#this post is brought to you by me just now remembering wip wednesday and being like

[plusultraetc]

I have a couple 500-600 word ficlets left over from different prompts & challenges that I still really like, and now the question is like. do I post them on ao3? or maybe just on tumblr & twitter? do I write them out on parchment and put them in glass bottles and toss them into the sea?

[andthekitchensinkao3]

WiP Wednesday!!

Iiii'm tagging @kcscribbler @thosegayoldmen @loki-is-my-kink-awakening @lokimobius @sweeteatercat @ anyone else whose username I can't remember. No pressure tags, either to read or post anything 😘😎

For context, this story’ll take place some time after my first coochieverse fic, Sledgehammer. Transmasc Mobius/transmasc Don, sex tape shenanigans, angst and smut galore.

For the purposes of this fic, Loki’s snuck off to the Sacred Timeline to find something for his and Mobius’ anniversary -- no, it isn’t an actual anniversary, but he’s never had one, and he wants an excuse to do something nice for him and Mobius. Mostly for Mobius, but you know. Dorks and feels.

He visits an adult toy store, and is helped by a very knowledgeable young man with shoulder length blond hair and a bit of a familiar dialect - but Loki’s too fascinated by everything on display to properly look at the guy, or register his face. He’s in a sex shop for the very first time of his life. Priorities, people.

And yes, this snippet is very very NSFW. Read on below the cut. 

“Ooh. A man after my own heart. Just a tic!” The helpful young clerk disappeared behind the corner to grab something off the shelves a little bit further in, and came back with no less than two different boxes. The brand was ‘Lelo,’ which told him nothing, and while the little doodads on display behind the clear front were…uninspiring at best, just holding the boxes gave him a visceral thrill.

“Here ya go,” said his new best friend. “Start off with this little guy, get those juices going, and when you really wanna rev his engine?”

Loki stared at the little packages. Exclusive looking, for what they were. Sonic, vibrating clitoral stimulators… “Fascinating.” He turned his head to properly look at the clerk, to thank him for his obvious expertise, but ended up staring at the poor man instead. It was a mistake to muster up the courage to talk about sex like a pair of adults engaging in a transactional Midgard custom. To look him in the eye, rather than let contextual embarrassment guide his eyes elsewhere.

It was the Don of his collected dreams and nightmares. Don from the home made sex tape that ended up changing everything for himself and Mobius. Long floofy, sunkissed blond hair. Peachy lip balm. Criminally tight, low cut jeans. And-- Why was he suddenly taller? Were those high heeled boots?

“Er.”

“Uncle Jethro’s gonna kill me for saying this, but all you need is your hand. Have your man use that on his clit until he’s gaggin’ for it, and then you use two fingers on his g-spot. But not like--”

He deftly demonstrated the fluttery, rubbing, wave motions Loki usually did, and Loki could feel his face heat up like a forest fire.

“--but you lock your fingers at a ninety degree angle to your palm and pull up. Like, aim for the ceiling, up, up, up, up. Go fast. Hold his pelvis down, and don’t worry about being too rough, he can take it. You’ll know you’re golden by the wet noises.”

“I, what?”

“I got two words for you, handsome. ‘Fountain.’ ‘Orgasm.’ He’ll love you forever.” Don leans against the shelf. “...now, what’s your pleasure?” Overt, come hither, how do ya like dem apples, pouty lips, shock full of confidence and swagger

“I. Uh,” Loki squeaked. “I beg your pardon?”

“What kinda toy do ya want him to use on you? Gimme something to work with.”

“Oh.”

“Aw. You’re precious.” Don patted his hand, which was still clutching one of the clitoral stimulator packages he brought over in a white-knuckled grip. “I like you.”

[its-jaytothemee]

WIP Wednesday

I had an idea for a very late chapter of my ongoing slow burn, and I just can't resist posting part it as a standalone fluff piece as well.

This will eventually be part of the Until I Met You fic, but I'm just too excited to not share this piece of it!

Full fic here: Tumblr AO3

Word count: 2,013

Rating: Mature

Tags: Halsin x Tav post game, Fluff, Daddy Halsin, Innuendos/mentions of sex, Halsin and Tav POVs

Summary: Halsin gets ambushed by a bunch of the children staying with him in Thaniel's realm. They're led by Tav, who can't seem to get enough of watching him interact with his little cubs.

Halsin decided to start the morning by finishing his cleaning of the area outside of the old mason’s guild. When he woke up, Tav was already out for the day and he hadn’t been able to find her yet. Most likely she was out with Lunari, their morning walks had become a routine for her. She was always patrolling, looking out for bandits and thieves who would come to try and take advantage of their vulnerable group. He had tried to assure her that Thaniel’s Realm was far from a desirable location for most, having been surrounded by shadows for years it was unlikely that anyone would even want to attempt looting the area. Still, she insisted on traps and glyphs and magical wards to protect them.

It had been just over a month since he and Tav had returned here with their mass of refugees. Each day was filled with more manual labor than he had done in decades, not to mention the hard work of looking after the dozens of children that had joined them. Plenty of others had joined them as well, all kinds of citizens who had their lives upended by the war with the Absolute, but he saw the children as his responsibility. He was never able to start a family of his own and being here now with all of these orphaned children and Tav…it was still hard to believe it was his reality. The overwhelming love he felt for them made his chest ache. His days were filled with little laughs and hugs from the children as well as some much bigger laughs and hugs from Tav. His ears were always filled with a chorus of happy screams, laughter, ‘Daddy Halsin’ being yelled over and over, and with questions…by the gods so many questions from their little mouths. Their curious minds kept him on his toes, having to be ready to answer any question about magic or music or family or animals or cooking – the list went on forever.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

His thoughts were interrupted by some quiet giggles and whispers behind the nearby bushes. The sound brought a large smile to his face.

Oak Father preserve me…what do they have planned today?

***

Tav gently shushed the giggling children with an excited smile.

“Shh! You’ll give away our position!” She kept her voice playful as she scolded them.

They were all looking at her, vibrating with excitement. The first wave of her little soldiers were clutching their makeshift swords, some sticks that they had whittled after Halsin taught them. Her second wave had their tiny practice bows that she had helped them make, their arrows were each tipped with soft burlap filled with grass and hay.

“Okay little ones, remember the plan. The infantry goes in first, charge the Netherbrain and overwhelm him.  Once he’s fully distracted the archers will take care of the rest.” She whispered and watched as each of their heads nodded in understanding.

“General Yenna,” She turned and saluted the little red-haired girl, “the troops are yours to command.”

Yenna nodded in approval, turning her attention to Halsin just past the bushes. She stood up and lifted her bow in the air, pointing it towards him.

“Charge!” She yelled, causing the gaggle of children holding swords to rush towards him. Tav cackled as she saw the horde overtake him. He cried out in feigned shock, unable to believe his little cubs could turn on him so viciously. His large body disappeared beneath the pile of fighters. The kids all giggled as they hit him with their play swords, he writhed in exaggerated pain with each stab and swipe. They all let out their own battle cries against the nefarious Netherbrain beneath them. Tav stood up to call out the next orders.

“Archers! He’s down…hit the Netherbrain with everything you’ve got!” She yelled to her loyal followers. The rest of the army popped out from behind the bushes to launch their arrows. When Halsin caught a glimpse of her he had a look of fake betrayal on his face.

“My own love, turned against me!” He exclaimed, the smile on his lips betraying his false cries.

A small cloud of “arrows” rained down on him. Sort of. The toy bows she made didn’t exactly have a good range, but a few did at least fall in the group tackling Halsin. A few of the kids caught in the crossfire fell over in dramatic defeat.

“We win! The Netherbrain is dead!” A little elf boy named Jareth called out in triumph. Halsin obliged and let out a gurgle before allowing his head to collapse to the ground. The scene caused uproarious laughter and cheers among the children. High-fives and victory dances ensued.

Tav kept her eyes on Halsin as the kids danced around them, celebrating his defeat. He opened one eye to look back at her. It made her heart skip a beat.

I know that look.

Seeing him with the kids just did something for her. He was so soft and gentle with them. He had talked about his regrets in never having a family of his own, and now she could see this was truly where he belonged – here in Thaniel’s realm. Creating a community based on balance and compassion, teaching others to know and love nature, beneath a pile of laughing children. She was coming around to the idea that maybe he deserved just one more…one of his own flesh and blood…

A blush crept over her cheeks as she walked over to stand over his defeated body, placing one foot on his chest to pin him down. She heard a quiet, sultry growl escape his lips from the motion.

“Victory!” She yelled to the kids, causing more cheers and laughter.

Gods their little laughs are so cute. 

Her eyes moved down to Halsin, who was looking over her entire body. She gave him a quick wink before relinquishing her hold on him and helping him back up.

“I’ll accept your complete and unconditional surrender now.” She teased as she brushed some of the dirt from him.

He responded by grabbing her by the waist and kissing her deeply.

***

Halsin could barely contain his heart from bursting out of his chest looking at Tav in this moment. Still kneeling next to the bushes, her head was thrown back laughing at his complete and utter defeat. Her loyal little soldiers taking him down with ease. When they left Baldur’s Gate, she had told him how terrified she was of coming back here. How she felt like she could never help raise children. She was so worried that she would be too strict, too mean, too boring, that she would be useless. She had told him once that she wasn’t good with kids, that she didn’t know how to talk to them. And now…now here she was, leading a small army of little heroes in training against him. So many of them now preferred her company to his, not that he could blame them. Yenna especially had taken a liking to Tav, the two were inseparable since leaving Baldur’s Gate. The sight made his heart soar. He thought he couldn’t be any happier in this moment, then Tav stood up to give another command for a second wave. Toy arrows shot out from their little bows, some of them even making it all the way over to him. Another bout of unhinged laughter rang from Tav.

Oh, once I get her alone…

 Eventually, the children declared him officially defeated allowing him just a moment of rest as he feigned his death. When he peeked out of one eye back at Tav, she was looking at him with a loving expression.

By the Oak Father. What did I do to deserve her?

She made her way over towards her army, accepting salutes and hugs as a reward for their triumph. He could see the familiar flushed color across her face and chest as she got closer.

Caused by thoughts not suitable to speak of here I’d wager.

She rested one foot on top of his chest as he lay there defenseless, holding him to the ground, stirring him to his core. An involuntary growl crept out of his throat. Based on the small smirk that twitched at the corners of her mouth, she heard it. How she loved to test his self-control.

Another chorus of cheers erupted around him as she officially proclaimed their victory and helped him back up to his feet.

“I’ll accept your complete and unconditional surrender now.” Her smile was bigger and brighter than he had ever seen it. Nature’s most beautiful creation.

He pulled her close and kissed her, holding her in place tight against him. She smiled against his lips, moving her hands to wrap around his neck and pull him closer.

“Ewww!” The ever-present crowd of little voices teased from behind them. A gasp followed their cries of repulsion.

“She’s working with the Netherbrain! She’s a mind flayer!” Yenna shouted to her fellow soldiers.

Without hesitation, her once faithful followers turned on her, bringing another storm of wooden sticks and toy arrows down on them. They broke apart from one another, trying to  defend themselves against the unexpected onslaught. Tav’s laugh filled his ears as it mingled with the children’s battle cries. They were both dragged to the ground, being attacked by the kids who were now mad with merciless bloodlust.

Once the small army decided beating him and Tav with sticks was no longer fun, they broke off into their own groups. They started sparring with the toy swords, trying to decide if they had enough participants to start a tournament. The archers picked up their small arrows that littered the ground, taking them over to practice shooting some targets Tav had made for them.

Tav laid next to him, still laughing from their embarrassing defeat. Wisps of her silvery hair were already making their way out of her signature braid to swirl around her face. He tucked the loose strands behind her ears before helping her stand up. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug, lifting her chin so she could look up at him. The sight made him dizzy.

“You’re lucky the children are here, my heart. Otherwise, I think I’d have to find a way to punish this little mutiny of yours.” Halsin purred the words into her ears, careful to keep his voice quiet enough so only they could hear.

“I’m so sorry, Master Halsin. Surely, I can do something to make it up to you.” She whispered with a wink.

“Oh yes, yes you can. Rest assured you’ll beg for my forgiveness by the time I’m done, Tav’ahria.” Tav bit her lower lip in response, he only used her full name when he was desperate to have her. He knew exactly what she wanted, but why stop the fun now? Leaning over to give her a quick peck on the cheek, he reached around her to grab a broom resting against the wall.

“You could finish up here and give me a chance to go gather some berries from the woods.” He kissed her nose before turning on his heels and walking away, leaving her blushing and with her mouth agape.

“You’ll pay for that!” Tav called after him, an exaggerated pout clouding her face. Her arms were crossed over her reddened chest.

“Gods, I hope so!” He teased back as his usual trail of children caught up to him.

He would let her stew just long enough to keep her flustered. Once they finished their work for the day, he’d let her kiss all of his fake wounds from the battle, and he’d do the same for her. Later, he’d pin her down and get her to beg his forgiveness for her “betrayal.” He’d relish in every whimper and shiver he sent down her body until he finally gave in and showed her mercy. He might even have to teach her the lesson a couple of times…just to make sure it stuck.

[scarebats]

WIP Wednesday

Full Cups - icemav

sorry that this is being posted so late!! i was at a track meet for the whole day😭 anyways, no smut yet, but it’s getting there! i promise you all that this fic will be out soon.

Maverick is seemingly clueless to Ice’s struggles, which is a good thing when in public and anyone can see, but it’s also frustrating when they’re in the comfort of their own house. Really, Ice doesn’t conceal himself around Mav, he wants him to know what he’s dying to get a glimpse of. Just one peek, maybe a picture. That’s all Ice is asking for if Maverick doesn’t feel comfortable enough.

They’re both sitting on the couch watching whatever rerun is on the TV. Ice couldn’t care less; he’s about to let sleep take him into its arms.

“You know,” Maverick starts out of the blue, “I wore a bra when I was in college, maybe at a high school that I went to, as well.” He speaks like he’s talking to himself, but only aloud because he knows that Ice can hear him.

Ice swallows, that random comment brought him out of the welcoming slumber. “…What?”

“I was just thinking. At first I thought that wearing something for a woman was foreign to me, but then I thought about it some more. I went to a party in college, I know that, and the rest comes in bits and pieces. There was my friend, Dallas, and probably some other buddies that I hung around. Yeah. We drank a lot, and there were some dares, I believe. Really, I remember having a girl on me, her bra wasn’t on her, it was on me. Solid red with some lace designs on the back strap and the cups. It fit me well actually, I was around the same size then, since that was, what? Five years ago, I think.”

The whole story, Ice listens to with his mouth agape. Like it’s something that he’s heard while eavesdropping on his parents. But this isn’t a discussion where he is the child that is being sent away, no. Now he’s the one that understands, the one that gets all of the details placed in front of him. And boy, Ice never thought he would love that power more.

(the smut will probably be soon after this part. hopefully)

[voidthewanderer]

WIP Wednesday

I was tagged by @bury-me-standing for today! Thanks!

The sketch layer, just like the last post with this pic, is hidden because it's just nothing but chaos with it showing. I'm taking a little bit more time to study some of my favorite artists and how they draw ghoul noses because I really just gotta figure it out having a majority ghoul character line up. So yeah, working on Ripper holding his kid.

But also, here, have some of the draft from A Different Life because I've been working on it pretty religiously as well. Here's the first few paragraphs of the second draft of chapter three. It's supposed to be a little bit more of a feel good type story with some minor, more realistic everyday conflicts rather than some of the over the more major conflicts that happen less often.

“Arsenic…”

The ghoul gave a soft groan, rolling over slightly, though didn’t open his eyes.

“Arsen~”

The voice had a soft warble to it now, despite the roughness. A soft touch on his arm garnered another soft groan, his own voice reflecting his groggy state, “Babe…”

“Baby, wake up…” Another hum, the hand lightly caressing his arm. His muscle twitched slightly at the touch, him finally opening an eye, smile soft on his lips, “What is it, babe?”

“I’ve got a little surprise for you.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle, tucking his elbows beneath his back to prop himself up, “Damn… we get engaged an’ I get t’ have ya back in my life again. What more could I get t’ make this even better?”

“Get up and I’ll show you,” Crow chirped, ducking in to peck his cheek; him humming softly at the affection. He stretched slightly before pushing himself out of the bed to get dressed. Nothing major, at least not for today since he wasn’t cooking; a plain tank top and sweatpants. As he turned back to face Crow, he’d caught their gaze wandering before completely adverting it when they noticed they’d been caught. A smirk crept on his face, “Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout, babe?”

“Just come on,” Crow turned and trotted out of the room before Arsenic could even take his first step, needing to widen his stride to catch up the the smaller ghoul. He could tell that they were still at least curious about everything, but was having a hard time processing their actual thoughts when it was brought up. It was a topic that they’d only discussed once and that had been the day they got together. Nobody knew what tragedy would happen eight months later…

Crow led Arsenic to the communal kitchen, holding a mug out to him, “Here.”

He glanced to it, confused, “What’s all this?”

“Well…we never really got to, y’know, start our lives as a couple. To really do things as a couple living together. I wanna start with this.” This raised a smile, his voice much softer than before as he carefully took the mug, “Of course, baby…”

Once Crow had grabbed their mug, the duo headed to the couch. Arsenic only had a moment to get settled before Crow practically curled up into his lap, hugging their mug close to their chest and pulling his free arm around their waist. He tightened his hold, shifting his legs so they were cradled against him, “There we go…”

They fell into a peaceful quiet, the warmth of just being together comforting. Some of the other ghouls started to shuffle about in their own morning routines before heading out to work. None of them paid any mind to the couple; though most feared that they’d probably get ripped a new one if they made a comment. Crow cuddled up more against Arsenic’s chest, him stifling a groan as they spoke, “What’d’ya think? Maybe we can get up early, make ourselves some coffee together and just… cuddle. I know you’re really not the type to but-”

“Shh… I’d love t’ keep doin’ this,” he chuffed, “Gotta remember, I was on th’ go for a long damn time. Don’t gotta do that anymore. Somethin’ small like this? It’ll be nice. This is my home. An’ I think it’ll be a learning experience for us both.”

[lara-frasers]

wip wednesday

A belated post about one of my wips! @flyinghome-againstthewind tagged me yesterday.

It was late for me to be working, possibly quite past 7pm. This time, I was attempting to distract myself from painful thoughts by staying at the distillery and sampling new drinks. We'd have to decide on one for next year’s release. 

The dim light of my office was overcome by the much brighter light of the hallway. I turned in my chair to find Claire standing there, her face crumpled with worry.

“How did ye find me?”

“Oh, that’s how it goes? I have to find you?” She asked with a confident but soft voice. She sat on a wooden chair across from me, the large desk between us.

I couldn’t manage to do more than shrug. 

She sighed and kept talking. “It wasn’t difficult to figure out you were here, I couldn’t find you in any room of the house, or at the stables. This seemed the next possible place for you to hide with your thoughts.”

Her eyes left my face and traveled across the line of now empty glasses that covered the desk. 

“Do you think drinking your feelings is a good idea?”

“I’m trying out samples for the next product, Claire.” In truth, I sampled way more than necessary, but it was what I felt I needed.

“You know that’s not it. It’s late to be here too. This is not like you, Jamie.”

Damn her for trying and being so perceptive of my feelings…

“It’ll pass, dinna trouble yourself,” I said dismissively without meeting her eyes.

She stood up in a rush, with determination and not an ounce of tenderness in her movements.

“Just…how could I not trouble myself, hm?,” she punctuated each word. “I care about you, for Christ's sake! I-I love you, you…idiot,” she spoke through clenched teeth. 

She came around the desk, kneeled between my legs and fiercely took my hands in hers. “I notice when you’re not okay, and I did try to get close to you and you pushed me away, so I talked with your sister,” at this, my eyes shot up and I tried to pry information from her glass face.

“And?” My voice came out hoarse. I swallowed and cleared my throat.

No, she said with her face. “I need you to talk to me, Jamie,” her voice was much softer now and I was thankful for it. “I can’t do this, having to guess and consult your sister when things get difficult or weird. I need us to talk through things.”

Defeated, I leaned down, touching her head with mine. Our hands were still joined. After three deep breaths, I leaned back on my chair and brought up our hands, motioning her to move up from the floor and forward, sitting on my lap. This way I could hold her and with the weight of her warm, reassuring body pressing against me, I remembered. 

I remembered everything was easier and less painful with her by my side. I didn’t cry yet, but I sobbed into her neck. “Mo sorcha,” I whispered.

She drew back and held my face in her hands, I could see she was hurting and it was my fault. I turned a little and kissed the base of her thumb.

“She told you about Willie, aye?”

She nodded, her eyes still on mine, her hands didn’t leave my jaw.

“I’m sae sorry, truly sorry.” I was closer to crying now, not only my brother in my mind but Claire as well and the wrong I had done by not sharing my pain with her.

“Not you now. I am sorry, Jamie. Did something happen? You seemed okay last year.”

I took a deep breath and shut my eyes for a few seconds, steadying my thoughts. “I mostly do fine. As fine as one can, but some years it’s tougher.”

“She said so. Do you know what brought it on?” She ran her thumb over my stubble.

“I think so, aye. But I didn’t want to tell ye, because it’s… well, you.” Her brow furrowed in confusion, but she waited for me to go on. “It’s almost December, and that made me think of the holidays in my childhood with him–with the whole family, as whole as it once was. Then I felt bad for thinking so, because I feel verra whole now, wi’ you, and maybe whole meant something then, and a different thing now.” I paused and sniffled. “After all,” I moved one hand to rest it on her middle, “won’t we be whole too when we get what we’re looking for?” She gave me the kindest smile I could ask for and pecked my lips, very softly. “I’ve also been thinking about our future, quite a lot. And since Willie was very present already in my mind, I started… talking to him, strange enough. You see, I say a prayer for him often but I had never talked to him like that. Everything poured out of me, Claire,” and so did tears at that very moment, which reached her hands, “I started telling him about ye, and I—I couldna stop myself, telling him how lucky I am to love ye, and how gentle and sweet and strong ye are,” I had to stop and sob. 

“Jamie—” she said in a low voice filled with emotion. I couldn’t see clearly because of the pool of tears in my eyes, but it seemed like she was crying too. I grabbed her hands from my face and held them on my chest.

“I found a refuge wi’ him like that, a painful one, mind ye. So I started going on walks, talking to him, speaking about the family he never met—his niece and nephew—and I told him about how badly we wanted a child of our own. I swear it felt like he was truly listening.”

“That’s beautiful, Jamie.”

“Ye think so? D’ye no think me daft for it?”

“Of course not.” She kissed a tear on my cheek. “And I know it brings back the grief, but it allows you to have a connection with him, too. When I was little, for a time, I would fall asleep recounting the day’s events to my parents. I imagined they were very happy for me.”

“That’s verra sweet.”

I guided her head to rest on my chest and we stayed embraced like that for a while. Until she spoke softly against my shirt.

“Were you talking with him now? When I came here?”

“No,” I threaded my fingers through her hair. “I’m doing it less now, these past few days. It helped me to see I have more people I should be pouring my feelings to, so poor Ian is now dealing wi’ me,” I chuckled. “I’ve been speaking wi’ him about ye too,” I had plans that she was unaware of and they were making me very anxious and nervous. Ian was helping me. 

“Oh, have you?,” she teased. 

“Mhm,” I kissed her hair. “When ye came here I was just drinkin’.”

“I knew it.”

This belongs to the next chapter of Serendipity. It will soon come to an end and I’ll be very happy to keep working on my other (much cuter) wip.

I’m tagging @frasers-of-my-heart and @adsosfraser, and anyone who might want to take part in this, feel free to join next wednesday, or why not, be like me and make it wip thursday 

[in-a-slanted-outhouse]

For the “send a word and if it’s in the WIP I’m writing” thing … KLAUS!

‘Send me a word, if it’s in my wip document I’ll answer your ask with the sentence that it appears in.’

(Except I’m putting more than just sentences)

Thanks for the ask!

Sorry this took so long for me to respond to! I was busy all day yesterday but now it’s Saturday I actually have free time lol

I’ve come to the realisation that in every WIP I have that mentions Klaus in it he’s dead lmao

Sorry!

I had the choice to either post something from my main fic or continue on from what I posted for WIP Wednesday. I chose the latter because people seemed interested and the former is only like eight lines so

This directly continues from what I wrote in this post

I’m gonna tag @thehargreevesfam because I know she wanted to see more lmao

TW// Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, Descriptions of a Dead Body (maybe don’t read if you’re squeamish)

—

The blade of the knife pressed into Five’s neck. He flinched at the contact, a strangled sob escaping his lips.

“I’m sorry...” he whispered. “I’m so sorry...” Diego could feel him quivering beneath his grip.

Diego wanted to kill him too.

“Sorry doesn’t f-fucking cut it, you—” he growled, pushing the blade harder against Five’s throat. Five gasped, hands tightening around Diego’s wrists. “You k-ki—” he hated how he was crying, hot tears dripping down his cheeks and parting the dirt on his face, “you k-killed Klaus.”

Five tried to shake his head, wincing as the knife grazed his neck slightly, enough to hurt but not quite enough to pierce the skin. “I didn’t know.” he choked, “I swear I-I didn’t know.”

Diego could do it now. It would be over so quickly. One short flick of the wrist; one short line along Five’s throat.

“I hate you.” he gripped Five’s shirt harder, shaking him. “I fucking hate you.”

Five’s eyes were wide with fear. “I— I didn’t— I don’t remember—”

Diego remembered.

Diego remembered the blood. Diego remembered the squelching sound of flesh being sliced. Diego remembered the feral look in Five’s eyes as he brought that switchblade down over and over and over again until Klaus was more than dead. Diego remembered the blood splattering on Five’s face, how the screaming kept on going even though Klaus had stopped breathing, the inhuman shrieking clawing out Five’s throat.

Diego remembered how he froze.

Diego remembered how he didn’t do anything else except watch as Five took his brother’s life.

“Bullshit!” Diego screamed. “You fucking liar! You—”

Diego was going to kill him.

Diego was going to fucking kill him.

“I’ll fix it!” Five wailed. “I promise! I’ll fix it! I’ll go back I just need the energy! I can—”

“You can’t fix shit!” Diego bellowed, grief and rage rising in his chest. He shook Five by the shoulders. Five flinched, fear flashing in his eyes. “Everything was fine before you came back! All you did was fuck everything up!”

[vivilove-jonsa]

Continuing from this post, I’m sharing a bit more of this Post-Canon/Baby Making AU since it’s WIP Wednesday.

***

“It will be easier for you to see if you’re closer,” he’d teased, patting his knee.

And hopeless fool that she is, she’d willingly sat down in his lap at that…because she’d found herself wanting to.

“This is cheating,” she says, carefully parting each strand of hair.  

“How so?  You did not have to look.”

“You knew I’d want to!”

He grins in reply, the fiend.  He knew alright.  

He smells better than she’d anticipated.  Did he bathe before he came to her?  He must have.  And how can he radiate so much warmth without his cloak on?  So much softness through his leathers?  So much promise with his dark eyes alone?

You want to woo me?  Oh, she thinks he’s more capable of that than he knows.  If only he knew how greedily she’ll lap up any affection he’s willing to give her.  His gentleness may be her undoing.  It’d be so much easier to guard her heart if he was like the rest.  But no.  That’s not Jon.  And that is why she chose him. 

They’ve spent the last hour talking and both are mindful that she’s grown comfortable again.  He’d been right.  She wasn’t asking him to slay a dragon but she’s asked for something far more dear...and intimate.

If she’d simply wanted his seed, she could’ve lifted her skirts, spread her legs and let him rut into her with their eyes tightly closed.  He could pretend she was someone else if he liked.  He may anyway once they get to the actual act.  How will she know?

For that matter, if she had only wanted a man’s seed to fill her womb, she could’ve married again, any able man would do.  But she knows her heart desires more, silly thing that it is, and she's not going to marry another stranger who does not love her, no matter how it may shock her court and kingdom.  

It’s true that just the thought of the act with Jon leaves her mildly titillated in a manner she wouldn’t expect but he more than anyone understands that lying back and letting him take her would not be entirely easy nor desirable either for her after everything.    

So, they'd talked and he’d brought up a long-forgotten, childhood incident as they had, another instance of her horrible brothers having a laugh at her expense.

“You were such asses sometimes.”

“Aye, we were,” he’d chuckled.

Robb had shouted and declared the bit of dyed batting a spider after placing it in her hair.  She’d yelped and run and then stumbled, scraping her knee.  Jon had caught up to her first, his boyishly hot and sticky palms checking her bloody knee and saying they were only jesting whilst he’d attempted to pluck the fake spider out of her hair.

“And you hauled off and whacked me with your book of poetry or whatever.  A love story for the ages.”

She giggles remembering how shocked she’d been at her own very unladylike behavior.  She’d only been eight.  She remembers the trickle of blood creeping down his forehead from where the edge of the book had caught his scalp, too.

“I cried,” she whispers softly, looking down for a moment.

He smiles up at her, eyes resembling thick, black smoke.  “I know.  I felt awful for that.  Were you crying over your knee, the pretend spider, us being asses to you or me bleeding?”

“All four, I think,” she says just as her fingertip finds the place.  “Here?”

“Aye, the one and only wound you ever gave me, far fewer than Robb.”

“But this one left a scar,” she says, feeling saddened by the thought.  She's surprised to find she wants to cry.

“No, no.  No tears here, my lady.”

His callused fingers graze her jaw, making her pulse jump.  And why is it when he calls her 'my lady,' it makes her head spin?

“It was but a little wound and one that I would smile at the memory of whenever my fingers would find it.  After I joined the Night’s Watch and felt so alone or on the many other occasions when I thought that the life I’d lived as a boy was only a story I’d invented inside my head, I’d touch the scar hidden in my hair and remember it was real.”

“Once upon a time.”

“That sounds like the start of a good story, doesn’t it?”

“The very best sort of story.”

They share a quiet laugh.  Her hand is still buried in his thick black hair.  His fingers still touch her face. She trembles slightly but not from fear. She wets her lips, still gazing at him.  I’m ready, she thinks.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he husks, making her wiggle in his lap

[bitletsanddrabbles]

WIP Wednesday: Like Pulling Crocodile Teeth From A Healthy Crocodile

And having just whined about The Thing, I might as well post a bit of The Thing. Which Thing, you ask? Which of the million fifty Things?

Why, the New Thing, of course! The Thing that came to mind as I was soaking in a tub in a haunted manor house the month before Halloween! The third, supernatural Spoopy Thing I’ve come up with in the past three years! Bet this one won’t be done for Halloween either!

*sigh*

-

The sun was coming in low through the window, indicating that it was rather late in the day. Thomas frowned at the shadows on the wall and gingerly sat up. His head felt oddly light. In fact, now that he thought about it, his entire body felt oddly light. He scrubbed the sleep from his eyes and peered at his clock, then promptly swore and, forgetting all about his light head, jumped from the bed. It was nearly time for upstairs dinner and Mr. Carson would kill him if he wasn’t ready for it.

Why on earth hadn’t someone come to fetch him?

Going to pull his livery off his valet stand, where he always left it if he was going to have a lie down, he frowned. The stand was empty. He thought back to when he’d taken it off, trying to puzzle through why he’d have put it in the wardrobe rather than on the stand where it actually belonged. He remembered that he’d been intending to take a bath, but that was all.

He didn’t remember getting out of the bathtub.

He didn’t remember returning to his room.

He didn’t remember what he’d done with his clothing or lying down or any of it.

Shaking his head to clear it, he turned to the wardrobe and, with an odd sense of being disconnected from everything, pulled the door open. The door opened easily, swinging open on well oiled hinges as always. At the same time, the door stayed closed. He blinked, looking at the odd, double door. Through the closed door he could see his clothing, both his off duty suits and his livery. Cautiously, he reached for the black tailcoat and trousers. His hand met no resistance and he pulled them out with ease. When he looked back into the closet, toward the closed door, there they were, still hanging.

He blinked.

He looked at the livery in his hand and the closed door and the livery hanging behind the closed door and blinked a couple more times.

Perhaps the reason no one had come to fetch him was that he’d come down ill. He held a hand to his forehead and cheek, but he didn’t feel feverish.

He closed the wardrobe door and the strange double vision went away. There was one wardrobe with one, very closed, door. There might still have been livery behind it, but he couldn’t see, as was proper. He stood for a moment, to see if it would somehow come back. It didn’t.  Shrugging, he set about getting dressed and making himself presentable. Perhaps he should see an optometrist, but needing spectacles wasn’t an excuse for missing dinner.

Once he was squared away, he opened the door to his room. As with the wardrobe, the door swung open, but at the same time it stayed closed. He scowled. Really, if Lord Grantham couldn’t pay his wages anymore, what was the likelihood of his paying to send him to get his eyes looked at? And when would he have time?

Maybe Carson would be willing to give him some extra time to go into York if he promised to ask the optometrist if he had any positions open.

Assuming that the closed door was an illusion, same as with the wardrobe, Thomas walked through it and into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him. Predictably, he wound up in the hallway as planned. Turning toward the stairs, he was brought up short by a sight of a man standing in the corridor waiting for him. He tilted his head and squinted, trying to make sense of what his eyes were telling him.

The man was a stranger, that much was certain. Thomas would have sworn in court on a Bible that he’d never seen him before in his life. He was older, about Carson’s age, only where Carson had plumped out with age, this man had gone the opposite direction. His frame was broad, but everything else had shrunk inward, or backward in the case of his hairline. From the waist up, he looked very much like a butler. He wore the prescribed black tail coat and white tie and had an utterly unreadable expression.

His lower half was clothed in a kilt and stockings.

Thomas began to wonder if maybe he had a fever after all.

“There you are, Mr. Barrow,” the man addressed him. “We’d wondered how long it would take you to put in an appearance.”

Thomas frowned, involuntarily shifting away. “How do you know my name, Mr. …?”

“I am Mr. Jones,” the man replied evenly. Hist entire manner was professional, as if he were a butler dealing with a member of a visiting staff. “And I know everyone in this house. I’ve kept an eye on you since you first arrived at Downton, fifteen years ago. We all have.”

Thomas’s frown deepened, an uncomfortable feeling crawling down his spine. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jones, but that’s not possible. How could you keep an eye on me without my once seeing you? There aren’t that many places to hide at Downton. Carson would have sniffed you out.” He glanced down and added, “Especially in that.”

Mr. Jones glanced down as well, even though he surely knew what he was wearing, then looked back up at Thomas. “Yes, well, the living don’t have much say over where the dead go, or what we wear for that matter.”

“The dead.” The words were flat, as if he’d ironed them for wrinkles. “I’m talking to a ghost.”

“Yes, Mr. Barrow.” A small, sad smile turned up the corners of the older man’s mouth, and his eyebrows raised a bit pointedly. “As am I.”

[fleetofshippyships]

2020 Creator Wrap: 5 Favorite Works

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works.

Tagged by @inessencedevided and @rockmarina =)

Yay, AO3 is back up so I can do this now XD cos the brain fog is thick and I couldn’t even remember 5 titles let alone my favs 😅 and I wrote a lot of little things while fogged this year and never posted them, or thought I did only to find out later I didn’t, or just...forgot they existed entirely, and a few things posted here on tumblr but not AO3, so...I’m very confused and needed help remembering 😅 I plan on sorting that mess out soon

This year has been my worst and least productive from when I first started posting fic years ago, but that’s okay, my health has been rock bottom this year so it’s to be expected, so every drabble and fic is something to be proud of!!

But, my favs, let’s see...after I scroll my own AO3 to remind myself what I wrote not much 😅 but also crap I was so ready to link my sangxian fic but that was posted late 2019 😭

A Dream Made Real (Wangxian, Merfolk AU, Tears of Pearl Part  6)

I never meant for this merfolk AU to be more than that first part of the series but whoops, it got away from me XD I really miss writing it, hopefully I can get more done this year!

Side note: also A Charming Distraction which is set in the same setting but not quite a part of the series (although I’m going to work it in after thinking about it, so yes this happens at some point after part 6) because really, what is the point of having a merman boyfriend if you don’t use him like a banana boat to lazily float down the river? (also this was a collab with @sweetlittlevampire, and she enabled me wonderfully when I had this idea of Lan Zhan dropping a water whale on Wei Wuxian’s head and then she drew it so beautifully (the moment before Wei Wuxian got drenched, which is beautiful and not as ridiculous as it sounds XD)

Never Again (Nie Huaisang/Jiang Cheng, unhappy ending)

I’m still so happy with the angst in this, and cos my friend who loves angst prompted me I was able to just go hard and not tone it down (I LOVE angst XD) and then she cussed me out for how painful it was, which was the most fun part XD but I love the (so deliciously painful) idea of Huaisang pushing Jiang Cheng away to keep him safe but also being absolutely fucking brutal because he knows Jiang Cheng’s most painful weaknesses and also knows nothing short of total brutality will keep Jiang Cheng far enough away to not notice everything that follows in canon, and cos Jiang Cheng just won’t take the hint 😭

An untitled Soulmate AU I’m working on for the Touken Ranbu fandom (Kurikasen ship, WHY ARE THEY A RAREPAIR I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND) which so far exists online only as this WIP wednesday snippet post. It’s not finished yet (or is it? endings are hard) but I wrote 9k of it in 2020 so it counts right? XD

Now and Always (Jin Ling/Lan Sizhui)

This was just purely self-indulgent. I just wanted to write Sizhui trying to make Yanli’s soup for Jin Ling, I have big feelings about Sizhui having tried it but not Jin Ling. Also, literally nothing would happen in this fic without Jingyi, he is the true MVP, the ultimate wingman, and he deserves an award!

Putting to Rights (Poly Junior Quartet with Jin Ling/Jingyi focus)

I just like writing the juniors but also I’ll never not love the moment Jin Ling rushes to his feet to go off at Sizhui and Zizhen only to get yanked back down because his hand is still all tangled with Jingyi’s by the forehead ribbon XD

Okay, I’m not gonna tag anyone cos I’m late doing this and everyone has probably already been tagged and I’ve been offline so long I feel weird tagging anyone anyway XD

But if any content creators see this and wanna do it but weren’t tagged, PLEASE DO IT, you can say I tagged you =)

[sh1tbird-shantytown]

WIP Wednesday

it may not be wednesday anymore but i’m not that far off.

tagged by @ghostofjellyfishforgotten and @deardmvz <33

i don’t even know who to tag so if you want to join me in being late for this please do go ahead. tag me, i’d love to see.

also this is just over 1000 words so excuse that. it’s a pretty lengthy series i was working on a long while back. never posted. :)

…

Steve had an arrangement of emotions that hovered over his mind as he rushed around the kitchen making breakfast for himself. The little television was on in the corner counter as he spread butter over his toast, occasionally tuning into the news channel. He was debating on whether or not calling out of work would be a bad move. His head did feel a little sluggish and he knew he’d end up with a horrible headache by the end of the day nonetheless. He straightened his posture and looked up at the grey window. The day didn’t seem to favor anything good either.

There was a dark haired, middle aged man speaking when Steve looked up as he plucked up the other piece of toast, “In breaking news, there was a private jet crash near the Canandian border reported just fifteen minutes ago. The group aboard the plane were prestigious lawyers, Katherine Dacy and Oliver Brookson and their co-partners, John and Elizabeth Harrington,” the man sat up straighter in his chair as Steve barely registered his own posture sinking. “There was a pilot aboard, Jayson Dickson, they are all assumed to be deceas—” Steve blankly heard his toast plop on the floor. His ears started ringing and his vision blurred, his knees following in his body’s failure to deal. His parents were dead. The plane crashed. Katherine and Oliver? He remembered them. They came to dinner a few times. They were nice, they talked to him about civil justice while his parents bickered over white or red wine. His parents—

Steve struck into action and stumbled upright clumsily to the phone on the wall ten feet away, “Hopper,” he whispered to himself, “Hopper. Hopper can help.” He ripped the phone off and dialed the memorized house number.

It rang and rang until there was finally an open click, “Jim here,” was the greeting, it sounded like a rushed thing though. Like he had somewhere to be and whoever was calling better have a good reason. Well, Steve thought dead parents were a pretty good reason.

Steve took in a shaky breath before clearing his throat painfully, “Hop?”

Hopper’s voice changed significantly, “Steve? That you?” he didn’t pause long enough for a response, “‘Course it’s you, I just saw the news, kid. I was just on my way over.”

“Over?” he asked curiously, he grunted as the air was forced out when his knees finally buckled and he dropped heavily to the floor.

“Steve? Harrington?” Hopper’s voice carried through the line worriedly, “You— What are you doing right now?”

“Work,” Steve mumbled and looked at the shiny red telephone in his right hand before slowly raising it, “I was going to work, making breakfast,” he spoke slowly; shock taking it’s powerful place. Although, toast and work seemed very far away; eons.

“You aren’t going to work, kid,” Hopper reasoned and Steve nodded back to the air emptily, “You got that?”

Steve whispered back, “Yeah.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, don’t do anything rash, Steve, I know you may be thinking things but you just wait there until we’re there.” Steve racked his brain to see what Hopper may have been talking about but he couldn’t find anything. There was nothing. He felt numb and even the deep sorrow he knew was there couldn’t penetrate the lack of everything he felt and thought. He swayed where he sat, subconsciously, back and forth as he searched desperately for some sort of movement around him.

“Okay,” Steve said at last when he realized they both had been stuck in the silence, “I’ll be here waiting.”

“See you soon, Steve,” he heard back and then clicked to the end of the line.

He sat back against the wall and spread his legs out in front of himself, light blue pajama pants that his mother had gifted to him last Christmas. Made him feel nice about something. Made him feel content and warmed even in the large and open emptiness of the house. And then Steve began thinking about how the house will begin to feel even more empty with his parents officially gone. No more mom and dad bickering over wine, or his mediocre grades, or how he should strive for a better job. No more stupidly funny jokes by his tipsy mother, no more pleasantly enjoyable law lessons from his father on quiet nights they were home, no more holidays shared sparingly. They were gone. And Steve had learned quickly, especially in the past few years, how to accept loss. But this seemed to be different. A part of his already feeble life was gone. A big part. The beginning of his own. His parents were dead. Was that what Hopper had been talking about. There was an awful amount of death-speak panging around his mind.

Steve erupted with a powerful sob then, tears suddenly springing forward and flooding over his eyelids even when he closed then uncomfortably tight. His shoulders hunched forward and his stomach contracted as he felt bile rise. He forced it down at the last moment and then took in a delicate rumble of a breath from his aching and burning lungs. His heart was pounding so loud and fierce that he felt it in his ears and brain. He brought his hands up and covered his face, where his fingers grazed his forehead and the heels of his hands rested at the bottom of his cheeks.

He trembled on the floor with hot and sticky tears blotching his skin, and then stood up in sudden strength and slammed his own phone down on the holder attached to the wall. The grey wall his mother had made his father agree to when Steve was ten. It had been a three day fight over the wall color. Steve’s father had wanted it green. Steve found that suddenly amusing as he recalled the conversations his mother had with his father where she scolded him on his poor color pallet choice. He laughed into the vacant house hysterically and listened to the echoes it created. The front door slammed open and multiple voices took it over.

There were arms around Steve before he could even fully turn around when he got to his feet to greet the loud guests. And when he did manage to glance at the tops of two women’s heads he clasped his own two arms around them too. Robin and Joyce stepped back with their wide and empathetic eyes. Steve knew he looked a mess by the way sympathy and concern overran their expressions. And he felt it too, his hot temperature and stiff limbs.

“We’re here for you, honey,” Joyce grabbed his forearm gently, but it was firm too. Hopper stood in the doorway, so Steve waved him over before he answered Joyce.

Hopper stepped inside and closed the door as Steve began to speak thickly, “I just— I don’t know what to do,” he released.

Joyce cupped his cheek like he’d seen her do with her own sons before, “Oh, honey,” she eased, “You don’t need to know anything right now. We just need to sit down, stick together, and take the day to slowly come to terms.”

“They’re gone,” he choked out loud finally. He looked up at Joyce’s suddenly tear filled eyes, “They’re actually gone. They’re not coming back to me anymore,” he felt his knees give way but Robin held him up.

She grunted and then put his arm over her shoulder, “Alright, let’s move this to the living room, Bud,” she spoke like she was trying to keep normality to the situation but also still show she cared. And Steve could understand the meaning even in the moment of weakness in his structure. There were cracks everywhere in himself. But he knew Robin and he knew Joyce and he knew Hopper. They were strong, they were present, and they came to stay with him. That was what he needed. Robin seated him on the plush sofa as the two adults entered the room. Steve leaned back and stared off a moment before refocusing on Robin’s clear blue gape.

“Do you guys have to leave?” he asked. The rest looked taken aback and Robin maybe a little offended.

“Son,” Hopper spoke up, “We’re gonna be here all damn day whether you like it or not.”

Steve smiled wetly back, “Thank you.”

Hopper smiled and Joyce did the same beside him, “No prob—” he was interrupted by the phone ringing.

Steve sat up with perseverance he hadn’t had a moment ago, “I got it, don’t worry.” He shuffled over to the wall from before and picked it up, after a moment he gripped it with his other hand too, “I know, Aunt Clara, I know.”

[kwanisms]

English is My Favorite Subject - 1

⤑ genre: smut, college au, enemies to lovers ⤑ pairing: Chan x Reader (female) ⤑ warning: *ahem* smut, S I N, soft dom!Chan, rough sex, phone sex, sexting,  slight degradation, mention of alcohol, foul language ⤑ summary: After taking the English tutoring position at your university, hell comes to you in the form of Lee Chan. He needs help passing his exams and tutoring is his only option. As your time with him passes, you come to realize that maybe he’s not the cocky and arrogant asshole you previously assumed. ⤑ word count: 19.2k (lmao I’M SORRY. This got out of hand)

⤑ {01} | 02 | 03

a/n: I’ve been sitting on this WIP for literally M O N T H S. So I’m finally posting it because Chan is hot asf (despite being 6 years his senior). And most importantly he’s legal What was supposed to be one part has morphed into something else entirely and it’s now going to be three parts (kill me lmao) so here, enjoy! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. IF YOU CAN, READ THIS ON DESKTOP. The tumblr app has been screwing up and getting rid of my read more lines. ~K♡

You would have never taken this position if you knew beforehand that he needed a tutor. You would have been content not taking the job but unfortunately, you needed the money and it looked great on your resume. The moment he walked into the room provided by the university, your worst nightmare began; being stuck in a room with Lee Chan for two hours, twice a day every week.

You cursed whatever deity deemed it necessary to send this demon your way.

It wasn’t that you didn’t like Lee Chan; you hated him. Your disdained was mirrored when Chan entered the room and saw you sitting there and immediately swore under his breath. Or maybe it was because he hadn’t seen or spoken to you since the party where you threw a drink in his face and called him a tasteless asshat.

He leaned up against the wall, his backpack slung over one shoulder and narrowed his eyes at you. “Tell me this isn’t real,” he said, his voice deeper than you remembered. He’d grown over the few years since you’d last spoken. He wasn’t the baby faced freshman you remembered. You shook your head. 

“Unfortunately, it is. I’m your tutor, and seeing as you already paid for your lessons, we might as well get this over with. The sooner we finish, the sooner we don’t have to see each other,” you said as you straightened up your side of the table.

Chan sat across from you, dropping his bag on the floor with a desolate thud. “Alright, teach, what are we learning?” he asked dropping his previous demeanor for a pleasant one. The cheerful tone took you by surprise and you decided to shake it from your head. “Well, looking at your grades, we clearly-” you began before Chan interjected.

“Wait, you have my grades?!” he snapped and you stared at him. “Uh, yes? I’m your tutor. Your professor sent your grades over so I knew what exactly you needed help with?” you said in a harsh tone, making it painfully obvious. Chan clicked his tongue and looked away at the wall littered with flyers. “Fine,” he said, his jaw clenched before he turned back to you.

He was pissed. You could see it in his eyes and if you weren’t the same person you were now, you might have coward in fear, but luckily, you weren’t shy and intimidated easily. You stared back with as much ferocity as you could muster, staring him down as if you were an alpha wolf beating a lower one into submission with your gaze. Chan eventually gave in and looked down.

Pleased with your show of dominance you continued. “As per your grades, it seems as if you need the most help with grammar. Your professor noted that your comprehension of the language and vocabulary is excellent which is great. Less for us to work on. You just need to focus on the grammar section,” you said as you flipped through the file you had made.

“You sound awfully glad about that,” Chan said with a sneer and you sighed, rolling your eyes. “It means we have to spend less time together. If you needed help with everything, we would be meeting everyday from now until your exams. Instead, twice a week, two hours a day until the week before your exam is sufficient enough. The week of, however, we will have to up it to an hour everyday until the day before. This is the only reasonable schedule I see,” you said.

Chan huffed, crossing his arms. “So do I get to pick the days?” he asked and you nodded. “Yes. I know you have extracurricular activities, as do I, so we will have to work together to make the schedule work. I don’t like this any more than you do, but this is where we are and we better make the best of this until we can go back to our lives without seeing each other,” you said watching him as he clenched his jaw. After a few moments, he nodded silently.

“Alright, just because I have to pass this class. I need to, for baseball,” he said and you nodded. “Of course,” you said shifting in your seat and opening his folder to a page labeled “schedule” in all capital letters. “Let’s get this schedule figured out and then we can go. I won’t make you start today,” you said with a grimace. Chan nodded and leaned forward to look at the paper.

The two of you had agreed to meet on Wednesdays before dinner and Sundays around 9:30 in the morning. You jotted the schedule down as well as Chan’s number since you would need it in case something came up and you needed to contact him. After finalizing the schedule, Chan sat back in his chair. “Can I go now?” he asked and you nodded without looking up.

You heard the chair feet scrape against the tiled floor as he stood up and bent over to grab his bag. “So,” he said and you looked up. “See you Wednesday?” he asked and you nodded. “Yup, Wednesday,” you said and he turned without a word and opened the door, hesitating in the doorway. He turned to look at you and you waited for him to speak. Instead he shook his head and called out a, “later,” before leaving you in the small room alone.

You could tell this was going to be a rough six weeks.

The following Sunday, you woke up early, rolling out of bed to head for your bathroom and shower. After cleaning and drying off, you got ready for the day, dressing in some comfortable clothes as you would be spending two hours sitting at a table, helping the person you couldn’t stand the most learn the language he hated the most. After leaving the warmth and safety of your dorm, you braved the cool, dreary morning to head for the student center.

It had rained the night before, leaving behind little puddles on the streets and sidewalks. As you neared your destination, the promise of coffee and a muffin in your mind, you pulled open the door and stepped in. Your phone buzzed in your sweatpants pocket, alerting you to a new text. Pulling it out, you opened the texting app. It was from Chan.

[2019/09/29] L.Chan [09:20]: Hey, I’m gonna be like 10 minutes late.

Letting out a sigh, you typed in a quick response before getting in the nearly nonexistent line for your morning refreshments.

You [09:21]: K

With that taken care of, you turned your attention toward the barista behind the counter as he graced you with a warm smile, the dimples in his cheeks growing. “Hey (Y/N),” he greeted you cheerfully. You returned the smile and replied with a, “I don’t know how you’re so cheerful all the time, Namjoon. It’s so admirable.” He smiled wider, dropping his gaze before fixing his eyes on you again.

“What’s the point in being miserable and grumpy all the time? If I’m positive and upbeat, maybe I can pass that off to other students stopping by to get their coffee,” he said with a shrug. You didn’t need to peruse the menu on the chalkboard behind him. You always got the same thing.

“So, are you going to switch it up on me,” he asked pressing on the screen in front of him. “Or are you going to be as predictable as always and get your usual?” he asked and you placed your hand on your chest. “You wound me with your words. It’s not my fault you make the best caramel macchiato and serve the most delicious banana nut muffins. This is your doing,” you playfully accused him as he rang up your order with a chuckle. He gave you his employee discount, something he did occasionally.

“Your total is $5.32,” he said and you handed over the change. Namjoon cashed you out and started on your coffee. “I forgot to ask,” he said turning to you. “Did you want that iced or hot?” he asked and you smiled. “Make it iced today,” you said before pulling out your phone to check your texts. You had a couple from your best friend, Jeongguk, and another from Chan.

[2019/09/29] Kookie [09:24]: are you awake? Kookie [09:24]: I want to go get pancakes Kookie [09:24]: and you’re the only person who will go with me Kookie [09:25]: ): pls be awake. I really want pancakes. You laughed before typing in your reply. You [09:25]: Sorry Gguk. I have a tutor lesson this morning. Raincheck?

His reply was instant.

Kookie [09:25]: UUUGGGHHHHH U SUCK ):< Kookie [09:25]: I’ll just go alone and order your favorite pancakes and eat them all! Kookie [09:26]: that’ll show you! You [09:26]: well, you’ll be paying for them lol I would hope you eat them Kookie [09:27]: …i did not think this through. ): how long is the lesson? You [09:27]: two hours… kill me. Kookie [09:27]: …I hate you D:< I’ll just go with Tae and Jimin You [09:28]: D: but pancakes are our thing!! Kookie [09:28]: NOT ANYMORE ):< You [09:29]: y must u hurt me like this? 💔 Kookie [09:29]: because u won’t go get pancakes with me 😤 You [09:29]: I have a lesson! Kookie [09:29]: E X C U S E S You rolled your eyes and left him on read to open Chan’s message. L.Chan [09:24]: Are you already at the student center? You [09:29]: yes. I’m here.

Namjoon’s voice brought you out of your thoughts and you pocketed your cell phone before stepping forward to grab your order. “Have a good day, (Y/N),” he said with a pleasant smile, one you returned. “You too, Namjoon!” you said before heading for the tutor room. You unlocked it with the key you were given by administration and set up your space. You unpacked your bag that contained an english book, the accompanying workbook, Chan’s file, as well as a small array of pencils, pens,  highlighters, and whiteout. You opened your bag and pulled out the muffin before digging in.

Your phone buzzed on the table and you checked the notification. It was Chan.

[2019/09/29] L.Chan [09:30]: I don’t think I can make it.

You felt your blood boil and set your muffin down to type in your answer.

You [09:31]: and why not?

His reply came quickly.

L.Chan [09:31]: I’m not feeling well.

You narrowed your eyes before shooting a text to Jeongguk.

[2019/09/29] You [09:32]: hey, can I ask you something? Kookie [09:32]: that depends, are you going to cancel your lesson and come get pancakes with us? Kookie [09:32]: [image1279.jpg] You [09:32]: 1. Who tf took that picture?? You [09:33]: 2. 🙄 I’m serious, Gguk Kookie [09:33]: fiiiiine. what’s up? You [09:33]: was there a party last night? Kookie [09:34]: uhhh, not that I attended, why? You [09:34]: trying to catch someone in a lie Kookie [09:35]: ask Mingyu. I know you have his number and he’ll tell you anything. You [09:36]: ...shit u rite. Thanks. Kookie [09:36]: CANCEL YOUR LESSON AND COME GET PANCAKES. Tae misses you ): Kookie [09:36]: I MISS U (Y/N) - Tae You [09:37]: gimme a sex You [09:37]: SEC* gdi Kookie [09:37]: I’ll give you all the sex 😉 - Jimin You [09:38]: 

Kookie [09:38]: D: - Jimin

You closed the thread with Jeongguk and opened Mingyu’s texts.

[2019/09/29] You [09:39]: Hey Gyu, are you awake?

Waiting for his response seemed to take forever but it was only a few minutes before he replied.

[2019/09/29] K.Mingyu [09:41]: yeah, what’s up? You [09:41]: was there a party last night? K.Mingyu [09:42]: yeah. It was at the Iota Nu Delta house. K.Mingyu [09:42]: The baseball team usually has their parties there after we win a game. You [09:42]: was the whole team there? K.Mingyu [09:43]: yeah! We all always go! We never miss an after game party! K.Mingyu [09:43]: why? You [09:43]: trying to catch someone in a lie. Thank you~ K.Mingyu [09:44]: …oh no. Am I in trouble? 😰 You [09:45]: not at all! ☺ you helped me. I’ll bring your fave to your next lesson~ K.Mingyu [09:46]: …ur the best tutor ever. ilysm 😍

You returned to Chan’s text.

[2019/09/29] You [09:47]: make sure to take some medicine for your hangover. I heard the party last night was a rager L.Chan [09:47]: i didn’t go to a party last night. You [09:48]: don’t lie to me. I expect to see you early on Wednesday or you can kiss your precious championship goodbye because i will not help you with your English course. L.Chan [09:48]: has anyone ever told you that you’re a vindictive bitch? You [09:49]: And make that three hours on Wednesday to make up for today. You [09:50]: have a good day~ 🤗

You closed his messages and got up, grabbing your things and packing them away before slinging your bag over your shoulder and sending a text to Jeongguk.

[2019/09/29] You [09:51]: wait for me. I’m coming for pancakes.

You got a notification for a new message and opened it.

[2019/09/29] [PANCAKE SQUAD] Kookie [09:52]: hello buttermilk bitches. Taehyungie [09:52]: ...don’t ever fucking call us that again. Minnie [09:53]: yeah that was weird. You [09:53]: G R O S S 🤢🤮 Minnie [09:53]: (Y/N)!! My baby~😍 Taehyungie [09:54]: she’s not ur baby Kookie [09:54]: N E WAY. Pancakes. Let’s get some. You [09:55]: I just gotta drop off my bag and I’ll be ready. Minnie [09:55]: cool, I’ll swing by on my way to pick the losers up. Taehyungie [09:56]: I live with you tho Kookie [09:56]: u better not pick (Y/N) up and forget us Jimin, istg Taehyungie [09:56]: I'm literally your roommate Minnie [09:56]: on my way (Y/N)~ Taehyungie [09:57]: JIMIN U ASS WAIT FOR ME You [09:57]: Okay!~

Your walk back to your dorm took no time at all and you were able to stash your bag and grab your wallet before heading back down to meet Jimin outside your building. Taehyung sat in the backseat with his arms crossed. He didn’t look happy. You made your way to Jimin’s car when he rolled the window down. “You’re up here with me, gorgeous!” he said and you opened the front passenger door to get in.

Jimin pulled out of the parking lot and made his way to Jeongguk’s building. “Why do you look like a mad owl, Tae?” you asked peering over your shoulder at him as he sulked. “He literally yelled at me when I tried to get in the front seat. ‘YOU CAN’T SIT THERE!’ ‘(Y/N) IS SITTING THERE!’ he was so mean. Like, I’m your roommate, does that mean nothing to you?” he asked looking at Jimin in the rear view mirror. Jimin laughed as he made the turn onto Jeongguk’s street.

“It does. But you aren’t a beautiful woman,” he said glancing up at the mirror. Taehyung huffed and sank lower in his seat. “You are a handsome man though,” you said looking back at Taehyung who smiled at you. “Thanks (Y/N),” he said as Jimin pulled to a stop and honked the horn. Jeongguk appeared moments later, running down the steps to the curb where the car waited.

He got in behind you and leaned forward to hug you against the seat. “I missed you,” he said, his face smashed against the back of your headrest muffling his voice. You laughed as you patted his arm. “You saw me two days ago,” you reminded him. “I know, but I’m used to seeing you everyday!” he said peering around the headrest at you.

The car ride was boisterous with the three of them yelling at each other and Jimin turning the music up on the stereo loud enough to drown out Taehyung and Jeongguk as they bickered. Jimin pulled into a space at the local breakfast cafe and the four of you hopped out. Jeongguk immediately rested his arm around your shoulder as he led the way into the cafe, Jimin and Taehyung brought up the rear.

This cafe had been your go to spot on Sunday mornings. It was a little off the beaten path so it was never hit with the post church crowd, especially when you went while services were going on. The hostess smiled at you as you entered. “Just four?” she asked and Jeongguk nodded while she grabbed four settings. “Booth, if possible!” Jimin added and she nodded, acknowledging his request.

She led the four of you through the cafe to the back corner to the only corner booth in the whole restaurant. You slid in, Jeongguk on the outside and Jimin next to you, Taehyung on the other side. The hostess set the menus down in front of you and told you that your server would be with you soon.

You looked over the menu, browsing the different pancake options. You usually got the same thing so you weren’t sure why you bothered looking at the menu. “What are you getting?” Jeongguk asked as you set your menu down. “The same thing I always get,” you said as the server arrived and asked for your drink orders. She left and returned moments later with an array of coffee, water, and juice.

You added sugar and cream to your coffee as she wrote down everyone’s orders and left to put them in. “So, who were you supposed to tutor this morning?” Jeongguk asked taking a sip of his banana milk. “Lee Chan,” you said taking a sip of your coffee. Jimin snorted into his own coffee. “On the baseball team?” he asked and you nodded. “He needs a tutor?” he asked stifling his laughter.

“As I recall, Jimin,” Jeongguk said glancing up at his friend. “You needed a tutor last year for math and had it not been for our very own (Y/N), you would have failed your exams. She didn’t even charge you for your lessons,” he added. Jimin’s ears turned red as he blushed and avoided his friends’ gazes. “Yeah, she charged me for my lessons!” Taehyung said leaning forward and glaring at you.

“She did charge me!” Jimin insisted and you agreed with a nod. “I did charge him for his lessons though. Not all of them, but I did that for you too,” you said looking at Taehyung. “I charged you for like 80 percent of them. Same with you,” you said as you looked over at Jeongguk. “So you charged us for only 80 percent of our lessons?” he asked and you nodded. “And it’s not even full price. Mingyu and Chan pay full price. I didn’t give a discount to anyone else,” you said taking another sip of coffee.

“That’s not true,” Taehyung said smirking at you and your heart sank. If he was about to call you out and reveal what you thought he was, you would never hear the end of it. “Who else did she give a discount to?” Jeongguk asked looking up at his friend. Taehyung’s smirk widened before he opened his mouth and said the two words that were certain to seal your fate and condemn you. “Kwon Soonyoung.”

“Really? Why Soonyoung?” Jeongguk asked looking at you. Taehyung chuckled before condemning you even further. “She has a crush on him.” Jimin whipped around to look at Taehyung before rounding on you. “Really?? Kwon Soonyoung?!” Jimin asked and you shushed him, peering anxiously around the cafe. “Yes. I had a crush on him. That was last semester!” you said quickly.

Taehyung snorted and shook his head. “Liar. I saw you fawning over him last week,” he said and you shot daggers at him with your eyes. If looks could kill. “Awww, our widdle (Y/N) is growing up so fast~!” Jeongguk said in a cooing voice as he pinched your cheek. You slapped his hand away and shot him a disgruntled look. He laughed and picked up his glass. “I’m just teasing, (Y/N),” he added.

Jimin took your hand and pressed it against his chest. “Feel that?” he asked and you looked from your hand against his shirt up to his face. The pained expression on his face present as he said dramatically, “that’s my heart breaking.” You scoffed and pulled your hand away. “Stop teasing me, guys,” you said and saw the server returning with your food. You had never been so happy to see a server in your life.

Once the food arrived, the boys couldn’t tease you anymore. You dug into your pancakes happily and ignored any questions hurled your way about Soonyoung and your obvious crush. “I just want to eat in peace,” you said looking at Jimin and Taehyung, the latter cackling softly as he cut up his pancakes into bite size pieces. The four of you continued to eat, speaking and joking occasionally.

When the bill came, the boys played Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who would pay for breakfast. Jeongguk lost and had to pay for everyone. After paying the bill, the four of you made your way out of the building and towards the car where something, rather someone, caught your eye.

Lee Chan was getting out of a black sedan a few spaces behind Jimin’s car and with him was a strikingly beautiful woman. She had long straight black hair, very round eyes, a slim figure, and long legs. She wore a cute light pink dress with long sleeves, her legs painted in the espresso color of her tights and ankle high boots on her feet, giving her a much taller appearance. Chan’s eyes locked with yours and you felt your blood boil. First he cancels his appointment because he’s hungover and now this?

A smirk made an appearance on his face as he passed, cocking an eyebrow as if to say, ‘what?’ You narrowed your eyes and turned sharply from him to press yourself against Jeongguk, who had his arm around your shoulders. “Let’s get out of here,” you said to your friends, opening the back passenger door and getting in with Jeongguk. Jimin got into the driver’s seat and looked back to pout at you.

“You don’t want to sit up here with me?” he asked as Taehyung got in and you smiled. “I already rode up front. It’s someone else’s turn,” you said and Jimin glared at Taehyung who in turn gave him his big boxy smile before the ignition started and Jimin drove out of the parking lot. He headed back toward your dorm. “You sure you don’t wanna watch us practice?” Taehyung asked and you shook your head.

“I should study. Pretty sure my calculus professor is planning a pop quiz next class, so I want to be prepared,” you said and Jimin sighed loudly. “I just want you to come to one practice!” he said and you laughed, shaking your head. “Sorry, Minnie. I’ll be at the game though. I wouldn’t miss that for anything,” you added and when the car pulled to a stop you unbuckled your seatbelt.

“I’ll see you guys later.” You got out and waved as your friends pulled away before heading back up to your room to wrap yourself in a blanket and study. Seeing Chan had made you pretty mad. He was so damn smug and it irked you to no end. Who gave him the right? You were definitely not looking forward to his lesson next Wednesday.

The following Monday, you had stopped by to get your usual coffee and muffin. “(Y/N)!” What a surprise! What brings you here?” Namjoon asked jokingly and you rolled your eyes. “I came to see my favorite barista, of course!” you said as you approached the counter and Namjoon put your order in. You paid him and stepped aside to let the next person order, bumping into someone behind you.

You spun around, apologizing profusely when the breath was stripped from your lungs. You had run into Kwon Soonyoung, the same crush your friends had teased you about on Sunday. He smiled down at you, stunning you. God he was so handsome. 

“Hey, (Y/N)!” he said and you saw Chan’s face appear from behind Soonyoung. Of course they were together, you thought. They’re best friends. Chan rolled his eyes and looked away uninterestedly. “Sorry, Soonyoung,” you said breathlessly and he waved his hand, dismissing your apology. “Don’t be. I’m fine,” he said with a wink.

A small nervous giggle escaped your lips but Soonyoung didn’t seem to notice. Chan, however, definitely noticed. His eyes turned upon you, his eyebrow raised and the corner of his lips twitched as your cheeks flushed light pink. He finally join in the conversation. “You know (Y/N)?” he asked his friend, feigning interest. Soonyoung nodded smiling at you.

“(Y/N) was my tutor last semester. She helped my pass my English exams. She’s amazing,” he said, his praise causing you to choke on your own saliva. “I’m n-not. I just wanted to help,” you stammered. Again, either he didn’t notice or didn’t care, Soonyoung just smiled at you. Chan knew. He could see it in your face and your body language. You were really dreading his next lesson.

Wednesday came and passed and soon it was 5:45 pm. You sat in the tutor room and the door opened. Chan entered and you were glad he was at least on time. He sat down across from you and dropped his bag on the desk, not looking up from his phone. “Let’s get this over with,” he said popping a piece of gum. “Put your phone down, then,” you said and his eyes snapped up to yours.

They had a darkness to them but he did as you said and set his phone face down on the table surface. “So, what are we learning?” he asked and you nodded pulling out the work book. You pushed it toward him. “Let’s get started,” you said and Chan sighed before opening the workbook while you went over the key grammar points of the language. You tested his vocabulary and were pleased when he did well.

An hour passed by quickly in this form and you stopped for a bathroom break. “So,” Chan said as you walked down the hall of the student center toward the restrooms. “Does Soonyoung know you have a huge crush on him?” he asked and you nearly stumbled. “W-what?” you asked incredulously. “I do not,” you insisted and Chan laughed loudly. “I may be failing English, but I’m not stupid. I saw you. You like him,” he said with a smirk and you shook your head. “No,” you said adamantly.

“You definitely do. I can tell that much,” he said and you ignored him, heading for the safety of the women’s bathroom. He laughed as you hurried away and into the confines of the tiled room, the door swung shut behind you. You were mad at yourself for slipping up in front of Soonyoung, but you were more mad at Chan for teasing you about it. How dare he?

You did your business and washed your hands. Outside the bathroom, Chan was waiting for you, leaning against the wall while he typed on his phone. You froze as you watched him. He had a smirk on his face, looking at the screen. What was he doing? Was he telling Soonyoung right now? You would never be able to face Soonyoung again if Chan told him.

You stormed up to him and stopped a few feet from him. Chan looked up and his expression shifted, his smirk dropping immediately. “What?” he asked and you glared at him. “Don’t tell him anything or I swear I will make your lessons hell,” you said and the smirk returned. “Oh? What makes you think I haven’t already told him?” he asked crossing his arms, tucking his phone close to him.

Your heart leapt into your throat at the idea that he may have. “D-did you?” you asked and Chan laughed standing up straight and opening his messages before showing you his texts with Soonyoung. “No, I haven’t. But maybe I will,” he said and your fingers curled, balling your hands into fists. “Do it and I will up your lessons to three times a week, four hours each,” you threatened and Chan’s smirk fell again.

“You wouldn’t,” he said softly and this time a smirk crossed your features as you leaned in, looking at him. “Try me,” you dared and he gulped. “Fine. I won’t say anything,” he said and put his phone in his pocket. You stood straight before nodding once and making your way back to the room, Chan in tow.

The rest of the lesson passed easily, Chan falling into line and doing as you asked. At the end, when you were packing up he turned toward you as he reached the door. “(Y/N)?” he asked and you looked up. “Yes?” you asked and he hesitated. “Nothing,” he said and shook his head. “See you Sunday,” he called as he left you sitting in the room, confused as hell. What the hell was that?

“That’s so stupid! It makes no sense!” Chan shouted throwing his pencil down and you groaned, dropping your head into your hands. Two weeks has passed since these forsaken lessons began and at every instance, Chan was getting on your last nerve. He was either stubborn or just plain stupid if he had this much trouble grasping the concept.

“It’s how it’s supposed to be said!” you said, as equally frustrated. “Why?” he asked and you groaned. Not this again. “I don’t know! That’s just the rules!” you said angrily. “What rules?! English has no rules! It beats other languages up in dark alleys, then rifles through their pockets for loose grammar and spare vocabulary!” Chan shouted and you paused, staring at him.

“What?!” he yelled and before you could think, you burst into laughter. Chan stared at you bewildered. “What the hell is so funny?” he asked and you pointed at him. “What you just said!” you said in between laughs. His angry facade dropped as he broke into a smile and started laughing along with you. “Well it’s true!” he said and you wiped a tear from your eye. “I mean, yeah it is,” you agreed before looking down at the worksheet and then at your watch. “Let’s stop here,” you said looking up at him.

“What?” he asked. “Why?” he leaned forward. “We’ve been at his nearly two hours and I didn’t get to eat lunch earlier since I was running late,” you said as you began packing up your things. Chan watched as you stacked your papers and put them away. “Well, let’s go get something to eat,” he said beginning to pack his things up. You froze, staring at him. “Let’s?” you asked and Chan looked up from his bag.

“Yeah, I’ll buy,” he said as he zipped up his bag and got to his feet. You stuffed your things in your bag and slung the strap over your shoulder, standing up slowly. “You don’t have to do that,” you said softly. “I was just going to go back to my room to eat,” you admitted and Chan scoffed. 

“And what? Eat some instant ramen?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. You glared at him. “I’m offering to buy you real food, so come on,” he said and waved you to follow him. After a few minutes of hesitation, he poked his head around the door frame. “I’m not going to wait all day, come on,” he said and disappeared again.

You hurried out of the room after him. You followed him out of the student center and headed out to the parking lot. He led you over to a black sedan and you looked at him as he pulled the keys out and unlocked the doors. “Get in,” he said nodding at the car. You followed suit, opening the passenger door and sliding into the black interior of the car. 

Clicking your seatbelt into place, Chan started the car and pulled out of the parking space. He drove out of the lot, heading for a side street instead of the main road. “Where are we going?” you asked looking around at the residential area he drove through.

“I found this quiet little diner in this neighborhood while I was on a run one day. I decided to come back and check it out later that week and fell in love with it. It’s definitely off the beaten path but it’s well worth it,” he said as he made a right turn and a small strip of business nestled in between houses came into view. Chan pulled around back into one of the handful of parking spaces and cut the engine.

You got out, leaving your bag in the car. Chan led you to the door and pulled it open, letting you go in before him. Once inside the building, you could see why he liked the place so much. It was small and cozy. Like a little cafe. There were only five tables in the whole restaurant. 

Chan led you to one in the corner and the two of you took your seats. Moments later, a young waitress appeared, roughly about your age. She smiled at the two of you as she pulled a pad of paper and pen out of her apron.

“What can I get you two to drink?” she asked and you looked over the small menu in front of you. “Water,” Chan said smiling at her. You looked over the beverages before ordering the same. She walked away to get your drinks while you looked over the menu again. 

“I always get the same thing here,” he said and let you look over the menu. When the server returned with a glass pitcher full of ice water which she then set on the table before holding her pad ready to write down your orders. “What can I get for you?” she asked.

“I just want the Mac and cheese with chicken,” Chan said without touching the menu. The server nodded, scribbling that down before turning to you. “Uh, just the chicken Florentine,” you said setting the menu back on the table. She jotted that down and turned to put your orders in, leaving you in silence. Chan looked out the window across the room from your table.

You took the time to look around the room, taking in the decor. The walls were a medium to dark brown wood, matching the wood on the floor. The small round tables seated four people at most and were covered in white table cloths. Each table had a small arrangement in the center, a little collection of tealights and a slender vase with a couple white flowers sticking out of the top. Crystal goblets with silver rims sat upside down on the tables not in use.

The chairs were adorned with white gauze that tied into simple knots in the back before draping down toward the floor. Huge windows faced the street, letting in as much natural light as allowed, the rest of the light came from the strings of warm white lights that crisscrossed overhead across the restaurant. Sconces on the walls added more warm light to the room. Two large ceiling fans spun at a medium speed above the string lights keeping the room nice and cool.

Chan cleared his throat softly and snapped you out of your trance as you lowered your eyes from the ceiling down to him. “It’s nice, isn’t it?” he asked and you nodded, uncertain of what to say at this point. You hadn’t expected this to be such an intimate setting and you certainly hadn’t expected Chan to bring you to it of all people. He surprised you and you weren’t sure if you like it.

“Yeah,” you replied softly looking away from him. You felt the tension between you rise but it was broken when the server returned with your food. The two of you thanked her for the food but you were more grateful that you had something to keep you occupied. The food was definitely delicious and you were extremely surprised by the place. You would have to remember how to get here in the future.

When you had eaten as much as you could, you set your utensils down as Chan finished his bowl of mac and cheese. He looked at your plate and then up at you. “Do you want to take that with you?” he asked nodding at your leftovers as he pulled his wallet out. “Oh,” you said and looked down at the plate, nodding. “Yeah,” you said quietly as the server came to drop off the bill. “Could we get a to-go box?” he asked, handing her his card and she nodded.

You bit your bottom lip and looked out the window at the darkening street. You turned your head back and saw Chan watching you. Warmth grew in your cheeks and you looked away again. The server returned with Chan’s card and a box which she handed to you. Thanking her, you took the box and started to dump your leftovers in the box, shutting it and setting your plate down.

Chan signed the slip and put his card back in his wallet before pulling out a couple bills and setting them on the table. He turned to you. “Are you ready?” he asked and caught you off guard. It seemed like he was treating this like a date and you didn’t know how to proceed, so you just nodded and stood quickly, grabbing the box with your food in it. Chan led you out of the restaurant and out to the car parked in the back. You got in, setting your food in your lap and buckled your seatbelt quickly.

Without a word, Chan started the car and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, taking a familiar route back to the campus. Silence surrounded you, bathing you in it as a tension rose between you again. The air was thick with it as neither one of you said a word. Chan pulled onto a street on campus. “Where is your dorm?” he asked and you looked over at him. “Oh, I live in Ha Rin Hall,” you said looking over at him. “You live in Unicorn Hall?” he asked with a smirk.

“Hey, it has suites! I don’t have to share my room,” you snapped and Chan held up a hand. “I’m not judging!” he said and you rolled your eyes. “Whatever,” you said looking out your window. The drive took only a few minutes and before you knew it, he had pulled up outside your dorm hall entrance. “Here,” he said and you looked up before turning to him as you unbuckled your seatbelt. “Thanks, for dinner,” you said as you grabbed your things. He nodded. “Sure thing,” he said.

You got out of the car and shut the door. Chan rolled the window down. “See you Sunday!” he called and you turned back as you headed up the sidewalk. The look in his eyes caught you off guard and you stumbled over your words. 

“Y-yeah. S-Sunday!” you agreed before turning back toward your building and racing up to the door and punching in the code. You rushed inside and to the elevator, pressing the button several times. When the doors opened, you launched yourself inside and pressed the button for your floor.

Your heart hammered against your ribs and you weren’t sure if it was from running inside or the look Chan had given you when he called out to you from inside his car. You opted for the former, refusing to acknowledge the look. It didn’t happen, so forget it.

Once on your floor, you passed your common room and unlocked your door to your room, shutting and locking it behind you before depositing your things in your chair. You put your leftovers in the mini fridge and shook your head. It was nothing. Stop thinking about it!

You got ready for bed, determined to just pretend like the whole night was normal. You changed into your pj's, brushed your teeth and made sure your alarm was set. You climbed into your bed and pulled the covers up, sleep soon taking you over.

The next morning, you woke before your alarm did and decided to get up anyway, despite having 20 minutes left. You showered and dried off, getting ready for your first class of the day. After leaving your dorm, you stopped by the student center to grab a coffee and a muffin before your first lecture.

You had just reached the end of the line when you heard your name. Looking up, you saw Chan and Soonyoung standing near the pickup counter, Soonyoung waving at you. Chan eyed him suspiciously but ultimately looked away from his friend to nod at you. The two walked over after getting their coffee.

“Hey,” you said smiling at Soonyoung. “Chan told me how his lessons are going,” he said looking at his friend who immediately looked at him wide eyed. “Oh?” you asked nervously. Soonyoung nodded. “He told me I was right and that you are a good teacher,” Soonyoung said. You glanced at Chan to see his cheeks a soft pink. “Did he now?” you asked, slightly smug.

Soonyoung nodded. “Yeah,” he said patting his friend on the back. “Aren’t you also tutoring Jeon Jeongguk? He’s spoken quite highly of you,” Soonyoung said and you nodded. “Yeah. He’s my best friend, but I tutor him on Tuesdays and Fridays,” you said.

A feeling of uneasiness washed over you. The look Chan was giving you burned through your body. His expression was blank but it was unmistakable. He was livid. You didn’t know what his problem was. “Hey, aren’t you taking her lessons, too?” Soonyoung asked looking at his friend. Chan forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah, Sundays and Wednesdays,” he said.

“You’re a pretty popular tutor!” Soonyoung said winking. “Chan on Sundays and Wednesdays, Jeongguk on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Mingyu on Thursdays and Saturdays! You’re a pretty busy girl!” Soonyoung said with a laugh. You chuckled, still feeling unnerved by the look Chan was giving you.

“Well, we won’t keep you, see you around (Y/N)!” Soonyoung said before pulling Chan along, no doubt heading for an early morning practice for baseball. You sighed a breath of relief before approaching the counter to place your order. “Iced caramel macchiato and a banana nut muffin?” the blonde haired barista smiled. You chuckled and nodded. “Pretty predictable, huh?” you asked as you fished your wallet out. “It’s nice to have a semblance of continuity,” he said as he rang you up.

“I won’t charge you for the muffin,” he added. “Just don’t tell anyone,” he added in a whisper. “Your secret’s safe with me,” you replied in a whisper. “Thanks Namjoon,” you added. He smiled as you paid for your coffee and stepped aside to wait for it. Your phone buzzed in your pocket and you pulled it out. It was a text from Chan.

[2019/10/10] L.Chan [06:41]: how many students do you tutor? You [06:42]: like 4 or 5. Why? L.Chan [06:42]: … L.Chan [06:43]: why didn’t you say you were tutoring more students? You [06:44]: does it matter? L.Chan [06:44]: no L.Chan [06:45]: nvm. Forget i said anything. See you Sunday.

You stared at your phone in confusion before Namjoon’s voice pulled you out of your thoughts. He held out your coffee and a paper bag. “Thanks,” you said with a smile. “Have a good day, (Y/N). See you tomorrow!” You headed for your class and ate your muffin on the way.

Your first lecture passed quickly but your phone kept buzzing in your pocket so you turned the vibration off. Upon leaving you checked your phone. You had 10 missed texts. Two were from Mingyu explaining he couldn’t make his lesson for the day. You shot back a text that his workload would double on Saturday and he better not skip. He replied instantly.

[2019/10/10] K.Mingyu [08:03]: I’ll be there I promise! My mom has her follow up for her test today and I really wanted to be there for her. I’m sorry I had to cancel. You [08:03]: I’m only jesting, Gyu. Take care of your mom. I hope everything goes well. Let me know how she’s doing. I’ll see you next Thursday. Take Saturday off to be with her. K.Mingyu [08:05]: you are literally the best. Thank you so much, (Y/N)!

You turned your attention to the eight other missed texts. They were all from Chan.

[2019/10/10] L.Chan [07:21]: who else are you tutoring? L.Chan [07:23]: me, Mingyu, Jeongguk, who else? L.Chan [07:25]: Not that it matters. I’m just curious L.Chan [07:31]: Have any of them taken you to dinner?? L.Chan [07:32]: wait nvm don’t answer that. L.Chan [07:40]: … actually, answer that. L.Chan [07:44]: why the hell aren’t you answering me?? L.Chan [07:56]: shit. You’re in class. Duh. i’m stupid. Ignore me.

You stared in disbelief at your phone until the ellipsis at the bottom of the screen appeared indicating he was typing. You panicked and closed your texting app and locked your screen before shoving your phone deep in your bag. You didn’t want to know what he said.

Instead you headed for the student center to take advantage of the quiet room to finish going over your homework to make sure it was finished. You had just sat down when you heard footsteps approaching and you looked up to see it was Chan. He stopped right in front of you before he grabbed your bag and started rifling through it. “Hey!” you whisper yelled trying to take your bag back. He pulled your phone out and shoved it at you. You stared at him for a few moments. He nodded at your phone, indicating you to look at it. You rolled your eyes and opened it, checking his message.

[2019/10/10] L.Chan [08:07]: where are you? L.Chan [08:10]: I know you read my messages which means you’re out of class. I know you have a free period. I want to talk. L.Chan [08:12]: why are you ignoring me?

Chan snatched your phone out of your hand and look at the screen. You angrily snatched your phone back and grabbed your bag before pointing to the exit and led the way, Chan following closely behind you. Once exiting the quiet room, Chan grabbed your arm and led you away from the crowded court of the student center and away toward an empty classroom.

“What are you doing?” you hissed as he opened the door and shoved you in, shutting the door behind you. “I wanted to talk to you!” he said and leaned against the door, arms crossed in front of him. “Well, then talk!” you snapped and he narrowed his eyes.

“What is your problem?” he asked and you scoffed. “My problem? What is your problem? All those texts? Following me to the quiet room and looking through my bag? Taking my phone? Why are you acting like some jealous boyfriend?!” you snapped and Chan froze.

He regained his composure before slipping into a cool facade. “I am not. I just forgot that you were in a lecture, that’s all.” You crossed your arms. “Okay, then why are you asking me about my other tutor students like it’s somehow your business?” you asked and he shrugged. “I told you, I was curious,” he reiterated. You narrowed your eyes at him. “Right, sure,” you said.

“I’m not jealous. I just didn’t realize your schedule was so full,” he said and you nodded slowly. “So, can I go now? I need to finish going over my homework. It’s due my next class,” you said and Chan nodded but didn’t move. You waited patiently for him to stand up but he didn’t. You groaned and moved forward, determined to push him out of the way if you had to.

Upon reaching the door, Chan grabbed you by the arm and spun, pushing you against the door and pining you there. You let out a small yelp as he did. He stood there, his body pressing yours against the door, his hands pressed against the door on either side of your head. “What are you doing?” you whispered, your heart racing and finding it hard to breathe.

Chan stared at you, his head lowering until his lips were mere inches from yours. A loud crack of thunder sounded across the campus catching you, and thankfully, Chan off guard. He jumped and this allowed you enough of a window to open the door and race out of the room and as far away from him as possible. You took refuge in the ladies bathroom, ignoring the chime of the clock tower as eight thirty hit.

You were late for your class but you knew your professor would grant you a pass for turning in your assignment late. She loved having you in class. You hid in the bathrooms for nearly twenty minutes before braving the halls and heading back to your dorm, deciding to skip your classes and submit your homework from the safety of your room instead.

You made it back without instance and once you were locked in your room, you submitted the rest of your homework virtually and tucked yourself away in your bed. You were glad that Mingyu had decided to cancel his lessons for the day as you were a mess.

What the hell had gotten into Chan? What gave him the right to behave like that? What did he think you were to him? He took you to dinner one time and he thought you suddenly belonged to him? Bullshit. You wouldn’t stand for it. You would set him straight the next lesson.

You decided to order food instead of go out and interact with anyone. You sat in your room, eating your pizza when the first text came in.

[2019/10/10] L.Chan [18:22]: Look, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. L.Chan [18:23]: You’re my tutor and I shouldn’t have done that. Let’s just forget this and put it behind us. I’ll see you on Sunday? You [18:25]: Sunday. Consider it forgotten.

You threw your phone on your sheets and laid back, groaning when you felt the vibration near your foot. You reached down to grab the device and read the message.

L.Chan [18:26]: K

You threw your phone back down on the blanket and pulled the edge over your head and screamed into your pillow. He was a confusing asshole and you needed to put all of this out of your mind if you were going to get through the rest of his lessons without anymore incident.

Safe to say, you were dreading Chan’s Sunday lessons as they drew closer. Jeongguk noticed you seemed a little more tense that usual on Friday. “What’s wrong?” he asked, placing his hand on yours as you fiddled with your pencil. You shook your head. “Just class,” you lied and he squeezed your hand softly. Looking up, you were met with his warm eyes. You sighed, knowing he saw right through your lies.

“It’s these lessons with Chan. He’s such an asshole!” you said in a whisper yell. Jeongguk laughed as he sat back. “What’s new? He’s always been a brat,” he said and you glared at him. “Not helping,” you said and he shrugged. “What do you want me to say?” he asked and you shook your head.

“I just don’t get him. First he’s an asshole and teasing me about my crush on his best friend, and then he’s all sweet and takes me out to eat, and then-” you spilled out but Jeongguk held his hands up to stop you. “Whoa, wait a second. He did what?!” he asked and you covered your mouth when you realized you had forgotten to tell Jeongguk about Wednesday. “He took you out to eat?” he asked incredulously and you nodded slowly.

“When the hell were you gonna tell me this?” he demanded angrily and you shrugged. “Sorry,” you whispered. Jeongguk shook his head and gestured for you to continue your rant. You launched back into it. “And then,” you said and gulped, knowing the next part would set your best friend off again.

“And then, what?” he asked and you hesitated, looking at Jeongguk. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable but his eyes told you all you needed to know. He was waiting patiently for you to continue. You took a deep breath and spoke again. “Then he found out I’m tutoring people other than him and he got… upset? He asked why I didn’t tell him I was tutoring other people. I told him it didn’t matter but he was still mad, so when I tried to leave, he pinned me against the wall and almost kissed me,” you finished and Jeongguk leaned forward. “What the fuck?” he hissed.

“You should have told me this! I would have knocked his lights out!” he added and you looked down at the table to avoid his gaze. The two of you were silent until he finally broke it. “I’m calling an emergency and cancelling this lesson,” he said and you looked up at him. “We’re going out. You need a night out,” he said and you shook your head. “You can’t cancel lessons,” you chuckled and he stuffed his things in his bag and started packing your things up.

“Jeongguk! Only I can cancel lessons!” you said before he grabbed your hand and pulled you up to your feet. You let out a little squeal and erupted into giggles as he dragged you to your dorm room from your floor’s common room. “You’re going in there and you’re going to change. It’s Friday night, you seem stressed so as your best friend, I’m taking you out tonight, we’re going to get drunk and then you can sleep in tomorrow since Mingyu cancelled!” he said as he pushed you toward your door.

“You can’t make that decision!” you laughed and Jeongguk shook his head. “I’m not listening until you change into something that gets the blood flowing!” he said over you. Rolling your eyes, you unlocked the door and stepped inside, Jeongguk following behind you. He sat on your bed as you entered your bathroom and shut the door. He was right. You needed a break and what better way than to drink and let loose. You started to pull stuff out of your closet, trying them on before showing him.

“That top, yes, those bottoms? No,” he said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “Don’t you have any clubbing dresses or something?” he asked and you shook your head. “I’m not wearing that again, I told you already!” you said and Jeongguk hopped up, pushing his way into your closet to search for the dress you were both talking about. He found it crumpled on the floor and picked it up, shaking it and holding it up.

"You’re wearing this,” he said and you shook your head. “No, the fuck I’m not!” you shouted and he raised an eyebrow. “Either you’re going to put this on yourself, or I will strip you and put it on you myself,” he threatened. You snatched the dress from him and shoved him out of your bathroom, shutting the door and locking it. You stripped down to your bra and panties and pulled the dress on.

“I need you to zip it up,” you called through the door. You unlocked it, letting Jeongguk in. He zipped the back of the dress up for you and whistled when you turned around. “Goddamn, if you weren’t like a sister to me, I’d totally take you home with me tonight,” he said with a wink. You pushed him out and gagged. “Disgusting. You’re disgusting!” Jeongguk laughed as you searched for a pair of shoes to go with the dress. Once dressed, your hair done, and makeup on, you looked at yourself in the mirror.

“I hate you so much,” you said as you fished your ID and debit card out of your bag and handed them to Jeongguk. He tucked them in his wallet for safekeeping before checking his watch. “Come on, Cinderella, or we’ll be late for the ball,” he said jokingly as you took one last glance in the mirror.

The dress was a stunning black velvet with an off the shoulder sweetheart neckline and sleeves the extended down just past your wrists. The tulip skirt stopped about mid-thigh, hugging your hips snugly. Under the dress you wore your favorite black lace bra and gray panties. The heels you chose were the same ones you had worn for a New Year’s party. Gold faded into black with red bottoms.

You grabbed your phone off the desk and followed Jeongguk out of your room. He led you to the elevator which you took down to the lobby and caught an Uber to the club Jeongguk frequented. “I can’t believe you haven’t gone out since that night,” Jeongguk said shaking his head. He was speaking, of course, about the same night you threw a drink in Chan’s face at a frat party.

“Oh, can it, Gguk,” you said as the car pulled to a stop at the curb. Jeongguk got out, helping you out after him. He took your hand and led you to the end of the line.  In no time, you reached the doors. While waiting, a particularly loud group of guys exited the club and you recognized them. It was Chan and his friends from the baseball team, Soonyoung, Jihoon, Jeonghan, and their captain, Seungcheol.

Your heart skipped a beat when you saw Soonyoung. A huge smile on his face as he and his friends left the club. He looked particularly stunning in the tight black jeans he was wearing with small rips on his upper thighs and again at his knees. The black bomber jacket he wore open showed off the plain white tee shirt underneath. Your breath stunted as he brought a hand up to brush his hair back, showing off his forehead. A simple gesture, but something that still made your knees weak. God he looks good.

As the group passed by, Soonyoung caught sight of you and called out. “Hey, (Y/N)!” he said and Chan’s attention snapped to you as the group stopped. He was wearing a bright red hoodie under a black jacket with black jeans. He looked surprised to see you. You said hello to the guys why Jeongguk handed the bouncer both your IDs. “Holy shit,” Soonyoung said as he looked you over. Your heart beat faster while your stomach did somersaults at his reaction.

“Damn, why the hell are we leaving?” he asked, turning to look at Seungcheol who laughed and waved at you. “Because we’re not even supposed to drink the night before a game,” he said with a smile. Chan’s eyes were glued to you as he looked you up and down. Jeongguk placed a hand on your lower back to get your attention.

“Let’s go,” he said softly and both Soonyoung and Chan looked at him, startled as if they hadn’t noticed him standing next to you the whole time.. “Oh! Jeon!” Soonyoung said smiling brightly at him. “You’re a lucky guy!” Jeonghan said nodding toward you with a wink. Jeongguk laughed and shook his head. “No, it’s not like that. We’re just friends. We have been for some time,” he said and you nodded, avoiding Chan’s gaze.

“It’s a damn shame we have to leave,” Jihoon said also giving you the once over and a smirk. Your cheeks burned pink with embarrassment. “I’m going to strangle you in your sleep,” you said to Jeongguk. “I made her wear this,” he said nodding at your ensemble. “Good choice,” Jeonghan said, nodding in approval. Your cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink and when your eyes met Chan’s you felt something stir deep in your stomach. The way he was looking at you was so… primal.

You looked away quickly as the group began to depart. “Have a good night!” Soonyoung called as he grabbed Chan and pulled the younger man away. When you peered over your shoulder, you saw Chan look back at you before Jeongguk led you into the club. Inside was loud, hot, and packed. Strobe lights blinded you as Jeongguk made his way through the crowd, pulling you along as he headed for the bar.

He ordered both of you two shots each and a drink for you. He was determined to get you drunk. Once you were three shots in, he pulled you onto the dance floor. “You’re going to have fun whether you like it or not!” he said in your ear over the bass as he pulled you into him and started moving to the beat. If he had been any other guy, you would have pushed him away, possibly even slapped him.

You had known Jeongguk for so long that you felt the most comfortable dancing with him because you knew he would never take it too far. The heat of the bodies around you mixed with the alcohol made your head swim and you leaned into Jeongguk, asking him to get you some water. He nodded and left the dance floor to get you some. A very bad move.

A few moments later, you felt two hands on your hips. Assuming it was Jeongguk you leaned into the frame behind you. “Did you get my water?” you asked over the music. You felt his lips near your ear but the voice that spoke wasn’t Jeongguk’s. “Are you thirsty?” 

You spun around and were met face to face with Chan. His hands held your hips in place. “What are you doing?” you asked and he smiled, pulling you into him. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked and you gulped. If you said no, things would progress and you knew they would go too far. If you said yes however he would leave and you didn’t want that.

Luckily, you didn’t have to answer. Jeongguk returned with your water and pulled you out of Chan’s grip. “Don’t you have a baseball game tomorrow you should be getting rest for?” he asked over the music. Chan shrugged. “It’s still pretty early and the game isn’t until tomorrow evening.” Jeongguk handed you the water, keeping a protective hold around your waist as you took a huge gulp of water.

“Regardless, I brought her here and I’m responsible for her,” he said. Chan laughed, rolling his eyes. “Do you honestly think I would do anything to hurt her? I’m not that kind of guy and you know it, Jeon!” Chan said over the bass. Jeongguk still didn’t release you. “Unless she tells me to buzz off, I’m not letting her out of my sight,” he said as you finished your water. “Jeongguk,” you said with your head a little clearer.

He looked down at you. “I think one dance is okay,” you said to him. Jeongguk looked from you to Chan. “Just one,” you added, pointing at Chan. He nodded in agreement and Jeongguk reluctantly let go of you. He slipped between the crowd, no doubt going to keep watch somewhere. Chan took your hand and pulled you into him. “Once dance, Chan, I mean it,” you said and he smirked at you.

“After once dance, you’ll want another, and then another,” he said and you rolled your eyes, lightly slapping him on the shoulder. “No I won’t,” you said as he held your hips and turned you so you were facing away from him. His lips brushed against your cheek before he whispered, “one dance and you’ll want to come home with me.” Your heart leapt in your chest as you tried to control your breathing. Get it together, (Y/N), you told yourself. This is Chan, not Soonyoung.

Without warning, Chan pulled your hips back against his and you nearly moaned at the feeling of his obvious erection pressing against your backside. His lips trailed up your neck before stopping by your ear, his breath hot against your skin. “Do you see what you do to me? Do you feel what you do to my body?” he breathed rolling his hips against you. A small moan left your lips and Chan wrapped an arm around your waist.

“Come back with me. You know you want to,” he hissed and you shook your head. “I can’t,” you whimpered. He chuckled lowly in your ear, one of his hands sliding down and around to grab your hip, his fingers sinking into the soft flesh. “Come on,” he said, pulling your hips back against his crotch again, causing another hot moan leaving your throat. “God you sound so good,” he whispered.

His hand on your hip slid to your stomach to hold you against him again. “Come back with me. Let me take care of you,” he said as you continued to sway to the music, your ass grinding against his hips. “Let me taste you, (Y/N). I’ll make you feel so good, baby,” he said, nipping at your neck. “Please, Chan. I can’t,” you breathed.

He stopped, turning you so you were facing him. “Can’t or won’t?” he asked and you shook your head. “I can’t, Chan,” you repeated. Chan scoffed, letting go of your hips as he backed away. You looked into his eyes hooded with lust before cocked his head. “One last chance,” he offered and when you hesitated, he turned and walked away leaving you on the dance floor and taking your breath with him.

Jeongguk must have seen because he was by your side in seconds. “Let’s get you home,” he said and led you off the dance floor and toward the door. “He’s such an L.Chan,” you hissed as Jeongguk led you out into the cool night air. “What?” Jeongguk asked as he pulled his phone out and requested an Uber pick up. You fell silent and when the car arrived, Jeongguk didn’t ask anymore questions.

He took you back to your dorm to drop you off, making sure you made it safely before he left and headed back to his building. You unzipped your dress and slid it off, replacing it with your pajamas. When you threw your dress in your hamper, you heard your phone go off. You walked over to check it. A text from Chan.

L.Chan [00:13]: why wouldn’t you just come back with me? Do you know how much I want you? You [00:14]: I couldn’t just leave Gguk L.Chan [00:14]: so you left with Jeon?? L.Chan [00:14]: Did you go back to his place? L.Chan [00:15]: Are you gonna fuck him?? You [00:15]: i told you, Jeongguk is my FRIEND. I’m not interested in him like that. L.Chan [00:16]: so are you in your room right now? You [00:16]: yes. L.Chan [00:17]: alone?? You [00:17]: yes, goddamn L.Chan [00:18]: prove it. Prove it to me.

You took a picture of you laying in your bed and sent that in the text with the caption, “would i send this if i wasn’t alone?”

L.Chan [00:19]:...are you teasing me?? You [0019]: and what if I am?

It was a moment before he responded and when he did, he sent an image. Upon opening it, you saw it was the outline of his erection through his boxers, his blanket pushed just below it.

L.Chan [00:19]: you did this, now come and fix it. You [00:20]: make me~ L.Chan [00:20]: I’m coming over, let me in You [00:20]: you have a game tomorrow L.Chan [00:21]: i don’t give a shit. I’m coming over and i’m gonna fuck you You [00:22]: no you’re not. L.Chan [00:23]: why the hell not? 😠 You [00:23]: because I said so. L.Chan [00:24]: then send me a picture. Help a guy out 😣

You scoffed and threw your phone on your bed. He has some nerve. You weren’t normally the kind of girl to send provocative pictures, but in your drunken state, it was tempting. Your thoughts were interrupted but a vibration on your mattress which caught your attention. Chan had sent you a picture.

You opened it much too quickly. In the picture, Chan had pulled himself out of his underwear and your jaw dropped. He was much larger than you thought. You felt your phone buzz again.

L.Chan [00:25]: you like the picture? 😉 L.Chan [00:25]: Come over and let me fuck you. L.Chan [00:25]: At least let me taste you. L.Chan [00:25]: Bury my face between those gorgeous thighs of yours and make you come all over my 👅

The temptation was there. You would be lying if you said you didn’t want to. Instead, you sat up, taking off your shirt before lying back and pushing your shorts off, throwing them on the floor. You took another picture in the semi darkness of your room. You sent it to Chan.

You [00:26]: I’m too drunk to come over. 🤪

He answered quicker than he had in the past.

L.Chan [00:27]: fuck you’re beautiful. I want to come all over that lace bra 💦 You [00:27]: keep saying that and I’ll up your lesson plan 🙅🏻‍♀️ L.Chan [00:28]: goddammit, i want to bend you over the table in that stupid room L.Chan [00:28]: fuck you until you can’t walk in the morning. You [00:30]: … you can’t do that. Not in there L.Chan [00:30]: why not? L.Chan [00:30]: don’t want everyone to know what a dirty slut you are? 😏 You [00:31]: i’m not the one sending dick pics to his tutor L.Chan [00:32]: pics of a dick you want to choke on 🍆 You [00:33]: bold of you to presume that L.Chan [00:33]: send me another picture. This time, no bra You [00:33]: so demanding 🙄 L.Chan [00:33]: shut up and just do it. I want to see you You [00:36]: what do i get in return? 🤷🏻‍♀️ L.Chan [00:36]: gimme a sex L.Chan [00:36]: sec* lol

A few moments later, a video clip appeared in the thread. You clicked on it. Chan’s hand was wrapped around the shaft of his cock, slowly moving up and down. You heard him hiss in the background. “I wish this was your mouth instead of my hand,” he whispered.

Your walls clenched around nothing and you immediately got up, walking over to your full length mirror, you wrapped an arm under your breasts, pushing them up and snapped a picture, the strap of your bra slipping down your shoulder. His reply was instantaneous.

L.Chan [00:39]: ugh stop teasing me baby 😫

A giggle escaped you as you slid your panties down your thighs before undoing your bra and slipping that off. You raised a finger out in front of you, covering your breasts and sex all at once before snapping another picture and sending it to Chan. Might as well make him suffer.

L.Chan [00:39]: fucking hell 😳😍 You [00:40]: are you still touching yourself? 👀 L.Chan [00:40]: yesss You [00:41]: you want to Facetime? 😘 L.Chan [00:42]: fuck. Yes. 😍

Your phone lit up with an incoming call. You hopped into your bed before answering it. Half expecting to be met with Chan’s dick, you were surprised to see his face instead. “I wish you would have just let me come over,” he said in a breathy voice. “Sorry~,” you said in a sweet voice. “Don’t lie to me,” he said, a small moan leaving his lips.

“I’m not. I am sorry. I’m being responsible, Chan. I’m your tutor,” you said and he groaned. “Only in that room. Outside of it, you’re my peer. Peers can fuck. So let me fuck you,” he said, his breath speeding up. “Are you close?” you asked and he nodded. “Keep going,” you said softly, watching the way his eyes fluttered shut and he bit his bottom lip to keep quiet.

“Do you have a roommate?” you asked and he shook his head. “Then don’t hold back. Let me hear you,” you said, your hand wandering to your already wet core. “Are you touching yourself to this?” Chan asked and you smiled before nodded. “I am,” you replied feeling the wetness seeping between your folds. “Let me see,” Chan said and you tapped to switch to rear facing camera where it was pointed at your hand disappearing between your thighs.

“Fuck that’s so hot,” Chan’s voice said and you returned to front facing camera. “I want to taste you so bad, (Y/N),” he whimpered. Your walls clenched when he let out a moan. Your fingers worked against your clit, teasing yourself as you brought yourself closer and closer to the edge. “Keep going, keep touching yourself,” he said when a small moan slipped between your lips. “Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to hear that in person.”

“Do you want my cock, baby?” he asked and you nodded, slipping a finger inside your wet heat. “God, I want you inside me so bad,” you whined. “Should have let me come over,” he said with a smirk. You groaned, curling your fingers to hit your sweet spot. “Fuck baby, do that again. Let me see what you’re doing,” he demanded. You turned the camera and continued to fuck yourself with your fingers.

“How many fingers are you using?” he asked. “Two,” you replied. “Add another, that’s how many I would use to get your ready to take me,” he said and you complied, adding a third finger, enjoying the slight sting as your stretched yourself. “I bet you’re nice and wet, perfect for me to slide right in. God I want to fuck you so bad. Pound into you. I want you to scream my name.”

You whimpered at his words, speeding up your pace. “Would you like that, baby? My hard cock in your tight hole?” he asked and you nodded. “Yes, I want your hard cock inside me, Chan,” you moaned. He chuckled lowly. “Such a good little slut for me. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” he asked. “Yes,” you breathed feeling your orgasm draw closer. “Yes what?” he asked. “Yes, I’m a good girl,” you breathed.

“Are you close?” he asked, his breathing shallow as he neared his climax. You nodded with a whimper as you bit your lip. “Good, keep going baby. Come for me all over your fingers like a good slut,” he said as he sped up. “Only if you come all over yourself,” you breathed and Chan chuckled again. “Okay baby. I’ll do that. Now don’t stop until you come. Tell me how good you feel,” he said and you moaned.

Your orgasm approached rapidly, your toes curling in bliss as you continued to pleasure yourself at his words. “Does it feel good, babygirl?” Chan asked you. “Yes, yes,” you moaned. “I’m so close,” you whined. “Keep going, baby. Be a good girl and come for me,” Chan whispered, barely audible. Your high hit you and you came with a whimper and a moan of Chan’s name as you continued to ride out your climax.

“Fucking shit, baby,” Chan groaned as he released on his end with a low moan. He shuddered on camera, eyes shut as he came down from his orgasm. The two of you sat there in your beds silent as you both basked in the afterglow of your orgasms. “God damnit (Y/N). Next time just let me come over and fuck you,” Chan said, panting. You let out a shaky laugh. “Next time,” you murmured.

“Get some sleep, Chan. You have a game in the morning,” you said as you sat up. “What are you going to do?” he asked, his face squished against the pillows on his bed. “I’m taking a shower and then going to bed,” you answered. Chan smiled and nodded. “Okay. You do that. I’ll text you tomorrow,” he said and you shook your head. “You don’t have to do that,” you answered. He merely shrugged, with a smile and said, “I want to. Goodnight, (Y/N).” He hung up before you had a chance to answer. “Night, Chan.”

The next morning you awoke to knocking on your door. You groaned as you opened your eyes and looked around. Your floor was littered with your clothing from the night before. You had fallen asleep naked. Your head throbbed as the knocking continued. A small whimper left your lips as you rolled over and wrapped the blankets around you. You slid off the bed, making sure you were covered before you unlocked and cracked the door. Jeongguk was on the other side.

“I come bearing gifts,” he said holding up a paper sack and a coffee. “I also brought Tylenol,” he added and you opened the door, hiding behind it so no one would see you wrapped in your blanket. Jeongguk entered the room and whistled when he looked around. You shut the door and padded over to your bed. “Who did you fuck last night?” he asked as he handed you the coffee and bag.

You shook your head and hid in your wrap as you opened the bag. Inside were two breakfast burritos and a small side of hash browns. You whispered a blessing upon Jeongguk as you unwrapped a burrito and dug in. Jeongguk looked at your clothes on the floor again. “If you didn’t fuck anyone last night, why are your clothes everywhere?” You looked up at him, mouth full of burrito.

“Cause I was drunk and too lazy to put my clothes away?” you answered and Jeongguk laughed. “Or to put clothes on I see,” he said nodding at your bare shoulders and collar. “Fuck off,” you said before taking another bite of burrito. Jeongguk stood up and made his way into your closet. “Jeongguk, get out of my closet you pervert!” you called in a groggy voice. You lifted the coffee to your lips and took a sip, sighing at the sweet taste of the sugar and creamer.

Jeongguk returned moments later with clean underwear, a tee shirt, sweatpants, and a hoodie. “Get dressed, loser. I’m taking you to the baseball game,” he said throwing your clothes on the bed. You glared at him, narrowing your eyes. Jeongguk laughed again and turned away so you could put your clothes on. You pulled on the sports bra and underwear before sliding off the bed and into your sweats. The shirt he had chosen was your the shirt you had gotten with your university acceptance package.

You rolled your eyes before pulling on your hoodie and taking a look in the mirror. You whistled and told Jeongguk to give you five minutes to make yourself presentable. Jeongguk grabbed the unopened burrito and sat on your bed. “I’ll just eat this,” he said and you pouted before going into the bathroom to wash your face and apply some sunscreen and BB cream. You weren’t focused on grabbing any attention, you just wanted to not look hungover or sick.

After that you pulled your hair up into a messy ponytail and returned to your bed to finish your burrito and hash browns. “Let’s go idiot,” you said to Jeongguk and he rolled out of your bed. The two of you made your way out of your room and down to the lobby. Jeongguk told you about his night after he dropped you off at your dorm. Apparently he had run into an old friend and they ended up hooking up.

“That wasn’t stupid, right? Cause she gives some really good head,” he said as you walked toward the baseball stadium. You rolled your eyes at him. “It’s not stupid, just so long as you are on the same page,” you said. You reached the field in no time and Jeongguk bought your tickets before leading you down toward the dugout. He liked to sit front row at the games since his basketball team always attended the baseball team’s games.

You sat down next to him in literally the front row, looking out at the field over the fence. The two teams were warming up, the visiting team on the other side of the field. You were talking to Jeongguk when you noticed Chan out on the field warming up with Seungcheol. “Hey, (Y/N)!” you heard and looked down to see Soonyoung had just emerged from the dugout with Jihoon. You smiled and waved back at them.

Soonyoung ran over and you scooted forward in your seat to rest your arms on the fence. “What are you doing here?” he asked smiling up at you. “Jeongguk brought me,” you said nodding back at your best friend. Soonyoung greeted Jeongguk with a nod. “So, what position are you?” you asked drawing Soonyoung’s attention. “Shortstop! Jihoon is catcher.”

Jihoon looked up at you, giving you a smile which you returned. “Seokmin,” Soonyoung said looking behind him and pointing to another member on the team, one with reddish curly hair. “He’s our pitcher. Minghao is first baseman,” Soonyoung pointed to tall and slender member with longer black hair and glasses who was practicing with another member with short blonde hair, “and he’s practicing with our second baseman, Junhui.”

Seungcheol is right field, Jeonghan is left field, and Joshua is center field,” Soonyoung added pointing out the three respectively. “Chan is our third baseman. In the dugout we have Wonwoo our relief pitcher, Seungkwan is one of our utility infielders along with Mingyu but he’s out today, and Vernon is our pinch runner.” Soonyoung continued, naming the rest of the team in the dugout.

“Then there’s also our closing pitcher Minhyuk, our LOOGY Changkyun, Hyunwoo is backup catcher, Mark is first baseman relief, Jinyoung is second baseman relief, and Kihyun is third baseman relief. Jooheon takes over for me if I need the break, Hoseok is our pinch hitter, Yugyeom is our Designated hitter for Seokmin, and Jackson is equipment manager. Bambam and Hyungwon are also utility outfielders while Youngjae and Jaebum are utility infielders.”

You nodded slowly and Jeongguk laughed leaning forward. “She has no idea what you just said,” he laughed. Jihoon chuckled and readjusted his hat. “I catch, Seokmin and Wonwoo throw, Minghao, Junhui, and Chan stay on the bases, Joshua, Jeonghan, and Seungcheol catch balls in the outfield, Soonyoung gets to run all over infield, and everyone else subs,” Jihoon explained.

“Yeah, that speaks more my level of baseball knowledge,” you said. Soonyoung laughed, the sound drawing Chan’s attention. He squinted and noticed you before tossing a ball back to Minghao. One of the coaches called Jihoon over and he excused himself. “So, what are you doing tonight?” Soonyoung asked when Jeongguk sat back in his seat.

You shrugged. “I have no idea. I was supposed to have a tutor lesson with Mingyu, but like you said, he’s out today and had to cancel,” you admitted. Soonyoung perked up. “So you have no plans?” he asked and you nodded. “Then, how about this? Whenever we win a game, there’s always a party at the Iota Nu Delta house. If we win today, be my date?” he asked and your cheeks turned pink.

“O-okay,” you said and Soonyoung broke into a huge grin. “Okay, I’ll be on the field all game, so cheer for me, okay?” he asked and you nodded before he took off when the coaches called him over. Chan looked from Soonyoung to you before turning back to his teammates.

The game would be starting soon. You sat back in your seat and looked at Jeongguk. “Did Soonyoung ask you on a date~?” he asked not looking up from his phone and you nodded. “Yeah, I guess he did,” you admitted. Jeongguk gave you a sly smirk and you slapped his shoulder. “Can it, Gguk!” you giggled before you heard someone call your name. You looked back at the field and saw Soonyoung wave at you. Your face turning red, you returned his wave and slid down in your seat.

You missed the way Chan glared at his friend in favor for the start of the game. The announcer came on the intercom and started the beginning of the game. He announced the teams and the players on each team, taking extra care to mention the key players on the home team. When each of their names were announced, the players stepped forward and waved and posed to a torrent of screams and cheers.

After announcing the players, the first pitch was thrown by the home team with Seokmin as starting pitcher. You watched the field as Jeongguk explained the mechanics of the game to you in between plays. The home team, your university’s team, was amazing. The guys were fast, catching hits and throwing them to the bases or back to Jihoon behind the home plate. They didn’t even let the visiting team score. When they were up to bat, you had never seen anything like it.

The fastest members were probably Minghao or Chan. They zoomed around the bases like little bees. They scored left and right, running the bases. Jeongguk explained how every time the teams swapped, the inning changed. Right now he said they were in the bottom of the fourth ending. “Bottom?” you asked and Jeongguk smiled and leaned forward.

“So when an inning starts, it’s called the top of the inning when one team is batting. When three outs are made, the teams switch so the fielding team will be up to bat, which will then be the bottom of the inning. The inning ends when the second batting team gets three outs.” You looked from Jeongguk to the field. “Okay! That makes sense!” you said nodding.

As the game progressed you noticed Chan watching you more and more from third base. You tried to ignore the look he gave you and focus on the game. By the top of the ninth inning, you were totally invested in the game cheering and encouraging the team. They were on the field with two outs. “I’ve never seen you get this much into sports,” Jeongguk laughed and you looked back at him with a wide grin. “I never realized I liked baseball so much!” you admitted. The home team caught the third out and the teams switched, signaling the start of the bottom of the ninth inning.

First up to bat was Changkyun. He was one of the only left handed batters on the team and also being the left handed pitcher. He hit the ball toward the bases and took off for first, making it before the opposing team even scooped the ball up. His teammates erupted into applause while he mocked bowing before taking his stance on the base.

Up next was Hyunwoo. He was a guy you’d seen around campus before usually with his best friends Hoseok and Kihyun. Hyunwoo was a particularly well built guy with broad shoulders, tall and muscular. He filled out his uniform well as he took his stance on home plate, swinging the bat a couple times before he stood ready to swing. The opposing team’s pitcher threw hard but Hyunwoo swung right, his aim true and he hit the ball into the outfield before the players had time to catch up. He made it to first, Changkyun on second.

Next to bat was Yugyeom stepped up to the plate. He was, as Soonyoung said earlier, designated hitter for the pitcher, Seokmin. Yugyeom also hit toward the bases and made it to first, the other two rotating around so each base had a member on it. The coach of the opposing team swapped out the pitcher for a new guy and Jeongguk sat closer to the edge of his seat. “They’re trying to switch it up, catch our guys with a new pitcher. They’re gonna try to get a triple play,” he said resting his arms on the fence.

You turned your attention to the practice section for the next batter and saw it was Jeonghan but the manager ran up to him and said something. Jeonghan looked over at the dugout as another member came out ready to bat. Jeonghan nodded and swapped places with the new guy. “Fuck yes,” Jeongguk exclaimed softly and you looked at him. “The pinch hitter,” he said and you looked back at the guy stepping up to the plate. It was Lee Hoseok. If Hyunwoo was built, then Hoseok was ripped.

They guy adjusted his gloves and tapped the bottom of his shoe with his bat before taking his stance and swinging the bat three times before holding it steady. He smirked at the new pitcher and waited. The first ball thrown was called foul, giving the opposing team one out. The second ball was also foul, giving for another out. You grabbed Jeongguk’s hand and he laughed. “You’re worried for nothing,” he said as the pitcher geared up to throw a third ball. Hoseok swung so fast and hard that all you heard was the crack of the ball making contact with his bat before he dropped it and took off.

Changkyun crossed the plate first, followed by Hyunwoo, then Yugyeom. Cheers erupted from around the stadium and the dugout as the ball crossed over the far barrier and Hoseok brought up the rear laughing as his teammates rushed out to jump on him. “What?” you looked at Jeongguk. “Told you not to worry,” he laughed. You looked over as the team celebrated their victory. You cheered along side the rest of the stadium before Jeongguk finally pulled you out of your seat. “Come on! They’re gonna celebrate with a party later, let’s go so you can get changed,” he said and you followed him and his basketball teammates up the steps.

It took some time to get out of the stadium and into the parking lot where the rest of Jeongguk’s friends piled into cars, you sitting in the front seat of Seokjin’s car. Jeongguk was squashed in the back with Jimin and Taehyung. Seokjin pulled up outside your building and you promised to be quick. You rushed up to your room to change and get ready to go to a house party. You hadn’t been to one in years so you decided to put a little effort into your appearance.

Once satisfied with your look, you headed out to the elevator. You pressed the button taking it down to the lobby. Your phone buzzed in your hand and you opened it to find two messages waiting. One from Soonyoung and the other from Chan.

[2019/10/12] Soonyoung [21:06]: you’re still coming to the party, right? (: You [21:06]: I’m on my way now!

You checked Chan’s text and froze, your heart pounding.

L.Chan [21:05]: So there’s a party at the Iota Nu Delta house, if you wanted to come. Hopefully I’ll see you there? You [21:08]: yeah, i’m heading there now actually. Soonyoung invited me L.Chan [21:08]: oh. cool. See you soon

Soonyoung had sent you another text and you opened it.

Soonyoung [21:08]: you are going to dance with me, aren’t you? ;) You [21:09]: we’ll see haha

You made it back out to the car and got in the front seat again. “Ah! We’re ready!” Seokjin announced before starting the car. He pulled out of your building’s parking lot and turned right, driving through the campus as he made his way toward the Iota Nu Delta house. Seokjin parked on the street behind Yoongi’s car and you followed the guys up the lawn toward the front door.

Upon entering, you saw that the party was fully underway and you grabbed Jeongguk’s arm. “Please don’t leave me alone!” you whispered at him and he nodded, following Taehyung and Jimin further into the house. Once entering the kitchen at the back of the house, you found a large group gathered around a pong table. Jeongguk led you past the group to get drinks and a familiar face caught your eye.

Soonyoung smiled at you from the crowd before pushing his way through to reach you. “Hey!” he said breathlessly as Jeongguk poured some soda into a cup and handed you a slice of pizza from one of the many boxes on the counter. “Eat, then drink!” he said and the nodded at Soonyoung. 

You took the slice and bit off a piece. Jeongguk handed you the cup with soda in it. “Drink that. Pizza and soda before you get alcohol!” You rolled your eyes and turned to Soonyoung who reached across the island to grab a slice of pizza.

Jeongguk smiled at a girl who passed him before turning to Jimin and Taehyung. He said something to them and then leaned toward you. “I gotta go do something, stay with Jimin and Taehyung. They’ll keep an eye on you. Well, Taehyung will,” he said and you nodded before he took off, handing a drink he made for you to Tae and pointed at you. Taehyung took his spot at the counter, standing behind you and keeping his eye on the crowd. He turned to Jimin to say something, nodding at the crowd.

“So, you going to come dance with me at least once?” Soonyoung asked as you finished your slice of pizza and downed the rest of your soda. You took the cup Taehyung held and took a sip. “Maybe, you gonna convince me?” you asked. Soonyoung laughed and bit his bottom lip. 

“I can always try,” he said with a wink. Your stomach did little flips but it wasn’t Soonyoung’s words. Instead it was Chan appearing in your line of vision. You turned to Taehyung. “I’m gonna go dance with Soonyoung,” you said over the loud music. Taehyung nodded and told you he would be right there when you got back.

You turned to Soonyoung, taking another gulp of your drink before handing it to Taehyung. Soonyoung took your hand and led you out of the kitchen and into the living area of the downstairs, right past Chan. You tried to ignore the way his eyes followed you as you passed him with his best friend. Or the way his jaw clenched as Soonyoung immediately pulled you into him, his hand on the small of your back. You moved your hips against Soonyoung’s to the beat of the music, not really caring about the people around you.

Soonyoung lowered his head, whispering in your ear, “I feel like the luckiest guy in the room.” You smiled, pink tinting your cheeks before you responded. “Why is that?” you asked. “Look at you. You’re stunning. I kind of regret not asking you out a lot sooner,” he whispered in your ear, his breath tickling your neck. You giggled, pressing a hand to his chest.

“Really? Well, what about now? Are you going to ask me out?” you asked and Soonyoung smiled against your cheek. “Didn’t I already, asking you to be my date tonight?” You sighed when his lips pressed softly against your cheek. “I’m not going to lie, (Y/N). You know that’s not really my style. But I’ve actually wanted to ask you out ever since I ran into you the other day.” His hands held your hips in place while he spoke.

“You have?” you asked breathlessly and Soonyoung smiled, nodding his head. “I have. I’ve just been too shy until now,” he muttered and you let out another sigh when his lips met your jawline. He would have continued had Jeongguk not interrupted. “Sorry, Soonyoung, I need to steal (Y/N) for a second,” he said over the music and grabbed you by the wrist, pulling you from Soonyoung’s grasp.

Jeongguk led you to the kitchen and towered over you. “I told you to stay with Taehyung!” he said and you groaned. “Gguk!! I like Soonyoung! He’s a really nice guy! And you heard him ask me out earlier!” you said exasperatedly. He was essentially cockblocking you. He shook his head. “I don’t like it. Something is off,” he said and you groaned. “What about Chan?” he asked and you shrugged. “What about him?” you asked. Jeongguk looked around before leaning in.

“Are you forgetting about last night?” You rolled your eyes. “That happened because we were both horny and intoxicated. It was nothing,” you said shrugging. Jeongguk eyed you suspiciously. “Does he feel the same way?” he asked and you nodded. You were sure that Chan felt that it meant nothing to him, too.

“I’m not so sure,” Jeongguk said and you shook your head. “It’s fine, Gguk!” you repeated. You waved him off and went back to Soonyoung who was waiting in the same spot as before. Once you were back in earshot, he asked, “what was that about?” You shook your head. “Just my best friend being cautious and protective as usual!” you said in his ear as his hands rested on your hips.

Soonyoung pulled you in closer as the song changed to something slower and more sensual. It wasn’t until you felt someone bump into you that you stopped moving to look around. Chan was making his way up the stairs, his eyes locking with yours when you looked up. He was leading a random girl up the steps. Your heart leapt in your throat and you turned your attention away from him.

You felt Soonyoung’s lips against your cheek before he whispered in your ear, “something wrong?” You shook your head and allowed him to direct your hips again. “No. Nothing,” you said. You felt him smile against your skin before his lips trailed down to your neck. 

A tiny gasp left your lips, eyes snapping open when you realized you were still in the living room, surrounded by a ton of your peers. You pulled back slightly and Soonyoung gave you a quizzical look before he looked around and understood.

He nodded his head, jerking it up toward the upper floor and you nodded, biting your bottom lip. Soonyoung took your hand and pulled you toward the base of the stairs and began leading you up, passing people who were standing there watching the crowd. Upstairs in the hallway, Soonyoung led you through the people waiting for the bathroom and those who hadn’t made it to a bedroom yet and were making out against the wall.

Soonyoung grabbed the handle of a door near the end of the hall and turned it. The unlocked door opened and inside a half naked girl with wavy short brown hair was straddling- “Oh shit! Sorry Chan!” Soonyoung laughed. Upon hearing his name, Chan looked up at the door and saw you standing there with his best friend, your hand in his.

You turned and stepped out of the room while Soonyoung backed out and shut the door before taking your hand again and leading you to another room which was thankfully empty. Soonyoung shut and locked the door behind him before pulling you into him, a smile on his face.

“Alone at last, he whispered, his free hand cupping your cheek before his lips brushed against yours, testing the waters before taking the plunge and pressing them against yours. You felt dizzy, like his kiss took your breath away. The hand that wasn’t cupping your cheek snaked around your waist, pulling you in closer. Your hands felt like putty against Soonyoung’s chest.

Without breaking the kiss, he walked you backwards until your legs hit something soft. A bed. Your heart began racing and your stomach twisted with what you assumed were nerves. Soonyoung broke the kiss and pulled away before studying your face, a lopsided grin on his face. “God you’re gorgeous,” he said brushing a few stray strands of hair out of your face. Pink tinted your cheeks and you looked down.

“If I’m moving too fast, tell me,” he said and put his finger under your chin, lifting your head so your eyes met his. “I don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable,” he said and you nodded. He sat you down on the bed and as you scooted back toward the center, climbed on, hovering over you before dipping down to kiss you again. His lips parted yours, allowing his tongue to slip between.

One hand was on your hip while he used his elbow to keep from weighing down on you. A soft whimper left your lips when he pressed his hips against yours, pressing his erection into your core. “Ah, that was cute,” he whispered against your lips and repeated the action, earning a deeper moan from you. You felt him smile. Soonyoung moved from your lips to your neck, kissing down to the collar of your shirt before nipping at the skin. You moaned, arching into him.

He sat back up, kneeling between your thighs before pulling his sweater off over his head, leaving him in a white tee shirt. Soonyoung leaned back down, kissing you with more vigor, his hands roaming until they found the buttons of your blouse. He undid the first two buttons, lips leaving yours again to press against your now exposed collarbone. His hand continued to make quick work of your shirt.

He pushed the fabric aside before sitting up to admire your black lace bra. His fingers skimmed over the material before he smiled up at you. He laid between your thighs, leaving kisses along your collar and down your chest, passing between your breasts as he moved lower and lower until he reached the waistband of your jeans. He slowly undid the button and zipper before pulling them down your thighs and discarding them. 

Your heart was hammering in your chest, your breathing ragged and your head spinning still. Soonyoung placed soft, wet kisses along the inside of your thigh before your stomach twisted again and this time you knew it wasn’t nerves. It was nausea.

“Stop,” you said hoarsely. At first, Soonyoung didn’t hear you so you cleared your throat and repeated yourself. Soonyoung sat up quickly, looking at you as you sat up and began buttoning your shirt. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked and you shook your head. 

“No, I just feel nauseous,” you said in a low grumble. Your head was pounding. Soonyoung hopped up and retrieved your pants, helping you into them before kneeling by the bed and putting your shoes on for you. He helped you stand up, grabbing his sweater and pulling you toward the door.

He led you back down the stairs and into the kitchen where Jeongguk, Taehyung and Jimin stood. Taehyung noticed you first and nodded. Jeongguk spun around and immediately rushed to your side before rounding on Soonyoung. “What happened?” he demanded. “She said she feels nauseous so I brought her to you. She needs to go home and sleep this off,” he said. Jeongguk eyed him suspiciously.

“You didn’t do anything to her, did you?” he asked and Soonyoung shook his head. “Absolutely not. We were upstairs making out and then she said she wasn’t feeling well,” he said and Jeongguk relaxed as he took you from Soonyoung, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. 

“Thanks, we’ll take it from here,” he said. Soonyoung nodded before looked back at you. “Text me when you wake up, okay?” he asked and you nodded, getting wobblier by the minute. “I’ll text you when we get her back to her dorm,” Jeongguk promised and Soonyoung thanked him.

Jeongguk led you out onto the deck out back where you were met with the cold night air. “Seokjin!” Jeongguk called and his friend turned to look at him. “We need to take her home. She doesn’t feel good,” he said and Seokjin turned to say goodnight to his conversation partner. He led the way out of the house and to the car where Taehyung and Jeongguk helped you into the car.

Seokjin pulled out and took the familiar route back to your dorm building. “Did she take a drink from anyone?” Seokjin asked and Jeongguk shook his head. “Not that I saw, and I trust Soonyoung didn’t give her anything,” he said. “Maybe she just drank too much too fast?” Jimin asked from the front passenger seat. “Yeah, maybe,” Jeongguk said.

They reached your dorm with ease. It took Jeongguk and Taehyung to get you out of the car and up to your room. Jeongguk sent Taehyung out while he attended to you. “Do you need to throw up?” he asked and you shook your head. “I think being out of that house helped a lot,” you admitted. “I feel much better now,” you added. Jeongguk sat next to you on the bed and rubbed your back.

“Did Soonyoung do anything?” he asked and you shook your head. “No, he was a gentleman.” Jeongguk nodded, watching you sober up a little. “Well, do you need me to stay here?” he asked and you smiled. “I’ll be okay,” you admitted. “But go ahead and send up Jimin. I could use his cuddles,” you joked and Jeongguk scoffed. “I’m offended you think his cuddles are better than mine,” he said, pretending to be hurt. You giggled and leaned into him. “I’ll be fine, Gguk. Thank you.”

Jeongguk got to his feet and made his way to your door. “Anytime, (Y/N),” he said with a smile and left. You felt your phone buzz in your pocket and you pulled it out. It was from Soonyoung.

[2019/10/12] Soonyoung [23:05]: you make it home, alright? You [23:05]: yeah. Sorry i ran out like that :/ Soonyoung [23:06]: don’t be sorry! I’m just glad you’re home safe! Don’t worry about me. I would rather you be okay. We can always go get a cup of coffee some time. My treat of course (: You [23:07]: i would like that (: Soonyoung [23:07]: then it’s a date ;)

Another text came in while you were texting Soonyoung. You opened it to see it was from Chan.

[2019/10/12] L.Chan [23:08]: hope you have fun. You [23:08]: you too.

You weren’t sure when you fell asleep but you woke up to your alarm blaring at 8:45 am. You groggily pulled yourself out of bed, your head swimming before stripping and getting into the shower. After cleaning yourself up, you got dressed and headed out with your bag for Chan’s lesson.

Upon reaching the student center, you were greeted with a sign that informed you the center was closed for maintenance. You groaned, fishing your phone out of your bag to shoot Chan a text.

[2019/10/13] You [09:19]: the student center is closed so no lesson today. See you on Wednesday.

After sending the text you head back to your dorm, determined to go back to bed and get an extra hour to sleep off your pounding headache. You had just walked in your door when your phone buzzed and you checked it. Jeongguk had texted you.

[2019/10/13] Kookie [09:47]: good morning my little croissant~! How did you sleep?? You [09:47]: ugghhhhh i got up to go to Chan’s lesson and the student center is closed. Now i’m back in my room and i’m going back to bed. My head hurts 😫 Kookie [09:48]: Soonyoung texted me last night to make sure you got home safe. Please date him. He seems like a hella nice guy and actually seems to care about you. You [09:48]: we’ll see. For now, sleep~ 😴

You kicked off your shoes and got into your bed, pulling the covers over your head and shutting your eyes. A vibration made you open them to check your phone.

[2019/10/13] Soonyoung [09:50]: morning, beautiful. You’re probably still sleeping but I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were feeling okay. Text me later~

You smiled and set your phone aside, more determined than ever to get some sleep. It came to you quickly and you slipped into slumber, awakening hours later to a setting sun. It was nearly 5 pm. You sat up and stretched. Your head felt much better but you were really thirsty now.

You got up from your bed and opened your mini fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and chugging half of it before searching for your phone in the recesses of your blankets. Your fingers brushed the smooth screen of the device and your grabbed it before bringing it up to look at it.

You had two missed calls and several missed texts.

[2019/10/13] Kookie [10:08]: i know you said you were going to sleep but can you wake up? I’m bored 😞 Kookie [11:36]: pls? Jimin and Taehyung are still sleeping too ): Kookie [13:27]: ugh this sucks. I wanna talk~ Kookie [14:03]: Soonyoung asked me if you were okay. I told him the truth that you were hibernating because you’re a fucking bear, not a human girl. Kookie [16:32]: wake up grizzly 🐻

You shook your head, taking another sip of water before opening the next set of messages.

[2019/10/13] Soonyoung [11:09]: are you awake yet? Soonyoung [12:01]: you really sleep a long time, don’t you? Soonyoung [13:42]: i was hoping we could get coffee today but you must still be sleeping ☹ Soonyoung [14:06]: i texted Jeongguk. I just wanted to make sure you were okay Soonyoung [14:09]: he says you channel your inner grizzly and hibernate on the weekends 🐻🐻 Soonyoung [14:12]: ngl that’s really cute :3 Soonyoung [15:35]: I’m not gonna keep blowing up your phone so just message me when you wake up

[2019/10/13] L.Chan [13:05]: Sorry i didn’t answer earlier. I had a LONG night lol

You answered Jeongguk’s text first.

You [16:54]: grizzly 🐻 is awake. Winter is over ❄☃️

You sent Soonyoung a reply next.

You [16:55]: yeah haha i sleep a lot. It’s a bad habit and the reason why i usually miss things ):

Finally you answered Chan.

You [16:56]: Don’t worry about it.👍🏻

The first to respond was surprisingly Chan.

[2019/10/13] L.Chan [16:58]: i was up pretty late lol You [16:59]: ...okay L.Chan [16:59]: Did you have a good night? You [17:00]: it was good. L.Chan [17:00]: ...just good? Mine was great. I wonder why you didn’t have as good of a night? You [17:01]: … 😒 L.Chan [17:02]: well, I mean, did you see Mina? I think it’s pretty obvious why I had such a great night lol

You scoffed and tossed your phone as another text from him came in but you ignored it. When your phone buzzed again, you checked it. Soonyoung had replied. You opened his messages quickly.

[2019/10/13] Soonyoung [17:05]: THERE you are! I was getting worried ☺ You [17:06]: yeah haha here i am Soonyoung [17:07]: awwww you should have let me come over Soonyoung [17:07]: We could have napped together :3 You [17:07]: that actually sounds wonderful. Raincheck?

While you waited for Soonyoung to answer, you checked Jeongguk’s text that came in.

[2019/10/13] Kookie [17:01]: well goddamn it’s about time! You [17:08]: yeah, yeah I know. Grizzly 🐻 and all that 🙄 Kookie [17:09]: more importantly how are you feeling? You [17:09]: much better than last night Kookie [17:10]: good but go back to sleep now. Get plenty of rest for tomorrow (:

You returned to Soonyoung’s text, ignoring the other text that came in from Chan.

[2019/10/13] Soonyoung [17:09]: of course! (: maybe next week? You [17:11]: that sounds perfect (: Soonyoung [17:12]: your place or mine? ;) You [17:12]: we can iron out the details later (: Soonyoung [17:13]: sounds good to me (: look I gotta run. I have some errands to do, I’ll text you later (: You [17:13]: okay! Have fun and be safe~! Soonyoung [17:14]:

Soonyoung [17:14]: ugh 😫 how are you so sweet? You [17:15]: 😚

After sending Soonyoung a text, you decided to open Chan’s messages as he kept sending them.

[2019/10/13] L.Chan [17:03]: she’s got these killer legs. I’m sure you saw L.Chan [17:03]: and her lips? God she could kill a man L.Chan [17:04]: she almost killed me 🍆👀 L.Chan [17:04]: she could make a guy fall in love 😍 L.Chan [17:05]: she knows exactly how to drive a guy crazy L.Chan [17:05]: and she’s such a tease lol L.Chan [17:07]: i’m meeting her again tonight. L.Chan [17:09]: should i bring her back to my room? L.Chan [17:11]: I think I will 😏 L.Chan [17:14]: what are you up to tonight? L.Chan [17:14]: staying in i bet? L.Chan [17:14]: why not invite Soonyoung over?? 😜 L.Chan [17:15]: I’m sure he’d love to see you again.

You turned his notifications off as your blood ran cold. Something about his wording wasn’t right. Like he was trying to make you jealous. What is his deal anyway??

P.S: WOOOOOW That was long. This is only part one!! If I had left this one piece, it would have been a behemoth. I’m really glad I split it up. I hope you guys enjoyed this! Leave any comments, keyboard smashes, or send me some asks or messages! I love talking to you guys (: Thank you so much for reading! ~K♡

[bzrcdragons942]

It’s not WIP Wednesday because it’s... Finished Work Wednesday?... What I Wrote Wednesday? Yeah, that one. Alliteration! I figured I should post this before I drive myself insane nitpicking at it. It’s the new longest thing I’ve written at 1616 words. (1612 excluding translations but 1616 is so much better)

Summary:  @nakmor-leigh‘s Inquisitor Krystal Trevelyan introduces her advisors to who she hopes is the newest addition to the Inquisition, the ex-Venatori, not ex-blood mage, Tirena. Two out of three somewhat agreeing to her presence is acceptable. (I haven’t written it, but Tirena’s recruitment quest starts with information gathered in the Western Approach about a traitor within the Venatori and ends with locating and entering the hidden, horrible prison in the Approach or even the Hissing Wastes that Tirena is actively trying to break out of. This previous one shot shows her connection to Livius Erimond. Mind the tags in that one.)

Tags: anti cullen (just in case), smoking

“A blood mage?! We are trying to stop the crazed fanatics not invite them in!"

From her position against the side wall, Tirena observed the Inquisition’s Templar pace part of the vaulted room where worldly decisions were made. It wasn't a coincidence his route defended the only rational exit. Shame if those windows were damaged.

The Inquisitor, out of armor and in a gown more fitting to her… soft personality, was unaffected by this predictable outburst. It was the norm. The Inquisitor’s sweet and accepting approach was not.

"I wanted all of you to hear this in person, not through a letter. Tirena just has a different set of skills, like every member helping the Inquisition."

"I'll admit it's not what I expected... but we already combat outrageous rumor and speculation about Lord Pavus. However, this will be used to further question your judgement, Krystal," the Antivan Ambassador spoke at the Inquisitor's side around papers and more papers.

The Inquisitor nodded but her quiet "I know" was overridden.

“I have relented on many questionable decisions, Inquisitor, but you cannot ally us with a blood mage. I won’t allow it!”

“She has been our ally behind the curtain since we settled at Skyhold. Unknown until the correct dots were connected. Many of our people live because of her actions.”

Tirena's eyebrows twitched up at the clear admiration and defense in Nightingale's voice.

The Inquisitor confirmed those words in her too gentle way, “She isn't our enemy. Together, all different kinds of us, we've lasted this long, and Tirena has been a part of that in her own way.”

The Templar persisted with teeth clenched as hard as the hand on his sword, “I strongly advise against this. Blood magic is forbidden for good reasons. It’s dangerous, manipulative, infectious. Demons are loose all over Thedas and you walk one right into Skyhold!”

“Uncontrollable,” Tirena finally spoke up, pushing off from the wall. Tired of this fool and pointless circles. “That is the word you mean. Your Chantry despises not having a chain for anything and everything. And I despise being talked about as if I’m not standing twenty feet from you.”

He stopped pacing at her movement, addressing the room but focusing on her. “Your likes or dislikes are not a concern while we discuss having a Venatori blood mage among us. Why isn’t she locked in a cell until a decision is made?”

“Put me in chains and you’ll die like the others who did,” Tirena bared her teeth and snarled, overriding anyone else attempting to speak. 

“At the very least, I insist on a Templar guard, an inspection that she isn’t an abomination-”

“Piss me off further, and you'll pray to your Maker for a simple abomination!”

“Please!” 

Their advance stopped short of each other with, well, a short, pleading obstacle. Tirena halted before the overly affectionate Inquisitor touched her, while the Inquisitor placed a hand on piccolo soldato's (little soldier) sword arm. 

"Attacking each other won't help."

And Tirena was indeed ready to attack. She had been fine with his left handed grip on his pommel, a centering, comfort thing she understood well, but his right arm crossing his body was a threat and a defense simultaneously. Not for the first time, or last, Tirena took pleasure in her height that forced him to glare up at her.

"Cullen, I know you experienced horrors, but your pain keeps blinding you. Please, keep an open mind and trust me." The Inquisitor soothed as privately as she could to him in an unbearable sympathetic voice- Tirena supposed as a mother should sound- before turning to Tirena. "Please don't threaten my people. Anger won't solve this."

No… that was unbearable.

Tirena glanced down at the Inquisitor's unique purple eyes. Her round face was the face of a stranger, but the emotion behind it was not. It used to stare back at Tirena, at eye level, the face of her bro- Seraph. His bleeding heart didn't exist quite so much on his sleeve, but the similarities were there. All about healing and "save the world", soothe and not burn… and showing her all the ways she couldn't see.

"I don't make threats. Only promises," Tirena said, stepping back from the Inquisitor.

The two opposing forces took up posts on opposite sides of the table, and Tirena traded running her nails over her thumb pad for a smoke to keep her occupied and calmer. The Templar's lip curled at her lighting the elfroot and blood lotus blend with her middle finger. Petty and childish? Yes. But she was above only so many things.

"I'm not one of your Circle beaten mages you pushed to desperation. This is my craft and my mind is my own, Templar."

"I am Commander of the Inquisition and a Templar no longer."

"Sure you are," Tirena said with a grin anything but kind and blew smoke out her nose.

A gentle throat clearing from the Inquisitor stopped further escalation but it was the Ambassador who spoke.

"We're here for a common cause. Commander, the Inquisition needs information about Magister Erimond and the… rituals he performs, and you, Miss Amphion, cannot storm a fortress on your own."

Infiltrating Adamant wasn't the problem. Dying before she killed Livius was. But fighting alongside the Inquisition posed another problem.

"You won't be able to 'save' him," Tirena directed at the Inquisitor. "Livius denies it, but he is a follower to the individual who provides him the most power. His father, the Magisterium, and now a being claiming to be straight from his nation's proud ancient history. He believes in the cause and will defend it with his dying breath."

There was an uncomfortable pause as the Inquisitor retreated into herself then murmured, "The future he's fighting for isn't what he thinks. I've seen it. At Redcliffe. Dorian, too. It's horrible."

Tirena hesitated with her smoke near her lips, waiting for the joke, the lie, the disbelief. The crestfallen look the Advisors had was nothing compared to the Inquisitor's. A retelling rather than firsthand experience.

"Even if he were to miraculously believe that, it matters not. I am going to kill him. Say no to that and I leave. Your Templar's wish fulfilled."

The three looked expectantly to their leader -after a piercing look between Tirena and the Templar- whose sad turned to thinking face oddly turned to a smile.

"A siege takes a lot of planning. I'll have time to change your mind."

Tirena stared at the confident optimist.

Somehow. Someway. Seraph is laughing at me right now.

Nightingale brought her away from thinking about unattainable things. Twice in the span of minutes made her head hurt. And bury her heart.

"You have intimate knowledge on more than Erimond. I expect reports whether you're leaving or not, on the ones still alive."

There was the famed and feared Spymaster.

"That information is with a reputable bookbinder." Tirena flicked her smoke away in a small burst of fire and looked at the Ambassador. "The same one who repairs your found tomes."

Piccolo soldato huffed, "You expect us to believe you know nothing?"

"Only close to nothing. If you want coherent details, collect the journal. Immediate retention and recall aren't my finest abilities."

Tirena pointed to her damaged ear and the scars adorning the side of her face and neck. The scars that unfortunately went much further than skin deep. They could believe her or not.

Distracting herself from lighting another smoke, Tirena wrote down the simple instructions, adding another paper to the Ambassador's pile. They discussed her staying in Skyhold until the information was confirmed, what would be at her disposal, to not flaunt her magic all while the Inquisitor and her Ambassador did their best to ease the regrowing hostility between blood mage and Templar as the conversation dragged on. Tirena's answers became clipped and vague, special half truths to cover the things she didn't remember at the moment and deterring the more personal inquiries.

Tirena failed to stick with one smoke. It was either that or begin pacing, or lose the little diplomatic skills she had remaining. And those skills were dwindling fast.

"The subject of me in this meeting is over. You have plans and decisions I want nothing to do with," Tirena motioned to the pieces set aside, off the map.

Despite her abrasive way to excuse herself, the other four agreed that she was no longer needed, with the Inquisitor suggesting Tirena rest and make herself at home. Tirena could have scoffed.

"As long as you don't leave Skyhold."

"Were you struck deaf when that was established?... I will remain, for now, but keep your distance, Templar, and I'll keep mine."

"Agreed… maleficar."

The Ambassador broke the increased tension, again, always showing more steel than expected, "I have an assistant outside who will show you to your new quarters."

"And we put together some welcome things for you. Clothes, soaps, snacks," The Inquisitor added.

"You'll find a map to Skyhold's common areas and a schedule for meals."

Tirena nodded her head in acknowledgement at the two women, "Grazie."

With that, Tirena left the war room. An odd name for an Inquisitor so opposed to violence. She refused to slow for the escort scrambling after her. Movement. She needed movement. And new outlets and coping. Tirena doubted the Inquisition would be like the Venatori and allow her to leave and murder as she pleased. Not without the proper permissions.

"Ah, Miss Amphion, I know I'm to take you to your quarters, but there's a problem with your things. Your dracolisk. It's, well, it's not letting anyone near.

Buono fanciullo. (Good boy)

"Lead on to the stables."

[firesign23]

The scene where Addam proposes to Brienne and she has Complicated Feelings?

Okay, I literally just posted this as a WIP Wednesday and then the fic that was supposed to do three things really needed to end… here. So, uhh, gonna hope someone prompts the next couple of scenes or I’m out of luck. But HEY, I kept it under 1500 words this way? Also available on ao3

The wounds on Brienne’s hands had scabbed over, the dark red-brown catching her eye as she went about her daily tasks an unwelcome reminder of the sept, of— She moved to the water basin on the sideboard, slipped her hands into the tepid water; it softened the scabs unt il she could rub them away, the skin beneath pink and raw, tiny beads of fresh blood welling up where it had not healed enough. She wiped them away with the cloth as she dried her hands, retook her seat at the desk to continue writing duty rosters. It would scar, she knew, moreso now than if she’d let it heal in its own time, but it made it more tolerable, now, not to see it.

The duty rosters were complete and she’d moved onto the contenders to fill the empty places in the Kingsguard when there was a knock on the door; she glanced out the window to realise that it was well past midday, and it was likely Pod with food and a disapproving look that she’d missed a meal yet again.

“A moment,” she called, capping the ink and pulling a jerkin on—there was very little change to her shape as yet, but she’d found herself chafing at anything too close to her body, as if the truth might be revealed to a discerning eye.

It was not Pod at the door, but Addam Marbrand.

“Ser,” Brienne greeted him. Calmly, neutrally, as if she could not feel a flush creeping onto her cheeks as she remembered the last time they had spoken, three days before. He’d been kind, even though his own grief had lurked in his eyes, and she’d thought—but no, there was always a price to kindness, here. “If you’ve come about the position with the Kingsguard, names were to be put forth by yesterday evening.”

The man gave a small smile, a hint of… something lurking behind it she could not identify, and inclined his head. “They were, and I have. That’s not why I’ve come. May I come in? Or we could take a turn around the gardens, if you’d prefer.”

Brienne glanced over her shoulder, some long-buried voice that sounded suspiciously like her septa scolding her for the mere idea of allowing a man into her quarters when she was unwed, as if that was truly the largest concern an unmarried, pregnant knight and commander had to face.

“Come in,” she said, stepping aside and gesturing with one hand. “I don’t have long, I’m afraid. Small Council meeting this afternoon.”

Addam shifted from foot to foot. “Oh, of course. I can come back later, I didn’t mean to presume—”

“Sit,” Brienne directed. “It’s not as if I’ll be any less busy until we’ve filled the places in the Kingsguard. No list of merits will tell me what sort of men they are, and I won’t—” she shrugged. “Please, sit. That’s not your concern.”

He did, glancing at the table and seeing the papers spread out there.

“The contenders?” he asked.

Brienne took the chair next to him. “Yes. I’ve barely started.”

“I could…” he hesitated. “You’ve not spent much time in the south of late, I could go through the list and advise you of any men to avoid?”

She had no reason to trust him, beyond a tangential connection to—

“Very well,” she said briskly. Call it curiosity.

Addam grabbed the stack of papers, quickly reading the names on each sheet and sorting them into three piles. She watched him, trying to find some answers in the minute expressions on his face—a grimace here, a twitch of lips there, a furrowed brow at a name that gave him hesitation. It did not take him long to be done—faster than she would have been, at any rate.

“These are men I don’t know well enough to judge,” he said, knocking the smallest pile with a knuckle. “Of the ones I do, these are the ones I’d consider. Some of your contenders are stronger than others, but they are decent men.” Another knocked knuckle. “The third pile—they are men who enjoy hurting others. Some might be good fighters, and I have no doubt they’d serve the king with loyalty, but—”

“I don’t want them. Knights have no business being cruel,” Brienne said, then asked, “Where is your own name, Ser Addam?”

“The unknown,” he replied with a shrug. “I would hope for consideration, and I believe myself both competent and not cruel, but what villain does not seem himself a hero?”

Brienne nodded; it was a measured choice, perhaps deliberately self-effacing, but presuming nothing. “In my experience, it is just as likely a hero sees themselves as the villain.”

“And few people are purely either.”

Brienne nodded in agreement, and added a moment later, “Thank you, for your insights. Now, what brought you here?”

Addam blinked twice, as if the question had startled him.

“Another time, perhaps,” he said. “I would not take more of your limited attentions.”

He rose as if to leave, and Brienne rose as well, effectively blocking him in; though he was near in height to her, the proximity meant his head tilted back to meet her eyes, and there was… that same something she’d seen earlier, a sort of exposed vulnerability that had her ask again, “What brought you here, ser?”

He stepped sideways, avoiding the chair, and sighed.

“Sit, please,” he said. “This seemed much more—sit.”

Brienne complied, and Addam’s hand flexed as he reached for his sword—not to draw, she could read that, but as if it were a talisman.

“Is something that matter?” she asked.

“I…” He rubbed a hand across his mouth. “Tradition would have me speak to your father—”

No. A flutter of panic filled her breast. “Ser Addam—”

“I know,” he said, and there was some beseeching agony in his tone that stilled her words. “I would not… I have been unable to stop thinking of the other day. Your dilemma, and how it may be… I know I am not the man you love, and that my presence might be naught more than a painful reminder of this, and I wouldn’t presume—”

She said the only thing she could think of.

“I won’t wed for pity.”

He looked stricken. “Not pity, ser. The circumstances are… I would not ask if they were different, but it is not pity. A mutual loss, perhaps. The knowledge that he would—he cannot be here, but I do not think he would wish for you to face this alone.” He couldn’t even say his name, the twist of his lips echoing the one in Brienne’s breast; her eyes filled with tears. “Ser Brienne, I am not a poor match. I am of good standing, heir to my house. I am not cruel and would not demand anything from you except an attempt at a true alliance, for the sake of the child. A hope for friendship, in time. There are many reasons to believe we could build a satisfactory—”

“We’ve met twice,” she said, barely keeping control of her emotions.

“Which is very little, but more than some are granted,” he replied. “Shall I tell you what I do know of you? You’re good with a sword, which tells me that you are tenacious and do not give up even when your muscles ache and exhaustion hits. You love, deeply, and give your loyalty absolutely to those you believe in. You try to hide these things, but you also refuse to apologise for them. Are not all of these more useful to the pursuit of a good marriage than beauty or inheritances? I’ve had many a pretty woman trotted before me like an obedient pony, but temperament is what matters, and I think we are of a similar kind.”

She meant to laugh, but the sound tangled with the emotions crowding her throat and what came out was a guttural choking sound.

“That is your argument? You are not terrible and so I should wed you, and hope that the protection of a man’s name is enough to spare my child a lifetime of derision?”

She knew she was being unkind, could recognise the logic of such an offer, knew that it was not made from— Anger swelled in her, until she found herself wishing to hurl whatever object was near at hand against the wall, wishing to scream that none of this was fair, it wasn’t supposed to be this, she’d been happy, they’d been happy, they were supposed to—

“Leave, please,” she choked out. “Just… leave.”

He nodded, gave a small bow. “I truly— I am sorry to have hurt you, ser,” he said, his own voice cracking with emotion. “I will demand no more of your time.”

The inkpot shattered against the door when he’d gone, the black ink soaking into wood long before she could bring herself to move.

[realrollypratt]

[WIP Wednesday #1]

This is my first edition of Work in Progress Wednesday!

I’ve been working on this Dom!Casey one-shot for too long 4-5 months and it is mostly finished, but has been kicking up a storm during editing so it’s not quite ready for posting yet. I’m just too excited about it to wait any longer though, so here’s a snippet to give you a taste!

This passage contains 1,715 words (full version to be approximately 10k). Set ten years after George and Nora’s wedding.

Inspired by @wroteathingtoday​‘s story Es(Courting) which brought up the idea of Casey being a total Dom.

Lemme know your thoughts! :D

“Ten years, huh?”

Casey turned towards the voice, watching Derek saunter towards her with a wicked smile.

When he settled next to her, leaning against the railing with a bottle in his hand, she turned back to the view in front of her, unable to ward off the small smile on her own lips. He always sought her out at the end of an evening, no matter how much he’d insisted on ignoring her just hours before.

“Yeah,” she sighed, tucking a curl behind her ear. “I’m not sure if it feels like ten... or a hundred.”

He stayed silent for an instant, and all she could hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind and sirens resounding from a few blocks away. It made the moment feel surreal, somehow, calm, as if she was surrounded by a bubble and time just stretched on and on. From the corner of her eye, she saw him take a swig of his beer before answering.

“Probably a hundred,” Derek said, and leaned against his side to face her. “But in a good way.”

Moving her head slightly to the side, she caught his gaze. He wore an open expression, soft eyes catching the light from the city down below, as his lips curled up in his signature smirk.

She chuckled, shaking her head. “How is it a good thing?”

At her question, his eyebrow quirked up in consideration. “It’s one of those things, you know,” Derek said. “Like ‘gosh it’s like I’ve known you forever’.”

He emphasized the word and dipped forward to be on her eye level, bringing their faces closer. It wasn’t quite cold, but she still shivered when the soft breeze carried the scent of his cologne to her nose. She could smell the beer on his breath too.

“I’d have thought that knowing me forever would be like a death sentence to you,” Casey said, leaning in to whisper conspiringly.

His laugh then was low and deep, and a bit self-deprecating. “I adapted.”

“You’re adaptable?” Casey teased with a raised eyebrow.

“Eh,” Derek uttered, shrugging.

Casey rolled her eyes at his typical response and turned around to face the venue, crossing her arms over her chest protectively (though to protect herself from what, she wasn’t quite sure).

Through the archway she saw her mother and step-father dancing in the middle of the room, smiling in each other’s arms as they swayed to the music. Nora looked affectionately at George while sweeping cake icing from the corner of his mouth.

“At least they’re happy,” Casey said thoughtfully, unable to picture a world where Nora didn’t love George, but not quite able to make all the pieces fit together in her head either.

There was a scoff coming from him and she eyed him somewhat insulted.

“So you’re what, unhappy now?” Derek asked doubtfully, like she was being dramatic or something.

“No,” Casey defended, frowning, “I’m not. I just meant that however we feel about it, what matters is that they’re actually happy.”

Frowning in turn, Derek put his beer down on the flat railing in order to slowly step forward into her personal space, making her look up to hold eye contact with him. She would never shrink back against his towering height, which he knew, she wasn’t small or helpless, but his proximity still made her breathless, his radiating heat spreading to her neck and cheeks.

“How exactly do you feel about it?” Derek asked softly, his expression unreadable beyond the crease on his brow. 

Even though his physical presence didn’t scare her, and she was usually the first person to glorify communication as the solution to all problems, the thought of having an honest, truthful conversation - with him - was terrifying.

She was scared of what lay underneath, the things she never dared to put into words for fear of giving them form and having to face that they were real.

She looked away.

“It doesn’t matter,” Casey said weakly. “That’s the whole point.”

Needless to say, Derek wasn’t convinced. “This coming from the girl who almost broke the parents up because they didn’t consider her feelings.”

“Obviously,” she said, keeping her voice even through her gritted teeth, “I’ve grown.”

“And I’ve adapted, isn’t it great?”

Sighing in resignation, she looked back at him, finding his gaze instantly. He bore into her with an intensity she usually hated coming from him. It was so heated and earnest it made parts of her melt, her walls crumble, and she was seconds away from coming apart.

They’d been here before, and every time, she fell for his puppy eyes like she could actually believe that he needed her, that he was open and vulnerable in front of her. Every time, she found out, she’d been the fool falling on her knees with the leash in her hands.

“What do you want me to say?” Casey shrugged, hugging her arms to her sides. “That I resent my mom and your dad for bringing our families together, even though it was the best thing to happen to all of us, because I’m… selfish and ungrateful?”

His frown softened into an easy smile. “Yeah, that,” he said cheekily. “And also maybe something about how being so close to me ruined you for every other guys.”

She scoffed, once again rolling her eyes in exasperation. Of course he’d make some egotistical comment, making it all about him like she wasn’t opening herself up -

“Hey,” Derek uttered softly, breaking her out of her spiralling anger. He gently wrapped his hands around her upper arms, brushing his thumbs lightly against her skin. “I’m not exactly overjoyed either.”

Her skin prickled at his touch and she hated that it affected her so much that she softened against him. She especially hated the way his hands rubbing up and down her arms soothingly actually calmed her down.

“And I’m definitely not selfless,” he confided into her hair, his lips grazing the shell of her ear.

He’d pulled her against his chest, the contact making her shiver. Her face was tucked into his neck, from this close she discovered that he was using a new body spray, a sweeter, more subtle scent than before, with hints of cinnamon and sandalwood.

It was intoxicating. He was intoxicating.

Though her eyes were closed, she found enough strength to move her hand up to his chest, pushing him away reluctantly. “Derek,” she breathed, a sad attempt at sounding stern.

Reminding herself that catching her in her step-brother’s arms on their tenth anniversary was not quite the gift their parents were expecting, she pulled away, looking around self-consciously.

Catching her hand, Derek pulled her back against him, wrapping his other arm around her waist. “We’re just dancing,” he reassured, starting to sway them slowly to music that seemed too distant to hear. “What are they gonna say?”

Her free hand gripped onto his shoulder as she followed his movements, her head spinning. “We said we weren’t doing this anymore, Derek.’’

“Dancing?”

“Yes, dancing.”

Around the issues. Around each other.

He looked at her strangely, almost like he was surprised to be reminded of their agreement, or startled at being caught returning to a bad habit. His eyes moved to the archway behind her before he turned and tugged on her hand.

“C’mere,” Derek said, leading her to the side, away from view, and pushed her back against the wall between two tall junipers.

“De-rek!” Casey scolded.

“Just hear me out,” he said, his hand settling on her hip burning through her dress.

“Der-“ she started, intent on nipping whatever he was thinking right in the bud. But of course he didn’t let her finish.

“Come on,” Derek interrupted, “I’m just saying... we used to have fun. Didn’t we?”

Casey’s shoulders dropped, stomach sinking deep as she considered his beady eyes and alluring smile. This was the point in their dance when she always caved in, coaxed into yielding by the wistful memory of the way she used to feel. Fearless, beautiful, worshipped… and caring, and giving.

Until things got so mixed up that she couldn’t make sense of them anymore, and they were both hurt in the end.

Sometimes she wondered if pain was all they had to give each other.

“You know we can’t do that again,” Casey said, shaking her head sadly. “We can’t.”

“Why not?”

She huffed, dismayed, releasing the last of the air she had in her lungs. “How many times did we go over this? You know why.”

Derek leaned closer, supporting his weight with one hand against the wall, and licked his lips, selecting his words carefully. “I wouldn’t be out here begging if I did.”

“That was you begging?” Casey asked, slightly skeptical.

“You tell me,” Derek said, his breath hot on her cheek. “You know what my begging looks like.”

She was burning up, her eyes glued to his like in a trance, remembering all too well just how good begging looked on him. She was tempted, really tempted, to make him do it all over again, knowing that she had that power, that she could make him look up at her from the heel of her foot, and that he would be keen to oblige - as if it wasn’t the only thing she could make him do voluntarily.

His hand skimmed up her side, travelling leisurely from her hip to her neck where he let his fingers plunge into her hair. There were the goosebumps again, softening all her hard edges, rendering her putty and pliant as he cradled the back of her neck and pulled her face to his.

“Why are you doing this?” Casey mumbled under her breath when their noses touched. To me, she almost added.

“Because,” Derek started, pausing to brush his lips against hers, a feather light touch. “No one makes it hurt like you do.”

Her soft gasp was silenced by his mouth fully covering hers, the kiss dizzying, but a bittersweet confirmation that he didn’t need her, just what she inflicted on him. She never thought that knowing how to reach in all of his tender spots was a bad thing until she discovered that he liked it, actually derived pleasure from it.

He didn’t like her, he just liked the pain.

[tryvyalsynnes]

Wip Wednesday

I’ve been tagged by the wonderful @pikapeppa who keeps tagging me every Wednesday because she’s just that encouragingly awesome XD

It’s late for WIP Wednesday, but still kind of close if I squint? This is the best part of something I’ve had on my HD for a long time. The rest is a steaming mess and will probably not see the light of day. It’s an excerpt of something I wrote about the aftermath of the fight with the Arishok.

Tagging forward @pikapeppa, @lethendralis-paints, @midnightprelude, @aban-asaara, @schoute, @thesaltyhealer, @anxietysquiddie, @barbex, @jasonrainville even though we barely know each other because if you actually did the thing I would be ecstatic, @levikra, @kallielef and all my shitpile buddies and all my rp partners who write (but I’m not going to ping any of you, no pressure, your choice), and whoever wants to do the thing (I’ll add your name to this post, tag me) for next Wednesday!

~~~

The Arishok turned on him again, and Hawke brought his greatsword forward low, ready to slash up at the Arishok's neck and face, but instead of raising his weapons the Arishok dropped them. He staggered and fell, staring murderously at Hawke, still reaching for him.

Fenris grasped the haft of his greatsword, but no qunari could meet Hawke's gaze. The closest one signalled and left, and the others let go of their disbelieving captives and followed.

Fenris felt his breath leave him. He hadn't realized he'd been holding it. Tension drained and he had to brace himself against the railing.

Varric jumped up and punched Fenris in the shoulder. “’Draste's titties, he drew him out! He bluffed!” He was grinning widely and looked like he wanted to shout.

“We need to get to him.” Anders’ relief was tangible, but he was not smiling. "Let's go."

He strode down the steps. They followed. Isabella was still pale. Fenris wondered if her easy cocky smile would come back any time soon. He guessed most likely not.

Anders moved with single minded purpose, readying a healing spell. Fenris had to trot to keep up. “Wait! Anders!”

“You bothersome nit,” Anders snapped. “What now?”

Fenris gestured and Anders followed his gaze. Through the wide battered doors of the Viscount’s Keep, they could see Meredith and Orsino. Fenris kept his voice low. “Wait a little longer, apostate.”

“Maker take her and you.” Anders growled under his breath.

Anders waited and then waited some more, because, of course, after the Knight Commander  named him Champion, Hawke took in the cheers of the crowd, smiling and wobbling with blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. He rejoined them, dripping and grinning with blood-limed teeth, making it very clear who had helped him get to the keep.

Fenris watched with growing worry. He knew what was happening from personal experience; Hawke was euphoric. It was a wonderful feeling, but extremely dangerous. Hawke was leaving a trail of blood drips. Fat red globs hung from his faulds. The lames around his ribs were bent, cracked, and driven in, and the ones on his back were cut through on one side at the waist, the edges folded. Under the lames his gambeson was bright red.

Only Hawke was unaware of how bad he looked. He didn't seem to feel a thing. He kept brushing Anders' hands away. “Not here. The estate.”

Knight Commander Meredith seemed quick to help steer him one way or the other. “Champion, you should rest here. However if you are resolved to return to your estate, you should go now, before word of your victory spreads, and you are further delayed.”

Anders was about to guide Hawke to the stairs, but caught the Head Enchanter’s look. The circle mage almost imperceptibly shook his head. Anders scowled at him.

It was plain to Fenris they needed to get Hawke away. Meredith nodded curtly as he took Hawke's arm, draped it over his shoulder, and helped him walk out into the brightness of a mid-midday sun. The others followed.

Hawke squinted and sagged against him.

When Fenris looked worriedly up at him, he smiled, stood straight and pulled him closer. He motioned to Isabella and put his other arm over her shoulders, smiling at her. Isabella took his wrist and hesitantly put her other arm around his waist. She snuffled. Hawke hugged her too. He took a ragged breath and started through the wreckage of the Qunari attack for his estate, looking for all the world like a man on a walk with his arms around two friends, instead of an injured warrior being helped. Fenris was not fooled. Hawke's grip was too tight.

Varric frowned. "That was odd. Isn't Orsino a healer?"

"It was indeed quite odd. You'd think, in a place that housed the Guard, there would be a surgeon," Merrill agreed, looking down at the ground.

"Orsino is an excellent healer. It was more than odd. I can't believe he thought it was too dangerous to heal Hawke there. What is wrong with that blighted woman?" Anders came up behind them. They were clear of the keep. The mage took a quick look around, still cautious. Fenris felt him preparing. There was a warmth behind him and he shivered as the lyrium ached fretfully, rippling in stutters along his skin. For him to feel it like that, Anders must have poured everything he had into the cut on Hawke's back.

The mage cast one of healing spells he said came from Justice, the one that trickled health to everyone near him, and came around them to walk in front, half backwards, scrutinizing Hawke. Fenris hated the spell. It ground against him, discordant and sharp, like the mutilated fade creature who owned it.

After his dogged persistence in the keep, Fenris was surprised Anders did so little. “Is that all?”

“Yes. It's already been too long for a simple heal, far too long.” Anders looked worried. He was also angry.

“I'll be peeing blood for days. What’s a few more minutes?” Hawke laughed. It sounded like a wheeze.

Anders scowled at him.

���Don't look at me like that. You saw that mess.” Hawke coughed, and spat blood.

"I did," Anders said quietly. "Don't talk, Hawke."

Fenris did not want this. He wanted to be ecstatic. Hawke was alive and he wanted to talk of the duel with him. He wanted to relive and appreciate it in the way he couldn’t while it was happening, to remember Hawke's cunning and the beauty of his movements.

Hawke was getting weaker. Fenris pulled him along.