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ladykailitha · 9 months ago

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A Love Connection Part 6

Woohoo!! We're really into the thick of it now. Everything is going to heat up from here. Again, heads up for the spicy talk.

In this we have the second half of round one and all of round three getting to the two that earned dates.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Steve had a stack of questions on his lap and was sorting through it to decide which questions to ask each Suitor, once he was ready, he nodded to Bob.

“Welcome to the heart to heart where our Catch gets to delve deep with each Suitor and get to the real meat of each one. Each Suitor will be asked five questions over the course of the round and their answers rated.”

“Billy if music was played every time you walked into a room,” Steve asked, “what would it be and why?”

“‘Bringing Sexy Back’ by Justin Timberlake,” Billy replied. “Because wait until you see me.”

Steve fanned himself with one of the ranking boards. Each little sign was round with a number from one to three on them. A number one got three points and so on. “Three points for sure!”

Bob wagged his eyebrows. “Hell, yeah. I’ve seen him and yeah, definitely not beating the allegations.”

The audience wolf whistled and cheered.

“Tommy, who is the best famous Chris?” Steve asked. He was starting slow, getting a feel for their answers.

“Evans,” Tommy said. “Those blue eyes and chiseled jaw? Smoking hot, man.”

“That is Hemsworth erasure!” Bob protested. “And I won’t stand for it!” He stomped his foot and pouted.

Steve leaned into the microphone. “The correct answer is Pine. Have you seen him lately? He is a complete silver fox these days!”

The audience seemed to agree with Steve as they whistled and cheered for that response.

“Doesn’t hurt he was in both Star Trek and the D&D movie,” Eddie added brightly.

Steve laughed. “That too! I’m going to give Tommy two points for that one because Evans is pretty easy on the eyes.”

“How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop?” Steve asked, trying to stifle a giggle. He didn’t quite manage. Most because Eddie started giggling too.

“One,” then a licking sound, “two,” then a another licking sound, “three,” another licking sound, “CRUNCH!” He giggled again. “Three!”

The audience politely clapped and Bob winced. “Well that dates this crowd, ouch! Do yourselves a favor and look up Toostie Pop owl. You’ll thank me later!”

Steve laughed, his nose scrunching in amusement. “Yay! I was really hoping you were going to do it that way. Three points for sure.”

“I aim to please.” It was said in a lower octave that sent a shiver down Steve’s spine as if the that wasn’t the only thing he aimed to do.

“Billy,” Steve said clearing his throat. “What is your favorite thing to watch on a lazy Sunday morning?”

“I usually like to catch whatever game is on,” Billy said, then paused. Steve could imagine him licking his lips. “Or if there is two of us, nothing like a porno to get the engines running if you know what I mean.”

Bob wagged his eyebrows. “Someone likes getting a little action. Very nice.”

Steve on the other hand was bright red. He shuffled through the number signs. “Two points.” Looked down to hide how much the comment embarrassed him.

“Tommy,” he said roughly, “if you were in a relationship right now, who would be your celebrity pass?”

“What’s that?” Tommy asked confused. “I’m not sure what that is.”

Bob smirked at the camera. “Well, Tommy it’s if you were in a committed relationship and there was a famous person who wanted to sleep with your significant other for just one night, who would that be for you? Like between me and my wife, if Winona Ryder wanted to sleep with me, I would get a free pass to sleep with her without my wife saying I cheated on her. Hers is Chris Hemsworth.”

Tommy laughed. “Yeah, all right. I get it now. We all know Stevie’s would be Chris Pine.” Steve blushed again. “Um...Michael Sheen in his Lucian from ‘Underworld’ leathers. Hell yeah.”

“Three points because hell yeah,” Steve agreed.

“Eddie, what is one thing everyone should try once?” Steve asked. This was Mike’s question and the last one from the kids.

“D&D,” Eddie said. “Pick any edition that makes you feel comfortable but for beginners I would definitely avoid anything pre-2000 as it’s a lot harder, but just let someone you trust run a game for you get you involved in the process and see how you like it.”

Steve and Bob shared a look of amazement at his answer, they were both expecting something a little more deep, but instead it was quirky and fun.

“Three points for sure,” Steve said, more than a little awed. “Some of the kids in my classes play it and they would love to meet someone as passionate about it as they are.”

“Hey,” Eddie said warmly, “even if this gig doesn’t work out, give me a call and I’ll happily come run a game for your kids.”

Steve blushed even harder. How was he supposed to recover from that? “I might just take you up on that.”

“Any time,” Eddie positively purred.

Bob grabbed one Steve’s signs as the audience laughed to Bob fanning himself with the number one.

“Did it just get hot in here?”

“Right!” Steve said with forced cheer, trying to move this along. “Billy if you had the chance to relive one day of your life what would it be and why?” He figured that was a safe enough question. Or at least enough of distraction from how hot this Eddie was sounding.

“Oh that’s easy,” Billy said, low and dark. “My twenty-fifth birthday, I had low, slow, deep sex with twins from Morocco. We fucked all day. Man, those boys could bend.”

“Jeez,” Bob huffed, “how do you sleep if you’re getting so much sex?”

“With my dick in their ass or their mouth on my dick,” Billy said darkly.

As much as Steve would like to say that was unexpected, it was really wasn’t. Not coming from Billy. But he also knew that he was just as much of horn dog. “Two points.” The two sign was getting a lot of use today.

Billy chuckled. “I’ll convert you yet, Steve. Just give me the chance and I’ll blow your world. I would love to fuck you slowly, baby.”

“Wow,” Bob said and then pursed his lips, cocking his head to the side. “That was certainly something.”

Steve’s left hand fisted his slacks as he tried to tramp down on his embarrassment yet again. “Tommy, what would you make for breakfast for a date who spent the night for the first time?”

Tommy let out a low whistle. “That’s a good one. I would make chocolate chip pancakes with real maple syrup from Vermont with scrambled quail eggs, and freshly cut pork shoulder bacon. For the drink you can either freshly squeezed orange juice, without the pulp of course or Colombian coffee home ground with just a hint of vanilla.”

“That’s certainly a fancy spread,” Bob replied, he turned to Steve. “And how would we rank his answer?”

Steve grimaced. He hated all that pretentious stuff. Just give him buttered toast and a cup of hot coffee and he’d love them forever. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “One point. I’m just a middle school teacher from Indiana. I don’t need anything fancy.”

He closed his eyes as the silence stretched a little thin. Then Bob was clearing his throat. His eyes shot open. Right. He had a show to finish.

“Eddie,” Steve said, throwing out the previous question about a road trip, “how do you feel about kids?”

“Can you clarify?” Eddie asked softly. “Like do I want them? Or just kids in general?”

Steve blushed at his warm tone. He had never blushed so much in his life. He cleared his throat. “Well it was kids in general, because you wanted to come DM for a few of them, but you can answer the former, too if you wanted.”

Bob’s eyes went wide as he turned to the camera and the audience oohed.

“That’s fair,” Eddie said with a laugh. “I love kids. I love their devious little minds. DM’ing for kids is more fun because they’ll come up with the weirdest shit imaignable to get out of the most mundane situations. I just love that. Little girls are scary in that regard though. They’ll befriend the local wolf pack and the next thing you know, they’ve taken over the world.”

Steve laughed. Yeah, that tracked from what he saw in his own students. As long little girls didn’t have parents or teachers trying to beat that out of them, they absolutely would take over the world.

“And as for the other question,” Eddie said seriously, “yeah sure. I’d love to adopt specifically. Kids like me, who if I didn’t land in with my uncle at an early age, I would have been that troubled kid.” He cleared his throat. “So yeah. I’d love to have kids.”

Steve wiped away a tear. “Three points.”

“He better have gotten full points for that answer,” Bob huffed. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard on this show.”

Steve could only agree, especially in its sincerity.

“Billy, what is the hottest thing anyone has done for you?”

“Ooh, spicy!” Bob said.

“That’s a tough question, babe,” Billy said, his voice dark and sultry. “I’ve had a lot of hot things that boys have done to me.”

“Most recent then,” Steve said with a huff of laughter. This balls on this guy must be larger than his head. If there was anyone who matched Dustin’s ego it was definitely this dude.

“Now that one was fun,” Billy said. “I had a guy that I sat next to on a long flight from Hawaii to LA. It was a red eye so there was only the two of us in first class. He gave me a blowjob when all the lights went down. Definitely in my top ten blowjobs, too.”

Steve’s nose wrinkled, but he did ask for it. “Two points. Not into semi-public to public sex.”

Billy laughed. “To each their own, doll.”

“Tommy,” Steve said just plowing through to the next question. “If you had a million dollars to give away, where you give it and why?”

“Only a million?” Tommy said with a scoff. “I do that yearly, anyway. Some of my favorite charities are youth after school programs and cancer research.”

Steve sighed. There was that push to show how much money he had. He really wondered if this guy was happy. “Three points.” But only because if he had given any less there would be a riot. But it was obvious he only picked those things because saying what he really would have given the money to probably would have raised some red flags.

“Eddie,” he said, “here’s a fun question for you. Who do you think killed Pres. Kennedy?”

“Ooh, sweetheart,” Eddie cooed. “You certainly know the way to a man’s heart. Conspiracy theories are my jam. Not because I believe in them, but because they are so fascinating. But in this case there is no doubt there was a hell of a cover up. A warehouse worth of evidence and it disappears before it can be declassified? Nah, fam. So, I’m going to say it was CIA. JFK was going to win the next election and they couldn’t have that. So they had him killed.”

Steve laughed. “That tracks. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome,” Eddie said brightly. “That was a fun question.”

“All right,” Bob said, “we are going into the last question for all three of our Suitors. Our current totals are: Eddie with fifty-seven, the clear runaway leader. Billy with thirty-seven, and Tommy with thirty-six. It’s down to this last question who will get the chance to go on the date with Steve, Billy or Tommy. All righty, Steve. Lay those last questions on our Suitors.”

Steve had originally had a different question for Billy, but after all the unhinged sexual answers he decided he had a better question for the man whore. “Billy, how do you feel about male lingerie?”

“Male lingerie?” Billy said in confusion. “I thought lingerie was only for chicks, not dudes.”

“Well, Billy,” Bob said with a smile, “there has been a recent development where men wanted to feel sexy, too. But lingerie is designed for breasts and wider hips, things that would look bad if a man tried wearing them. So designers came up with silky underwear that fit a man’s body.”

“Hmm,” Billy said thoughtfully. “Who would be wearing the male lingerie? Because that would determine how I feel about them.”

Gotcha! Steve thought. “Me.”

“It would be nice for to come home to,” Billy said, “the once. Then I would rip it off you and fuck you into the mattress.”

Steve was a little disappointed in the answer. His lip quivered and he bit it.

“I would buy you as many as you wanted,” Eddie said softly. “I know it’s not my turn, but babe. I’d buy them in different styles and different colors and lovingly remove them each time to keep them safe.”

Steve smiled. “Thanks, Eddie. Two points to Billy. For the great sex afterwards I guess.”

“Get me to the dating round, doll,” Billy huffed, “and I’ll make you a believer.”

“Tommy what was your dream job when you were a kid?” Steve was hoping for something sincere for a change.

“Rich and famous,” Tommy said with a laugh. “Didn’t everyone?”

Bob and Steve shared a concerned glance.

“No,” Steve said slowly. “I always wanted to be a teacher. Or an archaeologist. Until I found out about the math.” He shuddered. “One point.”

“I think that cinches it for Billy to go on to the date round,” Bob said, “we’ll still have our catch ask his last que–”

“Wait!” Tommy said. “I know it won’t change anything, even if I get three points Billy still wins by one. But can I change my answer?”

“It would technically be a tie,” Bob said gently, “so I can’t have Steve change your points, but go ahead.”

Tommy was silent for a moment. “I wanted to be a fireman. I know most boys did at a certain age, but I really wanted to be a fireman. But my dad was a banker, so he wanted me to follow in his footsteps. So instead of training to be a firefighter out of high school I went to college.”

Steve heart broke just a little. “That sounds sweet, Tommy.”

“Thanks,” Tommy said with a sniffle.

“All right, Eddie,” Steve said gently steering the conversation back to the game. “If we were to get matching tattoos, what would it be and why?”

“A tattoo question for little me?” Eddie asked gleefully. “Did you peek? You did, didn’t you? You saucy thing.”

Bob laughed. “Nope, apparently Mr. Middle School Teacher here has a tattoo on his forearm.”

Eddie giggled and stomped his feet excitedly. “I guess it would depend how far we are into dating we were. But definitely not each other’s names. That’s just asking for trouble. I’d say... hmmm... a little half heart on the inside of the wrist, so that when we hold hands they form a complete heart.”

“Dude,” Bob said, “are you for real? This show has never had a score as high as yours in the history of its run. Billy can only hope you spill wine on Steve’s lap on your date in two days otherwise you’re going to be really hard to beat.”

Eddie chuckled. “I’m just me, man. I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“Well I know what I want to say,” Steve said a little breathless. “Three points.”

“And there we have it,” Bob said to the camera. “Tomorrow Billy will pick up Steve from his hotel lobby in his fancy Camero to wine and dine Steve. We will fly Eddie out to Hawkins tomorrow so he can pump your best friend Robin for all your favorite things to do and the best place for a picnic. Then miniature golf and dinner at the local diner, Benny’s. Then you’ll both fly back here for the finale where Steve will reveal who his love connection is!”

Part 7 Part 8

Tag List: CLOSED

1-@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 @a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @cryptid-system

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji

5- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

7- @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @ravenfrog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @lingeringmirth

8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

9- @dreamercec @wheneverfeasible @themoonagainstmers @garden-of-gay @little-birch-boy

10- @ollieolive @dissociatingdemon @stripey82 @kultiras @micheledawn1975

#my writing #stranger things #steddie #asks #ladykailitha writes #game show au #buckingham #everyone is gay #not billy hargrove friendly #tommy hagan

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darlingyougotthis · 12 days ago

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Talk To Me

Chapter One: The New Pilot

Jake “Hangman” Seresin Fanfic

Female OC names Nova “Ava” Brooke. Everyone calls her Nova.

The heat clung to her skin like sweat.

It was a dry kind of sticky—the kind that left salt drying in the corners of her eyes and the sun casting golden light across her exposed collarbones. The runways at Naval Air Station North Island shimmered under the weight of the late afternoon haze, the world around her humming with jet engines, radio chatter, and the unmistakable buzz of adrenaline.

Nova had just stepped out of her cockpit, flight helmet tucked under one arm, her blonde braid damp at the ends from the helmet’s suffocating heat. Her cheeks were pink with exertion, blue eyes lit with the afterglow of another flawless run. She hadn’t even unzipped her flight suit yet, but sweat clung to the curve of her neck and the base of her spine.

Someone whistled low behind her.

She didn’t even have to look.

Jake Seresin spotted her before she spotted him.

He moved towards with ease, pulling off his own helmet, green flight suit unzipped halfway. His white undershirt clung to the planes of his chest, neck damp from sweat and salt. His hair was a windswept mess and his smirk was lazy—until he saw her.

Jake’s voice had that cocky lilt to it—the one that made her stomach flip and her chest warm. “You always look this good after a flight, or are you just trying to distract me, baby?” he called, voice rich and unmistakable. Jake wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You were flawless up there.”

She smiled into his shoulder. “You’re just saying that because I made you look slow.”

“Slow?” Jake leaned back to look at her. “You cheated.”

“I maneuvered.”

“You exploited a blind spot.”

“I capitalized on your overconfidence.”

Jake groaned and kissed her again—this time, just behind her ear. “I swear to God, Ava…”

Her real name, whispered just for her. Nova laughed and leaned into him. Jake just smirked, tugging her tighter against him as they walked back toward the hangar. “Tell me again how lucky I am?”

She elbowed him gently in the ribs. “You’re lucky.”

“Damn right I am.”

He kissed her again—quick, like he couldn’t help himself—and she leaned into it, barely caring that they were still in full view of the other aviators. They were used to it. She and Jake were Top Gun’s golden couple. The kind of pairing that made others believe in soulmates, or at least the military’s version of one. Steady, magnetic, untouchable.

Nova was used to the stares by now.

Used to the whispers.

Used to eyes following her the second she entered a room.

The new pilot arrived with no ceremony. He was already waiting by the time Nova and Jake reached the locker room entrance, leaned against the concrete wall like he owned it. Unzipped flight suit. Black undershirt. Aviators he didn’t need at this hour.

“Lieutenant Armstrong,” Cyclone had introduced earlier in the day. “Ryder. Transfer from Fallon. Scored top five in his class. You’ll be flying with him tomorrow, Nova.”

She’d nodded, polite. Neutral. She hadn’t registered anything out of the ordinary. Not until now.

Now, Ryder’s eyes flicked up and down her figure with a slowness that made her want to zip her suit back up.

Jake’s hand curled tighter on her waist.

“Nova,” Ryder said, with a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Everyone here talks about you.”

“Do they?” she asked evenly.

“They do,” he said. “You’ve got… quite the reputation.”

Nova gave him the thinnest smile she could without seeming rude. “Oh…thank you. Well. Welcome to North Island.”

Jake said nothing, just watched. Ryder didn’t acknowledge him.

Nova’s brow twitched. “This is Lieutenant Seresin.”

That got a reaction. Ryder’s smile widened, just a hair. “Of course. Callsign ‘Hangman.’ Heard a lot about you too.”

Jake’s stare was flat. “All good things, I hope.”

Ryder grinned. “Naturally.”

The air went still for a second too long.

Nova cleared her throat. “We’ll see you in the air, Lieutenant.”

She and Jake turned together, walking away, his hand never leaving her back.

“You don’t like him,” she murmured.

Jake didn’t answer right away. Then: “His smile’s too fast. Something’s off.”

Nova didn’t disagree.

The Hard Deck was buzzing by sundown.

A salty breeze rolled in off the water, lifting strands of Nova’s hair as she leaned against the bar, fingers curled around a cold bottle of beer. The jukebox hummed something lazy and southern, the kind of song that made the heat feel heavier. Laughter echoed off the worn wooden walls, boots thudded across the floorboards, pool balls cracked in the distance.

Jake stood behind her, tall and warm, one arm lazily wrapped around her waist. His chin rested lightly on her shoulder, his mouth dangerously close to her neck.

“You know,” he murmured, voice low enough for only her, “you keep standing there looking like that, and I’m going to do something irresponsible.”

Nova took a slow sip of her drink, not turning around. “Define irresponsible.”

“Taking you home early,” Jake said, brushing his nose against her cheek, “and forgetting about sleep entirely.”

She bit her lip. “You say that like it’s a threat.”

His mouth grazed her skin—just behind her ear. Featherlight. “Promise.”

Nova turned slightly, eyes catching the golden glint in his. She reached up and tugged at the collar of his shirt playfully, then kissed him softly, slowly. Jake groaned low against her lips and deepened it for just a second before pulling back, breathing hard.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him again. Ryder Armstrong. Alone at the far end of the bar. His drink sat untouched on the table. He wasn’t talking. Wasn’t looking at anyone else. Just her.

Jess, one of the junior lieutenants, leaned into Ryder’s space, clearly trying to start a conversation. Ryder barely blinked. He didn’t acknowledge her. Didn’t even flinch. His eyes were glued to Nova.

Nova straightened slightly. Jake caught it.

“What’s up?” he asked, instantly alert.

“We’ve got an audience,” she said softly, nodding subtly in Ryder’s direction.

Jake followed her gaze, and his jaw ticked—just once.

Then, without missing a beat, he looked back at her.

“Then let’s give him a show,” he said.

He pulled her into another kiss—deeper, slower, with just enough heat to make her toes curl. One of his hands trailed up her back, slipping beneath the hem of her shirt to rest on the warm skin of her waist. She melted into him, fingers in his hair, breath caught.

When they pulled apart, her face was flushed, and Jake’s grin was downright dangerous.

Nova buried her head in his chest, laughing into his shirt. “You’re such a menace.”

“You love it.”

She did.

The pool balls cracked like thunder under the low hum of music and laughter. Jake was mid-turn, cue stick in hand, his gaze flicking between the felt and Rooster’s smirking face.

“Call your shot, Hangman,” Rooster drawled.

Jake just grinned. “Why? You gonna get lucky and actually make yours?”

Nova leaned her hip against the edge of the table, sipping her beer. She could tell by the way Jake lined up his shot he wasn’t paying full attention—he didn’t need to. He was a little too relaxed tonight, a little too focused on touching her thigh or brushing her wrist every time she passed.

“I’m going to get some air,” she said quietly, tilting her head toward him.

Jake straightened, cue resting against his boot. “You want me to come?”

She smiled, soft. “No, you stay. I’ll be two minutes.”

His eyes searched hers. Just a beat longer than necessary. Then he leaned in, warm palm cradling her jaw, and kissed her—featherlight, just enough to feel it.

“Don’t go running off on me, Nova,” he said, low.

“I never do,” she whispered.

He let her go with a reluctant nod.

The deck behind the Hard Deck was quieter than the main bar, lit only by a few string lights overhead and the soft pink haze of the ocean sky just beyond. Nova stepped into the breeze, letting the salty air cool her skin. The music behind her faded into a dull thump, and she let herself exhale.

She was halfway through another sip when the door behind her creaked open.

Ryder Armstrong stepped up beside her, not too close, but not far enough.

He was casual, relaxed. Beer bottle loose in his hand, flight suit replaced with jeans and a dark t-shirt that made his eyes look greener than they had any right to be.

“You looked like you needed air,” he said, glancing at her from the side.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“Didn’t say you weren’t,” he replied easily. “Just thought you might want company.”

Nova turned to face him now, resting one elbow on the railing. “I’ve got company.”

Ryder’s eyes flicked through the window toward the bar. Jake was still at the counter, back turned, arm slung over the high stool as he laughed with Fanboy.

“Yeah,” Ryder said. “Seresin.”

Something in the way he said it made her stomach tighten.

“You know,” he continued, “I’ve seen a lot of pilots try to pull off that whole golden couple thing. Doesn’t usually stick.”

Nova blinked slowly. “You came out here to tell me that?”

Ryder shrugged. “Just saying. You could do a hell of a lot better.”

There it was.

Not in his words—but in the way he said them. Measured. Confident. Like he believed it. Like he thought she would believe it, too.

Nova’s gaze hardened. “And you thought it might be you?”

His smile didn’t fade. “Didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

They stood in silence for a few seconds. The kind of silence that made the skin crawl under your clothes.

Finally, Nova leaned in just a fraction—not close, but deliberate.

“I don’t know what you think this is, Ryder. Maybe you’re just used to people folding when you flash that little smile. But I’m not interested. Not now. Not ever.”

Still, his eyes didn’t move. Still, he smiled like she was playing into something he’d expected all along.

“I like a woman who knows what she wants,” he said quietly.

She took a step back. “Then take the hint.”

She turned, walked toward the door, and didn’t look back.

But as she reached for the handle, he said one more thing.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Nova. I see things other people miss.”

She froze for just a second. Then she pushed the door open and stepped inside, heart pounding a little faster than before.

She stepped back into the bar, the warmth of the crowd hitting her like a wall. Her heartbeat still hadn’t slowed.

Jake had moved from the pool table and was now standing near their booth, scanning the crowd. When his eyes landed on her, his shoulders relaxed instantly.

Nova crossed to him in a few quick steps, sliding into his arms like gravity demanded it.

Jake pulled her in without a word, one hand cradling the back of her head as he kissed her forehead gently.

“You okay?” he murmured, looking down at her.

She nodded, pressing her cheek to his chest. “I’m always okay with you.”

Jake smiled and tilted her chin up to kiss her. This time it wasn’t quick. It lingered. When they broke apart, his fingers still rested on her jaw and from across the room, just for a second, Nova thought she saw Ryder again—half-shadowed, watching. But when she blinked, he was gone.

#glen powell smut #glen powell x oc #glen powell x reader #hangman fanfiction #hangman fic #hangman smut #hangman x reader #jake hangman fic #jake hangman seresin #jake seresin fanfiction #top gun hangman #top gun fandom #top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick

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glamgenefitzherbert · 2 months ago

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HEEEELOOOO ladies, gentlemen, and all those off and inbetween. You may know me as Eugene Fitzherbert, @queen-raps lovely husband, and most infamous of all, Flynn Ryder.

Im also friends with goggles, ( @goggles-varian ) and have met his rather interesting buddies, such as sparky, ( @firecracker-yong) princess of koto, ( @starprincessnuru ) his cousin ( @nurus-future-wife ) and last and MOST DEFINENTLY LEAST, Ｒａｔｍａｎ．．．( @blondebitch7k )

Goggles also mentioned a few other folks he met on the journey, like rat mans boss and the engineer ( @engineer-donella ) and cyrus ( @emobabysitter) and hey, ive never met the guy, but we could for sure use him to keep the rodent man in check....

And theres quirin varians dad ( @mrfarmdad )

Dont be afraid to ask any questions, ask away

From yours truly, Eugene fitzherbert!

(Ooc: HI hi hi!! Im milo @milo-nellesn1fan and im apart of the fans 7k! We had the acc in the works b4 @theshadowyalchemist posted abt how we arent gonna make any more, sorry it took so long i was yellung positive affirmations of sass for this lol.)

#amber vat7k #cyrus vat7k #donella vat7k #hugo vat7k #nuru vat7k #olivia vat7k #tangled #varian vat7k #varigo vat7k #vat7k #vat7k rp #rapunzel #rapunzles tangled adventure #tts #eugene fitzherbert

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mint-yooxgi · 2 years ago

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{2} - Lethal Protectors - Yandere!Vampire!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Vampire AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader

Words: 9,448

Warnings: Joong fucks up big time. Depiction of a panic attack. Violence and blood. Kidnapping (not the oc). Implied stalking. Past trauma and mentions of scars. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Welp, the first part was based off a dream, and subsequently, the second part is as well. (Well, the ending, mainly, but I digress lol). Anyways, I mentioned it briefly before, but this series is probably going to be more broken up into one shots than linear, but I'll see how that goes. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, seeing as this turned out much longer than I planned for it lol. Also, Joong is not a good boy in this part. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy~

Gentle reminder that I don't do tag lists

Mini Masterlist - Part One

“You’ve been avoiding us.”

A sudden voice off to your right has you practically dropping the small box in your hands. Luckily, whoever seems to have startled you moves quickly enough to prevent it from hitting the ground. Looking up reveals the culprit to be Yunho.

“I’ve been busy.” Comes your blunt answer, grabbing the box rather harshly out of his grip and packing it into the car with the others.

“Busy enough to rarely leave home, and then decide to move out the moment your parents go away on vacation?” He counters, a hint of hurt bleeding into his tone.

“How do you know if I’ve barely left my house or not?” Your brow furrows, the sound of the car door slamming shut resounding through the area. “Or if my parents have gone on vacation?”

“My point is,” he leans against the car, a subtle pout pulling at his lips, “we know you’ve been avoiding us.”

“You deflected.” You cross you arms over your chest.

“And you’re leaving us.” He mirrors your stance.

Your lips part in answer, only for the loud slamming of your front door to echo out, a happy yip soon to follow.

“Okay, so I think I’ve gotten everything- oh.” Your sister’s voice halts as soon as she sees who you’re talking to, the chipper patter of feet stopping dead in their tracks.

“It’s okay, Chloe,” you sigh. “Just get in the car. I’ll be done in a minute.”

“He’s not-“ Her eyes dart from between you and Yunho, “He’s not…”

“No, he’s not one of Ryder’s friends.” You confirm, and the way instant relief is seen in the way her shoulders deflate says it all.

“Okay,” she still eyes him a bit warily as she moves over to the passenger’s side.

The rear door is opened to let the dog into the car, and then not even a moment later, she closes it in favour of hopping into the front seat. You can feel her eyeing you through the window, despite how she takes out her phone to appear busy.

“It’s been over a month-“

“I recognize that.” You sigh once more.

“You said we would talk about things later.” Yunho’s voice is hushed, the hurt easily portrayed on his features.

“Yes, I did.” You blink at him, reaching to open the driver’s side door.

“Well?” His one brow quirks, a gleam of hope shining behind his eyes.

“Well, what?” You prop the door open, practically clinging to it for dear life.

“It’s later.” He states, blinking at you expectantly.

“Look, Yunho,” you grimace slightly, “I’m not talking about this now.”

“Then, when?” He takes a step towards you, and you shuffle the slightest bit backwards.

His expression falls, but he backs off. For now.

“Whenever I’m ready.” You say.

“And when will that be?” His fingers twitch at his sides.

“I don’t know, Yunho.” You shake your head, climbing into the car. “I don’t know.”

The sound of the door practically slamming in his face serves as a finality to the conversation. A fact of which is only furthered by the revving of the engine rumbling to life, the car backing out of the driveway without you so much as sparing another look in his direction.

You get about three minutes down the road before Chloe is looking at you expectantly. “Okay, spill.”

“Spill, what?” You scoff playfully.

“What was that all about?” She quirks a brow as you turn the corner, driving the car down the road that will lead to the major highway.

“Nothing important.” You reply.

“‘Nothing important’ my ass!” She rolls her eyes. “A super handsome guy comes over to talk to you, whom has nothing to do with Ryder, and you brush him off like he’s dust on your jacket?” A pointed look is sent your way. “Spill.”

“There’s nothing to talk about, Chlo.” You shake your head. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Then why-“

“Please, Chlo,” you spare a glance towards her out of the corner of your eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Talking about it means accepting what happened. Talking about it makes it real.

“Fine.” She grumbles, tapping away at her phone. “But I get to pick the music.”

Not even a moment later, one of her favourite songs at the moment begins blasting through the car radio. Loudly, she begins singing along, and although you know she’s doing it on purpose, it takes you no time at all to be smiling and singing along with her.

Two days ago, your parents left for a three month long vacation. Unfortunately, it coincided with the time that Chloe needed to be driven back to university for her second year. So, you being the responsible adult you are, offered to drive her yourself. She managed to find a place with her significant other, and today is the day she promised them that she would move in.

You’ve always been close with your sister, so it’s no big deal for you. Chloe and her dog, Raymond, are literally your little rascals. Sure, she can get on your nerves a lot, but what are sisters for? You’re sure she’d say the same for you.

You just weren’t expecting Yunho to show up outside your house.

It’s true. You have been avoiding them. Honestly, it’s been easier than you expected, but then again, your parents have been home to go out and buy groceries, and you’ve been able to work remotely for your job since you’ve gotten it.

No more coffee runs. No more spontaneous walks through the forest. Not even late night boba runs with Chloe, much to her disappointment. Of course, last night you caved, seeing as it had been the last time you would be able to do such a thing with her for a while. Luckily, you didn’t run into any of the guys then, like you so feared.

Fear. What a strange word.

A word that means so much, and affects even more. A word that, no matter how little it might seem to be, can rule your life.

It’s not that you’re terrified of them, no. It’s more like a caution. You know what they are. You know the lengths they are willing to go to protect you. Yet, despite it all, and your original feelings of safety, you cannot help but doubt their intentions. They say you’re their ‘mate’. So, is that the only reason they’re doing this for you? That they did this for you?

If you were anybody else, would they even have helped?

You seriously doubt that. Which is exactly why you’ve been avoiding them.

Perhaps if they don’t know what they’re missing, they can’t miss you in the first place. Not that they should, really. They hardly know you, and the whole reason you believe that they want to get to know you is because of some stupid fate bullshit.

Would they have even given you a second glance if not because of it? Would they have even cared?

Probably not, and that is what makes you so hesitant about them. You don’t know them, and you don’t know if you want to.

Five hours - and a few pit stops - later, you’re finally pulling into the parking lot of the new apartment building that Chloe will be living in. You’ve agreed to help her move in and unpack with her significant other, and they’ve both agreed to buy you dinner, and let you stay the night in return. After all, it is a lot of driving to do in one day.

Walking down the hallway once exiting the elevator, you already see Brent, Chloe’s significant waiting by the open door to their apartment. Nothing but excitement is on their face as Chloe bounds up to them with Raymond in tow, practically tackling Brent over in an embrace once she reaches them.

“I’ve missed you so much!” You overhear her say, bringing a smile to your face.

“I’ve missed you, too, Chlo.” Brent replies, rubbing a hand along her spine in comfort.

“Good to see you again, Bren.” You nod at them, that smile still present on your features.

“You too!” They grin, pulling away from Chloe as she moves into the apartment to get the dog settled. “Thanks for driving her, and helping us today.”

“It’s no problem.” You walk passed them into the apartment, dropping off the box in your hands on top of where Chloe has just placed her own. “I needed to get out of the house, anyways.”

Brent simply quirks a brow, only for Chloe to reappear a moment later and lean into them, “Guy trouble.”

Understanding flashes across Brent’s features.

“Chloe!” You shoot her an exasperated look. “That is not true!”

“Mmhmm,” Chloe hums skeptically. “And I’m a natural blonde.”

Your younger sister walks passed you, and your eyes cannot help but focus in on her dark roots growing in on the top of her head.

“Seriously, I don’t know how you put up with her,” you shake your head teasingly towards Brent as you both follow your younger sister back down the hallway after closing the door behind you.

“It’s a miracle,” Brent chuckles, “but I manage.”

“Hey!” Chloe whines as you all step into the elevator. “You two know I can hear you, right?”

“That’s the point, Chlo.” You giggle, ruffling her hair. “If you’re going to tell the world about my fictional problems, expect to be teased back.”

A grumble escapes her as she crosses her arms over her chest. Flicking the hair out of her face, she quickly exits the elevator once the doors open to the lobby.

“Come on, I still need to unpack.” She huffs, flicking some of her hair out of her face.

The two of you follow behind her, unloading the car and setting boxes around the apartment. Luckily, you all only have to take a few trips, as Chloe doesn’t have too much stuff with her. Her clothes and books are probably the biggest items, though.

By the time you finish helping her organize her stuff in their room, it’s well into the evening. Currently, she sits before the two bookcases, organizing her novels on the bottom shelves.

“Pizza’s here,” Brent pops their head in, drawing your attention.

“Thanks, Brennie,” Chloe smiles. “We’ll be right there.”

Folding up the final box, you place it to the side as Chloe stands from the floor.

“I think that’s everything.” She breathes a tremendous sigh of relief, wiping her hands together once back on her feet.

You smile at her. A tender, proud look on your features.

“How does it feel?” You ask as you follow her towards the living room.

“How does what feel?” Her brow furrows slightly as she glances back at you over her shoulder.

“To have your own place?” You quirk a brow.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet.” She replies honestly, sitting on the floor by the couch.

“Our apartment comes furnished with these beautiful couches, and you still choose to sit on the floor.” Brent shakes their head, taking a seat closest to Chloe on the sofa.

“You know my sister,” you chuckle, taking a seat on the closest armchair. Then, you’re turning to meet her gaze. “Yeah, it didn’t hit me the first time I fully moved out until the next day.”

“Living in a dorm is definitely different than living on your own for the first time.” Brent comments, to which you nod in agreement.

“But I’m serious, you two,” you look between them. “If you ever need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to call me. I’ll always get here as fast as I can.”

Chloe whines your name slightly while taking a slice of pizza. Then, she’s meeting your gaze. “Thank you, though. I appreciate it.”

“We appreciate it.” Brent corrects, nudging Chloe lightly with their knee.

Just as you go to take a slice of pizza, your phone rings. Your brow furrows, not recognizing the number, so you opt to let it ring out. Only, when you immediately get another call from the same number, you briefly excuse yourself before answering the call.

“Hello?” Your brow furrows as you step into the kitchen.

“Oh, thank fuck!” A relieved sigh is heard from the other end. “You actually answered this time.”

“Wait, Wooyoung?” Your frown deepens. “How did you get my number?”

“That’s not important right now.” His words are rushed. “What’s important is that you left.” A brief pause, before a small whimper is heard through the phone. “You left us.”

“Excuse me for being under the assumption that we’re not together.” You blink. “Ergo, it should not matter where I go, who I’m with, or how long I’m gone. It is none of your concern, or your business, what I do.”

“I can’t help it.” The pout in his voice is apparent. “You are my concern.”

You blink in shock, not quite sure how to take his words. Though, in your silence, you hear a smack resound on the other end.

“Wait, that came out wrong-“

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait-“

You disconnect the call.

Stepping out of the kitchen, you barely make it a foot before your phone starts ringing again. It’s the same number, but you choose to decline the call.

Then it rings again, and again, and again.

By the third time you have to deny the call, you block his number.

“Geez, you really seem to be having trouble in paradise,” Chloe jokes, attempting to ease the sudden tension she sees in your shoulders.

“I-“

Your phone rings. This time, with a new number that lights up the screen.

Standing to your feet with a sigh, you retreat into the bathroom this time. Hopefully, due to the room being further away, it’ll allow you a little more privacy.

“Look, Wooyoung-“

“Where are you?”

The intensity of the voice behind the inquiry catches you off guard. “Excuse me?”

“Where. Are. You.” Each word is emphasized slowly, and you can hear the barely restrained anger behind his tone.

“Frankly, that’s none of your business.” You reply smartly.

“You are our business.”

Your eyebrow quirks, irritation clear on your features as you catch your reflection in the mirror. “You want to try that again?”

You’re not putting up with this shit. Looks like a few weeks of not getting what they want is allowing for their true colours to show.

“Just tell us where you are before-“

“Or, what? You’ll track me again?” You cut him off.

“If we have to.” Comes his blunt response.

“Ah, yes, because this is making me certainly believe I have a choice in all of this.” Your words seem to shut him up momentarily. “Goodbye, Hongjoong.”

You don’t receive another call that night.

The next day, you stay at Chloe’s for as long as you can. You’re dreading the drive home, and just who might be waiting for you when you get back. Only, you have no other place to go for the moment, and you don’t want to impose for longer than you already have.

To make matters worse, it starts raining about halfway through your drive home. The clouds are dark, and the fact the sun is setting isn’t helping visibility at all. A storm even breaks out an hour before you’re due to arrive home, a torrential downpour impeding your drive. Luckily, it seems that you drive through it, and you manage to pull into your driveway while there’s a break in the rain. However, you know it’s only a matter of minutes before it’s opening back up again.

Quickly grabbing your things, you exit the car. The moment you hear the sound of it locking behind you, you lift your head. At the figure you see sitting on your front porch, you nearly drop your bag.

There, sitting hunched over with his elbows on his knees, is Wooyoung. His hands are clasped together, fingers worriedly threading through one another. His head is down, but you know he’s already heard you exit the car.

The second the sigh slips passed your lips, he looks up.

“You’re back.” The tension in his shoulders seems to ease slightly as he stands back to his feet.

“What are you doing here?” You move passed him to walk up the front steps.

“I was waiting for you.” He answers. “No matter how long it took, I was going to wait until you came home.”

You eye him warily. “Why?”

A moment where he simply blinks at you in response, as if his answer should already be obvious.

“I wanted to see you.” He says, earnestly.

“Wooyoung, you all hardly know me.” You sigh.

“We want to, though.” He takes a step towards you, and even though you take a step back, he stands his ground. “All we want is a chance to get to know you, and for you to know us. Is that too much to ask?”

You purse your lips, looking down and to the left as you avoid his gaze.

The soft patter of rain begins to dance against the awning above you.

In a voice no more than a whisper, you speak, “What if I don’t want that?”

He swallows thickly. “You don’t mean that."

“What if I just want you all to leave me alone?”

“No.” Wooyoung begins to shake his head, his lower lip wobbling as he falls to his knees. “You can’t mean that.”

Hesitantly, he reaches out for you, but you recoil back.

His hands fall limply to his sides.

“Please, don’t be scared of me.” His voice is but a mere whisper on the wind; weak, just like his demeanour as the first of his tears begin to trail down his cheeks.

You don’t respond, opting to turn around and unlock your front door. Maybe if he believes you are scared of them, he’ll leave you alone.

“I want you to leave, Wooyoung.” You keep your tone low, voice steady. “Leave, and then I never want to see any of you again.”

Just as you go to push the door open, you feel a weight press against your lower spine, hands coming to settle on your stomach.

“No! I- I- Can’t!” He sobs. “I won’t!”

The words hardly register in your mind before you begin hyperventilating. You drop your bags, desperately clawing at his arms around your waist as panic seizes your entire body.

“No!” You shriek, chest heaving. “Not again! Let me go! Not again!”

The grip around you tightens in shock, but you perceive it another way.

“Not again!” You’re yelling at this point, words beginning to slur as you attempt to catch your breath and get away from the person holding onto you. You choke on a sob. “Please.”

There’s some shuffling behind you, the sound of the pouring rain practically drowning out everything else. You faintly register a name being called, and then the feeling of those arms being pulled off of you.

You fall to your knees, collapsing onto the cold, hard ground. More sobs escapes you, your whole body shaking as you curl in on yourself, begging whoever it is to leave you alone.

A stern voice cuts through the rain, but you cannot make out any words. However, the raised tone has you trembling harder, violently sobbing as you protect your stomach as best as you can.

Still, you wait for the inevitable pain to come.

It doesn’t.

Instead, a gentle voice begins cooing at you. Softly, you are shushed, and encouraged to calm down, and you can feel your heartbeat finally settling in your chest. Breathing begins to become easier, and the heavy ringing in your ears lessens enough for you to hear your surroundings properly once more.

“That’s it, My Dove,” It’s a male’s voice. “You’re safe. I promise nothing will ever harm you again.”

You blink, more tears falling from your eyes as your whole body begins to relax.

“It’s alright now. You’re okay.” A figure is crouched right in front of you. “Just breathe.”

Gently, a hand reaches out to cradle the side of your face, wiping at your tears all the while.

“Everything will all be okay.”

Finally, your vision clears enough to take in the male before you.

“Seonghwa.” You manage to breathe out.

“Hello, My Dove.” He smiles faintly, worry soon creasing his brow as he watches you attempt to push yourself up into a sitting position. “Don’t strain yourself.”

You look around, noticing another figure standing beneath the pouring rain with his back turned to you. Your brow furrows, swearing that you can see his shoulders shaking with barely suppressed sobs of his own.

“Are you alright?” Seonghwa’s soft inquiry draws your attention to him once more.

You look down at yourself, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. Carefully, you raise your hands to your stomach, not feeling the warmth of fresh blood upon your skin as you do so.

You stare at your hands, touching your fingers to your thumbs to ground yourself.

Turning your head after a moment, you meet his gaze. Then, you’re nodding slowly.

A blink, and Wooyoung is kneeling beside Seonghwa, tears streaming down his face freely as he reaches for you.

“I’m so sorry-“

Seonghwa smacks his hands away. “I told you to wait for me.”

Wooyoung ignores him for the time being in order to reach for you again, choking on a sob.

You flinch, and his expression falls.

“Please,” his hands shake, water droplets endlessly falling from his soaked hair and onto the porch beneath all of you. “Please believe me.”

“Wooyoung-“ Seonghwa’s stern voice gets cut off.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Wooyoung’s voice cracks, and more sobs wrack his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

You can only stare down at your hands in response.

Seonghwa watches you carefully. You can feel his eyes on you as you steady your breathing, and Wooyoung continues to apologize profusely.

“Can you both please leave?” Your soft tone manages to catch their attention.

The way Wooyoung’s breath hitches does not go unnoticed by you.

“Do you need help-“

“No.” You cut Seonghwa off, squeezing your eyes shut as you curl in on yourself. “Please.”

The second you blink your eyes open, you’re greeted with an empty porch. The only sounds that surround you are the pouring rain, and your muffled sobs as you break down, cold and alone, just outside of your front door.

***

You manage to avoid them for three whole days. For three whole days, you see no sight, nor hear no sound of them, even when you pop out to the store for some groceries.

Gaby invites you out for coffee, and this time, you accept. Of course, you know it’s more likely that you’ll run into them while you’re with her, but the past three times she’s asked, you’ve declined her offer. She’s been nothing but kind since you bumped into her that fateful day, always messaging you to make sure you’re alight. She checks up on you, and you’ve found a good friend in her.

Ever since the town learned of the vicious animal attack that claimed the lives of Ryder and his gang of misfits, there’s almost been an air of ease that’s settled over the town. People are more talkative. His parents are moving away, meaning there’s going to be a change in the head officer running this division of law enforcers. Plus, it’s as if the sun is shining a little brighter without the fear of Ryder running rampant on unsuspecting townsfolk.

Which is why Gaby doesn’t understand why you’re cooped up inside all the time. A fact of which she expresses to you while sitting at the little table by the window.

“I’ve just been busy.” You brush the question off like usual, all too aware of the two sets of ears more than likely listening in on your conversation from across the shop.

Yeosang and Jongho haven’t bothered to approach you at all, but even you can feel the glances they keep sending your way out of the corner of their eyes. They’re respectful, but still aware of your every move despite acting as if your presence mere feet away doesn’t affect them.

You manage to survive the outing without a single word from them, and for that, you’re grateful. At least some of them seem to be attempting to respect your boundaries.

Then, on the fourth day, you get a surprise visitor.

It’s late at night when your phone pings with a new message. It’s your best, and closest, friend from university, Sungwoo, asking if you’re still up.

The moment you reply with a ‘yes’, a knock sounds at your front door.

Hesitantly, you walk over, peeking out of the little window to see your best friend with tears streaming down his face as he stands there. His car is parked in the driveway, and his sweater is on backwards, hair disheveled.

Immediately, you swing the door open, catching the sobbing man as he falls into your arms.

“He kicked me out.” He cries into your neck, holding onto your form for dear life. “After I confronted him about cheating, he kicked me out.”

“Oh, baby,” you gently card your fingers through his hair. “Let’s get you inside.”

Ten minutes later, and with warm mugs of tea in both of your hands, you’ve managed to calm him down enough to get him to tell you what’s going on. You listen intently, nodding along to his words and chiming in here and there. Apparently his partner, Jungwon, has been seeing other people the whole time they’ve been living together.

“Oh, Sunny,” your expression falls. “I’m so sorry. No one don’t deserves that.”

He shakes his head, taking another sip of his tea. “I’m sorry for intruding so late, I just didn’t know where else to go.”

His parents live out of town, and you’re the closest person he knows that lives nearby.

“I’m just glad my parents aren’t here.” You smile lightly. “My dad probably would not have been too happy about being woken up at one in the morning. You’re just lucky I usually stay up so late.”

“He wouldn’t be able to stay mad at his favourite person for long.” He cracks a smile.

“There he is,” you tilt your mug in acknowledgment. “There’s the Sungwoo I know and love.”

“Just a bit beaten down.” His gaze drops to the mug in his lap.

“Hey, it won’t always be like this.” You reach over to squeeze his arm gently.

“No.” He glances up at you. “It won’t.”

“So, obviously you’re staying for a couple days.” You say, standing from the couch. “I’ll go get the guest room ready.”

However, before you can exit the living room, his voice has you halting in your tracks.

“Do you remember that one night I snuck into your apartment after a bad date to find you crying?” His tone is soft, the inquiry nothing more than a gentle caress as he glances up into your eyes once more.

It was the night you told him about Ryder and everything that happened to you. The night your friendship truly became what it is today.

“You want to sleep with me in my room tonight?” The question you pose is tender, nothing but understanding in your tone.

You swear you hear the faintest of growls come from outside, but your brush it off as the wind. Besides, Sungwoo’s eager nod serves to distract you as you focus on making sure your best friend is taken care of for the time being.

Extending your arm out, you offer him your hand.

Carefully, he takes it in his own, allowing you to guide him upstairs after dropping off your mugs in the sink, and turning off all of the lights. You let him borrow a pair of your father’s sweats, grabbing him all he needs to get ready for bed. Ten minutes later, and you’re both crawling beneath your covers.

His head rests on your chest, listening to your heartbeat as you softly converse. Your fingers card gently through his hair, and before either of you two know it, you’re both out like lights, soft snores falling from Sungwoo’s lips.

The next day is spent driving back to Sungwoo’s place for him to grab most of his things. He drives, and you do your due diligence and stare scrutinizingly at his now ex-boyfriend the whole time.

You grab ice cream on your way home from the little corner store, eating it on the front porch while sitting on the swing. Sungwoo’s head rests on your shoulder as you gently rock yourselves back and forth, reminiscing about university and laughing together. Seems you both needed the distraction.

Two more days are spent helping Sungwoo through this rough patch, going so far as to help him start searching for places in the area he can move into. So far, there’s a few small apartments for rent, but the first place you checked out had a mold problem, and the other already had someone else interested in it first.

“Hey, what about this one? Until you can find something else?” You turn your laptop screen towards him.

Leaning over the kitchen table which you two just so happen to be sitting at, Sungwoo pulls your laptop closer to him. Carefully, he scrolls through the listing for a loft right above the town’s most popular bakery. It seems to be in good condition, and from how new the listing is, you know that it might go fast.

“Looks good,” he nods, clicking on the ‘more information’ tab. “Might go insane from the smell of bread, though.”

“Like you would be complaining.” You roll your eyes playfully.

“Complaining I can’t eat all of it, yeah.” He snorts while looking into booking a viewing. “Oh shit! There’s a time available for today!”

“Is there?” Your whole demeanour perks up.

“What time is it now?” His eyes flit around your screen.

You check your phone. “Just after five, why?”

“Okay, the viewing is for six. That gives me just enough time to shower and head over.” He nods to himself.

“I would come with you, but I’ve got to finish this report for my boss by tonight.” You sigh, leaning back in your chair.

“That’s okay! I’m a big boy, I can handle myself.” He puffs out his chest dramatically.

“Says the one terrified of butterflies.” You mutter.

“They drink tears straight out of live crocodiles and turtles.” He states, matter of factly. “And they drink blood, too. Tell me that’s not terrifying.”

You shrug, chuckling all the while. “Go get ready, Sun, before you’re too late.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” He playfully salutes you before running upstairs to take a shower.

Fifteen minutes later, and with his hair still damp, he’s running back into the kitchen. A tender kiss is placed onto your temple as you work, and you turn towards him just as he begins to walk back out of the kitchen.

“I’ll pick up something for us to eat for dinner on my way home, maybe stop off to get some groceries, too.” He tells you while slipping on his shoes. “I’ll text you after the viewing what I decide to do.”

“Okay,” you smile, waving him off. “See you later!”

“You’re the best!” You hear him call out.

“Yeah, yeah,” you laugh, waving him off. “Love you, too.”

The door falling shut is the last you hear from him.

In fact, it’s the last sound you hear from him for four hours.

So consumed by your work, you turned your phone on silent and hadn’t bothered to check it at all before submitting your report. Glancing at the time, you see it’s a little over nine-thirty in the evening. Sungwoo texted you earlier on, saying he really liked the place, and agreed to renting it for the next little bit. Afterwards, he told you that he’d be heading to the store, and should be back within an hour.

That was about three hours ago.

Fear spikes inside of you, and your first thought is that Ryder has done something to him to get to you.

Then, you remember: Ryder and his goons cannot hurt you anymore.

Your heart stops, thinking the worst.

Perhaps you’re just overreacting. Maybe Sungwoo ran into an old friend while at the grocery store and got to talking. Maybe they went out for drinks, or something.

So, you text him.

Five minutes go by with no answer, so you decide to call. It goes straight to voicemail.

Panic seizes you, your brow furrowed in worry as you begin to pace in front of the kitchen table.

Something is definitely wrong. It’s not like Sungwoo to ignore you, or turn his phone off. Something has definitely happened to him while he’s been out, and you haven’t the slightest clue what it could be.

A knock sounds at your door.

Your heart skips a beat as the noise startles you out of your thoughts. You hope beyond everything that it’s Sungwoo just trying to be an ass and scare you, but alas, you know that it’s probably too good to be true.

Three familiar faces greet you behind the door, looks of concern on all of them.

Your brow furrows, “Seonghwa, Yeosang, Jongho, what are you all doing here? I thought I told you to-“

“Hongjoong has Sungwoo.” Seonghwa cuts you off almost immediately.

“Excuse me?” You blink at him in mild shock.

“We need to hurry, there’s no time-“

“Will one of you please tell me what’s going on?” Your brow creases, arms crossing over your chest as you cut Jongho off.

“The others are with him.” Yeosang adds, shifting from foot to foot anxiously. “They helped him take Sungwoo.”

Your mind blanks, swallowing thickly. “What are they planning to do to him?”

“We can explain on the way.” Seonghwa motions to a black car parked alongside the curb with his head. “Mingi’s already attempting to stop them on his own.”

“Why should I trust you?” You meet his gaze, noticing how the other two behind him keep glancing between you and the back of Seonghwa’s head.

“Have we given you any reason not to?” He counters, a slight grimace to his features.

“If you don’t believe us, just call him.” Yeosang motions to your phone still held in your hand.

“I tried calling Sungwoo, but his phone is turned off.” You uncross your arms, looking down at your phone.

“Not Sungwoo,” Jongho shakes his head. “Hongjoong.”

Your eyes narrow the slightest bit at the three vampires before you.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Seonghwa pulls out his own phone, opening up the messages app to show you a series of text between him and Hongjoong.

Seems as if the eldest has been against this plan from the start, but the younger had been adamant on going through with it.

You whole body stills, and your hands begin to shake.

“What’s his number?” Your voice is low as you prepare to make the call.

“Don’t you have it?” Jongho’s brow furrows.

“I tend to delete call logs of numbers I don’t particularly like.” Your eyes dart to the youngest across from you.

A moment later, Seonghwa is clicking into Hongjoong’s contact information. Once his number is on the screen, he turns it back to face you.

You dial the number.

The sound of the call beginning to ring through is synonymous with you motioning to that black car with your chin. Luckily, they take the hint, and in two more rings, you’ve slipped outside after grabbing your keys and locking the front door.

You hear the ringing suddenly cut out, signifying someone has answered the call.

You hold your breath.

“Hello, My Treasure.” A pleasant hum is heard through the line. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Three vampires spare fleeting glances in your direction as you approach the car.

“What have you done with Sungwoo?” Surprisingly, your voice comes out much stronger than you thought it would.

“So, now you wish to speak with me?” His voice holds nothing but incredulous disbelief. “When the life of a useless, pathetic mortal is at risk?”

Your heart pangs as you slide into the backseat beside Jongho. Your assumptions about him seem to be correct.

“Careful with your words, asshole,” you spit, a frown marring your features. “I’m still human, too.”

“You know I never count you when I say things like that, right, Treasure?”

“Where’s Sungwoo?” You choose to ignore his claim for now. “What have you done to my best friend.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of your affections for him.” Hongjoong all but growls through the phone. “Are you quite sure he feels the same?”

“Enlighten me.” You hiss out through clenched teeth.

“You seem awfully attached to him.” Hongjoong hums. “Would be a shame if something awful happened to him.”

“I swear to god, Hongjoong, if you hurt him-“

“Oh, no, Treasure, God can’t save him now.”

The phone slips from your hand. Already, your mind is supplying you with the worst case scenarios, whole body beginning to shake as your throat tightens up.

You don’t even register how quickly Jongho reaches out to catch your phone, nor the way he seems to be cursing at the elder male through the line while sitting beside you. A blink, and your phone is in Yeosang’s hands as Seonghwa continues to speed down the streets, racing to a location unbeknownst to you.

Gently, Jongho reaches over to begin comforting you, attempting to calm you down while hesitating to touch you. Seonghwa told them all what happened when Wooyoung touched your stomach from behind, and now he’s scared touching anywhere on your body in this state might set you off again.

Then again, Yunho did cradle you in his arms that night all those weeks ago when they found your body on the side of the road.

It is with that thought that Jongho places a tender hand onto your shoulder.

“Why is he doing this?” Your voice is small as you stare at your hands, touching your fingers to your thumbs meticulously.

Glancing up, you see that Yeosang must have ended the call.

“He- they are all jealous.” Seonghwa briefly meets your gaze in the rearview mirror.

“Of Sungwoo?” Your brow furrows. Then, something is clicking in your mind as you see them all nod. “How do you all know about Sungwoo?”

The three of them stiffen.

Briefly, your eyes dart over each of them individually.

“Oh my god, you’ve been stalking me?” Again, your hands begin to shake.

“We prefer the term ‘watching over’.” Jongho mumbles, retracting his hand once you shrug it off of your shoulder.

Suddenly, you find the interior of the car to be stifling.

“How long?” Your hands ball into fists in your lap.

“I don’t think you want to know the answer to that right now.” Yeosang voices lowly, avoiding your gaze by staring straight forward.

Your phone rests on the console between the front two seats. Quickly, you grab it, holding onto it for dear life.

“This… bond we told you about,” Seonghwa begins, “it affects us all differently. Some of us have also been hoping for something like this to occur for so long, that the fear of rejection never really crossed our minds.”

“That’s not to mention our kind is fiercely protective over the things we care about without the bond enhancing those feelings towards you.” Yeosang adds, shifting slightly in the front seat.

“I believe the word you’re looking for is possessive.” Jongho sighs, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments.

You shift the slightest bit away from him, a fact which the two sitting in the front immediately notice.

“And you three are unaffected?” You inquire.

“We see reason.” Jongho’s eyes blink open, his expression falling as he sees you having shifted the slightest bit away from him.

“We won’t lie and say that we don’t care for you,” Yeosang says, a brief, tight upturn of his lips as he glances in your direction. “However, we understand that this is a lot for you, and that you don’t know us well. There are bound to be doubts and uncertainties that you have, and that’s not even taking into account what we are.”

“So, you’re all just better at hiding your jealousy.” A statement, not a question.

“We’re better at controlling it.” Seonghwa chimes in, turning down a dark stretch of road with trees surrounding either side.

“Hongjoong has been waiting and wishing for you probably the longest out of all of us. Well, probably besides Yunho.” Jongho tells you. “The bond is making him act on instinct; his darker impulses.”

You curl in on yourself more. “I don’t like the implications of that.”

“We’re normally pretty good at controlling ourselves.” Yeosang adds lowly. “It’s just you that makes us into anomalies.”

“Gee, that makes me feel loads better.” You nearly scoff.

“I don’t necessarily mean it in a bad way.” He turns his head to look at you.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” You sigh.

“You’re scared of us?” It’s Jongho’s timid voice that cuts through the sudden silence in the car like a knife.

You heave another tremendous sigh. “Not necessarily.”

“Then, why do you keep avoiding us?” There is pain held within Yeosang’s eyes. “Why do you keep pushing us away?”

You purse your lips. “Now is not the time for this.”

Sure enough, the car breaks through the trees, swerving on the path to reveal a small cemetery up ahead.

Seonghwa speeds up.

Through the darkness, you can just make out five figures milling about. As you get closer, you see a sixth one on his knees between them all.

The car comes to a screeching halt, and you practically fling yourself out of the backseat. A terrified shriek escapes you at the state you find Sungwoo to be in, his beaten and bloody body covered in gashes and dirt.

You spot the bat in Hongjoong’s hand, the metal iron pikes glinting in the moonlight as he rests it over his shoulder. You think you’d be less terrified if the bat housed spikes instead of those solid metal protrusions lining the sides. Hell only knows what Sungwoo has already suffered through this evening.

Tears line your eyes as you attempt to run over to Sungwoo, your heart pounding in your chest. Only, you don’t get very far, Mingi grabbing your arms and holding you back before you can get too close. Even Yeosang, Seonghwa, and Jongho get held back by the other three at Hongjoong’s command, curses flying between all of them as you scream for them to end this madness.

Sungwoo collapses on the ground.

“Pathetic.” Hongjoong clicks his tongue. “Weak ass human can’t even handle a few blows.”

“What have you done?” Your voice is frantic, tears spilling onto your cheeks as you look between him and Sungwoo’s tattered and bruised form.

“I’m simply teaching this rat a lesson for touching what isn’t his.” Hongjoong’s eyes flash maliciously beneath the light of the moon.

Your heart stops, dread flooding your veins. As you are being held back by Mingi, your whole body begins to shake.

“You think you own me.” Your words are but a whisper on the wind, but it causes the entire cemetery to suddenly become eerily quiet. “You believe I belong to you.”

Something in Hongjoong’s facade cracks, and his demeanour shifts only briefly. “No-“

“You just said it yourself.” Your hands are clenched into fists despite Mingi holding you back by your arms. “You don’t view me as a person. You view me as an object to be owned.”

The others remain deadly silent, watching this interaction with bated breath.

“That’s not true, and you know it.” He frowns.

“No. I don’t know.” You spit harshly. “That’s the whole fucking point! I don’t know you, and you don’t know me!”

“But, you love him.” Hongjoong’s eyes dart down to the male bleeding out at the ground at his feet.

A few displeased growls echo around the tombstones surrounding you.

“He is my best friend!” You’re near hysterics at this point. “Of fucking course I love him!”

More growls sound around you.

Hongjoong’s hand holding onto the bat begins to tremble. “I can’t let him live knowing he’s touched you.”

“You know?” Your head falls forward in disbelief. “You know?”

“Of course I know!” Hongjoong’s anger is barely contained, his own body beginning to shake in rage. “How could I not recognize when filth sleeps with My Treasure?”

You go silent, clamping your lips shut as you feel Mingi’s hands tighten around you from Hongjoong’s words. It’s starting to make sense to you.

“You think we’ve slept together.” You state.

“I know you have.” Hongjoong glares unforgivingly down at the man splayed out at his feet in the dirt.

“Right, because you’ve all been stalking me.” You nod your understanding. “But no, that’s not what I meant.”

Hongjoong lifts his gaze.

“You think we’ve fucked.”

His resounding growl, and the several others you hear around you, are answer enough.

“You haven’t?” It’s Wooyoung who asks, genuine surprise coating his words.

“Maybe we have, and maybe we haven’t.” You reply. “Either way, it is none of your goddamn business. I don’t owe you anything, and you don’t owe me anything.”

“You don’t understand-“ San begins to say, but you’re quick to cut him off.

“Then, help me to understand, because right now you are all breaking your promise to me.” Your pain filled eyes look around the small circle of gathered males. “I thought you said you would never hurt me.”

Wooyoung visibly flinches at your words, loosening his grip on Yeosang the slightest bit. Even Mingi’s grip no longer feels as tight against your own arms.

“I have to do this.” Hongjoong steels his resolve, despite the way his voice wavers. “I can’t let him interfere.”

“With what, Hongjoong?” You shout. “There is nothing between us. You doing this guarantees nothing will ever happen between us.”

“You don’t mean that.” It’s Mingi’s hurt tone that you hear softly from behind you.

“Are you going to hunt everyone I’ve ever slept with? Is that how this is going to work?” Your chest is heaving. “You don’t even know if I’ve slept with anyone, but you’re so adamant on killing my best friend simply off of a baseless claim. You might as well slaughter the entire town.”

“You already think us monsters anyways.” Hongjoong mutters, turning his head away from you.

“There is only one man I ever considered a monster.” Your voice is deadly calm. “I never thought you would stoop low enough to join him.”

“Then, why have you been avoiding us?” Hongjoong’s voice practically shakes the whole area as he rounds on you, the tip of the bat sinking into the mud as it falls from his shoulder.

“Because knowing the only reason you all started talking to me in the first place is due to some stupid magical bond that told you I’m your fated mate, or whatever, fucking hurts, okay?” Your tears have returned, falling freely down your cheeks as your chest heaves. “The only thing worse would be if you told me I was some reincarnation of your long lost love, or something ridiculous like that.”

The cemetery goes so silent, you swear the earth has stood still.

“You’ve been avoiding us this whole time because you think we wouldn’t want you if we weren’t fated to each other?” Yunho finally speaks, hands falling limply to his sides as Seonghwa, who he had been holding back, can only stand there, just as stunned as all of the rest of them.

“You only saved me that night because of the bond.” You attempt to swallow your building emotions, but you end up choking on a sob. “You all only care because of this stupid bond.”

“That’s not true, and you know it.” Yeosang shakes his head.

“It’s it, though?” You laugh bitterly. “Tell me, then. Honestly. If I were anyone else, and you had found me on the side of the road like that, bleeding out and on the brink of death, would you have stopped to help?”

If their silence didn’t already speak volumes, the way the majority of them avert their gazes says it all.

“All my life, I had hoped- I had dreamed of finding a soulmate, of them being real.” You voice falters as you bottom lip trembles. “After the shit I went through with Ryder, I just wanted someone to love me with all of my scars, unconditionally. Then I realized, it could never be real love if it was all based on some stupid bond, telling them that they had to love me. I don’t deserve to have that doubt always held within me. You don’t deserve that, either.”

You can tell a few of them have started crying along with you, tears streaming down Wooyoung’s, San’s, Jongho’s, and Seonghwa’s faces. Even both Yeosang and Hongjoong look close to breaking, and at the first drop of wetness you feel land on your arm, you know Mingi is faring no better.

“All of this for a bond that is telling you to want me.” You weep openly, the despair clear on your features. “How is that supposed to make me feel?”

“You-“ Wooyoung hiccups. “You think that we don’t want you?”

“Have you not been listening to a word I’ve just said?” Your voice cracks, turning your broken gaze towards Wooyoung.

“I thought we told you that despite us following the bond, we would never force it upon you.” Yunho reasons.

“Then, what do you call this?” You laugh bitterly once more. “An intervention?”

“We told you that we wanted to get to know you before anything.” Jongho’s voice is small, looking down at the ground as San continues to hold him back from reaching you or Sungwoo for the moment.

“But you insisted on avoiding us.” Hongjoong adds, somewhat bitterly.

“Because a fucking pull brought you to me!” You reply, clearly exasperated. “That’s not a choice, Hongjoong.”

“It was our choice to follow the pull.” Seonghwa surprises you by speaking, his words but a mere whisper on his lips.

“I’m sorry I’m not all I’ve been made out to be.” You say, somewhat bitterly as you look down at the ground.

“You’re better.” Immediately, your head is whipping upwards in Yeosang’s direction, catching his gaze. Your breath hitches as how earnest he looks, his eyes shining with the deepest form of sincerity you’ve ever seen another person give you. “You’re better than anything we could have ever imagined.”

You swallow thickly, your lower lip trembling with the weight of your emotions.

“I wish I could believe you.”

Something within Hongjoong snaps. You see it in the way his whole body twitches, his eyes flashing a deep red as black veins appear beneath them.

“It’s because of him.” That bat gets raised into the air. “He’s stolen you away from us.”

“No, Hongjoong-“ You begin thrashing in Mingi’s grip as you see the crazed gleam in the elder’s eyes.

“Hongjoong, stop this at once!” Seonghwa’s voice commands, ringing out loud and clear throughout the clearing.

Only, before the elder can take so much as a step towards Hongjoong, Yunho has him held back in his grip once more.

“Hongjoong.” Mingi warily calls the man’s name.

“You’re ours.” Hongjoong’s voice boarders on a feral snarl, his hands tightening methodically around the base of the bat as his lips pull back over sharp fangs.

Your eyes go wide as the reality of the situation washed over you: Hongjoong is going to smash Sungwoo’s head in no matter what you do.

Just as you watch the bat begin to swing downwards, you scream.

“No!”

It’s as if the world moves in slow motion. Somehow, you manage to tear free of Mingi’s hold which had grown quite loose, almost as if he had hesitated holding you back any longer. Still, you can feel your arms stinging, sure there are now cuts along your skin from his nails where he had been clinging onto you so desperately.

You throw yourself on top of Sungwoo, covering him with your body as that bat cuts through the air in an almost gentle, mocking arc. You squeeze your eyes shut.

Then, it’s as if the world resumes its normal speed.

You expect to feel pain. Nothing but hot, searing pain. Only, it never comes.

Blinking your eyes open, you look up to see Hongjoong staring down at you in horror. His wide eyes have no shortage of tears as he meets your gaze, standing frozen in his spot with the bat hovering right above your head.

A drop of blood lands on your face.

Shifting your gaze, you see Mingi holding that bat, a spire of iron mere millimetres from your face.

Tremendous roars reach your ears: some of pure fury, others of horror, and a few in desperation. The very resonance of such sounds causes the earth to tremble beneath you, a flock of birds taking off suddenly into the night sky.

A blink, and Hongjoong is being dragged back by five males, all of whom tear him away from you and that bat still held in Mingi’s grip. Snarls reach your ears as both Yeosang and Seonghwa pin him to the ground, Wooyoung, Jongho, and Yunho all standing over his trembling form.

Then, Yunho manages to calm himself enough to turn towards you.

He meets your gaze. “How did you do that?”

There’s a bitter furrow to your brow, “Do what?”

San is beside you in an instant, checking you over for injuries as Mingi tosses the bat to the side.

“Don’t help me, heal him.” You push the vampire off of you, motioning to Sungwoo with your chin.

You notice the way San hesitates.

Mingi doesn’t.

***

Gently, you cradle Sungwoo in your arms, brushing his hair back from his face after Mingi has fed him some of his blood. Slowly, you can already see some of Sungwoo’s injuries mending themselves, the cuts closing and bruises healing.

You turn your tearstained face towards the eight men now kneeling across from you.

“You’re going to listen to me, and you’re going to listen good and proper.” None of them have ever heard you use such a dark tone before, but from your expression alone, they can tell just how furious you are right now. “I don’t care who they are, but if you ever touch another person that I care about, if you ever hurt any of them, especially him,” you grip tightens around Sungwoo in your arms, “I will never forgive you, and you will never see me again. Do I make myself clear?”

A chorus of low ‘yes’s greet your ears.

“You want me to like you, but all this has done is make me despise the four of you.” You seethe, pure fury lighting behind your irises.

They all squirm beneath your intense gaze.

“Wait, four?” Wooyoung’s brow furrows.

You look from him, to Yunho, to San, and then finally, to Hongjoong, of whom you hold gazes with the longest.

“I don’t trust any of you after this.” Pointed glares are sent to the former four by the others you haven’t singled out. “And I don’t know if that can ever be rebuilt.”

“You weren’t going to give us a chance, anyways.” San grumbles, fingers sinking into the dirt by his legs.

You choose to not respond to his bitter comment right now.

“When he finally regains consciousness,” you motion down to Sungwoo with your head, “One of you is going to compel him to forget this ever happened. You are going to get your heads out of your fucking asses, pull up your big boy pants, and leave me the fuck alone. I want nothing to do with you after this. You may have saved my life once before, but all this has proven is that none of you are ready for a commitment like this.”

Hongjoong goes to protest.

“You let your insecurities and jealousy control you! How could I ever want that?” You round on him. “I’ve already dealt with one abusive asshole, I don’t need another.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, so am I.” You scoff, soon shifting your gaze to meet Seonghwa’s own. You stand back to your feet. “Now, Take me home.”

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