#wayv ten fics

[sluttyten]

Freaky Love

Kinktober Day 6 | Ten Masterlist | Member Masterlist

tags: stalking, obsession, smoking, masturbation, pillow humping, voyeurism, dub/noncon, gloryhole, anonymous sex, blindfold, riding, fingersucking

length: 7717

You’ve been watching him for days now.

Ten.

Studying his movements, his schedule. You know that he goes into work every day at two in the afternoon, except for Wednesdays and Thursdays. You know that he takes a thirty minute break around 5:30, that he sneaks several smoke breaks in periodically throughout his shift, sneaking out to the dumpster behind the restaurant or sitting in his coworker Mark’s car. You know Ten gets off work around 11 o’clock at night, that he walks back to his apartment, maybe stopping at the corner store for some drinks, maybe ordering delivery.

It’s because of his bad habit of just ordering in that you met Ten, that this whole obsession began.

It had been a miserably misty evening in early October. Sunday nights usually weren’t too busy, and this night was no exception. You’d been twiddling your thumbs for the better part of your shift, and finally Ten’s order came in, and you’d immediately taken it. 

The entire ride to the delivery address, you kept wondering what kind of name Ten was. That’s a number, not the name of a person, in your experience. And any time you’d had deliveries to people with weird names, they’d been weird people too. So you were curious what to expect when you reached the door of the apartment building, as you buzzed up on the box outside the door, as someone inside let you in, and then you were climbing up the stairs, breathless by the time that you arrived at apartment 5A.

Ten opened the door, and you were amazed. He wasn’t the weirdo you’d been envisioning. He was pretty cute. His hair was a little scruffy, dyed a deep navy blue. There was a pair of wire-frame glasses sliding down his nose, and he was wearing an oversized hoodie unzipped, basketball shorts, and a pair of mismatched socks. A cat poked its head between his legs, wrapping its tail around his calf as he grabbed cash to tip you.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized as he handed you your tip, offering you a sweet, charming smile along with the meager cash. “This is all I’ve got.”

His fingers brushed yours, and you felt the tingle shoot up from your fingertips right to your heart like Cupid’s arrow. 

And just like that, you were hooked.

For the next few days, you kept eagerly waiting for Ten to order again, hoping he would while you were on shift, and you’d be able to claim the delivery before any of the other drivers. You wanted to see him again, and after three days, it got to the point where you decided to just take a walk by his apartment building, hoping you’d see him.

You passed by right around two, just in time to see Ten flying down the stairs of the building, sprinting down the street in the black slacks and pressed white button down of his work uniform, apron fluttering in his hand. 

Curiosity got the better of you, and you’d followed him. That’s when you saw where he worked. You went inside, got a table, and delightfully, Ten was your waiter. He was flirty and sweet, chatty since you were dining alone. And it was when he was coming back to your table with your meal, as he sat it down in front of you, he’d said, “Were you my delivery girl the other night? I swear, I recognize you from somewhere.”

He recognized you! 

But you had to play it cool. Casual. “Oh, probably. I deliver for the restaurant I work at. Do you order from there a lot?” 

He’d stood there for a few minutes, chatting with you about that, about regulars and the pains that they could be. He had to walk away to take care of another table, but your heart was soaring. Ten remembered you! He’d stood here and talked with you, and you couldn’t help thinking that he’d only reluctantly left to go take care of the other table, that he’d wanted to stay here talking with you. 

That was just another layer on top of your growing obsession with him. 

You sat there for another couple hours, nursing your drink, slowly eating your food, ordering dessert, keeping an eye on Ten as he danced around his section, grinning and flirting with customers for tips. You loved watching him move; he was graceful like a dancer, light on his feet, and well-balanced even when laden down with a heavy tray of meals for a table.

It became a hobby of yours after that, to just check in on Ten occasionally. You couldn’t afford to  eat all the time at the restaurant where he worked, but there was a coffee stand right next door that offered a nice view in through the plate glass windows, so you could often sit on one of the tables at the coffee stand, sipping at your drink, pretending to read or work on something for hours while you watched him.

And then one Friday night, you were sitting outside when he got off work. You overheard him talking to his coworker – Mark, you’d helpfully learned when you “accidentally” ran into him in the back alley while he was smoking – about plans to go out to a bar later tonight. 

The bar was notorious for being a hook-up spot. It gave off more of a club vibe than just a bar, but it was grimy enough that it wasn’t one of the chic clubs that people typically favored. You were surprised to hear that Ten was going, and although your plans for the night had been to simply follow him home before heading back to your own place, suddenly your plans shift. You’ll be going out tonight too, coincidentally. 

Maybe you would accidentally bump into Ten there. Maybe he would be excited to see you again, like he’d been at his restaurant.

You get to the bar after Ten and Mark, spotting them as soon as you walk in. Ten’s at the bar ordering drinks while Mark stands right behind him, talking with a pretty girl. You linger in the shadows, observing them as they take shots, as Mark disappears onto the dancefloor with the girl, and Ten soon follows them into the press of bodies.

There are so many people dancing, pressed together that you struggle to squeeze through the crowd, trying to search for Ten among the writhing bodies. People are just dancing on each other, touching and grinding in an orgiastic ecstasy along to the beat of the music. You manage to squeeze between Ten and some girl, edging yourself between them until you’re the one dancing with Ten, his hands on your hips.

He must recognize you, you think, even with your back to him. He holds tight to your hips, and you grind back against him, swaying your hips to the music while he rolls his hips forward against your ass. 

You lose track of time like that, reveling in being in Ten’s proximity, being touched by him. His hands eventually skim across your belly, down to your thighs, up your chest. You’re soaking your panties, so aroused as Ten’s grinding against your ass, as he squeezes your tits. His lips brush along your throat, licking and sucking. 

And maybe if cruel fate hadn’t intervened, you could have gone home with Ten, could have fucked him and made him really fall in love with you. But some fool set a fire in the bathroom trash can, setting off the sprinklers. In the panic of screams and pushing and shoving, you and Ten are separated, and even once you make it outside onto the street – looking and feeling like a drowned rat – he’s nowhere to be seen.

But you hold the memory of the dancefloor close to your heart over the following days, treasuring it late at night when you’re in your bed, touching yourself thinking about what could have been. You wonder if Ten’s thinking about you too, wishing that he’d have held onto you a little tighter when you first sprang apart as the sprinklers unleashed overhead. You wonder if he’s been sitting in his apartment, considering if he should order delivery again to give him an excuse to see you.

Whether that’s actually the case or not, on the Tuesday following your night at the bar, Ten orders again.

It’s too early in the evening, so you weren’t expecting him to order just yet. He’s never off any earlier than 11, or so you’ve noticed in the last few weeks of watching him. But it’s only 10:45 right now. Had he left work early tonight? Was he sick? Was something wrong?

You take the order, and rush to Ten’s apartment. 

You get there a few minutes after 11. You buzz his apartment, but he doesn’t answer, and then you start getting worried all over again. You buzz his neighbors until finally one of them lets you in. You race up the stairs to apartment 5A, and when you reach it, knocking on the door, there’s still no answer. 

And then you hear a clatter on the stairs behind you.

“Ah, shit!” Ten hisses, reaching down to pick up his keys and his phone. He’s clutching his apron in one hand, balancing his order pad and a bottle of wine in the other hand. He snatches up his fallen possessions, and then climbs the last few stairs to the landing. “Oh, hey, I’m sorry!” Ten apologizes, walking quickly over to you standing in front of his door. “I didn’t think you would be here so fast, usually you guys take around half an hour to get here. I had a stressful night at work so I ordered before I left there, thinking I’d have plenty of time.” 

You step back a bit as he comes up beside you, as he reaches for the keypad door lock. You watch as he punches in the code – 0228 – and then he’s shoving the door open, scrambling inside. He kicks his shoes off into a pile of other shoes. He skids across the floor in his socks, ducking through an open doorway.

You take a step inside.

You’re in Ten’s apartment!

A different cat than the one you’d seen that first night trots towards you before it freezes, tail bristling, and then it bolts through the door Ten had vanished through. He emerges a second later, cradling the cat in one arm, and holding out a few dollars to you with the other. He takes the bag of his food from you, you take the cash, feeling that zing in your fingertips again when your hand brushes his.

“Thank you! Have a great night!” Ten says, shifting the bag from one hand to the other so he can reach for his apartment door. 

Reluctantly you step back out of the apartment, and Ten’s cooing at the cat in his arms as he closes the door, leaving you out in the hallway. 

You try not to let your heart sink. There was no flash of recognition in Ten’s eyes. He didn’t mention the moments you’d shared the other night on the dancefloor at the bar. But he’d told you that he had a stressful night at work, maybe he just wanted to be alone, he didn’t want to burden you with his stresses, he didn’t want to invite you in because he wouldn’t be able to devote his attention to you the way that he knows that you deserve.

But as you’re leaving, as you’re slogging back down the building’s stairs, you pass a pretty young woman climbing up. She’s talking on the phone, giggling as you pass by her. You’re about four steps below her when you hear her giggle into the phone, saying, “Yes, Ten, I’m almost there. Don’t worry, I know the perfect destresser.”

Heat boils in your belly as you twist around to watch her climb the rest of the stairs. She’s going to Ten’s apartment? To help him destress? Is Ten fucking her?

You’re halfway tempted to follow her back up there, to see with your own two eyes that she’s going into his apartment, that Ten’s letting her inside. It can’t be true. Misery weighs heavily in your gut, and you decide you’d better not go up there. You need to get back to work; you’re on shift until 1 o’clock in the morning. 

But the next morning, you’re up early. You couldn’t sleep last night after you got home. You’d been boiling with jealousy at the idea that there was another girl in Ten’s apartment right now. So you’d grabbed yourself a coffee and then plopped yourself down on a bench situated right across the street from Ten’s apartment building. It was really early. The sun was just rising, pouring through the streets to eat away the shadows. And you waited. 

And waited.

And waited.

Around 7:30 you see the building’s door open, and this time the girl from last night walks out. She’s got a bounce in her step, her hair clipped back from her face, and she rummages through her bag as she walks. You hate her. 

Shortly after that, Ten emerges, looking like he’s still half asleep. He’s on the phone, and his voice carries across the street as he says, “Yeah, Kun, I’m on my way. No! I would never forget a brunch date that you set, why would you think that? Oh, yeah, just because YangYang says that he had to text me to wake me up? No!” 

He’s still denying that he forgot his morning plans when he turns the corner. You’re caught for a moment, stuck between following him and doing something a little riskier. You want to go inside his apartment. 

Since watching him punch in the code last night, it’s all you’ve been thinking about. You now have access to Ten’s apartment. You could go in there, surprise him any time that you want.

0228.

The door beeps when you punch the numbers in, the lock clicking as it unlatches, and you turn the handle. The door swings open, and you slip quickly inside.

You wander around for a few minutes, learning the layout, just looking around. The cats – it turns out he’s got three of them – curl together on Ten’s bed, watching you suspiciously. 

Ten keeps a tidy house. There’s not a thing out of place. His bed is made, erasing any sign of the woman from last night. His clothes are all put away in drawers and in his closet. There aren’t any dirty dishes in the sink, the cat’s litter box is clean, there’s a horde of cleaning products tucked beneath his kitchen sink. 

You check out his bedroom. There are a collection of fragrance bottles and skincare products sitting on his chest of drawers. You find a box of sex toys and lube beneath his bed. There’s a stack of books sitting on the floor in the corner, dusty and surrounded by forgotten cat toys. You examine the products inside his bathroom as well – shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, etc.

There’s a half-damp towel hanging to dry in the bathroom, and you wrap your hands in it, bringing it up to your face, breathing in the clean smell of Ten.

Before you leave, you run your fingers through your hair, and with one of the loose strands that tangles around your fingers, you leave it beneath Ten’s pillow. A memory of you.

That night, Ten orders again. It’s his day off, so you’re a little surprised by that. Typically, you’ve learned that he goes out more on his nights off. He doesn’t usually order in. You hope he’s not having that woman over again tonight.

But when you arrive, Ten opens the door by himself. He’s wearing just a tshirt and sweatpants, bare toes sticking out from the dragging hem of the sweatpants. 

“You again,” he smiles. “I bet you’re getting tired of seeing me. Again, sorry about last night, leaving you waiting at my door like that.” He counts out the cash tip, passing it over to you. “I was so all over the place after my day, I wasn’t thinking straight about anything. Ended up having to relax with a bottle of wine, your delicious takeout, and my best friend.” 

Best friend? Not a hookup?

“I hope your day was better today,” you say, “And I don’t mind delivering all the way out here.” You feel heat rising in your face as you admit that. Ten’s at the very edge of your restaurant’s delivery range; most other delivery drivers don’t like coming all the way over here, eager to let you take it when Ten’s order comes in.

Ten smiles brightly. “My day was pretty good, actually.”

Your heart pounds in your chest as you hold out a card to Ten. It’s got your store’s logo printed on one side of it, the other side has a QR code. “Um, we’re doing a contest sort of thing. Free delivery for a year. All you have to do is scan the code, fill out the survey, and you’re entered to win.”

Ten takes the card, flipping it one way and then the other. “That would be awesome. Thanks.” 

“Anyway, have a good night.” You take a step back, your heart racing. You can’t believe you did that. There’s no contest, not really. It’s a QR code that once he scans it, a bug will be on his phone. Yeah, there’s some fake survey on the other end of the link for Ten to fill out, but a tech whiz friend of yours that created this for you assured you that Ten wouldn’t be able to tell that you’d put a tracker on his phone. 

“See you around.” Ten waves as you start to walk away.

Hours later, you’re lying in bed at home when your phone dings with the email notification your friend set up once Ten scanned the code. You quickly click through, and there it is. Ten’s location. Now you’ll be able to see wherever he goes.

It’s probably about a week later when you see Ten’s girl best friend again. She’s at the restaurant, standing out by Mark’s car while Ten and Mark sit inside, all three of them smoking. Ten’s laughing at something she’s said, and you move a little closer, hiding behind a fence at the edge of the alley so you can hear what they’re saying. 

“You little freak,” the girl teases Ten. “Listen, some girls might find that hot, but I am not one of them.” 

Mark leans forward then. “Oh, what are you into?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, Markie.” She steals the cigarette from his fingers, taking a puff. “But not this, like, voyeuristic, anonymous thing Ten likes. I want a man that wants me for me, knowing everything he’s getting, who knows me.”

“I know you,” Mark mumbles. 

Ten smacks Mark’s arm. “You couldn’t handle her.”

Ten’s best friend laughs, agreeing with Ten’s assessment. “But, seriously, Ten. You need to be careful. That’s risky behavior.”

“Oh, I’ll be fine.” He promises, taking the cigarette back from her, taking a drag from it before dropping it to the ground outside the car and stubbing it out with his toe. “She’s into it, too, I promise.”

The boiling jealousy starts up again in your belly. He’s seeing someone? You haven’t seen anyone over at his apartment except for this woman, and she’s clearly not the one he’s talking about. 

He still has several hours left for his shift, so you go to his apartment. You punch in the code and step right in, and you begin your search for any evidence that Ten’s hooking up with someone. He’d better not be. He’s yours. 

But maybe if there’s some other girl in his life, maybe you need to stake your claim, mark him as yours.

Ten’s cats are running around the living room when you walk into his bedroom and close the door. You lie down on his bed, bury your face in his pillow and breathe in. With your eyes closed you can almost pretend like he’s here with you, that you’ve spent the night and now you’re waking up beside him. You can almost imagine what it would feel like to have the memory of his hands on your bare skin, and thoughts of that lead you to thinking about his hands on your thighs, pressing them apart for him to fit between.

Your pussy throbs. 

You sit up, climbing off Ten’s bed only long enough to take your clothes off, stripping down to nothing. But that’s not enough. You walk over to Ten’s closet, run your hands over his clothes hung so carefully, and you select a tshirt, drawing it over your head. It falls to the tops of your thighs, just barely covering your bits. The shirt is so soft against your skin, it smells like Ten.

You lie back down, your hand immediately slipping between your thighs. 

You dive back into the fantasy, letting it take over as you slide your fingers over your slick pussy. In your fantasy Ten kisses and bites at your thighs, marking you up as he fingers you, all the while telling you how much he loves you, how much he needs and wants you, that he just wants you to cum for him before he takes care of his own wants. 

Ten’s name is on your lips as you cum around your fingers, but even that’s not enough. You’re still needy for more.

You hesitate for only a moment before you sit up, grabbing one of the pillows from the head of his bed. You grab your phone from where you left it on the floor, and you prop it up on Ten’s bedside table, aiming it towards the bed, angled just to the point where you can’t see your face. You wad his pillow up between your thighs, and you sink down onto it.

It feels so good to just hump the pillow, the friction of the fabric against your clit, knowing that Ten will lay his head to rest on this pillow after you’d soaked it in your wetness. You drag the hem of the shirt up, pinching it between your teeth as you bring one of your hands to your chest to tease your nipples, and your other hand you clench in the pillow. 

You let the fantasy take over again, imagining that you’re above Ten, riding him, grinding on his cock while he touches your chest. You ride his pillow like you would ride him, enthusiastically bouncing, moaning his name, and when your orgasm sears through you, you collapse to the side, grabbing your phone to end the recording. 

Before you leave, you put the pillow back where it belongs. You take the shirt off and hang it back in his closet. You straighten the bed up, leaving no obvious sign that you were there.

You didn’t see any trace of any other woman that Ten’s fucking around with, and that does leave you with a funny feeling in your belly. The whole way back to your apartment, you’re busy wondering what that was about, what Ten’s best friend meant about his risky behavior, but maybe if he’s doing anonymous sex with random strangers, she’s just worried about him practicing safe sex.

For the next few days, you watch his location, checking to see if it looks like he’s going to any apartments that aren’t his. And when it looks like he’s going out, whether that’s to a bar or a restaurant or anywhere public, you quickly make your way there. You just want to see who he’s hooking up with, want to see who they are so you can make them end things with him.

But every time, he’s either alone or with his friends; the only girl you ever see him with is his girl best friend. Sometimes you check his location while you’re at work, curious what he gets up to when you’re not watching him. 

One night while you’re at work, around the time that Ten’s getting off, you check his location. He’s walking, walking home probably, though he’s gone a little bit out of his way. He’s closer to your restaurant than he is to home. You watch the dot move, bobbing along the sidewalk, down streets that you walk every day, by your favored convenience store, the grocery store at the end of your block, and then you watch when the dot blips out of existence.

His phone died. That, or he shut it off. 

Maybe he’s meeting up with the mysterious girl he, Mark, and his best friend were talking about. You let rage boil in your belly, pissed that you can’t leave work right now because you were short-staffed for delivery drivers tonight. You could be out on the street looking for him, figuring out where he’s gone, but instead you’re stuck here. 

When the dot marking his location returns, it’s at his apartment. 

It’s out of your way, but you go by there, and you stand on the ground looking up at the fifth floor, at his windows. Ten’s standing there in his bedroom window, looking out at the city, at the street, at the sky. He’s naked. You can see all the bare skin of his chest, his stomach, his hips. You stand down there, looking up at him, studying the shadowy smudges of his tattoos from down here. 

When you get home, you climb into bed, you curl up and pull up the video from when you’d been in his room, when you’d cum on Ten’s pillow. You touch yourself again, thinking of him and that video, and as you cum on your fingers, as you close your eyes, you imagine that Ten’s there with you, that you can smell the familiar combination of his cologne and shampoo. 

You want him.

You really, really want him.

Maybe you should let him know. Maybe you should stop hiding, stop watching him from the shadows, and you should ask him out or something. You can’t just keep waiting for him to make a move.

A few days pass. You sit at the coffee stand beside Ten’s job, and you watch him work. You’ve noticed a few times in recent days that after his work day is over, Ten’s phone will die or he’ll shut it off for a few hours, his location only resuming once he’s already back home. You’ve decided you’re going to have to watch him if you want to figure out where he’s going.

You sit there for the rest of his shift, and at eleven, when he walks out the back door of the restaurant, you follow behind him, keeping your distance.

He doesn’t go home, instead you follow his footsteps as he walks to the bar where you danced with him that one night. You linger a dozen feet behind him in the line to get inside. Some rich bleach-blonde woman , comes flouncing out of her fancy car parked at the curb, cuts in front of you, and when you say something about it, she ignores you, turns to one of her friends and says, “I didn’t know they let him bitches in this place.” At which point, you’re seeing red. 

But if you fight this lady, if you get barred from the bar, you won’t get to see what Ten gets up to inside. So you hold your tongue and let the bitch in front of you. By the time you get inside the bar, you’ve lost Ten.

You decide you may as well get a drink while you’re here, and you sit there at the bar, looking out at the crowd, searching for Ten’s face. Eventually you spot him across the bar from you.

He’s leaning against the bar, talking to that woman – the blonde fancy bitch. You grip your glass tightly, overcome with jealousy when the woman lays her hand on Ten’s arm. You leave your drink at the bar, slowly making your way around it to where Ten and the woman stand; you’re not really sure what you’re going to do when you get over there. Maybe bump into Ten and strike up a conversation, get between him and the woman?

As you approach, Ten leans in to whisper in the woman’s ear, his gaze flicking up and briefly touching on yours before he’s closing his eyes once more. You’re close enough then that you can read his lips as he says to her, “Meet me in the bathroom.”

Absolutely the fuck not.

Ten steps away from her, heading right for the back of the bar where the bathrooms are. The woman spins in her seat, watching him go, and as she moves to stand and follow, you quickly cut in front of her.

“Hey,” you say, raising your voice to be heard over the music. “Is that your fancy car parked right out front? Someone just side-swiped it.” 

“What?!” She cries out, and then she’s gone, running for the front door.

It’s not a very good lie, you think. Once she’s outside, she’ll see that her car is fine and just come back inside. Regardless, it got her out of your way.

You walk to the bathroom. 

Ten’s standing in one of the two stalls. You recognize his shoes, and you can see him turn at the sound of the door opening. The second, unoccupied stall’s door is covered in graffiti, most prominently the word COCKSUCKER. 

“Is it you?” Ten asks from within the first stall.

You hum a sound of confirmation, and you step deeper into the bathroom, noticing that within the cocksucker stall is a hole in the wall separating the two stalls. There’s an X graffitied on the floor right in front of the hole. You take that as a guide, and you walk into the stall, heart racing, wondering if this is what Ten had in mind when he invited the woman.

You drop to your knees on the X, and you wait.

“Baby, I’ve been thinking about this since I first saw you,” Ten says from the other side of the wall. You can see his feet shifting, moving closer to the wall. “When we talked, all I could think about was your lips around my cock.”

And there it is. You hear the wall pop slightly as Ten leans his weight against it, as he thrusts his half-hard cock through the hole in the wall. 

This is it. This is finally it. 

Ten’s head hits the wall when you wrap a hand around his cock. He moans softly as you start working your hand up his length, twisting your hand on the upstroke, as you stick out your tongue and tap his cockhead on it before pushing forward to take Ten down your throat. 

You love sucking Ten’s cock. The weight of him on your tongue, how he’s the perfect length. He doesn’t try to tell you what to do, just lets you take control and do what you want, even when that means you’re just drooling around his tip, hands stroking the rest of his cock. 

“Shit,” Ten moans, thumping against the stall’s wall, hips bouncing off of it as he tries to thrust deeper into your throat. “C’mon, baby, show me how much you love my cock, how much you’ve been wanting me too.”

It’s sloppy and wet sounding as you slurp around Ten’s cock, bobbing your head, popping your lips off of his tip to give him little kitten licks along the slit. 

“Shit, shit, shit!” Ten bucks forward. The stall rattles. He cums over your tongue, down your throat. Some of it dribbles down your chin. “God, baby, you feel so good.” He rocks shallowly between your lips, and you suck at his tip, savoring the last couple dribbles of cum across your tongue. 

He pulls away, back through the gloryhole carved in the stall. You hear him hit the opposite wall, he sighs. 

You don’t wait around. You get up and push out of the stall, out of the bathroom, fleeing before Ten gets the chance to open his stall and see that you’re not the woman he thought you were. You run out of the bar, noticing as you do that miracles do happen, and someone did in fact side-swipe the car of the fancy bitch. 

You walk away from the bar feeling a little better.

You’re even more deeply obsessed with Ten than you were before, now that you’ve had a taste of him. You dream of that night often, of his cock on your tongue, of his taste spilling down your throat. 

You dream of him touching you. You dream of sneaking into Ten’s apartment at night and climbing into his bed, of kissing him, having him react to you in a lustful, favorable way. 

You still watch his location, and still there are times that his location dot disappears from the map, always times that you can never go check where he’s at, figure out what he’s doing. 

And then one night, his dot disappears while you're at work, but you find out exactly where he is.

“Hey, that Ten guy ordered a pick-up,” your coworker says a few moments after you notice the missing dot. You look up to see that she’s waving a to-go bag at you. “That’s weird, right? He always orders delivery.”

Ten ordered pick-up? He’s coming here?

The door jingles as it’s yanked open, and you look up just in time to see Ten striding inside. He doesn’t spare you a glance as he walks up to your coworker at the pick-up counter. 

“Hey, I have an order for Ten.” 

Your coworker turns, very obviously looking at you. “We’ve got it right here. You know, she’s pretty disappointed you didn’t order delivery. She loves running your order.”

Finally, Ten looks at you. 

He smiles. “I know. We’ve talked about it before. Sorry, but I’m seeing a friend tonight, so no delivery. I thought I’d pick it up on the way.” Ten takes the bag when your coworker slides it over to him. He glances your way, waves, and says, “See you around.”

As soon as the door swings back shut behind Ten, your coworker is already making sad sounds. “Babe, I’m sorry! I was trying to help you out, y'know? Let him know that you’re interested, but I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d say he’s seeing someone.”

You shrug. “It is what it is.”

But it’s not okay. 

For the next two hours of your shift, you’re constantly checking your phone to see if Ten’s location has reappeared. You’re just thinking about him, wondering, worrying that you’ve actually lost your chance this time. This isn’t like at the bar where you stole him away from the blonde bitch. This is him coming here to where you work and telling you that he’s seeing someone tonight, and you have no way of intervening. 

But you’re off at 1 o’clock in the morning, and by the time you get home it’s about 1:30. You open your apartment door, flip on the entryway lights, kick off your shoes. You walk into the kitchen without turning on the lights in there, reach for the bottle of water you left there on the counter. 

Your hand finds nothing but empty air. You sweep your hand over the counter. Nothing. Maybe you actually threw it away in your rush out the door this morning. You head to the bathroom, hop in the shower, and then you climb straight in bed, hating that even after you’ve showered off the work stink you can still smell it on you. 

But you quickly fall asleep, ready to dream about Ten. 

Only you feel as if you’ve only just drifted off when you’re being awoken by the sound of something moving in your apartment. You open your eyes, but the room is pitch black, and after another moment you realize that it’s because you’ve been blindfolded. And someone is prowling around your bedroom. 

You try to sit up, but a hand presses to your chest. You reach out to slap at the man holding you down. 

“Oh, calm down, baby,” he says. “It’s just me.”

“Ten.”

He laughs when you freeze. “Yeah, baby, it’s me. I got tired of waiting.”

His hand runs over your cheek. 

“Waiting?” You shiver. 

“Yes. You’ve been watching me, breaking into my apartment, following me.” He didn’t sound mad at all. “I’ve been waiting for you to make a move ever since you masturbated in my bed. But you didn’t.”

“How did you know?” You try to sit up again, but he lays his hand on your chest once more. 

Ten waits for you to settle, and then he says, “That first night you delivered to my apartment, I thought you were beautiful. Maybe I was a little crazy, but it felt like there was a connection. And then you came into the restaurant? It felt like fate, the universe throwing us together.” He trails his fingers down your sternum, between your breasts, all the way down to your belly button. 

You’re not sure whether you’re grateful for or mortified about your present nudity. But Ten seems to be appreciating it. 

“And then you started letting yourself into my apartment. I found your hair beneath my pillow, such a pretty color. And then one day, my pillow smelled like… like pussy, sweat, cum. I found another hair from you, but it was on the shoulder of one of my tshirts in my closet, one that was in a different place than I’d left it. I decided to return the favor.” Ten flicks his thumb over one of your nipples. “I knew it was you, I know where you work, and around how late into the night you work, so one night I followed you home. I watched as you climbed up here to your apartment, as you used a key to get in, and I knew it was time to brush up on my locksmith skills. 

“I’ve been in here a few times too, baby. When you were at work. Touched myself in your bed.” Ten’s hand slides lower, all the way down your belly. “It was enough for a little bit, and then I just wanted you. But you weren’t coming to me, so I had to draw you in. At the bar. I wasn’t interested in that other chick, just using her to make you jealous, to tease you into the bathroom, into that stall beside mine.”

“What?” You gasp. He’d known it was you?

“You were exactly where I wanted you to be. Everything I said was about you.” Ten leans in, and you feel his breath on your lips. “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. Every time I’ve spoken to you, I’ve done nothing but thought of your lips.”

“But earlier tonight when you came into the restaurant you said….”

“I said I was seeing a friend. You.” Ten moves away from your face, and you feel his lips skim your throat. “God, baby, I’ve been obsessed. Ask my friends, and they’ll tell you that I talk about you all the time. They know I watch you. My best friend and Mark, I’ve pointed you out to both of them, and they think I’m a freak for acting this way. Especially after I told them about one time you came home while I was here, and I hid in your closet, watching you.”

You moan. That’s hot, to think about him watching you when you didn’t even know. 

“They made fun of me for being a freaky voyeur.” Ten kisses down your chest. “But I just… I want you. And I know you want me too, that I had nothing to be worried about because if I’m a freak, then so are you.”

“Yes,” you sigh, arching your chest off the bed. “I’m a freak for you.”

“Yes, you are, baby.” Ten’s moving over you now, sliding between your legs. He flicks his tongue over one nipple, his fingers massaging the other. 

You roll your head against your pillow, wishing you could see Ten right now. You groan, “Ten, why the blindfold?”

He laughs, lifting his head from your tit momentarily to say, “I was going to have some fun, make you try to figure out who I was. You figured it out a lot sooner than I thought you would.”

A moment later, the blindfold is torn away. At last, you look at Ten, finally seeing his face tonight.

“Kiss me,” you demand. “It’s not fair that you haven’t kissed me.”

“I’ve just been waiting for you to ask, baby,” Ten coos, and then he’s there above you, his hand on your cheek, and you lift your head, closing the distance.

The kiss is exactly what you need, the key to unlock your ravenous desires.

You roll Ten over beneath you, pinning him against the bed. You kiss him like it’s the last one you’ll ever have. You don’t bother trying to strip Ten, just sliding your hands down his torso, tugging his shirt up away from his waist, sliding your hands into his pants. 

You’ve had enough of all of this teasing. The past weeks have already been enough foreplay. You just want him, you want Ten entirely.  

Judging by how hard he is, how he’s rocking forward into your touch as soon as you get your hand on his cock, you’d say that Ten feels the same. 

You guide his cock out of his pants, and immediately you’re rolling your hips against his hardness, gliding your pussy along Ten’s length to hear him moan. And if that’s not the most god-damned beautiful sound you’ve ever heard.

“C’mon,” he murmurs against your lips, his hands drop to your hips. “Ride me, baby. Ride me like you did my pillow. It still smells like you, y’know? I jerk off with my nose to the pillow. Thinking of you.”

The moment that you sink down on Ten’s cock, you feel euphoric. This is all you’ve been waiting for for weeks now, to have this object of your desire, the heart of your obsession, finally buried inside your cunt. You’ve finally got him right where you want him, and it’s just as good as you’ve imagined. 

Ten isn’t just a passive partner while you’re riding him. He’s not making you do all the work. He’s lifting his hips off the bed, grinding up into you as you roll your hips down. Ten’s touching your breasts, your hips, your ass. He leans up to meet you in a fiery kiss as you boldly take what you want.

“So good, baby,” Ten moans. “Wish I’d have fucked you the first night at the bar, right there on the dance floor when you were dancing on me. And the night you sucked my dick in the bathroom, I was moments from coming over there, fucking you in that stall, but you were sucking me so good, baby. I couldn’t leave your sweet mouth.”

Right now, he puts his hand beneath your chin, slipping his thumb against your bottom lip. 

“Ten,” you moan, sinking towards him.

“Baby.” He echoes your tone.

Ten’s thumb dips between your lips, and you close your lips around the digit, sucking, flicking your tongue over the tip. He must sense you’re getting tired of being on top, or maybe it’s just that with you sucking on his finger, he’s decided to put you in a more submissive role. Either way, Ten suddenly flips you beneath him onto your back. His thumb is still between your lips as he starts moving, rolling his hips roughly, thrusting his cock inside your pussy, each deep thrust, sending ripples of pleasure through you. Electricity zings from your fingertips to your core as you touch Ten, and you cross your ankles at his tailbone, hugging his hips between your thighs.

You’re too far gone to really be able to listen to anything else Ten is saying, but he’s still talking, watching his thumb disappear between your lips, gritting his teeth as he holds back his orgasm. You claw your fingers down his back, cry his name around his thumb, and your orgasm snaps through you like a firecracker.

Ten pulls out at the last second, a broken moan forcing its way from his throat as he cums too, spilling across your belly and pussy before he plunges back in, getting a few last good thrusts in as that last spurts of his cum shoot out, leaving you with such a warm, glowy, fuzzy high.

He untangles himself from your limbs pretty quickly, slipping from the bed, and leaving the bedroom. You can hear him rummaging around in your bathroom, turning on the sink, and then he’s back. Ten gently spreads your legs, dragging one over his lap as he gently takes a damp cloth to wipe away his drying cum, trying to clean you up a little.

“Mm, stop.” You reach down, tugging the cloth from his fingers, tossing it aside so it hits the floor. “I don’t care. I just want you to come back up here. Kiss me again, Ten.”

He’s smiling when he heeds your wish. Ten throws himself down among your pillows, looking perfectly at home, and he wraps his arms around you, drawing you against his chest. 

“They’ll be so proud of me for finally doing this,” Ten sighs. “Mark told me he was starting to get worried that I’d be arrested for stalking. I tried to tell him that you’re worse than me.”

You tilt your head back to look at him. “How am I worse?”

Ten laughs. “You, my little freak, put a tracker on my phone. Don’t try to deny it. I know. You camped out outside my workplace all day at least a few times. You’re a little freak, and I love you for that.”

You preen, tucking yourself back against his chest, sinking in to enjoy your happily ever after moment.

a/n: slight Watch Me vibes (the Mark fic), but I just decided I kinda wanted the twist of Ten being equally as obsessed with her, that he's been stalking her like the whole time too. This one doesn't have the supernatural element that the others this far have had, but I feel like them being stalkers kinda falls under the monsters category of gods & monsters.

I hope you enjoyed! Reblogs are deserving of my eternal gratitude, likes are greatly appreciated, and your thoughts and comments are always welcome !

[talkingsaxy]

PHOTOS YOU'VE TAKEN OF YOUR BOYFRIEND TEN

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taglist: @bang-chan-my-man, @hearts4hansol, @saejinniestar

[jina-juhi]

Feels like

you can love again.

Pairing : Johnny × fem!reader

Rating : 18+

warning: smut with plot, protected sex, i tried fluff? fluffy sex? and heart break. and basically all things sex. oh alcoholism. cute sex? plus doggy style plus face sitting:) oral m/f

word count : 4.5k

summary : I could fuck you, right here, right now, but only if you'd ask.

[if you wanna skip to the smut part just go straight down]

Playlist

all too well, Taylor Swift

you heard me, Heather Sommer

1 step forward, 3 steps back, Olivia rodrigo

graveyard, halsey

right where you left me, taylor swift

wouldn't come back, Trousdale

ghost of you, Selena Gomez

company, Justin Bieber

yours, Raiden

crushing, illenium

begin again, Taylor Swift

feels like, Gracie Abraham

link

When all is said and done, and the person you loved is no longer there, what's left to do? How do you cope when you've given your all, only to find yourself empty, a mere shell of your former self? It's like being left with nothing but bones and muscles, a broken machine barely keeping you going.

So, how do you restart? How do you function when they've taken everything and left you with nothing? How do you shift your mindset to believe that this is all for the better? And most daunting of all, how do you open your heart to love again?

It feels like trying to breathe without air, as if the very essence of life has deserted you, leaving behind a jagged landscape of shattered pieces. It's dangerous to get too close to those sharp edges, so you stand alone and don't let anyone close. Trying to find yourself again.

Stand alone and contemplate what you've gotten yourself into and what you've done to yourself. How could you have ignored the warning signs? They were crystal clear. How could you have not predicted it? Too innocent.

Too gullible to let him in.

Thinking about it now feels pointless. "He was a nice guy, but he was too caught up in himself. He never really saw me. He claimed he did, but I never felt truly understood," you confide while he brews your coffee.

"I never felt loved by him," you add, as he sets the mugs on the counter—one for each of you. It's a chilly evening, and the cafe where he works is quieter than usual. You're a regular here; it feels like a safe haven, a place where you can find comfort in familiarity. You accept your coffee in silence, opting not to say more.

"Take a deep breath," he urges, his voice gentle as he nods, trying to seem strong and supportive. "How?" you reply absentmindedly, staring out the window where the fog thickens by the second. The ache in your heart grows, and despair overwhelms you as you fall back into the familiar trap of negative thoughts.

"He wasn't giving you what you needed. You shouldn't have to beg for love. Believe me when I say it's for the best that he's gone." He says.

"I loved him."

"You did, Maybe you still do, but people change," he interjects gently, his gaze fixed on the coffee between you, his words carefully chosen. "In different ways. You may have promised forever, but forever is a long time. Sometimes you grow together, and sometimes... you grow apart. It's nobody's fault in the end. You just drift away, lose that connection, maybe take each other for granted, and before you know it, the fights start."

His voice falters slightly, betraying the depth of his emotions. "I know it might not make sense right now, but what I'm trying to say is... you deserved more than what he could give you. Trust me, you're better off without him."

You inhale deeply, shaking your head in resignation. Raindrops cascade down the window, distorting the glow of the city lights outside. His words echo in your mind, and as you take another sip of coffee, its comforting aroma envelops you. Yes, he's right. You're undeniably better off without him, yet the ache lingers.

Why does it still hurt, months after the breakup? Why does the pain persist, stubbornly refusing to fade away? Days blur into months, but the heartache remains a constant companion. People change, move on. But the pain always stays. It gets a little better each day. You learn to accept. You learn to love yourself. Yet, just when you think you've moved on, something triggers that familiar ache, dragging you back to square one.

But life doesn't pause for heartache. Despite the pain, the world keeps spinning, and you move forward, one step forward and three steps back, hating, crying, wanting, but never stopping.

~~~

A year and almost a half have passed since then. Things have been getting better. The clouds are clearing up, leaving behind a little less hurt and a lot more clarity. There's a sense of hold, of something stirring within—gratefulness, perhaps, or hope. Or maybe its the sound of a familiar ring at the door. You turn around to see a familiar face, a smile lighting up your face as you recognize Johnny.

"A latte, please," you say as he approaches, his presence bringing a comforting warmth to the room. Johnny nods, his gentle demeanor never faltering as he starts to brew your coffee. Johnny's a gentleman, and a law student. He works part-time in this cafe, not because he's broke or anything. He simply lives the high life. Gym first, then college, and then in the cafe followed by late nights of studying. He's a quiet guy who keeps to himself. Disciplined and courteous. Doesn't really like to waste his time on the things undeserving of his attention.

Your friendship with Johnny began in this very place. You remember it must have been around 10 o'clock at night, you had just split up with your ex. It was a stormy night, It felt like the world was collapsing around you and someone was sucking the breath out of your lungs, alone and broken, you found this cafe nearby. The rain was pouring nonstop, so you decide to take refuge, sitting in the corner, your tears flow with the raindrops tapping against the windowpane.

Jhonny brings you a cup of coffee and a napkin with words of reassurance, "It'll be okay, just hold on."

He saw you when you felt invisible to the world, and he understood you when no one else could. In Johnny, you found not just a friend, but a shimmer of light in your darkest moments.

You still have that note.

Jhonny could hardly fathom the possibility of falling in love, especially with someone as uniquely eccentric as you. Little did he know, his heart had already been quietly captivated by your presence over the passing months. As you walked through that door, disheveled and drenched from the rain, the only word that echoed in his mind was "beautiful." From that moment on, an unspoken longing stirred within him, urging him to reach out and connect with you. He extended that napkin, not just to offer solace, but as a gesture of his desire to understand you, to unravel the mysteries you hide behind those smiles. There was an enigmatic force pulling him toward you, compelling him to take that first step.

You became a regular at the café, grateful for Johnny's caring nature. It seemed like nobody else noticed you like he did. Unintentionally, Johnny had fallen deeply in love with you over the past few months. He paid attention to everything about you - your likes, dislikes, comfort songs, and movies you could watch a 100 times.

He became your confidance, your best friend, always there when you needed him. Watching you cry over someone unworthy filled him with the desire to show you wat true love actually is. Late at night, he found himself thinking about you, wondering if you were okay, if you had eaten, or if you were thinking of him. He felt your sadness as if it were his own and rejoiced in your happiness. But despite his feelings, he couldn't bring himself to confess his love.

Simply put, Johnny wanted you. He wanted to show you what true love was, and that no girl deserved to be treated the way you were, left alone in the middle of nowhere, weeping in the pouring rain. Hearing about your past hurt him, but it also revealed your strength and resilience, which only made him love you more. He wasn't drawn to the roses and smiles you showed the world; he was captivated by the scars and bruises you tried to hide.

The more Johnny got to know you, the deeper he fell.

However, he made a conscious decision to hold back because he didn't want to become a rebound love. Instead, he wished for you to heal from the wounds of your past relationship, to move forward and see him for who he truly was, not just as a replacement for what your ex lacked.

He longed for the day when you would accept him completely, with no remains of the past clouding your judgment. So, he waited patiently, hoping for your heart to mend. Hoping for you to let go. Hoping for you to see him.

Time passed away, six months turned into a year, yet you still struggled to let go completely. Though it was getting better, the ghost of your past still lingered, haunting your thoughts and emotions.

How could you not feel shattered? Johnny was just too good for you, too kind. But when you've been hurt before, love becomes terrifying. Trying to piece things together while pretending to be okay is exhausting. It's hard to focus on anything when you're struggling to keep it together. Knowing you love someone and they love you back, yet being unable to fully embrace it because you're afraid of losing them, of getting hurt again - it's paralyzing.

And then there's the guilt. Even though your past relationship ended a year ago, the promises made still weigh heavily on your conscience. How do you reconcile having Johnny in your thoughts while someone else occupies a part of your heart? It feels unfair to him, but you can't shake the feeling.

How are you supposed to let go and move forward when your heart is still stuck in the past? People say "move on" like it's easy, it's anything but easy. It feels like an impossible task, especially when nobody seems to understand what you're going through.

Except for him. Johnny. He understands.

It's so damn difficult," you thought to yourself, feeling the weight of your emotions. Letting go seemed like the simplest solution, but in reality, it was anything but easy. As Johnny led you towards his flat, the thought lingered at the back of your mind.

He mentioned the party he was hosting with his friends at him appartment, someone got a job or something. The atmosphere inside was luxurious, yet simple. with crimson sofas exuding a regal aura in the soft golden light. The air was filled with the sweet scent of vanilla candles and the sound of champagne being poured, it was cozy.

The gathering was intimate, with only the chosen few invited. Amidst the fancy party, all you could think about was Johnny. You wanted to tell him how you felt, that you'd fallen for him too, about the guilt that shouldn't be feeling. Johnny was the best guy you'd ever met, and you couldn't just let him go because you were scared. Even though your past hasn't been great, you didn't want to hurt him because you knew he loved you too. Since the day you met, he's been there for you. And he still is, always there in every little thing. It feels like you're stuck in between, torn between your feelings for him and the uncertainty.

As Johnny left momentarily, you found yourself walking towards the balcony, away from the small talk and pretense inside, with a bottle of champagne. all you needed was a stunning view of the city's glittering skyscrapers, illuminated by the twinkling lights.

You craved peace of mind, a moment to quiet the storm raging within you. Being around Johnny, even for just an hour, had a profound effect on you, all the thoughts and insecurities on one side, and all the feelings of desire and lust, unlike anything you've ever experienced before.

There was no rush of blood and getting all hot and bothered every time your prior partner looked at you. You would never have felt this shy and nervous in his presence. Yes, there was attraction, but nothing like this, but with Johnny, it is the exact opposite. His mere presence left you weak-kneed and breathless, yearning to surrender to the intoxicating pull between you. He awakens you. He makes you want to succumb to him, give into him.

Yes, you yearn to experience the warmth of love, to be cherished and valued in return. And perhaps, deep down, you crave these feelings from Johnny, who has shown himself to be both kind and breathtakingly amazing. The way he gazes at you speaks volumes about his feelings for you.

It's confusing, isn't it? Frightening even. Because all you've ever known about Love is that it breaks and burns and ends, yet here you are, falling for Johnny despite your fears. It's a terrifying feeling, but there's something about it that makes you want to continue. Makes you want to keep dreaming. But you're afraid to confess your feelings, terrified that you'll only end up hurting Johnny in the process. It's hard to find the words, to admit to yourself, let alone to him, that you're falling for him. But despite the uncertainty and the fear, there's an urge within you, a desire to reach out and claim him for your own. All you want is to grab his face, to feel his lips against yours, and to lose yourself in the sweetness of his embrace.

Hard.

And never let him go. You've been thinking about it, about you. And him. And since, you've been moving on, you've been trying to forget and forgive and embrace and accept. You have come to a conclusion that amidst all the chaos, Johnny was the only one there. And that you have hopelessly fallen in love with him.

~~~

Hey," he says, joining you on the balcony, "you're standing alone?"

"Hey jj," you reply, meeting his gaze.

"You call me 'jj' when you're happy," he remarks, puzzled because your tone isn't cheerful.

"I guess I'm happy, sort of. It's been a while, but it feels good," you admit, looking at him standing beside you. He smiles, his eyes filled with happiness. He's genuinely pleased for you.

"That's great," he says with genuine enthusiasm. "Actually, that's fantastic."

He eyes the glass of alcohol in your hand. "Can I have that glass, though?"

That's great," he says with genuine enthusiasm. "Actually, that's fantastic."

He eyes the glass of alcohol in your hand. "Can I have that glass, though?"

"Nope, I'm having a pretty good time," you say, pulling the glass away from him. He noticed a whole bottle nearby on the floor. "I think you've had enough for the night, darling."

darling.

Even in the dim light, Johnny couldn't miss the blush spreading across your cheeks. He's skilled at noticing your reactions and knows how to tease you.

Trying to steer the conversation away from any awkwardness, you say, "So I was thinking..."

"About?" he interjects playfully, trying to provoke a response.

"Everything that's happened, you know, with my ex, and then with you," you begin, but he interrupts.

"Oh, nothing happened between us, as far as I can remember... unless..." he trails off, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"That's not what I meant," you quickly clarify.

"Okay, okay, just kidding. But I kinda wish you did mean it," he mutters under his breath, a smirk forming on his face.

You feel your thoughts becoming fuzzy as you both dance around the topic. Usually, your brain would shut down any such ideas, but tonight feels different. Instead of being repelled, you feel drawn to him, wanting something you've suppressed for so long.

Despite trying to hold back, you find yourself unable to think of anything else.

As the alcohol courses through your veins, emboldening your desires, you find yourself unable to resist the urge to ask him what has been in your mind for quite a long time, and so you ask "If I were to ask for a kiss, would you kiss me? Right here, right now?"

The intensity in his gaze heightens, his pupils dilating as his demeanor shifts, becoming more serious. "Ask me," he demands, his jaw clenched with anticipation. His eyes linger on your lips before locking onto yours, a silent plea echoing within them.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, you turn away, feeling a rush of emotions flooding your senses. With a deep breath, you struggle to compose yourself, but before you can respond, he chuckles softly. "I knew you didn't have the nerve," he remarks, his tone teasing yet tinged with disappointment. Meeting his gaze once more, you're taken aback by his confidence. As he straightens himself and takes a sip of his drink, his words hang heavily in the air. "I don't know how much longer I can wait for you," he confesses, his voice low and filled with longing, "but if you were to ask me to fuck you right here, right now, I wouldn't even think once." With that declaration, practically deadpanned on your face, he goes inside the flat, leaving you to grapple with your miserable self.

~~~

The night after that seemed to stretch endlessly, a void you couldn't escape. Frustration and regret gnawed at your mind, You turned to more alcohol, a fleeting attempt to numb the pain within, but it only amplified the train of thoughts swirling in your head.

As you sat alone on the balcony, the chilly night air enveloped you, matching the coldness you felt inside. Time lost its meaning, slipping through your fingers as you drowned in a sea of overthinking. Every possible scenario played out in your mind like a relentless storm, each outcome more daunting than the last. What could have happened if you could have just said.

Johnny appears through the doorframe. His presence was unexpected, you thought he was mad yet oddly comforting, a reminder that you weren't completely alone in this chaotic night. "Will you spend the whole night here?" he asked, concern etched in his voice. But you were too lost in your own thoughts to fully grasp his words.

Refusing to retreat from your self-imposed exile, you remained rooted to the spot, the numbness spreading through your limbs. Yet Johnny persisted, his care evident as he gently coaxed you back inside. "It's cold. Come inside, everybody left already," he urged, worry evident in his eyes.

Too weary to resist, you allowed him to guide you indoors, his touch grounding you in reality. As he settled you into his bed, a wave of familiarity washed over you, a stark reminder of the times you'd been here before, always on the edge of leaving. You had been here countless times, yet never truly stayed. But tonight was different. Tonight, you found yourself unable to muster the strength to leave, surrendering to the comfort of his presence, if only for a fleeting moment.

As he guided you to sit on the edge of the bed, you instinctively reached out, clinging to his shirt. "Kiss me," you implored, your gaze locking with his warm brown eyes, overflowing with affection.

His response came with a gentle sigh, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. "You're drunk," he stated softly, his voice laced with worry.

"I am, but I can still make sense of it all," you insisted, determination shining through the haze of intoxication.

"We'll talk about it in the morning, okay?" Johnny reassured, his face drawing closer to yours.

"Please," you exhaled, closing your eyes, feeling the weight of your confession pressing down on you. "I know I'm the worst person alive right now but I- I'm just afraid. Please understand. I want you, I do, but it's so scary."

"Shh, it's okay, I know," he murmured, his words a soothing balm to your troubled soul. "I know you're trying."

Foreheads pressed together, your breaths mingled, each exhalation a testament to the vulnerability you shared in that moment. "I'm sorry," you whispered, the weight of your guilt heavy on your heart.

"You don't have to be," he replied, his lips brushing against your forehead in a tender gesture of forgiveness. "Look at me."

As you met his gaze once more, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "Relax, okay? I'm happy that you opened up about it."

"I'm sorry," you repeated, the words a mantra of remorse.He shook his head gently, his touch comforting. "Let's try sleeping now, shall we? Don't think about it." With his reassurance enveloping you like a warm blanket, you allowed yourself to drift into the embrace of sleep, for the first time with him.

As consciousness reluctantly seeped into your foggy mind, a wave of discomfort washed over you, fueled by the repercussions of last night's poor choices. The harsh glare of morning light pierced through your eyelids, adding to the throbbing ache behind your temples.

Attempting to remove yourself from the confines of the bed proved to be a tough task, your limbs heavy with exhaustion and your head swimming with dizziness. Searching for Johnny's presence beside you, you found only an empty space, adding to the disorientation.

Succumbing to defeat, you surrendered to the comfy embrace of the mattress, sinking into its softness as you lay there, gazing blankly at the ceiling above. Dehydration gnawed at your parched throat. As you drifted in and out of consciousness, the world around you faded into a haze of half-formed thoughts and fleeting sensations. The rhythmic hum of the ceiling fan above served as a lullaby.

In the midst of this surreal feeling, fragments of memories from the night before flickered like distant stars in the night sky. Realization and what-ifs danced at the edges of your mind, their haunting presence a constant reminder of the consequences of your actions.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, there lingered a glimmer of hope, a faint whisper of possibility that perhaps, despite the mistakes of the past, redemption was still within reach. You clung to this fragile thread of optimism, a lifeline in the midst of the storm.

Minutes stretched into hours, the passage of time marked only by the shifting patterns of sunlight filtering through the curtains. And then, as if on cue, the sound of footsteps drew near, with a weary sigh, you opened your eyes to find Johnny standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of concern and relief. "Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, you nodded sleepily.

As you reluctantly stirred from your sleep, you felt the duvet being tugged away, prompting a sleepy protest. "Erugh, let me sleep," you mumbled, trying to shield yourself from the intruding light.

But his teasing remark about your state of dress snapped you awake, and you jolted up, "You're completely naked," only to realize you were already covered. He pointed out with a playful grin, causing you to blush and scramble for cover.

However, your movements triggered a sharp pain in your head, and you winced, instinctively reaching to soothe it. Before you could fully register the discomfort, another hand joined yours, gently stroking your head. Slowly opening your eyes, you found him sitting close, his concern evident in his gaze.

"Who told you to drink that much? You puked two times," he said softly, his tone filled with worry and care. Giving in to his touch, you leaned into him, finding solace in his presence amidst the pain.

"I... may have overdone it a bit," you admitted sheepishly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for his concern. He chuckled softly, his fingers continuing to massage your head as you relaxed against him.

"It's okay. Just drink some water and take it easy," he reassured you, his voice a soothing balm to your frazzled nerves. With a nod, you reached for the glass he held out to you

He's far too good for you. A voice at the back of your head screams at you.

"Johnny..." you say, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the room. His presence alone was enough to make your heart race, but you needed to speak your mind.

He turns to you, his gaze softening as he listens intently. "What is it?" he asks, concern lacing his words.

You take a deep breath, gathering your thoughts before continuing. "I've been thinking about..." you trail off, unsure of how to articulate the right words.

Johnny reaches out, his hand placing a strand of hair behind your ear,offering silent support. "Go on," he encourages gently.

"I'm sorry," you say, the words heavy with regret. "I know this is complicated, and i am making it even more complicated but I just don't want to hurt you." You could barely manage to say even that.

Your breath catches in your throat as his fingers trail through the loops of your hair, sending shivers down your spine. His hum reverberates through you, a sensual melody that ignites a fire deep within. But then, in an instant, his demeanor shifts, catching you off guard.

His hand tightens around your hair, pulling your head back with a swift, yet gentle force. The sudden change in his touch sends a rush of adrenaline through your veins, heightening your senses to the electrifying proximity between you.

Your eyes meet his, dark and intense, and you find yourself unable to look away. His breath, warm and fruity, fans over your face, stirring something primal within you. In that moment, you're acutely aware of every sensation, every heartbeat, as you surrender to the magnetic pull of desire that envelops you both.

"Can't you see what you do to me?"

Johnny..." you say, your voice barely above a whisper, the intensity of the moment almost overwhelming.

He pauses, his eyes locked with yours, waiting for you to continue.

"I... I didn't mean..." you stutter, struggling to find the right words as his grip on your hair loosens.

He chuckles softly, his laughter dancing in the air, easing some of the tension between you. "I know, I know," he reassures you, his tone gentle yet teasing.

"But..." you start, only to be cut off by his next words.

"You talk a lot when you're drunk," he says with a smirk, his fingers tracing light patterns along your skin.

Your cheeks flush with embarrassment, knowing he's right.

"What did I say?" you ask, trying to piece together the fragments of the night before.

His gaze softens, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes. "That you tend to get... aroused whenever I say your name," he says, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down your spine.

You shake your head in denial, but deep down, you know he's right.

He leans in closer, his breath warm against your skin, sending tingles of anticipation coursing through your veins.

"Johnny..." you breathe out his name, a mixture of desire and uncertainty swirling in your mind as he hovers above you, his presence consuming your senses.

"Say it," he urges, his voice low and demanding, sending a thrill through your body.

"Johnny, listen to m—" you begin, but he cuts you off with a firm command.

"Say it!" he insists, his intensity leaving no room for argument.

"I want you, for fuck's sake, I want you," you finally admit, your voice tinged with both desire and vulnerability.

Closing your eyes, you release the grip you've been holding onto, allowing yourself to surrender to the overwhelming attraction between you.

You lay back, flattening against the bed, pushing your hair away from your face to meet his gaze head-on. His eyes, dark and intense, never waver from yours, sending a flutter of nerves through your stomach.

"I want you, in every way possible, and it's no secret. I'm just afraid," you confess in a small voice, baring your soul to him.

Johnny's smile is reassuring, his touch gentle as he lays on top of you, ensuring he doesn't overwhelm you with his weight. "Don't be afraid," he whispers, his breath warm against your skin. "You'll love me just fine."

In that moment, as you lay entwined with him, all your fears melt away, replaced by a sense of warmth and comfort in his embrace. You know that no matter what lies ahead, you're ready to explore this newfound connection with him by your side.

As Johnny hovers above you, his gaze dark with desire, you feel a surge of anticipation coursing through your veins. His lips brush against yours in a teasing caress, igniting a fire that burns hot and fierce between you.

"I've been waiting for this," he murmurs, his voice low and husky with need as he trails kisses down your neck, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.

You arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping your lips as his hands roam your body, exploring every curve and contour with an expert touch that leaves you trembling with desire.

"God, you're so beautiful," he whispers, his breath hot against the skin of your neck as he takes you in, his eyes drinking in every inch of you. You feel his breath against your skin, warm and inviting, as he leans in closer, his lips brushing against yours in a feather-light kiss.

With each touch, each caress, the tension between you dissolves, replaced by an electric current of desire that pulses through your veins. His hands roam your body, mapping every curve and contour with a reverence that leaves you breathless.

You arch into his touch, a soft sigh escaping your lips as he explores every inch of your skin with a delicate touch that sets your senses ablaze. His fingers trace patterns along your spine, sending shivers of pleasure racing down your spine.

Your lips collided with his in a heated embrace, sending shockwaves of desire coursing through both of your bodies. Crashing into each other, feelings of desire over powering you both. In that moment you knew, it was gonna be a hell of a ride and you couldn't be any more excited than you are right now.

After the kiss, you both laid side by side, "By the way you didn't really say any of that." Johnny gently whispers in your ear, and you both end up laughing, cuddling.

~~~

You like it?" Johnny asks, his eyes sparkling with warmth as he watches you take a lick of the ice cream. You nod enthusiastically, a wide smile spreading across your face like a child on Christmas morning. His smile widens in response, a soft glow of happiness emanating from him. It's moments like these that make everything feel so right.

Since that unforgettable day when you poured your heart out to him, your life has been like a dream come true. Flowers, date nights, chocolates – you name it, he's made sure to fill your days with joy and love. From cozy movie nights to endless cuddles, it's like you've found the missing piece to your puzzle.

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Like any couple, you have your disagreements. Yet, what sets you apart is the unwavering understanding and support you both offer each other. Johnny never lets you go to bed upset, always there with reassurance and kisses to mend any hurt feelings.

He constantly reminds you that you're doing just fine, and it's true. It's not just about healing from past wounds; it's about the beautiful exchange of giving and receiving love. It's about reciprocating the care and affection you both share, knowing that the more you give, the more you receive.

In a world where it's easy to become complacent, you both choose to love each other every single day. And that, in itself, is the greatest gift of all.

You plead with puppy dog eyes, urging him to let you indulge in more ice cream because, well, why not? 'Pleeease let me have another scoop!' you whine, the anticipation of the creamy goodness making your mouth water. But alas, he declines with a chuckle, warning, 'No way! You'll catch a cold!' You pout, but secretly admire his concern."

Disappointed but not defeated, you pout and playfully stick out your bottom lip, giving Johnny your best puppy-dog eyes. "But Johnny," you protest, "I promise I'll bundle up extra warm tonight! Pretty please?"

Johnny can't help but laugh at your antics, finding your determination to get that extra scoop of ice cream utterly endearing. He shakes his head, still chuckling, and gently takes your hand in his. "As much as I love seeing that adorable pout of yours, I can't risk you getting sick, [Reader]. How about we save the ice cream for tomorrow, hmm?"

You sigh dramatically, but a mischievous glint dances in your eyes as you lean in closer to him. "Fine," you concede, "but only if you promise to share a warm blanket and snuggle with me tonight."

A grin spreads across Johnny's face as he leans in to press a soft kiss to your forehead. "Deal," he agrees, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "Anything for you, my love."

As you both leave the ice cream parlor, the cool evening air wraps around you, the gentle breeze a welcome contrast to the warmth of your intertwined hands. As you both step into the cozy cafe, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, bringing back memories of the first time you met. Johnny's hand tightens around yours, his touch sending a thrill through you that's impossible to ignore.

You find a secluded booth in the corner, and as you settle in, Johnny's eyes lock with yours, a silent invitation sparking between you. "You know," he murmurs, his voice low and husky, "this place holds a lot of memories for us."

You nod, a soft smile playing on your lips. "It feels like just yesterday that we were sitting here, nervously sipping our coffees," you reply, your voice filled with affection.

Johnny leans in closer, his breath warm against your ear. "But this time," he whispers, "we don't have to be nervous." A shiver runs down your spine at his words, and you meet his gaze with a newfound sense of boldness. "No, this time," you say, your voice steady and sure, "we can just be us."

With a gentle touch, Johnny cups your face in his hands, his eyes searching yours with a depth of emotion that takes your breath away. "I like the sound of that," he murmurs, his lips hovering just inches from yours.

Before you can respond, his lips capture yours in a passionate kiss, the world around you fading away as you lose yourself in the heat of the moment. It's a dance of tongues and teeth, of whispered words and soft sighs, each touch igniting a fire that burns hotter with every passing second.

As you finally pull away, breathless and flushed, Johnny's eyes meet yours with a hunger that mirrors your own. "I never want to stop kissing you," he confesses, his voice thick with desire.

A smile tugs at your lips as you lean in to press another kiss to his, the promise of countless more moments like this hanging in the air between you.

~~~

As you sit at your desk, textbooks spread out before you and notes scattered across the surface, you're fully immersed in your study session. The material is dense, and you're determined to grasp every concept before the upcoming exam.

Just as you're deep in concentration, Johnny enters the room with a mischievous grin, his eyes lighting up at the sight of you buried in your books. Without a word, he crosses the room and leans against your desk, his presence a distraction you can't ignore.

"Hey there, studious one," he says, his voice low and playful. "Need a break?"

You look up from your books, torn between the desire to keep studying and the temptation of Johnny's irresistible charm. "I really should finish this chapter," you reply, trying to sound firm despite the flutter in your stomach at his proximity.

But Johnny has other plans. With a swift movement, he slides your textbooks aside and pulls you to your feet, his hands finding their way to your waist as he draws you close. "I think you've earned a reward for all that hard work," he murmurs, his lips dangerously close to yours.

Before you can protest, Johnny's mouth descends on yours in a fiery kiss, his tongue tracing the outline of your lips before delving deeper, igniting a fire within you that threatens to consume you both. Lost in the heat of the moment, you abandon all thoughts of studying as you melt into his embrace, the world around you fading away until there's nothing left but the two of you and the intoxicating rush of desire.

Minutes, or maybe hours, pass in a blur of tangled limbs and heated kisses, until finally, you break apart, breathless and flushed, the taste of Johnny still lingering on your lips. "Now that's what I call a study break," he says with a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

You can't help but laugh, the tension of the study session now a distant memory as you bask in the warmth of Johnny's love and the thrill of his touch.

~~~

As you made your way back from college, the skies darkened, and before you knew it, a heavy downpour unleashed its fury upon you. The rain hammered down relentlessly, soaking you up and down. Despite the continuous ringing of your phone from within your backpack, the rain made it impossible to retrieve. With no umbrella in hand, you quickened your pace towards the bus stop, only to witness the last bus pulling away just as you rounded the corner. Desperation set in as you attempted to sprint after it, but the distance between you and the departing vehicle only widened. Defeated, you exhaled heavily, feeling the chill of the rain seeping into your bones. Seeking refuge at the bus stop, you huddled under its shelter, which wasn't helping much.

As you stood there, shivering and dripping, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping over you. The relentless rain seemed to whisper secrets in the wind. With each passing moment, your mind raced with thoughts of your worried boyfriend waiting at home, unaware of your predicament.

As you glanced down at your phone, the screen illuminated with missed calls and frantic messages from him. Frustration bubbled within you, knowing that you were only adding to his worry by being stranded in the storm. You tried to call him back, but the signal was weak, and the connection kept cutting out. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as you waited for the next bus, the minutes ticking by like hours.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the bus appeared on the horizon, its headlights piercing through the darkness like a beacon of hope. With a sigh of relief, you boarded the bus, grateful for the warmth and safety it offered. And soon you were standing in front of his appointment door.

As the bus finally pulled up to a stop, you hurriedly disembarked, your heart pounding with a mix of fear and relief. You practically sprinted the rest of the way home, the rain still coming down in sheets, soaking you to the bone.

Finally, you arrived at the doorstep of your apartment, soaked and shivering. With trembling hands, you fumbled for your keys, desperate to be inside the safety of your home. But before you could even insert the key into the lock, the door swung open, revealing a worried and furious Johnny.

"Where have you been?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with anger and concern. "I've been trying to call you for hours! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

"I-I'm so sorry, Johnny," you stammered, tears mixing with the rain on your cheeks. "I got caught in the storm, and I missed the bus, and...and I couldn't get through to you. I'm so sorry."

Johnny's expression softened as he took in your trembling form, his anger melting away in an instant. Without a word, he pulled you into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around you protectively. "I'm just glad you're safe," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I was so worried about you. Let's get you inside and warm you up, okay?"

You nod, feeling the weight of your backpack against the wall as you follow Johnny into the bedroom. With a quick movement, you pull your hair up, hoping to keep it from sticking to your clothes. Sensing his hands on your torso, you inhale sharply as they glide around to the front, undoing the button of your jeans. Anticipation mounts as he pulls them down, and then he sits, planting kisses on your damp thigh, eliciting a dissatisfied moan from you.

In a swift motion, your undies join the jeans on the floor. "Nice butt," he remarks, drawing a rhetorical look from you. Stepping closer, he removes the t-shirt clinging uncomfortably to your skin, and with it, your bra disappears too. "Beautiful as always," he murmurs, enveloping you in a warm towel and pulling you close, his lips finding your neck, leaving their mark.

"Johnny," you sigh as his hands slip under the towel, teasingly moving between your legs, knowing just where to stop, leaving you breathless. "I'll be right back, change into dry clothes, okay?" he says, his voice a tantalizing promise hanging in the air.

He returned with a steaming mug of tea, fragrant steam curling upwards in the air. He handed it to you with a tender smile, the warmth of the mug seeping into your chilled fingers.

"Here, drink this," he said softly, his voice soothing.. "It'll help warm you up."

"I only need you to warm me up."

"Come here then." He motions you to sit with him in the bed he made, warm and cozy. As you lay there in Johnny's arms, the intimacy of the moment enveloping you like a warm embrace, you couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion welling up inside you.

"Johnny," you murmured softly, your voice barely above a whisper, "I'm so sorry for worrying you. I never meant to cause you so much distress."

Johnny's arms tightened around you, pulling you even closer to him as he pressed a tender kiss to your forehead. "It's okay, sweetheart," he whispered back, his voice filled with reassurance. "I was just so scared when I couldn't reach you. All I could think about was making sure you were safe."

You buried your face against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a soothing lullaby against your ear. "I promise I'll be more careful from now on," you vowed, your words muffled against his skin. "I never want to put you through that kind of worry again."

Johnny tilted your chin up gently, his eyes locking with yours in a tender gaze. "I know you will," he said softly, his thumb brushing away the tears that had pooled in your eyes. "And I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

With a contented sigh, you snuggled closer to him, reveling in the warmth and comfort of his embrace. Johnny's fingers danced along the buttons of your blouse, a spark of desire ignited between you, fueling the passion that simmered just beneath the surface.

"How about we finish what we started earlier?"

Your heart raced at his words, the anticipation building with every breath. With a smile, you nodded in agreement, your own desire mirrored in your eyes as you leaned in to meet his lips in a fiery kiss.

The heat between you intensified quickly, passion igniting like a wildfire as your bodies melded together in a tangle of desire. Teeth clashed against each other, tongues danced in a feverish rhythm, and hands roamed eagerly, seeking out every inch of skin they could find.

With a swift movement, you straddled Johnny, taking control of the moment as you traced a path of kisses down his neck, relishing in the soft gasps and low growls that escaped his lips. As his shirt fell away, revealing his beautifully toned body beneath, you couldn't help but admire the sight before you, feeling a surge of desire coursing through your veins.

Too shy to say anything, you let your actions speak for you. Lingering on his nipples, you teased and tantalized, eliciting soft moans of pleasure from Johnny's lips. With each flick of your tongue and gentle nip of your teeth, the tension between you grew, pushing you both closer and closer to the edge of desire.

But you weren't done yet. With a mischievous glint in your eye, you continued your exploration, trailing kisses and caresses down Johnny's torso until you reached the waistband of his jeans. With practiced hands, you teased and toyed with him through the fabric, making him harder with every stroke, relishing in the way he squirmed beneath your touch.

As his pleasured groans filled the air, you couldn't resist escalating your actions, eagerly sliding his pants down while he sat up, fixated on your every move. Locking eyes with him, you took him into your mouth, teasingly tracing the tip with your tongue, prompting a soft curse from his lips. Pulling back, you continued to lavish attention on him, savoring every moment as you licked his length, stealing glances up at him. "Enjoying yourself?" you teased, to which he responded with an enthusiastic nod.

Returning to him, you gradually took more of him into your mouth, relishing in the way his hands urged you on, guiding you further down. He pulled you up for a heated kiss, expressing his desire to explore your taste. As his lips trailed down your neck, he urged you to sit on his face, igniting nerves and excitement within you. With his encouragement, you straddled his eager mouth, blushing at his sweet words as his lips planted kisses on your thighs.

Feeling his hands on your hips, he drew you closer, his tongue eagerly finding your clit, eliciting moans of pleasure from you. As his hands explored your body, adding to your arousal, you couldn't help but cry out in bliss as he skillfully pleasured you,

As your pleasure surged, you couldn't contain your cries, feeling the intensity of his actions. "Oh, fuck," escaped your lips as he intensified his efforts, his mouth and tongue working fervently on your clit. His suction grew stronger, his tongue moving with increasing speed, drawing out guttural moans from you. "Oh my god," you exclaimed as the waves of your orgasm crashed over you, "fuck," you moaned as he persisted in his ministrations.

His hands gripping your hips, pulling you closer, he delved deeper into your core, his touch sending shivers down your spine. "Oh god, don't stop," you gasped, your breath ragged as you requested his fingers. With a calm demeanor, he complied, easing his fingers into you, eliciting a blissful moan from your lips. As he continued to pleasure you, his fingers moving rhythmically inside you, your cries of ecstasy filled the room.

"Oh my god," you moaned aloud as he momentarily paused, only to reposition himself behind you. Bending you slightly, he inserted two fingers, drawing out a soft, pleasurable moan from you. With relentless determination, he showed no mercy, driving you towards another peak of pleasure. The sound of slick noises filled the air as his fingers worked expertly within you, pushing your head gently into the headboard to ensure your stability as you surrendered to his touch.

As his hand pressed you down onto his fingers, a fervent moan escaped your lips, the sensation overwhelming you. "Oh my god," you cried out as he intensified his movements, driving you wild with desire. With increasing speed and force, his fingers plunged into you, eliciting a chorus of ecstatic moans from your lips.

Suddenly, he withdrew his fingers, his command clear. "Turn around," he instructed, guiding you gently as you complied, meeting his intense gaze. Enveloped in his embrace, you shared a deep, passionate kiss, his desire evident in his words as he broke the connection. "I want to fuck you," he declared, and you eagerly nodded in agreement, urgency coursing through your veins.

Pushed onto the bed, your legs spread wide, you watched as he knelt between them, his eyes fixated on your dripping arousal. His finger traced circles on your swollen clit, then slipped inside you, claiming you as his own. "Mine," he whispered, his gaze never wavering from yours, and you nodded in submission, a smile playing on your lips. "I'm yours," you affirmed, anticipation building in the air.

With a hungry look, he licked his lips before slowly entering you with his cock, causing you to gasp in ecstasy. "Oh my god," you moaned loudly as he began to move within you, the intensity of his thrusts driving you to the brink of pleasure.

As he increased the pace, driving into you with fervent desire, your cries of ecstasy filled the room. "Oh my god," you moaned loudly as he relentlessly fucked you, each thrust pushing you closer to the edge. Leaning down, he captured your lips in a passionate kiss, his declaration of love mingling with the sounds of your pleasure. "I love you," he murmured against your lips, his words igniting a fire within you.

Wrapping your legs around his waist, you reciprocated his declaration, your voice filled with desire. "I love you too," you confessed as he continued to ravish you with his relentless thrusts. With a swift motion, he withdrew from you, flipping you onto your stomach. "Get on all fours," he commanded, assisting you into position.

Meeting his gaze over your shoulder, you were met with a declaration of your beauty, sending shivers down your spine. As he entered you from behind, a rush of anticipation flooded your senses. His movements became more intense, driving into you harder and faster, eliciting moans of pleasure from your lips. "Oh my god," you cried out, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through your body.

Feeling his hand reach around to play with your clit, a surge of pleasure washed over you, intensifying the pleasure building within. "Oh my god," you moaned again, lost in the ecstasy of his touch. With each deep thrust, you felt yourself teetering on the edge, your body aching for release.

As he took control, holding both your hands behind your back, you surrendered to him completely. Your petite frame under his dominance, your face buried into the sheets muffling the sounds of pleasure escaping your lips. Sensing his impending release, you knew you were on the brink of ecstasy.

With a few final, deep thrusts, you both succumbed to the ecstasy, waves of pleasure washing over you in a euphoric crescendo. As he pulled out, licking you clean, you whimpered from the overstimulation, your body trembling with aftershocks of pleasure.

a sense of blissful exhaustion washed over you both. Lying tangled together under the sheet, hearts racing and skin still tingling from the intensity of your lovemaking. As you caught your breath, he peppered soft kisses along your neck and shoulders, his touch gentle and tender. "You're incredible," he whispered, his voice filled with adoration as he caressed your cheek. You smiled up at him. In his arms, you feel safe and cherished, the weight of the world melting away as sleep begins to claim you. Drifting off with the rhythmic beat of his heart as your lullaby, you rest easy knowing that you are safe. And you finally know, what love actually feels like

~~~

hope you liked it. umh? idk tried, if you want to request anything, please do. (it'll take forever but ill respond)

please check out other works m.list

and enjoy, have a good day, night~

[wayvchip]

wayv mtl likely to prefer having a clingy s/o

most

yangyang

xiaojun

ten

hendery

kun

winwin

least

— explanations —

yangyang seems like someone who has a lot of love to give. if anything, HE would be the clingy one in the relationship. yangyang would constantly be tackling you to the ground to try to tickle you or smother your face with kisses. he needs someone who can return his level of affection!!

xiaojun would absolutely bask in your affection, he LOVES all of the attention you give him and is very proud of it. he lowkey shows you off too. xiaojun wouldn't hesitate to kiss your hand in front of the others but the moment you do anything to him he gets all blushy.

ten is always seen hugging literally everyone in nct so i feel like he would love having a s/o that returns the affection. it gets him all smug and cocky. you would just be holding onto his arm and he'd be all like "damn if you want me just say so 😂😂😂"

hendery strikes me as someone who adores having a clingy s/o but doesn't want to admit it. he tries to act normal about it for the sake of his heart (palpitations go brrr). but when you randomly steal a kiss from him out of nowhere, he can't help but freeze and awkwardly stand there with his hands stiffly by his side LMAO

kun doesn't really mind it, doesn't really care for it either. if you're more touchy, he'll reciprocate the action. if you're not, that's totally okay, he'll find other ways to show his love for you, like cooking for you. overall, kun just likes how you rely on him because he enjoys taking on that role of responsibility.

winwin doesn't seem like he would be big fan of having an overly affectionate s/o ngl. you try to hug him for more than 5 seconds? winwin lowkey pushes you away from him 💀 it's not that he doesn't like you!!! he just needs his own space and prefers to show affection differently.

[multifandomslxt]

Hey Krystal! 💎 It's me again 😌

Hope you've been well. 🥰

WayV members as type of rich bfs (sugar daddies) 👀..... Anything and everything within this prompt is most welcome 🤭. Have a great day bye ❤

Hey sweetheart! how are you?

You scared me again with the name ngl lmaoo

but it's all good

ENJOY<333

Way V Members as Sugar Daddies

MDNI

MINORS GO AWAY

Kun

He's a bit hard to get through to at first IMO

When he says sugar daddy he means money in exchange for accompanying him to events

he's so strict with himself that he really doesn't allow it to get past that.

That's all it is for a few months yk?

until you express that it seems a bit weird because you were definitely expecting more...

And Kun like the damn provider he is

gives you just that...more

but definitely explains to you that he's a possessive little shit.

good pu$$y turns a perfectly sane man in to a mad man pt.1

he's mad asf for youuuu

now that s3x is involved this man SPOILSSSSSSS you

way more than he was doing prior

which seems a bit impossible because babyyy you were getting bagsssss

he's so strict too like he makes it clear that you belong to him

period.

istg at some point he graduates from sugar daddy to husband

you want a spontaneous trip to some crazy rich island? ok, no problem

you want a bag that costs way too much money? he'll get you that in the next 2 hours

also...don't let that cute smile fool you, the man is a menace.

"Can't believe I deprived myself of this pretty c*nt" he thrusts inside you so slow...dangerously slow

"That's right baby Daddy's right here to give you everything you need"

Ten

Maam.

he gets right to it. lmaooo

Tells you that he needs you to accompany him to events and asks you if you're ok with other "stuff"

duhhh

first off the chemistry between y'all is AMAZINGGG

We all know this man loves fashion so having the latest designer pieces is a given

what starts off as a lil service after events

blooms into something more

very protective of you

baby he doesn't play about you or the custom diamonds he put around your neck. TRUST!

compared to before the relationship bloomed the s3x between you two was rather respectful?...yh that's the word

now?

LMAOOOOO

he rips that shit off youuu

President of the "I'll just buy you a new one" club

it's rough btw unlike Kun, Ten is rough and occasionally enjoys it when you're on top

hehe

"fuck...I'd choose this pu$$y over diamonds any day"

Winwin

See how pretty this man is?

yeah he's gonna make sure you're even prettier than him

Literally bathes you in expensive shit.

SPOILLS you omggg

it's worrying sometimes

to the point where the bank calls him

asking if he's aware that there is a concerning amount of money leaving his account

From head to toe it's luxuryyyyy

the s3x is good....just good

I'm sure I've said this before but Winiwn strikes me as someone who just gets to it.

not too rough not too gentle yk?

its just right

he does like when you wear that little diamond collar he got you when he's ball deep inside you though

he's strictly sugar daddy btw

I think he'd prefer that

Xiaojun

if you manage to pull him and keep him you're one lucky mf

this man moves through sugar babies like the days of the week

He likes the thrill of it all imo

yes he'll spoil you

but you better make sure the pleasure you give him is worth the 100k he just splurged

"C'mon now princess, Daddy knows you can do way better than that" he whispers teasingly as your body trembles from exhaustion and overstimulation

he likes to be kept on his toes

and you keep surprising him

your bills are paid and you're getting f*cked dumb

and he has the prettiest girl to spoil and break

It's a win-win honestly

Hendery

he's so sweet at first omlll

yes he dotes on you and all that jazz

but you guys actually become friends yk?

he's a whole gentleman

never crossing the line

just kind and attentive

gets you WHATEVER you want

and mean ANYTHING

nothing is out of reach for his baby

he just expects you to behave

but what's the fun in that?

let him catch you trying to buy things with your own money

or some shit like that

you are DONEE

when he f*cks you

he ensures that you merge with the mattress

takes "fuck you into the mattress" literally

ass up face down supremacy

do not play with him like that.

"Move your hand baby, I told you actions have consequences"

Yang Yang

This mf is just horny

lmaooo

very possessive oml

and not in the mature way like Kun or the gentlemanly way like Hendery

but possessive like a damn child

you go to parties together and he doesn't want you talking for anybody else too long

look at him and only him

the fucker got you a carrier bracelet with his name embedded into it

and told you to wear it at all times

for the most part, he's harmless

extremely touchy-feely

controls his urges well though

unless you're fucking around too much

then he has to show you why you should just let him be

it's fast and hard

I'm so serious

This MF can go roundsss

because he's desperate asf

BABY TRAPPING CENTRAL

"Such a fuckin' tease. let's see how much teasing you'll do when I swell you up hm?"

[winwintea]

what wayv seeks in a relationship

GROUP ↬ ot6 wayv

WARNINGS ↬ none, pure fluff <33 maybe some angst

AUTHOR’S NOTE ↬ i did the wayv version !!! the dream one blew up and i'll be doing a 127 one soon, but i thought i'd post this in the meantime as well. although wayv is my ult group i feel like i struggle more with finding out their exact personalities and what they like. i hope this is sufficient enough for you all though <33

Qian Kun

kun doesn't believe in taking things lightly. he wants to make sure he's found the right partner before letting himself fall in love. he values a partner that finds traditional values important. someone who will always be there for him, not just when it's convenient. kun prefers someone who is grounded in reality rather than overly idealistic. he also needs a partner who makes him feel appreciated and understood. a partner who is easy-going is also a good balance to his more responsible nature, might also work well with him. someone that might encourage him to take risks and will be there to pick him up if he falls.

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul

ten places a lot of importance on establishing meaningful relationships. although he may not act like it, he's generally more reserved so he does appreciate a deeper connection. ten likes someone who will challenge him intellectually and is suited towards a partner that is open-minded and willing to explore new things. he's attracted to people who have something unique to offer in this life. ten values personal growth, so he would appreciate someone who is supportive of his journey towards self-actualization. sometimes it's difficult for ten to relax and enjoy the current moment, so he appreciates a partner that will help him find peace and serenity.

Dong SiCheng

winwin believes that a relationship isn't a passive commitment, but it's a way for both partners to learn, grow and develop as time passes on. he wants a partner who will understand his uniqueness and individualism. they must also really understand his sensitive side and the nuances of his personality. winwin appreciates a partner that will look out for him and make sure he feels heard. he may come off as aloof at times, but deep down winwin is a whirlwind of emotions, so he needs a partner that won't be overwhelmed by these intense emotions. since winwin is a free-spirit he values open-mindedness and independence in a partner.

Xiao DeJun

xiaojun strives to connect to people in meaningful ways. he wants to find someone who he can completely devote himself to, who also accepted him as he is and who respects his freedom. xiaojun also needs a partner who understands his sensitive nature. he is also attracted to someone who has a unique way of thinking about things. a partner who can provide a sense of stability and security is also something he looks for. he's not necessarily needing someone to meet his level of emotional intensity, but rather a partner who can provide a grounding presence that will make them feel at home. xiaojun is also drawn to those with very complex personalities.

Wong KunHang

hendery seeks constant growth, both individually and relationally. hendery needs a partner who can provide emotional support and understanding, since he often gets caught up in his own thoughts and feelings. he feels like he is often misunderstood by those around him, so one of the most important aspects to him is that his partner understands him. hopefully they understand his constant need for adventure and growth. hendery has a great sense of humor, so he wants a partner who can match his wit and also make him laugh. he doesn't necessarily need someone who matches his energy levels, but someone who encourages him to follow his passions and dreams.

Liu YangYang

yangyang dislikes mind games in a relationship, he wants a relationship that is genuine and honest. he's not averse to casual dating, just not his priority, since he prefers to form meaningful connections with those on the same wavelength as him. he has a low boredom threshold, so he needs a certain level of mental stimulation in order to be content, and someone who can push him outside of the box is good for him. yangyang may also sometimes find it difficult to stay on track so having a partner who can keep him motivated will benefit him in the long run. he also values those who are patient and trustworthy as he hopes his partner will allow him the time and space to open up.

TAGLIST ↬  @lyvhie @aquaphoenixz @ldh0000 @galacticnct @sharonxdevi

[ronjunnie]

JOHNNY

TAEYONG

YUTA

DOYOUNG

JAEHYUN

JUNGWOO

MARK

HAECHAN

RENJUN

JENO

JAEMIN

CHENLE

JISUNG

KUN

TEN

WINWIN

XIAOJUN

HENDERY

YANGYANG

SION

RIKU

YUSHI

JAEHEE

RYO

SAKUYA

[fruithoughts]

ping, you just received a message!

the neos confront you about their name in your contacts

[writemekpop]

Live A Little | Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten)

Summary: You knew that a holiday with your best friend Ten would be wild… you just didn’t expect to fall in love with him.

Genre: Friends to lovers AU

Word count: 1k @tyongie

“Ten, what are you doing? You’ll get soaked!”

You watched in horror as your best friend Ten ran out from under the bridge, right into the thunderstorm.

Ten stood in the middle of the empty road, arms flung out, face tilted up to the sky.

Thick, warm drops of monsoon rain soaked him in an instant. The rain slid down his body, darkening his clothes and making his T shirt cling to his slim, muscled frame.

Ten turned to look at you, his dark eyes glinting mischievously.

He cocked two fingers at you.

“Come here,” he said, smirking. 

“No way! I don’t want to catch a cold!”

Ten just smiled, and turned his head to the sky once more. His handsome face was smooth, blissful. The rain soaked his plump lips.

Your eyes traced the droplets that curved down his Adam’s apple and pooled in his collar bones. The sight of him sent shivers down your spine. You couldn’t tear your eyes away. Ten had never looked less like your loveable best friend. He looked like a beautiful stranger.   

Not one drop of rain had touched crisp white shirt and business skirt. You could feel your bra digging into your skin, and your tight bun made your head throb.

You wanted to be carefree like Ten. You wanted him to lick your wounds and kiss your worries away. A strange feeling was swelling inside you. You realised that Ten was the answer to every question that had filled your head since you got here.

The realisation that you were in love with your best friend hit you like a truck.

You pulled out your bun, letting your hair fall past your shoulders.

Then, you took a deep breath and stepped out from under the bridge.

The rain drenched your body. It was warm, soothing your tightly wound muscles, coaxing a moan from your lips. 

Ten’s head turned towards the sound.

He walked towards you. His sly smirk transformed into a full-on grin by the time he reached you.

“Look who finally let her hair down,” Ten teased, twirling a soaked curl of your hair between his fingers.

You grasped Ten’s hand and pressed it against your chest, hoping he could feel your thundering heartbeat under his palm.

Ten’s brows quirked up.

Your words died on your lips. What did you want?

“I want – I want to be free like you,” you said, gulping. “I want… to be passionate like you. I want…”

Ten hummed, pretending to think.

Ten watched you with cold interest. “Is that all?”

“I want you,” you finally said.  

“You just have to do one thing,” he said, trying not to smile.

“Anything,” you gasped.

“Close your eyes.”

You let your eyelids fall shut. Your whole body felt alive, every cell was pulsing.  

At first, nothing happened. All you could feel was the rain splashing against your face. You stayed still, hoping, praying…

Then, suddenly, you felt warm, plump lips pressing against yours.

You gasped. You had never kissed your friend before. You didn’t even think you were his type. But the more you kissed, the more right it felt. It was like something had been missing in your relationship all these years, and this was it. Ten’s body against yours – that was what you had been craving.  

You moaned against Ten’s lips, reaching your hands to tug through his soft, dyed hair.

Ten’s head tilted back, and a slow, sexy grin spread over his lips.

“Took you long enough,” Ten said, dark eyes raking down your body.

You let out a laugh. You pulled Ten towards you, feeling his arms curl around your waist.

“Shut up and kiss me again.” 

—

MAIN MASTERLIST

Let us know what you thought in the comments or on anon! 💋

[crdteezv]

MTL GET JEALOUS EASILY

LEAST

Kun

Winwin

Hendery

Yangyang

Ten

Xiaojun

MOST

Kun: He doesn’t let things get to him easily. He is very secure and emotional mature I feel. At the end of the day, he knows that you want to be with him and nobody else matters.

Winwin, Hendery & Yangyang: They both would be alright but from time to time they feel it. I feel like Winwin would just never bring it up. Hendery would probably say something to his partner if he ever felt that way. He would rather communicate than keep it to himself. Yangyang would only say something if it starts to really bother him and it becomes overwhelming.

Ten & Xiaojun: They both can be possessive but not in a toxic way. They both would be able to communicate with you if they ever feel this way. Ten would hint at first. Like he would say things like “oh you and ____ seem pretty close.” You can tell when Xiaojun is jealous because it's painfully obvious.

[sunshyni]

CRAYON

Chittaphon × Reader | Fluffy

PALAVRAS | 0.6k

NOTINHA DA SUN | FOI MUITO DIFÍCIL ESCREVER ESSE PEDIDO PORQUE POR ALGUM MOTIVO NÃO IMAGINO O TEN PAI KKKKK Acho que ele é mais da galera, sei lá. Outra coisa, muito difícil ficar chamando o Ten de Ten, porque acho que corta a vibe chamar ele pelo nome real, porque a minha pronúncia dele é broxante KKKKK Mas tá aí! Espero que vocês gostem!

Boa leitura, docinhos! 🐾

— Eu tenho 20 anos, por que ele faz meu útero formigar? — você perguntou à sua colega de trabalho, que sorriu para você. Você trabalhava como recepcionista em uma clínica veterinária, e Ten era um cliente frequente com seus gatinhos, Leon, Louis e Levi. Para sua felicidade ou não, ele também tinha um garotinho que era a cara dele. Não que você estivesse chamando a criança de mamífero, embora ela fosse, de fato.

A questão é que você amava ver a interação entre ele e o filho. Havia uma boa diferença de idade entre vocês, 8 anos para ser exata, mas às vezes isso nem importava. Você sempre ficava nervosa toda vez que ele entrava na clínica, e perdia as estribeiras quando ele trazia o filho com uniforme escolar e as bochechas cheinhas. Ten era o típico pai solo, vestia-se de acordo com a moda, mas vivia com as mãos ocupadas, fosse com uma sacola ecológica do mercado, os gatos, ou seu filho.

Você nunca foi muito boa com crianças. Não que você não tentasse, mas de alguma forma, sempre acabava fazendo-as chorar, e você chorava junto porque odiava ver as pessoas tristes. Seus amigos costumavam dizer que você era a típica protagonista de uma comédia romântica: a desastrada que se dá mal para no final se dar bem, como Lindsay Lohan em Sorte no Amor.

— Preciso checar a Suzy — sua amiga disse, referindo-se à cachorrinha em recuperação. Ela saiu do balcão da recepção, e você se abaixou rapidamente quando viu Ten entrando no local, constrangida pela atitude emergente, você abraçou as pernas, se encolhendo toda. Não queria cumprimentá-lo, não quando desejava tanto que os espermatozoides dele fecundassem seus óvulos.

Sentiu muita vergonha de si mesma só de pensar nisso.

— Você sabe que eu consigo te ver aí, né? — Você olhou para cima e viu Ten inclinado sobre o balcão. Levantou-se imediatamente, mas acabou batendo a cabeça e soltou um gemido de dor. Ten entrou depressa na área atrás do balcão, tocando sua cabeça como um pai preocupado. E você sabia muito bem que ele era um pai, o que só aumentava o seu kink na coisa.

— Toma cuidado, boba — ele disse com um sorriso, e você sorriu de volta, envergonhada. Queria se esconder em um buraco e nunca mais aparecer. Na sua cabeça, aquele era o melhor momento para desaparecer, já que ele jamais teria interesse em você depois disso, ou pelo menos era o que sua mente lhe dizia.

— Cadê seus gatinhos? E o garotinho? — você perguntou, confusa. Ten só trazia o celular consigo, o que você conseguia ver pelo bolso frontal da calça jeans, mas nada ocupava suas mãos, nem os animais, nem o filho. Ele sorriu, mordeu o lábio, escolhendo as palavras.

— Vim sozinho hoje — confessou, e você franziu a testa em confusão. — Queria te perguntar se você quer jantar comigo. Pode ser só nós dois, ou se você gostar de giz de cera, eu...

— Eu amo giz de cera — você interrompeu antes que ele pudesse mudar de ideia. Um sorriso se formou no seu rosto, e você desviou o olhar, tímida por estar tão empolgada. — Eu topo.

— Que horas você sai? — ele perguntou, e você quase pulou de alegria. Quer dizer, o homem dos seus sonhos realmente estava te convidando para um jantar em família?

— Às 19h.

— Tá, vou estar aqui às 19h — ele disse, tocando suavemente sua cintura, o que fez você prender a respiração por alguns instantes. Ele então beijou o cantinho do seu lábio, de propósito, pelo olhar felino que ele lançou em sua direção logo depois.

— Não ama tanto giz de cera — Ten falou um pouco mais alto na porta da clínica, praticamente vazia naquele horário — Deixa um espacinho para mim.

NOTINHA DA SUN² | Escrevi muitas coisas bundamente, mas consegui zerar meus pedidos antigos! Me mandem pedidos pra eu me sobrecarregar de novo KKKKK

[dibidibidismynameisleeknow]

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Please view the writer's fic for warnings and a summary

No, I won't be adding NCT Wish

Please remember to show the writer some love

I reblog from @dibidibifanfics

Johnny

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(S) Bet On It

[ssweetreveries]

𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 ♡

❀ ten x reader

. fluff!

. word count! 1.8k

{oneshot, nonidol!ten, fem!reader, barista!reader, short and sweet, fluff, reader has a bit of trauma but it’s nothing that serious, mentions of past relationships}

a.n i apologize if there’s any mistakes, this isn’t proof read and english isn’t my first language, please bare with me!! enjoy! ><

synopsis . a new customer grabs your atttention.

It was a day like no other. The cafe was bustling with people, the orders seeming never ending. You glanced briefly at the clock, there was still 2 hours to your shift. The rush of customers a big juxtaposition to the slowly passing time. You softly sigh under your breath as you make your what—20th? No, 30th? Maybe.—iced americano of the day. You finish off the cold beverage before putting on your customer service persona and calling out the name of the order. “Ten?” You call out.

The man lifts his head from his phone, signalling you with a smile. You notice him, his sharp eyes staring into your own as he makes his way to the counter. Eyes fixated on him, you swear your breathing stops for a moment. He looked straight out of a magazine; tall, lean build, his dark hair resting just above his shoulders, and his high cheekbones complimenting his unique features. You quickly regain your composure, handing him his coffee. “Have a great day,” you tell him, as you do to every customer. He gives you a polite nod before making his way out of the cafe. Your eyes seem to linger on his retreating form longer than they should, before your coworker signals you of the incoming customers. You turn around and get back to work, eventually forgetting about the mesmerising man.

Little did you know, this wouldn’t be the last time you saw him. A few days later, a seemingly much slower day, the same man enters the cafe. Hearing the bell chime, indicating that a customer entered the cafe, you greet them. “Good morning, welcome,” you say with a smile, looking up from the register. Your eyes lock with his and he returns the kind smile. “Good morning,” he says as he makes his way to the counter. “You’re the pretty barista from last time”, he chuckles softly. Your eyes slightly widen at his comment, a slight blush faint on your cheeks.

“Ah, sorry, too forward?” he says with a sheepish smile. You laugh softly, dismissing him. “No, I’m flattered really. What can I get for you?”

The man doesn’t even take time to think, or look at the menu. “A tall iced-Americano, please.” You nod, taking down his order and telling him his total. How can such a seemingly sweet man enjoy something so bitter? You comment to yourself as you prepare his drink. Once his drink is collected, the man leaves the cafe. This time though, you don’t forget him. Thoughts of him lingering in your mind.

Ever since that first encounter, Ten became a regular at the cafe. He would come in every other day if not everyday. Soon enough, you two became acquaintances, sharing small talk every now and then. One particularly quiet day, you even sat with him during your break. That day, you learned more about the intriguing man. And, it was safe to say your relationship had upgraded to friends.

Soon enough, as much as you wished you didn’t, you found yourself falling more and more into the sickenly-sweet man. You would never admit that out loud though, the memories of your past surfacing at every thought of a newfound relationship. You swore to yourself that you wouldn’t let yourself fall for another kind persona, being played dirty the last time you did. It happened almost a year ago, yet you remembered the shatter of your heart like it was yesterday.

You wanted to believe that Ten only had good intentions, you really did. Then again, you had also believed the same when you gave away your love and trust to Jey, your ex-lover. And, what had he done? He had gone and thrown it all away when he decided to go sleep with another woman. That day was inbred in your memory, remembered in vast details. You came back home from the cafe, same time as usual. You remember being excited to be back in your lover’s arms after a tiring day. What you didn’t expect though, was the sight that greeted you. The sight of him in your shared bed with another woman in his arms.

The thought still haunts you, and that one lingering question always makes its reappearance in the back of your mind. Why? Why..? Were you not enough for him? Did he lose interest in you? Had you done something to make him dislike you? Had he simply been playing with you all along? He had destroyed you on the inside to say the least. You trusted him enough to reveal your most vulnerable self to him, and this is what you got in return. Now, you found yourself overanalyzing every single interaction with any potential new love interests.

A few months had gone by, and Ten really made you want to believe in love again. He was a gentleman, his kindness was almost unbelievable. Sometimes you felt like he was too nice, making you wonder if it was all an act. He visited the cafe everyday after he was off work, staying until closing time so he could walk you home in the peace and quiet of the evening. You guys shared many late night talks, enjoying each other’s presence. Ten thought his actions would show as a sign he was interested in you, but it seems you were oblivious to his subtle hints.

Today was another one of those days. Ten would wait for you, sitting at a small table, whilst you finished closing up the shop. The cafe was already closed for a while, you just had to finish cleaning up a bit. Suddenly the bell of the cafe rings in the quiet of the space, signalling an incoming customer. You probably forgot to lock the door, you tell yourself. “Sorry, we’re closed!” you call out from behind the counter, putting away some dishes.

The space is quiet once again, so naturally you assume that whoever was there, left. What you don’t expect is to be met face to face by the last person you ever wanted to see. Time seems to still as your heart drops to your stomach, wide eyes staring back at him. “Jey..” you mutter under your breath, unsure what to say or do. “We’re closed.” you say sternly, after recovering from your initial shock.

“Look, (Y/N)-” he takes a step forwards, towards the counter separating you both.

“No, I don’t want to talk. Please, leave.” you mumble. You step from behind the counter, trying to lead him back to the exit. But Jey keeps on insisting, he grabs your wrist stopping you from moving any further.

“(Y/N), please hear me out. It was a mistake, leaving you was a mistake-” he starts.

The screeching of a chair can be heard, Ten who had silently been watching the whole interaction abruptly getting up.

Jey glances at him before staring back at you, fingers still wrapped around your wrist. “I thought you were closed?”

“She is.” Ten speaks up. “And I advise you to leave.” he says in his usual tone. You take Jey’s distraction as an opportunity to rip your arm from his hold.

Jey looks him up and down before speaking up, “And, who are you?” he says directed to him.

Ten steps closer to you, putting himself in between you two. He looks back at you before staring back into Jey’s stare. “Her boyfriend.” he states bluntly.

Jey seems taken aback, eyes staring into yours, searching for an answer. “Are you serious?” he says appalled.

You glance at Ten before refocusing on Jey, deciding to play along, you slowly nod.

Jey lifts a hand, running it frustratingly through his hair before muttering curses under his breath. He scoffs and shakes his head unamused, before turning around and leaving the cafe without a word.

Upon his departure, you let out a breath you hadn’t even realised you were holding. Immediately going to lock the front door.

When you turn back around, you find Ten looking back at you with a worried expression. “Are you okay?” he asks softly, meeting you across the room. You nod before letting out a soft chuckle.

“Boyfriend? What’s that supposed to mean,” You say, referring to earlier.

“I don’t know, did you want it to mean something..?” he replies, tentatively.

You look away, seemingly caught off guard by the rhetorical question. “I don’t know,” you say, voice barely audible.

A few minutes in silence pass, before Ten speaks up again. “(Y/N),” he starts, grabbing your attention. “I’ve been meaning to ask you this all day,” he says.

“Would you like to go to the carnival with me tonight?” he asks softly,“It doesn’t have to be as a date or anything, unless you want it to be..?” he adds.

You look back at him, surprise coating your features. He wanted to take you out, and as a date? You pondered over the idea. There was no denying beneath this underlying fear, there were some sorts of feelings for Ten. But, were you ready to accept that? Were you ready to see someone in this type of way again?

You took a moment to think about it. During the time you got to know him, Ten only proved himself to be a good person. His kindness only seemed to be a part of his caring nature, and nothing of ill intentions. You wanted to give him a chance.

Each passing seconds, the silence only seemed to stretch and Ten found himself more and more nervous about your reaction. Until you finally spoke up, “I- Yeah, I think I’d like that..” Ten smiled at your answer.

And that’s how you both finally found yourselves alone together, walking away from the small crowd after a night filled with laughter and enjoyment. Ten was still holding your hand as you abruptly stopped, causing him to turn around confused. “(Y/N)?” he asks softly.

“Thank you for tonight, Ten.” you whisper, causing him to smile in return.

“Of course, I’m glad you had fun.” he says as he holds both of your hands gently in his, facing you completely now. He stares down at you, a longing look in his eyes. Whilst you stare up at him, eyes filled with unspoken truths.

Lost in the moment and enticed by you. Ten softly leans down, lips merely inches from yours. “Is this okay?” he whispers, his warm breath fanning against your mouth.

You simply nod, closing the remaining distance between you.

Your lips on his felt right, this felt right. And that’s when you realised; you wanted to believe in love again. But, more importantly, you wanted to believe in Ten.

[gyoobies]

Pairing: Kun x Ten x Fem Reader

Genre: fluffy smut

Explicit content 18+, Minors DNI!

________ I've been sitting on this for some time now, but seeing as how it's my baby Kun's birthday, this seems like the perfect time to post this.

I hope you enjoy 🤎

He wasn't as bold as Ten, but honestly he didn’t know many people that were. In times like this though he envied how brazen Ten could be. He certainly wouldn't be sitting at a table next to yours pretending to be busy as he listened to you talk to whom he'd assumed was a close friend on the phone. He admired your smile, the polite way you greeted the cashier when you walked in, how you seemed to light up the room just by simply existing, he took note of how expressive you were while speaking. You reminded him of his lover, that’s probably why you caught his attention so easily. You'd probably find Ten to be more interesting than him, but that was kind of the point. He was confident in his likeability, don't get him wrong, Ten was certainly likeable, but he was bold, blunt and it could be a lot for some, that much had been proven in the past. So, as long as you were interested in Ten, that was good enough for him. The only problem now was how to approach you, how to ask you out on behalf of himself and his partner. He stood up in an attempt to approach you but quickly decided to run to the restroom to make sure he didn't have any stray crumbs or spills he hadn't noticed. He was almost certain he didn't, but he'd be more comfortable talking to you if he double checked his appearance. 

The interior of the café restroom was surprisingly ornate and Kun got a bit distracted momentarily as he took in the design choices, making note of what he liked and what could be better. He and Ten would be opening their own place soon and the trip to this café was just one of what felt like thousands they had taken to get inspiration. He quickly took a few photos before remembering the original reason he'd come to the restroom in the first place. Looking into the mirror he was pleased with his reflection. Not a hair out of place and not a single drop of evidence as to what he'd eaten anywhere. He was glad he'd decided to check his appearance, it gave him a boost of confidence when he looked into the mirror and replayed his morning interaction with his lover just before he left, remembering how Ten jokingly said he didn't want him to do café runs today because he looked so sexy that he might run off with someone else.

He chuckled as he ran his finger over the little cat charm that dangled from his neck, thinking of how Ten was almost right, but Kun wasn't considering running off with anyone else, he wanted someone that they could both run away with, and he was hoping he'd found that person. One quick selfie to send to his lover before he attempted to gain another, and back to the café he went, hopeful.

It had been a long day of going over all the menus that had been collected over the last few months, research for their own menu, when a somber-faced Kun walked through the door of their shared home. His usual bright smile that revealed his dimples whenever he laid eyes on Ten was now tight lipped and non existent.

"Well, hello to you too I guess."  Ten deadpanned.

Letting out a sigh Kun apologized for not giving the greeting Ten was clearly expecting.

"I missed our chance." Is all he said as he plopped onto the love seat next to Ten, resting his head on his shoulder. Ten gently brushed Kun's hair away from his face now feeling a bit concerned about why his boyfriend, who's usually so excited to share what he's found on his café runs, was so melancholy.

"You want to talk about it?" 

Kun nodded his head, and with a pout began to speak. 

"I found someone I wanted to approach, she reminded me a lot of you, and I felt like you two would get along well, but I went to check my appearance and ended up admiring the bathroom decor instead.” he sighed.

“By the time I made it out, she was gone." 

Ten chuckled. "cute. So, you're so pouty because you missed out on talking to a pretty girl."

Kun rolled his eyes "that's not why! She was cute, really cute, kind of sexy actually, but she was also funny, and smart."

Kun shied away from Ten's gaze as he squinted his eyes, smirking as he bumped Kuns side playfully.

"And just how do you know all that if you didn't speak to her? Were you being a creep?"

Kun muttered a "shut up" as he crossed his arms in frustration.

Ten couldn't resist his boyfriends pouty behavior, a side he could often forget existed when Kun was in business mode, completely focused and driven. He leaned in to place a loving kiss on his soft lips. "If it is meant to be, it will be." 

Words so simple yet they were so reassuring to Kun as he once again rested on Ten and began to discuss more ideas for their business. 

About a month and a half  into the opening of their café, business had picked up significantly from opening day. In fact, it had picked up so much that Ten had to hire someone to help during the weekends. The café even had quite a few regulars, one in particular always seemed to brighten Ten's day. He had learned a bit about her including her favorite pastry. She often came in late evenings, close to closing so he had started a habit of making sure to keep one aside for her on the days she'd come into the café. She reminded him a lot of himself, but there was one aspect of her that absolutely reminded him of Kun. She was an overachiever, a know it all, whose hobbies included a bit of everything.

 He knew Kun was adamant that he find their new partner, determined to find someone that would love Ten as much as he did. Ten assumed this determination was due to the outcome of the relationship with their last partner. The relationship itself didn't last long, but the effects of what happened lingered. It had only been a couple months into the relationship when the realization that their previous partner didn't really have much in common with Ten and was only there to attempt to win Kun's heart for themselves came to light. The wounds of betrayal were healed but the scars were still there, especially when it came to Kun's heart. 

Ten worried that Kun would be reluctant to accept her because of how much she and Kun actually had in common, but as you opened the glass door and entered with a jingle of the bell above the threshold, Ten's worries seemed to melt away and he found himself smiling with a big Cheshire cat grin as you stepped up to the counter.

He watched as you place your drink order, pouting at the empty spot in the glass pastry case where your favorite was supposed to be, as if you didn't already know what was tucked away safely just for you. 

Arms crossed over his waist, he eyed you while you thanked the clerk and headed over to your usual table tucked away in the corner.

An audible chuckle left him, causing his employee to glance back at him with a puzzled expression before he followed Ten's gaze over to where you sat.

"If you need me I'll be talking to my friend just over there." He explained as he stepped into the kitchen briefly to grab the treat he'd saved for you.

As you sat in the corner of your new favorite café, you began to go over images from a recent shoot for your latest project when a plate with your favorite pastry was placed on your table.

"Mind if I join you gorgeous?"

You huffed pretending to be inconvenienced by Ten's request.

"Sigh, well, you did come bearing gifts so I guess."

The exaggerated gasp Ten let out caused you to break character and burst out into a fit of laughter. 

"Let's see how funny it is the next time you come in on a late Saturday evening and your favorite treat is not waiting for you."

You scoffed at his threat, "that's impossible, it's your shop, you have to be here"  you said as you shot him a wink. 

It took him a second to catch on, but once he realized what you meant he gave you a sly smirk. Just as he was readying his response he was called to the counter to help with a last minute rush that kept him occupied through the rest of your visit, which you were surprisingly relieved about. Yes, Ten was a shameless flirt, but today you'd actually left him a bit speechless and flustered. You wanted to spend a little more time in the café, but you were more than happy to cut your visit short to let him sit with that feeling until the next time you came. You made sure to send a smile and a wave his way as you made your way out the door just before he finished up with his last customer.

Ten could only hum and smile to himself as he headed home for the night, cooking up a plan to introduce you to Kun without telling his boyfriend who you were. Was it a bit deceptive? Yes, but he didn't want Kun to analyze the hell out of you. He just wanted to see if a connection could happen on it's own without either of you knowing what he was up to, so he asked a simple question once he arrived home.

"Kun, Renjun needs this Saturday off, so can you work the full day with me?"

And just like that Ten's plan was set into motion.

That Saturday Kun, was more than happy to work all day with Ten. Usually he opened alone to prepare all the baked goods for the day and was done by noon, when Renjun came in, but he could power through a long day if it meant seeing Ten be the social butter fly he had come to treasure. It was no wonder to Kun why  business was booming, sure the baked goods and coffee were among the best in the town but he was sure Ten's charismatic nature was a huge selling point.

As the day went on, the sun that shone so brightly  that morning, guiding patrons into the café,  had been covered by thick grey clouds. This certainly explained why the foot traffic had slowed considerably. Ten anxiously watched the clock, worrying that the inclement weather would keep you away this evening. 

Kun's eyes were tired and Ten could see the exhaustion dripping from him. A pang of guilt shot through him as he watched Kun wipe down the counter, all while he was planning to do this exact thing to him again next Saturday if you didn't show up today. Hopeful that you would stick to your routine Ten kissed Kun on the cheek and informed him he'd start cleaning the kitchen in preparation for closing. 

The calm drizzle gave way to a frantic downpour ensuring that the now empty café would probably stay that way through closing. Realizing this, Kun allowed himself to take a rest and pulled up a stool to the counter. Finally off his feet, his eyes began to drift closed. The pattering of the rain against the glass window front had lulled him into a the beginnings of sleep when the familiar chime of the bell that sat over the door rang out, but the sound didn't move a now sleeping Kun, whose head rested on the countertop, supported by his crossed arms.

Ten listened by the kitchen door hoping to hear your familiar voice chatting with Kun, but when there was nothing more than silence he decided to sneak a peek from the small round window of the kitchen doors. He could have melted when he saw you just standing at the counter admiring Kun's sleeping face. He dug his phone out from the utility pocket of his apron and took a quick photo in hopes that one day he'd be able to look back on the moment with the two of you fondly.

You had really considered not stopping off to the café after the meeting with your client, but the promise of a delicious, hot cup of coffee and Ten's flirtatious smile was calling to you, despite the storm. Now inside the welcoming atmosphere of the quaint coffee shop, you'd be lying if you said you weren't a bit disappointed to see he wasn't waiting at the counter for you, but you had to admit this oddly familiar sleeping beauty wasn't too bad either.

"Looks like you've had a long day." You said softly, which earned you a soft hum from the man. You giggled a bit when you realized your greeting didn't do much to wake him, so you let your eyes explore his features admiring the way his lips seemed to have a natural pout as he slept. The man shifted slightly causing his strawberry blonde locs to fall across his face. You frowned at the intrusion and found yourself gently brushing the hair back from his face so you could admire the beauty mark that rested below his eyebrow. You quickly pulled your hand away and cleared your throat to wake him when you realized how much of a creep you were being. 

The sound of you clearing your throat is what woke Kun from his brief slumber. Stumbling and apologizing, Kun jumped to his feet to service you, only to be cemented in place once the disorientation faded and the familiarity of your smile sent a wave of butterflies through him.  A peaceful awkwardness setteled between the two of you before you broke the silence with your order. You watched as he adorably fumbled through punching in your drink order before asking if there was anything else you'd like to order. You took a look over to the empty spot in the glass case before declining with a sigh as you handed over your card for payment. 

It had been about 3 months since Kun had laid eyes on you, the woman that intrigued him and if he was being honest with himself, had never really left his thoughts. Now, as you sat in the corner of the café he struggled to keep his composure. Despite his nerves he successfully made your coffee and brought it to your table without spilling it, placing it gently in front of you before turning and making a B-line for the kitchen.

Kun stumbled into the kitchen, rushing over to an obviously startled Ten, whisper yelling almost incoherently.

"It's  her!  The corner! The coffee! From the café!"

Despite Kun's frantic spewing of words Ten was able to piece together what he was trying to say, a skill developed over the years of their relationship.

"Wait! Just calm down. Are you trying to tell me that the person you wanted to ask out months ago is the woman sitting at the corner table?"

"Yes." Kun huffed as he tried to calm himself.

Ten could only smile at this outcome, what were the odds that you would turn out to be the same woman Kun had been trying to approach all those months ago?

Before Ten could fill Kun in on the situation the familiar chime of the café bell was heard causing both men to rush out to the counter only to find an empty café.  

Kun laid himself across the counter dramatically, resting his forehead on the countertop, he let out a frustrated chuckle. Ten briefly watched the dramatic display before he casually strolled over to the table to wipe it down finding a note you'd left behind.

"Hey Romeo! She left a note for you." He called as he placed the note on the counter beside Kun. Having quickly read over the note before placing it by Kun, Ten waited patiently for a reaction. Kun quickly picked up the small piece of paper, eyes going wide as he read to himself.

'Sleeping beauty, tell Ten if he doesn't treat his employees better I'll report him for overworking you."

"You know her?"  Kun looked up at Ten, the exhaustion now momentarily forgotten as he excitedly questioned Ten about you while they finished closing up. That night Kun learned your name, what you did for work, how often you came in, that Ten would usually save a special pastry for you, how often he flirted and how you had caught him off guard when you boldy flirted back. Kun found it amusing hearing that you had left Ten a bit flustered during a previous visit. 

For Kun, next Saturday couldn't come soon enough, already more than willing to work all day, for the opportunityto see you again. Ten assured him as he kissed his cheek,  that wouldn't be necessary, he could just come in around the time you usually arrived.

The following Saturday Kun was buzzing with excitement all morning with the thought of finally really meeting you, and by the time Ten arrived at noon kun was practically floating across the café floor as he assisted customers, dimples on full display.

 Ten made his way to the kitchen and just as he looked up from tying on his apron, he was quickly pulled flush with Kun and recieved a sweet kiss on the lips.

"Eww. I can literally taste how smitten you are already."

"Shut up" kun giggled as he tucked Ten's hair behind his ear before stepping away.

"Renjun is coming in early so you can head home and rest a bit before she arrives." Ten chuckled as he sent Kun off.

As the day went on it began to mirror the previous Saturday,  sunny and inviting during the morning but the late afternoon grew grey and dreary. Once again Ten found the café nearly empty due to an approaching storm that threatened to bring much heavier downpours than the last. Concerned, he decided to let Renjun end his shift early to make it home before the storm hit.  

It was only an hour later when Kun walked through the door umbrella drenched and leaking on the floor as he stalked across the café to put it away along with his jacket.

"It's getting bad out there" Kun said as he  grabbed the mop from the utility closet to clean up the trail of small puddles he'd made when he entered the shop.

"Yea, I doubt she'll come today." Ten pouted as he went to wipe down the tables, Kun's expression mimicked his partner's until their pitty party was interrupted by the sound of the café phone ringing.

"I got it!" Kun shouted. "Thank you for calling perfect10n café, I'm Kun how can I- oh! Yes I remember you. Yes we're still open until 8pm. You're where?! No! Stay there I'll come get you! No, really its fine." Kun quickly hung up the phone, grabbed his umbrella and headed for the door but before he could leave Ten grabbed his wrist.

"Where are you going?! It's raining so hard you can barely see!"

Kun quickly explained the situation and Ten's attitude immediately shifted from where do you think you're going? To hurry up and go! Once he knew it was you that needed help.

It was either bad luck or a stroke of luck that caused your car to stall out a couple blocks away from the café, either way, you were grateful that Kun was kind enough to come save you from being stranded in the nearby parking lot that you were able to coast to when your car decided it didn't want to work anymore. It wasn't long before Kun pulled up beside you so that his passenger door was aligned with your door. You grabbed your bag and prepared to dash across the short distance into his car hoping to remain somewhat dry in the process. The task of staying relatively dry was easier than expected because before you had the chance to open your door he was right there with an umbrella, waiting for you.

Once you were comfortably seated in the passenger seat of Kun's car you thanked him for being so kind despite not really knowing you. The ensuing smile that revealed his dimples raised your body temperature as you found yourself wondering how someone could be so attractive.

"I didn't notice the dimples last time, but then again you didn't stick around too long for me to see more than a blur that day." You stated with a playful tone.

Kun, suddenly bashful, apologized for his abrupt departure the first time you met. 

 "Sorry, I wasn't really expecting to see you so I was caught off guard."  

You furrowed your brows at his statement. "Why would seeing me catch you off guard? You really weren't expecting anymore customers huh?"  You laughed, but before he could answer, his phone rang and he had never been more relieved in his life. He apologized and quickly answered the call.

You could hear Ten's voice on the other line, seemingly filled with concerned. Kun gave words of reassurance, as he checked his surroundings before backing out of the parking spot. Abruptly the car came to a halt once again when the annoying beep signaling that you hadn't fastened your seatbelt sounded. You're sure it was on instinct that Kun leaned across you to reach your seatbelt, but unbeknownst to either of you, it was stuck in the door. Kun seemed to be clueless as to how close he was to you, too focused on the seatbelt and Ten whom he still had on the phone. Finally noticing the belt was caught in the door he ended the call promising to return soon and quickly opened and shut the door to free it. 

During this battle between Kun, the door, and the seatbelt, you'd noticed a stray raindrop that trailed from his hairline to his cheek. Before you could even consider stopping yourself, you sweetly wiped it away with a swipe of your thumb. 

Now looking down into your eyes he could feel it, a pull, drawing him into you. He knew he shouldn't, he should wait until you knew everything, but he couldn't help getting lost in the moment when you pressed your lips against his. The sound of the seatbelt retracting was followed by the feeling of Kun's hand cupping your face as he kissed you passionately. You couldn't get enough, as you threaded your fingers through the hair at his nape. He seemed to appreciate the action as he groaned at the feeling. You knew you should probably hurry back, the rain was only getting heavier and fogging up the windows with someone that was practically a stranger to you and obviously friends with another man you were in a constant state of flirtation and infatuation with, and who was likey anxiously waiting on the two of you, probably wasn't your best life choice.

You gave a gentle tug to Kun's hair as a signal that you should get going and he relented very reluctantly, but the smile he had as he finally buckled your seatbelt just before wiping the condensation from the windows, both melted your heart and pained it.

The guilt of what you had just been doing was starting to set in as you walked into the café tucked into Kun's side as he attempted to keep you both as dry as possible under his umbrella. 

The chime of the bell signaled Ten of your arrival like it had done so many times before. You felt your heart flutter at the sight of Ten rushing out from the back with towels for the both of you to dry off with, knowing that you'd both be a little wet when you made it back.

Ten quickly grabbed the hands of the two of you, to lead you both to a table where he had set out hot bowls of soup, warm bread, and hot tea for all of you. You were a ball of anxiety thinking about what would happen if Ten started his usual flirting in front of Kun. You did your best to play it cool as Ten chatted with you about what happen to your car, but your nerves kicked into overdrive the minute Kun began to speak and you noticed the way Ten's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Kun. You took one look at Kun and knew the jig was up. There he sat in all his deceptive glory chatting happily to Ten with your lip tint smudge on the corner of his mouth. You hoped he would let it go, that he would write it off as his imagination, but you wouldn't be that lucky today.

"Kun, you've got something on the side of your mouth." He mumbled as he handed Kun a napkin. 

At this point if you hung your head any lower you'd drown in your soup, but you couldn't bring yourself to lift your head and take the chance that he'd be looking right at you.

"So, what exactly took you so long to get back?" 

At that question you shot upright effectively spilling your soup all over the front of your shirt. Kun quickly grabbed the towel from his shoulders to help clean you up.

"Shit!" You hissed. You were thankful the soup had cooled a bit since you first sat down but now you had the nastiest looking stain on your top. 

"Come." Was all Ten said as he held his hand out to you. "We'll be back, you can finish eating. I'm gonna get her cleaned up."

You again felt a flutter in your chest as you took his hand and followed him into the kitchen.

"Sit" He said as he pulled a stool next to the sink, then disappeared into what you assumed was an office, emerging moments later with a forest green shirt that matched his own.

"Put this on. Give me your top and I'll toss it in the wash."

He was being short with you, his tone carried a hint of irritation, and you knew why. You couldn't blame him, and you felt guilty about it, and that you should explain, just to get it out in the open. Taking a deep breath you reached out, tapping him to get his attention since he'd turned his back to give you some privacy to change. He shot you a questioning look over his shoulder.

"Are you ok? You seem upset." 

That was a stupid question and you knew it, he did too, so it was no surprise when he let out an exasperated chuckle just before whipping around to face you.

"Do I?" 

He was moving closer now.

"Hmmm, I wonder why you'd think I'm upset." You were caged in now, Ten's nose ghosting over the side of your face as he moved closer to your ear. "Could it be because I've been chasing you for over a month and yet Kun's the one wearing your lipstick on his face?" 

A shiver ran up your spine as Ten nipped your earlobe and continued to whisper. 

"How foolish of me to be worried about you being soaked by the storm when it was probably Kun that got you wet." There was a tense moment of silence before he spoke again. "We'd better get you out of this before that stain sets." 

One by one you felt the buttons of your blouse being undone.

"I can't blame you, he's handsome, charming and his dimples only add to his appeal. People are suckers for dimples" Each compliment he paid to Kun was punctuated with a kiss along your neck.

"You're not upset anymore?" You sighed as you felt him pull the soup soaked top down your arms, letting it fall beside the stool.  

For the first time since you'd stepped into the café  you felt relaxed as Ten handed you a warm towel to wipe the soup from your skin.

"I think it's time I stop playing this cat and mouse game and we all have a talk." He said as he left you to finish dressing in the kitchen.

You weren't sure what that statement meant exactly but your mind was running wild with ideas. The one thing you knew for sure was it sent a rush of excitement through you and that feeling only intensified when you stepped out to find both men leaning against the counter waiting for you.

"You know this shirt is pretty cute on me, maybe I should work here partime." You said in an attempt to break the tension.

Kun just sucked his teeth and shook his head. "I don't think so, we'd never get anything done." 

"Agreed, it's hard enough working with you." Ten said as he glance over to Kun.

"In case you haven't notice our Ten has a jealous streak." Kun grinned.

"Well, would you like seeing random people flirt with me every day?" Ten asked as he walked over to you, perching his chin on your shoulder, and wrapping his arms around you from behind.

Your eyes fluttered closed as Ten nuzzled into your neck, but they flew open the minute you felt Kun's presence in front of you.

"I knew from the moment I saw you in that coffee shop months ago that Ten would like you."

With those words you understood why Kun seemed so familiar. You'd took notice of him in a different café months ago, his hair was shorter then and darker.

"I'm gonna be up front from now on. Kun's my boyfriend and he's wanted you from the moment he saw you, I guess you could say the same for me." Ten backed away to give you space so you didn't feel uncomfortable and to let you process what he'd just said.

"Wanted me?  In what way?" You questioned, hoping that their interest in you wasn't just physical.

Ten was quick to clear up any misconceptions. "Every way. We're not looking for a casual hook up if that's what you think. We want a relationship with you."

"We're not going to pressure you. It's a lot to take in, and you don't have to give us an answer today or even a week from now. We'll give you the time you need to think it over, to get to know us outside of the café." Kuns soft voice was soothing and reassuring, pulling you in, and like a moth to a flame you went to him, beckoning for Ten to follow.

You turned in Kun's arms, watching as Ten crept up to you with a cat-like sultryness.

"Good choice." He hummed as he made it over to you. His grin sending waves of arousal through you as he neared your lips finally kissing you the way he's daydreamed about while watching you at your favorite table typing away.

He was intoxicating, they both were. You tangled your hands in his hair and gave a gentle tug before pulling away, earning a soft groan from him in protest of you needing to breathe. He didn't sulk for long, as Kun was ready to pick up where you left off.  You began to slide your hand from behind Ten's head, but he quickly stopped you.

"Don't" they said in unison. 

There you stood between two men, molding together as hands explored bodies and soft breaths became a mix of desperate panting and needy whines, mostly from Ten. You had been so enthralled in the moment you'd forgotten where you were, until a flash of lightning illuminated the street outside. You were now fully aware that you were pressed between two men, kissing, touching, feeling eachother in a café with a glass storefront. Anyone brave enough to be outside in this storm could easily see what was taking place. Despite their protests you pulled your hand from Ten's hair and pulled away just enough to interrupt the moment.

"The windows."

Ten just smilled as he pulled you flush with him again. "What about them?" He grinned.

You rolled your eyes knowing your only hope at a sensible reaction to what you were saying would come from Kun. 

You turned to Kun who was already beaming at you.

"Someone could see."

Clicking his tongue Ten made his case as to why nobody would be stupid enough to be out in that storm, but he eventually came up with a compromise and cut all the lights off in the place. You were much more comfortable with this. Ten got to live out his very obvious fucking in public fantasy and you didn't have to risk ending up on the internet if someone happened to pass by, though you were sure not a soul was out.

"Can we finish dry humping eachother now?" He asked arms crossed and devilish grin plastered on his face.

You leaned your back into Kun, reaching back to lock your fingers behind his neck, and sent a grin that mimicked his own back to Ten.

"Dry? I haven't been anywhere near dry since I made out with your boyfriend in the car."

You were working him up, you could tell by the mischievous glit in his eyes as he watched you grind your ass against Kun, earning a groan from the man behind you before he dropped his head to nip at your neck.

You thought you'd tease Ten, that he'd pounce on you the minute you softly moaned his name as you continued to grind against Kun, while he gently nipped your shoulder, but Ten was enjoying the show. His eyes roamed your body from bottom to top before locking eyes with Kun's. 

" looks like Ten wants a litte preview, should we give it to him?" 

The instant you agreed  Kun's  fingers were getting to work undoing the button on your jeans and sliding them down.  You stepped out of them as you turned to face Kun, drapping your arms over his shoulders before diving in to kiss him. Kun ran his hands up your thighs, over the curve of your ass and gave it a squeeze. A soft whine was heard from behind you followed by the clank of Ten's belt hitting the floor. You broke the kiss in favor of seeing what was going on behind your back. Kun rested his chin on your shoulder, exploring the softness of your thighs while you both watch as Ten slowly rubbed himself through his boxers.

"So fucking pretty."

Your whispered praise didn't go unnoticed as Ten threw his head back and gave himself a firm squeeze at your words.

"Seems you've learned one more thing about our lover."

"OUR lover" Kun's words dripped over you like warm honey and pooled between your thighs. 

"Tell him, tell him what you're thinking." Kun encouraged. 

You licked your lips before speaking. "I've been wondering, if he taste as good as he looks?"

Kun let out a chuckle and Ten's eyes snapped open to glare at him.

"He does look delicious, doesn't he?" 

Satisfied with Kun's answer, Ten closed his eyes once more, finally dipping his hand into his boxers to free himself as you showered him with praise.  The more you feasted on the sight of Ten stroking himself the more you wiggled against Kun.

Seeing how aroused you were Kun decided to finally dip his hand down the front of your panties, humming in satisfaction at how drenched you were. You bit your lip to keep quiet not wanting to disturb Ten, but Kun and your pussy had other plans. The wet squelching of  Kun's fingers thrusting in and out of your pussy quickly got Ten's attention.

"You're so fucking wet, listen to you soaking my fingers." Kun said playfully.

You let out a whimper at his words but it was almost missed, drowned out by the moan Ten let out.  You could feel your orgasm quickly approaching and when Ten focused in on you. Your knees were near  buckling as he watched kuns fingers burried in your pussy and down your throat giving you both a devilish grin.

 Looking deep into your eyes he began to taunt you as he continued to stroke himself. "Look at you, I chased you for over  a month and for what? For you to become my boyfriend's slut all because he flashed  his dimples. I can't even concentrate on fucking my hand because your pussy is so fucking wet it's all I can hear.

Tens words had you squeezing Kun's fingers. 

A soft chuckle fell from Kun's lips "Looks like I learned something about our baby. She likes when you're a little mean." 

Kun pulled his hand from your dripping pussy and beckoned for Ten to come clean your mess from his fingers. Ten's lithe fingers gripped at your waist as he stood before you. You watched with bated breath as he opened his mouth obediently, letting Kun place his two fingers that were covered in your release on his tongue. Ten hummed at the taste of you, grabbing Kun's wrist to keep him from pulling away as he greedily cleaned his fingers pushing them all the way down his throat before one last suck, punctuated with a pop.

"That good?" Kun chuckled.

Ten ignore Kun's question for now, instead he released the grip on your waist, snaked his hand between you legs and plunged his fingers deep inside you, making you rest your head on his chest as his digits curled inside your pussy. Once he was sure you had coated his fingers generously, he pulled them from you to answer Kun's previous question.

"Taste." is all he said as he held out his fingers. You lifted your head to see Kun sucking Ten's fingers clean, finishing with a hum of approval.

You were waiting for Kun to speak, so it surprised you when Ten used his hand to guide you to look at him. 

"I knew you'd taste as good as you look."  he said before kissing you. Ten's kiss was just like everything else about him, sensual, passionate, powerful, and yet still delicate. He had you, you were entranced, it wasn't long before you were laid back on the counter moaning at the feeling of Ten pushing into you as Kun now took his place as the watcher. 

Not even in your wildest dreams would you have ever imagined you'd be fucking Ten on the countertop of you neighborhood café. But here you were, legs wrapped around his waist, arms being held above your head by Kun as he watched with hungry eyes as Ten's dick disappeared deep into your pussy with every thrust.

You looked up at Kun's flushed face hoping he'd pull his eyes away from the show long enough to notice you were trying to get his attention. 

"I think baby wants something." Ten laughed as he watched you stare up at Kun.

" I'm sorry baby, I guess I was enjoying the show too much. What do you need?" He said in the sweetest tone that didn't fit at all with the current circumstances.

"Ki-kiss" You shuddered out, eyes barely able to focus on Kun's pouty lips as he descended to oblige your request.

The kiss was so sweet & gentle, just like his voice whenever he spoke to you. As he endulged in the taste of your lips, almost kissing you breathless, you smiled against his lips when a very loud groan came from Ten. The sight of the two of you kissing so lovingly spurred on Ten's now frantic pace as he thrusted into you wildly chasing his release.

"Oh! ... fuck." He hissed "I'm gonna cum."

Kun pulled away from your lips just enough to catch the sight of Ten with his eyes screwed shut, bottom lip tucked between his teeth, moments away from crashing into his high.

"No." Was all Kun said, eyes locked on a now slow thrusting Ten that was seemingly trying to pull himself together. 

"But I've wanted this for so long." 

"And that's exactly why you shouldn't rush."  Kun whispered before giving you a quick peck and walking around the counter to stand behind Ten.

The sound of a zipper followed by shuffling told you the Kun was undressing. You propped yourself up on your elbows to sneak a peek at Kun in all his glory and you thanked yourself for being so nosey, biting your bottom lip as you watched him stroke himself.

"Perv" Ten giggled, causing Kun to look up and smirk at you.

"Open." Kun softly commanded, and you wasted no time obeying. 

"Get them nice and sloppy for me." he said as he put his fingers in your mouth.

They both watched, mouths agape as they took in the sight of you sucking off Kun's fingers, getting them completely drenched in your saliva. 

You moaned at the feeling of Ten's dick twitching inside you.

"Please" Ten whimpered as he began to thrust shallowly.

Kun giggled before slapping him on the ass with his free hand. " I think that's good darling." He said as he removed his dripping fingers from your mouth.

"Ready?" He spoke softly as he pushed Ten to lean over you. 

A sultry moan fell from Ten's lips as Kun pushed his soaked fingers inside him, preping him for what was to come.

You felt yourself getting wetter and wetter the longer you watched Ten's beautiful face screwed in pleasure from being stretched open, and you weren't the only one that felt it.

"Did you cum?" Ten questioned as he now stared deeply into your eyes.

Kun stopped his actions momentarily, curious of your answer. You laid back suddenly  embarrassed by all of the attention. " no, I'm just really ..."

"Excited." Ten smirked and you covered your face. 

"Hey, none of that. It's hot that you like watching us." Ten said as he leaned down to kiss you.

"And if you cover your face, you'll miss one of my favorite things." Kun smiled as you gave him a questioning look, only to understand what he was talking about the very next second.

You watched as he pushed into Ten and Ten let out the prettiest sound you'd ever heard. That was now one of your favorite things too.

Kun set a slow pace, probably enjoying the sight and sounds of his two lovers losing themselves exploring eachother as he delivered slow gentle strokes to Ten.

"Faster." Ten said as he brought your hand up to place a kiss on your palm.

"Touch me." He demanded as he looked into your eyes. 

"You're spolied" You chided, earning a chuckle from Kun and an eye roll from Ten.

"But you love me anyway, don't you?" Ten questioned as he began to flick his thumb over your pert nipple.

You sighed and let your eyes fall close as Kun began to finally pick up his pace. The symphony of sounds that filled the air was music to your ears, Ten's soft moans mixed with Kun's lower grunts along with the slapping of Kun's hips against Ten's ass was enough to have your head in the clouds, completely thick with lust.  It was all so much but you craved more and as if he could hear your thoughts Kun took one of his hands from Ten's waist and began to rub your clit. You opened your eyes to see Ten staring at you, bottom lip once again  tucked between his teeth. You were hanging on by a thread, and doing your best to keep it together,  but any hope you had of holding on for much longer was diminished the moment Kun spoke one simple word.

"Spit"

And you watched as Ten let it drip from his lips directly onto your clit. The minute Ten's spit made contact Kun continued to rub your clit, with more pressure and speed. 

He was a man on a mission, determined to get you off before he'd let Ten or himself go. His intensity grew with every stroke, it felt like Kun was fucking right through Ten and into you and if his thrust were driving Ten's dick into you to the point that you were screaming both of their names and clawing at Ten's forearms, you could only image how Ten was feeling, experiencing the feeling of both of you at once. If his face was any indication, you'd say he was barely holding on like you.

The scene unfolding before you was so hypnotizing, you watched as Kun wrapped his hand in Ten's hair, pulling his head back to lick up his neck to his ear. You could have forgotten you were a part of it, if it wasn't for the soft slap to your clit.

"You're daydreaming because Kun's taking too long to change the pace aren't you?" Ten groaned.

At that moment Kun delivered a sharp thrust into Ten that cause him to jolt forward burying him deeper inside you. 

You unraveled on the spot clenching around Ten as you screamed their names. The cocky smile Kun sent your way as he picked up the pace had your pussy pulsing around Ten ready to cum again. You let your body rest flat on the counter completly limp and still floating as Ten slung your legs over his shoulders. You'd be wearing pants for weeks until the love bites Ten was littering up and down your calves faded.  

You could feel another orgasm building and the speed in which it was building increased the minute Kun pushed Ten flush against your chest and began to snap his hips into Ten. The new position had everyone's toes curling and for the second time that night you were cuming all over Ten's dick.  A few more thrusts and Ten gasped out that he needed to cum. It was only when Kun sweetly requested that he hold it just a bit longer did you remember he had been holding off until he had permission. This was just one more thing you were learning about their dynamic.

You were spent, limp, completely out of it and nearing overstimulation and it must have been obvious.

"Let's finish this up so we can get to the good part." said Kun as he lifted Ten, moving him from between your legs to rest his upper body against the counter.

You wondered momentarily about what "the good part" was because you were so sure this was it. You slowly sat up to get a better view of them as Kun leaned down to leave kisses between Ten's shoulder blades while burying himself deeper.

" I know you're tired baby, but would you mind getting your knees a little dirty for Ten?" He said as he gave one final kiss to Ten's back.

You were in fact tired but what you wanted more than anything at this moment was to hear the beautiful moan Ten would inevitably let out from his climax, so you did as requested and wedged yourself into the small space created as Ten bent over the counter.

Ten was ready to burst, you could tell by the way he throbbed in your hand just before whimpering at the feeling of your tongue swirling around his tip. Ten's sounds of pleasure gave you the energy boost you needed to go at him with your all. Slowly, you took him into your mouth making sure he hit the back of you throat with every Bob of your head.  You were so focused on sucking Ten's dick until he exploded that you didn't realize he had adjusted his position to where only his forearms rested on the counter, so now he was able to look down at you as Kun delivered steady, yet deep thrust into him, making sure he wasn't so rough that you might get bumped against the counter.

A few more thrusts and head bobs and Ten was practically sobbing from the need to cum. It wasn't much longer after you picked up the pace did you hear Kun reach his peak, as he delivered one last thrust burying himself deep inside Ten, subsequently bringing about Ten's own release.

You sucked Ten dry, making sure to take every drop of him into your mouth that you could. Kun watched you in amusement, seeing you wince slightly, knowing that you now understood why he laughed when you said you wondered if Ten tasted as good as he looked.  On shakey legs Ten let Kun guide him to rest against the counter as he helped you to your feet. You gave him a tight lipped smile before turning to French kiss Ten.

 Almost immediately Ten pulled away from you to spit causing Kun to break out in a fit of laughter.

"Gross!" He hissed.

"Exactly! I thought you were just kidding about not liking fruit but...eat a damn fruit Ten, you taste like battery acid!" You scolded as you watched him wipe his tongue with a napkin.

Kun lead the two of you to the private bathroom in their office to clean up as best you could, it was clear the storm had no intention of letting up anytime soon, so after freshening up a bit the three of you piled onto the couch in the main area with limbs intertwined, delicate fleeting kisses, gentle caresses, and thoughts of your future together, as you watched the raging storm beyond the storefront.

[xiaofilms]

notes ten text :3 reader does OBVIOUSLY have a crush on kun, like who doesn't... anyways! most of these are just really silly and i had the slight idea out of nowhere. again! ignore the timestamps i'm so sorry </3 anyways! hope you guys like these :D if you guys would like maybe a follow up with reader telling ten abt the date or maybe kun's side of everything, feel free to ask! <3 warnings kms / kys jokes a few times, ten does say 'girl' to reader once but it's a joke and doesn't mean that reader is a girl, and i think that's it! genre crack + fluff?

[sluttyten]

UNHOLY - Chapter Eighteen

full masterlist || UNHOLY chapter index

summary: you've been anxiously waiting the reunion with Ten and Yuta. But first, you have to break them out of their imprisonment in Hell. And, who knows, maybe while you're there, you'll learn some new stuff about yourself, too

length: 19,907 words

tags: supernatural, demons, happy stuff, stressful and nervous stuff, scared and angry stuff

<-previous || next–>

You wish you could say the first day of planning went splendidly and you were ready to go marching into Hell the next day. 

That wasn’t the case. 

Each day, your planning meetings end with nothing truly decided. Each night, you dream again of Hell, of the Queen of the Night, of the torture that Yuta and Ten are enduring. Each morning you wake feeling more stressed than you had been the day before, more afraid of what is happening to them, and how different you might find them – they’ve been imprisoned in two separate prisons, possibly tortured, who knows what sort of effect that’s had on them since you last saw them.

You cover lots of things in the meetings that should reassure you of the success of this mission, but they don’t necessarily reassure you of anything.

Jeno and Jaemin tell you about the layout of Hell, of secret entrances and passages and exits while they also regale you with amusing stories of their time at Hell’s boarding school. Johnny tells each of you how shadows work – not the obvious way, but the magical way that lets him twine them around his fingers and send them away to do his bidding. There are skills lessons – Ira instructing you more in the ways of the Watchers, Jaemin and Jeno giving you more information about demons that they’d learned in their demonic boarding school, combat lessons from Jaehyun the werewolf (which Haechan seems only too eager to go head-to-head with some of your new companions). Ira and the sirens discuss various plans to leave the island and to return, revealing the secrets you’ve been wondering about since Renjun brought you here.

You keep your distance from the sirens, still a little wary of them after the dream you had a week ago in which they’d drowned you. It doesn’t help that all three of them have a mildly terrifying aura anyway, and it only gets worse every time that you see Seulgi watching all of you like you’re her prey during Jaehyun’s combat lessons. But you know that the sirens are actually rather sweet. Sunmi is kind and truly nurturing with her sisters. Seulgi actually is quite adorable and soft-hearted when it comes down to it — one day after Johnny’s shadow-talks, you see Seulgi playing with his shadow tendrils like they’re kittens while Johnny watches on with amusement. 

Minnie, though, shows such affection for Renjun. She acts cute and flirty and clingy, constantly trying to steal his attention away from Haechan who, in turn, tries to steal Renjun’s attention back. 

You try hard not to find the dynamic between the elf, the vampire, and the siren very amusing and familiar. 

Finally on the morning of the seventh day, you wake in the darkness of your bedroom to find that Mark’s side of the bed is empty.

It’s late. Or early. The sky outside the window of your bedroom is still a deep, dark shade of blue with stars just barely visible, tiny pinpricks of silver light in the sky. You can see the ink of the sea in the distance, whitecap waves reflecting moonlight.

The night is truly silent tonight. Your view out the window could be nothing more than just a pretty picture in the frame for all the sound you catch – no wind blowing, you can’t hear the waves rushing against the shoreline. No one whispers in the halls or other rooms of Ira’s house. The only sound is the thundering of your own heart in your ears and the dull sizzling sound of your handprints you’ve burnt into the sheets where you’ve been clutching them.

A nightmare is what woke you.

It’s similar to the one you had a week ago, centered on Hell. Every part of it was confusing and disappointing as each element of your plot to rescue Ten and Yuta fell through completely. You woke when the dream couldn’t possibly have gotten any worse.

You saw them burning. 

Everyone.

Everyone burned. Yuta and Ten, although that should have been impossible. Mark and WinWin, Ira, the sirens, the others that Ira has drawn here to his island to help you with this mission. 

They were all burning in your dream. The dream was so vivid that you could smell burning hair and flesh; you could see the terror in their eyes; you could hear their cries and screams. You had heard the vile laughter of the Queen of the Night, cackling with wicked delight while they burned and she made you watch.

Now, as you lie here in the waking aftermath of your nightmare, you try to focus on your surroundings to ground you in the present. 

Behind you, WinWin is unmoving, an arm pitched above his head, the sheets twisted around his hips, one exposed leg visible and covered in white scars like lightning bolts originating from the silvery bite mark left behind by the Fell Beasts. Tonight he’s unbothered, deep in dreams so he doesn’t budge even as you leave the bed, as you quietly dress yourself. 

Soft snores sound from the bedrooms you pass. There’s no sign of anyone being awake, no sounds of the unsleeping vampires being aware of you moving through the house. You creep down the spiral stairs, taking careful steps to keep quiet as you make your way out through the front door. 

Dawn is just beginning to touch the perfect blue darkness of night. Peach colored sunrise swirls through the navy clouds and the steel gray of the choppy sea. Deep shadows remain over much of the island, and you stick to them, remembering Johnny’s advice of bending shadows to help hide you, which you apply skillfully as you leave the eaves of the house towards the cliff’s edge.

As you walk forward, you glance backwards, attempting to look up at the lighthouse tower’s peak, trying to see if maybe Mark is up there. You know he’s got a tendency to climb up the tower so he can sit there and stare at the stars. If he’s up there right now, you can’t distinguish him from the dark. And if he is up there, he must not notice you because he doesn’t descend to join you or stop you either way.

You don’t want him to join you.

The nightmares that have been plaguing you all week have been bad enough, but the one you just awoke from truly has put you in a state of panic. No one else can come with you, you saw the argument for that in your dream. Everyone here on the island has been helpful in these planning stages, but if they come with you, they’re just weaknesses for you, they’ll hold you back and make you much more noticeable than if you just go by yourself.

You know how to get off the island now, and you have a plan for exactly how you’re going to get into Hell, how you’re going to locate Ten and Yuta, and how you’re going to escape. You’ve even got a Plan B tucked away in the back of your mind in case your original plan goes awry.

The beach looks nearly the same as it had the day that you arrived. Foamy white waves crash against the shore, rushing through the pebbles as you near the water’s edge. 

Since your arrival to Ira’s island, you’d wondered several times how the portal magic worked for the island. Ira and Renjun had made it clear that it was only possible to enter the island via portal, and that made sense. Up until a few days ago when one rescue strategy had been discussed, you hadn’t known how to leave the island. At what point did the sea become a portal back to the rest of the world?

Ira had led all of the group out onto the porch outside the front door. With his arm outstretched, he pointed out at the sea visible beyond the cliff’s edge. “See the water, where it turns from a shallow turquoise to a darker blue? Do you see the circle of turquoise out a little further? It’s straight out from the inlet where you all came in.”

The sea faded from turquoise closer to the shore to a deeper blue as the sea floor dropped off, but then there was in fact a pocket of lighter color out in the deep.

“This portal works a bit different from other portals. To exit the secure space I’ve placed this island in, you have to have a specific mental picture of your destination, you have to focus on it and push through.”

“Push through? It’s in the middle of the water. How will we know when we’ve reached the portal to push through and to focus?” Jeno had turned to your father in confusion. 

Mark, standing beside you in the shadow of the house’s doorway, grimaced. “Trust me, you’ll know. Coming through is easy enough, but when we left to find you guys, I thought like you. It was in the middle of the water, so how would we know? But it’s like hitting an invisible wall. You have to focus on holding your destination in mind while you also push through what feels like a solid wall of water.”

Ira nods. “I didn’t make it easy to come and go.”

And now, in the present moment as you stand on the shore and face the morning gray of the sea, you hope you’ll be able to find the portal. From down here at the water level, you can’t see a difference in the water like you’d been able to from up above. It’s impossible to tell how far out you’re going to have to swim.

You stare out at the water. 

If you don’t go now, you’re going to lose your nerve.

Images of your dream last night flash through your mind.

Ten screaming as hungry flames consumed him. Yuta’s body stretched out on the floor as veins of poisoned fire wrapped around his throat, crawling over his cheeks and mouth. 

It had all seemed so real, so terrifying. You can’t take another night of not knowing that they’re safe, of not having them in your arms again.

The seawater is cool where it touches your bare ankle. 

Ira had said the portal is just a straight swim out from the shore. You can do this. 

You take a few steps more out into the water, shivering as the cool water rises up your body, as the waves splash it even higher. 

You pull in a deep, full breath and with one last glimpse back at the cliffs behind you – halfway hoping to see a familiar face, halfway checking to make sure that there isn’t anyone watching. There isn’t anyone. You face the horizon again, and you dive beneath the surface.

Below the water, the world is dark and still. You’re still close to the shore, in only a few feet of water, but as you begin swimming forward, the bottom falls away beneath you. Darkness grows around you when you reach the open water of the sea. There’s a different feeling to the water, a hollowness and a pull of gravity as the forever black maw opens beneath you.

High above you, the sunrise bursts in prismatic colors over the surface. Your lungs begin to ache and your heart longs for you to rise to the surface again, to feel the heat of the sunrise on your face and a fresh breath of air filling your lungs, but instead you keep swimming forward into the endless, deep dark.

The pressure grows stronger  in your chest, in your head, in your throat, and you feel like you’re being squeezed to death and frozen as the sea around you becomes entirely black. Momentarily, the thought crosses your mind that you’ve slipped right through the portal without being aware, that you’ve been somehow sucked into that Abyss that Yuta and Ten once told you about – the place where soulless supernaturals go when they die.

And then, you feel it.

A wall of pressure.

You pull an image of your destination into your mind, focusing on it with every part of you that’s not worrying about being able to breathe, and you push forward.

You feel as if you’re making absolutely no progress no matter how hard you push against it, and for a moment you’re right back trapped in that mirror at the House of the Watchers – again, you can’t breathe, you’re trapped against a barrier with everything you want on the other side. You push and you push, trying to keep a river a million miles away held in your mind, pushing, pushing, feeling your lungs seizing in your chest and dots of blackness and sparks of impossible light spark across your vision.

The world breaks around you, shattering and transforming into a world of bright sound and heat and so much air.

Each breath sears your lungs, your chest burning in an entirely unpleasant manner, but you can’t help gasping for more and more air. Your hair drips into your eyes, making them sting. There’s so much noise, and after the suffocation of the deep sea, all of this everything is very disorienting.

It takes a moment or two of treading water before you realize that your escape from the island actually worked.

River water stains your skin with tiny granules of silt, a twig has tangled itself in your hair as well as a slimy piece of plant life that has twisted through your fingers. You shake it off, pluck the twig from your hair, and you look back up to the banks of the river you’re in, at the high city buildings reaching up into the orange haze of the sky.

You’ve come back to Hell City.

Something silvery flickers by you in the water, and it takes a moment too long for you to realize what it is. Another pale streak rushes by you, and this time you recognize it for what it is. A memory rises to the surface of your mind.

In your early days here, as Ten and Yuta showed you around the city, they’d brought you here to the riverwalk along this river that marks the border of Hell City. Right now, you’re a bit upriver from that spot where the river splits in two, but you still remember clearly leaning against the railing with Yuta beside you, his arm wound around your waist to keep you from tipping into the dangerous water.

It’s the memory of that day that has inspired your rescue plan. 

“What do you see when you look at the water?” Yuta had asked you that day. And that morning, just as right now, you’d seen a whitish silver ribbon twisting through the water. With his hands on you, keeping you safely planted on solid ground, Yuta had explained to you, “Those are spirits of the damned. This river leads straight to Hell. Proper Hell, not just this city. Water is a transmitter, or conductor, carrying the spirits down where they belong. A little way down the way, the river vanishes underground, and it never resurfaces.”

It’s funny, thinking back on that now. You’ve definitely learned that water works as a pathway – it’s taken you to Purgatory and to Ira’s little special corner of the universe, and it’s brought you back here.

And if your plan works, this river is going to take you straight to Hell.

This is something that has come up in your week of planning. Jaemin’s voice echoes from the back of your mind. “Once you’re in that river, it’s a certainty as to where you’re going. Because the river is a one-way ticket to Hell. Spirit Express, no stops, no clear return.”

In the present moment, you can already feel the current of the river sucking at you, pulling you downstream. A cold wave slaps into the side of your head, and you swear you hear a voice whispering a death song in your ear, and you keep your mouth closed tightly, trying to keep your face above water, even as the current pulls you along, threatening to drag you under even as you fight to stay afloat.

And then you see it just up ahead. The river forks.

One branch of the river continues on through the regular, mortal, unmagical world towards the ocean. The other branch grows darker and darker until eventually it delves underground, passing briefly through Hell City’s underground, and then surging even deeper below to the realm of the demons; this branch of the river is the one that has you in its gravity.

And suddenly it really has a grip on you. You’re being propelled forward in the water, carried along faster than you had been just a moment before, racing towards the place where the river disappears underground.

The moment is obvious when the power of the great river of the damned finally overpowers the simple current of the natural river. One moment, you’re still able to fight to keep your head above water, and the next you can feel the force of the water pulling you downward.

You keep getting pulled under, managing one final gasp for breath in the instant before it’s impossible, sucking in a little of the river water despite all of your previous attempts. It tastes like poison as it trickles over your tongue, and the moment you resurface, you cough and gag, trying to expel the toxic water. Repeat.

Occasionally, you feel something else in the water, hitting against you, bumping and slithering and slimy. Mostly it feels incorporeal, as if you’re just feeling passing souls. Until you feel the tug at your ankles, the gravity pushing you down further from the surface.

You wish you had something to hold onto, some easier way to get to Hell than this, but Jaemin and Jeno had assured you that this was going to be the easiest way for all of you to get there, and even though you’re going this alone now, you don’t know any other way to get to Hell. 

You’re being sucked downward, and you flail around, trying to claw your way back to the surface for one last breath, one last glimpse of the sunlight –

Free-fall.

You’re in free-fall, no longer controlled by the river’s current but by gravity.

Lights flicker to life – far away and below you, growing rapidly bigger and closer.

You recognize where you are, but you’ve never seen it from this perspective.

You’re tumbling in the waterfall you’ve seen before, racing through Hell City’s underground, and within seconds you’ll be crashing into the next layer of the underworld. Streams of silvery light surround you, and if you could really force your eyes to focus on anything, you feel certain that you might be able to make out features of faces or limbs. These are souls, after all.

The air is full of voices – whispers of the souls, your own screams.

You feel the impact as your body crashes into the pool of water at the base of Hell City’s underground waterfall. It doesn’t hurt necessarily, but you can feel the water passing like a heavy wave beating against you when you stand unprepared in the surf. And then everything is dark and cool again. The air is filled with the rushing sound of water and passing air and all the whispers of the souls around you. And you’re spinning.

It takes a moment to really realize that, but soon you come to understand that you’re spiraling downwards in tighter and tighter curls, moving faster and faster, you and all of these souls are funneled to a point.

You’re spinning in the darkness, and then suddenly you’re not.

In a great cold splash and a burst of warm light, you’re standing dripping wet on a stone floor. 

“What the fuck?” You hiss, blinking and looking around.

Directly in front of you is the broad back of a very tall, large man. He doesn't turn to look at you, only shuffling forward a step. 

A cold wave of water rushes over your feet as a considerable splash sounds from behind you.

You glance over your shoulder and find an elderly woman standing there with round glasses sliding toward the tip of her nose, her hair curling loose down to her shoulders. She doesn’t seem to take too much notice of you. Momentarily, there’s another big splash, a second wave assaulting your feet as a spout of water shoots down from the distant blackness of the ceiling, the jet of water deposits another soul in what appears to be a line growing behind you.

You twist around to the front, leaning around the broad man in front of you to get a look at what you’re in line for.

“What the fuck?” You repeat, looking at the line that stretches into the impenetrable distance. It winds forward, twisting around rocky structures that jut up from the floor. A deep reddish-orange glow semi-illuminates this vast space, but the end of the line in either direction – as the spout of water continues to deposit an endless string of souls behind you in line – is swallowed by the same darkness that resides above your head.

But do you really have to wait in line?

None of the others around you pay any attention to you or anyone else. They all wear bored, resigned expressions, content to shuffle forward step by step as the line slowly shifts forward with some unknown signal.

It is eerily silent. Your brain can’t comprehend the absolute lack of sound when you can see so many people. You should be able to hear breathing or some slight shifting, fabric brushing together, feet moving on the floor, an exasperated sigh or grumbling under the breath. You even half expect to hear a distant echo, water droplets trickling down from somewhere or even dripping from clothes, but as the Hell Delivery System waterfall moves ever farther down the line, you can’t even hear its roar of delivery anymore.

And you’re soaking wet. Uncomfortably so.

You know that you could easily call your demon fire and make quick work of drying yourself off, but some instinctive feeling in your belly is telling you not to do that. It might just draw attention to you.

Not that there seems to be anyone overseeing this line, enforcing behavior. If you just stand here waiting in line for some unknown end, you’ll just be wasting time. There probably isn’t anyone who will even notice if you cut the line a little.

You’ve moved only a dozen paces since your arrival. 

You take a step out of line, pause, waiting for something to happen.

After a few beats, nothing has happened.

You begin to move, passing up the column of this endless queue. No one moves or spares you a glance, speaks or breathes or anything. So you walk, and you walk and walk and walk, searching for the front of the line.

Is this Hell? Just this, waiting in line forever? Moving forward inch by inch for all of eternity. Because you’ve been walking for at least half an hour, and the front of the line doesn’t seem anywhere in sight. Although, the scenery has slightly changed. There seem to be more outcroppings of rock here, and there are large torches mounted to the walls, providing a stronger orange light than the previous ambient red-orange glow.

Another fifteen minutes pass by in unchanging silence. You look behind you to see the line vanishing back into dim light some distance back, twisting out of sight around a big boulder. Ahead of you looks pretty much the same.

But then you hear something.

It sounds like footsteps, so you freeze. Sharp clicking footsteps pass over the stone floor. Heavy breathing and the acrid scent of brimstone.

A demon.

You don’t dare to move even a little bit. Wherever this demon is, it must be ahead of you, around the next curve of the line, but you’re sure even a slight move would draw its attention to exactly where you are as it prowls along the line.

Sure enough, around the curve ahead, you see a puff of black smoke, a shadow painted on the wall of a beast. It’s coming towards you.

You clench your hands into fists, and you feel your nails bite against your palms hard enough to break skin.

The demon’s shadow on the wall twitches, head tilting curiously to the side, and you glance down to see a trickle of your blood as it drips from your hand.

A sharp whistle cuts through the never-ending space, echoing off the rock walls and the invisible ceiling. The demon twists around, a growl rumbling from it. A second whistle, and the beast sets off in the opposite direction. You hear a grinding sound of stone against stone, a third whistle and another growl from the demon.

You take a step forward, conscious of the coarse sand that dusts the stone floor, aware that even a slightly wrong move could cause sound. If only there was some way to silence your footsteps so you could sneak forward, hopefully catching a glimpse around the next curve of the line, maybe to see what is happening ahead. Have you finally found the front of the line?

You take a tentative step forward, and there’s a soft crunch of a pebble beneath your foot.

Your heart leaps in your throat, but then you remember.

During the weeks of Ira’s lack of availability and assistance with this plan, you’d dug into any and all of the books he had in his home. There were boring books about gardening and maintenance, cookbooks, and even self-help books, but there had also been histories of the Watchers, but these were ancient texts that you felt must be from the early days of the Watchers because they were just histories, they held information pertaining to the instruction of young Watchers. 

Those texts you had devoured, pouring over them for long hours until Mark or WinWin had dragged you away, providing you with ample distraction. 

But you had learned some things from those texts about the powers of the Watchers, the abilities that you possess. You’d practiced a few things, but you are fully aware that you’re a long way from being adept at the skills. 

Although, one of the magical skills you’d read about, and that you’d once attempted semi-successfully, had been the power to become undetectable – invisible and silent – for up to an hour. You’d used that experiment to sneak up on WinWin and scare him, for which you’d had to apologize and make it up to him when you returned to detectability about ten minutes later.

But isn’t that what you need right now? To be undetectable?

Luckily, the process had been rather simple, and you’d made certain to memorize it before even attempting it that first time. 

The powers of the Watchers were magic like you’d not quite seen it before. Sure, some of it involved fancy words and waving your hands around, but there was a simplicity to it all that almost seems deceptive, like you feel like it should be much more difficult than it is, and by finding it easy, you must be doing it wrong. But that’s not the case at all. Maybe it seems that way because you’re so new to this power that you were actually born with; it’s a part of you, so natural that it just flows without having to work too hard at it. 

Either way, the effort to become undetectable right now is simple. 

The sandy soil underfoot is actually much more fine than you’d believed. It’s a soft, reddish-brown powder that clings to your fingertips as you crouch and gather a handful. Disturbingly, it reminds you of dried blood. 

You spit into the small pile of soil in your hand, mixing it into a paste that you try not to think too much about as you dip your paste-coated fingers and paint them around your face.

It’s more difficult without a mirror to know if you’re getting the runes correct, but you hope that you don’t fuck it up too much.

You can tell it’s taking effect, and you begin to hurry before you lose the ability of physical touch. This spell truly makes you undetectable – invisible, silent, and intangible.

Just as you put the finishing touches on yourself, you see your fingertips fading away.

You lift your hand to your face, and you can feel your breath on your fingertips, and you think that maybe there’s the barest imprint on the air in front of you, but you can’t actually see anything there. Beneath you – where your feet should be – there’s no sign of your footprints, not even when you take a step forward.

As you walk around the curve, you don’t find the front of the line. You’re certainly closer to the front, but now the line straightens out instead of curving, moving forward into the far distance where you can see looming high in the shadows, the faintly lit arch of a massive doorway. But right here beside the line, just on this side of that curve in the rocks, is a hidden doorway. You can still see a glowing outline of it as you reach it, but your intangible fingers can’t find any purchase to pry the door open.

Again, this is where you’re grateful to be part Watcher. There’s a magical phrase for this, and a moment later the hidden doorway is grinding open again, revealing a narrow hallway roughly carved through the rock, winding away and downward. To a certain degree, it reminds you of the passages Yuta and Ten had led you through to take you from the surface of Hell City down into its underground, although these tunnels of Hell are much better illuminated. 

Once you’re through the entrance, you close the door again with a simple wave of your hand.

The rocky ridges in the walls of the tunnel are a warmer reddish brown than where the evenly spaced torches along the walls illuminate. You get a vague impression that you’re staring down a great beast’s throat, looking at the insides of its ribcage. As you pass silently down the tunnel – footsteps leaving no mark in the sandy floor nor even a scuff or sound of your footfalls – you grow even more aware of how you’re sinking further and further into Hell.

The flickering light of the torches on the ribbed walls of the tunnel truly gives the sense of being slowly swallowed by a beast, and you’re terrified and exhilarated to learn what awaits you.

And then you see it.

A small archway up ahead, open and unguarded.

Slipping through the archway into Hell Proper is easy, but what you find immediately on the other side is less so.

The hidden tunnel didn’t just bypass the rest of Hell’s eternal waiting line to the Great Gates. You managed to bypass a lot of the structure of Hell, and the tunnel has spat you out into the one place that you’ve feared and yet dreamed about for too long now.

You’re in the throne room of the Queen of the Night.

You’re in the very belly of the beast.

And you’re not alone.

You melt into the shadows at the edge of the throne room, pressing your back to the wall, your shoulders blend into an enormous woven tapestry as you make an attempt to conceal yourself even more against its pattern. There are too many people – or demons, you suppose – for you to feel safe even with your Watcher spell making you undetectable. Your heart pounds as you look around, observing the space. 

The ceiling vanishes above you into darkness just as it had in Hell’s lobby, but here there’s at least a hint of architecture. Something sort of Gothic, sort of Art Nouveau which adds an odd bit of whimsy to the otherwise imposing aura. Columns span the length of the room, leading your eye toward the apse – a semicircular space at the far end of the room, the ceiling ribbed and vaulted. The back curved wall of the apse is more window than wall, and it reminds you of something you might have seen in a Church before, although it’s much more dark and whimsical than the structured beauty of a Church’s stained glass window. It has an organic feel to it, like the wall is covered in vines that have grown around irregularly shaped black windows. 

You try not to imagine those windows as eyes, but it’s difficult to do. You feel as if you’re being observed. 

Seated there above it all, doing nothing to help the feeling of being watched, is the Queen’s throne. The high seat is housed in the apse, and you’ve seen it before.

Her throne is exactly as you’d pictured it in your dreams. Massive. An unscalable monolith, carved of black stone that reflects torchlight from the walls, thin trails of liquid darkness seep from unknown pores in the throne, and although you can’t see the base of the throne at the moment due to the throng of of demons in the way, you know that black liquid is dripping down into the black pool the throne rises from. You’d dreamed it exactly like this. 

And also like your dreams, seated atop the throne is the Queen herself, veiled in shadow.

All you can see of her are her hands, which are clawed and deformed. Her twisted long fingers are pale as bone until they taper at the tips into black points which she taps against the arms of her throne. Her voice is a rasp, reminiscent of dry leaves rattling against each other, like bare branches snapping in a strong breeze, and an underlying tone of train wheels screeching on the track. Whatever language she’s speaking in, you can’t understand it, although the demons around you certainly seem to.

They cheer at whatever it is that she’s rasping in her unholy voice.

A demon rises up above the crowd on stilt-like legs, pronouncing something that you still can’t understand. A few others respond, and the Queen laughs – her voice echoes sharply around the room, bounced back at you by all the hard stone. 

And then you hear the rattle of chains. An eerie clinking.

You need to get closer.

Even sticking to the edges of the throne room, skirting the gathered court, you narrowly avoid detection. There are guards stationed along the walls, as well as court members whose presences overflow even beyond their physical forms – similar to Johnny back on Ira’s island, with his shadows that reach beyond himself. 

At one point, you swear one of the demons turns its head to look in your direction, but it can’t see through your Watcher magic, so it turns back to face the Queen.

You keep moving until you reach the front of the crowd, until you can see the black pool beneath the throne. Heavy chains in the dark water, just like your dreams. But unlike your dreams, the chains aren’t looped around the limbs of your boyfriends. Now the chains lie limp in the water, empty.

You’re not sure if you feel relief or some other unnamed combination of fear and horror and frustration.

If they’re not here, like they had been in your dream, then where are they?

Are they hiding on the other side of the throne? Perhaps they’re just not visible from your vantage point here, and if you could just squeeze through the crowd….

It’s easier said than done.

More than once, one of the demons bumps into you, which shouldn’t be possible unless your undetectability is wearing off. Luckily, those that bump into you seem to think they’ve just bumped into another demon in the crowd with them, and they brush it off, but each time it happens you curl in a little tighter on yourself, pushing onward.

And then someone steps directly into your path, and you pull up short. 

Another demon stands slightly behind the first, reaching up to adjust the collar of the first demon’s jacket, to brush nonexistent lint from the demon’s shoulders. 

“Stop,” the demon hisses. 

The second demon drops his hands from the other’s shoulders, murmuring a quiet, “Yes, my Prince.”

A Prince of Hell. 

Ten and Yuta had once briefly mentioned the Princes to you in passing. The five Princes of Hell mostly kept to themselves, although both of your boyfriends had met them a few times. 

The Prince standing before you is very handsome. Dark reddish brown hair curls around his ears. His eyes glow a deep red as he turns to look over his shoulder at what must surely be a servant. 

Suddenly, another demon shoulders his way forward through the crowd. He’s taller than the first Prince, his hair a smooth ebony encircled by a crown of obsidian. 

“Kun,” he says, “We missed you.”

Prince Kun — the first Prince — turns to his brother. “Mother had me handling some business.” He faces the Queen, listening intently as she continues speaking her demonic tongue. “Hendery, don’t you ever wonder why she tries to keep us separate from our people? It’s only times like these she allows us among them, and even then she wants us to be kept apart. To be just simply out on display.” 

Hendery’s head turns slightly, and you follow his gaze to a small dais off to the side. Three other Princes sit there on thrones carved of dark stone, looking bored. 

“You know why,” Hendery answers. “It’s to keep us safe.”

When Kun looks at his younger brother, his eyes seem to flare a shade brighter. “If we’re never among our people, how can they ever hope to know us? How are we to ever understand them? And if they don’t know us and we don’t know them, what hope do any of us ever have of ruling them?”

His jaw clenches, hands curling into fists at his sides. Hendery only gives his brother a look of mild confusion. 

“Sometimes, Hendery, I think that Mother never plans to pass the throne on.” Kun’s voice has lowered to the point that you need to strain to hear it, meant only for his brother’s ears. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll have to steal it from her so I can fulfill my destiny as King.”

“Don’t say that.” There’s now a tick in Hendery’s jaw. 

“I’ve made it clear how I feel in the past about Mother’s rule, the changes and improvements I will make when I’m King. Don’t act like this is anything new.” Kun turns to face his brother, and you spot other demons in the crowd casting sideways glances at their two Princes. 

A third Prince, this one with silver hair and a light and bright expression, appears and throws his arms around the shoulders of his brothers. “Come, brothers. Let’s go sit. Mom says there’s a feast after her speech.”

Unwilling to continue their argument in front of their younger brother, both Kun and Hendery drop it. They carve a path through the crowd on the way back to the dais. You take the opportunity created in their wake, and you make your way clear through the crowd, following them although you don’t plan to reach their thrones with them. 

Instead, once you reach the edge of the Queen of the Night's audience, you turn your attention again to the pool at the base of her throne and the chains rusting in the liquid. 

On this side of the throne room, you can see that the pool of water trails away toward the sides of the room, trickling through a grated section at the back of the apse. There are more chains scattered throughout the water, all of them empty. Well, mostly empty. You try not to look too closely as you catch a pearly gleam of bones tangled in one of the lengths of chain. 

There’s a narrow strip of raised stone along the edge of the room just below where some of the chains are bolted into the walls. The dark water swirls, a light current keeping it moving on the way toward those grates in the back. 

High above you on the throne, the Queen’s voice still echoes out over her people. As you’re still invisible and unable to understand what the Queen of the Night is saying, you decide to take the opportunity to explore the apse.

The narrow pathway is just wide enough for you to fit without touching the water. Every few feet as you shuffle along it, you glance backwards.

All of the demons are still gazing upwards at their Queen. The dais of Princes are the only ones who aren’t devoting all of their attention to her. Kun is sitting on his throne, his left ankle resting on his knee as he disinterestedly picks at his nails. The dark-haired Hendery keeps casting glances at his elder brother. The young silver-haired prince is distractedly stroking the backs of the phantom shadow cats that twine around his ankles and stand on his shoulders and rest on the arms of his throne; as you watch, one stretches up to place its paws on his chest and rub its shadowy head beneath his chin. 

There are two other Princes sitting there, both of them with their heads bowed together in quiet conversation, although they appear to be joking around, judging by the barely suppressed laughter. One of them looks as if he’s part-bat – large membranous wings are tucked behind him. His wings are dark and angular, although the webbing is thin and paler in color. He’s very handsome, despite the bat wings and the vicious blood red color of his eyes. His hair is a deep, dark brown color, parted precisely down the middle, and two sections of his bangs fall down to perfectly frame his face.

The last Prince is round-faced, pale, and very relaxed. He’s handsome as well, although at this point you’re half-certain that being extremely handsome is a demonic condition. His jaw is so strong, his eyes gleam with mirth as he whispers with his brother. He exudes a sense of casualness, a very go-with-the-flow vibe that immediately puts you at ease even as you’re sneaking around behind his mother’s throne.

Perhaps it puts you a little too at ease.

Upon your next step, your foot slips.

Your toes dip into the water, and to your surprise, a few shallow ripples spread out over the surface of the dark liquid.

You dart a glance toward the high throne, toward the crowd, and to the Princes. 

Prince Kun has turned to look in your direction, his eyebrows furrowed together as he scans the shadows where you hide. You hope that your spell of undetectability, which is clearly beginning to wear off, stands up beneath the Prince’s scrutiny. His eyes narrow, focusing on the back section of the apse, but after another moment, he blinks and returns to his nails.

Moving forward, you go more carefully.

You’re not sure exactly what you expect to find back here. Maybe it’s something about those dark eye-like windows staring down at you, but you feel drawn into the shadows at the back of the apse, to the place where you can hear the dark water trickling and tink tink tinking down through the grate. 

When you reach the end of the stone edging, you’re right there upon the grating.

There’s an odd swoop in your belly as you take the first step onto the drain. Maybe it’s because it’s not a solid surface, and you halfway expect the thin bars to give way beneath your weight. But they hold and you take another step and another, making your way to the very back of the apse. 

There’s a doorway.

The door is recessed, half hidden in the shadows between intricate carvings, a leering gargoyle with wings like the Prince back on the dais. 

Of course, the strange pull you’re feeling is guiding you towards that doorway. 

You take a step towards the doorway, and as you do, the gargoyle moves.

A flutter of its wings. A shake of its head. 

It turns away from you, its ears tilting like dog ears do when they’re listening for something. You hold your breath, pleading with the universe to let your undetectability hold for just a little longer. You walk lightly, quietly, without breathing, and you slip right by the gargoyle, into the recessed doorway.

A yawning mouth opens before you. 

Almost literally.

The doorway has stalactites hanging from the top like jagged teeth. A cool draft plays with your hair as it breathes by you from the dark maw beyond the doorway. The air is damp, carrying with it the smell of mildew and sulfur. 

The knot in your belly tightens, rising in your throat as you whisper another helpful spell Ira’s books had taught you. Nightvision. 

Although the path had been pitch black a moment before, the way before you suddenly blooms in color. The night vision provided by the spell isn’t quite like what you thought counted as night vision in your old life. It’s not all green and black, like you’d seen in movies and on TV. Everything is just… glowy. Like there is an ambient faint light source providing just enough light that you can see the cracks in the stones on the floor and the walls. You can see where a few feet ahead of you the path becomes stairs diving down into the unknown. 

You take those stairs carefully, trying not to slip on the damp, slick stone where it’s been worn smooth by use over the eons. 

Down and down and down deeper you wind, until at last you reach the bottom, only to find a barred door padlocked shut. You’re surprised that you can see a little bit better through the barred window of the door, and as you peer into the dark, you think the increased visibility is due to a faint light source from high above; you can hear a soft trickle, and you realize that the light and the water sound is likely coming from the drain grate high overhead. 

You can see little else than some rough rocks – large boulder-like monoliths that glisten wetly. You think for a moment that you hear the rattle of a chain, but then there’s nothing. No movement, no sound. What if you’ve come all the way down here, and this is just the chamber where the Queen of the Night keeps some horrid, monstrous pet? 

But still, there’s a weight in your belly, a magnetic pull that swoops as you step right up to the bars of the door, as you curl your hands around the bar and press your face between the gap, trying to get a better look around even as the rusty texture of the bars scrapes against your cheeks.

High above you, there’s a distant roar. It takes a moment for you to realize it’s the clamor of the crowd gathered before the Queen. They’re cheering about something. Thunder rumbles overhead, and you swear a few pebbles dislodge from the faraway ceiling, shaken loose by the drumbeats of footsteps in celebration as the demons continue their rallying.

Again, you hear movement. A chain’s rattle. The quiet echo of a single footstep followed by a quiet incomprehensible murmur.

Your heart thuds a beat harder.

You reach for the padlock, and without waiting, without thinking about if this is a terrible idea that you’ll come to regret, you reach below your surface for the fire that’s always there. 

Demon fire bursts to life in your hand, glowing white-hot and then flaring blue at the core of your hand, wrapped around the padlock until the metal softens and then melts, dripping to the floor like small drops of starlight.

The cell door groans slightly as your luminous hand pushes at it, melting the metal even as it swings open on rusty hinges. 

In the light given off by your skin, you can see what you hadn’t been able to before.

At first you think it is a statue, as still as it is with its face upturned to the light and sound above. Then, you realize it’s another gargoyle. 

Ram’s horns curl from the sides of his head, clawed feet and fingers of abnormal length. He stands nude with his back to you, and where you would imagine wings would jut from his shoulders, there are instead cracked lines in the shape of wings stretching from the nape of his neck down to his tailbone. At his feet another gargoyle kneels, also nude with wings etched into his back, a tail curls over his thigh, shaggy hair reaches almost to his shoulders, and two sharp horns rise from the top of his head, curving slightly forward.

It’s only when the one standing turns his head that you gasp.

The eyes are sunken in shadow. The face is gaunt and pale.

But you would recognize those eyes anywhere.

“Yuta,” you choke out, tears rising to your eyes as you stumble forward. 

The kneeling one lifts his head at the sound of your voice, his eyes striking against your soul. 

“Ten?” You collapse on your knees in front of them both. 

Now that you’re closer you can see the manacles on their ankles, the chains stretching back towards the wall. You reach for Ten’s face first, your palms gentle as you touch his sharp, unfamiliar bone structure. “What happened to you?”

Ten turns his head, unable to meet your gaze. 

“Are you really here?” Yuta rasps, his voice dry and rattling in his chest. “How are you here? Did she find you?”

You tug on Ten’s chin, turning his face back towards yours. He meets your eyes once briefly before looking at the floor again – they’re the yellow cat eyes that he used to flash at you on occasion. You stroke his cheek tenderly; he might not look how he did the last time you saw him, but that doesn’t change anything. 

“No, she didn’t find me,” You answer Yuta, “Renjun got us out of the House of the Watchers; he got us safely to my father,” you tell them. 

Ten lifts his head, his eyes bright. “He did?”

Your heart warms in your chest when he looks into your eyes. “Yes. And the first thing I made my father promise was that we would come rescue you. Now here I am, and I’m getting you out of here, bringing you to safety under my father’s protection.” You rise to your feet again.

Yuta shifts towards you, and when you reach for him, he stops you with his fingers light on your wrist. “My love, you can’t.”

You jerk your hand away from his hold. “What do you mean ‘I can’t?’ What can’t I do?”

With a clanking sound, Ten stands as well. 

“You can’t break us out of here,” Ten explains softly. “We’re bound here by the Queen’s law. And if she finds you here, she’s going to destroy you.” Now he lays his hand on your cheek, just as gentle as you’d been with him.

“Fuck that. I can save you both. I didn’t come all of this way, sneaking out of my father’s place, finding my way to Hell’s entrance, and sneaking in here all alone just to find you and not save you. Why would I give up so easily?” You take a half step back, looking between your boyfriends. You haven’t even properly had the time to rejoice in finding them, and they’re trying to drown your mood with this dark pessimism?

Yuta shakes his head. “For the moment, we’re going to ignore that you just said you’re here alone, which is insane. You don't understand. You can’t break us out. We’re chained in here. We’ve never seen a key, and these chains are impervious to everything we’ve tried, which isn’t too much honestly because all that’s down here is rocks. We can’t even really use magic because demon magic doesn’t work well within the walls of this chamber; trust me, we’ve tried. 

“For weeks, each of us has tried time and again to get a message out to you, to contact you in some way or see you through a veil. We tried to build a binding connection between ourselves and you so maybe we could pass a message along, show you how to find us. A few weeks ago, Ten thought he was almost successful at opening a tiny window, but all we saw was starlit darkness and a tall light blazing in the distance.” 

You remember that night on the island when you and WinWin and Renjun sat on the porch. You thought you’d seen something in the distance. A blip of something. A light, maybe. Could that have been them? 

“Trying to reach you has taken all of what natural energy remained; it’s why we look like this. Our true forms.” Yuta holds his arms out so you can see all of him bared in the light from above. “How can you still want us when we look like this?”

You scoff. “Seriously? You think I’m so shallow that I care what you look like right now? I love you both. I have fought my way through Hell and high water – literally – to get here. And I’m not going to pretend, but I’m honestly a little distracted and turned on by the sight of Ten’s dick right now. So yeah, I still want you now.” You cast a small glance between Ten’s legs where there’s an actual goddamned forked penis. “Which I was right about your dick, Ten, and you lied, I’d just like to point out.”

For the first time in too long, you see a ghost of Ten’s smile. Before you first had sex, he’d told you that he definitely didn’t have a forked penis or a tail or horns; but now you’re seeing the real him, and it turns out he’s actually got all three.

“And as for the chains, I’m sure I can find a way to break them.” You take a step back, looking down at the chains and manacles keeping them prisoner down here. “I just need to think.”

Overhead, the sound of the Queen and the crowd pours down through the grate. 

“What’s going on up there, anyway?” You ask, crouching to get a closer look at the manacle on Yuta’s ankle.

Silence is the only answer you receive until you look up.

Both of your boyfriends look down at you. You ask, “What?”

Ten looks at Yuta. “Just tell her.”

Yuta sighs. “A trial. The Queen and the Princes and all of the court are up there, right? She only does that for a big trial.” He pauses, lifting a hand up to touch one of his ram’s horns. “Specifically, this is our trial. Although, it’s as much a trial as the one the Watcher’s were going to give us. Our Queen seeks the death penalty for our disobedience and disloyalty; and who among her court and sons are going to tell her no?”

Immediately, the red-haired Prince Kun appears in your mind. But that’s unimportant right now. What is important is breaking these chains. Once you break them, you’ll nearly be done with the rescue.

You grab Yuta’s chain in both hands, and you pull, putting all of your strength and reaching down into that well of power within you to summon your fire. 

Nothing.

“Told you,” Ten says, “Demon powers don’t work in here. If they did, we’d have prettied ourselves up for you, and burned our way out of here forever ago.”

Yuta clucks softly. “We appreciate it, my love, but the trial sounds pretty decided up there. You should leave while you can.”

Both of them flinch at the loud, jarring sound of the chain smacking against the floor as you throw it down and stand up. You’re not anywhere near tall enough to come nose-to-nose with Yuta when he’s in his pure demon form, but you do your best. 

“I’m not leaving you. You’re both absolute idiots if you think I’m going anywhere without you now.” You spin around, turning your back to the both of them as you think. You close your eyes, trying to picture everything that you’ve read and learned and plotted back on Ira’s island. Surely someone in all the planning had come up with something about how to actually break them out. Surely not all of your plans had relied on magic? 

You should’ve brought a crowbar. Would a crowbar help, though? Surely there are tools that would help in this situation that you could’ve toted through your journey to Hell? You should’ve brought a blowtorch or something. 

Ten actually laughs when you say that aloud.

You glare at him. 

“What? I’m just imagining you busting in here with a whole blowtorch, the welder mask, a fuel cylinder, and an oxygen cylinder strapped to your back.” Ten laughs again.

“I wouldn’t need all of that if I’d thought ahead. I could’ve just manifested something that works like it’s got all of that, but it could be small and portable, able to just fit in my hand.” You frown. You’ve created original things before; objects that you’d imagined up and wanted in your apartment in Hell City. You could create whatever you wanted there, in the House of the Watchers, on Ira’s island – shit, you’d even created your own miniature solar system.

Oh.

You’d created your own stars and moons and planets before. 

That hadn’t been just basic manifestation, Ira had assured you when you brought it up one day. That was the Watcher magic that made that possible. Being a Watcher meant that you had the power of creation. It was completely separate from your demon magic. 

You drop to your knees again at the feet of your boyfriends. When you cup your hands together and close your eyes, Ten makes a noise of confusion.

“What are you doing? We told you already that–” He starts, but you cut him off with a quick shh.

Yuta and Ten watch as you dip into your well of power again, and this time you dig deeper, searching for the warm glow of your Watcher powers, focusing on bringing it all together into your hands. You can feel the moment it begins to work, when you feel heat pooling in your palms, when the buzzing in your mind becomes the quiet whispering of thermal energy eating the air, radiant light glowing through your eyelids.

“Maybe you should both look away,” you advise, and you can almost feel the power on your tongue and lips. You can feel the shift of power as the miniature white star takes form in your hands, as you have to keep your mind focused to control it. The star hisses in the damp air, sending up spirals of steam as you move carefully, bringing it closer to Ten’s chain.

When the star meets the chain, it’s a similar effect to your fiery hand encircling the padlock to the cell. Gobs of molten metal drip to the floor as the star liquefies the chain.

Ten gasps when the strain disappears from his ankle. 

Without another moment wasted, you move to Yuta’s bond, melting through his chain just as quickly. As soon as what remains of Yuta’s tether hits the floor, you sink back on your heels, let your hands fall apart, and you focus on dissipating the star safely, cooling it until it sinks, just a perfectly round black pebble resting in the center of your palm.

Again, there is cheering from far above you, and then the cry of the Queen’s voice in one final declaration.

Ten and Yuta look at each other.

“What?” You ask, rising to your feet once again. You slip the dead star into your pocket. “What’s happening up there?”

Ten swallows hard. Yuta shakes his head. 

“It’s over.” Yuta looks at you. “The trial, I mean. She just cried out ‘Death to the disloyal.’”

Your heart does something very strange – it stops beating or beats harder or just simply jerks in your chest – whatever it is, you gasp, clutching at your chest. This can’t happen. You won’t let it. You didn’t come all this way, do all of these things, create a whole fucking white dwarf star to cut your boyfriends free only to have them give up because some fucking Queen up there decided that they should die. 

No. 

You won’t let them.

“You’re not dying today,” you command them. “I refuse to let that happen. We’re leaving. Fuck the Queen. There’s got to be some way out of here that won’t take us back up into the throne room.”

After a moment of uncertainty, Ten looks at you and Yuta. “Well, there is one thing I think we could try.”

Yuta nods. “Then let’s go.”

You try not to look too closely as your boyfriends begin moving. Since you’ve never seen them in their true demon forms before, you’ve never seen them moving, and it’s mildly disturbing honestly. Yuta has backwards knees like an animal, so each step he takes, his knees bend the opposite way that you’re used to seeing. Ten just seems to float a couple inches off the ground. With the horns and the tail and the deep scars down their backs, it feels entirely new to look at them, and you’re beyond grateful when Ten takes the first step through the doorway of their prison and immediately the version of him that you’re used to snaps into place. 

As soon as Yuta follows Ten out, he resumes his usual appearance as well. But you don’t have time to stand there and admire them. Each of them pulls together some semblance of clothing that seems to knit itself from the damp shadows around the edges of the room, covering up their nudity.

“Come on,” Ten whispers, and he glances up the long staircase that leads up to the throne room. 

Darkness puddles in the space under the staircase, and to your surprise, that’s where Ten leads you and Yuta. “I used to explore the palace when I was skipping out on guard duty,” Ten explains in a whisper, “I found plenty of the secret passages and trapdoors and all sorts of secret things. And there’s one that comes out right back here.”

In the dim light, you watch Ten feel along the stone wall until finally his fingers catch in the gap between one stone and the next. There’s a faint click, and then with a grinding sound, a door slides inward to reveal a dark passage within. 

Ten steps in first, then you, and Yuta takes up the end. Once the door swings closed behind you, the tunnel is plunged into darkness. 

You bring a tiny white star to life again in your hands, and for a brief moment you see Ten and Yuta’s faces. You don’t have time to admire them, to actually rejoice in the reunion with your soulmates. You can feel it in the air, in the stones, in the tense set of Ten’s shoulders as he turns and walks away: you’re short on time. 

“Go on, my love.” Yuta’s hand is light against your lower back. “Keep up.”

The tunnel is long and dark, cool and damp. It branches off a few times, it narrows and the ceiling drops to the point that all three of you must crawl on your hands and knees to pass through to a section with a little more height. But Ten seems to know where he’s going, and with the help of your little light and Yuta’s warm hand occasionally reminding you of his presence behind you, you steadily make your way forward. 

“Where are we going?” You ask after several long minutes. 

“There are three exits from Hell,” Ten explains in a whisper. “The first is the entrance, although it’s a little more difficult to leave that way since we’d be going against the flow of souls. The second is the way the Queen brought Yuta and I in; she’s in possession of a mirror that acts as a portal, and that’s how she usually dispatched us on important missions as it’s the most private method of exit.” 

He pauses then at a fork in the path. 

“And the last one?” You ask, stepping up beside him. 

There’s a draft coming from the pathway to the left, but there’s almost a pull trying to guide you down the one on the right. You can see a faint light rightwards, perhaps a little sound of music that makes you want to dance.

“What’s that way?” You take a step ahead, face turned towards the music and the light

Ten and Yuta each grasp one of your wrists. 

“No,” Yuta rasps, “Not that way.”

Again, you feel the draft on your left cheek. The air has a breath of something sweet, something that reminds you of autumn. 

“This way.” Ten takes the lead again, and neither of them releases their hold on your wrists. “This way is the third exit option. It’s the one we’re taking.”

The path toward the light had curved deeper down into Hell, but you realize that the autumn path is leading slightly upward, the incline causing a slight burn in your calves and your breathing comes out harder than you expected as the path grows steeper and steeper until eventually you’re basically facing a wall.

Far above you, you see a light. But in between that light and the three of you down here at the bottom of this wall are about a hundred rungs of a ladder carved into the stone. 

Ten starts climbing, and you have no choice but to follow. You’ve made it up about maybe twenty rungs before your arms start burning, unused to working like this. You wish that you were able to give yourself fully functioning wings so you could fly the rest of the way out of here, but instead you double-down your focus, breathe, and keep climbing.

You barely even notice when Ten disappears from a few rungs above you. It’s only when you reach for the next rung of the ladder and find your hand placed into Ten’s instead, that you realize you’ve reached the top. He hauls you up to your feet on solid ground, and you grip onto his arm as you look around.

You’ve emerged from what is basically a crack in the wall. There’s a crumbling bit of pathway directly in front of you that extends to your left where it eventually joins with a well-kept path. 

The realm opens up in front of you in a cavernous space. Curved bridges arc over canyons you can see down into. Fires of all colors illuminate the paths and bridges and buildings. It’s still rocky, still everything has the cast of the red-brown dirt that made up the tunnels and the entryway, but it’s so much more open than you were expecting it to be. 

Behind you, Yuta clambers up through the crack, joining you and Ten.

“That’s where we’re going,” Ten says, pointing ahead. 

From here, you can’t really tell what it is that he’s pointing at other than a bridge that leads to a floating platform of stone that branches off into four more bridges. 

Off in the distance, you hear a loud, angry cry.

Yuta’s face pales. “That’s her. She must have realized we’ve gone.”

“We don’t have long, then.” Ten grabs your hand.

You run. The three of you fly along the path, scree kicked over the edge to tumble down into the abyss below. You reach the first bridge, and you try your best to not look over the side; you don’t really want to see how far the canyon goes down, nor do you want to see what might exist at the bottom of it. Luckily, with Ten’s hand still firm around yours, you don’t have the time to worry either about what would happen if you slipped. Ten runs quickly and smoothly, and you have no choice but to keep up with him, Yuta sticking behind you like your shadow. 

You fly over the platform, taking another bridge that shoots you off in another direction, and now you can better see that there are many bridges and deep crevasses all over the place. A wary peek shows you that Hell continues beneath you in many layers – bridges connect islands of stone suspended in the canyons, and you can see the true fires of Hell burning deep below. There are stairs and ramps that lead down below, and you realize you’re just at the top of Hell.

There are buildings here on occasion. You pass a bridge and find yourself jogging down a street with buildings on either side and lampposts giving off a flickering red light. You pass by what could be a park perhaps with grotesque statues and benches and what you’re almost positive is a sand volleyball court. 

Each time you think that you must finally be approaching the spot Ten said would be the exit, he keeps going. Yuta keeps up a steady pace behind you. 

“Aren’t we almost there? How big is Hell, anyway?” You gasp when Ten suddenly jerks your arm, dragging you along another new bridge. Surely you must be getting close because you can see another great wall of stone looming out of the darkness before you, much like the one you’d climbed out of what feels like forever ago. 

“Almost there,” Yuta says from behind you. “And it’s damn near infinite, but that’s when you go downwards.”

Again, you try not to look too hard at what extends beneath you. Instead you focus on what’s ahead. 

This bridge leads to a grove of sorts. Trees made of shiny black stone cling to the edges of this stone island, their roots dangling over the edge, dipping out through the seemingly solid stone they grow from. It must be solid enough to hold the whole weight of this grove of obsidian trees. Their leaves shimmer and shiver in a nonexistent breeze, changing between moonsilver and steel, like blades. You scan the branches as the three of you jog along a cleared path, half-expecting to find nothing, but also hoping to see some little creatures in the branches — birds or squirrels, insects or bats even. 

A fork in the path through the dark trees presents you the choice between a small bridge over a crack through which the level of Hell beneath you is visible before it curves out across the open space to another area of Hell, or you can choose a path that winds deeper into the forest. 

Ten, of course, drags you towards the left branch, deeper into the trees. 

You do hear something above you in the branches. It snaps a branch in one tree before landing in another. But even when you look up, you can’t tell what it is. You can only see the silvery leaves fluttering down towards you, although they vanish in a puff of smoke before they reach you. 

And Yuta swears viciously behind you. Ten forces you to run faster. 

And then you hear voices. 

Sibilant whispers through the trees. A cackle of laughter. 

Up ahead there is a glimmer through the trees, as of a handheld light swinging. The volume of the voices increases, still just incomprehensible whispers. 

Ten breaks from the path, branches tear along your arm, tugging at your clothes and your hair. One twig burns across your cheek. The light continues swinging through the trees, and you find yourself rushing forward to meet it. 

And then there you are. 

Ten comes to a complete stop. You crash into his back, and he reaches back to steady you. Yuta steps around you, moving so he’s shoulder-to-shoulder with Ten, both of them acting as a barrier between you and what lies ahead. 

At first you think it is just a small, empty clearing. 

But then you see the truth. 

A black pool of liquid sits restlessly in the center of the clearing, the surface of it is choppy and bubbling, a gray mist hovers above the surface. A hook beside the pool holds one lantern, casting light down on the pool’s surface, but another light is held by a demon that stands among his peers at the edge of the pool. 

They all turn to look at the three of you. 

“Ah,” drawls Prince Kun, drawing himself up straight. “There you are.”

His gaze passes casually over your boyfriends before settling on you. He lingers, cocking his head slightly to the side, the look of an intelligent predator glowing in his eyes. At his sides, his brothers shift on their feet, sizing up Ten and Yuta and, to a lesser extent, you. 

“Move out of the way, Kun,” Yuta hisses. “We just want to be free, not to hurt you or your brothers.”

“Well, Mother just wants to put you to death.” One of the younger Princes steps forward. “So who are we to stop her from that? We’re just here to stall you until she can arrive.”

“Chenle!” Prince Hendery hisses at the young Prince, jabbing him with his elbow. 

Prince Kun glances at his younger brothers, then back at you. “Forgive my brother. He doesn’t truly understand what we’re doing here.”

Yuta curls his hands into fists at his sides. “And what’s that?”

Kun grins, cocky and sly. “We are definitely stalling for Mother to arrive. But not for the reasons he thinks.”

In that moment, you recall Kun’s hushed words in the throne room exchanged between him and Hendery. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll have to steal it from her so I can fulfill my destiny as King,” Kun had said. And here he stands now, posted between you and your freedom, poised with three escapees who will do anything to escape from the Queen’s clutches. 

You lean forward, squeezing between Yuta and Ten. “You’re plotting to involve us in something, aren’t you? You’re the Prince who longs to be King, but as long as your mother sits the throne, that’s not possible. And she doesn’t show any signs of abdicating anytime soon, so you’re thinking a little coup…. A convenient ‘accidental’ death by two death-sentenced fugitives in an escape attempt would do well to insure your placement upon the throne without the eternal wait. Hmm?”

Yuta turns to look at you, Ten squeezes your wrist. But you don’t look away from Prince Kun’s vibrant eyes, suddenly alive with hunger as he grins. 

“You’re smart. I can see why Yuta and Ten like you so much.” He takes a step towards you. “We used to know each other well, your boyfriends and I. They were my personal guard, best of the best up until my mother decided they were too good to be left on my service, and she repurposed them for a more special mission.” 

Again, Yuta and Ten move so they’re blocking you. 

“Don’t worry,” Kun placates them, holding his hands up as he says, “Your girlfriend is right.”

Hendery frowns. Chenle takes a step back, casting quick looks at his other two remaining brothers. 

The silver haired Prince who interrupted conversation earlier in the throne room interrupts again by stepping forward and placing his hand on Kun’s shoulder. “I’m with you,” he agrees. “You know I’m sick of her control. I want some freedom.”

Kun nods. “Thank you, YangYang.”

The final brother, the one who possesses wings like a bat, shakes his wings at that moment. It’s a dry leathery sound that draws every eye in the clearing to him. He looks first at Hendery and Chenle, then says, “Don’t act like you’ve never thought of it. We’ve all been under the thumb of tyranny for too long. Haven’t we longed for freedom too? To be able to take a short trip up to the mortal world just to see it? To feel the wind on our faces? Feel the light of the sun?”

“She’s our mother.” Chenle bristles. 

The brothers turn upon each other then, bickering as they face each other. 

Ten turns his head, his eye catching yours. “The pond,” he mutters out of the side of his mouth. “That is the last exit from here. We just have to get in, keep swimming, and we’ll come out where we’re supposed to.”

You understand that magic. Something you’ve come to understand here is that the lines of magic between Watchers and demons and even with Renjun’s elf magic is that they’re all drawn quite closely together, overlapping in many places. 

“Make a run for it?” Yuta asks. “While they’re distracted?”

And then everything falls quiet. The Princes cease their arguments. The leaves grow still. Whatever small movements you’d heard in the trees earlier stop altogether. The air turns chill and so fragile that you feel as if a single sound could shatter everything. 

She comes from across the clearing, which is one moment empty and then it’s not. She moves silently and smoothly, her long gown dirty at the hem as she passes barefoot over the obsidian soil and detritus of shiny leaves. Her hair hangs free and wild around her shoulders, only a thin gossamer veil hides her face. The air crackles faintly as she moves, the way it does before lightning strikes. 

You stare as the Queen of the Night takes a seat, building herself a glittering black throne of shadow and stone as she lowers herself, trusting in her magic to catch her. . 

 “At last,” she says, her voice a sigh and a rasp, the creak of branches on a stormy night. Even though she wears the veil, which still muddles her features, you can tell she’s got her sights set on you as she continues, “At last we meet, face-to-face, my dear. I’ve waited years for this moment.”

“Mom,” YangYang begins, but the Queen flicks her fingers in his direction, and the young Prince falls silent. 

“Your birth, dear child, was an abomination.” Her words are a hiss. “The fact of your creation is disgusting.” 

You shrink into yourself at her words, but you can’t bring yourself to look away from her. 

“The power held in your bones is enough to transform the world, has anyone told you that?” She leans forward on her throne. “Power enough to feed me for eons if I could just get a taste.”

Yuta firmly steps in front of you, which draws a horrifyingly shrill scale of laughter from the Queen. 

“Oh, Yuta, do you think you could really stop me now? You’re weak, both of you,” she says with a lazy gesture towards Ten. “And her blood belongs to me, it calls to me, like to like.”

A chill climbs your spine. “I’m nothing like you.”

Again, the laughter. 

“Darling,” the Queen tips her head back, her laughter climbing up into the branches of the obsidian trees. “Just because I don’t share the same toxic combination of blood as you, doesn’t mean we’re not still alike.” 

The veil flutters away from her face, folded back over her wild hair by an invisible breeze, and she tilts her face forward again to look at you. 

Your heart free falls through the bottom of your stomach, and you clutch at Yuta and Ten as your knees threaten to buckle. 

The Queen of the Night wears your mother’s face. 

A pleased smile grows on her face at your reaction. “We share blood, my dear. Since learning the truth of your heritage, haven’t you ever wondered why the Queen of demons would spare your mother for her traitorous dalliance with your father? I wouldn’t have done that for anyone, nor would I have offered forgiveness so easily to anyone but my own sister.”

As your shock clears, you see now that her face differs slightly from your mother, but the similarities are certainly there. Her mouth sits a little different, her lips wind a little tighter. She doesn’t have the small mole your mother had beneath her right eye, or the faint scar that cut through her eyebrow. Close but different. Sisters. 

“You still did cause her death, though,” Ten interjects. “You may not have chosen to kill her right away, but you did call for her death, as well as the death of the Watcher.”

The Queen snarls, “I had my reasons, Ten. My sister was set to inherit the throne from our father. She had more power, so she should have been Queen of the Night, but she never wanted it.” The Queen laughs before saying, “She fell pregnant, began losing her powers once the holy seed of that Watcher took root, and she slunk away to the mortal world, glad that she no longer would be forced to the throne. But then she produced you.”

Her gaze is piercing, a blade of black ice straight to your heart. 

“That is the great irony, of course,” she says to you, “Your mother never wanted power, but she gave life to someone more powerful than any demon, than any Watcher. I took the throne from the King before he could make a deal with my sister, and my first aim was to take your life before you could grow up and realize that you have a claim to my throne. But the Watchers sought you out as well because they were afraid and intrigued by the result of a union between our kinds. We fought a war over your cradle, and it was only because your mother possessed such power that we were thwarted time and again until finally we settled on a treatise for peace. 

“You were to be raised in ignorance, never aware of your powers, ignorant of your heritage, of the entire supernatural world that you come from. So long as my sister could keep you unaware of this throne, and of the immensity of power you could have, we weren’t to touch a hair on your little head. My throne would be safe as long as you were blind to its existence, and the Watchers need not worry about your power if you didn’t realize you had it either.” She leers at you, such violence in your eyes that you can tell some part of the Queen – your mother’s own sister – longs to throw herself at you and attack.

To your surprise, it’s the youngest prince that speaks up now. “So what happened, Mother?”

She spares her son a minute glance. “I found a loophole, Chenle. I couldn’t have a living risk to my throne, despite the treaty. I knew the Watchers were surely looking for a way around it as well. Like I said, a half-demon half-Watcher is an abomination. Your mother was my sister, dear,” she addresses you again, “and I loved her dearly. But there was this tiny little loophole in our peace accord that meant you were only safe from us while you were under her protection. So, yes, I called for her death. And for good measure, the death of that Watcher as well.”

The Queen claps her hands, brushing her palms against each other as if ridding herself of dirt. “I sent a small troop of demons after her. They were to dispatch her and the mortal lover she took to help raise you, and once they were both gone, my demons were supposed to locate you as well, to bring you to me.” Her smile goes sharp as she says, “But they returned empty-handed, to my never-ending disappointment, and there was no sign of you. Somehow you were still protected by my sister even after her death. So, I set Yuta and Ten on your trail, and like the loyal bloodhounds they were, they eagerly went in search of you.”

The Princes – your cousins, apparently – all stand there, staring at their mother as she unleashes this story. You’re at least relieved to see that none of them look at her with any approval or admiration. Kun actually looks more angry and more determined than he did before.

“Raging cunt,” Yuta whispers under his breath. 

The Queen looks at him, her mouth twisting in a tight smile. “I wanted them to bring me your heart. But strangely their loyalty wavered as soon as they met you, and they hid you in Hell City, knowing that I couldn’t go there myself. Of course, them hiding you from me only made me want you more. Originally, I planned to only consume your power, and send you back to the mortal world to live your sad, plain mortal life.”

You can’t imagine going back to your life before. You’ve tried that once already since having your eyes opened to this world, and you couldn’t do it. She would have to erase all of your memories of this — of Ten, Yuta, WinWin, and Mark; of the Watchers and demons; of everyone and everything that has transformed your life over the last several months. 

You do not want that. 

Not that you’d be willing to give her your power regardless. You’ve barely met her, but judging by the hate her own sons feel towards her, you doubt she would do any good with the powers she would steal from you. 

“Now that they’ve betrayed me,” the Queen continues, “I have to show some punishment in return, do I not? No longer do I long just to punish Ten and Yuta with their own demise, nor to satisfy myself with your power and sending you merrily on your way. Now that you’ve conveniently dropped yourself into my lap, dear niece…” Her lips curl in a wicked grin, her sharp teeth shine in the light as she declares, “I’m going to eat your heart and make them watch.”

Suddenly, it doesn’t matter what Prince Kun was planning. You don’t give a damn if he was going to end his mother quickly or brutally unleash years of pent up rage on her.

All you know in that moment is that Yuta and Ten both lunge for the Queen. And you are filled with a white-hot rage that your physical body simply can’t contain – the inferno breaks through the barrier of your skin, and you can see yourself reflected in the black mirror of the Queen’s eyes.

In that moment you are more demon than anything else, just a raging inferno incarnate, hurtling at the Queen. 

Her sons stand frozen, watching. 

Yuta and Ten fall back, at your sides like two wings of shadow as you fly across the clearing, and the Watcher part of you pulls together your flames into the shape of a fiery blade, casting you in its golden light, painting you as a vision of a vengeful angel.

The Queen’s eyes widen, but her lips curl in an awed smile — full of terror and delight as you come soaring towards her — even at the very moment that you swing your blade, as it connects with her throat. 

Her wicked head separates from the rest of her unholy body.

Her smile doesn’t falter even as her head falls from her shoulders, her tangled hair twisting over her face as her head rolls across the floor of the clearing.

One of the Princes cries out, another turns and you hear him vomiting into the grass.

You point the tip of your fiery blade at the corpse of your mother’s sister, the Queen of the Night. A twisted, dark part of you considers cutting open her chest, pulling out her heart, and eating it in front of her sons much like she had wanted to do to you. But you restrain yourself, satisfying the urge by simply touching the tip of the blade to her body and watching it engulf her in flames.

A hand falls on your shoulder as you watch the body burn.

“That’s enough, my love.” Yuta’s voice is gentle, placating, trying to get you to draw back into yourself because you’re still masquerading as a vengeful angel, wreathed in dancing flames.

Ten reaches for your hand that isn’t clutching the sword. “Come back to us, darling.”

You’re not sure whether you drop the sword or if it just simply vanishes from your grip, but your hand is empty as you lift it to Ten’s face. His eyes flutter shut as you brush the backs of your still-afire fingers against his cheek. His fingers trace up your burning skin from the bend of your elbow up to the softness of your inner wrist, and when his fingertips connect in a loop around your wrist, Ten opens his eyes as he turns his head and sighs over your skin.

His breath is a gentle wave, extinguishing your flames in a domino effect beginning with your fingertips and spreading everywhere until you stand as normal before them. A little smokier and charred than usual perhaps, but otherwise normal. Your clothes seem to have barely survived your personal inferno.

Beside you, Prince Kun clears his throat.

Ten drops his hold on your wrist, but he doesn’t let go of your other hand, nor does Yuta release your shoulder. 

Kun’s brothers are gone from the clearing, save Prince YangYang who lingers at the mouth of the path, looking back at you and his eldest brother, although you can tell he’s determinedly not looking at what remains of his mother – her head and the smoking lump that used to be her body. 

“Can I have a moment alone with the Prince… or King?” You ask your boyfriends. You’re looking at Kun, but he’s not looking at you. 

Yuta squeezes your shoulder and takes a step back, but when Ten lingers, Yuta has to take him by the hand and pull him away to the other end of the clearing. YangYang disappears too, leaving just you and Kun and the dead Queen.

“Well, that’s done,” Kun sighs after a few moments. He lifts his gaze from the corpse, and to your surprise, he offers you his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, cousin. She never told us that’s what you were to us. Actually, I’m not entirely sure how much my younger brothers knew of her hunt for you.” 

You look over at the path down which YangYang disappeared. “I know this is along the lines of what you wanted, Prince Kun. But what of your brothers? They may have agreed to having her off the throne, but was this too much?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know how they thought it was going to happen. But once she started threatening you, I could see where it was going. Honestly,” Kun says, nudging his mother’s disembodied head with the toe of his shiny shoe, “I don’t know what she thought would happen. As if you were just going to peacefully give yourself up and let your lovers watch you be eaten by her?” He scoffs and turns away from the smoking remains of the former Queen of the Night. “You should leave, cousin. Now, before the realm realizes what you’ve done. There’s deeply-rooted demon magic in this place, and if you don’t hurry, I can’t guarantee that you’ll make it out.”

Your first thought is his brothers – that they’ll turn on you and sic the demon army and all sorts of horrible beasts after you. But Kun quickly clarifies, “Whatever magic was used to build this place knows who is in charge, and if it senses that the Queen was murdered, it might do things to ensure that you don’t escape. It’ll close the exits, set the hellhounds after you. My brothers won’t get involved, don’t worry about that.”

A knot works its way up your throat, drawing tighter and tighter until you force out the question that’s been bothering you. “And what of you, Your Highness? Are you going to pursue justice for your mother after I leave? Am I going to continue being hunted by demonkind for the crimes I’ve committed here, for the power I possess that apparently gives me a claim to a throne that I swear I don’t want?”

Kun smiles and shakes his head. “Trust me, cousin, I don’t give a damn what you do with the rest of your life. Be free. Take Yuta and Ten with you, and be happy. As long as you don’t try to make a bid for my throne, you’re free to live your life in the mortal world or in Purgatory with the other Watchers; you can even visit or live in Hell, I don’t care.”

You know exactly where you want to be. You want to return to Ira’s island, safely with Ten and Yuta in tow. You want to be reunited with WinWin and Mark because although it’s only been a day since you left them behind, it feels like it’s been months. And it’s been even longer since you’ve had all four of your boys together, and you just know that it’s going to feel so good to have them together, all yours.

But now the Queen is out of the way, Kun is telling you that you’re free to go, and the pond that Ten says is the portal back to the surface world is right there. 

You sigh. 

You’ve almost got everything you want.

And then the surface of the pond begins to bubble and slosh over the sides. With a vast cloud of steam that erupts and fills the air with the smell of burnt rubber, the pond dries up entirely.

“Shit,” Kun swears, “That’ll be the deep magic I was telling you about. It’s trying to lock you in.”

Distantly, you hear baying – howling and barking that sends an uncontrollable shiver through your entire body. 

“And that’ll be the hellhounds. As I recall, the alpha Cerberus wasn’t particularly fond of Yuta the last time they encountered each other.” Kun looks past your shoulder towards your boyfriends. “Run. I highly recommend going as fast as you can back to the palace. Ten should know the way to the mirror.”

You turn away, ready to heed Kun’s words as you can already tell the hellhounds are growing closer. 

Kun catches your wrist before you can take two steps. “My last piece of parting advice, if the hellhounds catch up to you… don’t look back. Not even once you’re through the portal.”

You don’t ask why. You don’t linger for another moment as a loud snarl sounds from somewhere along the path across the clearing.

“Let’s go!” Yuta hisses, racing forward to grab your hand.

Ten leads the way, setting out full pelt. Yuta’s fingers stay laced with yours as you sprint back through the obsidian forest, across a bridge, down a crumbling set of stairs to the next level of Hell. The whole time, you can hear the growling of the hellhounds chasing after you, and whether it’s through your own supernatural strength or just pure luck, you manage to keep ahead of them.

Ten winds and wends you through Hell, up and down stairs and through tunnels. At one point he leads you and Yuta to leap over a chasm between two areas, a deep river of magma swirling at an incredible heat beneath you. 

You wish you had the chance to actually look around and explore Hell because from what you can see of it, it truly looks like an interesting place. But any time you slow even slightly to admire the bizarre architecture and landscaping of this realm, you hear the scraping of claws against stone, the panting of the hounds, and Yuta’s grip drags on your hand to speed you along after Ten. 

“When we reach the mirror,” Yuta tells you, his voice shaken with each labored breath, “You’re going first. Ten and I will be behind you to try to fend off the hounds if they follow. We’ll be right behind you.”

“No, I want you two in front of me where I can see you, so I know that we’re all making it out of here.” You try to argue, but that’s pretty hard to do when Yuta’s suddenly jerking you around a sharp corner, Ten’s footsteps slap against the stone ahead of you, and you can see the three of you are rapidly approaching a wall.

Ten skids to a stop, and you watch as he starts touching the wall, running his hands along it at eye-level, searching for a seam. Just as his fingers catch on something that you can’t see, as you hear a faint click and a panel in the wall pops inward slightly, you hear the clatter of tiny pebbles being kicked across the floor and claws scrambling to turn a sharp corner.

You don’t even realize you’ve begun to turn your head towards the sound until Yuta’s palms are warm on your cheeks, keeping your head from facing back. “No, you can’t look at them. That’s how the hounds trap souls that attempt escape. If you look at them, if they look back at you, they’ll capture your soul and you’ll be stuck. Don’t look at them. Follow Ten.”

“Come on!” Ten cries as he holds open the door he’s found, waving you and Yuta forward.

No sooner have you both crossed the threshold than the door slams shut behind you. A split second after that, there’s an immense bang as a heavy body throws itself against the door.

“They might not be able to open this door,” Ten says, “But it’s not going to stop them from finding us for long.”

“Where are we?” The space you’re in is almost entirely black, only a faint glow emanates from small crystals embedded in the walls. 

Yuta answers, “The palace. This is a servant’s entrance to the royal baths.”

Ten snaps his fingers, and a ball of fire appears in his palm, illuminating his face. “I wish that we could take you to the baths, darling. They’re exquisite. Heated by the magma core, so it’s delightfully warm. There’s every scent of every kind of body care you could hope for. When we were in Prince Kun’s service, I admit I spent quite a bit of time in the baths.”

“Too much time enjoying the pleasures of the baths rather than working, if I recall,” Yuta laughs. “And as wonderful as a nice bath sounds right now, shouldn’t you be taking us to the Queen’s mirror? I assume you know some secret, faster way to get there?”

Ten grins. “Like I said earlier, I spent plenty of time exploring the secrets of the palace.” He looks at you, his dark eyes reflecting the light of his flame, the heat of his passion. “I know a shortcut that’ll get us there in no time. And the sooner we’re free and it’s just us, the better. I’ve missed you so much, darling. I fully plan to make up for lost time, and remind Mark and WinWin that we were your lovers first.”

His fingers brush your collarbone where your shirt has been burnt away, and you know there’s probably a hickey or the lasting imprint of Mark’s teeth there. 

Yuta is smiling. “I’m excited to see them, too.”

“Then let’s go. The sooner, the better.”

Ten nods, turns, and begins walking off down the dark tunnel. Behind you, there’s another solid thud against the door, the baying howl of a frustrated hound, and then silence. 

“There’s a main door to the palace not too far from here,” Yuta tells you, “So we’d better hurry before the hounds reach it. I fucking hope Ten knows the secret passages as well as he thinks he does.” He waits for you to take off at a jog before he follows at the same pace, chasing after Ten’s distant flame. 

When you step out into an open chamber, you’re surprised by the stunningly humid air ripe with floral scent until you realize this is the royal baths. The baths have been dug into the floor, and their surfaces give off curls of steam that rise to caress the ceiling, lovingly wrap around you and welcome you in. Iridescent bubbles float from the surface of one bath that smells like cotton candy, and another bath you pass by shimmers like the water is made of molten gold. 

Ten’s light is just a hazy orange glow ahead of you, and you nearly lose sight of him as the steam grows thicker around you and Yuta. Yuta has one hand touching your lower back as you wind carefully through the pools that make up the baths. At one point, in a narrow ledge between two pools, your foot does slip on the slick surface, and it’s only by Yuta quickly grabbing the back of your clothes that you manage to not take a dip in the unnaturally blue water. 

You can feel the humidity threading through your hair, dampening it until it sticks against your face and neck. You’re sure you almost look as if you had actually fallen into the pool, but as you finally draw up next to Ten, you’re pleased to see that he looks the same, and Yuta does as well although he’s raked his fingers through his hair to push it back away from his face. 

“Here,” Ten murmurs, “One of you hold this.”

You offer up your hands, and Ten pours his flame into your palms. 

You’re reminded of the first day you made your own flame, sitting with Ten, his hands warm on yours, his flame passed from his fingertip to yours, the way it had felt like a fluttering heartbeat. Now you feel that way again, and you realize how familiar Ten’s fire feels, like a welcome kiss from your long lost lover. 

You pull your hands towards your chest, longing to press his flame over your heart. 

Ten crouches on the floor in the middle of the room. 

Here, the floor is made up of a million tiny tiles all coming together to make a mosaic image of a figure upon a throne over the burning masses below. An interesting choice of artwork for a relaxing bath space, but whatever, everyone has their own taste in artwork. 

Ten runs his fingers over the tiles, and you watch the colors shift, responding to his touch. Until he reaches the small tiled throne. It glows as his fingers pass over it, and then it transforms into a handle, raised from the floor just an inch or two. 

“Yuta, help,” Ten grunts as he fits his fingers around the handle and attempts to haul open this secret passage’s door. 

Yuta crouches beside him, and you watch in the wavering light of your handheld flame as they both work in tandem to lift open the hatch. 

Ten jumps down, you follow, and Yuta brings up the rear again, dragging the door shut easily as he comes. You pass Ten’s flame back over to his hands so he can lead the way. The passage goes straight for a short distance before it becomes a set of stairs rising upwards. 

You’re surprised you only stumble once or twice as the three of you climb the stairs at a run, though luckily it is only a few flights before Ten shoves against a wall, and it swings outwards.

You run out into a large, beautiful chamber. It’s full of rich reds and golds, marble tiles, a large fur rug that looks as though it comes from a massive beast or many pelts sewn together, heavy furniture and fine fabrics. You look around in awe, trying to catch your breath even as Ten drags you forward by the hand. 

“It’s just over here.” He directs the words over his shoulder. 

Various doors lead out of this room. A large set of double-doors probably lead back out into the rest of the palace, if you had to guess. A smaller set of doors have panes of glass set in them, through which you can make out the dim firelight of Hell, so you assume those doors lead out to a balcony. You’re sure one of the doorways leads to the late-Queen’s bedchamber, another possibly to some kind of an office, and then there’s the small door Ten leads you and Yuta to. 

It’s rather nondescript, nearly blending into the wall itself. 

You’re just a few short feet from it when you hear a sound coming from the other side of the large double-doors. 

Raised voices, panic and heavy footsteps moving rapidly along a corridor outside. And then, amidst the clamor of the guards, the keening howl of hellhounds on the hunt. 

“Fucking shit!” Yuta is right behind you, close enough that you feel the kiss of heat as he summons his flames. “Go, Ten. Get her through the mirror. If they make it through, I’ll hold them off.”

Your arm wrenches painfully as you twist around and plant your feet. Ten is still trying to drag you towards the door that leads to the mirror portal, but you won’t leave Yuta. 

“No, you can’t stay here!” You argue. “Come with us. If we just run, they won’t catch us.”

Yuta’s fire is burning hot enough to distort the air between you with waves. “I’m not staying behind, I swear. Just until you’re through the portal, and I’ll be right behind you.”

No. 

You’re this close.

You reach for him, reaching through the waves of intense heat, and you clasp your hand around his wrist. “Defend our position from inside the room, then. Not from out here.”

There’s a softness in Yuta’s eyes when he’s and your face. His flames dim slightly. “Alright, I guess that works too.”

Ten throws open the small door to the portal room, waving you in first. 

The room on the other side is a small, dirt room. There’s nothing to it — dirt walls, dirt floor, dirt ceiling, a singular torch with its end planted in the ground illuminates the bare room; its light is only intensified by the only decoration: the large gilt mirror that stands tall enough and wide enough to be able to admit two tall men standing abreast of each other. 

Yuta bumps against your back before sliding around you, and then Ten is there too, his hand at your waist as the door to the room clicks shut. 

You can see your image reflected in the mirror — the unwavering image of all three of you standing side by side. 

A knot forms in your throat, but now is not the time to cry. You can do that later when you’re all safe and free back in your father’s little bubble, when you’re reunited with Mark and WinWin as well. 

On the other side of the door, you hear the loud bang of the double-doors being thrown open. Footsteps, the clacking of claws, the whines of the hounds. 

Yuta turns, his flames rising in heat and brightness as he faces the last door between you and the hounds. 

Ten wraps his arm around your waist dragging you along with him towards the mirror. 

As you stand facing the mirror this time, knowing you’re about to travel through it, you hope it goes smoother than the last time. You lift a hand to the surface, and as your fingertips brush along the image, minuscule ripples expand across the mirror. This mirror feels so much more liquid, like actual cool water, no resistance. 

“Go,” Ten urges, “Now. Think of our destination as you pass through, and that’s where this will lead. Go.”

A thud that shakes loose a few clumps of dirt from around the door. You can hear claws scraping against the door, you can see the shadowy movement as one hellhound attempts to dig under the door. The door holds, though it rattles in place. 

“Go,” Ten repeats. 

“I’ll hold them off,” Yuta growls, and his fire is still building. “But you have to get through.”

“I’m right here, right behind you,” Ten keeps his voice gentle, encouraging. “Just step through the portal, my darling.”

He’s holding one of your hands lightly in his own, and you use that hold of his to have him help you balance as you lift a foot to step through the frame. 

Ira’s island, you think, imagining the sight of the lighthouse, of the island, the kitchen, the study, the living room, the cove with the sirens. 

The mirror smoothly drinks you in, wrapping around you like stepping into blessedly cool air conditioning after standing in the disgustingly sticky heat of a humid summer day. A long passage extends before you, which is somewhat different from the mirror journey you experienced with Renjun, but it feels so blessedly cool on this side that you don’t hesitate to keep pulling yourself through the mirror. You pass through until all that remains on the other side is your fingertips pinched between Ten’s, but even then, Ten lets go, and the last of you sinks inside the mirror. 

Ten stands just on the other side, staring at you through a faintly blue tint. 

“Come on,” you say, “Hurry.”

The door into the chamber bursts open. Yuta sends up a wall of flame. 

Ten whips around to aid Yuta. You step back towards them, ready to throw yourself through the mirror as well to help, but your palms crash against the inside of the mirror as if it were back to being solid glass, no longer the fluid surface that let you in. 

You slam your hands against the glass. You yell, scream, cry, swear. 

Both Yuta and Ten stand wreathed in flames, putting up walls of fire between the door and the mirror at their backs. They’re being pushed back, you realize. Soon they’ll be backed against the mirror. 

You can see Yuta gritting his teeth together as he puts his all into maintaining the inferno he’s creating. His usual appearance is fading slightly, you can see his true demon features beginning to peek through. The same can be said for Ten. 

You hit the glass one more time. 

Ten twists his head around to look at you. His eyes are the piercing narrow-eyed slits of his cat-like eyes. “You need to go,” he calls to you. 

“No, not without you.” You lean your forehead against the glass. “I can’t come back through. I can’t come to you. Come here, hurry!” You can see shadows, smoky figures moving in the walls of flame Yuta and Ten have thrown up. “Hurry!”

“Go!” Ten shouts, his voice raw, raging, echoing up the passage behind you. And then, a little more gently, “We’re right behind you, I promise. Just trust that we’re behind you, and don’t look back! Now, go!”

This time he says it with enough power in his voice that you stumble back from the force of it. 

On the other side of the mirror, Ten turns back to face forward, to face his flames and the hellhounds. 

You take another step backward up the passage even though everything in you is telling you not to leave, to run back at the mirror and do something to make it let you through it, even though your mind is saying that, your body won’t obey. Your body is listening to Ten as you turn and start running up the passage. 

Your throat feels raw as you pant for breath, but you keep going, running up the sloping tunnel even as you feel as if your chest is going to cave in and your heart is going to burst. You can’t hear anything at all over the racing of your heart and the thunder of your breathing, so you can’t even hear if Ten and Yuta are behind you. Hell, you can’t even tell if the hounds are still pursuing you or not. 

Kun’s warning and Ten’s last words ring in your ears.

Don’t look back.

You just have to trust.

Sobs tear from your throat with each jolt of your feet against the ground. You feel like you’ve been running for hours, days, weeks. You just want to peek backwards, to know if they’re behind you because if they’re not then all of this will have been in vain, and they’ll be re-imprisoned in Hell for the crime of the Queen’s death.

Don’t look back.

You’re almost certain you hear a footfall behind you, rock scattering under someone else’s foot. Was that a breath? Was it an echo of your own breathing, or was it the panting of a hellhound almost upon you?

Don’t look back.

An entire lifetime ago, you’d sat in a literature class that taught mythology. At the time, you’d felt a bizarre mixture of shame and interest – your highly religious upbringing made you feel that learning these stories was improper as they were based on false idols, but you were so intrigued by the pantheon of gods, their many stories and interactions with mortals that differed so greatly from the stories of the One God that you were familiar with.

Among those many myths you’d learned in that stuffy classroom, there was the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. The woman who died from a snakebite, and her lover who journeyed into the Underworld to bring her back. 

The story comes back to you now. 

Orpheus, who rescued Eurydice, who was allowed to bring her back to the mortal world on the sole condition that he didn’t look back at her until they were both in the mortal world. And now, more than ever, you understand that story. You have two lovers behind you, death nipping at your heels, and as you race out of Hell, you can’t look back – it’s a warning you’ve received now twice, and as much as you want to look back to be certain that Ten and Yuta are behind you, you know the mistake Orpheus made; in the last moments before success, Orpheus looked back. 

Eurydice was lost forevermore.

It could have just been a tale, except that when poring over tomes and tales at Ira’s kitchen table during the useless planning of this rescue, one account had been that of Orpheus. 

A miserable tale that you’d barely been able to stomach reading given your circumstances. How Orpheus, barred from telling her that he was forbidden to look back at her, marched before his wife out of the Underworld, both of them in cold silence. He heard no sign of her – not a footstep or a sniffle, not the sound of her voice or a whisper of her breath as they walked for an eternity – and he wondered if she was truly there, or were the words of the gods false and he was walking this endless path from Hades for no reason? 

With mere footsteps left before he and his wife rejoined the mortal world, with hope burning bright in his heart as the light of the Sun warmed his bones, Orpheus couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. As he turned, he heard her anguished cry of his name, he saw the horror on Eurydice’s face, and Orpheus had no choice but to watch as she was reclaimed by shadow and drawn back down into the Underworld, screaming for him.

Don’t look back, Kun and Ten had both uttered the warning, Orpheus’ tale echoing the words at you again.

You run until your knees feel like liquid and your feet like stones, your chest burns with each breath, and surely if you didn’t have the power of your mother and father both in your veins, you’d have collapsed long ago. How far can this path from Hell possibly be? 

Your toe catches a loose stone on the floor, and you stumble. Your palms burn as they scuff along the rough floor, your knees bruise and sting where the tatters of your clothes don’t cover them. 

There’s no sound behind you. No hands reach forward to help you up and urge you on as you stay there for a moment – hands and knees on the dirty floor with your head bowed as your tears drip into the dirt, your ragged breath still loud in your ears. 

Are you alone? Or is that deeply-rooted demon magic Kun mentioned holding Yuta and Ten under the same spell as Eurydice had been – unable to make a sound or touch you, unable to make their real presence known to you?

You find the strength to push to your feet again, to start forward again. Your mind races, and you can’t help thinking, I just want to go home, to be free of all of this. I just want to be happy with my boyfriends again, like we were in our apartment. All four of us. Why did everything have to go so wrong? Why did everything have to play out like this? 

You run even as your bones ache and your mouth dries out. You feel hollow.

And then the ground evens out. 

And you look up, and you can see watery daylight ahead of you.

You remember this: the sight of the world through the inside of the mirror. The watery distortion of everything when Renjun first led you through a mirror portal to escape the dungeon of the Watchers. You pray the exit runs smoother this time than the last – that you won’t feel like you’re drowning and suffocating and stuck within a glue trap as you had last time.

A fresh burst of energy rolls through you as you see it so close, close enough you can reach out and touch it.

Your fingertips pass through like reaching into water.

Your toe catches the inner lip of the mirror.

The world tilts and blurs, nausea rolls your stomach as you fly through the mirror and dash yourself against the floor on the right side of the mirror.

And you wait.

You don’t dare to turn to look into the mirror. You don’t know what you would be able to see. Does it look just like a regular mirror, reflecting only you and the room you’re in? Is it semi-transparent, so you’re able to see back into the passageway you’ve just escaped through? 

But more terrifying than that – in some version of Orpheus and Eurydice, he reached the safety of the mortal world, and rejoicing in that, he turned to celebrate with his wife, only to find that she had yet to pass the border between the realm of Hades and the surface. Thus, he lost her because they were not both with their feet safely on the soil and in the sunlight.

You won’t make that mistake, even if it means you have to wait here forever with your cheek pressed against the wood of the floor, your clothes crumbling even more into charred bits after the rough friction of passing through the mirror and colliding with the world. 

Tears still spill down your cheeks, and you squeeze your eyes shut because you’ve nothing to look at anyway. 

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a/n: Thank you for reading! I'm so excited to see what y'all think about the rescue finally happening! It was a little bit different than originally planned, both in the opinion of the characters, and also different than I originally planned lol This chapter is the reason it took me so long to finally finish writing this story.

As usual, likes, comments in the tags, reblogs, messages about your thoughts, all of that is of the highest value to me! I love feedback, and I hope you can share this story with more people too 💗