#♡ tab reply. ✦

[of-quinn]

"You can read people. You... understand them." (for Dr. Quinzel)

◇ Detective Sentences ◇ @chaoticjoke ◇

It felt strange to question herself, yet, ever since she came here it felt like those thick walls that allowed her to analyze were beginning to crumble, leaving room for doubt. What she did recognize was that she had formed something like an attachment to one of her patients, The Joker, such a dangerous game to play, but she had full control of the situation, right?

Of course!

Harleen's distant gaze returned to her patient and their most recent conversation, her. With anyone as she would feel the need to lie, an act of false confidence, of course I know how to read them! Psycho-analyzing allows me to become them to understand them. Which, perhaps some of it was true, maybe it was her getting too deep into the minds of the 'criminally insane' that left her feeling lost and at night finding herself trying to, and on some occasions getting to the bottom of a bottle just to get some proper amount of sleep.

No, he got honesty. "I'm not so sure of that one, " The blonde paused for a moment, her thoughts attempting to collect themselves before she continued. Glacial blue eyes turned to focus on his eyes, "Would you say after our sessions that I am remotely close to understanding you?"

[lorialia]

⋆ sweet temptation ⋆

pairing: best friend!han jisung x fem!reader

genre: smut, minors dni.

summary: you and your best friend accidentally devour an entire box of sex chocolates while watching a pirated version of the movie ponyo. now you're left to deal with the consequences.

a/n: this came about after i submitted a similar thirst for @daydreams-after-dark 's birthday month event . . . so if you're seeing this, hi :) thanks for the indirect motivation to start a skz blog and post this. i hope you all enjoy ♡

warnings: dom!hanji, sub fem!reader, accidental use of sex chocolates/aphrodisiacs, dry humping, unprotected sex, very messy and wet, creampie, pet names(baby), possessive language, multiple orgasms, technically there's no verbal consent but they're both enthusiastic

"This is bullshit. I swear it is."

“What do you mean?" Jisung says, staring at you accusingly from across the couch. His wispy black hair falls in front of his round glasses, and his fingers reach up to brush it away so he can give you a halfhearted glare. "I put Ponyo in B-tier. That means it's good."

Your nose crinkles in pure disgust, absolute horror at the dingy laptop placed on your best friend’s ottoman. The screen glitches every once in a while, but you see the brightly colored tierlist clear as day. There’s Ponyo—one of your favorite Studio Ghibli movies of all time, a masterpiece of visual art and fairytale storytelling—in B-tier. Middle of the road. Average.

“It deserves better than just good!” You insist, convinced that he has the worst taste on planet Earth. “C’mon. At least put it up a tier.”

“Next to My Neighbor Totoro? Fuck no.”

“Fuck you!”

“Woah woah woah, language,” Jisung replies cheekily, and you grumble, tipping back to sink your head into the cushions of your best friend’s couch. If he even is your best friend after this anyways.

You and Jisung have been hanging out at his apartment for hours, chatting about basically anything and everything. It’s an especially exciting night; his roommate is out visiting family for the weekend, meaning the two of you have the whole place to yourselves.

“Don’t make a mess,” Minho had said through the phone. “I don’t want to clean up once I get back home.”

So far, you’ve had halfhearted success in baking cinnamon rolls, little-to-no success cooking dinner, and full success in ordering barbeque chicken. The kitchen had barely survived through it all, but aside from an occasional utensil on the floor it’s pretty clean.

Aside from your cooking ventures, you two have taken it upon yourselves to rank all the Studio Ghibli movies on a tierlist. Some of his takes surprise you, maybe frustrate you— but none of them fill you with such rage as seeing Ponyo in B-Tier.

“When was the last time you watched this movie?” You ask, almost demand. Jisung pretends to think for a moment; his soft lips pursing together in contemplation.

“Uhh… when I was twelve.”

“Oh for fuck's sake,” You reach over to his laptop and grab it, typing furiously to find a pirated URL for the movie. “We’re watching Ponyo tonight. No buts.”

“Fine,” Jisung says, extending the ‘e’. Out of the corner of your eye you spot him picking up the empty plastic containers of your dinner. He pouts, lips jutting out exaggeratedly when he finds the tins utterly empty. “Aww man, no more food. I’ll go see if there’s any leftovers in the kitchen.”

“Okay,” You idly reply, too busy trying to bypass the stupid ad pop-ups on his computer. You mash a couple of buttons, open and close a few tabs, and boom, you’re in.

Meanwhile, Jisung has gone and returned from the kitchen. In his hands he holds a random box of chocolates that he tosses into your waiting hands. “Found these in the back of the pantry. Probably Minho’s.”

You open the cardboard flap and dig your hand inside, pulling out a rectangle-shaped chocolate wrapped in pretty red tinfoil. You don’t care to read the name—the room is too dimly lit to see anyway—and rip open the package, finding two square chocolates waiting for you.

“Huh,” You comment, holding up the two chocolate pieces. “I’ve never seen chocolates that come in twos before.”

A hand snatches one of the chocolates away and you turn to see Jisung chewing. His adams apple bobs as he swallows. “Mmm, cherry. You should try it.”

You glance at the singular square held between your fingertips, and shrug before popping it in your mouth.

An hour later, you and Jisung are curled up together watching Ponyo. From glances and little remarks here and there, he seems to be enjoying it, and thank god he does. You couldn’t stand seeing Ponyo be misplaced any longer.

During a particularly captivating underwater scene, you reach for the box of chocolates—only to find the insides empty. You blink for a moment, tearing your eyes away from the screen, and realize you and Jisung have eaten them all.

“Aww,” Your eyebrows furrow in annoyance, but you remove yourself from the pile of blankets to toss the box in the trash. Your best friend remains engrossed in the movie, only shifting to adjust his glasses.

You think to check the brand on the box before you throw it away. It would be nice to get again, after all. The chocolates tasted pretty good—

“Jisung.”

The serious tone of your voice jerks your best friend back into reality, and he hurries to pause the movie. His gaze flickers up to yours with a slight level of concern. “What’s up?”

“These chocolates…” You audibly gulp, and your mind swims from reading the label on the box. “I don’t think these are regular ones.”

“Then what are they?” Jisung crawls over from his side of the couch and leans over your shoulder. His breath tickles your neck as he speaks. “Weed?”

You point to the packaging. It’s sensually decorated, with elegant lettering and a good number of red hearts littering the front. Right in the center are two words: aphrodisiac chocolate.

Jisung’s eyes bulge wide open and he blinks several times. “Sex chocolate?!”

“Yeah,” You let out a breathless, winded chuckle. Your eyes are equally as wide as his. “How many did we eat?”

Over the next minute, you and Jisung rummage around the couch and collect as many wrappers as you can. With each find, you’re more and more flabbergasted—assuming you two had an equal amount, you can say that you probably had ten to twelve chocolates…each.

“Holy shit,” is the only thing he can say for the next minute. You check the back of the box and discover more lovely news: the recommended amount is one to three squares per person.

There’s silence for the next couple of minutes after that.

The two of you must look so stupid, crouching over copious candy wrappers, dumbfounded by your dual idiocy. What the fuck were you going to do?

Jisung attempts to answer that question in breaking the silence. “So essentially…we’re gonna get super horny.”

“Yeah,” You respond, wincing. “I’m kind of trying not to think about that right now.”

“Well- I mean- You- I- ugh,” Jisung rubs his temples sorely. For once he’s completely serious, no giggles, no jokes. It concerns you as much as it frightens you. “How long until it kicks in?”

“A few hours, it says.”

“Any way to reverse the effects?”

“We already ate the chocolates, Sungie. I don’t think we can get them out.”

“Fuck,” He stares at the empty container. “What are we gonna do then?”

You open your mouth to respond and find it dry. Suddenly you’re hyperaware that in an undisclosed amount of time, both you and your best friend will be incredibly horny. In an apartment together, with no distractions. Just you and him.

You’re tempted to run for the hills. Grab your bag and race home to deal with it all on your own, rather than face this volatile situation and the can of worms that is your undeniable attraction to a man you swore never to date. It feels like the better situation for a split second; enough for you to place one foot on the ground in an effort to stand up from the couch.

Jisung’s head whips up immediately, and the panicked, almost desperate flash in his eyes freezes you in place. It’s almost a plea, a look that stirs something deep in your gut: Please. Don’t go.

You sit back down.

“So…wanna watch the rest of Ponyo?”

By the end of the movie, Jisung moves Ponyo up to A-tier. Normally you’d gloat in his face and criticize his judgmental movie taste—but you can’t seem to get the thought of the chocolates out of your head. It doesn’t help that he's uncomfortably close, his hoodie brushing up against your shoulder with every breath.

He doesn’t say anything as he shuts the laptop, doesn’t look at you as he leans back on the couch. His eyes are distant. Unfocused, dazed like you’ve only seen when he’s dead drunk.

You only need to wonder why for a moment before you notice just how burning hot you are.

Your shirt tightly sticks to you like a vice, and your head fogs like smoke filling the air. The thick pulse in your chest can’t seem to subside, and you feel your skin heat up more with every second that passes.

One sensation rushes in even stronger, an ache from your lower half. Your thighs squeeze together involuntarily, feeling for some sort of relief, any sort of relief. God, you’ve never wanted a dick more in your entire life.

And your best friend happens to be sitting right across from you with one.

Shit. No. You can’t think that way about him; you shouldn’t look. He’s your best friend—but your gaze moves on its own and hones in on the very obvious bulge in his sweatpants.

You glance upwards. Jisung’s cheeks are flushed. A bead of sweat trails down his forehead. He can’t seem to stop swallowing. His pretty dark eyes are not trained on yours but on the way your thighs press against each other for friction. He stares as if he’s devouring you whole.

“Jisung?” You say softly, your voice almost hoarse in your throat. There is no need to whisper. It’s just you and him, in his apartment together, alone.

“…Yeah?”

“Are you feeling it too?”

Jisung still can’t seem to look you in the eyes. He nods, slowly.

You crawl closer.

“Fuck,” He sputters out breathlessly. His hand reaches up to shakily adjust his glasses. Sweat seems to drip down the side of his face and off his chin. He wipes it away.

You inch closer, and with every shuffle you hear Jisung’s breath grow more ragged. His hands move all over himself— adjusting the gray sweatpants you want to ruin so badly, make a mess all over and cum on, brushing away the same strand of hair over and over. He still can’t seem to look at you.

Finally, you arrive right in front of him. You sit with your legs spread wide, your shorts doing little to cover up the arousal starting to drip down your thigh. Your knees, planted on the couch cushion, brush against his legs. His breath stops.

You reach up and gently grab ahold of his chin. Slowly, you turn his head so he comes face to face with your equally flushed face.

“Oh my god.”

In an instant, Jisung’s lips press against yours; he practically climbs on top of you, pinning you down into the furniture. His arms reach and wrap around whatever he can as he drinks from the taste of your lips in a dizzying rhythm. It’s insistent, messy, desperate. Your mouths move in a tangled dance, hoping each to swallow the other whole.

His fingers find the bottom hem of your shirt and hook underneath it to tug it up. You oblige and revel in each and every touch you can get.

Your shirt is shoved above your breasts, and Jisung doesn't bother to unclasp your bra—opting to move the fabric aside instead. He breaks the kiss to ogle at your bare chest. His eyes are lidded and you swear that his pupils are heart-shaped, and he sighs, almost dreamily. Like he's seen a piece of heaven.

“God, you're fucking beautiful,” He mutters from above you. “I'm sorry, I just can't....”

His words send a rush of heat straight to your core, and you whine. Next thing you know, he has his hands on your knees and spreads your legs apart so he can slot himself between them.

The friction of his pants against your clothed clit makes you keen—usually you aren't so sensitive, if not for those chocolates. Every sensation seems to be heightened.

"Sungie~" You whimper as Jisung rocks his hips against yours, your legs wrapping around his waist. He leans down to capture your lips in his once more, hungry for the hints of chocolate he tastes.

Everything is sloppy and coordinated; he grinds into you like a bunny in heat, groaning at every bit of friction between his gray sweatpants and your cotton shorts. It's hot and stuffy, but you've never felt so good in your life.

"Feel so good, shit-" Jisung mumbles between messy kisses. His glasses are fogged and hanging half off his nose, but he couldn't care less. "Wanna fuck you so badly- you want that? Want me to fuck you- ah, god~ like you deserve?"

Jisung shoves his head down into your chest, burying himself between your two mounds as he presses up on you from below. He kisses your skin and moves slightly to suckle on your right nipple, making you keen. His soft boba eyes peek out to look up at you, dazed and sick with sticky desire.

Your cunt clenches around nothing, throbs under the way Jisung's clothed cock hits your clit repeatedly. You want him to fuck you so bad, need your best friend's dick to split you open.

"Fuck me please," You beg, your voice trembling and thoughts hazy with lust. You've never begged for a man before, but Jisung is simply different in every way. "Please, Jisung, Sungie, please-"

He audibly groans, as if the sound of your voice gets him any closer to heaven. He wrenches himself away from your cunt to slip down his pants just enough for his thick, veiny cock to slip out. Meanwhile, you can't resist slipping your hand under the waistband of your shorts, to your needy wet cunt. You rub your clit with two of your fingers, whining softly at the stimulation of your swollen bud.

Suddenly, Jisung's hands wrap around the hem of your shorts and panties—he tugs them down all at once, exposing your sobbing pussy to his greedy view. You look up and his eyes are hungry, lidded and clouded with want, zeroed in on your cunt. You think he might be drooling.

Jisung hurries to press his cock against your wetness. He's shaky, almost trembling as he guides his mushroom tip through your folds, his breath coming out in stutters.

Even with just the tip, it's big. You feel like you're split open, and every inch of his cock entering your pussy sends a shiver of pleasure down your spine. It doesn't even hurt with how wet it is, and he slides in like warm butter. He practically collapses onto you as soon as he bottoms out, his head buried in your neck.

His cock twitches inside you, and you realize through the haze that Jisung isn't moving. He's whining softly, breathlessly, but his hips do little more than tremble.

"Jisung-"

"Don't," He shushes you. His voice is raspy and desperate, and he mouths at your neck between words. "I-I'm trying not to cum."

You whine, wanting any sort of friction—but Jisung doesn't budge. Then you squirm a little, just to feel it a little more, and both of you let out audible moans. He grabs your hips roughly to hold you in place.

"F-fuck-" He swears, and there's a growl in the back of his throat. "Are you trying to get me to cum inside?"

The idea of his cum filling you up sends a rush through your bones. You inadvertently clench around him, and the grip on your hips becomes so strong it might bruise.

"Y-you want it that bad? Fine then. Fucking take it."

Jisung starts a relentless pace; he groans into your neck and holds your hips down so you take every inch of him with every thrust. His tip brushes up against your cervix sweetly, and you keen, your hands tangling into his black hair.

"You're so wet baby-" He mutters, stamping in a word between rough thrusts. "So. Fucking. Tight. God, bet no one has made you feel this good, huh? Say it."

You can barely find the words, letting punched-out moans every time his cock kisses your cervix. "Y-you're the only one, Ji!"

"That's it," He says, his pace speeding up impossibly faster. He's hardly going in a pattern, just bunny fucking into you like there's no tomorrow. "This pussy belongs to me, doesn't it? All mine~"

Jisung changes his grasp; he gets a hold of your thighs and spreads them so he can fuck you deeper. It's a welcome change—and you remove one hand from his hair to clamp over your mouth, your moans becoming unabashedly noisy. Your eyes squeeze shut and roll back behind your eyelids. "O-oh Jisung, that feels good-"

"Baby, baby please, I gotta cum- gonna cum inside, want that? You want that?" He says, and his hand shakily moves to rub his palm against your clit.

You cry out, about to tip over the edge. You want it more than you've ever wanted anything in your life. "P-please!"

Jisung groans loudly, not bothering to muffle the noise as he cums inside. You cum at the same time, whimpering into his tangled-up hair. His hips stutter but they don't halt; he fucks his cum into you lazily. You whimper at the sensation of his warm cream filling your insides. It's messy and deliciously wet.

"Jisung," You mumble out, still feeling a burning ache. You're addicted to the pull of his cock inside your walls. "I- I want-"

He interrupts you with a groan; then his hips begin to pound into you once more, moaning into the skin of your neck. He simply can't stop, even when you let out a high-pitched cry.

"I'm sorry baby- just had to. Your pussy is sucking me in-" Jisung grunts. His voice is nearly drowned out by the wet squelch of every thrust into your creamy cunt. "Just one more, one more, that's it~"

You feel like you're being folded in half from the way he presses you down, your thighs moving to rest on his shoulders. He ruts into you with reckless abandon, and his hands find themselves digging into the couch on either side of your head.

Jisung lifts his head up so it's right above yours, and you see him for the first time in what feels like ages. His glasses are long gone, and his lips are slightly ajar as he groans senselessly with every thrust. The pinkness of his round cheeks and the lidded pleasure in his eyes matches yours; he leans down to capture your lips in a sloppy kiss.

You moan into his mouth sweetly, and he hums in delight. There's no rhythm to the way he kisses you and fucks you—just pleasure-driven madness, desperation to feel you in every way.

"Mine," He mumbles, almost to himself as he pounds into you desperately. "Gonna cum in you again, fill you up~ my baby, all mine-"

You clench despite the tired ache in your thighs. You want him to cum in you over and over, spill his semen and let him fuck it into you again. You want him completely, irrevocably.

It's this thought that sends you over the edge for a second time; you wail, unable to make out any words as a wave of pleasure washes over you. Jisung messily kisses you throughout, muffling the sounds that escape your lips with his own.

He thrusts a few more times, groaning senselessly into your mouth before finally cumming again. Another warm sensation floods your insides and you sigh in satisfaction.

Jisung crumples onto your body and simply lays limp on top of you. Neither of you can bring yourselves to move.

"Best sex ever." He croaks out with a hoarse voice, and you laugh tiredly.

The next morning, you wake up on the couch. Jisung is laying next to you, his body tangled with yours. He stirs as you shuffle and pull yourself up from the cushions.

"Morning," You whisper, and he responds with a soft hum. His hair is adorably chaotic and worsens as he runs a hand through it. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," He says, and sits up with a groan of pain. "God, my joints. I feel like I blew out my back."

You notice a similar soreness in your thighs, but you tease him regardless. "You old man."

"Shut up," Jisung replies with no real malice. He looks down at you with surprising affection, his boba eyes twinkling with joy. You can't help but smile at the sight.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" You say, an amused breath leaving your lips.

"Nothing," He grins cheekily. "Just that I got to have sex with my best friend who I've liked for an entire year."

You blink in shock, and Jisung giggles. "What? You're surprised?"

"No, I mean- yeah," You find yourself stumbling over your words, a pink blush appearing on your cheeks. "I mean, we did fuck yesterday, I just didn't expect you to say it so...bluntly."

"Well I did," Jisung lowers his voice to a soft whisper. He leans in close so his lips nearly brush against yours. "I like you."

"I like you too," You reply bashfully, and you can't resist kissing him. It's slow and saccharine sweet, nothing like the desperate messes you were yesterday. He sighs like a love-struck teenager as you pull away.

"Minho's gonna kill us," He mumbles dreamily. You burst out laughing.

[lovethestarrs]

OLD TIMES SAKE — 𝒿ℴℯ𝓁 𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁ℯ𝓇

requested! 💌 “hooking up with exhusband!joel 🤤” — in my head they divorced on good terms, they just married young and regretted it. — but that seems to have changed.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒: no breakout!au .. nsfw .. smut .. ex husband! Joel .. praise .. brief f!receiving!oral .. unprotected (DONT DO THAT!) .. pull out game fire (also don’t do that) .. slightly intoxicated sex (also don’t do that) .. don’t drink and drive .. use of Y/N .. not really proofread

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒: haven’t written smut in a while so forgive it for not being super well written. I know I said I wasn’t going to write smut but like JUST THIS ONCE, KAY? If you’re uncomfortable with me writing it, just don’t interact with it or me, I’m trying to keep the peace.

I am not 18 nor above, so if that makes you uncomfortable dni or block ♡ pls keep the peace

« 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 » <- please read | free palestine!

The work week was long. Hours filled by customers who were “always right” and coworkers never shutting their trap had you tuckered out. So what better way to relax and unwind is there than going to the bar and throwing some back?

The old chipping road crunched under your shoes as you stepped out of your car, still in your work clothes. You slammed the door shut and could already hear the music inside like it was heaven calling your name. Opening the door, the bell jingled, causing heads to turn, trying to see what soul was going to be taken next.

You payed no mind, setting your eyes on an open barstool. You hopped on and set your purse in your lap. The bartender came by, asking for your order. “Uhm, can I get a gin tonic?” You asked. “Sure thing. Wanna start a tab?” He responded, already working on your drink. “Yes, please.” It felt like a long night ahead so why the hell not? He set the drink down with a soft thud and you thanked him.

“Well, what do we have here.” A voice. Texan. A little raspy. Deep. It’s Joel Miller. Your ex husband.

You turn your head and he comes into frame, sitting next to you. He’s older, grayer, finer… No, that’s the alcohol talking. The alcohol which you haven’t even taken a sip of.

“Joel,” you acknowledge, “never thought I’d see you here.” You reply, not knowing whether to laugh, cry, or die in this moment.

“Yeah, never thought I’d see you either. What brings you?” He asks, eyeing your outfit. “Jesus, you stick out like a sore thumb.” It was nice to see he hadn’t changed much.

“I just came from work. Which, matter of fact, is why I’m here. It’s a pain in my ass.” You sipped your gin and tonic.

He snickered, “Tell me about it.” He shook his head, taking a swig of beer. “It’s fuckin’ exhausting that’s for sure. What’d do you do now?” He looks over at you. God, those eyes.

“Just some office job, trying to make ends meet. You?” Another sip, trying to still yourself from saying anything too crazy.

“Y’know, same thing as always. I’m working with Tommy.”

“Tommy.. how is he?”

“He’s doing well. He got married, he’s got a wife and one on the way.”

“Wow, no shit? Tell him I say congratulations.” You smile. You had fond memories of Tommy. He was Joel’s best man. Bit of a partier during that time but it was nice to know he settled down.

“Will do… So you got a boyfriend?” He takes a swig and you laugh.

“I knew you were gonna ask some shit like that.” It’s a dig but there was no real bite to it. “No, I don’t. You got a girlfriend?”

“Hey, no harm in wondering,” he surrenders with his hands up and a hearty chuckle, one that sounds like nostalgia. “And nah. Haven’t got any time for that no more.”

You chuckle in disbelief. “There’s no way you aren’t at least fucking someone on occasion. Forgot how to be a player after we divorced or something?” Another sip. Y/N shut up before you say something stupid.

“I mean yeah, a man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do but I’ve never really stuck with anyone. Ain’t got the time. And c’mon we were married for awhile I lost a bit of my flare in that time.” He finished his beer and set it down, not signaling for another.

“I guess you’re right.” You shrug, setting the glass of your own cup down, seeming to relax a bit more. The reminder of the years together settling you. It’s not like you two were strangers.

“What about you, huh? S’there someone keeping you… satisfied?” His attention is fully on you now, and it makes you nervous. Like when you first met Joel when you were both young. Fresh faced and dreaming.

“Oh God, no. I’m too busy for all of that.” You shook your head.

“See, maybe that’s what got you all mangled and stressed. You need a good fuck.” You nearly spit out your drink in his face. Swallowing, you laugh, “Joel Miller!” Gently nudging his shoulder. He laughs at how flustered he got you. It was just as easy as he remembered.

“I can help you out if you need.” That cheeky bastard. Grinning at you with the stupid look. You could blame the alcohol all you want, say it drove you to feeling this way but in reality it hadn’t even hit your blood stream yet. “Joel, come on now.” You tried to laugh it off, shifting in your seat as the blood rushed to your head and thighs.

“I’m serious, Y/N. You know I’ve always been a helping hand. He settles hand on your thigh and it sets your nerves on fire. He’s almost primal in the way he looks at you, like a meal he wants to devour. And it doesn’t make it any better that you know he’s good at it.

“So whaddya say? For old times sake.” Maybe you could’ve said “no, you’re an idiot” and get the hell out of there. But with the way he was looking and talking to you in that voice. You were weak.

“You know what? Fuck it.” You chuckle, going to grab money to close your tab but Joel quickly intervened. “I’ve got it, baby, don’t you worry ‘bout it.” You swear your knees almost gave out. God bless Southern hospitality. He slapped a fifty dollar bill down to cover both his and your tab, signing it off and making his way out with you.

As he walked you out, you spotted his old truck, the same one he drove in when you left your wedding. “Still driving that thing?”

“She’s been good to me, can’t leave her.” He opens the door for you and slides in on the other side. The seat in the front and the back were benches. Memories of all those frisky times with him, back seat and the front easily came back.

Joel’s hand made its way to your thigh as he peeled out. “C’mon, girl, let’s get you home and satisfied.” His thumb rubbing circles on the top of your thigh, making you already feel flustered and needy. Your thighs subconsciously rubbing together to keep you sane.

But Joel’s too attentive to just not notice. “Look at you. Already rubbin’ your thighs together. Haven’t even touched you yet. It’s still so easy to get you worked up.” He chuckled deeply.

You suck in a sharp breath, the alcohol was kicking in a bit now. His hand inching higher and closer to where you needed him most. “Jesus, Joel, please.” you swore you were going crazy without anything to rub against.

“We’re almost there, baby. Don’t go gettin’ your panties in a twist.” He squeezed at your thigh, thumb rubbing soothing circles on your inner thigh.

He pulled into his driveway and made quick work of getting you in the house and into his room. Pulling you in for a heated, messy kiss. One hand holding your face and the other pulling you in by your ass, kneading the soft globe.

“Please, Joel. I can’t take it anymore.” You begged against his lips, so desperate for his touch.

“I’m getting there, baby,” His fingers tried to undo the buttons of your blouse but he gave up midway through, “just- fuck it.” He mumbled and ripped it, buttons flying all over the room.

“Joel!” You flinched in surprise.

“Sorry. I’ll get you another one.” He pulled it the rest of the way off, leaving you in your bra. His tongue laved at your salted skin, groaning at your taste. He quickly unhooked your bra, skillful fingers making quick work of it. When your breast were bared to his eyes he almost blew a load. “Oh, God, baby, look at ya. Still so fuckin’ beautiful.” He thumbed your nipples, pulling them into stiff peaks before trailing his lips down to the valley of your breasts.

He walked you backwards until you both hit the bed. He laid you down, continuing his kisses up your neck, below your ear, nipping and sucking at your heated skin, soothing it with his tongue.

“Let’s get these pants off of ya.” He slipped his fingers in the waistband and slid them off of your legs, tossing them carelessly aside. Taking your legs by the ankles and spread them as he kissed the inside of your calf, trailing kisses up until he reached the soft flesh of your soft inner thigh. His teeth found their way to graze at your skin before he suckled on it, his hot mouth burning into you.

His fingers toyed with your panties as he made his way to your begging heat. He placed open mouth kisses to your clothed slit, wetness already seeping through, your pussy weeping for him. As he looked up at your splayed out form, you caught a glimpse of him, looking like who was already fucked out and drained. His eyes hooded and glaring like he was about to devour you.

He wasted no time yanking your panties off, he couldn’t be barricaded from your cunt any longer. He pulled your legs up and pushed them back to get a better view, mouth practically watering.

“Prettiest cunt I ever did see,” he traced a finger down your slit causing you to shudder. His tongue followed, licking a stripe up to your clit, his nose resting on your mound. “And still the sweetest.” He spoke, muffled against your folds. He held your thighs apart, his fingers digging into the plushness.

He feasted upon you, eyes fluttering closed in pleasure. “God, Joel, fuck!” You moaned as his tongue found your entrance, nudging your walls. Your fingers threaded through his hair as he seemed to remember all the right ways of making you feel so good.

He slipped in a finger, then a second as he sucked on your clit, tongue toying with your sensitive button. “Come on, cum for me. Make a mess on my fingers, darlin’.” He plunged them in and out, fucking you senseless with his thick digits.

And before you knew it, you were clenching around his fingers as he sucked on your clit, pushing you through orgasm, drawing out every drop of pleasure. You panted, body going limp as you shuddered. “Atta girl. You did so good, baby.” He kissed up your thighs, your belly, each of your breasts, before funding his way to your lips, letting you taste yourself on his tongue. He held your waist, letting you come down from your orgasm.

“Think you can handle more?” He asked, pushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “Joel, you know I can.” You chuckle. He let out a hearty laugh in response. “I know, I know. Just makin’ sure.” He smiled.

He quickly shed his own clothes, baring himself to you. He still looked damn good. “Forgive me, it’s been awhile since I’ve hit the gym, y’know. Got a bit of a dad bod.” He rubbed over his sternum, littered with some hair.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me. You look amazing.” You smile.

“You don’t gotta butter me up none, darlin’. You still look as beautiful as when I first met you.” He crawled over you, peppering kisses on your cheek and temple.

“I’m not! And… thank you.” You giggled as his beared tickled your skin. “No need to thank me at all. That’s all you, baby.”

You could feel his cock nudging at your thigh, precum smearing on your skin. You clenched around nothing, needing him in you so badly.

“Joel… please.” You breathed, your hands cupping his face. “I know, baby. Gonna take care of you real good— get you satisfied.” He lined himself up with your entrance, teasing you and watching you writhe. Pushing himself through your folds, head bumping against your clit.

Your hands clawed at his chest, going crazy. All he did was chuckle in response to your neediness. “It’s still so easy to drive you crazy.” He notches himself inside of your entrance and it takes you a moment to get used to his size again, your head thrown back from the stretch. He slowly inches himself inside, inch by tantalizing inch.

He’s panting by the time he bottoms out, your cunt sucking him in. “Still so fucking tight, ain’t ya?” He groans, starting to thrust into you slowly.

But once he gets the hang of it again, he’s slamming into you, his head board slamming against the wall. His thumb circled your clit, his cock nudged against the spot that made your eyes roll to the back of your head. “Take it, baby, I know you can.” He panted, sweat beading on his forehead. “You’re still so fucking big,” You moan, legs wrapped around his waist. “Don’t stop!” Your back arched up into him. “Wouldn’t ever dream of it.”

He hiked your leg up higher, pushing it into your chest a bit to get even deeper causing you to practically scream. “That’s it, let me hear you.” Joel purred. His hips snapped into you, the head of his cock kissing your cervix deliciously and making you see stars.

Joel growled, “come on, give it to me. Cum on my cock.” And by his command, you did. Hands gripping his shoulders, cunt quivering around him. His hand working your clit as he leaned down to take your nipple into his mouth as he helped you ride out your orgasm. His hips never faltering.

As he felt you squeeze his cock, his orgasm was building to its peak. “Baby, I’m gonna.. fuck!” He pulled out over your belly, tugging at himself before shooting himself over your chest and stomach, coming down his crescendo with groans of pleasure.

He flopped down next to you as to not crush you, his hand rubbing your thigh. “God, you’re incredible.” He panted, his thumb rubbing circles into your skin. You chuckle, “says you.” Your hand covers his in an intimate moment of silence.

“You know what would be crazy?” Joel speaks up. “Yeah?” You turn to look at his reddened, sweaty face. “If we dated again.”

“You wish, Miller.” You chuckle, shaking your head. “C’mon, Y/N. Second time’s a charm, huh?”

“You’re insane.” You smile. “Hey, it’s not a no.” You pause, smirking to yourself, “maybe.” Joel rolls over, his lips hovering an inch away from yours. “I’ll take that as yes.” He presses his lips against yours, a kiss of gratitude and appreciation. And maybe even love.

Who knows where this’ll take you. If it’ll even work out. If anything, this is just a get together for old times sake.

[bluehoodiewoozi]

Stuck On You

water park employee!Vernon x fem!corporate spy!Reader

Genre: strangers to lovers summery fluff with a healthy dose of coming of age angst

Word Count: 10k

Warnings: alcohol and food mentions. adult language. accidental injuries and blood. some relatively small-time crimes committed out of necessity. incoherent ramblings of a young woman driven to insanity and too ambitious of a plot for me to know what to do with.

[Waterpark AU] When you were sent on a corporate espionage mission, you expected to find many things – some dirty secrets, maybe a scandal or two –, not a soulmate and a week you’ll never forget.

♡ This fic is part of @camandemstudios Carat Bay Collab! Please check out the other writer’s works as well! They’ve all worked so hard!! ♡

“Alright, Miss Lawrence. I’ll have the staff take your luggage to your room immediately.”

You forced a smile on your face and prayed it looked nothing like the grimace it felt like. Either your boss had given you the wrong ticket or you were about to add a fake identity to your suddenly very rapidly growing list of sins – you suspected the latter was more likely. 

It seemed to convince the receptionist just fine as she offered you a toothy grin, her braces proud on display. “Enjoy your stay at Carat Bay!”

With a nod, you left to explore the park and tried to remind yourself the poor teenager probably did not get paid enough to bother looking into your real identity. The thought did little to comfort you.

You adjusted your wide-brimmed sun hat – an impulse purchase you had made under the guise of doing your job with a flourish – and tried your hardest to avoid the eyes of the water park staff, almost stumbling over a small child in the process.

“I’m so sorry,” you told the little boy’s mother. She only replied with a squinty scowl and a huff before ushering him away from you as if you were a danger to society.

She’d surely complain about it to a staff member in an effort to have you banned – she seemed like the type. But you had worked at a water park long enough to know that the staff rarely had the time to deal with such small conflicts. At most, they’d give her a non-committal nod, a promise to look into it with a half-hearted (if she’s lucky) apology, before rolling their eyes and returning to the more important task of cleaning a strange chunk of (what they could only hope used to be) smoothie out of the pool filter.

Shaking the thought from your head with a shudder, you continued on your way, this time a bit more cautious of possible child-sized obstacles in your path.

It was an arduous process but before long you made it to the poolside bar, having tripped over only two more children and a French bulldog. The latter incident inspired you to add the line ‘dog-friendly’ to your bright pink and glittery research/espionage notebook. You underlined it with a pink glitter pen you found at the bar while you waited for the bartender to notice you and serve you a milkshake.

A wide grin on his face, he gave you a sprite instead and you thanked him with a grateful smile and reminded yourself that at least this whole experience was on the company’s tab and not your own.

Your notebook earned another line: ‘make sure bar customers get their correct order’.

“Cute pen,” someone spoke from your side just as the heart-shaped dot on the ‘i’ took shape.

You nearly jumped out of your seat at the sound before turning to face him. “Excuse me?”

He offered a confused – and damnably handsome – smile. A sunbeam shone into his eyes and made them look honey golden; the beauty of it was short-lived when he lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the bright light, revealing a gentle and far less exciting brown instead. With his other hand, he pointed at your pen. “I said it looks cute.”

“Oh.” You couldn’t find any words to say; it seemed they had disappeared alongside the golden colour. “Thanks.”

He nodded and turned to the bartender. You watched in silence as he ordered a milkshake, bubbling with jealousy when the bartender got his order right. You glared at your sprite.

“So,” the man once again spoke up while stirring his milkshake with a red-striped straw, “what are you writing?”

“Nothing.” Your reply was too quick. You knew it was. He would ask for a follow-up just because you had sounded so suspicious; you were certain he would. As if it would rectify your error, you added, “Just a poem.”

Maybe you deserved to get a sprite instead of a milkshake: you were proving to be a terrible spy. There was no way he wouldn’t wonder further and sniff out your begrudging lies.

Trying your hardest to act nonchalant, you met his eyes and smiled tightly. Your gaze travelled lower by accident a moment later; throwing your notebook into the pool began sounding like a good escape plan. He was wearing a damned staff shirt. Of course he worked here. You were about to be found out not by a park enjoyer (a no-doubt humiliating but somehow the more preferable option) but  instead by an actual staff member.

Holding your breath, you could already imagine your gravestone: Here lies (Y/n), daughter, friend, and a corporate spy with an impressive track record of 15 whole minutes.

“That’s cool,” he said and your heart threatened to race out of your chest in panic.

“I like poems,” he added with an appreciative nod and you were about to start crying.

Then his words hit. Like a car stalling right after revving up, the noise and panic in your brain stopped. “Wait, what?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged and got out of his seat, milkshake in hand. His lips turned up into a friendly smile and his hand rose to wave before he turned to leave. “I’ll see you around.”

Maybe you were a more convincing spy than you had thought.

When the guy at the bar said ‘see you around’, you hadn’t realised he’d meant it literally. Maybe he wasn’t as harmless as he had managed to convince you. Maybe he was a counter-spy sent to keep track of your wrongdoings. Maybe he was a ghost or a demon sent to haunt you for your misdeeds.

Either way, it seemed you could not escape him even when you tried. And you had been trying (at least that’s what you told yourself as if your heart didn’t skip a tiny excited beat every time you saw anyone that even lightly resembled him; you silently cursed your romance-deprived heart that seemed to beat harder for every pretty man).

You’ve tried walking in the opposite direction every time you caught sight of a light blue Carat Bay Staff t-shirt, strategically placing your hat and notebook to disguise your person, changing your entire outfit to look like someone else, hiding in bushes… Hiding in bushes! But he was unrelenting. Forever and always a presence in your periphery, offering you bright friendly smiles every time you made accidental eye contact – like you were friends and not at all the enemies you had declared the two of you to be.

He was a constant reminder that you were selling your loyalty and blank slots on your still non-existent criminal record for minimum wage. And, god, did that reminder sting your pride.

On the second day of espionage, you decided to give up on avoiding him. A quick surrender, you had to admit, but it had become blatantly clear that this man was incapable of staying out of your sight (quite an achievement, one must admit, because the park wasn’t all that small). After being on the receiving end of his curious stare for the fifth time in an hour, you decided that if he was going to spoil your assignment, you might as well welcome him with open arms.

Who knows, you bitterly thought, maybe if you get caught, you’ll finally have an excuse to look for a new job?

That idea sounded more and more like a viable option with every passing hour you spent fighting for your life at Carat Bay Water Park while your boss had the audacity to act like you weren’t risking your clean criminal record for his financial gain.

Reminders came through via work chats, emails, even texts every cursed hour. Each ‘make sure you get examples; photos, lots of photos’ and ‘I’m putting a lot of faith in you, Miss’ made you spiral just a little more. And every familiar grin and a glimpse of honey-brown eyes in the sunlight made you want to throw up with guilt.

And you couldn’t even drown your stress in alcohol because the damned bartender never got your order right. You gave up on trying after you’d ordered a mojito and he gave you a plain canned Fanta.

“Not even a Sprite?” you’d asked in frustration but downed the drink anyway, pretending the bubbles were hints of sorely missed alcohol.

Sat by your side, the honey-eyed blue-shirt-wearing poetry-liking unrelentingly-present staff member nearly choked on his milkshake at your words. You couldn’t even be annoyed at his presence because you were just happy someone had heard your complaint – god knows the bartender hadn’t.

He worked at the wave pool. Of course he did. Where else could he possibly work at if not your favourite water park attraction? It was like the universe was desperate to get you to talk to him.

It only took one accidental brush of a teen’s hand against your ankle, one shriek, a jump, some unfortunate timing, and the next thing you knew, the waves had swept you under the water, palms and knees bleeding from impact with the floor. You would be sure to add this unfortunate incident to your espionage notebook; maybe even to the resignation letter you were on the verge of drafting.

Now, with watery eyes, sobbing your little heart out, hyperventilating between dramatic exclamations about how much you hated your job, you sat in a cabana near the wave pool as the handsome staff member you had met at the bar – an increasingly perfect man if you’d ever seen one – carefully cleaned your freshly marred knees. Now you didn’t even have an excuse to avoid crushing on him like an excited schoolgirl.

“So, a corporate spy, huh?” he finally concluded once you’d finally calmed down a bit. His eyes still gleamed honey golden in the rays of sun when he glanced up at you with all the curiosity in the world. “How does one even get into that?”

You didn’t have an answer. It’s not like you had wanted to do this in the first place. You hiccuped. “Well, I thought it would be better than working the water slide.”

“I think most jobs are,” he tried to joke but you both knew that wasn’t too far from the truth. The flash of horror in his eyes told you he’d seen more than two seasons at the top of the slides, measuring rebellious kids, arguing with parents who thought their child should be the exception to every rule, and rescuing fearful teenagers who had gotten stuck in the attraction. At least you had that much in common.

“Yeah, well,” you shrugged and let out a watery laugh as you leaned back in the beach chair, “it seems I’m not cut out to be a corporate spy, so I guess I’ll just go back to the slides of hell.”

The young man – Vernon as his palm-tree adorned name tag informed you – let out a sympathetic noise. “I’m sure you’re not that bad.”

There was a sense of irony in the fact that he was comforting you about your spying abilities. After all, you were enemies, if nothing else: employees of two rival water parks, always squabbling about visitor statistics, the best new water slides, and customer satisfaction. This man was not supposed to be helping you at all. He was supposed to half-heartedly glare at you and tell you to please vacate the premises and never step foot in Carat Bay again. Instead, he looked up at you with beautiful brown eyes and offered gentle apologies whenever you winced at the touch of the antiseptic.

“I hid in a bush near the bar,” you reminded him because you were, in fact, that bad.

And he couldn’t even argue because he had been there, watching you hide in that bush for fifteen minutes.

(In your defence, you had merely meant to squat down for a second to jot some notes down in your notebook without feeling paranoid about someone reading over your shoulder. But then it had been two minutes and people were walking past and there was a gaggle of schoolkids running by – there was simply no good time to get up without drawing suspicious looks and possibly being reprimanded by a park employee.

Unbeknownst to you, Vernon had been sitting at a table some metres from the aforementioned bush, enjoying his lunch-break milkshake and silently witnessing your miniature crisis. You’d made shameful eye contact with him when you finally found the courage to leave.)

“Well. Not your smartest move.” He now struggled to find words to say. “But it could always be worse?”

“How could it possibly be worse?” you bemoaned and hid your face your hands.

Vernon shrugged. “You could’ve accidentally unleashed murder hornets in the park.” You let out something akin to but not quite yet a laugh. He seemed to take it as encouragement. “Or you could’ve started a civil war between the pool attendants and the sanitation staff.” You felt your lips quirk into a smile. “You could’ve accidentally pushed an unsuspecting granny down the Monster.”

You peaked one eye open. “Is that the water slide?”

“The tallest one, yeah,” he happily reported, chuckling along when you burst into quiet laughter. “But you didn’t do any of that, so I think you’re good.”

You had to admit he wasn’t entirely wrong. Next to those three feats, your little bush crisis seemed like a pretty mild wrong. Beside, surely there have been far worse spies in the world.

“I could’ve broken into the owner’s office and gotten locked in there, never to be found again,” you finally joked after a pause of thought. Vernon gasped dramatically before laughing along. You felt better already.

“You would’ve been stuck for a while,” he told you and returned back to his initial task of fixing your knees. “He only comes by, like, once a month and not even the cleaning staff is allowed in there.”

Your brows furrowed. “Seriously?”

“Last I heard he’s vacationing in the Bahamas. Won’t be here for a while.” He glanced up again, offering a lopsided smirk that looked almost conspiratory. “So if you want to sneak in, now’s as good a time as any.” You stared at him in utter disbelief. He only shrugged. “I’m just saying.”

“You—” You cut yourself off before you could say anything incriminating. Running a hand over your face, you finally managed to mumble just loudly enough for him to hear, “Aren’t you supposed to report me to a supervisor or something? Have me arrested and put in spy jail?”

Vernon shrugged once more. “Where’s the fun in that? Besides,” he smoothed the Princess Ariel themed band-aid on your knee, “you look like you need a buddy.”

Warning alarms blaring in the back of your mind, you stared at him. A buddy? Did corporate spies even have any buddies? You had always thought collecting company secrets was more of a one-person job. And even if it weren’t, teaming up with an employee of the rival park was definitely a major risk – one you should’ve been smart enough to avoid.

“Is this your audition to be my co-conspirator?” you asked after a long pause of silent thought. “Or is it a trick to send me to jail?”

It looked like the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “The first one, I think?” When you didn’t react, he added, “And if not, I don’t think you’d last very long in jail anyway, with how clumsy you are. Might as well enjoy your last days of freedom.”

You rolled your eyes – you had only known this man for three days and he was already attacking your fragile ego. “I’m not even clumsy—”

“You got injured in the wave pool,” he countered.

“Lots of people do!”

“Yeah, but not in the shallow end of the pool though.”

Your cheeks felt hot with embarrassment. “It’s not my fault some kid decided to play alligator right next to me. You try not to get startled when someone’s tiny fingers start tickling your feet.”

“Play alligator?” His face scrunched up into a grimace. “What does that even mean?”

“Nevermind.” You groaned, closed your eyes, and held out your hands, wrists neatly pressed against each other. “Just take me straight to jail, actually.”

Seconds later, a warm hand wrapped around your wrists. A loud squeak of surprise tore out of your throat at the feeling. You blinked your eyes wide open just in time to see Vernon grinning as he pulled you up to your feet, your hands still in his warm, steady grip.

“Come on,” he finally spoke when you found your balance, his breath tickling your cheeks with how close you were, “we have a spying to do.”

You laughed, nervous at the sudden proximity, unable to say no, and rapidly falling for your new ally. “We do?” More determined and ready than you could ever be, he nodded. “Don’t you have to work?”

As if he hadn’t even thought of that, his lips parted to say something but he remained silent as he fished his phone out of the pocket of his shorts. He gave it a quick glance before shoving it back where it belonged and smiling bright.

“My shift ended half an hour ago. So,” he looked around the park, “where do you want to go next?”

Within an hour, Vernon proved himself to be a worthwhile informant in Carat Bay. While he definitely did not have the answers you were looking for (“Guest statistics?” He puffed out his cheeks in thought, brows furrowing, before shaking his head. “Sorry, I usually just nap through those meetings.”), he more than made up for it with enthusiasm and random fun facts (“If you punch in 2605 at the ticketing machine,” he told you while doing exactly that, a mischievous smile on his face, “you get free drink coupons for the bar.”).

Unfortunately for you and your job security, this only served to make you forget about your work as a whole. As minutes ticked by, filled with laughter and jokes and Vernon’s dry remarks about the injury statistics (the only statistics he apparently didn’t sleep through at meetings), your corporate espionage mission started to feel more and more like just an afternoon with a friend.

“You know, when I first came here, the bartender got my order wrong,” you told him while swirling your virgin mojito around with a straw. “Gave me a sprite instead of a milkshake.”

Vernon didn’t even seem surprised. “Yeah, they do that sometimes.”

“Is that normal here?” You suspected you resembled an owl with your widening eyes. “People not getting their order?”

He shrugged. “It’s a water park. The people aren’t here for the milkshakes anyway. Are you?”

How this water park had any loyal visitors was beyond you. It was becoming increasingly obvious Riptide Reef, the park that had been employing you since you were 16, had far superior customer service. You tried to take some pride in that.

“Well, I’m not exactly here for the water slides either,” you reminded him with scoff. As your own words sunk in, you found yourself scratching your temple in realisation. “Fuck, it’s my third day here and I haven’t even made any notes yet. My boss is going to kill me.”

“What would you even note?” he wondered. “That the water slides are tall and the bartender sucks?”

“For starters,” you mumbled under your breath and took a long sip of of your mojito. You cringed at the taste before pulling out your phone and opening the notes app – you would add everything to your notebook once you got to your room. It made no sense to carry a notebook around on your water park activities, even if you really liked the aesthetic of it. “And that you use the cheapest unripe limes ever.”

Vernon looked at you as if some thought was forming in his head. Then he nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s probably right.”

“Also that your wave pool is beyond dangerous,” you couldn’t stop yourself from adding as your eyes slid over the still-fresh scratches on your hands and legs.

His face was an odd mix of a smile and a frown. As if you had just said something beyond ridiculous and odd. As if you had just tried to convince him the Earth was shaped like a ladybug. “It’s really not.”

Your eyes narrowed. “You’re just obligated to say that because it’s your attraction.”

He contemplated for a moment, his tongue running over his bottom lip as he tried to think of the appropriate response. Unable to find one, he took a long sip of his lemonade. He sputtered right after, eyes squeezing shut at the taste. After a moment of grimacing through the acidity, he finally opened his eyes again and whispered, “You might want to add lemons to the list of grievances.”

Handing him a tissue to clean his face, you couldn’t help but laugh. “How is this place still running?” But it wasn’t just running, was it? You corrected yourself quickly, “Scratch that. How is this place so popular?”

“Not for the lemonade, I can tell you that much,” he chuckled and gave a nearby trash can a longing glance. After a moment of silence, his brows furrowed. “You know, I’ve never really thought about all of that. Maybe they like the scenery? The rides?”

“Maybe the ride attendants are hot,” you added as an afterthought without really meaning to.

Vernon didn’t even flinch. “I mean, for sure. Plenty of girls come here just to watch Mingyu haul the floats out of the lazy river. They have a whole fan club thing going on.”

You had no reason to doubt him. You silently added it to your notes.

“So what are we doing tomorrow?” he suddenly asked.

You nearly jumped out of your skin at the casual tone of it all. You barely knew him. Just a few hours ago you had thought him to be the enemy. And yet here he sat now, looking at you with curious eyes and a friendly smile as he waited for further instructions – like an actual friend.

“We?” you repeated, feeling dumb all of a sudden.

He shrugged. “Yeah. I’m your conspiracy buddy now. You’re stuck with me.”

“Oh.” It hadn’t even occurred to you that he might want to keep doing this.

“So what are our plans?” he asked again, chuckling a little at the blank look on your face.

You felt your face get hot under his gaze and tried your hardest to hide it. “Well, I wanted to give the lazy river a try. And maybe one or two of the slides.”

Silent for a moment as if expecting you to continue, he raised a brow. “That’s all?”

Considering you had barely had any idea what attractions the park even had before you got here (you made a mental reminder to add both the outdated website and maps around the park to your report), you took mild offence to his remark. “Well, what do you suggest then?”

The wide grin on his face made your body shiver with anticipation and fear.

“I’ve got an idea or two.”

He knocked on your door at 5 am, sharp. Whatever sparks of a crush had filled your heart the previous day now stood in ashes as you glared at him. They began to smolder just a little when he handed you a small container of cookies and a to-go cup of coffee.

“Doesn’t the park open at 10?” you wondered, voice still hoarse from the hours of sleep, and walked next to him at a leisurely pace.

Vernon kept his voice low as if mirroring you. “Not officially it doesn’t. But employees can come and chill until opening.”

Your sleep-fuzzy mind reminded you that Riptide Reef had no such policy. You weren’t entirely sure the company even allowed you to be on the property outside of official opening hours. Arresting employees for after-hours trespassing didn’t sound outside of the scope of possibilities, really. Maybe Carat Bay wasn’t so bad after all.

It was far more peaceful at this hour, you had to admit. Something about the early rays of sunshine reflecting off the various pools made it seem like a tiny piece of paradise. No running children, no scornful adults, no bartender to mix up your order. You took a breath of the serenity and tried to savour it.

“So you just, what? Go down the water slides and swim a couple of laps?”

He nodded. “Yeah. It makes the day a bit more tolerable.”

You went to argue, but as if on cue, a loud scream of exhilaration echoed in the park. You turned and watched with mild amusement as a young man barrelled down the tallest slide, his bleached blond hair flowing in the wind. He landed in the pool with a deafening splash before resurfacing with a laugh. Looking up, he called out loud enough for the entire park to hear: “Come on! It’s your turn!”

Another man stood at the top of the slide and sighed so heavily you could see it all the way from your spot on the ground. Then he stretched his arms and legs before jumping right down the slide as well. If he made any noise, it was drowned out by the encouraging shouts of his friend in the pool below.

To answer your questioning glance, Vernon smiled wide. “Soonyoung and Jihoon. Our best lifeguards. They always work the same shift because the last time they didn’t, Soonyoung threatened to overthrow the management.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because the management thought they were too chaotic together. Which, to be fair, they are. But Soonyoung on his own is ten times worse, so.” He shrugged.

“He was successful then. Huh.” You couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image of the chaos. “Maybe I should’ve asked him to be my co-conspirator instead.”

Vernon made a loud noise of disapproval. His hand fell to your wrist and just as the men in the pool turned to greet the two of you, he was dragging you past the large pool and towards the river that ran through the park.

“Where are we going anyway?” you finally wondered, trying your hardest to not think about the warmth of his hand in yours. But there was no denying it. Your fluttering heart confirmed your fears: your damned crush was back.

His fingers slid between yours almost thoughtlessly, naturally even. Maybe, your sleep-deprived heart dared to entertain hope, maybe he likes me too.

“Have you ever been on a sailboat before?” he suddenly asked, turning to smile at you as he lead you closer to something that looked awfully lot like a tiny dock.

“A sailboat? You guys have a sailboat?”

“A few, actually.” His nonchalance was awfully attractive. “The guests love those things.”

The idea sounded like fun. In theory. But even then you felt your palms getting clammy, your smile becoming increasingly more tense and insincere. Reality hit minutes later, when Vernon jumped onto a boat and began unfurling its light blue fabric sail.

It was a small boat, barely large enough to hold maybe three people – a pair of adults and a pair of small children, at maximum. It had a single mast, a single sail, some oars, something like a bench in the middle and some life jackets under it. You felt yourself starting to shiver with fear.

Vernon extended a hand from his place on the boat, offering you an encouraging smile when you hesitated. “It’s okay. It’s only looks scary.”

“How many times have you done this exactly?” you dared to ask as you took his hand and slowly moved onto the wooden construction. It swayed under your feet as if daring you to take another step before it would capsize and throw you overboard. Vernon’s grip on your hand seemed to tighten; or maybe it was your own grip on his hand that became stronger. Whatever the reason, it was strong and steady and made you feel safe.

He hummed in thought and gently pushed the boat away from the dock just as you sat onto the bench. “A few times. Maybe ten? I’ve gone overboard at least twice though.”

Not exactly an encouraging statistic. Perhaps you were dumb to trust and like a man you barely knew. Perhaps it was time to fix that.

“Tell me something about yourself.”

He blinked at you, surprised. “Like what?”

“Anything,” you practically wailed, desperate for a distraction. “Who taught you to sail?”

“No one,” he said and sat down next to you, letting the sail do its job. His ease made you suspect the boats were more foolproof than you had feared. It eased your anxiety just a tiny bit. “I taught myself back when I first came work here. It was my second day, I think? My manager told me to walk around and test out some attractions.” He shrugged. “The boats seemed like fun. I got on one, I tried it out, almost broke the entire thing, went overboard, and then I tried again two days later.”

You had to admire his tenacity. “I think I wouldn’t touch this thing for another five years if that happened to me.”

“I’m not really one to give up.”

Your heart stuttered at the look in his eyes: intense, passionate, thoughtful. Like it was a promise of something else. Like he meant it. You looked away and admitted defeat. If the universe expected you not to fall for this guy, it was doing a horrible job because you were pretty sure no man had ever made you feel so flustered with just a few words.

Maybe the silence that followed was too much for him. Maybe he was as nervous as you were. Whatever the reason, he nudged your hand. “Your turn?”

“What?” you startled out of your thoughts.

“Tell me something about yourself.”

You hesitated. “Like what?”

“If you weren’t the worst corporate spy in the world,” he started with a small teasing smile, “what would you do for a living?”

The million dollar question. You had been asking yourself the very same thing for years now, feeling increasingly less content in your dead-end water park job.

“Who knows?” you answered with a shrug. “Everything I should want to do I’m underqualified for. Everything I do want to do I’m not good enough for. I’d probably still be working at the water slides, hoping someone would show up with a red flashing sign telling me what to do and where to go.”

“No dreams then?”

“Only to get out of Riptide Reef. To get out of my home town and find someone who understands.” You cringed at your own words. You hadn’t meant to say that much, you never did. “Sorry, that was—”

“Completely normal,” he assured you and squeezed your hand. “You know, maybe this job was exactly that: a sign. Maybe you were meant to come here to find your purpose.”

Your laugh sounded anything but real. “Yeah, sure. That’s possible.”

“It is!”

“Alright, Socrates,” you teased and nudged his foot with your own, “what’s your dream then?”

His answer was instant. No thoughts, no hesitation, no doubts about it all. “To be happy.”

It sounded dumb at first. So dumb that you almost laughed, lips already quirking upwards in preparation for it. But then you realised it wasn’t, not at all. You felt your face fall at the realisation that he’d effortlessly unlocked the very code you had been so desperate to crack.

To be happy – isn’t that the ultimate goal in life as a whole? Isn’t that your goal?

“Doesn’t matter where or how,” he continued after a thoughtful pause. “One day I just want to sit down and think back to my life and smile. No regrets – no real ones anyway. Just happiness, fulfilment. It’s one thing to accomplish something, but it’s another to feel joy about it, you know?”

Perhaps it was the odd reality of being awake at 5 am, but you understood what he meant. And you found yourself longing for the same thing.

Two hours went by in a flash of serenity. The river floated you around on a gentle current, facilitating conversations you had never had with another: of dreams, of wishes, of childhood memories.

The peace of it all was interrupted by a familiar chaotic pair racing up to you in a row boat, their cheeks and noses sunburnt red, their smiles wide and relaxed.

“There you two are!” one of them called out – Soonyoung, the one who’d come down the slide screaming. “We were starting to worry Vernon drowned you in the river.”

You offered your co-conspirator a mischievous smile. “Do you have a habit of doing that?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, in my free time I like to wake up at 5 am and drown pretty girls in the most popular river in the county.”

“He jokes but I wouldn’t put it past him,” the first stranger whispered to you loudly before squealing out a laugh when Vernon splashed him.

“Are you guys planning on floating here the whole day?” the other stranger – Jihoon, you vaguely remembered – wondered, lifting a hand to his forehead to shield his eyes from the sun. He offered you a friendly smile. “He hasn’t bored you yet?”

“I’m not that boring–”

“Shush, the adults are speaking,” Soonyoung told him and got splashed once more.

“He’s just showing me around the park,” you told them while trying not to laugh as Soonyoung splashed Vernon back with a bit more force than necessary.

“And he chose the freaking sail boat?!” Soonyoung paused, scandalised. “Have you even been on the slides yet?” You shook your head and he gasped. “The lazy river?” You repeated your action and he splashed Vernon once more. “You’re a horrible guide! And an even worse boyfriend!”

“We’re not actually—”

“Who goes on the water slides at 5 am?” Vernon laughed.

“That’s the best time!”

You shared a look with Jihoon. The man had curled into a comfortable lazy ball at the bottom of the boat, covered in a hoodie two sizes too big for him. An amused smile on his lips, he shook his head towards the other two and you knew you’d get along great.

“That’s it,” Soonyoung decided and climbed onto the sail boat to adjust its course. “We’re showing you what real fun looks like.”

“Soonyoung, we have work in three hours,” Jihoon reminded him gently but made no real movement to stop him. “We should be resting and eating breakfast.”

The other man made eye contact with you, widened his eyes and mimicked unscrewing something from his head before turning back to his friend and declaring, “Having fun is resting.”

You nearly jumped out of your skin as a warm body gently pressed against your shoulder. Vernon leaned over to whisper into your ear, “He keeps saying he’s an introvert but nobody really believes him.”

“I wonder why,” you whispered back. He huffed out a laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” Soonyoung demanded and practically pulled him to his feet. “Come on, we’re going back to the mainland to show your girlfriend how to have fun.”

“Not his girlfriend—” you started once again but Vernon beat you to the punch, “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

You prayed he hadn’t heard the choked whine of surprise you nearly let escape.

Though all three men had vowed they’d go to work at 10, had reminded each other to do exactly that, and had never once failed to check their watches, it quickly became apparent none of them actually had any intentions to get any work done. What you had expected to be a maximum of two hours of water park rides had quickly turned into five hours of water park shenanigans, and you were beyond the point of exhaustion.

“So, that was,” you struggled to find the words to say before settling on, “eventful.”

After hours of fun, the bar presented a delightful escape from the chaos. And you were starting to understand why the management wanted Soonyoung and Jihoon separated at all costs.

Vernon snorted and adjusted his cap – or possibly Jihoon’s cap; they’d switched it enough times that it was hard to tell. “That’s one word for it, sure.”

“Is it even legal to go down the water slide so many times?”

“You only went down four times.”

You sighed and relaxed into your beach chair. “Really? It felt like at least eight.”

“At least we know you won’t have a future in accounting,” he teased and you couldn’t help but laugh.

It was nice. Peaceful. You could get used to this, you thought.

The park wasn’t quite as busy as it would be at the weekend but there was still a fair amount of people. They passed by, engrossed in their own dramas and conversations, scolding their children and talking back to their mothers, laughing at the dumbest of jokes without a care in the world. Happy. And so were you.

“Should we order something?” you suggested after a long pause of serenity.

Vernon, having spent the past five minutes basking in the sun like a kitten who’d finally discovered the joys of sunny summer days, peeked one eye open to look at you. The corner of his lips lifted into a picture-perfect smirk. “Willing to take your chances?”

“Who knows?” You couldn’t help but laugh a little as you got up to head to the bar, hanging back just enough for him to catch up. “Maybe he’ll actually get it right this time.”

He glanced towards the bar and shook his head. “Nope, not Chan.”

“You say it with such certainty.”

“He’s made it his mission to get on the Wall of Shame this summer,” he informed you as if that meant anything to you. You only continued to stare at him, full of curiosity and confusion. “It’s pretty hard to get fired here but at the end of each month, the management awards Employee of the Month to someone who did a good job and adds anyone who’s been complained about to the Wall of Shame.”

“And he wants to be on that wall?”

“He’s been working towards it all month.”

That explained a lot. You sighed in pre-emptive defeat and sat down at the bar. But before you could raise your hand to wave the bartender over, Vernon jumped over the counter. You bit back a laugh.

“What are you doing?”

“You said he never gets your drinks right,” he shrugged and reached for a glass like it was second nature, “so I’m gonna make sure someone does.” 

Haphazardly, he straightened his shirt and fixed his hair before flashing you his most charming smile – one you couldn’t help but mirror. “What can I get for the lady?”

Lifting your hand and tapping your bottom lip with your finger, you contemplated for just a minute. “You know, a milkshake sounds lovely right about now.”

“One milkshake coming right up,” he replied with a wink before getting to work.

You shared a look with the bartender – Chan, you reminded yourself – and exchanged an amused look. With no customers to entertain, he came closer and leaned his hip against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. “My eyes must be deceiving me.”

“They must,” Vernon agreed in the most deadpan tone you had heard all day.

“You’re behind my bar.”

“You’ve been getting her drinks wrong all week.”

“You know I have a mission.”

He nodded. “Yeah, well, she’s spying for Riptide Reef and might write a whole page about your poor customer service in her report.”

You couldn’t help but groan and hide your face in your hands. “Vernon, you can’t go around telling people I’m a corporate spy.”

Both of Chan’s eyebrows rose in interest. “A spy, eh?”

“If you tell anybody, I’ll tell Seungcheol you’re mixing orders up on purpose.”

It’s okay to admit that Vernon’s quick defence made your heart melt just a little bit. Then again, you supposed everything he did had that effect on you now. You really were falling fast and deep.

“Fine,” Chan declared and he sounded just a little more on edge than before, voice strangely higher on the last syllable. “Help me at the bar today and I won’t ask any questions.”

Finger hovering above the button of the blender, Vernon glanced at you for just a moment too long. Then he nodded. “Deal.”

“That was a joke—” the other man began but was promptly interrupted by the struggling screeches and roaring of a blender that had worked two-hundred more shifts than it should have. He sighed in defeat and leaned closer to you over the counter. “So, tell me about this corporate spy thing: does it pay well?”

“Hey!” Vernon interrupted just as you opened your mouth to answer. You couldn’t help but grin when he pointed an accusatory fork in Chan’s direction and emphasised, “No questions.”

Chan sighed. “You’re really no fun.”

“It doesn’t pay well at all,” you told him in a loud whisper when Vernon’s attention drifted to a customer – one your new companion was pointedly ignoring – waving him down. “I should’ve asked for a pay raise before taking the job.”

He cursed under his breath. “I knew there was a catch somewhere.”

“It’s nice that they’re paying for my stay here though. All of this,” you made a vague gesture towards the park, “for free.”

Your new friend pursed his lips in thought, gaze caught on someone behind you. “That does sound kind of nice, honestly. I’ve been meaning to explore the park – getting paid for it would be pretty neat.”

You blinked at him. “Vernon said staff can just wander around here before opening hours.”

His brows furrowed into a deep-set frown. “We can?”

Your trusty guide returned to you just in time to answer for you. “Yeah. You didn’t know?”

If a dictionary editor ever needed a picture definition for ‘betrayed’, you would be sure to submit this exact moment for consideration. While his frown deepened more than you ever thought possible, Chan’s jaw dropped so low you feared a stray bee might fly into his throat.

He then slammed a fist against the counter. “I knew they were keeping something from me!”

Vernon placed your milkshake in front of you with a gentle laugh and a warm touch of his hand against yours. You laughed along and tried to ignore the electricity running deep under your skin.

‘What the hell is in the water at this place? Why do I want to hold and kiss a man I’ve known for four days?’

The glittery line stared right back at you from the notebook. It was a forbidden confession in ink, one you still couldn’t believe you had made.

You had heard of summer flings, of rapid-fire romances so hot and fast and passionate they could never be forgotten. You had thought them a myth. Something romance authors came up with to sell more books with smaller page counts. But now you were forced to confront your reality – one that the day’s activities had not helped in the least –: you were really falling for a man you had known for less days than a child could count.

‘You have to leave in a few days’ you wrote under the line and it was a reminder. There was no point in getting attached. It would hurt less to face the odds and limit your interactions.

But like a moth to a flame, you were stuck on him and found yourself seeking him out again and again the whole day. You saw him in every light blue staff shirt. You heard him in every laugh. You felt him in every warm ray of the sun.

And when he snuck away from his tasks to tell you random facts about the park, contemplate about life, or share town gossip he’d heard while keeping watch at the wave pool, you felt like you could breathe again.

You found him again at the wave pool just an hour before his shift would end. He waved you over with a twinkle in his honey-glazed eyes before locating the most comfortable vacant beach chair. He led you to it without any questions asked, before you could even get a word out.

“You know,” he started, sneaking glances at your sunbathing body between routine scans of the wave pool’s ever-changing population, “there’s a party here Sunday night. You should come.”

“What kind of a party?” you wondered and lathered sun lotion onto your legs, unaware it was the most distracting sight this poor man had ever witnessed. “It better not be formal because I really did not pack any clothes for that occasion.”

A minute passed in silence. You almost forgot he was there – almost, but not really. You were cursed to always be aware of his presence these days.

Finally, he cleared his throat and turned to monitor the pool again. “It’s not. There’s a live band, a free bar. Honestly,” he turned back to you before looking away again as if he hadn’t meant to do that, “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tried to show up naked.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you be there?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

It was hard to tell where the sudden confidence had come from – maybe the pink glitter pen was magical and had blessed your intentions (a girl could dream) –, you glanced up and smiled at him. “Then neither would I.”

“Cool,” he breathed out as if he could no longer find his voice.‘Maybe this is what it means to be happy’ you wrote in your notebook in pretty cursive letters and smiled to yourself when you caught him looking at you again.

Reality struck again just a few hours later, after he’d walked you back to your room at the end of his shift, after he made the fatal mistake of swiftly kissing your cheek goodbye. A phone call was all it took – that’s how fragile your newfound happiness really was.

“I hope your report’s coming along well,” your manager spoke and he sounded expectant. It had the familiar deceitful undertone of ‘I expect great things from you, kid’ you’d heard your teachers use one too many times in high school.

You cleared your throat. “Yes, sir.”

“Yeah? Lots of evidence and notes, I hope?” Something about the tone of his voice made you hate it even more than usual.

“Plenty,” you told him and it wasn’t a complete lie but it wasn’t exactly the truth either. Your notebook, open with barely three pages of writing in it, mocked you on the windowsill.

He hummed in approval and you felt sick all of a sudden. Without even saying anything disapproving, your supervisor was forcing you to realise how much you’d been slacking – too busy having fun and flirting to even do your own little job. You felt small, insignificant, unable to fulfil the tasks you were given.

“Can’t wait to read your report on Monday, Olivia. We’re counting on you for the future of the park.”

Not my name, you wanted to tell him but gritted your teeth and only made a noise of agreement. He didn’t even bother to say ‘goodbye’ before abruptly ending the call, leaving you to inevitably spiral under the pressure.

‘You need to focus on your job’ you added to the notes in crooked, unsteady handwriting. You underlined it twice.

The crowded Saturday made it easier to avoid him. The realisation filled you with both guilt and relief. Instead of resorting to your old tactics of hiding in bushes, you could simply adjust your sun hat and blend into the crowd.

But somehow he still seemed to find you, greeting you with a friendly smile each and every time.

You tried hiding behind the snack bar menu. It took him all of five minutes to find you anyway. He bought two chocolate bars and handed one to you as if it was a peace offering – like he knew what you were trying to do. You thanked him with a meek smile and entertained his chats with short replies.

You spent at least two hours floating around in the lazy river, hopeful that he wouldn’t think to search for you there, and if he did, he’d surely be forced to wait for your return to dry land before he could try to talk to you again. The only entertainment you had was taking note of the ride mechanics, listening to snippets of gossip, and confirming the rumours of a Mingyu fan club (the rumours were true and you came out of the river a changed woman with a new appreciation for biceps) but somehow that was enough to distract you.

Unfortunately, it seemed that even that obstacle didn’t deter Vernon all that much as he practically jogged along the riverside, keeping time with your float, to tell you that Chan had finally earned his place on the Wall of Shame and that he couldn’t wait to spend all Sunday night dancing with you.

Your self-control was on the verge of breaking, being chipped away bit by bit. And then it cracked.

Finally, when he appeared again just as you got out of the lazy river. Hands in his pockets, that beautiful smile on his face, he effortlessly matched your pace on the way to the bar, completely unaware of your inner turmoil.

“You know, Chan’s not working the party,” he told you with a gentle nudge. “We might actually have a shot at getting our right orders.”

“Yeah?” you forced out and tried to pretend you were fine even as your heart threatened to break alongside your self-control.

You needed to focus on your job, you reminded yourself. You had no time to party or flirt. Riptide Reef was counting on your report to get better and stay afloat. You had notes to organise, a report to write, information to gather.

Vernon didn’t seem to mind your curt tone. “Jihoon and Soonyoung will be DJing though. That’s, like, a fifty-fifty shot of a decent soundtrack. But I guess maybe if Soonyoung gets drunk enough, he’ll forget and then—”

“I can’t come to the party with you, Vernon,” you finally burst out and told him. It sounded a little louder, much meaner than you had intended it to. But there was no taking it back now. You had to put a stop to this.

He only blinked. “You can’t? Why not?”

“Because I’m not here to have fun,” you said, exasperated and tired and overwhelmed, your supervisor’s voice still painfully loud in your ear. “I’m here to do a job. I need to do this job. I need this job.”

His silence somehow hurt. Even if you were the cause of it. Finally, he asked, “So what does that mean?”

“It means that—” You didn’t know. No. That’s a lie. You knew exactly what it meant and you knew that if you said those words now, it would be the end. You didn’t want it to end, not really. But what choice did you have? You took a deep breath. “Whatever it is between us is over. We can’t keep doing this?”

“Doing what?” he asked, his voice mixed with a breathless laugh even as his brows furrowed. “Having fun? Connecting?”

You gestured vaguely. “This.”

“No, call it what it is.”

“Flirting.”

There it was. The admission. The truth.

“Vernon, I like you, but I need to focus on my job. My boss expects a report in less than three days and I have close to nothing. I can’t afford distractions.”

He stepped back. You tried to tell yourself there hadn’t been a flash of hurt in his eyes. “So you’re saying I’m a distraction.”

“Exactly.”

You couldn’t bear to say anything more. Turning on your heel, you left back into the safety of your hotel room, making sure to lock the door in case he decided to follow you in a pursuit of a proper explanation.

Sunday was spent in misery. Getting rid of a distraction, it seemed, had only made way for a worse and bigger distraction – sadness. It was bothersome and overwhelming. It came with silent tears and nightmares. It paralysed you.

Instead of writing a report like you had vowed to do, you lied in bed and ordered copious amounts of room service in hopes of eating the guilt away.

Morning became noon. Noon became afternoon. Afternoon became evening. You were still as miserable as before, replaying the conversation in your head like the most awful record you had ever bought but could never quite get rid of.

Whatever happiness was, you were sure you had found its true opposite now.

You contemplated getting out of bed and seeking him out to apologise. Maybe you’d write him a letter in pink glitter pen and hand it over when he inevitably refused to talk to you. Maybe you’d just break down crying in front of the wave pool and he’d take pity on you. Whatever the case, you were slowly realising you wouldn’t be able to find peace until you made this right.

The party, you suddenly realised. You’d find him there, surely. And even if not, you could simply drown your worries in free alcohol. Nothing to lose, plenty to gain.

Filled with a newfound sense of determination, you washed off the sadness and lunch crumbs. Your travel wardrobe wasn’t particularly varied but you found something decent – possibly even pretty – to wear. You grabbed your phone and your room key, put on your shoes and opened the door to leave–

It took every bit of self-control to not start crying.

Standing right outside your door, Vernon looked so different in a white t-shirt instead of his usual light blue. A small bouquet of daisies in his hand, he offered you a small smile.

He pointed at the door. “I was just about to knock.”

“Vernon, you—”

“I know you said I’m a distraction but,” he took a deep wavering breath and held the flowers out for you to take, “I was hoping I’m a good enough distraction that you might not give up on this – on us – just yet.”

“Why are you so nice to me?” you whispered before you could stop yourself. The flowers looked even prettier up close – just as he did – and you couldn’t resist the urge to hold them closer to your chest. “You shouldn’t be nice to me, not when I treated you like that. All you’ve done is be so sweet and kind and I treated you so horribly—”

A soft noise of protest interrupted you. “You’re just under a lot of pressure—”

“Let me apologise,” you pleaded, your grip on the flowers tightening. “I hurt you.”

He didn’t argue with that. “You did. And I did feel hurt at first. But then I thought about it a bit and I realised you probably didn’t mean it, not in that way anyway.”

“You’ve known me for a week, Vernon,” you reminded. “Why are you making excuses for me? You can’t possibly know what I meant.”

“I may not know all that much about you but I know what you’re like as a person,” he told you and shrugged. “I know that you don’t like your job but your attached to Riptide Reef. I know you’re cautious. I know you’re too nice to call the bartender out for getting your drink completely wrong.” He stepped closer. One step. Two. You could practically feel his body heat. “If that’s what you’re like on the surface level, then I find it hard to believe you meant to hurt me. And I’d be the luckiest guy to get to know you more.”

Now you really couldn’t stop yourself from crying. The tears slipped down your cheeks, one at a time, but you smiled at him.

How lucky you’d been to run into this man on your first day in the park! How luck you’d been he’d rushed to save you from the wave pool when you fell! Screw Riptide Reef, you thought: you’d slack off on your job and bruise your knees and hide behind bushes a thousand more times if it meant you got to meet Vernon Chwe all over again once more.

His eyes looked equally watery. You couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Are you about to start crying too?”

He shook his head immediately and scrunched up his nose. “No, I’m just allergic to flowers.”

You laughed louder. He sneezed. Your laughter turned into a gasp and a hurry to put the flowers away. “Oh, you weren’t kidding! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

It was his turn to be amused now. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Of course I’ll worry about it!” you scolded him and gently hit his arm before frantically practically dragging him away from your hotel room, as far from the flowers – or anything floral – as possible, barely remembering to even lock the door behind you as he laughed at your sudden panic. “You’re so dumb! Why would you get me flowers if you’re allergic?!”

“Because I like you,” he told you like it was the answer to the most simple equation. Like it should’ve been obvious.

You paused. “What? You do?”

His shoulder nudged against yours. “I do. And you like me too.”

“How would you know that?”

“You told me so. When you yelled at me and called me a distraction.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion. “But how do you know that I meant it back then?”

“I just do.”

You still don’t know what came over you. Overwhelming adoration? An intense need to show affection? Plain old insanity? You kissed him, right there, in front of the elevator door, long and deep and hard like you had known him for an eternity. Like you couldn’t wait to know him for an eternity more.

It took the last shreds of your self-control to pull back and open your eyes again. His were still closed as if he’d waited all his life for this and didn’t want to let go of this moment. You pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose and his face scrunched up in amusement before his eyes finally opened and met yours.

He licked his lips before smiling. “So am I a good enough distraction?”

“Probably a little too good,” you replied and meant it. “I need to finish that report by Tuesday and I’ve written a grand total of nothing, so I hope you’re good to like a corporate spy so bad she lost her job.”

“Well,” he started a little hesitantly, “I could probably get you a job here, if you wanted.”

“That’s sweet and all but—”

“I’m serious.” Vernon offered a sheepish shrug. “The owner owes me a favour or two.”

“You’d do that? For me?”

He chuckled. “If you lose your job, it’s kind of my fault, so if you really think about it, I kind of owe you this one. Besides I happen to know we have a vacancy you’re kind of uniquely suited for. One way better than working the slides.”

Confusion took hold. “Do you guys need a corporate spy or something? Because I’m pretty sure we’ve established I’m not a good one.”

“You’ve got potential,” he joked and winked before practically dragging you towards the elevator. “Come on, we’ve got a party to get to.”

“But you didn’t even tell me what the—”

He let out a soft whine of protest, gently squeezed your face between his palms and pressed a kiss to your lips to silence you. “Let’s not talk about work. There’s a pretty girl I’ve been wanting to dance with all week.”

There had been a moment when you’d wondered if you would grow to regret it – this hot and fast summertime romance (a second part of you wondered if it even counted as that when you’d just barely confessed; a third part hoped it would become something much more). But then he pulled back for a breath, looked at you with those brown eyes like he truly understood you. And he kissed you once more for good measure.

No, you thought, you wouldn’t regret it at all.

[moonstruckme]

apple pie - send a character + a prompt off this list and I’ll write a drabble

congrats mae!! love the new theme and all your fics xx could i get sirius black and 10?

Thank you angel <3

¹⁰⁾ a six pack of beer and an apology

cw: alcohol, reader is implicitly introverted and/or shy

Sirius Black x fem!reader ♡ 744 words

Sirius finds you on the roof of his building. It’s a nice roof, not because of the roof itself—that’s pretty disgusting, actually, scattered with beer cans and smelling of piss from parties gone by—but because of the view. The trees and bricks of his neighborhood, giving way after a few blocks to city lights and black sky. 

You’re silhouetted against it all, sitting on the edge of the roof with your feet dangling over the pavement. You have a six pack of beer sitting beside you with one missing. 

“Are you planning to drink all of those by yourself?” Sirius asks as he sits down on your other side, the beers between you. 

You startle a little, and his muscles tense, ready to snatch you away from the edge. Sirius sits there like that all the time, but it makes him twitchy when you do it. When you realize it’s only him, your sigh is half relieved and half exasperated. Maybe there’s a little bit of fondness in there, too. 

“No,” you reply, “but I wanted to have the option.” 

“Sound.” Sirius grabs one for himself, popping the tab with a hiss. 

You keep looking out into the distance while he takes a couple of slow sips. He never knows what exactly you’re doing when you get like this. Sometimes you’ll be quiet for so long he thinks you must be entirely in your own head, but then you’ll say something like “I think that couple on that stoop has just been on their first date. See how nervous they are?” and he’ll realize you’ve been paying attention all along. 

Now, he knows you’re only waiting for him to own up. 

“I’m sorry,” Sirius says, “for luring you here under false pretenses.” 

“You told me it was a small dinner.” 

“There is food down there, if you go looking…” 

“This is a party, Sirius.” 

“You wouldn’t have come if I’d told you it was a party.” 

You take a sip of your beer, looking like you might be trying to hide a smile. “No,” you agree. 

“Then I lied.” He tests his luck, tossing you a grin meant to coax out your own. “I’m not sorry.” 

“I knew it,” you mutter, but there’s no real malice in your voice. Sirius leans over, bumping his shoulder into yours. 

“I wanted to see you.” 

You give him a look. “You could see me any night.” 

“I wanted to see you tonight,” he amends. “I had to get you here somehow.” 

You sigh, leaning into him in turn. “I’m sorry if I’m keeping you from your party.” You cringe. “Or being rude to your friends.” 

“Don’t be silly, nobody minds. They all love you anyway, and now that I’ve been gone for more than five seconds James will have seized the opportunity to change the music. They’ll all be having a grand time.” 

You smile, turning your face down so your hair almost covers it. But Sirius won’t be robbed of the sight; he hooks your hair on a finger, slotting as much as he can behind your ear. 

Your eyes meet his. “I like your music,” you tell him. 

Sirius beams. “And that’s why I like you, gorgeous. Well,” he hedges, “part of why. There’s also your personality, I suppose.” 

“Stop.” You give him what he supposes is meant to be a stern look, but it’s only heart-wrenchingly cute. 

“And your lovely ass, can’t forget that.” 

You turn your face entirely away from him, but your shoulders shake silently. Now that Sirius has you laughing, he decides to push his luck one more time. 

“Do me a favor?” He asks. You look over, still fighting your smile. “Come back inside. You can sit with Remus—he adores you, and he’ll be happy to have someone he doesn’t need to make small talk with. In an hour I’ll kick everybody out, and it’ll be just us for the rest of the night. Okay?” 

You tug on your bottom lip with your teeth, mulling it over. “Yeah,” you say after a minute, “okay. Just give me a minute and I’ll head down.” 

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Sirius leans over, capturing your lips with his. He makes it good and persuasive, but in all honesty he’s probably as wobbly as you are when he pulls away. “And will you do one more thing for me, please?” 

“Um.” You look a bit dazed. “Sure.” 

“Get down off the edge. You’re freaking me out.”

[loveharlow]

↷⋯♡ᵎ MATCHING WOUNDS

JJ Maybank x Dealer!Reader [ more jj content ]

SYNOPSIS & WC ‧₊˚ [idk] Where you and JJ share a blunt and childhood trauma

WARNING(S) & A/N ‧₊˚ mentions of child neglect, mentions of child abuse, underage drug use, swearing, kind of hurt/comfort

THE TRAILER WAS THICK WITH SMOKE. You and JJ sat on the floor, passing a blunt that glowed like a dying ember between the two of you. Josephine had left for her waitressing shift at The Island Club hours ago, a stark contrast to the way you spent your days.

Josephine's trailer, Betsy, was your shared space in Shady Acres — a trailer park on The Cut known less for its scenic beauty and more for housing a significant portion of the island's drug trade — users and dealers alike. You were a dealer, and Betsy, for the time being, was your base of operations. This exchange with JJ was likely your last of the day.

JJ was a relatively new client. He'd appeared on the scene after his previous dealer acquired a lengthy list of charges and fled the state, leaving the blonde high and dry. Unlike many, JJ hadn't gravitated towards Barry, the other prominent dealer in the area. There was an unexpected ease between you and JJ, a connection that had quickly evolved into shared smoke sessions where the lines of business and something similar to pleasure blurred.

"So,” He started. “It's just you and your sister holding down the fort?" JJ asked, exhaling a plume of smoke. He pinched the blunt between his fingers, offering it to you.

"Yep." You replied with a tight smile, taking the offered joint.

"Where are your folks?" He chuckled, watching you inhale. "Or are they the 'out of sight, out of mind' type?"

"They're gone." You said, smoke curling from your lips. "Probably squatting in some crumbling building in another state, chasing their next high." You passed the blunt back to JJ, his fingers briefly brushing yours. "What about yours?" you countered, resting your forearms on your bent knees. The setting sun painted the trailer's interior in hues of deep orange through the open windows.

"Mom, uh, she split a long time ago..." JJ's tone carried a hint of pain. He ran a hand through his hair, toying with the joint. "And my dad, he's...somethin’ else." He sighed, taking a long drag.

"...’S that why you're never home?" You reached behind you, grabbing your Monster Energy drink. "Sorry, if that's…too personal. I've just noticed you're always here, with your crew, or running ‘round on The Cut."

JJ raised an eyebrow. "You been keeping tabs on me, junkie?" A smirk played on his lips.

You scoffed, taking a swig. "Please. You're just hard to miss." You shrugged, taking the blunt back. "And let's not kill the rotation, alright?" You offered him a sarcastic smile as you leaned back against the cabinet.

JJ rolled his eyes, stretching his legs out. "My old man's an asshole, but only at home. So, if I never go home-."

"You avoid the asshole-ry." You finished for him.

"Exactly." He watched you smoke, then turned serious when remembering your words. "But you've got it worse. No way your folks just bail with two kids in the picture."

You scoffed, crossing your arms over your knees. "You think so?"

"I'm just sayin’," JJ shrugged. "That's messed up. They just left? Just like that?"

"Look, blondie, my family was a shit-show with a kitchen that was only kept clean enough to snort lines off of every surface in it." You said, leaning your head back. "Blood don’t mean shit. If my parents taught me anything, it's that."

"Sounds about right." JJ agreed, taking another drink. "Mine's still a train wreck. Just traded the kitchen for a boatyard. And I don't see my dad leavin’ anytime soon."

"Your old man sounds like a real piece of work..." You said. "I'm surprised you haven't been swallowed up by the system."

"The system? Hell, my dad is the system." Bitterness laced his words. "Predictable, abusive, and you can’t escape him. At least the actual system offers three meals a day."

"Ha!" You laughed, the sound catching JJ off guard. "Hardly. You'd be lucky to get three meals a week. Foster care's a damn joke. It’s just free bread for money-hungry assholes and a place for the state to dump kids they don't want." The lightness vanished, replaced by a cold flatness in your eyes.

"...You were in the system?" JJ asked, his gaze softening. You nodded in response. "When?...Why?"

You groaned, pushing yourself into a slightly straighter position. "You ask a lot of questions, blondie." You sighed. "But fine. You want the condensed version...or the director's cut?"

JJ just shrugged. "I've got time."

You leaned forward, meeting his gaze as you spoke. "Alright then." You adjusted. "My parents were addicts. Name a drug, they did it. The neighbors knew, cops were there all the time, but nothing ever changed. My sister and I slipped through the cracks. When I was eight, Jo had just turned eighteen...and she told me she was leaving." Your voice shook slightly.

"I begged her to stay, or take me with her, but she couldn't. As bad as it was there, she had nothing, no means to care for a kid. But she promised she'd call, send what she could, and that one day, she'd get me out." You bit your cheek, fighting back a wave of emotion. "I was alone with my parents for two years. Jo called, but the calls never went through. Without her, the bills went unpaid — no phone, no electricity, no running water. She had to come visit me at school when she could."

"Damn...."

"Yeah," You sighed, fidgeting with your fingers. "When I was ten, my mom came home, freaking out. Next thing I knew, they were throwing stuff in a bag, telling me they'd be back soon." You clenched your jaw at the memory. "It was no surprise when they never came back. And I was there for two weeks, starving and terrified, before a social worker found me. I guess a neighbor had noticed it was too quiet and called it in. Again."

"Hold up. They just left you?" JJ was incredulous.

"Mhm." You confirmed, watching him snub out the blunt in the ashtray, the cherry burning away as he listened. "I survived on half-empty water bottles and moldy PB&J’s. And foster care wasn't some kind of salvation." A bitter edge returned to your voice. "Most foster parents are just in it for the check. And even with the good ones... the system bounces you around so much, you never get to stay." You shook your head, the memories surfacing.

"Dealing... It's something a lot of us picked up inside. Old sleazebags prey on vulnerable kids to do their dirty work. It's hard to get a job when you're a foster kid. So, a lot of us turn to easier, less legal means. And even when you make it out, it has a way of sticking with you. It's all you know." You shrugged. "Jo finally tracked me down and got me out when I was fourteen. By then, I was old enough that they didn't care who took me. Case closed as far as they were concerned." You laughed, a hollow sound. "And Jo, of course, freaked when she found out what I was doing." You let your head fall, a humorless laugh escaping you.

JJ reached out, placing a hand on your knee. "I'm sorry, dude. That's seriously fucked up."

“Yeah, I guess.” You shrugged, deflecting. "Anyway, enough of the sob stories," you said, voice lighter, the shift abrupt. "You ruined our smoke session with all your questions." You flashed a smile, the change in demeanor so fast it gave JJ whiplash. "Wanna hit another one?" You pulled another pretty pink blunt from your pocket.

JJ just stared for a moment, then nodded, the shared vulnerability replaced by the familiar rhythm of give and take, smoke and survival.

JJ Maybank Taglist & Dealer!Reader Taglist in replies!

feedback is appreciated! thanks for reading.

©loveharlow

[d1wn]

Desperate times call for desperate measures || RE6 or DI Leon

first fanfic post! i apologize if this is bad.. I haven’t wrote a fanfiction in years… enjoy! — dawn ♡

wc: 1.1k short and sweet <3

switch!leon, switch!reader, soft dom leon and reader tw/cw: one night stand, breeding, erectile dysfunction (poor old man forgot to take his viagra </3), mentions of alcohol addiction, one quick mention of drugs, body worship (kinda), foot job (?), cowgirl position.

God, this is embarrassing. Leon didn't expect to feel so pathetic while trying to pick up girls at the bar. In his youth, he would have gotten one easily, maybe even two if he was lucky, and he's been one unlucky bastard.

After what felt like hundreds of years fighting bioweapon after bioweapon, he was tired beyond his years. And, to put some sweet icing on the cake, he's pushing fifty and can hardly get his dick standing straight, years of toxic alcoholism catching up to him like wildfire.

That's why he can feel his body yearning for you when his eyes lock onto yours like some sick drug, a tantalizing glass of whisky he just had to sip. Now, he just had to get your pretty little heart wrapped around his fingers.

He watched you momentarily, eyes scanning your body as you walked through the crowded bar. Two people trailed behind you, seeming to be your friends since they happily chatted as you walked through the room.

By some grace of God from the heavens above, you made your way right next to him, sitting your little ass on the bar stool while your friends followed suit.

He continued to watch you, keeping his glances sharp and quick. Leon waited impatiently, trying to keep his wandering eyes to a minimum. Your little friends eventually left, leaving you all to himself.

“Hey,” Leon lightly tapped your shoulder, causing your attention to focus on him. “Haven't seen you around before.” Simple, classic. Nothing too scandalous. “Are you new around here?” He chuckles as he watches your face go from mild surprise to a small smile.

“Yes, I am. Was it that obvious?” You giggle, and your sweet smile and voice slowly make Leon’s heart melt. “Painfully obvious, sweetheart. You were looking around like a little lost puppy.”

“Really?” Your eyes widen as your face becomes slightly flushed. “I guess it was obvious then.” You laughed, subconsciously fixing your hair. Leon's eyes watch your every move, leaving a quick moment of silence to fall between the two of you. “Have you had anything to drink yet?” Leon asks, cutting through the silence with his voice.

“Just a martini. I try not to drink too much,” you shrugged, mindlessly scrolling through your phone. “Let me get you something to drink, then. I’ll put it on my tab. My treat.” You smiled at that, your plush and glossy lips curling into a sweet grin. “Aw, that's sweet of you, Mr…?”

“Kennedy. Leon Kennedy.”

—

“Shit.”

Well, one drink turned into two, which then turned into four, and, well, you get the idea. Now you were back at Leon's place, sitting perfectly on the side of his bed, with Leon on top of you.

Leon groaned as he felt your soft skin underneath your shirt. His hands wandered up to your chests, squeezing your tits as his lips latched onto your collarbone like a leech. “Let me help you take this off, honey,” Leon smirks, his touch ever so delicate as he removes your shirt.

He then moves down to his knees, spreading your legs as he places soft, sloppy kisses on your inner thighs. Leon chuckles as you whimper, feeling your hands move up to his hair. “Do you like that, sweetheart?” He grins, gently playing with the hem of your panties. “Want me to keep going?” You nod, soft gasps leaving your lips.

“Hm? Use your words, hun.” Leon smirks as he gently lifts your left leg, placing a small kiss on your ankle. “Please keep going.” You finally reply, watching Leon drop your legs and spread them again.

He places his tongue flat against your clothed clit, teasingly rolling it around as he hears you gasp. “Stop teasing.” You huff, pulling on Leon’s hair tightly. A soft moan leaves his mouth as he gets impatient, pulling your panties off with his teeth.

Leon immediately leans back in, his mouth devouring your sex. You groan, keeping your hand locked in Leon’s hair as he buries his face into your pussy. “Taste good?” You teased, a cocky grin on your face.

Leon's soft blue eyes lock into yours, glazed over with desire. You moan, squeezing his head between your thighs. Leon pulls away, licking his lips. “I didn’t tell you to stop.” You frown, leaning down to kiss Leon, groaning as you taste yourself on his tongue.

Leon unbuckles his belt, freeing his half-soft cock while you kiss. He rubs himself gently, trying to get himself hard to spare himself the embarrassment of begging caught with a limp dick.

You break the kiss, leaning back to see Leon pathetically trying to get himself hard. You grin, watching Leon sheepishly smile at you you. “Need some help?” You teased, pressing your bare foot against his cock.

“How’s this?” You ask, getting a soft moan in response. “Good, huh?” Leon nods, and a soft yes leaves his lips as you fill his dick, getting harder. After a few more seconds of rubbing, you removed your foot and pulled Leon up to his feet, pushing him down on the bed.

You remove the rest of your clothes before crawling on top of Leon, straddling his waist. You grin, spitting on his now hard cock, messily jerking him off. After a few more seconds of spitting and pumping, you line yourself up with Leon and slowly bottom out on his cock.

Leon’s sweet whimpers and moans fill your ears as you start slowly moving your hips. “Fuck, sweetheart…” Leon grips your hips hard enough to bruise, trying to guide you to go faster. “Be patient Mr, Kennedy, unless you wanna come early.” You smirked, watching Leon remove his hands from your hips in defeat.

You pick up your pace, the feeling of Leon’s thick cock driving you crazy. You moan, bouncing on Leon's dick as your pace moves faster. “Leon…” you whine his name, already feeling yourself getting closer. “I know, baby.” He replied, his hand moving to your hair, moving it out of your face. “You can do it, sweet girl.”

A few desperate gasps leave your mouth before you come, tightening like a vise around Leon's cock. He hisses, grunting as he thrusts up into you, coming with you.

Leon wraps his arms around you, laying you down on his chest as you both fall from your climax, both of your bodies sweaty and sick. He gently fixes your hair, fixing any stray strands that fell during your intimacy.

“So… same time next week?” Leon asks, a clicky grin on his face. You giggle, your head lying on his chest. “I’ll think about it.”

[mrs-delaney]

May 20th

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Request: Hi my love!! Hope you are doing well 💌 I was hoping to get a Joe Burrow imagine where he is planning a surprise dinner for his gf whose birthday is coming up on Tuesday (May 20th) but has another surprise up his sleeve—he invited all her friends and family ❤️ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

✦･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: May 20th Joe Burrow x OC Word Count: 4.9k ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:･ﾟ✦

♡ read my masterlist ♡

✧ read *Hide* ✧

The Planning

Saturday, May 17th

"So her parents' flight gets in at 2:15 on Tuesday, and her sister arrives at noon," Joe said, scrolling through the detailed itinerary on his laptop. "They're both confirmed at the Kinley downtown."

Across from him at his home office desk, Melissa nodded, making notes in her planner. After three months of coordinating this surprise, the event planner had become something of a co-conspirator.

"And her college roommate?" Melissa asked, not looking up from her notes.

"Lands tomorrow. Staying with her cousin so Y/N won't accidentally run into her." Joe leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he mentally checked another item off his list. "I still can't believe we're pulling this off."

"I appreciate the detailed notes," Melissa said, acknowledging his thoughtfulness.

Joe shrugged, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "I pay attention."

The laptop screen illuminated his face in the afternoon light filtering through the office blinds. The room was minimal but warm, his style was balanced with touches of Y/N throughout. There were photos of them together over their three years, a small plant she'd given him that he'd somehow managed to keep alive, and her notebook still open on the corner of his desk from when she'd been working there the evening before.

"Pepp & Dolores confirmed the chef is preparing that custom menu we discussed," Joe continued, clicking through the email confirmations. "And they'll have those Aperol spritzes she loves ready when everyone arrives."

Melissa nodded approvingly. "The florist will deliver the arrangements directly to the restaurant at 3:00. Lilies and roses, just as you requested."

"Great, those are her favorites," Joe said quietly, almost to himself. He glanced at the clock on his desk. Y/N wouldn't be back from her Saturday yoga class for at least another hour. Plenty of time to finalize the remaining details.

"Let's go through the seating chart one more time," he said, pulling up another document. "I want her parents and sister at the table with us, then—"

The sound of the front door opening made Joe freeze mid-sentence. His eyes darted to the hallway, then back to Melissa and the papers spread across his desk, pages clearly labeled "Y/N's Surprise Birthday" and diagrams of the restaurant layout.

"Joe?" Y/N's voice called from the entryway. "You home?"

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, quickly closing his laptop. "Office!" he called back, his voice impressively casual despite the panic flashing in his eyes.

He hurriedly gathered the papers, shoving them into a folder while motioning for Melissa to follow his lead.

"So anyway, as I was saying about the charity golf tournament," Joe said loudly as footsteps approached the office door. "The team really appreciates your help coordinating."

Melissa caught on immediately, smoothly tucking her planner with "Y/N BIRTHDAY SURPRISE" written in bold letters on the tab into her bag.

"Of course, I'm happy to help organize the auction items," she replied with practiced ease. "The food bank will be grateful for the support."

Y/N appeared in the doorway, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, still in her workout clothes. Joe's heart did that familiar flip it always did when he saw her, even after three years. Even in the middle of a covert operation.

"Hey," she said, a little breathless, glancing curiously between Joe and the woman sitting across from him. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Yoga got canceled instructor has a stomach bug."

Joe stood up, crossing the room to greet her with a kiss on the temple. His thumb brushed a strand of hair from her face with an ease that belied the adrenaline coursing through him.

"Not interrupting at all," he said, his voice warm and steady despite his racing thoughts. "Y/N, this is Melissa. She's helping with that charity thing for the foundation."

Melissa stood and extended her hand with a smile. "Joe's been telling me about the work you do. It's nice to finally meet you."

Y/N smiled, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you too. What charity thing?" she asked, turning to Joe with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't mention anything."

For a split second, Joe's mind went blank. His eyes darted to the desk where, thankfully, all evidence of birthday planning was now hidden from view.

"Just that, uh, foundation thing," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "For the food bank. Sorry, meant to mention it earlier. It's still in early planning stages."

"In December," Melissa added smoothly. "We're securing venues now since they book up fast for the holiday season."

"Right," Joe nodded, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "December. Gotta plan ahead."

Y/N's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than usual, and Joe felt a twinge of guilt at the lie. In their three years together, he'd never been anything but honest with her. The past few weeks of pretending to forget her birthday went against every instinct he had.

"Well, don't let me interrupt," Y/N said, stepping back toward the door. "I'm going to grab some water. Nice to meet you, Melissa."

"You too," Melissa replied with a warm smile that revealed nothing.

Once Y/N was out of earshot, Joe exhaled heavily and dropped back into his chair.

"That was close," he whispered, running a hand over his face.

Melissa suppressed a laugh. "You're really not used to lying to her, are you?"

"Is it that obvious?" Joe asked, grimacing slightly.

"A little," she admitted. "But it's sweet. Not many people would go to these lengths and be this uncomfortable just to give someone a perfect surprise."

Joe's expression softened as he glanced toward the doorway where Y/N had been standing. "She deserves it. She loves her birthday, always goes all out for everyone else's celebrations." He paused, a flicker of worry crossing his face. "She already thinks I've forgotten. I saw her checking her phone yesterday, probably looking for early birthday messages or hints I might leave."

"Two more days," Melissa reassured him, gathering her things. "And judging by all this planning, it'll be worth every moment of her thinking you're the worst boyfriend ever."

Joe winced. "Is that what she's going to think?"

Melissa smiled knowingly. "Probably. But imagine her face when she walks into that restaurant on Tuesday and sees everyone there."

Joe could picture it: Y/N's surprised expression, the moment of realization, the joy that would light up her eyes. All the planning, the secrecy, the uncomfortable deception would be worth it just to see that look on her face.

"Oh, before I forget," Melissa said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small velvet box. "The jeweler dropped this off at my office this morning, as requested."

Joe took the box, opening it carefully to reveal the ring inside, elegant, unique, and perfectly Y/N. He'd spent months working with the designer to create something that captured her essence.

"It's perfect," he said quietly, a mixture of nervousness and certainty washing over him. "You're sure everything's set for that part of the evening?"

"Just like we discussed," Melissa assured him. "No big production, just like you wanted."

Joe nodded, closing the box and slipping it into his desk drawer. "Thank you. For everything."

As Melissa gathered the last of her materials, the sound of Y/N moving around in the kitchen filtered down the hallway. Joe could picture her there, probably wondering why he hadn't mentioned this charity event before, maybe already suspecting something was off.

"Just two more days of pretending," Melissa said, reading his thoughts. "Then you never have to lie to her again."

Joe nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Can't wait for this to be over."

"Something tells me you might be off the hook for surprise planning for a while after this," Melissa laughed softly. "I'll text you when her parents' flight lands on Tuesday."

As Joe walked Melissa to the door, he could feel Y/N watching them from the kitchen. He caught her eye and smiled, the genuine, soft smile he reserved just for her. She returned it, though he noticed the slight furrow in her brow, the subtle hint of confusion.

Two more days, he reminded himself. Two more days of keeping the biggest secret he'd ever kept from her. Two more days until he could finally ask the question he'd been wanting to ask for months.

Two more days until he never had to pretend to forget anything important to her ever again.

The Hints

Monday, May 19th

The kitchen smelled of garlic and herbs as Y/N stirred the pasta sauce, occasionally glancing at Joe who sat at the island scrolling through his phone. She'd spent the day waiting for some acknowledgment, some hint that he remembered tomorrow was her birthday. So far, nothing.

"I was thinking," she said casually, tapping the wooden spoon against the pot, "we haven't gone out in a while. Might be nice to do something this week."

Joe looked up, his expression perfectly neutral. "Actually, I was thinking maybe tomorrow night we could try that place you mentioned a while back. Pepp & Dolores. Unless you've got plans?"

Y/N's heart sank a little. So he really had forgotten. Tomorrow was her birthday, and he was suggesting dinner as if it was just any other Tuesday. "Tomorrow?" she repeated, giving him one last chance to catch on.

He hadn't mentioned any meeting. She'd checked their shared calendar twice, finding Tuesday conspicuously empty. Three years together, and suddenly he had plans on her birthday that he'd never bothered to tell her about?

Her phone lit up on the counter, another birthday eve text from her college roommate. Joe's eyes flicked to it before Y/N could reach it, and for a split second, she thought she saw something like guilt cross his face. But when she looked more closely, his expression was impassive again, focused on whatever was on his screen.

"My mom called earlier," she tried again, stirring the sauce with more vigor than it required. "She was just checking in, seeing what we were up to this week."

"Yeah?" Joe responded, the perfect picture of casual interest. "What'd you tell her?"

Y/N's spoon stilled. He really didn't remember. Three birthdays together, and this year, it had simply slipped his mind. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

"Nothing special, apparently," she said quietly.

Joe's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then quickly turned it face-down on the counter. That was the third time he'd done that tonight. Usually, he had no issue checking messages in front of her.

"Everything okay?" she asked, nodding toward his phone.

"Just work stuff," he said with a shrug, turning his phone face down.

Y/N nodded, stirring the sauce even though it didn’t really need it. She didn’t look at him when she spoke again, trying to keep her tone casual.

“Have you been looking at new restaurants or something?” she asked, eyes still on the pot. “Pepp & Dolores isn’t really something you’d normally be into.”

He shrugged. "No specific reason. You mentioned wanting to go not to long ago and I’ve been meaning to take you, and my schedule's clear tomorrow night. Thought it might be nice."

She turned back to the sauce, adding a pinch more oregano with more force than necessary. "Sure," she said, keeping her voice even. "Tomorrow works."

"The sauce is almost ready," she said, her voice carefully steady. "Can you grab the plates?"

Joe stood, moving around the island to the cabinet. As he passed behind her, his hand brushed her waist—a casual touch, the kind she normally leaned into. Tonight, she remained stiff, and his hand fell away.

"You okay?" he asked, reaching for the plates.

Y/N considered confronting him directly. Do you know what tomorrow is? But the thought of having to remind him, of seeing the realization and hasty apology on his face, was too humiliating.

"Fine," she said instead. "Just tired."

Joe set the plates on the counter beside her, lingering a moment longer than necessary. She could feel him watching her face, and she kept her expression carefully neutral as she served the pasta.

"This looks great," he said as they sat at the table. "Thanks for cooking."

"No problem." She twirled pasta around her fork without enthusiasm. "So how was your day?"

"Good. Productive." Joe took a bite, then reached for his water. "Yours?"

Well, I spent most of it wondering if my boyfriend of three years has forgotten my birthday. "Fine," she said instead. 

They ate in a silence that grew increasingly uncomfortable, punctuated only by the occasional clink of cutlery against plates. Y/N found herself unable to enjoy the meal she'd prepared, each bite tasteless as her mind churned with confusion and hurt.

Joe studied her face a moment longer, then nodded. "I'm going to grab a shower, then. Been a long day."

"Of course," she said, turning back to the dishes. "Goodnight."

She listened to his footsteps retreat down the hallway, waiting for the sound of the bathroom door closing before she let out a deep sigh. Part of her still couldn't believe he'd forgotten. Joe remembered the exact date they'd met, knew her coffee order down to the extra half-pump of vanilla, and had never missed an important moment until now.

Y/N finished the dishes with a heaviness in her chest, trying to remind herself that it was just a birthday. Just one day. It shouldn't matter this much.

But it did.

Once he was out of sight, Y/N let her fork drop to her plate with a clatter. She pulled out her own phone, checking again to see if there was anything from Joe—a scheduled delivery for tomorrow, a hidden calendar item, any evidence that he hadn't completely forgotten.

Nothing.

A text from her best friend lit up the screen: Has he said anything about tomorrow yet?

Y/N hesitated, then typed back: We're going to dinner at Pepp & Dolores. But he hasn't mentioned my birthday at all. I think he genuinely forgot.

Three dots appeared immediately: No way. Joe wouldn't forget.

Y/N wished she could believe that. But Joe was many things: thoughtful, loyal, steady—but he wasn't deceptive. If he'd remembered her birthday, he would have said something by now. He wouldn't let her spend the entire day feeling forgotten.

She began clearing the dishes, the cheerful clinking of plates a stark contrast to the heaviness in her chest. From down the hall, she could hear Joe's voice, too muffled to make out words. He was speaking quietly, which was unusual for his work calls.

She tried not to let it bother her. Joe was entitled to his privacy, and just because they'd been together for three years didn't mean he had to remember every important date. Still, the disappointment sat like a stone in her stomach.

The Joe who had orchestrated her perfect birthday last year, the one who had remembered her offhand comment about wanting to see that band and surprised her with tickets, seemed far away tonight. She rinsed the plates more aggressively than necessary, trying to drown out her thoughts with the sound of running water.

Once she finished up in the kitchen, she headed to the bedroom. She noticed his side of the closet looked the same as always: no special outfit laid out, no gift hidden away. Whatever was happening at Pepp & Dolores, it certainly wasn't any kind of birthday celebration.

She crawled into bed, telling herself it didn't matter. It was just a birthday, after all. There would be others.

But as she reached to set her alarm, her gaze fell on the framed photo of their trip to Italy last year, the one where Joe had surprised her with a gondola ride, she'd mentioned wanting months before. The Joe who remembered every little detail, who planned thoughtful surprises, who made her feel like the most important person in his world.

The Surprise

Tuesday, May 20th - Y/N's birthday

Y/N woke to the soft chime of her phone. She blinked sleepily, reaching for it on the nightstand. The screen illuminated with a string of notification texts from her college roommate, her sister, and her coworkers. All wishing her a happy birthday.

She glanced over at Joe's side of the bed. Empty. The sound of the shower running down the hall told her where he was.

For a moment, she let herself hope. Maybe he'd been playing an elaborate game. Maybe there was breakfast waiting in the kitchen, or flowers, or some small gift wrapped in her favorite paper.

When she padded into the kitchen in her slippers, she found none of those things. Just a clean counter, the coffee maker running its cycle, and Joe's protein shake in the blender.

Her phone chimed again. Her mom this time: Happy birthday, sweetheart! Hope Joe has something special planned.

Y/N typed back a quick "Thanks!" and left it at that.

By the time Joe emerged from the bathroom, hair damp, hoodie on, joggers that fit just right, she’d already resigned herself to the reality. He’d forgotten. The man who remembered every snap count from his rookie season, who once brought her the exact lip balm she’d mentioned in passing, had somehow forgotten her birthday.

"Morning," he said, dropping a casual kiss on the top of her head as he passed. "Sleep okay?"

"Fine," she managed, watching as he poured his coffee and checked something on his phone.

"So, dinner tonight," he said, not looking up from his screen. "Seven work for you? I made the reservation."

"Seven's fine," she said, forcing brightness into her voice. "Looking forward to it."

Joe glanced up then, his expression unreadable. "You sure you're okay?"

She nodded, wrapping her hands around her mug. "Yeah, just..." She hesitated, giving him one last chance. "Just tired."

"Well, get some rest today," he said, finishing his coffee. "I've got a few things to take care of, but I'll be back to get ready for dinner."

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Just errands," he said, already heading for the door. "Stuff for the foundation, gonna get a workout in. I’ll be back in time for dinner."

Before she could respond, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.

Y/N sat alone at the kitchen island, scrolling through the birthday messages on her phone. Friends asking about her plans. Family hoping she'd have a wonderful day. Only Joe, the person she loved most, seemed to have no idea what today was.

She spent the day in a haze of halfhearted productivity. Her sister called, and Y/N found herself making excuses for Joe. "He's probably just waiting for tonight," she said, not believing it herself. "We're going to Pepp & Dolores."

"That's nice," her sister said, though her tone suggested it wasn't nearly enough. "Well, happy birthday anyway. Love you."

"Love you too," Y/N replied, ending the call with a sigh.

By six, she was getting ready, though her enthusiasm had dimmed considerably. Still, she pulled out the new dress she'd bought last month, deep burgundy, fitted, with a subtle shimmer when she moved. She'd been saving it for a special occasion. And birthday or not, dinner at Pepp & Dolores was still a night out.

She was applying her lipstick when Joe returned, calling her name from the hallway.

"In here," she called back.

He appeared in the doorway of their bathroom, and something in his expression shifted when he saw her, a warmth in his eyes as he took in the dress, her carefully styled hair, the extra effort she'd made.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly.

Despite everything, her heart fluttered a little. "Thanks."

"I should get changed," he said, checking his watch. "Reservations in forty minutes."

Y/N nodded, turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup. Even if he'd forgotten, even if this was just another Tuesday to him, she was determined to make the best of it. Twenty-nine was going to be a good year, birthday celebration or not.

The drive to Pepp & Dolores was quiet, though almost uncomfortably so. Joe seemed preoccupied, checking his mirrors more often than usual and tapping his fingers against the steering wheel at red lights.

"Parking might be tough downtown," he said as they neared the restaurant. "Tuesday night and all."

Y/N just nodded, watching the city lights blur past the window. Tuesday night. Not her birthday. Not any special occasion. Just Tuesday.

When they finally pulled up to the restaurant, Joe handed his keys to the valet with a quiet word that Y/N couldn't quite catch. He seemed almost nervous as he took her hand, leading her toward the entrance.

"Go ahead," he said, his voice oddly tight.

"Mmm," she replied, distracted by the darkened windows of the restaurant. It looked almost empty inside. Was it closed? Had he gotten the reservation wrong?

But Joe pushed open the door confidently, gesturing for her to go in first.

Y/N stepped into the dimly lit entryway, confused by the silence. And then—

"SURPRISE!"

The lights blazed on, revealing a restaurant packed with people, her people. Her parents, her sister, her college roommates, her cousins from home, coworkers, friends—all grinning at her with delight.

Y/N froze, her mouth falling open. The restaurant was transformed, flowers cascading from every surface, candles flickering on the tables, and a banner hanging above the bar said, "Happy Birthday Y/N!"

She turned to Joe, who was watching her with a soft smile, his eyes bright with barely contained joy.

"You didn't..." she breathed, unable to form a complete thought.

"I did," he replied simply.

Her eyes filled with tears as the realization washed over her. He hadn't forgotten. He'd been planning this, all of this, for who knew how long. The fake obliviousness, the casual dinner suggestion, all of it had been leading to this moment.

"Joe," she whispered, her voice catching.

Before she could say more, her parents were there, enveloping her in a hug. Then her sister, her friends, a whirlwind of familiar faces and birthday wishes and exclamations over how surprised she looked.

"We flew in yesterday," her mom explained, squeezing her hand. "Joe arranged everything."

"He's been planning this for months," her college roommate added. "Made us all swear to secrecy."

Y/N looked around in wonder. The entire restaurant had been transformed, decorated with her favorite flowers, strings of lights casting a warm glow over everything. And at the center of it all was Joe, hanging back slightly, watching her reaction with quiet satisfaction.

She made her way back to him through the crowd, her heart so full she thought it might burst.

"I thought you forgot," she admitted, her voice thick with emotion.

Joe shook his head, reaching out to brush a tear from her cheek. "Baby, I'd never forget your birthday," he said softly.

The simple words, delivered in his steady, matter-of-fact way, broke something open inside her. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck as tears flowed freely now.

"Thank you," she murmured against his skin. "For all of this. For everyone being here."

Joe's arms tightened around her, solid and warm and real. "Happy birthday," he said simply. "I love you so much."

When she pulled back to look at him, his eyes were suspiciously bright too, though he'd never admit it. He brushed her hair back from her face with gentle fingers.

"Now come on," he said, his voice returning to its usual calm steadiness. "Everyone's waiting to celebrate with you."

Y/N let him lead her into the crowd, to a table where her parents and sister sat. The night stretched ahead, full of food and laughter and love. She couldn't stop glancing at Joe throughout the evening—this man who had orchestrated all of this, who had maintained the most elaborate ruse, just to see the look of surprise on her face.

As the night went on, she found herself overwhelmed again and again by the friends who had traveled across the country to be there, by the custom menu featuring all her favorites, by the thoughtfulness behind every detail, but most of all by Joe, the one person who never made a big show of anything, and still managed to make her feel like the center of the world.

For a man of few words, it was the most beautiful expression of love she could imagine. As Y/N looked around at the faces of everyone she loved most in the world, gathered in one place because of him, she knew with absolute certainty that twenty-nine was going to be her best year yet.

The celebration was in full swing. The restaurant hummed with conversation and laughter, plates of food being passed around family-style as everyone shared stories and caught up. Y/N sat between her sister and Joe, her cheeks flushed with happiness as she took it all in.

Her favorite pasta arrived, the special one the chef had prepared just for tonight. As she took her first bite, she closed her eyes in appreciation. "This is amazing," she said to no one in particular.

Joe watched her quietly, a small smile playing at his lips. While she was distracted by her food and the conversation her sister was having with her cousin across the table, he reached into his pocket.

The small velvet box had been burning a hole there all night. He'd originally planned to wait until after dessert, maybe find a quieter moment, but sitting here watching her, surrounded by everyone who loved her, glowing with happiness, he suddenly couldn't wait another minute.

He pulled the ring out, keeping it hidden in his palm. Then, casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he reached for her left hand where it rested on the table.

Y/N glanced at him with a smile, assuming he was just holding her hand as he often did. But instead of interlacing their fingers, he slipped something cool and metal onto her ring finger.

She looked down, confused for a split second before her brain registered what was happening. There, catching the soft light of the restaurant, was a ring, elegant, brilliant, and unmistakably an engagement ring.

Her eyes widened, her fork clattering against her plate as she turned to Joe in shock.

He leaned in close, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "I had this whole thing planned for after dinner," he said, his eyes never leaving hers, "but I've been keeping so much from you these past few months planning all this. And I've known even longer that I wanted to do this. I can't wait anymore to ask."

Y/N's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with fresh tears.

"What? What's happening?" her sister asked, suddenly noticing Y/N's expression.

But Y/N couldn't form words, just stared at Joe with her heart in her eyes.

Joe's smile grew a little, that confident half-smirk she'd fallen in love with. "So?" he prompted quietly.

That broke the spell. Y/N let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a squeal, loud enough that the conversations around them faltered.

"Everything okay over there?" her father called from across the table.

"Joe just asked me to marry him!" Y/N blurted out, holding up her hand where the ring now glittered.

A chorus of gasps and exclamations erupted around the table. "What?" "Just now?" "What did you say?"

Joe, normally so composed, looked almost nervous as he glanced around at her family before turning back to Y/N. "Yeah," he said, louder now so everyone could hear. "What do you say?"

Y/N laughed through her tears, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes! Are you serious? Yes!"

The restaurant erupted in cheers and applause. Her mother was crying, her father beaming. Friends were on their feet, raising glasses in toasts.

But Y/N was only dimly aware of all that. Her world had narrowed to Joe, to his face so close to hers, to the warmth in his eyes that spoke volumes more than words ever could, to the smile that was no longer controlled but wide and genuine.

"I love you," she whispered against his lips, before kissing him deeply, not caring that they had an audience.

When they finally broke apart, she couldn't stop staring at the ring on her finger. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with wonder.

“Glad you like it,” Joe said, his eyes not leaving hers. “Your sister helped me pick it out. I was overthinking it like crazy.”

As their friends and family surged around them with congratulations and demands to see the ring, Y/N found herself overwhelmed all over again. First the surprise party with everyone she loved, and now this a proposal so perfectly Joe in its quiet simplicity and genuine emotion.

She looked up at him, at this man who continued to surprise her in the best possible ways, and knew with absolute certainty that she'd just received the best birthday gift of all, a future with him.

[chososdiscordkitten]

Obsessive!Choso♡2

pt 1 here

Obsessive!Choso whose heart was beating harder than usual, standing outside hoping to see you so you could walk in together. Standing against the wall next to the door. The winter weather made it early enough for the campus lights to not be turned on yet, but late enough to be dark outside. Seeing you walk up the steps that led to the doors, looking down at your phone that lit up your face enough for him to see you. Smiling as his eyebrows pinched together when he saw you bundled up in your coat. “Be careful, you don't know that weirdo.” He heard who he assumed was one of your friend's on facetime with you. Seeing your eyebrows furrow towards the phone, “I gotta go- I'll call you later.” he heard you say, hanging up the phone and muttering, ‘bitch’ before pulling open one of the heavy doors of the library. His cheeks felt warm at the thought that you didn't even notice him, making a mental note that you don't pay attention to your surroundings.

Obsessive!Choso who walked in a few minutes after you, making sure his shoe laces were tied and his shirt wasn't wrinkled. Fiddling with one of the many rings on his hands when he scanned the open library. Trying to find you in the sea of students. Spotting you behind a glass door of the study rooms. Mind making him see a halo around you. Whos heart almost burst in seeing that you had reserved a study room just for him. Who was so sure, that the only reason you reserved it was to be alone with him.

Obsessive!Choso whose feet felt numb in his heavy shoes as he walked across the library, a small smile on his lips when he saw you with your head on your hand while writing something down. His hand connecting with the steel door handle with a small ‘clink’. Making you flinch at the sound and look over at the door with a smile. Whos hand was clenched tightly into a fist at seeing your warm smile greet him, taking a seat across the table from you. Setting his worn out backpack onto the chair next to him. Looking at the wall behind you, seeing you shifting in your seat from the corner of his eye. You spoke up, asking if he understood anything that was being taught. “The TA always confuses me- Starting a sentence and then going back to the topic from before.” You laughed, trying to ease the tension in the air, seeing his face go unchanged as he looked to the door. “S’not that hard to understand.” He mumbled, placing his hands atop his thighs, his shoulders going stiff when he realized how rude that sounded coming out of his mouth. Looking over to see your face of embarrassment. “I didn't mean-” he started, sitting up straight and leaning onto the table. “No, it's okay!” You assured, seeing his face finally change from stoic to showing you some kind of emotion. “I do that a lot too.” you smiled, opening your laptop and scrolling to the assignment requirements. His fingers scratching at the chipping black nail polish on his nails that he needed to redo soon. Choso’s eyes scanning the back of your laptop, seeing the many band stickers and comic book strips cover the silver back. ‘Are you a nerd?’ he thought in adoration, the corners of his mouth hesitating to smile. Recognizing some of the stickers he saw. Making sure to remember the name ‘Destroy Boys’ to look it up later. Wanting to desperately take a picture so he could research every single one, desperately wanting to know where the other stickers were from. 

Obsessive!Choso who scanned the entire screen of your laptop when you turned it so you could both see. Seeing if you had any tabs open that he could see. Noticing you had streaming sites pinned to the top of safari. Seeing your fingers fiddle with the pen in your hand as you started speaking about what you had in mind for the project. Only replying with, ‘That's fine.’ and ‘Okay’ making sure to shut himself up to hear you speak longer. You excused his dry replies with, ‘maybe he's just not the talking type.’ it didn't bother you, but you wished he would form some kind of opinion on what you were suggesting.

Obsessive!Choso who heard you ask, “Would it be okay if you wrote the Summary? I hate that part of these projects-” almost immediately saying “Yes.” before you could finish. Seeing you write a list of the things that had to be done and splitting it in half. Seeing your perfectly manicured hands slide the paper over to him. “Sorry if my writing is a little messy.” you smiled, pulling your computer over to face you and typing. Seeing that you were focused on the screen, he grazed his fingers onto the purple ink from your pen. It was messy, but Choso didn't care, if he couldn't make out the words he'd spend the next hour trying to understand them. Almost clenching his heart when he saw the little scribbles of flowers adorn the top of the lined page. “I'll send you the link to the doc-” your voice trailed off, scanning the screen with your eyes. Oblivious to how Choso was admiring the page you gave him. This was finally his chance, he finally had an opportunity to ask you-“Do you have an instagram?” he asked, looking down at his hands when he heard your fingers stop typing. “I don't really like social media.” you smiled, looking up from your screen to look at him.

Obsessive!Choso who felt like his heart could shatter at your words ‘Liar.’ Choso thought, ‘Why would you lie to me?’ his thoughts were interrupted when he heard you speak up again. “I could give you my phone number? I find it alot easier to talk to people through messages or calls.” You spoke, your words mending the cracks in his heart from your lie. In truth, you didn't like lying to people, but the mere thought of giving him your instagram and letting him see the bullshit you spam onto your story was humiliating enough. Choso pulled his phone out quickly, fingers gliding across his screen as he pressed the ‘add contact’ button. Sliding his phone over to you. Seeing you do the same, his heart fluttered at the sight of trading phones. Seeing small charms jingle at the corner of your phone when he picked it up, noticing it was a newer model of his phone, and a lot smaller.

Obsessive!Choso who almost let out a choked sigh when he looked over and saw how big his phone was compared to your hand. Taking a mental picture as you struggled to hold it. Seeing you slide it back to him, his eyes looking over your name in his phone. Sliding yours back to you. Immediately memorizing your phone number in case he ever lost it. Your eyes scan the screen before looking at the top right corner and seeing the time. ‘6:45 PM’ it read. Hearing you close your laptop and gather your things, “I gotta get goin’ now-” You muttered, standing from your chair and placing your laptop into your bag. “I'll see you in class.” you smiled, looking at his face that finally cracked a small smile back to you. “Bye!” you said as you waved goodbye to him, stepping out of the room. Seeing him give you a small wave in return. 

Obsessive!Choso whose breath hitched when he saw you left behind the same purple pen you used to write the list you gave him. He looked up to call out to you, but he didn't say anything. Reaching down to grab it, his fingers grazed the smooth plastic as he pictured your hand around it. ‘Did you leave this just for me?’ he thought, a smile creeping onto his face. Hearing a harsh knock onto the door, snapping his head to see a student holding the sheet that showed his reserved time was over. Gathering his pencil and notebook, delicately placing the stray paper you had given him in between a red folder from his backpack. And putting your pen into his pocket before walking out. Choso couldn't see himself, but he felt like his cheeks were warm, and he was sure his ears were red.

Obsessive!Choso who almost ran back to his studio apartment near the school's campus. Sitting at his desk as he digitally scanned the list you wrote, his eyes almost glimmering when he saw the image on his laptop showing that the scan was complete. Rummaging through his discarded school supplies and finding a plastic paper sleeve, gently sliding the page inside. Smiling while he cleared a space in his closet. Gently placing a small stool inside and taping the sleeved page onto the wall. Reaching into his pocket and placing the pen in the center. Thinking, ‘I'll just leave it here so it won't get ruined.’ while he centered the pen onto the stool. ‘I'll give it back next time I see them.’ he assured himself. Walking back to his computer and zooming in on the words you wrote. Remembering the name of a band on the back of your laptop, he opened a new tab. His fingers typing in ‘Destroy Boys’ into the search bar, seeing a picture of the band. Scrolling down and clicking the link that opened spotify. Clicking on the song that was #1 on their page. His eyes slightly widening when he heard the loud music blare through his laptop speakers. Clicking the button that showed him the lyrics. ‘This is what you listen to?’ surprised that you'd listen to music so similar to what he listened to. 

Obsessive!Choso who was so tempted to scroll through the thousands of monthly listeners in hopes to find you. Instead, settling on changing your name in his phone from your first and last name, to your first name with a small ‘♡’ next to it, hoping you'd do the same. Scrolling through his camera roll, before choosing a picture he stole from your friend's story, one where you were caught off guard and smiling. One of his favorite pictures of you he had screenshotted. The same picture he used as his wallpaper, pretending he was the one who took it. Making sure he changed it to a black screen before he went to the library earlier, in case you saw it. Looking back up to his laptop and playing the band's entire discography. Listening to the lyrics and adding the ones he thought you'd listen to into a playlist. Going to stand up when his phone dinged, looking down to see your name pop up. His hands shaking taking a screenshot of the first text message you had ever sent him. ‘Hey! Here's the link to the doc :) in case you wanna change something about it.’ he read, almost hearing your voice in his head. His hands went clammy when he saw you had sent him a smiley face. ‘Are you...No. Are you flirting with me?’ he thought to himself. Going to his computer and opening the message, clicking onto the link and seeing that you were looking at it too.

Obsessive!Choso who smiled so hard at the idea that you were looking at the google doc at the same time. Taking his fingers and moving his cursor to hover above yours. Letting out a quiet laugh when he thought about how technically he was holding your hand right now. Hoping that you were looking at what he was doing, but the chances of you just leaving your computer open while doing something in your bedroom were higher than his hopes. Opening the notification on his phone and replying, ‘thank you:)’ before turning off his phone and looking back to his computer. His hands in between his knees as he stared, hearing the music you listened to blare through his laptop.

-

pt 3 here

..... mm I luv him sm, im gettin to the actual stalking soon, could you tell? wrote this while listening to 'Tear You Apart- She Wants Revenge'

[yan-lorkai]

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ A/N: I'm very normal about Idia, guys. Being his friend would be great, I just know. Yet he is an interesting character to me so at the same time he'd want you to spend all the time by his side, he also idolizes a version of you, smth smth I love him, enjoy this <3

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Warning: Yandere content, control and manipulation tendencies, guilt tripping, gn!reader

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Idia becomes intensely possessive when he first make friends with you, something he’s not used to. His loyalty runs deep and he expects the same in return, often feeling jealous and anxious if you spends time with "the normies", as he likes to call them. He tries to monopolize your attention by filling your days with online games, late-night chats and gossip sessions and anime marathons, making it difficult for you to spend time with anyone else. He even try your blogs if it is something he can do inside his or your room.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Sometimes he beg you to spend the day in his room, studying online as he does, when he is dealing with a particularly bad day - which are slowly turning into a daily thing.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ While Idia doesn’t confront people directly, he’s skilled at subtly manipulating you. If you mention hanging out with someone else, he’ll sulk or act overly dramatic, making you feel guilty for not spending time with him. He wants youto believe you’re the only one, besides Ortho and his family, who truly understands him, ensuring that you stay close. His tech expertise also gives him an advantage over you as he keeps tabs on your online activity, always aware of who you’re talking to or what you’re doing when you are away from him. And if you tell about how suffocating is to be with someone like him or something like that, Idia will make little changes in himself so you won't be bothered by how he acts.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ To further isolate you, Idia draws you deeper into his world, introducing rare games and niche interests that only he can share with you. If you try to make plans outside your usual routine, he’ll always have something special, a one time offer that you simply can't resist. Deep down, his tendencies come from a deep fear of rejection. He’s terrified of being abandoned and he believes the only way to secure your friendship is to make you depend on him as much as he depends on you. He wants to be your hero, strong, fierce, yet he turns into your villain, your tormentor.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ As the friendship deepens, Idia’s clinginess becomes more apparent, though he tries to hide it behind his usual awkwardness. He starts to get anxious whenever you doesn’t respond immediately to messages, bombarding you with worried texts or even calling, something he normally hates doing. When you finally reply, he plays it off but the relief he feels is palpable. He needs that constant reassurance that you’re still there, still close to him, that you still like him.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Idia’s jealousy, though subtle, can become intense. If he notices you are growing closer to someone else, he starts planting doubts in your mind, making snide comments or pointing out flaws in the new person’s behavior. His aim is always to make sure you realizes that no one will ever be as loyal or understanding as he is. He never wants to be obvious about it but his bitterness leaks out in small doses, enough to make his friend second-guess their other relationships.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ When things don’t go as planned, Idia retreats into self-pity, making you feel responsible for his mood. He might withdraw entirely, going quiet for days at a time, only to return with cryptic messages about feeling “left behind” or how much he hates being alone. This emotional tug-of-war keeps you constantly on edge, never wanting to hurt him or push him away, which only feeds into Idia’s control over you. Wether you realize what he does or not, Idia will always find a way to have control over you, no matter what.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Despite his fear of being too obvious, there are times when Idia’s obsession shows more openly. He might create custom in-game avatars of you, carefully crafting you to reflect his idealized version of a romantic relationship. He’ll obsessively collect items or trinkets that remind him of you, even going so far as to create private spaces in games or online where it’s just the two of them, away from anyone else or have an AI of your voice saying sweet little nothings to him, or singing. This, though, he'll never let you know. He doesn't want for you to think he is a weirdo, he just really love you, his bestie.

[chainsawlamb]

Toji, Food, and You

⋆ toji fushiguro x reader ⋆

word count: 316 ⋆₊˚⊹♡

One moment, he's watching the game with his friend on the phone. The next, he's feeling the edge of your plate poke into the muscles in his forearm.

His eyes drop down to the table. Already, he knows what you're asking without you having to say it.

He pulls himself away from his speaker, not quite done talking up whoever he was with on the phone.

“You're such a baby.” Toji rolls his eyes, taking the unwanted food from your plate with his chopsticks with the same precision he used to pinpoint his targets.

“You should be lucky you have me, sweetheart. Where are your manners, huh? Say thank you.” He nudges you with a strong arm, a gentleness that belies his usual rough demeanor.

Toji catches you staring and smiles. Did you think he wouldn't notice the way you stared at his hands?

⋆

He watches as you fix your posture and reply.

“Thank you, Toji.” He hears you say. He gives you a lopsided grin, taking a bite of unwanted squid to his lips.

Toji feels you nudge his shoulder. He feels something cold seep into his sleep shirt as you lounge around and watch some movie with him.

All this fuss over some pieces of squid. Toji would be lying to himself if he said seeing the pleading look you gave him didn't stroke his already inflamed ego.

⋆

He looks down, realizing that you're holding a can of soda. “What would you do without me, huh?” He asks, not bothering to hear you for an answer.

Toji grabs the aluminum can, popping its tab before handing it back to you. “Here. Ya spoiled brat.”

Toji wraps a big arm around your shoulder, tugging you closer.

He hears you laugh softly. Toji smiles to himself, quietly glad you never trusted yourself enough to open soda cans.

Thank God you were too focused on the movie.

⋆ my toji figurine came today!! wrote this in celebration of my fav canon dilf!! (*^^*)

[aclowntiny]

The Other Members Catch You Two Together- Seventeen

Returning this post fixed & breakdown free 🤙🏻 Warnings: 🤏🏻 suggestive at times, lil language, very minor injury mention

S.Coups

♡ "You have to be more careful, ok?" "I wasn't exactly trying to fall and skin my knee," you giggled at your boyfriend's mother-hen chastising.

♡ Usually you were just as caring, having fawned over other Seventeen members enough times that some of them shot jokingly suggestive glances to Seungcheol about you, not knowing he was already your boyfriend and they had the step-parent they all seemed to desire.

♡ Shaking his head, Seungcheol peeled the little protective tabs off the bandage and stuck it gently to your knee, giving it a cute little pat to stay down.

♡ “Thank you, doctor,” you teased from the counter he’d set you on, looking down at him from your boosted height with fluttering lashes. “Anytime, love. Just be careful, ok?” He asked, hands sliding to your sides. “Ok,” you agreed, a pleasant shiver running up your body, “but I must admit I like my doctor a lot.” “Your doctor likes you,” your boyfriend smiled, pulling you closer by your waist into a lean and pressing his lips to yours.

♡ “Hey, Coups, where’s the- whoa! Seungcheol! (y/n)!” The voice of mock-scandal echoing through the open air of the restroom belonged to Jeonghan, who remained in the doorway smirking at you two. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” “Oh, great, that’s kind of-” “I won’t tell if…” “One moment,” your boyfriend squeezed your hand before pulling his bandmate aside, gaze intense.

Jeonghan

♡ "Come on, lazy bones! Get up!" Usually, you were the only one who had much convincing power over Jeonghan. Some of the other members had their suspicions on that, most of them shrugged and accepted Jeonghan for the enigma he was.

♡ Today, though, that power seemed to be waning, as your boyfriend just shook his head, shimmying deeper into the couch cushions if that was possible. All you wanted was to take him on a little outing, but you knew how he got. Shaking your head, you just gave him an exasperated smile and eyeroll. "Alright, if that's how it's going to be..."

♡ You plopped gently on top of him, rolling your eyes again at his smile of victory as his arms wrapped around you. "...then I'm going to squish you!" "Squish away," Jeonghan replied simply, rubbing his cheek lightly against yours. Like it or not, that man was your favorite pillow, your weakness as much as everybody else's, and you caved against his touch instantly, body relaxing atop his warmth.

♡ Sliding his cheeks over a bit, he pressed his lips to yours, pecking you multiple times until you took hold of the back of his head, keeping him still for a real kiss. Because you knew if you were going to up the ante, so was he, and this time was no exception: your slow, sweet kiss quickly turned into parted lips, Jeonghan's tongue darting lightly between them as his hands slid up and down your back. Both of you were smiling into the newfound makeout session, your legs melting down to start wrapping around him...

♡ "Oh my God! Alright, leaving the room, LEAVING!" Jolting upright, you peeked over the back of the couch to see Seungkwan scurrying like a chased mouse back out of the living room, hand clapped over his eyes to avoid even one more look at his roommate. You couldn't help laughing, but you still asked Jeonghan if he should go talk to him. "Hmmm," he pretended to think, tapping his head before slinking his hands about your waist again, "maybe later."

Joshua

♡ You leaned against the side of the bed like a lovestruck cartoon teen as Joshua strummed his guitar, shooting those same heart eyes back to you. All of Seventeen knew you as his good friend, and you guys had yet to break the news that your connection went beyond that. The time to yourselves, though, was absolute bliss.

♡ "Alright, enough practice, I have a song just for you," Joshua spoke softly, strumming momentarily paused as he further captured your attention. Soon, sweet notes started up again, this time accompanied by Joshua's heavenly voice.

♡ It had been a while since you two got time together like that, and maybe Joshua was feeling it too, as he sang you Ed Sheeran's Photograph. Corny, sure, but you didn't care for one moment as he sang about love captured in pictures, keeping him forever close to you in the pocket of your jeans or in a locket by your heart.

♡ "I love you," you whispered as he finished the song, your head spinning and heart swelling with all the sweet words from his lips and stares from his beautiful brown eyes. "I love you, too," he replies, voice still soft as he sets his guitar on the bed, leaning down to place a kiss on your forehead.

♡ "That's so sweet!" Both of you shifted back, jumping to face the doorway where Jun stood, fake sobbing. "I think I might cry." Relief flooded Joshua's expression as he shook his head, but Jun immediately swore secrecy. "You're the best." "Anything for my cute lovebirds!" "He's going to call us that forever, isn't he?"

Jun

♡ You bring out Jun's silly side for sure, but nobody questions your playful behavior as much more than friendship. At least most of the time...

♡ Enamored is the only word you could think of to describe how much you love your new outfit. It fits like a glove, embodies your style, you name it, it has it. You love it so much, in fact, Jun decides it's photoshoot time.

♡ So there he is, bent over at a ridiculous angle because he insists that's how the photographers do it and laughing because you can't take him seriously, striking hilarious over-the-top poses in response. "There we go! Work it, (y/n)!" Jun jokes back, beaming as he takes the opportunity to capture plenty of silly photos of the one he loves most.

♡ It is in the midst of the sweet moment of joy for Jun that Seokmin walks up, giggling at the praise and calls of 'work it' coming from his hyung. "You like (y/n), don't you? That's so cute!" Jun tries not to freeze too hard, fails, glances at you as you exchange a nod.

♡ "It's not just that he likes me," you answer Seokmin with a grin and another pose, this one with a heart, "he's dating me!" The way the singer's jaw dropped was hilarious enough you wish Jun had turned the camera on him to capture it before it melted into a smile, Jun and you getting scooped up in a celebratory hug.

Hoshi

♡ You’re the one more concerned about keeping it from the guys, worried how they would react to you being more than friends with one of the large friend group.

♡ Soonyoung however? Respects you but doesn’t personally give a shit, so pushing the boundaries is fun for him. He just wants to climb a mountain and scream to the world how he feels about you!

♡ Instead of a mountain, though, his climb is into bed with you after a night spent with the guys. Kicking his shoes off, Soonyoung gleefully slides under the sheets of the bed you recline in, laying on his side to face you as close as humanly possible. "Soonyoung, what if someone sees?" You ask between giggles as he pulls you into him. "Is that really so bad? I'm used to the teasing and I can give it right back. Besides, Chan'll do something that has them back to teasing him in no time." Leaning the mere centimeters it takes to close the gap, Soonyoung captures your lips in a short but deep kiss that has your tired heart doing gymnastics. Your eyes soften and he kisses you again and again until all your spinning head can do is agree. "Alright, maybe we should tell them."

♡ The problem here? In the morning, Wonwoo, having passed by that very room after you'd left it, spotted Soonyoung's kicked-off shoes and socks piled suspiciously near your own outerwear, clearly has the wrong impression. It all starts to dawn on you as he avoids your eyes, laughs to himself. You kick Soonyoung under the table, nod Wonwoo's way.

♡ "Uh, Wonwoo? Can I talk to you for a second?" Soonyoung looks to you for approval, and though mentally you're smacking your forehead you just nod him off from your adjacent seat. You can still hear faint traces of the conversation around the corner, yours and Soonyoung's chairs having been nearest the doorway, chuckling as you catch your boyfriend calling his bandmate a pervert before shuffling around the corner with him again, Wonwoo shaking his head as Soonyoung gives you a thumbs-up.

Wonwoo

♡ Private in general, Wonwoo doesn’t struggle to hide his relationship with you and just keep it between you and him. He isn’t crazy for PDA or anything, so you two easily pass as very close friends.

♡ However, you guys got a little too comfortable once and that was your downfall. It all started when you bust out a silly little war simulator game from your childhood, challenging your boyfriend to a round or two which he gladly accepted.

♡ It played on a handheld console, so you two could just sit together and pass the switch at the end of your turn. You started the match at each other’s side, sneaking glances at Wonwoo’s activity as he teasingly held the screen up from you.

♡ Subconsciously, though, you drew closer, knees brushing, thighs overlapping and arms flush, until without even realizing you’d done it you’d made your way into Wonwoo’s lap, your boyfriend opening his posture a bit to hold you more comfortably like the puzzle pieces your bodies were. You played like that with no thoughts save for strategizing about how to advance your units and hints of distraction at the sensation of your back against Wonwoo’s chest.

♡ Thank the stars above, it was Minghao who found you like that, stopping after a small double-take to lean against the doorframe, arms crossed in teasing satisfaction as he nodded your way. "So, when did this happen, hm?"

Woozi

♡ Neither of you were exactly all over each other, so in your minds this was a secret you could practically keep forever if you wanted to.  The special treatment you gave Jihoon was so subtle the guys didn’t really pick up on it, which was part of what made it so fun!

♡ Having an intelligent, practical boyfriend, after all, it wasn’t out of the question that his ideas simply were just frequently good enough for you to agree with.  And it if was a music question?  They already trusted his decision without you liking his version better.  The fact that you wore his favorite color a lot and always seemed to bring by his favorite snacks just went over their heads when they were asking you a thousand other questions about arrangements or even whose joke was better.

♡ Your downfall happened the day you were torn on your decision.  Two of Seventeen’s leaders had come to you with varying song opinions, and as you listened to both Jihoon and Seungcheol’s versions, you really liked them both.  One definitely had a more subtle approach, but did that suit the song’s nature?  After a bit of convincing, you still went with Jihoon’s version, much to Seungcheol’s teasing as he left the studio to get a drink.

♡ “You almost betrayed me!”  Jihoon teased you as you jokingly sidled to his chair.  “His version was good,” you protested, “I had to be honest!  Besides, can’t make it too obvious how much I favor you, right?”  “Fair enough,” Jihoon replied with a small smile, reaching up from his seat to cup your cheek, pulling your lips into his.

♡ A few crackling thuds snapped you out of your warm reverie, the feeling of his soft touch.  Jumping back, you saw Seungcheol standing in the doorway, open hand having clearly dropped his water bottle.  Still sealed, luckily.  Slowly, a devilish knowing smile spread across his face.  “Oh my God.  That makes so much sense, actually.”

DK

♡ Seventeen is confused as all getout watching you two interact because they’re just besties right??? Wait they totally like each other???

♡ You and Seokmin are very close, obviously. He’s always shooting you hearts and you’re always bringing him along on snack runs and laughing uncontrollably over some stupid joke you two made. It definitely comes across as potentially flirty…

♡…probably because you guys have been dating for two whole months without having any direct conversations about it, all the other members too confused by the dynamic to directly ask if the shift they’ve perceived has actually occurred. You guys are shy enough not to kiss in front of the members and show off all the affection Seokmin loves showering you with when it’s just you two.

♡ So by the time you’ve just assumed everyone knew, it’s when that PDA comfort has had a natural unspoken increase and what’s it to you guys or anyone around you if Seokmin puts his arm around you as you sit on the couch, looking at you with the adoring eyes that were nothing new.

♡ “Look guys, look! See, I told you! I knew it!” Gaze swiveling to the other side of the room, you and Seokmin catch Mingyu’s frantic exclamations as he points your way, drawing the equally energetic Soonyoung to laugh and shout too. “You didn’t know?” Seokmin just asks, smiling widely as his protective grip proudly tightens a bit, bringing a wider smile to your own lips at the warmth. “How could we? You two are so confusing!” Soonyoung shoots back. “I dunno,” you shrug, eyes falling back to meet your boyfriend’s with your own glint of pride, “makes sense to me.”

Mingyu

♡ “Here, let me help you.” “Mingyu, I’m washing my hands!” You giggle. “Oh, all right.” The bug had gotten into your head about baking and Mingyu finally caved when you’d been shopping together and found the cutest sprinkles to go with your sugar cookie recipe.

♡ Sticky dough coats your hands and connects your fingers before you put them under the warm running water, feeling the chunks break up and float away from your skin. The cookies are all in the oven now. “Now what should we do while we wait?”

♡ “I can think of a few things,” Mingyu replies mischievously and without hesitation, stepping behind you to snake his arms around your waist. “Honey,” you use the nickname that always makes his beautifully matching skin blush, “aren’t the rest of the guys coming back here?” You are in your boyfriend’s dorms, after all.

♡ “Not for a bit unless anyone’s planning on being early. Knowing Seventeen, not likely,” he says, “so what do you say?” Before you can respond he’s scooping you up in his arms and any protest rising to your lips falls off in favor of a happy squeak as you’re set gingerly upon a clean section of the counter. Your gaze is just about even with Mingyu’s as your hands find his shoulders, his firmly holding your hips as he leans in for a kiss. Giving in as you so often did, you deepened it almost immediately, moving faster before you feel his tongue slide its way between your lips-

♡ “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’ll come back later.” The warmth of Mingyu’s hands leaves your hips as he steps back, chastising mutters immediately leaving his lips. Your eyes fly back open to see poor (and very flustered-looking) Joshua getting chased out of the kitchen by your boyfriend, him whining about the gentleman’s punctuality all the while. Hopping off the counter, you can’t help but chuckle and check the cookies with a fond shake of your head. You knew what you were getting into all along.

The8

♡ oh you KNOW y’all are pros at hiding it you go MONTHS without a hint of suspicion 😌

♡ It literally takes a moment of fate to orchestrate the downfall of your secrecy, all the stars aligning perfectly and imperfectly for one outing.

♡ The two if you had gone to peruse a pop-up gallery while it was in your neck of the woods, taking a stroll through the small room of sculptures brought in for the event. The theme was the sea, many of the pieces perfectly capturing crashing waves, breaching whales, the beautiful glistening arcs and fascinations of earth’s mysterious water.

♡ Never would you have expected to run into any of the guys there until you heard the voices behind you. “This one’s cool, I love how the- hey, wait, isn’t that Minghao and (y/n)?” Minghao wanted to keep moving, but the second voice agreed and at that point you turned around, recognizing them easily as Soonyoung and Jihoon.

♡ “I didn’t know you guys hung out just the two of you!” “Soonyoung,” Jihoon hissed as he elbowed him, “he probably asked (y/n) on a date.” “Why would you assume this is a date?” Minghao shot back. “The way (y/n) was holding your arm,” Soonyoung shrugged before leaning in, challenge glinting in his eyes, “but if it’s not, you’ll be fine if we come with.” Glancing surreptitiously between him and you, Minghao finally sighs. “All right, fine, it’s a date. We’ve been together for almost six months.” “SIX MONTHS? I didn’t even know you liked each other!” Minghao and you can’t help exchanging smirks at that, and you feel his hip bump yours playfully.

Seungkwan

♡ “There’s a little private corner just for us!” You and Seventeen were on a trip, so naturally with such a number of people you guys were staying in a huge-ass house. Unpacking was going to take a while, but hey, who’d miss two out of fourteen people, right? Having scoped out the house, you ran off with Seungkwan down the hall to the furthest spare room.

♡ It was maybe intended as a child or teenager’s room, one corner occupied largely by a massive pile of cushions nearly the size of beanbags. Well, you could work with that. “What’s this?” “It looks comfortable,” you shot back, pulling Seungkwan closer, “doesn’t it?”

♡ The moment he relented you tumbled into the pile and he joined you, giggling and taking hold of each other for stability. That didn’t last long, though, Seungkwan rolling ever-so-slightly on top of you…

♡ Heat radiated from the press of his body to yours, the warm feeling drawing you in like a lifeline until you tugged him forward by his button-up collar, your lips on his. He responded almost immediately, adding to the electricity sparked between you as his arms fell about your waist. Your plush haven, the feeling of Seungkwan’s lips sliding gently over yours, all of it was heaven…

♡…Heaven broken by a scream that had you heaving up into a seated position, Seungkwan himself scrambling off of you to face the doorway, where Chan stood going off like a siren. “Oh God, my eyes! What the hell, you guys! Ugh!” Like a call to action Chan’s shouts drew member after member toward the room to see what was wrong, the maknae spilling the beans anew. Well, so much for who’d catch two out of fourteen.

Vernon

♡ You guys are just grabbing ice cream nbd

♡ Not even super datelike of an activity for someone to catch you guys in honestly because y'all aren't that sappy of a couple. Vernon and you just wanted ice cream, so of course he was gonna treat you!

♡ As if y’all are living in a drama your ice cream developed a mind of its own, completely missing its trajectory as you raised the cone to your lips, a cold vanilla-base droplet spotting your cheek. “Do you have a napkin?” You ask Vernon, letting go of his hoodie edge and extending the newly emptied hand, but his eyes are fixed on the little drip. “Nah,” he chuckled teasingly, pressing his lips to your cheek and bringing a flush to them as you feel his tongue swipe the ice cream off gently beneath the kiss.

♡ “Uhhh, that’s not usually how you get ice cream off of your friends,” jokes a clearly awkward voice at your backs. Turning, you’re faced with Jun and Jeonghan, cones in hand and wince on face in Jun’s case.

♡ “Come on Jun, I told you Hansol was into (y/n) ever since he magically got into Animal Crossing,” Jeonghan shot back, arms crossed, “I’ve never seen him throw himself into anything faster.” He turned his proud gaze back to you guys. “So, what’ll you do to keep this a secret, huh?” For that, Jun elbowed him.

Dino

♡ Chan is DEAD SET on keeping things between you two for at least a little while and you’re not offended because you know the sole reason has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the relentless teasing of his hyungs.

♡ So when you guys get together for a private dance lesson, Chan just plays it off as needing the space to film a danceology.

♡ Instead he’s teaching you how to count steps, the most comfortable way to hold onto him- which you certainly didn’t feign a lack of understanding in to get to touch him that much more. Any wishes in that department, however, are soon granted once music fills the little studio.

♡ Chan is at your back, doing your steps with you as if he had the follow’s feet, gripping first your arms to steady you and then shamelessly sliding down to your waist. Turning your head sideways, you feel the warmth of his breath, take it in yourself as your lips hit his, receiving a forceful response the moment they connect. Before you’ve even begun dancing Chan is spinning you in his arms, this time so you could face him as he tilts your chin up, leans in hungrily for another kiss that you gladly give him, your hips flush against his…

♡ “Oh, I see why you wanted the room.” You step back, using the hands you’d placed on his chest to practically shove Chan off of you, though his hand instinctively took yours, keeping you only the bare minimum below your flush proximity. Vernon is standing there with smug amusement all over his face, corner of his mouth rising further as he glances between you two. “Whoa, it’s not like that!” You protest, heat blooming beneath your own features. “Really? I kind of thought it was.” “Chan! You are not helping our case right now.”

[seruadoric]

Will u do a getian fluff? (If ur still in the r1999 fandom ofc)

GETIAN , WHO ...

content warnings // fluff, various headcanon scenarios , romance ( can be perceived as platonic ) , gn!reader

notes // i absolutely fell in love with getian during notes on shuori, therefore i am very much ecstatic to write for him ♡ i actually have a lot more for him in mind, but i'm not going to be oversharing today ( im actually just too lazy to write )

word count // 580

GETIAN who wants to impress you - and he does that by playing music to you.

➜﹒due to his bone wand, getian is able to play multiple instruments at a time. he conducts a beautiful orchestra of harps, lutes, and drums. the music is extremely clear and loud, but it is beautiful all the same. he wants to share his passion of music with his loved one, and is delighted when you show a positive response.

you have never heard something quite like this, and it was as if he had put you in an infinite trance. the music is carefully orchestrated, harmonizing together perfectly. you'd doubt you would break out of this reverie before the music had come to a stop, the initial quietness returning.

getian's attentive eyes look towards you, in search of finding a reaction of some sort ... and he was delighted seeing your face light up, the soft sound of applause resonating. he cracked a smile, one that was barely even noticeable -

"your music never fails to put me at ease." you spoke, in which he replies with a nod. "i will be sure to play for you more, then"

GETIAN who invites you to fly with him, especially late at night.

➜﹒the nighttime is a perfect time to stretch his wings and get some fresh air. whether or not you have wings like him, he will invite you to fly to the highest building to have the best view of the city (or the wilderness).

"hold on tight, and don't let go." he warned, the sheer pressure of being so high up making his voice barely audible. getian's talons held onto the hem of your clothing, careful not to hurt you, or to rip them - "i won't be able to catch you if you fall."

you reckon you flew a few miles, before he finally placed you down. he perched on the branch of a tree only a few feet away, stretching his wings out. here, you could see the whole city in its glory - the lights of the streets, slowly flickering as time passed.

once each light dimmed down, it was only the moon and its stars to accompany you. he will eventually fly you back down, but for now he does not need to say a thing - just admire the stars in a comfortable silence.

GETIAN who gifts you trinkets and jewelries he might've found in the wilderness; they can vary from high-value objects or literal trash, but you will love them nonetheless.

➜﹒ there will be short periods of time where getian is away, which he makes it up to you by gifting the things he found on his adventures. really, they're just shiny and peculiar objects that he found tossed around, but he managed to make something good out of them. (by giving them to you!)

"emm ... getian, what's this?" your expression, tinged with both mystification and amusement, didn't go unnoticed by the feathered man. "for you." he pushed the trinkets to you, as if urging you to take them.

"help yourself, i have no need for them." he raises his wing to his face, letting you take your pick. among them, there were valuable stones like jade and crystals ... but what caught your eye was a makeshift ring; a pull-tab from a used can of dr. papper, long thrown away by its user.

"i'll take this one."

૮˶- ﻌ -˶ა⌒)ᦱ zᶻ

[cupcakewebkinz]

Blackout Freakout

✮ Sprout and Cosmo have a sleepover! However, a thunderstorm may ruin it... Or will it make the Moderns understand the berry boy just a little more? Who knows! (It's fluffy af I swear) ✮

❀ @soupiestzilla / @soupiestfics own the modern shellvision au ✿ Caretaker Shanon au is mine! ❀

✾ I have severe writers block guys... Sorry if this sucks I just... I needed to do a write wrote or I was going to go insane but my brain wouldn't let me. So feast!!! Rah!!! ✾

────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────

The day was winding down quite peacefully that night, with Toon Shelly and Toon Vee being tight in each other's arms, pop tab rings set beside them on a special red throw pillow they set up beside them just to hold their rings, fast asleep in their pillow pile. Sprout had just settled back down in his usual spot, tail curled over his feet, an empty cup that used to contain tea in hand. Cosmo sat beside him, reading through a cookbook casually, leaving sticky note bookmarks on pages with recipes he wanted to try. The Moderns sat in the pillow pile with the toons, Shanon nearby, the three watching a much more recent dinosaur documentary. A thunderstorm raged on outside, but inside, a different storm was brewing. A dinosaur nerd storm. Sprout just watched as the dinosaur nerds started ranting about spinosaurouses, then he looked over at Cosmo, who had just yawned.

"Getting sleepy, Sugar Cookie?" Sprout softly asked, and the sweetroll just nodded in reply, bookmarking a recipe for double chocolate fudge.

"I'm also really cozy too, I'm okay." The other replied softly, though the two immediately looked up when Gi ran through the room. The chaos entity just went right to the kitchen, then came back out with a large bowl of chips, going right over to the dinosaur fans and sitting near them. The two just giggled in unison when the dinosaur fans started to tell Gi all about dinosaurs- who just listened intensely, curious and happy to learn. So the two just went back to their own thing, Cosmo looking over a key lime pie recipe as Sprout looked outside again. He winced when the lights flickered, getting a tight grip on his arm from Cosmo- a reminder that he's right there.

"I hope the power doesn't go out..." Sprout whispered, and Cosmo nodded in agreement, making the pie recipe before turning to another one in the book.

"It'll be okay, we're all here for you."

"Thank-"

Sprout was cut off when the lights flickered again, now shivering and gripping onto Cosmo's oversized t-shirt tight. Cosmo stayed close, gently shushing his partner to help soothe him. The Moderns were silent, Gi was now holding an emotional support chocolate bar. Shanon also was quiet, sitting up fully now, ready to get up quickly and grab the candles.

The power soon completely turned off, and Shanon immediately sprang into action without a second thought, running right off to grab the flashlights, battery powered fairy lights and candles. Both scented and unscented, depends on the mood. Sprout was silent, breathing heavy, shaking as tears started to form in his eyes. Modern Vee just sat up fully herself, having no idea that turning her screen brightness up all the way to help everyone see was a terrible idea.

"Bad storm, huh?" She commented casually, Modern Shelly now looking defeated.

"That was an actually good ooooooonnnneeeee..." She whined, obviously just sad that the power cut off the documentary. Gi just sat there, looking at the two, soon nudging Modern Shelly really gently.

"Can you tell me more instead? I wanna know all about dinosaurs!" They asked, making Modern Shelly gasp excitedly and nod, and soon she was right back to telling the curious Gachapon all about dinosaurs, just like she did with her toon version a few nights ago. Gi just listened with great interest, which made Modern Vee chuckle at their adorable shenanigans before stealing some of Gi's chips. The gachapon just blinked at it, having no care at all, just invested in the dinosaur chat they were deep in now. The Moderns, and Gi, seemed to just be thriving, while Sprout was falling apart at the seams. Gasping for air, shaking horribly, tears streaming down his face, begging silently for any light source to show up and save him. Cosmo was doing his best, whispering soft words of encouragement and giving him lots of gentle affection, though it wasn't enough to soothe the poor thing. Sprout soon let out a stressed whimper-like noise and got up, scuttling off to find any source of light- of comfort, of an escape from the nightmare he was in. Modern Vee made yet another grave mistake just then- she turned to look at him, to laugh at the display of fear and panic because she thought he was overly exaggerating his fear of the dark.

He was not.

He bolted over to the light source like a moth drawn to a flame, and soon was trembling and latched onto her like she was going to save him, sobbing as he stayed huddled against her. He was terrified out of his mind, wanting to scream- to cry out for Sam and beg them to save him- but he couldn't manage even a slight sound through his uncontrollable sobs and gasps for air. Modern Vee stared at the guy, who usually was the tallest and largest Toon - now curled up so tight he was smaller than Toon Shelly - before just laughing out of pure disbelief.

"Seedly- dude- I'm not your mom, don't act like you're dying just because you want attention, dork." She teased, though when Cosmo came over with a look of genuine concern- when Sprout whimpered like a genuinely terrified puppy- she went silent. He wasn't messing with her... He was genuinely that scared. She knew what to do immediately, gently scooping up the ball and standing up with him, walking off to the kitchen. She heard that she was being followed, but she didn't really care, she just went right to the counter beside the fridge and set the scared boy down for now. Sprout didn't move- he couldn't move- he wanted to move so bad and lie and say he was fine but his body wasn't working with him. Cosmo soon was sitting beside him, rubbing his arm, gently reassuring him without a word. Modern Vee just went right to work, getting the scared man some feelings milk and some of the cookies he had made with Cosmo earlier before going right back over to him. After silently assessing if he could even drink anything for himself, and finding he probably couldn't even hold a hand right now, she grabbed one of the hundreds of silly straws from Shanon's special straw drawer (nobody knows why she has it, not even Shanon herself) and put it in the milk. She then somehow managed to get him to get the straw in his mouth, and he soon was slowly calming down from the green glow around them and sipping on the milk. Modern Vee couldn't help but smile a little at it, at how pathetically adorable he was, at how even the most mature one of the group could go sobbing baby mode on them. Cosmo just wiped his tears with a handkerchief now, smiling at the fact that his beloved was starting to calm down again.

"Thank you, for not judging him too much, I know he appreciates it a lot. I don't know why it's gotten so bad, but I don't really mind, I'm just happy he's okay." Cosmo softly spoke, gently taking a cookie and feeding it to Sprout, who just quietly munched on it after he was done sipping on his milk. He was still trembling and crying, but the gentle care and actual source of light were helping him calm down a bit. Modern Vee just nodded silently, putting the plate of cookies down so Cosmo could take over feeding the berry man, while she put the half empty glass of feelings milk on the other side of him.

"Don't sweat it, while I may not fully understand everything you've been through, I get having fears related to it. Even if it makes you act like a big baby, we're friends here, I don't actually judge. Too much." Modern Vee replied, getting a playful shove from the now grinning berry man.

"You do judge..." He mumbled, getting a laugh out of her.

"I said 'too much' for a reason, Seedly." She teased right back, flicking one of his leaf bangs. He just flicked her antennae, starting to finally laugh after his meltdown. Cosmo just rolled his eyes with a snort, shaking his head afterwards. He soon was giggling as the other two started laughing, while a very quiet and slightly tired Shanon walked in and started setting up battery powered lights around the kitchen so people could get drinks without worrying about running into anything from the power outage.

"The living room has lights in it, if you guys want to go back there. I'm just setting some tea lights in here... Battery powered. Cool, huh?" Shanon said, showing the trio the color changing battery powered candles. The three just nodded, making Shanon smile one of her sleepy but happy smiles before she went back to setting everything up. Sprout sighed, now fully calmed down- for the most part. He looked between the two, then yawned.

"I'm gonna go lay down then... Goodnight you two..." Sprout softly said, though he was stopped and had his ponytail fluffed and laughed at by the modern robot before he could even leave.

"Goodnight, dork." She stated once she was done messing with him, only getting a raspberry blown at her in reply before the berry quietly left. Cosmo looked at her, then stole the feelings milk and sipped it, then blinked a few times.

"This tastes exactly like my favorite icing flavor we'd make at Gardenview, the cotton candy one we'd use on the Astro cookies. That's really good!" He complimented, making Modern Vee's eyes widen. That's what must've made it work so well on him... A reminder of his sweet, shy little boyfriend. It all made sense now.

"Well, I'm glad you like it, kid."

"I'm an adult too..."

"Nah, you Toons are kids. Anywho I gotta take the whiteboard away from my girlfriend before she spirals into 3 am dinosaur yelling, cya dude." She simply said before walking off, though she didn't actually do that. Instead, she went and got Sprout something that was going to be a gift for the toons later- but figured he'd appreciate now. It was a stuffed seal with lights inside of it, supposed to be for keeping the nightmares away, but now it's for keeping the darkness away. She just placed it gently on the now sleeping berry's chest, watched him as he immediately latched onto it, then patted his head gently.

"Sleep well, Sprout. Hope the evil stays away tonight." She whispered, then turned away and went right back to her spot beside Modern Shelly and Gi, pretending she didn't just go soft for her 'arch nemesis'. But she did, and Sprout knew it, because after all the teasing, water wars, fake arguments and endless sarcasm-

They were still great friends that genuinely did care for each other.

And while he couldn't thank her for it now, he was eternally grateful for the gentle love and care he got that night. The dinosaur nerds just pretended they had seen nothing, Cosmo just kinda chilled quietly like he usually did, back to going through recipes in the book he had - just by a lemon cake scented candle now. The rest of the night was a quiet, chaotic but fun time... Without the 3 am whiteboard yelling, as it had become 3 am whiteboard whisper yelling because Shanon wouldn't let them actually yell - even if Shanon herself wanted to scream at the internet with them. The Toons had to sleep, and they respected that, even if the internet was wrong about their beloved dinosaurs.

[vivicawrites]

Jujutsu Kaisen app headcannons

✧ Nanami only had a work phone until you convinced him to get one for himself. He has mainly all default apps except for skype and some other work related things.

✧ He does have some social media apps, but he NEVER posts. He’s definitely one of those people who don’t put their face out there no matter what. (except if you want to post a picture of the two of you together on your own account) In the very rare instance where he comments on a post, it would be a thumbs up emoji or a very short comment with no more than three words maximum.

✧ He has Reddit, but he only downloaded it for the baking subreddit’s and the occasional advice posts. He doesn’t have any games on his phone and on several occasions had to delete random mobile games that Gojo downloaded on his phone to mess with him. One time, Gojo downloaded a cat related game similar to candy crush and Nanami never deleted it. He’s #8 on the billboard for top players.

✧ For specific social medias, he most likely has a facebook and instagram. He rarely uses either apps and when he does it’s all cute animal videos and those satisfying videos like power washing or things fitting perfectly into place.

☆ Gojo’s has so many mobile games on his phone that it makes his home screen look like it has malware. A few minutes on his phone will burn your hand from how much it heats up. He will have the stupidest shit on his phone like “Amazing Rope Hero Spider Game 2!” or some other knockoff game. He plays a game maybe twice before downloading another one and never playing again.

☆ He has all of the popular social media accounts. This guy is CHRONICALLY online. He’ll make an obscure internet reference and then sulks when no one understands what the hell he’s talking about. He has so much brainrot he might as well be a zombie. He posts so many different things that it gives his followers whiplash. He’ll go from a thirst trap to a mukbang where he eats enough food to send the average person into a cardiac arrest. He participated in the Devious Lick trend and isn’t allowed in the staff break room anymore after stealing the cabinets and counters that were bolted into the wall.

☆ He has a youtube channel solely dedicated to messing with everyone. He posts clickbait titles like “PRANKING MY STUDENTS CHALLENGE GONE WRONG! (MAHORAGA GOT SUMMONED) 😱😱😱🔥💯🔥🔥”

☆ He comments on all your posts immediately after you post them. He’ll say something like “UR SO PRETTY🩷🩷!!! ARE U SINGKE 🥺🥺” even though you’re already dating him. He spells things wrong all the time too. His keyboard even autocorrects to the misspelled word because it happens so often. He made you match your profile pictures so that your hand and his hand make a heart.

★ He has an alt account where he keeps tabs on Geto. He likes all of his posts and stalks his reposts. Since Geto has a large following on his twitter, he’ll message him because he knows he won’t see. It’s mainly ‘I miss you’ and talking about his day, but some times he’ll type ‘I love you’ and quickly delete it.

♡ Geto uses his phone, but not that often. He isn’t like Nanami, but he isn’t glued to his phone like Gojo is either. He doesn’t have any games on his phone, but he has animal crossing on his 3DS and has created a segregated neighborhood. He’s not good at video games, so he doesn’t play any. His phone is surprisingly empty besides a few social media accounts and Life 360 for you and his daughters.

♡ He has twitter and posts about his views on the world and since everyone who uses that app has terrible judgement, it’s easier for him to recruit members. Sometimes he forgets that people on social media are non sorcerers, so he’ll like a post or a video and then immediately unlike it when he remembers that they’re monkeys. He doesn’t want you on social media and has tried to convince you several times to delete all of your apps. He acts like a helicopter parent sometimes.

♥︎ He sees Gojo’s messages, but never replies to them. He doesn’t know what to say.

꩜ Toji can’t afford anything besides a flip phone. If he does get one, he’ll use it to scam. He heard about only fans, but thought that it was below him and assumed he wouldn’t be paid much. He gave in a month later after overhearing about how much people make. He doesn’t show his face and only does solo videos. He got to #1 on the male category within a month.

[bunsandstuff]

Thank you for all of the love on my recent Gpose omg ; w ; I really wish I could reply directly to tabs aaaa. But thank you for your comments, they made me so happy to read, I love them. I wanted to share how I did it all and explain my process if anyone is interested ♡

More below the cut!

I got started by actually making the backdrop. I wanted to emulate the scene where the Phantom was taking Christine through the candlelit walkway, so I made a long tunnel to get it as close as I could to the shot.

And here is the result in game :3 I knew with the back I was going to have to rely on an optical illusion to sell that this was a long dark hallway, so I dyed the back wall soot black and turned my interior lighting to 0.

And here the setup is pre pre shaders. I cloned a few actors in using brio and had them draw the archeo kingdom WHM staff and placed them in the wall. I was really lucky that I had a long enough lookalike for the candelabras in the movie. Also, you can see that the illusion isn't being quite sold in the back at the moment, I fixed it using camera angling and having the primary source of light a little further back from the two subjects. And to create an even 3 point lighting I placed a greenish blue light to the back left of Alsene which is the blue you can see on their clothes further down. It is best to try and give yourself 3 point lighting when you gpose, you can even achieve this using the character lighting toggle built into the game itself. :3

Here it is with that light placed like I mentioned before and my shaders turned on. I'm using Candle presets on this one in particular with cinematic DOF turned on and focused in between Alsene and Artoirel. It also helps blend that black wall in the back into the scenery so it isn't as obvious. Also I would like to mention that when I do large shots like this, I take MANY screens in multiple angles to pick from the best shot. In this one in particular I have 30 screens in various angles that I chose from. This ensures that you aren't leaving the pose with a product you aren't happy with. It saves you time in having to pose it again.

I ended up choosing these two shots, and I edited them in clip studio. My process for that was making the arms look more metallic to match the rod by adding highlights to them. And the second thing I did was add a retro bloom to the image to mimic the vibe in the video. And as you know the final result was this :3

In all it was a very time consuming but fun gpose to do! If anyone has any questions about it I will be happy to answer them ♡ Thank you for appreciating what I do ; w ; it was lovely to wake up to.