#That I didn't remember a thing that happened in them

[c0sm1cp0tat0]

Yandere! Saja Boys x Reader

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Accept it. Accept it. Accept....it??

Accept their feelings for you?? But you didn't know how. Did they demand you to reciprocate or merely stop resisting their feelings? You didn't even know WHAT feelings they meant, either.

Did they really like you?? Five of them? Five men, no, demons? That was ridiculous. They must not know what temporary attraction is. Thats why they keep driving you crazy and telling you how they'd die and kill for you.

You stumbled now after your side jabbed into a piece of furniture. You were on the run. On the run as in, through their huge ass penthouse, that is.

"Come on, [Y/N]~ The fans want it, so you can't run from ittt~!!" Abby's voice was like the eery hiss of a very beautifully patterned, very poisonous snake in your ear. He was hot on you heels; he didn't even need to try. Infact, you sussed out that you were actually the only one running here. He was about to catch up to you with just his relaxed strides.

You're wondering what's happening right now? A week ago exactly, you'd signed to be their manager. You were allowed back home-- briefly. But then you were thrown into this quick sand-pit of gigs, fan meets, approving merch. Other things that you could have sworn they were able to do themselves.

You spent more time with them that you ever had when they held you captive. You had a feeling they had a part to play in that.

And somewhere along the way, the fans had sussed out a few things. The prime one being how all five of the members looked at you when you weren't looking. That person they all said they already liked?? I wonder who they guessed that out to be.

The members didn't even care. They'd throw their arms around you in public. Fix you with this 'you're making me feel some typa-way' kind of stare while ON CAMERA. Watch you much too intently as your sorted through paperwork during fan meets. Yes, fan meets, as in the one event in which they're supposed to focus full attention on their FANS.

But the worst thing is, you'd expected the fans to do something. To rage. To demand refunds for the lack of attention. And then the Saja Boys would have to fire you and you'd be free. Instead?? You saw comments under the upload of the meet on Youtube.

"Guys GUYS GUYS. The Saja men are hot n all... but hear me out....THEIR MANAGER."

"Omg yea"

"She's clueless man"

"They're S. M. I. T. T. E. N."

"She's adorableee I wanna carry her in my pockettt"

"TAKES CARE OF THEM SO WELL OMG"

Now, there were things online. Fanart. Fanfiction. Direct messages to you, to the members. Asking if you were together. Asking for something you learned as fanservice.

There were shipwars. Now, Jinu had explained this one to you but you still didn't quite get it. Fans... fighting over...who you looked best with?

There were comments that you had to read through in order to delete the hateful ones.

"OH. EM. GEE. [Y/N] and Abby. have y'all SEEN the size difference?? So cute!!!"

"Dumb bitch, [Y/N] X MYSTERY for LIFE have you seen them?? [Y/N] literally has him on an invisible leash!!"

"I don't know, I think I like Jinu and [Y/N]'s love-hate relationship better. Remember when he hugged her and she called him a melonhead?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ XD,"

"HAHA uncultured swines, y'all ever heard of Baby x [Y/N] x Romance??"

"TRY ME, OT6 FOR THE RUN AHHHHH"

You'd shut down the laptop then. It was too late to delete those either way; the PR manager of their company had already seen.

And decided that they could make some bank off of this. And when a higher-up decides that there's money to be made?? You're delusional if you think you're getting away unscathed.

To top it all off, the Saja Boys were all too happy to encourage this shipping nonsense, too.

So here you were, dashing from the truth. Panting, eyes widened. You kept on looking back. You were going in circles around the huge penthouse complex. Through every single room. By now, you were in a full-on sprint. You looked back. Abby was still right behind you.

And you were so busy looking back, you didn't notice the solid chest that you were about to bash into.

"Don't you know we can teleport? Tsk, tsk, tsk." Jinu tutted with a smile, clawed finger coming under your chin and lifting it so that you looked up at him like an angry albeit guilty child.

Ten minutes later you were pushed into a fancy studio. Tried to slip away, was dragged right back.

The professional photographer hired looks you up and down, chewing his gum obnoxiously loud. He had you figured out in seconds.

"Hmmm, not a normal manager are you? Quite young. Not a bad face. Not bad at all." He paused, regarding your tense shoulders. "Relax yourself hun, you're gonna earn in millions for this."

The first reference pose he showed you already had you rushing for the exit.

"Oh no no no you don't." Jinu smiled, grabbing you by the collar and lifting you right off your feet.

"You're our manager now. Keeping the fans happy is one of your commitments. This is one of your commitments."

So now, you found yourself propped upon Abby's lap. Your feet weren't touching the ground. He'd been grinning like a madman as you struggled to climb into his lap and he'd lifted you up, helping you. Now he was all professional. Arm loosely draped around your waist, leaned back. Staring at the camera with sensuality.

Your arms were twitching around his neck, aching to tear away. under your own biceps, you could feel his own, thrice the size of yours and solid as a rock, flexing.

You only realized now how big he truly was.

While you'd lost weight out of stress, he'd become even more beefy in preparation for the photo shoot.

He could feel you slowly start to tremble. Smiling in pleasure, he leaned in, "Don't worry darling, I won't crush you." He knew you were wary of him in particular due to his physique. Such a caution was...how does he say it... fucking adorable.

"Yeessss...yes yes yess give me all that emotion. The anxiety." Photo dude's eyes swivelled to Abby, "The attraction. [Y/N], don't be shy and lean in a bit closer, will ya babe? It's not everyday you get to sit on the lap of a top idol."

But you didn't want to. The photographer was only doing the top half of your bodies, so it couldn't properly be seen that you were on his fucking lap. Your left leg was subconsciously stretching, trying to reach the ground. How would your boyfriend react to this if he were still alive? Your frown deepened.

While the members leaned into fully assess the photos captured, their eyes sparkling with facination, you hung back, wondering if you could make a break for it now.

The next round was just as if not even more appalling. You were hiccuping, feet tripping and sliding against the floor as you tried to book it to the door. Jinu was smiling happily at the concerned-looking photographer. His large hand held the back of your collar, effectively preventing your escape.

"Sorry, she's very shy."

The photographer tuts, almost pityingly, "Oh, darling darling, we can't have this shyness in the entertainment industry...not if you wanna make the big bucks."

The rest of the member's eyes swivelled and darkened as the man smeared lipstick carefully over your rosebud lips.

While you were still fighting the urge to sprint, he had the audacity to even cheer you on "Don't be shy, get that man!!"

So you walked hesitantly towards Romance, hands shaking in tiny fists. He was leaned back lazily on the red velvet sofa being used. One side of his pretty lips quirked up. Lips that were also painted in that same shade as yours.

He beckoned you with a finger. And when you got barely into arms reach, he reached out and snatched you towards him.

"The whole face, he said, baby." The pinkette man almost snarled into your ear, fine brows furrowed cockily as his small smirk grew into a full on wicked smile.

You winced. Romance didn't hold you still or anything. You had to do it yourself. The handsome pinkette leaned in, cedarwood and rose scent engulfing you. His smirk returns, entertained as he notices your knuckles whitening on the couch fabric, stopping yourself from pulling away.

"We don't got all day." The photographer snarked.

Romance had no qualms of speeding it up. His large hands framed your face. At each peck on your cheek, your nose, your chin and forehead, you winced. You were trying not to struggle. But your legs still squirmed in protest. It was so adorable.

Soon, your face was covered in lipstick prints. Romance's eyes began to glow. He shut it down immediately. His marks. All over your pretty little face Fuck.

Click, click, click.

You tried not to wince at every audible shutter of the camera.

"Oh lord, even I would pay for these. Look at the emotions in his eyes."

When it came your turn, Roman actually had to tighten his hold to stop you from shuffling away, "Keep tryna chicken out, huh? Too bad, you can't because you already signed the contract~" It was rasped in your ear.

You shook off his grip, eyebrows tight in frustration and determination. But it wavered way too easily as one of the boys whistled. Probably Abby. "Come on, sweets!! Just like you did to Jinu that night!!"

The photographer looked at the man with wide eyes then looked back to you. You smiled crookedly, trying to appear innocent. But that wasn't going to get you out of this. Nothing was.

So you shut your eyes, and got to work.

When you opened your eyes, Romance was slumped in your arms. Just like your own, every inch of his face was covered in hot pink lip prints almost matching his hair. Mouth in a blissed-out smile. Face heated. It was like he was on something.

The camera shutter went off, "Excellent," The photographer breathed, eyeing the shots with wonder.

Mystery's reference one had you stumbling. "Is this...really okay to publish to fans??"

"Oh, darling," Photography guy chuckled like he knew something you didn't. But you knew something too; that you didn't fucking want to know what he knew.

So you stood, as they put a fucking collar around Mystery's muscular neck. Put a leash on the collar and tied an intricate knot around your wrist with the end of it.

And while Malak looked thrilled at the idea of being tied to you, you shook your wrist, eyeing the ribbon unaffectionately.

"Woah!" Your finger dug into his back when he delves for your neck. You weren't used to such a sensitive place being touched. Your other hand went to his hair, tightening on his scalp.

"That's it, put those big arms 'round her, champ!! Nuzzle your face in a bit more. Nice and tight now!!"

And oh god, the blue-grey haired boy didn't have to be told twice.

You hadn't thought much about it before. But now they were all pressing into you one after the other and you couldn't help but notice how big they all were. Even Baby, the smallest of them all was much taller than you.

"How much longer?" You couldn't help but mumble now, as you sat leaned back against Baby's chest as per the photographer's instructions. His legs were on either side of you. He'd locked them around you at some point and laughed when you couldn't get free. But he did let go. You still couldn't flee though.

"Trés adorable!! Just like that!! Put your arms around her neck!!" The photographer couldn't even hear you. He was gushing over the sight of you two together. You just didn't understand the appeal.

You actually forced yourself to look at the photos this time. They were aesthetically pleasing to say in the least. Though you didn't like the concept, the photographer had made them into a masterpiece. In some shots Beni looked cocky, smiling at you satisfiedly from the back. In others, he looked at you with this...mix of feelings in his eye.

You looked back at him now and he stared back unwaveringly. His lips didn't turn up into that mean cocky smirk or anything as usual. It was his large eyes that spoke to you instead. Just... pure emotions. Vulnerability. Want. Deprivation. He was spilling himself out to you without even speaking. Without even hesitating.

"Last member, honey. Gee-wizz you must be having the time of your life." Photo guy said jokingly but also seriously you didn't know which it was. You hoped it was joke. You were not having fun.

Especially when Jinu grabbed your shoulders and steered you back to the couch.

You were in shorts. you could feel the taut fabric of his pants as photo dude directed you to put your leg over his. You were told to go closer and you hesitated.

"Come onnnn, you kissed me before without hesitation. You're thinking for this??" This guy had a slap with his name on it lined up if he didn't shut up.

It was the second time photography guy's eyes almost popped out of his skull. You scooted closer to Jinu and quickly said, "Jokes, ahaha. Jinu's really funny off camera." You couldn't help but wince. What a lie. Jinu made you do the opposite of laugh. The amount of times you'd held back tears at the idea of being unable to leave their house, god.

His hand was now on your ankle, caressing. Moving up further. Photo guy was drinking this up. "Juuust like that. Keep looking at her like that."

He wouldn't say much about your emotions. Probably because he could read out clearly how badly you wanted to leave from here. You were sick of being surrounded by these male demons. But no one would understand.

⌗☾︎ ‧₊˚ ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶⋅₊˚☽︎⌗

It was almost as if they knew how badly they'd pushed you the last day. Today, you were allowed home while the editors did their work on the shots and the bodyguards alone escorted the boys to their gig.

And it was almost as if your body knew how fucking mentally drained you were. The next minute you got home, you were out cold in your own sweet, sweet bed.

Now, 2pm the next day and you were still dead to the world. Your small form submerged in the sheets. Not silken soft ones from the penthouse, but your own. Mediocre cotton with coffee stains. You were in heaven; a dreamless sleep like no other.

You weren't on alert. You were safe in your own home. Your own personal space.

You loved your personal space. But guess what? The Saja Boys love your personal space too.

While you were passed out still, your front door opened. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. She doesn't even have an extra lock on the door." The low voice of Jinu buzzed in the background.

Baby Saja was the first to find your curled up form, barely taking up half your bed. And yet so comfortably asleep.

"Damn, she's exhausted."

"We worked her to the bone so that she'd stay," Abby shrugged, huge form leaning upon the door frame with his arms crossed.

Romance narrowed his eyes. Was he jealous of your bed? Maybe. His hand closed around one of the bed posts. He shook it hard. The entire bed shook. Self satisfied he stood up straight. "This beds rickety. Unsafe for her."

They were talking so carelessly loud. Mystery wasn't talking but was creating his own racket as he crawled onto the bed beside you. Feeling the sheets, grimacing in dissaproval when he sees they're not soft and luxurious like theirs. But you weren't stirring.

You were on your stomach, small arms closed around your head pillow as you mushed it up close to your face. It wasn't difficult for the boys to admire you like this.

Leaning in, pecking your face, stroking your hair. Running their hands down the dips and curves of your body through the duvet. Enamoured, they were. Good for you, you didn't wake up and notice.

"Wakey wakey baby~ We got pizza. It's your favourite; BBQ chicken." Jinu smiled, running his hand through your hair. Never had they seen you in such a state of peace and calm and vulnerability. Even when you slept over at theirs, you forever looked high on alert. Eyebrows knitted together, mumbling as if you were attempting to repell these demons even in your sleep.

You stirred, and turned over, still dozing. They watched, calmly. Until Abby, the more thoughtless and callous of them all, scooped up your small form into his arms. He liked having you against his muscles like this. It was a fixation for him at the moment; how pliant and clueless and soft you were between his arms.

It was a small of a thing as an all-too-familiar ghost of breath against your neck that had you jolting awake. You opened your mouth for a curse but your throat was all closed up from sleep.

You scrambled away and sat up, rubbing your eyes. You chose to ignore the way you were woken up, "How do you know my favourite-??"

They exchanged looks. They may or may not have looked under your car seats for takeaway bills and learnt the contents off by heart.

They wanted to tell you, but they shrugged instead. "All humans like pizza. And these just seemed to be popular toppings."

You walked straight past them to the bathroom, yawning as you did so. They sighed in relief. Thank god you were too tired to give them second thoughts. At the same time they wanted your thoughts though. Seconds, thirds, all of them.

You were an angelic little thing. All flushed cheeks and droopy eyes. Voice husky. Unable to even comprehend what they were saying properly because you were too disoriented. It was the first time they got to see what you were really like after an actual deep sleep. You were fucking ethereal.

In a loose knit sweater and the smallest fucking sleep shorts, you were walking sin and had no idea about it.

Mystery smiled, ringed fingers stroking against the coarse fabric of your pillow. It was an immense joy that filled him as he watched you obliviously walk into the bathroom. He was about to make good on your promise to him.

⌗☾︎ ‧₊˚ ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶⋅₊˚☽︎⌗

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[zulashi-the-writer]

A Fever Dream

Romance x Girlfriend

Credit goes to therosettasun on TikTok

Summary: to love but never to forget, how could someone claim to love you but disappear when you needed them most

1st/2nd person pov

His eyes stared out into the crowd emotionless at the screaming fans, the bittersweet smile plastered on his lips as he blew out hearts then his eyes caught it the glimpse of something familiar, his heart fluttered seeing the sway of your hair, it couldn't be you, could it? He didn't get time to check as the red mist wrapped around his body taking him back to the demon world.

He couldn't get you out his head the thought of his past life resurfacing, all the memories flashing in front of his eyes, oh how he'd do anything to be back in your arms, to feel your warmth and hear your angelic voice say his name, but the remembrance of old memories comes fondness but also regret.

He'd look for you everywhere, hoping you'd be there looking straight back at him but you never were, all the girls screaming for his attention none of them could compare to you, he yearned to feel like that one more time to feel loved by you.

He decided to sneak away after the idol award trails following the exact route he used to take, his heart ached as he saw your favourite restaurant with a for sale sign blocking the door and the small playground you used to take him to sit on the swings with hazard warnings all over and the gate chained shut.

He wandered through every ally way, remembering everything that happened and watching the memories like an hallucination, from the kitten you found and nurtured cradling it in your arms keeping it from the rain to where you stood shouting at him when you were fighting, he was so lost in thought but his feet moved so perfectly knowing exactly where they need to go.

He looked at all the old things you pointed out when he'd walk you home, the neighbourhood kids that always played games on the sidewalk you boasted how the kids you would have together would win every single one, but the kids were no longer there they'd all probably in their teenage years now, a lump started forming in his throat as he started nearing your house.

He didn't even know you still lived there maybe it was his imagination playing tricks on him, maybe it was Gwi-ma being cruel, he tried swallowing the lump in his throat he peered around the corner his eyes softening as he saw your house, his heart fluttering as he saw all the modifications you spoke about, the beautiful colour garden that was maintained modestly, his steps faltered as he came to the path leading up to the door.

His eyes wondered over the porch, his eyes caught sight of the small engraving he made on the banister it was your initials in a heart his eyes squinted seeing another initial added he rolled his shoulders the feeling of uncertainty feeling him up once more, his eyes moved as he slowly stepped closer he saw the shoes he brought you for your birthday settled by the door frame he remember how you always wanted them but didn't have the money, his brows knitted together seeing pink kids show next to them, did you have a kid?.

A feeling of jealousy filled him, you found someone else? his eyes fluttered in sadness, he lifted his hand to knock on the door but his body froze what is he supposed to say 'oh I made a selfish deal with a demon king that's why I left you' he bowed his head in distress his eyes bolting up as he heard the click of the door his breath hitching as it opened, he didn't dare to blink scared that he was going to blink and you'd be gone.

"Yn" he watched your face panic, your chest raising up and down due to your shallow breathes "it's me" his voice was low just above a whisper he watched your eyes squint your eyes filling with curiosity then sadness "it can't be" your voice cracked your head turned as small footsteps charged towards you "mama" you bent down picking up your little girl keeping her close in your arms, Romance stood shocked seeing this little child with pink hair similar to his "is she..." the words caught in his throat.

Even you didn't know what to say he disappeared never said goodbye now he's here "uh-yeah" I murmured before whispering her to go play in the back she nodded quickly and ran off as I put her down "where did you go" I tried sounding emotionless but my sadness showed I hugged myself giving me a little comfort "I made a deal with a bad person" his voice dwindled "I'm so sorr-"

"No" I muttered interrupting him "you don't get to apologise, you left me when I needed you" I paused catching my breathe the anger boiling up in my chest "we needed you" I dropped my head to the ground tears streaming down my cheeks, my eyes stared at the ground fill of anger and confusion "why" I asked but he didn't answer I looked up glaring at him "why" I yelled pushing him making him stumble back.

He stared at me not saying anything his mouth opened and closed silently, he stood up straight composing himself "if I could go back in time I would my love, I never wanted to hurt you" his voice was soft holding so much emotion "but you did you weren't there you hurt me, hurt us" I shook my head weakly my body collapsing to the ground his body colliding with mine as he caught me holding me against him "I wish I was I swear, I've missed you every day" his tears slipped down his cheeks falling onto your hair.

My fists balled up his shirt as I pressed my face into his neck, my tears wetting his shirt "you left us" my words were hushed as he stroked my hair like he used to when I was stressed "I know" he said his voice breaking his lips shakily pressing a soft kiss against my head before taking in a shaky breath.

"I promise to never leave you again"

[sei-rq]

hi req incoming!?:) (chars I had in mind; Sae, Rin, Shidou) with a fem reader. Maybe 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 drabbles if you do that sorta thing if not that’s cool! (I’m VERY curious to see this with Sae if you wanna just do one)

Reader working as an intern or something for character’s team. Reader finds herself alone with them and ends up arguing, which is odd since readers usually sweet but the character pushed their buttons. After the character insults reader in the argument reader slaps them then feels bad. How would they react??

I genuinely do not have the source of this sudden slapping obsession but someone said Sae’s head would snap to the side and this usual stone faced man would give you the most devious smirk because he’s actually a freak in disguise.

YOU LIKE YOUR GIRLS INSANE !?

a/n: absolutely adore this req, honestly now that you mention it, i'd go insane for feral sae !! and holy fuck, I definitely think reo would get turned the fuck on if he got slapped, please tell me you get my vision.

ft: itoshi sae, itoshi rin, shidou ryusei, mikage reo, kaiser michael.

itoshi sae:

he's too into it.

WAY too into it, it literally happened because he was being difficult as usual, there's nothing new to it with sae.

but he has been pushing your buttons for as long as you've worked under him.

god knows what he had said way too bluntly this time around to piss you off, you don't remember

however this time, rather than that fake understanding and kind smile that you normally show to people to deal with situations quicker, was no where in sight, because you were alone with him.

you couldn't give less of a fuck anymore, not after what he said—

"i'm starting to think you took on this job because you're a people pleaser and you like the male validation from the team members, such a push-over."

a loud 'CLAP' could be heard in the empty room, the silence that followed after was deafening.

oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god.

and before you can apologise and beg to whatever god is up there to not lose your job, there is a 'pftt' sound coming from the man that still has his faced pushed down, from both the slap and for the dramatic effect.

before it's a full on chuckle filling the room.

"guess you aren't a push-over after all."

and he gives you the most DEVIOUS smirk before saying "hope you know what this means for you, cariño."

itoshi rin:

"can you just shut up? you're being annoying." rin huffs as he sees you go over the interview questions for the nth time for the team.

and normally you'd ignore rin's cold remarks and you're trying your best to do it right now too

but fucking hell, he's breathing down your neck like he's judging your entire existence.

"can you stop looking at me like I escaped the psych ward, please?'

he blinks "hard not to, because you did describe yourself pretty accurately."

you didn't mean to, your hand moved before you could think, it was supposed to push him back, you were supposed to hit his shoulder out of pure frustration.

you didn't realise he was leaning down to your level.

SMACK!

and oof.

you're terrified for your job and your life as you immediately make sure that he's okay, but he looks up with dazed eyes, wide enough to look like an owl.

and he looks down at you like you just completely rebooted his system.

"you're going to regret that."

yeah so, you assumed as much, but not like THIS.

safe to say, he was late for the interview, there was a mysterious bandage on his cheek and his hair was uncharacteristically messy.

shidou ryusei:

ryusei is an absolute menace, everyone knows that.

and it's not that he made you upset, or said something to make you mad, you both were alone together as you were working on some important documents.

safe to say, you really shouldn't be doing serious things anywhere around this absolute gremlin of a man.

honest mistake on your part.

"oh that looks interesting, lemme see!" the paper is snatched from your hands and..

RIPPP!

yeah, he fucked up big time.

and you're normally so composed and ryusei doesn't expect anything more than a sigh and complains leaving your mouth.

SLAP!

he made a mistake.

but he doesn't regret it, he'll rip apart twenty more documents if he gets to experience you crash out like that again.

"shidou, i'm so sor-"

'oh nonono, why don't you make sure you mean that and repay me in another way?" and he has the most mischievous look on his face.

mikage reo:

reo never gives you any trouble.

he's the last person on earth to bother someone without reason.

and he's the one you get along most with because of how sweet and kind he is.

even if it's performative.

he's nice.

but right now, he's being anything but cooperative.

his friend and teammate, he has an unhealthy obsession with has been locked off, reo is crashing out.

he isn't listening and he has skipped out on important events and interviews.

being the team's manager, you were asked to deal with it.

you really tried. words just didn't seem to reach him in that moment.

"mikage, listen–"

"you wouldn't understand, you're doing nothing but pretending to be nice–" okay, hypocrite much.

SMACKK!

and he's so dramatic, head turned to the side, eyes wide, hand holding his cheek like he can't believe you.

he probably hasn't ever been slapped in his entire life, let alone been touched like that, he's the heir to mikage corporation for fuck's sake.

maybe it's the light headedness or him finally losing his mind, he can feel all his pent up stress going straight to his dick.

well.

why don't you take responsibility for messing up a face that's worth 705.8 billion yen?

kaiser michael:

so unhelpful.

literally the most unhelpful person alive, he's been buzzing in your ear like an annoying mosquito for the past hour.

usually you would not care, just nodding along with a polite smile.

today he's being extra bitchy, something about isagi.

and you literally want to tell him that you don't give two fucks about what isagi did or how kaiser is feeling about the situation.

"and he–"

"kaiser, i'm busy."

"doing what? you literally get paid to work with us and deal with us, don't tell me that you're so unprofessional and useless that you can't even–"

CLAP!

head swung towards his right, eyes blown wide.

"you didn't just! oh fuck you did!"

and he's malfunctioning.

hot, hot, hot.

he can't believe that's what got him going, why don't you help him take care of it?

after all, it's your fault.

[greenwitchfromthewoods]

a new beginning. l Joel Miller

Summary: waiting for this day, more and more worries appeared in your head

Warnings: tears, worries and fears about being a parent, Reader is pregnant, Gail shows up, Reader and Joel are worried but try to support each other; someone new shows up at the end

A/N: I guess I was waiting for this chapter. And you?

your feedback is very important to me and I thank you for all the reblogs, comments and likes. 🖤 sorry for all the mistakes

short stories from life. [masterlist]

The next few weeks were really warm and not good for you. There was not much time left until you were due and your body was really giving you a hard time. You felt uncomfortable in your own skin, which was hard to bear and really overwhelmed you. Every stitch felt irritating, you felt swollen and it seemed to you that if Ann looked beautiful, you were rolling like a ball.

No, you didn't tell Joel or anyone else about it because you were already the target of their attention. That also annoyed and tormented you.

And it wasn't until one evening when Joel came home early and Ellie went out with Din and Jesse that everything came to light. For a moment he was scared when he heard your sobs coming from the bedroom, but when he entered he saw you sitting on the bed. Joel's shirt was tight around your belly, you pushed back your damp hair and your eyes were red from tears. However, as soon as you saw Joel in the doorway you quickly wiped your cheeks.

"What happened?" he asked, scared. “Something’s wrong with…”

“No, nothing with the baby.” You answered quickly, and after a moment you added a little too nervously, “And no, I’m not giving birth. Not yet.”

He looked at you tenderly and hesitantly approached the bed. “Will you tell me what’s going on? I can see that something’s worrying you.”

You took a deep breath, your lips shaking from crying. “I just… feel bad. And I feel bad because I feel bad, and I shouldn’t, right?”

Joel sat down on the bed next to you, seeing you nervously twisting your fingers. He gave you time to get out what you needed to say.

“I look like a big ball. I feel like a big ball.”

“Honey,” he sighed. “You’re carrying our baby, it’s normal at this stage.”

“I know!” you groaned, holding back a sob. “But no one told me that before! I barely fit into my clothes, and the last time I dropped a spoon, Ellie had to pick it up because I couldn’t reach it. And I’m so hot! And I’m sleeping worse and worse. I feel like I’m on an emotional rollercoaster and I’m terrified…” you took a deep breath. “I’m scared of giving birth, I’m scared of what’s going to happen after. What if I can’t breastfeed? What if taking care of her is harder than we think? What if I’m not cut out to be a mother?”

Tears ran down your cheeks after the last words, but you didn’t wipe them away. “I’m tired, Joel. I love you, Ellie, and this little girl I’m carrying, but I don’t feel good enough. I’m trying, but… I’m scared I’ll let you all down.”

You had to get everything out because you fell silent, sobbing quietly. Joel felt like his heart would break seeing you like this and barely understanding everything that was going on in your head. He knew perfectly well that you didn't regret this pregnancy, but you were confused and unsure of what was to come.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet and he tried to choose his words very carefully. "When Sarah was born, I was really young. Too young. Things didn't work out with her mom and soon I was left alone with this little girl. It was really hard, even though Tommy helped me, but he was just a kid himself." He sighed. "I want to say that I don't know much about how you feel, honey. I can only guess how scared you are, but I will do everything in my power to make you feel like you have my support. Remember, you are not alone in this. We will find a solution to any problem we come across. I will get up at night, change diapers, bathe her and put her to bed so you can rest." 

“You’re impossible…” you moaned, but the corners of your mouth twitched.

“I am because I love the most beautiful woman in the world, and she is carrying my child.” He reached out and wiped your damp cheeks. “I know you are scared, I feel it too. And we have the right to feel that way. Our lives are going to change.”

You nodded. “Do you think we are ready for this?”

“With you, I am ready for anything.”

Gail walked down the stairs and spotted Joel sitting on the porch. The sunlight danced on the wooden floor as she walked through the living room and soon approached him.

“She fell asleep,” she said, quietly closing the door. She sat down on the chair next to the bench and leaned back, pushing her blonde hair back. “It’s good that you asked me to talk to her. I think I could have helped her.”

Joel nodded. He seemed so vulnerable when it came to the people he was close to.

“Thank you,” he replied, his voice full of emotion. "I didn't know who to ask to talk to her. She has friends, but you're a professional."

"I feel appreciated." Gail smiled. "You have to try to understand her, Joel. She doesn't want to hurt you, she just..."

"She's scared, I know," he finished for her. "I try to calm her down, support her. Sometimes I feel guilty for putting her up to this pregnancy."

The woman frowned. "Please don't say that. She wanted this just as much as you did. But your earlier loss couldn't go unnoticed. She felt guilty about what happened, and now she blames herself for everything that's going on in her head. She loves you. I can see it and hear it in her voice. She loves you, the baby, and Ellie. She's just a little confused. Hormones." she said, as if that summed it all up.

Joel nodded again slightly.

“How long until her due date?” Gail asked.

“Two, maybe three weeks.” Joel replied. “My first daughter was born a little early.”

“I have a feeling this one might be similar.” The woman smiled and, seeing Joel’s look, added, “Just an old woman’s hunch, don’t worry.”

She stood up and reached out to put her hand on his shoulder. “She knows you support her and love her. What lies ahead isn’t easy, but it will be beautiful if you’re in this together. If you or she needs to talk, you know where I live.”

“Thank you.”

Gail smiled and soon walked down the few steps and headed toward the street. Joel watched her for a moment, thinking about her words. He didn’t think he’d ever be a father again. The thought scared him a little, but once you were in that vision, it made everything a little easier. He felt his eyes getting slightly moist, so he got up and went back home.

He found you asleep in bed. Gail had to close the curtains so the sun wouldn't bother you. There was a blanket wrapped between your legs, and from under your slightly raised shirt he could see the curve of your belly. If he had a camera, Joel would have definitely taken a picture of you then, and put it in a frame to remember this moment forever.

"Come to me..." your voice was barely audible. You looked at him sleepily.

So he took off his shoes and laid down next to you, and after a moment your head rested on his chest, your arm tightly wrapped around him.

"I love you so much," you whispered, falling asleep again.

"I know, baby, I know," he replied, kissing the top of your head. "I love you too."

When you first felt something strange, you were with Ann and Elijah, taking fresh bread. You froze with the loaf in your hand. “What happened?” Ann asked, maneuvering to hide the buns while not letting Elijah put the whole bun in his mouth.

“Nothing, I guess.” You answered, touching your stomach. “Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” You nodded. “Joel is at Russo’s, helping them with the oven. Can we go there?”

Ann was surprised, but agreed, because when Elijah heard Joel’s name, he let his mother take him in her arms without a problem. The day was warm, although you could already feel the approaching fall in the air. You had been feeling really good for a few days, the temperature had dropped, and talking to Gail and Joel had also helped you.

Before you even crossed the threshold of Russo’s, the strange feeling came over you again.

“Oh, honey! You look amazing.” Mrs. Russo quickly approached you with a delighted look. “Joel is in the kitchen. Should I call him?”

“If you would be so kind, ma’am.” You replied.

Ann placed Elijah on the floor and he quickly trotted after the older woman. Your friend looked at you suspiciously.

“Are you sure you feel okay?” she asked. “It seems like…”

“I feel okay.” You answered a little too quickly. “I just need to see Joel.”

“Now?”

“Yes!” You grabbed your stomach again and this time it didn’t go unnoticed by Ann.

When Joel came out of the kitchen, Elijah on his arm, all he saw was Ann’s wide eyes. “She probably needs to go to the clinic.” She said. “As soon as possible.”

“What happened?” Joel was a little confused. “Do you think…”

You nodded. “I think so. I’ve been having these weird cramps for a while now and… This has never happened before.”

Ann quickly took her son from Joel’s arms, then moved the bag of bread from your shoulder, telling you she’d take care of everything.

Joel was already there, his arm around you. “If you see Ellie,” he told Ann, “tell her where we are, okay?”

The woman nodded. “Good luck.”

“That’ll come in handy,” Joel mumbled, and you hissed in pain again. “Okay, honey. Time to meet this little one.”

She came into the world just as the room filled with the glow of the setting sun. Joel's ears were filled with a sharp and loud cry that he felt in every cell of his body. He continued to hug you, and you dug your nails into his palms - but that wasn't important. Only that cry.

Your face, a moment ago expressing pain and exhaustion, now lit up. You both looked at the girl, whom Dr. Morris quickly wrapped in a clean towel and placed on your chest.

"Hi, little girl. We've been waiting for you."

Your voice was quiet, but you were sure she recognized you. You looked at Joel - he was looking at both of you as if he couldn't believe what had happened, his eyes glistening with tears. Finally, you saw a shy smile on his lips, and his eyes found yours. He didn't have to say much, you felt the same.

"Jesus, darling. You were so brave." he said, kissing your temple. “You were both so brave. And she is…” 

“Perfect.”

☆☆☆☆

Thank you for your time.

taglist, i think: @picketniffler @orcasoul @bbyanarchist @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @somedayheaven @underneath-the-sky-again @callmebyyournick-name @hiroikegawa @mandaloriankait @mmmunson @grace-928 @umadirectioner @libraryofneith @princess76179

[inseobts]

Ink & Memories

law x fem!reader

you’re his ex tattoo artist and girlfriend, so what happens when you meet him again years later?

a/n: this was suggested by someone, I don't remember if it was anon or not but if you're reading this THANK YOU omg

words count: 5.2k

tags: MDNI, smut, ex-lovers, reunion, tattoo artist reader, angst with fluff

masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi

The sea breeze brushes against your cheek as you lean against the doorframe of your tattoo shop, a cup of tea in hand. It’s been a slow day. Not many people walk into a tattoo shop in a port like this. Not unless they’ve just won a bet or lost a bet.

You sip your drink and glance toward the docks, bored. Then your eyes freeze... No way.

You squint.

Tall man, black hat with white spots, fluffy. That long coat, that walk... You drop the cup. It hits the ground with a soft clink.

“Law??” you call out, loud and without thinking.

The man stops. The whole crew turns around.

Your heart skips.

It is him.

He turns, slowly, eyes locking with yours.

“Y/N…” he says. Low. Surprised.

You can’t help but grin.

You step closer “Oh my god... how are you?? I’ve seen you on the news so many times. You’re a warlord now?! I never thought I’d see you again.”

He doesn’t smile, but his eyes soften. You recognize that look. He remembers.

His crew is staring now.

One with goggles leans over to the bear in a hoodie.

“Who’s that?” he whispers.

The polar bear shrugs “Dunno. But she knows the captain.”

You glance at them and chuckle.

Law still says nothing. He looks like he’s thinking too hard, jaw tight. Typical.

You roll your eyes “Right. You’re not gonna say it, huh?”

You take a step forward, hand on your hip.

“I’m Y/N,” you say, loud enough for the whole crew to hear “I used to be Law’s girlfriend. And I’m his first tattoo artist.”

Gasps. Real ones.

“WHAAAT??”

“EX-girlfriend?!”

“Tattoo artist?! So she did those?!”

“Wait, he has tattoos??”

“He let someone touch him?!”

Even the bear goes shocked.

Law sighs and rubs the back of his neck “You still talk too much, Y/N.”

You laugh “And you still say nothing at all.”

You grin “You’re really here, huh? After all these years.”

You walk with the crew through the market near the docks. Law’s beside you quiet, as always, but his steps match yours. The others keep throwing you glances like you’re some kind of rare animal.

The tall one with goggles Shachi, you think his name is, can’t hold it in anymore.

“So, wait. You’re the one who did the tattoos on the Captain?”

“Yup” you nod.

“ALL of them?”

“I guess. I don't know if he had another tattoo artist later.”

"I didn't." he says and only you seems to hear it.

“Even the ones on his fingers? And the arms??”

You smirk “I’ve touched more of your captain than all of you combined.”

“WHA—” They all choke.

Law sighs again, rubbing his temples “Y/N…”

“I’m just saying facts, Law.”

You keep walking, passing a fruit stand. Penguin, the one with the hat, nudges you “So… you really dated him?”

You shrug “Yeah. For a while. Before he was famous. Before the crew.”

Bepo tilts his head “Why’d you break up?”

You pause “Life stuff. Timing. Goals. Pirates and tattoo shops don’t mix well.”

Shachi whistles “Man, that’s wild. I still can’t picture him dating someone.”

“I didn’t believe it either at first,” you say, smiling to yourself “He’s... complicated.”

Then Penguin says, “I bet the one on the chest hurt the most though, right Captain?”

Your body goes still.

Law stops walking too. You both freeze at the same time.

Your mind doesn’t ask permission... it just goes.

Flashback. Your tattoo studio, late at night. Warm orange light. Law’s shirt is off. He sits on the tattoo chair, toned chest exposed, calm as ever. “I want the next one here.” he says, touching the center of his chest. You arch a brow “You sure?” He nods once “Yeah.” You bite your lip. You two are already a thing now, nights together, kisses stolen in your shop, your toothbrush next to his blades. But this feels more...intimate. “Alright,” you whisper, clicking your tattoo pen on “Then let’s make it count.” You don’t sit on the stool. You don’t ask for permission. You straddle him. Right on his lap. His eyes widen, just slightly. His hands go to your waist, not pushing you away, just resting there, tight. “This okay?” you ask, fake-innocent. He grits his teeth “Tch. You know it is.” You smile and lower the needle to his chest. You work slowly, carefully, your hips close to his, your breath brushing his face. His jaw clenches. You can feel how tense he is... but he doesn’t flinch. Not from pain. No... It’s because of you. By the time the ink is done, you’ve forgotten what hurts more, his grip on your thighs or your own heartbeat. And after that... Well, let’s just say he didn’t get up from the chair right away.

Back to now.

You blink. Snap out of it.

Your face is hot. Lips tight. Brows furrowed.

You glance at Law. He’s not looking at you.

But his face?

Same.

Jaw clenched. Eyes distant. Tension written all over his shoulders.

You both remembered. You know it.

Shachi whistles “...Why do you both look like you smelled something cursed?”

Bepo tilts his head “Are you okay?”

You wave it off “Fine. Just, uh, a memory.”

Law doesn’t say a word. He just keeps walking, hands in pockets, eyes forward.

But you see the small twitch at the corner of his mouth.

And it’s driving you insane.

You’re still walking with the crew, but the energy is weird now. Like a storm’s rolling in, just under your skin.

The others keep chatting and asking questions, but your brain keeps stuttering... stuck between now and then.

“Captain doesn’t talk much about his past,” Penguin says, chewing on some weird fruit he picked up “It’s kinda cool hearing this stuff. Makes him seem more human.”

“He is human...” you say without thinking.

Shachi chuckles “You sure about that? I saw him take out ten guys with one swing of his sword.”

Bepo grins “By the way, did you start with the ones on his arms first?”

You hum “Arms first. Then the fingers. Then chest. Then—”

You stop. Too late.

“Then?” Shachi raises his brows.

You bite your lip “Forget it.”

“Nooo, don’t do that,” Penguin whines “We wanna hear!”

You sigh “Fine. The weirdest one was... the one on his back.”

That shuts them up.

“His back?!”

“Where on his back??”

“Wait, why "weirdest"??”

“Dude, that must’ve hurt so bad!”

You shrug “He didn’t complain.”

But your voice is quieter now.

Flashback. Another night. Another quiet request. “I want something here.” Law says, pulling off his shirt and turning away. His back is smooth, pale, all muscle and scars. But bare. “You want... a tattoo on your back?” He nods once “Yeah. I already have something in mind.” You stare at him for a moment “You sure?” He doesn’t answer. He just sits. Waiting. You prepare the tools. The ink. The stencil. But as you move behind him, he grabs your wrist. Pulls you around. Suddenly, you’re in his lap. Again. You blink at him “This how we’re doing tattoos now?” His lips twitch into a rare smile “Only when it’s you.” His voice is low. Dangerous. The kind of sound that always melts your brain. You start the needle, shaking a little “Well, too bad I can't tattoo your back from here.” “Try your best.” You laugh but then you stand and go to his back. The tattoo is slow. Intimate. You’re touching his back delicately even for a tattoo, and every move you make makes him breathe harder, even more when you randomly leave kisses on his bare skin where the ink hasn't reavhed yet. By the time the tattoo is halfway done, his hands are on your waist again, but this time... tighter. “You gonna finish it?” he asks, voice husky. You kiss him instead. You never finish the tattoo that night.

Back to now.

Your face is boiling. You know it. You can feel it. And when you dare to glance at Law, you regret everything.

He looks just like he did after the flashback from earlier.

Tense. Focused. Eyes darker than usual.

And you know he remembered that too.

You inhale sharply and shake it off “Well... sorry to cut this short, but I gotta head back. I have a client in fifteen minutes.”

“FIFTEEN??” Bepo looks horrified “That’s not enough time to say goodbye!”

“We just met! I want to talk more!!” Penguin adds, actually pouting.

“We should do dinner!” Shachi suggests “Or drinks! Or matching tattoos for my birthday...”

“I don’t even know your birthday,” you laugh, trying to hide the heaviness in your chest “You guys are too much. But I had a lot of fun. Thank you for taking care of Law.”

"He's the one who takes care of us."

"Yeah, I don't think so..."

You turn to Law, slower than you mean to.

He’s just standing there. Watching you. Hands in his pockets. Saying nothing.

So, of course, you have to fill the silence.

“Hey.” You meet his eyes.

“If you ever want a new tattoo... my shop’s always open for you.” You smile, but it’s faint “Even after closing time.”

Something flickers in his eyes. But still, he doesn’t say a word.

You wave at the crew, who’s already acting like they’ve known you for twenty years and are sending you off to war.

“Bye, guys. Keep taking care of him, alright?”

They all yell goodbyes and promises and dramatic sobs.

You walk away before your voice cracks.

Back in your shop, the silence is loud.

You lean against your work table, staring at your equipment. The ink. The gloves. The chair.

All the places he’s been.

You try to shake the feeling. But it’s hard. Because you didn’t stop loving him. You just... couldn’t keep up with his world.

Now he’s bigger than life. Famous. Feared. A pirate captain.

And you’re just a tattoo artist in a tiny port town.

So no... you don’t think he’ll come tonight.

He’s got his crew. His ship. His missions.

He probably doesn’t love you anymore.

You sit down and try not to cry.

Your client leaves right on time.

A small anchor tattoo. Nothing fancy. Nothing meaningful. But you smile and treat them with care, because that’s what you do.

Still, when they leave, the shop feels colder.

You sweep the floor. Clean your tools. Wipe the chair down like muscle memory. Then you sit behind the counter.

And wait.

It’s not like you said he had to come. You just offered.

“My shop’s always open for you. Even after closing time.”

You curse under your breath, hand to your face.

Why did you say it like that? Like you were waiting? Like you were... still his?

You glance at the clock.

One hour after closing.

Two.

Then three.

You haven’t moved.

The lights are still on. The “closed” sign hangs crooked on the door. You’ve been telling yourself it’s just so you can finish cleaning.

But everything is already clean.

The tea you made went cold. The silence is suffocating.

Your heart keeps lying to you, saying he might come, even when your brain knows better.

You sit on your stool behind the counter and bury your face in your hands.

You shouldn’t have said anything.

Of course he doesn’t love you anymore. You’re just someone from his past. A memory with a needle. He’s a warlord now. A captain. A living legend.

And you?

You’re no one special. You gave him your love, your ink, your body... But that was years ago.

You sniff, blinking back tears.

“I’m so stupid.” you whisper.

Finally, with a broken breath, you stand.

You walk toward the light switch, hand reaching up, about to turn it off—

Knock. Knock.

You freeze.

Two slow knocks.

You turn, heart racing, and rush to the door.

Your hand trembles as you grab the handle, barely able to breathe.

You open it... Law.

He’s standing there. Alone.

Hat in place, coat unbuttoned just slightly. His eyes are shadowed, unreadable, but he’s here.

He looks at you and you stare back, lips parted, words stuck in your throat.

Neither of you says anything for a second.

Then you whisper, almost scared to believe it “You came.”

He nods once “...Yeah.”

You step aside and let him in. The door swings shut behind him, the click of the lock echoing in the quiet shop.

He stands there, looking around like it hasn’t changed at all. Like it’s frozen in time.

Maybe it is.

You tuck your hair behind your ear, trying to calm your racing heart “So… what brings you here? Need something fixed?”

He shakes his head once “I want a new one.”

You blink “A new tattoo?”

“Yeah.”

You tilt your head, cautious “Where?”

He undoes the top few buttons of his shirt and pulls the fabric aside. Just a little.

There’s a small space on the upper right of his chest. A rare untouched spot surrounded by old ink.

He taps it once “Here.”

Your stomach flips. That chest. You remember how you inked the one beside it. How that ended.

Your cheeks warm, but you clear your throat and nod “Okay. Small tattoo. Got it.”

You turn away to gather your tools, gloves, ink, paper towels, anything to keep your hands from shaking.

It’s stupid, how nervous you are. You’ve tattooed him dozens of times before.

But it wasn’t like this. Not after years apart. Not after you thought you’d never see him again.

Not when your heart feels this fragile.

You pause mid-step and glance at him “Where’s your crew, by the way?”

He raises an eyebrow “You really asking that?”

You blink. Then scoff softly, rolling your eyes “Right. Dumb question.”

You gesture to the chair “You can sit.”

He does.

You sit across from him on your work stool, setting the needle up with focus, breathing slow.

It’s fine. You can do this. No reason to be—

“Room.”

Your body jolts at the word. You barely have time to process it before your whole world shifts, literally.

Suddenly, you’re on his lap. Sitting. Facing him. Just like before.

Your breath catches “Law!”

He doesn’t say anything. His arms are relaxed around your waist. Like this is normal.

But what’s not normal is the firm pressure you feel beneath you. Hard. Hot.

Pressed right against the center of your lower body.

Your breath hitches.

You shift instinctively, but that only makes it worse.

You feel him now. All of him.

...And he’s definitely not unaffected.

He looks up at you, still unreadable. But his eyes… they burn.

You’re quiet for a beat. Your heart pounding so hard it hurts.

You whisper, “...You planned this, didn’t you?”

His voice is low. Calm. Dangerous.

“Maybe.”

Your breath trembles as you sit frozen on his lap, the familiar weight of him under you making it harder to think. To breathe.

Your hands are still gloved. The needle sits ready on the tray.

But the moment is not about the tattoo anymore.

It’s the way he’s looking at you.

Like he’s seeing you for the first time all over again. Like he never stopped seeing you.

You can feel his heart beating through his chest, right beneath yours. Steady. But faster than usual.

"...You’re hard..." you whisper, like it’s a secret.

His gaze doesn’t waver “You’re sitting on me.”

Your face heats instantly “You put me here!”

“You didn’t get off.”

You open your mouth to snap back, but nothing comes out, because he’s right. You haven’t moved.

Your thighs tighten slightly, and he notices.

His hands slide up your hips, slow and patient, like he’s remembering every curve from memory. Like no time has passed.

But it has... So much time.

And still, here you are.

You try to hold onto your pride “This is just for the tattoo, right?”

His voice is quieter now “You really asking that?”

You breathe in sharply.

Your eyes drop to his chest, to the small space he said he wanted inked. Your fingers hover near it.

And just like that...

Flashback. Another time. Another tattoo. You straddled his lap, shirt slightly unbuttoned, hands shaking as you prepped the needle. “I shouldn’t do this, it's not professional.” you said then, voice soft, unsure “We’ll mess everything up.” He looked up at you, calm as ever “We’re already messed up.” You remember how his hands gripped your thighs, how you pressed the needle to his chest anyway. You never finished the tattoo. You didn’t even get halfway before he pulled you down, kissing you like it was the last time. And then...

Back to now.

You blink hard, ripping yourself away from the memory.

Your hand clenches the tattoo machine, but you can’t lift it. Not like this.

“Law…”

Your voice is smaller now. Scared, almost.

He tilts his head slightly, watching you “You think I forgot?”

Your chest tightens “...I hoped you didn’t.”

He exhales slowly “I didn’t come here for a tattoo, Y/N.”

Your heart jumps in your throat “Then why?”

He doesn’t say anything at first. His fingers ghost over your back “What do you think? Because you said the shop was open. Even after closing.”

You’re quiet. Shaking. Overwhelmed.

You look at him, searching for anything in his face that’ll tell you this is real.

“You still love me?” you ask, barely a whisper.

He answers without hesitation “Yes.”

And then, like gravity finally wins, you lean in. Your lips meet his in a slow, aching kiss.

Soft at first. Scared. But it deepens fast.

His hands tighten around you, pulling you closer. You shift again on his lap, and he groans against your mouth.

Everything is heat now. Want. Memory. Regret. And something new, something breaking free after years of silence.

You break the kiss just to breathe, lips brushing his as you whisper “Forget the tattoo.”

His voice is rough “Already did.”

You don’t know who kisses harder first.

You or him.

But once your mouths meet again, there’s no stopping it.

Years of silence, of pretending to forget, all burn away in the space between your lips. Your hands are in his hair before you even realize it, his hat falling to the floor like nothing else matters.

Law’s hands are steady, skilled, familiar while they slide down your back and grip your thighs, pulling you tighter against him. His lips are rough, needy. He kisses like he’s punishing you for the time lost, or maybe for letting him go.

You grind down instinctively, and he groans into your mouth deep, guttural, raw.

“Fuck...” he mutters against your lips, his voice wrecked.

“You remember everything, don’t you?” you whisper, breathless, tugging at his shirt “All of it.”

He nods once “Every goddamn second.”

You roll your hips again and feel it even better now, how hard he is. Pressed exactly where you need him, only the thin barrier of your clothes separating you.

“You didn’t even come for the tattoo, did you?” you tease, lips brushing his jaw now.

“No,” he breathes, tilting his head to give you his neck “I came for you.”

Your fingers fumble with his buttons, heart racing, hands shaking.

He notices. He always does.

“You sure?” he asks lowly, grabbing your wrists and holding them still.

You nod “Yes.”

But he doesn’t move yet, he just looks at you “Say it.”

You meet his gaze “I want you.”

That’s all he needs.

In one swift move, he lifts you up and lays you back on the padded tattoo chair like you weigh nothing. He climbs over you, hands everywhere now... pulling, unzipping, stripping.

Your shirt goes first. Then your bra. Then his coat and shirt.

Skin to skin.

It’s overwhelming how good he looks. Tattoos, scars, the memory of every moment you ever loved him mapped across his chest.

You run your hands over his chest, over the ink you gave him “Still mine...” you whisper.

His eyes darken “Always.”

He pulls your pants down, slow at first, until your soaked panties are the only thing left. He groans when he sees the wet patch. His thumb brushes it, just barely.

“You’re already this wet?” he murmurs, kissing your stomach “From just sitting on my lap?”

“From you,” you breathe, squirming under him "And you got hard as soon as you set on the chair."

He hooks his fingers into your panties, dragging them down agonizingly slow.

And then his mouth replaces his hands.

He kisses between your thighs like he’s missed every part of you. His tongue strokes through your folds, hot and slow, making your back arch and your fingers clutch the chair.

“Fuck, Law!”

He doesn’t stop. Doesn’t speak. Just moans into you, like the taste of you is better than revenge, better than glory, better than everything.

When you finally come, it’s with your hand tangled in his hair and his name gasped like a prayer.

And even then, he doesn’t stop.

He only pulls back once he’s sure your legs are shaking.

You’re breathless, eyes hazy “You always did that too well.”

He smirks, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand “You always tast the same.”

He undoes his belt, his pants, and pulls himself out, hard, thick, aching. You swallow hard just looking at him.

“Still want me?” he asks, eyes locked on yours.

“More than anything.”

He doesn’t give you time to second-guess.

He lines himself up, grabs your waist, and slides inside slowly but fully. Stretching you. Filling you.

You gasp. Your nails dig into his back.

“Fuck, you feel the same,” he breathes, forehead resting against yours “Perfect.”

You moan, wrapping your legs around him, rolling your hips “Move, Law. Please.”

And when he does... it’s everything.

He moves deep, slow, like he’s savoring it. His pace is controlled, his breathing heavy, his grip tight. He fucks you like he’s reclaiming something lost. Like you’re not just a body. Like you’re home.

Your moans echo through the shop. The chair creaks beneath you. His mouth finds your neck, your chest, your lips again, every part of you worshiped, touched like it’s sacred.

And then you both fall apart again, louder, harder, more desperate, but in each other’s arms, skin to skin, hearts racing.

You stay wrapped around him, chests heaving, breath tangled.

Neither of you speaks for a long time.

Still inside you, forehead resting against yours, he murmurs “Didn’t think I’d actually come after closing time, did you?”

You lie there on the tattoo chair, skin still hot, your breath finally starting to slow. His chest rises and falls against yours, calm, steady, like the chaos just passed through and left everything too quiet in its wake.

Neither of you moves yet.

"I was actually about to turn off the lights when you knocked at the door..."

His hand rests gently on your hip, thumb brushing lazy circles into your skin. Your cheek presses against his shoulder, and for a moment… it feels like nothing’s changed. Like you’re back in that messy little house, tangled in each other’s limbs, whispering about a future you thought you’d have.

And then he says it, low and smooth, voice still wrecked from everything you just did “You really never finished any of my tattoos in one setting...”

You laugh, soft and breathless “As if it's not always your fault.”

He doesn’t reply. But the smirk you feel against your skin is answer enough.

You close your eyes, letting yourself feel it for just a second longer, the warmth, the weight of him, the comfort that never really left.

But then…

Reality creeps back in.

And with it, the ache in your chest you were trying to ignore.

Your voice is smaller when you speak again. Barely more than a whisper.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have done it.”

You feel him tense slightly. Not pull away, but freeze.

“…Why?”

You swallow hard, suddenly hating the silence in the shop “Because you're gonna leave again. Probably tomorrow. Or tonight. And I’ll be here. Just like last time.”

He lifts his head, looking down at you now. You don’t meet his eyes.

“I told myself I moved on,” you continue, voice shaking “That it didn’t hurt anymore. But seeing you again... being with you like this…”

You pause, forcing down the tears that want to surface.

“It hurts worse now.”

Law says nothing for a moment. But you feel his hand slide up to your cheek, thumb brushing just beneath your eye.

Then his voice comes, quieter than you’ve ever heard it “It wasn’t just sex for me.”

Your heart twists.

“You think I don’t feel the same?” he continues “You think this didn’t wreck me too?”

You finally look at him. And his eyes… They’re full of that same pain you’ve been carrying. That same longing. The same love.

But his voice still carries that signature Law calm, controlled, composed, even as something inside him breaks.

“I’m a pirate, Y/N.” He swallows “I don’t get to stay anywhere.”

You nod slowly, even though it hurts “I know.”

He presses his forehead to yours.

“And still...” he whispers “Here I am.”

You don’t say anything as he starts getting dressed. You just… watch.

You sit silently on the edge of the tattoo chair, still naked, still warm from his touch, but already feeling the cold creeping in. His back is to you as he buttons his shirt, and you drink in every detail. The way his shoulders move. The curve of his spine. The black of his tattoos against skin you once knew like a map.

You try to memorize him.

Every second.

Every inch.

Because in your heart, something whispers: This might be the last time.

And that’s when it hits you.

How foolish you’ve been. How stupidly hopeful. How desperate you are just to keep a piece of him.

Your eyes sting.

No. Not now. Not in front of him.

You stand abruptly, grabbing your robe, and mumble something you don’t even hear yourself. Before he can turn, before he can ask, you rush past him and slam the bathroom door shut behind you.

You lock it.

Your hands are trembling.

And outside... silence.

He doesn’t knock.

He doesn’t follow.

He doesn’t stop you.

Then you hear the sound of the front door. Open... and close.

He’s gone.

And you break.

You slide down the wall, burying your face in your arms as the sobs finally come out, sharp and raw. It’s not just pain, it’s years of missing him, of pretending you moved on, of wishing things could be different.

And now… it’s too late.

Minutes pass. Or maybe more. Time blurs.

Eventually, when your breathing steadies and your heart stops clawing out of your chest, you pull yourself up. Wipe your face. You don’t look in the mirror, you can’t.

You exit the bathroom slowly.

The shop is too quiet. The lights still hum overhead. The tattoo machine sits untouched, ready for a session that never happened.

You walk over to turn the CLOSED sign on the door. There’s no point pretending today’s a workday. Not like you had any clients booked anyway.

Your eyes flick to the chair.

The same one where hours ago, he made you feel like everything again.

There’s something sitting on it.

You freeze.

It’s a folded piece of paper. Your name written across the front in that neat, sharp handwriting you’d recognize anywhere.

Your fingers shake as you open it.

You read:

"Y/N,

You never talked about being a pirate. Never thought about leaving. I get it. You’re not like me. But then, I heard you telling the crew that you had no clients. No fun. That this place bored you. Then you said you didn’t want me to go.

And I don’t want to leave you behind… again.

So what if I make room for you on my ship?

Will you come?

Will you choose to be a pirate now?

My ship’s always open for you. Even after closing time.

But if this is a goodbye, then let me tell you that I love you and than I'll cheer on you even from the other side of the world.

I just want you to be happy, forever.

—Law"

Your breath catches.

The paper trembles in your hands.

You don’t know if you want to cry again or scream or run out the door barefoot. But one thing is clear, your heart is racing with something new.

Hope.

You don’t hesitate. Grabbing your coat and a small bag, you race out the door, the note still folded in your hand. The night air is cool, but your heart is burning. You know exactly where to go... the docks, where Law’s ship is waiting, dark and quiet under the moonlight.

The night air is crisp as you hurry toward the docks, the note from Law folded tightly in your hand. Your heart pounds, not just from the run, but from the rush of hope and fear tangled in your chest.

The ship sits dark and quiet under the stars, its silhouette a familiar yet strange reminder of a life you never thought you’d be part of.

A single figure leans against the railing, head tilted slightly as if listening to the sea’s whispered secrets.

“Law...” you call softly.

He turns, eyes sharp and unreadable for a split second before softening.

“You came.”

You nod, voice catching on the breeze “You asked if I’d come. So... here I am.”

The distance between you closes, and for a long moment, it’s just you two, breathing the salty air, wrapped in something fragile and strong all at once.

His hand finds yours, fingers curling gently. The electricity between you hums quietly, charged but patient.

He leans in, voice low and teasing, “Still keeping me after closing time, huh?”

You smirk, heart fluttering “Seems like it's your turn now.”

No rush for anything more. No need. This moment is a promise whispered in the dark, full of all the things you left unsaid.

Morning breaks with the chaotic roar of the crew... shouts, laughter, boots pounding on deck, and the unmistakable scent of cooking fires.

You stand just inside the galley doorway, nerves fluttering like a storm in your stomach. The crew buzzes around, eyes flicking toward you, then back at Law, then doing double-takes.

“Wait, is that—?” one mutters.

“No way...” another says, rubbing his eyes.

The captain clears his throat, voice sharp “Well?”

You swallow and step forward, heart pounding.

“I’m with the crew now.” you say quietly, glancing at Law. He gives you a small nod.

Silence.

Then the flood.

“You’re part of the crew?!”

“You didn’t tell us!”

“When did this happen?”

You grin nervouslyand then, half-jokingly “Wait… I don’t have to wear the uniform, right?”

The entire crew bursts out laughing but before anyone can answer, Law’s voice cuts through “No.”

The room freezes.

“What?!”

“That’s not fair!”

“Everyone but Captain has to wear it!”

Everyone glares playfully at Law, who crosses his arms with that signature smirk.

“Rules apply to everyone,” he says smoothly “... everyone but her.”

You chuckle, watching the crew bicker back and forth while Law’s eyes lock on yours with a mix of amusement and something softer, deeper.

Despite the noise, the laughter, and the mess of new beginnings, you feel it clearly...

This chaotic, wild crew, this life, this man...

It’s home now.

[dixonsbugaboo]

𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦.

ꜱᴀᴊᴀ ʙᴏʏꜱ🎵

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝟢 - 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵

Fem!Reader x Saja Boys

Summary: Reincarnated in the body of a demon from the last film you saw before you died, you have decided to change the script of the story in your favour. But you didn't count on your presence in the story changing everything.

Warnings: slow burn, swearing, mentions of death, kinda cringe

Word count: 700+

A/N: the K-Pop Demon Hunter fever is SO ALIVE. I just need more content... so I decided to jump in the fanfic like many others to try and get something out... I have so many ideas!! I hope you like this one! No proofread btw, sorry about that

︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿

Every day was the same: feeling pity, torturing the human souls that Gwi-ma didn't devour, feeling anger, remembering a past too distant and painful, and trying to remember what had brought you to that point, to hell itself. It was a daily thing for you: a demon.

Or that would be the case if you really were a demon; that is, if you had sold your soul to Gwi-ma in a deal… but you never did that. You just… kicked the bucket. Dead meat. Gone. R.I.P.

You were born human, grew up and lived as a human all your life: a normal life. You studied art and decided to specialise in music production because of your passion for pop, especially Korean pop. You were good at it, but it wasn't easy to make a living, especially when you came from nothing and had no contacts. And just when life was starting to smile on you (a K-Pop girl group had heard one of your demos and wanted you to work with them to release it), you died. You didn't quite remember how… You had decided to celebrate that you had signed the production contract for the song, gone up to the roof of the building where you lived to have a drink… and then… did someone push you? who?

The fact is that you were now a demon. But at the same time, you weren't exactly you… At least, physically. Somehow, you had been reincarnated as a demon. It sounds strange, but that's how it was. You had their memories and yours at the same time. Strange that now your soul was in a body that had sold its own… But that's the way it was. Take it or leave it.

The funny thing is that, as far as you could imagine, Gwi-ma wasn't real in your world… nor were the hunters, nor any of those elements of the last movie you were able to watch (about seven or eight times) before you died. So not only were you reincarnated, but you were now WITHIN the world and plot of the movie. And in the body of the most secondary possible villain: unnamed demon number 435, or something like that.

And the worst part is that you knew exactly what was going to happen: Jinu would make a deal with Gwi-ma, gather a demonic k-pop boy band, meet Rumi, everything would go down the drain because of betrayals and misunderstandings… and you would be trapped under the barrier, or worse.

And that couldn't be.

First: you have already died once, and once is more than enough. You were miserable enough as a demon to continue that filthy life for centuries, or die before you could do anything about it.

Second: you knew the movie, you knew what was going to happen… and you wouldn't let Jinu and Rumi's relationship end that way. Jinu didn't deserve to ‘die’. You would do anything for that ship. Even sink in it if needed.

Third: … What if, since you could keep Jinu and Rumi as a real couple, you could also manage to pair Zoey and Mira with a member of the Saja Boys? Which, by the way, your curiosity was killing you; they hadn't had enough screen time, and you'd give anything to interact with them to really get to know what they were like. Hell, you'd love to talk to all of them (Jinu included) like you did with them. It would be a dream come true, wouldn't it?

And last but not least: What would it hurt to change the plot of the movie a little bit to save unnecessary drama and deaths (yours included)?

So you got down to work, notebook in hand, and started planning what you loved doing most: writing music.

You would produce a complete discography for the Saja Boys, make them successful, teach them that they could regain their souls (all of them, without exception), and together defeat Gwi-ma. No casualties.

All thanks to a skill you had had since you entered that body: Gwi-ma couldn't get inside your head. At all.

So ladies and gentlemen, it's time to turn the script around in your favour….

Or at least that was your plan, before you realised that your involvement in the story would change everything.

︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿

Ch. 1

A/N: Honestly, I don't know what to expect from this. It's literally an introduction to the story, so to speak. But the idea had been floating around in my head for some time and I needed to write it down as soon as possible. I hope you like it.

See you soon,

Nun🐇​

[formulafanfics13]

Keep Pushing Me - CL16 🔥

Masterlist

Summary: After teasing Charles at a rooftop dinner by rubbing his thigh under the table, she gets dragged out, pinned against his Ferrari, and fucked mercilessly in a Monte Carlo parking garage — raw, public, punishing, and exactly what she wanted.

Warnings: Explicit smut, public sex, spanking, rough sex, name-calling (brat/slut), mild degradation, possessive behavior, light D/s dynamic, orgasm control, exhibitionism.

It started with her foot on his thigh. Dinner. Monte Carlo. Rooftop bar. She looked angelic, sundress, soft makeup, wine glass in hand, but her bare foot was sliding higher, under the white linen tablecloth, tracing patterns along Charles' inner thigh like no one would notice. "Stop," he said softly.

She smiled. "What?"

His jaw ticked. "You know what."

She dragged her foot higher, toe brushing the bulge in his linen trousers. He exhaled slowly through his nose. "Stop it."

"Make me."

Charles set his wine glass down. Didn't say a word. Just paid the bill, grabbed her wrist, and led her out of the restaurant without even glancing back. She was laughing. Until they reached the parking garage. Until he pushed her against the Ferrari, face first, palms flat on the warm, red metal.

"Charles-"

"You want to act like a brat?"

She gasped. He pressed against her back, chest to spine, mouth brushing her ear. "You want to tease me in public, get my cock hard during dinner, look me in the eyes and say make me?"

Her breath caught.

"You think I won't fuck you right here?"

Silence.

"You think I won't ruin you in this fucking garage?"

Still nothing. He slid a hand up her thigh, under the dress, and moaned when he found her bare. "No panties," he said flatly.

She nodded. And he slapped her ass. Loud. Sharp. She whimpered.

"Is this what you wanted?" he growled. "You want to get fucked like a slut next to the car with my name on it?"

"Yes-please-"

He spun her around. Lifted her up onto the hood. Her hands scrambled for grip, legs falling open, and Charles was already between them, cock out, dragging it over her soaked slit.

"No foreplay," he whispered. "Not after that stunt."

He slammed in. She screamed. And Charles fucked her like she asked for it. Hard. Fast. No mercy. No softness. Just skin on skin, the sound of her ass slapping against the hood, her head rolling back, mouth open.

"You wanna be a brat?" he panted. "You wanna push me in public?"

"Yes-fuck, Charles-"

"You want everyone to know who fucks you like this?"

"Only you," she cried. "Only fucking you-"

He grabbed her jaw. Made her look at him. "You say that again."

"Only you."

"Louder."

"Only fucking you!"

He slammed in so hard the car shook. She was already coming. Already breaking. And Charles didn't stop. "You gonna be a good girl now?"

"Yes-yes-yes-"

"You gonna stop acting like a little slut under the table?"

"Only if you fuck me like this every time-"

He lost it. Fucked her through a second orgasm. Came inside her with a filthy moan, forehead pressed to hers, panting her name like it was the only thing he remembered. And when he pulled out?

She was limp. Destroyed. Glowing. Charles leaned down. Bit her thigh. And said, "Keep pushing me, bébé. See what happens."

[nuin-giliath]

Mairon received the kiss like he would a blessing, with reverence and gratitude filling his heart and it eased a little of his worries but not completely. Most of all he was glad this was over and before he even thought what would come next, rest was sorely needed.

Once they were back home, the change was almost palpable. He felt safest here than anywhere else and remembered this feeling as if all the pieces fell back into place and sat on the couch, sighing with relief.

But his relief was short lived as it was severed from the root when he saw Namo kneeling in front of him and sat a little straighter in his seat. "M-my Lord, Namo, please..." and he blushed to the tips of his ears at seeing someone, anyone, especially a Vala, knelt in front of him. He fought against wanting to slide on the floor and sat with the feeling, waiting, as if he was expecting for some doom to befall upon them but when that didn't happen, and the sky did not fell, the birds were still singing and the evening sun still lit the room with the golden hue, only then did Mairon breathe.

"You don't need to kneel in front of me," he whispered, flushed and flustered, but really did take the question into consideration and as hard as it was to ask, he did what he could.

"Can we have dinner together? Please... And perhaps some wine outside, as the sun sets. I-if you want to, of course." Mairon added quickly, unaccustomed to ask for things from the one he always thought he was the one that should be serving.

Namo could not do anything at all. He was no judge in that predicament, and as much as he wished to help, he had his hands tied. He felt bitter, in a sense.

He felt Melkor's rage, Mairon's pain, and his own emotions, all tied up in a garbled mess that was way too much to even start untangling. He held Mairon's hands in his own, his worried look asking a million questions. "That is fine for me, my darling."

And Namo pressed his lips against Mairon's, gently, softly, as if to soothe away all worries. "Perhaps we can talk a bit once we are home? It pains me to see you in distress."

That said, he guided him away from the High Court and back home, in the safety of his Realm, where no one could make anyone suffer. As they stepped back into their home, spotless, tidied, exactly as Namo had instructed, he offered Mairon to sit wherever he felt more comfortable. And he then knelt in front of him. "Mairon, my darling heart, what can I do for you?"

[keirareidss]

making amends - s.r

♡ summary: you regret your time in high school so when you have the chance to make amends, you jump at it pairing: spencer reid x bully!fem!reader warnings: mentions of bullying wc: 2.5k based on this request

High school, for you, was... an experience. You like to think of it as just an earlier chapter of your life that has passed. You've grown and changed as a person, what happened in high school was in your past. You didn't like to think about it.

So when you got a job at the BAU as a profiler and found that you'd be on the same team as someone from your high school who you had a... difficult relationship with, you immediately got worried.

Spencer Reid was the smartest person you've ever known. He was twelve years old when he graduated high school, meanwhile you were eighteen and struggling to keep your grades up. You were jealous, that's why you did the things you did, or rather, didn't do.

You ran with a crowd of popular girls in high school, the kind that were popular for the wrong reasons. They were bullies and, looking back on it, you're ashamed to have been affiliated with them. Now, your name was associated with some people's worst memories in school. But you never actually did any of the bullying, you just stood by and watched, as if that made it any better.

You were always told by those anti-bullying campaigns that being a bystander was just as bad as doing the bullying and you'd roll your eyes. Your young self always thought that what you were doing wasn't wrong. You weren't actually hurting anyone, were you?

But then you met Spencer Reid. He was a child prodigy and, frankly, you were jealous. Maybe that's why you never said anything. When Spencer joined your high school, your 'friends' immediately set their sights on him. He was an easy target, a scrawny kid who didn't have any friends and couldn't defend himself.

They'd pick on him every day, calling him names, pushing him around, and you'd stand there, every time, laughing awkwardly. You always felt bad for the little dork, he never deserved any of it.

Seeing him now, successful, using his big brain for good, surrounded by friends he considered family, you were honestly quite proud of him.

"Everyone, meet our new profiler." Aaron Hotchner introduces you to the team in the conference room and you can see Spencer's eyebrows furrowing as he tried to recall where he's heard your name before. He lifts his head, making eye contact with you, his face unreadable as he finally remembers.

"Nice to meet you all." You gave a small smile to the people sitting around the table. You had your first case with the team in California. When you got on the jet (you were still amazed that team had their own jet), you noticed Spencer sitting by himself.

"Is this seat taken?" You asked, stood next to the one across from him. He glanced up at you from the file in his lap, shifting uncomfortably.

"Uh..." You sighed, understanding what he was trying to express. You moved to sit on the other side, across from your boss. The rest of the team filed onto the jet and you were of to Sacramento.

"Alright, Rossi and Prentiss head to the last dump sites, Derek and I will go back to the house, JJ, talk to the family, and you two will go to the morgue, try to find a signature." Hotch orders, finishing by looking at you and Reid. Before anyone could leave, Spencer spoke up.

"Um- actually could I switch with Prentiss?" You looked at him, hurt. No, you didn't have a right to be upset. Of course he didn't want to work with you, why would he?

"Is something wrong?" Hotch asks, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"I just think I'd help more at the dump site." Spencer lied.

"Fine. Reid go with Rossi, Prentiss, you head to the morgue." Everyone left for their individual tasks, Spencer avoiding your stare as he sped out of the conference room, his cheeks red.

"Alright, what was that?" Rossi asked him as they made their way to the dump site.

"What was what?" Spencer asked, his voice an octave higher than usual.

"Why didn't you want to work with her?"

"It's nothing." Rossi raised his eyebrows. It was clearly not nothing. Spencer rarely vocally disagreed with Hotch's orders. Something had to have happened to make him do so.

"If you say so." He shrugged. You and Emily were having a similar conversation in transit to the morgue.

"Did something happen with you two?" Prentiss asked, her tone soft but prying.

"You could say that." You muttered, looking over the file in your lap. Emily stayed silent, waiting for you to continue. "We knew each other in high school. I was... not the nicest person."

"Wait... did you, like... bully him?"

"Well, not exactly?" You sighed, frustrated with this conversation, yourself, your inability to put it into words, your past actions, you could go on. "I was friends with this group of girls and they liked to pick on him, well maybe 'pick on him' isn't the right choice of words. I don't want to go into specifics because it's really more of Spencer's story to tell but... I didn't do any of the bullying, I just never said anything." You finished, blushing in embarrassment.

"Oh, that's rough."

"I know. I feel so bad. I mean, I've grown and changed, and I'd like to be his friend but I don't know he'll be able to forgive me."

"Knowing Spencer, I bet he will."

"Really?"

"Yeah. If you're being genuine and you really have changed, he'll see that." You sighed, deep in thought. You did truly want to be his friend and you couldn't deny his attractiveness. But that would mean a big long talk and those always made you uncomfortable but for him, it was worth it.

You didn't know the little eleven year old prodigy that went to your high school. You knew your friends had talked to him a few times and the stories they told you of the nasty things they'd said to him made your heart hurt.

You were the type of kid to sit back and stay silent when something happened. You hated confrontation, terrified of it. So when you started seeing what your friends were doing to him, this bright eyed young boy, you felt even worse.

They'd push him in the hallways, taunt him with cruel words, vandalize his locker and his stuff, but there was one thing that was the worst of them all.

You had just sat back and watched as the girls you had called your friends laughed at him as the football team stripped him naked and tied him to a goalpost. You watched as tears streamed down his face, a pit in your stomach as your 'friends' pulled you away in a fit of giggles.

In that time, you had thought about how lucky you were that you were on the good side of those girls, that they hadn't chosen to pick on you instead but now, looking back, you wished you had said something.

You wished you could have spared that young, brilliant, optimistic boy from the horrible things he went through.

As the case progressed, Spencer avoided you like the plague. Understandable, but still a little painful. And once it ended, he had even more reason to evade you.

"Come on, Reid. One drink."

"Morgan, you know I don't drink." Spencer protested weakly. You stepped into the conference room where the team was packing up.

"So one water then. It doesn't matter what you have, just come celebrate with us." He caught your eye and you quickly looked down.

"Alright, fine. I'll come." Spencer sighed and Derek grinned at the success. He walked towards the door, stopping next to you on the way.

"You're coming too, right mama?" He nudges your shoulder.

"Uh..." You hesitated, glancing at Spencer. Maybe it'd be better for you to go back to the hotel and give Spencer the space he'd been wanting from you.

"Come on. Don't be a stick in the mud." You chuckled a bit, conceding.

"Fine."

The team headed to the bar where you got a large table for seven. Derek went up to get drinks for everyone. As the night went on and everyone got drunker, Spencer stood up to take a breather outside. No one at the table noticed, apart from you. You hesitated for a moment before following.

Opening the door forced a cool breeze over your skin. When you stepped out, you immediately spotted Spencer on the small porch area, leaning on the railing.

"Hey." You said softly, stepping closer. He glanced back at you before pulling his gaze back to the horizon.

"Hi." He responded as you stepped up to him. You leaned against the railing beside him, staying silent for a few moments, gathering your thoughts.

"Look, I-"

"I wanted to-" You both spoke at the same time. "Oh, sorry, you first." You said.

"No, no, go ahead."

"Okay, um... I just... I thought we should talk." When he didn't respond, you continued. "I don't know if you remember me-"

"I do." He said and you could hear the bitterness in his tone.

"Right, why wouldn't you." You agreed with a small awkward smile. "Uh, well, first I want to formally apologize and say that I'm sorry. For everything that happened to you in high school." He turned to look at you now, half not expecting that to come out of your mouth. "I was a stupid kid, and I know that doesn't excuse it, but, really, I didn't know what I was doing. My friends- those girls were horrible to you and I should have done something."

"It wasn't your problem."

"No but it was. I watched everything they did to you. I just stood by and watched." Your tone was harsh, but not against him. Towards yourself, feeling hatred for your past actions. "I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through. You didn't deserve any of it."

"Thank you for saying that." He said after a moment of quiet thought.

"Look, I've changed since high school, I like to think I'm a different person now, and I truly hope that you can forgive me and we can be friends. But if you don't want anything to do with me, I understand."

"I just... can I ask why?"

"Why what?"

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" You didn't expect this. For him to dig into the past like that but, you supposed he deserved to know.

"I guess I was scared. I mean, those girls basically ran the school, I was terrified that if I spoke up they'd come after me next but... I should have taken the risk. I doubt it'll make you feel better but, if I could go back and change what I did, I would."

"Thank you." He said plainly.

"Do you... have any other questions?" You asked, confused by his simple response.

"No, not really. I... I think I need some time to think."

"Y-yeah of course. I... I guess I'll leave you alone then." He turned back to the railing, looking down at the ground and you stepped away, heading back inside. You already felt like a weight had lifted from your shoulders just from speaking everything out loud. You just hoped he could forgive you.

You were getting ready for bed that night in the motel when there was a knock on your door. You shuffled over to the door in your pajamas, opening it to find Spencer on the other side.

"Hey."

"Hi. I, um, I was thinking and... I forgive you."

"Really?" Your eyebrows raised.

"Yeah. It actually seems like you've changed and I think we can be friends." Crossing your brain was the fact that you wanted to be more.

"Good, I- I'm glad." You sighed in relief. You really had wanted to be his friend, it seems like he really grew into himself and, to be honest, he wasn't all that bad looking.

"Do you maybe wanna get coffee tomorrow? After we land?"

"Yeah, definitely." You shut the door after he left excited and looking forward to getting coffee with your new friend.

~♡~

You sat in a cozy cafe, Spencer across from you, a coffee in his hand. This whole situation felt like a date, maybe a little hopeful on your part, but you didn't want to bring it up to him.

The current topic of conversation right now was a book Spencer was really into right now and trying to get you to read. You weren't big into reading but you'd buy every book he recommended to you if it got you closer to him.

"It's really interesting actually, I can lend you my copy if you want."

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"Really? Great, I'll bring it to the office tomorrow." You continued chatting but instead of parting ways at the end, you suggested you swing by his apartment to grab the book so you can read it tonight. He gave you directions as you drove to his place and you waited in his entryway while he ran and got the book.

"Do you wanna come in?" He asked a little awkwardly.

"Oh, no, I should get home." You got the sense that he was done with social interactions for the day and just wanted to wind down so you didn't want to impose. "Thank you for loaning me the book."

"Of course." You both lingered, wanting to continue the conversation.

"You know, you've really grown up since high school." You said, staring up into his entrancing brown eyes.

"Have I really?" He asked sarcastically, chuckling.

"Well, I meant- you've just- you're really.... you're kind of hot." Your face flushed immediately as Spencer's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I mean, you- you've grown into yourself."

"Thank you?" You let out an awkward laugh, staring at the floor, wishing a hole would open up and swallow you into it. "I'm glad you think so." He still sounded unsure.

"I'm being completely honest here. It's kinda one of my life goals after I got out of school."

"Oh yeah?"

"Uh huh. Honesty is key." You grinned, making him chuckle. The two of you fell into a comfortable silence. You slowly leaned closer to him and, surprisingly, he leaned in as well. You met in the middle, his lips soft on yours as his large hand cupped your jaw.

The kiss was soft and sweet, simple with no tongue, just gentle presses against each other's lips. When he pulled away, he stayed close, looking down into your eyes.

"I- I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" You said and he chuckled a bit.

"Yeah. Let me know if you like the book." You said your goodbyes and you headed down the hall, feeling giddy about your new relationship, one that you didn't even know where it was going, and unbearably happy that Spencer had forgiven you.

Taglist: @superbeaglewitch, @perfectgoopfishuniversity-blog, totallynotabuckybarnessimp, @dramioneforevertilltheend. @cynbx, @diminombre, @tinythebunni

[aingeal98]

One thing I didn't expect when I started bookmarking every Cass fic in the tag that focuses on her, is that obviously fandom focuses more on the boys and the stories they want to tell, but when it comes to December a sizable portion of fans remember the girls exist and throw them into their family Christmas fics. Like I'm scrolling through months of stories where Cass is away in Hong Kong and the occasional stephcass fic when boom. They finally let her come home.

She shows up for the four or five pages of Christmas themed stories in December before being banished back to Hong Kong after New Year's Day. I've gotten up to all fics written before 2017 and this has happened multiple years. It's so funny AO3 batfam Cass is even more of a poor meow meow than in canon she's only allowed see her family for two weeks a year and then they go back to not caring about her. Fanon Tim wishes he was on her level.

[wonyology]

The Years Next Door (m!reader x Babymonster's ASA) - part IV

part I - part II - part III (done)

Summary: Enami Asa - one of, if not the most important person in your life - moved in next door a few years ago. You didn't know it back then. It started with an awkward first meeting, a shared family dinner and washing dishes together. Looking back now, you still remember it like it was yesterday. But when did things change between two of you? You don't know for sure - once things shifted, there was no going back for either of you.

tags(?): angst, fluff, i don't even know

trigger warnings: mentions of exams, school stuff, universities (don't say i didn't warn u guys)

ASA x yourself/Original Male Character

Word count: ~18k (damn i really outdid myself)

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The atmosphere that night was heavy, it hadn’t felt like this in a while. The clock ticked past 8PM. Your dad could be watching the news on TV right now if the incident had never happened. His phone buzzed once on the counter but he didn’t move to check it. You sat at the kitchen table, shirt sleeves pulled over your hands, hair still a bit wet from a half-ass, rushed shower. You were staring at the almost full bowl of rice in front of you. Across from you, mom cleared her throat. 

“Aren't you going to eat?”

“I…uh, I’m not really hungry.” you replied, voice soft, lifeless.

“Did you eat anything at school?” mom asked, her voice quieter this time. “After that meeting.”

Your fingers played with the edge of your sleeves. You hated how loud the clock sounded, you hated how your heart felt, you hated how… you made Asa feel.

From the living room, your dad finally spoke up, still not looking up from his spot.

“The representative from the taekwondo association called.”

You hummed, head still down.

“They said this was a big deal, but they still want you. They’re seriously considering making an exception, just for you. We all have to be there at the meeting with them and the school’s ethics board.”

You hummed again, barely audible.

Your mom didn’t say anything this time. You knew what she was thinking. She always had that way of sitting whenever things like this happened, quiet, upright, hands folded on the table - except this was the first time you did something that had this big of consequence. Not skipping classes for PC bang sessions. Not scolding from teachers. This was something real. Bigger. The kind of things that came with write-ups, warnings, meetings with guys in suits - mouth spewing big words like ethics, disciplinary… The kind of things that could eventually get on the Internet and affect your adulthood in the future, or even worse… push Asa away forever.

“You know this is not what we wanted when we signed you up for taekwondo when you were a kid, Joonhyuk-ah.” your dad said, disappointed.

“I know, dad. It’s just…” you replied. “I didn’t think ahead…”

You weren’t playing victim, hell you didn’t even feel like one. You felt reckless. Like the hot blood in your body completely took over that night. 

“Asa was hurt.” you added, eyes now moved to a small chip on the wooden table. “Those guys hit her. I couldn’t just let them get away with it.”

Your dad’s disappointment still lingered in the air, heavy, but something in the way his jaw tightened told you he understood, even if he didn’t agree with your actions.

“Joonhyuk-ah, that’s not your decision to make,” mom finally spoke again, her voice soft but steady.

“What’s best for her… what she needs… that’s not always your fight, Joonhyuk-ah. Even if it hurts to watch.”

The thought hit you harder than any punch you’d taken in any competitions. It wasn’t anger, or guilt - it was something colder. Lonelier. All this time, you thought you were there by her side, protecting her, stepping in when things got ugly. That you were doing something right. But maybe it was just your ego. Maybe you were just inserting yourself where you didn’t belong. Maybe Asa didn’t even like you ever si-

“Joonhyuk-ah” mom said, voice gentler this time. “You’re not nothing. That’s not what I meant. Don’t think like that.”

But the damage was already done. Not by her. By you. The memory of Asa’s face, turning away from you, her eyes glassy. Of her silence. Of the way she wouldn’t meet your eyes after it all went down - it kept playing in your head, over and over again.

And maybe, maybe she didn’t need you. At least not the version of you who acted without thinking. Not the one who let anger take over himself. 

“I’m sorry.” you muttered, not even sure who you were apologizing to - yourself, your parents, or her. Probably all three. 

Your dad let out a long sigh.

“We know, Joonhyuk-ah. But we are very disappointed. From tomorrow on, whenever school or practice finishes, and all that mandatory school work is done, you have to be home. At the meeting, you’ll have to be sincere and apologize to everyone, and if Asa allows you to… to her too.”

You nodded, barely. They were in the right, this whole mess was your doing. 

Your mom stood up, gathering everything on the dinner table. The way she moved was slow, deliberate - like she was holding back worry, or sadness.

“I’ll make you your favorite tomorrow morning.” she said, like a peace offering. “Eat first before going to school.”

“Okay, mom…”

Dad now stood up, eyes watching you, tired. “You’re lucky, you know. People are willing to give you another chance.”

“I know…”

“And don’t waste it. Don’t make this mistake again.”

You nodded, this time your head was lower, like your neck couldn’t hold the weight anymore.

Tomorrow. The meeting. Seeing Asa again. 

You leaned back on the chair. You used to imagine a future where she was always by your side, walking home together, and if you got lucky… ask her out. Now you weren’t even sure if she’d ever look at you the same way again. That hurt the most.

That night, you stared at your phone screen for what felt like forever.

Her name sat there at the top of the Kakaotalk. No recent messages. You hesitated, then your thumbs hovered over the keyboard. 

[준혁선베🥋]

asa-ah

i know you probably don’t want to hear from me

but… i’m sorry

can we talk?

i’m really sorry

are you still mad at me?

You took a deep breath and stared at the screen. Waiting. A minute passed. Then two.

Then suddenly -

This user has either blocked you or deleted their account.

Your heart dropped.

No, no, no…You rushed to Instagram to search her name. Nothing. All your messages there? Gone. You tried clicking on her username on a tagged post.

User not found.

Blocked. There too. You now sat frozen, the weight of it sinking in fast. Asa cut you off. Clean. Quiet. Like it was the only way to protect herself now - from you.

-

The next morning was cold and colorless, a quiet kind of grey that mirrored everything you felt inside. When it was time, you got into the car with your parents and rode to school in silence, no walking with Asa from now on.

The meeting was held in one of those administrative rooms, far too quiet. On one side sat you, your parents; the other side of the table was the school’s ethics board which consists of the vice principal, student affairs director, and three high ranking officials from the national taekwondo association. All of them looked tired, like they’d read the reports too many times already. So, no CCTV footage. But there were a few witnesses. Some students saw what happened. Some didn’t know the full story. But most knew enough. No one said Asa’s name out loud. They didn’t need to. It was written in every pause. Every look. By now, everyone in school knew who it was about. Who it was for. 

They talked about discipline, responsibilities that came with representing the school and the country.  About how your actions, the violence - even if it was justified, even if provoked - still had consequences. You had to listen, it was a warning. Eventually, after what felt like hours, they laid out the terms: a probationary continuation with the national program. One strike left. You’d complete school-mandated community service, write formal apologies, and follow a closely monitored behavior agreement. 

They emphasized, again and again, that you were the first, and probably only exception they would ever consider - because of your previous academic records, attitude, achievements and talent. They didn’t say it with anger. Just disappointment. And expectation. They all knew it wasn’t about taekwondo, or school pride, or even yourself. It was about a girl who wasn’t there. A girl, who by the end of the meeting, felt even farther away.

Outside, even the weather felt awful - still grey, still quiet. The weight on your chest now felt heavier, not only because your reputation was now tainted, you might’ve lost Asa for good. When the meeting ended, you dragged yourself back to class with a quiet breath and lowered eyes, unsure of what to expect. Everything still looked the same, but it only took one glance toward the back to realize something had really changed. The window seat, yours and Asa’s seat, was changed. Asa now moved to sit next to Minju at the end of the class, just behind you. Directly behind you. Sitting next to your seat now, in Asa’s old seat, was Yunah. She didn’t look at you when you passed. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t shift in her chair. She was talking to Minju, and it seemed like you didn’t even exist to her. The space behind you felt loud with silence. You could feel her being there, but it was like sitting in front of a wall.

You sat down slowly, throat tight. Yunah leaned slightly to your side and whispered. “You okay?”

You nodded - automatic but empty. “Mmm.”

She looked at you for another second, then added. 

“Don’t stress too much. Our class… they understand what happened. We all sympathize with you, so… don’t worry.”

You didn’t really answer. Not because you didn’t hear her, but because all you could think about was Asa, the girl sitting right behind you. 

-

The bell rang, but you didn’t move. Your classmates, even Asa, packed up quickly, chatting about hakwon and weekend plans, but it all faded into background noise. You stayed seated, waiting for the room to clear out. Yunah didn’t leave either, she chose to wait with you.

When it was just the two of you, she turned in her seat. “So… the school service or work thingy, you start today? Already?”

You nodded. “Yup… Behind the science wing. Trash pickup. Then cleaning in the other building. Repeat. And I also start training again tomorrow.”

“Ooh… that’s rough.”

“Yeah, I’m grounded too.”

“Damn, full combo.” Yunah winced.

You let out a tired breath. “I miss Asa.”

Yunah nodded, turning her body more toward you, propping her chin on her hand. “You okay?”

You didn’t answer right away. Not because you didn’t know how to, but because saying it out loud felt harder than it should’ve.

“I don’t know…” you finally said. “Everything just feels muted. Like I’m here, but not really.”

Yunah just watched you, her expression softening. 

“She hasn’t said anything about me, has she?” you asked, a few bits of hope in your voice.

“No.” she replied gently. “But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t think about you. She just… doesn’t want to talk to you yet.”

You nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the board.

“She used to get annoyed when I zoned out during class.” you said quietly. “Now she doesn’t even care about me.”

“Asa’s still hurt.” Yunah replied. “Not just because of what you did. Because she didn’t get to choose how it happened. You made the decision for the both of you.”

“I know.” you muttered. “I thought I was protecting her.”

“I mean, you were… She was… she wanted to protect herself.”

“Feels like everyone’s disappointed. My parents, hers, the teacher, her…”

“Yah,” Yunah said, nudging your arm slightly. “Not everyone. Almost everyone in school, like a lot of us get it. We know why you did what you did. Some of us even said you could’ve punished them a lot worse.”

You didn’t say anything, but the corner of your mouth twitched. Almost a smile.

She glanced at the clock. “You’re gonna be late?”

You stood up with a groan. “Probably. But no big deal, I guess.” Yuna slung her backpack on. “Want me to walk with you there?”

You nodded. “Oh… she blocked me too. Last night, Kakao, Insta.”

“Really? That’s serious…” 

You gave a small shrug, trying to play it off but Yunah clearly knew.

“Guess she meant it,” you muttered. “Didn’t even bother to read the messages. Straight block.”

Yunah adjusted her backpack on her shoulder, watching your expressions. “She always said she hated people who acted without thinking.”

You nodded, slow and tired.

“What exactly did you.. you know? Did to them?” she asked.

“Uh, I followed them. Beat them up. Took them a while to confess. Once they confessed, I beat them up once again then made them do, like, 50-60 push-ups.”

Yunah blinked. “Again?”

“Yeah, first round was out of anger. Second was… I dunno. Principle?”

She stared at you for a second, somehow looked both impressed and shocked. “And the push-ups?”

You exhaled through your nose, almost like a laugh. “Didn’t know what else to do. Figured if I was gonna get in trouble, might as well get creative and discipline them.”

“That’s not creative, Joonhyuk-ah. That’s insane. What would Asa say?”

The mention of Asa somehow made your heart drop, harder every time. You didn’t know how to answer. Just kept your eyes on the hallway floor, the marks, the lights buzzing above. When you two reached the stairwell landing, neither of you moved. 

“Guess she didn’t ask for it.” you continued. “I was just a dumbass.”

“And now you have to pay for it.” Yunah said softly.

You nodded. “Yeah.”

The silence after wasn’t awkward. It was heavy, but honest. Like something both of you were finally letting settle.

“You’re not a bad person, you know.”

“Yeah, people say that all the time. Doesn’t really help me right now.”

She looked at you. “Well, for your information, if I ever got harassed, I wouldn’t mind someone going full K-drama for me. Text me whenever you’re in need.”

You smiled faintly. Yunah then nudged your arm lightly. 

“Come on, you idiot. Let’s get you to punishment duty before you end up crying on the stairs.”

“Not crying.” you scoffed.

“Not yet.”

You didn’t say it, but you were grateful for Yunah. She was still walking beside you, when so much had already fallen away.

-

After what felt like hours of punishment duty, you finally managed to make it home. How am I supposed to make it through the year? Your body ached, but your mind wouldn’t stop. Every dull movement reminded you of Asa. 

It was late. The kind of quiet where even Eungam-dong’s loudest dog stopped barking. You barely said anything to your parents. Just showered, changed and collapsed onto your bed, hair still damp. You turned your head toward the window. Her room, just right across from yours, is the light still on? You sat up slowly, heart beginning to pace without permission. The curtains were half-drawn, but you could still see Asa. She was sitting at her desk, headphones on, her beauty faintly lit by the light from her iPad. You hesitated, then finally decided to stand up and gently slid your window open.

The cool night air slipped in immediately, brushing your face. You knocked, once. It wasn’t loud, desperate. She didn’t hear it at first. Or maybe she was pretending not to hear it.

So you tried again, a second knock, just enough to make it clear it was you, like how you always did during lockdown. This time, she turned. Her eyes met yours for a brief second. You felt like you couldn’t breathe. Your mouth opened but no words made it out - you didn’t even get to say a word before Asa stood up and reached for her window-

Click. She slid the window shut and drew the curtains, clean. Not even bother looking back at you.

You stood there for a while, staring at her now closed windows. Everything inside you was full of things you weren’t allowed to say anymore. Then you stepped back, slowly - letting the silence take over the night.

-

That morning, since Asa didn’t even acknowledge you, you decided to walk to school earlier than usual. You couldn’t even sleep last night anyways, the way she looked at you for a split-second before sliding the window completely shut. You told yourself maybe she’d softened a bit overnight, maybe the silence wasn’t punishment. But when she walked into class, everything in her posture told you otherwise.

She didn’t pause at the doorway. She didn’t even hesitate when she got close to you and slid right into her seat behind you like you weren’t there. You turned your head lightly, giving it a few seconds so that she could see you if she wanted to.

Nothing. No glance. No flinch. Not even a shift in her chair.

Minju greeted her quietly. Asa responded with a nod and soft voice. It was careful, composed - like she had walls up now, making sure no one could see over them. You swallowed the dry feeling in your throat before turning back.  When class started, Yunah leaned slightly toward you, whispering without taking her eyes off the board.

 “Did you try again last night?”

You gave her a small nod.

“And?”

You didn’t answer. Just tapped your pen once against the desk and kept your eyes on the textbook. Behind you, Asa didn’t even acknowledge your existence. And somehow,  the space between your two chairs felt like a thousand miles.

-

Later that morning, during break, you slipped out to the school cafeteria to grab the same thing you always bought her on the way to school, the banana milk - the one you first bought her while showing her around the neighborhood years ago. You brought it back to class, waiting for the right moment. Your palms felt stupidly sweaty. It took you some courage, but you managed to turn around - casual, like it didn’t mean as much as it did - and placed it the drink on her desk.

“I, uh… got this for you.”

Asa glanced at it for a second and said nothing. She then looked at Minju and gave her a slight nod. Minju obviously hesitated, her eyes flicked to you - apologetic, unsure. But she decided to reach out, slowly pulled the banana milk toward her side of the desk, mouthing sorry without any sound.

You didn’t say anything, didn’t need to. You just turned around and stared straight ahead, letting out an obvious breath. The cold air from the classroom’s old AC brushed your cheeks, but somehow, your face still burned. You laid your head on your arms, slowly - like your body just gave out. You didn’t cry. You couldn’t summon the energy for that, just staying there - forehead pressed to the desk, completely still. 

Yunah stared at you from the side, feeling sorry for you. She didn’t say anything at first, but after a moment, she reached over. A light tap on your back, then your shoulder. Her hand rested there maybe a second longer than needed, enough to say I’m here. 

You didn’t look up. Then, she gently reached forward and ruffled your hair. Soft. Careful. Like something she did all the time. Behind you, Asa saw it all. She turned her head for a second, just enough to catch the moment. The way Yunah’s hand lingered, the way you didn’t resist it, the slump of your shoulder. Was it guilt? Or… jealousy that flared in her chest? This was a sharp reminder that she used to be the one who understood you like that, she was the only one who could touch you like that. And now, she was the one who chose to let go. 

She looked again, quickly, but the feeling stayed. It was buried, unspoken, and too loud to ignore.

-

Practice at the taekwondo center that night was colder than usual. Not the temperature or the air, it was the stares. The way the locker room went dead quiet the moment you stepped in. You bowed your heads to greet the sunbaes like usual, changed quickly and taped your fingers. Your body was already sore from community service, from no sleep, from everything that came crashing down on you all at once.

It started during drills. A mistimed sweep from one of the older guys - nothing too serious. The way he grinned afterward somehow told you it wasn't an accident. Then the sparring rotation came. 

“You’re up, Joonhyuk-ah.” one of the sunbaes said, already bouncing on his feet. “Let’s see what the prodigy’s made of. They had to do everything to save you a spot, after all that.” 

The guy was a college athlete - faster, heavier, just strong enough to blur the line between punishment and practice. The first few exchanges were hard and clean. Then came a roundhouse that hit your ribs, harder than necessary. You chose not to complain, just stumbling back a few small steps. Another hit - this time to your shoulder, then a low sweep that sent you sliding. Coach didn’t say much, or he didn’t even pay attention.

Then another one stepped in. “Switch. My turn next.”

Fuck…

You were still catching your breath when the next round started. A hit to your chest guard, a knee right below your belt. After all that, the guy just smirked. They didn’t say outright what it was, but you felt it in every strike - the resentment. 

You were too young, too hyped. A high schooler from an academic school, not even an athletic school, not even a full time athlete, yet the association had made an exception for you. And maybe they didn’t like that. They didn’t even care that you were good, they just wanted to remind you where you were - just a high schooler who was lucky enough to stand here in their eyes.

You didn’t try to fight back. You just endured and let them land what they needed to land. Hey, at least it helps you build character. You gritted your teeth and kept getting up. Your head, your heart wasn’t in it, your body was. 

By the end of practice, your legs were shaking. Your ribs ached. No one even helped you after the last round. You just lie there on the mat for a moment, staring at the ceiling - your hands red from the tape, joints stiff, a bruise already forming on your side. 

You used to feel powerful here. Now you felt small, disposable, and alone.

-

The next morning, everything still hurt. Your ribs ached, your back felt like it had been driven over. You barely slept too, not just because of the pain but because your brain wouldn’t stop running in circles - from the bruises to Asa’s silent treatment. When you got to class, you moved like a zombie. The morning sun lit up the desks, the floor, even the smudges on the windows. Everything looked exactly the same as yesterday, except you felt like you’d aged a year overnight.

Asa was already there, sitting behind your desk, still not looking at you. Like yesterday. You slid into your seat beside Yunah, wincing slightly as your back hit the chair. You kept your face neutral, but the stiffness didn’t go unnoticed. 

Yunah leaned in immediately. “You okay?” she asked under her breath.

“Uh… training.” you murmured. “The sunbaes, they went a little too hard. Maybe because the association made an exception for me and they didn’t like that.”

She tilted her head. “Wait, really? They really did that?”

“Welp… yeah.”

Yunah looked at you a beat longer before reaching out and gently pulled back the collar of your uniform where it had folded wrong. Her fingers grazed your neck, it was warm and light. She smothered the crease like it was instinct. Then she poked your temple.

“You didn’t do your hair.”

“Didn’t have the energy.”

“You really are falling apart, huh?” she signed through her nose.

And then, like she did it a million times before, her hand moved to your hair - fingers brushing softly through your hair, fixing it as best as she could. She ruffled it a few times, then used both hands to put it into place. You stayed still. It wasn’t romantic. She always did this kind of thing. But still, it felt nice - like she was the only one who could hold you together, for now.

“There.” she said quietly. “Just like Nam Joohyuk, but a bit more tragic. Is it that bad?”

“They didn’t really like me before either. Now they got an excuse to do something about it.” you murmured.

Asa heard it. Every word. Every pause. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But when the room quieted and Yunah lowered her voice, your tone became clearer. The kind of tired honesty only Asa used to hear.

“They went too far, Joonhyuk-ah.” Yunah said. “You should’ve told the coach or someone.”

“I mean, I already got in trouble. Might as well take it all. If I speak up, it’ll look like I’m soft.” you let out a low breath. 

Yunah didn’t say anything right away. She just looked at you, like she was trying to figure out how much of you was still holding on. Then, she reached over again and slowly rested her hand gently on the back of your neck. Not playful like before - just warm and steady. Her thumb brushed your hair lightly. 

“You’re not soft. Just a bit tired.”

You didn’t move. But something about Yunah’s touch grounded you - like a reminder that even in silence, someone saw you. Asa’s eyes didn’t move from her notebook, but she had stopped writing minutes ago. Her fingers rested between tensed fingers. She could hear every word you and Yunah said. Every touch. And now, she could picture it without even looking - Yunah leaning in, hand on your neck, voice too soft to ignore. Asa didn’t react. But Minju, who sat beside her, noticed how still she had gone. The way her shoulder subtly pulled back, the way her eyelashes blinked slower, like someone who once belonged to her was now being affectionate with someone else. 

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

And so, over the next few months, school days became a battlefield - you kept trying in small, careful ways but Asa kept shutting you out, each moment colder than the last. 

Once, when the bell rang, Asa stood up with Minju. The shuffle of bags zipping and chairs scraping filled the classroom as students headed for the next period. You stay seated, fingers tapping lightly against your knees. Just as Asa passed, you tilted your head slightly, voice low - careful not to draw attention.

“Asa-ah… can we talk? Just for a second.”

She paused, barely. A blink, maybe enough to let you hope. Then she kept walking, not a glance, not a word. Minju hesitated for a beat, her eyes flicking back - unsure, but she followed behind quickly.  Beside you, Yunah saw it all but she didn’t turn her head around. She just reached out under the table and tapped your knee with her own.

“She’s not ready.” she said, soft enough for the two of you to hear.

You didn’t answer, just stared ahead, lips pressed tight. Your hand rested near the corner of his book, unmoving.

-

The cafeteria was loud with the usual midday energy - trays clattering, chairs dragging, the hum of lunchtime conversation spilling through every corner. You stepped in late, tray in hand, eyes scanning for the usual table. For years now, without ever having to talk about it, there’d always been a seat beside Asa. Some days she saved it with her banana milk. Other days, she’d shift lightly to make room for you. It was a habit between the two of you. A habit. But the past month had been… different.

Today, someone else was sitting in your place - some girl from the other class, joking about something with Minju. Asa sat beside them, nodding along, focused on her food. You stood there a bit too long, just enough for it to sting. Then you turned quietly and found an empty spot in the corner, deciding to sit alone. You didn’t touch your tray. A few seconds later, Yunah slid into the spot across from you without a word without asking for permission. She just sat there, maybe to support you.

“You didn’t eat lunch yesterday either.” she said, ripping open the straw and dipping it in her milk bottle. You didn’t reply. Yunah reached over and then held it up for you - gentle, like she was offering medicine.

“At least drink this. It’s delicious.”  

You leaned forward and took the straw with no hesitation. Your eyes obviously tired, shoulders hunched. Your uniform was a bit wrinkled, shirt untucked just lightly. She then set the milk bottle on the table and reached over to tug at the edge of your blazer sleeve, smoothing it.

“You’re not even pretending anymore.” she said softly.

“Why should I?” You exhaled.

From across the cafeteria, Asa saw it all. Her chopsticks paused halfway to her mouth. She hadn’t meant to look, but her eyes followed you the moment you walked in. She watched the empty seat beside her be filled by someone else. Watched you turn away. Watched Yunah find you. And now she watched Yunah touch you, feed you, and sit close to you. She quickly looked away.

You were all friends, always had been. Nothing about it should’ve felt strange. But it did, to Asa. Something about the way you let Yunah care for you so easily - no hesitation, no awkwardness, it settled uneasily in Asa’s chest. It shouldn’t matter. Asa told herself that, over and over again.

-

One day, on a school trip, the buses were parked outside the school gates, engines rumbling, teachers shouting to check attendance over the chaos of students laughing and dragging snack bags onto the steps. It was one of those day trips out of Seoul - some museum just in Gyeonggi-do, an hour away. A break from the usual hectic school day.

Asa was standing near the bus entrance with Minju and her friend groups, her blazer draped over her hoodie to help fight the cold that had settled over Seoul those days. She kept her hands in her sleeves, her breath coming out in faint clouds. She wasn’t saying much, just nodding at whatever her friends were rambling about. Then she saw you.

You were coming down from the sidewalk in uniform, one hand in your pocket, the other gripping a shoulder bag slung over your wide but somehow thinner shoulder - maybe all the training, punishment duty, the late nights or maybe it was just Asa’s silence that slowly carved you down, piece by piece. Your hair was slightly messy - probably from rushing, and that usual sleepy look was also on your face.

Her heart did that thing it always used to do whenever she saw you. But this time… it faltered. You didn’t look at her, not even for a second. You walked right past her, no hesitation. As if Asa wasn’t there. You stepped on the bus, scanned the bus. 

Oh, there Yunah was… she at this point had become your support, when you seemed nothing to Asa. She was sitting near the back, by the window, already half distracted by her phone. When she looked up and saw you, she smiled without thinking.

“Took you long enough.”

You slid in beside her and dropped your bag in the middle casually, like you’d already planned this, like it was always going to be Yunah. Asa stood outside the bus steps, frozen. Minju stopped talking. She watched you and Yunah settle into place - Yunah pulling out a packet of chips, you resting your elbow on the windowsill, eyes closed like you’d found somewhere soft to land.

They were all friends, Asa told herself that. Again. But somehow, seeing the two of you together like that made her stomach twist. Because for almost two months now, you seemed like you hadn’t looked at her with hope in your eyes, slowly giving up. You had waited. You had apologized. Now? Now you didn’t even glance her way.

-

The museum was quiet - the kind with soft lights and long hallways that smelled like polished wood and clean air. Students moved in loose clusters, some genuinely interested, others just bored and killing time. Asa walked slowly with Minju, half-listening to the guide’s voice, her thoughts and eyes elsewhere. They kept wandering toward you. You stood a few displays ahead, shoulder to shoulder with Yunah. You weren’t saying much, just nodding and sometimes laughed slightly at what Yunah said, her body tilted slightly toward yours. At one point, she turned to you with a grin and held up her phone.

“Take one for me.”

She posed casually in front of a painting. You held the phone up without protest, snapped a few, asked her to change the pose or adjust her hair and handed the phone back without even asking if they were okay.

“This one’s cute. Since when did you know how to take good photos?” Yunah said, laughing as she scrolled.

“Then post it.” you said, voice low, unreadable. “You look pretty.” 

Since Asa taught me how to during our hangouts back then.

Yunah bumped her shoulder lightly with yours.

“You made me look good in this one, look.”

You didn’t say anything, but the corner of your mouth twitched. Asa looked away, pretended to read the text on the wall. Didn’t even absorb a single word.

Later, on the ride home, the sun had already dipped past the horizon in Seoul. The inside of the bus glowed gold for a while, then dimmed into the soft flicker of overhead lights. Asa and Minju sat across the aisle from you and Yunah. Far enough not to be obvious. Close enough to see. You had your head resting on the window, eyes half-shut. Your shoulders looked heavier these days, like everything you’d carried in silence had finally started to sink in your bones. Yunah sat next to you, airpods in, phone resting in her lap. At some point, her head tilted sideways and landed gently on your shoulder. You didn’t move. You didn’t flinch. 

Asa saw it all, every single detail. Yunah’s cheek pressed against the fabric of your blazer. Your jaw relaxed. The space between you two barely a breath wide. You two looked… normal. Comfortable. Like you and Yunah’d found a rhythm that didn’t need fixing.

“You okay?” Minju asked her softly.

Asa nodded, too quickly. “Mhm. Just tired.”

There was a pause. Then Minju spoke again, voice quieter but not looking at Asa.

“Yunah doesn’t mean anything by it. You know that, right?”

“We’re all close friends. It’s just… Joonhyuk needed someone to-” she trailed off, then said gently.

“-you know, someone to be there for him.”

Asa didn’t reply right away. The hum of the bus engine filled the silence between them. Her eyes were fixed on the reflection on the window - not the scenery outside, but of the two figures. Yunah, still resting her head on his shoulder. You, still letting her.

She then exhaled slowly, but the breath caught halfway through. 

“He always used to fall asleep next to me. Said he hated long rides.”

Minju blinked, hadn’t expected Asa to say anything. “Yeah” she murmured.

Asa then bit on the inside of her cheeks. 

“It’s like… I keep thinking it’s temporary,” she paused. “Like he’s just waiting for me to say something and then… it’ll go back.”

Minju doesn’t answer right away. She reached over and placed a hand gently on Asa’s sleeve.

“I think he’s still waiting for you,” she said. “He’s just tired.”

Asa’s hands stayed in her lap, twisting the fabric of her hoodie. She blinked once, hard and kept staring at the bus floor. Meanwhile, Yunah shifted a little in her sleep, you didn’t move.

-

You didn’t stop trying. Never did. Just a bit… tired now. 

You stayed behind after class, casually lingering by the door as Asa packed up her stuff. Just you and Asa, the room quiet, desks still. 

“Asa-ah” you said, gently - like you were trying not to scare you off.

She didn’t even look at you, just zipped her backpack and walked straight past, her shoulder slightly brushing yours on the way out. No glance, no pause. Just cold air where something used to be.

-

One day, you spotted her near the lockers, alone for once while tying her shoelaces. You walked up slowly, not too close. “You-uh… dropped this earlier.” you said, holding out a pen she hadn’t even noticed was missing. Asa glanced at it, took it without touching your hand. Not even a thank you, nothing. She then turned and walked off before you could say anything else. The pen stayed clenched in her hand, but her jaw was tighter than usual. You just stood there, not knowing what to do.

-

The sky was already dark by the time hakwon ended, the street lights flickering to life one by one. You spotted her across the street, waiting at the crosswalk with her earbuds in, head looking at the sky. You jogged up beside her, not saying anything at first, just trying to match her pace. 

“Want to walk home… uh, together?” you offered, gently.

She didn’t even take a second look at you, fixing her earbuds before crossing without looking back when the light turned green. 

Fuck…

-

The air had a sharp chill that afternoon, the kind that cut through sleeves and made you tuck your chin into your collar. It was the day before your final squad announcement - the one that would determine who made the team to go to China. You'd already been on the official squad if it had been for that incident. Everyone knew it, the tension had been building around you for weeks, months now. It was hard, especially without Asa.

Asa was walking with Minju and Asa, her blazer draped over her hoodie, hands stuffed deep in her pockets. They weren’t planning to stop, but Yunah slowed near the side building where your punishment duty usually happened. Then Yunah broke the silence.

“You don’t have to worry. He never liked me, I don’t have that kind of feelings for him either. You know that, right?” her tone quiet - not defensive, just honest.

Asa didn’t respond, but Minju glanced between the two of them, lips puckered.

Yunah continued,

“I mean, sure, I teased him. Sat next to him. Took care of him when he was falling apart but it was never like that. Not for him. Not for me either.”

Asa kept walking, slower now.

“He was just hurting… alone.” Yunah added “ And I was there. That’s all.”

“But you let people think things.” Asa muttered, not looking up.

“So did you,” Yunah replied gently. “You let him think you didn’t care anymore.”

That hit harder than Asa wanted it to. They rounded the corner toward the school’s science wing, where your usual punishment duty happened. Yunah had casually suggested passing by - maybe to show Asa what you had been quietly enduring all this time.

“He still has to do service hours now? It’s been like 2,3 months now.” Minju asked.

Yunah nodded. “Yeah, he told me it’s until the very final squad announcement.”

They didn’t expect to see what they were about to see.

You were sitting on the ground, back resting against the brick wall, mop bucket beside you. Your blazer was rolled up to your elbows, forearm resting loosely on your knees. You looked like you’d been through it - hair sticking to your forehead, breathing in and out. Quiet, still. That was when Ahyeon appeared.

Asa noticed her immediately - even from this distance, even before the others did.

Ahyeon was a year below them, the kind of girl who always turned heads in the hallway: big, bright eyes, soft features that screamed confidence. Pretty with no effort. Talented too - known for her vocals in the singing club, dance collab routines sharp and clean. Asa had seen her around plenty. They’d even worked together a few times during the school showcase, shared warm ups. But right now, Ahyeon wasn’t smiling.

She walked slowly toward you. Her steps were hesitant, her mouth pressed into a nervous line. She stopped a few steps from where you were sitting. You looked up, surprised. Your brows lifted slightly, head tilted. “Oh… hey.”

Ahyeon took a breath. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was steady. 

“Sunbae-nim… I know this probably is not a good time but,” she said, her cheeks blushing pink,

“But… I… I like you, a lot, sunbae-nim. I’ve liked you since last semester. I just noticed things have been off with you lately. Between you and-” she stopped herself.

“I figured if I didn’t say anything now, I’d regret it.”

You blinked, caught completely off guard. You scratched the back of your neck - that shy, awkward gestures you always did when your brain short circuited a little. Your mouth opened, then closed, searching for the right words.

“Uhm… Ahyeon-ah.” you said slowly, rising to your feet, brushing dust off your pants. 

“That’s… really sweet of you. Really.”

You really meant it. You voice gentle, sincere - not flirty or leading her on.

“I’m not really in the right place for all this right now.” you continued, rubbing the back of your neck again. 

“But I’m glad you told me. It means… a lot to me.”

Ahyeon looked down for a moment, then up at you again. Her lips curled into a smile, sad smile - like she already knew the answer but needed to hear it anyway.

“Can I still… get a hug?” she asked, her voice shaky.

You hesitated for a moment then gave her a small nod. “Yeah, of course.”

She stepped forward and hugged you, tightly. Not a light, polite hug - but one that held meaning. Ahyeon’s arms wrapped around you like she didn’t want to forget how it felt. You stood still for a second, surprised before placing your hand on her back gently.

One tap. Two tap.

When she pulled back, she didn’t let go fully. She looked up at you, eyes shining brightly. Ahyeon was beautiful in her own right, really beautiful. However, you had eyes for no one but Asa. Then, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to cheek - quick, trembling but deliberate. Your eyes widened a bit but you didn’t pull away. You just stood there, stunned.

“Oh…”

Ahyeon then smiled at you, small and a little sad but kind. 

“My only chance to do that,” she whispered. “So I took it.”

“I’m always here for you if you need me, sunbae-nim. Just in case… Asa-unnie never says anything. Good luck with the announcement tomorrow, sunbae-nim.”

Then she stepped back, gave a small bow and walked away - graceful, composed, not looking back once. You stood there, still, that soft echo of Ahyeon’s words still lingered in the air.

Asa had seen everything. Her hands clenched tighter now. Minju was the first to move.

“Asa-ah. Let’s go.” she said quietly.

Asa didn’t reply. Yunah stepped in next, her voice lower, firmer.

“Come on. You don’t want to watch this.”

They each took one of Asa’s arms and pulled her away. Asa didn’t resist. But Ahyeon’s words stayed with her - heavy, bitter and maybe far too honest:

Just in case… Asa-unnie never says anything.

-

That night, Asa sat on her bed with her knees pulled to her chest, hoodie wrapped tight around her. Her room was dim, the only light coming from her desk lamp. Her phone lay untouched beside her pillow, its screen gone dark now. It had been almost 3 months since Asa stopped talking, or blocked you. She hadn’t cried. Not really. But something heavy was sitting behind her ribs - like regret that hadn’t found a way out yet.

Then, the door opened with a soft creak.

“You awake?” Lisa asked, in Japanese.

Asa didn’t answer, but she didn’ tell them to leave either. That was enough. 

Lisa came in, barefoot, hair tied up messily. Chisa followed, already holding snacks like  she’d known this was coming. Her sisters sat on either side of her, like muscle memory. For a moment, none of them said anything.

Then Asa whispered. “A girl confessed to him today. I saw him.”

Lisa looked over, already knew who it was. “Your taekwondo boy next door?”

Asa nodded. “Joonhyuk.”

She paused. Her voice steady, but the ache underneath was obvious.

“She’s… someone I know. I worked with her. We’re not bestfriend or anything, but still… she’s nice, pretty, talented. She noticed things have been off between us, so… she took her chance.”

Chisa didn’t say anything, just opened a snack and handed it to her. Asa didn’t take it.

“I’ve been pushing him away.” she said, “For like… almost 3 months now.”

“And he seems… not okay.”

Lisa leaned closer. “What do you mean?”

“He’s changed a bit. He barely eats. He looks thinner. He stopped looking at me. Yunah said he’s been falling apart… and I saw it today.”

She paused, biting the inside of her cheeks before continuing.

“He looks so tired. And when she hugged him, kissed him on the cheek… he didn’t stop her.”

That last line sat in the air for a moment. Chisa looked at her. 

“Do you still have feelings for him?”

Asa didn’t answer.

“Because it sounds like you still do. A lot.” Lisa said softly.

Asa then stared down at her hands, thumbs digging into the cuffs of her sleeves.

“I don’t know if he still feels the same. I’ve been…”

Lisa’s hand reach out to smooth out a wrinkle on Asa’s hoodie.

“What about the windows?”

Asa blinked. “What?”

“You two used to talk through the windows at night, right?” she added, “You told us that once, how he used to knock like an idiot until you answered.”

Asa’s lips pressed into a thin line. She nodded, then added, barely audible:

“I shut him down. Months ago.”

Neither sister said anything at first. 

“He tried,” Asa said softly, as if saying aloud made it worse. “He knocked a few times after that thing happened. I saw him and just… closed the curtain.”

“Well, he’s probably still waiting for a knock back.” Lisa exhaled quietly.

“Not anymore.” Asa replied. “He kinda… stopped trying a few weeks ago.”

The silence between them was heavier than anything else. Not judgmental - just full of things no one could fix for her.

“I miss him.” Asa finally admitted, almost to herself. “And it’s my fault.”

Lisa leaned her head against Asa’s.

“So fix it, you little devil,” she said. “While you still can.”

Later, after her sisters had gone back to their rooms, Asa lay in her bed, phone dimly lit her hands. She tapped through the stories - muted reposts, dinner hangouts, memes. Then one caught her eyes. 

Ahyeon had posted a blurry photo of the school’s science wing hallway - soft colors, empty steps, and in the corner, a mop bucket and a backpack on the floor… your backpack. Asa knew it right away.

No people. No faces. But Asa knew exactly who it was. The caption just said:

“오늘도 수고했엉ㅇㅇ☁️”

(You worked hard today too☁️)

Asa then locked her phone, turned it screen down and pulled the blanket over her head. Not crying. Not yet. But wide awake - her heart loud in the quiet.

-

The next morning, the classroom was buzzing. Desks weren’t even straight. Students huddled near the TV, or leaned over their desks with phones open, waiting for the real and final broadcast. Even the teacher didn’t bother settling them down. You sat in the back. You looked calm, too calm. But anyone who was really paying attention could see the tightness in your jaw, the way your leg bounced under the bomb. Asa sat right behind you, silent. Her eyes flickered between the TV and the back of your head, not saying a word.

“Is it starting yet?”

"No, dumbass."

“Shut up! You’re making too much noise.”

“I gotta put this on my Instagram.”

The screen flashed:

대한민국 아시안 게임 국가대표 최종명단발표

(Final Asian Games National Taekwondo Team Announcement)

Students shushed each other. Many also gathered around your seat. The broadcast opened with dramatic music before the voice of the announcer came in and steady. 

다음은 태권도 국가대표 최종 명단입니다.

(Next is the final team for Taekwondo.)

The room went still. You sat forward, elbows on desks, jaw tight now. Asa could see it in the line of your shoulders now - the tension, the weight pressing down just beneath your still frame. Then, under the desk, Yunah’s hand moved slightly then rested beside yours. You didn’t hesitate this time. You took it. It was quiet, Small. A simple gesture. Comfort. Because you looked calm, but you weren’t. You were about to find out if everything you’d worked for actually meant something.

Asa saw it. The small movement, the brief contact, the quiet way your fingers wrapped around Yunah’s. It wasn’t romantic, but it still hurt. Her gaze now dropped to her lap, but not fast enough to unsee it. Names of professional and a few university athletes were being called. Elite-level. Expected.

And then-

“서울 중앙고등학교, 서준혁.”

(Seoul Chungang High School, Seo Joonhyuk.)

Silence. Then the entire room burst into noise.

“Hey, it’s you, Joonhyuk-ah.”

“That’s our school! Oh shit!”

“I need a photo with you for my IG.”

“Only high schooler.” 

“I helped you with that chemistry test, remember?!”

Your friends gathered around your seat in seconds. Someone shouted your name, and another slapped your back like you’d just won gold already. You didn’t say anything at first. You just sat there frozen, blinking. Then your lips curled into a stunned, slightly breathless grin. That smile. The one no one had seen in months. Yunah squeezed your hand once more before letting go. 

Behind you, Asa didn’t cheer. Didn’t move. But her eyes were now fixed on your back. She used to be the reason for that smile. Now… she wasn’t sure what she was anymore.

-

That day, you chose not to celebrate with the class, saying that you wanted to spend time with your parents and celebrate the news. You lied. You needed some time alone.

On the walk home, the wind had softened a little, the kind of a late afternoon chill that tugged lightly at sleeves and hair. The buzz from class still lingered - the celebration, friends, cheering - but it was quieter, more peaceful out here. Asa walked home with Minju and Yunah that day. She hadn’t said much all day. Not until now.

“I don’t think I can do it anymore.” she said quietly.

Minju glanced over. 

“Do what?”

Asa looked down at the pavement. 

“Ignoring him.”

Those words came out small, like they’d been sitting inside her throat for weeks. 

“I thought I could. If I waited long enough, the feeling would go away. But it’s not.”

Minju stopped walking. Yunah did too, hands tucked behind her back like she was waiting for this exact moment.

“Finally,” Minju said, sighing. 

Yunah tilted her head, grinning. “So what, you’re gonna start talking to him again?”

Asa nodded, quietly.

“I don’t know, but I want to. I can’t stand doing this anymore.”

Yunah bumped Asa’s shoulder with her own.

“You better. Because if you don’t… I’ll take him.”

Asa blinked. “Huh?”

“I’m serious. He’s handsome. His hands are warm. His shoulders? Surprisingly nice.”

Minju snorted. “Stop, you two.”

But Asa smiled. Just a little. For the first time all day.

“You wouldn’t.” she muttered.

“You sure?” Yunah teased. “I’ve been holding his hand and sleeping on his shoulder, remember?”

Asa pouted at her, it didn’t hurt this time. Deep down, she knew Yunah didn’t mean it. She’d been keeping you steady while Asa was gone. And now… Asa wanted you back. They kept talking as they walked on the familiar street, laughter trailing behind them like it used to. It felt normal for a while. Familiar.

“So when are you going to say something?” Minju asked.

“Maybe tomorrow,” Asa replied, eyes ahead. “I just… needed some moment that’s not surrounded by 40 screaming classmates.”

“I mean, we all root for you guys.” Yunah added with a roll of her eyes.

They walked the park - the same one they had always passed through on the way home. The sun had now dipped lower now, painting everything in soft gold and quiet shadows. That’s when they saw you, alone. Sitting on one of the swings. Your school blazer was still on, a bit wrinkled. You were slouched forward, elbows resting on your thighs, hands hanging loosely. You weren’t moving. At first, they thought you were just tired. But then they saw it - the way your shoulders lifted slightly, the way your head dipped and your hand came up to wipe at your face.

“Is he crying?” Minju asked, gently.

You were. Not loud or breaking down. But enough that it broke the moment. Everything fell silent. Asa stared at you. She’d never seen you like that. Even after all those years next door, after all those injuries, even when she shut you out. And now, on a swing, in the middle of a quiet park - you looked like someone holding everything together with shaking hands. Yunah took a step forward, then stopped and looked at Asa.

“C’mon, he’s right there. He needs you.” she said softly.

Minju didn’t speak. She just waited. Asa’s breath now trembled as she walked toward you.

You didn’t notice anything. Not the wind, not the light, not the footsteps approaching through the gravel. You were hunched over on the swing. Your blazer sleeves were wrinkled from the way your arms rested against your legs, your eyes slowly turned red. You thought you were alone. You didn’t even hear Asa until she was right in front of you, until you noticed her shadow. 

Asa stood in front of you, quiet, arms by her side, face unreadable. You looked up slowly, eyes red. She stepped forward and reached out, gently cupped your face with both hands. You flinched - not from her touch, but from the sudden closeness. But when you saw it was her, you didn’t pull back. You just stared and tried to catch your breath. She held your cheeks carefully, her thumbs brushing lightly at the edges of your face. 

The moment you felt the brush of her thumbs, you broke down again. Not loud. No sobs. Just a sharp inhale - and then tears came crashing down. Your hands came up, covering hers while they held your face. Your head dropped slightly.

“I’m sorry, I…” you whispered. “I didn’t mean to…”

Asa stayed there, steady. She listened to you apologizing over and over again, like you’d been holding it in for months now and it had nowhere else to go. Her fingers curled slightly against your cheeks, grounding you.

“You don’t have to say that.” she said quietly. “I’m here now.”

You kept your head down. Her hands still holding your face still, like if she let go, you would completely fall apart. 

“It’s not just you,” she added, her voice cracking. “I messed up too. I’m sorry.”

The words hung there - soft, honest, not dramatic. Just real. And for the first time in months, the space between you and the girl next door started to close.

-

That night, it was Minju who said it first. 

“Let’s go out. I’m starving. And someone just became a national athlete.”

“You mean someone just cried like a kid on a swing set.” Yunah added with a smirk.

Asa shot her a look, but you didn’t even flinch. You were simply too tired to react. 

“I’ll come.” you said quietly. “If you want.”

So the four of you ended up at a familiar spot not far from home - the cramped place with cheap food and tables that always wobbled a bit. The kind of place that you went to when you didn’t know what else to do. Minju and Yunah were buzzing with leftover energy. You, not so much. You slid into the booth like you almost ran out of energy. Asa sat next to you without a word. Minju leaned across the table, a grin already forming on her face. 

“You know, Asa didn’t say a word all day. Then the second we saw you crying on a swing, she walked to you like a K-drama heroine.”

“It’s like episode ten - redemption arc before the kiss.” Yunah added with a smile.

She was already sitting next to Minju, so without warning, she turned dramatically and cupped Minju’s face with both hands, eyes wide and voice trembling like a cheesy lead actress.

“Don’t cry.” Yunah said in a mock- serious tone. “I’m here now, baby.”

Minju gasped, grabbing both Yunah’s hands. “I thought you moved on, my love.”

The two of them broke into laughter, practically leaning into each other like they filmed a whole drama scene. 

“I regret coming here.” you said, while Asa’s face was blazing.

Yunah recovered first, still wiping her eyes. “No but seriously -” she turned toward you.

“- was that the first time you’ve cried like that?”

You hesitated, eyes on the bowl in front of you.

“I don’t remember. I’ve cried before but… I guess so.”

That pulled the air down for a bit, enough for the teasing to settle. Asa didn’t say anything. Her legs brushed lightly against yours under the table - intentional, grounding. She nudged your food closer to you and placed an extra piece of spam on your bowl.

Yunah raised her eyebrows. 

“Look at her. Taking care of him now. How nice.”

“If she didn’t make a move today,” Yunah added, popping a piece of food in her mouth. “I was gonna. You’ve got great shoulders.”

You laughed slightly. Asa then hooked her arm around yours and issued her warning. “Back off.”

Yunah grinned. “Heh, there it is.”

Minju quieted a little then leaned forward again, this time with a serious tone.

“Hey… what about Ahyeon?”

The whole table paused. Not tense - just the kind of silence that made everyone glance around for how to play it. 

“How did you guys know?” you asked.

“Yeah, we saw the whole thing. That was a bold move. Girl really went for it.” Yunah didn’t miss a beat.

Asa didn’t react outwardly, but her fingers tightened slightly around her chopsticks.

Minju looked at you. “You let her hug you and kiss you on the cheek, didn’t you?”

You blinked once, then gave a small shrug.

“I mean, what can I say?” you muttered. “Ahyeon’s kinda… cute.”

The whole table went silent. Asa then turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing. Your lips twitched like you were holding back a smile but you managed to keep your face mostly straight. Minju snorted. Yunah gasped dramatically. 

“Cuter than some Japanese girl next door?”

You tilted your head, pretending to think about it. 

“Mmm… different type of cute.”

Asa, without a word, picked up a small piece of 오뎅 (fish cake), dipped it in sauce with surgical precision before shoving it onto your tray, hard enough to make it bounce.

“Eat.” she said flatly.

“Ooh, someone’s jealous.” Minju let out a laugh, small enough for your table to hear. 

Asa didn’t smile yet - but her knee tapped yours under the table again. You picked the piece of fish cake up and ate it. It tasted like comfort. Closeness. Maybe even forgiveness. 

-

After dinner, the four of you walked together home - but slowly, the group thinned.

Minju and Yunah peeled off at their intersection, still laughing and whispering like middle schoolers.

“Don’t do anything weird you two.” Yunah called as she waved back.

“I’ll tell both your moms.” Minju added while giggling.

You and Asa kept walking. For a while, it was silent but not heavy, not awkward. Just quiet. Your steps marched naturally. The space between you two was small, familiar. Then, as the houses started to appear up ahead, Asa slowed a little. You glanced over. Asa’s head was slightly bowed, her hands buried deep in her blazer’s pockets.

“Hey.” she said softly.

“Hmm.”

She hesitated then looked up at you. “Come over tomorrow.”

You blinked. “Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, weekend.” she said quickly, then looked away. “Everyone’s out - my parents and sisters. I’ll cook for you. You can come early… if you want.”

You didn’t answer right away - just watched her for a second. Then Asa reached out and took your hand. No warning or explanation. Her fingers slipped into yours like she’d missed the feeling and didn’t realize how much until now. 

“It’s been a while since we hung out. I want to make up for you since… you know. I feel bad.”

You gave her hand a small squeeze. Still walking, side by side. But somehow, everything between the two of you felt a little more okay now.

-

By the time you got home, your mom and Ms. Keiko was standing out front near the gates, deep in conversation. Something about neighborhood’s gossip or someone forgetting to return a dish - just the usual. They didn’t notice you at first. But then Ms. Keiko looked up - and gently nudged your mom with her elbow. They both paused. 

You and Asa. Walking side by side. Still holding hands. Ms. Keiko blinked. Your mom tilted her head. 

“...Well, look who’s back walking together again.”

Asa let go of your hand quickly, tucking hers behind like nothing happened. 

“Hi, mom. Hi, Ms.” she said, not quite meeting her mother’s eyes.

You gave a sheepish bow, greeting both your mom and Ms. Keiko. The two moms just stared for a second - not judging, just surprised, they looked pleased, even.

“Did you two eat?” Ms. Keiko asked, though her smile gave her away. 

“We did.” Asa muttered. “We’re… just back from dinner. With Yunah and Minju.”

“Yes, with uh… friends.” you added a little too quickly.

Your mom folded her arms, not bothering to hide her smile now.

“Okay, at least you’re eating again. And you’re home together. Again.”

Asa glanced at you once then opened her gate.

“Going in. Night.”

“Me too.” you echoed, ducking into your own.

Behind you, the two moms shared a quiet laugh.

“They’re being shy now.” Ms. Keiko said softly.

“I’m just glad they’re back together now.” your mom replied.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The next afternoon was quiet. Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains in Asa’s living room, casting soft shadows across the floor. She had been cleaning since morning - wiping all the tables, checking the kitchen twice even though she had already prepared everything. She’d done her makeup, just lightly, nothing dramatic. Enough to feel a little more put together. Just because it had been a while since you last came to her house. The doorbell rang earlier than expected. Asa peeked through the window and saw you, standing awkwardly outside her gates. She walked out and opened the gates slowly.

“You’re early.”

“I’m the type to be early, always have been. Remember? ” you said, reminding her of the first time you came over years ago.

She smiled and for a second, you just stood there - like you were unsure what to do. Her short hair complimented her face without trying too hard, and a touch of make up that suited her a lot. It’s been a while since you saw her like this.

Oh, Asa wore glasses today.

“You look…” you started. “Trying new things today?”

She touched the frame lightly.

“Yeah, got them a while ago… Just never wore them.”

“Why today?”

She shrugged, eyes flicking off to the side.

“Wanted to try something out.”

“They suit you.”

She glanced at you, brushing her fingers over the edge of the frame. 

“It’s just glasses.”

“Still, it suits you a lot, soy sauce ghost.” you said.

She turned to let you in, letting out a soft laugh.

“Come in. Be careful before I kick you out, and that was a long time ago, you meanie.”

Well, at least you’re allowed back in now. The gate clicked shut behind you. Inside, the house was quiet, the faint smell of something cooking lingering in the air. You stepped in, slipping off your slippers like you always did. From the kitchen, she called out:

“Come here.”

“Smells good already.” you said, following the scent. When you came to the dining table, her omu-rice sat perfectly on the table. It looked warm, golden, and neat. Asa had set the table neatly: two spoons, two cups of water, nothing extra. 

“Sit.” Asa gestured toward the chair across from hers.

You obeyed, glancing at the plate then at her.

“You made all this?”

“It’s one thing.”

She sat across from you, fingers fidgeting near her spoon.

“You know I’ve always liked cooking.” she said quietly. “But it’s been a while since I made something for… someone.”

She didn’t say it was you, but she didn’t have to. You picked up your spoon to take a bite. You chewed slowly then looked up.

“It’s good.”

Asa blinked. “That’s it?”

“No, like… actually good. I forgot you’re good at this.”

“I didn’t forget you’re annoying, meanie.”

You smiled, then kept eating. She also took a bite of her own, but didn’t say anything for a bit. A silence settled, somehow strange. Maybe because you two haven’t been alone like this in a long time. You leaned back a bit. 

“This is kinda awkward, huh.”

Asa looked up, her glasses slipping slightly. She pushed them back with one finger, cheeks slightly blushing.

“Yeah… a little.”

“Sorry, I should’ve dressed up more. You’re also being weird.” you said, giving her a half-smile. 

“You’re the one that cried on the swing.” she muttered under her breath, shooting you a glance. It came out sharper than she meant. She then looked down at her food after a pause.

“Sorry. That was kinda low.”

She seemed honest, almost embarrassed. You didn’t say anything right away, reaching for your water and took a slow slip.

“It’s fine.” you said after a moment. “I probably deserved it.”

“No… still,” Asa added. “I didn’t have to say it like that.”

You glanced at her. She wasn’t looking at you, just fiddling with the spoon and pretending to fix her glasses again. You smiled, just a little to assure her.

“Apology accepted.”

Things weren’t perfect yet, but they may be getting there. One bite at a time. After you two were done eating, the tension between you had dulled. Asa pushed her bowl around then set it gently.

“Do you want to watch something after this?” she asked, eyes not quite looking at you. “Only if you’re not too tired.”

You glanced over at her. The question sounded casual, but there was something careful behind it. Maybe it was her way of reaching out, or maybe she just didn’t want the night to end on that sharp note earlier.

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Okay, I’ll pick something.” she muttered, standing up and carrying her bowl toward the sinking, not without letting out a shy laugh. “You can do the dishes. since I cooked.”

You let out a short laugh, relieved by how natural that sounded. “Deal.”

By the time you finished cleaning up, Asa was sitting curled on the couch, blanket half-draped over her lap, flipping through the selections.

“There’s that new one - The Glory, you probably won’t get half of it.” she said, glancing at you briefly.

“You mean I’m too dumb?”

“I didn’t say that…” Asa replied, her voice playful now. “But you said it, so…”

You gave her a look as you settled down, not beside her on the couch but on the floor. Your back leaned against the base of the cushion just right near her knees. She didn’t complain - just shifted a little and tugged the blanket over her legs properly. She pressed play and the room went quiet except for the sharp, haunting opening of the drama. You rested your arms on your knees, eyes on the screen but your thoughts drifted with the soft, repetitive movement behind you - Asa’s fingers gently combing your hair. At first it felt a bit absent-minded, like she didn’t even realize she was doing it but she didn’t stop. You didn’t have to look to know Asa was watching closely.

Then, you remembered something - it had just come to you. 

“You haven’t unblocked me, by the way.”

“...On what?”

“Kakao. Instagram, too.” you said, still facing the screen. “Not that I made, like, another two accounts to stalk you or anything.”

Asa went dead silent behind you. The drama kept playing, but her fingers had paused mid-motion in your hair. 

“...Seriously?”

You gave a tiny shrug. “I didn’t follow myself or anything. Just… checked your profile, sometimes.”

She let out a sigh - half sign, half laugh, but it felt like shy disbelief as you heard her reach for her phone. 

“I forgot.” she murmured. Then, more to herself, “I’m such a jerk…”

You felt the glow of her screen behind you. A few taps, then she cleared her throat.

“There. You’re free now, little birdie.”

You tilted your head back to glance at her. She was looking at her phone, deliberately avoiding your eyes, but you could see the faint pink in her cheeks.

“You sure? I’m gonna bomb you with a bunch of texts tonight.”

Asa rolled her eyes, but you saw the corner of her mouth twitched. 

“I’ll block you again if you start being annoying.”

You now leaned your head back against the couch, smiling at Asa. 

“You won’t. You missed me too much.”

She scoffed, not arguing. Her fingers resume their slow path through your hair, a little gentler now. After a pause, she added under her breath. 

“Also… Was it true? What you talked about with Yunah… the bullying at the national team?”

Your body tensed for a second before you could stop it. You didn’t answer, but Asa knew just by the slow breath you let out.

“Can I… see it?” she asked, voice uncertain.

“You really want to see it?” you stayed still for a moment before turning back to look at her.

Asa nodded, not trusting herself to speak. You hesitated for a second before reaching up to tug the collar of your shirt to the side, exposing the bruise along your shoulder and upper back. It wasn’t fresh anymore, but still a bit ugly - dark around the edges, with some yellow fading through the middle.

She leaned in with her eyes locked on the bruises. She didn’t speak but somehow, you could feel the way her breath hitched. Trying to lower the heaviness down a notch, you spoke softly.

“It’s not as bad now. Still happens here and there, but… not like before.”

Asa didn’t move right away. She kept looking and then quietly slid down from the couch, the blanket slipping with her, and folded herself beside you on the floor.

“I’m sorry.” she whispered, voice already shaky. Before you could respond, she wrapped her arms around your arm and buried her face against your sleeve. You definitely felt everything - the warmth of her tears, sudden and real, soaking into the fabric of your shirt between her soft breaths.

“I’m so sorry.” she said again, voice muffled.

You didn’t pull away. Instead you leaned slightly toward her, letting your head rest gently against hers. There wasn’t anything you could say to make it better. But Asa being here, finally, that alone said enough. She stayed like that, clinging to your arm, face still buried against your sleeve. Her shoulders trembled, and her breathing came out uneven, little hiccups breaking between soft sobs she clearly didn’t want you to hear. 

Heh… cute.

Then came the question, from her - quiet, broken.

“Why didn-” 

Hiccup.

“Why didn’t you-”

Hiccup.

“tell anyone?”

Hiccup.

You glanced down at her, smiled faintly despite the weight in your chest.

“I dunno. Didn’t want to make it worse, I thought I could push through and maybe I did. We were also really distant then.”

Asa didn’t answer right away. Her fingers now curled tighter around your sleeves. Then came another hiccup, she spoke - voice wobbly, words half-swallowed by tears.

“I didn’t mean to be-”

Hiccup.

“-so far away. I just got lost in the anger and forgot to-”

Hiccup.

“-talk to you without feeling like everything might break.”

Hiccup.

Why are you still so beautiful, Enami Asa? You didn’t stop her there.

“I thought if I could keep the distance, but... but I just couldn’t stand seeing you so broken.”

Hiccup

“You still treat me like this… Even when I don’t deserve this.”

Her shoulders shook. You heard her sniffle hard, frustrated with herself for still crying and falling apart like this. You brought your hand up and gently placed it over hers.

“You think I’d stop caring about you, dummy? Asa-ah, look at you.”

She blinked at you with blurry, teary eyes and confused. “What?”

“You’re crying your heart out, sniffling all over my shirt, hiccuping every three seconds… and you’re still the most beautiful thing in this house.”

Her breath caught, and for a moment she looked like she was about to cry harder - but instead she laughed. Just once, feeling embarrassed. 

“You’re stupid.” she mumbled, not without hiccuping.

You smiled and leaned your head back gently against hers. “And you’re ridiculous. But I missed you a lot.”

You and Asa didn’t say much after that. Asa stayed pressed to your side, arms around your arm, hiccuping softly as her tears slowly, quietly settled. And for once, neither of you needed to say anything more.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

A few months later, late August 2023

Since that night on the floor, things had been easier. Like something heavy had finally been set down between you and Asa. 

Incheon International airport was busier than expected, but maybe things in your head were different. Everything felt muffled - the announcements overhead, the wheels of luggage sliding across the tile, even when the polite conversations between parents a few steps behind.

Your mom was talking to Asa’s. Lisa stood nearby, scrolling on her phone. Chisa had her arms folded, airpods in, nodding slightly to whatever she was listening to, but she kept glancing over. Asa stood a little apart from them all, hands playing with her phone, eyes on the floor.

You finished checking in, dropped your bag off, and turned back to them. No one moved first. Then your mom stepped forward, fixing the collar of your jacket with trembling fingers and cupping your cheeks - trying not to cry, but her tears were already there. 

“Eat properly,” she said. “And text us as soon as you land. Not hours later, okay?”

“I will, mom.” you said, letting a small laugh. Your dad stood nearby, seemed like he held it better than your mom could - on hand on her shoulder, his head giving you a firm nod. No big speech but his eyes said everything. Her parents each gave you a brief hug and kind words, clapping on your shoulder and telling you to take care of yourself and not to skip meals. Lisa gave you a salute and half-smile, while Chisa handed you a small pouch of vitamin gummies “just in case”.

Asa was the last one. She walked forward slowly, stopping just in front of you. For a second, it looked like she wasn’t sure what to do - hands fidgeting inside her sleeves, eyes flickering up at yours, then away. Last night, you two had been up texting until almost 2AM by the way. Then, without a word, she reached out and pulled you into a hug. 

“Come back safe,” she said into your shoulder. “And win something. Or don’t. Just comeback safe, dummy.”

You smiled against her hair.

“I’ll try to win something. No promises tho.”

Behind you two, the quiet click of a shutter broke the moment - your dad, camera in hand, pretending not to have been watching closely. He lowered it with a smile on his face, another one to add to your and Asa’s section in the family photobook.

“Family tradition.”

-

China was unfamiliar but fun. The heat was different, the schedule was relentless. From the moment you landed, it was media duties, team meetings, practices and more practices - barely time to breath. Cameras followed the squad everywhere, coaches barked orders and didn’t care if you were exhausted - no one was special anymore.

But somehow, you still found time for your family, for Asa. Late at night, after everyone else had passed out or gone quiet, you’d slip a quick text “u up?” or send her selfies of you or sometimes photos of Hangzhou scenery. Sometimes, you and Asa video called, even if it was just for a few minutes. She’d been in her room, curled under a blanket, half asleep. 

And then, her smile was the only thing that made the noise fade.

-

On a rare day break, they let athletes breathe a little - no training, no cameras, just a few hours to roam the city like regular people. You roamed through the streets of Hangzhou, hands in your pockets - trying to take in all the scenery and finding souvenirs, gifts for yours and her family. The lake simmered under the afternoon sun, and the smell of roasted chestnuts drifted from a street cart nearby.

You wandered around street markets, temples, small shops… Hangzhou was truly beautiful. You then took out your phone.

[준혁선베🥋]

you’d like Hangzhou

it’s really pretty

better if you were here with me

You then took a quick picture of what was in front of you - willow trees leaning over the lake, boats gliding slowly in the distance, the water catching the light just right. 

You sent a photo

romantic ㅎㅎ

Later, while you were browsing through things to buy, your phone buzzed.

[김아사🌸]

don’t say stuff like that, dummy

*crying Loopy emoticon*

i’m gonna start missing you more

A pause - then another message right after:

[김아사🌸]

…send me more pictures

and don’t forget me, idiot

ㅠㅠㅠ

You smiled down at the screen, thumb hovering over the keyboard

[준혁선베🥋]

as if i could

also when did we get this cheesyㅋㅋㅋ

-

The day finally came. The living room was packed, warm with noise and nervous energy. Both families had crammed onto the couch, the floor. Your dad had the remote in a dead grip, eyes glued to the TV. Ms. Keiko had brought over snacks, but no one was eating. Even Asa’s sisters had gone quiet.

They’d been gathered like this since earlier in the day - watching every match, flinching with every hit you took, holding their breath each time the screen froze or the score was too close. Cheers had broken out when you made it past the quarterfinals. Your mom had been crying since the first time the name “Seo Joonhyuk” appeared along WINNER. The tension never really left the room - not once.

Now, somehow, here they were. You, in the final.

“Is that his final?” Asa’s dad, glancing at the screen.

“Yeah,” your dad replied without taking his eyes off the TV. “This is it.”

After commercials, the screen showed the arena in Hangzhou - bright lights, cheering crowd, flags waving. And there you were, jaw tight, eyes tired but sharp under the headgear, stepping on the mat. Then the commentator spoke up when the screen cut to you adjusting your gear:

“And there he is, Seo Joonhyuk of South Korea. Seventeen years of age. One of the youngest finalists in recent Asian Games.”

“The boy had already taken out two top-ranked seniors today. Most of these athletes are in their twenties, with years of international experience. But this kid is still in highschool, Minsoo-ssi.”

“Ah, yes. He’s not the youngest gold hopeful or finalist ever, but in this weight division? It’s been a long time since our country has seen someone this young make it this far. And now, here he is - final match. One game from gold.”

“Well, he’s going to be quite a celebrity at school, no - in the country when he comes back.”

The camera zoomed in just as you were exhaling slowly through your nose. Your name flashed across the screen in bold white letters:

SEO JOONHYUK (KOR)

Asa was sitting cross-legged on the floor, hands tucked under her legs, unmoving. Her eyes never left the screen. The referee called both fighters to the center. You bowed and raised your guard.

“Joonhyuk showed incredible form today. He took a clean hit to the shoulder and still came back to win it with a spinning kick.” 

“No sign of nerves as of yet, too. You’d think this was his third or fourth major tournament.”

Final match, you went up against China’s reigning silver medalist. Asa leaned in even more, eyes still fixed on you. The light from the screen flickered across her face, catching the faint shine in her eyes. No one in the room spoke. 

Then - the whistle blew. 

The first round was cautious. Both you and the other fighter tested the water with fast footwork, feints and soft clashes. You landed a clean body shot near the end.

“Good control from Joonhyuk. Striking at the right time.”

Asa muttered in her breath. “Come on, just take him down.”

The second round started faster. China’s fighter was aggressive - older, bulkier. You took a hit to the ribs that made everyone in the room wince.

Damn, that hurts like a motherfucking…

Asa’s hands flew up to her mouth, knuckles white. Your mom whispered your name like a prayer.

“Ooh… that one landed clean. That’s going to hurt but our country’s representative is still standing, thanks to his great footwork. Incredible composure.”

The round now ended with you down by two. Tension returned like a wave. The final round started.

“It all comes down to this. One more round. Can Joonhyuk actually pull this miracle off?”

You started low, circling and waiting. Then it happened. A perfect timed sidestep. A counter kick to the body. One point. The whole arena roared. Then again - you ducked under a wild strike, spun and with ten seconds left: a head kick.

The buzzer rang.

Shit…

Did I do it?

The scoreboard lit up. WINNER: SEO JOONHYUK (KOR) 

The house exploded. Your mom sobbing into a tissue. Ms. Keiko was hugging her, smiling through glassy eyes. Asa’s dad stood up and clapped, stunned. Her sisters yelled out loud. Asa…Asa didn’t move at first, her hands were still over her mouth, eyes still locked on the screen. 

You, on TV, falling to your knees with tears in your eyes. The team ran out to grab you.

Your dad shot up suddenly, heart pounding and sprinted out the front door to shout:

“MY SON IS A CHAMPIONN! AHHHH!!”

His voice rang as if it went all over Eungam-dong. Curtains pulled back. Doors opened. As if on cue, the whole neighborhood lit up - porch lights flicked on, neighbors cheered from their houses. Inside, Asa was still on the floor, tears streaking down her cheeks. She didn’t try to wipe them away. Her chest ached, but it was the good kind - full, bright and overwhelmed. You’d finally done it. 

-

The cheers echoed like thunder in the Hangzhou gymnasium. You stood still for a second, breathing hard, not even realizing your fists were clenched. Then your coach clapped you on the back, and someone shoved the flag into your hand. You walked to the podium, trying not to trip over your podium. 

Bronze. Silver. Then you - Center.

Your name was called again. You bowed, straightened. Cameras flashed from every direction as officials handed out medals. Everything felt like a blur, you felt like your eyes stung, maybe from the lights, maybe not. Before you even reached the interview zone, the cameras swarmed you. Mics were shoved forward. Flashes everywhere. Reporters calling your name in Korean, English, Mandarin-

“Joonhyuk! First Asian Games and gold at seventeen - how do you feel right now?”

“You beat two former gold medalists today. Did you expect this result?”

“People are calling you the prodigy of your generation. What’s next?”

You answered everything - about the fight, the preparation, your coach, your opponents. You smiled where you had to, bowed politely, gave the safest answers - the kind that you expected. But then came the question that made you pause.

“What are your plans after this?”

“School? Are you pursuing this full time?”

You hesitated for a second while the noise dimmed in your ears. That question had been sitting in the back of your mind for weeks. Your hands brushed the edge of the medal.

“Oh, I’ve been thinking about that…and”

“I think I want to go back to school. Just be a student again for a while, I don’t want to lose that part of myself.”

The room didn’t go silent - but it felt like the moment held. And this time, the cameras caught more than a soundbite, they caught honesty. You weren't let go after what felt like 2 hours of interviews, maybe interrogation.

-

That night, the hotel room was quiet. The medal sat on the nightstand beside an unopened bottle of water. Your phone buzzed - the screen lit up with her name you didn’t even hesitate.

“Hey.” you said as soon as you picked up, camera shaking lightly as you turned it to your face. 

Asa didn’t answer right away, her eyes pink.

“You cried, didn’t you?” you said, smiling.

“I didn’t.” she mumbled, voice tight.

“You look like you cried.”

“I watched everything,” her lips wobbled, just a little. “I felt like I couldn’t breathe during the last round. Did you call your parents yet?”

You let out a soft breath, nodding as you shifted straighter on the bed.

“Yeah. My dad was still yelling when I called. He went outside and started screaming in the neighborhood.”

Asa gave a watery laugh, wiping under one eye. “We heard. I think half of Eungam-dong heard.”

Your smile slowly crept up and stayed on your face.

“They were proud. I could barely get a word in. My mom wouldn’t stop crying either.”

“Yeah, well… I was scrolling on Instagram. You were on everyone’s stories. Even Aheyon’s…” she puffed her cheeks.

“Ahyeon?” you perked up.

“She posted that kick you did. Some hearts too, apparently.” 

“Wow, guess I went viral.” you muttered.

“Don’t let it get to your head, dummy.” she squinted at the screen.

“Too late. I might start charging for my autographs.” you laughed under your breath, leaning a bit closer to the camera.

“Better start practicing carrying my bag again.”

“Is that how you treat the national champion? Eungam-dong's hero? Personal bag boy? I caught the corners of your lips twitching by the way.” you grinned.

She scoffed, though her pink cheeks were already giving her away. 

“You didn’t see anything.”

“Don’t try to act cool now, Asa.”

She buried her face in her blanket for a moment before peeking out again, eyes narrowed. 

“You’re annoying.”

“You’re still here.” you said, leaning your cheek into your palm.

Not denying it, Asa rolled her eyes for a moment before speaking up again, this time softer.

“That thing you said. In the interview.” she murmured. “About school and everything.”

“Yeah,” you straightened slightly and your smile faded into something gentler.

“I mean it.”

She looked down a second and started tugging on a loose thread on her blanket. 

“Really?”

“Uh-huh, all of this is nice but… I miss being normal. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Coming back and living like a normal person might be what I want. Family, school, you.”

Asa went quiet at the last word, finger pausing on the thread.

“...You sound really sure.”

“I am.” you said. “I mean, taekwondo is nice. I’m proud of what I did. But I don’t want this to be my whole life. I want to go to uni too.”

She nodded, eyes not quite meeting yours. 

“I’m coming back, for real.”

A smile tugged her lips. 

“Well… you better.”

“Already got gifts for everyone. Your mom, your sisters… even your parents?” you grinned.

She raised an eyebrow. “And me?”

You leaned in just a little. 

“Of course. Saved you the best one.”

Her cheeks flushed again. 

“If it’s tacky, I’m not taking it.”

“You’ll love it.” you said “I found it while I was wandering around a temple. Don’t worry, not cursed.”

“You’re unbelievable.” she shook her hand, trying not to smile.

“And you’re still here.”

“Yeah, I am.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The airport was a blur of flashing lights and shouting voices. Cameras swarmed as soon as you stepped into the arrival hall, reporters calling your name, trying to get a quote or a smile, anything. You bowed, gave a few short answers then made a quiet exit - your mind was already far from the noise. By the time the car pulled into your neighborhood, the air felt calmer. Familiar. There were yours and Asa’s houses standing side by side, like always.

Your mom was already outside before the car fully stopped, rushing over to hug you tight, tears coming up again. Your dad followed right after, full of pride but trying to play it cool. You dragged your bags through the gate, the weight of the medal still slung on your backpack. 

“I got gifts.” you said with a grin, stepping into the house.

There were boxes with everyone - your family and Asa’s. Neatly wrapped, hand picked too.

“Uhm, that one’s for Asa’s parents.” you told your mom, “This one’s for Chisa-noona… Lisa-noona too.”

She smiled knowingly. 

“And Asa?”

You held up a box, wrapped a little neater than the others. “This one is for her. She’s still at school, right?”

Your dad checked his watch. “Should be getting out soon.” 

You nodded, heart already picking up a little. You were home, but it wouldn’t feel complete without her

“Oh, let me show you guys the medal”

…

 [준혁선배🥋]

hey 

come over

im home now

The moment Asa got home from school and saw your message, she froze mid-step in front of her front door. Her heat jumped, she hadn’t even taken off her shoes before she spun around and rushed out the gates. She paused at your gates, trying to smooth her hair with one hand awkwardly. The gate opened before she could ring the bell.

“Ah, Asa-yah” your mom greeted her warmly. “You just got back from school?”

Asa nodded, a little breathless. 

“Uhm, hi, Ms. Joonhyuk texted me.”

Your mom chuckled softly, stepping aside. 

“He’s in his room. Go on.”

She nodded, bowing slightly as she stepped inside, her ears were red. She made her way upstairs, foot tapping quietly against the floor. When she reached your door, she hesitated for a second before knocking once and peeking in. You looked back from your desk, surprised - then grinned the moment she saw you. 

“Asa-”

You barely got time to stand before she buried her face against your chest. 

“You’re back.” she mumbled, voice muffled and uneven.

You smiled, arms closing around her without thinking. 

“Of course I’d come home, dummy. Did you miss me or something?”

Asa didn’t answer, not with words anyway. Her fingers gripped the back of your shirt a little tighter. After a moment, she pulled back just slightly, cheeks flushed but eyes brighter than before. 

“I thought you weren’t coming until the weekend…”

“I mean, I miss home so…” you said, reaching down for something in your desk drawers. She blinked as you pulled out a neatly wrapped box tied with a red string.

“What’s this?”

“For you.” you held it out. “I picked it out myself. Took me forever to decide.”

She hesitated then took it with both hands, carefully unwrapping it. Inside was a soft polka-dot scarf made from traditional silk, dyed in a delicate shade of black - and folded underneath it was a small jade pendant, pale green with flecks of white, the cord still looped neatly.

“I got the scarf at a traditional market near the lake. Thought the colors suited you,” you said, watching her expressions carefully. 

“The pendant’s from a temple. The monk said it’s for protection. A lot more in Mandarin but you know… I don’t speak Mandarin but I explained more to him with Google Translate and he just gave it to me, saying it would be nice giving this to someone special. I figured… uh, you could use it when I’m… not around.”

Asa didn’t say anything at first. Her eyes stayed on the contents of the box, fingers gently brushing over the silk, then the smooth surface of the jade. You could see her swallowing once, lips parting as if to speak - but nothing came out. 

“There’s one more thing…uh, I’ll show the medal later.”

You reached down your backpack, this time pulling out a tiny, carefully wrapped bundle of paper.

“This one was harder. I had to really ask around, got pointed to this tiny shop like three alleys away. The guy didn’t even have a sign outside.”

Inside was a delicate wooden hairpin - dark lacquered wood with a small porcelain flower at the end, a faint pink glaze catching the light.

“I really had to ask if girls with short hair could use this, and it cost a bit too. But as soon as I saw it, I just thought of you, so… worth it”

Asa stared at it - completely still. Her fingers hovered for a second before gently picking it up, as if she was afraid it might break just by touch. The soft pink simmered faintly as she turned it in her hand. 

“You’re so cheesy…” her voice trembled.

“Yeah, I know.”

She then set the hairpin carefully on your desk and looked back up at you. Her cheeks were already warm, eyes glassy. Then, without a word, she leaned in. Her lips pressed gently to your cheeks - soft, lingering just a second too long to be anything casual. Her hands touching your sleeves, grounding her. When she pulled away, she murmured.

“...Welcome, home.”

 You felt the heat rise in your face, warm and deep. You just smiled - wide, full and a little breathless before whispering back.

“It’s good to be back.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

2024

The months that followed settled into an easy rhythm - long afternoons, late sunsets, the kind of warmth that lingered in the air and on your skin. Summer crept in without warning. School was waiting - the teachers had started dropping the word 수능* more and more, and study groups were forming whether you liked it or not. But the pressure hadn’t fully arrived yet. Not really. There was still time to breathe. And somehow, between mock exams and hakwon, things between you and Asa had never been easier.

*수능/suneung: a standardised test to enter universities in korea.

Neither of you had confessed - but everyone knew. Your classmates, the teachers, even random second-years passing by in the hallway. The way your desks drifted closer during break. The way she always saved a seat for you without asking. The way you always waited by the front gate, even if she was five minutes late. You shared notes, earbuds, hoodies… Fought over ice cream flavors and countless other stupid stuff. Argued about who was slacking off more - even though both of you were doing just fine. Some evenings, you’d sit on the steps between your houses, books closed, letting the atmosphere settle in while she leaned against your shoulder. She never said much in those moments, but she didn’t need to. You guys never said much in those moments, didn’t need to. It wasn’t labeled. It didn’t have to be. Whatever this was - it was steady, real, and quietly yours.

-

One summer afternoon, on your quiet 18th birthday, there was no birthday party, no cake, no noise- just like you asked for since you wanted to celebrate after Suneung - just the steady hum of the AC and Asa sitting cross-legged on your bedroom floor. She was wearing one of your old t-shirts that she stole during her daily visits to study together. You were leaning on the chair, stretching now and then, tapping a pencil against your desk. It was simple, nice and exactly how you wanted to spend the day. Hours passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the soft shuffling of paper, the occasional sigh and your usual teasing. Then somewhere between mock exam questions and shared gummies, the conversation drifted - the way it always did in summer.

“We didn’ really talk about this. What are you thinking for uni?”

Asa blinked, unsure but lowering her pen. “You first?”

You shrugged. “Yonsei. Computer engineering, probably. I’ve been interested in stuff like this since I was a kid, it just feels right - I guess.”

She stared at you for a moment then let out a tiny, breathy laugh.

“What’s so funny, dummy?” you asked, glancing over at her.

“I was going to say Yonsei, too.” Asa replied, lips curling into a smile. “Design major. They’ve got a good program. Fashion design and all that.”

You turned in your chair to face her fully. “You’re serious?”

She nodded, twirling her pen between her fingers. “Dead serious.”

Your brows lifted slightly. 

“So we’re… doing this again?”

“Don’t say it like that, dummy. Plus we aren’t even sure if we are in yet.”

You leaned back in your chair, a grin tugging at the corner of your lips.

“I mean, still. Out of all the schools.”

Asa shrugged, trying to play it cool but you could see the happiness in the way her cheeks got pink. 

“It’s a good school.”

“Same school.”

“You make it sound like I plan it in advance.”

“Didn’t you?” you gave her a look.

“Just shut up.” she scoffed, tossing a highlighter at you.

You caught it easily, chuckling. Then your voice softened.

“It’s been like… years now, huh? We’re both 18 now. Feels weird.”

Asa blinked, her expressions shifting just a little - less teasing and now more thoughtful.

“Yeah” she murmured. “We were dumb teenagers when I first moved in. Now we’re… almost not.”

You smiled faintly, then pushed back from your desk and slowly slid down from your chair to the floor beside the floor. She looked surprised, pausing her pen mid-air.

“What are you doing?”

You sat cross-legged facing Asa, the soft hum of the AC filling the quiet between you.

“I don’t know. Feels like I should be on your level for this. Feels like I should’ve done this a long time ago too.”

“For what?” she asked cautiously.

Before she could make another smart remark, you scooted closer and reached up gently, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. Your fingers lingered there, lightly playing with the ends. Asa’s eyes darted to yours, startled. 

You took a breath and finally said.

“I’ve liked you since back then.” 

“Since you moved in. Since the day I took you around the neighborhood and since we walked together to school.”

Her breath caught but she didn’t move away.

“And I guess I just… never stopped. Somewhere along the way, I think I started to love you. Maybe you knew already but…” you smiled. “I want to say it properly now. Enami Asa, I love you.”

Asa didn’t speak. So you gave her a second, your thumb still gently brushing against the edge of her short hair. Then, softly - like it had been waiting all this time - she whispered, 

“I knew, dummy.”

You met her eyes now.

“Still needed to say it. Like out loud, officially.” 

The two of you held your gaze for a second longer - quiet, with years worth of feelings now  all out in the air. Then your hand slowly moved to cup her cheek, fingers light against her soft skin. Steady, like you’d decided a long time ago and now the moment finally caught up. And when your lips met hers - it felt like everything. Familiar, new, gentle and completely real.

Asa didn’t pull back. Her eyes fluttered closed, and for a second, everything else - school, exams, even the fact it was your birthday - just faded. It was just Asa and you.

You pulled back, slowly just enough to see her face - her eyes were still closed, cheeks flushed, lips slightly parted in disbelief.

“That was…” she blinked, breath catching. You didn’t let her finish. Instead, you leaned in again to steal another kiss, this one slower, maybe just a tad bit deeper. Your hand was still cupping her cheek, thumb brushing softly beneath her eye. When you pulled away, you rested your forehead gently against hers, grinning now.

“Had to do it again.” you whispered. “To memorize the taste of your lips.”

She blinked, dazed. “What?”

“MyChew?” you tilted your head slightly. “That gummies brand you like?”

You paused a bit for effect. “Peach, right?”

Her eyes widened as the realization hit - then she smacked your shoulder, face burning.

“Why would you say that in the middle of this?”

You laughed softly, nose brushing hers. “I knew it. Don’t try to deny. You’ve been snacking while I was focused.”

Asa groaned and buried her face in your shoulder, her fist lightly hitting your chest now. 

“You’re the worst.”

“Yet, you kissed me back.”

She groaned again. A beat then passed, you leaned back just slightly, grinning.

“Yah, what about my birthday gift?”

Asa peeked up at you - still red, still flustered, still beautiful, now yours - and pointed wordlessly toward her tote bag sitting at the edge of your bed. 

“There.” she mumbled. “It’s in there.”

You turned your head to glance at it, then back at Asa, raising a brow.

“One last kiss before I open it.” you whispered, tone light but serious. “Before my parents come knocking and catch us.”

“Joonhyuk-ah!” her eyes widened.

But you were already leaning in again, smiling. 

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

2025

You went through it all, the hakwon grind, the pressure. And when Suneung came and went, you held your breath together. In early December, the results came. You had finally made it - Yonsei, together. Your hard work had paid off, and now you and Asa were going to the same university, just like fate wanted.

You two hadn’t told your families that you were officially together yet. Not in words, anyway. But both sides were starting to suspect - too much eye contact, too many quiet walks home, and the way you and Asa always seemed to know what the other was thinking. 

To celebrate, both families planned a joint trip - a weekend getaway to Jeonju, full of traditional houses, cozy alleys, and cafes, food stalls lined with delicious treats. Now, in the van heading south, you and Asa were squeezed together on the back seat, an iPad propped up between you two. You two were scrolling through Instagram and Tiktok - looking at cafes, hidden hanok spots and food must-tries, bookmarking places. Asa was leaning her head on your shoulder.

“Ooh, look at this one.” Asa tapped the screen. 

“They do those layered lattes with some kind of weird foam.”

You leaned in, squinting. 

“You just want it for the glass cup. You’re gonna take a few photos and forget about the drink.”

Asa elbowed you lightly. 

“Shut up. Do you want to go or not?”

“Of course.” you admitted, grinning.

From the front, you two could hear Ms. Keiko whispering something to your mom, followed by a round of giggles. Asa gave you a side eye. 

“They’ve been whispering about us since we left Seoul.”

“Maybe they’re finally figuring it out.” you said without looking up.

“Well…” her cheeks turned faintly pink. “They don’t know anything.” “Does it really matter?” you smiled, nudging her knee with yours. “So, which one are we hitting?”

-

That night, after a long day of sightseeing, souvenir shopping, and taking too many awkward family group photos, both of your families gathered at a traditional restaurant tucked in an alleyway lit by warm lanterns. Laughter echoed across the table, parents chatted like they couldn’t talk at home, Asa’s sisters had gone quiet, full from the food. Then, after the dishes were cleared and tea was poured, Asa leaned toward her mom with puppy eyes.

“Can we go out for a bit? Me and Joonhyuk? Just the two of us. There’s a cafe nearby we saw earlier.”

Ms. Keiko raised an eyebrow, glanced briefly at your parents - who were already half smiling.

“You’ll be back by ten.” she said.

Asa nodded, already standing. You stood too, grabbing your jacket. 

“We won’t be long, Ms.” you said.

Your moms exchanged looks - the one that said they knew but chose not to say anything about it.

-

As you two wandered into the soft, golden, evening light of Jeonju’s quiet streets - Asa turned heads, and not only yours. 

She wore a short, white dress that hugged her figure just enough, the fabric catching the warm glow from lanterns above. The delicate cap sleeves and ruched bodice gave Asa a soft, vintage charm - but it was the black polka-dot skinny scarf tied around her neck that made the look hers. Elegant, a little playful but full of meaning. You couldn’t help but smile like an idiot.

“You’re wearing the scarf.”

Asa gave you a small nod, not looking at you right away. 

“Of course, my boyfriend bought it for me… when he won a gold medal in China.”

“I’m still not used to you calling me that yet.” you let out a small laugh.

“Maybe I should start calling you ‘my boyfriend’ more often.” she teased. 

The gift you’d picked out after wandering the streets of Hangzhou for what felt like hours now sat perfectly against her collarbone, swaying lightly with each step. You walked side by side through the quiet streets, rooftops outlined against the beautiful sky of Jeonju. The air had cooled since sunset, just enough to make her shiver without realizing it. Before she could say anything, you had already slipped off your jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“I’m fi-”

“No, you’re shivering.” you smiled. “Just take it. I’m fine.”

She didn’t argue now. Just smiled faintly and clutched the jacket around herself tighter. A few steps later, she reached down and gently laced her fingers into yours.

“You’ve been staring.” she said, eyes forward but her smile tugged at her lips.

“You wore that dress on purpose,” you replied, squeezing her hands. “And it’s working.”

“I know, you’re head over heels for me.” she added, tilting her chin up smugly - but her red ears gave her away.

“Since when are you full of yourself?”

“You’re the one staring, ‘boyfriend’.”

You didn’t deny it.

By the time you arrived at the cafe - a traditional style place with glowing lighting and soft romantic music spilling out the door. The sky now had dipped into soft purples and navy blues. The scent of roasted beans and sweet desserts welcomed you in. You ordered for the both of you as Asa went ahead and grabbed a window seat, slightly hidden behind a bookshelf. The cafe was warm and the sound of ‘Romance Symphony’ by Jay Park, Big Naughty and Changmo was playing through old wooden speakers. The song settled in the air softly, giving you and Asa a cinematic kind of softness.

Asa sipped her drink quietly while looking out the window, one hand still wrapped in your jacket sleeve.

“This place is nice.” she said, chin in her palm. “I could stay here for hours.”

You grinned. “Careful. Your mom would kill me.”

She was smiling again, the kind that softened her face. The beat dipped along with the clinking of mugs and cafe chatter. Then, her eyes lit up. She leaned in a bit, pressing her nose to the window and scanning a connected gallery room to the left.

“Wait. Look in there.”

You followed her gaze. There was another space behind the window - great lighting, expensive looking wood and a mural stretched across the back wall. A low bench sat beneath it, clearly meant for photos.

Her head tilted slightly, lips pouting. 

“Can you take a few pictures for me there, please?”

You smiled. “You know I can never say no to you, Asa-ah”.

She stood up, tugging you lightly with her hand. 

“C’mon. While no one’s in there.”

You followed her into the next room. Asa then stepped in front of the mural and turned back to you before taking off your jacket. The lights above framed her perfectly, casting a glow over her short hair and highlighting the soft sway of the scarf at her neck. Her dress fluttered a bit when she moved. She posed effortlessly while you were trying to focus on snapping pictures and showering her with praises.

“Okay, let me see.” 

She crossed the short distance back to you and leaned close, her hand on your wrist as she scrolled through the shots with her eyes lit up.

If you want, I can be your Mozart and Brahms

If you want, I can be your Yuki, Yiruma

The song kept playing in the background, while you and Asa were in your own world.

“These are good…” she said. “I look pretty.”

“My girlfriend always looks pretty.” you said easily.

If you want, can I be your 창모?

몰랐겠지만 나 형 랩 잘 따라 불러

Asa looked up, maybe about to give a smart remark on your compliment when your hands found her waist, guiding her closer. And then, without a word, you kissed her. 

The music, the mural, the whole world faded behind you and Asa.

If you want, I can be your Dok2 and the Quiett

If you want 말해 뭐해, 다 돼 주고파요

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

yayy!!! my debut series/fic is finally done!!! thank u so much for the support along the way. i really hope u guys like the ending. all that talk was just for fun lol, i hate angst

i wrote the ending while i was listening to romance symphony and scrolling through those pics of asa lol

[savanir]

Ghost Writer planned on just leaving that brat Phantom and his two living friends to muck about in that other universe for a short thirty years or so. Twenty if he was feeling generous.

But things get rapidly more complicated when after a week he has time to reorganise the comic section and sees that the comic pile the brats left has multiplied.

Upon closer inspection he sees several new solo runs he didn't know about, a few team ups. A brand new justice league dark series called Spectral Designs.

He picks the last one up and flips through it. He quickly realises that the series is trying to explain the sudden appearance of Phantom and his friends.

He mutters under his breath, "- as seen in Tech Pharaoh, Kobra attacks nr.4... see Poison Ivy special, the Rot returns... Greta meets Phantom for the first time when she was on Apokolips? Since when!?"

He zips over to the cabinets and goes through the series still stored there.

"Wh- they're changing the past!"

The entrance doors of his library slam open and Skulker stalks in with Ember happily trotting besides him. She's probably here to check out any new music records. But this does give Ghost Writer the opportunity to vent so he floats over to do so, complaining on and on about that brat Phantom to Skulker, if someone understands its him.

Only, he looks incredibly confused.

"Who're you talking about... Phantom?"

Ember looks up from her own stuff, "isn't he like a comic book character?"

Skulker shrugs, "I don't read comics"

"You don't read period, did the writers do something stupid in his story or something book nerd?"

Ghost Writer flounders, "are you two trying to prank me? Phantom, Danny Phantom, the halfa, brat menace, the one you want to skin."

Both of them look at him like he's finally lost it. Or well, lost it more than before that is.

For a hot minute he thinks about checking with Walker. If anyone knows about Phantom and won't try to prank him about it it's him. But then he remembers that Walker hates his guts since the Christmas thing.

"Screw this! Out of my library, I have something important to do!"

His haunt pushes the two now unwanted guests out and Ghost Writer rushes off in a direction no sane ghost would head into under any other circumstances.

Unless they were Phantom...

Gah! Why does it always become a gigantic mess when that brat is involved!

The clock tower looms dark and ominously over him.

The entire place fills him with dread. The ticking and clicking of the clocks and their gears seem threatening somehow.

Ghost Writer carefully peeks into the inner sanctum area where one lone ever shifting Ghost floats.

"Uhm.."

"I know why you're here," his voice echoes through the room.

Ah, he's not happy...

"So it's not a prank?"

Side eye from the ancient of time? Ghost Writer shrinks a little. He's really not happy.

"As you have seen things are already shifting to accommodate what happened."

"So how do we-" cough, "- how do I fix this?"

Clockwork looms over Ghost Writer who shrinks even further, "all is as it should be, your punishment will be remembering and living with the regret."

Ghost Writer makes a meek little eep noise before fleeing and Clockwork floats back to one of his mirrors.

Danny is currently going through one hell of a space adventure on New Genesis with the new gods there after wrecking his way through Apokolips and fleeing the place.

On new Genesis Lightray and Orion are assigned to keep an eye on him and figure him out and while Danny and Lightray get along like a house on fire, Orion couldn't be more moody about the situation if he tried.

Clockwork sighs, things could be worse.

The DC universe has clearly taken a liking to Danny and his friends and is going out of its way to accommodate them.

Still... he's already gotten a visit from a sulky yeti and a furious amazonian. It's surprising that the observants haven't shown up to complain yet. Though, they might think this is a good development.

Either way, it's only a matter of time before someone else does something universe shifting, Daniel has that kind of effect on people after all.

DP x DC Prompt [31]

"That's it! I've had it with you lot!!" Ghost Writer screeches as he sees the mess Danny and his friends made of his library's comic section. Batman's detective series strewn about, action comics in every direction, secret six, suicide squad, doom patrol, the outsiders. Its like a DC-splosion.

"Whoa man, we'll put them back, no need to-"

"You pests need what's called in the comic world-"

And a massive ominous glowing N52 starts hovering above Ghost Writer "-a reboot!"

"No wait- stop!"

But the three of them get slammed with the letter and numbers the size of a truck before they can do anything else and they get tossed right in the middle of the latest DC universe ending crisis.

[willwasnotfound]

Other kind of demon

Hello everyone, here goes the next part of this little thing I started, again, thank you sm for the love u all give me, it means a lot to me, rlly!

Again, English is not my first language, so any error of grammar can happen in here lol

Chapter 1

More singing demons.

Y/N stood quietly in there, the men weren't moving, it was like they were analyzing her, searching for something. She was not scared, she could easily run away from them with whatever they tried.

"You're not a human." One with black hair said, it was hard to know that they were different since they were wearing the same clothes, almost as a uniform, the only thing that made them different, was their hair.

"Wow, you deserve an award, you just discovered gravity." Y/N rolled her eyes, demons tend to point out obvious things, but please, they still seemed humans.

"Why are you here? I thought Gwi-Ma just let us out." He spoke again, the other four just stared, as if they couldn't talk.

"Gwi-Ma sent you?" The man nodded, making Y/N roll her eyes, it was probably a bad thing that they were there. "May I know for what?"

The man whit lavender hair growled— literally, getting a slight jump from the girl, he looked more human, but why was he acting like a dog?

"You're not one of us, are you?" One with pink long hair spoke up after that for Y/N's surprise.

"Why would you say that?" She turned around to look that the men started to get closer to her.

"He doesn't trust you, and he don't usually gets agressive with demons." He said again.

"I mean, the 'usually' is key." She shrugged, until she felt a hand on her shoulder, it was the first man that talked to her.

He wasn't dead, she felt that, but still, she noticed some vague memories return to her, making her push him away.

"Interesting, your patterns didn't show up." Oh, so it was for that.

"You're the traitor!" The other pink haired man laughed, grabbing her arm with a grin. "Gwi-Ma will probably do us more favors if we bring you back."

She stayed still, quiet, thinking. She needed to stop remembering, to scape or this men will probably be a problem.

She quickly turned her own body into a shadow, disappearing from the men's gaze to only go to the rooftop of a near house, watching them, her eyes shining, not with gold, instead with a shade of blue.

"What makes you think I would let you bring me back to Gwi-Ma?" She chuckled, the 5 men, concerned about where was she, searched for her, the first one to find her was the one with blue hair, moving to also be on the same rooftop.

"You're weird, how could you even leave Gwi-Ma?" The man started to fight with his claws, useless against the shadows surrounding him, but he was trying.

"Long story, why are you here?" The others quickly joined the 'fight', amusing to Y/N's eyes, since they were trying to get rid of literal shadows.

"Souls, what else." The black haired one said. "And for the hunters, of course."

"Ohh, I get it, he sent me with a similar reason." She maked the shadows disappear, making the one with pink short hair fall as he tried to reach one. "You do know he probably won't do whatever he told you, right?"

"It probably didn't work for you because you never returned." The blue haired chuckled, looking that their friend that was still on the ground.

"Well, there are other ways to survive." She made presence again, her full demon form showing up. "I could show you."

The more demons souls she consumed, the more powerful she got, it was a win-lose situation. She could kill them more easily, at the cost of the voices, she didn't like it, but it was what it was.

The men stepped backwards, doubting about the truth of her words.

"She is a danger for our species." Gwi-Ma told them before letting them be on the human world. "She betrayed us, is one of the hunters, never trust her, I made the mistake to make her powerful, more than I should have."

"You're a traitor to the demons, why should we hear you?" The one that she started to assume was the leader asked.

"That's probably something Gwi-Ma made up so demons won't hear me." She was cut mid sentence.

"He said you're with the hunters too."

Oh well, that wasn't a lie at all.

"Well, that might be true." She hummed, crossing her arms. "But I got rid of the voices, and I think that's not betrayal, it's just- being freed."

"If you're whit the hunters, why would you help us?" The long pink haired one spoke again.

"You are still humans." Her gaze darted to the lavender hair. "At least you still look like ones."

A silence stayed in the place, until the leader spoke up again.

"We're here to do a boy band and get the fans from Huntrix, to destroy the Honmoon." He muttered, her body changing to his human form, being followed by the others.

"As I said, Gwi-Ma send me for the same thing, and that's how I got freed." She did the same, returning to be a human. "If you want to know how, just let me know."

With that, a 'puff' sound appeared and she disappeared, back in an alley, finally letting out her breath, like she wasn't even breathing back with damn.

This could go both horribly wrong or absolutely great.

Hi hello, I’m badly obsessed with Abby now that I think about it, anyway, here my friends, eat, eat

(Idk if this all makes sense)

Taglist: @just-set-things-on-fire, @gremlinartstudio, @amery-benson-cvii, @latisthegenderfluidwannabealone, @katzline, @megunian

[lightfromthelostland]

Okay, everyone, I went down the The Pitt to ER pipeline rabbit hole and I Need to talk about the Carter Family Dynamics and specifically the elements raised by Chase Carter. I'm gonna be calling Carter John even though it's weird because everyone in this post is a Carter, haha.

Firstly, the situation with Carter's parents is a lot. His mom's multi-episode arc clearly shows that she basically got trapped in the moment that Bobby died, and she seems to resent the fact that John didn't get stuck there too. "You were exactly where you've been my entire life - you were somewhere else" is brutal but apparently factually accurate if his parents couldn't be bothered to come see him for three weeks after he was literally almost murdered by a patient. Like, my parents have way fewer resources to work with and they would be there in absolute minimum amount of travel time were something like that to happen to me. I did see some comment the other day about it being sexist that John is more willing to forgive his dad's screwups than his mom's but, friends, "she was disappointed in you as a father and as a man" is a hell of a thing to say to your father about his recently deceased mother, if you have forgiven that man for his absentee parenting. I think the continued contact with his dad was more a feature of his father making a decision to at least try to change and continuing to show up, while his mother continued to do what she (they) had always done before, which is hiding from the feelings.

But. That thing John says to his dad comes after his grandmother skips right over his dad - and any other relatives who might have a claim - and leaves the entirety of the Carter family fortune (and the ancestral home) in John's control. Which brings me to my main point, which is - the Carter Family Dynamics are real weird, and nothing makes that clearer than the introduction of Chase Carter.

So. The Carter Family is super rich and they have a lot of built-in expectations with that, as rich people often do. For this reason, John has received a great deal of disapproval for his pursuit of a career in medicine, which is bizarre from the perspective of us normal people, for whom a doctor in the family would be something to be proud of. He gets cut off from the family money for a while because he wants to continue to pursue it without them holding anything over his head. His grandmother repeatedly tries to talk him out of it. Chase says he's pretty much the only family member with a career outside of the family holdings, and as such, he's something of the black sheep of the family - or is he?

When Chase shows up, he makes it very clear that John is the Anointed One. He's the one that John Carter Sr. has always wanted to take over when the time comes. And apparently, this is still the case despite his medicine based rebellion. And that's weird for a number of reasons.

Firstly, let's talk about the rest of the Carter family. As previously mentioned, John's dad is very much alive. Logically, he would be the first choice to take over, you'd think. But beyond that, John had an older brother. He has at least one cousin (Douglas) that we know for absolutely certain is older than him, and personally, I interpreted Chase as being older as well, though not by much. He also, maybe, has an older sister who we never met and who may or may not exist. (As far as I can remember from my binge watch, the only mention of her is when he tells Benton that his parents are visiting her for Thanksgiving, prior to Benton inviting him to his family dinner. My personal headcanon is that she doesn't actually exist and he was just covering the fact that his parents couldn't be bothered to be around for the holidays.) In a family dynasty like this, the older boys would seem like the prime candidates, and yet.

Also, this is a good time to talk about how these older boys make John's name kind of weird. Even if you ignore Chase and Douglas as not being in the Main Line, Bobby still exists! Why is the second born son the one that got The Third-ed? I saw something in a fic speculating that the choice was an attempt to curry favor by John's parents, which would make some sense, but also implies the presence of significant dysfunction in the family even before John was born, let alone before Bobby died. I have questions!

SO. It is strange that John would be the Chosen Grandson, purely from a dynastic standpoint. Now, on the other hand, I love John Truman Carter III with my whole heart, and he demonstrates throughout the show that he is a) very smart b) very capable of setting a difficult goal and following through on it even the face of opposition (ironic that this trait that makes him a desirable heir is Also the reason that they're frustrated with him) and c) able to turn on the social graces and charm the general public in the specific way that the family wants. I can see how they would focus on him based on personality but there is still his dad! Who even the younger generation (as spoken through Chase) is ignoring as a stepping stone at best and a non-candidate at worst for inheriting Head of the Family status.

And that's not even getting into the way John seems to have simply supplanted his father in his grandparents' affections. John has a room in the house and feels comfortable adding a home gym without discussing it with his grandmother. John is the one who has a giant portrait of him hanging in the foyer (yes I know from a Doylesian perspective this is for the giggles of Anna and Carol stumbling across it, but like, that painting is canonically there). John's parents stay in a hotel rather than at the house when they're in town for Senior's funeral. John is the one who handles Gamma's home care after her accident, and the one who goes for a drive with her after Senior's funeral, and the one she leaves all the money to. He's the one being recruited to hand out checks at benefits even though he still hasn't given up his day job. There's a lot going on!

Anyway, clearly I have a lot of feelings about this, TLDR: Carter family dynamics are seriously whack.

Please discuss.

[shake-back]

Choshoe! pt 2

brat tamer! Choso x reader

Warnings: Uhhh smuttt, mommy k1nk, reader being mean and soft and CHoso doing the same and yeah ^^

A/N: I'm writing pt.2 to this! by request ;)) Let's see how long Choso can hold this mean demeanor for...

As you stand there wondering where the hell he stormed off to because; surely he wasn't going back to the beach after that embarrassing moment, Choso was storming down the hall to the elevator, ears and cheeks flushed.

How could he even begin to speak to you like that? What has gotten into him? And more importantly, why was it turning him on? So many questions in his young mind <3

So he did the only thing that he could think to do at the moment. He stepped off the elevator, made his way to the family bathroom, on the first floor and locked the door.

Sitting down on the chair that was in the room, he pulled down his swim trunks carefully, letting his cock flop out, hitting the happy trail on his stomach. Just from his own touch, precum started to dribble out, the fat red swollen tip looking angry that it had to wait so long. He started to pump fast, not even trying to ease into it, because he was already so close.

The thought of you being so mean, so defiant did things to his mind that he would oh so gladly admit to you if you only asked. He closed his eyes and let out a whimper, his face contouring at the thought of the sound you made not even 5 minutes ago. That was all he needed to get him off, ropes of white spilling from within. He let out a breath.

Maybe i'll just sit in here for a little while...

Meanwhile, you had cooled down by now from the whole situation as best as you could, getting in the shower, and applying sunscreen to the sunburn you had gotten from earlier. The group chat texted.

Geto: hey bdsm warriors, we're going to dinner at the place downstairs in the hotel.

Gojo: Come or don't come. Actually, don't come you two take too much attention away from what's important

Me ✨

You turned off your phone and got up before they started arguing about Gojo's problem of being self absorbed. Going through your suitcase, you decided on a simple black sundress with some sandals, nothing too fancy. You weren't planning on reminding Choso about the dinner, after all, he has his own phone, so you head downstairs without him.

You see everyone gathered around at the front but him. Shoko starts first.

"Where's Choso, aren't you two supposed to be glued to the hip?" You shrug. "I haven't seen him since earlier but i'm sure he'll be fine, probably in a corner crying somewhere." You say, nonchalantly. "We don't have to wait, I can order for him." You say, and everybody agrees."

Meanwhile

Choso fell asleep in the bathroom :( he just couldn't help that the thought of you made him feel so good. He pulls his phone out of his pocket to make sure nothing important happened. First thing that pops are the group chat notifications, most of them being pointless bickering; everybody vs. Gojo. Then he sees that you guys were meeting for dinner almost an hour ago. Chos curses himself. Flaccid cock still hanging out of his swim trunks, he rushes to tuck it back in and go upstairs to freshen up & change, hoping that everyone's still down at dinner.

Not wanting to wait on the elevator, he bounds up the stairs and rushes to get to the room. As he opens the door, he sees you already getting ready for bed. He doesn't say anything as he gently closes the door. You turn to look at him, expression unreadable. He walks up to you.

"So you just not gonna say nothing? After leaving me by myself all this time?" You say, the usual brat attitude returning. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Can we not do this tonight-"

"We didn't have to do anything if you just showed up to dinner like you were supposed to. Actually, this could've all been avoided if you just remember the sunscreen, but no it's always some shit with you Choso." You say as you slam down your phone. You start to walk towards the bed. "I swear I don't get a day off.." You trail on about all the wrong Choso does as he walks up behind you.

He wraps his arms around your waist, and falls on top of you onto the bed. "You talk so fucking much you know that? I wish you would just shut the fuck up sometimes." He whines as he starts to grind up on you. "I want to be a good boy for you so bad but you make it so damn hard." His pace gets faster. "You make it so hard." He unwraps his arms from you and pushes himself up so that he's standing, with you still bent over.

"Only time you silent is when you about to get dick. Such a slut." His hands quickly pull up you dress, and his fingers push your panties to the side so that they can find your slit. "You're already fucking wet and nothing even happened. Nasty." You whimper and push yourself back onto his fingers. He gives you what you want as his thick rough fingers push their way inside you, but he goes at an agonizingly slow rate.

"ffuck Choso please I-I need more papa" You say, trying to make him go faster. He pulls his fingers out and meanly slaps your clit. You whine out. "You don't deserve shit so take what the fuck i'm giving you." He says. He slides his fingers back, pumping them at the same speed he was before, making your mind numb, drooling from you mouth, not even being able to make words just incoherent noises.

Soon you start to feel the knot in your stomach trying to get out, and you arch your back. "Ch-choso i'm almost their fuck i'm so closee" Why you said that, you don't know because he pulled his fingers out, and you moan from the sudden lack of pleasure. "Chosooo"

"Shut the fuck up. Didn't I just tell you that?' He flips you over and pulls down his shorts just enough to free his throbbing cock, picking you up by your hips. Instinctively, you wrap your legs around his waist. He uses one hand to guide his cock inside your weeping hole. You shudder at the feeling of his thick length stretching inside you.

As soon as he bottoms out, he grabs your hips to bounce you up and down at a brutal pace. You cry out.

"Mghh fuck Choso! Slow the fuck down it's touching my spot!" You use what little strength you had to try and run from it, but he just got even worse. "Nah, this yo fucking punishment mamas. All that bitching and complaining you be doing now take this shit don't run from it. This is what you wanted, isn't it?" He looks you dead in the eye. The only thing that came out were unholy moans, your mouth in a 'o'-shape. In his eyes, you looked beautiful like this, that look almost enough to send him over the edge.

He walks you back over to the bed, laying you down and putting you in a monstrous mating press. He leans down to give a sloppy wet kiss. "Ffuck fuck fuck mommy fuck I love when you make that face, I love you so much fuckk" He babbles on, his spit getting all over your face as he moves towards your neck. "I'm bout to cum mommy fuck I can't hold it in i-i just can't I can't"

He whimpers, looking at you with pleading puppy eyes begging you for his release. "Yesss nut all inside Cho it's okayyy please just fuck me I'm so close!" That was all he needed, as soon as those words leave your mouth, he cums on command with you, sending his milky white streams inside of you, as you cover his cock in your slick. You smile drowsily up at him, cupping his face.

"Mmh that's my good boy." All his movements stop. "W-what..?" He looks down at you with the cutest fucked out face. "You were such a good boy f'me Cho, i'm so proud of you."

All other plans that he had go out the window as he immediately starts pounding inside of you. "Choso I just came i'm sensitive daddy please!" You put a hand to his stomach to try and stop his onslaught of thrusts. "Y-you can't just s-say stuff like that and expect me not to react." He says with teary eyes. "I need you so much i'm sorry I'm sorry I just can't your just to good-ah!" He cums inside you for a again, guilt plaguing his face. "I-I'm sorry you didn't even- I didn't I-" He stammers and stutters but you just pull him in for a kiss.

"It's okay cause baby I get off by getting you off first"

Yayyy its done I had fun writing this hope y'all like it cs I watched Pocoyo and The Octonauts while writing this chat I was NOT locked in 😭

[tinyshyteacup]

Taglist: @kellynickelsgirl00 @i-doutt-it @beth-isnt-home @darylandbethfanforever9 @brianna-merlim @pumpkinkpieandtomato @smashleywow @imadisneyprincessiswear @clementineslawyer @pandaofsilentdeath @dixonsbridexx @deerdaryl @imadisneyprincessiswear @staley83 @zombayyyyy @death-in-a-tar0t-card @straw--b3rry @capricxnt

----------------------------------------------------------

TW: cussing, Merle is well ... Merle, angst, walkers (Zombies), gaslighting, manipulation, kidnapping, beating, Canon level racism, threats, Woodbury, the Governor.

A/N: our sweet baby Glen is here! ❤️

Part 13

Between Brothers - Part 14

The Georgia sun was beating down mercilessly as Merle crouched behind a cluster of pine trees, sweat dripping from his brow despite the autumn chill in the air.

Woodbury had been good to him - regular meals, a roof over his head, and you safe behind those walls. But right now, tracking this sword-wielding bitch through the woods, he was remembering why he preferred the comfort of civilization.

Michonne. The Governor had been clear about what needed to happen. She'd killed their captive biters, destroyed months of research, and made the Governor look weak in front of his people.

Can't have that. Not when Woodbury was the closest thing to paradise left in this godforsaken world.

"Spread out," Merle called to his men, his voice carrying the authority he'd earned over the past months.

"She can't have gotten far. Woman's been bleeding like a stuck pig."

Governor's countin' on me, he thought with satisfaction. Merle Dixon, his right-hand man. That prissy little scientist didn't think much of the one-handed redneck when I first showed up. Now look who's running point on the important missions.

Tim and Crowley moved to his left, Garguilo to his right. Good men, all of them, but not half as mean as they needed to be for this kind of work. That was why the Governor sent Merle - because when things needed to get ugly, Merle Dixon wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

His knife-hand gleamed in the filtered sunlight.

Wonder what she's doing right about now, he mused as he tracked boot prints in the soft earth. Probably in that kitchen, humming some foreign tune while she cooks. Damn girlie's got me eating better than I have since before the world went to shit.

The thought of you waiting for him back in Woodbury, safe and warm in your shared apartment, made something possessive and fierce curl in his chest. You'd grown comfortable there, started smiling more, laughing at his crude jokes even when you where biting back at him for them.

Sometimes he could swear he caught you looking at him with something that might have been fondness, and it made him want to do stupid things like pull you close and taste that soft mouth of yours.

Focus, Dixon. Can't afford to be thinking with your dick when there's a samurai bitch loose in the woods.

A branch snapped behind him, and Merle spun around just in time to see Michonne emerge from the underbrush like some kind of avenging angel, katana already in motion. Tim's scream cut through the air as the blade opened his throat, blood spraying across the fallen leaves.

"Son of a bitch!" Merle raised his rifle, but she was already moving, fluid as water, deadly as sin. Crowley got off one shot before her sword found his chest, punching through ribs and organs like they were made of paper.

Garguilo was backing away, his face pale with terror. "Merle, we gotta go! We gotta get out of here!"

But Merle Dixon didn't run. Not from some uppity bitch with a fancy sword, not from nobody. "Stand your ground, you yellow-bellied piece of shit!"

Michonne's eyes locked on his, cold and calculating. She didn't say a word, just melted back into the forest like smoke, leaving two dead men and the metallic smell of blood hanging in the air.

"We're going back," Garguilo said, his voice cracking. "This is suicide, Merle. She's already killed half the search parties the Governor sent out."

Merle's jaw tightened. The Governor was counting on him, and more importantly, his reputation was on the line. Can't go back to Woodbury empty-handed, not when everyone was watching to see if the redneck could deliver.

A branch snapped behind him, and Merle spun around just in time to see Michonne emerge from the underbrush like some kind of avenging angel, katana already in motion. Tim's scream cut through the air as the blade opened his throat, blood spraying across the fallen leaves.

"Son of a bitch!" Merle raised his rifle, but she was already moving, fluid as water, deadly as sin.

The bitch moved like a damn ghost - reminded him why his lil' doe was smart to stay behind them walls where it was safe.

Crowley got off one shot before her sword found his chest, punching through ribs and organs like they were made of paper.

Damn sword-swingin' psycho. Governor's gonna owe me big time for this shit.

Garguilo was backing away, his face pale with terror, rifle shaking in his hands. "Merle, we gotta go! We gotta get out of here! This bitch is crazy!"

But Merle Dixon didn't run. Not from some uppity bitch with a fancy sword, not from nobody. "Stand your ground, you yellow-bellied piece of shit! She bleeds same as anybody else!"

It was sheer dumb luck that caused him to stop at that shopping center about twenty miles south. But when Merle spotted - Glen - loading supplies into a car with some brown-haired girl, everything changed.

Merle's heart had nearly stopped when he saw Glenn. The kid had been with Rick's group, which meant...

"Where's my baby brother?" Merle had demanded, emerging from cover with his knife-hand gleaming. "Where's Daryl?"

But Glenn and the girl - Maggie, she'd said her name was - had clammed up tighter than a tick's ass. Wouldn't tell him shit about Daryl, wouldn't even take him to see him. That's when Merle made a decision that would make the Governor proud.

"Y'all are comin' with me," he'd growled, gun trained on them both. "We're gonna have ourselves a little chat about my brother."

Now Glen sat tied to a chair in one of Woodbury's interrogation rooms, blood trickling from his nose where Merle had gotten a little enthusiastic with his questioning.

The kid had more balls than Merle remembered, talking back instead of spilling his guts about Daryl's whereabouts.

"You know, I was wondering when we'd run into each other again," Merle said, pacing slowly around the chair. He flexed his prosthetic hand, the metal fingers clicking together. "Last time I saw you, you were on that rooftop back in Atlanta. Left me there to die."

Glen kept his eyes forward, jaw clenched tight despite the blood on his lips.

"But I ain't one to hold grudges," Merle continued, his voice taking on a conversational tone that somehow made it more menacing. "Tell you what—let's catch up. How's T-Dog? Big ol' spear-chucker—where is old T-Dog?"

Merle circled the chair Glen was duct taped too once more the silver tape glinting in the flickering light. "I bet he'd like to bury the hatchet, let bygones be bygones."

Glen's face tightened, and for a moment something flickered in his eyes.

"He didn't make it," Glen said quietly, the words seeming to slip out before he could stop them.

Merle's grin turned cold and satisfied. "Well, I hope he went slow."

The words hung in the air like a slap. Glen's jaw clenched, his whole body tensing against the tape, and Merle saw the flash of anger he'd been waiting for. Without warning, Merle's good fist connected hard with Glen's cheek, snapping his head to the side.

"Aw, what's the matter?" Merle straightened up, chuckling. "You just reminiscing bout how you left me up there, screaming for help while walkers tore through the streets below. Funny how things come around, ain't it?"

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of Merle's boots on the concrete floor as he resumed his slow circle around the chair.

"Here's the thing, Glen—you always struck me as a decent enough kid before you helped screw me over—I need to know where my brother is. Now, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the fun way." Merle stopped directly in front of Glen, his good hand resting casually on his belt. "And trust me, you don't want to find out what the fun way looks like."

Glen finally looked up, meeting Merle's eyes with a defiance that surprised them both.

Merle's grin widened, showing too many teeth. "Well, well. Looks like the delivery boy grew himself a sack after all."

"It's just a matter of time before they come looking," Glen said, trying to sound confident despite the tape cutting into his wrists.

Merle grinned, wiping blood from his split knuckles. "I'll bake a cake with pink frosting. Would they like that? Ain't nobody coming."

"Rick is. And when he gets here..."

"He's gonna do nothing, not if he wants you and Bo Peep back." Merle jerked his head toward the wall separating this room from where Maggie was being held. "Think I'm in this by myself?"

Glen's jaw tightened. "You can't take us all. There's too many of us."

"There ain't a pair of nuts between the whole pussy lot of you," Merle sneered, enjoying the way Glen's face flushed with anger.

"We've been on the road, not hiding in some dungeon. Rick, Shane, Dale, Jim, Andrea."

Merle's smile widened at the obvious bluff. "Really? Is that right?"

That's when Glen lost his temper and head-butted him, catching Merle square in the nose with a sickening crunch. Stars exploded behind Merle's eyes, and he stumbled backward, blood streaming down his face.

"You sonofabitch!" Merle roared, and then his fist was flying, all his frustration and desperation pouring out in a flurry of violence. He needed to know about Daryl, and this punk was the only link he had.

The beating was methodical, professional. But Glen was tougher than he looked, taking hit after hit without giving up so much as Daryl's shoe size.

From the next room, Merle could hear muffled voices - the Governor working on Maggie with his own particular brand of persuasion.

Merle didn't think too hard about what that might entail. Not his business, and the Governor got results.

Kid's loyal, I'll give him that, Merle thought as he flexed his aching knuckles. But everybody's got a breaking point. Just gotta find his.

By the time the Governor emerged from the other room looking satisfied with his work, Merle's nose was definitely broken, his lip was split, but not wide enough to need stitches, and Glen still hadn't said a damn word about Daryl.

Merle spat blood onto the concrete floor as he exited the room, his vision still swimming slightly. He could swear he'd caught a glimpse of bare skin—a woman's back, maybe her shoulder—when the Governor had briefly opened that door, maybe the chinese kid had rattled his brains more than he'd thought. The Governor wouldn't... would he?

"Get them ready to move," the Governor said quietly. "Their people will come, and when they do, we'll be ready for them."

Merle nodded, still tasting blood. At least now they'd have leverage. Rick's group would come for their people - they were stupid enough to try something heroic - and maybe, just maybe, Merle would finally get to see his baby brother again.

The sun was setting by the time Merle made it back to the apartment, his body aching from the day's work.

He could hear you moving around inside, probably making dinner from whatever supplies the community had distributed that day.

The thought of your gentle hands and worried fussing almost made him smile through the pain.

He pushed through the door, trying to look casual despite the blood crusted on his face and the way his nose was definitely a bit crooked.

"Hey there, lil' doe," he called out, his voice slightly nasal from the swelling. "What's cookin', good lookin'?"

You turned from the stove and immediately dropped the wooden spoon you'd been holding, your eyes going wide with alarm.

"Merle! What the fuck happened ?" You rushed over to him, your hands fluttering over his injuries without quite touching, like you were afraid of hurting him worse. "Your nose... oh God, your lip... sit down, sit down right now."

Damn, she's pretty when she's all worked up, Merle thought, letting you guide him to a chair at the small kitchen table. Look at them hands shakin', look at how worried she is. All for old Merle. The way you were fussing over him, your accent thickening with distress, made something warm and possessive curl in his chest.

"Ain't nothing, sugar," he tried to wave you off, but you were already bustling around, gathering clean cloths and the first aid supplies you'd gotten into the habit of keeping well-stocked. "Just a little disagreement with some unfriendly folks. You should see the other guy."

"This isn't nothing!" you said, your voice sharp with worry as you dampened a cloth with clean water. "Your nose is broken, Merle. And your lip..." You gently tilted his chin up, studying the damage with eyes that were suspiciously bright.

Shit, she's gonna cry, Merle realized with a mixture of panic and something softer. Sweet little thing's gonna cry over me. The thought made his chest tight in a way that had nothing to do with his injuries.

"Hey now, honey'," he said more gently, catching your wrist with his good hand as you dabbed at the blood on his nose. "I'm fine. Takes more than a lucky shot to put Merle Dixon down for the count."

But you weren't buying his bravado, your lower lip trembling slightly as you cleaned his wounds with careful, gentle touches. "This is getting worse, Merle. The runs, the arena... I'm scared something's going to happen to you."

Christ, the way she's lookin' at me, Merle thought, studying your face as you worked. Like losin' me would actually hurt her. It was intoxicating and terrifying all at once.

"Maybe I should talk to the Governor," you continued, your accent soft with worry. "Give him a piece of my mind."

Merle snorted, then winced as the movement sent pain shooting through his nose. "Like hell you will, lil' doe. I ain't some pussy needs a girlie fightin' his battles for him."

The words were out before he could stop them, and he saw you blink in surprise at the sharp tone. But you just continued cleaning his split lip with a look that could curdle milk.

"Ain't got nothing to worry your pretty little head about, sugar," he drawled, enjoying the way you shivered slightly when his breath ghosted over your wrist. "I'm too mean to die and too stubborn to quit. Besides," his voice dropped lower, rougher, "who'd take care of you if somethin' happened to me?"

You pulled back slightly and raised a brow "So all that teaching was for nothing ? " you muttered, but there was no real heat in it as you reached for the antiseptic. "This is going to sting."

"Wouldn't be the first time you hurt me, sugar," Merle said with a wink, then hissed as the antiseptic hit his split lip. "Damn, sugar-tits, you tryin' to kill me?"

"Don't be such a baby," you scolded, but your touch was gentle as you applied a small bandage to the worst of the cut. "There. That should help it heal properly."

You moved to step back, but Merle caught your hand, his calloused thumb tracing over your knuckles in a gesture that had become familiar over the months.

Then you cleared your throat and gently pulled your hand free. "I made stew," you said, your voice slightly breathless. "Are you hungry?"

Hungry for more than food, Merle thought, watching the way you moved around the small kitchen, the way your hips swayed as you ladled stew into bowls. Hungry for you, darlin'. Hungry to know what you taste like, what you sound like when you're breathless and wanting.

Merle couldn't resist. He rose from his chair and stepped behind you without thinking, without planning, he leaned down and pressed his lips to your bare shoulder, it lasted no more then a few seconds, but he could taste the salt of your skin.

The kiss was nothing like the crude thoughts that run rampant through his head.

You froze for a moment, but then you laughed, a sound that was part surprise, part nervousness, and you glanced back at him over your shoulder with a smile.

"Really, Merle?" you said, your tone light and teasing. "Is this how you ask for an extra portion now? Because if so your answering the door when Milton drops off a casserole."

She thinks I'm just messin' around, he realized with a mixture of relief and disappointment. Thinks it's just Merle bein' Merle, not...

But all he said was, "Well I'm starved, sugar. Absolutely starved."

"Thank you, lil' doe," he said quietly, his blue eyes serious for once. "For patchin' me up. For worryin' about me. Means more than you know."

The moment stretched between you, charged with something neither of you was quite ready to name. In the golden lamplight of the small kitchen, with the taste of you still on his lips and the memory of your gentle hands tending his wounds, Merle Dixon felt something he'd never felt before.

Later that evening, after you'd both eaten and settled into your usual routines, there was a knock at the door. Merle opened it to find the Governor standing there, looking as composed and polished as always despite the late hour.

"Merle. I wanted to check on you, see how you're feeling after today's... excitement."

Merle glanced back at the closed bathroom door, then stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind him.

"I'm fine. Kid got lucky with that head-butt, but nothing I can't handle."

The Governor's smile was approving. "I had no doubt. You did excellent work today, bringing them in. Your girl must be worried sick about your injuries."

My girl. The words sent a thrill through Merle even though he knew the Governor was just playing his games. "She fussed over me pretty good. Got me all patched up."

"She cares about you. That's obvious to anyone with eyes." The Governor's voice was casual, conversational. "Must be nice, having someone waiting for you at home. Someone who worries when you're late, who takes care of you when you're hurt."

Yeah, it is, Merle thought, glancing back through the cracked door at you. Nice having someone give a damn whether I live or die.

"Must make you want to be extra careful out there," the Governor continued. "Make sure you always come home to her."

"I always come home," Merle said gruffly.

"Of course you do. But these runs... they're only going to get more dangerous. Especially now that we have Rick's people as guests." The Governor's smile turned cold. "I need to know I can count on you, Merle. No matter what happens."

"You can count on me, Governor. You know that."

"I do. And I know what motivates you." The Governor's eyes flicked toward the door, toward you. "What you're protecting. That's good, Merle. A man fights harder when he has something to loose..."

The apartment door opened behind him, and you peeked out, your hair damp and your expression concerned.

"Merle? Are you coming in? Shower's free."

You blinked. "Oh sorry Governor didn't see you there."

"No need to apologize, Sweetheart I was just leaving." The Governor gave you one of those warm political smiles, before squeezing Merle's shoulder and walking off.

Merle turned to look at you, backlit by the warm glow of the apartment lights, and felt something fierce and protective surge in his chest.

Whatever happened when Rick's group arrived, whatever the Governor had planned, Merle would make sure you stayed safe. You were his, whether you knew it or not, and he'd burn Woodbury to the ground before he let anything happen to you.

"Yeah, lil' doe," he said, stepping back inside and closing the door firmly behind him. "I'm comin'."