#applied to some internships for this summer and waiting for a response

[moldisgoodforyou]

without you by my side

i thought i posted this already APOLOGIES !!! 

wordcount: 2.4k

_____

Sophie had barely talked to Rafe in the first two weeks she was in Spain, suddenly being consumed with a week-long orientation and then going straight into her internship, juggling her Spanish lessons and trying to just get by in an unfamiliar city. She’d texted him a few updates here and there, and had FaceTimed him briefly in her first week, but most of her spare time was spent getting to know her roommates and checking off random errands.

The time difference made things extra tricky, but Rafe made it a priority to talk with her, no matter where he was. When they finally got a chance to talk, she called him, grinning when the call connected. “Hi!”

He grinned to himself too, feeling warm just from the sound of her voice. “Hi, you. It’s good to hear from you.”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I’d be so busy.” She worried her lip between her teeth and he shook his head quickly, although she couldn’t see him. “It’s alright, I knew you had things to do. Don’t stress about it. I want to hear about Barcelona, tell me what you’ve done!”

Sophie beamed and launched into an excited description of everything - her students in her classes, her new coworkers, how she got assigned to a cool project and how she got drunk on a two dollar bottle of wine that was ‘the best she’d ever had.’ Once she told him everything, she paused, letting silence fill the air.

“That sounds awesome, Soph.” He smiled, then frowned hearing her pause. “All good?”

“Yeah, just. I wish you were here. Um, I wear one of the shirts you let me take to bed, and I just realized it doesn’t really smell like you anymore. Washed it too soon, I think.”

Rafe let out a small sigh and clutched his phone a little tighter. “I can send you another one.” His voice had a teasing lilt to it, but he was dead serious.

“No, I’m sorry, it’s stupid.” She spoke quickly and he could distantly hear a few sniffles, then when she brought her phone back to her ear, voice nearly cracking. “I’m okay.”

“Wait, are you crying? Sophie...” He trailed off and she could hear the frown in his voice. He closed his office door so he could talk to her more freely, without having to keep his voice so quiet.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m fine. I just miss you a lot more than I thought I would.”

He immediately pressed the button to facetime her, smiling when she picked up, then instantly dropping it once he saw her teary cheeks. “I can change my flight and come visit sooner. I’ll do it, angel, you know I will.”

She smiled a little at the pet name, swiping her sleeve over her cheeks. “I know, but it’s fine. Once I get into a routine I’ll be okay, everything’s just a little jarring.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. “I thought I knew Spanish and turns out all I can really manage is where’s the bathroom and hello. Everyone speaks so quickly, I feel like an idiot.”

He grinned. “You’re not an idiot, baby, you’ve been practicing for this for months. Just don’t go around telling anyone else te amo.”

She sniffled a little as she laughed. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Hey, how’s home? Have you gone surfing or something yet? Any big parties?”

He shrugged. “It’s alright. I think there’s a party this weekend, but.”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. Feels kind of strange without you by my side.”

“Aw, Rafe, you miss me.” She teased, fully aware she was in no position to poke fun, as she’d just cried over missing him two seconds ago.

He paused and glanced away for a second, not wanting to guilt trip her in the slightest. He just wanted to be sure she enjoyed her trip without having to worry about him. “You know I do.”

“I miss you too.” Her face dropped a little and she bit the inside of her cheek, trying to stop herself from crying again.

“I want you to have fun though, okay? I’m only a call away, and I’ll see you soon enough. Three months will fly by. Easy.” He told her, almost trying to convince himself. Just the last two weeks alone had dragged by for him, especially with how quickly he’d had to leave all his friends in Columbus once the frat house closed for the summer.

“Two months and two weeks,” she corrected. “We’ve made it half a month already.”

He laughed and flipped the camera briefly to show his calendar pinned up behind his desk, little numbers scribbled onto each square. “I know, I’ve been counting down the days.”

“That’s sweet.” She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and he frowned, narrowing his eyes. “Hey, where’s your ring?”

Sophie instantly blushed and grabbed her backpack, fumbling through it until she found the ring box lying haphazardly at the bottom (and brushed off a few crumbs before showing him). “Here! It’s right here, I have it, promise.” She quickly flipped open the box and slid it on her finger to show him.

“Do you not like it? I should have asked you before, I -”

“No! I love it, no, it’s not that.” She reassured him quickly. “I’m just really worried I’m going to lose it, like on the metro or walking to work, and I can’t have that happen. So I carry the box with me.”

“Oh.” Rafe sat back in his chair, thinking. “How about I get you a chain?”

“A chain?”

“Yeah. You can wear the ring on the chain, like a necklace, when you’re not wearing it on your finger. And when I come visit, we can take it in to Cartier and get it resized, if you need to.”

“No, it fits perfectly, I’m just nervous.” She smiled. “A chain sounds like a good solution.”

He nodded and wrote himself a reminder to order one and have it shipped to her apartment in Spain the second they were off the call. “You got it.” At a knocking on his door, he hesitated before glancing over for the source. “Hold on one second, okay?”

“Okay.”

Rafe stood and opened the door, letting his dad in. Ward strode in and dropped a stack of papers on Rafe’s desk, regarding him with annoyance. “You need to go to the printing company right now and get these flyers fixed. Half of them have the ink fucked up and the phone number’s wrong on all of them.”

“You said I got a half hour lunch break.” Rafe replied evenly, not glancing at the papers - that were the secretary’s responsibility, not his.

“You can get a lunch break when you pay closer attention to the details.” Ward fished his card out of his wallet and slapped it on top of the stack. “Grab me lunch while you’re out. Don’t be long.” He turned to leave, but paused upon seeing Sophie waiting on the facetime call, Rafe’s phone on the desk. “Who is that?”

She froze, hair hiding her face a little, and wasn’t sure if she should hang up or not. Rafe made the first move and flipped the screen over so his phone was facedown on the desk. “I was talking to Sophie. Remember, I told you she’s in Spain, so the time difference -”

“I don’t care.” Ward interrupted. “Don’t let some girl distract you from work.” (Rafe swore he hadn’t acknowledged that Sophie was his girlfriend once.) He left abruptly and kicked out the door stopper as he went, letting the door slam shut behind him.

Rafe winced and took a breath before flipping the phone back over. He looked defeated, “I have to go. I’m sorry.”

“S’alright.” Sophie gave him a small smile but her heart was racing, embarrassed about how easily Ward was able to dismiss her. “Call me later, if you want? I’m staying in tonight.”

He glanced at the door again and cocked his head a little to catch the sounds out on the hallway, just giving her a nod and a forced smile before ending the call.

___

Rafe only had a week back in Columbus before he had to pack up and head back to the Outer Banks for one last summer. He had resigned himself to the fact he’d be going home, but was mainly fine with it until he learned Sophie wouldn’t be coming home too. Ever since then, he’d been dreading it - the beach days, country club and even his friends at home weren’t worth the amount of time he’d have to spend with his dad at work.

His dad had been preparing him over the last few years to take a high position in the company, and Rafe had never protested it, just figuring he wasn’t meant for anything else. It wasn’t until Sophie sent him a few links for internships in downtown Columbus that he began to consider that maybe, just maybe, he was capable of more. He ended up applying to five internships in whole, not sure if he could handle too many rejections. Other kids in his major already had at least one, sometimes two internships under their belt, and Rafe’s resume with work at his dad’s company and a couple leadership positions in his frat didn’t exactly measure up.

He was rejected almost immediately from a couple internships, but interviewed for the three others based on a few strong recommendations from his professors. No matter what, he had to return to the Outer Banks and get some extra clothes and furniture to haul back with him for his senior house, so he settled on going back for a little while he waited to hear back from the other companies.

Later that night, he called her back after getting berated by his dad at work and taking the blame for two other interns’ mistakes. It was late, nearly one am for her on a Tuesday, but she picked up anyways, anticipating the call. “H’lo?” Sophie mumbled into the phone, half-asleep. 

“I can’t deal with this anymore. I’m sick of it.” He confessed immediately and she sat up in bed, concerned. “What? What’s wrong, baby?” 

“It’s my dad, I swear to fucking god. I have to get this internship, Soph, it’s the one excuse he’ll take for me not working for him.” Rafe huffed, trying his best to calm himself down, shaky fingers pressing the Facetime button. 

She picked up right away, the lag in wifi barely interrupting their call. “Breathe, Rafe.” 

He nodded quickly, taking a few shallow breaths, then frowned as he saw the pillow marks pressed into her cheek. “Fuck, did I wake you up? This fucking time zone shit -” He cut himself off, knowing he was just angry with his dad, not her. 

Sophie shook her head. “No, um, was just scrolling through social media and laying down.” 

It was a blatant lie, but Rafe accepted it anyways. “You need to sleep earlier.” 

She shrugged, not wanting to share that she couldn’t sleep that well without him sometimes. “I’m fine. Tell me what’s going on.” 

“It’s just.” He paused and propped the phone up, then pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. “He puts so much pressure on me, all the time. I’m supposed to take over this company and I don’t even know if that’s what I want to do, I’m a business major just because he told me that’d be a good idea, it’s just -” Rafe took a breath, trying not to get himself more worked up. “It’s a lot.” 

Sophie frowned, catching herself reaching toward the screen for a moment in an attempt to comfort him. “You’ll get the internship in Columbus, I know you will.” 

“You don’t know that.” 

“I do know that. You need to think more highly of yourself, Rafe.” 

He sighed, chewing on his bottom lip. “Kinda hard when no one else is thinking highly of me.” 

“Rafe.” She caught his attention with a stern tone, frowning. “That’s not true, not in the slightest.” 

“A little bit.” 

“You’re a loyal friend, you’re generous, you’re smart. I know I can always count on you. You just need to be nicer to yourself.” Sophie encouraged, smiling when he gave her the tiniest hint of a shy smile. 

“You don’t need to say all that.” He countered, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“I know. But I mean all of it.” She got up from her bed, taking the phone with her. “Hey, go look outside.” 

“Why?” 

“Just go look outside.” 

He furrowed his brow but followed along, bringing his phone to his bedroom window and walking out to his balcony. “What am I supposed to be seeing?” 

“You see the moon?” 

“Yeah.” 

She flipped her camera briefly, showing the glow of the moon in the sky over the city. “It’s the same moon, okay? We’re seeing the exact same thing.” 

“Okay...” He trailed off, confused. 

“It’s almost like I’m there with you.” She paused. “Kind of. We’re not that far apart.” 

“Four thousand miles.” He argued, getting more miserable. “God, I miss you.” 

Sophie nodded with a frown, biting the inside of her cheek. “I know. I miss you too, baby. I’m sorry your dad is being so shitty.” 

“He’ll hear you.” Rafe half-teased, glancing around just to make sure he wasn’t down below on the deck or nearby. 

Her jaw set, stubborn. “Good. When do you hear back about the internship?” 

“In a couple days, probably. I had the final interview yesterday and they’ll give me a few weeks’ notice before I need to move back.” He opened his mouth, about to add another self-deprecating comment, but stopped himself. “It went okay.” 

“I’m sure you were fantastic. Model candidate.” She grinned and he just ached for her even more. “It’s late for you, isn’t it.” 

“Um...a little. But I can keep talking if you want. Any time.” She promised, hiding a yawn behind her hand. 

He shook his head, smiling. “Go back to bed, angel. I’m sorry I woke you up.” 

“Don’t be, I’m glad I got to talk with you again.” Sophie paused. “It’ll be okay, Rafe. I know it.” 

“Yeah.” He agreed just to appease her. The last thing he wanted her to be doing when she was in Barcelona was worrying about him. “Love you. Sweet dreams, Soph.” 

“Love you too.” 

taglist: @whoeveniskendall @kkmaybank @karsinner @outerbanksbro @outerbankspreferences @randomficsandshit @sunshineitsfine44 @jailcalledlife @tovvaa @moniamaybank @illbesafeforyou @dontjinx-it @freddymaybank @jjmaybankzz @g4bster @oopsiedoopsie23 @babygal-babygal

[ushiwakaa]

𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐄

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 : you’re a pre-med student working the closing shift at your part-time job when you find an injured gangster by the dumpster.

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : ushijima wakatoshi x gn!reader

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 : fluff

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 : gun induced injury, ( potentially ) graphic description of said injury

𝐚/𝐧 : sometimes idk if i do this fic thing right !! anyway !! this is dedicated to the brave captains of my ushijima harem , @from-left-to-write​ and @bubbleteaa​ 

While your parents give you what they can, it’s barely enough to pay tuition and living expenses while you’re off at school. Picking up a part-time job gives you some pocket money and something to take your mind off of studying.

The coffee shop you work part-time at is a tiny, yet bustling spot in the heart of the financial district. As one of the few university students that work there, you get the privilege of working morning shifts. This means, you plaster on your brightest smile at six in the morning to laugh kindly with business men who deign to pick up their own coffee and grouchy interns who are dissatisfied with getting their boss’.

On instinct, you smile brightly at the chime of the door.

“Good morning, Washijo-san! How are you?”

The regular at your store was grumpy old thing with a stubby nose and bushy brows. His suits were befitting of his location: impeccably pressed. While he appeared to be perpetually unhappy, you knew that was a lie. You swore to all your coworkers that there was a heart underneath his gruffness.

The elderly gentleman gives an endearing huff, ignoring your question. “Small black.”

You don’t let it deter you as you beam at the man. “Anything else, Washijo-san?”

“Ushijima—” the man grunts— “do you want anything?”

The man on his left silently shakes his head.

“That’s all.”

“Coming right up!” You chime.

Washijo hands you crisp bill — significantly more than his total. When you hand him the change, as he does with every visit, he promptly dumps it into the tip jar. Your heart jumps in guilt but, as a struggling student, you swallow your tongue.

“Thank you!”

Washijo waves you off flippantly as he takes a seat. In his stead, the young man waits stoically by the counter. As you ready the man's coffee, you watch his companion from the corner of your eye.

While you had many questions for the old man, the most interesting mystery of all was the string of bodyguards who followed his every whim. While you’d gotten used to the anxiously eager Goshiki and his oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, your interest was piqued by latest guard by his side. He was strong jawed with a stern look to him — broad shouldered and serious. Like his boss, his well-tailored suit was befitting of the bankers in the area.

“Ushijima-kun, right?”

His eyes are far more intense than you anticipate. Lightning runs up your spine when he raises his head. He nods.

A second is lost on you as you try to compose yourself. “Um… Do you work with Washijo-san?”

“He’s my boss.”

Your heart almost stops. His voice is a deep timber, gravelly from lack of use. His words leave a resounding echo in your ears despite the low volume.

…Is this love? The dopey grin on your face grows.

“You must work around here then!”

He nods.

“Very nice!” You place the steaming cup of coffee on the serving counter before wiping your hands on your apron. “It’s a great place to walk around during your lunch break. Before I got a job here, I worked at the hospital around the corner. I could never decide where to go for lunch.”

Reaching for the coffee, he asks, “Why did you leave the hospital for a coffee shop?”

“It was just a summer internship program!” You reply as you begin plating a pair of sugar cookies. “I’m studying pre-med, actually.”

He gives a hum and you place the cookies in front of him. He frowns.

“We didn’t order those.”

“Don’t worry about it.” It was a feeble attempt to balance out the ridiculous amount the elderly man had supplied to your tip jar over the last year. “You should come by with Washijo-san more often, though! It’s nice to see new faces.”

—

It’s sort of like speaking a curse aloud. You don’t see Washijo, or the young man for a handful of weeks after that. While your tip jar remains fairly healthy thanks to your charming customer service, you do miss the endearing demeanour of the grouchy old man.

Shamefully, you can’t say that you don’t hope to see Ushijima, though. While you don’t share the same rapport with him yet, you would like to. There was something endearing about his quiet personality. He was like a sleeping volcano. There was something hidden just below the surface.

Without noticing, you find yourself grinning into the pages of your anatomy textbook.

After cleaning steadily throughout the night — all you have to do at this point is empty the pastry case and take out the trash. With nothing else to do, of course you spend your free time studying. It’s a boring way to pass the time, but it trickles away quickly.

The clock uneventfully strikes one and you flip the welcome sign.

As you’re looking out of the glass, watching a cat cross the sheet — two men run past the storefront, one taunts their tail with a daunting tune barely muffled through the glass. It sends a shiver up your spine.

Quickly, you lock the door before retreating further into the store.

You definitely prefer morning shifts, but with the younger part-timers out of school for the time being — you had no choice but to pick up the closings for fairness sake.

A sigh escapes your lips as you lament your tragic life as a university student. You push open the back door with your shoulder, lugging along a large garbage bag. It’s a struggle with your weak arms, but you manage to heft it into the garbage dump in the back alley.

As you give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back, you find yourself jumping six feet into the air.

Tucked behind the dumpster is a man, his long legs barely hidden behind the length of the trash heap. While you’d really like to run back inside, shut off the lights and lock up for the night, your morality wins.

“Are you okay?” You ask, coming to his side.

He groans in response.

“Do you think you can stand?”

He shakes his head.

You help him into the back of the store and lead him to sit at your makeshift break table. In the light, you can finally see his face.

“Ushijima-kun,” you gasp, kneeling at his side.

You can see two bright spots of poppy-red blossom into the white of his dress shirt. You stiffen your gasp with the sleeve of your sweater before inspecting his wound. The buttons of his shirt come undone with a touch of your nimble fingers. You swallow back a second gasp. Though you saw a hint of his wounds through the poplin fabric, you’re not ready to stare directly at the angry pucker of red skin in his red pectoral.

“I—” you pull away, patting at your pockets in search of your phone— “I need to call the ambulance. This… This is more than I can handle. Well, actually this is — this is entirely more than I know how to handle but—”

You’re startled out of your panic by the warmth of his touch on your arm. He says nothing to you but shakes his head instead.

“No ambulance,” he appeals.

Your hands drop to your sides. “Okay. No ambulance.”

When you move to your feet, he tights his grip on your sleeve. His sharp eyes, previously wary, watch you desperately.

“I’m just going to wash my hands.”

His grip goes lax.

With the first aid kit hung on the wall and your mediocre knowledge of dressing a gunshot wound, you do your best to treat his wounds. You’ve yet to learn how to clean a gunshot wound specifically but you’ve always been good at guessing games. Applying what you know from the pdfs you stole off the online library: you clean, you dress, and you bandage.

When the silence of it all gets unbearable, you croak, “You know. This isn’t what I meant when I told you to come by more often.”

“Sorry,” he mumbles.

“It’s okay,” you reply, disinfecting the wound. You offer an apologetic smile when he winces. “I’m just glad to see you, really. I haven’t seen you in weeks.” A weak laugh escapes you. “I mean, you and Washijo-san, obviously. He’s one of my favourite regulars. I was worried.” You can’t seem to look away from the gunshot. “I mean… I guess it was for good reason.”

He says nothing, lulling the two of you into another bout of silence. You mask your disappointment as you move away from him — reaching for a dressing pack in the first aid kit. As steadily as you can, you apply the dressing to his chest wound.

Perhaps you’re distracted by his chiselled pectorals, or maybe you’re exhausted past the capabilities that your brain can handle at one in the morning — regardless, your startled gaze meets his intensity when he grunts.

For an infinity confined within the limits of second, you can feel his heart beat within his chest.

“This is an occupational hazard.”

They’ve said that lightning doesn’t strike twice, but here you are: silent in an aftershock.

“…This?”

He stares at you for a hard moment. “This.”

“Getting… Shot?”

“Yes. Similar to how an athlete expect injuries, I too expect injuries.”

Your lips press into a frown. “I don’t know many people who would take a bullet for their job.”

“As I mentioned, this is an—”

“Occupational hazard,” you cut him off with a roll of your eyes. “I heard. I guess this means that finding men hiding in my trash is also an occupational hazard.” As you fix him with your sternest glare, you simultaneously smooth down his dressing. “Should I expect more injured men outside my store at one in the morning? Because you should know that I rarely close and I should really pass along the message.”

He has the sense to look embarassed but it doesn’t look quite right on him.

“I couldn’t go anywhere else.” Then, quietly, he adds, “I hoped it would be you.”

A list of places come to mind, but rather than chew him out, you fix him with a stare. You stare at him until you’re sure he can see the questions overflowing from your ears. One glaring question stands above the rest, but for some reason, you can’t manage to ask it. Instead, you stand, putting a comfortable distance between you two.

“Do you want a cookie? I forgot to empty the pastry display.”

—

Other than a handful of students huddled on the couch in the back corner of the café, the store is virtually empty in the last fifteen minutes to close. After that encounter with Ushijima ( who a couple weeks later grunted and said, “Call me Wakatoshi.” ), you began to pick up closing shifts more often. While Washijo lamented this fact to your manager, you decided you liked having Wakatoshi walk you home after your shift more than the tips. 

As you doodle absently in the margin of your textbook, the café door slams open. Wakatoshi isn’t usually so flamboyant, but you’ve learned to control yourself when startled.You look at the clock pointedly, then at your boyfriend. 

“Toshi,” you whine, “you’re — oh. What happened to Tendou?”

The redheaded man hangs limply, upright only thanks to your boyfriend’s support.

“I — believe it or not — got shot!” In spite of his pale face, he’s scarily gleeful.

“Crazy,” you cheer weakly, coming to support him on his other side. “Why don’t you tell me more about it in the back.”

On noticing the injured redhead, the group hightail it out of the store — leaving behind their dirtied plates and mugs. 

“Have a good night!” You call after them.

Tendou rolls his head back. “Have a good night~!”

Over his head, you give your boyfriend a pointed look. He meets your look. While his eyes still smoulder, you can see the tiredness in his movements as well. You give a sigh. 

Biting the bullet, you decide not to chew out your boyfriend for letting his injured friend bleed allover you freshly swept store. Instead, you apply the same care to Tendou as you do when you do when treating your boyfriend.

“You’re better at this than Shirabu,” he says with a contented sigh, munching on the sugar cookie you had set aside for Wakatoshi.

You smile at the compliment. “Thanks, Tendou. Really, I’m still in school though.”

“Don’t diminish your talents,” Wakatoshi proclaims, pausing in his sweeping.

You give him a glare. Without a word, he continues. 

“Rest here for a bit, okay, Tendou? I just need to finish closing up the store and then we’ll figure out what to do after.”

Tendou’s already humming under his breath as you walk back to the front. Wakatoshi, apparently finished sweeping, is behind the counter taking out the trash. He stops when he sees you, coming to your side. Immediately you pout.

“I’m sorry for bringing Tendou.” When your pout doesn’t go away, he takes matters into his own hands and draws you carefully into his chest. “I know it was supposed to be just us, but—”

You sigh. “It’s okay, Toshi. I’m not mad.”

While you’re still encircled in his arms, he pulls away to peer at your face. “You aren’t? You look mad. And, you’re not saying anything. That is an indicator that you’re not okay—”

“I’m upset because that could’ve been you, Toshi. You’re still healing from your last injury. You’re in absolutely no shape to be getting in more fights!”

You smack him lightly on his chest but he quickly catches your wrist. You try again and he catches you, again. You glare at him. He stares at you. You wind back your leg. Before you get a chance to kick him, he wraps his arms around you and hoists you off the ground.

You gasp, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Put me down!”

Rather than listening to you, he hugs you tighter. 

“Babe!” 

Now, he’s walking.

“Toshi!”

When he releases you, the both of you fall into the worn pleather of the back corner couch. The fall is sudden enough to surprise you out of your anger. Still, encaged in his arms, you look up at your boyfriend moodily. 

“I’m sorry, baby,” he murmurs. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” 

The gentleness of his words relax you and all you can hear is his heartbeat. 

“I know it’s an occupational hazard, but I can’t help but worry about you.”

His hand moves from your waist to gently pat your hair. “Thank you for caring about me.”

You melt in his arms — there’s something beautiful his softness. 

“Toshi?” You murmur, squirming in his arms to look into his eyes. “You know I love you, right?” 

He gives you a gentle smile, leaning in to give you a soft peck on the lips. “I love you too, baby.” 

—

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 : @akaashichigo​ @drainedjaz​ @haikkeiji​ @annalyn-annalyn​ @mlkytobio​ @sosugasweet​ @cali-writes-sometimes​  @simping4ratsumu​ @shishinoya​ @ushiwakaa​ @from-left-to-write​ @akaashit-baeji​  @kxgeyamasmilk​ @agaassi​ @hanibuni​ @cupofkenma​  @kawanisshi​ @milkandc00kiez​ @thiccbokuto​ @shinsukestan​ @sufiawrites​ @wakaitoshi​ @skyguy-peach​ @fern-writes-ig​ @briswriting​ @airybby​ @kawaiikraykray​ @bubbleteaa​ @miyuswriting​ @raevaioli​ @ouikarwa​ @hakueishirei​ @pineapplekween​ @estherwritess​ @keiji-n​ @achoohq​ @badlywritten-hq​ @mochibeaa​ @hanzwrites​ @chxrry-wxne​ (  cheese cult taglist  )

[prettytoxicrevolver]

Hair Dye | Michael Clifford

Warnings? None? Just fluffy Michael :)

Requested? Yes indeed! I hope you like it! 

Summary: Since everyone has been doing quarantine makeovers, you and Michael decide to join the fun and dye your hair together. However, it wouldn’t be a hair dyeing experience without a few hilarious mistakes along the way

Word Count: 1,894

You and Michael sit at home wrapped in each other’s arms for what felt like the millionth day of quarantine. Currently, you were laying on your back up against the couch as Michael laid on top of you, his head reaching your stomach and scrolling on his phone as you catch up on your favorite Netflix show that plays on the flatscreen of your living room. 

As you watch tv, your hands mindlessly rake through Michael’s hair and he hums quietly in response. Even though quarantine had been a bit rough on both of you, you were grateful to be able to spend it with the love of your life. Having Michael around was a godsend and what kept you going through the rest of your semester in college. 

“Did you see Kennedy’s new hair?” He asks, dropping his phone on your side and looking up at you. 

“She did like a galaxy color right? How does that girl manage that in a pandemic?” You ask and Michael laughs making your stomach move. 

“I need to dye my hair again, the fans would kill to see that.” He says and your eyes move to the faded strands of dyed hair on Michael's head. 

“I’ve been wanting to dye my hair for the summer,” 

You and Michael both give each other a look before silently agreeing that today’s activities would include still lounging around the house and probably dyeing each other’s hair. You had dyed your hair at home a couple of times before, with friends, and without parent permission so hopefully this wouldn’t turn out too bad. 

“Okay but do I have to get up right now?” Michael asks, tightening his hold around your stomach. “I’m so comfy.” 

“Oh get up you big baby,” you say and Michael ungracefully rolls off the couch and falls onto the ground causing laughter from the two of you. 

You stand from your position and reach a hand down to help him up which he takes. You help bring him to his feet and he pulls you forward and presses a kiss to your lips making you smile widely. He goes to pull away but you pull him in again for a longer kiss and when you break apart Michaels smirks at you. 

“Oh now who’s the one who doesn’t want to move?” He jokes and you roll your eyes.

“Shut up,” you say and he spins you around before lightly pushing you towards your shared bedroom so the two of you can finish getting ready and go to Target to get hair dye. 

Once you both have a decent outfit on, Michael grabs the keys to his car and you head out. As he drives to the closest Target, you discuss what color you each wanted to dye your hair. 

“I think I might just go blonde again,” Michael says and you look at him across the car. 

“Really?” 

“It’s easy and I don’t have to keep dyeing it. Why what color do you want me to do?” He asks, meeting your gaze where a smirk appears on your lips. 

“I don’t like that look,” he says, and you fake hurt. 

“How dare you,” you respond and Michael takes your hand and kisses it. 

“All love darling. What’s your idea?” 

“How about we pick out hair dye for each other?” You suggest and Michael smiles. 

“I love it.” 

With that idea set, the rest of the car ride is filled with you and Michael singing along to whatever comes up on your shared playlist. You were beyond excited considering you haven’t dyed your hair in ages and it would be one of the last times you would before you had to go back to school and do internships and fieldwork again. 

When you get to Target, you both pull on your masks you keep in Michaels car and step out. As you walk, you pull out your phone and open Snapchat. You pan the camera over to Michael and start talking. 

“Michael darling what are we doing today?” You ask and he turns to see you filming him. 

“That is a secret, my love,” he jokes and runs back towards you and you stop filming just as he reaches you and wraps his arms around your stomach to pick you up and spin you around. 

When he sets you down he takes your hand in his and intertwines it effortlessly as you head into the store. You head straight for the hair dye and you immediately know exactly what color to pick for Michael. You grab some bleach and red hair dye and hide it behind your back as you turn towards Michael and wait as he picks out his color for you. 

“If you give me a mean color I’m not talking to you for two weeks,” you say as you head towards self-checkout. 

“What in the world is a mean color?” 

“Probably orange or green or something. I could never look good in those colors.” 

“Darling you look good in everything,” He says and behind the mask you beam widely at your boyfriend. 

After checking out, you head back out to Michael's car and home where the dyeing process would start. You once again pull out your phone to open Snapchat and take a picture of Michael with your two target bags to caption it “Any guesses?” 

“Okay, do you want me to dye your hair first or mine first?” You ask after setting your phone down and heading into your shared master bathroom where Michael has all the hair dye set up. 

“I’ll do yours first and then you can do mine?” He suggests and you nod. 

“Take a seat m’ lady,” He jokes and you sit down in the chair you’ve brought in and he pops open the box and the instructions. He plops the unknown color in a bowl and begins to mix it around with a bit of your conditioner before finally turning towards you. 

“Ready?” He asks and you nod. He starts at the root of your hair, and applies it practically perfectly as you watch along in the mirror. As he continues to apply the dye, you bop along to the playlist you put on that blasts through the house. 

“Stay still,” Michael jokes and you look up at him and smile widely. He leans down and presses a quick kiss to your lips before nudging you to turn back around. 

After he finishes applying all of the hair dye to your hair, he twists it and grabs a random plastic bag to tie your hair up. When it’s finished he leans over and kisses your cheek and you get up from your seat. You turn to face him and just as one of your favorite slow songs comes on, he grabs you by your waist and pulls you close while starting to rock you back and forth slowly. 

“I probably look disgusting right now,” you say and Michael shakes his head. 

“You’re the most stunning girl I have ever seen,” he reminds you and you rest your head on his shoulder. 

Once the song ends, you move from Michael’s arms and he sits down where you just were. You open up the box of bleach first and carefully read through the instructions before beginning to mix and apply the hair dye. You put the bleach on first and wait before rinsing it out and blow-drying it. After that’s all done, it’s your turn to rinse out your hair and dry it and you two decide to cover up your mirrors as best as possible to hide the final product. 

“Be careful okay?” He says once you start putting on the red dye that he can’t see. 

“I’m a master at this hun,” you joke and he laughs at you. 

You start at the roots just as he did to yours and move down to the rest of his hair. However, when you get closer to his neck, Michael starts squirming in his seat. 

“Michael,” you whine when he moves. 

“You’re getting too close to my neck!” he exclaims and you roll your eyes. 

You start to apply the brush again near the side of his neck and Micahel jerks to the side again. However this time, you can’t move fast enough and a streak of red goes across his neck and stains it along with his shirt. Your free hand flies to your mouth and you start to giggle causing Michael to turn and look at you. 

“What? What happened?” 

You can barely get anything out behind the laughter so you gesture towards the half-covered mirror in which Michael stands and takes a peek to see the red hair dye everywhere. He turns to you and you’re still laughing quietly at the sight of the dye. 

“Oh you’re so gonna get it,” he says.

“Michael,” you start through uncontrollable giggles. “Michael no,” you warn as he begins to step towards you. 

“Michael!” You drop the brush in the bowl just as he begins to chase after you and you bolt towards the stairs. 

“Michael!! Watch your dye! Michael!” 

You rush down the stairs and Michael catches you at the bottom of them. He wraps his arms around your waist and picks you up causing a scream to erupt from your lips. He carries you over to the living room couch before throwing you down on top of it. He climbs on top of the couch so he’s straddling your waist and begins attacking your sides with his fingers, making you scream with laughter. 

“Michael! Michael oh my god,” you cry out and he smiles mischievously. 

“Do you give up?” He asks and you nod. 

“I give up dear god yes I give up,” you respond and he laughs loudly. 

He moves his hands so they’re next to your face now and leans down to press a long kiss to your lips. You lean up to meet him and go to wrap your arms around your neck when you feel the hair dye sticking to your hands. You break away and look to see red dye all over your hands. 

“Well I think that’s payback enough,” he says and you roll your eyes. 

You both move from the couch and head back upstairs so you can finish Michael’s hair. Once it’s finished and you’ve both dried and styled your hair you pull your phone out and open Snapchat for one final time today. 

“You ready?” You ask when you’re both standing in front of one of the covered up mirrors. 

Michael nods and he pulls the cover off the mirror. Both of your jaws drop at once when you see the results and see that while your hair didn’t turn out terrible, it certainly wasn’t great. 

“You have so much hair dye all over you,” you laugh loudly as Michael inspects the dye all over his neck and face. 

“At least your hair looks good,” he says and you frown at him.

“Baby,” you say and pull out a strand of purely natural hair.

“Okay I’m not a professional,” he admits. 

“I think we should both stick to our day jobs,” you say and he laughs once more before turning and wrapping his arms around you. 

“Well I think you look good no matter what.”

“I love you darling.”

[kim-seungmine]

the time is now

title: the time is now

characters: (fem) reader x kim seungmin of stray kids (feat. choi lia of itzy, lee felix + bang chan of stray kids)

genres: romance, rich kid au, friends to lovers au, (sort of!) mafia au, dedicating this to 191109 seungmin & levanter era!seungmin

word count: 7.9k 

warnings: alcohol consumption, violence (nothing too wild tho), i haven’t proofread, idk what im doing tbh (but seungmin drives an aston martin i hope that makes you feel better)

synopsis: you and seungmin spent years pushing each other away, only to be confronted by your biggest fears when you finally decided to stop running away.

a/n: i hope this doesn’t suck :(((

Summer is for fun. Summer is for rest. Summer is for romance.

But summer is also for opportunities, and that’s the sole reason why you’re standing inside the Laura Ryu boutique—where you can’t even afford its cheapest pair of earrings. The luxury fashion brand is open for internships for the very first time and now it’s one of those “a million girls would kill for that job” positions in South Korea.

“Good morning, everyone.”

The sweet but regal voice belongs to Julia Choi, Laura Ryu’s daughter who’s specifically flew back from New York to Seoul for the summer to help her mother managing the internship. You know her better as Choi Jisu, your childhood friend who’s currently attending Parsons School of Design.

“I’m Choi Jisu, and I’m going to be your mentor throughout the internship. Well, technically I’m responsible for all of you here so please, stay in one piece until the end of summer although it’s going to be absolute hell, okay?”

Everyone laughs, and soon you’re ushered to one big studio inside. You see a placard with your name on one of the table and quickly head there, giving Jisu a little wave as she tells the other interns to find their stations.

After all the interns are seated, Jisu claps, effectively silencing everyone. “And now, something to motivate you,” she announces. “We’re going to monitor every single one of you and by the end of summer, we’re going to choose one intern to help with our next collection. How’s that sound?”

Excited whispers are heard all over the room, and you hope you’ll survive summer in one piece.

“Y/N! Wait up!”

Jisu is running down the stairs, her heels making loud clacking sounds against the marble floor. She envelops you in a tight hug the moment you’re within an arm’s reach. You’ve missed Jisu, it feels like it’s been ages since you volunteered at the animal shelter together.

“I can’t believe you actually applied!” she chirps.

You chuckle. “Well, I can’t believe I actually got in.”

Jisu snorts. “Oh please. I don’t need to see your portfolio to know how amazing it is. You’re probably the only one who sent a proper portfolio.”

She greets the shopkeepers, leading you outside. “Are you free? Let’s catch up!” she offers. You nod, linking your arm with hers. “What do you want to do? Coffee?”

“O—”

A white Aston Martin pulls over in front of you, causing Jisu to gasp and check her watch. The window rolls down, revealing an annoyed Kim Seungmin on the driver’s seat. “Yah Choi Jisu,” he snaps. “I know I’m just your insignificant cousin, but couldn’t you at least tell me that you were going to be at your Mom’s boutique the whole day?”

“Oh shoot, sorry Seungmin! I totally forgot,” Jisu panics, turning to you with apologetic eyes. “It’s okay,” you assure her. “Go. You’re stuck with me for the whole summer anyways.”

She shakes her head. “No, I’m not gonna leave you behind. Seungmin, you don’t mind if I bring Y/N along, do you?”

Yeah, Kim Seungmin. Someone from your “summer is for romance” phase two years ago. You’re well aware that you’re an intern at his aunt’s boutique, but you thought you wouldn’t meet him since he’s set to take over his father’s law firm instead of becoming the heir of Laura Ryu’s fashion empire.

“It’s fine,” you refuse. “We can hang out some other time, Jisu. You two have fun!”

“Come with us,” Seungmin interjects, calmly as usual. Two years of not seeing him in flesh has weakened your defense. Seungmin has always looked fine, but now he looks ten times hotter with his dirty blond hair and you’re cursing yourself for being so shallow. Jisu shrugs, opening the door and pulling you inside.

Seungmin glances at the empty passenger seat then at the rear-view mirror. “So where are we headed, Young Mistresses?” he asks, his tone both sarcastic and playful.

“We were going to grab some coffee. Just stop by at the first Starbucks you see,” Jisu answers before attacking you with questions. Seungmin mumbles an, “Okay Miss” before making a u-turn. You feel all eyes are on you when you enter the café, suddenly realizing that you just stepped out of Kim Seungmin’s Aston Martin with Choi Jisu attached to your side.

For a split second, you forgot that you’re hanging out with South Korea’s top socialites who are way too cool for Starbucks.

After getting your orders, the three of you are chatting about every little thing. “And how is our little Byul? Has she been adopted?”

You and Seungmin exchange awkward glances, causing Jisu to cock an eyebrow. “What happened?”

“I didn’t go to the shelter last year,” you confess.

“Me neither,” Seungmin mumbles, sipping his Americano in a haste.

“Okay, neither of you went to the shelter last year, so what? What are you guys being so weird about?”

“Nothing,” you and Seungmin answer in unison. Jisu examines your face and snaps her fingers, seeming to get the idea. “Well, if that’s the case… why don’t you two talk things out?”

“Wait what happened to catching up?” you panic, while Seungmin grabs his cup and stands up. “I should drive you home,” he says.

Jisu clicks her tongue. “Sit down, both of you.”

You and Seungmin do as told, begging her with your eyes to save yourselves from this situation. “As you said, Y/N, we’re stuck together for the whole summer so we still have a lot of time. And no thank you, dear cousin. I’ll just take the cab. See you!”

Your friend smiles at you one last time before walking out, stopping the first cab she can find. You turn to Seungmin, finally letting yourself indulge in his pretty eyes that only seem to warm up whenever you’re around. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing special about Kim Seungmin except for the fact that he’s a straight-As law student, looks both adorable and hot, and is actually a sweet, humble boy despite being filthy rich.

Okay, you’re definitely not over him.

Seungmin clears his throat. “So, how’s the internship so far?”

“It was only my first day,” you answer. “We didn’t do much yet. The real fight starts tomorrow, I guess.”

“You’re in good hands. Jisu handles everything well, and her Mom won’t even show up until the last day so you’re going to have fun.”

You laugh. “But one of the interns is going to be included in the team in charge of the next collection so I suppose your aunt will appear once in a while, right?”

“She’ll be in Paris the whole summer,” Seungmin explains. “Jisu begged her to let her handle the program because she misses home, and here we are now.”

“How about you? Been doing fine, I guess?”

The little spark in Seungmin’s eyes fades at your question. He stands up, returning your puzzled gaze with a cold one. “Let me take you home.”

“You don’t need to,” you retort, slightly offended. “Seungmin, did I say something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t,” he denies. “Please let me take you home. Jisu will kill me if I leave you alone here.”

You’re not satisfied with his answer, but decide to follow him. Seungmin enters the driver’s seat and starts the engine, heading to your neighbourhood without a word. “You still remember where I live?” you ask.

“I’m a law student Y/N. I can remember a lot of things.”

You let out an exasperated sigh. This is probably the only thing you hate about Seungmin: he shuts down everyone the moment he shows a hint of weakness. “Seungmin… are you okay?” you try again. “I’m not getting off until I get a proper answer.”

Jisu once told you that everyone in their big family sees a therapist every month; you know for sure that Seungmin must be their favorite patient because they get paid a fortune for counselling a very good boy who answers everything with positive words.

Seungmin is a strong, positive guy, but not all the time. People tend to forget that. He tends to forget that.

Looking at how tense he is, you decide to drop the subject. “How’s Chan and Felix?” you ask while scrolling through your Instagram feed, looking at a photo of the said boys posing in front of their luxury cars.

Seungmin’s eyes soften at the mention of his best friends. “Aren’t you the one who go to the same university?” he questions endearingly.

Christopher Bang and Felix Lee were your classmates in Fashion Journalism—a class which Felix signed up for by mistake. He tried to have it erased from his timetable, but changed his mind when he realized that everyone in that class was girls. Soon, his best bro Chris Bang joined him and when they found out you were friends with Seungmin and Jisu too, they wouldn’t leave you alone.

“Yeah, but everytime I want to say hi they’re always surrounded by their friends.”

“You mean Seo Changbin, Lee Minho and Yang Jeongin?”

You nod. Seungmin laughs, slowing down his pace as he reaches your neighbourhood. “Just say hi. Those guys are harmless.”

“Easy for you to say,” you scoff. “Seo Changbin radiates this ‘you can’t sit with us’ vibes stronger than those girls in Mean Girls.”

“I mean it,” he repeats. “Just say hi. Felix calls you all the time anyways. You’re a part of their so-called circle.”

“You mean your circle?” you correct him jokingly, unfastening your seatbelt as he smoothly hits the brake in front of your house. “Thank you for taking me home.”

Seungmin smiles your favorite smile, the one where his eyes disappear into crescent moons. The door is opened, yet you’re just sitting there, trying to look for answers inside Seungmin’s doe eyes.

“What is it?”

You chew your bottom lip, shaking your head. “Nothing.”

Your Golden Retriever puppy named Sun died when you were in fifth grade. You couldn’t function for the rest of summer, so your Dad suggested that you volunteer at an animal shelter. You eventually registered for a 2-week volunteer program where you fell in love with a lively Pomeranian you ended up adopting and a lovely boy named Kim Seungmin.

You and Seungmin went to different schools (he attended an elite all-boys school), the volunteer program was the only time you could meet him. He brought his cousin Choi Jisu the next year, and it became a routine for the three of you from then on. Your beautiful friendship was perfect until your 18th birthday, when Seungmin gifted you a box full of photos of you he had taken as your birthday present.

After 8 years, you finally realized that Kim Seungmin wasn’t just a friend you volunteered with. He was the one you played hide and seek with, he was the one who taught you to use a camera, he was the one who sang to you when you cried after one of the dogs in the shelter got sick.

“Have I ever told you that I love your voice?” you asked him on one Sunday morning, right before you turned 20. “You could be a singer.”

“No, but thank you. You said it right when I started doubting myself.”

“This is not an empty compliment, Seungmin. I’m serious.”

Seungmin ruffled your hair, eyes lighting up at your seriousness. “You never say empty words, Y/N. I know that.”

After a few minutes of trying to find the right response and not finding any, you decided to let his compliment hang in the air. You laid beside him, keeping a safe distance because hearing him breathe so peacefully was enough to mess up your insides.

Seungmin turned to you, and for a while he just stayed like that, quietly examining your face while you were on the verge of freaking out.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He didn’t change his position, eyes still locked on your face as he whispered, “I asked myself that too, but I honestly don’t know. I just hope I can see you like this forever. Seeing you makes me happy.”

Speechless, you didn’t dare to meet his eyes. How were you supposed to react? Was Seungmin drunk?

“Seriously,” you croaked to break the silence. “You should audition to become an idol or something.”

“Should I?”

“Well, depends whether you want it or not, but go ahead if you want! You have nothing to lose anyways!”

His lips curled into a sad smile. “Nothing to lose? Y/N, money isn’t the only thing I have.”

Whenever you started to feel that maybe you and Seungmin could become something more, the universe always made sure to remind you that he wasn’t just a boy you grew up with. He was the only son of a successful lawyer who rode limousine to school and owned a black credit card he used without thinking. He appeared on nation’s newspaper after attending exclusive parties you could only dream of going. He was someone who flew to London with private jet over the weekend because he wanted to take some photos.

You laughed, locking eyes with him without realizing. “But with your money you can have everything, Seungmin. You and Jisu are different from the rest of us.”

Ten years of friendship and you never once talked about this. You knew Seungmin wouldn’t mind; he wasn’t the type who liked to flaunt his wealth, but he wasn’t one of those people who didn’t like to be reminded of how loaded they were. He never cared. But you were afraid he would think that you did, so you always avoided making comparisons.

That day, you had to do it. Maybe you were too protective of yourself, but you couldn’t risk getting hurt. One little slash on your heart, and the wound would leave a permanent scar.

Seungmin hummed in agreement, breaking the eye contact to look at the clear sky.

He left the shelter the next day, and you never talked to him again.

“Jisuuuu,” you whine as Jisu pulls you into Rose’s, a fancy bar that she frequents. “I thought we were just going to hang out!”

“We are!” Jisu exclaims, waving at the bartender before choosing a spot. She orders you a drink you’re not familiar with before pouting at you. “Okay, sorry for not telling you, but we’re not gonna hang out alone today.”

The door opens, revealing Chan and Felix. The latter immediately throws his arms around you, and you can’t help but break into an endearing laugh. “Y/N!!!! Why is it so hard to meet you? Don’t you miss your expensive friends?!”

You pull away from his grip. “Excuse me, but since when your socialite agenda includes your humble friend right here?”

Felix pouts, ordering a glass of Dry Martini while Chan and Jisu are whispering among themselves. You scoot closer to them. “What are you guys whispering about?”

The three of them snicker at the same time and you figure this isn’t just the usual “hanging out” session.

You turn to Chan. “Bang Chan, spill.”

“Wow, hearing someone that’s not my parents calling me Bang Chan is so refreshing,” Chan says. “It’s like having 2 personalities. Christopher is this hot, alluring, seductive man no one ever says no to, while Bang Chan is his inner child—soft, caring, funny… but still hot—”

Jisu shoots Chan a deathly glare before smiling at you. “You like Seungmin, don’t you?”

You take a sip of your drink and let her question sink in. Looking at your friends’ faces, you know that it wasn’t even a question. They feel it, and there’s no use of denying your feelings anymore.

“And that’s all we need to know!” Chan exclaims, standing up from his seat. He slips in a few dollars into the bartender’s pocket. “Seungmin doesn’t know we were here.”

Felix slaps his shoulder. “Bro you were literally the one who told him to come here. Stop trying to be cool.”

“Ah… you’re right,” Chan answers as Jisu rolls her eyes. “But anyways, Seungmin is will be here soon. Talk to him, okay?”

After waving them goodbye, you glance at your surroundings. Everyone is chatting with their friends while sipping their drinks happily; they’re in their natural habitat, while you’re just sitting there hoping Seungmin will come soon so you can get out of there as soon as possible. The bartender notices your uneasiness and offers you another drink to try.

Just as you start contemplating to leave, Seungmin enters the bar. He gives you a small wave when his eyes land on you, like it’s natural to see you there. The bartender serves 2 glasses of drinks before Seungmin even reaches you, “Gin and tonic, Mr. Kim’s favorite.”

Taking off his suit, Seungmin sits beside you and sips his drink. “When Chan kept terrorizing me to get here ASAP I know something’s up,” he says, examining your face. “… and you want to leave.”

Without waiting for your answer, Seungmin takes his coat. “Put it on my tab,” he tells the bartender, putting his hand on the small of your back and leads you out.

“Do you want to talk?” he asks after you’re sitting inside his car. “For real this time.”

He sounds apologetic, hurt and hopeful all at once and you recall everything you said to him two years ago. Those words left a deep scar in your heart, you can only imagine how broken Seungmin must have been.

“Yeah, we do need to talk.”

You never want to allow yourself to feel insecure, but the voices in your head get wild sometimes. You hate to admit it, the same way Seungmin hates to admit that he’s not always the calm and strong heir everyone expects him to be.

The only way to tune out those voices is to visit the park near your house to play on the swings

Seungmin has rolled up his sleeves so he could help you push the swings. You try to look over your shoulder. “Kim Seungmin what are you doing? Push it harder!” you demand, to which he shakes his head.  

He continues to push the swings gently, still allowing you to feel the cold wind on your face. “No,” he answers firmly. “You’ll get sick.”

Knowing you can’t change his mind, you just let him set the pace, and soon your heart starts to feel lighter. The voices get muffled by Seungmin’s low humming. You have a lot of explaining to do, yet he hasn’t said anything, not even telling you to smile a little. This time you’re not sure if it’s because of the swings or Seungmin or both, but the voices are almost gone now and you decide that’s enough for tonight.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper quietly. Seungmin stops pushing, letting the swings moves by itself before coming to a halt. He kneels down in front of you, a frown on his face. “Why? What did you do?”

“Two years ago… I’m sorry I pushed you away,” you sigh. “I’m sorry I did it like that. And I’m sorry for pestering you the other day. I don’t have any right to force you to tell me things.”

Seungmin heaves a sigh, grabbing your hand to stop you from fiddling with your shirt. He slowly laces his fingers with yours, the warmth of his eyes reminding you of the old happy days when the two of you would sneak out from the shelter to have a picnic under the clear sky. “And I shouldn’t have left,” he reminds you. You only stare into each other’s eyes until he blurts out, “Can we start over?”

You almost cry at how easy and right it feels. You spent years of your adolescent life telling yourself that this wouldn’t work, the wall you built to protect your heart was destroyed by the very person you built it for. But you find it impossible to lie when he’s looking at you with so much hope and adoration. When you finally nod, Seungmin rewards you with his toothy grin that always makes your insides flip.

The voices in your head shout out warnings at you, but you quickly shut all of them down. You’re not going to let them win. You’re not going to let them stop you from loving the only boy you want to love.

“Let’s take things slow, yeah?”

Seungmin beams at your words, pulling you up to envelop you in his arms. He waits until you relax before tightening his hold. You rest your forehead on his shoulder, breathing him in as he mouths words you can’t decipher into your hair. “Remember when you managed to persuade that young couple to adopt Vivi?”

“My lucky day,” you murmur, unconsciously pulling him closer to you.

“It was my lucky day too.”

“Of course it was! The owner also bought you chicken when Jisu and I were the ones working hard! You just nodded along with us!”

Seungmin chuckles. “I got to hold you for the first time that day. You were so happy that Vivi got a new home that you just jumped into my arms. Then you started crying and ruined my Balenciaga shirt, but I was beyond happy. You stayed in my arms until you fell asleep, and I got to watch you sleep.”

You pinch his waist softly. “You’re such a creep.”

Seungmin’s laugh only makes you feel even giddier than you already are, so you just close your eyes and relish in the feeling of his arms wrapping around your waist securely. “Shall we go to Jeju tomorrow?” he suggests.

“Jeju?”

He pulls away, enough for him to see your face but still holding you close. “Yeah. I can book us tickets so we can fly tomorrow and spend the whole weekend there. You don’t have internships on weekends, right? We’ll go to pretty places and I’ll take hundreds of pretty photos of you. We can have dinner by the beach since our villa is facing the ocean. You love seafood, right? Our chefs—”

“Kim Seungmin, what happened to taking things slow?” you giggle, causing him to let out a cute frustrated groan. “I’m sorry. How about a road trip to Busan then?”

“You can drive to Busan?”

“You’re underestimating me, love.”

Seungmin’s phone rings when you’re about to utter a sassy remark. He glances at the caller and releases you, his eyes turn cold as he accepts the call. “Yes, father?”

You can’t hear what his father is saying, but whatever it is, Seungmin doesn’t look happy. You reach for his hand carefully, and he quickly squeezes yours while responding to his father in a polite, business-like manner. He walks you to your house, telling his father that he’ll be home soon.

Seungmin pulls you into his arms again as soon as he slides his phone into his pocket. “Duty calls?”

“Mhm,” he replies. “As you can see, I had a meeting today, and Father wants updates.”

“He already involves you in meetings? That’s cool!”

“Nah, I can’t voice out any opinion yet. I’m just there to listen.”

Seungmin detaches himself from you, pressing a chaste kiss on your cheek. “So, I’ll pick you up at 6?”

You nod, not even bothering to protest that it’s too early because you want to see him again soon. Seungmin enters his car and starts the engine. He rolls down the window, grinning when he sees you wave at him. The phone call must have bothered him, but you decided to let it slide. “Text me when you get home,” you tell him.

Take things slow. You have to take things slow.  

Not only does Seungmin know how to drive to Busan (while looking extremely attractive behind the wheels), he also knows Busan like the back of his palm. He took you to all the pretty places and took pretty photos of you as promised. Now you’re at the balcony of the Kim family villa (you figure they have apartments and villas scattered in the whole country), nestled in Seungmin’s arms while waiting for the sun to set.

“Wait, sit over there!” Seungmin forces you to move from your spot to the end of the couch. “The angle is pretty!” He snaps a few photos with his newest Leica camera that’s worth a car. You give him your silliest poses before bursting into a fit of giggles. Seungmin puts the camera on the coffee table and pulls you back to him. “Enough photos for today,” he mutters, settling you on his lap. Seungmin never struck you as someone who loves skinship, but he never misses a chance to wrap you in his arms, and you’re not complaining. He probably feels the same blissful comfort you feel whenever the two of you touch.

The sun begins to set, and for a while you focus your gaze on the sky, admiring the way the sun paints it with shades of orange. Seungmin shifts underneath you, pressing a kiss on your exposed shoulder to earn your attention. You meet his eyes, and you see a tinge of worry in them. “What is it?”

Seungmin takes an awfully long time to answer your question, causing you to cup his face. “Tell me.”

“Do you trust me?”

The question has you frowning. “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

Seungmin smiles, but the tinge of worry is still reflected through his orbs. “Whatever happens, I’ll try my best to make this work, okay? I’ll do anything to make this work. I want you in my life, more than you can imagine.”

“Seungmin—”

“There will be days when I’ll be away for meetings, there will be days when I’ll feel like absolute shit because of my Father and the business,” he reveals. “Sometimes it will feel like I’m keeping you in the dark and I know you won’t like that, but there are so many things I need to sort out now, and I can’t tell you anything yet. Is that okay?”

You can’t base your relationship on not-knowing! You can’t base your relationship on excuses and blind faith!

“Is it too much if I ask you not to let me wait for too long?”

Seungmin shakes his head so fast you wonder if it hurts his neck. “You know how smart I am,” he boasts. “Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how good I am in getting things done.”

“You better be, there are a lot of people waiting for your help, Lawyer Kim.”

Your boyfriend chuckles. “Speaking of getting things done, I have a request for you.”

“Request?”

“There’s this masked ball held by Chan’s Dad next month, and we’re all attending. I’ve been looking for a nice mask, but everything seems mediocre. Will you design one for me?”

You squeal, immediately attacking him in a tight hug. You’ve always wanted to design jewelries, including masks. The mere thought of buying the materials, matching the design according to Seungmin’s style and drawing all the pretty details launch you to cloud 9 in an instant.

“I guess you like it,” Seungmin singsongs. “I have one more request though.”

You tilt your head in excitement.

“I want you to be my date.”

Your smile falters, but Seungmin tug at your lips softly, gesturing at you to smile again. “Everyone will wear a mask and you’ll only take it off at midnight, so we can leave before midnight if you want. Besides, I’m just a guest. All eyes will be on Chan.”

“But what kind of dress am I supposed to wear? Everyone will—”

“Aren’t you a designer? You’ve sewed a lot of dresses, wear one of them.”

“But they’re not from designer brands, aren’t you ashamed?”

“I don’t care,” Seungmin tells you in the most caring tone. “You’re you, not Julia Choi. Not Felix Lee. Not Christopher Bang. And you’re not me.”

Flashbacks from your painful conversation two years ago come in a flash, but now both of you are looking at it from a whole different perspective. Your smile slowly returns, and Seungmin huffs a sigh of relief. “That’s my girl.”

“Can I tell you something too?”

He nods.

“There will be days when I’ll feel like I’ll never be good enough to succeed in anything,” you begin, biting your lip to prevent tears from falling. “I don’t let myself dwell on it most of the time, but sometimes I fail. Is that okay?”

Seungmin cradles your face, wiping your tears with his thumbs. “I’m here, aren’t I? I’ll knock some sense into you whenever you’re about to drown in self-pity!”

You pat his head in return, hoping that this Seungmin—the one whose eyes radiate sunshine and voice laced with honey, the one whose laugh sounds like a sweet melody—will be the Seungmin he shows to the rest of the world more.

Seungmin is still cradling your face, gaze flickering to your lips every now and then, triggering you to do glance at his lips in return. The pull is too tempting, you wonder if you should just crash your lips on his or let him decide for you.

“Is it okay if I kiss you?” he whispers, barely audible. Your eyes flutter close, and Seungmin doesn’t waste any time. His lips meet yours in a fleeting kiss, making your breath hitch at how soft and burning his lips feel. Seungmin kisses you deeply, taking his time to savor you and you’re going insane at the way he clutches your waist, the way he hums everytime you pull him closer. It’s almost too much, yet at the same you know he’s still holding back as if he’s afraid that this is all just a fever dream.

“Seungmin, please.”

“Mhmm?” he tries to speak against your lips, hazy eyes gazing into yours.

“More,” you breathe out, determined to make him let go and kiss you the way he wishes to although you’re blushing like mad. “I’m not going anywhere, so just kiss me.”

“You sure?” he mutters, eyes waiting for your approval.

You close your eyes again, and right that moment you feel Seungmin’s lips move against yours. This time, he lets go. Hovering over you, he pours all the feelings he had suppressed for years into the kiss. You’re soon lost in all the love and passion he has for you, his every touch eating your skin alive. You’re lost in Seungmin, Seungmin, Seungmin and you hope he knows you feel the same.

“Stay still!” you yelp, fixing Seungmin’s mask as the limousine stops in front of the ballroom where the party is held. Mr. Song, Seungmin’s chauffeur, opens the door for both of you. You start to panic upon seeing reporters snapping photos of other guests entering the ballroom. Seungmin steps out, looking like His Royal Highness from a reputable kingdom.

He extends his hand to you. “Come on, love. Jisu and the others are already inside.”

The sound of shutters and the blinding flashes almost make you shut the door and tell Mr. Song to drive you home, but Seungmin reaches for your hand and intertwines his fingers with yours. “I’m here. You’ll be alright.”

Gathering some courage, you finally set your foot on the ground. Seungmin helps you with a gentle smile he knows will calm you down. He leads you inside, holding your hand a little tighter whenever someone seems to make you uncomfortable.

You spot Jisu from the gold feathery mask she showed you the night before and her signature high ponytail. A redheaded boy joined her with a drink in his hand, and you know for sure that it’s Felix. Everything at this party is grand, and by grand you mean people with diamond-studded dresses, a huge orchestra group, extravagant chandeliers, ice statues, and all kinds of foods and drinks you know absolutely nothing about.

“You okay?” Seungmin asks, releasing your hand to take a slice of chocolate cake that the waiter offers before handing it to you. Jisu squeals at the cake, taking the same cake from the waiter. You look at her in awe as she digs in right away. “How do you eat that at a place like this?” you hiss, earning a laugh from Felix.

“We’re here to enjoy ourselves, darling. Eat up!” he encourages you. You turn to Seungmin, who gives you a spoon. “Why? You love chocolate.”

You take a glance of everyone around you, nobody is eating. They’re either dancing or laughing or drinking. “Do you guys usually eat? Or are you doing this to make me comfortable?”

“We’re not some dukes and duchess Y/N. Wait, even dukes and duchess eat at parties. Shut up and enjoy your cake!” Jisu deadpans with a full mouth, causing you to laugh and do the same. Seungmin keeps his hand on the small of your back all the time, making sure you’re okay. After finishing your cake, he pulls you to the dance floor.

“No Seungmin, I’m not dancing with you,” you yell at him. Seungmin pretends not to hear you, his eyes glint with mischief. He puts your arms around his neck, then his own around your waist. You thank the heavens for the slow music because the last time you danced was in the second grade. Seungmin leads the dance, slowly backing you into a corner and pushes his mask up to plant a kiss on your lips.

“Been dying to do that.�� He smirks at you as you glare at him, thankful that the mask is hiding your flushed cheeks. “Thank you for going with me. I know this isn’t your thing,” he adds, twirling you smoothly.

You scoff playfully, caressing his left cheek. “If you’re thankful, ride subway with me for the whole week.”

“Easy,” Seungmin, bringing your hand to his lips. “Your wish is my command, you know that, right?”

“All you need is tux and mask to become all flirty, huh? Did you dream to be a Disney prince?”

Seungmin shrugs, pulling you closer so you can rest your chin on his shoulder. The song comes to an end, switching to a more upbeat one when Seungmin’s phone vibrates. Though reluctantly, he takes the call and walks you to the water fountain near the salad bar.

“I’m at Mr. Bang’s party,” he says. “But Father—okay.”

The call ends just like that. Seungmin curses under his breath, wordlessly taking you back to where Jisu and Felix are standing. “I need to go now,” he breaks the news.

“Dude, you just arrived!” Felix protests.

“It’s my father,” Seungmin informs dryly. The redhead’s eyes become softer, and Jisu dismisses her cousin. “Don’t make him wait,” she urges him. “We’ll take care of Y/N. Who knows, she may find someone cooler than you.”

Seungmin looks at you with so much guilt, so you give him your most convincing smile. “Go. You can tell me about it later.”

After giving you one last “I’m sorry” look, he disappears into the crowd.

Felix cheers when the orchestra plays a song he knows. “Ohhh I love this song! Come on Y/N, time to rock the dance floor!”

As you’re about to pull Jisu along with you, Mr. Song walks toward you. He stops, bowing at the three of you. “Miss Y/N, Young Master asked me to take you.”

“Why? I thought Seungmin is meeting his father?”

“He does have some things to take care of, and you’ve been requested to join him.”

You glance at Jisu and Felix who tense at Mr. Song’s news. “Is this bad? What happened?” you try to ask, but Mr. Song only waits for you.

“It’s okay.” Felix rubs your shoulders. “Go with him.”

You nod. “See you guys later.”

Mr. Song guides you out like he knows the building by heart. Once you’re back inside the limousine, he enters the driver’s seat. “Is everything alright, Mr. Song?”

The old man smiles. “Young Master Seungmin is a very nice boy. He has clear goals and works hard to achieve them. And he wants to make you, especially, happy.”

He stops in front of an abandoned warehouse. You open the door before he does, taking off your heels while he holds the door for you. “Just give him a chance,” he says.

You quicken your pace when you hear someone scream. Peeking inside, you spot at least 10 men dressed in all-black surrounding a man who’s sitting on a chair, his hands tied and eyes blindfolded. Blood oozing from several parts of his body, his face completely bruised.

You look back to where Mr. Song is, but he only gestures at you to come inside. You slide the door a bit more to squeeze yourself in, looking up when you hear a familiar voice.

It’s Seungmin, swinging a baseball bat in his hand, his dress shirt stained with blood. “This will be the last time I ask you,” he hisses, sounding nothing like the Seungmin you know. “Tell me where the Hwangs’ secret hideout is. If not, I’m afraid I’ll have to change my weapon with something more impactful.”

One of the men hands him a gun. Seungmin takes it to the hostage, loading it near his ear. “I-I’ll tell you! Please spare me!”

The hostage goes on to provide all information that Seungmin needs. He swings his bat once again, hitting the hostage’s waist before throwing it again. You’re frozen to your spot, the whole event unfolding right before you feels like a stab on your heart. Seungmin runs his hand through his disheveled hair, then notices you standing there.

“What the fuck Y/N what are you doing here?!” he yells, voice shaky and raspy. Seungmin quickly turns around to his people, pointing at the hostage who’s lost his consciousness. “Take him away,” he commands lowly. “You’re all dismissed.”

The men drag the hostage’s body and leave the place quietly. Now, it’s just you and him facing each other. Seungmin is about to take your hand in his, but decides to stop himself when he realizes that they’re covered in blood.

“Did Mr. Song drive you here?”

You don’t answer. You can’t answer. Your body shakes as you involuntary recall how Seungmin beat the hostage up. The look in his eyes, his emotionless voice, the way he swung his bat without hesitation.

“What are you, Kim Seungmin?” you quiver, taking a step further from him. You need to get out, you need to be anywhere but here. You need something, anything that can make you forget what you just witnessed.

“Please,” Seungmin pleads. “Please Y/N. I’ll tell you everything. Please listen to me.”

“This is what you’ve been trying to hide from me? The fact that you torture people to get what you want?!”

Seungmin eventually grabs your hands, begging you to look at him. “I’m looking for other ways, love,” he utters. “But for now I have to do whatever my father says. His words are law, but I’ve vowed to myself that it won’t be like this for too long. I’ll stop him.”

You swat his hands away. “For years you made me think that we couldn’t be together because I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, that no matter what I did I would never be good enough, that I would never be able to fit in. It turns out you’re just saving yourself, aren’t you Kim Seungmin? You only care about yourself!”

“How am I supposed to tell you that this is me, Y/N? How am I supposed to tell you that this is how my family lives? Would you—,” he pauses, wiping his tear-stained cheeks. “Would you even spare me a glance if you knew that I’m no better than a murderer?!”

“That’s up to me to decide!” you shout. “You don’t get to make decisions for me, Seungmin, but you didn’t even give me a choice in the first place!”

When he runs out of words to say, you force your body to turn around, exiting the warehouse with your last bit of strength left. Mr. Song is waiting for you, your heels ready for you to wear. You slip into them, refusing to look into his eyes when he offers you help.

You feel Seungmin’s eyes on you as you walk away. Even after what happened, you can’t help but return his gaze. He looks broken and lost—on other days, you would have run to him and took him into your arms.

But now is not the time, no matter how desperate you are for answers. You turn on your heels, your heart shattering into pieces as you remember the question Seungmin asked you in Busan.

“Do you trust me?”

Jisu’s maid pushes a trolley full of snacks and drinks into her room. You politely refuse everything, but your friend pours herself a glass of champagne, chugging it down in one go. She lets out a dejected sigh once the maid leaves the room, glancing at you warily.

“I’m so, sorry Y/N,” she whispers. “I can’t believe his father did that to you.”

“Did he really send me there so I could see Seungmin like that? And you knew about this?”

“I didn’t!” Jisu exclaims. “I mean, I do get the gist what his father does, but I never knew it was that bad. And I didn’t know he asked Seungmin to do all the dirty deeds himself. That man and his greed.”

Jisu sits beside you. “The way Seungmin’s family runs the law firm changed since his father took over,” she explains. “I guess this is why he wins every single case now. He does literally everything to win, and he expects Seungmin to do things his way later.”

“Has Seungmin ever told you this?”

“No,” she mumbles. “I know Seungmin’s been stressed high school, but I never knew this was the reason. He’s seeing his therapist almost every day, Y/N. I thought you would help him and vice versa. I know the two of you have liked each other since forever. I’m sorry.”

You wrap your arms around her. “You’ve been nothing but sweet to us. You, Felix, Chan… you guys are my everything.”

“How about Seungmin?” Jisu starts sobbing. “I’ll respect your decision whatever it is, but what are you going to do now?”

You try to clear your mind, imagining how you and Seungmin will be if you live without each other. Will you be able to bear the unimaginable pain? Will he?

“Jisu, do you know if Seungmin’s parents are home?”

“No, they’re in Paris with my Mom.”

“Then can you drive me to his place?”

The Kim family butler takes you to Seungmin’s bedroom. He knocks the door, waiting for a while before opening it when nobody answers. The big room is empty, but the attic ladder is pulled down. “Young Master likes to spend his time in the attic. He probably fell asleep there,” the butler says.

You nod, thanking him before climbing up. The attic is neat and warm, with Seungmin’s photos decorating the walls. Several dog plushies are placed on a small wooden rack, while some get special spots near his mattress.

You lie down beside him, taking a good look of his sleeping form. He’s no longer covered in blood (which definitely makes things easier for you), and his steady breathing calms you down within seconds. You wonder how it feels like having to sacrifice everything in order to have everything. You think about how Seungmin wakes up in fear everyday, waiting for his father’s cruel orders.

“Y/N?”

Seungmin blinks at you, squinting to make sure that it’s really you. “Hi. Your butler let me in.”

He scrambles to get up, but you stop him. “Lie down. You must be tired.”

You scoot closer to him, feeling his body tense up when you circle your arms around his torso. “You can tell me everything now.”

Seungmin begins his story, explaining how his father never says no to clients, no matter how impossible their cases are to win. He often works with his clients to eliminate everyone in their way, using any methods possible. When Seungmin started high school, his father told him to watch how the law firm worked, and eventually forced him to do things by himself so he would “toughen up” and “understand how business works.”

“Mr. Song has been helping me form plans to end this. He’s Father’s most trusted person, so he knows everything. I still do fact checks, of course. I’m trying to be as careful as possible. I’m trying to take down my own father, and if I take even a step wrong, it’ll be over for Mother and I.”

You sigh, burying your face in the crook of his neck as you pat his back softly. Seungmin keeps his hands to his side the whole time, afraid to cross the line although you’re glued to him.

“Father has ears everywhere Y/N. He probably knows how serious I am with you and wanted to test you. I’m sorry you had to see all of that.”

“Test me?”

“Yeah. Whoever decides to stay with me after knowing everything will earn his approval.”

“Has anybody else gone through that?”

“No,” he answers. “Believe it or not, you’re my first girlfriend.”

You raise your eyebrow. “Believe it or not? Of course I do, it’s obvious that you had no dating experience!”

“Y/N,” he calls out. “You’re here to say goodbye, right?”

Seungmin has pulled you away, sitting up and waiting for you to do the same. “It’s okay. If I were you, I’d be so disgusted at myself too. Don’t think about me, just think about what’s best for you.”

“You never… killed anyone, right?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll never do that. You have my words.”

“I trust you, Seungmin,” you state. “I asked myself again and again, but my answer remains the same. You’re not a bad person and I trust you. I know you by heart, and I’ll love you as long as I can.”

You wish you could promise only boy you’ve ever loved an eternal love—it sounds beautiful, something that lasts forever. But you know better than to give Seungmin empty promises. He’ll probably break your heart if life doesn’t allow him to change his world, but you’re willing to take the risk.

Seungmin releases the breath he seemed to be holding for the past few minutes. “That’s my girl,” he praises. “That’s all I could ask for.”

“Let’s only think about now, okay? You’re not alone anymore, you have me.”

You cup his cheeks and capture him in a loving kiss, basking in the warmth of his body when he scoops you into his arms. Seungmin’s gestures still feel hesitant, but you convince him with every kiss, with every sweet word you utter against his lips until he finally melts and kisses you harder, each kiss more ardent than before.

“You’re never lacking in my eyes, don’t forget that,” Seungmin tells you, enunciating each word clearly so you’ll let it sink in. “You’ve always been more than enough. Everything I could ask for.”

You only grin, pecking his swollen lips one more time before allowing yourself to fall asleep, listening to his heartbeat.

Both of you let your own images of the future loom over you for so long, feeding yourselves with doubt and fear.

Now it’s time to let go.  

more a/n: i spent a long time writing this, i hope this is still good and not boring! i’m happy that my first story in 2020 is for seungmin. the ending is somewhat bittersweet, but it was the only option that felt right to me.  

[justasparkwritings]

Codename Cupid: Chapter 8

Previous: Another Shot At Love Pt. 2

Pairing: Min Yoongi X OFC, Park Jimin X OMC

Genre: Secret AgentAU, AgentAU, Government Agent AU, Slice of Life

Rating: NC17

Word Count: 3.5k

Warnings: Swearing, Legal Alcohol Consumption, Degradation, Humiliation, Verbal Abuse, Horrible Family, Bullying, Sibling Rivalries, Homophobia, Toxic Masculinity

Summary: Codename Suga joins Codename Cupid at her parents house for family dinner. It’s both everything he imagined, and so much worse. 

Codename Another Shot at Love Part 3

Fall Post Graduation

           Park Yoongi, Codename Suga, arrived at the Lee residence dressed to the nines, a new suit, top of the line glasses and Ferragamo loafers that Hoseok had picked out especially for him. Nothing about his look screamed mid-level employee at a top-level bank, or government agent bent on destroying a company from within, which was the point. Namjoon had determined that to impress the Lee’s, Codename Valentine, Suga had to be runway ready. His hair was slicked back, and in his arms, a bottle of Makers 46, a bottle Cupid had ensured her father would appreciate. In his ear, a flesh-colored earpiece, specially designed, allowing his teammates, Codenames RM, Worldwide Handsome and J-Hope, to feed him lines when needed.

          Adjusting his spectacles and turning them on, Suga’s vision was momentarily blocked as the sensors began their job scanning everything and everyone insight, transmitting data in real time to his set up at OT7 headquarters. The glasses, a creation he had spent the better part of a year working on, were a modification of his third-generation specs. Not only could they recognize faces, scan for heat sensors, but log sounds such as alarm codes and lock patterns, decoding their passcodes in seconds. This was a marked improvement from the generation twos, which recorded sound and took up to 24 hours to decode. The recorded surveillance was wired through the major databases used by OT7 to track down faces of everyone Suga came in contact with. Tonight, their goal was to memorize every aspect of the Lee’s estate, transmit the layout into a CAD (computer aided design) drawing and print a scaled blueprint. They were also responsible for identifying every human in the Lee’s house, pulling names, birthdays, permanent addresses and social security numbers. In his glasses case, Suga had placed several microscopic microphones, which he placed on any surface he touched. They might not have eyes inside the mansion, but OT7 would have ears.

          “Park Yoongi,” The attendant declared as he stepped through the foyer and into the sitting room, where the entire Lee, Codename Valentine, family sat waiting for him.

          “Good evening,” Yoongi bowed deeply, a remnant of his heritage and a sign of respect.

          “Yoongi!” Euna said, standing and quickly wrapping her arms around his neck. Leaning in, she placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. “Mom, dad, this is Yoongi, my boyfriend.”

          Mr. Lee rose, looked Yoongi up and down before he spoke, “I hear you work for us. Good.”

          “Yes, sir, I do,” Yoongi nodded.

          “Your work is good, you fly under the radar, if you’re to continue this with Euna, you will need to do better,” Mr. Lee extended his hand, shaking Yoongi’s, before moving past him.

          “Sir, I brought you a gift, I heard it’s one of your favorites,” Yoongi handed the man the bottle and watched as he unwrapped it. His oafish hands tore through the tissue paper, impatient to get his hands on something he didn’t buy but eagerly wanted.

          “Ahh, a bribe, thoughtful,” Mr. Lee said before handing the bottle to the head of house, who had quietly walked into the room. She took it and carefully moved to place it on the shelf which housed an impressive collection of whiskey.

          Mrs. Lee looked at her cohort of older children. “Don’t be rude.”

          The three children rose and walked towards Yoongi. Towering over him, Dae-Seong and Jun-Seo glared down at him, a sinister smirk on both their faces.

          “Dae-Seong,” He said, squeezing Yoongi’s hand harder than necessary.

          “Jun-Seo,” He repeated the action, his hold lighter, his smirk faded into a thin line, laced with more concern than Yoongi imagined Dae-Seong could ever muster.

          “Yoongi,” Kwan-Min bowed before extending her hand, “Kwan-Min.” Her smile mirrored Euna’s, gentle and vibrant. Her eyes told the same story as her brothers, watch your back.

          “Nice to meet you,” Yoongi responded. Carefully taking a seat next to Euna, he smiled tersely at the family.

          “Yoongi, tell us about yourself,” Mrs. Lee requested. She slowly clinked the perfectly shaped sphere of ice in her glass, it slowly melting into the brown liquid.

          “Is there anything specific you want to know?” He responds politely.

          “Your file is thin, you don’t seem to want to advance at Lee Enterprises, so how’d you end up here?” Dae-Seong doesn’t mince words. Much like the booming timbre of his voice, his words cut straight to the point.

          “I worked in the Manhattan branch every summer of college, had two internships my junior and senior year, and then applied for an entry level position,” Yoongi could hear Namjoon, Codename RM, in his ear, repeating the fabricated story made ever more real by Hoseok’s ability to forge documents.

          “They moved you out here?” Mr. Lee questioned.

          “Yes, they asked if I would transfer,” Yoongi replied.

          “Why?” Dae-Seong was perplexed, no new hire was asked to transfer unless they were a problem worth handling.

          “They said I was polished, and my work was good,” Yoongi shrugged. WWH reminded him to lean into the nonchalance, the ultimate fuck-you attitude the Lee’s hated.

          “Seems vague,” Jun-Seo remarked. “Your childhood was rather bleak, wasn’t it?”

          “It wasn’t the best, but it was temporary,” Yoongi knew this was the line of questioning they’d take, and not just with him, with anyone not from the upper echelon, anyone not worth less than 100 million.

          “Your parents were, sorry, are, quite poor,” Dae-Seong pressed.

          “Poor to some is rich to others,” Yoongi answered.

          “But poor is still, poor,” Jun-Seo responded.

          “You haven’t dated much, either have you Yoongi?” Kwan-Min’s voice was velvet, soft and supple in the tense air.

          “I’ve had a few relationships, but none like Euna,” Mr. World Wide’s voice was clear and gentle, sell it Suga.

          “What makes her so different? Clearly you see things that we don’t,” Dae-Seong snorted back a laugh, it was a hideous sound, loud and haunting.

          “I see a lot of things in Euna. She’s thoughtful, considerate, she’s caring and funny. She accepts me for who I am, and makes me a better person,” Yoongi laid on the compliments like he hadn’t spent the last two weeks rehearsing them for OT7.

          It had taken him a while to list the characteristics he liked about Cupid, and ultimately had recruited WWH to write it for him. He stared at the words Mr. Handsome wrote, and was shocked that he still cared this much about her. Yoongi felt none of these things, none of these adjectives or memories that Mr. Handsome had strewn together resonated with him in the slightest. Cupid was a mark, a pawn in the play, nothing more.

          “Huh, lucky someone does,” Jun-Seo laughed, ribbing Dae-Seong and leading him in a cackle all their own. Yoongi glanced at Euna to see her jaw set, cheeks flushed, eyes glossed.

          “Jun-Seo, you have a guest,” The attendant from the front door announced, standing taught at the door. A blond-haired man entered, smirking with a hint of humor. Yoongi stared at his dazzling smile and kind eyes.  

          “You made it!” Jun-Seo stood to engulf the man in a hug, lips pressing aggressively to his lips. “I thought you said you were busy.”

          “I got away,” The blond responded.

          “It’s lovely to see you,” Mrs. Lee stood to embrace the man, followed by Kwan-Min. Yoongi watched carefully as Dae-Seong and Mr. Lee scowled, arms crossed, brows set. They didn’t have to speak their distaste for Jun-Seo’s apparent partner, it was written in their body language.

          “It’s lovely to see you too,” He said. His eyes didn’t glance at the elder males but landed squarely on Yoongi and Euna.

          “Lee Euna, is that how you greet me?” He questioned, a hand resting on his hip, hair lightly falling in his eyes.

          “I’m so happy to see you!” She bounded off the settee towards him, arms around his neck, holding him close. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you before the big trip!”

          Yoongi stared, dumbfounded, and blinked quickly, trying to understand the rapid change in her demeanor. Gone were the tears, the anger, the hate that was coursing through her body. It was replaced with care? Genuine excitement? What the hell is the big trip?

          “I had to get in one more family dinner before I’m gone for the month,” The blond smiled warmly at Euna, a twinkle in his eye as he glanced at Yoongi. “Is that?”

          “Oh! This is my boyfriend, Park Yoongi. Yoongi, meet Jun-Seo’s partner, Cho Jimin,” Euna said. The two men exchanged a handshake before sitting down next to their respective partners.

          “How long have you and Jun-Seo been together?” Yoongi inquired.

          “Hm, a year?” Jun-Seo replied, a hand resting gently on Jimin’s thigh.

          “Did you meet at work or-

          “Twenty questions with the twinks! Line em up, it’s time to play!” Dae-Seong yelled, earning a chuckle from his father. “First question, who tops and who bottoms? Follow up, is Jun-Seo as weak of a top as he-

          “Dinner is ready,” The head of house said, stepping into the room just in time. Rolling his eyes, Dae-Seong stood.

          “You’re gonna need your strength,” He winked at Jimin before brushing past them and heading for the dining room. Yoongi followed obediently and cautiously, taking his time putting one foot in front of the other as he followed the Lee’s. Pausing every so often, he carefully trailed a finger over a surface, leaving a singular mic, completely invisible, behind.

          The dining room was stunning, taken out of the palace of Versailles with a Korean twist, the marble floors and ornate chandeliers were out of this world. Flowers blooming in ancient vases, artwork that looked to be that of Picasso and An Kyŏn, Monet and Manet, lining the walls like the Louvre. There wasn’t anything the Lee’s money couldn’t buy, even 15th century originals were bound to become fodder in their quest for prestige.

          Draped across the table, a gold runner, glittering with what could only be described as actual gold flakes. Waterford Crystal glasses, and hand painted china rested delicately against the gold, the white shining brilliantly under the lights of the chandelier. Awaiting the guests, an endless array of traditional Korean food: Jjajangmyeon, Bulgogi, Samgyetang, Kalguksu, Galbi, Dubu Kimchi, Kimchi Fried Rice, with bowls of Hobakjuk as everyone’s appetizers, and Gyeranjjim waiting on a refined plate to be consumed with each passing spice.

          Yoongi’s eyes were wide, his lungs breathing rapidly to take in the scents of home, of familiarity. How peculiar to be eating the cuisine of his ancestors, of his blood, in a room with people who would willing spill each other’s.

          “Yoongi, sit next to Dae-Seong.” Mr. Lee instructed.

          Excellent, Namjoon muttered in his ear.

          “Dae-Seong, I hear that you’re making quite a splash as the Chairman,” Yoongi voiced.

          “Only bottom feeders eat my ass, Yoongi. For that you need to see Jun-Seo, appointment only,” Dae-Seong rolled his eyes.

          “Please, do not speak of your brother’s depravity at dinner. Save it for dessert,” Mr. Lee scolded, eyes hard on Dae-Seong.

          “When are we going to discuss Kwan-Min’s latest triste?” Jun-Seo inquired.

          “Now seems like the perfect opportunity,” Mr. Lee answered. “Dae-Seong?”

          In some sort of twisted ritual, Dae-Seong cracked his knuckles, then his neck, swirled a sip of whiskey between his lips and leaned in. Batting his eyes delicately at Kwan, he bared his teeth. Yoongi restrained from asking “you getting this?” to his team, because they were in fact, watching with bated breath.

          “The category is, colossal fuck ups. The reining champ, for the first time in, Euna, how old are you? Never mind, age has no number when you’re a twat. Kwan-Min, for a million dollars, explain how you found yourself cunt up with a political fundraiser? I’m sorry, a Republican political fundraiser?”

          Mrs. Lee gasped, her soup spoon dropping aggressively into her bowl, rattling the china. Euna didn’t look up, but quietly shoveled soup into her mouth, feigning ignorance.

          “Kwan-Min, how could you?” Mrs. Lee demanded.

          “If the rumors are true, and we’ll need Jun to confirm, Mr. Brady, I believe?” Dae-Seong inhales, eyes never leaving Kwan’s, voice even, “He’s particularly gifted in a few areas, and very well endowed and what was that other word? Oh yes, generous.”

          “Quite a generous tongue on that one,” Jun responded, shame flickering past his eyes in a brief moment before his resolve solidified.

          “How could you?” Mrs. Lee repeats again. “You are the second eldest of this family, the face of our philanthropy, and you are consorting with a known republican? Not to mention a man so cruel he, he,

          “He thinks Dae-Seong is weak,” Euna spoke. Her wavering voice echoed over the table, everyone’s eyes turning to her. “I mean, that’s what you’re doing, right Kwan? Find someone so repugnant that Dae is outraged, spurring on another break down in hopes he’ll OD and you’ll what, become chairwoman of the board?”

          “Fuck you for insinuating I make my decisions based on Dae. Do you live and breathe at his request?” Kwan spat, the heat from the food and the fight rising in her cheeks.

          “No,” Euna was incredulous, how could Kwan assume that?

          Through gritted teeth she responded, “Neither do I.”

          “For two million, Mr. Chairman,” Jun motioned toward Dae, “explain to us how you could be fucking a member of the opposing party, who has tried to ruin this family numerous times? Is the dick that great?” Jun-Seo pressed.

          “Don’t pretend that you haven’t fucked him, fag,” Dae laughed. “You two are the biggest whores in the game.”

          “That’s not true,”

          “The fact that you’re Eskimo siblings, not once, not twice, but have shared more than three sexual partners is revolting. You’re fucking freaks, sodomizing the legacy of this family for some log cabin taint who can’t even be bothered to pay the child support for the kids he knows about.”

          “How do you know so many categories of gay men?” Euna asked, eyes narrowing at Dae-Seong, “You been experimenting?”

          “Oh, don’t even get me started on you and your choices, Euna,” Dae rolled his eyes then glanced at Jun-Seo, who was sneering at him.

          “What could you possibly say that you haven’t before?” Euna cackled, a sound so foreign Yoongi can’t help but feel his eyes bug out.

          “Whoa,” Mr. Handsome says in his ear.

          “Oh shit,” RM responds.  

          “You’re not even worth discussing,” Kwan-Min stepped in, and swinging the last of her cocktail back, she turned to Dae-Seong. “I’m more interested in your affinity for homosexual stereotypes. Tell me, when you’re alone in your house, your wife sleeping in a separate apartment, cities away, is that what you’re watching? Is that what gets you off? Picturing a willing gaping hole, just waiting to be ruined? Or no, I’m sorry, but Jun, don’t you think he’d be-

          “A power bottom? Absolutely, he spends his nights ogling over submissive bears, trying to find one big enough to fill him, scrolling through chatrooms under, what was his username?” Jun-Seo doesn’t look at Kwan, he knows she understands what is about to transpire.

          “Beary-willing007,” They recite together.

          J-Hope guffaws in Suga’s ear, followed by a loud “oh shit!”

          “I can’t imagine how it would look if your little, what did you call it?” Kwan asked.

          “The twink or the fag?” Jun-Seo repeated Dae’s words so seamlessly, so effortlessly, to a blind eye it would’ve been hard to tell that Jun wasn’t Dae’s twin.

          “Both, if your nefarious activities and browser history was discovered, or dare a say, leaked?” Kwan raised an eyebrow.

          “You think you scare me?” Dae-Seong asked. “Summer, 2012, what happened to you?”

          “Why would you bring that up?” Kwan’s glare faltered, a subtle shift in her brow, the sneer dipping before returning at full capacity.

          “We need to know what happened summer 12,” RM stated, voice low as he jotted down the date.

          “You want to throw dirty laundry out into the open, might as well air yours,”

          “Fuck you,”

          “I didn’t start this,”

          “Yes you did,”

          “Jun-Seo, care to tell us what happened to you winter, 2014?”

          “No,”

          “I thought so,” Dae pointed his knife at each of them, “Before you go accusing me of being a fucking homo, check that I don’t have your history sealed and filed.”

          “Did you get that?” RM asked.

          “Yeah, got it,” J-Hope responded.

          “And Euna,” Dae turned his attention to his youngest sibling, who sat quietly eating her food. “Don’t ever bring a bottom feeder home again, unless he’s going to eat my ass, you hear me? Or I will do to you what was done to Kwan-pussy-ass-Min.”

          “Fuck you Dae,” Euna spewed.

          “Excuse me?” He yelled, standing to his full height.

          “I said, fuck you,” Euna repeated with a little more gumption.

          “Oh Euna, little Euna, too smart for everyone, too polite and meek to ever be taken seriously, to fucking boring and oblivious to know that her boyfriend’s only date her for access or career status, so stupid that she can’t recognize that the only reason she’s getting the company is that she’s so incompetent, no one will believe her when –

          “Dae-Seong!” Mr. Lee yelled.

          “Don’t bring a fucking knife to a gun fight, Euna, I will end you.” He seethed.

          “What is your problem with Yoongi? He’s the first man I bring home and you-

          “What do you not understand about our family? What do you not understand about the caliber of person we need to be with in order to-

          “What, watch porn, order sex workers and pray the gay away?” Euna yelled.

          “Watch your tone,” Mr. Valentine said.

          “You’re acting like you don’t have secrets, like your marriage is pure and good, it’s not Dae. I don’t blame her for leaving you, anyone with a modicum of sense would see that you are nothing more than a toxic, manipulative, alcoholic coke head, who only has his job because daddy loves him the most.”

          “You think your relationship with Yoongi is going to be any different?” Jun-Seo spoke up, deflecting from the rising anger in Dae. “What makes you so special?”

          “First, I love him,” Euna responded, earning a scoff and eyeroll from every member of the Lee family. “Second, if he makes it out alive from this dinner with you assholes, then he truly is the most resilient person in the world. Finally,”

          “Thank fuck,” Jun-Seo exclaimed.

          “Finally, he was raised to be kind and respectful, unlike the four of us,” Euna concluded with a haughty exhale and a glare at her mother.

          “Wait – are you sure that’s not just Seokjin in a new suit?” Dae-Seong cackled, nodding at their father who also laughed.

          “I hate this family,” Euna rose and tossed her napkin on the floor, a dramatic flair that sent her brothers and father into a fit of laughter.

          “You act like you aren’t the ingrown hair on the taint of this family, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that I would love to extract you,” Dae said.

          His words hung in the air as Euna walked out of the living room, Yoongi on her tail.

          Catching up to her, Yoongi reached for her hand, which she hastily pulled away.

          “Euna,” His voice was measured.

          “Can we please just go?” She whispered, tears beginning to stream down her face.

          “Yeah, can I just run to the bathroom quick? Grab the coats and I’ll meet you outside,” He pressed a kiss to her forehead before following one of the workers to the nearest bathroom. Hoping to shake the worker, Yoongi deftly exited the bathroom before wandering down the hall. He followed the sound of voices and stopped short of what he assumed was Mr. Lee’s office.

          Mr. Lee stood next to Dae-Seong, a fresh glass of whiskey in hand. “Did you read the brief on UAE?”

          “Yes,” Dae-Seong answered.

          “I want your recommendations tomorrow by 9AM,” Mr. Lee instructed, “None of that pussy shit you drew up for Spain, either.”

          “Pussy shit in Spain is child’s play in the Emirates. I’ll bring something, nuclear,”

          “Don’t jerk me around like you do with your pathetic excuse for a cock, Dae. I do not want to have to fire you and replace you with Jun-Seo,” Mr. Lee slammed his glass down before retreating through a door Yoongi hadn’t seen when he’d glanced in.

          “I’m sorry father, I will have the materials ready,” Dae’s voice was pathetic, deflated in the wake of his father’s anger. He hated being belittled and demeaned, hated the hurt his father hurled at him, the constant need for him to be better than everyone else. He hated how easily it came to Euna, how she could understand the numbers and draw connections within seconds of being presented with the problem. He hated Euna’s prowess, how businessmen and women flocked to her, a cello prodigy, ballet star in training, perfect grades, whored out to different branches so she could learn the business. Every fuck up Dae-Seong had made resulted in Euna’s success, and their father and mother, though more covertly, had egged his jealousy on.

          Yoongi placed a mic on the inside of the door before slipping back into the hallway and out of the Lee estate, to Euna’s embrace.

          “Your place or mine?” He asked as he sat in the driver’s seat of his car.

          “Anywhere but here,” She responded, eyes blinking down tears as Yoongi drove.

Next: Searching for Seokjin Pt. 2

[timextoxhajima]

Chapter poster by @/lovehyuck on Instagram

NCT One Shot Collection

Member: Johnny

Genre: Fluff, gets a tiny bit suggestive at the end

Word Count: 3.7k

A/N: this was such a fun one to write! i may or may not have busted a big, fat uwu writing this. 

Art school was not the least bit easy for you. Not with all the different events and projects your course forced you through in your freshman year. Your media and design course needed you to constantly pull on a smile and an excited tone whenever you did broadcasting exercises, then back at home when you were off screen and not interning at an external company, you needed to learn the aesthetics of setting up websites and online blog shops. Writing and photography were skills you also needed for your course. All of this was extremely hard to handle when you're a freshman and had trouble even memorizing your way around the huge university campus.

You were absolutely dreading the next project that was set to come your way, because you would be interning at an independent boutique chain to learn the ideas and ways of online advertising and sales, but what you didn't expect in the package was the gentle giant that you would meet during your time of intern at the boutique chain stores.

"y/n?" One of the boutique's managers called out. You looked up from your journal of scripts and half done speeches you had done and would be doing in the future for the advertising projects.

"I'm here," You hurriedly shoved the book into your bag and got to your feet.

"Please, come in. I'll introduce you to your partner you'll be working with for your internship," The lady had a blazer on with a maroon top underneath, paired with black pants and a blue lanyard with her pass in the cardholder. You made your way into the room behind her, and before her sat a cheerful young man who was a few years older than you. The moment he noticed you, he stood up and offered you a handshake.

"Hi! You must be y/n! I'm Johnny Seo, the boutique's newest fashion designer and accent advisor. 'Johnny' will do just fine," he smiled at you, his wide grin making you feel warm and welcomed, despite his large and seemingly intimidating frame.

"Hi, nice to meet you," you took the handshake and bowed a little.

"Good to see that you two are starting off on the right foot. So, the both of you will be working closely for a project that the boutique is planning on launching in summer, preferably for a autumn collection. Johnny will brainstorm the styles and ideas, color palettes and all, and you will be handling the promotion and setting up of website for the project launch. How does that sound?" The lady leaned forward on the table, clasping her hands together and interlinking her fingers.

Johnny eagerly nodded, before turning to you, who obviously had some doubt in yourself.

"Relax, y/n, it's your first big project with a brand name. It's actually Johnny's first big launch too, but both of you have reputable portfolios. I don't expect the grandest, but I do expect your best efforts. If you perform well, we might consider you as permanent staff," The lady smiled at you. You processed her words, letting them sink in as you began to peel the small bits of skin round your fingertips and biting the ripped skin off your dry lips. Reputable profiles? Permanent staff? This is a huge brand name. Working for them would be like working for the Gods themselves. 

"y/n, really, don't feel pressured. We want our crew to be as relaxed and comfortable. We chose to accept your internship with us out of a few hundred because you have amazing presence and your work is unique. After the internship, if you'd like to work for another brand instead, it can remain in discussion. But for now, all I need you to do is to work with Johnny to produce the best project launch for this autumn, that's all. Can you do that?" The lady raised her brow, her voice softening as she tried her best to calm you down. 

You nodded. 

"Amazing. Johnny will show you to your temporary office and give you a small tour and orientation of the office building. From today onward, just report to this building for your internship and you can do everything you need to do in this building. Your school has already been notified of this information," The lady leaned back in her seat and pulled out a file from the cabinet behind her, opening it to an internship contract page and setting it down on the table in front of you.

Both you and Johnny signed your respective contracts, and off you went on your orientation with him. 

"Do you that when you're nervous or stressed?" Johnny spoke after a moment of silence. You were in the elevator with him on the way down to your office floor.

"Wha--? Oh," You looked down at your fingers and noticed the skin that had been peeled off had caused a tiny bit of bleeding. "Yeah, it's a habit. I'd like to get rid of it, but I've been doing it for years. Can't seem to stop it," You pulled your cardigan over your hands. Suddenly, you realised how under-dressed you were for the job. You were a broadcaster, a photographer and a writer, yet here you were, in a simple blue cardigan that covered your black top and some part of your denims. Even your ugly pair of strappy sandals were not up to your own standards.

Not when Johnny was there, fitted perfectly in his clothes.

Fashion designers.

"Fan of blue?" Johnny spoke again after the doors opened. 

"Yellow, actually. But my favourite yellow dress was in the washing machine this morning when I checked so..." You shrug and follow him out of the lift. He smiled as a gesture of courtesy, letting you know that he heard you. He tapped a card with his face printed on it on the door scanner, a soft beep turned one of the scanner's lights from red to green and he pushed the door open for you. 

"So, uhm, since you're working with this brand for the first time, I'll just let you know that their offices are on a rotational basis. So for example, you're working with me until autumn, right? Your office will be right next to mine until the season is over, and once you get a new partner, your office location will change, or maybe your new partner will come to you. Works both ways," Johnny walked and spoke at the same time, the office floor having a row of closed-door offices on both the left and right side of the floor, with office cubicles in the middle like a maze.

"The cubicles are for?" You looked at the employees sitting in cubicles, some talking on the phone and others looking intently at their computer screen.

"Oh, they basically handle the admin stuff. You know, employees, the money, event signing etcetera," He stopped right outside a closed office door. "I believe this office is yours," Johnny stretched out his right palm and gestured to the door. You glance at him and look at the door, the tab on the door where your name and position was supposed to be, still empty. 

The office was simple, but prettier than you expected it to be. After all, this was only supposedly an internship.

"Whoa," You breathed, stepping into the office and placing your bag on one of the guest chairs before heading for the window. You could see the city before you, with cars the size of fingernails and the glistening reflection off window panes from other office buildings. 

"I know right?" Johnny smiled. "Uh, you can get your access pass from the security point from tomorrow onwards. The admin counter on the first floor will give you your name and tab for your door when you clock in tomorrow," You hummed in response, still taken and completely obsessed with the view, so much that you didn't even notice Johnny had gone into his office right next to yours. 

After setting up your office, linking your devices to the office's network, putting in your name and tab on the door and shelving some of your files for research and information purposes, you were finally settled in. Of course, some of that settling needed an extra hand, and who else to help but your office neighbour and also your partner for the next 8 months?

The first teaser or promotional event for the launch was set to happen in about a month's time. That meant you needed to do filming, editorials, find some contract models and dress them in the clothes that Johnny was to design. Though you had a month, it felt like you had a week, and once you realised that, you began chewing on your lip like a dog chewing on its toy bone.

"No, I need a week to edit and fix up the promotional videos. I need the models in three weeks from now, not six," You spoke into your office phone. Your eyes were fixated on website designs and filming techniques you had learnt at school but was never able to apply them, but your ears were listening to the horrendous dealings of a model company who couldn't offer models when you needed them.

"Don't be ridiculous. Which part of 'three weeks' did you not unders-- look, if you can't give me my models - which the company I'm currently working for now would've already informed you so forth - in three weeks, then the company is done with you, got it?" You didn't wait for a response. Slamming the phone back into its phone set on the table, you were frustrated and stressed out. Not because you were now interning at a big brand name, but because you genuinely wanted to do well. Your website was barely put together with the absence of photos and information about the project launch. Only the color accents and layouts were fixed, but otherwise it was a barren land. 

Knock knock.

"Come in," You sighed and held up your fringe with your left hand, your right handling the mouse and moving the cursor around the website page, wondering what else you could do for it.

"Heard you yelling at the model contractor from next door," Johnny let himself in and shut the door behind him. 

"Please tell me you have some designs and you're ready to make them," Your eyes shifted to the man, your posture remaining slouched and stiff infront of the computer screen.

"Was just about to show you some of them. Thought they might help with the color accents for the website too," Johnny was holding a sketchbook and a file filled with sample materials and designs. He sat down on one of the guest chairs and pushed the file over to you on the table.

The sketches were amazing. Both the male and female designs were stunning, simple yet dramatic, and he did not stick to a single color accent. He used every single warm color available on the color wheel.

"These are amazing, Johnny," You took the sketchpad nearer to your computer and changed up the color accents on the site. "You should start materializing these. When the launch is done, the brand's definitely going to want you working for them," You clicked rapidly, fixing every crook and cranny of the site to fit the color accents of the designs in his sketchpad. 

"I actually wanted your input on the specific designs and materials. You do photography, so you should have an idea on what would look good in photographs," He looked you in the eye and had this adorable, sheepish, grin plastered on his face. It was almost like he was always happy and nothing could ever bring him down.  "Also because I need to ask you for a favour," His expression progressed from sheepish to embarrassed.

"What is it?" You chuckle, taking the materials file and flipping through them, reaching for a pen from your pen holder and writing down some of the material codes next to the respective designs you thought fit.

"I have a couple of friends from high school organising a social event, and everyone who's going is either attached or engaged and--"

"And you want me to go?" You raised an eyebrow, looking up through your lashes and at him. He scratched the back of his neck and tilted his head. 

"Ah, you know what? Forget it, it's horrible for me to ask you to act like someone you're not, so--"

"Nah, I'll go," You waved it off with your free hand without looking up. 

"What-- Really?" Johnny paused, watching you scribble all the material codes on the final few pieces of his designs.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?" You finished the last codes and handed the sketchpad back to him. "I've matched the designs to the materials I think would be suitable. So just check them for me and start getting them made. Photo shoot is in about three weeks." 

"No, wait, y/n, you're really okay with going to the event with me?" Johnny had a little frown on his face.

"Why not?" You leaned back in your chair. "Haven't been to one of those in awhile. Won't hurt to get one night off this stinking intern that's making me tear my hair out," 

He nodded and was obviously very happy.

"Okay. So I'll just text you the date, and you text me your address and I'll fetch you then, s'that alright with you?" Johnny squinted his eyes like he hoped you'd say yes.

"Cool," You smiled at him. There was an awkward pause as all he did was stare at you, when you weren't sure why he was still there. "Anything else, partner?" You furrowed your brows and pursed your lips. 

"Oh!" He exclaimed and whirled around in a circle, like a cat looking for its tail. "Nothing, I was just, zoning out," He frantically grabbed his sketchpad and material files from your table. "I'll see you tomorrow," He gave you one last nod before leaving your office. You waited until his shadow had disappeared from outside your door and into his, before sinking back into your chair and turning it around to see the glaring evening sun setting on the city. 

This internship was the hardest internship you had ever done. You were working for 9 hours straight a day, some days spent in the office doing research on materials and other days visiting material stores to gather information about the cloths and the small details like lace and buttons that Johnny needed to begin making his clothing line. But what you failed to notice was that every single time you were procrastinating on a meal, Johnny would never fail to appear at your door with some packed food, knowing that you hadn't had anything since the previous meal. After awhile, he noticed the trend in your tastes: nothing spicy, soup is a must, and you always had tea over coffee any day, and that was exactly how he would send lunch or dinner to your office despite it being way past the respective mealtimes. 

Before you knew it, the day of the social event was here. It was at a rather extravagant bungalow at a chalet right outside of town. All of Johnny's high school friends were going to be there, drinking booze or playing a game they weren't supposed to. Long story short, it was an event with all of Johnny's american friends.

"Hey Johnny, uhm, I was wondering..." You had the phone between your ear and your shoulder, all your party clothes laid out in front of you on the floor. "What are you wearing and what's the color code like?" 

"Oh, uhm, well, nothing sophisticated I guess? Denim jacket, T-shirt, pants and a pair of... Vans? I mean, it's a guy thing though. Girls usually wear prettier, slightly more... extravagant styles."

"Cool, so blue and black?" You eyed the black crossed-back singlet top with black leather pants. 

"Sounds fine to me."

"Also, Johnny," You were now holding the phone. "Who am I going as?" You smirked to yourself. You knew, but it would've been a lot nicer if he had just asked you to be his date directly.

"I... well, everybody's bringing someone you know, so... just for this once, pretend you're my girlfriend."

You smiled to yourself.

"Pleasure," You hung up. 

When you showed up at the party, you knew exactly why Johnny wanted you to go with him. This wasn’t just a social gathering, this was a white boy frat party. It wasn’t that bad, but everybody Johnny greeted looked like they used to play sports and had a girl attached to their arm. Johnny was popular with the people at the party. He was so sociable and such an amazing talker, you wondered why he hadn't gotten himself a real girlfriend when all he did the entire night was introduce you to his friends and by saying, "Hey, what's up? Dude, meet my girlfriend, y/n," Then he'd carry on and talk about how he met you at an internship and now you were both doing a clothing line project launch together. 

The night was getting late, and you definitely had more drinks than Johnny did. Your brain was like walking a tightrope and constantly on the edge of losing your composure altogether. Your date wanted to send you home when he noticed your face was rosier than usual and your eyes were no longer looking straight anymore, but you insisted and refused to leave. So when you found yourself in a circle next to Johnny, an empty bottle of beer in the middle and everybody else was screaming when two lucky people got chosen to make out with one another, that's when you decided to take another shot of vodka to completely immerse yourself in the party experience. 

"y/n," Johnny grabbed the shot glass, trying his best not to let you finish it. But the alcohol rushed down your throat so quickly, you belched, earning loud hoots from the rest of the circle.

"Next round!" The friend of Johnny's who was hosting the event yelled, grabbing the bottle and pinning it down in the middle of the circle.

"I think I'm going to send her home first, she's wasted," Johnny gently brushed the hair out of your face, your eyes barely open and your limbs functioning at the least. The bottle was spun and landed on Johnny.

"No! I'm staying, this is fun," You giggled, snuggling your head into his chest. 

"Oh, that's even better! Won't even know what's going to hit her!" His friend shouted, twirling the bottle again before Johnny could protest. The bottle landed on you. 

"Ooooooh, rules are rules, muchachos!" The host lifted his beer bottle. "If the player chosen is attached, then 7 minutes of heaven in the closet we go!" 

Johnny panicked. He watched as other girls from the circle got up to help carry you into the closet upstairs while the other guys hyped Johnny up to follow you upstairs. Before Johnny knew it, he was standing in front of you in someone's closet, the smell of cologne filling up both your noses and your eyes struggled to find a face to focus on. 

"Why is it so dark?" You groaned, rubbing your eyes and smacking your lips.

"Because you didn't want to leave the spin-the-bottle circle, you doofus," Johnny sighed and tucked your hair behind your ear.

"Care to explain why you don't have a girlfriend? Everybody else here has one besides you," You burped, the smell of sprite and vodka temporarily intoxicated the air between you and Johnny. He winced in disgust, before waving the air with his hand.

"My last dumped me. Said I was too focused on a career path that wasn't promising." 

Your muddleheaded skull processed this information, before it struck a chord in one of your nerves. 

"Jeez, I'm... sorry for that, I didn't mean to pry," You frowned and rubbed your face. 

"Nah, it's alright," Johnny shrugged, his eyes adjusting to the darkness and noticing your jacket falling to your elbows. He subtly pulled them up, covering your shoulders.

"What do people even do in 7 minutes in heaven anyway? Dumbass game," You shuffled your feet, failing to register that Johnny was kind of uncomfortable with how little space there was between the two of you. 

"Most people just... you know-- hook up," Johnny cleared his throat. You paused and looked up at the shape of his jaw under the horrible lighting, your fingers only able to graze the outline of his facial features since you couldn't see well. Your fingertips halted at his chin, then shifted up to feel his lips.

"Have you ever...?" You whispered. Johnny could only hear the sound of his own breathing, the feeling of someone else's fingers on his skin was so alien, yet familiar.

"No, only small kisses here and there, but never really a real..." His voice trailed off as he felt you tiptoeing to reach his height. "Kiss," He finished his sentence, and before he could register it, his arms were wrapped around your waist, and yours around his neck, trying to pull his head down to match your height. 

"Why are you so goddamn tall?" You huffed between kisses, the heat in your chest building up, and it wasn't only because of the alcohol. Johnny took the hint and shifted his hands to your thighs without violating your bottom, lifting you up and guiding your legs around his waist. It was almost as if every single word in the dictionary couldn't be processed in either of your heads. All he could taste was the lingering tinge of alcohol from your tongue, and all you could think of was how hot he was, being able to carry you and lifting you off the ground while still handling everything north.

"7 minutes is up-- whoa!" The host pulled open the door, only to see you hurriedly hop off Johnny's hips, your lipstick smudged and his hair in a mess. You coughed, surprisingly more sober than before. You began biting on your lip, noticing how everybody was shooting you smirks and teases. Johnny pulled up your jacket to your shoulder from behind, carefully patting down his hair and calmly wrapping his arm around your shoulder. 

"We have business to finish, so if you'll excuse us, I'll be sending her home."

[our-time-is-now]

June 24, 2019 (2): So you still don't have a plan?

(previous play)

You can find more information about the authors, translators, content warning and additional information about the plays in the pinned post on our blog.  

Monday, 3:57 pm:

Hanna: *is sitting on a bench close to the school, two coffee-2-go cups next to her, holding her face into the sun while waiting for Matteo* *thinks that it's great that it's already so warm and hopes that they will have great weather like this when they're on holiday* *quickly looks at her phone to check the time but realizes that it's not yet 4 pm and is expecting Matteo to arrive a little after 4 than right on time* *puts her phone back in her bag, closes her eyes again and keeps sunbathing*

Matteo: *is quite punctual for his standards and arrives at the park at 4 o'clock* *but then needs a few minutes to find Hanna* *grins when he sees her with her eyes closed and kicks the bench* Hannananana, na? Everything alright? *grins when she opens her eyes and gives her a quick hug before sitting down next to her* *ruffles around in his backpack and takes out a packet of cookies to present them to Hanna* *laughs when she gives him coffee in exchange* We're well prepared.

Hanna: *flinches slightly when someone kicks the bench and opens her eyes* *grins when she sees that it's Matteo* Naaa? *returns the hug and nods* Everything alright. What about you? *laughs when he takes out the cookies and hands him the coffee* Perfect! Just imagine if both of us had brought coffee or both of us had brought cookies... *grins* *takes a cookie and leans back into the sun again and closes her eyes for a moment* Awww... the weather is so nice! I hope it stays like this forever!

Matteo: *laughs* We're simply a good team. *takes a careful sip from his coffee and realizes that it has a good drinking temperature* *grins when she leans back again* *also takes a cookie* No, I hope not... I prefer fall... *sighs slightly and leans back* But if it were fall already then I'd already have to do something with my life, so I guess summer is quite nice, after all...

Hanna: *bites into her cookie and with her mouth half full says* I feel like we have way too much fall and way too little summer... *grins slightly but then gets serious again when Matteo mentions life after summer* *sits up a little, pulls one leg up on the bench and turns to face him* So you still don't have a plan? Any idea in what direction you might want to go? *says it completely without judgment – it had been quite similar for her until a few days ago, after all* *takes a sip from her coffee*

Matteo: *can't hear any judgment from her, either* *she's also one of the few people he doesn't find it hard to be open with, where he doesn't feel pressured* No, not really... I know all the things I don't want to do... some boring office-job, I don't want to be a teacher, I don't want to study something with which I can't do anything later, after all... but otherwise... *shrugs* Everyone else has already applied and waits excitedly or have already been accepted, but me? *shakes his head* I'll probably sit on the checkout counter at Aldi forever or something like that.

Hanna: *grins a little at the things Matteo is listing and then nods* It's the same for me. There are 1000 things that I /can't/ imagine doing. *but then keeps listening to him before telling him about her* *nods when he mentions the others* Yes! And some of them seem to be so sure – I can't really understand that! How am I supposed to already know what I want to do for the rest of my life? *then laughs when he mentions Aldi* I've heard that it's not a bad job...

Matteo: *nods when Hanna understands him* Yes, all of them... Jonas wanted to be a teacher for as long as I've known him... David has told me that he wanted to study filmmaking when we met for the second time and he already knows exactly where and how he has to apply... *shrugs* I mean, it's great for them and everything... but... *shrugs again* I think you should be able to do nothing for a year, or all kinds of jobs for a week or something, to try it, and afterwards you decide... *then looks at her* So you don't have a real plan, either?

Hanna: *is also happy for the people who simply know what they want to do, but at the same time is also a little jealous* *nods at his thoughts on the try-out-year and says* Yes, something like that would be cool! But you'd probably have to arrange that yourself in the form of internships – but you also have to get those in the first place. Something like that would have to be somehow supervised and supported! *tilts her head at Matteo's question* Well, I kinda know a little bit what I might want to do... *sees his questioning look and continues* I would really like to do something with people... preferably with children or teenagers, but I don't really want to be a teacher or a kindergarten teacher... that would somehow be too much educational responsibility... I just want to somehow... help? *laughs quietly because that somehow sounds stupid* I could study social work but I don't really know if I can do it, to be honest. And then I studied something for three or four years and realize only afterwards that it's not my thing... that's also really stupid. *takes a sip of coffee* Well, anyways, I did some research and last week I applied for a Voluntary Year of Social Service...

Matteo: *takes another sip from his coffee and takes another cookie as he listens to her* *nods* Yeah, there should be pre-planned stations that you just go through... *looks at her interested when she says that she now has at least some idea* *then nods at what she says, feels similar about it* Yes, educational responsibility isn't really my thing, either... *nods at what she says about studying, feels like this about every subject* *then looks surprised* Voluntary Year of Social Service? That's still a thing? I thought that was abolished when compulsory military service was abolished? *slightly nods approvingly* But that sounds quite nice... is quite similar, right? To check it out for a year, see what it's like...

Hanna: *laughs quietly* Yes – that’s still a thing! *then shrugs* Well, you don't go through various stations but you only pick one thing at the beginning. And in between you have several seminars where you meet others and exchange your experiences. I think at these seminars you also learn what it's like somewhere else. Anyways, they've sent me a really long list of facilities in Berlin where they are still looking for people – there really is /everything/ on it: schools, youth centers, homeless shelters, mother-child facilities... everything really! *grimaces slightly* I'm quite overwhelmed with all the options. But I have to make a decision until tomorrow because I have a meeting with the head of this facility...

Matteo: *frowns slightly when she tells him about all the things you can do* *thinks that it doesn't sound too bad for one year, just to check it out* *then looks a little confused* Huh? You applied to some central office and they send you a list of 1000 facilities and how do you know who wants you? Or did they already send it to them on your behalf? *doesn't really know how all of this works* What if you apply for a Voluntary Year of Social Service but you definitely don't want to go to a mother-child facility?

Hanna: *takes another cookie and starts to eat it* *frowns and tries to answer Matteo's questions* Well, as far as I understood it, all the facilities that want one or two or three people reach out to the central office. They then know which facilities are still looking for people and send the list to the applicants – the list is divided into health care, child and youth services, culture, addiction treatment centers etc. ... Then you go to the appointment there and tell them which area or specific facility you are interested in. Apparently you can also list several... *shrugs* ... and then they forward your application to those facilities. And those facilities then invite you for a job interview and if they want you the central office takes that facility off their list... unless they are looking for more than one person... *grins and draws up her eyebrows* Sounds awfully complicated but the system is actually quite good, isn't it?

Matteo: *listens to her concentrated* *nods slowly* That actually sounds quite nice... *then looks at her* And do they still accept applications or is the deadline already over? *wonders if he might have just found something that he could do* *briefly has to think of his father and if he would approve of it* *but then shakes his head because he actually doesn't really care*

Hanna: *nods and smiles when Matteo says that it sounds quite nice* I thought so, too... *slightly tilts her head when she hears Matteo's next question and grins* They still accept applications. It doesn't start until September... *suddenly gets really excited and grabs Matteo's arm* Aaahhh... don't tell me you're thinking about doing it, as well!? That would be so cool! Then we'd most likely have the seminars together and if we don't understand something we could ask each other... *lets go of him and pulls her backpack closer* Hang on... I have the list here... *laughs quietly* Then you can have a look and give me some advice on what I should do...

Matteo: *laughs and gets wide-eyed when Hanna suddenly gets so excited* Yeah... better than doing nothing, right? *wiggles the arm Hanna has grabbed and cheers exaggeratedly* I'll tell them that I'm gay then we can surely share a room... *laughs* *is somehow happy that she' so happy* *is somehow still a little surprised when people really like spending time with him* *then nods* Sure, I'd love to... tell me the ones that you might be interested in...

Hanna: *laughs when Matteo says that they can surely share a room* Well, it's worth a try... *has now found the list but shakes her head with a laugh at Matteo's request* Nooo – that's almost 10 pages! *hands him the list* You can skim over it if you want... *also peers at it and then says* Well I was considering maybe going to a youth center. But a children's home would also be cool... or something completely different... *skims over the list and shakes her head at some of the things* I think an addiction treatment center would be too much for me... and I don't really think that I'm equipped to work with disabled people...

Matteo: *laughs slightly* Well, logically speaking they shouldn't be able to have anything against it, right? Whereas, the big danger's always only sex. *makes a dramatic noise and grins* *then suddenly has the list in his hands and gapes at it* Youth center doesn't sound too bad to me, either... I'm not really too crazy about working with small children... I could maybe imagine working with disabled people, but I also think that an addiction treatment center would be a bit too much... *has already skimmed over the list while he talked to Hanna* And with which one of those do you have an appointment? *then notices a facility at the bottom of page 3: "Lambda – youth center for LGBT+ youth" and plans to remember the name and to google it later*

Hanna: *nods in agreement to Matteo's opinion* *could also imagine him more working with teenagers or even disabled people than with small children – although.... if she thinks about it a little more* *has to grin a little at the thought* I think you could grow into working with small children... I can really imagine it... you with a little rugrat on your lap... *grins again but then answers his question* Not any of the facilities, yet. Tomorrow I have to tell them to which facilities they should forward my application... maybe I'll just check out several facilities before I make a decision... *reaches for her cup and takes a sip while leaning back over the list*

WhatsApp David/Matteo: David: I'm done at the doctor's and on my way to Laura's apartment. Do you want to come over later or should I come to the flatshare! Say hi to Hanna! I'm looking forward to seeing you! <3

Matteo: *tilts his head slightly and looks at her scrutinizingly* I think you've had too much coffee, that doesn't agree with you... I would be completely in over my head and would probably drop those things all the time... *but then nods when he understands* Ah, okay, I see... *hands the list back to her* I'd suggest that you list every youth center that isn't in the middle of nowhere... um, could you send me your application? I mean... if it's okay... for how much longer can you apply? *then feels his phone vibrate and pulls it from his pocket* Sorry... *reads the message and has to smile automatically* *replies quickly*

WhatsApp David/Matteo: Matteo: I can come over when we're done. And get your laptop ready, we might need it ;) see you later <3

Hanna: *laughs when he talks about the "things" and shakes her head* I don't believe you! You just don't have any experience! I'll bring my cousin over for you to babysit so you can practice... *laughs even more when she sees the look on his face and calms him down* That was a joke! *adds with a smile* But my cousin really is sweet! *then takes back the list and slowly nods at his suggestion* That's not a bad idea. But I think I'll also list child homes... *smiles and immediately nods* Sure, I can do that! No problem! I'll send it to you once I'm back home... *shrugs at his next question* No idea... I don't think they have a real deadline – they even accept latecomers. But if I were you, I'd still hand in the application as soon as possible – otherwise the good facilities will all be gone... *smiles slightly and nods when he apologizes and takes his phone out of his pocket* *sees his smile and thinks that it’s probably David who texted* *waits until he’s finished with his reply and puts the list back in her backpack while she waits* *looks at him with a broad grin when he looks up from his phone and pokes him in the side* Someone should really take a picture of you when you get a message from him or when you look at him... *grins slightly*

WhatsApp David/Matteo: David: Will do... whatever we need it for! See you later :-*

Matteo: *is happy that she is so willing to help and even lets the shock with the cousin slide for it* Thanks. *then nods* Yes, I'll get it ready as quickly as I can... I think I've never written a job application in my entire life... kudos to our great education system... but I'll figure it out. *looks a little indignant when she pokes him* *but then grins* Yeah, yeah, I have a David-smile, I've already been told... *shrugs* All of you have a smile like that, only when it's me it's such a huuuuge deal. *peers at his phone and reads the response but doesn't answer*

Hanna: *laughs quietly* Yeah, really! They should have taught us something like that in school... but you'll figure it out! It's not that difficult. You can also find help online and you can also orient yourself a little on my application. *takes another cookie* *grins at the term "David-smile" and says excitedly* True! You really do! *shakes her head when he says that everyone has a smile like that and laughs quietly* No, my friend! Only you have a smile like that! *mentally goes through all of the couples she knows and knows smiling faces from Mia and Kiki, but also knows annoyed and confused and desperate and embarrassed and indifferent faces when it comes to Carlos and Alex* *then smiles and says* It's great that you're so happy... tell him I said hi later!

Matteo: *laughs when she's so excited about it* *shakes his head when she says that only he has a smile like that* Nonsense... you also have a Jonas-smile, and Jonas has a very intense Hanna-smile, and Carlos, too when it comes to Kiki... *but then has to smile at the thought that they really might be the happiest couple* I will... Oh, and I'm also supposed to tell you he said hi, of course... *takes another cookie* And what else is going on with you? Did your father get on your case when you asked for the car for the holidays?

Hanna: *sighs when he disagrees* Oh Matteo... *slightly shakes her head, but smiles* *isn't going to argue with him because she knows how difficult it is for him to admit it when he's really good at something or did well and also when he simply has or is something special* *hopes that he still knows it, even though he can't admit it* *then grins when he tells her hi from David and nods* Thanks! *leans back again and enjoys the sun that is already a little lower by now* Otherwise I'm really good. *shakes her head when he asks about the car* No, you know him! As long as I'm happy... I'm just supposed to drive careful and only let people drive that are responsible and don't get up to nonsense and stuff like that... *then looks at him again* And what about you? Or both of you? Any news?

Matteo: *grins slightly and nudges her* Oh, Hanna... *also leans back when she does* *but turns his head so that he can look at her* Yeah, that's what he's like our Mr. Jung... *laughs* So neither Alex nor Abdi... *slightly shakes his head at her question* Not really... *thinks about the second consultation that's scheduled for next Monday and that he's somehow nervous, almost more nervous than with the first one* *can't and doesn't want to tell Hanna about it, because that's up to David* David has sent out all his applications and is waiting to hear from the unis... oh, and after our holiday we'll visit his godmother... *looks at her with wide eyes* In David's case that's like getting introduced to the parents... with his godmother it matters, so I have to behave... *laughs slightly*

Hanna: *laughs at the mention of Alex and Abdi and nods* Exactly! *then hears that David has sent out all of his applications* Oh, I'll keep my fingers crossed for him! It's supposed to be really difficult to get in. *then hears the thing with the godmother and grins when Matteo says that he has to behave* Ohhh... that's going to be difficult. *laughs and shakes her head* Nonsense, you're the perfect son-in-law! It'll be fine! *considers for a moment if she's allowed to ask but then simply does it* And his parents? Are you also going to meet them one day? Or does he not have any contact with them? *has finished her coffee and crumples up and plays with the empty cup*

Matteo: *nods* Yes, he was quite nervous and antsy... but Leonie has this cousin, Olli, who is already in film school and he helped him a bit... *laughs and shakes his head* Not really... but I'll manage. *then hesitates for a moment when he hears her next question* *doesn't really know how much he can and should tell her* Well, I don't know... he does have contact with them but it's not like he's crazy about seeing them or for me to meet them... *shrugs slightly* It's not so easy.

Hanna: *hears about Leonie's cousin and is a little surprised* *didn't know that David and Leonie were still in contact* *says a little tunelessly* Oh, that's nice... *and a little more positive* Then I'm sure it'll work out! *then listens to Matteo when he tells her about David's parents and realizes that he understandably doesn’t really want to go into detail* *nods at what he tells her and then says* Well, at least he has his sister and his godmother... I'm sure it would be even more difficult without any family... *then changes the subject because she doesn't want Matteo to feel uncomfortable about the topic of "David's family"* Hey, but Jonas has told me that David has his new ID! Really cool! *laughs quietly* And Jonas was super happy that David texted him...

Matteo: *rather doesn’t comment on the thing with Leonie's cousin* *knows that Leonie and Hanna have declared a constant truce but that they will most likely never be friends again* *then nods* Yes, the two of them are really great for him. *immediately grins when she mentions the ID* Oh, yes, finally! He was really happy! *then laughs as well* Yeah? But that's really cool... I think it really did him some good the other day at our barbecue that Jonas understood him and that he was so interested in him and so on...

Hanna: *is happy for David and says with a smile* Oh yes, I can imagine! It must really suck that whenever you have to show your ID there's a wrong name on it... *nods when Matteo mentions their barbecue* *grins slightly* And it did Jonas some good to hear from him afterwards because he thought that he somehow screwed things up with his comments in the beginning... but that was also really difficult... I felt really sorry for David. *lightly bumps his shoulder* It was really brave of you to tell Jonas! I think that saved the evening for all of us!

Matteo: *nods strongly* Oh, yes, definitely... he tried to avoid it as much as he could... *grimaces slightly* *then shrugs one shoulder* Well, Jonas didn't know about it at that point... *then smiles slightly when she says that it was brave* Well, I just thought that it wasn't fair to you two either that you had to keep your mouths shut for me and that David had to listen to all of that... *bumps her back* Thanks for keeping your mouth shut for me for so long.

Hanna: *smiles and shakes her head* What would have been in it for me if I had told him?! *shakes her head again* No, that was always up to you. That actually would have outed you... outing you as gay as well as outing you that you had a crush. And the latter is often difficult even for heteros. *pulls her legs up onto the bench and crosses them* But, anyways, it's true that everyone has to decide for themself when and to whom to come out.

Matteo: *smiles slightly at her words* *nods* Yep, I agree... I was mostly lucky... even though word about it did get around I was still able to come out to most people myself... *takes the last cookie, breaks it in two and hands Hanna one half*

WhatsApp Laura/Matteo: Laura: Do I have to cook for 1, 2 or 3 people today? :)

*looks at his phone and grins slightly* *quickly answers*

WhatsApp Laura/Matteo: Matteo: 3. Thanks! :)

Hanna: *smiles when Matteo says that he was lucky* *then takes half of the last cookie and grins* Thanks! *bites into it and then sees that Matteo has received a text but can't see the typical David-smile* *comments with a grin* That wasn't David... am I right? *laughs quietly* Your David-smile was missing… *then quickly checks the time* By the way, I have to get going soon. Jonas and I wanted to watch a movie and order pizza…

Matteo: *laughs when she says that it wasn't David* No, that wasn't David... that was Laura asking whether I would join them for dinner... *then nods* And I have to start writing my application... *grins at her* We have to do this again... a coffee and cookie meeting in the park *then gets up and hugs her* Say hi to Jonas from me... and don't let yourself be talked into a Star Wars movie, they're all boring.

Hanna: *grins at Matteo's answer* It's also nice if you don't have to cook, yourself... *then nods at his comment about the application* Good that you mention it! I'll send you mine later. If you haven't received it in an hour then please remind me again... *zips up her backpack, takes the empty packet of cookies and the coffee-2-go cups to throw them into the trash can* *smiles at his suggestion* Yes, I'd really like that! *then also hugs him goodbye* Bye, and say hi to David! *shakes her head when he mentions Star Wars* No, no, don't worry! I'll pick... *grins, puts the backpack and the trash in the basket on her bike, gets on the bike, waves at Matteo again, and then cycles off*

Matteo: *waves after Hanna and then walks out of the park slowly* *briefly considers if it's worth making a detour to the flatshare to get his bike* *but then decides against it and walks toward David's* *plugs his headphones into his phone and turns on music* *sends David a text*

WhatsApp David/Matteo: Matteo: On my way. From the park. To you. On foot. You can expect me in approximately 1-2 hours ;)

(next play)

[mediocreborder]

Untitled work

First they tell you, “Make sure to graduate high school, if you don’t you’re going to end up flipping hamburgers for a living”. I started working when I was fifteen and a half years old- I was a swimming instructor at the YMCA, now they just call it “The Y”. I remember that team meeting, the re-branding seemed long overdue. That was in 2007 or so. I figured the responsibility of teaching young kids and toddlers how to keep themselves from drowning would put me on a track that lead anywhere but a griddle where hamburgers were flipped.

When you get to the end of this phase, they tell you, “Make sure to study for the SAT and get into a good college, otherwise you’re going to end up teaching kids how to swim for the rest of your life”. So, you get into a decent school, maybe it’s one in New Jersey, New York, or Los Angeles. You force yourself to break away from everyone and everything you’ve ever known, and you move from somewhere the people take things one day at a time, to a place where they don’t- they seem to jump from one week to the next, flying through the months drowning in entertainment. Surfing, dancing, drinking, singing, playing. The months fly by and suddenly you’re a different person with different values, and an outlook completely alien to the old you.

That’s how it was for me. The people in Idaho are nothing like the people in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood. It’s not a good or a bad thing, it’s just a thing.

Now you’re graduating from a good school, or a great school, and suddenly they’re asking you and not telling you anymore. “So, now you’re educated, are you going to get an internship with some big company, or go to a new school and get another degree?”. You’ve been going to job fairs and interviewing with cocky twenty-somethings for several semesters already, and nothing has worked out. You decide to apply to law schools, and in the mean time do what you can to get by and make things work, and just enjoy the days of sunshine and an open schedule. It’s time to lean back into the old way of life so the anxiety of being adrift doesn’t eat you from the inside out. That’s when you see a BBC News article about some germ from China that’s making people cough until their lungs don’t work; some people are losing their sense of smell, others lose their sense of taste- sometimes permanently.

Living in California during the lockdown was not exactly a fun experience. For the first time since I could remember, the freeways were clear, the beaches too. No tourists from Nevada tossing cigarette butts out the window, or lines in the restaurants at lunch. For the record, I’ve got nothing against people from Nevada, but they do seem to smoke a lot. So I wait. And wait. And wait.

The governor closes down ninety percent of businesses and nobody is hiring. Then he declares businesses can open up if they take certain precautions- then the lobbyists pay him more money and he shuts them back down. Money is rerouted and flows in new directions, no longer outward into the hands of mothers and fathers, cousins or uncles. All the money is flowing one direction now, upward and outward to bank accounts in countries that seem vaguely familiar but most people have never been to. Saint something-or-other, Isle-de-something.

           You can see what’s going on but there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. The powers in this state won’t even let you ride your bike down the street without wearing a cloth covering over your face. Is there anybody outside for your germs to infect? No, everyone’s inside watching Netflix. There’s been a ton of new releases, and nobody can go to the movies.

           At this point you stick it out, and there’s not much anyone can tell you  or ask you. You’re your own person and everyone is in the same boat.

Suddenly it doesn’t matter what school you’ve been attending or what job you might want. The charity you landed an internship with; the one that arranges flights for sick kids in rural areas to go to summer camps with their friends isn’t operating this year. You banked on that opportunity to give you some direction after school- all your eggs were in one basket, a basket that got dropped out of an airplane flying at 30,000 feet. You watch the eggs splat and fizzle on the dirty concrete that defines this place and now you have to pack it up and go back home where businesses are still open and you might be able to find a job.

[captainmarvels]

home away from home

Summary: When you and Dustin leave Steve alone for half the summer, he realizes just how much he loves his two favorite people.

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

Word Count: 1903

A/N: hope y’all enjoy this one! HUGE thank you to my soulmate @cherrynat for helping me out with this one, i love u babey<3 i also appreciate all the love on my last steve fic, and i appreciate everyone hanging out with me during steve weekend! :’)

masterlist | taglist

The first of June was approaching, and Steve wished he had the power to stop time. 

He was dreading the day that you and Dustin would leave him for six weeks, for brighter horizons and new opportunities, excitement and fun that he wouldn’t hear about until you came back.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want you two to enjoy these wonderful opportunities - a summer internship and a science camp; he just didn’t want to be stuck alone without his two favorite people. 

He had other friends, sure, but spending time with them could never compare to the fun and pure joy he felt when he was with the two of you. If he was being honest, he admired you both; your courage, Dustin’s intelligence and strength - he could only hope to be as great as the two of you.

So when the morning of June 1st finally came, he tried his best to hide his sulking as he stood in your driveway, holding one of your duffel bags.

“Mom I promise, I will be fine! Chicago is a just a few hours away, so don’t worry!” You pulled your mom into your arms, hugging her tightly as she nodded her head, still a little teary eyed when she stepped back.

Steve held his breath when you came up to him, holding out your hand for the bag. He handed it to you reluctantly, refusing to meet your knowing gaze.

“It’s only six weeks, Stevie. You’ll be okay, y’know?” You tilted your head to the side, your smile dissipating as you took in Steve’s sad expression.

“I know. I’m just… well, I’m just gonna miss you a lot. Like, a lot.” He blushed, his cheeks hotter than the sun as he glanced up at you. 

You took a step forward, cupping your hands around his face as he finally locked eyes with you. 

“And I’ll miss you a lot too, babe. I know Dustin will too, even if he won’t say it to you. We’re both gonna write you, so that’ll help the time go by, okay?” You leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, brushing your hand through his hair as he nodded in response.

“Where is your brother, anyway?”

“Right here, you weirdos” Dustin shouted, bounding out your front door, two backpacks and a duffle bag flying behind him, barely hanging onto his shoulders. 

The two of you laughed as he came running towards you, stepping apart as Dustin came between you. He took off the bags and handed one to Steve, glancing between you with a questioning look.

“What?”

“How will you two survive without me for six weeks? Do we need an intervention before we go?” Steve shook his head and ruffled up Dustin’s curly mess of hair before saying, “I think we’ll manage,” as he walked off to the back of the car. 

Once everything was packed, you and Dustin said one final goodbye to your mom and the rest of the party that had finally showed up. Steve stayed back, waiting until Max and El finished hugging the oxygen out of you. 

As you made your way to him, he leaned against the garage door, crossing his arms over his chest. Moving his arms just enough to get him to wrap them around you, you kissed him on the cheek.

“I love you, Harrington. Don’t forget it,” You whispered softly, giggling when he playfully rolled his eyes.

“Don’t you forget about me, missy. I’ll be right here on your doorstep waiting for ya,” he whispered back, catching you off guard with a chaste kiss on the lips, and his hands moving to rest on your waist. 

“Can’t wait,” You quipped, and Steve couldn’t help but smile when you winked at him. Grabbing his hand, you walked back to the car with him, and gave him one last hug before finally getting into the driver’s seat. 

Steve stayed put in your driveway with the party until he couldn’t see your car’s lights anymore, his smile slowly fading away with every mile you drove. 

While the days seemed to drag on for eternities at a time, Steve decided to make himself useful and try to get a job. Just before you had left, you suggest he apply at the new places that would be opening up at the brand new StarCourt mall. He had been ashamed and reluctant at first, but knew it was better than nothing.

Besides, it would get his asshole dad off his back, and keep his days full and his mind busy as he waited for you to come back.

When he got the call from the ice cream place Scoops Ahoy, informing him that they wanted him for the job, he didn’t realize just how happy he’d be. 

His first day was that coming Saturday, just three weeks before you would be returning home from Chicago. It couldn’t be more perfectly timed.

Walking in to the new mall that day really took his breath away; it was massive, and so bright and colorful. There were shops all over the place, plants and water fountains spread about the halls and food galore. It was Hawkins’ paradise.

Strolling into the parlor, he saw a girl sitting on the counter where the cash register was. She was kicking her legs back and forth, popping her gum loudly as she let her gaze wander.

When she caught sight of him, her jaw dropped.

“No way,” she muttered, rolling her eyes and turning to the side as Steve came up to the front.

Steve raised an eyebrow, confused as to why she was ignoring him. Every girl always wanted to talk to him!

“Hey, I’m St-”

“Yeah yeah, I know. No need for introductions, dude,” She said curtly, not even bothering to turn around. 

This is going to be fun, huh? Steve thought, shaking his head as he took a seat at one of the tables next to him.

Just what I needed. Someone who hates me.

“Hey dingus! Way to mess up so badly,” Robin said sarcastically, grinning widely as she danced around the back room with her whiteboard in hand.

Steve groaned loudly, resting his head in his hands as she went around him, saying “The dingus sucks!” in a sing-songy voice. 

“When will you let me live, Buckley?”

“When you learn how to stop sucking, Harrington!” She set the board down against the counter window and stuck her tongue out at him before heading out into the parlor. She stopped in her tracks when she saw you and Dustin walk in, faces flushed as if you had just finished a marathon.

“Can I help you?” Robin said, blushing hard when you smiled at her, out of breath.

Dustin leaned against the counter, doing his best to catch his breath. He tilted his head back and said, voice raspy, “We're here… for… Steve,” 

Robin rolled her eyes, her smile falling as she shouted over her shoulder, “Dingus! There’s someone here for you!” 

“Robin, for the love of God-” Steve stopped dead in his tracks when he saw you and Dustin at the front counter, Robin glaring at him with her arms crossed over her chest.

Gasping loudly, he jumped up with his arms out, a wide smile on his face.

“Hendersons!” he shouted excitedly, running over to you. “You’re back!”

“We’re back!” You both shouted back, Dustin jumping up and down in joy. 

“You got the job!” You said, your cheeks hurting from how much you were smiling.

“I got the job!” Steve answered, pretending to play the trumpet before closing the space between you three, and hugging you at the same time. 

You kissed him on the cheek, and Dustin patted him on the back, still talking excitedly as you separated.

Steve and Dustin did their very nerdy handshake, Robin rolling her eyes behind the counter as Steve wrapped an arm around you. 

“How many children are you friends with?” She asked, looking between him and Dustin. Steve simply shrugged, before motioning to an empty table.

“I want to hear everything, you guys!”

You and Dustin took a seat while Steve and Robin (reluctantly) whipped up some ice cream sundaes for you to share. 

Steve practically skipped to the table, setting the deserts down before squeezing in between the two of you.

He wrapped an arm around you, beaming happily when he looked at you.

“I’m so excited you guys are back, there’s so much to talk about!” Dustin laughed, nodding as he devoured his ice cream.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy, Stevie,” You giggled when he squeezed your shoulder, his head gently bumping against yours before he nodded at your ice cream.

“Not hungry?”

“In a bit; I want to be able to talk, unlike someone,” You pointed at Dustin, who waved his hand as he took in another spoonful of vanilla ice cream. 

Steve kisses your cheek and your forehead, laying his head on your shoulder as you stroked his hair back.

“I don’t think I can handle the excitement and adrenaline I’m feeling right now,” He whispered, sighing deeply as he closed his eyes. 

His happiness was stomped on for a moment when he heard Robin’s infamous “Dingus!” coming from the back room.

“I’m busy, Buckley!” He shouted back, rolling his eyes when he saw her come out with her whiteboard. She approached the table, a sneaky smile dancing on her lips as she set the whiteboard on the table, skillfully turning it around without missing a beat.

On it, in red marker, was a new column on her ridiculous tally chart. Right in the middle between “You suck!” and “You Rule!” was “Your Girlfriend Rules!” with a little heart next to it. There were seven tallies in the “You suck!” column, and a new one in the girlfriend one.

“Why does she get one?” He asked, earning him a soft punch in the arm from you.

“Because she’s cool, obviously. But unfortunately, I have to give you a tally in the forbidden column,” Robin said dramatically, pouting as she pulled out her marker and made a tally in the “You rule!” section.

“This one is an exception because you have a cool girlfriend, which is clearly the only thing you can get right, apparently,” Steve rolled his eyes and flipped her off as she bid farewell and headed back to the counter. 

“I like her! What’s her name again?” Steve groaned and hid behind his hands as you and Dustin laughed.

“When will your shift be over?” You asked, coaxing Steve to drop his hands as he met your gaze.

“Only two hours left. Think you can hold on till then?” He looked at you and Dustin, who nodded as he finished the last of his sundae.

“Meet at your car?” Steve smiled and nodded, resting his forehead against your shoulder as you gently scratched his head.

“I’m so happy you’re back,” His words were slightly muffled but you they still made your heart happy. 

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, baby,” you whispered back.

And it was true. Steve was your happy place, and you were his, no matter what. Moments like these were the best; even if he didn’t know what to do with his two favorite people back in town, Steve couldn’t be happier just to be with you two again.

tagging: @jurassicbarnes @novaddictx @messybitchjuice @mercedesbarnes @carolimedanvers @marvelismylifffe @sadhwstudent @bitessathompson @bittergoldilocks @ahoyfandoms

[myrandomfandomramblings]

Arrowverse Science Fair AU

~2004 National Highschool (Gr. 8-12) Science Fair

Projects:

Felicity Smoak (Gr. 9) – Computer software to detect card counters. She may or may not have hacked into online card games to test it (this wasn’t included in/on her project.)

Cisco Ramon (Gr. 8 or 9) – Piano playing robot. He thought it played better than Dante. His parents didn’t agree.

Caitlin Snow (Gr. 9) – Analysis of physiological response to various stimuli. She wanted to find stimuli that would help kids cope with traumatic experiences (say crashing their bike or losing their father.) If she was able to find something that made her mom show some/any emotion that would be a bonus.

Barry Allen (Gr. 9) – Growing crystals (lots of different and cool ones). His project started out as an attempt to make something special for Iris for her birthday but turned into an elaborate project. It ended up being a good choice because 1) it reminded Barry of his parents (the first science experiment they did together was grow Borax crystals on pipecleaner and 2) it followed Joe’s ‘your science fair project must make, not destroy things’ rule instated after Barry’s Gr. 6 project.

Alex (Gr. 9) and Kara (Gr. 8) Danvers – Birds in my Backyard. Eliza had insisted on Alex getting Kara involved in her science fair project this year. Alex was excited to show Kara the science fair experience she enjoyed but wanted to pick a topic she knew more about that Kara (her knowledge of math and science was intimidating enough without the superpowers). Seeing Kara’s interest in birds they decided to study birds in their backyard. With Alex’s design and Kara’s powers they built tall post’s and attached bird houses and feeders with differing properties. They then monitored which kinds of birds built nests and ate from where (with some help from Kara’s flight and X-ray vision). Alex also picked 5 nests from different species to chronicle the embryo and chick development. Kara enjoyed doing the project and learning about birds from Alex. The actual science fairs, not so much but those were Alex’s favourite part. Note: Streaky was locked in the house for the duration of the project so he wouldn’t eat any of the birds.

Winn Schott (Gr. 11) – Pop-up room/ room in a suitcase. Being in the foster system for the last couple years inspired Winn to design a room that collapsed to the size of a suitcase for easy transport but could expand in less than a minute into a nice-sized, fully-furnished, sound-proof room, so no matter how many times a foster kid was moved around they always had their own space and stuff. Also good for camping, travel and special short-term events (like waiting in line at conventions).

Lena Luthor (Gr. 5) – Oxygen absorbing/releasing crystal that could allow breathing underwater. After her Mum drown when Lena was four, she was determined to develop a simple way for people to breath under water. She was able to do just that by synthesizing a substance that absorbed and stored large amounts of oxygen then released it slowly (so if someone held in in their mouth, they could breathe underwater). She was happy and excited that her mom and older brother were interested in her project but a little frustrated and concerned that they were so focused on its ability to absorb all the oxygen from a room (in a big enough amount). Although she supposed it could be used in that capacity to control/extinguish fires. Note: although in elementary school, Lena got to compete against the high schoolers since her project was so advanced for her age.

Sara Lance (Gr. 11) – The Biomechanics of Dance and Martial Arts. As punishment for skipping classes, then sassing her teacher and principal when they tried to discipline her for skipping classes, Sara had to complete a science fair project. To make the best of it Sara chose something that interested her. In hindsight she wished she hadn’t. Her project was so good she was chosen to represent her school at the state and national science fair.

Ronnie Raymond (Gr. 9-12?)- Structural design to minimize Superman related damage in Metropolis. Ronnie was proud of his project and had enjoyed analyzing the powers of Metropolis’ hero, but he lost any chance he had at winning when he decided to leave his project to go flirt with Caitlin. At least Kara, whose project was next to his, seemed interested.

Hartley Rathaway – something to do with sound waves

Lily Stein (Gr. 11) – designing and comparing different miniaturized forms of renewable energy sources. She had some help from her dad.

Patty Spivot – Recreation of crime scene evidence using food models. A bunch of her friends (her whole cabin actually) from her summer camp for those interested in law enforcement came to support her.

-       Maggie Sawyer – seemed really interested in the bird project

-       Ralph Dibny – found every project that said it was OK to touch. His favourite was slime. To Patty’s surprise he didn’t break anything.

-       Dinah Drake – hung out with Patty most of the time. Talked to Hartley, beside her, about his project on sound waves for a bit (seemed kinda interested). Patty joined her when she got into a conversation with Sara, across the way, and Laurel about the implications of her biomechanics project in fighting and self-defence. The rest of the time they talked about that Vince guy from camp Dinah thought was cute.

-       Eddie Thawne – he hung out with Patty most of the time too but did do a lap of the fair with Iris, who was there supporting Barry, when she accepted his offer to buy her something at the concession.

Notable events:

- Clark came to see Alex and Kara’s project and brought James and Lois with him. Kara and Clark (very subtly) tested the models on the project beside them that had been abandoned and were said to be superman proof/resistant. They were very impressed to discover the models did indeed stand-up to heat vison, freeze breath and super-strength leading Clark to believe the student had a bright future. James spent most of his time talking to Winn about his pop-up room project because, “Don’t you think these would be way better than cubicles, the Daily Planet should definitely purchase some.”

- Cat Grant, a young reporter from the National City Tribune pushing a stroller, came around and interviewed all the contestants because, “What better place to find the next world changing innovator or innovation” as she put it when she stopped to talk to Clark (more like flirt Kara thought). Alex used Clark distracting Cat as an opportunity to play with the baby in the stroller. This was the only time during the entire science fair Alex was distracted, except maybe when Maggie had come, but they mainly talked about the project like Alex did with everyone, which left Alex wondering why it felt different. During their entire interview Cat called Kara Kira, much to her annoyance. At least the baby seemed to like her. This interview sparked a conversation between Kara, Lois and Clark about journalism which Iris overhead while she was visiting Barry and joined in.

- Graduate students Ray Palmer and Curtis Holt were volunteer judges and ticket takers. Curtis wore a varsity jacket over his shirt and tie which covered his name tag, but at every project he judged he would describe every aspect as terrific, so the contestants started calling him Mr. Terrific. While judging Barry’s project they began a discussion about their favourite elements/minerals/gems. Barry couldn’t decide so joked he liked Barium. Ray shared his love for dwarf star alloy with a ‘quick’ lecture about its rumoured properties and potential uses. Curtis listed at least 10 compounds essential for modern tech as he flip-flopped back and forth trying to decide a favourite and Lex Luthor who was visiting his sister’s project beside them interjected that he favoured kryptonite. While taking tickets Curtis witnessed the following interaction. He asked Damian Darhk, who was carrying baby Nora, what brought him to the science fair. He responded with “These are the brightest young minds in the country and being young means they are malleable. So, there is nowhere better to recruit future talent for my enterprise.” Malcolm Merlyn, who was behind, him added “I know exactly what you mean with what the world’s coming to we’re going to need a bright mind to save it.” This led Tommy, who was accompanying him, to say “I thought we were just here to support the Queen’s.” Then one of the other judges, Dr. Harrison Wells aka Eobard Thawne in disguise, added “No your Dad is right. This world’s next HERO could be in this very room. I’ve already made a list of students to keep my eye on.” He pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket. On it Curtis saw four names: Hartley Rathaway, Cisco Ramon, Caitlin Snow and Ronnie Raymond. This led to a long conversation between the three men about numerous threats to society, the country and the world and the possible drastic solutions that would need to be employed to stop them. When they left Curtis turned to Ray and asked, “Was it just me or were those Doomsday Dudes really creepy?” “What” Ray replied his attention clearly being pulled from elsewhere. But before Curtis could answer a voice behind him said “Doomsday Dudes is a terrible nickname you should call them the Legion of Doom.” Curtis turned to find Cisco. “Just saying,” he continued, “anyway I heard there’s free Big Belly Burger for the contestants. When’s that coming?” Ray had missed the entire conversation Curtis was asking about because he had been making funny faces at baby Nora the whole time hoping to make her smile or laugh but she had just stared at him with her big blue eyes.

- Queen consolidated gave out a $1500 scholarship and a summer internship at the applied sciences division. This year Moira and Robert had made Oliver come and brought 9-year-old Thea. Oliver was tasked with watching Thea who ran around the entire science fair wanting to look at and touch all the projects even the ones with big ‘Do Not Touch’ signs on them. She spent at least an hour trying to get everybody around the robot pianist to sing and dance with her. Most people ignored her although she was able to get Cisco, Winn, Stein, Joe, Kara (who kept trying to get Alex to join) and to Oliver’s surprise Malcolm Merlyn all to sing with her and they were all surprisingly good. She also got many people to dance including the Lance girls. She even convinced Cisco to make the robot play some of her favourite songs from Disney movies. Barry was very happy that he was able to convince Iris to dance with him for a couple songs with just a little encouragement from Thea and despite Kara’s constant encouragement Alex only agreed to dance when Maggie asked. Oliver had to present his family’s award which went to Felicity. When her name was announced Donna yelled “Woohoo, that’s my daughter! Way to go sweetie!” which earned a whispered “Mom, ssshh” and accompanied eye roll from Felicity as she headed to the stage with her head down and cheeks flushed. When she got onstage Oliver presented her with her award and Felicity began to babble, “Thanks. This is so cool. I’m such a big fan of yours… well not yours… your company… your family’s company. But uh you seem cool too. I could be a fan of yours, but not like a creepy stalker fan just like a normal supportive fan, ya know. I’m sorry, I’m rambling, it’s just, I don’t know what to say. Your very handsome… and I just said that out loud. I’m so sorry.” She stops and whispers “come on Smoak, pull yourself together,” then takes a deep breath before addressing Oliver again, “Thank-you again for the award and I look forward to working with you, or for you. I’m just gonna go now.” Oliver couldn’t help smiling as she left and thinking that just maybe if she had been around when Thea was partnering everyone up to dance he may have just participated.

- Kara quickly got bored of standing by her project and started wandering around to talk to the other contestants. She spent a good chunk of time talking to Barry. Tried to join in on a heated debate between Felicity, Cisco and Winn about the best language to code in but quickly left when she had no idea what they were talking about. She ended up spending most of her time with Lena. They talked about their projects, their lives and interests and about dealing with new and scary situations especially when you feel different from everyone else and learnt that they were both adopted. However, the whole time they were talking Lena’s eyes kept scanning the room as if waiting for something to jump out and scare her. Kara learnt why when a woman Kara thought must be Lena’s mother showed up and menacingly questioned why she was distracting her daughter.

- J’onn came in disguise to check out the Danvers sister’s project

[petrichorrainfall]

Asmodeus

Asmodeus One is for lust, those dark, dirty thoughts lurking in his mind... 

!!! WARNING !!! Explicit content, mature themes, cursing, dubious consent !!! NOTE !!! The author does not condone this in real life

I’ll be late tonight. Don’t wait for me. Get some rest darling..

You clutched your phone, and sighed quietly. It happened again. These few months, Asmodeus had been a bit less attentive and close. He was always coming home late, skipping dinner and postponing dates that the two of you had scheduled. He would return drunk sometimes, the lingering smell of another woman's perfume on him. You overlooked it, like a typical fool in love. Besides, he was busy. He couldn’t help it, you supposed as you stood up to grab a can of soda. Considering he was Chief Financial Officer of Pandora Corp., it was only natural that he would have a lot on his plate.

“I need to be more understanding,” you murmured quietly to yourself, popping the soda can open. Despite there only being an age gap of four years between you and your boyfriend, he was so much more successful and accomplished than you were. You sighed, leaning back into your couch and stared up at the ceiling. Sometimes, it was hard to forget the drastic differences between the two of you.

With a heavy feeling in your heart, you went to bed. You nuzzled into the sheets, closing your eyes to let sleep take you.

When you woke, you realized that someone was in bed next to you. A possessive arm was draped lazily over your waist. Asmodeus, you thought with a small smile, rolling over to gently poke his cheek playfully. There was a slight groan, and he shifted over to face you, still half-asleep. His eyes opened blearily, and he seemed dazed. It was rather endearing, and you chuckled at him.

“Good morning,” you said, brushing some of the hair out of his face. Asmodeus grumbled his displeasure, never a morning person, but laced his fingers through yours and squeezed, as if saying good morning as well. He drew you closer to him.

“What time is it?” he mumbled. You laughed at his half-awake voice, reaching over to grab your phone and show him the time. Asmodeus stiffened, and then hastily threw the bed covers off. You startled at the sudden movement, giving him a confused glance. “There’s an important meeting I have to be at in half an hour. Can’t stay in with you today darling, sorry.” He brushed his lips over your forehead, and without even looking back at you, got dressed and dashed out. You sat in the bed, disappointed, and slightly more heartbroken. His breath smelled slightly of alcohol, and… there was the faintest smell of perfume. It wasn’t yours.

You had prepared yourself for this when you began to date Asmodeus. This scene had already happened many times before. He was a flirt, known for being a playboy. Despite the warnings, you remembered the first time you met him, how he seemed sweet and sort of awkward, rather than the suave and smooth personality he was known for. You remembered the light smell of brewing coffee, the summer rain outside the coffee shop window, the brief and fleeting glances. “Let’s get to work,” you told yourself, trying to brush back the memories.

The coffee shop was the same as you had remembered. You sipped at your iced latte, the written lab reports strewn across your small table.

“Professor still has you on paperwork duty?” A rather incredulous voice asked. You looked up, meeting Emily’s eyes. Your friend sat down across from you, picking up a report and scanned over it quickly before making a face. “Y/N! You need to tell him that you can do so much than just read reports. You’ve been his intern for what? Almost four months now! You were one of the best researchers in our major, and your lab professor has you doing paperwork?!” Emily gave you a pointed stare, before groaning. “You have to stop being so nice Y/N! Tell him that you can do so much more! He’s wasting your skills and you’re learning nothing. See, this is why you should have applied to the same lab that I did. Whatever, I can’t change your mind. How has it been with your boyfriend?” She said the word distastefully. Emily had never approved of your relationship with Asmodeus from the start, clearly warning you that he was never going to truly focus his attention on you alone. She didn’t want you to end up with a broken heart.

“He’s been a bit busy with his work,” you replied, swirling your drink around. Emily narrowed her eyes, before giving a ‘tsk’. She had always been in tune with you, understanding more than you told her through words.

“I told you,” she said, though it was more resigned than anything else. “Y/N, I understand that you like him, but… This is going to keep happening. It’s probably been happening for a while too, knowing you. You can’t let him treat you like this. You deserve better. He hasn’t even made it public that he has a girlfriend.He keeps treating you like some mistress he can just toss away.” Emily gave you a frown, patting your hand gently. She glanced at her watch, standing up with a small sigh. “Give your situation some more thought. I’d hate to see him keep pushing you to the side.” With a wave, Emily left you alone with your thoughts.

You cupped your drink, thoughtful. It’d be okay, you told yourself. Asmodeus was just stressed from the recent influx of work. Your hands tightened. It’d be okay. But a small of you feared that like the many others before you, he had simply gotten bored.

That night you kept to yourself in your room, thinking over what Emily had told you. It wasn’t like you had evidence that Asmodeus was cheating on you. He had just gotten drunk, and likely went somewhere with a few of his friends. You bit your lip, knowing that it was foolish of you to hope for something like that. The signs were crystal clear. But the thing is, when people fell in love, they did foolish things. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t stop yourself from liking Asmodeus. He had treated you kindly, been sweet, listening to your troubles and curled up on the couch when things were rough. It’d be okay. You nodded to yourself, determined. All relationships went through a stagnant period, and this was no different —

The loud slamming of the door caught your attention, and you opened the door of your bedroom. “Asmodeus —” Your breath caught in your throat, and you took a shaky step back, before closing your bedroom door. He had brought back a woman home. This was the first time he had done something so blatant. You closed your eyes, sliding down onto the floor. The image burned. She was lovely, cascading locks and an enticing figure. And the way she looked at you, scornful, but also confused, hurt. He didn’t tell anyone that he had a girlfriend did he? Was that why whenever the two of your went on a date, he always chose somewhere secluded and away from the public’s eyes? He’s ashamed of me, you realized with a start, and it hurt more than anything else. You clutched your chest, gasping. It… it physically hurt. Your heart was beating way too fast, and you could feel your chest tighten, your throat struggle for air. You heard another door close, and a lock click into place. Asmodeus’s bedroom. You feel tears threaten to spill over, and you knew you couldn’t stay in this house while he —

Twenty minutes later, Emily opened her door to find you sobbing quietly, tears streaming down your face. She asked no questions, taking you into her arms and hugging you gently. “Let’s get you washed up, alright? Stay for as long as you need to.” Some time after, whilst cupping a cup of hot cocoa, you tearfully confessed what had happened earlier that evening. Emily was livid, but you were tired. All you wanted to do was rest, and sleep away your troubles.  

“Am I something to be ashamed of?” you asked quietly. “He never revealed our relationship to anyone. Thinking about it, whenever people could see us, he never held my hand, or did anything resembling romantic.” You had been so enamored by him that you had barely realized. You trembled a bit more, the pain in your chest still not fading away. You remembered Emily’s words from that morning, about how he treated you like someone he could toss away like trash.  

“He doesn’t know what he’s missing out on,” Emily said firmly. Her eyes were full of fury, and had it not been for you crying at her house right now, you suspected that she would have stormed over and given Asmodeus a verbal lashing. Yet, you knew that you could not possibly be someone deserving to stand next to Asmodeus. You were a simple graduate student, average looks, meek personality, while Asmodeus, attractive and brilliant, held a high-ranked position in a multi-billion dollar company. You looked at Emily, tired and simply wanting to just sleep. It’d be okay.

You returned Saturday morning, expecting to walk into an empty house again. Asmodeus was there, waiting at the table with two cups of coffee. You could feel the pain from last night resurface again. The women was nowhere to be seen. She probably left, you thought with a small feeling of relief. You hated it, how even when Asmodeus hurt you, you still wanted to stay with him.

“Where were you last night?” Asmodeus asked, eyes boring into yours. You wanted to be angry, but the second you looked at him, you could feel the anger dissipate.

“I — I was at Emily’s place,” you admitted quietly, sitting across from your boyfriend. He stood up, walking over to envelop you in a loose hug.

“I get worried when I don’t know where you’re at,” he murmured, lips brushing over your ear and sending shivers down your spine. You stiffened a bit under his touch, mind flashing back to the scene last night. “Hm?” Asmodeus nipped on your ear, curious at your response. You said nothing, trying to keep down the tears that were threatening to resurface again.

“I have to get to my internship soon,” you replied, standing up and gently but firmly pushing Asmodeus away. He seemed a bit confused by your actions, and you turned to face him, mouth opening. “Asmodeus, are you —” you cut off, the words not coming out. Are you ashamed to be seen around me? Were all those moments lies? Why did you bring that women to our house? Why — You closed your mouth, taking a deep breath. You couldn’t ask; you were too scared of the answers. “I just needed to grab something for my internship. I’ll be gone soon,” you forced out. Your boyfriend said nothing, grabbing your chin and tipping your head back for a kiss.

“See you later then, dear,” he smiled. You flushed and nodded, grabbing your work bag and leaving. It was moments like those that made you stay, the feeling that Asmodeus smiled for you and you alone, like you were the only important person in his life. It’d be okay, you told yourself, heart feeling lighter. Last night… you knew you shouldn’t, but you’d overlook it. Like how you overlooked everything else. Love made people fools, after all.

But it happened again. And then again. And again. It got worse. The signs were more obvious than before. Asmodeus would come home, smelling of perfume and the tell-tale signs of another women on him. Lipstick on his collar, or a slip of paper with a number on it in his pocket. He never brought back another women into your home, but you knew that he was still cheating. Continuously, you forgave him, busying yourself with your internship. But now, when Asmodeus kissed you, when he touched you, all you could see was the time when he had another women clinging on his shoulder. It hurt to be with him, but at the same time, it felt right. You hated how you continuously forgave him.

It was the little things that built up. The way that he pushed off dates, how he would only seem to kiss you and sleep with you to appease you, and how he never paid that much attention to you anymore. He started to be more possessive, demanding where you were when you went off to your internship or see Emily, despite him being the one cheating. It was too much. You wanted to be there for him, but sometimes, when you love someone, you have to let them go.

It hurt you. More than it would probably hurt Asmodeus, you figured. You just couldn’t take the heartache anymore, the butterflies that once happened when he kissed you dying away. You had fallen blindly and fast, like a fool, and still you loved him. But you needed to pick up the pieces of your broken heart and mend them together. How could you continue to love him when your heart had already shattered into a million pieces?

The letter was on the table; he would be sure to notice. You couldn’t do it face to face. If you saw his face, you would only end up breaking down right in front of him and crying. You had already contacted Emily, who agreed to let you stay with her until you found a new apartment. You breathed, taking in the place you shared with Asmodeus one last time, before taking your luggage and leaving.

Your heart did not feel any lighter after leaving. You still felt that constricting feeling in your heart, the little hitch in your breath, and the way your entire body ached when you thought of Asmodeus.

“I think you should’ve told him face to face,” Emily huffed. You only smiled sadly.

“I couldn’t have done it if I saw his face,” you admitted, sipping at a glass of wine carefully. Drinking your sorrows away was not the best idea, but all you wanted at the moment was to get drunk and not think about Asmodeus. The hangover next morning was going to be awful, but you didn’t care at the moment. “It’s just… our relationship was never equal. He had too much over me. I —” you tensed up at the thought, chugging the glass down and pouring yourself another. “The more I chased, the further he got. But it was worth it. I’m an idiot. A fool. I still — He was worth it.” By now, the tears were streaming down your face. You hiccuped, continuing. “Asmodeus is somewhere I can’t reach. He can easily push me away. The letter… it was my feelings for him, but also a farewell. I’m letting him go. I have to.”

Emily said nothing, only calmly pouring you another glass as you finished. She looked at you. “.... It’s been hard on you,” she commented softly. At that, you started bawling even harder, desperately trying to wipe the tears away.

“I—” you sobbed, “I thought that it would be over. Relationships all reach a stagnant stage, but in the end— I wasn’t enough. I never was.” You furiously wiped your eyes, but the tears still came down. Your friend watched, handing you tissues. You were grateful for Emily, glad that you had someone like her in your life. “I don’t regret it though. I—I wanted… to be with him,” you murmured. Emily sighed, giving you a concerned look.

She gripped your shoulder, giving you a little shake. “Alright, let’s not keep thinking about him. Y/N, you left him, and things will get better. Okay? The first step in a relationship is to care about yourself. You can’t love another if you can’t love yourself. Leaving Asmodeus was the right decision. He won’t be able to bother you anymore.”

A month had passed by. The thing is, when you miss someone, it’s not all at once. It’s at certain moments, their little habits and quirks, or when you realize that they’re not there to do something they would typically do. Far too many times you had remembered calling for Asmodeus to help reach something on the top shelf, or waited for his texts, only to realize that you had broken it off. But, time heals all wounds, and you slowly felt yourself recover. It was painful, slowly getting rid of Asmodeus’s presents and the pictures. You were content to just have your memories, or else the pain would still continue.

He hadn’t called, messaged you, or anything within the past month. You guessed that in the end, you really didn’t mean all that much to him. It hurt more than it should have. Regardless, you had to move on. You brushed your hair back, checking your outfit in the mirror. “Alright Y/N, you got this!” you told yourself, before grabbing your briefcase to hurry to your job interview. It was about time you started to further your biochemistry career. There was a recent opening for a researcher position in a nearby research laboratory, and it would be an upgrade from your current intern position. You mentally reviewed your research paper in your head, ready to impress your interviewer with all the work you had done.

You ducked into the coffe house that you had agreed to meet at, eyes immediately landing on a male dressed sharply in a suit. That must be the person. You strode over, a professional smile on your face, heart thumping nervously.

“Miss Y/N?” The man asked politely, fingers laced together. “I’m Purson. I’ll be interviewing you for the position of Research and Development Chemist. Let’s get started then.” With a deep breath, you nodded and sat down, confident and determined.

The interview had gone well. You calmed your jittery nerves, absentmindedly staring at the empty seat across from you. Purson had already left, telling you that the lab would be sending a follow-up email about your situation within a week’s time. You gathered up your stuff, ready to go back to Emily’s place and tell her about how your interview went. The second you left the shop though, your throat closed up.

What— what was he doing here? You looked around wildly, as if to check if there was another women around, but you were the only one outside on the streets right now. Asmodeus leaned against the hood of his car, eyes boring into yours. You shakily took a step back, clutching the strap of your bag tightly. You weren’t ready to see him again. A month passed, but seeing him again only reopened those wounds you had desperately tried to close. Deep breaths, you told yourself, swallowing and straightening up. You readied yourself, and started to walk to the bus station, only giving Asmodeus the slightest of nods, as if greeting a stranger.

You had hoped he would leave you alone, but Asmodeus always surprised you. He grabbed your arm, gently yet firmly, turning you around to face him. Before you could even say a word in retaliation, he pulled you into a hug, arms tightening around your waist.

“Hey Y/N,” he murmured, nuzzling into your hair. “How did the interview go? Haven’t seen you in a bit.” Confused and bewildered, you tried to shove Asmodeus away, though he didn’t budge at all. A chill ran down your spine. No one except for Emily knew about the interview. He was the last one that you expected to know. What did he think he was doing, coming back after a month after you cut it off with him?

“Asmodeus, I think you’re—” and before you could even finished, Asmodeus grabbed your arm, dragging you to his car and opening the door to gesture you to get in. You were about to move away, but Asmodeus only gave you a stare, firmly pushing you into the car and closing the door.

“You don’t want to make a scene here, do you?” he muttered lowly, threatening. You stiffened, afraid and bewildered.  

You didn’t say anything at first, and then, resigned, quietly buckled yourself in. You would sort this out with him, you told yourself. You had no idea what kind of game Asmodeus was playing at, but this time, you wanted no part of it.  

“You cut your hair,” he remarked as he got into the driver’s seat, reaching out to finger a strand. “I liked your hair long though.” You backed away as much as you could, turning away. You hated how your heart still beat faster upon seeing him. Asmodeus frowned at your rejection. “Where have you been for the past month?” he asked calmly, starting up the car and beginning to drive. You stared out the window, unsure of what to say. “Y/N,” he said, tone a bit more sharp, “I asked you a question.”

You bit your lip, perplexed. What were you supposed to say? He— You didn’t know anymore. You could only hope that things were going to end up alright. “Somewhere in the city. Nothing much,” you replied smoothly, hands balling into fists. You were angry, terrified, not wanting to see Asmodeus, and yet a small part of you was disgustingly delighted that Asmodeus had come. What kind of person were you? You wanted to scream.

“You didn’t come home for a while, I was worried.”

Why was he talking as if the two of you were still together? “Did you not see my letter?” you asked bitingly. Why was he here? How did he find out about your internship? There was no way Emily could have told him.

“I did.”

“Then why—!” you retorted, voice going up a notch. “Asmodeus, listen,” you cleared your throat, ready to tell him what you had been going through. “The letter was a farewell. I told you, I — I can’t be with you anymore. If you want to say that you were the one that dumped me, that’s fine, but — I,” your voice broke a bit, “I couldn’t do it anymore. I still can’t. Please, I don’t want to see you again. It’s over. Let the past be the past.” The car braked suddenly, and you yelped. What—?

Warm arms enveloped you. “Aw, is my girlfriend pouting?” Asmodeus asked. A sense of horror washed over you. “Here, look at me.” He leaned in, and with a burst of emotion, you pushed his face away.

“Asmodeus!” You unbuckled your seatbelt, about to open the car door.

“Oh, Y/N, where do you think you’re going?” he laughed, eyes dark and stormy. He gripped your hand, bringing over and planting a soft kiss on your knuckles. You flinched. What was he doing? Was he so delusional to still think that you were still together? Was he that upset you had left? There… there was no way.

“We’re over! I told you, I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to wait on someone who’s only going to find comfort with other women,” you cried sharply, tears starting to stream down your face. A tender thumb wiped the tears away, but you no longer found comfort in this. You didn’t want him here anymore.

He chuckled lowly, a smirk present on his face. “Darling, I think you were just upset. Here, I’ll make it up to you—”

You slapped him. For the first time in your life, you slapped someone. “Stop,” you forced out, mustering your strength to push Asmodeus away. And the thing is, it still hurt. It hurt so fucking much. It was like a chasm was being ripped open in your chest.A part of you wanted to believe him, the part of you that still pathetically believed Asmodeus wanted you back, but… “Listen Asmodeus. It’s over. I no longer want to see you. Just leave me as a memory.” Taking the moment, you flung open the car door, grabbing your things and leaving. It didn’t matter where, as long as you got away from the man you once lovingly called your boyfriend.

Asmodeus watched you leave, amused. He glanced at his hand, the one that had gripped yours only mere moments before, relishing in the hint of warmth. “Oh, don’t worry darling,” he purred, eyes flashing, “I’ll be seeing you again very soon.”

It was stupid, You were stupid, you told yourself as you downed another glass. The bartender looked over, concerned, but you were already so hammered that you could barely even register anything. You slumped on the bar countertop, trying not to cry. You didn’t want to tell Emily what had happened; how could you? She had already done so much for you, and making her worry was the last thing you wanted. It would be okay. You would just drink yourself into a coma and then forget about the world. Dazed, you closed your eyes and tried to will away the headache.  

“Miss, are you alright?” the bartender asked softly, reaching a hand to shake your shoulders. Just as he was about to rouse you, a hand grabbed his.

“She’s alright,” a smooth voice reassured. You stirred slightly, the voice familiar in your memories. Who — who was it? The alcohol had slowed your senses down; you felt like you were viewing everything through a thick fog. You blinked, obediently following the gentle hand that had grabbed your waist and began leading you somewhere. With a small little murmur, you buried yourself into the body of heat next to you, taking comfort in the chuckle that reverberated through the person’s chest. “Dear, what happened?” Asmodeus asked, hand around your waist possessively.

“Mhm — was… upset,” you groaned out. Everything was sort of a blur. You barely registered you getting into a car, getting out, and then entering a house that certainly was not Emily’s. “W—where’re we?”

Asmodeus led you through the penthouse, threading his fingers through yours. “Our new home,” he replied proudly, watching you try to process everything with hooded eyes. You moaned, clutching your head. Everything was so… confusing. New home? That sounded wrong, but you couldn’t figure out why. “Hey, don’t worry about it darling,” Asmodeus comforted, pushing you down gently and placing his lips on yours. “I’m here.” You felt yourself relax at his voice, sinking into pleasure. Yes… you knew this person, you surmised. He was comfortable, but why… was there a feeling of dread?

“Wh—who are you?” you slurred. Asmodeus smirked, guiding your hand to rest on his arousal. You flushed, alarm bells going off in your head, but too weak to change your mind. Asmodeus brought you closer, hand edging to the hem of your shirt.

“Your boyfriend,” he whispered, his other hand trailing down your back. You blubbered around clumsily as you heard him say that, emotions taking a complete turn. Tears sprang to the corner of your eyes, and you clutched at Asmodeus’s shirt, shaking a bit.

“I don’t have one!” you wailed, shaking Asmodeus slightly. He watched you, amused. He didn’t seem surprised at how quickly your emotions changed, chalking it up to the fact that you were drunk. “He cheated! Was I not good enough for him? I left him!!!” you continued your rant, the alcohol in your system causing you to unleash your true feelings. Just as you were going to continue, Asmodeus surged forward, lips pressing intently onto yours. You clutched at his shoulders, heart pounding wildly as he traced your lower lip, before gently teasing your tongue.

He grabbed your thigh harshly, causing you to wince. “You were always his.” Asmodeus smirked as he gently trailed a finger over your folds, and you lost yourself to the pleasure.    

“Mhm, not a good idea,” you groaned, reaching blindly for your phone to check the time. Your entire body ached, head pounding, and you cursed yourself for drinking to forget your troubles, even if temporary. Your throat was dry, and as you sat up, the room spun. There was a soft sensation on your waist, causing you to look down. Goodness, you had gotten so drunk that you ended up having a one-night-stand?

“Morning, Y/N.” Asmodeus smiled up at you, hands around your hip, holding onto you firmly. You felt a cold wave of nausea wash over you, head immediately feeling clearer. There was a lump of dread in your stomach.

This was a mistake. What happened? You actually ended up sleeping with Asmodeus again? You tore the bed covers off, mind panicking even more once you realized the state of undress you were in, and the unfamiliar surroundings. “I—I have to go,” you winced, trying to get out of bed. Asmodeus growled lowly, hold on you tightening. Within a split second, he flipped you over, your face pressed onto a pillow as Asmodeus gripped your arms.

“Y/N, where do you think you’re going?” he cooed, leaning down to breathe gently on the nape of your neck. You shivered. “You left before. You can’t just leave me alone again. Darling, how could you?” You flinched, wanting to scream. He was the one that cheated on you! Why was he — “You know, out of everyone, I love you most. Your body, the way that you writhe in pleasure when I hit the right spot, the dazed look in your eyes, the way that you would cling to me as if I was your lifeline…” You flushed, thrashing to no avail. Why was he saying these things? “Y/N, you can’t leave whenever you please. You’re mine you know. I even brought you to our new home. You’ll like it here, I promise. And—” he bent down to bite your neck, marking you, “I’ll be here.”

“Stop—” you forced out, anger growing in you. “I can’t take this anymore. I told you before, it’s over.” You tried to violently twist out of Asmodeus’s grip, but he gripped harder, and you cried out in pain. “Asmodeus, stop!— Ah!”  

“Y/N, you never had the decision. You always belonged to me. You have no idea how much I crave for you,” Asmodeus whispered, shifting so you could feel his weight on your back. You bit your lip, trying to stop another moan from escaping as Asmodeus gently fingered your walls, watching your reaction with careful eyes. It was wrong, but your body instinctively relaxed at his touch.

“You—another woman,” you forced out, gripping the bed sheets tightly. Your heart hurt, but your body felt the pleasure. You tried not to cry, wondering why such a thing was happening to you. You left him already, why was he back? You didn’t want to go through such an experience again.

Asmodeus left a mark on your shoulder, moving over to the other one and sucking at it tenderly. “I realized you were the only one for me,” he murmured into your skin, hands gripping at your waist even tighter. It was going to leave bruises, you thought. “The others aren’t like you; you never cared about my status or the money. They don’t react to me like you do. They don’t satisfy me like you do,” he hummed softly. You tensed up, not wanting to hear any of it. In the end, they were probably all lies.

“L—let me go,” you sobbed softly, burying your face into the pillow. “I don’t — I don’t love you anymore.” Asmodeus was silent, before roughly thrusting his fingers even deeper into you. You cried out, startled as he flipped you onto your back to stare at you with lust-filled eyes.

“Y/N,” he whispered, a smirk appearing on his face, “Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t lie to me. I can feel you; I can tell. You still love me. You always have.” You adamantly shook your head furiously, closing your eyes so you wouldn’t have to see him. Asmodeus acting like this was terrifying; he was keeping you here without your consent. You just wanted to forget him and leave. “Y/N, look at me,” he growled, placing a firm hand around your throat, squeezing gently as a warning.

You blinked your tears away, staring at your ex-boyfriend. His gaze softened, and he leaned in to kiss you. You obediently opened your mouth, fear still in your heart. Why was he acting like this?

“Stay here,” he said, biting at your neck possessively. “Y/N, you’re never leaving again. I let you go for one month, but I need you by my side. Forever, always.” He stared at you intensely. “I’ll satisfy you, so just lose yourself in me.”

[parniarazi]

realignment + growth

I haven’t wrote here or in general much lately, as school and worked have picked up and kept me busy, even with doing it all from home! Pandemic aside, the world is moving quickly and it’s hard to keep up sometimes. Especially when big moments happen (like RBG passing), it can feel overwhelming and like nothing we can do matters. What helps me when I feel in over my head is just purging it all with a deep self-reflection that helps anchor me down to what I’m doing towards on a daily basis and how that’s working for me in the big picture. Going back through this blog, I briefly looked over what I wrote at the turn of the year, as 2020 was beginning. Even though things have felt very different and stagnant this year, I realized I’ve actually grown so much and come so far even in this short time!

A year ago right now, I was going through one of the most difficult times of my life, as major shifts were happening in all areas of my life. I had breezed through most of my undergrad, always feeling like school came rather easily to me and academia was an area I wanted to pursue because of this. I didn’t know what to do after graduation, reconciling between wanting to find a “good paying” job with my degree/interests, and wanting to do something that aligns with what I’m passionate about and can bring me a deeper sense of fulfillment. Since I was doing well in school and professors encouraged me when I told them I wanted to go to grad school‚ I figured pursing my PhD and becoming a professor was the way to go. I idolized my professors and loved my campus, so it wasn’t hard to envision myself doing this...at least until I actually started my grad program in political science. Last fall, I was failing and withdrew from a class for the first time, was concerned about having to pay back my scholarship for the semester, and had no idea what I would do if I left my program. I was desperately searching for a way out because I knew I could not thrive (or even survive) in the environment of my grad department— it was revealing some ugly realities and turned out be the opposite of everything I wanted in a career!

Fortunately, being on campus, I was able to talk to other people and departments and eventually found my home in the Communications grad program. I had a cross-listed class, and the Comm students were friendly and inviting, so I began talking to them and found out more about their program. They still seemed to have a soul unlike my own peers— so that was already a good sign! I definitely wanted to keep my soul and work in a field that would respect and pay me for my work. Keep in mind, while all this school/career crisis of wondering what I should do with my life was happening, it was also my first few months being moved out my parents house and living with my boyfriend for the first time. I was missing my family constantly, and adjusting to my new home/life while struggling with horrible anxiety that weighed me down like bricks on my chest. 

It got to be too much sometimes— especially because on top of that, my income was tied to my school because I had just started as a graduate assistant in an office on campus. This was also my first real “job,” outside of what I considered to be my “fun college job” teaching swim lessons. Not only did school suck at this time for me, but I also hated this job and the people in my office. It worsened my anxiety, and I ended up going to the school clinic and getting a formal diagnosis (and medication) for anxiety for the first time in my life, even though I’ve dealt with it for as long as I can remember. This was a big step and turning point, because I refused to compromise my mental health and wellbeing for anything. A career that comes at such a cost is not for me— having balance and self-care are far too important to me. 

While all of this was happening, I kept pushing my political science advisors to help me and connected with the Communications department about getting into their program instead. I had to advocate for myself harder than ever and push other people to help me, but in the end it was worth it! I finished the semester with the 2 courses I kept, managed to keep getting paid even though my position required full-time enrollment, and I ended up getting accepted into the Comm program by transferring instead of having to wait until the next fall to reapply. With my anxiety, and just being a more a shy/introverted person who was so scared I’d hardly ever speak up in class, I had to find my voice, create my own boundaries, and talk to adults I felt really uncomfortable talking to at first. Big lesson: you have to advocate and speak up for yourself until people see and hear you! It is always worth it, regardless of if you get what you want or not.

I started off the spring in my new program and settled in so much better from the start! I also kept my campus job I hated, but was searching desperately for internships and opportunities to get some actual Comm experience under my belt, as I was entering a new field I had zero experience in. I applied for everything I could and I got a little side gig working as a part-time student organizer for an intersectional feminist non-profit based out of Austin. I was super stoked to just get to do something I’m passionate about and get paid for it, even it was small. Little did I know, this would lead me to big things! Even with the pandemic hitting in the spring, I managed to finish my courses with A’s, work from home with my campus job (no more depressing office vibes!), and apply for dozens of internships. I ended up getting two remote internships over the summer that paid me— one with the same non-profit I was working with as a Digital Intern and another similar position with a different non-profit. I was finally gaining some of the experience and skills I really needed to start a career in this field. Even though the non-profit route was not what I had in mind, I loved my internships and the teams I worked with, and it was so rewarding. 

It wasn’t easy working long hours from my laptop on my dining table, but it did have its own perks. No bras or dress pants or waking up early to get ready and drive in traffic— it’s a hell yes from your fave introvert! Another pandemic-inspired moment was finally getting a dog! Even through this seems irrelevant it actually was really in perfect alignment with what I wanted and timing. I’ve wanted a dog for as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved animals and with my anxiety it was something I hoped would help at least a little bit. My parents never wanted us to have a dog and I grew up with them telling me it was a huge responsibility so even after I moved out I hesitated and wanted to give myself time to adjust and make money before taking on that responsibility. This summer, I started pushing my boyfriend to look into fostering programs to help me adjust to having a dog at home, and we did but had no luck. One day, I saw a friend posting about a lost dog they found who needed a home. She was cute and I wanted to go see her just to scope it out, and of course the universe brought the most perfect little dog into my life at the most perfect time!

I was just finishing up my internship and had a few weeks of down time before the semester started, so it was the perfect time to adjust to having my new dog, Sage, around. Since then, we’ve bonded so much and I love just having another little creature around the house! She really does bring warmth and light into my life. She pushes me to get outside more even when I feel shitty, she makes me have a more consistent routine, and just helps alleviate my stress while connecting me with my inner child and inner caretaker at the same time. During the latter half of this quarantine, my boyfriend and I also had our share of struggles and fights we had to work through. Like anything worth having, it took effort to work through some rough patches, but at the end of the day I believe in the power of love and its ability to persevere and heal, even in the most difficult times. Not to mention, having our little Sage around even helped us through it! This taught me to trust that the right things will happen in the right timing, and the right people will make an effort to stick it out with you. 

I was incredible lucky and blessed that several things I was manifesting and working hard towards happened in perfect alignment. First, I got a scholarship from my grad school that allowed me go back full-time and only have to pay half of my tuition (big plus since I was paying this myself). Secondly, one of the ladies I had worked with during my Digital internship found another position and was leaving the non-profit I had worked with, and she recommended me for a part-time version of her position. They extended me this offer shortly before my semester started for school. I planned to keep my campus job, since it was staying remote too, and I wanted to stack up some savings after the COVID-life lessons I’d been learning. I knew it was going to be a challenge to maintain the personal/self-care balance I need in life with my now full-time class load and 2 part-time jobs. However, I felt so fortunate to have these opportunities while so many people across the country are struggling to keep normalcy going or even stay afloat during this time. Especially not being able to travel, go out much, or do other things, I figured what better time than now to just buckle down to work hard and make major moves towards what I want. 

The universe is blessing me with this alignment and opportunity right now— it’s giving me everything I worked for in this past year. Especially with my new job at the non-profit, the team is incredibly kind but also puts serious support behind their staff. They’re paying me pretty well, but also want to transition me to a full-time staff member at their Austin office after I graduate! They’re mentoring me and teaching me so much, plus I’m getting to know a network of professionals who work in organizing, advocacy, and other important work that directly helps people! Like I literally could not have asked for anything better and more me! Life lesson: It’s worth struggling for a bit and diving into the unknown as long as you feel like it’s the right thing to do for you. 

My parents had wanted me to stay in the PhD program. I knew in my gut and heart that it wasn’t going to work for me though, so I split the second I could. I trusted myself, advocated for myself, and worked through the scary uncertainties about if I would ever find a job I liked and that paid me well. I knew changing career paths would give me a chance to open myself up to new things that align better with who I am and what I desire in life and work. Here I am a year later, and I wouldn’t have gotten any of these amazing opportunities if I hadn’t trusted myself and worked hard to forge my path. Although this year turned out to be nothing like what any of us had planned, I’m so privileged and lucky that it turned out to be a year of incredible milestones and growth for me nonetheless! 

Today, with this new moon energy and the powerful seasonal shift of fall on the verge of unfolding, I felt the need to make these reflections as a reminder to myself that hard work pays off. Doing what’s right pays off. Doing work that matters really fucking pays off. Fall is a special season that allows us to harvest the seeds we’ve sown all year. It’s cheesy, but I’m a sucker for being in tune with nature and the seasons, trusting each season will bring its own negatives and positives that foster growth or death in the right places, restoring a greater balance in the ways that we need. 

With each season, I am growing into a stronger, wiser, more beautiful version of myself. I am deeply grateful for everything, both the good and bad in my life, because every detail is a puzzle piece that allows for the big picture of my path and place in the world to unfold. I’ve also been fostering patience and maturity, as I navigate this pandemic world and knowing (unlike many other people my age) that as much as I miss the “normal world” too, it’s not worth risking my own health or the health of anyone else to have “fun.” I can reinvent the ways in which I bring joy and fun into my life, while staying safe and trusting that those moments and activities will make their way back in my life eventually as things get better. It’s all temporary. 

I am unshakable in my roots and focused on what is important. My vibe is so strong and beautiful, it’s no surprise that I’m not for everyone! Of course, there are areas like friendships and my social life that I’ve put on the back burner for now, but I know as I’m working on myself and just being authentic in putting myself out there, the right people will make their way into my life at the right time! Growing up is strange anytime but especially in this moment, and in some ways I’ve grown apart from who I thought I was, but I also feel more connected to myself than ever. I am healing each day with the light and love in my life— I don’t need anyone’s approval and have nothing to prove to anyone but myself! 

My value and my place in the world doesn’t require anyone’s approval and is not tied to down to any single thing. It comes through in the love I give and receive, it comes through in the way my soul feels when I wake up, it comes through in the literal beauty I get to experience in the world. I went through a negative slump in the late summer and my anxiety was majorly triggered these past several weeks as I re-adjusted to full-time school and my work. This new moon has brought great clarity, a sense of deeper renewal, and turning a new leaf as I return home to myself. To my positive outlook and perseverance that has brought me to this point. Life is nothing without the little moments of joy and love— again, just let me corny and say that aligning back to being present and enjoying those little things is really all that matters. 

My past self would be so proud of me and where I am today. I worked for and earned every beautiful moment that comes my way, and I intend on giving that back to others. Every ray of light that enters me, every penny of abundance I receive, I intend on reflecting right back, because nothing is meant to just be absorbed. It’s nothing unless it’s reflected back into the world in meaningful ways, whether those are tangible or not. I trust that I am making my mark by simply being me and being that reflection. This is how history changes course, and patterns are broken with new ones created. I’ll end with a few manifestations and mantras for this fall-winter season we’re entering!

M A N I F E S T A T I O N S

☽ The people will win, because our power truly is greater than that of those in power. We all deserve better, and so many people are putting in tireless work to make that better world a reality. Thing may not be perfect, now or ever, but making progress and supporting those who need it the most is always a win and it is coming our way because there is a shift happening that the world will have to keep up with.

☽ I will reconnect with my more creative side, allowing my potential to shine through even more. Whether it’s for work or for my own hobbies, I will continue finding outlets for myself to create things that feel authentic and important to who I am, but to also fill in gaps where I feel like others need it. 

☽ I will stay rooted and grounded in my spiritual practices, even when they’re the easiest things to give up when life gets busy, that just means they’re even more necessary to stay connected with! I will make time for journaling, playing, meditating, yoga, cooking, and other activities that bring me in tune with my natural state as a human. 

☽ I will connect and find community. Through being my most authentic self and working through my scars, my negative patterns, and my own blocks, I will find a sense of community with others and find people on my same wavelength who I can connect with. No expectations in mind or idealized version of friendship in mind, just pure desire to connect with others and mutually contribute to each others’ lives in positive ways

☽ Love will persevere and heal as its meant to, in both my relationship and family. Everything will be okay and work out just fine, if not better, than I expect. Pavel and I will be okay and keep growing together, and my family will be okay in staying healthy and strong through this time as something better arises for my dad’s work situation. 

M A N T R A S

☽ I am focused on what matters right now.

☽ I am strong, powerful, and capable of doing what I set my mind to. 

☽ I have a kind and beautiful energy that anyone would be lucky to have.

☽ I can find presence and joy in the little moments.

☽ I can find patience and trust that everything will happen as its meant to. 

[alwayschoosechocolate]

One-night stands and one-shot chances (Part iv)

University AU

Pairing: Jin x reader

Who says sex has to mean anything? Who says you can’t just screw around without all the heartache? Who says only guys get this privilege? What happens when the biggest playboy on campus suddenly meets his match and gets a taste of his own medicine?

Genre: casual sex, mentions of sex, bestfriend!Hoseok, onenightstand!Jin

Wordcount: 2000

Masterpost with the other parts of the story can be found here (x)

Tag list: @esplosionedicoloriintesta @jeonjunggoodgod @rjsmochii @spookidema @pariz-lover @mymochimchimmy @friedclamtoadbanana @cloudyelizabeth @livesmileandstaystrong

A/N: Tumblr has been fucking with me and deleted parts of this update so many times.. I lost count of how many times I rewrote it, and I feel like parts of it never really got back again. I'm only on my phone these days, so I have no idea, how long it is either, but I feel like it's rather short unfortunately - sorry! I'll make up for it in the next update!

The whispers heard from two rows behind you were only getting louder, and it had reached a point that made even Jimin send them a sour look.

Your focus, however, was solely on the professor in front of the board and the notes you were scribbling down. Rumors and bitchy comments were nothing new to you. Being part of the royalty on campus, as Hoseok and his mates were called because of the small spire on the house, came with a lot of attention, and being Hoseoks best friend had made you an honorary member as well.

"I swear to God, if they make any more comments about your hair, I will pull theirs out," Jimin mumbled under his breath, making you raise an eyebrow at him.

"Jimin, just leave it. If the best they've got is comments about my hair" - you shrugged your shoulders - "let them have their fun."

"Can't you please just talk back one time? I don't want them to think they can treat our friends like this."

Jimin was fidgeting in his seat and his voice had reached a whiny tone, but the reason for his demeanor was anything but cute. He wanted to fight back. He hated people for not respecting his friends, and he knew Hoseok wouldn't have hesitated to clap back at the girls. However, you hated people fighting your battles, and even though Hoseok did it all the time, it always resulted in arguments between the two of you. The rest of the guys had learned not to challenge you on this.

"Not yet, Jimin," you hummed, eyes still on the papers in front of you. Mumbling under his breath, he leaned back in his seat with crossed arms, settling for absorbing their voices, so he would know, which girls to add to his non-shag list. No way, he was sleeping with them, when they treated his friend like that, he thought with a huff.

"I don't get why she doesn't have any self-respect. She must really have some issues," one of them whispered a bit too loudly, definitely wanting you to hear her. "I mean, can't she see that she is ruining her life?"

"That's rich," you snorted loudly, finally turning around in your seat and putting a hand on Jimins shoulder in the process, keeping him from jumping at the girl. "Coming from you." You locked eyes with the girl in charge of most of the comments and sent her a sinister smile. "When is your due date again?”

Hearing Jimin snicker at your comment fueled you on further and the missing response from the girl only added to it.

"Your daughter must really be looking forward to getting a younger sister," you cooed in feigned interest. "I just feel bad, they don't get to have that idyllic family life you always talked about. But then again, family is what you make it, with the people you chose to have in it, right? Who am I to tell you, how to live your life?"

Sending her one last icy look, you turned back to the board, still hearing the girls whispering, but for a completely different reason this time. Everyone knew her on campus. She had made it her mission to spread the word of God on campus, which involved celibacy, no alcohol and for some reason also no sea food. Funny thing is, she didn’t see the double moral in herself being pregnant with a second child from a different guy. Instead, she had made it her life mission to preach about how sex ruins both body and mind, ruining you for the future. And Y/N was her favorite target.

-

"You're alright?", Jimin asked, as they walked to the café for their free period. It was drizzling a bit, covering the campus in a grey curtain, leaving you and Jimin alone, as everyone scrambled to get out of the rain.

"Of course. It's nothing new."

Throwing an arm around Jimins waist, leaning on him, as he wrapped an arm around your shoulder. You walked a bit in silence.

"Come on, I'll buy you a coffee," he smiled, pulling you into the warm café.

You bought your drinks and Jimin even bought you a muffin as well, and you found a table in the back, where you could lay out your books on the table to talk about some assignment, you had to hand in next week.

"Btw," Jimin interrupted you in the middle of a sentence. "Did you hear anything back about the job yet?"

"No, not yet," you mused, with a small smile. "But I'm sure they just have a lot of applicants to get through."

As true as that might be, it had also been two weeks since they were supposed to get back to you. Knowing that you weren't going home between semesters, you had always opted for working or doing internships, and this year one of the professors on campus was working on a big project and needed help. Not only was it a great way of earning some money and experience, the professors field of study was exactly what you wanted to go into yourself. It couldn’t be more perfect actually!

That is, if you got it.

You hadn't told anyone about it - not even Hoseok. A thought, that still made you a bit uncomfortable, since you normally shared everything. Jimin only knew, because your application had gotten mixed up with some notes, you shared with him.

"I'm sure, you'll get it," Jimin offered with a sweet smile and a warm hand on your arm. "They would be stupid not to take you in."

"I don't know," you smiled at him. "You've been getting better grades than me lately. Maybe you should apply, Jiminie?"

He snorted out a laugh, falling on to the table while he giggled.

"Yeah, right. Me, in a lab coat all summer? No, thank you."

Joining in his laughter, it took af few seconds for the both of you to calm down.

"Besides," he added, eyes turning sincere again. "The only reason, I get good grades is because of your help."

You scoffed and rolled your eyes at him, trying to pull your arm away from his grasp, but he only tightened his grip, making you look up into his smiling eyes.

"It's true, Y/N." His voice had gotten lower, and you felt your breath hitch at the close proximity of his face. "I couldn’t have made it through this last semester without you."

Letting yourself be hypnotized by his sweet words and demeanor, you suddenly realized who you were sitting across from.

"Aish, Jimin," you exclaimed in annoyance with an awkward laugh, snapping out of the trance. "Stop flirting with me! I already promised, we would work together on the year end project."

"Right," Jimin smiled sheepishly, rubbing his neck. "The year end project."

You had already turned back to your books and started suggesting topics for the upcoming assignments, when you got interrupted.

“You know, I’m not normally into the whole drowned-rat-look,” a sly voice commented, making both you and Jimin look up to see Jin walking towards you with a cocky smile. “But you really make it work, cupcake.”

Rolling your eyes at both his presence and words, you kept your gaze trained on the books on the table.

“Normally, I’m not into cocky guys with a nice body,” you retorted in a flat voice without missing a beat. “And you are no exception.”

“Ah, you think, I have a good body, doll?”, Jin cooed, as he dragged an extra chair to the table, making himself comfortable.

“Yeah, it does a perfect job of covering up all that sexism and…” – pausing to send him a confused look, you cocked your head at him – “Oh, I’m sorry. What are your other traits again?”

Hearing Jimins laughter fill the air, you sent Jin a cold smile, getting an annoyed look back.

“Damn. That’s cold, baby.” Jins voice was strained, trying to keep the tone light, but you easily picked up on the shadow of hurt looming in his eyes.

“But not uncalled for,” you reminded him, gathering your stuff and saying goodbye to Jimin, before walking out into the rain again.

Asshole. Thinking he could just go back to joking around again, after calling you a whore. Huffing a bit in anger, you walked towards the library to study there instead.

“Y/N!”

Groaning at the sound of his voice, you just kept walking.

“Hey. Wait up!”, Jin shouted, putting a hand on your shoulder, when he reached you.

Whipping around in annoyance, you saw him stumble half a step back in surprise at your sudden movement.

“What, Jin? What do you want?” Your voice was anything but welcoming, and if he had taken just two seconds to think about what he was about to do, he should have known better.

Oh well.

“I wanted to talk to a pretty lady, and you just happen to fit that bill,” he grinned at you, making you roll your eyes.

"Oh, lucky me! I get to be your designated whore of the day," you exclaimed in feigned excitement.

"What? No, that's..."

"Cut to the case, Seokjin. I'm not in the mood today." Crossing your arms in front over your chest, you sent him an impatient look.

"Well, erm." He coughed awkwardly, searching for the words. "I just wanted to apologize. You know, for calling you..."

"A whore," you stated, giving an evil smirk, when you saw him visibly tense at the sound of it.

"Yeah, that." He mustered every ounze of sincerity he could before continuing. "I'm sorry, I did that. It was uncalled for."

His eyes searched yours to see if you accepted the apology, but was hurriedly cast down by the sound of you clicking your tongue.

"Yeah, it was uncalled for. So why did you?" Curiousity taking over, you still wanted to know why, despite the anger.

Seokjin awkwardly shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to come up with an explanation. Dammit! He shouldn't feel this uncomfortable in front of you. Get it together, Jin!

He was at a loss, so he did what he knew always worked. Or used to work at least.

Straightning up a bit, he sent you a shameless grin.

"You're just so hot, doll! I don't like the idea of other men seeing that body," he winked at you, reaching for your hand.

The second, the words left his mouth, he knew he was screwed. And if his own intuition was enough, he was about to find out.

"Oh, I see!", you cooed at him, smiling sinisterly, when you saw his frightned expression at your tone. "You think, because I slept with you once, you own me."

Jin looked like he had just been pushed out of a cliff, and was now frantically searching for somewhere to hold on.

"What? No, that's not..."

His comicly widened eyes and pouting lips made him look almost too innocent.

Almost.

"Shh," you shushed, reaching up to cup his cheek. "Let me tell you something." Tightning you grasp on his jaw, you saw his eyes widen in surprise. "I am not someone for you to stick your dick in like a flagpole. You do not have, or will ever have, any claim on me. Got it?"

Your stern eyes bore into his startled ones. Despite the height difference, you had no problem displaying your position. It made Jin feel powerless, and he really didn't like being in that position. It made his blood boil, and his brain go into overdrive.

"I don't need to claim you," he spat out, venom suddenly present in his voice. "You've been with so many that you're basically public property by now."

Feeling his own blood run cold at his words, he pushed your hand off his face, looking at your shocked features defiantly.

"You should feel lucky that I even payed you any attention after getting my share," he stated with an annoyed huff, before turning around and basically speedwalking away from you, heart thumbing in his chest.

Oh, he was so screwed..

// Part v //

[wadefm-blog]

           ⋆ ╰  another  year  at  hollingsworth  ,  another  year  of  the  big  six  rivalry  .  i  hear  that  AURIELLA  WADE  is  ensuring  KAPPA  KAPPA  DELTA  gets  a  solid  pledge  class  and  stays  at  the  top  of  the  ranks  . oh  ,  you’re  not  familiar  with  HER  ?  AURI  is  the  ZENDAYA   look  alike  from  PACES  ,   ATLANTA  ,  GEORGIA .  apart  of  PC  ‘16  ,  she  is  majoring  in  COMMUNICATIONS and  has  plans  to  WORK  IN  PUBLIC  RELATIONS  DEPARTMENT  AT  SEPHORA  after  undergrad  .  it  makes  sense  they  pledged  their  house  ,  their  SCINTILLATING  &  BEWITCHING attributes  make  them  perfect  matches  .  however  ,  their  INDELICATE  &  VAINGLORIOUS attributes  keep  their  name  alive  on  greek  rank .  if  you  don’t  catch  them  dancing  to  BEEF  FLOMIX  -  FLO  MILLI  at  a  fraternity  band  party  this  year  ,  you’ll  be  sure  to  catch  them  nursing  their  morning  hangover  at  THE  KAPPA  HOUSE . cheers to  another  wild  semester  !

          *  insert  feral  screeching  here  *  hello  angels  and  babes  !  my  name’s  ares ,  i  prefer  the  pronouns  she / they  and  i’m  from  the  eastern  tz  !  i’m  so ,  so  excited  to  be  here  and  i’m  EXTRA  excited  to  be  playing  my  actual  queen  miss  zendaya  !  with  that  being  said , don’t  ask  me  a  single  thing  about  euphoria  because  i  haven’t  watched  it  yet  (  since  i  have  the  brain  capacity  of  a  two  brain  cell  bitch  )  but  it’ll  happen  ....  *  spongebob  narrator  vc *  eventually .  with  that  being  said ,  i  can’t  wait  to  talk  to  and  plot  with  everyone  because  i’m  already  obsessed  !  my  discord  is  𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝐨𝐟_𝖊𝖇𝖔𝖞𝖘#6936  if  that  makes  it  easier  for  the  plotting  process ,  but  without  further  ado ,  here’s  my  baby  auri  !

full name. auriella kyla wade. nicknames. auri. birthday / age. december 25th, 1996 / 22. zodiac. capricorn. gender. cisfemale. pronouns. she/her/hers. sexual orientation. bisexual. romantic orientation. biromantic. height. five foot ten inches ( 5′10″ ). hometown. paces, atlanta, georgia ( click ). current location. savannah, georgia. nationality. american. ethnicity. scottish, german, and african american. languages. english, conversational german and spanish.

          whitney young and tristan wade were high school sweethearts, meeting each other when they were a sophomore and junior, respectively. the couple was madly in love and remained that way, even though tristan was the talk of the town since he was the best quarterback their high school had seen in years. most expected for the couple to run into cheating and mishaps, but tristan was madly in love with whitney, so much so that he proposed to her with a small ring that he promised to replace once he made it to the nfl. whitney followed tristan to berkeley, one of the hardest schools to get into, but also one of the hardest schools to get scouted for. 

          tristan made it through to his senior year and was the #1 draft pick of 1992, and signed with the dallas cowboys. after his first year in the nfl, he proposed to whitney with the bigger ring as promised and even though tristan played for the cowboys, the couple lived in atlanta due in part to whitney getting her dream job at cnn. at that time, the job was still a bit on the entry-level side, but she was happy to have had her foot in the door.

          four years later, after the couple married in a beautiful reception in miami, whitney and tristan welcomed their daughter auriella kyla into the world. born on christmas day, auriella was considered to be their little christmas miracle. in short, whitney and tristan were the aisha and steph of the 90s, but in football instead of basketball. the couple were envied due to their success, and were even featured on an episode of mtv cribs during the first season. 

          growing up, auriella was mainly raised between atlanta and texas. she went to school and lived in atlanta, but her parents also had a home in texas that was used during the football season. auriella attended the most elite schools that money and atlanta could give her, so she grew up surrounded with people who had immense wealth and influence. by the time she reached high school, she had become a girl who knew exactly what she wanted and how she was going to get it, no matter who she had to step on in order to get it. she wanted to be student body president ? she’d bribe the voters. wanted a specific superlative in the yearbook ? be fake friends with the yearbook staff. when it came to her grades, though, auriella worked hard for those and dared anyone to challenge her on that.

          come her senior year at north atlanta high school, auriella was named prom queen and most likely to be successful, two things that she made sure to have from the moment she stepped foot into the building. auriella had applied to and been accepted into a few schools, including her parents’ alma mater uc berkeley, but it was the university of hollingsworth that called her name after taking a tour of the campus. she loved that she wasn’t too far from the beach, and she even clicked with a few people she came in contact with during the tour.

          so, auriella packed her bags and decided to major in communications at #hworth. during rush week, no one had expected for her to rush kappa, considering auriella’s air of superiority, but in a way -- it worked best for her. even though she had the cushion of her parents’ wealth, auriella wasn’t dumb by any means and she knew how to get exactly what she wanted -- was the bribing again ? probably, but she’ll never tell. and, it didn’t help that her mother was a legacy of kappa at their berkeley chapter.

          she has plans of working at sephora following graduation due in part to the fact that she did an internship with colorpop over the summer and wants to be a part of the publicity of a brand as big as sephora. it helps that she’s done various brand sponsorships over the last couple of years, and immediately fell in love with sephora after she worked with them a few times. 

          as for her personality, in regard to her positive traits scintillating and bewitching,  auriella is remarkably clever and ridiculously charismatic. she knows how to get her sisters out of sticky situations no matter the issue and she knows how to get past any issues that someone might encounter while she works as social chair with the sorority ( if that hasn’t been taken ! ) 99.9% of the time, auriella is working at her desk whether it be getting kappa’s social events prepared to also getting her own assignments done. she’s pretty much known around campus due to her crisp white tesla and the sound of her heels clicking on the sidewalk. when she’s like that, she means business. 

          as for her negative traits, auriella is indelicate and vainglorious. meaning that she shows a lack of sensitive understanding and excessively proud of oneself or one’s achievements. in short, when she wants something to be done and it doesn’t get completed, she doesn’t accept excuses and whenever she doesn’t get exactly what she wants, she uses her accomplishments in order to fix things. for instance, when she received a lower grade on her assignment when she thought she deserved higher, her immediate response was ‘ i haven’t been on the dean’s list since freshman year to get a B+, margaret. ’

          since we haven’t talked about her parents in a while, just know that whitney had her own show with cnn in new york city while tristan has since retired from football after winning four super bowls with various teams and has become a sports commentator with espn as well as an businessman/entrepreneur ( something like shaq ). with that being said, during the summers, auriella has free reign of their house in paces since her parents have made new york their permanent home for now.

          some minor things about auriella is that whenever she doesn’t have classes, she often is at the kappa house or maybe somewhere on campus. i think she’s the type to be a part of various clubs, and probably is the president of them, so she’s a busy gal. when she’s not in class though, nine times out of ten she’s wearing a face mask and walking around the kappa house in a massively over-sized shirt that she nabbed from one of her .... ~ahem, conquests. she is never seen on campus in anything less than heels with her favorite bag of the moment, which at this time is a soft pink hermes kelly bag. 

          as for connections ( and then i’ll promise to shut up because i always talk too fucking much ), i would love to have anything ! ex friends, friends to enemies, hateship, bad/good influence, childhood friends, confidants, fake friends, enemies to friends, frenemies, squad, childhood friends, exes on good/bad terms, flirtationship, one night stand(s), exes without closure ... literally anything ! if you see auri fitting in in any connections that you may have open, please let me know i’m literally down for anything !

[ohcoolnice]

very unpopular opinion: Stop asking for money on tumblr

I’m gonna get so much hate for this but i can’t even hold back anymore. 

so i hate to be *that person* because everyone is going through shit, but let me just make my point here:

I’m an 18 (19 in less than a month) year old white girl with a black father and a white mother. I might be bi but i’m really just confused tbh.

This is all irrelevant, though, because I live in an abusive home, which isn’t something i’d stand for if it were anybody else, i don’t give a shit if you’re a purple girl and thanos is your dad and you’re lesbian. It matters when people are hurting. My father controls my bank account, expects me to pay him, refuses to let me have ANY money, and the 20 dollars i have is from babysitting, and it’s hidden in my room, taped under my bed because it’s the only place he might not find it, since he searches through my room on the regular.

I do not have a job, because i had to leave the job i’ve had since i was 14 due to health issues, and i’ve been searching for a job for about six months, and haven’t got anything that’s more than a week (i worked a week on comic-con in the summer). I’ve probably applied to over 100 jobs by now, but I simply don’t have the “experience” that is so required but never given.

I’m currently making money via an online captioning site, that pays per video minute of captions, not per hour spent captioning, so i can spend 50 hours that week captioning, and only make $16. It’s not fast money, but it’s MONEY.

As i said, I live in an abusive household. I was very open about this on the last tumblr i had, but i decided i wouldn’t say anything about it on this one, i don’t like the way i’m addressed once people find out. It’s been so long that i’ve come to normalise the abuse, and it rarely makes me cry anymore, but what does make me cry, is seeing happy families and good relationships on TV. Something i might never have.

I had to use everything I’ve saved up since i started working at 14, over 5 years ago, and now my bank account is empty, and I’m struggling to earn enough to pay off my credit card (had to buy school supplies- i’m a fashion student). I have to come up with excuses why i don’t have certain materials in class when the truth is that i can’t afford anything at all. I live at home with my parents, grandmother, and three brothers.

The worst part of all this is that my family isn’t poor. Honestly, it’s the complete opposite. My father has a net worth of over 3 million, and my mother is not far behind. My brothers are constantly treated with new shoes and clothes and school supplies (two younger, one a year older than me who is on an internship in Halifax), and my parents love to go on multiple vacations each year without their kids, which i understand, four kids is a lot of work.

We’re not in debt and we’re well off. Our house is small, yes, but everyone has their own room and there is a separate apartment in the basement for my grandmother, and we have a backyard that’s oddly large for the city.

So why am i so broke?

Honestly, i’m not sure. I know my father loves me, but the times i can see that are so few and far between that i don’t even know anymore. My second youngest brother stole my father’s credit card and cash multiple times this year, racking up a lovely bill of over $2,000 worth of money stolen.

As a punishment, he has a full season pass to Canada’s Wonderland, gifts for every occasion, and he’s practically my parents’ favorite. Sure, they scold him when it happens and they find out, but their punishments never last more than a day, whereas i am still blamed for attending a year of private school in the fifth grade- something that was their choice, not mine.

And that’s not even the abusive aspect to my house. That’s merely my parent’s preference of my brothers over me.

My father is emotionally abusive, screaming and yelling and calling me fat (though i’m in relatively okay shape, and underweight) and lazy and stupid and somethings i’d rather not type out. If he’s in a mood, I’m his target, even if i’m not home, i’ll open up my email to see a bunch of wonderful new emails in my inbox telling me off.

He’s also been physically abusive.

So many people have told me to call the cops or anything, but at home, everyone is constantly yelling at me, and calling me a liar the moment i open my mouth, but i rarely ever lie because i absolutely HATE liars.

My father hates what i do, he hates what i want to do, because, to him, fashion isn’t a real career. He hates that I’m in art and that i paint and draw and that i barely was able to pass math in high school.

I’m also ADHD. While i don’t have any money, everything i make will be going towards paying my tuition. I have two scholarships, but still have to pay about $8,000 after the deductions.

I currently have a near-perfect score in all my courses, all 100% except one 80% (an 8/10), to which i was told that if he saw anything like it again, I wouldn’t be going to school next semester.

So for my Adhd, I have to take medication, and i’ve gotten better at being able to function without, but i still can’t fully, and it’s really hard to explain what i mean by that, so i won’t, it’s really too complex. For two and a half years, ending this summer,  I was SEVERELY depressed: cutting and numb and crying myself to sleep more nights than not. Panic attacks and Anxiety attacks were the norm. Honestly, I have so much shit due that i’m gonna cut this short, because i have four more projects due this week, three due tomorrow.

I don’t have a phone, because i’m not “responsable like your brothers” and I have to walk down poorly-lit and dangerous areas of downtown after class to get to the subway. if something did happen to me, though, i’m not sure my family would really care. maybe my grandmother and my brothers and my mom. maybe my mom.

Basically, I understand that life is hard, but it really rubs me the wrong way when i see people asking for money on tumblr as if there is NO other option. there’s always some other way to do things. I’ve gone through more things in my 18, almost 19 years, than most people would in their lives, in terms of psychological and physical harassment.

And yet i have never asked for money, especially not from random people on the internet. Even though all i have in my purse for the rest of the year is a few coins that i probably just found on the sidewalk, I still give change to church boxes and i still leave food from my lunch next to homeless sleeping people- something i wish everyone did- because while my life might SUCK, other people have it worse, and I know that even if i have nothing, there’s always things i can do about it.

I don’t want pity, or anything from this. I’m just adding all that to help back my point and to show that I understand hardship.

There’s a website called TASKRABBIT and others like it that pays you to do tasks for others. There’s also things like DOORDASH and PETSITTER.COM and hundreds of other alternatives. I have to wait a few days, as you have to be 19 to join many of these, but please consult alternatives before asking others for money, perhaps asking others to give their money to people who have less, like those in shelters with families and children. Donate food etc.

Please stop asking for money. The device you’re using to ask for it on can be used to make money. So please, use the internet. Legally.

I know people can be rude, and I worked as a swimming instructor for four years, so i understand dealing with both difficult adults and children, and I’ve been called things in and out of home i’d rather not say, but that’s customer service for you. The customer is always right, even if they’re a jerk.

There are plenty of things online to make money from, and i company i work for required me to not give out it’s name when i started working for it, but there’s plenty of work out there that doesn’t require an interview or anything.

I’m sure things are hard now, and i’m not trying to be rude, but things like this really bother me, especially when there is clearly other options.

Best of luck to all of you in your future endeavors.

[wickedlightsalot]

Just One Word

chapter one

summary: Pepper’s junior year of high school and all she wants is a shred of attention from football-star Tony.

word count: 1.1k

comments: this is just an exposition ALSO this is SO CHEESY and so stereotypical, but this is my first fanfic so please go easy on me. But i’d LOVE feedback so lemme know! The next chapter is probably going to be in Tony’s mind so we’ll see. Also lemme know if this is even worth continuing! 

Monday morning, the day she dreaded. Pepper woke up on the eve of her 17th birthday which unfortunately doubled as the first day of her junior year. She grabbed her phone on the bedside table and rolled over to the other side of her bed. Illuminating her face, the ‘7:00 am’ blinded her as she pulled the covers off of herself.

She pulled herself out of bed and continued with her normal morning routine. By the time she was dressed and made up, it was 7:50. She sat on her bed scrolling through Instagram, like she normally did for the 10 extra minutes she had every day. She was expecting some sort of post from Tony, knowing that he had probably just gotten finished with his morning gym session. She’d like every post, even though she knew that her like was lost in the thousands of the likes he’d get.

“Pepper, let’s go,” her mom yelled, knocking on her door. Pepper grabbed her bag and shoved her phone in her pocket heading out of her room. The most embarrassing part of being an almost 17-year-old junior in high school was her inability to drive. She constantly nagged her parents to let her get her license, but they insisted on waiting. Even more, she wanted to be picked up for school in Tony’s 1980 De Tomaso Pantera, but she knew she was really reaching.

“Ready for seventeen?” her mom asked as they both got in her mom’s LeSabre.

“I’m, um, ready for my license... and college. Not entirely sure how ready I am for seventeen,” she sighed. She refreshed Instagram. Nothing. “Can I get my license now…?” She wasn’t sure what reasoning she’d need. “...that I’m going to be seventeen?” She didn’t even know what was stopping her from getting it. She was a straight A student and she was involved in every club in school. She was even applying for internships during the school year with Stark Industries. Sure it was a great thing to put on a resume for jobs and college but she also thought that being employed by Tony’s father would maybe give her a shot to get closer to Tony.

“Honey, let me talk to your father.” Pepper sighed at that response. “I know, I know you want your license, but we don’t think you’re ready for it quite yet. But I promise, we will talk about it.”

Pepper didn’t answer. She opened her phone to see what she’s been waiting for all morning. There he was, Tony, posing in front of the mirror, flexing his arms. Total tool move, she knew, but she couldn’t help but smile. She was completely aware, though, of the stereotypical trope. This time, however, Pepper wasn’t a cheerleader. Tony wasn’t going to just fall in love with her, but she at least wanted his attention. Or even a friendship.

The rest of the ride continued in silence, until the top of the high school appeared from the bottom of hill they were at. “I can get out here,” she said, hugging her mom. She opened the door and started her walk up the hill.

As her mom drove away, she heard a familiar voice walking behind her. “Emma, let’s walk. We’re not going to be on time if we keep walking at that speed.” Pepper closed her eyes, and continued to walk faster. She started brushing her long blonde hair compulsively just in case he noticed her from behind.

“Tony, can’t we take our time, spend time with each other?” She could hear Emma, her co--president of Business club skipping around Tony and kissing his cheek. She knew Emma so well, and talked to her almost every day, and she couldn’t help but be jealous of her relationship with Tony. They’d only been dating for a fews months, since summer started, but Pepper wanted just once to be in her shoes.

“Hm, maybe we could take a break. Those trees over there look pretty comfy.” She could hear Tony’s signature smirk. He was smooth, but Pepper didn’t want to hear that from him. She could faintly hear their footsteps fading off in the distance. She didn’t like it. She hated it. She sped up, running to the front door.

She opened the door and ran in to her designated locker. She unlocked and looked at herself in the tiny mirror she had on the door. “Hello Mrs. Stark,” she heard faintly. She slammed the door shut to see Jane standing there smiling. Pepper rolled her eyes, hugging her best friend.

“Jane, oh my god! How was London?” She had never been so relieved to see such a beautifully friendly face. Friends since pre-K, Jane was there for her no matter what. However, this summer she had been in London with an internship, and Pepper genuinely missed her.

“Nothing without you, I worked and missed you. More importantly, how are you? How’s Tony?” She started walking towards homeroom. “No, wait! Are you ready for your birthday? What are we doing?!”

Pepper followed. “Jane, I don’t know. I feel like we should just have a movie night. 13 Going on 30 or 10 Things I Hate About You? I’m not sure I’m in the mood for some kind of party”

“No party?” Jane asked, pouting. “No, I get it. We can have a nice girl’s night. I’ll invite Tony.” She smiled, “or Emma!”

“No, no, no, no! Stop!” Pepper rushed Jane into their homeroom. They scanned the room looking for their names on the desks. “Where are you sitting, I don’t see my name.”

Jane walked around the room to find her name tag. Unfortunately, she was seated in the back corner. Pepper, though, was in the front. “Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to survive this year without you by my side for the year?” Pepper leaned on Jane’s shoulder, putting her arms around her. Jane stroked her hair laughing and letting go of her as Pepper sat down

“Pepper, didn’t you see the name next to you, though? Starts with a T, ends with a Y? Rhymes with Bologna?” Jane sat in a seat named ‘Tony’. Her fist found her chin as she rested her elbow on her knee. “Well Potts, seems like this won’t be that bad a year.”

“It won’t matter,” she responded rolling her eyes. “He’ll say one word to me this whole year.”

Jane looked past Pepper. Her eyes widened as she stood up quickly. Pepper turned around to see what she was looking at. Tony, only Tony, was standing in the doorway looking for his seat. “Right here, Tony,” Jane said extravagantly motioning towards his seat. Then, she grabbed Pepper’s shoulders and left for her own seat, leaving Pepper to be next to Tony, alone.

- i have a few ideas for more chapters but just kind of wanted to write an exposition, let me know your thoughts! there’s probably a million mistakes and it’s probably very confusing i’m sorry i’m learning

tagging some friends (taglist)

@fratboievans @aw-hawkeye @toms-darling @mandatheredpanda @i-am-steve-rogerss @peeterparkr @afilmbypeterparkr @noir-spiderr @hollandharrison @cinnamon-roll-parker @stuckonspidey @h-osterfield @hufflepuffhlland @moonkissedtom