#welcome to Hanahaki weekend

[munsonburn3r]

Oh, Camellia, won't you take me away? - A Hanahaki!Eddie Munson story (sneak peek!)

eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: eddie munson had been a constant during your short time in hawkins, indiana, which made it that much harder when you had to leave. four years and a clinical trial later, you'd thought you'd conquered an otherwise fatal disease. what you weren't expecting, though, was the man that nearly killed you to walk back into your life, threatening to undo all of the progress you'd made towards healing - both physically and emotionally.

cw: hanahaki!au, angst, descriptions of light gore, childhood trauma, sexual themes and content

a/n: here is a snippet from the hanahaki eddie fic that has been bouncing around in my brain over the past week. feedback welcomed!

Water flowed out across the floor in a surge that mimicked crashing ocean waves. You cursed as you scrambled to right the plastic Procona and liquid sloshed awkwardly, lapping at your fingertips. It was a surprising amount from a relatively small bucket. 

“Everything alright out there?” called a gruff voice from the back office. 

You sighed. “Just fine, Bill! Minor spill. Nothing major.”

A muffled grumble could be heard from the owner’s space behind you, but you paid it no mind. It only took a few steps for you to grab the mop and start cleaning up the water all over the workspace floor, and to your relief, it really wasn’t as much as it seemed. 

The nearly four years you’d spent at Indiana Floral Company had seemed to fly by in a blink of an eye. You weren’t expecting an on the spot interview when you’d first stopped into the shop, but the owner Bill had been impressed at your willingness to learn and your natural eye for design and hired you immediately. Probationary, of course. 

So under Bill’s tutelage, your floral design skills blossomed. The basic knowledge of plants you’d brought from years of spending time gardening with your Grandma grew. You went from simply identifying lilies to knowing the difference between Asiatic and Oriental and their best growing seasons. You could identify roses based on subtle color differences and had learned how to take the most tightly closed bud and blow it open with a little humidity, a plastic bag, and very careful preening. And though you didn’t like to brag, you could match corsage ribbon to prom dresses better than anyone in town. 

As time wore on, Bill had shared that years of design had wrecked his body and that it was time to begin passing the torch. Since Indiana Floral Company was one of the top floral design studios in town, the responsibility embedded in passing said torch was sobering. But after a year and a half of earning your stripes, you landed a head designer role and began training to take over the small family business.

Humming a nondescript tune, you refilled the earlier bucket with water and flower food before chopping the ends off of a bunch of de-thorned roses with the guillotine-like stem cutter. A clunk thrummed out when you dropped the two dozen stems into the water. Each blossom peered at you with a center like a curled eye — delicate sandy cream — perfect for the event you were designing later this weekend. 

A ring of the bells on the front door broke your focus. You wiped your hands on the rag shoved haphazardly into your apron and turned at the sudden sound of Bill’s voice. 

“The 1:30 initial wedding consult must be early. You mind taking this one, kid?” His head peeked around the office door. “I started the file – it’s on the cash wrap.” He looked tired; the man should have retired two years ago. 

With a slight smile, you nodded. “Got it.”

It was impossible to see who had entered due to the amount of plants, gift items, and displays you’d designed around the small space (“customers shop with their eyes first, kid; you gotta draw them in before you let them see the price tag” Bill had said). But as soon as you rounded the front display, your stomach dropped clear out of your body and onto the floor. 

Maybe it was the habitual need to weave around the labyrinth of flora and gifts that had lowered your defenses. Or perhaps it was the fact that this was a typical boring Wednesday afternoon in April. Hell, it could have been the questionable sandwich you had for lunch that you found at the back of the minifridge. 

But one thing was clear: you hadn’t expected to see Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham hand in hand looking around at the array of merchandise you’d set out in preparation for Mother’s Day. 

“Hi!” A saccharine voice matched the sickeningly sweet smile on the strawberry blonde in front of you. “We’re here for a wedding consultation at 1:30. Sorry we’re a bit early — we didn’t want to be late!”

Time stood still. Or maybe that was just you — frozen as you stared the couple down with a look of surprise plastered across your features. You didn’t think you could move (or even speak, for that matter).

However, for the first time in almost four years, you felt your chest tighten and a sharp prickling sensation snake up your windpipe. You licked your dry lips (hadn’t you just put on chapstick?) and attempted to swallow with no success. Instead, your throat constricted, and there it was: an involuntary, yet ever so familiar metallic cough.

image credit: pinterest dividers: @saradika-graphics

tagging some moots that might be interested: @chickpeadumpsterfire @voyeurmunson @joshlmbrt @mediocredreams @littlexdeaths @anamelessfool

[laylasbunbunny]

Hanahaki disease

Author note: I JUST got back writing so please if you have feedback please don't be rude about it :)

It was a one-sided love that seemed that it could have been healed but in the end, could it be saved before it was too late? 

Lucas and y/n have been the best of friends since they were kids but as they got older the closer their bond grew so it seems.... or was it as strong as it appeared?

I looked up from my shoes breathing in the cleaning products that told me the janitor was just getting started cleaning. I make eye contact with my best friend Lucas! I shouted his name happily excited I caught him before he started walking home. I walked up to him and asked him "Hey! Are we still up for the sleepover at your house this weekend?" 

"y-yeah I....umm sure! I will be there!" I noticed he stuttered but I didn't give it much thought, since I was too excited for our traditional sleepover. "good! I have something I need to tell you!" I smiled softly at Lucas and his friend before walking out of the school to catch the bus.

Lucas's friend whose name was Shawn looked at Lucas silently in disappointment before continuing saying "You didn't tell her did you?" 

Lucas in return shook his head side to side in silent response before speaking feeling Shawn look at him in disappointment "I know I should have told her but I- it should be fine she probably wouldn't mind I mean IT IS just one sleepover" he smiled slightly also feeling disappointed in himself.

But one sleepover seemed to let her down more and more.

Shawn shook his head furrowing his eyebrows looking at Lucas hearing what he just said making him even more upset at Lucas's actions, before going on saying in a caring soft tone "If she is so fine with it like you claimed why didn't you tell her then? She is going to be hurt not only did you lie but you also didn't have enough courage to tell her the truth to her face. What did was a low blow and just imagine all the things she usually proper for you guys just sitting there cold and her sad crying?" Shawn started exiting the school building with Lucas and down the stairs onto the sidewalk.

"you said I should say yes and I did!" Lucas looks at Shawn raising his eyebrows not understanding what Shawn is saying and feeling like Shawn isn't taking his side.

Shawn continued with "BUT I also said ONLY if she is okay with it and know you can't make it this weekend, but you didn't listen to that part. You only heard me tell YOU to say yes anything else I said? you didn't pay attention to." Shawn shook his head in distress "Listen, I got to go tell me what happens on Monday dude." he went down a different path leading to his house. 

Lucas started talking to himself "She should be fine it's only one sleepover I'm going to miss no biggie" he shrugged walking into the building of his house, getting prepared for a date that may strain his friendship with y/n for good.

A couple of hours later there stood y/n waiting at Lucas's door knocking and starting to smile with it opened but y/n's smile started to drop not liking the feeling she was getting in her gut and the look on Mary's face confirming that feeling. 

 Mary smiled seeing y/n at her door, before greeting the girl "It's so good to see you are you here to see Lucas for your guy's sleepover?" Mary already knew the answer but for some reason, she needed to hear it to confirm her theory.  

"Hi, Mrs. Brandis yes I am looking for Lucas may I come in?" I asked the older woman

"you are always welcome, come in come in!" Mary opened the door wider open for the younger girl.

"Thank you!" I walked into the house sitting on the couch, looking around the living room for where Lucas may be. I don't see him or hear any video game controller sounds which is unusual.

"Oh! I thought you knew. Lucas is out on a date with a girl named Sammy" Mary told Y/n who for some reason looked shocked but Mary had a feeling that her son Lucas didn't her the full truth nor Y/n.

 "What?" I looked at her not only confused and shocked but hurt.

"He told me you knew and I thought that is why you came to set up an hour later than the usual time you guys start. He told me you guys were going to do the movie after he gets back from his date!" Mary looked at the younger girl's face which confirmed her feeling that her son wasn't telling the whole truth as he let on. 

"date? b....-but he said he would be here when I got here for our sleepover. Did he lie to me?" I stuttered slightly looking at Mary saddened at being lied to.

"Oh, I didn't know" Mary sat beside Y/n with a disappointed face on her face before continuing to say, "All he told me is that you were coming a little later so after his date you guys can get started. That would have been around 11 when he got back and it is now...10:36 which is why I was shocked to see you a bit early." Mary looked at her watch seeing the time.

 "But, seeing how you reacted it seems my gut feeling yes dear I think he did lie. I don't know why He lied" Mary shakes her head upset with her son.

"me too, Mrs.Brandis" I shake my head in disbelief starting to feel a slight burn in my eyes indicating I'm going to start crying, but I'll wait for him here on the couch.

 "Okay, dear if you need anything you know where everything is I will be in my room." Mary stood up from the couch smiling softly at the younger girl before leaving the living room. 

"Okay!"

But seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours which soon made it to the next day.

I woke up in the early morning with a burning sensation in my throat that felt already clogged. The strange object felt soft but sharp, I rushed to the bathroom slamming the door closed. I ran to the toilet throwing up bloody rose petals feeling my body shaking. I hear my mother at the door checking on me after hearing me slam the door.

"y/n are you okay? did you eat something bad last night?" I hear a familiar soft worried voice outside the door. 

I froze hearing my mother outside the bathroom door before snapping out of it and answering  "Uh n-no i-i don't know what's going on" as I stuttered not looking up from the toilet not knowing what to say.

"May I come in?" my mother's tone did not shift from the worry she carried.

"O-Okay you m-may" I was not only scared of my mother's reaction to what I threw up but Unsure.

the cricks open as the door knob twist open to show my mother's face covered in concern as she Comes in and walks to the toilet gasping as her eyes make contact with the bloody rose petals. "Wha...me and your father need to take you to the doctor and see what's wrong with you." She slowly helps my shaking body stand up from the kneeling position it was in for a while, then Helps me wash my face wiping away the blood on my face and letting me get dressed on my own as she takes a picture of the bloody petals for the doctor to see.

The drive to the doctor's office was silent only breathing filling the car with silent ness. The waiting for the doctor to call my name was even more suffering than the feeling of the petals clogging my throat. A man in a white coat and clipboard appeared calling my name seeming to hear my prayers. 

"Ms.(last/name)!" he called out looking around the semi-filled seats for me until he saw my parents and me stand up. He smiled gently making eye contact with me "Please follow me Ms.(last name)." He walked us down the hallway before opening a door showing us an empty patient room and stepping aside for us to enter the room first. 

He entered after us closing the door and sitting down looking at us before speaking in a soft professional tone"Okay what seems to be the problem?" flashing a kind smile waiting for one of us to talk to him first.

I started speaking first in a soft nervous tone "W...well this morning I woke in fear because I felt something cloaking my throat and some kind of liquid. I rushed to the bathroom throwing up in the toilet but when I was done my mother entered the bathroom and saw bloody rose petals in the toilet. Me and my mother didn't know what else to do besides come here to ask a doctor but My mother took a picture so you can get an understanding of how much blood and petals I threw up in total.

"I would like to see the picture please if I may." My mother handed the doctor her phone showing the picture in the toilet, the doctor stared in silence for some time before speaking up "Good news there is no need to be too afraid but I know why you are feeling the way you are feeling." He handed the phone back to my mother before standing up walking to the computer signing in and typing in something none of us could see. The doctor slides his chair back and shows us the screen voicing his theory "It seems that you have a disease named Hanahaki, which means the victim is suffering from what seems like a one-sided love and this typically ends in one or two ways. One way is the love is returned and for the victim, that means the person they are in love with returns with affection. The second way in most cases, the love is Often not returned making the victim who is Suffering from the disease's body continue to be filled with flowers and roots filling their respiratory system to the point where the victim chokes on it until they last breath unfortunately." He turned to all of us to hear our thoughts about the condition he believed I had.

"I...-what? I thought that was made up." My panicking tone expressed how I felt hearing the news.

"Oh, it is very real it just doesn't happen often around here but from your tone, I see that you heard of it."

"I just knew it was a disease...." my voice trailing off slowly, my mind still trying to catch up to The man's words looking down not liking the feeling in my gut.

"hm....in that case, the person you love do you know if they love u back or are you heartbroken Because of something that involves them?" the doctor asked me.

I hesitated before answering the doctor's question feeling my parents stare from the side of my face waiting to hear the answer "The second one" I looked down feeling more petals grow in my throat being reminded that he didn't have that kind of love for me.

"I see...." his voice trailing off expressing his sympathy for me. "there are three ways this can go, one way is surgery where you get the petals and roots removed but! The down part is that the feelings you have for that person right now will be gone after the surgery there are times when they can return but sometimes they don't in most cases. The third way is they return your feelings and the petals and the blood go away plus the illness. It all depends on what you want to do with this if you want to do the surgery then call this number to schedule the appointment" He handed me a card with a number on it.

"They will tell you the date and time to come to the client okay?" He stands up from the chair and grabs his clipboard before turning to all of us smiling sadly then leaves closing the door behind him. 

2083 words 

part 2?

#laylasimagines

[kpopimagi]

A Flower Under The Rain [Part 9]

Characters: Baekhyun, Kyungsoo and Kang Gyuri (OC) Genre: Angst, Romance Au: Hanahaki!Au  Type: Series  Word count: 7,243

It all began with a cough and then, a subtle sting in her chest. Kang Gyuri cried, knowing that in a matter of months, she would be another figure in the death toll of the most dangerous and cruelest outbreak in human history.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8-1 | Part 8-2

Her phone kept buzzing, and at any other moment of her life, she would have been annoyed out of her mind but everything was different. Her phone and her heart felt so alive. Gyuri smiled at the animated emojis on her screen and wondered if Kyungsoo was smiling as well. It had been a week since the trip with him and his friends, who were her friends now. The idea alone was a completely new concept to her. Anna embraced her as an equal, and even if Gyuri wasn't sure if Minseok thought the same, they welcomed her in their group chat which was basically only the two of them mothering Kyungsoo and bickering about the smallest things. She didn't mind. It was amusing to witness and wait for the writer's dull text asking them to shut up for once.

They were planning on spending the weekend somewhere else when the screen went all black, and his name popped up, blinking in an incoming call. For a moment, Gyuri couldn't remember the sound of his voice or what it made her feel, and instantly regretting the excitement, with a hand on her chest, Gyuri answered the call.

"Hello…" Baekhyun said.

Gyuri said the same with the tiniest voice and feared the worst when she heard him sigh on the other side of the line. Although she was happy to hear his voice again, she also noticed the hesitation.

"Yah, Kang Gyuri," he finally snapped, and she almost smiled because she missed that about him, "I didn't want to call because I'm still angry at you, but it's almost my birthday."

All the giddiness and happiness Gyuri felt evaporated into thin air, and her stomach dropped to the floor. Letting out a silent curse, she jumped off the couch where she was watching a drama with her mother, and her entire body moved on its own accord in a burst of dread.

"You forgot!" He gasped over the phone.

"I did not." She lied, running to her room.

"Liar," Baekhyun said as a matter of fact, "You're still in your pajamas."

"How do you know?" She mumbled, in shock, and regretted it instantly.

The frustrating noises he made had her rolling her eyes. She smiled at his whining, looking around her desk for the monthly calendar. She searched every drawer and through every bookcase, but the floral calendar was nowhere to be found.

"You told me," He said after a while and with renewed interest, "No, you forced me to save this day for you."

"I know," Gyuri replied, giving up and collapsing on her bed.

"You said you would take me somewhere." He added, and she nodded even if he couldn't see her, "But you never called again to set the time or anything."

"I know, Baekhyun," Gyuri finally said when the sadness in his tone was impossible to ignore, "We have to be there at four so we can see each other there at..."

"At 1." He interrupted her, "I'll pick you up at 1, and we'll have lunch together. It's on me."

Defeated, Gyuri agreed, he ended the call, and she stayed there, frozen in disbelief that she could have forgotten about her plans. She had an excuse. On one of those bad days, she went on a cleaning rampage, removed all the floral items from her room, and threw away every calendar and journal she owned. Gyuri meant to have everything in the garbage but her mother, just as silent and stoic as she could be, picked everything up and religiously put them away into boxes.

Gyuri went downstairs and opened one of the boxes. The first thing she saw was the floral desk calendar. She flipped through the pages, and just as Baekhyun said, she had the date in a big circle and exclamation marks. He was right on the date.

"Did something happen?" Her mother asked, coming into the room. "Was it Baekhyun?"

Gyuri nodded, showing her the date on the calendar. The realization took over her expression. If her mother wanted to object to her plans, she kept it to herself.

"I completely forgot about it," Gyuri admitted. "How could I forget about something like this?"

"You've got more than enough to deal with lately." Her mother said, "Don't beat yourself over this."

"But I had been waiting for this day for months," Gyuri whined in frustration.

"What will you do?" Her mother wanted to know.

"Should I go?" Gyuri asked instead, knowing quite well that one more wrong move could be her last.

"Only if you feel ready to do so." Her mother finally said, and Gyuri didn't have to look at her to know she was holding her tears.

"But what am I going to do?" She asked, her eyes watering, "I threw the tickets away."

"I picked them up," her mother said, in the most focused tone she had, "and put them in one of these boxes."

"Really?" Gyuri asked, and a tear finally fell down her cheek.

"Don't worry," Her mother said with a proud smile, "If you want to go, we'll find those tickets in no time."

Gyuri couldn't understand why she felt so overwhelmed but ignoring the urge to bawl her eyes out, she followed her mother's instructions. They spent the next hour looking through all the storage boxes until they managed to find the tickets. Gyuri hugged her mother and ran upstairs to get ready.

However, getting ready to hang out with Baekhyun felt like a task Gyuri was not ready to tackle. She had no idea what to wear, not that it mattered because it wasn't a date. Going out with Baekhyun had never been a date, even if she kept dreaming it was. She didn't even like how she looked anymore. She looked off, not terribly sick yet, but she felt icky and disgusting as if Baekhyun's hand would stay stuck on her skin if he ever dared to touch her. Everything about herself just felt off. She kept going in and out of the shower, not feeling entirely clean and almost finishing an entire bottle of body cream. Her mother's nagging about running through a monthly supply of cream in less than a week finally made her stop and realize there was nothing she could do about her skin anymore.

Gyuri got herself ready in her everyday clothing, nothing fancy or special, just plain Gyuri. When she was ready and came down the stairs, she found her father coming into the house with a worried expression that made her halt. Her mother must've called him at work, afraid of their daughter not coming back home alive.

"I forgot about the exhibition." He said, pretending he hadn't rushed home, "At what time are you leaving?"

"He's picking me up at one," Gyuri replied, her eyes watering again.

"Good, we have some time left then." Her father said with a relieved sigh, "Honey, can you bring us some tea?"

Gyuri noticed her mother was crying in a corner, and with a small nod, she disappeared into the kitchen.

"You fought so hard to get those tickets, might as well use them, right?" He asked as he sat on the couch and patted the space next to him.

"Right!" Gyuri said, holding back the tears but still sitting next to her father and hugging him.

"It would be a shame for them to go to a waste." He added, embracing her in a tight hold that made everything inside Gyuri finally feel alright.

Her mother was back with three cups of tea, and before she could sit far from them, Gyuri reached for her hand. She sat next to her, and while holding her mother's hand and resting her head on her father's shoulder, Gyuri spent that time with her parents in silence as they waited for Baekhyun. When he arrived, Gyuri felt at peace. She had no more tears to shed, and still holding her mother's hand, she stood up.

"We'll be waiting for you here, pumpkin." Her father said before pressing a kiss on her forehead, "You know that, right?"

"I'll be back," Gyuri assured them even though she wasn't sure if she would survive to see them again.

Her mother gave her the tightest hug ever, and with a small smile, she finally let her go. Gyuri left the house, smiling at them, hoping it really wasn't the last time she would see them again. However, all that hope faded away when she turned around and saw Baekhyun coming out of his car, looking as handsome as ever, if not maybe even more than before. He was smiling as usual, and his fashion was just as simple as hers, but she had never found him any more attractive.

It was in vain to ignore the awkwardness. Baekhyun tried to hug her just like he usually did whenever it had been a long time since they saw each other, but her startled reaction made him back away, shocked. Gyuri smiled, trying to rub off the weird gesture and the mix of sudden pain and instant relief she felt all over her insides. She got into the car and took a deep breath.

There was just one other person she needed to talk to. She thought it was better to do it face to face at first, but then realized that she couldn't bear to see the pity in his eyes in her last moments. Saying goodbye through a text didn’t seem that much of a bad idea after all. She might not even make it out alive of that car for all she knew, so a text was all she had.

Kyungsoo… I’m going out with Baekhyun. And I think you might be right…

Wait

I won’t hold back.

Gyuri

No

Don't

Thank you.

Whatever the writer wanted to say was better to tell her himself because her phone started buzzing. His name appeared on the screen, and the time she hesitated to answer was enough to catch Baekhyun’s attention. He leaned closer to look at her phone as if he was just looking at a random video playing on the screen. Gyuri knew the action was more of a natural reaction, he did that a lot, but the moment he saw the name, he went rigid on the spot. Baekhyun backed away again, pretending he hadn't seen anything compromising.

Embarrassed, Gyuri ignored the call and diverted her attention from Baekhyun. However, the phone started buzzing again, and even though Gyuri would never ignore Kyungsoo, she knew it wasn’t a good idea to explain herself on the phone in her best friend’s presence. Baekhyun stayed quiet as he drove away and when he was about to say something, her phone started buzzing for the third time. Gyuri silenced the device and buried it deep into her purse.

“So this is what it feels like…” Baekhyun mumbled, or at least that was what she thought she heard.

“What you said?” Gyuri asked, still ignoring the buzzing phone.

"Will you finally tell me where we are going?" He asked instead.

Time seemed to stop when Gyuri looked at him with one hand on the steering wheel, looking as boyfriend-is as ever. She noticed that his hair was neatly done and was wearing accessories, and he only did that on special occasions. Gyuri couldn't help herself but smile when she saw the watch she gave him on his birthday many many years ago on his wrist. Suddenly, nothing else mattered when Baekhyun looked like he made a conscious effort on his looks to hang out with her. As if she wasn't at risk of getting engulfed by roots, Gyuri embraced the pleasure filling her chest. She had nothing else to lose anymore, and feeling rather playful, Gyuri refused to answer his question.

"It's a surprise." She said.

"I need to know so I can drive us there, you dummy," Baekhyun whined with a playful pout, making her heart skip a beat.

"Just don't leave the city," Gyuri said, ready to make the best out of that day.

“Alright then," He said, and after a while, he broke the heavy silence between them, "So how are you?”

Gyuri knew it wasn’t a simple pleasantry just by the tone in his voice. He wanted to know for real, and even if he was focused on the road ahead, his eyes were intense and searching for an answer. There was only one thing she could say. 

“Fine.” 

Baekhyun glanced at her, unconvinced by her reply but kept driving in silence. Gyuri realized that enjoying his company wholeheartedly wouldn't be as easy. At least not when she found herself so aware of his attention, of his eyes always looking at her so closely and him just generally gravitating towards her like there was no one else around them. At times, she had to reprimand herself for being so dumb. That had always been their dynamic. He was acting like he always did. Baekhyun had always felt comfortable around her, and he never failed to let her know that, and that was one of the many reasons she fell for him.

Gyuri had learned over the years to love whenever he observed her reaction to the food he ordered for her. She could feel her heart melting at the satisfied smile on his face when she let him know that the food was delicious. She loved that they could talk about nothing and everything and had to remind herself to look away several times. She caught herself admiring him as he attentively listened to everything she was telling him, and one time she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch his round cheeks. She couldn't really help herself but bite her lip when he just kept putting the best pieces of meat in her bowl. She loved his familiarity, the lack of judgment, and pretenses whenever he was with her. He didn't try to be anyone else but himself when they were together. 

Baekhyun was naturally caring, and now more than ever, she wished she could tell him everything. Gyuri tried, more than once, to let the words come out and let him know but failed every time. They came out of the restaurant, and as they settled in the car, Baekhyun looked at her expectantly. Her imagination went wild for a split second. Two different scenarios were playing in her mind. On one she confessed her feelings, and on the second one, which was wilder, she imagined him confessing his feelings, but of course, that wasn't it. He chuckled and prodded the answer out of her.

"Where to now?" He asked.

"Just go to Gwanghwamun." She mumbled, pushing every dumb fantasy aside.

With a smile on his face, Baekhyun started the engine and drove away. However, Gyuri looked out of the window to hide the embarrassment. She was just letting her hopes dominate her every thought when it was all further from the truth. Baekhyun didn't have those sorts of feelings for her. His familiarity wasn't anything other than a friendly inclination, and Gyuri felt stupid for thinking otherwise. She blinked the forming tears away along with all the idiotic feelings that had her reduced to such a lame wreck.

"No way…" Baekhyun mumbled.

It was halfway to their destination that it seemed to down on him. Gyuri could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he put the pieces together and smiled when he looked at her for confirmation, and with that, her sadness was forgotten.

"Are we going to the Museum of Modern Art?" He asked, holding tightly onto the steering wheel, "You're kidding me."

Too satisfied with herself, Gyuri pulled the tickets out of her purse and showed them to him. Baekhyun let out a dramatic gasp, and when they stopped at a red light, he grabbed one of the tickets and admired it with absolute fascination.

"How did you do it?" He asked, "They sold out in seconds."

"Because I'm that good," Gyuri said with a smug smile as she snatched the ticket off his hands, making Baekhyun cackle.

"Damn right you are," He said, fumbling with his phone, “and you know what? This moment deserves our fun song."

For a split second, everything was suddenly alright. Their favorite song blasted through the speakers as Baekhyun drove them through the city, singing out loud and looking at her with the brightest of smiles. Her heart swelled in delight, and it was impossible not to get back in time and remember one of their first interactions. Gyuri recalled the exchange as if it was yesterday. 

It was her first year at college, and although most of her lessons were kind of alright, she hated the shared lectures with other majors. People with different objectives and inclinations enclosed in the same space gave her a headache, and programming 101 was no exception. Her programming skills were already above the curriculum, but she had to take that lecture, and she dreaded the day the professor announced a teamwork assignment.

The entire lecture hall was filled with disgruntled noises and whines, and Gyuri would’ve joined if it wasn’t for her anxiousness. She would have to work with a stranger, and she felt her heart rate speeding. What if she had to work with a finance major student? The soon-to-be stock market programmers were obnoxious snubs, and the idea alone made her shutter.

“Kang Gyuri.” 

When the professor called her name, she flinched. Silence filled the hall, and Everyone looked at her, and she tapped her finger on the face of her watch at the rhythm of every dreadful second as she stood up from her seat. Half of the students’ names were on a bowl, written on paper, and she had to pick one. She would find the name of one annoying classmate to work with for the rest of the semester.

“Fingers crossed, and I get to be her partner.” A guy behind her said.

“She’s so stuck up, I'd hate to be her partner," someone else chuckled, "but I wouldn’t mind passing this lecture with a perfect grade.”

“You’re not that lucky, man.”

Ignoring the conversation, Gyuri walked down the stairs, still counting to mute out the whispers that raised with every step she took towards the front. However, either her muting tricks were ineffective, or people around her didn’t care if she could hear them because she could still hear them all.

“I bet she throws you under the bus if you don’t do your part…”

“Please, God, let me be her partner…”

“Poor bastard that gets partnered up with her…”

“She’s the best, man.”

“I saw the programming of her scholarship project, and it’s incredible…”

“Nah, I don’t need that kind of pressure in my life.”

Gyuri reached the desk and stared at the bowl. She reminded herself that at least she didn't have to handpick her partner, and could always blame her luck. She put her hand inside the bowl and grabbed the first piece of paper that touched her fingertips. She could hear silence taking over as everyone held their breath. Her heart skipped a beat as she unfolded the paper and read the name. She recognized it right away and never considered how awful art majors could be as assignment partners. The guy had a reputation, but all she could see him as was an annoying burden.

"Byun Baekhyun." She whispered to herself.

The collective reaction in the hall made her flinch again. Some whined while others cursed, and she even saw paper balls fly across the hall in protest. Ignoring the ruckus around him, the professor wrote down their names on a list and called the next student forward, leaving Gyuri alone to go back to her seat and deal with the disgruntled atmosphere of her classmates.

As she made her way back, she realized one thing: She was now the class's least favorite person. Girls hated her guts for pairing up with the most popular guy, and others who weren't smitten with his outgoing demeanor were miffed that they weren't paired up with the supposedly brilliant programmer. Either way, she hated her luck.

Byun Baekhyun was the type of person she avoided at all costs. People like him always forced her to talk and ended up mocking her if she didn't. Granted, she didn't even know the guy, so she would not dare to judge him. Maybe he wasn't like that at all, but it was difficult to know when she only knew him from what other people had to say about him. The guy was beyond handsome. She had heard the rumors of the first-year programmer that would give any idol a run for his money. Gyuri doubted he was as good-looking as all the female student body claimed. After all, most programmers were disheveled nerds, herself included.

"Good luck with that," a guy said with a chuckle.

It was the nagging that came after that caught Gyuri's attention. She was used to hearing those kinds of expressions, jokes, and rude remarks, but no one ever dared to stop the tirade once it started. Someone shutting someone else up was something she didn't hear that often, and Gyuri halted, looking at the source of that unusual exchange. One was obviously making fun of the other, and she froze at the contrast of their attitudes; her new teammate had an unamused expression plastered on his face. The other, who she recognized as quite a ladies' man, patted his back with a chuckle. She found the interaction strange.

They must have sensed her staring and when the guys looked back at her, she felt her blood rushing to her face. Gyuri had to give it to everyone she ever heard gossiping about Byun Baekhyun. They were right. He was indeed handsome. His face was small, his skin was pale, and his hair framed his features as if someone spent hours styling it for the cover of a fashion magazine. Then, against all expectations, Baekhyun smiled at her. It wasn't the brightest of smiles, but small and restrained like he was embarrassed about getting caught chiding his friend. Not that it mattered to her, and realizing that staring any longer would make her future interactions with him weirder, Gyuri went to her place and focused back on the class.

Once everyone was paired off, the professor went over the requirements of their final project and what they needed to accomplish. Gyuri wrote everything down, put her stuff away, and was about to bolt out of the hall at the end of the lecture when Baekhyun showed up right next to her.

“Should we have lunch together?” He asked, wriggling his hands in front of him in a nervous gesture that didn’t quite fit him. “You know, to talk about the project.”

Gyuri would’ve answered in some form, but once she noticed the attention of several classmates focused on them, she just couldn’t do it anymore. She didn’t even try. No sound would come out of her mouth even if she tried, so she nodded instead. Unable to handle the pressure of not even answering the guy apparently everyone wanted to be friends with, Gyuri left the hall as fast as she could and hid in the safety of the nearest bathroom stall until her next class.

Usually, it would only take a few minutes for her nerves to settle, but the expectation of meeting with Baekhyun had her on the edge for the rest of the day, and it got worse when she arrived on the third floor of the library. She enjoyed studying there, where the desks were among the bookcases and where people were generally required to maintain silence, Gyuri really liked that, but as soon as she stepped into her favorite section of the studying area, she halted and let out a sigh. 

Baekhyun was already there, scrolling through his phone and eating small sausages. He was sitting alone at a table, but when she looked around, she could see several girls staring at him, some others peeking from the top of their books, and some others blatantly walking by the table to have a better look at him. Gyuri found it interesting that he paid no attention to anyone. If he was aware of the subdued commotion around him, he was stellarly good at ignoring it. She wondered if by any chance, he was so used to it that he didn't care anymore and if that was the case, she instantly admired him for such composure. She could never do that, and letting out a sigh, Gyuri gathered every bit of her will and approached the table.

Without any idea of how to proceed to engage with one of the most popular people in the vicinity, Gyuri went for the safest option. She just placed her backpack on the table and sat down in complete silence, taking Baekhyun by surprise. He cursed under his breath, but as soon as he realized who startled him, his entire demeanor changed. Suddenly, he wasn’t as confident as he seemed to be.

"I've seen you usually sit here to study after lunch," he said after stumbling on his words to greet her.

Gyuri was going through her backpack when the observation made her stop. It was hard for her to wrap her head around the idea that someone like him would notice such an insignificant detail about her. She wanted to look at him and study his expression, but her anxiousness stopped her, so she just pulled her lecture notes out instead and started to work.

Baekhyun stayed quiet for the most part. He would ask something every once in a while and fidgeted in his seat, unsure if he could talk to her openly. She could see the struggle and discomfort and wished she could just tell him there was no need to be that formal with her, but she kept scribbling down what they needed to do. Suddenly, a phone buzzed on top of the table. It distracted Gyuri, and Baekhyun apologized before grabbing it. Not wanting to make their time any more uncomfortable than it was already, Gyuri brushed it off as nothing and kept working on a diagram, but a loud noise startled her.

Baekhyun gasped loudly, making Gyuri flinch, and in the rush to apologize, he choked on his own spit or maybe a piece of sausage. She couldn��t tell, but whatever it was, he started coughing. His face became increasingly crimson as he massaged his chest to open his airways. He not only interrupted her work, but disrupted the quiet atmosphere of the study hall, and drew an incredible amount of attention to himself.

“I’m sorry,” he said once Gyuri handed him a drink, and his cough finally subsided, “Why am I drooling so much?”

Gyuri couldn’t help herself. She chuckled at his helplessness as he mumbled apologies and nervously tried to put some order around him. Knowing that someone as popular as Byun Baekhyun could become flustered, as she did most of the time, gave her some measure of comfort.

“Aha!” He said, all the embarrassment was suddenly forgotten, “So you do smile.”

The roles reversed. Gyuri was the one feeling her face burning in embarrassment. Baekhyun observed her with a smile, but unlike her, he didn’t make fun of her bafflement. As if he could read her mortification, he changed the subject.

“Sorry, I just got excited,” he said, showing her his cellphone, “do you know Hideo Kojima?”

The name didn’t ring a bell, but the expectant glint in his eyes was astonishing. Whoever that man was, he was important, and her lack of response was enough for Baekhyun to know that she had no clue what he was talking about, and just as he did before, he gasped dramatically.

“You don’t know,” he whispered loudly, and Gyuri found it amusing that she couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, “oh my friend, prepare yourself to get your mind blown.”

Gyuri had forgotten about the rush of emotions she felt that day when Baekhyun sat next to her, with his laptop in hand, and spent the next couple of hours sharing with her something he was so passionate about as if they were the closest of friends because after that day, they became just that, and she didn’t even know why. For some reason, he seemed to enjoy her company so much that he was always around, and now that she thought about it, that might have been the beginning of her downfall.

She looked at him, years later, just as excited and passionate about the same subject as he was that day, but now, she was part of that small portion of his life. Baekhyun was driving with a smile as he sang mindlessly along the beat, and pride swelled in her chest. She mentally patted herself on the back because just like he said, she managed to get tickets to one of the most awaited exhibitions of the year. If she wasn’t that close to Baekhyun, she wouldn’t even know the whole thing existed.

They arrived at the entrance where people stood in long lines, and neither of them realized their tickets had some sort of VIP benefits until a staff member led them to an exclusive area built outside the museum. They got their tickets scanned and bracelets placed on their wrists before a waiter welcomed them with drinks to a waiting hall set up and decorated thematically with props from Kojima’s games. Baekhyun couldn’t stop mumbling to himself just how amazing everything was as he took a sip of his drink and urged Gyuri to take some pictures of him sitting on a European armchair, which was from his favorite horror video game. She agreed wholeheartedly and snapped as many pictures as possible, even if he wasn’t posing anymore. She did it just for the delight of getting more pictures of him, and by the time they finished their drinks, a guide introduced himself and let them know it was time to enter the museum.

Gyuri and Baekhyun joined a small group of a dozen people and followed the guide to a dark room. Someone pulled a curtain down, letting the darkness and coldness engulf them all, and just then, they could hear the creepy ambiance music. Gyuri was sure she heard Baekhyun let out the tiniest excited squeal when she just shivered in apprehension. She was starting to feel the pressure on the center of her chest when she was suddenly enveloped in a warmth and scent she was so familiar with. Baekhyun had slipped an arm over her shoulders and drew her closer with so much affection she just stayed still, not knowing what to do.

“Thank you so much,” He whispered. "Best birthday present ever.

The tour began, the guide started with his welcome speech, and with a soft squeeze of her shoulder, Baekhyun let her go to follow the group into the first hall. Gyuri was left behind, downright stunned in her place and with her heart twisted in pain and pleasure, all rushing through her body. He didn’t even register that she wasn’t moving and reminding herself that the gesture meant absolutely nothing to Baekhyun like the way it meant to her, Gyuri took a deep breath and followed the group.

The exhibition was just as amazing as she imagined it would be. Halfway through the first room, she realized that whether or not she knew who Hideo Kojima was, she would have appreciated the show. The man was a genius, just like Baekhyun told her all those years ago and it didn’t surprise Gyuri that he was practically a goner the moment they crossed the dark and creepy entrance hall. She couldn’t blame him. The place was covered not just in video game artwork and concept designs, but also contained hundreds of items from Kojima’s own collection. There was so much stuff on every wall that Gyuri struggled to know where to look at first and wondered if Baekhyun had the same issue.

Looking around the hall, searching for the man that had the entirety of her wrapped so tightly around his little finger, she found him standing in the middle of the room, frozen in amazement. Gyuri walked around to join him, and the expression on his face was something she never wanted to forget. His eyes glimmered as he admired a white space suit set up behind a glass case. Very few times she’d see him so dumb-struck that even his mouth hung open in absolute wonder. Gyuri snapped a few pictures of him from a distance before following the tour guide toward the next hall. It was only then that Baekhyun joined her, whispering nothing but compliments about certain pieces as he looked through the pictures he just took with his phone. And the tour went on like that for the next couple of hours until they reached the final section which was a curated library.

Gyuri was immersed, flipping through the pages of Kojima’s private diary. She was utterly fascinated by the way the man expressed himself that she just knew Baekhyun would love to read it. She called him, but he was already heading for the exit, leaving her behind. Taken aback and wondering if he was truly leaving without her, she called him again. He glanced at her over his shoulder quick enough for Gyuri to notice that he was talking over the phone and his eyes flaring in anger. Whatever twisted his expression made her heart sink, and she found herself instantly worried. Something must have happened. That could be the only reason he would look so agitated, and Gyuri followed him toward the exit. She kept her distance, giving him privacy, but every time she saw him rolling his eyes in annoyance, she fought the impulse to get closer and do something. She kept telling herself that all she could really do was wait and be there for him.

“Is everything alright?” She asked as soon as he hung up.

“Yeah,” He hesitated, still looking at his phone as if it could come to life at any moment, “It was Mina. She’s just being unreasonable.”

Gyuri felt like the biggest idiot in the world. The immense love she felt for the guy was too blinding at times. It was so overpowering that it tricked her mind to wander off into her fantasies in which she was the most important person in his life. She wasn’t. He had a girlfriend. Baekhyun wasn’t hers, but she couldn’t let him notice her disappointment.

“I hope everything is alright.” She said just as a mere courtesy.

“She said we shouldn’t be friends anymore.” He said, finally looking at her.

The resignation in his eyes twisted the roots in her heart, and she had no idea what prevented her from losing control of her emotions. She felt the twist. The buzzing pain grew louder and sharper, and she knew she should’ve been terrified to feel it deepen its roots through her heart, but she wasn’t even scared. She also knew that the soundness of mind taking over her wouldn’t last that long.

“I should go back home.” She said, looking down at the round tips of her shoes.

“Gyuri, wait,” he stopped her, “I told you, she’s being unreasonable.”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble with her.”

Gyuri wasn’t looking at him when she said that, but she heard him let out the longest sigh. For the first time since she got diagnosed, she did not run away from him, although she wanted to. Gyuri knew she would be safe if she left, but an unbearable longing to be next to him made her stay.

“You’re not getting me in any trouble, so stop worrying about it and let’s go, I’ll take you home,” Baekhyun said with such a softer tone that Gyuri had to look at him. “I always take you home, remember?”

Gyuri recognized the intent behind his voice. She had fallen for it long ago and craved it when she was the most scared. Baekhyun always spoke to her like that when he wanted to reassure her that everything was alright. She had learned to identify the genuine care dripping in the deepness of his voice, and she let it take her away. She could never run away from him when he showed himself so worried about her so Gyuri followed him back to his car.

Despite his efforts to calm her down, the tension between them was heavy and uneasy. It was impossible to ignore the obvious crack in the wholeness of their friendship, and Gyuri started to regret not running away like she first intended to. She wouldn't be locked in the car with him and all that made him so incredibly alluring if she weren't so blinded by this twisted love.

"So, what are you up to?" Baekhyun finally asked.

"Nothing important," Gyuri lied, looking away, "Just work and such."

"What are you talking about?" He said, and even though he kept his eyes on the road, she knew the reproach in his voice, "You quit your job a few weeks ago."

Gyuri felt the chills running all over her body, and only a tiny sound came out of her mouth. Baekhyun didn’t push her further into giving him an explanation, but she almost wished he would. His silence was worse. She looked at him, expecting to find a scowl on his face, but he seemed just as calm.

"I ran into one of your colleagues." He said, his voice turning just slightly harsher but still trying to keep it soft, "You might remember her. Her name is Suyoun."

Of course, Gyuri remembered her. The girl was her direct subordinate, and she pretty much had to handle all the workload alone after Gyuri submitted her resignation. That was why she worked hard to leave everything as organized as possible. Poor Suyeon didn't deserve to deal with her mess alone. Also, she was the only one Gyuri talked to constantly, and she might have cried a little when she bid the girl goodbye at work.

"Imagine my surprise when she asked me if you were alright," Baekhyun added, and the sarcasm in his voice wasn't just simple sarcasm, it was full of something else, "apparently, you just requested your leave of absence and submitted your resignation letter out of the blue."

“I needed a change.” Gyuri lied.

“I’m calling bullshit.” He replied, “You are the only one in our entire generation that got into your first option job, and you like it so much you even excel at it.”

“I guess people change.”

"They sure do." He conceded although he didn’t sound at all convinced. "So, how are things with the accountant?" 

Gyuri was surprised that he dropped the subject so easily but couldn’t feel relief about it because she realized he didn't even bother to remember the writer's name. In a way, she wasn’t even surprised by such a passive-aggressive move. It was such a Baekhyun thing to do when he didn’t like someone. However, she couldn’t dwell on that when memories from the past weekend rushed to her head. Despite all the pain and craziness the curse hurled at her, most of what she remembered of that trip was pleasant.

"All good." She said, trying to push aside the memory of his presence in that bathroom and his intoxicating closeness.

"Are you sure?”, He asked, glancing at her, “Because you're blushing."

“I’m not blushing.” She mumbled, taking a deep breath.

Gyuri was blushing. She could feel her face burning at the memory of fingertips brushing over her skin, but she would never admit that to Baekhyun. Not like she could ever keep anything from him because the guy was just too perceptive. He gasped, looking at her, probably imagining the worst.

“What happened?” He asked.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean with nothing? You wouldn’t be blushing like that if nothing happened,” Baekhyun argued back, pulling the car over to the front of her house.

“I’m not blushing.” She said through her teeth.

Sensing that Gyuri was about to lose her temper, Baekhyun killed the engine and called her with a condescending tone that was about to make her snap. Thankfully, they were right outside her house, and that was her way out of the situation. She was unbuckling her seatbelt when she felt him positioning himself to have a better look at her. Gyuri had seen that posture many times before whenever they spent hours talking in his car. Baekhyun would sit like that to talk and gossip with her about whatever came to their minds, but that day, for the first time, she would not let it happen. Gyuri opened the door and scrambled out of the car, leaving him shocked in his seat and looking at her as if she had just smacked him in the face.

“I’ll tell you some other day.” She said.

“Sure.” He replied. 

Even though he smiled at her, she knew Baekhyun did not fall for it. The gesture never reached his eyes, and the moment she closed the door, she saw, through the smoky tint of the window, how his entire expression and demeanor fell apart in disappointment. Gyuri couldn’t let the urge she felt shift her determination. Knocking at the window, she waved her hand and smiled as genuinely as it was physically possible until there was a smile on his face. It fascinated Gyuri how effective that was because Baekhyun waved back at her, now with a small yet genuine smile. He drove away, and she watched the car disappear around the corner, relieved to have survived. 

As if she was taunting fate with that thought, she found herself suddenly frozen in fright. She trembled as chills ran through her entire body and recognized everything about the sensation only because she had experienced it before. Gyuri had smelled that scent before. She turned around, standing right before her house, and the place that had always felt like the safest place on earth was suddenly darker, bigger, and scarier. 

Gyuri reached the door, desperately wanting to get in, and cursed under her breath because she was sure the smell definitely came from her house. She called for her parents and felt tears clouding her sight as her hands trembled so much she couldn’t even unlock the door. In her mind, perhaps that faulty perfume might disappear once she was inside. She tried again, and again but the door did not butch as if the building was actively keeping her out and exposed. The idea alone of staying out ripped every bit of strength off her legs, and she gasped for air when the door finally moved, and she collapsed into the strong embrace of her parent's arms. She closed her eyes shut, held unto them for dear life, and let them take her to safety. She could hear the panic in their voices as they tried to calm her down, but all she knew was that that smell wasn’t going away and that she wouldn’t survive the night if it didn’t. Little did she know that it was all the beginning of the end.

[deliriumsdelight7]

TMI Tuesday

I’m thinking I’m going to make this less of a “please send me asks” thing and more of a “here’s an update on where I’m at with writing” thing. I love getting asks, but I think the nature of my two fandoms isn’t so much about sending asks anymore, so I’ll adapt accordingly. If anybody wants to send them, they’re more than welcome, but I won’t be soliciting them anymore. Maybe I’ll appease my desire to talk in depth about my writing by having a separate post every week where I delve into something I’ve posted. Or maybe that’ll come across as too self-congratulatory or something. Idk. Something to think about.

Anyway! I’m currently in the middle of two Rumbelle chapters. I’ve finished the first of three scenes for the next chapter of Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat. Next I’ve gotta write an action scene, which is a difficult task in the best of times. I worry that I’m focusing too much on the action and not enough on the romance, but at the same time the action scenes are PART of the romance, and this one is needed to tie up a loose thread of a subplot that wasn’t even part of my initial plan, AND to help Belle and Gold’s minds somewhat more aligned than they have been, and… yeah. It’s a lot.

The other chapter I’m working on is the first chapter of my Rumbelle Hanahaki fic, which is… a struggle. I’ve literally read one fic with the Hanahaki trope, so I’m a bit out of my depth here, and - as always - worried that I’m focusing on the wrong things. This was supposed to be a oneshot, but that fell through; I’ve got the beginning and ending plotted out, but the middle is a big ol’ question mark. So I’m splitting this into multiple chapters so the idea has time to grow in the dank depths of my mind, like a mushroom. Hoping to keep this fic under 30k.

Anyway. That’s where I’m at. Writing is slow going; between difficulties getting words on paper, fandom drama, and preparing for Fan Expo this weekend, I haven’t gotten as much written as I’d like. But I plan on writing during my down time at the con, so hopefully I’ll have two Rumbelle chapters for you next week!

[sakuranoumi]

Fandom: Ultimo

Characters: Sayama, Akitsu, Kiyose, Ume, Yamato, Rune

Word Count: 1447

Summary One day Yamato no longer called her name, and the next a petal lay in her hand.

The slight pain in her chest started the day Yamato didn't call her name like he always did. He still greeted her with the same polite Sayama-san he always did, but not in his love sick way. Her chest twinged but she pushed it down. She pushed it down with the same indifferent smile she always gave Yamato.

The pain dissipated until after school. Until she saw Rune's impossible bright smile and the soft laugh he gave. Until she saw his hand in Yamato's as they left the classroom together. She cried out at the sharp pain and Akitsu stopped at her desk, shooting Sayama a pitying look.

“They're dating now,” Akitsu stated, softly.

Sayma didn't want pity, least of all from Akitsu. She wasn't like Akitsu. Yamato liked her. Yamato liked her unlike how Rune never liked Akitsu.

“I stubbed my toe,” Sayama lied, standing up from her desk and brushing past Akitsu. Something tickled in her throat but Sayama swallowed it down.

The days passed and her chest continued to feel tight and uncomfortable. Walking pneumonia she told herself. She had been pushing herself too hard. The house was cold and lonely and empty. It was natural. She excused herself from the golf club. She avoided the concerned looks Akira shot her. As if he ever cared about her. He cared about her because of who her dad was. He cared about her as a source of a sponsorship when he turned pro.

“Do you want to hang out after school?” Kiyose asked, as Sayama walked right past club.

“No,” Sayama answered, “Just a little under the weather.”

Kiyose nodded, but Sayama could feel three sets of eyes watching her as she left. She could feel the disbelieving hum that left Ume's lips. She didn't clench her chest. She didn't give anything away. Not even as walked past Yamato and Rune sharing a quick chaste kiss.

This time she couldn't swallow the tickle down. This time it persisted until she got home and closed the door to the mansion. It persisted until she finally coughed.

In her hand lay a single pink petal, and Sayama allowed herself to sink to the floor. Yamato didn't love her anymore. Yamato had loved her, and she had pushed and pushed and pushed and finally he had walked away.

She crushed the petal in her hand as her sobs rang out in the empty house. She was going to die unloved, alone, and miserable.

* * *

Every morning she now woke up to heaving petal after petal into her toilet. They floated daintily on top of the water and Sayama ignored the way that blood seemed to tinge some of the petals. She'd wipe her mouth pulling herself together as the petals would swirl and swirl into oblivion. She was just thankful the worst always seemed to be when she got up. There was no way she was going to let anyone know she had Hanahaki. She would never let them see her weakness. Instead, one day she just wouldn't be there anymore. Maybe they'd mourn her. Maybe they'd celebrate. It didn't matter because she wouldn't be there anymore.

* * *

It was lunch and Sayama couldn't stop the cough that escaped. She couldn't stop they way it seemed to bubble up in her throat as Rune shared his bento with Yamato. She tried to hide the handful of petals that came out but four sets of eyes saw. Only Yamato was oblivious and only Rune seemed to smirk before resuming his activities.

Sayama didn't know what she was going to do with the petals but it didn't matter. Ume grabbed her wrist, Akitsu pulled her fingers back, and Kiyose grabbed a petal to study it.

“How bad?” Akitsu asked, voice soft as the three girls conveniently blocked Sayama and her petals from sight.

“It's not full flowers yet, but it is bad. Pink camellia. Longing,” Kiyose answered.

Sayama glared.

“You know his feelings aren't going to change, right?” Ume asked softly, hesitantly, “You had your chance, but you waited too long hiding your feelings.”

“There's surgery,” Kiyose stated, and still Sayama just glared silently.

“You can't be planning to die for this,” Akitsu raised her voice, drawing the attention of Yamato.

“What's it matter to you,” Sayama hissed, “I'd rather be dead than chasing what I can never have.”

“Sayama-san?” Yamato asked, concerned, yet he didn't move from his spot.

“Walking pneumonia,” Sayama lied, “And Akitsu's being dramatic, but I am going to go to the nurse's office and lie down.”

Sayama got up and walked away. She still heard the way Ume whispered to Kiysoe, “I can't believe she didn't tell Yamato. I thought she'd try to win him back with this.”

They didn't understand her. Sayama knew when she was beaten. Sayama knew she could never beat Rune. The moment Yamato had moved from her to Rune it was over.

* * *

The next morning Sayama coughed up a complete flower. A quick search confirmed it was a pink camellia just like Kiyose had said. How poetic. Sayama had spent all her lives longing for Yamato. Her love had always been unrequited. She was foolish to have not taken advantage of it when she had the chance. She was foolish to always be chasing the Yamato of her past and ignoring the Yamato of her present.

* * *

“He's not going to return your feelings,” Akitsu agreed as she once again tried to reason with Sayama as they walked to school, “but isn't it better to live? Isn't it better to no longer remember the love and jealousy festering in your heart?”

“I was never jealous,” Sayama answered. It wasn't a lie. She wasn't jealous in this life. She had been plenty jealous in her previous life.

Akitsu looked at her incredulously, “You've been jealous of Rune ever since Yamato showed up. You might think you hid it, but it was obvious to everyone.”

Sayama sniffed, “I don't know what you're talking about. And like I said. I'm content with dying. There's nothing left for me in this world anyway.”

Akitsu growled in frustration, throwing her hands up, and Sayama paused.

“If you had it, because of Rune, would you do it?”

“I won't get it. I'm at peace that he's happy with Yamato and that he'd never be happy with me,” Akitsu answered, voice low.

“But if you did?” Sayama insisted.

“I don't know.”

Sayama stared wistfully up at the sky, “I think you'd do the same as me, and I think that's why my decision bothers you so much. I don't need protecting, Akitsu. I'm a bad person. This is my penance. Just... just don't tell Yamato.”

Akitsu snorted, “He'd think he could save you. He'd think he could love both of you.”

“Precisely, and that would be even worse than death or forgetting.”

Akitsu stared at her funny, but she didn't push. She didn't say more. Sayama didn't live in a world where both of them could be happy. Only one of them could ever be happy. Sayama had lost. Just like Gekko lost with her death and faded from the equation so too would Sayama die and fade away as well.

Poetic.

* * *

“Sayama-san!” Yamato called, frantic, as petal after petal poured out onto her desk.

Whole blooms came tumbling out riding the waves of petals. The classroom filled with pink camellia's as blood tinged more and more. This was it. This was the end.

She saw Rune hold him back in the swimming of her vision. She felt Akitsu’s hold her up as the strength left her body.

“There's nothing we can do for her, Yamato,” Rune whispered, and Akitsu hold tightened.

“It's my fault,” Yamato stated, “I can fix this.”

“No,” Sayama coughed weakly, more petals falling from her lips, “Be happy, Yamato. Be happy like I never was.”

“Saya?” Yamato said as realization dawned over him, “But you were happy, we were all happy.”

“I was never happy. I just didn't ever realize it.”

She let out one more coughing fit as more and more fell from her lips. She felt stem and all seem to erupt and push past as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed into Akitsu.

This was it. This was the end of her. Maybe now she'd be able to rest. Maybe now she would be left alone. Maybe now she could finally escape the unhappy weight of who she was.

At least at the end she hadn't been alone. At least at the end they had cared. At least at the end she'd seen Rune shed a tear. Not malice, true sorrow. Maybe Gekko had never been as evil as she thought.

[icedmatchatae]

Hello! Welcome to the Matchalist🍵 where you can read the stories and sip the tea I share with you all. More drinks of choice—ranging from teaspresso shots and lattes—are being developed, so they will be revealed soon!!

Please note that I created these fanfics myself. I do inform if I’ve been inspired by and if stories are based on movies, songs, ideas, etc. Almost all of my stories are rated mature. If you’re under the age of 18, please do not interact.

Stories are written purely for creative purposes. Main OC/Readers are presented as afab! as it’s coming from my perspective and what I affiliate with. Physical descriptions and appearance of OC/Reader are left vague to leave creativity up to the readers’ minds. If descriptions are applied, it pertains to the plot. BTS are written as fictional characters. In no way, shape or form, are they like this in real life. I do not own HYBE or Bangtan themselves. Feedback (even constructive criticism) and comments are always welcome!

All rights reserved for ©️ icedmatchatae 2023 (｡●́‿●̀｡) Please do not repost, copy, translate, modify, or steal any of my work. Stories are only on here and AO3.

「ONE SHOTS」

⋙ Cien Años (a, f)

Hanahaki AU A sad story of two best friends who loved each other for different reasons.

TBA…

TBA…

TBA…

「ONE SHOTS」

⋙ Best Lover (f, s)

Secret Established Relationship AU, PWP Though hiding a relationship had its struggles, you and Jimin made it work. Which meant learning about each other, knowing the way you both function, understanding flaws…and teaching Jimin how to be the best lover he can be for you.

「SERIES」

⋙ No Kisses (a, f, s)

Football AU, Enemies to Lovers, Frienemies with Benefits It’s championship week! The most anticipated week of the school year; however, leading up to the events, you and your council must collaborate with the football team to promote school spirit and pride. Unfortunately, you’re forced to work with your number one enemy, Football team captain and fuck boy, Kim Taehyung, known for having a mysterious “no kisses” rule.

⋙ Glimpse of Us (a, f, s)

Idol AU, Ex-Childhood Best Friends BTS’s V has been living a lavished and successful lifestyle, but underneath all of that, Kim Taehyung is far from the perfect image the media and fans made him out to be. All he wants is to relive the feelings of happiness and purpose in his life, but how can he when he left behind those memories years ago? The same memories, he hopes to see a glimpse of.

「ONE SHOTS」

⋙ Good for Me (f, s)

Bad Boy AU, PWP You went home for the weekend, leaving a pissed-off and bruised-up Taehyung dry and devastated. So what does he do?—follow you home. Insane? Probs, but you’re always good for him so why not?

「ONE SHOTS」

⋙ Please Teach Me? (s)

Supernatural AU You’re a succubus who doesn’t know a thing or two on luring men, and it doesn’t help that your first task in training is to get the most egotistical fuck boy in the human realm in bed, Beta Tau Sigma president Jeon Jungkook.

↳ Please Love Me! (Sequel to Please Teach Me?) (f, s)

Supernatural AU, Friends with Benefits By thirsty popular demand, I present to you a small sequel to Please Teach Me? Your succubus self has been going back and forth to the human realm to be…friends with benefits??? With your first task, Jeon Jungkook. Though you only see it as him, finding the good in his humanity, and helping you with your training, Jungkook suddenly thinks otherwise. Yet, he’s in denial.

Updated: March 2023

All rights reserved for ©️ icedmatchatae (｡●́‿●̀｡)

[starlostseungmin]

— i love you with all the flowers bloom in spring, lyb.

pairing — admirer!felix x gn!reader

genre — '90s setting, a bit of fluff, semi-college au, unrequited love, heavy angst

warnings — felix suffers from hanahaki disease, inaccurate description of the illness, mentions of blood, death, mild swearing, a death of a character, not proofread. don't read if it triggers you.

words — 1.8k

notes — please forgive me for not being able to post something for the last week and forgive me more for having this as a welcome :(

“damn, bro! it’s the third one this week,” changbin spoke seeing his best friend having a hard time to breath while throwing up on the sink. “man, you should consider taking the surgery,” he added rubbing felix’s back to ease him. 

“i-i can’t…” felix spoke in between his coughs, cleaning the mess he made. 

“why? how are you going to keep all of this?” the older one retorted as the latter stared at the pink cherry blossom petals scattered on the sink, down to the floor. horrified by his situation, felix shed a tear, collapsed to the floor, and cried. “seriously lix, if you won’t stop this bullshit, you will die.” 

“i can’t, i love y/n so much…” 

changbin finds his own best friend miserable and at the same time, pity. he couldn’t blame you either, felix is carelessly in love with someone who barely knows him. the former sighed in disbelief, he wanted him to stop suffering anymore, but felix’s condition is becoming worse as the spring season comes to an end. 

the bell rings at the top of the doorframe to declare that someone has entered the music store. it was you, the one who visits the vintage-themed shop filled with albums, cds, and types of vinyl of different artists. you didn’t have a particular favorite, it is just the music you love the most, and felix witnessed how immersed you were whenever you play the vinyl. it was free, and the owner loves it when you come by, especially his nephew who suffers from unrequited love. 

it is always the same every friday afternoon, 4 p.m., after your class dismissal at the nearby university. mr. lee, who is felix’s uncle and the owner, became your friend by which he didn’t mind having you all weekend to visit. the vinyls were your favorite, he already permitted you to have them playing on the turntable. it was free, but you knew you have to buy something at least, in return for their kindness. 

both felix and changbin walked out of the bathroom, the music store does not always possess a large number of customers, but you were there, on the same day and at the same time. changbin nudged his arm on his friend, felix just gave him a pleading look to let him interact with you if he’s given the chance. 

“fine, then, just text me if something happens,” he said. “i need to go check on hyunjin too.” 

“thanks, hyung,” felix smiled as the older one left the store premises, leaving the bell ringing. the former bit his lower lip as his eyes followed your presence. you’ve been preoccupied with choosing cds to make use of your portable cd player at home. vinyl and turntables were expensive. two cds will do perhaps. felix stood by the counter as he watched you go around the store. you were too mesmerized to notice him, but he knows all the songs you play even on a rainy friday afternoon. 

a sigh of relief escaped from your lips after taking at least three cds from one shelf. summer break is fast approaching, you needed something to entertain you for a while. glancing at the counter, you caught the black-haired boy staring at you as he turned away, blushing. you knew felix, he goes to the same university as you but he’s from another department majoring in english literature. he loves music too, just like his uncle but you barely even have a proper conversation. 

“hey,” you spoke. 

“hi,” he smiled brightly like he always does every time he sees you. “i see you’re finally getting cds?” he said taking the jewel cases, reading the names. 

“yeah, i can’t always do anything here for free,” you chuckled. 

felix felt relieved somehow. the intense pain from coughing and throwing up flower petals a few minutes ago had gone away. he feels happy when he sees you, his heart warms whenever you talk to him, and even happier when he sees you smile. yet it saddens him to accept his fate. 

“right, but since you’ve become a regular here, these are on the house.” he said giving the jewel cases back. 

“what? no! come on, i’ve been here for like 2 years now, i can’t take it if you’re giving it again for free.” you said but felix just laughed as if it looks like the sunshine after the rain. 

“it’s fine, my uncle will refuse if you pay too,” he said as you hesitated. “please accept them, i insist.” 

“fine, only because you insist, but i’m not going to have it free next time, you know?” you chuckled which made his heart flutter. “thank you for this felix, i’ll see you again next week, perhaps?” 

“i’ll be here, y/n…” he said giving you a faint smile. 

“great, bye felix!” you smiled at him and waved goodbye, leaving the store. 

felix was left dumbfounded yet a sigh of relief escaped his lips after a small conversation he had with you. the feeling of unrequited love sucks sometimes but he knows how happy he is even with the thought of risking his own life for someone he can’t have. you were so good to him, and returning his feelings will be too good to be true either. he couldn’t blame you too, he blames himself for falling in love with you. changbin already warned him about it, but the boy is too stubborn to listen. felix wanted to tell you how he feels but he’s afraid of rejection because you were in love with someone else.  

spring is almost ending, which meant he’s almost done suffering from his hanahaki disease. he was given two choices, either he pursues taking the surgery to remove the infection and let go of you permanently, or he leaves it be and suffers from the pain of loving you entirely. it won’t be easy to decide when he only has a week left to see you again. 

you arrived home later that night and placed everything on the study table only to find a piece of paper sandwiched by the cds felix gave you. the pink paper detached from one of the jewel cases as you read the words written on it after curiosity. 

“meet me at the xxxx diner next friday, 4:00 p.m., i’ve got something to tell you — love, felix,” it said with a smile plastered on your face, “he is so cute,” you said shaking your head as you cleaned your study area. 

felix decided to tell you his feelings out of nowhere before it gets too late but he thought, his ending is fast approaching. throughout the week, he suffers from an intense pain going on inside his chest where he vomits flowers instead of petals, some covered with blood. he locks himself inside the bathroom every time, even his uncle doesn’t know it had gone worse. 

“hang in there,” he said to himself. “it’s almost friday, fuck!” he hissed under his breath, trying to reach his phone that fell on the floor after rushing towards the toilet. “hyung… i-i can’t breathe…” 

changbin got so startled, “where are you?!” 

“home,” felix managed to respond. 

“stay right there! you hear me?” changbin exclaimed before running through the hallway. 

“hyung where are you going?! we have history class!” hyunjin said after his companion left him, “fuck! felix!” he hissed as he ran after him. the two guys ran past you as you were listening to one of the cds felix gave you in the portable cd player. but the commotion made by them distracted you from the soothing music. puffing your cheeks in response, you shrugged at the sight of them and proceeded to class. little did you know that it has something to do with the cute sunshine boy from the music store. 

friday came, and the class was dismissed at 4 p.m. when you have gone to the diner immediately. taking the seat near the window, you waited for felix to come and even played with the matchsticks while humming your favorite tune. but by the time the bell from the doorframe rings, you’d be distracted or expecting him to show up, yet there was none. you tried to wait a little longer anyway but the waitress politely dismissed you after they realized you didn’t order anything for the past two hours. 

a disappointed sigh escaped your lips the moment you left the diner and the thought of felix might be stuck at work might be the reason why he couldn’t go. you dragged yourself towards the music store but the lights were off, the door is locked and the signboard tells ‘closed’. 

“that’s weird, they usually close the store at 8,” you said, scanning the whole interior through the transparent glass wall. “i guess something happened,” you added taking a seat on the small staircase on their doorsteps, there, changbin found you. 

“y/n!” he called being out of breath. 

“hey!” you smiled, standing up. 

“thank goodness i’ve found you,” he said. 

“what’s up? where are felix and mr. lee? the store closed early today—” but your sentence got cut off when you saw how exhausted and dejected he was as if he’d gone crying immensely. “did something happen?” you asked worriedly as he sniffed and handed a white envelope. 

“felix wanted to read this, he’s sorry for not coming,” he said trying not to break down in front of you. your hands started to shake for being anxious, the stationary was a bit crumpled on the edge. biting your lower lip, you managed to open the letter and read. 

“y/n, i used to think, that spring is the worst season out of them but now that i see every cherry blossom that falls from the trees, they reminded me of how beautiful it is to be in love. taking the risks was worth it, i didn’t regret any of it... also, i’m really happy that i have met someone like you, someone who loves music as much as me and i'm sorry for being too late. these words aren’t enough to describe how much i am thankful to you, and it was great to have you in my life. i hope you’ll find someone who will love you unconditionally y/n, we will see each other soon, i promise, i love you with all the flowers bloom in spring — sincerely yours, felix.” 

tears started to stream on your cheeks as you looked at changbin who was already crying in front of you. 

“what happened to him?” you choked from crying as changbin shake his head. 

“he’s gone, y/n,” he said looking at you. “at 4 p.m…” 

felix was like a ball of sunshine to you, even if it’s not every friday you’d see him smiling at everyone who comes inside the store. the one who brings joy after a moment of despair, hearing is voice with a cheerful tone can wake someone up from a bad dream. it was such a shame that you had taken him for granted, you didn’t know how much he liked you. 

you were so dense and neglectful, being blind what truly happiness meant for him. you. 

and as you try to understand everything, tears never stopped streaming and changbin’s words echoed. he’s gone. 

taglist: @wolfchanchan @inseonqt @soobin-chois @1-800-lixie @luvhyun3 @hanjiesgf @koovvie @lix-ables — please let me know if you want to be added to my permanent tags (through anon) for future writings ♡

[50yearsofqueen]

💕50 Years of Queen - Prompts🌈

50 years ago on July 2nd, Queen played their first concert with the classic line-up, Freddie, Brian, Roger & John — and a legend was born.

💖💖We want to celebrate the anniversary with a weekend event for all ships, platonic relationships and all art forms 💖💖

    ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Prompts

  (July 1st) Day 1: ✨✨

- First Time 

- Enemies to Lovers/Friends

- Wrong Phone Number 

- Hanahaki Disease 

- Alternate History/What if... 

- That time Queen stayed in a cottage in Cornwall together

  (July 2nd) Day 2: 🍀🍀

- Worst First Date 

- 1920s AU 

- Stranded 

- New Roommate

- One Day, Five Decades (e.g. New Years Eve 1971 to 2021) 

- That time Roger pulled a muscle and had to be treated by a massage therapist while the rest of the band and crew listened in

  (July 3rd) Day 3: 🌻🌻

- First kiss 

- #1 Fan/Groupie

- Performance Anxiety

- Hitman AU 

- Confessions

- That time Queen holidayed on Hawaii together

  (July 4th) Day 4: 🎈🎈

- First Healthy Relationship 

- Academia AU 

- Explicit bucket list 

- Wedding night

- The First time and the Last Time 

- That time Queen held a beer drinking contest in Japan

   ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

  - 🌼The celebration takes place on: July 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th

- 🌸The prompts are open to your own interpretation and twists: no restrictions!

- 🌼 All art forms are welcome: fanfiction, fanart moodboards, videos, edits, playlists etc.

- 🌸All fanfiction will be added to our collection on AO3: 50_years_of_queen

- 🌼 All artworks will be reblogged to this blog if you @: 50yearsofqueen

‼️Code of conduct: everyone who wants to participate in this event should consent to the terms: not to engage with any hate comments or asks. There will be no hate comments featured in our collection or hate asks associated with this event. Delete and report all hateful, spiteful, provocative comments immediately. ‼️

⛔️ Here is how to block anon hate: x

⛔️ Here is how to report on ao3: x

Don’t engage with these people, that’s the only rule of the event. Don’t rip each other’s work apart and don’t give a platform to people who do. And please, give Quirky and/or Amore a chat if you have received attacks, we gladly talk you through it ❤️

For more infos about the event, see:

⭐️ our Announcement Post

⭐️ our FAQ

⭐️ our How To’s

And of course, our ask box is always open if you have questions! 💖

[dazebrasrecs]

Fic Recs:  Critical Role (C2)

Includes: Genfic, Caleb/Clay, Caleb/Fjord, Caleb/Molly, and Caleb/Essek.  (Can you tell I have a fave boy?)

Fics marked with ~ are incomplete.

This list will not be updated.

-----------

Gen

blue is the friendliest colour by invoked_duplicity

Length: 2k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Nott and Jester spend some time to do "girl stuff".

~Everything She's Not(t) series  by Angel Ascending (angel_in_ink)

Length: 6k / Rating: T / Genre: H/C / Warnings: eventual Nott/Yeza

Summary: “You don’t have to hide from me, you know. I will not bite you.” The man’s voice was soft, thick with an accent that Nott could not identify. He didn’t look over in Nott’s direction when he spoke, just kept looking at the window.

Nott didn’t move from her corner. She liked corners in general. No one could sneak up on you when you were in a corner. Though, now that she thought about it, being in a corner meant there was no where else to go if someone was in front of you. Like everything that might offer Nott safety, there was always a catch.

“My name is Caleb,” the man said. “Caleb Widogast.”“

I’m Nott,” Nott said, because that’s what you were supposed to do when someone gave you their name, you gave yours back. Besides, talking to the stranger would at least help distract her a little.

There was a pause. “You’re not what?”

a study in attraction by invoked_duplicity

Length: 1k / Rating: T / Genre: Drama / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Caleb asks Beau about her attraction towards women. The conversation doesn't lead where Beau expects it to lead.

The Warmth of Family by FallzVentus

Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb and Nott have been traveling for a while now. The wizard can't help but feel that Nott deserves more than the current life they live. So he decides to work towards giving her the experience of having a family.

When You Wake Up The World Will Come Around by infraredphaeton

Length: 6k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   When a chance encounter at a tavern in a very, very anti-goblin town reveals Nott's identity, Caleb casts a spell to hide her as a human- a young, human girl, who looks a lot like him. It's only natural to pretend that he's her father.  It's just. Nott didn't expect to kind of *like* having a Dad.

\\\

Caleb/Clay

Bared by walkalittleline 

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  The Mighty Nein take a much needed trip to the bathhouse before departing Nicodranas.

Book Learning by walkalittleline

Length: 5k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  There are a lot of things Caduceus doesn't know. Caleb is always willing to teach, though.

Caduceus and His Book of Things He Doesn't Know

Length: 8k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary: Caduceus received a gift in a form of a journal from Caleb as thanks for his contribution to the Mighty Nein.  He may or may not be trying to win the firbolg's attention. Either way, Caduceus has no idea what's going on.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait by RoyalHeather

Length: 2k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Leaning in, Caduceus pulls Caleb closer against him, his warm breath touching the back of Caleb’s neck, his earthy scent filling Caleb’s nostrils. His hands slide over Caleb’s stomach and hips; Caleb swallows hard, desire coiling up his spine. Broad fingers splayed out, Caduceus slowly brings his right hand over Caleb’s groin, letting it rest there before squeezing gently.  Caleb inhales sharply, skin prickling all over. But Caduceus just stays there, his soft nose in Caleb’s hair, one hand gripping Caleb’s hip, the other giving only the occasional, maddening rub at Caleb’s crotch. After several minutes, Caleb is ready to burst out of his skin, and he snaps, “If you are going to fuck me, Caduceus Clay, you had better do it now.”

~Kink Therapy series  by walkalittleline

Length: 28k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM, Sex Pollen, knotting, breath play

Summary:  Caleb gets a face full of sex pollen and that's all you're getting from me.

Kiss the Cook by Alarnia

Length: 8k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM

Summary:   Happily married, Caleb gets Caduceus a new apron and asks him to wear it... and nothing else, for a very special dinner.

A Little Bit Closer by walkalittleline

Length: 16k / Rating: E / Genre: Drama,AU / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy evenings out drinking with his friends. On the contrary, he welcomes the temporary respite from his own ceaseless thoughts of studying and grading papers and planning lessons and everything else he’s constantly fretting over, has no problem getting in a few drinks to let the warm haze of alcohol loosen his limbs and unwind his brain. He doesn’t, however, find much enjoyment in the too-loud music and crowded spaces of the clubs that Beau and Molly so often pick for them to frequent when they make these jaunts at the start of the weekend.

Two Minds by sabinelagrande

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb just needs someone who understands.

\\\

Fjord/Caleb

anything but by MsMaarvel

Length: 2k / Rating: G / Genre: Drama/ Warnings: N/A

Summary: He needs to get more powerful. Being defeated by a lowly imp could not have been more embarrassing, and he really needed to stop owing Nott life debts. He only had one, after all. But there is one problem.

By the Winding River by mollymaukerie

Length: 4k / Rating: T / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   After the days of travel towards Zadash, Caleb takes a quick dip in a nearby stream. Fjord comes by to lend a hand not before long.

choke this love by nighimpossible

Length: 4k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM, semi-public sex

Summary: “The idea that I’m going to apologize for stopping you from sticking a sword down your throat is just—absurd,” Caleb hisses back. “Tell me you’re not going to do it again.”

Fjord feels a little like a petulant child, but he does purse his lips in anger before replying, “Funny thing: you don’t get to tell me what to do, Caleb.” As Fjord says the words, he suppresses a shiver that slithers down his back. Stop that.

Convection by SnubbingApollo

Length: 12k / Rating: E / Genre: Romance/H/C / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  The first time Fjord and Caleb share a room Beau hands Molly three silver pieces. Caleb turns so red for a moment Fjord is afraid he might faint. Fjord grumbles good-naturedly about the rudeness of betting on friends and tries not to think about the fact that they’d apparently been so obvious. He’d been waiting for Caleb to suggest telling them, knowing the man was private and still skittish with the group, but he supposes he isn’t the most… subtle flirter.

Craving You series  by MeBeThem4815

Length: 15k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM, eventual Fjord/Molly/Caleb

Summary: Caleb thought he understood what Nott had been talking about, when she talked about the itch. He had thought it was similar to when he saw a new book on arcane lore in a shop. He had thought Nott was referring to the longing and the ache in his chest when he had to, inevitably, pass the book by due to lack of funds. But now, now, now he knew better. Now he knew what an itch was.

I Gave Into Sickness (Can You Find Forgiveness) by GrannyBoo

Length: 3k / Rating: G / Genre: Angst / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Caleb's fear takes a toll on his and Fjord's relationship

~The Grunge Hobo Learns to Trust by Catzgirl

Length: 41k / Rating: E / Genre: Angst / Warnings: Violence, non-con

Summary:   Caleb is hiding some secrets from the gang, and they come back to haunt him at the very worst of times. Fjord is there to catch him.

I'm A Desert You're An Ocean (It's Your Motion That I Need) by GrannyBoo

Length: 1k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary: Fjord wasn’t sure how they’d managed to get there in the first place; a few too many ales for Caleb and whiskeys for Fjord, tantalizing promises whispered between the two at the table before Caleb excused himself to bed and Fjord, waiting until he’d finished his last glass, followed after. It took all of one second after he’d knocked on Caleb’s door to be dragged in and pressed against the wall, the smaller, slighter man pressing the entire length of his body against the half-orc’s.

Making it Work by PyrophobicDragon

Length: 2k / Rating: T / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  It becomes a little joke between the two of them.

Proving Worth by SnubbingApollo

Length: 3k / Rating: T / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Fjord is acting… strange.

something good, something strange by nighimpossible

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM, voyeurism

Summary: Caleb shifts his vision into Frumpkin and flies the familiar a little closer, his small bird feet wrapping around a sapling nearby. Fjord looks into the trees and gives the sparrow a quick nod before pressing a small kiss to the back of Caleb’s neck. It is an achingly soft gesture, one that Caleb does not know how to parse. And then Caleb is lost to sensation.

Thread by Crewe

Length: 2k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary: Fjord and Caleb develop a routine at night, Caleb reading his books and Fjord mending his and his friends' clothes.

Or: In which Caleb greatly resembles his familiar, and Fjord understands the virtues of patience, quiet, and boundaries.

till the last flower by vannral

Length: 8k / Rating: T / Genre: Angst / Warnings: N/A

Summary: The Hanahaki Disease is an illness born from one-sided love, where the patient coughs up flower petals. The infection can be removed through surgery, but the feelings disappear along with the petals.Caleb Widogast is heartbroken and very tired.

What Bravery Looks Like by Angel Ascending (angel_in_ink)

Length: 6k / Rating: G / Genre: H/C / Warnings: N/A

Summary: It had been a long night, one of those kind of long nights that had turned into a long morning, and Caleb was exhausted, the kind of exhausted that made him ache in his bones. His plan was to go back to the inn, fall onto his bed, and sleep the day around. There was an old saying, that men plan and the gods laugh.

\\\

Molly/Cayleb

Black Skies Change into Blue by Saoto

Length: 10k / Rating: NR / Genre: Drama / Warnings: Love potions

Summary:   Caleb believes that Molly drank a love philtre that Nott stole. So to prevent him from falling in love with Caleb's "little sister", Caleb makes sure Molly looks at him instead. But somehow, Molly really does not like it when Caleb tells him that - no worries! - the feelings he has for Caleb right now are nothing but fake...

Blush by LivesToLead

Length: 3k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Four times Molly made Caleb flustered and the one time Caleb made Molly flustered.

Darkvision by Calminaiel

Length: 5k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   While the rest of the group slumbers upstairs, Caleb and Molly are alone in the darkened tavern.

~Dreams series by Nisey

Length: 18k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Mollymauk keeps having dreams about Caleb. It culminates on a day off from their travels and he must decide what to do about it.

ecstasy delivered with certainty by Lauren (notalwaysweak)

Length: 1k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   For the kink meme prompt (abbreviated): 'Caleb is now clean and pretty with directions to a sex shop, they're in a big town - it’s time to make a bit more money via the oldest profession ... maybe working gloryholes for tips at the dirty bookstore...'

Flickering Desire by Aristathelia

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  The heat in Mollymauk’s eyes had a questioning quality when Caleb next looked up and the wizard couldn’t help the jolt that went down his spine. Heat seemed to have gathered below his navel and tingles had gathered in his fingertips. It felt a little like when he was casting, the same electrical sizzle making him short of breath.

A Fur Lined Cloak by chaya

Length: 21k / Rating: E / Genre: Drama / Warnings: slavery, BDSM

Summary: Caleb must be a Duke for this mission, so that leaves Molly to be his... companion. You may be wondering: is this the kind of indulgent writing that includes sleeping furs, large tankards of mead, and snuggling for warmth? Dear reader, it is exactly that.

It was only a Kiss by WonderingsAndMusings

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   After defeating the gnolls and manticore and returning to Alfield safe, Caleb asks Molly why he kissed him. And tells him to do it again.

Kiss Through Copper by wilderswans

Length: 3k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary: Fantasy Skype Sex

North by SnubbingApollo

Length: 5k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP, H/C / Warnings: BDSM, past abuse

Summary:  Trent had been the star he’d used to find north and over time he’d forgotten how to find it himself.Except it turned out Trent had been leading him every direction but north, obscuring the whole world in fog until Caleb had forgotten the shape of things entirely. Until he could only find his way by stumbling blindly in whatever direction Trent had pointed.And now Trent is gone. The fog has been pulled away but Caleb still can’t see. He doesn’t remember how.

only forward by invoked_duplicity

Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: H/C / Warnings: panic attacks

Summary:  Molly panics. Caleb tries to comfort him. 

Snowed In by MeBeThem4815

Length: 10k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM, blood play

Summary: When a snow storm separates Caleb and Molly from the rest of the Nein, antics ensue.This is just pure, self indulgent porn to get me back on the writing train after an illness. You're welcome.

Stammtisch by chaya

Length: 28k / Rating: E / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Someone asked for "The Nein's first experience in Mordenkainen's mansion after Caleb learns to cast it". This is literal world-building so of COURSE it got really long and involved.

A Useful Little Spell by threerings

Length: 5k / Rating: E / Genre: Smut / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb uncovers a promising new spell but unfortunately it requires two people. Two people having sex.

\\\

Caleb/Essek

Calculated Risks by Cardinal_Daughter

Length: 3k / Rating: M / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb knows a calculated risk when he sees one.

hearts are too heavy a burden to bear alone by personalized_radio

Length: 10k / Rating: M / Genre: AU, Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb Widowgast is the only student to show up to Essek's study hours. Caleb...is not enrolled in the class or the program, but Essek has to be here anyway and Caleb has the book and is determined to learn. Also he brings Essek coffee every single time and it's never the same but always delicious so Essek doesn't mind explaining the basics or going over concepts between lesson planning in exchange. Caleb has very pretty eyes.

Honesty by aunt_zelda

Length: 4k / Rating: M / Genre: PWP / Warnings: BDSM 

Summary:  Essek waits. Perhaps he is supposed to guess the likeliest offer and spare Caleb the embarrassment of asking? He keeps his mouth shut, waiting, watching Caleb wrestle internally with his shame and desires. It’s an engaging sight.  

“I want you to use me.” Caleb says at last. 

Ah. Ambiguous language, to a less discerning individual. Essek understands, but wishes to draw it out from Caleb’s own lips. “Use you?” he lingers on the syllables. “Yes, to ferret out spies from the Empire. We’ve discussed this.”

Caleb shakes his head in a twitching movement. “No. Not like that.” His hands fail briefly in agitation. He’s coming apart at the seams, this man. Essek very much wants to know what’s hidden underneath.

(Mis)Trust in Me by MoonwalkingCrab

Length: 31k / Rating: E / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Caleb is torn. He has been trained to get what he wants from people, and so often he has. But something feels different this time.  Now he is hesitant to trust his own impulses. Is it really just his training kicking in, or does he simply want to spend time with Essek for no ulterior reason?

The Only Way Is Essik's by supersonica

Length: 8k / Rating: E / Genre: PWP / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  Leaning a little closer so his breath could brush Caleb’s oddly round ear, Essik said, softly, “If you’d like, you could visit my library this evening, Herr Widogast.”

“Is that a euphemism?” Caleb asked, snorting. “It’s not a very appealing one.”

Essik rolled his eyes. “No, I—what do you take me for? I do actually have a private library, feel free to come by after dinner. And also,” he made a very quick decision about how good the hearing range of Caleb’s companions probably was.  “I don’t need a euphemism to say I’d quite like you to suck my cock.”

What's sexier than wizards NOTHING by Dweebspace

Length: 7k / Rating: E / Genre: Romance / Warnings: N/A

Summary:  “Is this still you wanting to do magic?” Essek asks. There is a vulnerability to his voice that Caleb hasn’t heard before from the shadowhand, though he recognizes it. Fear of rejection. Fear of being used. Fear of being a means to an end.

“No,” he says, “This is you. You are very clever and very attractive.” He clears his throat. “This is me wanting you.”

Zero to Sixty by indefensibleselfindulgence

Length: 2k / Rating: E / Genre: AU / Warnings: N/A

Summary:   Caleb is new in town, but at least Hot Uber Driver is nice.

[weekendwritingmarathon]

This weekly roundup includes fics written (at least in part) during the 1k1h sprints and/or the Weekend Writing Marathon events.

Fics are ordered first by fandom, then by word count from smallest to largest.

*

Clint’s Big Secret by @pherryt​

Marvel || winterhawk (Clint/Bucky) || General || No major warnings apply || 2,535 words || Complete

Summary: Bucky can't believe that's what Clint is eating right now. What. The Fuck. How does Clint look like this when he eats like that?

Other tags: Fluff, Tooth Rotting Fluff, Cooking, Food, nerds, accidental date, First Kiss, Clint can cook, ALL THE FLUFF, Tiny bit of Angst, Blink and you'll miss it, bucky is gone on clint, JARVIS is a good bro

*

For Want of a Duck by @pherryt​

Marvel || winterhawk (Clint/Bucky) || General || No major warnings apply || 5,157 words || Complete

Summary: Bucky's got the best employee he has ever had. Clint Barton is cheerful, has wonderful ideas on how to garner more business for the store annnnnd it doesn't hurt that he's drop dead gorgeous. Only problem is, the store is a front and Bucky can't have Clint drawing more attention to it than it already has.

Other tags: Rubber Ducks, modern!Bucky, Hawkeye!Clint, Trapped, Rescue Mission, Undercover, Angst, Fluff, rubber duck boutique, mafia front, Second Chances

*

Not Your Guardian Angel (chapter 29) by @tryslora​

Original Fiction (Welcome to PHU) || M/F/F (Shane/Pels/Jess) || Teen & up || Author chooses not to give major warnings || 2,652 / 107,775 words || WIP

Summary: Now that one thing is settled, Pels has a lot of other things still needing to be dealt with.

Other tags: Magic, College, Guardian Angel, Ghosts, Soulmarks

*

Sightless curiosity by @fpwoper

Supernatural || Dean/Cas || Explicit || No major warnings apply || 1,484 words || Complete

Summary: Cas found something new he’s curious about, and Dean is, of course, willing to help him sate that curiosity.

Other tags: Blindfolds, Sensation Play, soft, Blowjobs, Canon Compliant, Indulgent Dean, Curious Castiel

*

Under the Stars by EmiliaOagi

Supernatural || Castiel/Dean Winchester || Explicit || No major warnings apply || 2,146 words || Complete

Summary: Dean and Cas get reaquainted. A sappy and smutty coda to the fic Always Together, Eternally Apart.

*

Taking Care by @pherryt​

Witcher || Geraskier (Geralt/Jaskier) || Explicit || No major warnings apply || 3,398 words || Complete

Summary: Jaskier has things ready for Geralt when he comes back from a hunt because Geralt deserves nice things.

Other tags: PWP, a/b/o dynamics, Alpha!Geralt, Omega!Jaskier, Canon Compliant, tub sharing, Smut, Anal Sex, Knotting, Clothed Sex, tub sex, Fluff and Smut, Clothes Stealing

*

Proof of Flowers by @pherryt​

Witcher || Geraskier (Geralt/Jaskier) || General || No major warnings apply || 8,865 words || Complete

Summary: Witchers never had to worry about Hanahaki Disease, the strange human affliction that killed the bearer of unrequited love by choking on flowers, so it was much to Geralt's surprise when he started coughing up dandelions...

Other tags: Hanahaki Disease, Pining, Mutual Pining, Angst, Little bit of Fluff, episode rare species, Kaer Morhen, Past Geralt / Yennefer, Dandelions, mimosa pudica, Flowers, Happy Ending, geralts low self esteem, Hurt/Comfort, Witchers Have Feelings

*

Have you posted a fic recently?  Any active WWM participant can Submit your fic here by midnight EST Wednesday and it will be included on next Friday’s WWM Fic Roundup post.

[ghosthunthq]

Prompts for the 2020 Ghost Hunt Fanworks Weekend

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted prompts! 

SPR receives a tea pot from a client that may or may not be haunted. While they are investigating it, Mai accidentally drops and breaks the office tea pot. Naru is faced with a dilemma: Delectable Tea? Or Deadly Haunting?  - @csakuras​

Parent Trap AU - @whateverisurlife​

Reluctant client Naru must sit back while the Irregulars solve his haunting for him. - Anonymous.

Hallucination - Anonymous.

Naru and Mai shares a dream (or multiple dreams), but neither of them know they're actually sharing it. - @seoulsborne123​

John and Lin have a night out (I am weak for this friendship) - @frenchcirce​

On a case, Mai realizes she forgot to pack the tea… (aka the scariest horror story) - @frenchcirce​

Disability -Anonymous

What if SPR was hired to investigate a mysterious painting that is said to give the viewer intense feelings of loneliness (or your choice of emotion) -Anonymous

A Hollywood movie studio decides to make a movie loosely based on Oliver Davis’s life and involvement in missing persons cases. Naru refuses any involvement, but the movie gets made anyway. Hilarity ensues? - @csakuras​

penguin sledding -Anonymous

Lucifer/angels & demons AU -Anonymous

What did Naru see when he touched the desk in the very first episode? Or in the Afterschool Hexer classroom? Or in the Forbidden Games? - @eyeliner-vampire​

Hanahaki disease AU -Anonymous

Opposites AU -Anonymous

AU-Luella is a high school teacher who teaches psychology and Biology (because often teachers double up subjects in sciences) She decides to do the thing where people are given a flour baby to look after.  She asks the students to submit their top choices of partners, including friends. Oliver submits asking to work alone and Gene asks to work with Yasuhara (who he has been admiring from afar). Luella is ready to play cupid for her sons.    -Anonymous

Ghosts at sea. Ghost ships/haunted lighthouse -Anonymous

Genie AU - “you can’t wish for more wishes” “okay I wish for more genies” results in one genie being split into the twins.  -Anonymous

“My dad locks the monsters in the basement”  -Anonymous

neighbors who only meet because “i cannot get this stupid jar open, can you help?”  -Anonymous

What to do next?

Fanworks creators, pick a prompt (or a few), start channeling your creative spirit guide, and create!

Submit your finished work here  by end of day April 17th so that it can be scheduled for release. Please include which prompt you are doing so we can include that in the post.

What sort of fanworks are accepted?

All sorts, past exchanges have included fanfiction, fanart, photo edits, and more.

Drabbles, oneshots, multi chapter, sketches, line art, color comics, Asethetic boards, or cover creations; all are welcome!

If you have any questions please send us an ask at GHHQ! Special thanks to @snavej for her help in collecting all of these!

[rosaetae]

the chrysanthemum effect | 5

[this chapter is apart of the chrysanthemum effect]

☇ “Keeping your flowers, keeping your pain— it’s already everything you need to move on. How do you move on from things if you’re not willing to accept them?“

➣  pairing: taehyung x reader

➣  genre: hanahaki!au, model!taehyung, weddingplanner(ish)!au  

➣  word count: 3.9k

➣  summary: the hanahaki disease has become a stigma in this world where if you had it, you are looked down upon. her flowers were white chrysanthemums and they have been for the past two years. she was in love with someone who obviously didn’t feel the same way, and this was her way of moving on— along with the people in her life who had to conform around the hanahaki disease.

That morning, you were leaving your apartment after being awoken to Somin being in a heated discussion with her mother, and you knew it had to deal with the fact that Somin wasn't living up to her mom's expectations of finding someone to settle down with when she moved to the city.

It was rather ironic, you may think, that someone like Somin is being pushed to love when she, herself, thinks nothing of it.

She didn't like commitment as much as the others, and yeah, maybe a white lie to get herself into the city was what she did— but being pushed to find someone and settle down with them is especially odd for her and herself. And there was no way Somin was going to talk about Hoseok to her own mother— it would raise her mother's expectations even more to marry soon.

And it's not like Somin and Hoseok have anything serious going on anyways.

You were leaving your apartment complex, ready to dash out of the building when you stop in your tracks as you open the door.

Taehyung was on the other side, hand outstretched for the handle, only to stagger back a bit by your presence. "Hey."

"Hi," you speak, just as stunned, closing the door behind you. "What are you doing here?"

"Here to walk you to Planetarium," he says with a confidence that makes you raise your eyebrows at him.

Blinking at him as you step outside on the steps to face him. "What?"

"You're going to Planetarium Coffee, right?" He asks, checking the watch on his phone. "I thought we could walk together since it's on the way to my work."

"How'd you know I still live here?"

He pauses before he shrugs slightly. "Just a hunch."

Staring at him, you weren't sure as to why he was in front of the same apartment complex you lived in even when you were with him, let alone right in front of you, and without even asking, volunteers to walk you to the coffee shop you study at. And with that, you don't even know why you nodded your head and agreed.

He seemed rather pleasant that you saved him the embarrassment of 'the two awkward exes that broke up under an open-ended note seeing each other again and walking to the coffee shop together pretending that nothing had happened' and you weren't even asking him why he was doing so as you began your walk, him trailing next to you with his long strides.

"How are you?" You inquire, breaking that awkward ice, the sound of both your footsteps no longer being the main focus of your attention.

Taehyung smiles. "I've been doing alright. Work has been work."

"Has it been too busy for you already?"

"What makes you say that?"

You shrug, hugging your coat closer to your body in reaction to the morning autumn breeze. "Don't know. You're walking with me to get coffee and you usually don't drink coffee until you really need it."

Realizing you let that roll out of your tongue, your eyes drift over to him where you notice a smirk on his lips, but his eyes focusing straight ahead of him.

"Well, just like how you learned how to not to drink coffee, I learned how to drink it constantly," he explains. "But none of that French roast coffee shit. God, that is still terrible no matter how many times I try to set my mentality to endure it."

Snorting, you shook your head. "I may not be able to drink coffee anymore, but I know for a fact that French roast is the shit."

"Mm, I don't know about that. Too bitter for my taste."

"This is coming from the same person who didn't like almonds until you've had it with dark chocolate," you retort. "That's like... the epitome of bitter."

"At least I'm not the person who doesn't like strawberries. Strawberries are the godsend of all berries."

"I have to completely disagree. Raspberries are top tier."

Then, remarkably, there was soft laughter in the air. And it was odd. Having a friendly banter and actually having a decent conversation where it felt too familiar, yet too tense— it was strange and nostalgic, and it was something you didn't want to ruin.

You didn't want to ruin it with a question of closure and assurance because this was a moment you've wanted for so long, this moment of where you can probably move on— why on earth would you want to ruin it with a sake of having closure for him leaving?

"Any plans for today?" He questions, fading off from the banter.

"Just class and work," you answer, as you shrug. "Nothing new."

"Well, I'm walking with you to Planetarium Coffee, that's gotta be something new," he cheekily states, hoping to elicit a laugh or a positive reaction from you, but you end up chewing on the inside of your cheek.

"Taehyung, why are you doing this?"

You felt the asphyxiation overwhelm you as you asked the question— the question that you told yourself not to ask. "You purposely decided to pick me up in front of my apartment— which you probably asked Hoseok if I still lived there— just to walk with me to Planetarium Coffee and you're acting as if you didn't drop everything and leave? And now you're back and I'm supposed to what— pretend that it never happened? What's your plan, here?"

Looking at him was the scary part, because though you were able to look at him two minutes ago, you couldn't now after telling him how you felt.

Surely, you must have thought that this might have been the same way he felt too when he left— the feeling of looking you in your pained and confused eyes was really too painstakingly unbearable to look at. And to form words afterwards? To you? Maybe that's why he left so sudden.

And maybe that's why you didn't say that.

You didn't say anything at all until you get to Planetarium Coffee.

Like you said, you didn't want to ruin it— no matter how strange and how unfitting it may be to see and talk to someone you love who doesn't even feel the same way anymore. There's a part of you that makes you believe that nothing in the past had happened, but you know that if you were to bring it up, you'd have to give up this peculiar feeling of being able to talk to him normally and obliviously.

"What tea do you like?" Taehyung asks, pulling you away from your thoughts. You don't miss the sudden scratch coming from your throat.

He's pulling out his wallet from his back pocket and you bring your hands out to stop him, shaking your head. "No, you're not paying for me."

Taehyung laughs, walking over to stand behind someone in line. "And why not?"

"Because I can pay for myself," you rose an eyebrow at him. Why did he want to buy you a drink? Even when you were both together, you wouldn't let him buy you anything without you paying it back.

"Fine," you watch him back off, knowing that if he insisted on paying, it would lead to an argument that he didn't want to get himself into. "Only if you tell me what your favorite drink is here."

"Will you let me order first?"

He narrows his eyes, knowing that you caught him in his act where he was going to pay for you and not let you know. You gave him a look, to which he lets out a defeated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Be my guest."

Smiling victoriously, you move in front of him. "I don't usually order tea from here, if I'm being honest," you say, causing Taehyung to scrunch his eyebrows together. "I buy their scones. Handmade from heaven."

You turn over to see the open register, the welcoming face of the 9 AM Tuesday barista you knew as Woori. She can immediately guess what you were going to buy: a lemon poppyseed scone, and with that, you pay for it and walk over to your designated table next to the window.

Taehyung, after ordering and shoving his card into his wallet, finally sits in front of as you were already in the midst of going over your notes for anatomy.

"What did you order?" You ask, stopping midway.

"I've been trying to broaden my horizons," he smirks at you. "I got their rose latte? But I asked for an extra shot."

You nearly gasp at the sound of that. "And an extra shot, too? You really are a coffee drinker."

"And you seemingly are not," he chuckles lowly. "Tea, neither. What's going on?"

To that, you shrug, as if it was just a weird revelation where caffeine doesn't do much good— realistically, coffee doesn't do much good for you or your flowers.

"Just didn't need it anymore," you reply. "As for you, what made you like coffee so much?"

He lets out a low chuckle. "Unlike you, I started to need it. Like, tonight. I'm heading to Montreal for the weekend for a shoot and my flight leaves at 2 AM."

You raise your eyebrows at that. "Wow, Montreal? You're already traveling."

"Not that big of a deal. I have to come back on Monday for another shoot so I won't be able to see much of Montreal as I'd like to."

"Bummer," you say, meeting his eyes. "Well, I hope you can go there one day and explore much of it as you'd like. I heard it's beautiful there."

"Yeah," he nods in agreement, looking at you in a way where it made you feel uneasy. Uneasy and nostalgic. As if you knew the look he gave you. "Yeah, it is."

Eunmi was already in the midst of planning Annie and Jungkook's super private wedding when she scheduled an appointment for you to meet with them. She said she was going to tend to some venues for another husband and wife to be that day, but she apparently entrusted you enough to execute her own thoughts on behalf to Annie and Jungkook.

It was nothing out of the ordinary, but you generally hated these type of appointments when Eunmi isn't present. And needless to say, you were biased because you were interviewing Jeon Jungkook.

That morning, you were not greeted by the unfaithful presence Taehyung outside of your apartment complex due to his trip in Montreal, meaning you got to go to Planetarium and finish some homework without being distracted.

As you enter the general building of your work, Yuna smiles. "Oh, ___! Mr. Jeon Jungkook is outside the office."

Throwing her a thumbs up in acknowledgement, you take the usual route up the office, passing by the many desks before you stop in your tracks to see who was in the waiting room outside Eunmi's office. Jungkook sits outside the office, arm propped on the arm chair as he observes the cloudy weather outside the big window next to him.

You nearly did a double take as it was strange to see someone that you barely know but almost know entirely of. Someone who's known by every teenage girl through his platform and someone who's been loved by a single girl through the sporadic whirlwind of the universe that brought them together.

Taking in a deep breath, you approach him slowly, clearing your throat in which he looks up, a subtle baffled look before giving a small stranger-friendly smile in return.

"Hi, Mr. Jeon Jungkook, right?" You ask as he nods. "I'm ___, Eunmi's assistant and on behalf of us, I'm sorry that she can't make it to this appointment—"

"Oh, no worries," he chuckles softly as he stands up, holding out his hand for you to shake. "I apologize, too. Annie's supposed to be here with me, but I guess I'm going solo on this whole wedding ordeal," he laughs, and admittedly, it pains you.  

Maybe you're weak for feeling hurt for someone else, but the image of Minji in your head made it hard for you to even spare a smile at Jungkook.

"I guess we both are going solo today," you state before you open the door. "Come in."

You stroll over to your desk, sitting down and Jungkook following suit and sitting in front of you.

"So, Eunmi gave me a list of things she wanted me to discuss with you, and working with her for awhile, I'm going to try my best to express her thoughts on certain things," you say, gathering your files and clearing your throat. "So, I noticed that you've got the venue set up," you state. "You called them and booked them and everything, right?"

He nods as you highlight the check point on the document. "Do we know where the reception will be held at?"

"From what I know, Annie just wants it at the same venue."

"Okay," you type, putting a note to call the venue to follow that up. "Do we know if they cater?"

"They don't, but Annie has these list of caterers that she gave me, but I kind of lost them," Jungkook says with a tinge of embarrassment at how disorganized he was making himself out to be.

"That's fine," you say with a nod, reaching over to your side and grabbing a pamphlet. "These are some of Eunmi's recommended caterers for such venues that don't cater themselves. You can look over at them with Annie when you get the chance and then when you make another appointment, you guys can tell Eunmi which caterer you'd like to have at your wedding." Jungkook takes the pamphlet from you as you begin to type on your laptop. "How about any decorations for the reception? Do we know if we're doing a huge long table for the guests or individual tables with designated seating...?"

Jungkook blankly stares at you with a look of uncertainty, causing you to laugh as you realize that you were going on and on about something he was probably solely lost on and your words just sounded like jumbled gibberish through his ears.

"Sorry," you chuckle lightly, leaning back into your chair. "Here, about this. Eunmi wrote down here that Annie wanted... blue poppies."

You don't miss the way his eyes flicker from your laptop to your eyes at almost the rate of light.

"Yeah, blue poppies," he agrees, interlocking his hands over his lap. "They're her favorites."

In the corner of your eyes, you see him spacing out, and you wonder if he was thinking about Minji— the same girl that ended up throwing up the same flowers that happened to be Annie's favorites.

"They're beautiful," you note, looking at him before he winces slightly and looks at you. "I hope you don't mind if I ask why blue poppies?"

Jungkook, being courteous and shaking his head, sits up in his chair. "Blue poppies was a song I originally wrote, but it never really got released. She listened to it and ever since then, blue poppies were her favorites."

You bite your bottom your lip, trying desperately to push back the thought of asking what the song was about— or rather, who. It was instance that would break this conversation entirely.

Feigning a smile, you nod your head slowly.

"Well, they're lovely," you tell him as he nods.

"Yeah," he agrees after a mere pause. "They are. Sorry, my mind's not in the game, right now."

"Pre-wedding stress?"

He scoffs lightly. "You could say that."

You nod, your lips curling up in amusement.

"Actually," Jungkook speaks up, causing your ears to perk up. "I've been meaning to ask... aren't you friends with Taehyung?"

Your heart stops for a mere second. "You could say that."

He smiles at your response. "Taehyung and I used to go to high school together," he explains.

"Oh, really?" Eyebrows raising, you let out a tight laugh. "What a small world."

"You dated him, didn't you?" He asks suddenly, you looking at him from your lashes.

Pausing, you nod once again, a sheepish laugh eliciting from your mouth. "I did, yeah," you tell him truthfully.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"It's alright."

"I didn't recognize you until the name matched your face. You're the one that bites your ice cream, right?" He laughs in a friendly matter. You were almost taken aback by that sudden fact he knew about you that you smile at him.

"I do, yeah," your lips curl upwards. "I'm guessing he talked about me?"

"All the time," he nods, laughing lightheartedly. "All good things."

"Until they stopped?"

He doesn't say anything. Realizing what you said, you let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Sorry," you mutter. "That was a debby-downer. Are you making the list for the guests, or is Annie?"

"Annie," he answers, fiddling with his thumbs. You nod, moving on to create a new guest list and labeling it for Jungkook and Annie's wedding, the sound of clicking and typing being the only thing you focused on. That was until he spoke up again.

"He didn't want to leave you, you know."

You fingers stop, hovering over the keyboard. Meeting his eyes slowly, there was this look in his eyes that you couldn't quite touch upon. It was almost sympathetic.

"All of the things that I've heard from him about you were only ever good things," he continues, trying to reassure you before you could even react. "I didn't think you guys would ever reach an end until one night he calls me at an airport and tells me about the hardest decision he had to make."

Speechless was an understatement. Really, you were at a total loss for words. What do you say to someone that you barely knew but knows you from afar?

"I'm sorry," he apologizes, sincerely. "I just believe that... you deserve at least some sort of explanation, you know and...."

You almost had to laugh. How hypocritical of him to say that when perhaps he should have said that to the girl who, now, lost all memory of him— all the unconditional, painful love and wonderful memories of him.

"And I know, he's back and everything which might be the most chaotic thing in your life right now—"

"It's fine," you immediately cut him off. You didn't want to hear anymore of it. "With all due respect, Mr. Jeon, my relationship with Taehyung is none of your business and I'm entirely sure you're paying my boss and I by the hour to talk about your relationship, not mine."

Jungkook chews on the inside of his cheek, knowing that you were presumably irked. "You're right. Can I ask you one more thing?" He asks instead. You rose an eyebrow, only to give in, giving him a slight upwards nod of your chin. "Do you still have your flowers?"

Instant regret. "Excuse me?"

"Hanahaki?" He asks before he swipes his thumb across his nose, knowing very well that he was treading dangerous waters.

"What even made you think I had Hanahaki?" You shake your head, immediately growing defensive.

"My intention wasn't meant to be rude," he begins, rather calmly. "You probably don't remember, but two years ago, at Hoseok's after party, I found you in the bathroom, and you threw up flowers."

You stare, your heart beating too loudly. That night was already blurry enough— you just remember yelling, blaming, screaming at yourself for being so utterly foolish for being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same anymore, and now there you were— here you are— paying the price.

"Don't worry, I haven't told a soul," he speaks up. "Since it's not my story to tell— but after all these years, I didn't think I'd run into you again, planning my wedding. Bizarre is an understatement," he chuckles with an odd warmth, as if he was an old friend reminiscing of the good times when really, his first impression of you was at your weakest.

"You were at that party?" You question, pursing your lips together. "That night?"

"Surely you know that I'm also friends with Hoseok. But unfortunately, yes, I was at that party and I did happen to come across you that night. Someone was already holding your hair back." Jungkook stares at you intently. "Do you still have them?"

Staring at him, you thought of all the ways you could avoid answering. From moving on with the wedding to mentioning Minji, you were creating fabricated scenarios that you wished would help you disappear from the atmosphere that became too suffocating.

Instead, you shake your head, looking down at your keyboard, creating a new format on the document. "No," you answer blandly. "You must have saw something different. The breakup was mutual."

It wasn't because you're ashamed that you couldn't tell him that you still had your flowers— even after two long fucking years, you still had it. It wasn't that you couldn't admit to him that you had it in the first place— of course not.

It was because you didn't owe him that story of your flowers. Call yourself selfish and irrational, but it wasn't like you were asking about Minji and how you found her that night throwing up the same flowers that will be on his wedding centerpiece, his aisle decorations, and his fiancé's bouquet.

After all, the story of your chrysanthemums was yours to tell.

[lamburrito]

Mi's 650 Follower Writing Challenge

So I finally made it! 650 Followers! Thank you all for deciding to follow me!

The Writing Challenge is the first part of the celebration, the second, the "Writing Weekend" ,will probably come next weekend.

Now to the Writings challenge:

You can write:

Character x Character (x Character)

Reader insert

General rated fics

For the Fandoms:

Marvel

The Witcher

Star Trek (including DoomTrek)

Sherlock Holmes

Dragon Age

Mass Effect Andromeda

Doctor Who

Supernatural

Pysch

NCIS

Criminal Minds

Rules & Guidelines as well as the prompts under the cut

Rules & Guidelines

You don't have to follow me to enter

Reblogs are not a must but definitely welcomed

There a 65 prompts to chose from, divided in 5 categories: AUs, Tropes, Songs, Words, Dialogue

How you use the prompt is your choice. Example: You can use the lyrics of a song or just have your story clearly inspired by the song.

If you write more than 500 words use the Read more function

Warn accordingly on your posted story if you write smut, dub con, or violence

You can directly post here or a link to ao3

When you post your story tag me and also use the tag #Mi650wc

Due date: 27th November

If you don't manage in time just send me a message, I have no problem to give you more time

If you want to enter, send me an ask with your chosen prompt and fandom and if you already know it, the ship you will write

You can use more than one prompt, but only one prompt from each category

AUs

Historical AU

Photographer/Model

Coffee Shop AU

Different first meeting

Supernatural being

Flower shop AU

Neighbors

Spy AU

Internet friends

Royalty AU

Teacher AU

Fairy Tale AU

Tropes

Blind Date

There is only one bed!

Huddling for warmth

Fake dating

Amnesia

Domestic bliss

Body swap

Sick fic

Wedding

Kissing as a cover

Reunion

Carrying bridal style

Hanahaki disease

First Date

Nightmare

Dancing

Intimacy without sex

Secret Admirer

Songs

Two minutes by The Amazing Devil

You Belong To Me by Cat Pierce

Carnival of Rust by Poets of the Fall

Burn by Nathan Wagner

Hero by Enrique Iglesias

Arcade by Duncan Laurence

My Boyfriend's Back by The Angels

All I need by Within Temptation

Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

Stupid Little Things by Anastacia

Words

Ghost

Protection

Letter

Wish

Siren

Leftover

Alone

Moon

Dress

Forever

Dialogue

"Please, leave me alone!"

"If you would only have one more day to live, what would you do?" "Spend it with you."

"...Are you jealous of the cat?"

"Please, believe me this one time!"

"It hurts... everything hurts..."

"I feel like I forgot something important."

"Why are you so shocked? I told you I would do anything for you and I meant it."

"Do you need a hug?"

"Stop!"

"You can trust me." "I can trust nobody."

"I hate that I can't just forget you."

"I don't like how much this sounds like 'goodbye'..."

"This is not fair...."

"Look! A shooting star! Quick, make a wish!"

"Please,talk to me! I want to help you!"

Tagging some mutuals: @bunnygeneral @weresilver-in-space @cuddlememerrick @aishahiwatari @demerite @bexterrr @geraskier-trash @crushedbyhyperbole @merelypassingtime @disasterboysandtheirgruffloves @lokilenchen

[worldoffanficskpopcpop]

Stray Kids Headcanon Recommendations

Hello! Welcome to my fanfic recommendations! If you would like to see other groups or other content in regards to this artist or their group, please click the links below! All of the masterlists/posts I’ve made will always be updated when I find new content or scenarios! Feel free to recommend me some blogs to check out! Also, you like my fanfic recommendations, please like and/or reblog so that more people can see it! I will release more groups as time goes on!

Go Back to Stray Kids Masterlist

Go Back to All Group Masterlist

Kim Woojin

Fluff Headcanons

Making out with Woojin

waking up

shopping at target

Angst Headcanons

Boyfriend Headcanons 

Boyfriend!Woojin: 1, 2, 3, 4

Husband & Dad Headcanons 

Dad!Woojin: 1

AU Headcanons

secret idol relationship

Bang Chan

Fluff Headcanons 

Angst Headcanons

breaking up with chan

Boyfriend Headcanons 

Boyfriend!Chan: 1, 2, 3, 4

Date Night With Chan

waking up

Making out with Chan

 shopping at target

Jealous Chan: 1, 2, 3

First Time with Chan (m)

who is the big spoon? 

stormy cuddle session with chan

late night confession with chan

Husband Headcanons

Married Life With Bang Chan

AU Headcanons

Gaurd Chan (Royalty AU)

barista!chan au

Soulmate AU: 1, 2

secret idol relationship 

fake dating

Stories

Alone with You

hospital visit

Lee Minho

Fluff Headcanons 

babysitting with minho

shopping at target

coffee shop minho

Angst Headcanons 

Boyfriend Headcanons 

Boyfriend!Minho: 1, 2, 3

Making out with Minho 

waking up

Jealous!Minho: 1

 minho after an argument

Amusement park date

Husband Headcanons 

Being Married To Minho

AU Headcanons

Chancellor Minho (Royalty AU)

cardiac surgeon!minho

Stories

second chances

Black

Seo Changbin

Fluff Headcanon 

Angst Headcanon 

Boyfriend Headcanon 

Boyfriend!Changbin: 1, 2

Making out with Changbin

First time with Changbin

waking up

AU Headcanon

Prince Changbin 

Soulmates

secret idol relationship 

barista 

tsundere changbin

Stories

negative utopia bad boy!changbin

Hwang Hyunjin

Fluff Headcanons 

childhood friend to crush hyunjin

classmate hyunjin crushing on you

Angst Headcanons 

fighting hyunjin

Boyfriend Headcanons

Boyfriend!Hyunjin: 1, 2, 3, 4

Jealous!Hyunjin: 1

Making Out With Hyunjin  

waking up   

Husband Headcanons 

Marrying Hyunjin

AU Headcanons

Thief Hyunjin (Royalty AU)

Soulmates 

Bad Boy!Hyunjin: 1, 2

Stories

Shy 

something more

happy birthday, my prince! (hcs)

Wait for Me: you thought you’d never see your first love ever again

Coffee Love: You had gotten your first part-time job at your local cafe on the weekends. One of the regulars there just so happened to be your crush from music class

Han Jisung

Fluff Headcanons 

Bestfriend!Jisung 

cuddles with jisung

Y/n is shy around Jisung bc she likes him | Part 1, Part 2

Angst Headcanons 

stressed jisung

Boyfriend Headcanons

Boyfriend!Jisung: 1, 2

Jealous!Jisung: 1

Husband Headcanons 

Married Life With Han Jisung

waking up

AU Headcanons

Blacksmith Jisung (Royalty AU)

Soulmates 

secret idol relationship with jisung 

fake dating 

Hanahaki!Jisung

Lee Yongbok

Fluff Headcanon 

Sneaking out with Felix

Angst Headcanon 

Boyfriend Headcanon 

Boyfriend!Felix: 1, 2

Making out with Felix 

waking up

Long distance relationship with Felix

AU Headcanon 

Prince!Felix: 1, 2

Soulmates 

Secret idol relationship: 1, 2

street racer

Stories 

Cinderella: you hated his guts, but seeing him dance turned yours into butterflies

Kim Seungmin

Fluff Headcanons 

Angst Headcanons 

Boyfriend Headcanons

Boyfriend!Seungmin: 1, 2

waking up  

Cuddles and Kisses

AU Headcanons

Singer Seungmin (Royalty AU)

Hanahaki 

Yang Jeongin

Fluff Headcanons

Lazy Day with Jeongin

Angst Headcanons 

Boyfriend Headcanons 

Boyfriend!Jeongin: 1, 2

waking up  

Making Out with Jeongin

AU Headcanons

Prince AU!

Soulmate AU! 

painted petals;hanahaki!jeongin

secret idol relationship 

Ghost!Jeongin

[golden-saga-imagines]

🌼Of requests and announcements🌼

Hello, everyone! I hope you’re having a beautiful weekend💕. This announcement is for three things:

The first: here there’re the request I have:

✨NSFW Thorkell’s scenario- his s/o face fucking (Thorkell POV).

✨Some SFW/NSFW of Jigen

✨Poly relationship: Thorkell, Asgeir and s/o (SFW & NSFW).

✨NSFW Thorkell scenario with dom s/o.

✨Asgeir, Thorkell and Askeladd react to their s/o to tie, tease and control them in the bed.

✨Thorfinn yandere headcanons.

 The second announcement is the next week (30-05) I will open the match up request. Yes, I have in the mailbox, I will start for these.

The askbox for the match up will open the Monday 30 and will close the 5 Sunday of April. You know, if you want a match tell about you: your hobbies, your appearance, etc. And the fandom, also you can ask me about the both fandoms.

 The third is I was thinking about the last request what I did (ninja stuff) and I pick up a list of tropes and AU of fanfics. If you want use some of this cliches and ask me a request with these parameter.

So there’re:

 Tropes

🌙One bed

🌙Fake dating

🌙Marriage of convenience

🌙5/7/10 things

🌙Soulmates

🌙Enemies to lovers (and all of his variations)

🌙Yandere stuff

🌙Poor-prince/ss stuff

🌙 Hanahaki

 AU/Settings

🍃Coffeshop AU

🍃Florist’s AU

🍃College AU (I did some request about that but more is a good thing)

🍃Historical AU

🍃Fantasy AU

🍃Any supernatural creature AU (the mosterfucker chart is welcome)

🍃Domestic AU

 (If you want complete it, ask something that isn’t on the list always is welcome. You don’t hesitate in ask me whatever you want, if even you think if is a stupid thing or cliché-I love clichés, ask me clichés-).

And If you don’t know something, ask me and I will resolve your doubts.

 I don’t write:

OMEGAVERSE ❌

INCEST STUFF ❌

RAPE STUFF ❌

 I hope you like these ideas, so I hope you have a great weekend and week. Rest and enjoy.💕

 Ari🌿

[thesoftsoobin]

➳ part: 2/?

➳ pairing: taehyung x yoongi

➳ genre: angst (with a happy ending), hanahaki au

➳ warnings: mention of death, non-kinky choking

➳ word count: 5k

Read on AO3 or below the cut.  

yoongi was letting sunflowers overtake his lungs, and taehyung had a hard enough time watching him slowly die instead of telling hoseok his true feelings. but taehyung’s own crush was getting the best of him, and life managed to complicate itself even further when he began coughing up flowers, too. and not just any flowers, either. they had to be cherry blossoms, yoongi’s favorite.

There had been many times in the last two years that Taehyung had looked at Yoongi and thought, “I like him.”

The first, of course, was when he met him. It had been the first week of classes during his freshman year, and Taehyung saw Namjoon – only known to him as his orientation leader at time – talking to his friends in the brightly-colored lobby of the student union.

Taehyung looked over for just a second too long, long enough for Jimin and Jeongguk to run off to the mail room without him and long enough for Namjoon to make eye contact. In just a few seconds, Namjoon seamlessly transitioned from saying goodbye to two of his friends as they headed off to class to waving to Taehyung.

It wasn’t weird or anything, for him to say hi. The two of them hit it off fairly well during welcome weekend, Namjoon brightening as soon as Taehyung told him he was an art major. He had asked Taehyung his favorite artistic movement, his favorite artist, what he thought of the art on campus, and their conversations flowed effortlessly. But being a third year to Taehyung’s first year, Namjoon was still intimidating.

And his friend still sitting at the table Namjoon was leaning against was even more so. He was a complete juxtaposition to Namjoon’s smiling, fresh face, with a resigned demeanor, fading pink hair covered by a beanie, and three piercings in each ear. He was clicking around on his laptop with laser focus, a pair of headphones hooked around his neck, and he just looked so cool.

Not that Namjoon wasn’t cool. This guy was just cool in a different way – effortless, intriguing. The kind of cool that made you question your entire worth as a human being.

Taehyung took slow steps as Namjoon beckoned him over.

“Hey,” Namjoon had said, and Taehyung waved awkwardly, glancing between the two of them. The intimidating boy hardly acknowledged his presence, and he wasn’t sure that was relieving or upsetting. “How’s your first week going?”

“Good, it’s—”

“The kid’s barely gotten his syllabi yet, Joonie,” the pink-haired boy said, looking up from his computer. Taehyung flitted his gaze to him, but immediately looked away when their eyes met. “Ask him how he’s doing in a few months, once he’s drowning in midterm work.”

Taehyung let out an unconvincing laugh while Namjoon rolled his eyes. “It’s my job to make sure he hasn’t gotten lost or anything, Yoongi hyung.”

“Fair enough,” Yoongi said and went right back to clicking away at his laptop.

“Don’t let him scare you,” Namjoon said to Taehyung then. “Midterms aren’t that bad, but—”

“They’re hell,” Yoongi said, grin playing on his face while Namjoon sighed. “Not as bad as finals, though.”

“You’ll get through it,” Namjoon pressed his lips into a smile, dimples showing, before he turned back to Yoongi. “Oh, Yoongi hyung, this is Taehyung. He’s the one I was telling you about. The art major.”

Yoongi seemed to brighten at this news, too, which made Taehyung feel prouder than he probably should have. Even when he was teasing Namjoon, he sounded bored, so there was something satisfying about piquing his interest within the first few moments of knowing him.

“Is that your major, too?” he asked, trying not to sound too excited, or look too disappointed as Yoongi shook his head.

“I’m music tech,” he said. “But I—”

“He’s minoring in photography,” Namjoon said. “You said that’s your favorite medium, right?”

Taehyung nodded, and Yoongi laughed to himself as he shut his laptop. He took his headphones off from around his neck and started slipping everything into his backpack at his feet. “Namjoonie, you’re too much of an art nerd to be an engineering major.”

“You forget I make music too,” Namjoon said. “Humans are complex creatures.”

“Yeah, okay,” Yoongi said, standing and pulling his bag up with him. “I need a nap before my 3 o’clock class. But that’s cool, Tae. You should eat lunch with us sometime.”  

“Okay,” Taehyung nodded again, quicker this time, as if Yoongi might not see it. “Yeah, totally.”

As Yoongi gave them a tired goodbye, Taehyung began tallying the things he knew in that moment. One, Yoongi not only looked cool, but he was interesting too, with hobbies like mixing music and photography. Two, Yoongi was generous and invited freshmen to eat lunch with him. And three, Taehyung liked him.

Once Namjoon’s and Taehyung’s friend groups merged, he found himself thinking that a lot.

There were the moments where Yoongi would break out of his shell and crack obnoxious jokes, his gummy smile making Taehyung’s boxy one appear on his own face. Yoongi’s laugh would ring clear and genuine through whatever room they were in, and Taehyung would think, “I like him.”

Then, things started going downhill for Taehyung during spring semester, and Yoongi was the only one who seemed to notice. Or, at least, notice and care enough to ask and listen.

They’d sit on the floor of Yoongi’s apartment with empty cartons of ramen around them, and Yoongi would listen to Taehyung cry. Together, the two of them would weigh Taehyung’s options day after day, and Yoongi was the voice of reason when a tough decision ultimately had to be made.

When the semester finally came to a chaotic close, and Jimin and Jeongguk started dating, Jimin decided he was going to room with Jeongguk the following year. Yoongi gave up his comfortable apartment housing to return back to the dorms for his senior year, just so Taehyung didn’t have to live with someone random. It was in that moment, too, as Yoongi filled in their information on the housing website, that Taehyung thought, “I like him.”

And, of course, there was this year, just before he found out about the sunflowers. It was their first night in the new dorm, and Taehyung woke up in the middle of the night.

Yoongi was sitting awake in his bed, working on another song with the light of his computer shining on his face, and Taehyung finally understood why he took so many naps during the day. He was so invested in what he was doing, he didn’t even notice Taehyung slip out of bed and into the hall to go to the bathroom.

Eyelids heavy as he peed, Taehyung had thought of Yoongi’s heart and passion, and his tired brain repeated, “I like him, I like him, I like him.”

But those thoughts had all been strictly platonic, and he didn’t think it would end up like this. Even when the first few flowers grew in his chest on Halloween, he managed to shrug it off by the time he fell asleep.

He’d had crushes before, grew flowers that promptly died within a few weeks. And the only time they hadn’t died, his love was much more obvious to him than this. Surely, this would be over soon.

But it was December now, and the plague in Taehyung’s lungs was only getting worse. Even just remembering these moments on his way back to the dorms, he began coughing, and a few pink petals found their way into the snow at his feet.

It wouldn’t be long until Yoongi found out. That was a disaster he wasn’t looking forward to going through again.

That was unless Yoongi died first, which was a heart sinking realization Taehyung had the moment he unlocked the dorm’s door and found Yoongi still in bed. He hadn’t moved, still in the same fetal position he was in when Taehyung left for class this morning.

And, well, Taehyung didn’t think he could hear him breathe, so he held his own breath and reached out.

“Hyungie,” he said, nudging Yoongi’s shoulder. Lightly, because Yoongi hyung hated being woken up. He had to be alive, and Taehyung didn’t want to piss him off.

But there was no response.

“Yoongi hyung,” he said, pushing harder.

Still nothing.

“Wake up,” he said, practically shoving him now, his voice breaking. “Come on.”

Miraculously, Yoongi reached up and smacked Taehyung’s hand away from him with a grunt, and Taehyung breathed out. As he did, there was another tickle in his throat.

“What are you doing?” Yoongi grumbled, turning back over and pulling his comforter up over his shoulders.

The petal in Taehyung’s throat was threatening its way up, so he stepped further into the room and took a long swig from the week-old bottle of water on his desk. His heart was still hammering in his chest.

“It’s noon,” he tried to say casually. “Didn’t you have a 9 a.m.?”

“Nnh,” Yoongi grunted again, tightening the covers around him.

“And don’t you work today? At 1?”

“Shit,” he sighed, and that did it. He threw the covers off of him and, albeit slowly, got out of bed. As he dragged his feet to his dresser, he said, “I don’t think I’m going to go to class anymore.”

“What?” Taehyung slipped his canvas backpack off his shoulders and set it by his desk. He kept his eyes on Yoongi while Yoongi pulled his drawers open and searched lazily for his work shirt. “Why?”

“Because these—” Yoongi started hacking, each cough harsh and rough like usual. “Because these fucking flowers are going to kill me before graduation.”

“I get that, but you shouldn’t—”

“And I have a fever—” he kept coughing. “—every day anyway. I can barely focus at work, and serving coffee is—”

Just as Taehyung’s heart rate returned to normal, Yoongi’s coughing devolved into choking, a deep guttural sound escaping him. He stumbled backward, and his eyes filled with tears and desperation, hands gripping his throat as he took small, ragged breaths.

For a brief moment, Taehyung didn’t register what was happening. It happened fast, the way Yoongi began gasping and his face started turning purple.

Suddenly Taehyung was jumping from his place at his desk, rushing to his roommate’s side. He couldn’t remember what he was supposed to do in this situation, and his mind raced too fast for him to even catch a thought.

Somehow, though, his arms found their way around Yoongi’s waist from behind, and he pressed hard on Yoongi’s abdomen with clenched fists. Tears were slipping from his own eyes by the third time he did this. He was justmet with the relief of knowing Yoongi wasn’t dead in bed. This wasn’t happening.

But at some point, Yoongi brought a hand up to his mouth and reached in, and he gasped for long enough breaths that Taehyung could stop his clumsy Heimlich maneuver. He had to take a step back anyway, once he saw what Yoongi was tugging from his throat.

It was an entire devastating sunflower, stem and leaves and all, damp and covered in blood. Yoongi threw it into his trash can as though if he held it any longer, it was going to find its way back into his esophagus and kill him right then.

He gripped his bed frame and bent over, taking heavy, deep breaths. And though Taehyung couldn’t see his face, he thought he could hear him start to really cry, not just out of reflex.

“Fuck it,” Yoongi whispered, clearly unable to speak any louder. “They can—they can deal without me at work today. I’ll be dead by m’ next paycheck.”

“Hyung, you have to—” Taehyung tried, closing his eyes and shaking his head. “You can’t just—”

“What?” Yoongi snapped, standing up straight and letting out a groan. He limped around to fall back into his bed.

“You have to do something.”  

He was still audibly congested, and he let out another cough before he rolled over and said, “He doesn’t—he doesn’t like me. It’s clear. So what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“You don’t know that,” Taehyung mumbled, but Yoongi gave him a look. “At least go to the doctor, hyung! You can’t let it take over you without trying anything.”

“Not all of us can afford to pay 11 million won for a surgery whenever we fall in love with our best friend, Taehyung,” Yoongi said, mouth pinched.

Taehyung blinked and opened his mouth to respond but found that he didn’t know what to say. It was the struggle of Jimin’s favorite orchids growing in Taehyung’s chest while he watched Jimin and Jeongguk fall mutually in love that Yoongi noticed last spring.

Yoongi was the only one who knew, the only one who supported Taehyung’s decision to spend his college savings on the surgery instead of letting the orchids kill him. He was the one who drove him to and from the operation and covered for him on the days he wasn’t at the dorms, but instead recovering in a hospital bed.

It was unfair of him to use that against Taehyung, especially now, when it was happening all over again. When Yoongi was in love with someone else right in front of his eyes, and Taehyung had cherry blossoms inhabiting his lungs and was now too broke to do anything about it. He was in the same place as Yoongi.

But he couldn’t say all that, so he just blinked. He shut his mouth.

“Ah, Taehyungie, I’m sorry,” Yoongi said, sitting up and rubbing a hand down his face. “I didn’t mean it. I’m just—I’m just frustrated. Going to the doctor won’t do anything unless I have that money. You know that.”

“I know,” Taehyung said, voice small.

“I shouldn’t have said that. This all just sucks.”

“Will you at least talk to him?” he asked. He refused to say his name out of fear that it would cause another whole sunflower to suffocate Yoongi. “I don’t…look, I don’t want you to die.”

Maybe he could hear the sincerity and fear in Taehyung’s voice, see it on his face. Maybe he just realized it was his only option now. Either way, Yoongi nodded.

“Okay, fine,” he said. “I’ll talk to him. Just don’t tell anyone about this.”

“He what?” Jimin asked the very next day at dinner, ramen hanging off the chopsticks hovering in front of his mouth.

Yoongi had to have known that “anyone” didn’t include Jimin. Taehyung couldn’t nottell him, especially now that he and Jeongguk knew about Taehyung’s own affliction. It felt like any updates on Yoongi were an update on Taehyung’s own chance of survival.

“It was an entire sunflower,” Taehyung said, leaning in to whisper. “The flower, the stem…he literally choked. I had to give him the Heimlich maneuver.”

“Dude,” Jimin dropped his chopsticks back into his bowl without taking a bite. “That’s—”

“It’s not good,” Taehyung finished for him. “He can’t have more than a few months left, especially when he refuses to go to the doctor.”

“Why won’t he just tell him?” Jimin pouted.

“He said he would soon.”

“But then if they date,” Jimin said, picking his chopsticks back up and then promptly putting them down again, “…I mean, what does that mean for you?”

“I’ll figure it out,” Taehyung said, but his stomach dropped at the mere thought. It was bad enough having to hear Yoongi talk about Hoseok and his dimples and all the other things he had that Taehyung lacked.

Having to see them actually be together – constantly, considering he lives with Yoongi – could go one of two ways. He could learn to get over it, find someone else to fall in love with, and the flowers could stop growing. It’s early enough in his disease that maybeit could be possible.

Or his love, so unrequited it hurt, could grow so much that the flowers grew at twice the rate. That’s what happened with Jimin, and he was lucky he could get the surgery and make both the flowers and the feelings go away entirely. But that wasn’t an option now, and it almost felt like the 11 million won spent last spring were pointless.

It’s not like it extended his life expectancy very far.

“Maybe you should tell him too,” Jimin said, and a small smile spread across his face. “It could be like romance movie, where he realizes what’s been in front of him all along, and you both live happily ever after with clear lungs.”

“That’s exactly what wouldn’t happen,” Taehyung said. As much as he’s been pushing Yoongi to tell Hoseok, he understood now. But at least for him, he knew for a fact his chances were nonexistent. The evidence of that was still rotting in Yoongi’s trash bin as they spoke. “I wish things could be easy, like they were with you and—”

“So, I have an idea,” Jeongguk said, sliding into the seat beside Jimin. Judging by the way Taehyung and Jimin were huddled in secrecy, he knew exactly what they were discussing. “We perform the surgery ourselves.”

“Babe, no.”

“There are a million reasons why that wouldn’t work, Jeonggukie.”

“Hear me out,” he said as he tore open his chopsticks. “I know a few pre-med majors. They studied the procedure like last week, so it’s fresh in their brain. It’s foolproof, rea—”

He stopped abruptly, eyes trailing up behind Taehyung, and soon Yoongi fell into the seat beside him. Yoongi sighed, glaring down at his food, and decided to take a sip of his water instead of trying to eat.

“How’s your fever?” Taehyung asked. He was surprised to even see him there; the last he saw Yoongi, he was curled up in bed like yesterday, refusing to do anything or go anywhere.

“S’fine,” Yoongi said, more to his tray of food than Taehyung, but the way he shivered told Taehyung otherwise.

“I’m not saying he’s not strong,” Namjoon said, joining the table with Jin before Taehyung could prod any further. “I’m just saying Naruto could beat him in a fight.”

“And I’m saying you’re wrong,” Jin said.

“What’s Namjoon hyung wrong about?” Jeongguk asked.

“Goku or Naruto, who would win?”

“Oh, Goku would destroy Naruto.”

“Exactly.”

Hoseok was the last to join the table, and on his way to the seat across from Yoongi, he pulled Yoongi’s beanie off his head with a chuckle. Taehyung watched, the rest of the table’s bickering being tuned out, as Yoongi blushed down at his tray. Hoseok sat down and pulled the hat on over his head, rudely flashing the dimples that were causing all of this.

“You never came over last night, hyungie,” he said to Yoongi, who looked anywhere but him.

“Oh yeah, uh,” Yoongi mumbled, pushing his food around on his plate but still not taking a bite. He cleared his throat, looked up. “Uh, you know. I was working on my final project for workshop. I kinda lost track of time.”

What really happened was this: Taehyung sat across from Yoongi in his bed while he drafted a simple text message to Hoseok asking to hang out, just them. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, for Hoseok anyway, but Yoongi overthought every word with the knowledge that the text would eventually lead to his confession. Taehyung picked at his nails and did his best to help, flushing down the cherry blossoms that kept working their way up his throat with stale beer.

But then Yoongi started choking up more petals and a few leaves, and once the coughing subsided, he passed out. He fell asleep at the ripe hour of 7 p.m. and stayed that way until…well as far as Taehyung knew, until he got up to come to dinner.

“Maybe I could…come over after this?” Yoongi asked slowly. “I have something I want to…talk to you about.”

“Okay,” Hoseok nodded. “Are you okay? You’ve seemed off. I can’t describe it.”

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine!” Yoongi answered with just enough enthusiasm for it not to be believable. Hoseok lifted an eyebrow, and Yoongi looked at Taehyung for a brief second before turning back to Hoseok. He let his chopsticks clatter onto his plate and set his hands in his lap, shoulders falling. “It’s just…you know…stuff.”

“…Okay,” Hoseok said. “I have something to talk to you about too, actually.”

Hoseok’s words made Taehyung’s chest feel heavy. It was probably another case like Jimin and Jeongguk, where they both just had to tell each other their feelings and all would be well. He wasn’t sure what he did wrong to not deserve a case like that himself.

He hated himself for it, but regardless of how heavy he felt, he still reached under the table, took Yoongi’s hand in his, and squeezed. To his surprise, Yoongi placed his opposite hand on top of theirs and squeezed back.

Hoseok and Yoongi left the dining hall together with Hoseok’s arm slung over Yoongi’s shoulders, and Taehyung headed straight to the campus art studio to get his mind off of it.

He had everything necessary to distract himself – his final project for his painting and drawing class was due soon, pop music was blaring from the radio and echoing off the walls of the wide-open room, and his friend Sana was there working on her own project. Still, his mind wandered with every few strokes of his paintbrush.

They’re talking right now, he would think. They’re talking right now, and there’s not a single possible outcome that’s particularly great. Every fifteen minutes, he’d pull his phone out of his pocket and check for an update from Yoongi, but he was met with zero notifications every time.

It wasn’t until three hours later that he sat back and really looked at his painting, and nothing about it was right. The anatomy of the tiger was off, it wasn’t anywhere close to the skill level he was used to producing things at, and even at this stage, he could tell it wouldn’t get him anything close to a good grade.

But of course that’s how it looked – he had been too distracted to even glance at the reference image he was meant to be replicating. Taehyung groaned and resisted the urge to kick the easel and let the whole thing come falling down.

That had to be the very moment he started coughing, too. One cough after the next, he let the petals come all the way up his throat for the first time in the last two days.

“Are you—” Sana peaked from behind her canvas, paintbrush still hovering in front of it. “Do you need some water?”

“I’m fine,” he squeaked, waving his hand at her and standing from his stool. “It’s just—just the fumes, from the acrylics.”

She lifted her eyebrows, and he knew she didn’t believe him. Why would she? She’d been watching him barely work all night. She gave him a confused look by the fifth time he pulled his phone out, all too aware that he was giving more attention to his text messages than the canvas in front of him, so she had to know something – someone – was on his mind.

It didn’t matter if she believed him, anyway. He couldn’t stop himself from coughing, and soon he had to run to the nearest garbage can to spit the truth out in the form of cherry blossoms.

“No way,” Sana said, right behind him. “Who is it?”

She wasn’t concerned; most people wouldn’t be. To the majority of society, the flowers were a rite of passage. They killed hundreds of people every year, sure, but something like 87% of those people were cases of failing relationships that became one-sided.  Outside of relationships, the love usually didn’t run deep enough to kill. You got a crush, you grew flowers, and if they didn’t like you back, you got over it.

The thing Sana didn’t know was that Taehyung didn’t see himself getting over it any time soon. The other 13% of cases were people with crushes on friends, people whose love already ran deep and was taken to another level. People like Taehyung. People like Yoongi.

“You don’t know him,” he lied, waving her off again. He kept coughing, spitting out petal after petal into the trash.

“That’s…a lot of flowers,” Sana said. “Are you sure you’re—”

She was cut off by him gagging and resigned to patting his back, periodically rubbing slow circles that he could now say didn’t actually help. He could feel her looking over his shoulder as she did, peering to see what kind of flowers they were.

When he finally stood up straight several coughs later, she squinted at him, trying to figure him out. His shoulders fell, and he sighed.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll get over it soon. It’s just a random—”

“Is it Min Yoongi?”

Taehyung blinked fast, shaking his head. “What?”

“He was in my photography class last year. His phone case had cherry blossoms on it,” she shrugged. “Plus, you guys are friends,aaand you kept muttering, ‘Come on, Yoongi,’ every time you’d check your phone.”

Taehyung just kept shaking his head, stepping around her to return to his easel. He didn’t need anyone else to know, and besides, he didn’t have time to explain himself. Not when he still didn’t know what was going on with Yoongi and Hoseok.

“I have to go,” he said, tugging his coat on and slipping his bag over his shoulder. “Will you put my canvas on the rack? And clean my brushes? Sorry.”

“Sure. Are—Are you—”

“Don’t worry,” he said, waving over his shoulder. “Like I was saying, it’s just a random guy in one of my classes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Taehyung didn’t get back to the dorm until well after 11 p.m. The lights were off, and the room was silent aside from the buzzing of the heater in the corner. He tiptoed inside and set his bag down as gently as possible, careful not to wake Yoongi.

Chances are, regardless of what happened, Yoongi came right back here and let his exhaustion take over once more. Taehyung would have to wait until morning for answers, but at least he could rest assured knowing Yoongi was okay for now.

That relief only lasted seconds, though, because when Taehyung turned on his desk lamp to change into pajamas, Yoongi’s unmade bed was empty in the dim light.  

“Wha—" he muttered, rubbing his eyes. He glanced around at Yoongi’s side of the room, as if hoping he was hiding among the clothes falling off of hangers in his closet or behind the camera equipment on his desk.

Taehyung waited and waited, but he never got a response. Ten minutes later, and a typing bubble still didn’t appear. He tried to convince himself that Yoongi was just busy working on a song or a project for class, but the more he read over Yoongi’s typo, the more chills ran up his spine.

Before he knew it, he was putting his boots and coat back on and making the trek to the other side of campus. The snow crunched beneath his feet, and sharp winds stung his cheeks as his breathing became shallow.

For once, the excessive warmth of the campus buildings was welcomed by Taehyung. He could barely feel his hands as he pushed open the door of the media building and took the stairs two at a time to the basement.

There were multiple recording studios downstairs, but Taehyung had visited Yoongi there enough times to know that Studio E was his favorite. He knocked once, then twice, fist heavy on the door.

He was met only with a groan, but it was a groan nonetheless. A sign of life. He tried the door handle and was able to let himself in.

Taehyung wasn’t sure what he was expecting. It’s not like a groan meant Yoongi would be sitting up straight and working away at a mix with the same passion in his eyes as he had that night three months ago. But he wasn’t expecting to find Yoongi slouched over the desk with his cheek on the mixing console, eyes closed. His phone was at his feet.

The only thing that kept Taehyung from panicking more was Yoongi’s heavy, labored breathing.

“Hey,” he whispered, slinking over to poke him. That, at least, elicited another groan. “Did you—did you tell him?”

“Nnh,” Yoongi grunted as he worked to sit up straight again. His eyes were bloodshot, but Taehyung couldn’t remember if they’d been that way for a while from all of the coughing and choking or if it was something new. “Yeah, I told him.”

Taehyung rung his hands together, feeling his entire body tremble as he awaited the details. “Well, does he…”

“Let’s just say I’m still dying.”

Taehyung gasped so quickly that he started coughing, and he was lucky another cherry blossom petal didn’t come flying out. “What?” he asked when he managed to catch his breath.

“He doesn’t like me,” Yoongi rasped, turning to look at the monitors in front of him and away from Taehyung. He was still somewhat slouched over, frown pressed into his face. “I told you. This was stupid.”

“But—But it’s like they say,” Taehyung tried. “You—you planted the seed. He’ll think about it now, a-and there are plenty of cases where—”

“No, Taehyung.”

“He said he had something to tell you, though!” Taehyung whined, his throat going raw as he held back from crying. His own fate was sealed from the very start of this, but Yoongi hyung couldn’t die. “It was that he liked you, wasn’t it? That he was growing cherry blossoms, that—”

“No, that wasn’t it,” Yoongi said, lying his head back down on the console controls. “It’s…nnh…it’s too late. There’s not enough time to change anything.”

“What do you mean?” Taehyung begged. “Stop being so cryptic.”

“He likes someone else,” Yoongi said, as matter-of-fact as he could get, and Taehyung thought he saw him wince. He cleared his throat and went on, “Taehyung-ah, he…he’s growing cherry blossoms, but they’re not for me.”