of that drink you had begun to feel the effects of vodka on an empty stomach. "Where is everybody else?", you asked not wanting to get too specific of course. 

"Ah... they're all out back y'know talking to guests", Ringo rolled his eyes, after knowing him for a few years you knew he disliked reporters. Always wanting to get the "in" on whatever drama could be going on between the beloved four. "Oh okay". You said nonchalantly, what else could you say to the man? He had been talking to a girl and she had begun eyeing you jealously as well. You excused yourself starting to feel small again. You grabbed a cup out of Brian's hand and chugged it down. "WOOOO! Y/n you are on fire tonight madam!", he laughed drunkenly and embraced you. You giggled, and just then you felt a hand tap you on the shoulder, turning around you saw Paul. Geez, were you seeing all the men in the band except the one you truly wanted to lay eyes on? 

"Hey, darling". Paul said cheerfully, he was never one to go all out and drink like that instead he often paired his fingers with a blunt to keep him chill for the night. "Hello Pauly", you said coyly, calling him by the pet name you gave him many years before. "Where have you been y/n? George has been asking for you for a while now". He said, your heart began to flutter. "Really?", was all you were able to muster out of your mouth. Paul smiled as if he knew something was up by the way you responded. "What?", you asked nervously. "He's waiting for you outside by the buddha fountain", was all Paul said before grabbing two cups full of whatever vodka drink from a waiter nearby. Handing you one he smiled, took a swig, and walked away smiling. 

Your heart was beating fast, you were happy and yet you were nervous. Why had George been waiting for you? Maybe he just wanted you to fetch something for him like he usually did? Oh well, you thought, with the cup in your hand you went outside towards the buddha fountain George liked so much. 

Outside you saw him, he wore a nice navy-blue suit with fine white lines. He looked sophisticated and handsome, his hair was shoulder length, the style you had come to love when the band began to grow out their hair. He had a cig in between his fingers and was bringing it up to his lips when he noticed you. A smile spread across his face, the vodka had now been the reason you were able to casually walk up to him and tell him, "So, darling... I've heard you've been looking for me?", you asked with boldness in your voice. 

He chuckled, "Yes dear, I was wondering if you'd ever show up", he smiled offering you a bum of his cig. You took it while putting the cig in between your lips you looked at the man, his gorgeous eyes meeting yours. As you took a long drag, he said, "Darling, you look beautiful tonight.", he smiled kissing your cheek. 

Your cheeks flushed; you passed the cig back to him after a few drags. "Now I know what the Harrison effect is", you giggled mentioning the phrase many spoke as the way George had with many women. He loved the attention of any woman who crossed his path. Then a new thought crossed your mind, what would make you any different? 

He smiled, "No Hun, the only woman I'd ever wanted to have an effect on was and is you". You smiled but the thought still lingered in the back of your mind. You watched as from the side Pattie came up to you both, she smiled her way getting George's attention. He gave in, smiling, you looked at the two of them and smiled as you made up an excuse to leave. 

As you walked back inside you chugged the rest of your vodka-mixed drink. You went into the kitchen wanting to find water to even out everything, and while you were there you grabbed a cup from one of Brian's shelves and went over to the fountain. Turning the faucet on, you let the cold water fill up the glass almost all the way to the top. You looked out the window that was above the sink, it gave you a view of the backyard. You watched as George and Pattie talked, they were laughing and she got closer to his face more and more while she laughed. You sighed taking a big gulp of the water. 

"Ah these two...", a voice next to you startled you. You jumped to your left was now John, had he been watching you this whole time? "Hi John", you said gulping more of the water. "You know, if you like the guy you should go tell him. Before someone else confesses their feelings", John looked down at you sincerely. You knew he knew now how you felt about George. "How do I tell him when he is obviously into someone else?", I sighed asking John. "Trust me, darling, he doesn't feel the same way for her as he does for you. You should probably know that by now. The number of times he talks about you, fetches you to get something for him just so he can see you. Well, I've lost count by now". John chuckled, bringing his cup to his lips. 

You looked out the window again, this time George was alone, his cig was to his lips as he looked at the Buddha and the fish that swam in the fountain. "I think I'll go talk to him. Thank you, John,", you turned to him and smiled. 

As you walked back outside you watched the handsome guitarist under the lights Brian had set up. He continued watching the fountain not noticing you until you spoke. "Hello George", you said, George looked up and instantly smiled when he noticed it was you who spoke his name. "I like it when you say my name", George said, not even realizing what you said but feeling the comfort of safety when he was around you. You smiled; your cheeks began to turn to a rosy pink. "I must tell you something... for a while now I've had feelings for you. I never knew if you felt the same way. But after tonight, I just couldn't keep it hidden anymore. Life is too short to keep anything hidden and I think you feel the same way about me too. So, I just-". You were cut off as George threw down his now finished cig, he grabbed you close to him, cupping your face, and he locked eyes with you. His beautiful eyes dilated as he looked into your soul, "I find you irresistibly attractive and I will not spend another day on this planet without you being mine". He looked at you and then pulled you in for a kiss. 

As your lips met the fireworks in your stomach grew and then exploded. You had not been with someone who made you this hot in all the years you had been alive. In fact, you felt in this moment more alive than ever. As his soft lips touched yours, he pulled you closer and closer until you were one. You knew then and there the two of you would become inseparable. There would be many love songs dedicated to you in the future. 

What you didn't know was from the kitchen, Brian, Paul, John, and Ringo all watched. They smiled, "Finally", Brian said with a liquefied smile on his face. The rest of the boys nodded in agreement. They were happy to see the two of you finally in an embrace that had been long overdue. 

Strawberry Fields, where everything is real after all. Where love finds itself next to a Buddha fountain. 

End. 

[ballistashoot]

-Princess (Katsumi Orochi x fem!Reader)

So, I know this might be really bad, but please take into consideration that this is my first time writing something that's not a headcanon. (ft. Grammarly, bc writing is not that easy)

That was one of those nights where the Tokugawa mansion was full of people celebrating the inauguration of the new tournament... and something else. Hundreds of people were wearing fancy clothes and eating exotic foods, the house was carefully decorated, with creamy-toned curtains and golden balloons. Everyone was having a great time. Except for a certain young lady upstairs...

-Miss... I know how nervous you are, but you know how excited your grandfather is...- Said one of the maids.- I promise you’ll be all right, and oh dear you look beautiful.

-Thanks Hina, I know it can’t be that bad, but having the spotlight on me all night... It’s terrifying.

A sudden knock interrupted the conversation. 

-Y/N, darling, it’s about time.- Mitsunari Tokuwaga’s voice was heard across the door.

Shyly, the young lady opened the door to see her grandfather standing with a proud smile.

-You are gorgeous as always, I’m so happy you finally agreed to join the family tradition.- Small tears almost started falling from the old man’s eyes as the started walking.

Eventually, they stood by the giant stairs, and Mr Tokugawa drew the crowd’s attention to them with a loud clap.

-Dear guest, we’re all reunited here to celebrate the opening of what will be the biggest marcial arts tournament, the Maximun Tournament! And mosts importantly, my granddaugther’s joining to the family tradition! As you all know, my dear Y/N will anounce the encounters from now on. All said, please wellcome, Y/N Tokugawa!

The man’s words were followed by applauses as the girl went down the stairs. Minutes later, the party continued, and only one thing changed, everyone’s eyes were on Y/N. The girl was quickly cornered by people asking her questions and congratulating her, after half an hour, the crown finally calmed down and left her alone.

She looked around the room looking for a certain someone. She recognized some faces, the Shinogi brothers, Mr.Shibukawa, Mr.Igari, Mr. and Mrs. Orochi, and a few other figthers, but she couldn’t find him anywhere.

-Hey Y/N, what’s up?- The girl turned around to see a certain brown-haired boy.

-Baki! You’re also here! Do you know...

-He’s outside.- She was cut off by the teasing voice of the teenager. He knew her well, she was like a big sister to him, he knew all her secrets, and he also knew who she was searching for.

-Thanks Baki, you really are the best.- She responded hugging him tigthly before sneaking to the garden.

And there he was, black hair, confident posture and a charming smile on his face, god was he handsome. The one and only Katsumi Orochi, her best friend and the boy he has loved all her life. 

She still remembers when they first met.

...

At that time, both of them were 5. Her grandfather took her to the Orochi's house, apparently there was a new member of the family. They arrived to see Mr. Orochi standing by the door, Doppo greeted them with a smile and invited them in. She was about to say hi to Natsue when suddenly, a black haired boy appeared behind her. He was pretty tall and already had some muscles, he wasn't a normal 5 years old boy.

-Y/N, Mitsunari, I'd like to introduce you to Katsumi, our recently adopted son.- Said Doppo.

Since that day, they became inseparable.

...

-HELLO! EARTH CALLING Y/N!- Katsumi's voice brought her out of her thoughts. She hadn't noticed how she had been staring at him the whole time.

-I knew you would eventually get overwhelmed and come here.- Sighted the young man.- You look... really nice.

The girl felt flattered yet a little disappointed, deep in her heart she wanted him to tell her she looked beautiful, not just "nice".

-You know, I really appreciate the fact that you're here, I was starting to feel even more anxious with all those people looking at me.

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by Tokugawa's voice being heard from inside.

-Now please pay attention to my dear Y/N, who has prepared a speech to inaugurate the new tournament!

OH SHIT. THE SPEECH.

Yes, she had completely forgotten about it, great way of making the first impression to hundreds of people Y/N.

-Katsumi.- She said looking at the young man beside her.- Take me out of here.

-You don't need to say it twice.- He responded before picking her up in bridal style and jumping through the fence, running away from the party.

Soon, the Katsumi stopped running and left Y/N on the ground, then they began walking calmly through the streets. Of course, people stared at them, I mean, who wouldn't stare if they saw a man in a Tuxedo accompanying a woman with a ball gown. They didn't mind people staring, until...

-Look, mommy! A princess!- Screamed a little girl to her mother.- Hey miss princess! Where is your crown?

Y/N was about to tell the truth but the illusion on the girl's face prevented it.

-Oh! My crown! You're right! I must have forgotten it at the castle!-She said before looking at the girl's mother with an accomplice smile.

-I see...- Said the little one.- Hey, is that your prince?

Katsumi's face went red for an instant, but he decided to play along.

-Of course! I saved her from a 100 men army!- He said while placing a confident hand on her waist.

-Excuse me, can my daughter take a photo with you two?- Said the mother.

-Of course!- Y/N responded before her "prince" could say anything

Katsumi held the little girl in his arms, and after taking the photo, the kid and her mother continued with their walk.

-You know my grandfather is going to be super angry at us, right? Will you be as brave as you now when you have to take responsibility?

-To have you as my princess? I will be the bravest.

[chocosvt]

love café

⚬ pairing: jeonghan x fem!reader ⚬ word count: 17.6K ⚬ warnings: some vulgar language, i guess! ⚬ genres: big time nsfw, dirty talk, lap dances, quickies, bath shenanigans, exhibitionism, overstim - you get what i mean. big ole romance, angst, fluff, jeonghan is very rich and very hot, joshua has a not so subtle crush on you. 

✧✎ synopsis: while you’ve spent the last few months pretending the love café doesn’t exist, you realize you need its services now more than ever. this brings you face to face with jeonghan, the son of a luxury fashion designer who’s got money to burn. your exchanges are strictly business. until they’re not. 

✧✎ a/n: YES, ANOTHER REWRITE. the original love café was just so unsalvageable that i almost fully wiped its plot, minus the actual concept of the café. so, this should read as fairly new! I HOPE U ENJOY IT !!

It’s not that you were desperate. Because you weren’t.

You were actually more than desperate at this point, and no longer could you sit on that uneven couch with the broken leg, staring at the chipped paint, listening to your neighbours’ screams, believing you should continue like this. More than anything, you were shortchanging yourself. There was no point in holding onto that little string of hope in which those employers might phone you back. It would be impossible to contact your family when you had affirmatively cut ties with them ages ago. And, it was becoming increasingly foolish to ignore your one saving grace, just a street over from your rundown complex.

But, could you really commit to it? Would anyone even be able to look at you and think you were someone desirable enough to reward?

Those thoughts often hung over you like a dark cloud, and poured down so heavily that you were metaphorically drenched, in your own pessimism. However, on that day, you were beyond patience with the cards you’d been dealt. Such a despairing apartment, with all its bugs and drafts and horrible neighbours, could not be your brightest and most fortunate future. There had to be something you could do.

Even if it meant going to the Love Café.

In other words, an easy gig to financial heaven, in exchange for sexual pleasures of course. You walked into your bedroom and sat down in front of the wooden vanity, clicking on a dim, flickering bulb to help illuminate your face as well as its lifeless expression which stared back at you. It didn’t take more than ten minutes to pat your skin with some emptying makeup and thinning pans of eyeshadow. Then, you fixed up your hair and chose a simple, mute-coloured dress from your closet, immediately swallowed by the large winter coat you cozied into.

You hurried quickly down the corridor, ignoring the muffled shouts from your argumentative neighbours bleeding through the nickel-thin walls, past the barking dog which jumped against the door, scratching its nails whenever you waited for the elevator, and you didn’t even spare one glance at the very strange man who always hovered in the central lobby and watched you ignore his coos every single day. By the time you arrived outside the Love Café, you were breathing like a marathon runner. Despite the cold weather, you felt a sweat run like a breeze down your temple as you wiped your face before heading inside.

The space felt warm. Everything was red, pink, or white. And when you inhaled, the air smelled like a note of rose petals and candy. It was surprisingly easy to sign up for a ‘Love Card’ at the front desk.

“This card has twelve punches per service with your partner. If, by the end of the twelfth punch, you’re not looking to pursue something serious with this individual, you can pay for another Love Card. If you do manage to find, ‘the one’, then congratulations, and well wishes. Since you’re a first-time client, you get twenty-five percent off your first card.”

Whoever the lady was, she seemed less than enthusiastic as she pushed a cherry-red paper across the counter with a finely manicured nail. You thought she must have given this spiel so many times, the script probably haunted her in her sleep. Nonetheless, you thanked her, and heeded her direction when she advised you to choose any of the free tables, marked with a pale rose. For some reason, you picked the very last table amongst the row and slid yourself onto the uncomfortable, white chair, the metal back moulded into the shape of a heart.

Whoever reserved the table wasn’t exactly punctual. About half an hour after being seated, ordering yourself a tea, and examining the different clients who filtered in and out the café, you were beginning to assume the worst. That they cancelled. Flaked. Decided to pull from the service and direct their affluence elsewhere. As you titled the last few droplets of tea around the base of the cup, feeling utterly depressed and bored, you heard the little bells clink above the door, followed by a gasp from the employee at the front desk. Considering her microscopic range of emotion, you figured whoever entered must be some flawless rarity.

“Jeonghan!” She fixed her slouched position. “I wasn’t aware you made a reservation today. I haven’t seen your name in the system.”

“No worries. I set an anonymous appointment the night before. After all the chaos I caused last time, I figured it’s best to stay under the radar. I know I’m late. I was finishing up a term paper.”

“That’s quite all right. Here, I’ll just quickly renew your information. One moment… Okay, Yoon Jeonghan, you’re all set.”

At that, your eyes practically bulged right into the teacup. You’d heard his name in some conversations with a few university friends, before you had dropped your program. His father was an inventive in the fashion industry for nearly a decade, and his brand was considered high-end luxury, with people forking up the big bucks just to wear a piece from the collection. His mother recently begun a perfume company. In fact, you had a bottle from her Sunrise series sitting on your vanity, though you used each spritz very sparingly considering its outrageous price point. According to the most recent gossip, Jeonghan had ended his relationship with a model who’d been strutting his father’s cloths.

You couldn’t believe he was here.

No – even worse, you couldn’t believe he was making his way toward your table. It had to be some sort of mistake. How could it be that you chose to sit here? Was the universe attempting another cruel joke?

His visual seemed even more daunting outside his photographs in the magazines. Beyond a glossy page, he was softer. Thick hair, shiny and dark brown, which swooped beneath his ears and parted smoothly at the forehead. His lips were the same shade as the windowsill roses, as well as the high arches in his cheeks. But then, he was sharper too, with a trim, angular jaw and such a defined yet judgemental brow. You had expected anyone else but him. And now, this esteemed, much too beautiful man had come to the very last table, wearing an expression of waning curiosity. Or, as you interpreted it, clear-glass disappointment.

Before Jeonghan seated himself, he untucked his phone from his coat pocket and clicked a side button to check the time. He then sniffled, looked straight at the wall, and sighed. Despite your now devoted wish to disappear, you attempted to begin a conversation that wouldn’t backfire.

“Yoon Jeonghan. I’ve heard the name. It’s nice to meet you.”

He settled one arm on the table, tapping his fingernails.

“Yeah. I’m guessing you’re not a regular here—” he then peered over at your bright red Love Card placed by the teacup to say your name.

Bouncing your leg underneath the table, you nodded. “No, not really. I’ve been debating for a while if this was a choice I should make, but I can’t seem to have ends meet doing anything else. So, I came here.”

Already, Jeonghan looked painfully bored. He stopped tapping his fingers and leaned his chin against the hand instead. You knew it was the insecurity barking. Unnecessarily, you apologized to him.

“I’m sorry, I know I’m probably not the woman you’re expecting and I get that. I wouldn’t be all that offended if you wanted to save the Love Card for someone else or—”

Out of the blue, Jeonghan laughed, though he attempted to mute the sound by digging the bend of his index finger between his teeth. Your sentence trailed off with an awkward, dying breath. He suddenly leaned back in his metal seat, shaking his head apologetically and pulling back some of the soft hairs from his eyes. You felt utterly confused.

“Sorry, sorry,” he smiled, “didn’t mean to discourage you there, sweetheart. I’ve just never had someone apologize for—well, their looks.”

“I-I don’t know,” you lunged for damage control, “I just thought you seemed disappointed and I… Well, I haven’t done this before, so I don’t really know all that well how it works. I… I should stop talking…”

It felt as though someone had swatted both your cheeks in an iron-slap, because the skin was stinging hot like never before. You knew he was staring at you, probably thinking to himself that you were a train wreck waiting to happen. Afterward, an employee visited the table to collect your emptied teacup, and asked Jeonghan if he’d like anything to drink. Refusing to look elsewhere but the clenched fists in your lap, you waited for the employee to leave once Jeonghan rejected the offer. He’d pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket. Uncapping the pen with his teeth, you watched him sloppily scribble something down.

“My number.” He said, sliding it across the table. “Listen, I’ve gotta go home and proofread that term paper before I submit it. Just send me a text, okay? I won’t be free for a few days, anyways.”

“Oh, okay.” You sniffled.

Quite frankly, you couldn’t comprehend that he was still interested in pursuing something venereal, even when you had embarrassed yourself like a circus act. He rose quickly from the table and wrapped the waistband of his coat tight around his small waist.

Staring down at the paper, you blurted out, “are you sure?”

Jeonghan titled his head. “Am I sure of what?”

“Never mind.” You answered. “I’ll text you later.”

“Okay.” He nodded, on the verge of walking away when he abruptly stopped himself. “Are you always this nervous?”

Caught off guard by his question, your elbow whacked the edge of the table and you meekly stuttered, “I-I don’t know…”

You were more than positive he was going to ghost all your texts.

To a degree, you were correct.

Over the course of the following week, you sent Jeonghan at least three texts, each on separate days, only to be rewarded with a demotivating lack of responses. You knew he was a busy individual who probably didn’t have much time to waste on promiscuous affairs, let alone a committed relationship. So, you tried very earnestly to not feel upset or unimportant at his methods – even despite the series of required payments glaring you down from those white envelopes scattered atop the kitchen table.

And then, during the black, late hours of a snowy Friday, you received a reply. A surprisingly urgent one which detailed that you make it to the downtown Opal Studio before eleven o’clock, as there would be a backdoor entrance left unlocked for your access. He mentioned a storage closet underneath a staircase, worded very sternly as: … Wait inside, and do not make yourself known. I’ll see you there shortly, and ensure you leave without being spotted. Uncertain of what the situation would entail, you phoned a cab and payed the driver using some remaining funds from a paper note purse. The studio’s front was a smooth, velvet black, with a wide window which illuminated several mannequins wearing Mr. Yoon’s newest issue. Each outfit cost a pretty penny.

Like you anticipated, Jeonghan was late to meet you in the storage closet; however, you were at no point going to scold his blatant disregard for scheduling when he’d pressed you tight against the door looking the way he did. Buttons popped down the chest of his unwrinkled dress shirt, sleeves cuffed to his elbows, and his neat, styled hair beginning to dishevel around those intense eyes. He braced his hand beside your head, studying your lips as though they were glittering.

“Can I kiss you?” Jeonghan asked. The question seemed to rumble from deep in his throat and you felt your knees weaken.

You nodded immediately, allowing his hand to frame the side of your cheek as his warm, soft mouth nudged against yours. It was gentle for a fleeting touch, and then there was pressure, teeth, a slick tongue running across your bottom lip and leaving you in such a sensual daze that you just stood there with a parted mouth. Jeonghan definitely knew what he wanted from you in that moment. And he wanted it quick. You were flipped around, chest pushed against the door, skirt hiked up impatiently as the fabric ruffled around your hips. His hand slid between your thighs to rub you through the thin pair of underwear, pressing firmly enough that you could feel the cold, thick rings on his fingers.

Eagerly, you began a slow gyration of grinding against Jeonghan’s touch while simultaneously biting down hard on your bottom lip, knowing embarrassingly well that you were already sticky and soaking and ready for him to use you like a designated fucktoy. He was rather flush to your backside as he dug the heel of his palm against your clit, so much yet not enough between the cotton. Something about his scent was beyond arousing, and it gripped to him like a web. An expensive cologne no doubt, mature, raw, and ocean-fresh. You heard the sound of his belt being whipped open, followed by a zipper.

“Alright,” Jeonghan hummed, passing a hand up his length, “let’s make this quick. Gotta be back upstairs in five to finish the measurements and tapering and all that boring shit. Now, just be a good, quiet little girl for me, sweetheart, and this’ll be a cake walk.”

Your mouth stretched into a low, whiny groan as Jeonghan held your underwear aside and began to sink inside of you, his hips stalled against your skin. His light breath then fluttered at your ear, “bet you’d make such a perfect toy to keep my cock nice and warm. Feels so perfect, being this deep inside you, sweetheart.” He shuddered against you, thrusting once, twice, slowly and teasingly dragging himself out before ramming right back in to pinch you against the door.

“Fuck,” he cursed between his teeth, “life would be so much easier if I could just keep you right here on my cock, wouldn’t it, baby?”.

Undoubtedly, that smooth-talking tongue of his was going to be an impending problem. You don’t know where he got off exactly on such scandalous thoughts, but you were too consumed in your own lust to care. The way he fucked you against that door with one hand scraping at your hip and the other wrapped up your throat, fingers pressing hot into your drooling mouth to keep you quiet, it was more bliss than a one-way ticket to Eden. Jeonghan timed his orgasm appropriately, slipping himself from your warmth at the last second and finishing himself off using the hand which had been maintaining your silence. His breaths were slow but husky in the aftermath, his fingers painted in cum.

“You wouldn’t want to use that pretty mouth of yours to clean this, would you?” He laughed.

Before you could respond, Jeonghan had grabbed some paper towels left to sit on a shelf and cleaned the mess himself. Then, as though nothing had happened, he asked if you were carrying that damn Love Card before you could even flatten down the wrinkles in your skirt. You grabbed the small note purse you set down next to the paper towels and revealed the obnoxiously coloured card. Jeonghan smiled.

“That’s the one.” He took a dry erase marker from the shelf and wrote his initials in the first circle.

“Here,” Jeonghan proceeded to offer back the card, “one session down. I need to scram. The hall should be clear at this hour, but have a cab ready just in case you need to bolt fast. Oh—before I go, you got the money to pay the driver? It’s no problem if you’re short. I can cover.”

“N-No, I should have enough.” You answered.

“Cool. I’ll transact you tonight.” Jeonghan nodded, tucking in his shirt rather poorly before slipping past you to exit the storage closet.

One week later, you were at the entrance to the library, pulling open the door with a big, cold huff. It was much warmer inside. You were beginning to feel the tips of your stiff fingers again.

Despite your service at the Love Café, you wanted one last time to test your luck on a receptionist position at the downtown hair salon, simply because you would think better of yourself if you weren’t relying chiefly on Jeonghan to pay your bills. His last transaction had been more than you anticipated. Finally, you were able to erase that huge electricity bill, and you still had enough of the money left over to supply some warm meals for the next few days. If you could just submit your newest resume to the salon, then you might be able to permanently cover the groceries.

Except, you needed access to a computer.

Ever since you tipped over a glass of water onto your old laptop, it had stopped working properly, and the library was the only place close by which let you use the computer room without fees. However, as you peered in through the backroom window to find an open space, you realized just how crammed full it was. Judging by everyone’s intense typing and unblinking eyes, you weren’t going to steal a seat anytime soon, which pulled out a frustrated sigh as you fiddled with the USB in your pocket. You thought about heading home, until you saw Jeonghan.

He was seated at the distant left corner, leaned back comfortably in the chair while he examined something on his laptop. A gym bag was slid underneath the table, and he was dressed as though he had some sort of sports practice; quite the contrary to his usual crisp, ironed shirts and heavy winter coats courtesy of brands you couldn’t pronounce. He seemed concentrated, chewing on his thumb nail while he tapped the touch pad. In fact, he didn’t notice that you had approached him until you said his name quietly from across the table and his eyes flickered.

“Uh, hey.” Jeonghan replied, sounding bothered while he pushed his thumb harshly against his bottom lip. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“And I didn’t expect to see you.”

He shrugged, maintaining his uninterested glance on the laptop screen. “Well, I’m looking over some notes. Last minute stuff.”

You nodded. “What’s with the duffle bag?”

“My friend Joshua – he’s been making me coach this Peewee soccer team with him at the Greenfield Dome.” Jeonghan puffed out his chest, letting an arm fall loosely to his side. “Those kids are insane. They have too much energy. I shouldn’t have let that bastard sweet talk me.”

At that, you giggled, though immediately hushed yourself when the librarian came by with a metal cart, filled with books to shelve. You stepped around the table to move out of her way. Jeonghan pulled out the chair beside him using his foot and nodded that you take a seat.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

You reached into your pocket and pulled out the USB.

“I need to upload my new resume. I mean, I probably won’t hear anything back from this place, ‘cause that’s how it usually goes. But, whatever. Thing is, I busted my laptop, and now the computer room is filled up. I’ll just come back later and hope it’s cleared out.” Staring down at your shoes, you avoided Jeonghan’s gaze. “I know I’m doing this Love Café stuff, but it would still be nice to have my own income, you know?”

“I get that.” He replied, scratching at his collarbone. “I’ve already got my laptop here and everything. You can use it, if you want.”

“Really?” You smiled wide. “Thanks.”

Jeonghan closed a few tabs that he’d been rotating between before sliding his laptop over to you. Wriggling the memory stick into the small slot at the side, you logged into your email account through the main search engine. As long as you could send your resume to the salon before they closed their application deadline, then you would hope for the absolute best, even if it was an unstimulating, lacklustre gig answering phones and scheduling hair appointments all day. Just as you went to drag the file into your email, Jeonghan’s laptop froze.

“Uh, Jeonghan,” you whispered, “nothing’s moving. Do I just wait? Does this normally happen? Did I screw something up?”

He shook his head and laughed. “Relax, relax. It’s been doing that a lot recently. I figured out if you hold down these keys—” Jeonghan suddenly scooted his chair in very close, his thigh pressing against yours as he reached a hand underneath your arm, the other lightly nudging your fingers off the keyboard, “then it goes back to normal. See?”

“O-Oh, yeah. It’s working.” You stuttered, not all staring at the specific keys he clicked because the side of his face was much too pretty.

Granting you access to the keyboard again, Jeonghan leaned away, though he didn’t move his thigh from yours even an inch. It was almost concerning how flustered you felt. Jeonghan had literally pinned you against a closet door and fucked his own hand right in front of you, and yet, your heart was fluttering tenfold. In a much different way. And it lit this spark of fear and adrenaline at the core of your chest like gasoline hitting a wicked flame. You detached the USB stick, logged yourself out from the email account, and moved quickly off the seat.

In a hurried breath, you said, “thanks so much!” and proceeded to leave the library as though someone were trailing you with a pitchfork.

While it was embarrassing, you knew it was necessary. There was no way you were going to crush on that boy. It was strictly business.

Tired. Aching.

Uncomfortable moisture covering the slopes and divots of your body. You didn’t think there was anything left inside you for him to so commandingly take, like his name were inked to your each and every limb. And yet, Jeonghan wasn’t ready to let you rest. The mattress dipped behind you, the heat of his chest sticking to your back, the weight of his erection pressed right at your tailbone. While his lips kissed softly up your neck, Jeonghan slid his hand in between your thighs to continue pleasuring you, ignoring the responsive whimpers attached to your sensitivity. He’d already brought you to two orgasms, though you were sensing the overbearing rush of a third.

An index and middle finger slid down to your entrance, the contact beyond slippery, a sort of wet velvet, and you hardly recognized the sensation unlike the first time he’d touched you. Jeonghan hooked the digits deep, using the heel of his palm to rub a thorough friction against your clit. Working faster and faster, his laboured breaths fanned hot across your neck while he sharply concentrated on making you starry-eyed. It was pain. It was bliss. It was exactly what you wanted most and everything you couldn’t endure at the same time. You came heavily, screamed as the pulsation at your core felt almost violent.

Unable to fully ride out the pleasure, you attempted to curl away from Jeonghan, hiding your face in the pillows and further tilting your hips. However, the boy followed your movement. He stayed snug to your back, practically leaned over top you with the latter arm braced next to your head while his hand pounded and pounded. The amount of liquid gushing onto his fingers and spilling down his wrist felt almost comical, and you were certain that you had never orgasmed so intensely in your life. To make matters worse, it seemed as though he’d taken that little memory box in your head filled with all your language and tossed it right out the damn window. You couldn’t form one word other than sobs.

Jeonghan breathed a light, shaky chuckle beside your ear. “Trying to run from me, sweetheart? When I can make you feel so good? Look at how much you can take, honey. Such a good girl when you cum so fucking hard ‘round my fingers I can barely move them.”

The sound of his digits sliding out from your entrance was the most impure, salacious noise you didn’t know could exist. Rolling slowly onto your back, you saw the immediate coating on Jeonghan’s hand and the drops beading down his wrist. He caught one with his tongue, licking all the way back up like he was cleaning the juice from a melted popsicle, and you almost couldn’t watch him. In fact, you were exhausted. There wasn’t anything left for you to offer, and the thought of moving from his bed when your core felt this utterly sore and your muscles this tight set a perfectly timed cue for your eyes to fall shut. It was heavenly.

Nonetheless, Jeonghan had a very specific rule. There was no staying past your session, and he was often strikingly clear about it. But  this was the first time you’d been pushed to such a degree. He must be able to recognize that it was only a short nap you needed, and perhaps a quick minute under the shower to rid your skin of the sticky sweat.

Out of the blue, something was tossed onto your face. It was your t-shirt earlier stripped and thrown to the floor by Jeonghan. Cracking an eye open and peeling away the fabric to hang loosely from your grip, you sighed. He had already slipped back into his exercise pants.

“Seriously? I’m exhausted.”

He threw a loose flannel over the long, beaming red scrapes that you had clawed down his back, shaking his head with a huff.

“I’m not saying you need to get out right now. I’ve got a dinner with the parents at eight.” Jeonghan proceeded to drop the rest of your undergarments onto bed. “So, you gotta be gone by a quarter to, alright?”

Swallowing dryly, you nodded.

“Alright.”

The next morning, you were seated on the edge of your bed, staring with bleary eyes at the smooth, red Love Card that was initialed to its fifth circle, leaving only eight more sessions with Jeonghan. Though you approached the café with nothing more than an intention to earn money (even if the sex would be inexplicably dull), you were beginning to presume that there was more to this business than you thought. Because the sex wasn’t dull. It was concerningly amazing. And the very man who you had sworn to maintain a no-strings-attached type relationship with was throwing you for a loop. But he was boundary driven.

Be ready to go by this time. No sparkly clothes. Leave nothing in the washroom. Don’t show up here. Don’t show up there. Don’t text me unless this. Don’t call me unless that. Jeonghan knew very explicitly that you were a simple trick to relieving his stress and fulfilling his sexual desires, yet, anything further than that was laughably impossible. And, besides, it’s not like you needed to be in love or have this dazzling, perfect boyfriend. There was too much on your plate already.

You had gone to bed in a thick wool sweater, layered with the heaviest comforter you had due to the broken heating. Ignoring the cold, your next-door neighbours had found themselves in another drunken argument, forcing you to hear the unnerving crack of beer bottles and an outrageous number of insults, ranging from the very straightforward, ‘ridiculous bitch” to the audacious, “go fuck yourself, narcissistic prick.”

Thankfully, the dramatics ended just before three am.

You set the Love Card back on your nightstand. After you splashed mild water onto your face from the sink, you started multitasking, attempting to brush your teeth and remove your pyjama bottoms at the same time. Then, there was a knock at your door. You spared a glance through the peephole while the toothbrush hung from the corner of your mouth and the frigid air hit your bare legs. Upon recognizing the face reflected through the fisheye lens, you nearly choked on the mint-flavoured spit collected at the back of your throat, which forced you to unpleasantly compose yourself at the kitchen sink.

He knocked again, and you pulled the door open almost immediately, probably appearing as though you just hiked through the wilderness. Jeonghan’s eyes widened as he smiled at you.

“Damn. Sleep well?” He remarked, looking you up and down.

You were in the midst of a yawn as you answered. “Um, yes. I-I mean no. Wait, I don’t know what I’m saying. What was the question?”

Jeonghan nodded. “I’ll take that as a no.” He then reached into the pocket on his flannel coat. “Anyways, I have your phone. You left it on my bedside table the other night. Figured it’s kind of useful, I guess.”

“Oh my god. I did that?” You winced, realizing you must have been so tired and discombobulated from Jeonghan blowing your brains out that you forgot. “It won’t happen again. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Leaning your temple against the door, you sighed. “How was that dinner thing with your parents? Was it any fun?”

The boy shook his head, pulling out his car keys and tossing them from hand to hand. “No. It was all business bullshit. What they want me to do with my future after I graduate uni. How to be responsible with my money since they think I’m gonna blow it in a few years. Trying to structure my life around stuff I don’t really give a damn about.”

“O-Oh…” You frowned, “well, was there at least good food?”

Jeonghan stopped playing with his keys and titled his head at you. “Yeah,” he said, his eyes gentle, “they had great red velvet cake.”

Unfortunately, your neighbours must have woken up and decided it was a little too peaceful at such an hour, because you heard a loud, clanging thump echo from the room beside yours, like someone had dropped a metal pot or pan on the ground. Of course, the yelling started.

It didn’t last nearly as long compared to the night before, just a few scolding comments which were ultimately muffled. You wondered what Jeonghan was thinking as he blinked at the neighbour’s door and realized how despairing the narrow, dimly-lit hallway looked. After visiting his high-end apartment numerous times based in the luxury core of the city, with its beautiful architecture and sparkle, you were frankly a bit humiliated he was witnessing this drab part of your life – the reason you were seeking his service in the first place. You apologized through your teeth for the commotion, though Jeonghan merely shrugged.

“It’s better than nothing, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true. But those two next door can be a handful sometimes. I don’t get it. If they hate each other, then just break up. Get divorced. It’s like they want to be miserable on purpose.”

“Bet you wish you could get the hell outta here, huh?”

“All the time.” You replied wistfully. “I’m thinking of going to the mall today, actually. I need a new bath towel. Whatever gets me away.”

“You want a ride there?” Jeonghan asked, shaking his keys.

At that, you smiled a little too wide. “Maybe.”

Carefully, you picked up a thin, glass bottle of pink perfume from the display counter, tilting the liquid back and forth as the lights gleamed off the gold nozzle. Everything inside the store was diamond bright and almost blinding, while the air smelled strongly of expensive floral. The employees were tailored in smooth, sophisticated suits, which made you more petrified than usual to touch anything, hence your very delicate inspection of the perfume as you waited for Jeonghan to finish his conversation with the front clerk. Since his father’s collection was sold at the boutique, Jeonghan seemed to have a cordial relationship with the staff, and they had recognized him almost immediately.

As most of their merchandise was quite expensive, you always ignored the boutique until Jeonghan suggested you stop by. It didn’t help that there was actually some cute clothing begging to be bought, though you knew one swift glance at the price tag would change your mind. You brought the perfume bottle close to your nose and inhaled lightly.

“What does it smell like?” Jeonghan asked.

You sniffed again. “It’s sweet, though it’s not strong.”

“Let me smell.” He said, and so you raised the bottle up to his nose. Jeonghan wrapped his hand around yours as he took a breath, shaking his head in disapproval. “That’s all wrong. I don’t like it.”

“It is kind of high schoolish.” You told him, setting the test bottle back onto the counter as though you were laying down a jewel. “I just need a new scent, you know? I actually love that one bottle your mom did, the summer tropic one. It’s so peachy but mild. I’m running out.”

“For real?” Jeonghan laughed, his eyes skipping over the different shaped containers. “You use one of my mom’s perfumes?”

“Um, yeah. Have you even smelled the tropic one? It’s amazing.”

“I don’t hang around her laboratory too often.” He replied. “It gives me a big fucking headache. Smells like this place times a hundred.”

You shrugged. “I guess that’s understandable.”

Suddenly, Jeonghan had latched his hand around your elbow, pulling you around to the opposite side of the counter. He grabbed a tall, slim bottle that was made from foggy glass and a chrome silver pump.

“C’mon, give me your wrist for a second.” He said. “Try this scent. I don’t know why, but it reminds me of you.”

Pulling up your sleeve, you stuck out your wrist and allowed him to spray a thin layer against the skin. Then, you sniffed the area. At first, your forehead crinkled as you attempted to decipher its concoction of notes. There was something a little fresh and cool, but then there was this oddly mature hint of a distinguished floral scent. You couldn’t pinpoint the flower, but it was certainly addictive and very intriguing.

“It’s called Orchid Night. Smells great, right?”

“Yeah,” you smiled, rolling your sleeve back down “just don’t tell me what it costs. It has to be at least fifty bucks.”

“Try sixty-nine,” Jeonghan corrected, “plus tax, don’t forget.”

Immediately, you grabbed the bottle from his hand and returned the perfume to its small podium on the countertop.

“Well, let’s put it back before we break it.”

Jeonghan smirked. “I could buy it for you.”

For a split second, you were tempted to succumb, though you snapped from the thought at the last second and shook your head.

“No way. I wouldn’t let you, anyways.”

He buried his hands in his pockets, rolling those gold-copper eyes of his. Jeonghan made sure to purposefully bump into you as he walked down the bright aisle toward the clothes. “Honestly, you’re so boring, man. That scent, on you? It would be sexy.” The boy then turned around to smother you with a burning gaze. “But, fine. Have it your way.”

You hurried after him, scoffing lightheartedly to camouflage the fact your heart was beating like a broken pendulum. Jeonghan had stopped at a rack of neatly pressed clothing to sort through the hangers.

“My way is the better way,” you smiled, “always.”

Jeonghan moved the long-sleeved button-up he’d been eyeing back onto the rack, merely blowing out a puff of air.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Besides, I still need to get my bath towel.”

“We can find it on the bottom floor. At the new essentials store that just opened up. The Shower Duck, I think.”

“The Shower what?”

He couldn’t help but cackle while repeating himself. “The Shower Duck. You thought I said something else, didn’t you?”

When you were too tongue-twisted to reply, Jeonghan decided to place his fingers softly on your chin, holding your head still as he leaned in very closely to whisper, “you’re such a dirty girl, you know that?” You almost hated how casually he pulled away and continued to examine the clothing, as though he hadn’t just murmured a lascivious comment into your ear while the employees were standing a mere few meters across the store. More than anything, you desired the courage to deservingly tease him in return, to break that relaxed little shtick of his. Except, you weren’t confident nor subtle enough to attempt anything in public.

But when your eyes landed on that brand-new lingerie set wrapped primly on the nearest mannequin, you had a wonderful idea.

“No, are you being serious? Why? Why?”

His blunt fingernails sunk into the leather arms of the desk chair, scraping upward, as equally frustrated with your cruel antics as he was aroused and impatient. Maybe it was somewhat meanspirited to strut the thin, beautiful lace and ribbons curled around your body in a baby pink, and indeed, there was a moment where you pondered leniency, though, you severed the thought, because Jeonghan would surely tear each garter and bow from your outfit like it hadn’t cost anything at all. Pursing your bottom lip, you smiled, sinister and cold.

“I am being serious,” you stated firmly, nearing closer to his desk chair, “your hands won’t touch a single part of me, Jeonghan.”

He glared up at you with a dark, flickering fire in his eyes,  as if he were already weighing the consequence to breaking such rules. You began to sit comfortably on the boy’s lap, curling your arms around his neck while maintaining the intensity of the stare.

“And, if you do, I’ll grab my things and leave. It’ll just be you and your hand, for the rest of the night.” Purposefully, you brushed delicate lips, featherlight, along his warm, red-tinged ear, to which you could practically feel him harden underneath you upon the whisper, “and there’ll be nothing you can do other than remembering how good it felt when I was in your lap, grinding down on you, baby boy, just like this.”

Slowly and with focus, you rolled your hips in a deep, smooth gyration, ensuring Jeonghan felt the heavy pressure against all the right places. His hands keened for your waist, so you immediately reminded him of your unnegotiable rules, forcing them to settle on the arms of the chair. He drew in a sharp breath. And then, he started to laugh, like a beaten protagonist receiving their first, acrid taste of defeat. Jeonghan titled his head back to smile very lazily at you.

“Evil.” He said. “You’re fucking evil.”

“Mmhm,” you agreed, continuing the unhurried, steadfast pace of your hips rolling back and forth, observing with poorly hidden glee as the boy lost his smile, “but you’ll still cum, won’t you, Jeonghan?”

Before he could sneak in a clever rebuttal, you adjusted yourself even lower onto his lap, digging your nails down the back of his neck as you circled a thorough motion against his erection. Admittedly, it was difficult to maintain the domineering act. Even through the black material of the slacks, his cock was managing to create a friction with your lace underwear, a friction so rough yet fruitless that you were already tempted to take him, full and aching inside you. In order to distract yourself, you licked the tender side to Jeonghan’s neck, looping your tongue in a messy, warm pattern overtop a sensitive vein.

“Ff-fuck,” Jeonghan stuttered, scraping harshly along the chair, “you devilish little girl, c-can’t believe you’re g’nna make me cum like this—b-but it feels so damn good the way you’re moving, baby.”

You suckled until you’d drawn a shiny, wine-coloured hue to the surface of Jeonghan’s skin, to mark a dark bruise as a keepsake. He kept breathing through a parted mouth, each exhale shakier and more erratic than the last, his knuckles hard like stone while they gratingly tensed and betrayed his frustration at not being able to touch you. With slow, teasing hands, you began to drag them down his chest, nails clawing at the expensive fabric of his dress shirt. Jeonghan squirmed. He clenched his jaw and cursed rough under his breath. You focused on where his cock was poking you to apply the most dizzying pressure thus far, rolling your hips until something inside Jeonghan snapped and you felt him cum.

“Jesus—fuck!” He shouted, the loudest you had ever heard the boy, and there was a notable tear in his usually soft voice. “Keep going, keep going,” Jeonghan panted, squeezing his eyes shut, “keep fucking moving just like that, sweetheart. A-Ahh, ff-fuck, feels s-so good—"

At the pulsating sensation right beneath your core, you submitted to Jeonghan’s wish and continued grinding down, even if you were beginning to tire at your lack of stamina. However, there came a point where you were too breathless to maintain such a pace, so you trickled to a halt and steadied your hands on his firm shoulders. He tossed his head back, neck leaned against the edge of the chair. The hazy, glass look to his brown eyes and the rose glow smeared on each cheek made it appear as though he’d just touched down from heaven. As you shifted slightly in Jeonghan’s lap, you noticed the white stream of cum that had soaked through his pants, and that somehow, he was still hard.

“I didn’t know you could beg, Jeonghan.” You remarked, grinning, meanwhile attempting to catch your breath.

He shook his head. “Don’t expect it too much.”

“Well, I can tell you’re satisfied, either way.”

He chuckled, brushing some of the loose hairs from his face. You felt his hands settle upon your waist’s bare skin, warm and squeezing. In that moment, you just didn’t possess the same acuteness to scold him.

“Almost,” Jeonghan huffed, “but, what do you suppose you’ll do to please yourself, sweetheart?” He leaned forward, until his forehead was just a sliver away from bumping yours, the boy sliding a hand down your abdomen and beneath the lace underwear. As he stroked the tips of his fingers along your slit, he smirked. “I’ve never felt someone so wet before, dripping all over my fingers and I’m barely touching you. Did it turn you on that much, sweetheart? Feeling my hard cock right underneath this needy pussy of yours?” Jeonghan teased with a smirk and a low, calm tone. You couldn’t tell if you wanted to duct tape his mouth shut or allow him to keep talking, as there was something about his honeyed voice which wound you up like clockwork.

Yet, before you could even start the syllable of a response, Jeonghan pushed you strongly from his lap, his hands glued to your waist as he guided you to stumble against the bed. Your back hit the mattress, the sheets puffing up around you. And then, Jeonghan was kissing you, lips clashing messily while he took advantage of the switched power dynamic to run his hands over your every inch. One second, they were cupping your breasts overtop the baby pink bralette. Another second, they were grabbing at your ass and kneading so desperately. You were being ravaged. It was overwhelming, it was gratifying, it was needed beyond belief.

“Hey,” Jeonghan said, separating his mouth from the side of your throat to stare at you with an oddly sentimental eye, “before I get all up in your guts and everything— you look beautiful. Even if you did choose this outfit to be a big fucking tease.” His fingers brushed down the edge of your jaw, and he smiled at you in a way that wasn’t clever or teetering on sarcasm. Your heart leapt like a little frog in your chest.

“Really?” You questioned him, not because you didn’t believe the lingerie suited your figure, but rather, you weren’t expecting this sweetness from someone who was always so quick to get rid of you.

He nodded, raising a suspecting eyebrow. “Yeah, really. What, you think I’m lying to you or something?”

“No, I don’t think that,” you answered quickly, curling your fingers into the bedsheets, “I just—I wasn’t… Uh, never mind.”

“Alright,” Jeonghan laughed, lowering his head to delicately kiss your cheek, and then your neck, “you’re a bit strange sometimes, you know that?” He mumbled against the sensitive skin, even daring to dig his knee between your thighs to make you increasingly pliable.

“I-I know,” you stuttered, unable to help your embarrassing voice crack. But you still smiled, letting Jeonghan explore and pleasure your body with an uncharacteristic tenderness for the remainder of the night.

Twelve am.

Usually, at this time, you’d be at the bottom floor of his apartment complex, seated by the lobby water fountain. You’d be examining your face with a pocket mirror, awaiting the yellow taxi cab, and trying to avoid eye contact with the wealthy businesspeople filtering from the elevators in glamourous congregation.

However, tonight was different.

Tonight, you were in Jeonghan’s bed, with a white sheet covering the lower half of your bodies, an ear pressed to his bare, warm chest while you breathed him in like the wind on a bright summer’s day. You felt his fingertips trace long figure eights down your spine and then dance back up to the subtle curve of your shoulder blades. Sometimes it tickled, other times it was a touch so soft it was hardly there, and in between you thought he might have been tracing words. The room was quiet. But good quiet— the comfortable quiet. And then you heard Jeonghan speak into the crown of your head while his hand stilled at your waist.

“Did that salon ever call you back?” He asked.

You sighed, focusing on your thumb which brushed a small freckle on his pectoral muscle. “They emailed me, and said their position was already filled, but that they’ll try to look for another opening.”

Jeonghan rubbed your hip. “That’s good, right? I mean, they didn’t just flat out reject you. They’re gonna keep you in mind.”

“It’s better than what I’m used to getting,” you answered, pressing your lips together and tilting your head up at him.

And, that’s when it struck you, like someone had just clanged a bell right beside your head. You were still in Jeonghan’s bed. You were still in Jeonghan’s apartment. You were still with Jeonghan. Feeling as though you’d broken some vastly significant cardinal rule, you operated on a strange basis of panic and autopilot, already seated at the edge of the mattress while you tucked your underwear back on.

“I’m sorry,” you spewed, reaching for your shirt next and straightening it out frantically in your lap, “the time escaped me. I-I know I have to go. And, my Love Card, I think it’s in my purse or—”

“Can you slow down?” Jeonghan laughed, casting a hand through his loose, disarrayed hair which you had admittedly tugged earlier in the night like your life depended on it. The boy’s arms circled around your midframe, hugging your back to his chest. “I don’t care about that stupid card right now,” Jeonghan hummed into your ear, “stay.”

At that, you almost choked. “Stay? You want me to stay?” You repeated dumbly, dropping the inside-out shirt back onto your lap.

The coldest shiver split down your spine as Jeonghan buried his face against your neck, taking a breath of your scent, kissing your skin.

“Yeah,” he purred, now pecking the soft spot behind your ear, “I want you to stay. Or, if you really want to go home, I won’t stop you.”

“No,” you replied almost immediately, melting into his voice, his touch, his body, “trust me, I’d rather be here.”

Jeonghan’s arms relaxed their snug grip.

“I figured that.”

Even though you had strongly protested the idea, Jeonghan succeeded at wearing you down akin to an ocean tide forming whorls into rock, and now you were seated before your vanity with an array of makeup scattered at your fingertips as you prepared for a dinner. His parents were going to be there, in addition to some business partners and close friends, which sounded like something from a hellish nightmare. In fact, Jeonghan himself didn’t seem all that eager to attend. He’d been sprawled across your bed for the past half hour, with the long drapes of his coat fanned around him, as he flipped through an old magazine. You were certain he just didn’t want to tough another dinner alone.

After focusing a spritz of perfume to your neck (the orchid one, bought by Jeonghan, because he was very insistent that you not smell like his mother) you shut off the vanity lights and sighed.

“I think I’m ready… Physically though, not mentally.”

Jeonghan yawned, tossing the magazine aside before he pushed himself to sit upright on the bed. He rubbed at his eye.

“Trust me, it’s not going to be the big, royal midnight ball that you’re picturing. My parents have these dinners all the time. You’ll be the centre of attention for a few minutes, and then it’s pretty much just business central from there. You’ll be lucky if you can even get a word in. I stopped trying months ago.”

You smiled at him, feeling slightly better about the situation, and took one last, scrutinizing glance in the mirror. The dress was simple yet elegant, a mute shade of dark blue with a beaded, crystal belt that you had forgotten about, as you discovered it laying behind a stool shoved in your closet. The fabric had an elastic tightness to it and was hemmed shorter than you remembered, just above your fingertips. You tried not to judge or overthink the figure which reflected in the vanity glass, or what Jeonghan’s parents might assume upon their first introduction to someone who was so clueless on their accolades. It was merely a dinner.

“Stop worrying so much,” Jeonghan hummed, sensing that you were at the forefront of a spiral. His hands settled to your hips and he caught your eye through the mirror. “No one is going to judge you, or poke fun at you, or say anything mean. I promise.” He then grabbed your winter coat off the bed, helping you slide into the arms, and even doing up the buttons. “You’re gorgeous.” Jeonghan said, tapping your chin.

It didn’t help that he could fluster you so easily.

Joshua wasn’t at all who you expected him to be, while simultaneously encompassing everything you would indeed expect from the position of Jeonghan’s closest friend. He was a juxtaposition personified. Slick, ash blonde hair combed into a handsome wave, eyes which twinkled like the restaurant’s diamond chandelier, and a soothing voice which could be a cup of warm milk on a frosty day, though his interactions with Jeonghan portrayed him as childlike and frivolous. He greeted you, at first with a quick hug. You heard him exhale deeply.

“Wow,” Joshua commented, retreating to shake your hand, “you smell amazing! I mean—well, I hope that doesn’t sound weird.”

You laughed, and wondered how someone could smile with such a prettiness. “Thank you! I’d be upset if you didn’t notice, actually.”

Joshua continued to shake your hand. “Oh, yeah, agree. It’s wonderful to meet you. Jeonghan’s been trying to hide you, it seems.”

“Go shove a break stick in your mouth,” Jeonghan scoffed, blowing a loose piece of hair from his eyes, “and stop shaking her hand like that. You’re gonna snap her whole arm off.”

Finally, Joshua released his grip, and your arm fell back to your side like a limp noodle. His cheeks were starting to turn pink.

“I was not. Anyways—” he nodded at you, “like I said, nice to meet you. I hope we’ll talk more tonight and I’ll pick your brain.”

“Sure thing,” you answered, waving the boy off as he returned to the dinner table before facing Jeonghan. “He seems nice.”

“And totally into you. I haven’t seen him shake someone’s hand like that since I introduced him to Elouise from France. He’s gonna turn into a lost puppy all over again. Bet he’ll try to sweet talk you later.”

“Can’t wait.” You grinned, already giggling through your teeth.

Jeonghan c0nsquently thwapped your forehead with his finger.

However, meeting Jeonghan’s parents was starkly different than the good-humoured Joshua. They both appeared cross, and firm, and before you had even shaken their hands you were forced to wipe yours against your dress. The father was a bit softer around the edges, showing you a pleased smile that reminded you instantaneously of Jeonghan, while the mother was stone-faced and seemed as though she hadn’t slouched since birth. Even when she complimented your fragrance, there was a tartness to her voice which made it sound disingenuous.

“Well, Jeonghan,” she said, clasping her hands together, “I’m glad to finally see you with a lovely lady on your arm. I didn’t think it was possible that you could settle for someone after being with Baejin.”

“Oh?” The father piped up, “you’re my son’s girlfriend?”

Before you could respond, Jeonghan had beaten you to it.

“No, she’s…” he bit his lip hard, “she’s just a friend. Mom kept nagging that I always come to these dinners alone, and she was down.”

For some reason, it felt like someone had pierced a pin straight through your heart – a very tiny hole which shouldn’t hurt all that much, yet stung like flesh to orange, glowing metal. In fact, there was a visible shift in your countenance, from a nervous smile to a sunken frown, but you were able to veil it very quickly and pretend nothing was wrong. Why should you feel so disappointed that Jeonghan had introduced you as a friend? The promiscuous nature of your relationship didn’t immediately loop you two together as soulmates, or lovers, or even the mildest beginnings of boyfriend and girlfriend. You tried to refocus yourself.

Jeonghan’s mother nodded. “Even if she isn’t your next Baejin, it’s nice to meet a new face. The dinner talk might bore you no doubt.”

“No, not at all—” you forced a smile, “I’m just excited to be here.”

It was easier to endure the night than you thought, because true to Jeonghan’s word, the conversation was a bunch of business lingo that you didn’t exactly understand, with the occasional question flitted to you by Joshua who sat across the table. You had completely emptied your glass of ice water, and were halfway through your wine when two fancy, tuxedoed servers stopped by the table to collect everyone’s dishes. A distant relative was seated to Jeonghan’s right, and they had swept him into a discussion of whether or not he was interested in pursuing his current degree or if he would abandon it to work fulltime for his father’s brand. Meanwhile, Joshua had whisper-shouted your name.

You raised an eyebrow, “what?”

“Are you getting dessert?” The blonde asked, already shoving a small, plastic menu to his face. “I can’t decide what I want.”

“I guess so,” you picked up an extra menu sitting by a purple wine bottle and started to browse the list of decadent food.

Joshua sighed, “I usually get the cheesecake… but, I’m torn. What if I want the caramel apple baked pudding with black truffles?”

“The caramel apple baked what?” You questioned, laughing from the absolute mouthful that Joshua just worded so effortlessly.

“I know, I know. It’s a jumble. But my family and I come here all the time so I’ve gotten these names down pat. What are you thinking?”

“Um, I’m not sure. I’ve never been here before, actually.”

His eyes, glistering and delighted, locked with yours. “Can I recommend you something, then?” Joshua said while smiling. “Red velvet cake. It’s right at the bottom. Not to mention the slice is huge so there’s always leftovers for the next day. It’s a favourite here.”

The relative responsible for dragging Jeonghan into another trite conversation concerning his future had excused themselves from the table. He was finally able to return his attention to you, and you slid over the dessert menu so he could pick something. You noted that Jeonghan’s hand had fallen onto your thigh, right at the hem of your dress, and you could only surmise that trouble was brewing. Joshua took a sip from his water glass, then settled it back on the table while subtly eyeing you.

“So, I’ve never seen you around before. Are you in school?”

You tapped your nails against the white table cloth, shaking your head, “no—I had to drop my program. It just wasn’t what I thought it would be and, well, I took a huge hit financially. So, no school.”

“Not everything is going to be a bullseye,” Joshua said, “I’m sure there’ll be more opportunity down the road. This other friend of mine, his name is Mingyu, he does this thing called the Love Café—” the boy then gestured to Jeonghan, “and I know he’s done it once before. Have you heard of it? Maybe it’s not up your alley, but I hear it’s good money.”

The suggestion had quite visibly stunned you. It seemed that Jeonghan was intent to keep the foundation of your relationship as covert as possible, which prompted his ‘friends’ comment before dinner, therefore you had no choice but to follow the rouse, even if the boy was currently sliding his hand further up the inside of your thigh, pushing inch by inch under your dress. Jeonghan didn’t contribute a single word.

“Um, the name sounds familiar. I’ll have to look it up.” You then glanced at him, hanging his head over the menu like a child who forgot their glasses, probably hiding some million-watt smirk.

“Are you having dessert?” Joshua asked his friend.

Jeonghan sat up straight, nodding, “I am.”

“The red velvet cake?”

“Vanilla ice cream. The one that comes on the skillet.”

“Oh, that one’s seriously good,” Joshua groaned, “ask them to put a chocolate chip cookie on the side. It gets all warm and—”

“Joshua,” the young lady beside him, probably in her late twenties, with petal-shaped, twinkling eyes similar to his and ice-like smooth skin, suddenly wrapped her hand around his arm, “can you come outside with me for a few minutes? I think I left my wallet in the car.”

He pushed out his chair. “Sure thing—guys, I’ll be back in a few. I need to help my cousin. If the waiter comes, order for me please.”

While you might have promised Joshua to follow through on his unnecessarily complicated apple pudding, such thoughts were quick to be discarded the moment he’d left the table, as Jeonghan had given you much more to think about. The boy’s hand was wedged between the apex of your thighs with two fingers pressed flat against your underwear. You felt heat, and the faintest burning of pleasure, one that yearned for you to start a gentle undulation against his hand because your unruly body was already eager for stimulation. Jeonghan picked up his wine glass.

“What are you doing?” You tried to shelter the whisper from the table’s guests, hoping the business speech was too engrossing.

As laid back as an ironing board, Jeonghan took a long gulp from his drink, swishing the wine from cheek to cheek before he swallowed. He set the wide-rimmed glass back down and wiped his mouth.

“What do you mean, ‘what am I doing?’” He said, raising an eyebrow at you as though you’d conjured a make-believe tale. However, the instant he started to slide up his index finger so it could push firmly against your clit, a smirk penetrated that complacent expression.

You grabbed his wrist, stared him dead in those honey-brown eyes. “Are you insane?” the whisper was harsh, “we’re in public.”

He tilted his head indifferently. “What’s your point, love? I get to play with your pussy whenever I want. It’s mine now. Remember?”

The dirty-mouthed comment split a fire beneath your cheeks like a flint cracking steel. Not only that, but Jeonghan studied each minor contort of your face as he slipped two digits beneath your underwear, brushing his fingertips ever so softly around your sensitive clit. You gulped, dry and gritty, hating that your thighs were starting to spread.

“Jeonghan!” A voice called his name from down the table.

Fear gripped your poor heart like latex glove. It was an older relative, asking him to pass down the remaining bottle full of wine.

“Oh, such a nice boy!” She chirped.

You nearly gawked at the remark considering the immoral placement of his hand and what he was doing. On the contrary – as much as you wanted to be embarrassed for allowing Jeonghan to touch you in public viewing– he knew his talents much too well, and the manner in which he used your own arousal to lubricate the massaging motion of his finger to your clit was an astounding bliss. Your legs fell wider apart, inviting him to explore a more rigorous touch, and that’s when Jeonghan curled his two fingers inside of you until his knuckles couldn’t fit.

Before your pinched expression could be caught by anyone at the table, you looked straight down at your lap, watching his wrist work beneath the navy-blue fabric. In fact, very faintly, you could hear the squelch from his digits pumping deep and slow into your warmth. Your bottom lip was quivering as he drew them out, now running the long length of his fingers upward to graze beneath the hood of your clit. He repeated a stroking gesture. It triggered the nerves to swell and pulse.

“I see Joshua walking back,” Jeonghan murmured, an arrogance thick in his voice, “and you don’t want him to find out about this, do you? Or, maybe I’m wrong.” He slid his entire hand beneath your underwear and cupped your centre, squeezing like he owned it. “Maybe you want him to know you’re such a whore of a girl that you’ll take my fingers anywhere. I mean, look at how much you’ve opened your legs, and I didn’t even ask you to. I love when you behave just for me, honey.”

Joshua collapsed back at the table with a huff, combing some snow flurries from his hair. “We found the wallet.” He said.

Yet, you couldn’t even bring yourself to face him. Jeonghan had spread your lips with his index and ring finger, using his middle digit to make rhythmic, deep circles around the bud. An erotic whine escaped your teeth and Joshua’s eyes widened; his face tinged with concern.

“Are you alright?” He questioned. “Did you get a Charlie horse?”

“N-No, I’m fine, really.” You composed yourself with a weak smile, and took a sip from your wine. “I got one of those rib pains.”

The blonde boy winced. “Ouch, those hurt big time.”

Honestly, you didn’t think it was possible to endure dessert without revealing to some degree that you were being, well, stretched open by Jeonghan. It was sheer torture staring at the waiter while he took your order, knowing the boy was lazily pumping his fingers inside you with a half-smirk seated so comfortably to his face. When that huge, delicious slice of cream red velvet cake was placed before you on the table, you could only fork a few pathetic bites, and when Joshua offered you to try a spoonful from his warm apple pudding, you nearly squealed the word no as Jeonghan rolled your sore clit between his fingertips. The most egregious aspect to the entire daubable was that the boy stripped your orgasm from you at the very last second, like stopping a rollercoaster just before it tips over the downhill plummet.

“How was the ice cream?” Joshua asked him innocently.

You observed with horror as Jeonghan brought that sinful hand to his mouth, lapping his tongue against his two fingertips as though he were actually savouring a sweet and flavourful vanilla.

“Delicious.” He grinned, catching your mortified stupor from the corner of his eye. “I’d taste it again in a heartbeat, Shua.”

Dropping the slice of bread into a shallow bowl, you used the spatula to submerge it underneath the milk, egg and cinnamon mixture until it was completely coated. Then, you slid the bread onto your buttered frying pan to let its surfaces crisp and brown. Since you began utilizing the service granted by the Love Café, life at your depressing excuse for an apartment was becoming more bearable, though your ultimate goal would be to ditch the paper-thin walls and insult-spewing neighbours once money was no longer a prevalent issue. You were still insistent on supporting yourself too, if you could ever score a job.

You flipped the bread onto its opposite face, pressing it down with the spatula as the pan sizzled and the butter popped. A few days had passed since your last intimacy with Jeonghan, and the proof would have been stamped to your Love Card if the boy had actually written his initials like usual. The thing was, Jeonghan – who had always been so firm and unwavering on the rules of the café – was now skirting about the regulations as though they were optional. There were days when he didn’t even initial the card, but still delivered his transactions. In fact, you were almost positive that sex had happened more than twelve times and that you could be renewing your card if wanted (you didn’t).

As silly and cliché as it sounded, you liked Jeonghan. You constantly thought about him and missed him and wondered what he was doing while you were trapped in bed listening to another argument between your spiteful neighbours. There was always a deep, electric pounding in your chest upon weaving the tips of your fingers along his skin, touching him, exploring him. Yet, when he held you close, tucked your body tight against his like there was nothing surrounding you but ice, comfort found a home in your belly like a warm, homecooked meal.

After spilling some icing sugar and strawberries across the toast, now fried a delicious shade of golden-brown, you took a seat at the counter and dug in. There had been an occasion where Jeonghan brought you breakfast after warping your legs into complete gelatine (you had no idea that kitchen table sex could be so fiery and passionate), which proved to be a pleasant morning, where you could still feel the softness of his thumb as he kindly brushed some whipped cream from your bottom lip. You sighed, sticking a strawberry into your mouth. How foolish it might be to fall this far and this devotedly for someone like him.

But you didn’t want to stop yourself.

In fact, you reached for your phone across the counter, swiped into your messages, and decided to be bold. You texted him.

[  9:29 AM ]: Hey! I know that I’m not supposed to send you anything unrelated to our business lol, but

[9:29 AM ]: Just wondering if you’re available to grab a coffee with me or something along those lines?

Setting the phone down and turning it over so you wouldn’t be tempted to helplessly wait for a notification, you continued eating. After scraping the last few pieces of toast and syrup around the plate, there was a vibration and a quick, ding! Strangely, you were starting to sweat.

[ Jeonghan | 9:34 AM ]: Sorry. In a lecture rn.

Of course, your surge of bravery immediately dehydrated, and you decided it was best to pretend that you hadn’t asked him anything at all – for your confidence’s sake. The next two hours were spent cleaning the kitchen, taking a short walk outside the complex to feel the Northern air refresh your face, and finally, a long bath, in which you nearly fell asleep and drowned as the steam lulled your eyes shut. While wrapping your body snug in that new, hot pink bath towel, you heard a knock at the door. You assumed it was the painter who occupied the room directly below yours, as you had borrowed his vacuum the night before, though you weren’t exactly raving at the thought of answering him in a towel.

However, by squinting through the fisheye lens, you were shocked (and greatly relieved) to discover that it wasn’t the middle-aged painter dressed in his splattered, dirty overalls, but Jeonghan.

And he was holding a drink.

You unlocked the door.

“Uh, hello after all. What are you doing here?”

He smiled at you and held up the cardboard cup, “my lecture ended, and I thought I’d do you a solid. Couldn’t remember if it was two sugars-one cream, or two creams-one sugar. So I tossed a coin.”

“What exactly was the result?” You giggled.

“Heads,” Jeonghan answered, “two sugars-one cream it is.”

“You’re lucky that’s correct.”

Accepting the warm cup from his hand, you set it carefully on the kitchen counter. When you returned to the door, Jeonghan was evidently ogling you. He really suited the image of a casual university student when he wasn’t dressed to gems and jewels in his sumptuous clothing.

“I knew the hot pink towel would look good on you.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’m not dropping it, so forget it.”

“Whoa,” he chuckled, shaking his head, “I didn’t ask you to drop it, sweetheart. I’d rather you not actually, with this door wide open and everything.”

“Did I really just hear that from you, Mr, Dinner Table?” Folding your arms, you stared him down with an accusing expression.

He held up one finger in defense. “First of all, that was under the table, so unless someone bumped their fork or something, then we were pretty much safe. This is you dropping your whole towel right in the doorway like there isn’t a weirdo probably peeping you across the hall as we speak. And I’m not letting anyone look at you like that, ever.”

“Fine,” you sighed, hoping he couldn’t spot the flustered heart pumping your chest beneath the towel, “you’ve made your point.”

Jeonghan checked his silver wrist watch, “fuck. I gotta get going, need to be at the studio so I can be a taper dummy again.”

“Oh, okay,” you nodded, “talk to y—”

Suddenly, the boy was cupping each side of your face in his hands, and his lips pressed soft but quick to your forehead. Jeonghan then pinched your thigh under the towel, a gesture which felt oddly endearing rather than sexual, before he left the corridor.

“Later!” He’d called.

Shutting the door, you returned to your seat at the counter, holding the coffee cup up to your mouth as you took a small, nervous sip.

How could you let yourself fall this easily for him?

Jeonghan’s washroom was somehow nicer than your entire apartment, and you were fairly certain that your eyes had never seen so much white-grey marble, all squeaky-clean and aglow with lights. He’d shot you a text roughly an hour ago, right after he was released from the painful effort required to keep Joshua’s peewee soccer players in check, wondering if you were available to come over. Of course, the innocence to the term ‘come over’ was nothing more than a euphemism, a means of sugar coating what Jeonghan actually intended: to be inside you no doubt. And since the boy was so drained and unwilling to instigate any work himself, Jeonghan decided that a steaming, hot bath should do.

Well – a bath which involved you seated on his dick. The tub was dark grey tile, square-shaped, and practically the size of a small jacuzzi. It even had a bench to sit on. While it had been difficult at first to simply cockwarm the boy – when all you could feel was how deeply he spearheaded into your sensitive spot and how this shock would ripple from your abdomen at even his gentlest movement– you knew he wasn’t looking to make things quick and temporary. Therefore, you settled into his lap, wrapping your arms around Jeonghan’s neck while his circled your waist beneath the water. Both of you were starting to fall asleep.

“Jeonghan,” you whispered, lifting your head from his shoulder, only to remember that you were indeed naked and this heat lapping around you was definitely not a blanket, “can I tell you something?”

With his eyes still shut, he nodded, his fingers digging appreciatively at your hips. “Of course you can, baby.” He replied, his voice sounding deeper than usual as he orientated on the edges of sleep.

Smiling, you combed through the damp hairs at his nape, your voice reverberating like a musical instrument off the marble. “Remember the salon place? They called me two days ago, said they had an opening for me and that I could start next Monday. I… I wanted to text you about it, like, as soon as it happened. But I wasn’t sure if I should.”

“What? Really?” Jeonghan was staring at you now, his head straightened from its leisurely position against the edge of the tub and cocked with interest. The fact he seemed so intrigued, that you could read the genuine excitement building up in those brown eyes, had almost made you happier than the salon’s phone call. “Congratulations!” He leaned forward to kiss you, pecking your lips chastely the first time, and then slower come the second, his hands squeezing your thighs.

After a tiny laugh, you sighed contentedly. “Thank you. It’s going to be so nice having my own cashflow and everything. And if I can work my way up and become like, a kickass hair stylist? Can you imagine?”

“Should I grow my hair out more so you can practice cutting it? You’ve got a steady hand, don’t you?” Jeonghan asked, mostly teasing, as you could imagine his parents harping him during his next session at Opal Studio if he looked as though he’d ran through some hedge clippers.

Returning the affection, you kissed the rosy tip of his nose. “I think my hands are pretty steady. We’ll find out I guess, and we’ll know for sure if a huge chunk of your hair falls to the floor.”

Your laughter immediately mingled, and you hid your smile against the boy’s neck, a very moonstruck, loopy smile which felt like riding a blazing comet between the stars. If you were legitimately able to climb higher amongst the business, then you could picture a life in which you didn’t need to lean on Jeonghan and the Love Café for financial support. In fact, there were moments where you felt rather dirty using his money even when he was completely insistent on such matters, like buying food and paying off bills. You held tight to a certain hope, that you could become independent again, and maybe, just maybe, be able to keep this beautiful boy whom you once thought would hate you.

His fingers tapped up your spine, urging you to face him.

“Seriously,” Jeonghan said, “I’m happy for you.”

“I know,” you answered, so quietly he could hardly hear it.

And then, you decided to kiss Jeonghan, placing your damp hand upon his cheek while your mouths slotted together. The contact had lost its grace almost instantly, and the kiss turned from a sweet gesture to a sensuality so thick you could feel it swelter the air and pool between your legs. He offered his tongue for you to suckle by sliding it smoothly into your mouth, and from there, Jeonghan’s intended relaxation had vanished. His hands grazed to the front of your body, reaching up and sliding back and forth over each breast. It wasn’t until Jeonghan began massaging his thumbs in circular motions around your nipples that you moaned into his mouth, a sound which flicked a smirk to his face.

Once his lips were shiny and slick with your saliva, he moved each kiss down the side of your neck, now pinching at your nipples, even twisting gently and making sure to ease the dull throb by rubbing them afterward. It was becoming unbearable. You needed to move. However, the second you started a rhythm in Jeonghan’s lap, he shook his head.

“Be still,” he told you, lightly gripping your chin.

The desperation in your whine was horribly apparent, almost soaking each word. “No Jeonghan, I-I can’t do that anymore—” ignoring him, you continued to grind your hips and move the water around you, feeling his engorged head tick against that one spot of insane pleasure, “I need t’cum now, all over your cock.” With every bounce in his lap, you begged, “please, please, please.” This prompted Jeonghan to grab your waist much tighter than usual and slam you down, holding you still.

“No, not like that,” he grunted, and you wondered if his control was simply otherworldly or if he was just that talented at hiding how good he felt. “I’ll make you cum, sweetheart,” Jeonghan nodded, “but you can’t move. I just want you to sit there, all the way down.”

He then leaned in close to your face, nearly pressing his forehead to yours, and that’s when you felt his thumb brush with a featherlight, fleeting touch across your clit. The sudden stimulation jerked your body. Jeonghan bit his lip and grinned while continuing the sensitive touch, the pressure becoming heavier with each minute that passed. Your thighs started to tremble, and your moans were echoing around the washroom.

The honeyed dirty talk crawled up Jeonghan’s throat. “You’re such a cute little cocksleeve, sweetheart,” he purred, titling his head as he rubbed his thumb faster, “oh, look at you, baby. Shaking and crying and taking it like it’s the only thing you’re good for—” a messy kiss to calm you down, thin strings of saliva hanging in the air each time your mouths separated, “I bet you’re gonna cum for me soon, right?” The boy encouraged, keeping his forehead flush to yours so he could observe with utmost clarity the beautiful contortions of your face. “I know you are, sweetheart. Because it feels so good, right?” You nodded frantically, digging your fingers into his neck like a cat sinking in its claws. Jeonghan’s thumb pushed beneath the hood of your clit, directly massaging the soft bud, and the pleasure inside you leapt to a new high which made you dumbly lose all sense.

“Cum.” Jeonghan commanded so gently, his gaze burning against your eyes, squeezed shut. At the straightforward word, you allowed the sensation to swallow you like a current, and the hot, teary cry you mewled had been quickly snuffed as the boy pushed his lips to yours.

“Can feel you clenching so fucking tight around my cock,” he chuckled, digging his nose into your hair and speaking warmly beside your ear, “and how much you’re throbbing right under my thumb. Must feel so good, sweetheart, cumming all over me like such a good girl.”

You slumped against him, overwhelmed, emptied, and breathing so heavy that you were afraid the oxygen might dwindle completely from your lungs. The fact Jeonghan could remain so composed while buried to the hilt in your heat was something else that frightened you, though, in the moment, you preferred not to think about it, instead concentrating on the distant sensation of Jeonghan drawing galactic shapes to each your shoulder blades.

Hopefully, he’d let you stay the night.

Once you started the receptionist job at the hair salon, you had bumped into Joshua on a Friday evening. While his platinum blonde look was indeed enchanting and princely, he complained that it was difficult to maintain the roots, and that he often found himself back in the stylist’s chair for a touch up. He’d come in on a whim. Luckily – due to the late hour – there was an open seat, and Joshua puffed a great sigh of relief as he hooked his jacket onto the salon coat hanger. Curious if there was more behind the reason to his abrupt appearance, you conversed with him while he waited for the stylist to tidy up her work area.

That’s when Joshua informed you of the Opal’s Galleria Night, a fashion exhibition which would display Mr. Yoon’s newest edition for his upcoming Spring line. Joshua seemed surprised that you hadn’t known about the Galleria, or, that Jeonghan hadn’t mentioned it to you. Oddly enough, Jeonghan had been radio silent the past three days; not a phone call, or a voice memo, or even a text. Yesterday you had hoped to catch him stuck in the books at the library, but the area where he usually sat was occupied by a study group of freshman. It concerned you a little.

An ungraceful quickie in the washroom after his three-hour lecture ended on Tuesday was your last encounter. Not to mention, there was only one more opening left on your Love Card.

“He didn’t say anything,” you told Joshua, pretending to act indifferent “so… I don’t think he wants me there. It’s not a big deal.”

Yet, that’s not how you truly felt. There had to be some reason for the boy’s keeping you in the dark. Did he not want to explain the ‘friends’ trope to all the Galleria members, like at the dinner? Or, was he thinking that you wouldn’t be interested? It wasn’t easy to seem unphased.

“Jeonghan doesn’t need to invite you,” Joshua had said, “cause I’ll invite you myself. Mr. Yoon said it was more than  fine if I brought someone along. So, why not you? It’ll make the night more fun.”

At first, you vehemently rejected the invite, no matter how sweetly Joshua attempted to rope you into a night of free perfume samples, delicious catering food and a chocolate fountain perfect for dipping strawberries. However, when the hair stylist pulled Joshua away to fix his darkening roots, you had much time to mull over the offer, and even the fact you felt poignant about dismissing it. As you tapped a pen against the desk, staring out the window into the grey, dulling sky, you convinced yourself there could be no harm in attending the Opal’s Galleria Night. Besides, you and Jeonghan weren’t cast in stone. He probably wouldn’t bat any eyelash anyways, knowing his eased nature.

And so, you caught Joshua just before he left.

You told him you’d changed your mind.

When Jeonghan first saw you at the Opal Galleria, it was from across the ballroom that had been temporarily converted into an exhibition space, stood next to a mannequin draped in a cherub-pink slip dress. Almost comically, he gagged on some sparkling champagne held in a thin and tall glass, though he recovered smoothly as to not interrupt the conversation his father was sharing with the dense crowd. You waved at him, not too noticeably of course, but he either didn’t catch it or had decided to ignore the gesture. Shrugging, you tried not to overthink it.

Mannequins were lined up along both sides of the ballroom, adorned in the mild tones baring semblance to Spring, with the blips of baby blues, clementine oranges, and cream violets transforming the Galleria into an acrylic painting. Jeonghan’s mother took the opportunity to offer some spritzes from her most recent line, which had both you and Joshua smelling like a tulip garden. While exploring the room with the blonde boy, you stopped to examine a mannequin dressed in a relaxed, high-waisted pant and a lace camisole that seemed breezy and flowing. This collection was definitely tamer compared to the usual extravagance you had always seen through the store windows and in magazines.

“Would you wear it?” Joshua asked, chewing on a strawberry that he might as well have plucked from thin air.

Tilting your head and squinting, you took a moment to contemplate. “If it was my size I might, if I could find a price hanging off somewhere. But I don’t want to even touch it. Mannequins are weird.”

“No prices are usually displayed at the Gallerias,” Joshua informed you, “though, I will agree. It’s probably a Toy Story thing where they all start moving at night when no one’s here. Spooky, huh?”

You sighed at him, “thanks for the nightmare material.”

Suddenly, there was a tap to your bare shoulder, and you nearly yelped like a cat with a stepped-on tail as Joshua laughed between bites from his juicy strawberry. Turning around, you were met with Jeonghan, who had this flat-lined, unenthusiastic smile hardly touching the corners of his mouth. He looked rather agitated in fact, and you felt cold inside.

“Hey!” Joshua exclaimed, punching his friend’s arm. “Finally escape your dad’s novella-length speech on the pink slip?”

The crowd once gathered around the mannequin had started to disperse, with the visitors now exploring the rest of the outfits.

Jeonghan hardly payed any mind to his friend, throwing out an impatient, “yeah, it was whatever,” before he began questioning you. He started with a rather inhospitable, “why are you here?”

“I invited her,” Joshua announced, “since I ran into her at that salon place. I thought it would be nice and everything. The Gallerias can get pretty stiff if you come alone. Plus, there’s chocolate fountains.”

He appeared nettled, like he’d woken up and spilled coffee on his favourite shirt. You couldn’t place the exact emotion, nor could you identify the reason behind Jeonghan acting as though there were one-hundred choice words waiting to zap off the tip of his tongue. For an instant, you wondered if it would be worthwhile to question him, though there was a shout of the boy’s name and you spotted his parents beckoning him over from across the exhibition. Jeonghan merely rolled his eyes, disappearing just as quickly as he’d arrived to accompany them.

You folded your arms concerningly. “Do you know if something’s wrong? I haven’t seen him like that before.”

Joshua dropped the rest of the strawberry into his mouth. “He’s probably stressing over something. I wouldn’t worry too much. He’s not really one to blow up or get all in your face. I’ll talk to him later.”

Seeing as there were others who wanted to examine the camisole mannequin, you and Joshua seated yourselves at a tiny table right beside the chocolate fountain and catering foods. Though, you were unable to quell the curiosity at what Jeonghan was needed for, prompting your eyes to wander as unnaturally as possible in his direction. He’d just pulled a young woman into a hug, and she was positively gorgeous, dressed in a silk-fabric dress, form fitting and ruby red, with an elegant slit parting up to her right thigh. Her ponytail was slicked shiny as though her hair had been styled professionally, and she flaunted a dreamy smile that reminded you of a vintage female heroine.

And then, like a slap to the face, you realized she must be the woman whom Jeonghan’s parents seemed to be obsessed over.

Baejin, his ex-girlfriend.

She mentioned something into his ear, and they became giggly, the two pulling in again for another short hug. Jeonghan’s father gestured back to the pink slip mannequin, and the four walked over to discuss it for the umpteenth time. You wondered if she was going to be modeling some of the clothing. The assumption felt correct as Baejin touched the dress’ delicate fabric and the beaded, glimmering string tied around the tiny waist. Quickly, Jeonghan fetched the girl a champagne glass, the two drinking together while the father appeared to be entering another in-depth explanation. And, perhaps dignifiedly so, you were feeling mislead and upset. You speculated if this could be the reason for him to keep the Opal Galleria a secret – Jeonghan didn’t want you to catch even a glimpse of him reuniting with Baejin.

They hardly portrayed two ex’s who were now settled on different chapters to their lives. The longer you stared, the angrier, yet, more confused you felt. As you thought before, the odd relationship between you and Jeonghan was not set in stone, and it certainly didn’t ignite with the intention of actual love taking a blossom to your doorstep. It could be that you were jumping to conclusions, misreading things, or disillusioned by your tendency to wishfully think. Nonetheless, the sight still hurt.

Joshua bumped your elbow.

“Are you hungry at all? The scent from the catering tables is getting to me. I can grab a plate for you, if you want.”

With a sigh and a fragile smile, you shook your head. “No, I’ll come with you. Besides, you don’t know what I like anyways.”

“Fair enough.” Joshua agreed.

He stuck out his hand for you to take while rising from the chair.

Grabbing a small plate, you started at the end of the catering table and began making your way down, using the plastic tongs to serve yourself some spring rolls. Joshua filed after you, instead taking a bowl and scooping up some of the fresh zucchini pasta. Admittedly, you had lost your appetite after watching Jeonghan act so cordially with Baejin, though you were determined to not let the plight sour the otherwise enjoyable night you were having with Joshua. Once you reached the chocolate fountain, you swore a sparkle jumped into his eye.

“Why are you so obsessed with the fountain?” You had tried not to laugh as you asked the question.

The blonde boy looked aghast. “Because, it’s beautiful!” He picked up a strawberry arranged neatly around the base, dipping the edge briefly beneath the chocolate. “I mean, how can they make it so delicious and velvety? When I came to my first Galleria, I spent like, half my night just standing by the fountain, eating the fruit.”

You couldn’t help but think Joshua was adorable, and you grinned at him, “well, maybe I don’t have as much of a sweet tooth.”

“Just shush up and try this.”

He held out the strawberry, inviting you for a taste. At first, you paused, wondering if there was some flirtatious intention behind the gesture or if Joshua was just being his overtly kind self. And then, you held onto his wrist and took a bite from the strawberry, the warmth of the melted chocolate satin-smooth against your tongue.

Wiping the edge of your mouth, you nodded. “It is pretty tasty, actually. Let me try dipping it. You make it look weirdly fun.”

After setting down the catering plate, you took Joshua’s strawberry while he picked up a new one. Together, you pushed your fruits beneath the streaming chocolate, twisting it at the green leaf to fully coat the sides. So it wouldn’t drip, you immediately took a huge bite with a hand placed just below your mouth, humming contentedly.

“Okay,” you mumbled, still chewing, “I can see why you like this so much. I think I could get addicted to chocolate strawberry dipping.”

“Me too,” Joshua chuckled, “oh! Look, there’s whipped cream here and I didn’t even see it!” He set down his plate beside yours and grabbed the bottle like an eager little child. Popping off the cap, Joshua shook the can and pressed his fingertip against the nozzle, spraying a white-frosted peak onto the top of another strawberry. You copied him, though you had accidently sprayed too much. Once you licked the cream off your finger, you poked the entire fruit into your mouth like a funfetti-sized cupcake. For some reason, Joshua started giggling at you.

“What?” You glared at him playfully. “What’s wrong?”

Rosy tinges flushed to the arch of Joshua’s cheeks. “Uhm… Well, l-let me just—” he stuttered, cupping his hand gently to your face, his thumb brushing at a spot right below your bottom lip. “You had some whipped cream on your… chin slash lip. Sorry about that.”

“O-Oh, it’s okay.” You were stumbling yourself, tongue darting out instinctively to ensure there wasn’t anything still there.

At random, you felt this prickle tiptoe up the back of your neck, a sensation that was hardly perceptible yet singeing enough for you to notice it. Gulping, you peered toward that faceless mannequin draped in its pink slip dress, toward Jeonghan, Baejin, and his parents who were enthralled in a conversation with her. Jeonghan was glaring so blatantly at Joshua that you’d forgotten how to speak, and you couldn’t even pronounce a single word of warning as the boy started storming his way across the ballroom.

His grip was on your elbow like a viper’s teeth.

“Geez, where’d you come from?” Joshua said, though he was  able to note the tension this time, and Jeonghan’s surly behaviour.

“I need to talk to you,” Jeonghan murmured by your ear, ignoring Joshua yet again, “in the hall just outside the exhibition.”

You didn’t want to agree. Strangely enough, you felt this urge balloon inside you, an urge to cause a gigantic scene with screaming and thick tears and unnecessary curses, because as much as you wanted to dismiss your anger, there were jealous, wronged feelings inside, on fire and itching to escape from your gut. Miraculously, you held your composure, and announced to Joshua that you’d talk to him later.

Jeonghan then tore you into the empty hallway.

It was like a lightning bolt, how quickly he exploded.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jeonghan ranted, pacing back and forth as the distant echo of music bled through the wall. “Seriously, I don’t text you back for like, three days, and you’re already going on a date with my best friend—” he softened his voice in a purposefully mocking way, “letting him get all delicate with you, feeding you all lovey-dovey style and wiping that cream off your lip. Did you think I wouldn’t see it?”

“Excuse me?” Your brow instantly creased like a folded map, and you felt an intense ache hit the front of your skull. “Um, you’re one to talk! How come you didn’t tell me about the Galleria? Because you didn’t want me to see you with your arm around your ex’s waist? Because you don’t think I’m good enough to show off to your parents?”

Jeonghan gawked at you. “Baejin? For real? You think I’ve been secretly dating her behind your back or something?”

“How am I supposed to know?” You barked, tucking your arms defensively across the chest. And, while it might have been too early into the argument to pit such a statement, you had already started bubbling, and you knew there was nothing to snuff your fire. “Besides, you hardly ever get back to me apart from when you want to fuck!”

At that, the boy was momentarily stumped. What sounded like a rebuttal fizzled at the back of his throat, though it faded away. The silence worried you, because it echoed a confirmation that Jeonghan might’ve actually never seen as you as anything more than an outlet to alleviate his carnality. That, once the Love Café ordeal was finally over with, he could forget you had ever existed like erasing a mistake of smudged lead. The thought made you glassy-eyed and thus, terribly vulnerable. However, you also craved the truth to your relationship.

“Just admit it,” you beseeched him, “admit that you want me only for sex and nothing else. Is that why you didn’t bring up the Galleria? Because you think it’s easier to shove me in the dark when it’s convenient for you? Is that why you were acting so mad?”

He skimmed a hand exasperatedly through his hair. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m not dating Baejin behind your back, I have never once thought you weren’t good enough to show off to my parents, and I didn’t purposefully hide the Galleria from you.”

“Right,” you scoffed, “but you’re fine with labelling me as a friend and pretending like we don’t hook up every week.”

“It’s…” he clenched his teeth and growled in frustration, “it’s complicated, alright? Can’t you just accept that?”

“Complicated?” A shudder coursed down your spine at having to repeat the boy, and the tears sprung from your eyes with such a sharp sting that it became impossible to hold them back. You felt each drop, cold and runny, drip along your face. “That’s the word you’re going to use? You’re going to look straight at me, after the entire span of our relationship since the Love Café, and tell me we’re summed up best as complicated?” Again, the word struck you like a stiff punch. If he was going to regard your connection so trivially, then you didn’t care whether or not he knew the verity of your heart. Like it would affect him anyways.

“I would’ve said we were in love,” you shrugged, watching his expression drop in a mere instant, “but—sure, let’s call it complicated.”

And, with the tears shining like salt stars on your face, you stalked out the building into the softening winter weather.

You didn’t know it could be so difficult to ignore someone, especially when you were supposed to hate them. The effect Jeonghan had on you was almost phantom-like; a constant lingering, even if the boy himself wasn’t palpable and poised right before your eyes.

It had been three days since the outburst at the Galleria. That night, you cried, and wept, and broke out the amber bottle stored beneath your sink which was only sipped from in occasions of complete misery – very well suited to the situation at hand. You had questioned calling the Love Café’s customer service desk to issue a termination of your card, and, at one point, you were standing drunkenly by the toilet contemplating your decision to rip up the red paper and flush it. Though, nothing ever came of either idea. Instead, you faceplanted onto your bed and allowed the intoxicated dizziness to fade black. The next morning, you were faced with multiple texts from Jeonghan, missed phone calls, voice notes. But you didn’t listen or respond to anything.

Complicated. That was the word you kept hearing.

Absolutely not, you had thought that morning, you weren’t ready to speak with him, even if the temptation seemed like it could be promising. The air was still too bitter. And you couldn’t handle another argument.

On the second day after the outburst, you were seated at the receptionist desk in the salon, flicking through a magazine while you became increasingly mindless to the humming of the blow dryer and the potent fragrance of the hair products. When you glanced out the window, you nearly combusted, as both Joshua and Jeonghan were about to enter the salon together, hurrying in from the melted snow and winter’s final downpour. You hid in the breakroom until they left, forcing your co-worker to take your position at the desk. Joshua was apparently getting his hair trimmed while Jeonghan had asked about you at the reception.

“He’s gorgeous!” Your co-worker had immediately gushed to you in the breakroom. “Why are you avoiding someone like that?”

“It’s complicated.” You’d phrased it simply.

Dang it. You hated the fact you’d used that stupid word.

But, on the third day, most of your bitterness was gone.

After breakfast, you were back at the vanity mirror to prepare for work, and while you buffed some makeup to sit seamlessly on the skin with your puffy foundation brush, there was a knock at your door. This time, you didn’t bother peeping through the fisheye lens, because you knew exactly who it was – damn his persistence. Jeonghan’s brown hair had been slightly mused in the wind, and there was a glow as soft as a peach to each his cheeks. But that easygoing, relaxed smile was by far the most heart fluttering. He extended a coffee cup to you. When you reached out, Jeonghan suddenly pulled the coffee away with a tsking sound.

“You can have it only if—” he held up his finger, “you agree to let me in so I can explain myself. Yes, I’m bribing you. And yes, I’m an asshole from time to time. But five minutes at least. That’s all I need.”

For a moment, you wavered, only to mutter a resounding, “fine.”

Despite Jeonghan’s company, you still had work to get ready for, so the boy followed you into the bedroom. He took a seat on the edge of your mattress while you settled back into the vanity chair. Picking through your jar of makeup brushes, you plucked a round, oval-tipped one to apply your eyeshadow. Jeonghan was silent at first, watching you through the mirror as you hurried about the look. It wasn’t perfect, in fact it was a bit sloppy and rushed and there was already some fallout  sitting like a glittered dust on your cheeks, though Jeonghan was staring at you with such fondness, you wondered if the mirror was reflecting the same image. Of course, the Love Card was sitting on your desk too.

“Well,”  you spun around in the chair, pressing your lips together, “I’m waiting for you to explain, y’know. Like you said you would. Technically, you’ve lost a couple minutes, and I should really try to be at the salon early, but I’m still going to give you full time since—"

“I love you.”

“… What?”

“I love you,” Jeonghan repeated himself casually, a slow smile spilling from each corner of his mouth, “I’m in love with you, as deep as I could be, I think. Anyways, you want me to keep saying it? I love you.”

It felt like someone had taken a picture with the blinding glare of its flash, a picture you couldn’t be more unprepared for, the dots still dancing and fumbling across your vision. The moment was disorienting, but you experienced a very fulgurant warmth take shape inside you. It was comforting yet daunting, a sugar rush and a hangover, something so alive you knew you wanted it more than anything else in the world.

Yet, “you… are in love with me?” was all that you could express.

Jeonghan fiddled with the coffee cup in his hands. “You’re a funny girl, you know that? But I can say it a fifth time if you want.”

“N-No, I—I just, I wasn’t expecting—”

“Yeah, I can see that, “ he’d laughed, though it quickly fell into a sigh and suddenly Jeonghan’s temperament had shifted. “Look, I know that night wasn’t pretty. I know I ghosted you. I know I didn’t tell you about the stupid Galleria,” the boy glanced up, catching your eye, “but… I didn’t say anything because I was confused. I knew your Love Card only had one signature left, and just like that… you could be in my bed for the last time. If we’re really gonna get sentimental about it,”

Jeonghan chuckled, scratching his chin a bit shyly, “it could be my last time holding you, and kissing you… I just, I didn’t want it to be like that. But I didn’t know how to confront you about it, so I hid. And I stressed myself out, and I got so stupidly jealous and angry when I saw you with Joshua. That was my bad. I should’ve been upfront.”

Tucking your hands together anxiously in your lap, you nodded, beginning to understand the missing pieces.

“Thank you for saying that.” You murmured, tapping your feet in a nervous rhythm against the floor. “I… I was being unreasonable and jealous too,” you subsequently admitted, “I was assuming things about you and Baejin when I shouldn’t have. I don’t know what I was expecting anyways, that you act like she doesn’t exist? It was dumb, and I was adding pressure. I’m sorry too.” Wanting to lighten the tone, you smiled at him, “I guess we both have our flaws, huh?”

He returned the tender glance and held out the coffee cup.

“I guess we do.”

You grabbed it politely.

Turning around in the chair, you grabbed the bright red Love Card off the vanity, initialed until its last circle, “what should we do with this? I mean, we kind of messed up their rules, fooling around more than twelve times. And, well, I’m not gonna renew it.”

“Oh, let me see.” Jeonghan said.

As soon as you passed the card to him, he ripped it clean in half, crumpled each piece, balled them together in his hands and tossed the shreds into the trash can sat in the corner.

“Well, that was fucking easy,” he smiled, getting up from the mattress, “aren’t you late for work? Do you need a drive?”

You looked at your alarm clock.

“If you can get me there in the next ten minutes, that’d be great.”

Jeonghan headed to the front door while you hurriedly grabbed your coat from the closet and snatched your bag off the floor, resting the strap over your shoulder. With the coffee still in hand, you headed into the living area, looking around in one final swoop to make sure you had everything packed for the day. A sheet of sunlight spilt into the room from outside the window, pale, like the morning sky, yet filling every crevice of the cheap apartment with a dull shine. And for a very fleeting moment, you thought this place wasn’t so abhorrent. It had been your home, your stepping stone, a thumbprint which identified a period of hardship and growth. But, despite this bittersweet taste on your tongue, you couldn’t envision yourself staying.

“Come on,” Jeonghan pinched your hip, “at this rate I’ll get a speeding ticket trying to get you to work on time.”

Turning around, you stuck a kiss to the boy’s cheek, just catching the cool beginning of a smirk on that dazzling face of his as you interlaced your fingers and pulled him into the corridor.

No, you could not stay here.

Not when your future was with Jeonghan.

✧✎ a/n: yeah, so this was clearly A LOT longer than the original love café teehee. i remembered the plot vaguely therefore i refused to reread my first version weufhewif PLS IT MAKES ME CONVULSE SO BAD !! i just had to rewrite the plot and do it some actual justice! i hope this version is a lot better and that you rly enjoyed it! i wish yjh would give me money but i guess we can’t all live in a fantasy world!! thx for reading!!

[beomcoups]

I Do

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: fiance!Jungkook x reader

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fluff, a bit of angst, marriage!au,

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: PG

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: kissing, wedding day jitters, swearing

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 3k

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:  Accepting Jungkook’s proposal was the easiest thing you have ever done. But as your special day is finally here, the wedding day jitters are getting the best of you.

𝐀𝐍: Thank you to @hobeemin and @hwasrie for looking for this for me 🖤

You’re excited, the butterflies in your stomach multiplying as each minute passes as you head to the destination. On your way to the church with your mom, you start your big day with Jungkook, your soon-to-be husband. You’ve been with him for almost three years, and the days have finally dwindled to today, you being officially Mrs. Jeon on Valentines Day. 

Your relationship with him is special, falling in love at first sight when you met at a coffee shop. He ordered banana milk, telling his friends he didn’t like coffee, and you thought it was adorable. You were drinking tea, preferring not to drink anything that had caffeine in it. You couldn’t stop staring at him; his brown hair clipped just below his ears that went with his handsome face and beautiful smile. He had opted to wear a black shirt and fitted jeans, showing off his masculine physique that had you doing mental jumping jacks. He turned around, and his eyes locked with yours, taken away by your beauty and approaching you shortly after and making conversation with you. You exchanged numbers afterward, and you started dating soon after that day, falling deeper in love with each other with the more time you spent with each other. 

Bonding over your desires for consistency and family importance, you know you want to be a mom one day, and Jungkook intends to take care of his wife and kids and ultimately be happy. Jungkook gets along with your parents; your dad goes golfing with him at least once a week.  He makes you feel safe, secure and that you have a man that is loyal to you and only you. He makes your heart skip when he walks into the room, and you miss him when he leaves. 

Staying in love with him was simple, and accepting his proposal was a no-brainer. Jungkook is the sun that brightens up your day, and that calming moonlight brings you peace. He is everything to you, and today it will be official.

You would be lying to yourself if you were to say you weren’t nervous; you’re out of your mind with thoughts about your future once you walk down that aisle. What if Jungkook doesn’t want to be with you, or what if he doesn’t show up? What if your dress doesn’t fit or if your hair isn’t right? What if the church or flooded or the food caterer cancels, etc.… All these thoughts plague you on your special weekend, and it makes you want nothing more than to have a stiff drink. 

“y/n, honey?” Your mom’s voice cuts through your thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you come out of your reverie, clearing your throat. “Everything is fine.”

Your mom looks at you, her soft eyes full of concern, but nothing more is said until you arrive at the church. Grabbing your wedding dress, you head into the front entrance, greeted by the wedding planner and crew setting up the ceremony, making your way upstairs to get dressed. You walk into the dressing room, greeted by your bridesmaids, your best friend and maid of honor, Cin handing you a bottomless mimosa.

“I know you have been stressing about today, so I know you need this,” Cin smiles, motioning for you to sit down.

You take her advice, sitting down and looking at yourself in the vanity mirror as you take sips of your drink. Your skin is glowing, thanks to the new skin regime you have been doing for the past month, wanting to look nothing short of perfect on your special day. Your body relaxes, and you feel the drink slowly calming your nerves. Your makeup artist works their magic on your face while your hairdresser starts your hair, straightening and adding curls to the bottom, giving it a wavy look to flow nicely with your veil. You look over at your friends, who are finishing up the last touches of their makeup. Their silver bridesmaid’s dresses are already fitted on their bodies.

“You look so pretty,” they gush, their eyes showing excitement for you. 

You smile and return your attention to your make-up artist, who finishes the last touches of your makeup, opting to go with a soft natural look. Your hairdresser rolls the bottom of your hair in pins, allowing you to change comfortably. Everyone leaves the room except for your mom, who unzips your custom-made Vera Wang wedding dress and helps you get into it. Your wedding dress is white, with sleeves going all the way to your wrists, and your back is open. The tail on your dress is long, sure enough, to grab the attention of everyone there, the dress itself showing off the figure that Jungkook fell in love with. You are quiet, focused on not messing up the skirt, your hands shaking as you smooth out the front.

“Are you sure you are okay?” Your mom asks you as she zips up the back of your dress.

“Yes… no… I don’t know, mom,” you pout, folding your arms.

“Come on,” your mom beckons, motioning for you to sit at the chair. “Talk to me.”

“I’m… scared, I guess?” you begin. “I love Jungkook, obviously, but I wonder if our relationship is going to change once we’re married. Will we still love each other just as much, or will our age difference get in the way… What if I walk down the aisle and he hates my dress? What if he doesn’t even show up? Oh God, maybe he changed his mind.”

You are hyperventilating, pacing back and forth, you distraught over Jungkook possibly changing his mind. You want to cry, but you are afraid of messing up your makeup, so you let out a frustrating groan, your fists balled together tightly.

“y/n, honey, the first thing I need you to do is relax, okay?” Your mom’s soft voice cuts through your thoughts. “ Take a deep breath; clear those negative thoughts out of your head.”

You close your eyes and take a deep breath, letting your mind go dark but without thought. Your mom comes behind you and massages your shoulder, relieving the tension you carried on your shoulders. 

“I look at you and Dad, and I hope to have an inkling of what you guys have,” you confide in her, a small tear slipping down your cheek.” I want our love to last that long, forever. So how did you guys do it?”

Your mom smiles, her eyes twinkling from tears coming out of her own eyes, and she pulls you into a deep embrace. 

“You know, it wasn’t always easy,” your mom reminisces, loosening her hold on you a bit. “There were hard times, and we even entertained the idea of separating at one point. But what kept us together was remembering how much we love each other and why we fell in love. In a marriage, you’re supposed to love each other, look out for each other, take care of each other and treat each other with respect. So as long as you can remember those things and get back to that happy place, it’ll all be worth it.”

Your phone buzzes on the vanity, and you leave the comfort of your mom’s arms and check to see who it is. To your surprise, it’s a message from Jungkook, and you pause a moment before reading the text.  

“I love you, y/n. I can’t wait to make you mine forever. ♥”

Those words hit your heart tenderly, slowly ebbing away at the iceberg of doubt that has been consuming you, and you look at yourself in the mirror, exhaling slowly.

“I love you too,” you respond, shutting off your phone right after.

“Is everything alright?” your mom probes, adjusting your dress a little

“Yeah, mom. I am okay,” you exhale, looking at yourself in the mirror. “I still feel nervous about everything, but I think everything will be okay. Let’s do this.”

The orchestra is playing, and you are making your way down the spiral stairs, meeting your dad at the bottom. He looks at you in amazement, watching his beautiful daughter come down to him, heavy emotion on his face as he tries to hold back his tears. 

“You look so beautiful,” his voice trembles, quickly wiping a tear out of the corner of his eye. 

You thank him, sliding your arm with his, now waiting for the doors to be opened. Your nerves are eating at you again, hoping that you don’t trip along the way or your dress doesn’t rip or anything wrong that could happen on your way to him. The flower girls and ring bearer walk in front of you, the little boy proudly carrying the rings and the little girls enjoying themselves throwing flowers on the floor. 

“I am proud to be your dad,” your dad whispers in your ear. “You make me immensely proud.”

The door’s open right at that moment, catching you off guard, touched by your dad’s sweet words. You look across the way,the aisle seeming longer than it was during dress rehearsal. But then you locked eyes with Jungkook, and everything disappeared, except for you and him. You slowly make your way towards him, watching Jungkook as his eyes well up and fidgeting with his fingers. Jin, his best man, rubs his shoulder to console him, telling him it’s okay to cry and show emotion for his soon-to-be wife. Jungkook breaks down, bending down and hiding his tears, his heart full of sentimental feelings for you. Jin helps him up as you reach him, and you grab his hand, rubbing his palm softly.

“H-Hi honey,” you greet him, your heart beating out of your chest.

“Hey, baby,” Jungkook’s voice is shaky; his hands are trembling, on the verge of tears again.

In all the years you have been together, you have never seen him cry. This is a fresh experience for you, and it is pulling at your heartstrings hard. The ring bearer approaches him with the rings, and Jin takes them from him, the preacher clearing his throat.

“Do you need another second, or do you think we can get started?” The preacher asks.

Jungkook nods, and you agree; the preaching starts the ceremony. 

“Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. We are gathered today to celebrate the union of y/n Titus and Jungkook Jeon. We are all here to support this commitment of love and share the joy of y/n and Jungkook as they choose to spend their lives together. Thank you, family and friends, for your presence here today. Your love and unwavering support throughout their lives have given them the confidence and tools necessary to enter this new chapter together.”

The pastor pauses for a moment, Jungkook’s sniffling heard over the silence, Jin whispering it’s okay before the pastor continues. 

“Jungkook and y/n, your marriage will be a lifelong promise to love, respect, trust and honor each other through the good, the bad, and the unexpected. This union represents your commitment to support one another as individual beings but share your joys, sorrows, and dreams as one. A strong bond works in unison to nurture the best parts of your personalities and understand each other’s differences and flaws. You are committing to learn how to grow alongside one another while remembering to keep an open mind throughout your journey. Marriage is not easy, but I know your relationship will be an example to follow from what I’ve seen in the two of you. You show care and compassion, you trust one another, and you are each other’s best friend.”

Those words could not be any less than a fact. Jungkook is your best friend, your heart and soul. The sun rises and falls with this man; this is where you want to be with him. 

“If there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

You look around anxiously, hoping no one is against you marrying the love of your life. Your bridesmaids and Jungkook’s groomsmen give you both a thumbs up, and you let out a sigh of relief, returning your attention to Jungkook.

“Now y/n and Jungkook,” the pastor continues. “Please join hands- oops, you’re already holding hands.” 

You hear laughter coming from your guests, and you let out a chuckle yourself. 

“Jungkook, do you take y/n to be your wife?”

Jungkook gazes at you lovingly, squeezing your hands before making his proclamation.

 “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”

The pastor nods and turns to you. 

“y/n, do you take Jungkook to be your husband?”

 “I do,” you answer without a second thought. 

“Now I understand that you two have written your vows,” the pastor announces. “If you want to say them, now is the time.”

You look at him confused, as you and Jungkook had not discussed coming up with any vows. Jungkook has a sly look on his face, pulling out a piece of paper with scribbled words on it.

“I know we didn’t talk about our vows, but I want everyone to know how I feel about you, and I want this sheet of paper to be a requiem of the love that I have for you and how it will never change.”

You don’t have the words to say, so you just nod, and he begins.

“y/n, I have been in love with you since we met three years ago at that coffee shop. You were wearing a black dress with a gold necklace, and I thought you were the prettiest girl I had ever seen. As I got to know you, I realized that it was fate that we met that day. You understand me; you know when I’m sick before I do, and you finish my sentences, and you always have the right words to say to take me out of those dark places. I love how loyal you are to your family and friends and how you will give them your last dollar just to see them happy. You are a caring person with a heart of gold, that pretty sunflower that stands out in the middle of the field. I thought I knew what love was until I met you, and you changed my thought on it. You are the sunlight that rose again in my life. You are the cause of my euphoria. I am in love with you and will be, forever and always.”

The slight chance you had of holding it together as he professed his love to you shattered, as you sob at his beautiful words, your heartstrings officially plucked out. Jungkook is crying with you, and there this is not a dry eye in the room, the powerful vows hitting everyone in their hearts. 

“Wow, that was something,” the pastor clears his throat, holding back his tears. “y/n, do you have anything you want to add?”

You shake your head no, unable to say anything more than I love you. Jungkook understood your love language, and he was satisfied with that, as you had a lifetime to tell him how much you love him.

“Now it is time to gather the rings,” the pastor announces.

Jin hands the rings to Jungkook, and he gives you his gold wedding band. 

Your rings represent this promise to one another. The never-ending circle is a symbol of infinite, unbreakable love. Jungkook, take this ring and place it on y/n‘s finger. Repeat after me: y/n, I give you this ring to symbolize the promise I made to you today.

Jungkook repeats the words as he slips your diamond-studded wedding ring on your left hand. 

“Now y/n,” the pastor continues, “Take this ring and place it on Jungkook‘s finger. Repeat after me: Jungkook, I give you this ring as a symbol of the promise I made to you today.”

You mimic the words, your hands shaking as you slip the ring onto his finger. 

“Having pledged your love and promise to one another today in front of all of your friends and family and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Jungkook removes the veil from your face and kisses you tenderly, and you drink him in, his lips tasting like oranges. Then, you reluctantly pull away from each other, remembering that other people are in the room; the pastor chuckles before ending the ceremony. 

“Congratulations! Friends and family, it is my greatest honor to introduce to you: Mr. and Mrs. Jeon.”

The room erupts in thunderous applause, and Jungkook grabs your hand, raising it in the air with pride. Then, he leads you down the aisle and out of the church, walking you to a carriage led by a horse.

“Jungkook!” You exclaim. “You did not⸺.”

“I did,” he says proudly. “I told you I would do anything to make you happy. We are only getting started, baby.”

He helps you on, holding the back of your dress before he climbed in behind, the conductor leading the way as he leads the horse around the block.

“This is… everything I could have asked for and more,” you murmur, still in shock.

“Remember when we decided to be together, and I told you I was going to give you the world and then some?” He asks. “You laughed at me and said it wasn’t realistic, remember?”

You flashback to that moment and laugh, remembering that night vividly as your third date. You were so confident that it couldn’t happen, but he proved you wrong, and you are glad he did. Looking at your now husband, his hair swaying a little, a strand of it coming onto his face. You instinctively brush it back, and he leans in, kissing you once more, his soft hands cupping your face.

“How would you say that I am doing so far?” he inquires. “Am I making good on my promise, Mrs. Jeon?”

You gaze at him lovingly, placing another kiss on his lips before laying your head on his shoulder, feeling content. The worries you had before are still in the back of your mind but if this is what you have to look forward to for the rest of your life, you think you will be okay.

“I think you have kept your promise, my love.”

tag list: @jujutheconfusedcinnamonroll @liz-zo @vantxx95​ @milkyway-vxm @super-btstrash-posts ​ ​