#kali uchis table for two

[kooktrash]

effortlessly yours ✧ jeon jungkook

summary: in an effort to catch a break from the people around him, jungkook stumbles into a bar on the other side of town and meets you—the one serving his drinks. things happen quite effortlessly between you and before you knew it, you’ve welcomed him to change your life for the better.

✧ genre/au: banker!jk x bartender!y/n [she/her. afab]. strangers to lovers. smut.

✧ 16.9k words

warnings: smut. heavy plot. oc is lowkey broke as helll and jk is lowkey a chaebol but humble fr 😩. princess treatment. beware oc’s ex is taehyung and he’s not great. slow burn. smut—riding. missionary. oral [both receiving]. heavy make outs. heavy petting. breast play. use of protection. needy af. — jk’s friends kinda rude but also not? rich boys. financial problems. mention of economic differences. damn near love at first sight. everyone’s an ex boyf hater. oc forced to live with ex bc of money. love at first sight? jk is whipped :(. for once he’s not a fighter, he’s just a pretty boy with money to spoil his gf <3

song inspo: wasn’t looking — eliza, love between — kali uchis, blue — billie eilish, salvatore— lana del rey, I wanna be yours — arctic monkeys

I forgot but god bless @vngelicc for putting up with my constant plot changes and helping me out 💀

Many of your nights have been spent at this small place serving drinks to the same people, engaging in the same conversation, going through the same thing. Without a fail you’ve lived in this cycle of mundaneness and it drive you insane.

Nothing ever happened to you and when it did, it was never for the better. That’s what you’ve always thought anyway.

“Any Macallan? I'll have a glass,” You stared at the stranger with a blank expression, he met you with an unwavering gaze looking every bit out of place here as you felt.

He’s asking if you carry an expensive bottle of Bourbon that a place like this could not afford keeping in stock. If you did, no one here would want to pay the price of a glass. Compared to the regulars around the bar he clearly stood out to everyone. The college guys who lived a couple blocks down looked at him just as strangely as the two office workers down the bar did.

“We’ve got Buchannan’s,” You said plainly, taking his attention away from the aged jukebox in the corner that now had a big screen attached to it. It was your typical bar with its dark countertops, pool tables, darts, et cetera. It was the first place he could find on this side of town—clearly not a place of luxury.

“I’ll take it,” He tried to sound happy about it, biting down at his bottom lip as his phone screen lit up with notifications. He had nearly a dozen texts from close friends asking him what his plans were for tonight but he didn’t want to talk right now and they’d want to know why.

Soon you had his glass of whiskey in front of him and he was opening a tab while you helped others. You didn’t think much about the man aside from how attractive he looked. Many stragglers found their way here but after one night they’d return to wherever they’re from and never look back.

“You drink that expensive whiskey because you like it or because you can afford it?”

An older man spoke up from across the bar, looking at the stranger with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. He’s one of those guys that gets a few drinks in him and either wants to spark conversation or a fight. Part of you paid attention to the conversation, part of you looked at the line of messages on your phone.

“I’m sorry?” The guy from earlier asked seemingly unimpressed by the attempt to get to him. The older man was dressed in a dirty t-shirt and flannel while he wore some expensive suit like he’d just gotten off work.

“Or is it to impress?”

“Impress who?” A light scoff left his lips, looking around the bar, eyes hesitating on you for a moment. Aside from you there were a few others who might catch his eye but not enough for him to point out or feel the need to impress.

You weren’t even looking at anyone or him for that matter, your attention was solely on your cell phone and by the look on your face, whatever was on there was more important. Your bottom lip was caught between your teeth and your brows began to furrow with concentration as you tried to make sense of what you were seeing.

unknown: can we talk when ur done working?

unknown: it’s about us

What?

“Y/n maybe? I doubt any of us are your type—“

What? You looked up immediately at the call of your name, ready to make someone another cocktail or close someone’s tab. Instead you were called in the middle of a conversation that you wanted no part of.

“Another beer?” You tried to cut in and shut the regular up but it was a useless attempt because everyone around the bar was already staring at you—including the stranger. How did you miss whatever they were talking about? You were too focused on the texts from a certain someone that you had lost attention to people at the bar.

“What is your name anyway? I’ve never seen you here before,” The customer told him, ignoring you and trying to push for more talk. You just sighed and leaned back thinking back to your phone.

“Jeon Jungkook,” He said in his usual confident manner, gaze flickering to you for a moment but you were distracted once more, this time typing rapidly. You were pretty, too pretty to be serving these guys on a Tuesday night.

Another man appeared from behind a door holding more bottles of liquor. He looked indifferent to whatever was going on out here but when he looked at you, you said something. Jungkook was more interested to hear what that was than whatever the people around him had to say.

The two of you talked for a while and he distracted himself with his phone.

hobi: doubles tomorrow with jimin and jin? 🎾

jungkook: I couldn’t think of anything worse

jimin: watch urself

jin: and where’d u run off to tonight

Your coworker, Yoongi, looked at you with concerned eyes. You’ve known each other long enough to know when somethings wrong and Yoongi was able to tell so fast, “If you need to make a call just go, I’ll take over for now.”

His friend asked the question he’s been trying to ask himself all night. How’d he find himself here on the other side of the city with the only people to entertain him being drunks and… you?

“Is he always like this?” Jungkook found himself asking now that the man from earlier had moved on to someone else to bother. You looked ready to run out but stopped to look at him. Yoongi was giving you time to sort whatever problem you had at the moment but now a customer was talking to you.

You shrugged, “Yeah but he’s harmless, a little annoying but funny.”

jungkook: some bar but I’m leaving soon

Jungkook looked at you up close now. You wore all black, somewhere between casual but dressed up enough. From what he can tell you’re pretty, like an effortless kind of pretty. You barely cared to engage with him, completely unaware of how he looked you over.

“Can I close my tab?” He asked as he fished for his wallet.

“No problem, remind me the name,” Yoongi came up from behind you, hand on your back urging you to go and he’ll take care of it. Jungkook looked at him with disinterest as you ran off in a hurry and sighed, “Jeon Jungkook.”

jungkook: it’s boring

The place he called home was about thirty minutes away from the bar he visited a few nights ago. He lived on the upper side of the city where buildings towered sky high and rent was at high rates, lavish nightlife and lounge rooms he could spend all night in drinking with his friends. That’s why it baffled him to sit somewhere like the place he’d gone to and feel so comfortable. It felt secretive, a mutual understanding of where one goes when they want to be alone and have a drink—no matter how bad it is. He wouldn’t have been able to do that around here without running into someone.

“Have you decided who your date will be?”

No, he had not. In fact it was the last thing on his mind and something Jungkook would prefer to fully ignore. It’s all he’s heard about for the past month and he doesn’t think he can go any longer talking about it. A date to a charity event hosted by his parents was too overwhelming of a task. They have to be polite, well maintenanced, proper, et cetera. He’s sure he can call up whatever woman he’d taken on a date these last couple of years but not a single one did he find… good enough? Terrible phrasing but the truth.

“Have you?” Jungkook asked one of his close friends, Hoseok, as the two sat in his office wasting time before they could be done for the day. His office sat on one of the top floors of a national banking center just a few minutes from where he resided. He sat behind his black oak wood desk spinning a pointed leather opener against his notepad creating a small dent in it.

“Obviously,” Hobi rolled his eyes playfully, making Jungkook look at him seriously. “Will she be as embarrassing as the one last time?”

“I hope not, last year’s date was a total mess. I couldn't look your parents in the eye for three months,” He said back, sitting down on the black leather daybed just a few feet away from Jungkook. The office was big with tall bookshelves and floor to ceiling windows overlooking skyscrapers and the Han River not too far behind. There was a desktop with two monitors along with a laptop and television, a closet and storage room—even a few dumbbells and a treadmill in the corner. “Do you know how hard that is when your father’s the CFO of the company I work for?!”

“I couldn’t imagine the difficulty of that,” Jungkook couldn’t help but chuckle knowing firsthand how his dad can be when he feels disrespected—especially in front of the press while hosting an important, annual event.

“I’ve got dinner with the girl tonight, she’s been telling me about this friend who’s been dying to meet you,” Hoseok said with raised brows, “She’s pretty hot.”

“Who? The girl or her friend?” Jungkook asked, typing away on his desktop, searching for the bar he’d visited the other night. There was very little overview about the place, but he didn’t expect much anyway. It looked like it brought a decent amount of business to get by but nothing more than that. You must’ve been local to the area or why would you be working there? Hell, for how little you seemed interested in him, he couldn’t stop thinking about you. What was it that got his attention?

“Both,” Hoseok said in response.

Jungkook let out a small sigh watching the time pass by, “I’ll think about it.”

It was unlikely he ever would, he thought, attempting to focus back on his friend and who he was talking about. As arrogant as it might sound, there’s always someone dying to meet him. Usually it never works out and instead it’s used as a bragging right that they were taken out by him. He would like to meet someone organically, nothing forced or ingenuine. Someone he runs into and charms them without his reputation involved. How could he meet someone like that?

There was moisture lingering in the air as you left the small cafe you worked at during the week. It was midday and you wouldn’t have to be at work again till later tonight so the only thing on your mind was a good sleep.

You barely made it onto the bus when your phone began to ring and you put on your headphones to answer, “Hello?”

“Great, you’re alive. I was getting paranoid after the third ring,” Your friend said immediately once the call connected, “Are you off!”

“Yeah, until tonight,” You told her, staring out the foggy window of the overcrowded midday bus.

“Is Taehyung home? You want to come to mine instead?” Yeaun asked, sounding concerned but you just shook your head no even if she couldn’t see it.

“It’s alright, he’s not home anyway,” You said to her with a sigh, “I live there too and if he’s going to make a problem or it then maybe he should move out sooner.”

Yeaun was quiet for a moment, not sure if you were being serious or not. Or course it’s not the first time you and your ‘boyfriend—ex boyfriend—boyfriend’ break it off suddenly but this is different. You live with each other now and have for a few months. Why would Taehyung ask you to find a place with him if he was going to end it a few months into the lease? What an asshole.

“Alright, well I’ll talk to you later, maybe I’ll stop by the bar and catch up,” Yeaun finally said to which you mumbled back your response and ended the call.

You arrived at an empty apartment with a stack of blankets and pillows on the couch and a large bed with one person claiming it now. You tucked yourself into bed hoping that you ex boyfriend won’t be home when you wake up.

By the time the sun set and the only plan Jungkook had was to go home, he began to think about the place he visited a few days ago. There was nothing special about it but it was somewhat comforting—even with some of the elderly regulars getting on his case, he kind of liked it. It was amusing and harmless banter that he could put up with for some time alone. When he was off and his friend asked him to go out for dinner, Jungkook turned him down to drive across town on his own.

Like last time, the same people sat around the bar but a few new faces took up some of the tables scattered around. You stood behind the counter indulging in conversation with the bartender next to you and Jungkook found himself sitting at the corner of the bar top and away from the loudness.

“I see they didn’t scare you off,” You said once you spotted him alone. There’s not many new people coming by, especially ones that looked like him so he was easy to remember. He looked at you with rounded, curious eyes and shook his head, “Not yet.”

You asked if he wanted the same as last time and once he said yes, you were turning your back to him. He’s going to be honest… he couldn’t help but stare a little longer this time. You wore a short black skirt with dark stockings and a fitted tee making you seem casual and comfortable but at the same time he thought you were pretty. He couldn’t tell if you were into makeup or not but he assumed you’d be attractive either way. Last time you seemed glum, but tonight you were smiling.

“Am I that forgettable?” Jungkook asked when you made your way back to his side, he nodded toward the old man who bothered him last time and how he barely acknowledged him today. He wonders if he asked because he cared or because he wanted to have something to say. There was nothing better going on and unlike before, tonight he's up for talking—to you.

“No, he’s just a Drunk,” You whispered jokingly, moving just a little closer his way. To be honest, he nearly forgot all about you. The two of you had such a small interaction days ago that his life just got in the way. It felt meaningless and like it was never going to happen again but here he is, finding comfort at the little bar you worked at. He couldn’t help but be entertained by it.

“I asked my boss about the bottle you wanted last time and he said we can’t afford it for just one person, so you’re out of luck if you start stopping by more often,” You said casually, looking indifferent but he caught a glimmer of curiosity in your gaze.

“I’ll have to bring you some then,” Jungkook sat up straighter, “Give you a little taste.”

“I’m not into whiskey,” You gave him a small shrug, “I prefer the drinks where I can’t taste the alcohol.”

That made him laugh a little harder than he needed to, “Y/n, right? I think I remember hearing one of them say it.”

Your only form of response was a nod of your head but he didn’t mind the lack of enthusiasm. There’s something about the way you seem reserved but not scared to talk back to him sort of draws him in. You looked at each other with the same intensity and he wanted to see how long it could go.

“Y/n.”

You rushed away from him finding whoever needed help and he thought of what to say.

“So how many nights do you spend working here?” He asked once you came by him again. So far both nights he stumbled into this place you’ve been behind the counter with a blasè look to your eyes. It was a shame considering how pretty you were for you to be stuck behind a counter getting stressed over who knows what.

“Practically all of them,” You sighed leaning against the counter.

Jeon Jungkook doesn’t care for meaningless conversation ike this. It was such a waste of time and he always found himself struggling for what to say.

“So what happened the other night?” He blurted out before he could think clearly. He blames it on the whiskey for sounding so blunt as it rushed to his face. You couldn’t read him as easily as he thought and tried to figure out what he was asking about. The other night?

Oh.

“Nothing too concerning,” You brushed off your breakup with Taehyung hoping he knew nothing. The situation with Taehyung was not someone you wanted everyone to know about—especially not a stranger. It was embarrassing to admit you were still living with your cheating on and off ex boyfriend because it’s better than sleeping outside.

“And here I was hoping for a story time,” Jungkook muttered under his breath, checking his phone and the dozen messages and missed calls. Like earlier, you left him to help someone else and this time instead of him trying to find something to say it was you.

“If you start visiting more regularly maybe I’ll fill you in,” You said half-heartedly.

You’ve always thought—hoped—that home is where the heart would be. You should live in a place that doesn’t give you anxiety or depression. Living in this apartment with your ex boyfriends gives you both. When he was home you’d avoid leaving your bedroom at all and when he’s gone you’re worried about the time he’d get home.

You weren’t scared of him, but you hated him.

The two of you have broken up so many times at this point it’s embarrassing to admit how he has you now. After cheating on you and treating you like shit, you still moved in with him just those few months ago and now you’re paying for it.

“Are you going to work?” He asked curiously as you came out of your now solo bedroom. Taehyung was gentleman enough to sleep on the couch but apparently not enough to keep it in his pants.

“No,” You answered shortly as you slipped your shoes on. For some reason he thinks you’ll forgive him soon. He’s been trying to talk to you about it since the morning after he bothered you at work but you weren’t listening. How could he do something on impulse and expect you to let it go?

Are all men this stupid? Most? Oh, definitely, but surely not all? Who would want to be on good terms with a cheating ex so recent after the breakup?

“What are you gonna do then?”

What he really meant was, “Where were you going and who with?”

“Nothing,” you closed the door after yourself, choosing to shut him out rather than tell him anything. He didn’t need to know your whereabouts. For once you weren’t going to be at work and although you didn’t have big plans for your free night, you weren’t going to tell him or worse—spend it locked up in your room that still had his belongings.

You settled into place at your best friend’s place, filling her in on what’s been exciting or lack thereof.

“Not to feed the delusions but what if he’s stopping to see you?” Yeaun asked as you sat on her couch watching her look through her vinyls for something to play. After a while of telling her boringly endless tales of your life you came to the topic you were currently discussing.

Jeon Jungkook—the irregular-regular who’s begun to frequent the bar lately. Jungkook has been coming by for a few weeks now and although they’re always small interactions with him they leave an impression on you. He’s not like the usual guys who go there for a drink—or anything like the ones when you go out with your friends. Every now and then you wonder if he’s catching a flirty tone with you or not but then you think harder and tell yourself; not likely.

It’s too unbelievable,” You rejected the idea immediately even if it hurt you to do so, you had to be realistic, “He probably has a girlfriend or wife or someone, I don’t know.”

Call it a crush, whatever, nothing would ever come of it and you told your friends the same, “Either way I’m done with men, they’re all shitty.”

Yeaun shrugged, no longer pushing the idea of Jungkook. You haven’t told her anything that made it seem like Jungkook had any interest in you at all so really she was just wishfully thinking. You know very little about the man aside from what the two of you have gone over but it’s enough for you to know it would never happen.

You’re not crazy enough to believe otherwise.

Jungkook spent most of his day dreading for him to leave work and get ready for a dinner plan that was arranged for him. In all honesty, he practically disassociated himself from it the second he heard the tone the woman spoke in. Why did he let Hoseok talk him into doing this?

For nearly an hour he’s had to hear this woman compliment him on everything under the sun. Sure he was flattered but so? Did he really need to hear about himself from someone else? She didn’t seem like a bad girl but she knew too much about him that he never told her. She was too in his space and not understanding to slow down.

“I’m happy our schedules aligned to be able to meet like this,” She said as she picked at her salad, “I know you’re very busy.”

“I’m pleased too,” Jungkook raised his glass of wine to his lips, searching around the restaurant for a clock. Jiwon was a sweet girl but he wasn’t interested for some reason. She was attractive like Hoseok said but he’s not sure what is but there’s something that seems to draw him away from her.

By the time the bill came and she pretended to look through her mini bag for her wallet, Jungkook was ready to call it a night. He never expected someone with him to pay but something just drew him back… seriously what was it? She waited outside with him in hopes of knowing if their night would continue from here or not but Jungkook couldn’t wait to be done. He probably seemed rude with how he brushed her off and directed her into a cab, paying her fare with a lie that he’d see her again, but he couldn’t think of that right now.

It was taxing to meet new people and try to feel anything romantic toward them. Jimin is looking out for Jungkook and he’s well aware of that but Jungkook does not want something forced. He’s not asking for birds chirping and bells chiming but give him something that’ll make him feel things.

When he was alone in his car he found himself taking a familiar route in the opposite direction of his house. He’d left his date with Jiwon and for some reason was heading toward the bar he’s been going to lately. It took him a while to realize where he was going and about a block away he stopped to think.

What was he doing here? He could find any shitty bar where he knew his friends would never go and be just fine. He could be out with his friends or maybe getting to know Jiwon more in hopes of something blooming but instead he was going out alone. It was a bad idea to make this a regular thing. People he knows will begin to question where he goes and invade his privacy, he just knows it.

With a deep sigh he turned the engine off looking up at the brightly lit building in front of him. It was a small convenience store and deciding to not make his drive all the way over here pointless, he went inside.

He is starting to believe the universe in playing a trick on him. Whenever he’s gone to the bar you’ve been working at and tonight he decided not to go… bummed that he wouldn’t see you but clearly the universe had plans that couldn’t get changed. Instead of serving two drinks to customers, you’re walking down a refrigerated section of cheap flower bouquets. It’s like he was going to run into you tonight one way or the other. Just because he wasn’t going the bar after all didn’t mean he could escape you as easily. It was crazy.

You hadn’t yet spotted him as you opened the door to grab one of the cheapest bouquet of orchids you could find. It wasn’t until you were ready to walk back down that you saw him looking a little too interested in the small pints of ice cream. There were two options you could do, One: pretend you don’t know him and head to the counter or Two: acknowledge him? What if he was the kind of person that didn’t like being approached? It would be embarrassing for you.

“No work tonight?”

You stopped in your tracks, ready to walk past him when he spoke up. You looked around shyly, “Not tonight, Is that where you’re headed now?”

“Originally yeah, but good thing I changed my mind. You wouldn’t have been there,” Jungkook said, glancing down at the small shopping basket in your hands. He missed the way your face flushed at the comment, unsure if he meant it flirtatiously or not.

You had the small orchids, a couple ramens and drinks in the basket that made him smile just a little, “I’m assuming you live around here?”

“I wouldn’t be working here if I didn’t,” You say lightly, a smile playing on your face when you saw his, and glanced down at your basket with embarrassment. All Jungkook had in his hand was a single bottle of wine that he grabbed so he wouldn’t look strange approaching you, “Do you live around here too?”

“No, I uh, I’m kind of far actually,” He scratched the back of his head nervously, “But, I was doing some work over here.”

His face tensed at the way he must have sounded lying to you. It wouldn’t have been a good look for him if he said he went on a blind date with someone his best friend set him up with but raced here right after. It feels like the conversation shouldn’t end yet but he doesn’t know how to make it go on. Usually he’s able to tell what he should say to get someone’s attention on him for longer but he doesn’t know with you.

After a while, you began walking toward the register with Jungkook not far behind and you tried to act normal when you set your things down to be checked out.

Please, don’t decline, you thought as you tapped your card to pay. When you were done and hesitating to leave or not, Jungkook spoke up again, “When do you work next?”

“Why? So you’ll visit me?” You asked him with a little more enthusiasm. Maybe you were overthinking it but was there a chance that he wanted to talk to you too? It felt like he asked you something so you wouldn’t rush off before he was done paying.

He smiled, pleased to have you respond the way he wanted and he grabbed his things off the counter and turned to walk with you. You held your bag in one hand and your cellphone and wallet in the other and it was hard to miss the way your screen lit up with a phone call. You ignored the ringing but Jungkook was distracted now, “Do you need to take that?”

He held the door open for you wondering if it was your boyfriend or not and if he was just wasting his time. You shook your head, “It's no one important.”

“So you’re not seeing anyone?” Jungkook found himself asking, too impatient to beat around the bush any longer, “Or would you like to see me this weekend—or when you’re free— over drinks?”

You didn’t say anything for a moment, staring up at the handsome man in front of you with a baited breath. Jungkook was attractive, very attractive but did you need to be seeing anyone right now? Sure, it’s been a couple weeks since you and Taehyung fell off but you still live together. If he found out he would lose his shit… but at the same time…

Jungkook was intriguing and charming and so attractive you couldn’t wrap your mind around anything else.

“I’m free this upcoming Sunday.”

Before you split ways, you made sure to exchange information and you were practically rushing to tell your best friend.

jungkook: next time we should have stuck around and talked longer

When Sunday evening rolled in, Jungkook wore one of his black Prada shirts and black jeans. He tried dressing casual but this was as casual as he could go for seeing you out on a night like this.

“I could meet you halfway,” Jungkook insisted on the phone as he stood outside your building. It was a rundown apartment complex just like all the others in the area and even he felt unsafe, he can’t imagine how you feel every night. Okay, maybe he’s not used to anything outside of the private, gated community he grew up with.

“It’s fine, I’ll be down in a second,” You practically whispered as you hurried to hang up. With a final spritz of perfume, you left your bedroom as quiet as possible but it was no use. Taehyung sat there watching you.

“I’ll be back late so don’t wait up,” You practically grumbled as you went to put on your heels.

“Since when do you dress like that?” Taehyung asked with a slight scoff. Unlike your usual attire of baggy pants, sweaters, tees and the occasional skirt, tonight you wore a short, satin pink dress with heels to match. You looked pretty and it annoyed him because he knew why.

“Since I stopped being with you,” You told him, fishing for your key before closing the door on him like last time.

It took a lot of convincing on Jungkook’s part to let you let him pick you up and you had many reasons why. One, you didn’t want him to run into Taehyung or feel awkward. Two, you didn’t want him to drive all the way here if you’d most likely be in the inner city which was on the other side of town. And three, you were slightly embarrassed at your housing complex. You’ve seen Jungkook’s dress attire and the expensive watches, chains, drinking preferences he wears. He’s got money while you’ve got two jobs still struggling to pay your half of the rent on top of all the debt tied to your name.

“Well don’t you look stunning,” Jungkook said with a nervous chuckle as you approached him, eyeing his all black Porsche and how perfectly it matched him. The silk of your dress felt soft against his touch when you hugged him politely in greeting. You were slightly flushed by his comment and let him lead you to the passenger’s side.

“Were you waiting long?” You asked when he got into the driver’s side, looking you over one more time before starting the car.

“A l-little,” Jungkook couldn’t help but feel flustered as you turned your body enough to look at him better. Your dress rode up on your thigh and he tried to focus on the road, “But it’s my fault for being impatient. Next time I’ll give you all the time in the world if I get to see this pretty view.”

To be clear Jungkook has always thought you were attractive but this was different. This wasn’t just him finding the bartender serving him drinks hot or the woman at the convenience store pretty. This was you dressing up for him in a pretty color while sitting pretty in his car and looking at him with your pretty eyes.

“Next time?” You laughed softly, sitting upright and trying not to seem affected, “Don’t make promises just yet. You might not be able to keep them.”

“I always keep my promises,” Jungkook said, diving over the small bridge that separated your neighborhood from the rest of the city.

You went quiet after that, looking out the window curiously. Usually you stick to your area, the bus fare to go shopping downtown or eat at a fancy restaurant wouldn’t be too bad but the time. On the bus it would be at least an hour long drive full of stops everywhere in between and you didn’t have the time to make it a round day trip. It was nice seeing all the city lights when most of your neighborhood is dark aside from the occasional street lamp.

You were pleasantly surprised when he pulled the car in front of a large building and a valet came to the doors, directing you both out of the car. Jungkook instructed the valet on something you didn’t care to hear as you looked around. It was obviously a hotel but with a large restaurant inside.

“Ready?” Jungkook asked, suddenly at your side with a soft hand on your waist and you let him lead you in.

You felt oddly out of place when you looked around at everyone else but Jungkook didn’t seem to care. He was significantly underdressed but that didn’t stop him from pulling attention without meaning to and it made you slightly more comfortable. The restaurant sat on the top floor of a large hotel with a beautiful view of the city and amazing interior as well, “Do you like this place?”

“I have never been here before,” Jungkook admitted as he helped pull your chair, “I’ll give you an answer after dinner.”

“You’ll decide once you’ve gotten food?” You asked playfully but he just shook his head. “I’ll decide when you do.”

You weren’t sure how to respond but something about the way he looked at you told you he was being serious. Has he always been this forward? You didn’t think so. Usually he asked you a couple things and that was it. Or maybe you didn’t think there was any more to it. Sure, sometimes you’d catch him looking from across the bar but you always assumed he just needed something. When he asked you out the other night you assumed it was on a whim but now you’re not so sure.

It was far from a problem but you weren’t sure how to take it. Something tells you Jungkook comes from a different world than you do. When the server came you ordered a drink and tried to focus on the menu. All the prices were high and you couldn’t find anything in your normal price range. There were a lot of good options but what were you willing to choose?

“So, when you think of an ideal type, who comes to mind?” Jungkook asked, picking around his plate. The two of you had talked about practically everything you could on a first date. He was a couple years older than you, worked at a banking firm, lived in the upper east luxury apartments, studied abroad, et cetera. He learned that you have two jobs and dropped out of school because it was too expensive and honestly…you thought you lost him then. You thought he was unimpressed and no longer interested judging by the look of disappointment in his face but then he asks you what your ideal type is?

“Hm, I don’t know,” You started awkwardly, feeling his gaze shift toward you and looked you in the eye waiting, “Well I would want someone honest… and loyal bu—“

You stopped yourself feeling embarrassment edge on, it was ironic of you to say that was your type when clearly the past men you’ve been with have been anything but. A light scoff left your lips as you laughed a little, “I don’t know.”

“That’s it? Shouldn’t that be expected?” Jungkook asked. He was very loyal to his partners in the past but those relationships have long since been over and hold no meaning to him. He didn’t even think he wanted to date—considering how bored he was when the Jimin set him on—but here he was having the time of life trying to get to know you.

“Alright, well what about you? Maybe I need an example answer,” You joked, trying to shift the attention off you but Jungkook didn’t hesitate.

“I want someone I can relax around?” Jungkook was honest, “Someone I want to introduce to people close to me and someone that makes me think about them all day.”

“How do you decide who that person is?” You asked, moving your hair off your shoulder as you ate.

Jungkook smiled, “I don’t know. I just feel it.”

You talked about random things here and there. He explained what exactly he did at the banking firm and you told him your aspirations to be a hair stylist when you were younger. He asked why you never pursued it and you told him financial issues which made the conversation slightly awkward but it never ended.

By the time you finished and Jungkook footed the rather expensive bill, you rode down the elevator peacefully and walked out the building. Once the valet brought the car back around, you were less nervous to be riding in it than earlier and sat comfortably.

“I hope you don’t mind but I got you something,” Jungkook said once he was seated, “I wanted to wait till after dinner and then I forgot it.”

He reached under his seat where he had placed a small box earlier. You sat beside him watching him feel around for it, “Oh you didn’t have to—“

“I wanted to,” Jungkook said, placing a small box on your lap as he drove onto the street, “Think of it as a thank you for coming out with me tonight.”

“It’s nice but… isn’t it too much?” You swallowed dryly, looking at the simple Cartier bracelet, scared to even touch it, “I don't know what to say, thank you?”

“Don’t think about it, I just… I liked it and I wanted to gift you something,” Jungkook said honestly. He liked giving gifts and yesterday he was shopping for a new watch with Jin and he ended up finding the bracelet instead. For some reason he thought of you and before he could stop himself he bought it. It was one of the simple ones, not that expensive at all so he hopes you don’t think he’s stingy with money or anything. He’ll get you something better the next time you see each other. He cleared his throat awkwardly, “Do you need help getting it on?”

You nodded shyly, unsure if you should take the gift but would it be rude to turn it down? What did he expect you to do after? You don’t mean to compare but Taehyung would never give you something like this. The most he spent on you is when he helped you get a new flatscreen but even then he only paid for half of it. When the car stopped at a red light, he quickly shifted in his seat to reach you better. With a hand around your wrist he pulled you forward as he helped you with the clasp. He was quite particular with how it looked on you and made sure the pearl motif sat at the center of your wrist.

It didn’t go unnoticed how he held your hand now as the light turned green. You didn’t pull back and let his thumb graze over your soft knuckles, “Pretty.”

Confusion rendered you silent on the ride back. It’s not that you were ungrateful but you were skeptical. You’ve never met let alone gone out with a man like him and you had no idea what to make of this gift. Was he seriously giving it to you or did you have to do something to earn it? Was he interested in you or just bored? Would a man like him just give someone a thousand dollar bracelet for no reason?

“You can just park right here,” You mumbled quietly as you pointed to a spot in front of your building. He opened your door for you and looked up at the building. Earlier he missed how the street lamp flickered giving everything a ghostly shadow. You let him walk you up feeling slightly embarrassed by the appearance of the staircase and hall but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Thanks for everything, seriously,” You said as you stood at your front door. At some point his hand had found its way to yours again and was softly running his thumb against your knuckles, “Are you sure about the gift?”

“I don’t accept gifts back,” Jungkook laughed softly, “Besides, it looks better on you than it would me. I’m showing my gratitude for having you out tonight. I enjoy your company.”

“Good, I like talking to you too,” you smiled warmly and he couldn’t help but mirror it.

“So when can we go out again? What’s your schedule like this week?” Jungkook asked hopefully.

“So you’ll visit me or take me out?” You asked playfully, more forward than earlier and his smile grew.

“Both, perhaps?” He asked.

Now, you don’t usually do anything on the first date. There was a big ‘If’ about the possibly of going out with the person again but Jungkook has been better than you could’ve imagined. It doesn’t make sense why he’s single and interested in you of all people.

Before you could think of what to do, he was moving closer. His touch was soft but there was no denying the way his hand wandered up to your waist, pulling you into him gently. You wrapped an arm around his neck before you could overthink it and leaned onto your tiptoes. Jungkook smiled, his other hand cupping your chin and tilting your face up. His lips brushed against yours teasingly, taking a moment before pressing them together in a first kiss.

You both were nervous at first but it was like something inside you came to life and you kissed him with more intent. Jungkook welcomed it, smiling a little into the kiss as he pulled back to catch his breath.

“I should go inside,” You giggled softly, turning away feeling flustered.

A small sigh left his lips, holding you close to him, “I’ll call you.”

It took less than a week for Jungkook to reveal to his close friends who the mysterious person he’s been seeing was. He was not trying to keep you a secret at all but there was only so much he wanted to say to them all and it was the basics. You were a just nice girl he’s met and went on a date with, but even that was enough for all the interrogations to arise.

“So how far did you guys go?” Hoseok and his hyper sexual mind felt the need to ask, “Or were you a true gentleman and settled for a hug?”

“We kissed,” Jungkook said, licking his lips at the memory, dealing his own cards for their next round of poker, “I’m taking it slow as of now.”

“Why’s that? The gala is not too far, shouldn’t you be focused on who is attending with you?” Namjoon asked, ashing his cigarette in the tray to the left of him. Jungkook ignored half of what his friend said as he readied to play.

“Y/n seems very different from me and I just don’t want to scare her off just yet,” Jungkook said honestly, thinking back to your reaction when he gave you the bracelet. He, of course, never assumed you came from much money especially considering he knew where you worked and lived but it wasn’t a problem to him. He was more worried if you’d manage in his life with the people he’s close to. It’s something he often wonders when the possibility of a relationship comes to mind but usually this is weeks into dating. The two of you have barely gone on one date and for some reason he’s already envisioning the future and what it could look like.

“Holy shit, that’s like a thousand bucks,” Yeaun looked over the bracelet, “And he just gave it to you? Where can I find a guy like that?”

“I guess,” You said, shifting your eyes to Yoongi as if he had the answers. The two of you stood behind the bar while Yeaun sat at the counter. It was early in the evening and you’ve been since 2:00pm and ready for your shift to end. Your friend’s been here ‘studying’ for over an hour but she’s been too distracted listening to your date stories. The bar was empty aside from a couple stragglers who got off work early but nothing crazy and it put you at ease.

“Does he know about Taehyung?” Yoongi asked curiously.

“No, it was a first date. I didn't think I had to dish out all my problems so soon and scare him off,” You joked as you looked down at the bracelet, “Besides, who knows how long this will last.”

“Have you talked since then?” Yeaun asked, leaning against the counter with interest.

“A little, yeah. He works at a bank so he’s got long hours at the office so I don’t really expect him to reach out to me much,” You told them honestly, “And who knows, it might’ve just been a one time thing.”

You shrugged it off like it wasn’t a big deal but part of you wondered if he’d reach out for another date or not. He said he would but who knows. People make promises all the time.

“Ugh, but he sounds like a dream—a dream with money,” Yeaun pretended to swoon as she gathered her things and stuffed them into her book bag, “Alright, I’ve gotta go home and study, keep me updated though. Bye guys.”

You waved her off and turned to Yoongi as he polished some glasses. He gave you a small sigh, “I like the guy, he always tips well.”

As your shift came to an end and you left Yoongi to deal with the night people, you got on the bus to take your usual route home.

jungkook: will you be working tonight?

you: I just got off actually

jungkook: I wanted to see you :(

You read the message at least three times unable to think of a response.

jungkook: have you eaten? shall we get dinner?

Just as you hurried to type, your phone began to ring and a smile came to his face, “You really are impatient, giving me no time to answer.”

Jungkook smiled as he drove over the familiar bridge that closed the gap between you, “Sorry, I’m not used to waiting. What are you doing then?”

“I’m on the bus, a couple stops away from home,” You told him looking at the passing buildings and the way the sun had fully set now, “What time do you want to meet for dinner?”

“Now?” Jungkook asked, “I’m not too far from your place, I’ll wait—or better yet what’s the next stop and I’ll meet you.”

Jungkook’s Porsche looked strange parking at The bus stop waiting for you and you felt slightly embarrassed by your appearance. Compared to last time you were nowhere near as out together and it was clearly evident you’ve just gotten off work. Jungkook was in his office attire but he still managed to look good.

“If you had given me a little more time I would’ve gotten dressed up for you,” You said light heartedly as he greeted you with a hug and kiss on your cheek.

“But I like seeing you like this too, reminds me of that black skirt you wore the first night I met you,” Jungkook said, taking your hand in his, “So where’s the restaurant you were talking about?”

Something has begun to really sprout between the two of you. Part of it still feels superficial to an extent but that’s how it’s supposed to feel. You’re not supposed to jump into anything so fast…

Yes, you’ve been meeting up a lot more regularly but you still keep each other at a distance. When you meet it’s usually out and tonight Jungkook wanted to be somewhere comfortable with you. He understood you got off work at the bar late and the last thing you wanted to do was go out so he opted for another way he could see you.

“Can I come over instead?” He asked as he sat at the bar one night. It was late, Yoongi had shut the music off and the lights turned on giving everyone a hint that it was closing time. Jungkook had arrived a couple hours before midnight to keep you company. Now that you’re closing he knows there’s a chance the night would come to an end soon and it’s the last thing he wanted. He had a stressful day at work that involved a meeting with the CFO—his father, about some reports. It spiraled into a conversation about the gala and who he thinks Jungkook should go with.

He had wanted to tell his father then that he wasn’t interested in being set up on a date because he had you but he struggled saying it. He doesn’t know where the two of you stand but he wants to figure it out. Jungkook watched you wipe the counters as Yoongi counted registers and he even helped wipe down a few chairs for you as he waited for a response. If the people at the office or his friends saw him cleaning up after strangers they’d laugh in surprise. He wasn’t the type to get his hands dirty and that’s exactly what he’s doing just to be with you.

Usually you always changed the subject when he asked, or hinted at him to go somewhere else instead but it was so late nothing would be open. Taehyung would be asleep if he was home but that was very unlikely. It was the weekend and he was most likely with his friends getting drunk somewhere and looking for an after party. There’s a chance he wouldn’t come home at all so what excuse did you have to turn Jungkook down?

In the end, you gave in and once the bar was closed, Jungkook drove straight to your apartment. He climbed up the familiar stairs, walked down the familiar aisle and stood behind you as you unlocked the door, warning him about a possible mess. Now, you weren’t cruel. Jungkook wasn’t walking in completely blindsided by the idea that you had a roommate but you weren’t totally up front with him. He knew your roommate was a guy but he wasn’t so sure about the relationship between you two.

Taehyung was half-asleep on the couch and Jungkook looked at him with furrowed brows as he followed into your room. You sighed, “Sorry, my roommate’s here.”

“It’s fine,” Jungkook said with a shrug as he began to unbutton the cuff of his shirt so he could roll the sleeves up, “How do you know him again?”

He wanted to ask more but he had to be patient.

“Do you want me to be honest?” You asked nervously but he nodded his head and waited.

“He’s my ex boyfriend. There’s still over six months on our lease but we’ve been broken up for… I think as long as I’ve known you now. We’re stuck living together until the lease is up,” You confessed in a single breath, “He sleeps on the couch now.”

“Your ex boyfriend?” Jungkook looked at the closed door, imagining the man who slept on the other side of it and his chest tightened. Why didn’t he just move out or why didn’t you? Was it a money issue, no one to let you crash out their place?

“Yeah but don’t worry, we don’t talk at all,” You tried to reassure him but you could tell he was too busy in his head, “What are you thinking?”

“Is this you?” He asked, holding up a picture frame in hands and staring at who appeared to be you but years younger. A small smile played on his lips that made you feel flustered as you took the frame from him, “Yes, don’t look at it. I was in a phase.”

“I can tell,” he joked playfully, looking around for something new to take his attention. Admittedly your place was small and it seemed like you had everything that expressed you shoved into your small bedroom. He understood you lived with someone else but is that what it’s like? What in this room belonged to Taehyung? You once shared it so there had to be something and that didn’t sit right with him. He had no need to get jealous but it made his throat dry to think about.

“What? You didn’t have something you were obsessed with growing up?” You asked, sitting against your row of pillows as he took a seat on your armchair. There was a vase of orchids on your vanity and books surrounding him as he stayed back.

“I was hyper fixated on water polo as a kid,” He confessed randomly, “But then there was an accident with my horse and I couldn’t do it anymore.”

“Wait, that’s kind of sad,” You sat straighter, “But water polo?”

“Yeah, I switched to rowing and tennis when I was in college,” Jungkook said, and you looked at him curiously. Even in his business attire you can tell he had a lean, muscular body and you couldn’t help but stare. With an awkward clear of your throat you looked away, “Would you like a drink?”

“I can’t, I have to make it home tonight,” Jungkook said with a sigh as he stared out the window to his side. It was late and he wanted to spend more alone time with you but he probably couldn’t.

“Already?” You asked patting the left side of your bed as if calling for him. He looked between you and the spot, heart beating fast and he thought about it.

“Oh, if you insist,” He watched the way you rolled your eyes playfully, and laid back in your bed a little more, “You know, for some reason I’m comfortable around you even though we still don’t know each other that well. I think you did something to me.”

“Like?” You asked with a hint of amusement.

“You’re easy to talk to and I’m not used to that,” Jungkook said, noticing the distance between you getting smaller, shoulders nearly brushing against each other, legs angled in and your hand right in his reach. He took it shyly, looking over the bracelet he gave you last time.

Jungkook was being honest now. He doesn’t understand how or why but once he met you, he felt good.

“You like me that much?” You smiled teasingly and he couldn’t help but smile too. In the beginning he always took you to be indifferent. You didn’t pay more attention to him than you needed to and clearly you had things going on in your life that stressed you out.

When you began talking to him he finally got a hint of interest in your part but he found you hard to read—he still does. You smile more often now and joke around, go out with him, but want more. If you’re closed off because of the relationship with the guy who slept outside the bedroom then he really can’t stand him.

“I do,” Jungkook smiled harder, leaning into you, “And I’ve been thinking about kissing you again.”

Alone in your bedroom with a guy who’s nice and handsome and charming and… overall dreamy made things hard to resist. You kissed him shyly, lips pressed against his and he felt himself sink into your bed even further. His hands found the belt loops of your jeans and he hooked a finger using it to pull on top of him. You both were still dressed in your work clothes but neither of you seemed to care.

He hugged your hips, soft lips hungry for more of your touch and his mind went blank. Your hands cupped his face and you didn’t shy away from his wandering hands that snuck under your plain black tee and felt along your spine. With your body pressed to his, you rolled onto your back with him following after you, never wanting to break apart.

You don’t know how long you stayed like that, kissing heavily and hands roaming but never straying too far. He didn’t push you for more even when you felt the way you affected him. Instead he kept the pace mutual, made you feel good and cared for.

By the time your lips were too swollen and sore, you had to pull back. His breathing was heavy and his hair was a mess of tousled black hair. He looked more of a wreck than you did and you couldn’t help but laugh softly trying to fix the collar of his white button up.

“I’ve got a meeting in a few hours,” Jungkook mumbled against your skin as he checked the time on his watch. It was way past midnight and he had to be ready by 7:00am. The drive home was nearly a half hour and he hadn’t prepared himself that well. As much as he wants to stay in your bed he knew he had to go.

You whined softly, hugging him closer before easing off. You let him stand up and he tucked the part of his shirt that had slipped out and attempted to fix his hair. There was an obvious bulge in his slacks that he tried to ignore even when you looked so inviting. It would be so easy for him to fall back into bed and keep going but he had to be responsible. Sadly, responsibility came in the form of having self control and remembering he’s got work tomorrow.

“I’ll walk you out,” You said with a small sigh. It was late and you had to be up early for the morning shift so it was right to end things. You needed to get out of your jeans and into bed. The two of you left your room quietly. His hand was on your waist, following you blindly out with his shoes in his hands and a calm smile.

“I'll call you tomorrow,” Jungkook whispered his promise as you unlocked the front door. He stood in the brightly lit hallway now. The goodbye was sweet and he found himself lingering behind when you shut the door. He couldn’t make out the full conversation but your ex didn’t seem to have been sleeping at all.

“Who was that?” Taehyung asked, sounding tired or irritated. He was laying down but with the light from the hall shining in you can make out the shape of his open eyes.

“A friend,” You said blandly.

“Can you do me a favor and keep your friends out of here?” Taehyung asked bitterly, “It’s my apartment too. I’ve already given you the room, the least you can do is respect me enough to not bring guys over on my bed.”

He stood alone in his office, trying to take a break from the busy day he’s had. Back to back meetings, lunch with his father, endless paperwork, hearing Hoseok scold him about not going further with you, etc., he needed a break. His phone sat on his desk and it was taking everything inside him not to call you. He’s tried distracting himself with the view outside his windows but it wasn’t working.

“I’m just saying, what’s taking you so long? If you actually liked this girl wouldn’t you have gone for it?” Hoseok asked with a shrug of his shoulders, “She’s got you whipped and you haven’t even done anything, that’s crazy.”

“It’s not even like that, Y/n’s just…” Jungkook looked nervous like when he had a school crush and would get teased about it, “I wanted to—she lives with her ex.”

“Red flag,” Jimin chimed in from his corner of Jungkook’s office, “Why?”

“Because she still lives with her ex, obviously. There’s still something there or else she would’ve moved out by now don’t you think?” Jimin explained making Jungkook run his fingers through his hair anxiously.

“Maybe money’s tight. Y/n said their lease still has another six months,” Jungkook bit his lip.

“Help her pay to end it then, duh,” Hoseok said with a shrug, knowing money wasn’t a problem for him or his friends, “Free her from the shackles of past relationships.”

This time Jungkook didn’t say anything because he was too busy thinking about it. He could help you pay it off, maybe even find you a new place but would you want him to? You always seem so tired after working both jobs and although he hasn’t made it official, he doesn’t like seeing the person he’s dating stressed all the time. He could easily take the weight off your shoulders if you let him.

“Isn’t Jungkook’s problem that he hates dating women after his money? Why are you volunteering him to pay for some random girl’s rent?” Hoseok asked with a scoff, “The girl I set you up with would never, FYI.”

He rolled his eyes, sinking back into his chair, “I don’t care about that girl. I care about Y/n.”

“So make it official, offer her help, and take her to the gala. Boom!” Jimin clapped like he solved world hunger.

He was going to, he planned to at least, he was just thinking of how to do it. It should be something simple but for some reason he’s nervous to do it. Everyone has already been nagging him about his personal life and as much as he’d like to keep you to himself, part of him also wants to show you off. You’re not what he expected

When he was alone in his office, he spent his time thinking about what you could be doing right now and how badly he wanted to see you. All you’ve done is make out and he wants to do more but he’s also happy about the pace you’re taking things. It seems right. He’s not jumping to get into your pants and you’re not running to his pockets. He respects you and finds you too stunning to let go even if you lead different lives.

After work, he headed right to where he’d find you and you were talking with some college guys who ordered shots at the bar. They were in some university jackets and seemed perfectly content taking up your time.

“Are those for me?” Yoongi asked, stepping out from the walk-in fridge of alcohol. He pointed at what Jungkook was holding and it seemed to catch your attention too, finally making you look over at him. Your eyes softened, standing up as he got to the bar.

He held a large bouquet of orchids, various types of the flower, some pink, some white, a little bit of both, a hint of yellow. They looked pretty and he held them out to you as he responded to Yoongi, “Sorry, hyung. Maybe next time.”

“I didn’t know you were stopping in tonight,” You said, taking the flowers graciously. Now that you’re sort of seeing each other he hasn’t been stopping regularly. Usually he sees you in your free time and occasionally if he goes to the bar but it’s usually at the end when not many people are left and you’re about to close.

“I meant to call but I forgot, forgive me?” He asked with a teasing smile, eyes glazed over as he watched you, “I just wanted to ask you something.”

You didn’t hesitate to step out with him, alone in front of your job, clutching the bouquet in your hands.

“So, I’ve been kind of pushing it off because I’m not sure what you’ll think, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I can’t wait much longer to ask,” Jungkook started off with a nervous scoff, “And now that we’re out here and I’ve distracted you from work, it’s probably shitty timing but—“

“Jungkook,” You said, looking up at him, “What do you want to ask me?”

“Will you go out with me? I mean… I know we’ve gone on a few dates here and there but I don’t think to keep going with this without asking you for a relationship. I want to get to know you more and more and I don’t want to think about you possibly misreading my intentions and I just… really want to be your boyfriend,” Jungkook finished.

A smile spread on your lips as you leaned into him, one hand around his neck while the other held the bouquet from falling. His hands fell effortlessly on your waist, pulling you closer, feeling you nod your head against him, “Is this a yes?”

“Yes,” You kissed his cheek, “Orchids are my favorite also.”

“Really?” He asked feigning surprise, “I guess I was lucky picking them out.”

“Are you staying for a drink?” You asked pulling back despite his hold.

“I don’t think so, I’ve got another crazy day tomorrow and I’ve got some errands to run. Do you close tonight?” Jungkook asked, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “You work too much?”

“I work too much?” You asked with a laugh, “You’re the one with back to back meetings.”

It was oddly endearing seeing the way he pouted despite his tough exterior. He wore a black suit and his hair was combed back, driving his usual Porsche but then pouting at you rather cutely and delivering you your favorite flowers.

“You’re right, I’ll take a few days off and spend all my time with you,” Jungkook said playfully, “If you think I’m clingy now just you wait.”

“Okay, okay,” You pushed against his chest lightly, “I have to get back inside before Yoongi kills me. Thank you for the flowers.”

“Mhm,” Jungkook bit his lip, keeping you close to him still as he refused to let go of your hand, “Can I get a kiss before you go?”

You sighed, pretending to find it bothersome but let him pull you back. You kissed him goodbye with a promise to call him when you get home and went inside as he drove off.

The flowers looked pretty in the clear cylinder vase you fit them into once you got home that night. You ignored it when Taehyung slammed the door and set the flowers on your vanity, smiling a little to yourself as you got ready for bed.

It took a week for him to officially ask you to be his date for the event of the year. He wanted to appreciate the tranquility he had with you at least a little before he brought you to everyone close to him. He didn’t want your opinion about him changing but he also wanted to show you off finally. In the end, he asked you over dinner and you had no reason to turn him down.

You didn’t fully understand what he was inviting you to and the gift he left for you one day only left you more confused.

“Just try it on, baby,” Jungkook urged you on as he busied himself in your bedroom while you stared at the box on your bed, “I’m sorry I couldn’t find anything better at the last minute but you’ll look beautiful either way.”

He already thought you looked pretty with how you styled your hair and makeup, you just needed a pretty bustier gown with orchids to match. It was a vintage Dolce & Gabbana dress that accentuates your figure nicely. Your neck looked plane but he fixed that with a few gold pieces and rushed you out the room. Taehyung wasn’t home—not that either of you cared if he was—but if you could avoid him the better. You didn’t need him looking at you some type of way and you’re sure Jungkook could go without it too.

“I could’ve found something to wear, you didn’t have to,” You tried to say but it was clear he wasn’t listening.

“I wanted to,” Jungkook fixed the cuffs of his suit, checking the time on his watch. “We’ll be late if we don’t get going now.”

When he first told you about the charity gala, you weren’t sure what to expect. Maybe a few auctions, some guest speakers or small press but this was so much more than that. Hundreds of people filed into the large venue, chandeliers held high and disco balls spinning. Everyone wore suits and beautiful dresses who wore them more confidently than you did yours. There were performance acts happening all around you and a few people you’ve seen on television in attendance. Without meaning to, you leaned against Jungkook as he navigated through the seating and found your table.

“Look who’s finally decided to let us meet his girlfriend,” Someone said from the table as Jungkook searched around for his place card. Usually, he sat with his parents and his brother and his family but he started with his friends first. The others were busy speaking on stage and right now the guys seemed less intimidating.

“Y/n, this is Jimin, you’ll learn he never thinks before he speaks,” Jungkook joked, making you want to smile but unsure if you should.

“You clean up nicely for a waitress,” Someone else said and Jungkook looked up immediately. Hoseok was obviously joking—perhaps to impress the girl he’s been seeing and the one he set Jungkook up with for a date [who was surprisingly on Jin’s arm now]. One of the girls snickered, making your brows furrow.

“Don’t be an asshole,” Namjoon told him off, directing Jungkook to sit down, noticing how ready he was to speak up.

“You’re prettier than he said,” Namjoon told you with a polite smile. Jungkook’s hand rested on the back of your chair as he looked around for his parents before asking you, “Just ignore some of the stuff they say. I’ll handle it.”

“I’m not worried,” You admitted, sitting straighter as you looked at your name plaque on the dining set in front of you. He smiled down at you, “You are prettier than I first said.”

“So what’s it like busting tables, Y/n?” Some woman asked you and Jungkook turned, clearly annoyed. He couldn’t understand why Hoseok would bring the girl he went on a date with to the gala as Jin’s date instead. It didn’t make sense and once again his dear friend was bringing questionable guests.

“About as pleasant as your company,” You said with a smile, “Perhaps a bit more, I’d assume? I don’t know, I'm not a waitress.”

You were a bartender and a cashier, if this random woman is going to insult you could she at least be accurate? Either way, there’s nothing wrong with being in the service industry but judging by everyone around the table, they all look down it. You looked at Jungkook, in his designer suit, wearing the designer dress he bought you and feeling very obviously out of place.

“I’m gonna go to the washroom,” You whispered to him and concern flickered in his eyes. Your hand barely grazed his shoulder as you stood up and he placed his hand over it keeping you from leaving just yet.

“Everything okay?” He asked, not caring for anyone else at the table but you at the moment. You nodded with a gentle smile, “Yes, I’ll be right back.”

When you left the table it seemed like everyone was able to catch a proper breath, all looking at Jungkook as if he had something to say. He didn’t let you get too far out of his sight before he stood up too.

“Where are you going?” Jimin asked with an amused expression, “I want Y/n back, she’s cute.”

“I’m gonna find us better company,” Jungkook said as he looked at the women and Hoseok, “Sober company.”

“Come on man, we’re just messing around,” he said turning to Jin hoping for some help but Jin chose to stay out of it, “She’s great, honestly. Not what I expected.”

“Hobi,” one of the girls complained but Jungkook was taking his drink and leaving.

You tried to fix your appearance in the mirror but there wasn’t anything specific you could point to. There was just something that felt wrong and maybe it was being here at all. Maybe you’re moving too fast? You’ve already agreed to go out with him and you have strong feelings for him but if those are his friends… and these are the parties he attends… maybe you’re not cut out for it.

The women were flooded in designer and a sort of elegance you’re sure you didn’t possess and the others seemed just as luxurious. You work two jobs to keep a shitty roof over your head while you’re attending a ball in a dress worth more than what you make in a month. You might act like you’re not nervous but you’re anxious. It feels like you’re pretending to be comfortable. Do you deserve this sort of treatment from him? All he’s done since you met him is keep you company, shower you in gifts, listen you every word you said, and… brought you around those close to him but were you right for him?

He seemed too good for you.

“I was beginning to think you ran out on me,” Jungkook said with a chuckle as he watched you jump in surprise. He stood near the entrance to the washrooms and waited for you to come out for what felt like forever.

“You really are impatient,” You teased as he pulled you into his arms, pressing a kiss to the corner of your lips, “Is everyone still at the table?”

“Probably,” Jungkook said, taking your hand in his and walking through the crowds, “But I’m sick of them, let’s do our own thing for now.”

Jungkook was as attentive as ever. He introduced you to anyone who came up to him and he looked genuinely happy to have you there by his side. You haven’t been seeing each other for long at all, but it feels right. At one point you reunited with his friends, except Jimin was off somewhere with Jin and the two girls. The rest welcomed you just fine and asked you questions about yourself. Sometimes Jungkook would say something about you that you had no idea he knew. Hoseok found it adorable how he spoke for you with a sense of pride or excitement. It was obvious to anyone who paid attention that Jungkook felt strongly for you and you for him. Although hesitant to let you in, you seemed to charm your way with his friends and it made him happy to see how well you fit in.

“Leaving already?” Namjoon asked when Jungkook made his rounds of farewell to everyone he knew.

“Yeah, we’re… tired,” Jungkook said but the smile on his face said otherwise, “And it’s late.”

“Hm,” Namjoon seemed amused as he looked down at the arm Jungkook had around your waist and how it ran along your hip, holding you close. The two of you looked like proper lovers on their honeymoon and he couldn’t help but laugh, knowing neither of you were close to tired—just ready to leave.

He smirked, “Have fun.”

“What did that mean?” You asked as Jungkook led you out but he just shrugged. Valet brought his car and you got in with him.

“Don’t know,” Jungkook said leaning over the middle consoled to kiss you, “Will you spend the night at my place?”

“I don’t have clothes,” You said, smiling at the way he seemed to deject, worrying at his bottom lip.

“I mean… we won’t really need tha—“

“Jungkook!” You hit his arm playfully, making him laugh. He drove to his place with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on your thigh. He lived in a penthouse in the sky, at one of the most expensive apartments in the whole city. The entire ride up the elevator was filled with his rough hands holding you in his arms, telling you how beautiful you looked tonight.

“I can’t take too much credit,” You teased, arms around his neck as you went to the top floors, “You’re the one who picked out the dress.”

“It’s not about the dress,” Jungkook whispered, cupping your face in his hands, “It’s about the person wearing it.”

“And what about when I’m not wearing it?” You asked, stepping out of the elevator once it got to his floor. You walked ahead of him and he couldn’t help but look after you. Your hips swayed with each step, walking so effortlessly in a dress that accentuated your shape. It had his attention all night and he knew tonight was the night he’d have you. You were hard to resist but he was patient, he waited for the right timing to make sure what he felt was right and it was. He was so into you it was all he could think about.

“Y/n,” Jungkook called for you before you could skip too far from him. The two of you stood in the foyer now and he was taking your hand in his to keep you from wandering too far inside. His place was huge, the entrance alone had a level of class you didn’t expect. It was a two level penthouse with a grand staircase and pool on the balcony. Your heels created an echo that felt never endless and in the middle of the foyer was a rounded table with a small stack of mail and a large vase of orchids.

Now you feel bad always dragging him to your small bedroom in an apartment you shared with an ex boyfriend. It was something Jungkook never seemed bothered by—even when Taehyung would make a fuss about something—and that made you feel even more embarrassed.

You were too distracted to notice when he closed the space between you, hands on your waist as he pulled you against him.

“You’ve been handsy all night, y’know,” You teased him with a smile, turning in his arms to face him. He let his forehead lean against yours, and closed the space between your lips until you were kissing.

There was a hint of a smile into the kiss as he deepened it by dipping his head low, mouths moving in sync. Even with your heels, you couldn’t quite reach him and tried to lean upward.

Jungkook’s hands traced down your waist, falling to your hips and without pulling away, pulled you onto the table, sliding his mail to the floor. A light squeal left your lips, holding him tighter, “Jungkook.”

“I can’t help it,” He began to trail soft kisses down your neck, nibbling here and there to get a reaction out of you, “I’ve been good all the time.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, a cute and amused laugh that made him smile. One of the straps of your dress slipped down your shoulders and he hooked a finger into the thin fabric and pushed it back into spot. Jungkook didn’t hesitate to help you down from the table, not yet letting you go but walked toward the staircase “And I’ve got you all alone now. Nobody asking you for another round of drinks, or your… roommate, just you and I. I don’t think I can hold back any longer.”

With that being said, he guided you up the stairs taking you down a hallway toward the main bedroom. It was modern and dark with a wall of windows that overlooked the city lights. His bed was at the center with black sheets that he set you down and begins kissing you again.

Your hands ran down the front of his suit, pushed the jacket off and untucked it from his slacks. Every time you see him he’s dressed so nicely but you wanted to see what it looked like underneath. One time it had been late and last minute when he saw you and was dressed in a casual hoodie and sweats. You made out on your bed but never got far enough to take your clothes off. You know he’s muscular and lean but you needed to see it all.

Although your pace of undressing him was quick to your knowing, it wasn’t enough for him. He yanked at the buttons, pulling it off and your jaw nearly dropped.

"Tattoos?" You questioned with surprise, as he sat back on his haunches playing with the buckle of his belt. He unclipped the back of his silver watch, throwing it on the floor and pulled his belt fully out of the loops.

“Surprising?” He responded looking down at. Your dress was ruffled up around your waist and your legs looked smooth. You sat back on your hands to meet him halfway for another kiss and while his mouth was concentrated on yours and your tongues danced against each other, he slipped his hands down your back. Your dress had a lower back cut, barely held together by a ribbon that had been tempting him all night. How easy it would have been to undo it and kiss along your spine.

A soft gasp slipped past your lips and swallowed by his as he pushed the straps off your shoulder and let it pool around your breasts. He slipped it further down exposing more of yourself to him and he kissed down your neck. You were slowly fall back into his pillows with his mouth against your collarbone, guiding you to your back so he could take the dress off you.

He left wet kiss down your chest, hands tracing along your ribcage as you arched into him and your breasts fell and rose with each heavy breath you took. mouth left wet kisses down to your collarbone and between your breasts. You let out a sigh feeling his gentle touch and he cupped your soft mound, squeezing lightly before he brought his lips to your hardening bud.

“Is this good?” Jungkook asked almost shyly, tongue sneaking a touch on your nipple as his thumb swiped over it feeling it begin to stiffen. You could barely form words to respond when he repeated the actions a couple times.

"Jungko—ngh," you whined wriggling around a little for more. He looked up at you through a mess of hair and his teasing tongue flicked your nipple as his other hand groped the flesh of your left breast.

You touched along his back wanting to feel more of him pushing your breasts in his face and he drooled all over your boobs, sucking and licking your skin while you arched into him.

Once his tongue had grown sore, Jungkook moved along down your stomach pulling on it in hopes that he could get it off. With a small huff in annoyance, he sat back, looking down at your half naked body and tried to work out a way to take it off you. He raised your legs against his shoulders, sliding the flimsy fabric off and throwing it to the floor next to his shirt.

It didn’t go ignored the fact that you had been completely bare underneath, your pubic area exposed to him as you’ve gone all night with no panties and it was only now he realized.

“You had nothing under this entire time?” Jungkook asked, finally pulling his own pants down, not bothering to wait to get his briefs off and did them both at the same time. He barely gave you time to appreciate the veins leading down his V-line toward his hardened cock before he was leaning down to kiss you again, “If I would’ve known we would’ve never left your apartment.”

“Good thing I didn’t tell you then,” You said between gasps when he licked the shell of your ear, pressing his naked body against yours.

Tonight had been something he’s known for months and a yearly event that he needed to attend. If he had known and seriously kept you in bed you’re sure he would’ve heard an earful. You only chose to go bare so you wouldn’t get a panty line on the dress.

He must’ve liked your chest because he went back to your breasts hungrily latching onto a nipple again, choosing not to respond anymore as he got lost in your warmth.

Like earlier when he got the dress off, he hitched your right leg up until it was bent close to your stomach, exposing more of your wet pussy to his greedy eyes. Silky strings of arousal glazed over your folds making him run his tongue along his bottom lip. Jungkook was focused on your wet cunt, dragging a finger along the center where your juices puddled at your entrance. It was a wet, creamy sort of slick that coated his fingers and your clit.

You released a moan at stimulation, jaw going slack when Jungkook gripped your hips with his free hand and pressed you firmly to the bed. Making sure you wouldn’t squirm away, he dropped to his stomach, face between your lips as he went for a taste.

His lips were soft against your folds, eyes locked onto the sight of your puffy lips and let his tongue lick up the puddle of arousal. He practically sucked on it for a taste and left open mouth kisses on your cunt. You gripped the bed sheets tightly, legs threatening to shut but whenever you tried to squirm his head followed your movements.

Jungkook could barely breathe but it felt unnecessary as he nipped at your labia, sucking it into his mouth and letting your clit rut against the tip of his rounded nose. In all honesty, there was only one thing on his mind right now. He wanted to please you and make you feel good. He wanted to make you forget about any other guy and make you think of him and only him. His mouth closed over the stiffened clit suddenly and he began to lick and suck, feeling the outline of your slit get his chin wet like a dog lapping at water with thirst.

You had to be the sweetest thing to ever grace his tongue and it was making him lose his mind—aimlessly rutting his stiff cock against the bed.

Your head had fully tipped back, no longer paying attention to the pleasure he brought between your legs and sunk into the pillows, staring up at the ceiling moaning. Jungkook watched you succumb to what he gave you and he snaked a hand along your body, feeling the way your stomach caved in with deep breaths and settled a grip on your tits. His fingers were wet and he used the liquid to coat your nipples, rubbing them between fingers and quite literally tongue fucking you with your hips humping his face.

You were in ecstasy with his mouth slobbering all over your cunt. You couldn’t remember the last time you let someone touch you—pleasure you. It surely wasn’t with the ex you lived with. You stopped letting him in long before you broke up and even then he didn’t make you feel the way Jungkook did.

"Oh—" you moaned softly, hands in his

dark hair keeping him in place. He didn't say anything only guided you through an orgasm, feeling the way your legs shook and your breath hitched. Your clit twitched in his mouth and he tried to soothe the feeling with tender lips, tongue lapping at your release as you came down from your high.

Your eyes opened, looking right at the red tip of his cock, aching with need and pointing straight at you. He leaked with precum just from what he had done to you and he needed more. You tried to sit up on shaky legs, meeting him halfway for a messy tongue kiss, licking your arousal off his lips and some spit mixed into it. It was nasty but it made him grown with lust, especially when your hand snaked around his mushroom tip.

Jungkook dropped his forehead against your shoulder, staring down at your naked bodies and focusing on the hand you had on him. Your thumb was rubbing against the slit, smearing clear arousal around his head. His brows knitted together, a confused expression as you tried leaning back, managing to pull him into bed. It didn’t take long for him to get the hint and get on his back.

“Baby,” Jungkook tried to warn as you shifted to sit between his legs, leaning down to his stiff member. He was so close already and wasn’t sure how much he’d be able to handle before he had a chance to be inside you. A dry gasp left his lips as you went in without warning.

You flattened your tongue on the underside of his length, teasing a long lick from his base to the tip. Spit pooled in your mouth that you let drool out of your mouth and cover his tip, eyes on him the whole time. His eyes felt heavy but he refused to let them shut, wanting to see the way you took his cock into your mouth seductively.

A deep, throaty men left his lips as you swallowed as much of him as you could; never pulling your eyes off him and his head nearly tipped back with pleasure. Holding the base of his cock with one hand, you begin to bob your head setting a good pace, with your other hand on his muscular thigh.

Your eyes lock on the obvious muscles flexing under your touch, his abdomen more prominent than before and you eyed his tattoos curiously. Whatever you couldn’t fit into your mouth was jerked off by your free hand that would occasionally run a little lower to massage his scrotum.

You can tell he was close which left you with a sense of pride. Your nose pressed into his pubic bone, taking steady breaths as you flattened your tongue and relaxed your throat to fit whatever more you can. Jungkook panted feeling the throb of his cock as his tip hit the back of your throat.

You roughly swallow around him, suppressing a gag and resume to deep throat him.

"Fucking hell," he groaned tossing his head back in bliss, hand hiding his face as it scrunched together in pleasure. Moans were pouring out of his mouth, sounds muffled into his hand, "I'm so—close."

It hit him at once, hips nearly licking from how hard his muscles tightened with pleasure. His cock twitched warning a gag from you before he couldn’t take anymore. You didn’t pull away, swallowing what you could of his release.

Jungkook slowly comes down from his high, hand petting your hair. His eyes were hazy and his mouth dry. It felt like he couldn't move a muscle but he needed to feel your mouth on his. He could taste himself on you and with your aftertaste on his he wished to kiss more, pulling you onto his lap.

It was the best head he’s ever received yet his cock ached for more.

“Condom?” You asked, nipping at his ear lobe making his eyes roll. He didn’t bother to shift you off his lap as he blindly felt around his nightstand for protection.

He let you slide it onto his member, watching it bounce back up, too stiff to budge and held placed a hand at the base as you moved to straddle him.

The expression you made as you sank onto his length was utterly beautiful and you radiated a confidence in taking him that he hadn’t seen before. Every time he’d seen you has led up to this moment where you could finally be as intimate as you please and he wasn’t the only one jumping for the chance. He didn't push to move even if he really wanted to and instead let you adjust. He wanted this to be pleasurable to you too.

"Jungkook," you whined, hands flat on his chest making your tits perk up and he carefully shifted his hips, rolling them up to dig just a little deeper.

“That’s it baby,” he muttered under his breath, watching your hair fall forward as you tried to concentrate on his thrusts. You ground your hips against him and he watched your body shudder with pleasure. It was hypnotic the way you pulled him and he couldn’t help but lean upward, kissing one of your breasts as you rode his dick for the first time.

He groped at your ass, spreading the soft cheeks apart and rammed into you when you threw your head back with a whimper, "Feels good."

You threw your arms around him, suffocating him against your chest as he bounced you on his dick, moaning against your nipples and drooling. Jungkook's nail dug into your soft flesh as he lifted your hips up and down on his cock.

He felt stuck, unable to move his hips as much as he wanted to and with a low grunt, he rolled you onto your back, knees digging into the mattress as your legs wrapped around his waist, “Fuck, I can’t.”

You didn’t pay much attention to his words as Jungkook began to quite literally drop dick inside you, grinding his pelvis into you with each deep thrust and it felt nasty to be fucked this way.

A familiar ring of nerves clenching around his member as it sucked him into your folds. He wasn't going to last much longer either.

He hasn't slept with someone in months and it definitely didn't feel like this. He didn’t give it up to just anyone despite what reputation he might have, and it took him time to sleep with you. He had to feel intimate in other ways before he let himself feel the pleasure you brought him.

“Gonna cum for me?” He asked softly, kissing your jaw and hugging your waist as he dug your pussy out, feeling your nails claw at his back.

“Please,” you begged, snuggling into his neck and his chest tightened with want. He put more purpose into his thrusts, bringing you and himself so close to the edge that you would tip over any moment. You sounded too pretty begging for him to just ignore.

A wave of pleasure washed over you, skin rising with bumps as a shiver ran down your body. He held you tightly as you moaned in euphoria, coming undone once again. Jungkook couldn’t hold on much longer and your legs around him gave him no choice but to fuck the rest of length in you until he came into the condom.

You laid together for a moment, both shaking and softly petty each other as you came down. Jungkook’s fingers combed your hair back and you straightened your sore legs as you let him pull out.

You don’t remember much aside from the drowsiness and he cleaned you up better than you could’ve.

He lied back in bed, pulling the covers over your naked body and fell asleep in your arms.

Once the sun rose into the sky, sneaking into the bedroom through the blinds and waking you from a heavy sleep, you found yourself feeling sore. You attempted to stretch but Jungkook’s arm trapped you against him.

“What time is it?” You mumbled to yourself, looking down at your naked body feeling self conscious as you rolled onto your side to find your phone. It was somewhere out in the foyer with the rest of your things you’d forgotten.

The time on Jungkook’s alarm clock read ten minutes past the bus. You should’ve been on it and on your way to the cafe.

“Y/n,” Jungkook mumbled sleepily, sitting up a little to see what was holding your attention, “Back to sleep.”

“I’m going to be late to the cafe,” You said, attempting to get up but failing miserably once he pulled you back down.

“Who cares about that one, let’s sleep a little longer,” He said and although your heart raced, you can’t help but roll your eyes.

“Don’t you have work today? We’ll both be late,” You tried to reason but your now clingy boyfriend wasn’t hearing any of it.

“I’m in line to be CFO, I can do whatever I want and today I’m choosing to spend as much time with you as possible,” Jungkook said arrogantly but it was so easy to look past when he kissed your palm affectionately.

“Not all of us are as lucky,” You sighed, pressing a quick kiss to his lips as you tried getting out of bed. Instead you just ended up underneath him.

His smile was mischievous, “So I’ve been thinking…”

“Yes?”

“We already barely have time to see each other,” Jungkook said with a small pout, “And you live so far with someone who doesn’t deserve to see you as often as he does…”

“Well, maybe you should come stay with me. I know you said Yeaun doesn’t have the space to let you move in with her and I really don’t want you stressing about rent or living with someone you don’t want to live with,” Jungkook told you, slowly rolling off you once he felt he had your attention, “So what do you say?”

“You live far,” You tried to say, sitting up and clutching the sheets to your front. You weren’t completely opposed to it but shocked nevertheless.

“That’s why I think you should quit at the cafe,” Jungkook said eagerly, “That way you could focus on just one job and have so much more free time. I’ll take you or get you a driver—a car?, whatever you need to get to the bar. I know you like working there but at least you wouldn’t be running back and forth between jobs. I live far but I’m asking you, will you move in with me?”

“I have to think about it,” you sighed, sinking further into bed and the thought of getting up to answer missed calls from your job made you want to hide under the covers. You really did not like working there. It was early hours, shitty pay, and rude people. At least at the bar it was nighttime and the people knew you. And it would be nice to no longer live with Taehyung…

Jungkook couldn’t help but smile, pulling you into his arms knowing you were seriously considering it, “… And if you ever decide you don’t want to be at the bar either… you’ll be with me and have all the time in the world to do what you want.”

“You’re offering too much,” You said playfully, hugging him lovingly, “I’ll really start to think about it.”

“Please, I could give you whatever you want if you just let me,” Jungkook says.

In some strange, unexplainable way, he fell for someone so unlike him. It was effortless and comforting to the point that nothing would bother him about it and all he wanted was to be with you. He could ignore everything else, or solve anything just to be with you.

It’s like you’re what he’s been looking for and he’s what you need—someone trusting, reliable and loving.

Ever since he saw you buying orchids at the convenience store, he can’t help but think of them when he thinks of you. You remind him of one.

Beautiful, charming, graceful. It didn’t matter if you had different upbringings or experiences, all he knows is you’re fit for him and he’s fit for you. He’ll show you things you’ve never seen, treat you to luxuries and care while you teach him more about yourself. Let him really get to know you and what makes you smile.

To do that, you have to let him in.

“So no work?” Jungkook asked hopefully making you roll your eyes, trying not to smile.

“I guess not,” You sighed, feeling him begin to smile against you and hurried to stop him, “But I should still go home.”

“To pack?”

“No, to shower and get dressed,” You corrected him, laughing at how he whined, “Well talk about it more later, last night was…”

“A lot?”

“You can say that”

::.

haven’t posted in forever and I needed to drop something for yall 😭I hope you enjoy it when it’s out and pls bear with me lol. idk if it’s good I’ve been working on it for too long to tell There’s definitely errors and questions yall might have so pls feel free to send it in inbox!

permanent taglist: @notmyfaultbutours @rerefundslocals @fandems @sugaluvmyg @guvgguk @kimyishin @libra04 @saweetspoiled @babycandy111 @jeonninja @skzthinker @beautywine @lilliankoo @lesoleile @burnahtsw @kooloveys @ku-ku @chaelvrx @minnie-mouser22 @whoa-jo @sunnikthv @kochycooky @acielelyseen @giselleswifeee @ilikeitlikethatt @bangmechanpls @lvr2seok @badbyeyoongi @jaerisdiction @watermelonjuice15 @artmsmaid @xyahrinx @angeleen777 7 @jooniesxbby @annabtsangels @hyunjinswifeee @bangtans-momma @butterymin @kaiparkerwifes @junggukjeonfreakinwife @ily4jknity @ryuzakiswife-blog @futuristicenemychaos @honeybunnykoo @aindrila @cherrymoonlightt @parkinglot-nights @llallaaa @crooked-haven @butterflykpoplover @sakuragongju @ackward-maknae @investedreader @junggukjeonfreakinwife

[pisceantarot]

⋆ ｡  𐀔  ° ‧     what you can do to aid your future self, a message from your guides<3

PICK A SCENE AND DISCOVER... what blessings await you in the (near) future? what can you do right now to align with this energy? a channeled message from your guides!

                      ꕤ * ．   pile one.           →           ꕤ * ． pile two.

                      ꕤ * ． pile three.           →           ꕤ * ． pile four.

release all tension in your body, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. ask yourself: "which pile has a message for me today?" when you open your eyes, what image did your eyes fall on? what image do you feel most drawn to energetically? that's your pile!

this reading is timeless! it will cross your path whenever it's meant to find you 🍀 i was called to channel this energy to provide guidance for those who feel a bit stuck right now, but also as a little source of positivity! you are worthy of good things, don't ever forget this 🩷 (stream sunshine & rain by Kali Uchis!)

PILE # 01 :

what's waiting for you?

you're being guided to align with your soul's path. there will be several opportunities and chances (out of nowhere, i'm feeling) headed your way that will be significant for building the future you want for yourself. it might not feel like it, though!! i heard "wait, really?" when i'm channeling the opportunities headed your way, so some of you might be unsure or doubtful about how any of this will benefit you. i'm hearing spirit say that if something feels right, even if it makes no sense at all, go for it! you might be surprised with what you find on the other side<33 (i'm sensing this will set you up with skills, experiences, connections, etc... that will be the key to opening the door to your soul's path!!)

i'm also feeling my heart glow in my chest, so there could be a lot of emotional healing going on!! you'll be making space for love, both self love but also love from others!! (could be romantic, familial, or platonic!) if you've been disconnected from your heart space, i see you finally being comfortable enough to get in touch with this part of yourself. this will feel like a pressure falling off of your shoulders. for those who feel like they always have to fight for love, consideration, attention, etc... i see this coming to an end!! you will feel much lighter and much happier<33 there's a lot of gratitude in this energy!

what can you do now to help your future self?

to me it feels like this pile is going through significant transformations! you're balancing the scales, i'm hearing. whatever you're doing, it's working!! (or at the very least you have all the tools right now to sculpt something beautiful<3 while typing this, i just saw an image of michelangelo's david inside my head... so some of you could quite literally get started on a project that will be your magnum opus 🤭 very exciting energy!! trust your intuition to guide you and take inspired action!!) for those who are seeking to venture into something new, make sure to keep your imposter syndrome in check! you are worthy of sitting at the table with the big guys. you are worthy of putting yourself out there. don't hide yourself because you fear there's no space for someone like you. don't hide because of "what ifs"... spirit wants me to remind you that rome wasn't built in a day, don't set yourself up for failure by expecting too much at once. slow and steady wins the race!! they want you to look back and see how far you've already come. i'm really feeling like this pile is a winner, though, this is very potent energy<3

PILE # 02 :

what's waiting for you?

troubling times are over, is what i'm hearing. you'll finally be able to relax and catch a break! i see a ship sailing on the sea with a shore in sight, so you're very close to the finish line<3 if there's something you've been looking forward to/a project that has to be presented soon, this will go very well!! (i'm seeing either a vacation going well, exams being successful, or a work presentation going exactly how you want it to go!) when i'm in this energy, my body just completely relaxes after a period of stress and hard work. you'll be carrying the fruits of your labor and slowly but surely heal your body from being in "survival mode".

i'm very specifically hearing something about trauma healing as well. spirit is redirecting my attention to my womb, so this could be sexual trauma or trauma associated with motherhood/the relationship with the mother. while this energy does feel very intense and heavy, once you start addressing and nurturing this specific wound an accumulation of creative energy will explode within you. this is perhaps the most beautiful blessing of all: you'll feel inspired again<3 you'll be finding purpose. this is very potent energy!! you're on your way to unlock untapped creative potential within yourself which will lead to very blessed future endeavors!!

what can you do now to help your future self?

don't give up! your hard work is paying off, i see a weight being lifted off of your shoulders very soon. if you're feeling stuck or especially unmotivated, i see this ending! don't be too hard on yourself and be gentle with both your body and your mind. while i know i said not to give up, i do feel like some of you need to be extra careful with burn-outs, though... there's a difference between moving forward and growing through discomfort vs pushing yourself to a point of exhaustion while your body is screaming at you to stop. taking care of your body will make you instantly feel better! i'm especially talking about psychical contact with your body (and not necessarily the sexual kind either!) like, you need to be extra gentle with yourself when you put lotion on your body, hugging and caressing yourself while looking in the mirror, etc... gentle and loving touches with your own body will bring you sooooo much comfort, is what i'm hearing! really enjoy feeling the warm water of a hot shower against your skin, really live inside of your body. don't use it as a lump of flesh you have to carry with you, see it as a gift the divine gave you to experience this world. once you start to adore the vessel you live in (even while faced with the chaos of your day to day life) your energy will improve a lot!

PILE # 03 :

what's waiting for you?

my spiritual pile<3 you'll be developing your gifts! i'm getting very much siren vibes, someone who'll be very alluring and has finally found their voice... you could be having a very healing experience near a body of water in the future! i see you very much at peace with your own (feminine) energy and moving into a very harmonious relationship with your mind, body, and soul! this is very nice!! you'll be unlocking a lot of secrets. in my head i'm seeing spirit give you insights on something really special. to me it feels third eye related, as if you'll finally understand the inner workings of yourself as a cog in this universe, and being able to transmute all energies that come your way. (basically turning dirt into gold!) what i'm particularly seeing in my head is a chest with divine secrets, amethysts, and coins being opened by a key only you hold. you're definitely going to have some sort of divine epiphany that will lead to invaluable insights! this could happen while on a walk, i see nature being particularly important for this pile!!

when i'm in this energy, it all feels very mysterious and sensual to me. (when i try to go deeper to discover what this secret could be about, spirit is playfully redirecting me because i'm not supposed to know 😭 this knowledge is only meant for you.) it will reveal itself when the time is right, is what i just heard. regardless you'll be extremely seductive and attractive, i'm seeing someone dance under the moonlight and beckoning me to come closer, you're very magnetic. the next blessings waiting for you will be very spiritually expansive, it will bring you a greater sense of both peace and power!!

what can you do now to help your future self?

i think this pile needs to be reminded of doing their daily spiritual practices 🤭 (if you've been following them dutifully, your guides are very grateful for this!) this pile honestly feels like magic. you're surrounded by magic, you're working with magic, life feels very magical!! i see you being ready to level up, to aim higher, all because you have your basics down. doors will be opening very soon as long as you keep following this path, and your intuition knows exactly where you need to go— even if your brain is still catching up!

i'm feeling two very specific scenarios here, so i'm going to explain both!!

for people practicing loa: consistency is key, keep up with your mental diet! i see you finally finding a routine that works well for you, i see a "aha"-moment where you realise how manifestation works for you. i'm getting the vibes of "master manifestor" here, so i really see you leveling up and moving onto more "ambitious" manifestations. limiting beliefs will disappear. here it's important to go back to basics and not to fall into the trap of overconsumption. yes, you can read all the manifestation posts you like, but if you don't consistently practice what you read then what's the point</3 but you'll have a breakthrough soon enough! i see you really finding something that works for you!!

for people practicing witchcraft: you will be leveling up in your spellwork! consistently sticking to basic routines when it comes to grounding, protecting, and cleansing yourself will pay off with a very solid base. this will allow you to handle much more complex spellwork. i also see your work being much more potent and powerful as your body and mind become more stable. rituals will become much more intense and i'm really sensing that you will be much more connected to the divine. more spiritual powers will course through you as spirit knows it won't harm your vessel, this is what i'm hearing specifically. extremely powerful energy, make sure to give yourself enough rest!!

PILE # 04 :

note: when i started on your pile, i (very loudly, mind you 😭) heard "you are my sunshine" by johnny cash play in my head. the guide stepping forward feels like an elderly figure with masculine energy (doesn't mean they have to be male, though!) who feels very protective over you! i'm getting gentle vibes from them, even though they're a bit rough around the edges!

(this is a very specific message for only a select few of you, so please only take this if you feel called to it, but i need to mention it: if you have a grandparent/elderly figure who passed away, i sense a lot of regret for not loving you enough. i see someone loving you fiercely (on an energetic level now), but they were unable to express this love properly during their life on earth. there's so much regret and sadness surrounding this. they want you to know they're very proud of you!! you might be feeling their energy around you, still<3 it's almost like they want to support you now in ways they weren't able to do before...)

what's waiting for you?

peace. the feeling of standing on top of a hill and looking over a flower field on a warm summer day. you'll feel at peace, your heart is soft. you left your armour behind. you will feel a bit uncertain (exposed and vulnerable), but i see you being brave and strong. it's very possible you just had to make a very important decision. (it could change your life entirely, you had to leave the old behind.) and while you're sad about all that you left, i see you being hopeful for a better future. and brighter days are ahead of you! i'm seeing more love, more appreciation, more confidence!! you're looking for your place in this world. not for what you do, but for who you are.

this could be a pile that's moving away, starting a new job or career, or simply decided to turn their lives around. this will be bittersweet, but i see you remaining hopeful and strong and knowing it's for the best. you're doing amazing, this is the right choice<3 you know yourself best and no one else can make these decisions for you. if you're planning on doing something that feels right to you (regardless of what other people might think or say), i see your guides being extremely proud of you! (they're calling you sunflower in my head!) know that you can face whatever the future has in store for you, know that you are braver and stronger than you think!! your blessings will come from everywhere, i'm sensing, all because you were brave enough to leave the old behind!

what can you do now to help your future self?

i just heard "it's okay". i'm feeling the need to hug you, to comfort you. your guides wish they could hold you and tell you it's okay. while this pile doesn't feel unhappy, i can't help but wonder: "when was the last time someone showed pile 4 they genuinely cared?" if you're feeling lonely, please be extra gentle with yourself. if you're surrounded by people yet something is missing, please don't feel like anything is wrong with you. this pile needs to face wounds regarding loneliness and fears of being truly seen by others. not just the image you project towards others, not the "polite" and "acceptable" version of yourself. no, your heart is shining a very bright light and this light deserves to be seen by others. you deserve to receive a lot more love from the people around you. don't let them take you for granted! take your energy back in case it's needed. i feel once you find peace within yourself, once you're aware of the extend of your worth, things will be changing exponentially!! wishing you so much warmth, pile 4<33

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Guilty As Sin? — Chapter One

pairing: professor!javier peña x f!reader

rating: series is 18+ only, minors DNI, not a lot here beyond some world building, the party starts next chapter :)

word count: 3.6k

series masterlist

Though it was the first day of the fall semester and your first day as an official law student, you felt exactly the way you had the year before when you were a struggling undergrad. Same town, same friends, even the same apartment in the student housing complex right next to campus that you shared with three of your closest friends, Nina, Derrick, and Alondra, who just so happened to be law students as well. 

It seemed every aspect of your life had remained stagnant for the last four years, except for one critical thing—you were now a single woman. Four years of the most confusing, toxic, passionate relationship of your life now dead and buried thanks to your ex-boyfriend’s inability to keep his dick in his pants. You’d have to see him too this semester, though you tried to keep the prospect of an awkward run-in out of your head as you got ready for the day to the sound of a busy apartment. Nina and Derrick had breakfast duty this morning, the two of them shuffling around the kitchen as loudly as they could, it seemed. Alondra, like you, was sitting across the hall in her bedroom blasting Kali Uchis out of her speaker, though after two years of living together the noise didn’t really affect you at all anymore. 

“Food’s ready,” Derrick said, popping his head in the crack of your open door. 

Standing at six-foot-two with brown skin, hazel eyes, plump lips, and the sharpest bone structure you’d ever seen, Derrick was beautiful. The two of you had done an awkward dance ever since you’d known him, with Derrick silently crushing and you silently rejecting him. You didn’t know what it was about him that didn’t appeal to you; he was kind, handsome, and funny, all the things a normal girl could want. 

But you never really felt like a normal girl. 

You liked the men that didn’t like you back, the men who desperately needed someone to fix them, always convinced that you had what it took to do just that. Of course, you knew better than that by now, but there was a part of you that worried you. A part you always had to keep an eye on, too afraid of your naive, trusting heart taking the reins. 

“I’ll be out in a sec,” you said, coating your eyelashes in a decent amount of mascara. Derrick leaned against the doorframe, watching you with something too close to adoration for your comfort. You laughed it off, waving your hand at him. “Go away.” 

“Am I making you nervous,” he teased. Truthfully, he was. Just not in the way he probably hoped. 

“I’m trying not to stab myself in the eye,” you said instead. 

“Mmhm,” he chuckled, patting the doorframe. “Hurry up, your plate’s at the table.”

“If you’d let me concentrate.” 

Ten minutes later, you were sitting at the table with Derrick on your right—his plate conveniently set beside yours—and Nina and Alondra across from you.

“I’m swearing off of hookups this semester,” Alondra announced, earning skeptical glances from the three of you. “I am!”

“Until Sabina calls you up late at night claiming she’s lonely and sad,” Derrick teased. You kicked him under the table only to find out that Nina had done the exact same thing. “I’m just speaking the truth.”

“You’re a man, you don’t get to speak your truth here,” Nina said. “And as for you—“ She turned to Alondra beside her. “The minute you run into that bitch, you’re done for. Best to accept it now.”

“No, I’m done with her,” Alondra insisted, though you’d all seen this before. Every fall, without fail, Alondra and her toxic cheater of an ex-girlfriend, Sabina, get back together, and every summer they find a reason to break up, only to repeat the cycle the next year. “I might try dudes for a while.”

“Shut the fuck up,” you snorted, carrying your plate to the sink. “Since when are you into dudes?”

“Since Sabina ruined all women for me,” she sassed. “Besides, sexuality’s a spectrum.” 

“What about you?” Nina asked, turning in her chair to watch you wash your dish. “Any plans this semester? Hopefully ones that don’t include a toxic relationship?”

“Certainly not,” you replied with a laugh. “I’m gonna be the most boring fucking person at this school this year. No shitty men, no partying, just school.”

“Twenty bucks I get her to black out this weekend,” Nina challenged, turning to Derrick and Alondra. 

“I’ll take that bet,” Derrick said, shooting you a wink. 

“Alright, while you guys are betting, I’m gonna head out to class. You know, like a serious law student,” you teased, drying your hands off before making your way to the front door. “I’ll see you guys in class.”

The first class of the day was Dr. Brown’s Contracts lecture. You’d had him during undergrad for your Criminal Psych class and specifically sought him out while registering because of his laid-back approach to teaching. Though he appeared to be yet another stuffy old man at face value, his personality was much more in line with that of The Dude from The Big Lebowski. He reeked of weed, loved to curse, and didn’t give a shit about all the formalities the rest of your professors insisted upon. 

Dr. Brown’s class passed by with ease, his lecture on the contract breach between Apple and Samsung paired with a meme-filled PowerPoint amusing you enough that you forgot you’d been sitting there for two hours. 

The next class of the day—Dr. Arman’s Legal Research and Writing course—was far less amusing, but at least Dr. Arman didn’t ask much from her students besides following along with slideshows and turning in the occasional paper. Still, the next hour and a half drudged on like feet on sand, Alondra nodding off beside you in the back of the lecture hall. 

“Shit,” she whispered, snapping awake after a nudge from your elbow to her side. “Is it almost over?”

“Yeah,” you chuckled, backing up your bag. “I have to hustle to Criminal Law, you good?”

“Yeah, just gonna rest my eyes for a second,” she mumbled, already falling back to sleep. With a fond smile, you rolled your eyes at her and left the hall. 

The last class of the day was Criminal Law I, taught by Dr. Peña, a professor you’d never had in any of your undergrad classes. It was always a toss up every time you entered a new lecture hall whether or not a professor would end up on your shit list, and a sinking suspicion told you Dr. Peña would not be as casual as Dr. Brown nor as lenient as Dr. Arman. No, there was always one overly demanding, arrogant old prick of a professor each semester without fail. 

Though you’d arrived fifteen minutes before class, all the good seats were taken by the time you walked into the hall, leaving only a few seats at the very front. Sighing, you looked longingly at Nina as she sat in one of the back rows, surrounded by a flock of hopeful men desperate to make her laugh. She caught eyes with you and gasped when she realized where you were headed. 

“No, girl, not the front,” she called, earning a dejected nod from you as you reached the mostly deserted front row. 

As you unpacked your bag and notebook—you hated using your laptop in class—Derrick quickly slid into the seat beside you with a huff, as if he’d just finished a marathon. 

“Had to climb over a row of people to get down here,” he said, smiling at you.

“You didn’t have to do that,” you said, nudging his shoulder with yours. 

“Wasn’t gonna let you slum it down here alone.”

“Thanks,” you chuckled. “You know anything about this guy?”

“Yeah, my brother had him when he went here a few years back,” he said, opening his laptop. “Apparently he’s a dick.”

“Of course he is,” you sighed. 

“You have class after this?”

“Nope,” you shook your head. “You?”

“Nah, just the gym with Nina,” he said, stretching out his legs and relaxing into his chair. “You could come, if you wanted.”

“I hate the gym,” you said, scrunching up your nose. “Besides, I need to go get groceries and stuff. Maybe get a head start on Brown’s project.”

“Responsible,” he nodded in approval. “Boring but responsible.”

“All these boring years are gonna pay off when I graduate top of the class,” you quipped, earning a scoff. 

“That’s what you said in undergrad and who ended up graduating at the top?” he asked with a smirk, sticking his chin up with pride. 

“I was one percent away from kicking your ass,” you rolled your eyes and chuckled. 

“Maybe you’ll find another shitty boyfriend to distract you—“

Though you would have liked to hit him for his comment, you were stopped dead in your tracks as the most handsome, brown haired, broad shouldered, puppy-eyed looking man walked out of his adjoining office and up to the desk at the front of the class. He carried an air of authority with his furrowed brows and disapproving frown as he waited for the class to quiet down. 

“If you’re all finished,” he said, unpacking his book bag while scoping out the faces he’d be spending the semester looking at, starting with the back. You watched him with interest, hating that kick of adrenaline the moment his eyes met yours. He seemed to linger for a half a second longer than he had with everyone else before looking away, furthering your delusional thoughts. “Welcome to Criminal Law I. My name is Dr. Peña, you’ll refer to me as such. I except professionalism, conciseness, and competency from the lot of you. You’re graduates now. Time to act like it.”

“Jesus,” Derrick muttered beside you, shaking his head. 

“There will be no whispering, no texting, and for God’s sake, no music in my class. You’re here to learn and I’m here to teach.”

You listened as a few students gathered their things and silently made their exit from the hall. Dr. Peña watched them with a smug look that did little to shoo away your interest. Fantasies of receiving that same look in a far more inappropriate context flooded your mind, visions of you on your knees in his office. 

“Good, now let’s begin. We’ll be covering the penal code today, along with territorial jurisdiction. Can anyone give me a definition of the latter?” 

Never one to volunteer an answer without being called on, you waited for someone else to take the fall. Dr. Peña seemed just as patient, his arms crossing over his chest in a way that pulled at the fabric covering his arms. You quickly turned your eyes down to your notebook when he caught you staring, busying yourself with jotting down the date. 

“In the front,” he said, earning your attention. When you found him still watching you, you let out a small sigh. “Would you care to give us a definition, Miss…”

Giving him your last name, you searched your mind for the definition that you remembered learning at some point during your four years of undergrad. 

“Territorial jurisdiction refers to a court’s power in a certain territory,” you said, swallowing down your nerves as you began to feel your ears heat. 

“And in regards to Texas? Can you give me the section of the Penal Code that covers territorial jurisdiction?” he asked, his voice a deep, whiskey warm timbre that hit you like an aphrodisiac, your mind running rampant with all sorts of inappropriate scenarios of hearing that sinful voice up close and personal.

“I…don’t know,” you said, lowering your eyes down to your desk just to get a break from his steady eye contact. 

“Section 1.04,” he said, a hint of arrogance in his tone. “Now that you have the section, would you mind reading the text for us?”

Taking a deep breath, you flipped to the section in your textbook, hoping that your nervous stutter didn’t make an appearance today. 

“I can do it,” Derrick volunteered, mildly irking you. Did he think he was saving you? Or was this his attempt at competition? 

Dr. Peña waited until he was finished to admonish his interruption. 

“Thank you, Mr…,”

“Crawley,” he said, offering him a charming smile. 

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Crawley, but in the future, I ask that you refrain from interjecting. I’m sure your friend was perfectly capable of reading aloud,” Dr. Peña said, causing Derrick to scoff under his breath. “Alright, I need a volunteer from the second row to read the next section.” 

Derrick seemed to take it to heart, his ever-present smile long gone as he typed his notes on his laptop. 

“Sorry,” you whispered, tapping his shoe with yours. 

“S’whatever,” he shrugged, but you knew him well enough by now that it was far from whatever to him. Derrick was always the best in every class, always adored by professors. You weren’t sure he’d ever been scolded by a teacher in his life, let alone in front of the entire class. “He’s a prick.”

“He’s—“

“Are we interrupting?” Dr. Peña sighed, leveling a look at the two of you as if to say, really? You shrank in your seat, avoiding his stern eyes. “Anyways, you were saying, Miss Martinez?” 

After a tense hour spent listening to Dr. Peña pick on the class, it was time to pack up. You could practically hear your bed calling as you packed your things into your bag, except…

“Would you mind staying behind for a moment,” Dr. Peña asked, calling your name. You gave Derrick a wide eyed look, earning a raise of his brow. 

“Sure, um—“

“I’ll wait up for you,” Derrick offered, slinging his bag over his shoulders before filing out of the lecture hall with the rest of the class. 

Once alone with Dr. Peña, you began to feel sick with anticipation, especially as he sat quiet at his desk shuffling through papers. 

“I’d like to apologize for today. I’m afraid we may have gotten off on the wrong foot,” you said, carefully approaching his desk. “I assure you, this is nothing I take more seriously than this. I—“

“I asked you to stay behind because I’m in need of an assistant for my undergrad Intro to Forensics class and your name was given to me by the Dean,” he said, looking up at you with a mixture of exhaustion and boredom in his eyes.  

“Wait—what?” you gave him a puzzled look. 

“Your name is listed in the TA program, is it not?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. You tried not to ogle him, but the way his white button down stretched across his broad chest made it damn near impossible.

“It is, but—“

“You’re one of the only law students available who’s taken the class before,” he said, clicking his pen as he began to mark the syllabus sheets he’d passed out towards the end of class. “So, what do you say? Three labs a week. Paid, of course.”

“I’m not sure I can handle the extra load, honestly,” you said. Though you were sure the extra work would certainly up the pressure, it wasn’t the real reason you were so quick to decline. Truthfully, it was him. How were you supposed to be around him an extra three days a week when you were already worried about the three you’d be spending with him in this class? “But if you’re in need of a recommendation, Mr. Crawley took Intro to Forensics with me and—“

“Take a day, think about it. First lab is Wednesday,” he interjected, glancing up at you with those brown eyes that looked both innocent and dangerous at the same time, a confusing balance your overly romantic heart longed to study in depth. You chuckled, a sound of disbelief over his disregard for your rejection, as you watched him turn back to his work. “I’ll have the Dean send over a formal offer this afternoon.”

“What time are the labs?” you asked, slowly accepting your fate—or, more accurately, accepting his stubbornness on the matter. 

“Eight to ten in the evening,” he replied, sounding as though he might yawn at the prospect. “Not ideal.”

“No,” you agreed, offering him a small smile. “I, uh, I’ll think about it.”

Not wanting to embarrass yourself—or endure more of this delusional torture—you made your exit as quickly and gracefully as you could manage, waiting until you were out in the main hall to freak out. 

“What did his fine ass want?” Nina asked, approaching you with Derrick in tow. You snorted at her brashness and rolled your eyes. 

“His fine ass wanted me to TA for his Intro to Forensics lab,” you replied, shaking your head as you looked through your tote for some gum, hoping to distract your rampant fantasies about said fine ass. 

“What the fuck?” Derrick griped, shaking his head. “I’ve been begging the dean to get me a TA position this semester but he said all the positions had been filled.”

“I tried to recommend you,” you offered, giving him a sympathetic frown. “I don’t even know if I’ll take it—”

“Then let me,” he said, hope lighting up his eyes. Even though you still had yet to make up your mind on the matter, his assumption that you’d just give urubbed you the wrong way. 

“I’m gonna think about it first,” you said, sharing a knowing look with Nina. 

If there was one thing to fault Derrick for, it would be his tendency to step on people—even his closest friends—to secure an opportunity. Even when he didn’t need to, even when he’d already won over most professors on campus, even when he knew his female friends struggled to reach even half of the respect given to him strictly because he was a man. 

“You coming with us to the gym?” Nina asked, changing the subject as she watched you bite back the urge to tell Derrick that maybe, just this once, it would be you stepping over him to secure a good opportunity. 

“No thanks,” you chuckled. 

“Lame,” she said, glancing over at Derrick who seemed to be lost in thought. “Well I’m gonna go change.” 

“See you later on,” you said, watching as she made her way down the hall. 

“So you think you might take the job?” Derrick asked, sticking his hands in his pocket. 

“I might,” you admitted, shrugging your shoulders. 

“Just…be careful,” he cautioned, causing your brows to furrow. “Male professors can be creepy as fuck.”

“Men in general can be, yeah,” you laughed. “But I’m sure I can take care of myself.” 

He nodded, ticking his jaw. 

“Well, I gotta go get groceries,” you lied, desperate to get back home, crawl into bed, and maybe do something about those fantasies from earlier. “I’ll see you back—“

“Come to dinner with me,” he blurted, biting his lip as he watched you go through a rollercoaster of emotions. Shock, amusement, confusion, before landing on something akin to empathy. 

“What? Derrick—“

“Just one date,” he promised. “One date and if it doesn’t work out, you know…we can just stay friends.” 

“I don’t know that it’s that simple,” you said, looking anywhere but at him. 

Why was he so dead set on going down this road; of making this mistake that you knew would end terribly? 

“Just a date,” he coaxed. “And I promise no weirdness afterwards if it doesn’t work out.”

“You can’t promise that,” you muttered, shaking your head. “And even if you can, I don’t know that I can.” 

“That’s assuming it goes bad,” he said, nudging your shoulder with a smile. “Friday night, you and me, some fancy restaurant I can barely afford. What do you say?”

Perhaps it was the new year, or maybe just the endorphins brought on by the sight of Dr. Peña in his tight slacks, but what did you have to lose? A good friend that you weren’t even sure would be your friend if he didn’t believe it was his only way in? 

“Fine,” you said, sighing. “One date. No weirdness. No expectations.”

Derrick grinned, nodding as he pulled you in for a hug. “Won’t regret it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you chuckled. 

“Excuse me,” Dr. Peña appeared, in the doorway the two of you were blocking, causing Derrick to pull you out of the way and into his side. You watched Dr. Peña’s eyes scan the proximity between the two of you, a hint of disapproval on his face that you were sure you were imagining. “Have a good afternoon, you two.”

“You too,” you managed, sliding Derrick’s arm off your shoulder. “Also—“

Dr. Peña stopped, turning back towards you. “I, uh, I’ll take the job.”

“What?” Derrick scoffed, earning a curious look from Dr. Peña. 

“Very well,” he nodded. “You’ll find the contract in your email tonight.”

“Thank you for the opportunity, Professor,” you said, trying your hardest not to purr the last word out the way your filthy mind yearned to. 

Thank you for the opportunity, Professor. Such a fucking cliche that you had no intentions on perpetuating. 

Except for the fantasies. After all, what harm could come from a silly little fantasy?  

[gottencents]

Melting - Giselle

pairing. idol!giselle x girlfriend!reader

synopsis. On a snowy winter night, Y/n and Giselle spend the evening wandering through festive streets, sharing hot chocolate, and braving the ice skating rink—where a few stumbles lead to warm hands, stolen glances, and a heart-fluttering confession under the twinkling lights.

The city was alive with the glow of twinkling fairy lights, festive decorations adorning every shop window, and the sound of soft holiday music playing in the distance. It was the kind of evening that felt almost magical—the crisp winter air carrying the scent of roasted chestnuts and fresh snow.

You pulled your scarf up a little higher, trying to shield your face from the cold as you walked beside Giselle. She looked effortlessly beautiful, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold, her dark hair tucked neatly beneath a beanie. Every few seconds, she’d glance at you with a teasing smile, like she was up to something.

“You sure you’re warm enough?” Giselle asked, her voice laced with concern.

You exhaled, watching as your breath curled into the air. “I’m fine. But I think my fingers are turning into icicles.”

Giselle hummed, stopping in her tracks. Before you could ask why, she reached out and grabbed your hands, bringing them up to her lips. She blew warm air onto them, her eyes meeting yours as she did.

“Better?” she murmured, her breath warm against your fingertips.

Your heart did a backflip. “Y-Yeah,” you stammered, trying not to focus on how soft her hands felt against yours.

She grinned, clearly satisfied with your reaction. “Good. Because I don’t need you freezing on me.”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “I think you’re just using this as an excuse to hold my hands.”

Giselle tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm, maybe. But if it works, who am I to complain?”

Laughing, you gently tugged her along. “Come on, let’s go get some hot chocolate before I actually turn into an icicle.”

The two of you made your way to a cozy little café on the corner, the windows fogged up from the warmth inside. The scent of cinnamon and cocoa filled the air as you both stepped in, shaking off the cold.

After ordering two cups of hot chocolate, you found a seat by the window, watching as snowflakes danced under the streetlights outside. Giselle sat across from you, her hands wrapped around her mug as she took a sip, humming in satisfaction.

“You have a little—” you started, but Giselle beat you to it, swiping a finger across her upper lip where whipped cream had stuck.

She licked it off without a second thought, completely oblivious to the way your brain short-circuited at how cute she looked.

“You were saying?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

You cleared your throat, shaking your head. “Nothing.”

She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. “You’re staring, Y/n.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “I was not staring.”

“You totally were.”

You peeked at her through your fingers, only to see that she was already watching you with that teasing sparkle in her eyes. “Okay, maybe a little,” you admitted.

Giselle smirked. “I knew it. But don’t worry—I think it’s cute.”

Your cheeks warmed, and you quickly changed the subject. “Are we still going to the skating rink after this?”

Giselle’s eyes lit up. “Of course! I have to see if you’re actually as bad at skating as you claim.”

You groaned dramatically. “It’s not a claim. It’s a fact. I will fall, and I will take you down with me.”

She laughed, reaching across the table to squeeze your hand. “Then I guess I’ll just have to hold on to you the whole time.”

Your heart skipped a beat at her words, but you only nodded, hoping she couldn’t see how flustered you were.

After finishing your drinks, you headed to the outdoor skating rink. It was beautifully lit, with a large Christmas tree in the center, people gliding across the ice effortlessly. You, however, clung to the railing for dear life the moment you stepped on.

Giselle giggled, skating up beside you with ease. “Okay, you weren’t kidding. You really can’t skate.”

“I told you,” you huffed, gripping the railing as if your life depended on it. “I don’t know how people make this look so easy.”

She reached for your hands. “Come here, I got you.”

Hesitantly, you let go of the railing, immediately wobbling. Giselle’s grip tightened, keeping you steady. “See? I won’t let you fall.”

You looked up at her, heart pounding. “Promise?”

She smiled, soft and sincere. “Promise.”

Slowly, she guided you across the ice, her hands never letting go of yours. At one point, you stumbled, but she caught you, pulling you flush against her.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The world around you blurred, the only thing you could focus on was how close she was—her warm breath against your cheek, her arms steadying you, the way her lips curled into a fond smile.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

You nodded, breathless. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”

She laughed gently, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear. “I told you—I won’t let you fall.”

Your gaze flickered to her lips for just a second before you met her eyes again. “What if I fall for you instead?”

Giselle blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “Then I guess I’ll just have to catch you again.”

With that, she leaned in, pressing the softest kiss to your lips. It was warm, sweet, and just long enough to make your heart race.

When she pulled away, she grinned. “I think that was the easiest fall yet.”

You laughed, wrapping your arms around her. “Yeah. And the best one, too.”

As the snow continued to fall around you, wrapped up in each other’s warmth, you knew this night would be one you’d never forget.

[jihyoruri]

❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ 𓍢 ALL MINE ALL ME huh yunjin x reader

❀ ͘ ⴰ “I hate your phone, throw it away” - kali uchis

yn being a possessive girlfriend for 10 minutes 1.5M views

prev. m.list .next ➩ CLIP #1 PLAYING… 📼

yn leaned against the fansign table, adjusting the bunny ears on her head with a straight face as she side glances chaewon who wraps her arms around yunjin who laughs and wraps her arms back around the girl.

yn scrunched up her face and looked at kazuha who let out a small laugh and picked up a plush baseball bat from the prop table and gave it to the girl.

yn politely took it from the girls hand and smiled innocently at her before posing with the bat for her fansite before walking over to chaewon and yunjin.

when yn got over to the laughing girls she immediately hit both of them with the plushie “playfully” causing them to yell as people in the crowd laugh at yn’s “playful antics.”

“why are you guys only giving each other attention?” she yells causing everyone to laugh as if the girl wasn’t being dead serious, “what about us?”

➩ CLIP #2 PLAYING… 📼

kazuha wrapped her arms around yunjin as the girls waited for their turn to practice on the stage for the award show that was happening later on in the day.

yunjin brought her hand held fan to her face and talked to the camera about how excited she is as she leaned into kazuha.

one of the other camera turned to yn who had chaewon talking her ear off but it seemed like the girl wasn’t even paying attention to the leaders words and was more focused on her two other members.

she watched as both kazuha and yunjin laughed at something yunjin said leaning against each other even more which caused her face to go sour before turning to chaewon quietly mocking their laughs which caused the leader to cover her face and laugh.

“share the joke with the class please!” yn shouted towards kazuha and yunjin, “I wanna laugh too, right chaewon unnie we wanna laugh.” she added causing the leader to laugh harder.

➩ CLIP #3 PLAYING… 📼

yn leaned against yunjin’s shoulder as kazuha and yunjin had a conversation with the live, she focused more on yunjin’s hands in hers, playing with the girls rings on her fingers.

“they say we look like a kdrama love triangle couple.” kazuha said pointing at a comment, “people have been saying that a lot.”

yunjin laugh and shook her head while yn looked towards kazuha, “are you sure they’re not just talking about me and yunjin? do you have reading problems? comprehension deficit perhaps?

yunjin’s mouth dropped while kazuha covered her mouth and laughed before reaching over yunjin to hit yn’s shoulder.

➩ CLIP #4 PLAYING… 📼

yn watched as the oldest of txt talked to yunjin who looked very interested in what the older was saying, she scrunched up her face before relaxing it immediately realizing was on camera with people that weren’t just her members.

she turned towards the camera and whispered to it, “txt sunbaenim, how cool right?” she says forcing an obvious smile, “right?”

“yn is actually a really big fan,” yunjin says gesturing towards yn who turns dramatically and looks behind herself to see if yunjin is talking about another yn

“she even has an album.” yunjin says bringing an arm towards yn and wrapping her arm around the girls waist bringing her closer to yeonjun.

he laughs thinking yn was just nervous but in reality that wasn’t the case at all, “am I your bias?”

“no.”

➩ CLIP #5 PLAYING… 📼

th camera followed yn as she went towards table where yunjin sat eating her food, she sat on the girls lap to show her something funny on her phone.

yunjin put her chin yn’s shoulder and laughed at the video before using her chopsticks to pick up a rice cake but before she could put it in her mouth, yn opened her mouth and let out a ahhhhh sound, causing yunjin to giggle and put the food in yn’s mouth.

“I want come!” the sound of chaewon’s voice filled the room as she walked towards yn and yunjin with her mouth open.

“ugh, why are you here?”

chaewon’s mouth dropped in offence while yunjin laughed at yn’s “joke”.

[foreverisntenough]

‘Aperture’

Summary: A professional footballer with a playboy reputation finds his world reframed when he meets a talented photographer who captures the light and depth he’s never seen in himself. As their friendship develops, he finds himself illuminated by her presence—a stark contrast to the shallow spotlight he’s used to, but her guarded heart keeps her from fully trusting his intentions. Their friendship develops, like film in a darkroom, shifting into something far more intimate. But when their connection begins to blur the lines between friendship and something more, he realizes she’s the light he’s been chasing without knowing it and fights to prove he’s ready for something real. Yet, their love hangs in the balance—will the film of their story overexpose and fade, or will it develop into something vivid and timeless. Sometimes, love is about adjusting the focus, letting in the right light, and trusting the process.

Chapter Index:

Fashion Index: For all Y/N's looks! No more bad links!

Warnings: This series is 18+ MDNI [ smut, slight mention of drugs, drinking - not sure what else really… if i miss anything please lmk!]

Note: Thank you for reading! Please be sure to like, comment, or message me what you think of the series!

Please read:  Little note from me about him and one more about our community In summary: This is a swan song fic. The fic was never really about "him" as much as it was a fictional story and character I got to create and share with you all. I hope you still love reading it as much as I still love writing it. xx

Chapter 18- 'Birthday Baby' | 'Aperture'

word count - 12.8k

[Crashing Down - Kali Uchis ft. d4vd]

Things had been… different since London. Not loud or dramatic or marked with any real shift—but quieter, steadier. Like something fragile had been mended between you and Trent that night in the hotel, and now, you were both walking carefully over the seams, pretending the cracks weren’t still visible in certain light.

You hadn't talked about love since LA. Since that stupid night where it spilled out of him in a breathless, broken release like he knew he shouldn’t have said it then but couldn't stop himself. You hadn’t brought it up since. And he hadn’t said it again. Still, things felt lighter lately. Like maybe you were both starting to feel safe again in something that never felt entirely real when it hurt too much to hold.

The afternoon had been simple. You’d grabbed lunch in a quiet part of town, nothing flashy, nothing for anyone else. Trent had kept his hood up and smiled every time your knee brushed his under the table, purposefully nudging yours back reminding you he wanted the touches and reminding himself you were actually there. And you—well, you tried not to read too much into the way his fingers found yours without even looking when he drove you home. One hand on the steering wheel, the other laced with yours across the middle console. You two holding hands was a new phenomenon that was occurring more since those three words were uttered. Suddenly, intertwined fingers were somehow more intimate than sex could ever be. Like they meant something real. So you stared down at your intertwined hands like they were trying to tell you something. The shape of your fingers slotted into his. The soft scratch of his thumb over your knuckle, absent but intimate. You told yourself not to spiral. But he kept glancing over like he was memorizing you, like he hadn’t had the chance to before today, like he didn’t understand how the world let him have you like this again and again. You caught his gaze once and he looked away too quickly, eyes flickering back to the road ahead, like he’d been caught feeling something he shouldn’t say out loud.

And maybe that was what scared you most—how easy it would be to believe he loved you if he just said it again. How maybe he already did and it was you who didn’t know how to ask. When he pulled up outside your building, the street was slick from the morning rain, the grey sky starting to warm with the lazy orange blush of late afternoon. But Trent didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t lean over and peck your cheek like he sometimes did when he was trying to behave, trying to not hurt your hearts that were aching for more even when more would feel like not enough. 

No, this time… he leaned in slow. His hand slid up your jaw, thumb brushing just beneath it with that maddening softness that always turned your thoughts to liquid. And then he kissed you—lingering, unhurried. His perfect plump, soft, lips against yours. Like he was tasting honey and didn’t want to waste a drop. Like the world could wait a little longer while he held your mouth on his. He pulled back just enough to look at you, lips still grazing yours, smile crooked and smug like he already missed you. That boyish glint in his eyes always made your heart stutter.

“Baby,” he said, voice lazy, undeniably loving. Your eyes flickered with hope. “You busy Friday afternoon?” Your breath caught. Friday. Your birthday. You felt your heart crack slow. Not a sharp break—but a delicate fracture, like a porcelain plate dropped on the counter. Still intact. Still beautiful. But not quite the same. You blinked once. Twice. He didn’t laugh, didn’t say only joking. Just smiled at you like it was any other week. “I’ve gotta run a few errands. Was gonna see if you’d come with, beautiful.” The disappointment settled over you like fog. Heavy. Inevitable. You nodded. Quiet.

“Yeah. Sure.” You replied softly. You didn’t want to seem dramatic. Didn’t want to be the girl who expected surprises or attention or magic. You weren’t that girl. You weren’t desperate but maybe desperation would’ve spared you the hurt you were feeling right now. So you’d waited. Silently. Hoping. Wanting him to remember you without being reminded. Trent hesitated. Just for a second. And maybe in that second, he felt guilty. He didn’t like that he could see the hurt of feeling forgotten flashing in your eyes. But not guilty enough. No. The plan had to be set in motion even if it began with hurt. 

“Alright, good.” His voice hummed like it was coming from far away. But he wouldn’t let you drift too far, he cared too much about you to do that, even for another few days. So instead, he kissed you again—deeper this time. Like he needed to seal the moment shut before the truth slipped through. His hand cupped your cheek, fingers pressing into the soft spot behind your ear, kissing you until your mind went hazy and you almost forgot the way your stomach had just dropped through your feet. You pulled away and smiled, soft and small. 

“Thank you for lunch, T.” Your voice was light, but inside you felt hollow. You slipped out of the car and onto the wet pavement, the cool air biting at your skin as you shut the door. Trent exhaled, guilt rushing back. You didn’t look back at him. Not until you heard the slow whir of the window rolling down.

“Don’t forget, beautiful,” he said, leaning across the passenger seat, voice soft but full of something else. “Friday. I’ll need you.” You looked at him. Really looked. His face was glowing in the soft grey light. His lips curled gently, soft, annoyingly kissable. Eyes a little too bright. He winked. That wink used to flip your stomach. Now it just… sank. Like your body knew something your heart didn’t want to admit. You nodded and he drove off. Taillights disappearing into the golden mist of the coming dusk. And you stood there a moment longer, on the curb, the sky stretching wide above you—two people in the same moment, the same day, the same city. But somehow, not in the same story. Not yet.

—

The gallery had the hush of someplace sacred. Early afternoon sun gently spilled in through the high, arched windows, gilding everything in liquid gold. The white walls glowed with it, kissed with amber light that shifted as shadows danced across the hardwood floors. The faintest smell of fresh-cut flowers and polish lingered in the air, mingling with something even softer—like anticipation, or hope. Campbell stood in the center of the room, holding her breath as she spun slowly in place, taking it all in. It wasn’t just a birthday surprise. It was cinematic.

Every corner of the space had been transformed. Flowers were beginning to be laid in soft, sweeping arrangements—nothing rigid or too polished. Just wild, beautiful things, white camellias, hundreds for now. Like a painting brought to life. Like the softness of you, made tangible. And then the walls. Image after image, hung with intention and reverence, curated and compiled with the help of your bestf riend and the boy who was so madly in love with you he enlisted her help. They were photos Trent had taken over the past year. Or ones others had taken of the two of you together. But mostly his. Candid shots, selfies and stolen glances, moments only someone deeply in love would notice—let alone keep. You in his hoodie, curled into the passenger seat of his car. You dancing barefoot in Delaney’s kitchen with friends. Asleep on his chest in your bed. You laughing too hard to breathe, head thrown back, eyes lit like stars.

“I’m gonna cry,” Campbell murmured, almost a giggle of disbelief, brushing a knuckle beneath her eye and pretending it was dust. Trent stood a few feet away, fidgeting with the cuff of his jumper. His stomach twisted like he’d swallowed bees. “She’s gonna love it,” she said again, firmer this time, catching his eye.

“Yeah?” He gave her a small, lopsided smile—grateful, but still wracked with nerves. Before she could answer, the door to the gallery space slid open.

“OH MY GOD.” Foster’s voice sliced through the gentle quiet like a cymbal crash.

“Jesus Christ,” Kieren muttered, visibly jolting as he spun around from his place in the corner of the room trying to work out how the lighting in the gallery should be later for you.

“T!!!” Foster squealed, her eyes wide, hands thrown up like she physically couldn’t take it. “Are you fucking serious right now?!” Trent rubbed the back of his neck, his ears going pink.

“You good?” He raised his brow mocking her overzealousness but frankly, her reaction was merited. The fact that Trent even asked for help spoke volumes. Foster ignored him completely, spinning in a slow, dramatic circle. 

“This is the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. This is like her— in gallery form. This is like cinematic universe level devotion. What the actual—”

“Alright, lads,” Leon cut in coolly as he strolled in behind her, dapping Trent and Kieren up without missing a beat. “Place looks mad.”

“It’s so good,” Campbell said, laughing as she exchanged a look with Foster—equal parts I told you so and can you believe this man?

“Alright, shhh, yeah?” Trent chuckled nervously, glancing around like the gallery owner might come back in and shoo them out for being too loud. Then Campbell froze, her gaze snagging on a particular photo as she continued to help.

“Oh… my god…” She stepped closer, reaching out like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to touch it. Her fingers hovered near the image hung. The photo was grainy and dark, but beautiful in that way intimacy always is. You, tangled in Trent’s lap in his cinema room. A night that had gotten away from the both of you. His shirt on you unbuttoned entirely, hair mussed, thighs bare. His hand cradling the back of your head like he was trying to memorize the way you felt in his palms. You were smiling into his skin, lips at his neck. Utterly, shamelessly in love. He took the selfie but you were too lost in the moment to notice it. Campbell’s jaw dropped. “Oh… my god.” She repeated. Trent didn’t even try to suppress the smirk blooming on his face.

“Okay, seriously, keep it hush please.” He rubbed a hand across his mouth, half-sheepish, half-smug. The people who mattered most—your people—were finally seeing it. The truth of it. The quiet, unrelenting devotion. The knowing. That he didn’t just love you—he understood you. Knew every curve of your smile, every version of your laughter. Knew the map of your skin in darkness and daylight. Foster snatched the photo from Campbell with a gasp.

“Ugh, she’s so hot. Are you joking?”  She held it up to inspect it closer. “Look at her. Look at you! You’ve got her purring in your ear don’t you, T?” She teased. The photo looked like a whole dream, your lips glossy, his dimples deep, your hand cradling his jaw like saying mine without speaking. Trent looked down, but the way his lip curled gave him away. “Lucky you, T,” Foster added, nudging him gently. He shrugged, trying and failing to appear nonchalant. 

“Dunno what you’re on about.” But he knew exactly what they were on about. It was all there, in every photo. Every frame. Every stolen moment hung on the wall like it belonged in a museum. A whole gallery of proof that he didn’t just love you—he saw you. And later, when you walked in, you’d finally see what he saw too.

“Fos, alright shhh,” Leon muttered, low and amused, tugging her gently into his chest like he could absorb her volume by osmosis. He pressed a kiss to her temple, grounding her. But Foster only wriggled out with a grin, mischief burning bright in her eyes as she snagged another photo from the display table—this one of you in Trent’s kitchen, half-wrapped around him, arms around his shoulders, hair still damp from a shower you likely took together, your cheek resting on his bare back like it was your pillow, your safe place. You looked so at home in him, like you belonged nowhere else. Foster held the print up like it was incriminating evidence. 

“Oh stop… Come on. We’re all here aren’t we? Bit obvious now they fuck.” She smirked, correct and honest. Foster to a T. Leon groaned quietly, dragging a hand over his face. She turned away from him with a wicked little look. “And you’ve been fucking.” She teased swiveling to Trent, daring him now, “You probably tell them everything she’s told us too.” Trent’s jaw ticked—amused, caught, and maybe a little flustered. He didn’t offer a rebuttal. Couldn’t. The silence was louder than anything he could say. His ears went a shade pinker again. “Mmhmm.” Foster smirked.

“Yeah?” Trent challenged softly, tilting his head toward her, eyes narrowing with fondness. “And what’s she tell you, then?” Before she could reply, Campbell chimed in from across the room, plucking a photo from the wall with delicate fingers. 

“Oh we’ve heard things.” She gave a cheeky shrug, her mouth quirked in a knowing grin. You’d share the types of things only girls told their best friends. But even so, the truth was, no one knew everything—not the late-night whispers, not the tremble in your voice when you talked about him like it hurt to hold it in. But they didn’t need to. It was written in the way you looked at each other. Blatant. Bare. Like the kind of love that made other people shift in their seats. It was making everyone sick, honestly. Sick and soft and completely obsessed. Campbell wandered back over and slipped her arm around Trent in a side hug, voice low. 

“Gonna tell her?” He didn’t look at her at first, eyes still on the print in Foster’s hand.

“She knows,” he said. Quiet but sure. Like his bones believed it. Campbell turned to look up at him. 

“Gonna tell her?” she repeated, softer this time. No teasing, no bite—just the weight of a best friend who wanted you to have the world and the man who could give it to you. Trent finally met her eyes. 

“Yeah,” he said, exhaling slowly. “I’mma tell her again.” But his gaze drifted—somewhere behind her, beyond the frames, into the unknown. Past the blooming florals and the photographs and the soft orange light that painted the walls. Past all the proof that his love had been real for a long, long time. He was scared. Scared that loving you out loud meant risking it all. That the silence you sometimes met him with was fear, not affection. That maybe you loved him too, but not in a way that stayed.

“Gonna ask her, lad?” Kieren’s voice broke the quiet. He nudged Trent’s shoulder with a sly pinch, disrupting the spiral, the doubt. Trent rolled his eyes, shaking his head like he could shake off the vulnerability, but he didn’t step away.

“I’m gonna try.” He said it low, like a promise. Like a prayer. Campbell squeezed him tighter, her warmth pressed into his side. Her hand rubbed slow circles into his back, grounding him. Letting him be scared, but reminding him he wasn’t alone. The room buzzed with the hush of friends who’d seen it all, who knew the ache behind the silence, the softness behind the swagger. Who knew what it meant to love someone so much that your body felt too small to hold it. He loved you. He wanted you. Now, he just had to tell you that. And hope—God, hope—that when the door opened, you’d be ready to hear it.

—

[Fade into You - Mazzy Star]

The sky was bruised with clouds, heavy and slow, rain that came this afternoon falling in soft, delicate sighs as it painted the windows of the car. You hadn’t paid much attention to where you were going, legs curled under you, the rigid denim [ref index] pinching your skin but you didn’t care, your sandals on the floor juxtaposed by your jacket you maybe didn’t need. It was subtle, something you supposed a boy wouldn’t notice–wearing something sparkly on your birthday—and now you sort of wished you hadn’t. You pressed your cheek lazily to Trent’s shoulder, watching the city blur and weep. You’d said you’d help him run errands today—groggily agreeing with a half-hearted shrug over a phone call this morning, assuming it was something trivial, maybe trainers or food, maybe something for his brother. The morning of your birthday felt cold. No call from your friends or delivery of flowers from your mum could warm your soul up. You wanted him to know you. You just wanted him to remember you. You thought he would and yet you found yourself in his car, still cold. But then… reality came creeping in, you were somewhere unfamiliar. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere… wrong for errands and a warmth in your chest began to bloom. 

Your brows furrowed as you stepped out beneath Trent’s outstretched hand holding an umbrella, shielding you both from the drizzle. He still hadn’t explained a thing, only tugged you gently forward, fingers brushing yours until he properly laced your hand with his—an act that was rare since LA, since everything between you had become both closer and yet infinitely harder to name. But the warmth of it was magnetic. You didn’t pull away. You didn’t want to. If he tried, you’d let him every time. 

The building he led you into was tucked off a small street, anonymous and whitewashed from the outside—barely even noticeable. You blinked against the sudden change in light as the door clicked shut behind you. And then…You froze. Your breath caught. Your lips parted. Your fingers slackened in his but he didn’t let go. The world had fallen away and become something else entirely.

The room was soft-lit and cavernous in the quiet way that galleries always were—white walls glowing dimly, shadows and softness dancing where light touched it. But the floor… The floor was blanketed in white camellias, hundreds—maybe thousands— like they were a part of the floorboards beneath your feet. A sea of fragile beauty, pure and calm. The scent hit you next: delicate, green, clean like tea leaves and soap and something faintly citrus. It wrapped around you like a memory. Like a hand smoothing over your skin. But it was the walls that undid you. Prints. Almost a hundred of black and white prints. Of you.

Your breath hitched. You took a step forward. Then another. Each image—hung deliberately, carefully spaced—was one you didn’t know existed. Some, maybe you remembered. The back of your head walking toward his car, a grocery bag trailing from your hand. Your bare legs tucked up on a sunlit balcony, coffee between your palms. You laughing, mouth open, head thrown back—smiling in a way you didn’t recognize, not because it was staged, but because it was real. Unaware. Unfiltered. Seen. You moved slowly, reverently. Your fingers hovering near the wall but never touching. Photos stitched into thick horizontal strips—moments strung together in time. You saw yourself sleeping in a hoodie you’d stolen from him. You saw yourself squinting in the mirror fixing your lip liner, Trent rolling his eyes at you. You saw yourself blurry and spinning in a club, your smile wild and wide. You saw yourself. The way he saw you. The girl behind the camera, now on display. Your throat burned.

"Trent," you whispered, barely audible. The sound like a prayer. Or maybe a gasp. But he didn’t speak yet. He only came up behind you, wordless, and wrapped his arms around your waist—slow and certain. His chest flush to your back, his chin resting gently on your shoulder, his scent curling into your lungs like something holy. Like rain on concrete, clean and warm and real. He let the silence hold for a moment longer, your breathing shaky against his ribs, your heart trying not to shatter from the weight of what this all meant.  His arms stayed around you like he wasn’t sure if the gravity in the room would hold you otherwise. His voice, when it came again, was low. Meant for only you.

“You’re always the one behind the camera,” he murmured, chin resting on your shoulder, his words soft like light spilling through curtains. “Always the one capturing everything and everyone else… but never really letting yourself be seen.” Your breath caught. “But I see you,” he whispered. “Lucky enough too.” His fingers gently tightened at your waist like he needed to ground you—to ground himself. “You’re in the front of every composition I carry with me. Even when you’re not in the frame… you’re there. In the way I think about light. In the way I notice beautiful things now. It’s all because of you.” You felt something in your chest ache. It was the kind of ache that came with being understood. Known. Warm. “I just wanted to try to give that back to you,” he said, voice almost breaking with how much he meant it. You turned your head slightly, just enough to feel the stubble of his jaw against your cheek. Your eyes blurred, your chest rising and falling far too fast. His next words barely a breath: “I wanted you to know you’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.” A pause. “And I wanted you to see it, too. See what I see when I look at you.” A pause. A heartbeat. A pulse skipping through time. Then, whispered against the shell of your ear, soft and certain: “Happy birthday, baby.” You didn’t say anything. You couldn’t. You ran your hands over his in a state of shock, letting the weight of love unspoken fold itself into the space between your ribcages. His arms locked tight around you as if he could hold you in this moment forever. And you? You let him. Because this wasn’t just a gallery. This was a heart—his heart—turned inside out, beating across the walls in silver and black and white. And he had given it to you.

—

You barely noticed the warmth of his chest pulling away until it was gone. Trent took a half-step back, and the absence of him made your breath catch in your throat. Like you were free-falling. Like your body didn’t know how to exist without the shelter of his. Instinctively, without thinking, your hands found his—pulling them gently back against your stomach, holding them there, holding him there, like a quiet plea. Don’t go. He looked at you then. Really looked. Something passed behind his eyes that made your skin prickle. You didn’t say a word—but he heard you all the same. There was just no way he was real. A soft, husky laugh fell from his lips, barely audible over the hum of the dim gallery.

“I still haven’t given you your presents yet,” he whispered, brushing his thumb across your knuckles. “Can I get them?” He smirked softly. 

“This is a present, Trent.” You blinked up at him, dazed. Your voice cracked on it. Quiet. Fragile. Honest. “I don’t need anything else.” His smile faltered. His expression softened into something raw and unreadable, something close to adoration but heavier somehow. Like it hurt to feel this much. But he didn’t say anything—he just leaned in and kissed your temple, then let go. He disappeared for a moment into the room, and the silence that followed made the flowers seem louder, like they were rustling secrets between their petals. When he returned, he was holding two bags. The matte black ribbons danced as he walked toward you, and you nearly laughed because of course—Chanel. He set the first bag down on the nearby bench and knelt beside it, 

“Well c’mere. Come open this f’me.” He purred and so you did. You took the box from him with trembling hands, pulling the ribbon, undoing the tissue paper, opening the dust bag in what felt like slow motion until you pulled out a black purse [ref index.] It wasn’t a purse though. Not really. It looked like a quilted camera only Lagerfeld could come up with, glinting under the soft gallery lights.  “Little on the nose but made me think of you,” he said casually, his voice low and quiet, like he didn’t want to break the magic of the moment. You stared at it, at him, and giggled—lightheaded with disbelief. 

“You didn’t have to get me anything. This…” You gestured to the room, the flowers, the photos, him. “This is everything.” But he was already reaching into the same bag again. Another box. Your breath hitched. “T… Seriously, stop.” You cautioned him. It was too much. You didn’t need another gift. And certainly not anything that came in a smaller box with the bigger price tag you knew was coming inside of it. 

“If you don’t want to open it, I’ll do it for you.” He smirked, devastatingly, lethal, and like a punch to the stomach scarily reminiscent of the way his lips curled when you first met. And yet, he wasn’t the same. Not one bit. No, because he’d opened himself up to you in a way you couldn’t have ever imagined. And he was about to do it again. He opened the box slowly. Nestled in velvet, a delicate gold and diamond Coco Crush bracelet shimmered back at you. The diamonds catching the soft light. So small. So intentional. So achingly beautiful. Tears burned behind your eyes before you could stop them. You blinked, but they spilled anyway, slipping down your cheeks as you turned towards him, pouting in disbelief. You stared down at the bracelet—at the way the diamonds glimmered like they belonged against your skin, like they were always meant to catch the light there. You couldn’t speak. Not because you didn’t have words, but because you didn’t know where to begin. The ache in your chest swelled, not from sadness, but from the impossibility of it all—of being this seen, this known, this adored. Trent didn’t just get you things. He got you. He knew everything about you like it was a part of him. He noticed how you always reached for gold before silver. How you tucked your fingers under the strap of your camera bag when you were nervous. How you liked your things to be timeless but not boring.

“Thank you.” You whispered. But that didn’t feel like enough. So you said what was really sitting at the base of your throat. “No one’s ever made me feel the way you do,” you whispered again, but it didn’t sound the same this time. Your voice was waterlogged, thick with disbelief and devotion and something dangerously close to forever. He knew you. And something about that knowledge—not just the gallery, not just the flowers or the photos, but this—this material echo of being paid attention to—shattered you. Tears burned again. And this time, you didn’t blink them away. Because love like this didn’t arrive with fireworks. It came quiet. It came in details. It came in the things no one else ever saw, or if they did, didn’t care to remember. But Trent had remembered. He had remembered everything. Still, Trent just looked at you like he’d been waiting for this—for you to see yourself through his eyes. And then he pulled you in, pressing a kiss to your mouth so tender it made your knees wobble. He didn’t rush it. Didn’t deepen it. He just held you there like he couldn’t stand the thought of you floating away. Like if he kissed you carefully enough, maybe you’d believe it too. Soft. Slow. A kiss that tasted like every word neither of you had said out loud. His lips pressed against yours like a promise—like he couldn’t help himself.  When he finally pulled back, your lashes fluttered open just in time to feel the brush of his lips ghosting yours, his breath warm and steady against your face. His mouth barely against yours, breath warm and steady, tethering you there.

“I’ve got one more,” he whispered, the words slipping into the space between your lips like a secret too sacred for distance.  But even if he hadn’t said a thing more, you were already undone. Because he could’ve given you nothing but this room and that kiss and you'd still be certain of it—you were completely, devastatingly in love with him. And you had been.

—

You blinked, lashes sticky with tears as Trent reached for one last box. It wasn’t as glossy as the others—no Chanel ribbon, no tissue paper rustling like music. Just a small, matte black box, inconspicuous and simple. But something in your chest tightened the moment you saw it. Like your body already knew this one would wreck you because you recognized it. You knew what store used these boxes. Your fingers trembled as you peeled the lid back, breath snagging in your throat. Inside, nestled in soft velvet, sat a perfectly refurbished vintage Polaroid camera. Ivory cream with gold-rimmed buttons and the faintest marks of time on the body—like it had lived a life before this one, but was made to end up here, in your hands. You stared at it, eyes wide and glassy.

“I know you like your film cameras,” Trent started quietly, a hint of nervousness curled into the edge of his voice. “The ones that take their time. The ones that make you wait. But…” You looked up at him, and he was scratching the back of his neck like he hadn’t fully rehearsed this part. “I thought maybe… I just liked the idea of this one, that’s all. Because it prints instantly. And I dunno,” he chuckled, sheepish now, “sometimes it feels like every second you exist is something I wanna capture and print out right then and there. So I can tuck it away in my pocket.”  Your lips parted, but nothing came out. The tears slipped down your cheek. Trent saw them and laughed—soft and shy, a little helpless. “Baby,” he said gently, stepping forward to catch one with his thumb. “Didn’t mean to make you cry so much, beautiful.”  You shook your head, unable to stop the way your mouth quivered.  “It’s just…” he trailed off, gaze flicking around the gallery like he needed it to hold him steady. “Sometimes it feels like my brain’s this room. Full of you. All these images of you, just… popping up. Everywhere.” He looked back at you, voice lower now. “So I thought maybe having them print out might be nice. So you could see what I see, like this, real time.” You were already ruined. Already folding into yourself, undone by the way he said it. So casually, so earnestly. As if it wasn’t the most devastatingly romantic thing you’d ever heard. He lifted the camera carefully from its box and turned it over in his hands, adjusting the lens, checking the light.

“Gonna let me take one of you?” He softly smirked and you shook your head reluctantly. 

“Now?” You blinked. His eyes softened. 

“Yeah. Just like this.” And even though you felt messy and fragile and far too full of feeling to be seen—you nodded. Because if it was Trent behind the lens, you’d let him see anything. You stepped back, into the sea of camellias and film, and lifted your chin. He raised the camera, and something in the air shifted. The silence wrapped around you like silk. Through the viewfinder, Trent saw you in a way no one ever had. You weren’t just pretty. You weren’t just his. You were this living, breathing paradox—delicate and strong, composed and falling apart, glowing under gallery lights like you belonged somewhere like the Louvre, not in a moment with someone like him. Your cheeks flushed, your lips parted in a shy half-smile. Your hands fidgeted at your sides. And even in the quiet, you burned. Because no one had ever turned the camera on you before. Not like this. But he had. Again and again. You had spent a life behind the lens—chronicling others, finding beauty in the unnoticed, building a career on seeing what no one else could. But now? Now someone saw you. And it was Trent. The boy you met on a thoughtless holiday. The man who had waited. The one who somehow knew exactly how to love you—not in grand declarations or perfect timing—but in attention, in meaning, in seeing. He snapped the photo. The click echoed through the room like a secret. A soft whirr.  Then, like magic, the print slid out, slow and humming with heat. Trent caught it with a little grin, but then frowned, squinting at the grayish sheet in his hand.

“Oh—shit,” he muttered, pouting. “It’s gray or something. I messed it up, didn’t I?” You giggled—soft, breathy, still teary-eyed. 

“No, baby. Perfect. Just wait…,” you whispered, stepping closer. And as you said it, Trent exhaled because he’d wait a million years for you. “Even Polaroids take a minute. Gotta be patient.” You softly spoke, taking the image from him wafting it in the air in an effort to speed up time but all you wanted to do was pause it. He looked at you then, like maybe you hadn’t just been talking about film. And then the corners of his mouth lifted, slow and adoring as he took the photo back. He watched as the image bloomed between his fingers—your smile coming into focus, the glow of you framed in a gallery of yourself, surrounded by memories he had spent months collecting, curating, cherishing. A portrait of you in your element, yet finally, for once, inside the frame.

And then he handed it to you. But as you took it, you realized— it was thicker than one photo, there were two prints so you shifted the one on top. The photo of your reflection, reframed through love moved to the side. The second wasn’t an image. It was blank, entirely white except for a handwritten note scrawled carefully across it in Trent’s unmistakable script.

You read it once. Slow. Then again. Slower. And then the breath left your lungs.

I developed feelings for you faster than any photo ever could. But I know real things take time. You taught me that—just like you taught me film does. I’ll never rush you. I’d never want to rush this. I just need you to know that I’m patient. And I’ll be patiently, desperately in love with you… probably for the rest of my life. No matter how you feel or what you decide you feel. No matter how long it could take even if you never come to find me. I’ll be there. Loving you and waiting for you. Happy Birthday, baby.

Your Trent. 

Your lips parted, but the words caught in your throat. Your fingers shook. The tears spilled before you even realized they were coming again, warm streaks cutting down your cheeks. Something inside you cracked wide open—something soft and aching that had tried so hard to stay guarded. Before you could speak—before you could even think—he stepped forward and gathered you into his arms. He didn’t think of how you’d react. He wasn’t prepared and yet he was still strong and gentle, the way only Trent could be. 

“Shhh,” he murmured, holding you close, one hand on your back, the other threading through your hair like he’d done it a thousand times in dreams. “Don’t have to say anything.” You sobbed softly into his chest. His hoodie smelled like clean cotton and a cologne that had long since started to feel like home. He held you tighter. His own vulnerability starting to leak out. “Just…” he paused, breath catching in a way that told you this was hard for him too. “Just think about it.” He leaned back enough to look at you—eyes searching yours, shining. “We’ve got time, baby,” he said, barely more than a whisper. “You’ve got time with me… always.” And that was the thing about Trent. He never asked you to fall, but he built the safest place for you to land.

–

Your fingers curled into the fabric of his hoodie, still clinging to the last note of his voice. You’ve got time with me… always. Your fingers tightened just slightly over the fabric of his hoodie. His heartbeat was a steady thrum beneath your palms. Like he was reminding you he was here. Still here. Still yours, if you wanted him. The words sat behind your ribs, soft and pulsing like light through sheer fabric. But your body knew what to do—what it had always done with him. You looked up. Still trembling. Still clutching the two Polaroids like they were evidence of something you couldn’t name—but felt in every bone of your body. He was so close now. So warm. So real. His hands hadn’t left you, and yours hadn’t let go either. Your lashes fluttered. A tear caught on the corner of your mouth. You didn’t wipe it away. Neither did he. His lashes were damp. Whether from the rain or something else, you couldn’t tell. He was close enough that you could count the freckles dusting under his eye. Close enough to see the pulse ticking faintly in his neck. Close enough to fall, if you hadn’t already. And then—slowly—you lifted your hand to his jaw. Your thumb brushed over the corner of his mouth, soft and trembling. A reverent kind of touch. The kind that says I see you. I know you. I’ve always loved you, I think. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just let you study him, like you were the one holding the camera now—framing him in your mind’s eye, etching this version of him into memory: eyes full of hope, a little heartbreak, and every quiet promise a heart can make. And then, with a breath that sounded almost like a prayer, you kissed him, slowly, so slowly, your lips grazed his. Barely a whisper of contact. It wasn’t a kiss. It was a surrender. And it broke him.

You tilted your head and pressed your lips to his like it was the only way to say everything you never could out loud. It was soft, at first. Barely there. But he understood. His hands came to your waist. Yours slid into his hair. And the kiss deepened, not with urgency, but with knowing—like you’d both finally arrived at the truth you’d been circling. He pulled you closer, his forehead resting against yours between breaths. His nose brushed yours. He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for a year. Like every second since LA, he’d been praying for this moment without ever daring to believe it would come. His hand came up to your face, fingers feather-light at your jaw, thumb catching the tear that had spilled but hadn’t fallen. His eyes never left yours. Not even when his mouth finally—finally—met yours in full. It was so gentle. So reverent. Like he was kissing you in prayer. Like your mouth was something sacred. You melted into it, melted into him, into the warm press of his chest, the protective cradle of his arms, the soft groan he gave when your fingers fisted in the back of his shirt like you needed him to stay anchored to you forever. He didn’t rush it. Because this wasn’t about hunger. It wasn’t about want. It was about love. And Trent Alexander-Arnold kissed you like a man who had fallen quietly, fully, and undeniably in love. The kind that lingers. The kind that doesn’t ask for anything in return, but hopes. When he finally pulled back, he didn’t move far. Just rested his forehead against yours again, eyes shut, both of you breathing like you’d survived something. Maybe you had. Maybe he didn’t. You didn’t say anything. The kiss had spoken for you. And in the hush of that gallery—surrounded by white camellias, memories printed in silver halide and heartache, soft light spilling in from the overcast sky—it was enough. You were enough. And he was still holding you like he always would be.

—

You stayed like that for a while. His arms wrapped around you. Your hands tangled in the cotton at the base of his neck. The kiss still blooming between your mouths like something sacred. Something neither of you wanted to disturb. But eventually, reality crept in—the kind that doesn't slam, but taps. The kind that reminds you how fragile it is to feel this much. You pulled back just an inch. His face stayed close. Still searching. Still open. And your lips parted, trembling slightly with the weight of something trying to escape.

 “I…” your voice cracked on the vowel, barely audible. You blinked hard.  “I—” again, softer. Helpless. His brows knit, worry folding across his forehead. But he didn’t speak. Didn’t rush you. “I’m scared,” you breathed. The words slipped out like confession, like surrender. “I’m so scared, Trent.” It wasn’t fair—the way his expression fractured. His entire face falling into something so visibly gutted, it felt like the floor cracked beneath you. Like your fear had hurt him more than silence ever could. His throat bobbed. His hands didn’t leave your body. But he was still. His mouth parted like he wanted to say something, anything—but he didn’t. And you couldn’t take it. Couldn’t bear the pain you saw in the softness of his eyes. So you leaned forward again, holding his face between your palms, and pressed your forehead to his. “Thank you,” you whispered, voice already wet with tears. “Thank you, baby.” And that wrecked him. His eyes squeezed shut. His shoulders curled toward you like you were gravity and sanctuary all at once. Like your thank you had sealed something inside him that had been breaking open for too long. He didn’t kiss you again right away. He just held you tighter, like your body could hear the words he still couldn’t speak. Like his touch could tell you what his heart had been screaming for months: That he loved you more than anything. That he would wait forever. That even if your fear never left, he never would either.

“I’m here,” he murmured eventually, voice cracked and low against your temple. “No matter what, I’m here.” And for the first time in so long, you let yourself believe it. The rain kept falling outside. The lights dimmed to gold. And in the gallery filled with memories of you, you let him make another one—this one quiet and unfolding and true.

—

The car ride was gentle. Trent had his hand on your thigh, thumb brushing in slow, lazy arcs across your jeans, but he was quiet. Thoughtful. Like he was trying to tuck his heart back into his chest before you noticed it had fallen out entirely. He told you you didn’t have to say anything but he wished you did. He wanted you to. He prayed you would. He gave you everything. He gave you himself and still those words he wanted so badly didn’t come from your lips. You leaned into the silence, your head resting against the window, the sky still swollen with rainclouds and streaks of fading sun. Everything glowed in that melancholic blur that follows crying—the world looking softer, more vulnerable, like you. When you arrived at Leon and Foster’s, the door flew open with warmth. Music spilled into the driveway. So did laughter, a blur of hugs and excitment.

“Happy Birthday, babe!!” Campbell was already dragging you inside with a glass of champagne that had a little pink bow tied to the stem. It should’ve felt perfect. And in some ways, it did. The house smelled like vanilla and candle wax and fresh flowers. Foster had cooked her famous lemon garlic pasta. There were balloons strung across the dining room with polaroids of you and your friends clipped to a ribbon between them. 

“Birthday girl!” Leon came over, arms wide and dimple deep as he kissed your cheek and shouted. But underneath the laughter, something lingered. A thrum just beneath your skin. Trent stayed close the whole time. His touch never far—brushing your waist as he passed behind you, refilling your drink without asking, his hand warm on the small of your back when someone got too close. And when Campbell turned the lights low and called everyone into the kitchen for cake, he pulled you back against him with a low murmur of your name.

You tried to laugh, the sound came out it did—giddy with champagne and all the love in the room—as they carried out the cake but in a way it hurt. A soft chocolate sponge with whipped icing, a single sparkler flaring on top and golden candles flickering beneath. And Trent was behind you. Chest to your back. One arm slid low around your waist, the other braced on the countertop beside you, caging you in like instinct. Like he couldn’t help it. Like he didn’t want to let go—not even for this. Not even if you didn’t love him back.  You felt his breath on your shoulder. Quiet. Heavy. The kind of exhale that carries more than air. Everyone sang. You smiled so hard it almost hurt, cheeks flushed and heart fluttering—but it was there. That ache. That hum in your bones that something was missing, even as you were surrounded by everything. You closed your eyes. Took a breath. Made a wish. And as you blew out the candles, Trent did too—behind you, unseen. His chest rising with yours, his breath leaving him slow and almost trembling.

He didn’t say what he wished for. He never would. But he didn’t need to. Because as the candlelight snuffed out and the kitchen burst into cheers, he looked at the back of your head with the kind of ache that only love can create. He wished for you to love him someday. And even if you never did—not the way he loved you—he’d still be here. Still close. Maybe still wishing.

—

[Party 4 U - Charli XCX]

Campbell had waited all night for a quiet second with him. The moment she saw Trent alone, rinsing a glass under the kitchen tap like he needed something to focus on besides the heaviness in his own chest, she tugged him by the wrist down the hallway.

“Okay, okay—but wait,” Campbell hissed, grabbing Trent’s wrist with a bounce in her step, her glossy lip gloss catching the twinkle lights overhead. “You have to tell me what she said. About the gallery. About the flowers. About the bracelet, Trent, please.” She practically dragged him through the hallway, giddy and glowing, already preparing her emotional reaction like she hadn’t cried three times setting up the exhibit with him. Her voice was all sparkle and hope, eyes shining with the glow of someone who believed in grand gestures and earned love. She’d helped him plan it for weeks, seen the way his hands shook opening the box of prints, how he ran his thumb over the bracelet like it was too delicate to touch. She knew how much he cared. How deeply he wanted you to feel seen. But when Trent turned, his expression didn’t match hers. His lips were tight. Pained. Like they were trying to survive having touched yours. So when he didn’t smile back— When his lips didn’t quirk, didn’t even twitch— So un-Trent. Campbell’s heart and stomach dropped. “What?” she whispered, the light dimming in her eyes. He shrugged. A slow, defeated little rise and fall of his shoulders that felt like watching a tide go out for the last time.

“It didn’t happen, Cam.” Trent looked at her like he’d lost something. No, someone. His voice was soft. Almost apologetic. “It just didn’t happen.”

“What do you mean it didn’t happen? You didn’t say—?” Her brow knit. 

“I said it,” Trent said softly. “I just… I don’t think she feels that way. I misread the whole thing. She doesn’t want it. And I wasn’t gonna ask her to be something she doesn’t want after that.” His voice was raw. Like he’d scraped it across gravel just to get the words out. It shattered something in Campbell.

“T, come on.” She blinked. 

“I said it.” He swallowed, eyes fixed somewhere just past her. “Told her I loved her. Meant every word of it.”

“Okay…” Campbell’s chest was tight now, a slow pressure building like rising water.

“She didn’t say it back.” The silence that followed felt louder than the party still humming down the hall.

“No,” she said too fast, shaking her head. “No, Trent, she—she does. You know she does.”

“Cam.” He gave her a look—tired, a little broken. “Please don’t. Don’t try to convince me.”

“I’m not—I’m not convincing anyone. I just—she probably just got scared, you know? She’s just—” She panicked, heartbroken, confused, unable to articulate something that made no sense. 

“She shouldn’t need to be convinced to love me,” he said, gentle but resolute. “That’s not how it should work.” Campbell stared at him, her jaw slack with disbelief. 

“Trent… no. She does—she just—she probably froze. You know how she gets when she’s scared.” He shook his head, gently, like the movement itself hurt.

“Don’t.” His voice cracked. “Don’t try to explain it away. Don’t make it easier for me.”

“Then let me talk to her.” She offered. 

“I don’t want you to.” He looked her in the eye for the first time. “I love her. She doesn’t love me. No one should have to be convinced to love me.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Campbell winced. 

“I know,” he murmured. “But it’s how it feels.” His throat worked as he swallowed again, emotion lodged like gravel. “She doesn’t owe me anything,” he added, voice barely audible over the bass down the hall. “I just needed her to know. And now she does. It’s not her problem.”

“Yeah but you’re still in love with her though.” Trent gave a short breath of a laugh. 

“My heart’s hers, Cam. Whether she wants it or not. She knows that… but it wasn’t enough. The gallery. The gifts. The words. The kisses. Me.” She felt sick. Sick for him. For you. For the night that should’ve ended in joy but now glinted like broken glass in the dim. Campbell’s mouth opened. Nothing came out. Trent looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. “It doesn’t matter. I meant what I said. My feelings aren’t going anywhere. She doesn’t have to love me back. It’s not her fault. My heart’s hers either way.” And that was it. He walked away, and Campbell stood frozen, her own throat tightening. And then, just like that, the hallway disappeared. The music surged back to life, voices rose in chorus, the pulse of the party beating against the bones of the house. People laughed and swayed and toasted into the night like nothing had cracked open in the quietest corridor. But Campbell saw everything. She watched as Trent leaned against the kitchen island, one hand braced as if to keep himself from falling, shoulder slumped, gaze pulled magnetically to where you stood across the room in a pool of warm light. You were radiant—bathed in candle glow and soft laughter, wine glass in hand, your smile blooming wide at something Delaney said. Trent stared like he’d never seen something so painful and beautiful in his life. He smiled hearing you. It was quiet and pained—barely-there—but it was real. He looked like someone who’d been punched in the chest and asked for another. 

You turned slightly, catching him watching, and he straightened like he hadn’t been caught. You didn’t say anything. But then you moved closer. You slid between him and the counter, his hands instinctively landing at your hips—like he didn’t need permission. Like muscle memory. Like the place he was always supposed to be. Glasses clinked. Laughter roared from the other room, but everything slowed—like a movie reel skipping frames—as Campbell followed the flicker of you and him through the crowd.  You reached behind him, dipped your pinky finger in the frosting on the cake still resting nearby, and smudged it on the tip of his nose with a smirk. His lashes fluttered, mouth twitching into the faintest smile.  And when you softly giggled, carefree and melodic— Trent blinked. He closed his eyes tighter this time. Just for a heartbeat. You laughed and it hurt. But he’d pretend he was breaking inside for you.  Because even the sound of your laughter was enough to bring him to his knees. Just for a heartbeat. Just to feel what it was like to stand inside the sound of your happiness. Even if it wasn’t love. 

—

Later, when the party mellowed into golden haze, you found your way to him again. Settling into the space of his body like you were made for it. Your knees slung over his lap, head tucked beneath his chin, your hand curled around the fabric of his shirt like a tether like the most natural thing in the world listening to Leon and Foster tell a story simultaneously, cutting each other off with eagerness and laughter. And Trent held you close, fingers drawing shapes along your arm. From far away, it looked perfect… It looked like love. But Campbell saw it. Saw him blink a few times too hard. Saw the way his hand faltered for half a second on your shoulder. She followed the flick of his gaze to the edge of the counter, where your bag sat open and the corner of a polaroid peeked out—his handwriting barely visible in the low light. How he held you like he’d already lost you. How he never stopped looking at you like you were celestial—like your very existence hurt and healed him at once. He hadn’t stopped looking at you all night. Hadn’t stopped loving you since he met you. Like you were the moon and he was just a boy on earth, aching to understand how something so far away could still pull his whole tide. And as the party carried on—people dancing, drinking, slipping into that glittery blur of celebration—Campbell watched a boy bleed quietly in a room filled with candles and cake and the girl he’d never stop waiting to love him back.

—

The night had turned syrupy and slow, humming with the kind of warmth only good friends and red wine could summon. Laughter lilted low from the other room, blurred with the soft echo of music and the occasional clink of a glass. Your limbs were loose, your heart full—buzzing with the love that surrounded you, but aching quietly with the one you hadn’t let yourself say. Trent. Your Trent. You could feel him like gravity all night. Always in your periphery. Always nearby, and still—somehow—not close enough. And maybe it wasn’t fair. He’d done so much. Given so much. That gallery. The photos. The note he’d handwritten, more vulnerable than anything he’d ever said out loud. He’d told you he loved you. And you hadn’t said it back.

But the ache of that moment, the tremble it left in your chest, was beginning to dissolve in the heat of wine and the softness of celebration. You were full of sugar and nostalgia, of the sweetness of candles and cake—but more than anything, you were filled with need. The kind that pulled your body forward before your mind had caught up. You found him mid-conversation, half-laughing with Kieren, that same low-lidded grin he always wore when he was a few drinks in. His head tipped back, smile lazy, bicep flexing where he gripped a glass. You reached for that arm without thinking, curling your fingers gently around it.

“Can you come with me?” you whispered, voice soft and shy but lit with something slow-burning. Trent turned to you instantly, smile melting into something far softer, far more undone. He didn’t answer, just nodded once, setting the glass down and following you without a word. Not even a glance back to Kieren.

“You alright, birthday girl?” he asked, voice lower now—cooing, intimate. Charming even when he was breaking.  You turned as you walked backwards, hands still wrapped in his. 

“Mhm,” you murmured, biting your lip, unable to look at him too long without your stomach twisting. There it was. That flare of something too close to love in your eyes. And Trent saw it. God, he felt it. He followed you into the next room—one of the guest bedrooms left untouched by the party. The door clicked shut behind him with a low finality, muting the world in one soft swoop. And then it was just you. You, standing inches away. Your eyes wide, glazed with wine and something else—something real. You stepped closer, your hands finding the edge of his shirt, smoothing it down like you needed the contact to steady your nerves.

“Thank you for tonight,” you whispered, voice velvet.

“’Course, beautiful.” Trent smiled, lazy and wrecked by the sight of you. Like he didn’t even care you hurt him if it meant he got you alone. Like he was lucky to be the one you were breaking. His hands found your hips like they always did, like they were made for it. He tugged you flush against him, his palms warm and large as they settled, anchoring you to him. But his chest was beating fast. You felt it. You felt everything.

“Can I have one more birthday present?” you asked suddenly, your breath catching just slightly at the end. Greedy. Unfair and greedy. Trent’s eyes flickered down to your lips. His grip tightened.

“Anything you want, baby,” he murmured, his voice a rough prayer. His thumbs brushed slow over the curve of your ass, his whole body aching, desperate. In his mind, he was screaming. Please say you love me. Please say it back. You swallowed hard.

“Can I have another kiss?” Your voice was barely a sound, your request so tender it felt like it would break in the air if he didn’t catch it fast enough. “Just for my birthday,” you added quickly, cheeks flushing. You were scared he’d say no. Scared he’d finally stop giving and start protecting his own heart. Trent stilled. His hand slid up, gentle, holding your neck with a reverence that made your knees weak. Who was he to deprive you, deprive himself. His forehead met yours, breath brushing over your lips, his eyes heavy with a thousand things unsaid.

“For your birthday…” he whispered, voice fraying at the edges. “For you… forever, baby.” And then he kissed you. Slow. Devastating. Sacred. His mouth moved over yours with the kind of tenderness that made your chest ache—like he was spelling I love you with every pass of his lips, like he was trying to breathe the words into your skin. You whimpered softly into him, arms winding around his neck as your body melted, your hands grabbing at his curls, his shirt, anything to bring him closer. You kissed like you needed him to keep you from falling apart. He kissed like he’d been holding this in for years. It was messy and perfect, too much and not enough. The kind of kiss that made time irrelevant. That turned the air to gold. That whispered I love you even when you still weren’t ready to say it. But your body told the truth. Your mouth did. And Trent felt you unraveling for him. Because of him. With him. And he let you. Even if it wasn’t the words he was waiting for.

The kiss deepened, slow and hungry, like you’d both been starving for each other in silence. Trent’s hands slid up beneath the hem of your top, splaying across your bare back like he needed to memorize every inch of you—like he’d forget how to breathe if he didn’t touch skin. And you let him. Let him press you close, let him taste the truth from your mouth because even if your lips wouldn’t say I love you, they sure as hell felt like they did. You kissed him like he was home. You kissed him like you’d never been kissed by anyone else. Like the past didn’t exist and the fear that’d been holding you back was folding into this moment, this reckless, raw need to just feel something true. Trent groaned softly into your mouth, thumb tracing slow along your spine. He was pouring himself into it. Every ounce of love. Every second of missing you. Every imagined future he kept tucked behind his ribs. And you could feel it. He kissed you like he loved you. And you kissed him right back like you loved him too. Because you did. You did. But the words— They wouldn’t come. Why wouldn’t they fucking come out? They caught in your throat like a scream. Trapped and trembling and terrified. Because saying them meant changing everything. Meant trusting that if you gave him your heart, he wouldn’t run. That he wouldn’t break it. That maybe you wouldn’t. So instead, you kissed him harder. Clutched at him like he was the only thing tethering you to earth, fingers fisting in the soft fabric of his tee. Your mouths moved like they were trying to speak in touches, in sighs, in the slide of lips and breathless gasps. You didn’t realize the tear had fallen until it slid warm and slow down your cheek. Until Trent pulled back just enough to see it. His brows furrowed. A soft, broken sound left his throat—like something inside him cracked.

“Baby…” he whispered, voice wrecked and shaking. His thumb brushed the tear away so gently it made your heart ache. You gasped—just slightly—your breath hitching as your chest caved in on itself. You could feel it. You were hurting him. The silence between your kiss and your truth was killing him inch by inch. “Please, baby…” he said again, barely a sound, like it cost him something just to say it. And you knew what he meant. Please don’t cry. Please tell me I’m not alone in this. Please say it back. Please love me. But you didn’t. You just surged forward again, mouth colliding with his in a desperate blur, needing to feel the thing you couldn’t say. Needing him close because close was safer than honesty. He kissed you back instantly, hands fierce and trembling, dragging your body into his like he wanted to disappear inside you. Like maybe if he held you hard enough, the words might come. That maybe your love would spill out without you even realizing. But it didn’t. Only the kiss. Only this. And it was beautiful. It was bruising. It was everything. But the silence? The silence was killing him. 

—

The bedroom was dim, golden light seeping through gauzy curtains, the music from the other room a muffled pulse behind thick walls. It smelled like something sweet, something warm. A contrast to the party outside, which pulsed with bodies and bass and artificial joy. Here, it was just the two of you. You were warm with champagne and attention, cheeks flushed from being celebrated, but none of it touched the place inside you that only he could reach. Trent kissed you like he always did—like he knew you down to the marrow. Like he was trying to memorize the shape of your mouth again, just in case it was the last time. Your hands were in his curls, his were anchored on your hips, and every slow press of his lips said what you both kept swallowing.  Slow. Searching. Starving. It was your birthday. But it felt like he was the one falling apart from it. You wouldn’t say it. And that’s what broke him. Because he did love you. Had for ages. Loved you through silence, through anger, through touch. And still—still—you wouldn’t let the words out. Wouldn’t free him.  His mouth moved against yours with the reverence of someone memorizing the taste of something he thought he might never get again. And maybe he wouldn’t. That was the cruelty of it—you, so close, pressed into every inch of him, and still somehow miles away. And Trent could feel it—fuck, he could feel it. In the way you clung to him like you were afraid to fall, but wouldn’t say why. In the way your hands were trembling where they rested at his jaw, thumbs brushing his cheeks, tender like you loved him—but never saying it. His heart was trying to claw its way out of his chest. Because every kiss from you felt like a promise, but every silence was a betrayal. He couldn’t do it. Not tonight. Not when he knew—knew—that he’d give you every part of himself and you’d still be holding something back. He pulled away. Not far, just enough for the air to stretch thin between you. His lips were parted, raw, kiss-bitten. His eyes full of something he hadn’t let you see before—hurt. Real, sharp, undiluted. His breath shaky, like the distance physically hurt. You leaned into him like a reflex, nuzzling into the curve of his neck like you hadn’t even noticed he’d retreated. And that hurt worse. That you didn’t feel the shift, soft and thoughtless and it made his heart ache sharper but you had. 

“Come on, birthday girl…” he tried, voice barely steady. “Gotta get you back.”  He made it sound teasing. He tried for cheeky. Tried to be the version of himself you liked best—easy, light, charming. But his voice cracked halfway through, and his hands—traitorous hands—were already sliding up your spine like they missed you. Your nose skimmed the sensitive skin beneath his ear, your breath warm there, making his eyelids flutter shut.

“MmNm,” you hummed into him, drunk on closeness. He hated how much he loved the way you said no. How you always said it like yes. Your nose buried in the warm column of his throat. You didn’t want to move. Didn’t want to be seen by anyone but him. Didn’t want to be reminded that the rest of the world still existed when this was happening. Whatever this was.

“They wanna see you.” His voice was hoarse, weighted, control unraveling by the second. His arms had gone soft around you again, unwilling to let go. “Can’t keep you all to myself.” God, how he wanted to though.His fingers were curling at your waist again, pulling you in, palms splayed wide like he wanted to hold all of you at once. 

“I just wanna see you though,” you whispered, pulling back, just enough to look at him. The shift was seismic. 

A thud—silent but heavy—landed in the room between you. It was the weight of everything unspoken. Of your eyes meeting his and holding, glassy with unshed meaning. Of all the things you wouldn’t say but he could feel blooming between your ribs.His jaw ticked. His eyes narrowed—not with anger, but with effort. With restraint. Willing himself not to give in to the hope that shimmered in your gaze. Why couldn’t you just say it? Why couldn’t you love him out loud? Still… still… he softened. Trent’s breath stilled. Your eyes—wide, glassy, smudged with makeup and meaning—were staring straight into his. There was so much in them. All that unspoken affection and fear and longing. It hit him in the chest like a punch. You weren’t trying to hurt him. But you were. Because he could see it—right there—and still held back. You were holding it hostage behind your teeth. He tried not to show how badly it broke him. His eyes narrowed slightly, jaw clenched—not with anger, but with effort. With restraint. Willing himself not to give in to the hope that shimmered in your gaze. A quiet fight. Heart vs. pride.

“You’ll see me,” he managed, voice softer now, sadder. “I’ll be right there. Keep my eyes on you the whole time.” Your fingertips trailed up his chest, slow and deliberate. You leaned in again, brushing your body against his, voice a whisper of silk and smoke. It wasn’t fair. Using physicality to mask something so emotional. 

“And your hands?” you asked, laced in velvet and sin.  He exhaled hard, breath catching on a groan and a grin.

“Yeah… can do that too.” His hands found the small of your back. Warm, familiar. Home. Greedy in his own right. “How about I keep ’em right here?”

“Lower,” you whispered, and your eyes were liquid now. All innocence and desire and heartbreak. You said it like it hurt to ask, breathless, eyes wide and pleading like it hurt you not to be touched the way you needed. He stared at you, chest rising and falling too fast, lips parted, utterly undone. 

“Little lower, huh?” You didn’t wait. You moved his hands yourself, dragging them down until they cupped your ass. His fingers flexed instinctively. You could feel how hard he was against you. How much he still wanted you. Despite everything.

“T…” you whispered, like you were asking for something and apologizing for it all at once.

“Mm.” His eyes fluttered closed. A tremor ran through him.

“When the party’s over…” Your voice cracked. You were shaking, just slightly. “I want to tell you something.” you whispered, and the way you said it—it didn’t sound casual. It sounded like you were about to change the weather in his chest. The room went still. Trent’s eyes snapped open, searching yours. His hands on your body stilled, his heart stopped. The possibility of it—the thing he had dreamed about, begged for in silence—hovered between you, terrifying and magnetic. He didn’t say anything but his heart slammed into his ribs. He just held you tighter. God, please. Like maybe this time, you’d be real. “And after…” your voice was thinner now, tremulous, “I want you to lay me down. I want you to take off all my clothes. I want you to do whatever you want.” Your lips brushed his with the lightest tease. Not a kiss. A promise. A prayer. He nearly crumbled. Trent’s hands tightened on you. His breath hitched. Jesus Christ.

“Sure it’s not my birthday?” he rasped, voice breaking on a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. A boyish lilt, one last defense before he caved completely. You shook your head, so slowly. His hands tightened where they rested. Possessive. Careful. He didn’t know what the fuck he was supposed to do here. Lead with his heart, and risk it shattering again? Or stay quiet and let this moment pass him by?

“Alright… Whatever you wish for,” he said, the words a benediction against your lips.

“Need,” you breathed, correcting him, eyes so full of him it made his knees weak. His smirk faltered, jaw tensing, reverence sliding in. 

“Yeah… you need me.” He doubled down because no matter how much it hurt inside his chest, outside his body was purring for yours. 

“Need you,” you whispered an echo. This time when you kissed him, it was trembling, soft but urgent, like you were begging him not to give up on you before you were brave enough to give him everything.  And he kissed you back like a dying man taking one last breath. Because maybe—just maybe—after the party, you’d finally say it. And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough to bring him back to life. He didn’t know whether to let go or hold on for dear life. Because somewhere between love and lust and longing, he was losing his grip—and all you had to offer him was a maybe.

—-

[Answering Machine - Ruby Haunt]

The party didn’t end all at once. It leaked, like something punctured. Like a slow deflation. One by one, the bodies slipped out of the house in a trail of perfume and aftershave and laughter grown too tired to last. The music was still playing—muffled now, barely there, more background than beat. Empty glasses littered the countertops, glitter stuck to the tiles. The house had the scent of friends and champagne and over-perfumed hugs goodbye. And with every guest that left, it was like the air changed. The silence crept in like a tide. And with it… the words. Those words. They crept up the back of your throat, tentative and heavy, sticky with fear. Each footstep toward the door—each final wave, each echo of ‘happy birthday’ slurred with Moët—seemed to carve the path clearer.

Campbell was on the couch, curled beneath a throw blanket, watching it all unfold with a look that could only be described as exhausted dread. Like she was witnessing the tail-end of a love story she knew was either about to blossom or explode. Her eyes flicked between you and Trent as he trailed behind you like a shadow, soft and loyal and helpless. And she knew—she knew—that this was gonna end in tears no matter how good it felt in the moment, she just wasn’t sure who’s they’d be. You glanced at her. She raised her brows. You looked away. Back to him. He was slouched in the doorway now, shirt wrinkled, smile a little messier than the beginning of the night. Eyes never leaving you as promised. The soft amber light from the kitchen hit the sharp edges of his cheekbones and made him look too beautiful to be real. And maybe that was the whole problem. Because Trent looked at you like you were already his. And you knew you’d never stop wanting him. But wanting wasn’t the same as saying it. Not when love meant ruin. Not when love meant no take-backs.

“You ready?” he asked quietly, voice coarse, like he hadn’t spoken in hours. You nodded. Didn’t move. He pushed off the doorway, came to stand in front of you. The energy between you pulled taut like thread. His body grazed yours. You exhaled.  You pressed your palm to his chest and felt the thud of his heart���fast, unsteady, too big for his body. 

“Can I still sleep with you?”  The words came out trembling. A question soaked in guilt and need. Your voice was soft, scared. Begging for him to not make you do this. You tried to convince yourself you wanted him to reject you so you didn’t have to confront your fears but Trent didn’t want that. He wanted this and he knew you did too. So he exhaled looking down at you, startled by the simplicity of it. By the sadness tucked into the way you phrased it like a question. Like you didn’t know if you’d crossed the line. Like touching him meant something else now—something more dangerous.

“Baby, you know I’ll never say no to you.” His answer was breathless. Immediate. That was the problem. You both knew it. His lips twitched at the corner, not quite a smile, but something softer. His eyes flicked across your face, studying you like he could read the confession on your skin before you ever spoke it aloud. Campbell sat up behind you. Her expression was tight. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. You could feel her thoughts echoing in your chest like a second heartbeat.

Say it. Or let him go.

But you didn’t say it. Not yet. Instead, you let Trent take your hand. You let him lead you upstairs. The hallway was quieter than it had any right to be. Your fingers intertwined, warm and steady, and he didn’t speak—just kept glancing over at you like he was waiting for you to speak first. You passed Kieren asleep on the sofa, Leon and Foster curled together on a chair for one, Delaney’s heels kicked off in the hallway. And when he finally opened a bedroom door, the air inside was cooler than before. Quieter. Like even the walls knew what was coming. He let go of your hand only to touch your back, gently guiding you in. Then the door shut behind you with a softness that betrayed the weight of what was about to happen. That borrowed room felt like limbo. Not yours. Not his. A purgatory made of crisp sheets and white walls that didn’t hold your history. A single bedside lamp cast a golden glow, too warm and too cruel—highlighting your faces like a painting neither of you felt brave enough to finish. You turned. Your chest rose and fell too fast. He didn’t touch you. He waited. Waited for you to speak. Waited for the slow leak to finally rupture. Waited for the thing he knew he wanted to hear, but his pride wouldn’t dare let him beg for.

•

Thank you for reading! I really hope you enjoy this chapter and look forward to what's ahead!

PLEASE PLEASE Please like, comment, or message what you think!!!

Next part - Chapter 19 - Still

📷 🪩 💄 🤍 🎞️ 🎱🍸 💷

[starsluver]

Random Facts About the Slytherin Boys

Part 1

Mattheo Riddle

In the first year, no one believed that he was related to Voldemort. mainly because no one thought he'd have a child

He also fluently speaks Spanish since he was raised by his mother (ngl I believe that Mattheo is either Guatemalan, Mexican, Colombian, or Puerto Rican) cause his father didn't want anything to do with him until he got older

Had a side part phase for most of his first through fourth year because his mom liked it until his fifth year where he learned how to take care of his natural hair and he takes VERY big pride in it, he literally spends all his money and time on it and REFUSES to let anyone touch it.

He got the scar on his eyebrow from trying to give himself a slit eyebrow in his third year because he'd thought he'd look cool but ended up with a scar and his mom yelling at him but tells everyone he got it from a fight

He got the scar on his nose in his sixth year from banging his nose on a sink but tells everyone that he got from a fight with a guy from racenclaw (Theo's the only one that knows the truth)

Secretly a theatre kid

Has the messiest hand writing, literally no one can read it.

Silver Tooth Kid activities !!!!!!

He had perfect grades until 5th year when he started slacking off cause his dad would always pressure him to get good grades

had a THICK Spanish accent and was kind of used to get made fun of for it. He barely speaks it around people which is pretty much why most people completely forget he's Latino

Made friends with Blaise, Enzo, Theo, and Draco in that exact order

Blaise thought Mattheo looked like he was gonna cry when his mom dropped him off at the train station first year. so he and Mattheo played on his Nintendo DS the whole train ride

Enzo soon met Mattheo in their second year after Blaise introduced them.

Afterward, Enzo introduced Theo to Mattheo that same year. They bonded over the fact no one else understood what they were saying and that they had deadbeat dads

"Blaise, what are they saying?"

"Don't know but at least they're getting along!"

His middle name is Andrés

He grew up with two cats and a dog. He had a ginger cat named Garfield who died from obesity because Mattheo wouldn't stop feeding him table scraps. He currently still has a black cat who he named Loki until later on finding out it was a girl because she got pregnant and had kittens, renames her Kali (inspired by Kali Uchis 😛) he currently has a pitbull named Dodger

He met Draco through Blaise again

"why do you talk like that?"

"why does your face look like that?" In a HEAVY Spanish accent

Used to bite people he didn't like

Sassiest 1st year

He was so obsessed with death note in his third year that he'd put the names of people he didn't like in the book hoping they'd just randomly drop dead. (They didn't)

He had a crush on Padma Patil since his FIRST YEAR TO HIS SIXTH YEAR. And even thought of asking her to the yule ball until he realized she was going with Ron. He beat Ron up as soon as he found out and told him to stay away from his girlfriend. (He never even had a conversation with her)

Theodore Nott

He was SUCH a cute 1st year. All the older girls would tell him how cute he was and he thought he was sooooo cool.

Didn't know English until his second or third year and barely anyone understood what he was saying.

Enzo met Theo when he saw Theo alone on the train ride. Enzo showed Theo his Pokemon collection cause neither of them understood each other and Enzo was basically his only friend at the time.

"anch'io ho quella carta!"

"🤨🤨🤨"

Eventually Enzo introduced him to Blaise and Mattheo. Where him and Mattheo bonded the most

"è un tale sollievo che qualcuno mi capisca!"

"¿que es eso güey?"

Theo met Draco long after through Lorenzo again

"why can't anyone here speak proper English?!?"

"il furetto,"

"Ki sa l menm ap pale de?" (I feel like Blaise is Haitian on his mom's side idk why but I'll explain it in the next part!)

"pinche guëro"

He was named after his father and had two middle names. Niccolo and Brando (the real ones know)

He grew up in the country side of Italy and was a VERY energetic child

He started smoking after a random 5th year asked if he wanted a hit in his 1st year

Perfect grades and handwriting

He's secretly friends with Neville and Luna because they secretly sell weed on the side but also the fact that he was also a loner and refuses to let any of his friends bully them.

Had a crush on Ginny and thought of asking her to the yule ball until Mattheo told him she was dating Dean Thomas (he cried himself to sleep)

[seeingivy]

better than revenge

actor!eren x f!reader

**part of my method acting fic

previous part linked here

an: this is 11k and tweets on tweets. buckle in. if you find the typo in the tweets shut up

songs mentioned: see you again by tyler the creator ft. kali uchis, end game by taylor swift, and vampire by olivia rodrigo

--

The following morning, the buzzing energy in the townhouse is almost palpable. Not only because you’ve finally completed the set and the last four people have arrived – Erwin, Bertholdt, Ymir, and Historia – but it seems that your intense energy from the night prior seemed to have transferred over to everyone else. 

You’re almost too embarrassed to walk downstairs to the frantic chatter – that coupled with the fact that you’ve heard Connie name drop you almost four times – and it seems that Eren seems to be feeling the same when you walk out into the hallway to find him awkwardly lingering by his  door. 

“Hey.” 

Eren looks up, thrown out of his spiral of thoughts, as he gives you a smile and then looks down at your lip. It’s a little sore, the tiniest bit swollen from the tattoos that you got yesterday, and you can see that his is the same. 

“Hi princess. How’s your lip?” Eren asks. 

“Good. I guess I should be thankful that your name is only four letters and not nine letters like Bertholdt or something.” 

Eren smiles. 

“Let’s see it then.” Eren responds. 

You oblige his request, pulling down to show him the inner of your lip and watch as he smiles at the little ink. He follows suit after, making a rather dramatic display of crouching down to your height before pulling his own lip and showing you his. 

“You know, life really does imitate art. Because now, my name really will be forever on your lips.” you respond. 

“I sure hope not. You’d be slashing my head off sometime in the near future if that were true.” 

You smile. 

“You know, that doesn’t sound that bad to me.” 

“But you have to kiss me after. You know, if it were up to me, I think life should imitate art. Like at least ten times, for scientific purposes.” Eren responds, shrugging as he gestures for you to follow him. 

You shake your head, inexplicably unable to respond to the harmless flirting this time around, as you gesture for him to join you downstairs. The two of you walk in tandem down the steps, sparing each other one last smile, before you get hounded by the likes of Connie and Jean. 

And surely enough, the second you make it down to the kitchen and the dining table at the side, you’re met with the sight of Connie air-playing fan edits on the TV screen for everyone to watch. 

You and Eren take the spot behind Connie on the couch, and Eren smacks him on the backside of his head, before you two watch the edit. It’s of Eren singing Glimpse of Us in the background, except the video’s edited to be showing videos of him and Hyla, before juxtaposing them with videos of him and you. 

“Speak of the fucking devils. Don’t tell me you actually got matching lip tattoos? I’m half convinced you assholes are just lying to piss me off at this point.” Connie asks. 

The two of you look over and grin at each other. 

“Why are you watching fancams of us on the TV?” you ask. 

“Edit accounts are a form of art. Look at this one.” Connie responds, sliding to the next video on his phone. 

This one is in a similar vein, videos of you and Eren from the red carpet to the backdrop of you singing Style. You’re not sure what it is, but the video fills you with an insurmountable amount of joy, especially when Connie scrolls up the comments – most of them being about how people can’t stand how Eren seems to look at you. 

“Connie. Why have you watched this entire YouTube video?” Eren asks, pointing to the little thumbnail at the side. 

You follow the line of vision to where he’s pointing to an hour long video, entitled “eren and y/n creating love for an hour straight.” 

“There’s no way you watched that entire thing.” you respond. 

“Watched it? Bitch, I recorded half of those videos for Y/N-Jaegers back in the day. Please put some respect on my name.” Connie sneers, as he leans forward to put the video on. 

You turn to Eren, as the gears start turning in your head. You can tell that he’s following your lead – in fact, thinking the same exact thing as you – as you discuss it over. 

“I mean, kind of makes sense. S’how we did it the first time.” Eren responds. 

“I’d argue that it’s almost poetic to do it the same way. Plus, the resurgence of Y/N-Jaegers would be crazy, just for PR sake.” 

“I agree.” 

Eren reaches forward, yanking on Connie’s ear to catch his attention. He leans back, before swatting Eren off, and standing to face the two of you. 

“Do you have your phone, Connie?” Eren asks. 

“Yeah.” Connie responds. 

“Then, use it.” Eren responds. 

You give him a grin, waiting for Connie – who albeit, in his confusion lifts his phone – before you both pull down your lips and show off your new tattoos. You watch as Connie’s eyes nearly boggle out of head as he moves closer to the two of you, his excited voice filling the entire room as the group of them all start huddling around you. 

Mai and Mikasa look positively appalled, quietly whispering about how painful that must have been, while Reiner and Sasha break out into their own side tangent about how oppressive lip tattoos must be since they limit your food options so greatly. 

You and Eren laugh as you shuffle back into the kitchen, leaving the group of them to their devices as Connie uploads the video, and the two of you reach for the yogurt in the fridge. The piping hot, spicy ramen seemed like it was just going to burn your entire lip off, so you decided against that for today. 

You lean forward to read the little schedule on the fridge, though the filming is considerably light for the week. Considering the fact that almost everyone was here now, or arriving within the next hour, you were going into serious rehearsals for the ensemble showcase that you had planned. Though you were really only in it for one verse. 

Wednesday, March 27th, 10:00 

Eren and Y/N - REDACTED #1 

You frown. 

“What the hell is redacted number one?” 

Eren spins to the side, crouching down so his chin is just hovering over your shoulder. And the fact that he lowers his voice, to the gravelly octave, makes the hair on your arms stand up on its ends. 

“Levi not talk to you about this yet?” 

“No. We’re too busy talking about award show stuff. You know how he loves to lecture.” 

Eren looks over at you, his eyes borderline smoldering, as you can’t help but look away. It was getting harder and harder to look at Eren after your godforsaken realization last night.  

“From what I hear, what they’re lecturing you about is actually very valid.” Eren responds. 

You scoff. 

“You know, they’re so annoying. I’d appreciate it if they kept my conversations with them as private as they keep their conversations with you.” you respond. 

“Well, they were actually trying to get me to convince you to not use your triple threat performance on me. Not when you’re already performing twice that day, with me at the centerpoint.” Eren responds. 

When you had first pitched your idea for the awards show to them – and humbly begged them to give their ensemble showcase moment up to include the Jujutsu Kaisen cast – you had let them know that your intentions were from the get go. 

And when Eren had created the perfect segway for them with the song requests, Hange had slipped theirs in a week prior with maybe the most difficult request that you had been given yet. 

write a song about danny and sareen 

And even more than just writing it, Hange had made it very clear that they were expecting you to sing it at the award’s show at the end when you finally got to do your triple threat performance. That you couldn’t sing another song about Eren, when winning that award, was always going to be about them. 

Hange’s more theatrical than Levi. Because Levi just gave you the cue card that they have read off of that night, that had your name on it. But Hange had gone the full ten miles and given you the little trophy that you never even got to hold, with the note that came attached from the Institute. 

You can still see it now in the dull, gold looping. 

Dear Y/N, Danny, and Sareen,  Congratulations on your accomplishment! Included in the box is the trophy and a golden glass case to display it in. Please call the offices on Glass Avenue to discuss timings for interviews and your performance at one of our four award shows next year.  Best,  The Institute 

And annoyingly enough – despite the fact that it was your name on the trophy, their names were inscribed on the box. 

It was enough to irritate you into writing the song that Hange wanted you to sing. And at this point, you were itching to give them a run for their money too. 

“They didn’t need you to convince me. I gave in eventually.” you respond. 

Eren shrugs, before dipping his own spoon into your yogurt. Eren had instinctively given up the last strawberry one because it’s your favorite, but clearly, wasn’t very attached to his decision.  

“I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to make it about Danny and Sareen in the first place.” Eren responds. 

You shrug, leaning against the back of the fridge. The metal is cold on your back, as you let the freezing cold yogurt soothe the burning in your mouth. 

“Well, I only came back here for Marco. Because he won’t ever get to act again. Then when I started to do this, I was only doing it for you – because you did it for me first.” you respond. 

“And now?” 

“I thought back to what Historia had said to me, when she finally dragged me out of that house the first time. She had brought up Hange’s speech, the one way back when that made me even interested in acting in the first place. About showing the real you and all that.” you respond. 

“And?” Eren asks. 

“Well, Hange brought that up to me, when I originally said I wanted the third song to be about you. Not that you’re not important to me, but…being a triple threat was what I always wanted. And really at the core of it, I just wanted to be as unapologetic as  Hange was. I guess when they put it that way, it was almost stupid not to make the song about them when they’re the one who got to take the sanctity of that award away from me.” 

Eren smiles. And before he can respond, you’re tackled by two pairs of arms nearly strangling you around your neck, your line of vision telling you that Eren’s experiencing the same bombardment. Ymir and Bertholdt are shaking his entire frame and jumping at his side – and your ears don’t deceive you when you hear Historia and Erwin bellowing in your ear. 

You pull back, wrapping your hands around Historia’s face. 

“You crazy bitch. Don’t tell me you actually got a fucking tattoo again?” Historia asks. 

You grin, pulling down your lip to show the group of them. 

“Well, I’d be a fucking liar if I said that.” you respond. 

Erwin, in his theatrics, places a hand over his chest and the other one on the top of your head. 

“That’s my girl. Always had such a sound moral compass.” Erwin responds. 

You can’t help but wrap your arms around him as Erwin lifts his hand and gestures for Eren to join him at the other side. He still smells the same – the lingering scent of Old Spice deodorant and a very husky perfume. And when he pulls back, you can’t help but feel your heart squelch when he puts a hand on both of your cheeks and beams down at you two. 

“You’ve always been our little trail blazers, you two. I’m so proud of you two.” 

You turn to Eren and smile, before looking back at Erwin. 

“We’re proud of you too, Erwin!” Eren responds. 

You turn your head to the side, giving Eren a confused look. 

“Don’t flatter me, Eren. I’m not above crying in front of you children.” Erwin responds. 

“I’m offended you would even think that, Erwin. Don’t you know who I am?” Eren responds. 

You shake your head as you turn towards Ymir and Bertholdt at your side and leave Eren and Erwin to hype each other up for what was probably going to be the next thirty minutes at your side. You had already given up trying to understand Eren and Erwin’s relationship years prior. 

“Hey, kid.” Ymir says. 

“I’m older than you.” you respond. 

“Yeah, yeah whatever. I have someone I want you to meet.” Ymir responds. 

You follow her line of vision to the opening of the kitchen, to find someone lingering against the frame of the door. There’s a girl standing there, with tan skin and a short pixie cut – nervously knitting her fingers together. She’s smiling at you, rather brightly, and you can't help but feel like you’ve met her before. 

“Y/N. This is Sofia, my fiance. Sofia, this is Y/N.” Ymir states, gesturing for the two of you to shake hands. 

You oblige, her hand warm and the shake firm, as you try to hide the shock in your face. With the rush of everything that was going on, the information that Mikasa had shared with you days prior had been floating around in the back of your mind but you were never able to ask Eren to put it to rest. 

And now there was another lingering question mark hanging. 

That Ymir had proposed to Historia, but that she said no. That she begged her and Historia couldn’t bring herself to do it. But even despite that, they were still sleeping on the same mattress when you came back for the first time, for Marco’s funeral. 

And now she’s engaged to someone else. 

“Hi Sofia. My name is Y/N. It’s really nice to meet you.” 

Her eyes light up as she squeezes your hand, which you now realize is still locked in with hers, as you look back up at her and smile. 

“It’s really nice to meet you too.” she responds. 

“You know, you look really familiar, but I can’t exactly place why.” you murmur. 

You look to your side to find Ymir grinning at Sofia, as Sofia can’t help but groan in response. 

“I told you she would remember you.” Ymir states. 

“That doesn’t count as remembering me! A lot of people can look familiar to people!” Sofia responds. 

You smile, rubbing your palms together, as you look at the two of them. The thought of Historia a few feet away talking to Jean and Mikasa has you sweating, nervously passing your eyes over just to make sure that she wasn’t watching the entire interaction go down. 

“Have I met you before?” you ask. 

Sofia sighs, the slightest pink tint in the apples of her cheeks. 

“This is so embarrassing. I met you and Eren a couple years back, at one of those conventions with the panels and stuff and –” 

The recognition is instant. 

“Oh my god! You were wearing a shirt with my face on it! With your sister, right?” you respond. 

“I fucking told you she would remember! She has really good memory.” Ymir responds, this time goading her on. 

You shake your head at Ymir, before placing your hands on both of her biceps and squeezing. 

“Sofia, wait. I really remember that because it actually meant the world to me at the time. I’m sure you…know about Scott Clarkson and all that mess and –” 

“I want that man dead and I’m so serious.” Sofia deadpans. 

You laugh. 

“You and me, both. But yeah, that day was actually the first time that Eren and I had ever met him in person. And the entire event in general was just so uncomfortable and left a weird taste in my mouth and you…you really made me feel like I was doing something important and I actually thought about it for a really long time.” you respond. 

Sofia smiles, before she reaches forward and wraps her arms around you. The embrace is overwhelmingly warm, as you eye Ymir behind her back, who's just shaking her head at her demeanor, almost insinuating that this was what she did all the time. 

“I’m really glad. I really meant what I said back then and I’ve always been a big supporter all this time. You’re really brave and courageous and –” Sofia stars. 

“Okay, Sof. Enough. You’re going to make poor Y/N’s head bigger than it already is.” Ymir groans, as you turn back to your side. 

“That’s really sweet of you. How is your sister?” you ask. 

You’re not sure what it is, but it’s almost like you’ve thrown ice on the little warmth that was pooling in the conversation. Because her face slightly droops and Ymir’s quick to put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. 

“Ah. She passed away a few years ago.” Sofia mumbles. 

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up and –” 

She smiles, enough to give you the faintest glimpse of her dimples. They remind you of Eren. 

“That’s okay. That’s actually where I met Ymir. At the grief group.” she responds. 

“You went to a grief group?” you ask. 

“Well, not originally. I was there with a friend, a while before Marco died. Met her there. We were already dating when Marco passed away, but…we just figured it wasn’t the best idea for Sofia to come to the funeral with…you know. Historia.” Ymir responds. 

So why did she sleep with Historia on the mattress? 

“I’m glad you’re here with us now. It’s really nice to meet you. And I love weddings, if Ymir can humble herself enough to invite me to hers.” you respond. 

“Shut up, bitch. You’re so annoying.” Ymir responds. 

That’s what she says. But it sounds more like are you crazy? Of course, you’re invited. 

“Anyways, I hope you come to set later. Eren and I are going to be filming something if you want to watch.” 

“For sure. I’d love to see it.” Sofia responds. 

You look over your shoulder to find Levi, Hange, and Eren waiting near the edge of the kitchen island, gesturing for you to come over now that you’ve caught their attention. And as the four of you embark out towards the set, Levi explains what redacted scenes are to you. 

You spare Historia one last glance as you walk off the set and can’t help but feel a bitter taste in your mouth at the longing look she’s giving Ymir. 

--

--

“You know, this sounds an awful lot like method acting to me.” you murmur, spotting the sly grin on Levi’s face. 

“Eren told me not to call it that. He said you might strangle me. Or him. Or both of us combined.” 

“He would be right about that.” you respond. 

He’s leaning against the edge of the vanity, as the makeup team tasks themself with drying and prepping your hair to perfection, while Levi coaches you through what you now understand are the two redacted scenes that Levi has asked you and Eren to film. 

You just think it’s lazy script writing. Levi thinks you’re annoying for calling it that. 

With your combined permission of course, Levi has decided to let you method act through the two scenes that he originally had planned out. While he was allegedly entirely faithful in your ability to deliver lines, he wanted to see if what the two of you could produce out of real shock, in the moment as your characters, was something better than what he could write. 

Hence, the vague scene that you and Eren were going to be filming. To your understanding, the pair of them were each going to give you and Eren a set of prompts and you were just supposed to act your way through the scene based on what they told you to do. 

“Can I know my prompt then?” you ask. 

“You understand, right?” Levi clarifies. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just supposed to go based on what you tell me.” 

Levi hops off of the counter, this time leaning closer so that you can actually make eye contact with him in your line of vision. 

“But really. I don’t care how badly you want to say something else. You…you have to go based on the direction that I tell you.” Levi responds. 

It’s almost annoying, the way he’s coddling you through the entire thing. 

“Okay, I get it. This is my entire job, you know?” you respond. 

Levi scoffs. 

“Fine. Eren’s going to ask you something. I want you to shoot him down.” Levi states. 

You lean your head to the side, much to the annoyance of the makeup artist, who moves your neck back into place. You shoot her an apologetic smile, before thinking back to Levi. 

“You want me to shoot him down?” you ask. 

“He’s going to ask you something. Or insinuate it – and no matter how badly you want to do whatever it is, you have to tell him no.” 

Levi gives you a curt nod before he walks back out to the set to put things in place, as you put the outfit resting on the hangar on. You reach up to mess with the little fringe of your bangs, pulling down the undershirt and the jacket as you prepare yourself for the scene. 

When you walk out on set, the group of them are all sitting on the sidelines, giving you excited smiles. You give Sofia a little wave at the front of the sidelines, returning the little finger hearts that Gabi and Falco point towards you as you reach for your cue. 

And when Levi calls action, the lights on the entire set dimming and the chatter breaking down to silence, you can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you see Eren at the top of the little landing, his back facing towards you. 

“Eren! Everyone has been looking everywhere for you!” 

At the sound of your voice, Eren lifts his hand to his face and sniffles, almost like he’s wiping away tears, before you stand at his side. He refuses to meet your eyes and now that you’re standing at his side, you’re not sure how you missed this before. 

They cut Eren’s hair. 

A small part of it – because it’s out of the usual man bun that he’s been sporting since you came back to set and instead loosely frames the sides of his face. 

It might be your favorite look yet. And all you can do is stare. 

He still refuses to meet your eye, withholding it from you. You follow his gaze to the bottom of the landing, to see the kid that Levi had introduced you to a week prior, who was going to play Ramzi in the script. You had yet to film the scene – since you’re almost positive that Levi was going out of order at this point to save time and note it. 

“The boy from the market? What happened?” you ask. 

“Nothing yet.” Eren responds. 

Eren’s voice has that same gravel, almost hollow, like he did the day that you filmed the table scene. It’s almost haunting when his voice sounds like that – so devoid of motion and strained that it makes your chest pang. 

You wonder if that’s what he sounded like in the years that you didn’t talk. 

“What do you mean? Wh-what is this place?” you ask. 

“After the war left them with no home, they all gathered here to live. They’re just like us.” 

Eren’s throat bobs at your side and you can feel his eyes clenching in your peripheral vision. 

“One day, their regular lives ended and everything was taken away from them. They were deprived of all of their freedoms.” Eren states. 

And almost in a split second, Eren finally averted his gaze from looking down and meets your eyes for the first time. You’re not sure what it is – surely something from the makeup team that’s making his eyes look fuller, rounder – but the eye contact is almost excruciating this time. Your first instinct is to turn away. 

“Y/N. Why do you care so much about me?” 

You can feel your cheeks burning. That was the last thing you were expecting him to say. 

“Huh?” you repeat. 

“Is it because I saved you when we were little? Or is it because I’m your family?” 

You swallow hard, the block in your throat stifling. It’s almost like you can’t even push air out of it, like you’re opening your mouth to try and nothing can make it past – enough to fill you with a panic like you won’t ever speak again. Because you have the faintest inkling of what’s going to come next…why Levi was so adamant on asking if you would be able to follow his instructions. 

“I-” 

“What am I to you?” Eren asks. 

Everything. 

It’s the first word that comes to mind when he asks. 

“Ev–” 

You pause, as you feel the sweat accumulating on the edge of your hairline, fighting the urge to reach up to wipe it off. Levi’s voice is excruciating in your head. 

He’s going to ask you something. Or insinuate it – and no matter how badly you want to do whatever it is, you have to tell him no.

It’s almost painful. Having to say it when it isn’t true. When in reality, you know that you’re acting and Eren knows that you’re acting too – that this is just part of your job. But to even strike him down in the fake way, after weeks of building it back together, seems cruel. 

You sigh, shutting your eyes and taking a deep breath, before you look back up at his eyes. The deep green is enough to accumulate the thinnest film of tears in your eyes. 

“You’re family, Eren.” 

And after you mutter it, it’s visceral…an almost physical reaction from Eren. Because you can see the way his breath hitches, the way he hesitantly steps back – quite literally physically recoiling. And the regret sits heavy in your chest and you have to drop your eyes – because you can’t even bear to look at him. 

“Cut!” Levi calls. 

It’s enough to snap you out of the heaviness, as you shake your head at the resounding amount of chatter that follows. You can still feel your heart racing as the makeup team is quick to rush to your side – quickly powdering the sweat that had accumulated on your cheek as they do the same with Eren – and you can hear Connie and Reiner mumbling about how brutal that was to watch on the side. 

You look back up at Eren, whose hollow look hasn’t left his eyes and you give him a halfhearted smile – which he doesn’t return. Instead, he turns back to Levi and Hange, who are murmuring over the shot in the viewfinder. 

“Did we get it?” Eren nearly shouts.

“We got it. You killed it guys.” Levi responds, still fixated on the shot. 

“Do you still need me or can I go?” Eren asks. 

“Eren–” 

“You’re good, Eren.” Hange responds. 

Eren’s almost too quick with it, the way he yanks the little mic pack off the little sleeve in his jacket and hands it to the crew. And with his long bean stalk legs, he’s disappeared from your side before you can barely even process that he was standing there in the first place. 

--

You can’t bring yourself to talk to Eren until two days later, on the eve of his birthday and two days before the award show. Not because you’re actively avoiding him, but it seems that he gets so wrapped up in quite literally everything else he has to attend to. Though really, it feels like that the slight air of comfort that you had was completely shattered by filming the scene together. 

There’s a quiet knock on Eren’s door. He’s preemptively pissed off…and the quiet irritation that had been festering in his chest for the last few days was about to come to a head on Connie and Lana, who refused to take a hint. 

He had made it infinitely clear that he wanted to spend the early hours of his birthday alone. That he would be fine and dandy to celebrate with everyone the day after, but he needed the time to process some things alone. 

The tension diffuses when he realizes that it’s you at the door. There’s an almost timid look on your face, as you balance a little white box in your hands, and peek your head past the closet. 

“Am I disturbing you?” 

“No, of course not. Come in.” Eren responds, patting flat on the comforter for you to join him at his side. 

You give him a smile as you set the little box down, crossing your legs over each other to sit at his side. You lock your hands into the pits of your knees as you turn over towards him, taking a second chance to admire that his hair is the slightest bit shorter. 

“I really love your hair, Eren.” you respond. 

There’s an immediate flush in the apples of his cheeks. He reaches up to it, nervously pushing a hand through the strands before he drops it all together. 

“Thank you. The length was starting to get really fucking annoying.” Eren responds. 

“I liked the man-bun but I think this type of thing really suits you.” you respond. 

Eren looks over at you and gives you a halfhearted smile. And that quiet ease returns, maybe faster than Eren would have liked. The quiet moment of hurt that he was holding on to was absolved the second you smiled at him. 

Eren can hear Connie’s voice in his head – calling him down horrendous. 

“What can I do you for?” Eren asks. 

“It’s almost your birthday.” you state. 

“Congratulations, Y/N. You know how to read a calendar!” 

You scoff, before lightly shoving him in his side. 

“Shut up. I wanted to do something for you.” you respond, before lightly pushing the box in front of him. 

Eren gives you a weary look, before he opens up the little box. It’s a frosted green and white cake – with four candles in it. It’s a strange arrangement since they’re all numbered candles, making the number 2,345. 

“I guess I stand corrected. You really don’t know how to read a calendar.” Eren responds. 

Eren turns to the side, with the most annoying look on his face, as he turns to you and grins. 

“Okay, Y/N. Repeat after me. The year is 2024.” 

“Shut up, asshole. I was trying to be sweet.” you grumble, as you hike your knees to your chest. 

Eren rolls his eyes. 

“What’s so sweet about getting the age wrong on my cake?” Eren asks. 

“It’s actually to make up for every birthday of yours that I missed, dumbass.” you respond. 

Eren can feel his heart pounding in his chest. 

“What?” Eren asks. 

You shrug, before reaching down to adjust the candles from pushing into each other. 

“The last birthday I got to spend with you was your twenty-second birthday. I can imagine that the years’ that followed weren't exactly pleasant…that…that they might have been a reminder of what happened on the beach.” you start. 

That was the understatement of the year. 

“And it’s my fault that I missed your birthday. So, I thought that…we could make them up now. Hence the candles for three and four, for your twenty-third and twenty-fourth birthday. And today’s your twenty-fifth…it’s the least that I could do.” you respond. 

Eren thinks it’s rather unfair that he always seems to be at a loss of words when he’s with you.  Instead of being able to spill out what was really racketing through his brain – that it was getting infinitely harder to swallow down his feelings, that this was almost melting the resolve that he had made with himself to let you make the first move – he opens up his arms instead. 

You oblige, leaning forward and resting your chin against his shoulder, as you feel Eren scoop his arms around your waist. It’s almost like he’s resting his entire body weight on you, because you can feel his face digging into the softness of your neck, as you absentmindedly reach up for his hair, feeling the edges that were just freshly cut. The faint scent of the hairdressing spray still lingers. 

He’s quiet for sometime, but it’s only fitting that when he does break the silence, it’s with something annoying. 

“A cake with no plates is crazy, Y/N.” Eren mumbles. 

You laugh, as you reach inside the box for the two forks you tucked inside the box. You hand him one, as he tucks the ends of his hair behind his ears, and looks up at you. 

“Game plan. You eat all the frosting and I’ll eat all the cake.” Eren states. 

“Huh?” 

“Okay, that’s a little selfish. But it’s my birthday. And I just really hate frosting.” 

The thought that comes to your mind is enough to startle you, just in the slightest. 

Eren really is your soulmate. 

It’s stupid. A stupid comparison to make when the person that you’re comparing him to is Ricky James of all people. But you can’t help but think about that stupid memory, from before the Met Gala. Ricky had bought you that stupid cupcake – and very irritatingly swiped the frosting off of your finger. 

And the two of you bickered because you both preferred the frosting as opposed to the actual cake. And naturally, Ricky was never going to be the type to give up his frosting for you. 

It was sweet that way, with Eren. And you’re sure that the thought of invisible strings and single threads of gold tying you to Eren are really only on your mind because that’s what you sang to him the last time you got to spend his birthday with him, but it almost seems too perfect. 

That Eren likes the cake, but you like the frosting. That you’d always finish the cake if you were eating it together. 

Unbeknownst to you of course, Eren is fully aware of the fact that you are overly fond of the frosting on the cake. And that you have no idea that he really hates eating the spongy cake part and prefers the frosting too. 

But he doesn’t like the frosting nearly enough to not even think twice before offering it to you. 

--

--

You only grace the red carpet for five minutes. You and Eren are above that at this point. But from what you were able to discern from Twitter backstage, after practicing your first set with Eren, it was eventful enough without you there. 

Sukuna splashed a glass of wine in Ricky’s already swollen eye from last week. Hyla tripped and fell when she got out of the limo. You and Eren spend a good amount of time reading through the stuff on your feed – and the perfectly timed blind items that you had submitted to every paparazzi company but the WBS were coming out just as you planned them. 

And surely enough, every single one of them was getting caught off guard when they were asked on the carpet – and couldn’t scramble a perfect PR response out. 

There were three blind items that were yours and the rest were strays. And you were fully intent on making sure that everyone, Danny and Sareen, knew that it was you who submitted them by the end of the night. 

First, that Ricky James had thrown an insanely murderous bitch fit at the front of the Institute Offices in New York when he found out that he had been replaced as the opening act, by Eren of all people. 

Which, according to your sources, was true. 

Second, that the producer for the critically acclaimed Ribbons album, Sareen Clarkson, had been cheating on her husband with industry plant John Stasny, who is twenty years her junior and had previously been linked to several famous actresses, like Historia Reiss. 

Which was also true. It had only been a few hours since it had been leaked, but the shit train that followed wasn't pretty.

If you were going to call her a fame fucker, you were going to make sure that everyone was going to understand the reference. 

And the third was that stupid magazine cover that Scott had mailed you and Eren. 

This was seemingly the last pillar that had to fall in taking down Scott Clarkson and his empire – or at least putting the tiniest bit of a dent in it. 

The only reason that the WBS was successful in the first place was the same reason that his label and movie company thrived the way they did – they were big enough to eliminate all the competition. 

But when it came to something like a tabloid, that centered around reporting on drama, it was almost natural to take them down in this way. If they were the only ones that lacked the information, then they’d be the only ones who would drop the ball on reporting it – and therefore, people would have to divert their attention away to someone else to get the information. 

The foundation seemed a bit bare, but you were already too far in to oppose it at this point. 

You feel a little tap on your shoulder and you turn around to find the two people who were going to be accompanying you for your first performance. 

The dopplegangers of you and Eren – from the Girlfriend and Because I Liked a Boy Performance. 

“Hi guys!” 

You reach forward and wrap your arms around both of them as they return the gesture and warmly hug back. Thankfully, they were more than happy to oblige with your second request – third for Penelope if you counted Girlfriend – to pretend to be you and Eren. 

You almost felt bad for marking this as their legacy so many times, but they were more than happy to oblige – citing the free food and the hefty paychecks as more than enough compensation. 

“Right, well. Eren, this is Penelope.” you state. 

“Yeah. Yeah, we’ve met before. Hi.” Eren responds, the look on his face so painstakingly awkward that you almost feel bad for the prank that you’re about to play on him. 

“And this is Scott.” you respond. 

It’s insanely bad timing, since you accidentally mention it while Eren’s taking a swig of his water bottle. And due to the shock, he consequently spits the entire contents back into the bottle and gives the three of you wide eyes. 

“Your name is fucking Scott?” 

“No, it’s Jason. Y/N paid me three bucks to say that.” he states. 

Eren looks at you, giving you a downright murderous glare, as he puts the water bottle down. 

“You bitch.” Eren grumbles

“It’s funny!” you respond. 

You shake him off as you turn back to Jason and Penelope and eye the little wardrobe rack on the side. 

“Okay. Hair and makeup is ready for you two whenever you are. And just remember, that if anyone asks you about the outfits –” 

“Mine is based on Selene, goddess of the moon.” Penelope states. 

“And mine is Poseidon, god of the sea.” Jason adds. 

You grin. The two of them give you a passing wave before they walk off to the other side of the stage and Eren makes a dramatic display of shuddering. 

“What?” 

“Don’t they like…freak you out?” Eren asks. 

“Why would they freak me out?” 

“They literally look like us! And they’re literally dating too which makes it even weirder!” 

You give him a weird look. 

“They aren’t dating.” you respond. 

Eren wraps his arm around your shoulder, before twisting you to the side of where their dressing rooms are – where the two of them are standing, kissing. 

“That looks really friendly to me.” Eren states, tone dripping with sarcasm. 

“What the hell?” 

“It’s weird!” Eren whispers. 

You shiver. 

“Ew. I don’t like that.” you respond. 

“Levi should hire them to do the kiss next week instead of us. Sure, they’ll enjoy it more than we will.” 

You can feel your cheeks burning. You know that it’s not what he meant – surely, that it couldn’t have been what he meant in the slightest but the sting still hits all the same. 

“Jesus. Didn’t realize you were so opposed to kissing me.” you mumble. 

Eren’s eyes go wide.

“I’m not opposed to kissing you!” 

“You just suggested that Levi and Hange should literally offer a salary to two people who kind of look like us just so you wouldn’t have to kiss me.” you deadpan. 

“No! I didn’t mean it like that!” 

“Well…don’t be weird about it! You don’t have to…want to kiss me. I know we’re just working and that it’s all like method acting or whatever. I’m not going to get offended if you don’t want to it’s just–”  

Eren looks agitated. If Sukuna was standing here, you know that he would have no self control and probably piss him off more by asking him if he needed to take a shit. 

“Y/N, just listen. I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable because I wrote a kiss into the script and told Levi and Hange that they can’t write it out this time.” Eren responds. 

And just as fast as his eyes go wide, his cheeks are bright pink this time as he suddenly busies himself with worrying about his costume to change the subject. 

It’s a hopeful thought and you’re clearly speaking faster than you’re thinking. Because it’s probably against your better judgment to assume that he wrote the kiss in just because he wanted to kiss you. 

You say it anyway. 

“You wrote the kiss into the script?” you ask, giving him a grin. 

“My costume seems like it’s going to be tight, right? It looks a little short at the legs? We should see if we can get this fixed in the next twenty minutes before we go on, so I don’t look like an idiot, you know?” 

You place a hand on his shoulder, to stop him from bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet, and keep him standing on the ground. 

“You can relax. I was just messing with you. And your outfit looks fine, I think we should change now so we can make sure I don’t go swinging into the audience with the equipment.” 

Eren waits for you to finish changing before you walk over to the little makeshift hang-glider that you guys requested. He chooses to ignore commenting about how much he loves it when you wear red for the time being and focuses on making sure you don’t plummet to your imminent death from the moon you’re going to be hanging off of. 

Eren watches as you shuffle on the little seat, before he reaches around you and secures the little belt around your waist. You watch as he tightens it not only twice, but three times, before he reaches for your hand and secures the microphone around it next. 

“You know, I understand securing me to the moon but I think the microphone is a little much. I’m not going to go dropping it.” 

“I’m sorry for being overcautious. I’m not a big fan of…stints that include hanging in the air for so long.” Eren responds, as tightens the strap around your hand again. 

You pale. Of course he hates these type of things.

“No. No…I’m sorry. I totally forgot about that…I-I didn’t even realize that this might be really nerve wracking for you. We can take this part out if–” 

“No, no. I like the set design. How about you just promise to come back to me in one piece?” Eren asks. 

You sigh. 

“Of course.” 

And Eren gives you a gleaming, two dimpled smile in response, before he taps your side and walks over to his cue. As they send your little glider into the air, you can actually see the entire audience from the little break in the curtains at the top – and can spot a very annoyed Ricky James sitting front and center. 

With pink wine stains on his shirt. 

You look down at Eren, who looks up from his spot, and spares you one last thumbs up before the music stats. 

You have to give your props to Eren’s team for working out the set exactly as he wanted it. With the ocean on the left, you in the moon on the right, and Jason and Penelope doing their little slow dance on the beach in the middle. 

Eren:  You live in my dream state Relocate my fantasy I stay in reality You live in my dream state Any time I count sheep That's the only time we make up, make up You exist behind my eyelids, my eyelids Now I don't wanna wake up

Eren:  20-20, 20-20 vision Cupid hit me, cupid hit me with precision I wonder if you look both ways When you cross my mind (Yeah), I said, I said I'm sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of chasing You're the one that's always running through my daydream, I I can only see your face when I close my eyes

And surely enough, they lower you from your little vantage point behind the curtains to the bright flashing lights and the resounding cheers of the crowd – that are barely muffled out by your ear pieces – as you sing your part. 

Y/N:  Can I get a kiss? And can you make it last forever? I said I'm 'bout to go to war And I don't know if I'ma see you again

As Eren sings his second verse, they’re quick to lift the moon back up and off the stage in time for you to climb off – and for you and Eren to replace Jason and Penelope on the beach in the center. 

You and Eren hadn’t really practiced this part, though in hindsight it was simple enough. You just had to keep leaning in until they dimmed the lights – to make it look like you and Eren were going to kiss each other. 

Y/N:  Can I get a kiss? (Can I get a kiss?) And can you make it last forever? (Oh, forever) I said I'm 'bout to go to war (Go to war) I don't know if I'ma see you again (See you again) Can I get a kiss? (Can I) And can you make it last forever? (Can you) I said I'm 'bout to go to war ('Bout to) And I don't know if I'ma see you again

It’s excruciating to do it. To pretend – and in that second, you decide you’re going to kiss him anyways. Because he wraps his hand too perfectly around your neck to pull you closer and instinctively closes his eyes. 

And then it’s overwhelmingly embarrassing. Because the exact second you time moving forward is when Eren leans back, because they’ve pulled the curtains. And runs off to the side curtains, as you awkwardly stalk back. 

You try to swallow down that pit of shame in your throat as he turns back towards you, handing you an ice cold water bottle. 

“That was great! But was it really hot up there? Your face is all pink.” Eren asks. 

“Uh, yeah. I kind of had a panic up there.” 

Eren twists the cap off and instructs you to drink, biting cold enough to taper that burning heat in your cheeks, as he instinctively shakes his head. 

“I said come back in one piece.” 

“I am in one piece.” you grumble back, getting ready to go stalk off to your dressing room until you had to face him again four performances later. 

Eren doesn’t follow when you make it all the way to the little room, as you lean back in the chair and resort to massaging your temples. 

Too close. That was way too close. 

“Hey?” Eren asks. 

You can see Eren poking his head into your dressing room, bright green eyes curious as he looks down at you. 

“What?” you ask. 

“The answer is yes.” Eren responds. 

You glare, in irritation. 

“To what?” 

Eren bends down, pressing a kiss right into the thrumming pulse of your temple. 

“You asked me if you could get a kiss. Well really, you asked me seven times if you could get a kiss, but I’ll spare you the entire show.” Eren responds, tapping the frame of the door and giving you a bright smile before he steps back out. 

You sigh. The quiet moment of hurt that you were holding on to was absolved the second he smiled at you. And multiplied into the biggest, searing feeling in your chest when he kissed you. 

--

--

There’s seven people in your dressing room after the fact. And one of them is Satoru Gojo, who counted as an additional ten people, which is when you take the sign that it’s probably time to duck out of there. 

You had three options – Connie and Eren who were having way too much fun with your special props, a group that had both Historia and Ymir in it, or Sukuna – who was standing by himself in the corner. 

There was a very obvious choice. 

He gives you a noncommittal nod as you walk up to his side and link your arm in with his. He’s nursing a tiny glass in his hand, which he offers to you. You know him well enough by now to know that it’s going to be some taste buds descreating drink, but decide to drink anyway. 

And surely enough, it burns all the way down to your esophagus, making you physically recoil as you hand the glass back to him. 

“Jesus. I feel bad for your liver.” you respond. 

“I actually don’t drink that much anymore. My liver is just fine.” Sukuna responds. 

“There’s no way. That just destroyed like…a quarter of your lobule.” 

“What the fuck is a lobule?” 

“The functional unit of the liver!” you respond. 

If looks could kill, Sukuna would have murdered you then and there. It’s at that moment that Eren and Connie run up to you, Eren quickly placing his hands on your cheeks to angle your face up towards him and place the little crown on your head. 

“Très magnifique!” Eren murmurs. 

“Wow. Who taught you French, Ratatouille?” 

“Does that count as a self-diss? You taught me French, ma lune.” 

You lightly shove him in the side, as everyone reaches for their cues on the stage and you crawl to the revolving stage underneath with Eren and Sukuna. And surely enough, Levi and Gojo delivered well on their promise with their prop guy. 

He perfectly replicated that god forsaken throne Scott was sitting on in that stupid magazine cover. You snag the little crown Eren placed on your head off to admire the work on it – the gold handiwork. You place your hands in the middle and test the fragileness, noting that it takes little to crack the pieces – before you place it back on your head. 

“So, who was on the right? Eren or Lana?” you ask. 

“I was on the right.” Eren responds. 

The group of you flinch as the music starts blaring above and take it as a sign to stick your earpieces in. And right on timing with the chorus, you can hear the screaming get louder – which you’re positive is people just overreacting to the fact that Gojo’s the first person in the ensemble showcase when he shouldn’t even be in it in the first place – and tap your hands nervously on the handles. 

I wanna be your endgame I wanna be your first string I wanna be your A-Team (whoa-whoa, whoa) I wanna be your endgame, endgame

“Sukuna. There’s pins right there, there’s no way she’s not going to jostle the crown off before she hands it to Lana.” 

“Got it.” Sukuna responds, shuffling away as you look back up to Eren. 

He looks down at you, tucking your hair behind your ear, which has your heart pounding in your throat. 

“Pretty dress.” Eren whispers. 

You give him a shrug, before laying down the fringe at your sides. 

“Nice suit.” you respond. 

“Eh. It’s kind of digging into my neck.” Eren responds. 

You stand up, rocking back on your heels, as you turn to face him. You reach forward, reaching for the top buttons of his dress shirt and task yourself with unbuttoning them. 

“You know, you could at least take me on a date first.” Eren grumbles. 

You hum in response, giving him a smile, as you stop at the third button and reach forward to readjust the layers of his necklaces. His skin is soft and warm underneath your fingertips and it gives you an insanely inappropriate thought. 

“What are you thinking?” Eren murmurs. 

“Nothing.” 

“You’re thinking something naughty.” 

“Ew. You have such a disgusting choice of words, Eren.” you whine. 

“What was it?” 

“Nothing, Eren. I was thinking about how pale you are.” you respond, letting go of the chains and reaching back to sit in your little chair. 

Eren reaches forward, grabbing you by the wrist and pulling you back. He’s quick with his other hand, securing it around your waist and holding you steady against him. His lips hover right by your ear, the gravel of his whispering makes you nearly squirm. 

“What were you thinking?” Eren asks. 

“Nothing, Eren. Really.” 

“I’m not an idiot. I’ve seen that look in your eyes before…and I know what it means. What were you thinking?” Eren asks. 

You groan, squirming out of his embrace. 

Where the hell did Sukuna get lost? 

“I just thought about something that people would notice, that's all. But we don’t–” 

“What was it?” 

You groan, before tucking your hair behind your ears. 

“I’m wearing red lipstick. And that’s a fairly…exposed patch of skin. People would notice if I–” 

“If you kissed me. Alright, go ahead and do it then.” Eren responds, angling his neck closer to you.” 

“Eren.” 

“C’mon. It’s almost our turn. You have to be quick with it.” Eren responds, gesturing frantically with your hands. 

You awkwardly step forward, placing your hands on the sides before you pinch your eyes shut and press a lingering kiss to his neck. You can feel Eren lightly tilt his head back and inhale sharply the second you make contact – but you chose to ignore it. 

You pull back and examine the mark, though it’s rather faint. Eren clocks it fast enough, as he gestures with his hands again. 

“Another one won’t hurt. C’mon.” Eren whispers. 

“Okay, yeah.” you respond. 

You press your lips to his neck again, this time earning you Eren’s hand squeezing into your side – where it was resting at your waist – as you pull back and admire the mark. You look back up at him, feeling an itching sensation all over as you give him an awkward smile. 

“You guys are fucking insane, you know that?” Sukuna mutters. 

“Sukuna! Where the fuck did you go?” you respond, angrily snatching the little pins from his hands and securing them into your hair. 

You sit back down on the throne, as you hear the little countdown ringing in your ear, and prepare yourself to sing the last portion of the song. You can feel both of their hands on your shoulders – squeezing hard – as you lift the microphone to your lips. 

Big reputation, big reputation Ooh, you and me, we got big reputations, ah And you heard about me, oh I got some big enemies (hey) Big reputation, big reputation (yeah) Ooh, you and me, we'd be a big conversation, ah And I heard about you, ooh You like the bad ones too

You rustle the crown off of your head and hand it to Sukuna, who walks over to the edge of the stage and tosses it right to Lana in the front row. Who takes it in her hands and breaks it in half before throwing it behind her back. 

I hit you like, "Bang" We tried to forget it, but we just couldn't And I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I put 'em Reputation precedes me, they told you I'm crazy I swear I don't love the drama, it loves me And I can't let you go, your handprint's on my soul It's like your eyes are liquor, it's like your body is gold You've been calling my bluff on all my usual tricks So here's the truth from my red lips  

I wanna be your endgame (endgame) I wanna be your first string (me and you) (first string) I wanna be your A-Team (be your A-Team now) I wanna be your endgame, endgame I wanna be your endgame (oh, I do) I wanna be your first string (first string) I wanna be your A-Team (A-Team) I wanna be your endgame, endgame

--

--

The last part is the most nerve wracking. You had to abandon your sweet post of sitting in between Eren and Mikasa at your table for your last performance of the night – which was going to be announced by Danny and Sareen. 

It’s like sitting on pins and needles, getting your hair done and slipping into the sparkly but scratchy dress. And surely enough, when you wait on the edges of the curtain and watch them stage your set – of a grand piano and little star decals – they join you at your side. You can feel your hands shake, nearly dropping the trophy in your hands, as you spare them a glance. 

They’re shorter than you remember and frankly, less intimidating too. That coupled with the fact that Danny has a bright pink eye and the slightest bit of dried blood around his nose.

“What happened to your face?” you sneer. 

Danny rolls his eyes. 

“Ask your boy-toy.” he responds. 

You fight the urge to smile, and make a mental note that Eren deserves every bit of your praise when you see him next, as you turn your head back to the stage, where the announcer is presenting the highlights of your career on the back screen. And surely enough, the two of them awkwardly jostle their arms in with yours as the three of you walk out together. 

You stare blankly out in the audience. And refuse to smile. 

You can see Eren sitting front and center as he gives you the smallest thumbs up in support.

“One of our crowning achievements is getting to work with this lovely young lady right here, on some of our most famous albums, like The Lucky One. Please give a well deserved round of applause for the unstoppable Y/N L/N, who will finally be gracing us with her triple threat performance.” Sareen states. 

You note the drag in her voice when she says the word finally. And you fight the acidic feeling that accumulates in your mouth as you’re suddenly acutely aware of the fact that you’re standing next to the two people you hate the most – who continue to take credit for the one thing that’s yours. 

“Out of the three, Y/N has chosen to mimic the signing performance that awarded her this coveted prize. She will be playing her brand new song, vampire, on the piano. A true testament to all the work that the three of us put together as a team, in molding her into a skilled pianist.” Danny states, sticking his hand out to Sareen as the two of them walk off and take a seat right at the front. 

You can feel your skin steaming as you place the award on the top of the piano and sit down at the keys. You’re able to catch Sukuna’s striking pink hair moving on your left – to the seats behind Danny and Sareen – as you take that as your cue to start performing. 

Hate to give the satisfaction, asking how you're doing now How's the castle built off people you pretend to care about? Just what you wanted Look at you, cool guy, you got it I see the parties and the diamonds sometimes when I close my eyes Six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise I loved you truly Gotta laugh at the stupidity

“Eren. You okay? You’re shaking the entire table.” Lana asks, leaning over to whisper in his ear. 

Eren absentmindedly looks down and notices the nervous shaking in his leg, as he turns to his side and spares her a glance. He can note that Lana's concerned because this is starkly similar to the last time the two of them were here together.

When you were singing your isolating, heart-shattering piano ballad about him, while he was hanging his head in between his legs. After you had slapped him, after you had yelled at him after everything that had happened.

That was far from it. It was the way your hands were shaking on the piano keys that was stressing him out. He needed you to make it through the entire thing. Desperately.

“I’m nervous. I think she’s going to cry.” Eren whispers back. 

'Cause I've made some real big mistakes But you make the worst one look fine I should've known it was strange You only come out at night I used to think I was smart But you made me look so naive The way you sold me for parts As you sunk your teeth into me, oh Bloodsucker, famefucker Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire 

You’re crying. 

Because all you can think about is how the two of them were just standing there, arms linked in with yours, in a moment that was supposed to be yours. That every moment that was supposed to be yours was theirs – and that even at the end of all of that, their still the one standing their proud with their careers when you had to suffer at the hands of it. 

That taking your career was one thing, but taking advantage of the fact that you knew nothing was another. Because you were a teenager, who was so attached to her dream that she'd do anything to get it, especially when people at the top – were promising it to her.

All at the expense of Eren and his feelings. At the expense of your relationship.

You can feel your hands shaking, your vision entirely blurred as you feel the tears start to pour out of your eyes – your singing voice coming out entirely strained as you continue to push your keys on the piano. And you’re able to strain enough until you get right to the bridge and pause. 

They had a responsibility to look out for you as an adult. And did the exaxt opposite.

You reach back to the slicked back bun and snag the pink ribbon that was secured into the little hair tie. The same pink ribbon that was dangling from your hair the day you were stranded in that godawful rain. And yank it straight out of your hair and wrap a little bow around the bottom of the award. 

You wipe the wetness on your cheek, coming back with the slightest smudge on the back of your hand, before you press your hands into the keys and continue singing. The continuation has people rising out of their seats – and you don’t fail to notice that Eren’s the first one to do it – as you finish the song. 

You said it was true love, but wouldn't that be hard? You can't love anyone, 'cause that would mean you had a heart I tried you help you out, now I know that I can't 'Cause how you think's the kind of thing I'll never understand

I've made some real big mistakes But you make the worst one look fine I should've known it was strange You only come out at night I used to think I was smart But you made me look so naive The way you sold me for parts As you sunk your teeth into me, oh Bloodsucker, famefucker Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire

You take the award and stand up from the bench of the piano to walk straight off the stage, directly to where Sareen and Danny are sitting in the front. Sukuna’s taken the hint to leave the open chair he was sitting in between them and retreats back to his original, as you place the award in between the two of them. 

“Congratulations. I hope it was everything you ever wanted, assholes.” you seethe. 

You slam the award down onto the open space between them, enough for them both to jump up in their seats and spill a glass of wine down the length of Sareen’s dress, as you angrily march back to your seat. And surely enough, Eren and Mikasa are waiting there with open arms, ready to wipe your glittery tears away. 

And as the cameras drop and they cut to commercials for four minutes, you lean your head against Eren’s shoulder as Mikasa pours you a glass of water. 

“So fucking good. So fucking amazing, Y/N you–” Eren whispers.

"Eren even punched him in the face earlier, Y/N! It looked like it really hurt." Mikasa murmurs.

You look up at Eren, and he's grinning so hard, that you can't even fight the urge to not smile back.

"Why'd you punch him?" you ask.

"You slapped Scott Clarkson for me. Why am I not allowed to punch Danny for you?" Eren asks.

You feel a tap on your shoulder and look to your left to find Hange and Levi standing at your side, which really only brings on a more powerful stream of tears. Levi instinctively opens up his arms as you lean against his shoulder instead, Eren standing closeby with Sukuna at his side now.

“Was that everything you wanted Hange?” you groan. 

Hange smiles. 

“And more, kid. I, uh. Actually have something for you.” Hange responds. 

“What’s that?” you ask. 

Hange gestures to Connie at the side, as he produces a small, golden trophy in Hange’s hands. 

“I really don’t give a shit about this anymore. S’kind of how it goes with this type of thing. But, I know this award, this one in my hands specifically meant the world to you back in the day, so I want you to have it.” Hange murmurs. 

You frown. 

“Hange. You can’t just give that to me.” you respond. 

“You gave yours away because it gave you more pain than it was worth. Mine did the same for me at the time too. But, it gives me joy to give it back to you, because really, you deserved it. Back then, but even now too.” 

You take the little golden trophy in your hands, noting that it’s much smaller and really not even as shiny as the one that they had just handed you, and press it close to your chest. 

“Hange, thank you so much. You have no idea what this even means to me.” you whisper, as you wrap your arms around their neck. 

Hange spares Eren a glance over the shoulder and gives him a big thumbs up, coupled with Levi’s approving smile. 

It’s the rare times that Eren’s overthinking habit comes in handy. When he’s able to think ahead and fix things before they happen. 

“I have an idea, kid.” Hange responds. 

--

--

Levi and Hange give you a three day break when you get back to set. You’re not sure what exactly it was that came out of you when you did your last performance, but it was almost like it drained the life out of you. Eren nearly had to drag you back onto that plane and consequently, to your room, when you made it back to the set. 

He thinks that you’ve finally let go of what you’ve been holding on to. And that you can finally move forward now. 

You told him that Marco must have been haunting him overtime for the past few days, which earned you a hearty laugh from him. 

And surely enough, on the fourth day, you’re able to muster your legs down to the kitchen – to a group of well meaning cheers from the group of them – as you read the little slots on the schedule pasted on the fridge. And surely enough, Levi was going to throw you right back into the thick of it. 

Wednesday, April 6th, 8:00 AM 

Eren Head Decapitation 

It’s a stupid caption. If you didn’t know what it meant, you would even laugh at it. 

But you had read ahead already – and knew that it meant that it was finally time for you and Eren to get that kiss scene out of the way.

--

next part linked here

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[mattslolita]

moonlight - c. sturniolo

warnings : drug use ( weed ) , dom!chris , creampie , fingering

do not interact if you're a minor!

"i just wanna get high with my lover."

you were sitting around in your house with your best friends, trying to actively find something to do — it was later at night, and it seemed like everyone was becoming bored of just sitting around.

madi and nick were giggling about tiktoks they were watching, whilst matt scrolled through his own phone silently; you had your legs on top of chris's lap, your head thrown back as you blew out a breath whilst he also scrolled through his phone.

an idea suddenly hit you, causing you to jolt upright with a grin, gauging the attention of your friends as their heads snapped up.

"you guys wanna get high?"

you looked to each of them as their faces contorted into different expressions, raising your eyebrows at them.

"i'm down," madi shrugged, nick nodding in agreement.

"i never got high before," matt admits, but he shrugs too, "but i guess it's never too late to learn."

"i'm down too," chris agrees, a grin on his lips, causing you to grin as you run upstairs to your room.

you smoked more than your friends did, that was for sure — you knew chris didn't, and you weren't sure if madi or nick ever did it. you were willing to teach them and be their guide through their first time trying it, though.

you grabbed two joints from your dresser drawer along with a lighter, closing it quickly to make sure that it was closed off. you hurried back downstairs, seeing everyone still slightly scattered about as they waited for you.

"okay, i got two in case we go through the first one and we're feeling silly or whatever," you say, going to sit back down in your spot next to chris.

you set one joint down on the table and held up the other one — putting it to your lips, you light the other end and inhale, closing your eyes momentarily before taking it away from your lips and exhaling, blowing the smoke in front of you.

you grinned as you passed it first to matt, who took it — he glanced at you momentarily, and you gave him an encouraging nod. "just inhale, then exhale. remember matty, it's no pressure, okay?"

matt nods, then he brings the joint to his lips, inhales then exhales, immediately a few coughs following after.

"there you go, get it then!" you laugh, patting his back as he covered his mouth, also trying to cover his laugh.

matt then passed it to madi and nick who inhaled and coughed the same, causing everyone to burst out laughing — then the joint is passed to chris finally, the sturniolo boy holding it up to his lips and inhaling, then blowing the smoke in in your face, prompting you to giggle.

pretty soon, everyone was lit as fuck — matt, nick, and madi were desperately trying to warm up some pizza while dying of laughter at failing miserably, and you and chris were in the living room whilst music was playing, and you both were dancing.

"ay, ay, okay chris!" you laughed, as don't tell em by jeremih was playing.

chris had his hands on your hips while the both of you swayed back and forth, laughing as you both kept trying to steady each other — this wasn't unusual for this to happen between you both, because everyone knew how physical with each other.

even still though, you were horny as shit now, and chris didn't help matters with the way he was holding onto your waist. the song switched to want her by mustard & quavo, causing you to gasp slightly as you moved chris's hands from around your waist and began to put your hands on your knees and move your butt up and down, not caring that he was watching you.

"okayy, y/n!" madi called from the kitchen, giggling as she saw you twerking, "fuck it up!"

you laughed as you got back up and turned around, seeing chris's shocked expression and causing you to giggle as you reached for the second joint and walked up to chris.

"you wanna finish this in the bathroom?" chris grins at you, his eyes red and clouded with a look you couldn't quite place.

"bro, yes," you giggle, grabbing onto his hand.

you led him towards the downstairs bathroom of the house, walking inside and leaning against the sink and chris was quick to close the door behind you both, locking it in the process. he turned and grinned at you, walking up to you as you leaned back against the sink.

"you learned that fast," you giggle to chris, as he takes the joint from your fingers and takes a hit, blowing the smoke in your face.

"you know what this shit has me feeling like right now?" chris says, parting your legs with his, putting one hand on the sink behind you as he looks down at you with hooded eyelids.

"how do you feel right now?" you asked him, the undeniable heat between your legs causing your knees to almost buckle as he's still looking at you.

"horny as fuck."

he grins at you, putting the joint up to your lips as you take a hit, blowing the smoke in his face — you giggle again, biting your lip as chris puts his hand on your waist and caresses your sides slowly.

"what do you wanna do about it, then?" you ask him innocently, sliding your hand down to his clothed cock, running your hand over it.

he groans at the contact, setting the joint on the sink and grabbing your waist to turn you around — your now facing yourself in the mirror, but your eyes immediately are drawn to his lust filled gaze, as he runs his hands along your sides again, grinning at you. "you gonna let me fuck you from behind?"

"please do it."

without wasting any time, chris's lips immediately attach themselves to your neck, sucking down harshly on your sweet spot as you throw your head back in response, your hand going to tug on his hair slightly as a small moan escapes your lips.

his hands grab your hips and harshly pull you back towards him, making you feel his hard on as he continues leaving a trail of kisses up and down your neck.

"you see how hard you made me, baby?" chris whispers in your ear, gently nibbling on your earlobe, "dancing all like that and shit."

"fuck chris, just fuck me already," you whine, pressing your ass against him harder, trying to relieve the feeling between your legs.

"i need you to take these off for me, mamas," chris orders and you oblige, sliding your pants off which leaves you in your lace panties.

chris's hand immediately goes down to cup your pussy, feeling the wetness which causes a smug grin to be plastered on his face as he smirks at you in the mirror. "look at you, already so wet and i haven't done anything yet."

"how bout you shut that pretty mouth chris, and do something?" you challenge with a smirk of your own, which causes chris to chuckle.

his eyes are now blown wide as he nearly tears your panties off of you, rubbing his finger against your slick folds — a low moan escapes your throat as you look at him in the mirror, your free hand going up to pinch your nipples. his lips reattach to your neck again, prompting you to throw your head back once more at the contact.

"no teasing!" you whine to him, and he smirks at you.

without warning, chris shoved his finger inside of you, causing a gasp to escape your lips as he pumps it in and out of you. "fuck chris, just like that!"

"you like when i touch you like this, baby?" chris whispers in your ear again, sucking on the sweet spot of your neck while his fingers goes to work inside you.

"y-yes, don't stop please," you whine out, bucking your hips up to match the pace of his finger.

he adds another inside of you now, increasing the pleasure you're experiencing as he pumps them in and out of you at a fast pace — his hand comes up to knead and pinch your other boob from under your shirt, and you can feel his hard on begging to be released at this point.

"f-fuck chris, i'm so close!" you moan out.

suddenly his movements inside of you cease as he takes his fingers out of you, which causes you to furrow your eyebrows at him frustratedly. "why did you stop?"

"cause you're gonna cum on this cock," chris grins, licking his fingers clean.

he quickly gets out of his pants and releases his cock from the confinements of his boxers, letting it slap against his stomach as the tip was already dripping with precum — you moaned at the sight of seeing how big he was, as he stroked himself before aligning with your entrance, while you gripped the sink.

he grabs your waist harshly as he strokes your wet pussy a few times, making you moan. "no teasing, fuck!"

"whatever you say, ma," chris grins.

he slams his cock into your throbbing cunt, eliciting a loud moan from you as you throw your head back — he lets out a loud groan, beginning to thrust himself in and out of you.

"no baby, i want you to look at yourself when i'm fucking you," chris growls, his hand reaching up to tug your hair forcing you to look in the mirror.

your pupils are dilated and your mouth is parted open as you watching chris thrust in and out of you harshly, abusing your cunt with the way he sped up his pace — moans and slapping of skin could be heard in the bathroom and you were sure your friends could hear you guys at this point, but you didn't care as the only thing on your mind was how fucking good chris was making you feel.

his finger came to rub circles on your clit which added to the immense pleasure you felt, causing loud moans to fall from your lips.

"oh my fuck chris, don't stop!" you cried out, as he pumped in and out of you.

"fuck, such a tight pussy," he growls, looking at your fucked out face in the mirror, "such a pretty girl, taking my cock the way you do."

"i'm so close, baby," you whine out, gripping onto the sink tightly, "fuck!"

"c'mon ma, cum for me," chris rasps, his own breathing becoming ragged as he continuously fucks into you from behind, "i'm gonna cum too."

you didn't need to be told twice — your hips shook as the tight feeling in your stomach emerged, the knot forming. you ultimately shuddered and moaned out chris's name as you let go on his cock, your juices spreading all over him.

"fuck, y/n," chris groaned deeply, as his own legs shook.

his thrusts became sloppier as he left kisses on your shoulder, and he moaned your name as he painted your insides with his own release. he continued his sloppy thrusts as you both rode out your high, until he finally pulled out.

the both of you caught your breath as you let your head fall and he stepped away from you, muttering curses under his breath.

"damn ma, i didn't know getting high would've came to this," chris said, reaching for a spare towel and handing it to you with a grin, "we should get high more often."

you giggled, accepting the towel as you cleaned yourself up, while chris reached for the joint again. "bro, i can barely fucking stand."

you both laughed as you both finished cleaning yourselves up — chris unlocked the bathroom door and as you attempted to walk out, your knees buckled causing you both to giggle as chris's arm immediately went around your waist to steady.

still a giggling mess, you both stumbled out to the living room again, seeing the shocked faces of your best friends.

"oh my fucking gosh!" nick said, pointing at the both of you, "you were loud as fuck!"

you and chris looked at each other — then on sync, you bursted out into laughter, nearly falling into each other as your friends continued staring at you both like you were crazy.

merry christmas my horny babies ! my fault y'all didn't see chris under your tree, he was in bed with me💋💌 .

[calumcxke]

LESSON LEARNED

soobin x fem reader

word count: 1.1k

summary: soobin was in a clingy mood, which usually meant a lot of kisses. but with neither of you being able to swim, it went south pretty quickly.

warnings: kissing?, suggestive, exhibitionism in the way they’re making out in front of the other guys??, they’re just rlly in love with each other idk

notes: i wrote this aug 2022 and i’m barley posting it now😭 trying to post more often but i srsly have the worst writers block rn

🎵: telepatía - kali uchis

it sounds like a song u would play at the pool to me,, tell me u get it

your shirt clung to your skin as you peeled it off slowly, wringing all the water out before putting it on the edge of the pool. with all the splashing it was sure to be drenched by the time you guys got out, but you were really too lazy to get out and walk all the way over to the table.

yeonjun cannonballed into the water and the splash got all over you, and the shirt you had just wrung out. you ended up just chucking it at the table, watching as it hit the side and instead splat onto the pavement.

hands wrapped themselves around your waist from behind, a head pressing into the nook on your shoulder. you smiled and leaned yourself closer to soobin, turning your head as much as you could to try and see him better, although it was hard in this position.

“hm?”, you whispered, bringing a hand up to play with his hair as he nodded and started waddling away from the area you guys were at so you were a bit deeper in the pool.

your mind went blank, soobin was going pretty far out, and neither of you could swim. of course the other four boys were here but you still got scared going into deep water, scared something bad would somehow happen. soobins strong arms around your waist should’ve made you feel content, but knowing he can’t swim… it really wasn’t a comfort.

“soobin.”

he hummed in response against your neck, waiting for your reply.

you were getting so deep that standing on your tippy toes wasn’t enough to keep your nose above water.

you caved and grabbed onto the railing, pulling yourself up and taking breaths as soobin stood behind you, arms wrapped more around your thighs now.

“how deep were you planning on going?”, you asked, still holding onto the railing as you let yourself slowly move back down.

he smiled, hands moving up to your waist to turn you around, pulling your body until your front was flush with his.

“just a bit further, put your hands around my shoulders.”

you stared at him for a few seconds before deciding to listen, wrapping your arms around his neck as soobin moved his hands up to the railing and started shuffling further into the pool, waiting until he feet couldn’t touch the bottom anymore to finally stop moving.

“this good?” he asked quietly, adjusting his arms so he was more comfortable, and you watched as his arms flexed as he moved. you started to realize just how much of an effect soobin in a pool had on you.

his hair was wet, and some droplets were dripping down his face, his chest was wet and you caught yourself staring, finally pulling yourself out of the trance you had put yourself in, looking back at soobin’s face to see him with a waiting look on his face, that had a bit of smugness to it. you nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in your throat.

he hummed, smirk growing bigger, “you sure?”

“y- yeah.”

soobin laughed quietly, leaning in and pressing what you thought was a quick kiss to your lips. he pulled away and leaned back in just as quick, pressing his lips a bit harder into yours.

you were a bit thrown back, expecting him to pull away within a few seconds but he instead kept kissing you. you welcomed it of course, but you were thrown off because the other four were literally right behind you guys playing in the water, and what you two were doing wasn’t concealed at all.

when soobin started to deepen the kiss more your hand flew up, trying to point to the boys behind you, even though you were still kissing soobin back. your hand was flailing wildly and when it hit soobin’s hand, he grabbed your wrist, putting it back on his shoulder.

his hand moved to your chin, holding it in between his pointer and thumb, opening your jaw the tiniest bit so he could slip his tongue into your mouth, and the small whimper that left your mouth had soobin smiling against your lips.

his hand left your chin instead dipping down to your legs and pulling them to wrap around his waist, before moving back to the railing.

you knew the boys were watching, or talking about you and soobin, and you of course felt exposed, making out with soobin so openly in front of them, but the way that soobin was kissing you and the confidence he had right now that he never really had to do this in public was really making all your common sense fly out the window.

he finally pulled away, pulling your bottom lip away in the process, and you had to take a second to catch your breath and recollect yourself, which was shortly lived.

soobins head dipped down to your neck, starting to suck on a spot that had your head spinning and a moan almost leaving your mouth. it also had your hands instinctively detaching from around his neck and going into the water. you kinda forgot how deep you were.

your body fell quickly and your head was under in no time, your hands grabbing soobin’s shoulders again and you pulled yourself up quickly with a gasp, choking on the water that had gone up your nose and throat. soobin was quite literally the definition of the 😦 emoji, patting your back with one hand and shuffling into more shallow water with the other.

you were trying to recollect yourself from almost drowning, and from soobin’s lips all over yours right in front of the boys.

“you okay?”, you heard taehyun ask from your side, pushing your hair back and out of your face and helping soobin move to the stairs leading into the pool so you could sit.

“yeah *cough* yeah, i’m good.”, you inhaled sharply, blush heavy on your cheeks when you met eyes with soobin.

“good.”, soobin wrapped his hand around the back of your neck pulling your head closer to his and placing yet another kiss on your lips, albeit this time it was a short one, and you were grateful for that.

he stepped out of the pool, holding out his hand for you to join him, and he grabbed the towel he had set on the table, walking over and wrapping it around the both of you, once again enveloping your lips in a kiss, one that had you smiling into it, a small laugh leaving your lips.

you didn’t know what had gotten into soobin and where this boost of confidence had come from because he never showed this much affection to you around the boys, but you were definitely loving it.

“wanna go to the room?”, he whispered against your lips, pulling away to get your response.

“yeah, yes please.”

he smiled at you, unwrapping himself from the towel and letting you have it to yourself, opening the door to let you in first.

[cuppasunu]

» DEOBI DAY SPECIAL REQUEST DELIVERY »

to: maki @sknyuz 

req: haknyeon x gn reader | melting by kali uchis

summary: saying no was out of the question when haknyeon finally asked you to be his

genre: non-idol au | established relationship, fluff

warnings: alcohol consumption, kissing

wc: 1.08k words

an: so sweet this sent me spiraling... i was writing this during my break at work and hoped nobody could read over my shoulder lmaoooo anyhowww maki thank you for requesting <3 save a life, tag a jusadan !

stars: @carrotsworld @winterchimez @honeybeehorizon @sknyuz @bbangbies @from-izzy @jaehunnyy @blizzardfluffykpop @neo-deobi | taglist

masterlist | @deoboyznet

one.. four… six… your eyes lingered on the empty glasses of beer littering your table. haknyeon is pouring the last bit of another bottle onto his drink. 

he’s sitting right next to you, something he always insisted on doing since you started seeing each other. it was a small gesture that stuck with you, not noticing how significant it was at first. 

you realized every date you’ve had always sat across the table, until him. this way, haknyeon feels warm, he feels personal, he feels close.

“stop doing that,” you whispered.

the smile plastered on his face all night only grew sweeter as the night deepened. you reached over to brush your thumb over his cheek, his nose crinkled at the ticklish sensation and the pinkish hue remained on his skin. 

oh, you’re gonna be the death of me.

“stop doing what?” he leaned in closer.

the chatter of the bustling restaurant on a saturday night was only starting to grow, but nothing was louder than the pounding of your heart. 

you closed your eyes for a second to take a deep breath before lifting them once again, greeted by haknyeon’s gaze. he lifted his eyebrows, silently repeating his question. 

“stop saying things that make me want to kiss the hell out of you.”

“is that an invitation?” haknyeon smirked.

you tried your best to put up a front before failing to hold it together. haknyeon chuckled as you rest your forehead on his left shoulder out of embarassment. he kisses the back of your hand, not letting go of it after he puts it down.

“how can you be this shy after a couple flirty comments- baby, look at me,” haknyeon lifts your intertwined hands under your chin, leaving you no choice but look at him directly, “you know- i’m only gonna get worse.”

you bit your lip, feeling a little dazed from the influence. it took a few seconds before his face finally looked crystal clear through your point of view. 

haknyeon steals a kiss from you, followed by another, leaving him with a stupid smile he can’t get rid of.

“oh god- what did i sign up for?” your mouth opens in shock. 

“it’s only the first day, might i add,” he reminds you, looking smug from the realization.

five years ago, haknyeon was barely an acquaintance. 

in university, you and haknyeon were connected through a mutual friend and you knew he was a guy whose reputation preceded him. 

known as one of the loud and mischievous ones in his friend group, haknyeon had a bright, personable character that drew people to him. 

you lost contact after graduating but thought of haknyeon from time to time while occupied with your respective relationships and careers. it was clear as day that with his charm and easygoing personality, haknyeon’s popularity was undeniable. 

that was true then and it’s still true now. 

three months ago, haknyeon accepted a job offer in your city and moved in with your coworker, ji changmin. when your paths cross once again, you two meet each other with older, yet still familiar, faces.

“y/n, you’re here!” haknyeon was excited, recognizing you at the housewarming party changmin threw for him.

“wow, i took a guess hearing his new roommate’s name.. but i mean- how are you two connected?” you looked at changmin.

“my sister married his brother.. so, we’re brothers?” 

“what a small world,” you smiled, staring at the family photos hung up on their wall.

“yeah,” haknyeon also smiled, but he was staring at you.

the man wasn’t much of a shy type but he only ever dwelled on one regret all throughout college: not ever reaching out to you. 

haknyeon hid his hesitation within his cheerful mask when he was actually riddled with worry about pursuing you, someone who didn't seem interested. 

he was convinced that life had other plans when you moved far away straight out of college, never giving you the chance to respond because he chose to be a coward.

that’s when haknyeon realized he had been given another chance when he saw you that night.

it didn’t take long for haknyeon to make the first move. 

texts turned into calls, calls turned into coffee, coffee turned into meals—he could not afford to waste his chances and his time. 

haknyeon had no plans on making his advances subtle either. his cards were on the table, carefully placed by his hand, fully displayed for you. 

the way he earnestly put the effort to see you at least once a week. the way you never had to question his intentions and feelings because his actions and words were consistent and always matched. 

the way he showed you how to love and receive love that was not transactional, without expectation nor exchange, that you could be loved simply by existing.

slowly, you grew to look at haknyeon in a different light. though at times, he was still playful like before, it was clear that his quiet confidence did all the speaking for him. 

saying no was out of the question when haknyeon finally asked you to be his.

“you’re my boyfriend,” you say to him, as if he needed the confirmation.

haknyeon nodded, his eyes softening. you feel his thumb caressing the skin at the back of your hand, squeezing him in return.

“ju haknyeon is my boyfriend,” you repeated.

“ugh- can’t get enough of hearing you say that,” he groaned.

you grinned, relating to the way his face faltered in response. 

no matter how many times you were repeating what you said, the jittery feeling brewing inside you also never waned. you moved your hand to tell him to come closer, cupping your hand over your mouth to whisper in his ear.

“my boyfriend.”

you giggled before letting out a tiny squeal when he let go of your hand and wrapped his arms around your waist—grateful that you were sitting in a booth tonight to enjoy a little bit of privacy. 

this time, you inched your face closer, keeping your eyes on his lips. he tilts his head and closed the gap between you, softly meeting your lips with his. he brought his hand up to your cheek, deepening the kiss even further, not knowing his touch was holding you together and melting you at the same exact time.

“yes. a million times- yes, i am,” he sighed.

you were no lightweight, but you were definitely drunk on something a little stronger than anything you’ve ever had before. 

[luniarix]

I JUST WANT THE FANTASY…!

synopsis: in which you spend valentine’s day with toji ❤︎ inspired by kali uchi’s “fantasy”！！

NOTE: i finally. figured out. how to do the font color gradient. LESSGOOOO!!! YALL DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW HYPED THIS MAKES ME,, but anyway! happy valentine’s day everyoneee ♡ no matter if you’re spending this year on your own, with your friends, or partner, remember to show yourself so much love today and always ₍₍ (̨̡⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)̧̢ ₎₎ ！！ muchos besitos 🩷

CW: fem!reader, poc reader in mind, fluff, non-explicit smut, praising, showers of affection, soft sex, lingerie!!, established relationship, softdom!toji, cream pie, food!play (whipped cream and strawberries hehe), dirty talk, blowjob, self-fingering, cowgirl!position, whipped!toji, whipped!reader,, both of y’all are just madly in love, non-proof read (i will come back later), u get the idea right? right!

valentine’s day with toji!means that as soon as you wake up, you’re greeted with the fresh smell of breakfast. as you’re walking into the kitchen, you’re squealing in surprise as toji picks you up and twirls you around with ease. he shows you to the dining table and pulls your chair out, and brings you your big plate of food; filled with your favorite treats. you look up at him like a child who’s been served their most favorite food ever, and he’s chuckling at the way your eyes twinkle. beautiful, he thinks.

valentine’s day with toji!means that as soon as you’re done eating together, he takes you by the hand and leads you down the hallway of rose petals and into the living room, in which a gigantic teddy bear holding a heart, lots of designer gifts, candy bags, heart balloons, and a sign that says “will you be my valentine?” is waiting for you. you’re looking at him as if he’s crazy, and then you two have a laughing fit as you pull him into a sweet kiss as you nod, whispering a “you know damn well what my answer is, baby.” in between.

valentine’s day with toji!means that you’re watching a favorite comfort movie together, both laughing and cracking jokes every few minutes, and toji is ever so softly drawing circles around your waist as he pulls you in closer; nuzzling his chin on your head and leaving forehead pecks. you tilt your head up to catch his lips against yours, the kiss that was supposed to be innocent and sweet turning into a heated make out session as he holds your face in his big hands, and you’re squeezing his shoulders. your tongues dance against each other, and you gently nibble on his bottom lip as you pull away before it got too hard to do so. you quickly tell him that you’re going to take a bath and then give him the gifts you had gotten for him as well.

valentine’s day with toji!means that when you finish washing your body, you giddily skip over to your closet and pull out the lingerie set you had bought for this occasion a few weeks ago. once you laid your eyes on it, you knew that this was going to be the perfect surprise for him. as you slip it on, you become more and more aroused by the minute. just the thought of toji’s piercing eyes never leaving yours or your body had you going crazy, and you knew that he’d have so much fun taking it off. you spin around in the mirror, very much in love with the way you look, and with a few sprays of perfume, a few final touch ups— you’re out the door on your way back to toji.

valentine’s day with toji!means that once you walk back into the living room, toji’s eyes immediately change into a recognizable carnal expression. your body is covered in goosebumps, nipples perked against the thin lace fabric that barely covers your pretty tits. you place the gifts that you brought out with you to the side and slowly slide yourself onto his lap, gyrating your hips in a salacious manner. you begin to undress toji, starting with his shirt first, while you kiss from his jaw down to his neck, sucking a little harder on his sweet spot. he's kneading at your hips and ass, grinding his erection against your clothed cunt. you're moaning in delight as you leave a trail of hickeys down to his tatted chest, all while you feel toji slipping off the straps of your lingerie.

valentine’s day with toji!means that he's reaching for the whipped cream and a small bowl of strawberries from the living room table (that you hadn't even noticed were there) with a cheeky grin, and you know what was about to go down. toji's quick to have your tiddies out, as he places swirls of whipped cream on your nipples, dipping the strawberries into the cream and eating them in a leisure manner, and once he's done it on both your nipples, he adds more whipped cream on your nipples and tits to lick it off of you. you're whining and throwing your head back while squeezing his biceps to support your trembling body. the feeling of his teeth gently pulling at your skin and then soothing the soft sting by licking away at where he nipped, had your mind spinning.

valentine’s day with toji!means that once he's done playing with your mounds, you're quick to get on your knees and in between his legs. you place whipped cream from his lower abdomen down to his happy trail, feverishly licking away and creating marks. with toji’s help, you pull down his sweats and boxers as his cock eagerly springs out, softly slapping his left thigh. you swallow down a groan, placing your hands at his shaft. you begin to jerk him off as you leave wet kisses from his tip down to his balls, and back up again. once you have him in your mouth, toji's soft groans get louder, and you reach a hand down to move the lace fabric to the side, running two digits down your clit and slowly inserting into your pussy. you gag on toji's length when you push him in as far back as you can, and the whine that vibrates throughout your throat sends him over the edge along with the way you're looking up at him with teary eyes as you fondle his balls with your free hand.

valentine’s day with toji!means that once he shoots a load into your mouth, he pulls you back up to quickly (but carefully) yank off the rest of the lingerie, only leaving you in your thigh highs. you're now on his lap once more, fisting his cock as you rub your puffy folds and clit against his soft-pink tip. once you feel like you're slick enough to slip him inside you, you line him up with your entrance and slowly but surely slide down his length and girth. murmurs of "you're doing so great sweetheart," and "you feel so fuckin' good baby, cmon, you can do it," eggs you on to continue. and even after all the regular sex, you felt like he was splitting you apart for the first time every time. and you loved it. you cry out in pleasure when you finally have all of him in you, and you're eager to begin bouncing on his cock. your thighs are trembling, and toji's "fuck"s and "oh yeah"s have you twitching in ecstasy as you grip onto his knees to support your body. toji is practically on the brink of cumming already when he sees the way your ass is rippling against his thighs, the clapping noises making him grin devilishly.

valentine’s day with toji!means that when you reach your limit, you're arching your back as a high-pitched whine releases from your throat, eyes crossing as you shake in pure delight. toji's lolling his head back as he grits his teeth, soft whimpers leaving his lips as he soon after cums inside of you, a creamy white ring forming at the base of his cock. you're breathing heavily and he's panting, but that doesn't stop you two from looking at each other for a few seconds; and then hungrily kissing. when you pull apart from each other, he's looking up at you as if you're the only person in the world, the only one that really matters. and you know that rings true as he intertwines your fingers together, leaving a gentle peck on your hand as he never loses eye contact with you. the way he loves you, not only on valentines, but every day, will always be something you cherish.

valentine’s day with toji!means that you're being pulled down into the couch with him, arms securely wrapped around your waist, and legs hooked over yours as he gives you a boyish grin. god, if only he knew the way you see him, the way you think about him. and when you're telling him that you two should probably get to opening your gifts as you were excited to see his reaction in what you got him, he's shaking his head and burying his face into the crook of your neck. "we can do that later, baby. how 'bout a round two first?" a smirk forms on his lips when you lightly hit his chest, but your flushed cheeks and pleading gaze say otherwise. he knows you all too well.

i hope this wasn't too late for valentines!! hehe. feel free to leave ideas in my inbox or a comment ♡ if i made any grammar mistakes that i missed, lmk! and thank u so much for reading (●´ω｀●)

[xoxorealitygalore]

HERE COME THE LOVE

PART TWO

ROMAN REIGNS X OC

Summary: Joe and Angel are longtime best friends now in their late-30s that live in the same building in Miami. Not romantically involved, they decide to have children together. But of course, complications arise.

Tag list: @tian-monique @diamondlifeee @duhitzkay380 @itskii01 @christinabae @prettypink-princesss

Previous - Part One

639,418 likes

alwaysangel 🩵

View all 10,723 comments

April 20, 2025

The sun over Las Vegas was cruel in the way only desert heat could be, painting the sidewalks in molten gold as mid-afternoon rolled lazily over the city. It was the kind of day where time seemed to stretch out longer than it had any right to, an illusion fueled by heatwaves and half-slept nights.

The neon was less dramatic in the daylight, but even dimmed, Vegas still shimmered with a surreal sort of dazzle.

Angel shifted in her seat, one hand resting instinctively on the swell of her belly. She was propped at a small patio table outside a tucked-away restaurant just off the Strip.

The baby—their baby boy had been making his presence known all morning. And now, as Joe chuckled next to her, the kicking started again, like he wanted in on the conversation.

Sai was perched across from her, in the booster seat the waiter had reluctantly dug out of storage. The little girl was mid-pose, chin up, arms out, one leg crooked in an exaggerated model’s stance.

“Picture, Daddy,” Sai commanded in her sing-song voice, noticing Joe’s phone in his hand.

Joe, half-amused and half-exasperated, raised the phone and snapped the picture without hesitation. His smile came easily, a natural tilt of the mouth that reached his eyes. Sai beamed.

Angel smiled too, quietly watching the exchange. There was something warm about it, soft, like the edge of a dream she didn’t want to wake up from.

“She is your daughter,” Joe murmured, lowering the phone.

The words lingered for a beat, heavier than the desert air, yet not uncomfortable.

Angel’s stomach tightened again, another sharp jab from within. She placed her hand over the curve of her bump, wincing just slightly.

“You good?” Joe asked, his voice shifting immediately into something more careful.

“Yeah,” she replied, nodding. “He’s just been kicking more than usual since Friday.”

Joe leaned in, placing a large, warm hand over hers, then rubbed her belly in slow, steady circles. His fingers were gentle, careful. “He’s ready to come out,” he said with a smirk. “Thank God we’re having this baby shower soon, because I don’t think you’re making it to forty weeks.”

Angel pouted dramatically. “No, he has to stay in until my due date.”

Joe raised an eyebrow and shook his head, grinning. “You just don’t want to miss out on going to Universal Studios.”

The way he said it, so knowingly, made her laugh.

“You know me so well,” she admitted.

Joe’s smile softened again, and for a second, they just looked at each other, caught in that space between the past and the future, where the present teetered on the edge of something neither of them had named.

Angel’s phone vibrated on the table, screen lighting up. Manuel.

Joe’s eyes flicked toward it, then away with an eye-roll that was so subtle it almost wasn’t there. Angel didn’t miss it, but she also didn’t acknowledge it. She simply turned her phone face-down and picked up her water instead.

She hadn’t been that into Manuel after what happened at SmackDown between her and Joe. The connection had dulled like an old flame left out in the wind. Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was her heart slowly rearranging itself without her permission. She had told herself that if Joe didn’t want her being more than friends with Manuel, then she had to respect that. But something about pretending she didn’t know that Joe wanted more with her was beginning to fray at the edges.

“Can I ask you something?” Angel said, turning toward Joe, her voice quieter.

He looked up from his menu, dark eyes locking on hers. “Yeah?”

“Have you dated anyone? Since, you know, we started this whole thing?” Her words were cautious, like she wasn’t sure where they might lead.

Joe leaned back slightly, giving her the kind of look that felt like a pause in time. “I tried,” he said finally. “Went out a few times. But I couldn’t really get into it. Didn’t feel right.”

Angel blinked, surprised by the honesty. “Oh.”

He nodded once. “What I said after SmackDown, I meant it. I care about you, Angel. More than I thought I would. More than I planned to. But if you’re talking to Manuel, I’m not gonna stand in your way. Even if I think he’s a clown.”

She laughed unexpectedly, caught off-guard. “You really think he’s a clown?”

Joe smirked. “Big red nose and everything.”

Angel didn’t answer right away. Part of her wanted to tell him she hadn’t responded to Manuel’s text. That he hadn’t been on her mind half as much as Joe had. But instead, she swallowed her words and looked away.

“Should we go to Night Two?” she asked instead, changing the subject. “Or head back to Miami?”

Joe hesitated for a second, then nodded. “We can at least stop by the arena. Then head home.”

They finished lunch slowly. Sai kept them entertained with her silly questions and mid-bite singing. But beneath the surface of everything was a lingering silence, the conversation they hadn’t had since Friday still casting a shadow neither of them could ignore.

They walked the Strip a little before heading back to the car. The buzz around the city was unmistakable. WrestleMania fever hung in the air like electricity. Fans in matching shirts, signs held aloft, street performers capitalizing on the foot traffic. It was loud, vibrant, almost intoxicating. Angel should have felt more excited. But she wasn’t sure what she felt.

Back at the hotel, while Sai napped, Angel sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly. Another text from Manuel had come in. “You free tonight?” She didn’t respond. She set the phone aside and looked out the window.

Joe knocked on the doorframe. “You okay?”

Angel nodded. “Just thinking.”

He stepped inside, sitting beside her. For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Joe broke the silence. “I didn’t mean to make things awkward.”

“It’s okay,” she said quickly.

“I was just trying to be honest,” he said. “Didn’t want to lie to you about how I felt.”

Angel bit her lip, still looking out the window. “You caught me off guard.”

“Yeah, I could tell.”

She finally turned to face him. “So what do we do with that? With what we said?”

Joe shrugged slightly. “I think we give it space. We don’t have to rush it. You’ve got enough going on without me complicating things.”

“But you’re not complicating anything,” Angel said softly. “If anything, it’s everything else that’s confusing.”

Joe reached over and took her hand. His touch was warm, steady.

“I don’t know what this looks like yet,” he admitted. “But I know I don’t want to pretend I don’t care about you.”

Angel exhaled, a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“I don’t want to pretend either.”

They sat there for a long time, hands clasped, letting silence do the talking.

Roman Reigns and Angel Blaze Share Exclusive Photos from Their 'Joyful' and 'Vibrant' Baby Shower: 'An Unforgettable Memory'

The two are also parents to 2-year-old daughter Sai

By PEOPLE Staff

Roman Reigns and Angel Blaze are joyfully preparing to welcome a new addition to their growing family.

On Tuesday, April 22, Reigns, 39, and Blaze, 38, celebrated the upcoming arrival of their baby boy with a "joyful" and "vibrant" baby shower, sharing exclusive photos of the event with PEOPLE. From the dazzling décor to their coordinated outfits, every detail was steeped in shades of blue in honor of their soon-to-be son.

Angel stunned in a floor-length light blue gown embellished with rhinestones and feathers, while Reigns looked sharp in a matching light blue suit paired with a crisp white shirt. Both completed their looks with silver shoes for an extra touch of glam.

"We dreamed beyond the usual baby shower — we wanted this to be a celebration," they told PEOPLE. "A joyful, vibrant party with the people we love, to honor our little prince on his way. Not just a gathering, but an unforgettable memory in the making."

They shared their pregnancy news on April 18, first revealing it at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, followed by a heartfelt Instagram post from Angel.

Reigns is also a proud father to five children from a previous relationship.

alwaysangel ✓

Joshua’s house was alive with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. Joe and his cousins had gathered for their monthly boys' night out, a tradition that had withstood the test of time.

The expansive living room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, offered a panoramic view of the city skyline, the lights twinkling like distant stars. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the rich aroma of aged whiskey.

Joe leaned back in his leather chair, a glass of bourbon in hand, his eyes scanning the room. Laughter echoed off the walls as stories from the past were retold, each cousin trying to outdo the other with tales of youthful mischief and daring escapades.

But amidst the camaraderie, a tension lingered in the air, unnoticed by most but palpable to those attuned to the subtleties of human interaction.

Mige, one of Joe's cousin, sat across from him, his brow furrowed as he listened to the conversation. His gaze shifted to Joe. There was something in his eyes, a mixture of concern and skepticism that hadn't been there before.

"Joe," Mige began, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of something more, "I've been thinking about your situation with Angel." The room fell silent, the casual chatter dying as all eyes turned to Mige. Joe's grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly.

"What about it?" Joe replied, his tone guarded.

Mige leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I just don't see how this arrangement is sustainable in the long run. You're both so different. How can you raise children together when your foundations are so mismatched?"

The words hung in the air, heavy and accusatory. Joe's heart rate quickened, a flush creeping up his neck. He had expected many things from this night, but not this. Not from Mige.

Jon sensing the shift in atmosphere, cleared his throat and stood up. "Mige, maybe now's not the time for this conversation." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that suggested he wasn't entirely comfortable with the direction things were heading. Jon pulled out his phone and texted Angel to call Joe and calm him down before he beat up Mige.

But Mige was undeterred. "No, Jon. This needs to be said. Joe, you're my family, and I care about you. But I can't stand by and watch you make a decision that could affect your life and your children's lives so drastically."

Joe stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the polished hardwood floor. "I love Angel," he said, his voice rising with emotion. "I love her deeply. And I believe she's the right person for me to build a family with. You don't know her like I do."

The room was silent, the weight of Joe's words pressing down on everyone. Mige opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Joshua stood up and placed a hand on Joe's shoulder. "Joe, calm down," he said softly. "Let's not do this here."

Joe shook his head, shrugging off Joshua's hand. "No, Joshua. I won't let anyone question my choices."

The tension in the room was noticeable, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Mige stood up as well, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "I'm not trying to attack you, Joe," he said, his voice quieter now. "I just want what's best for you."

Before Joe could respond, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at the screen and saw Angel's name flashing.

Joshua picked up the phone and handed it to Joe. "It's Angel," he said gently.

Joe took the phone, his hands trembling slightly. "Angel?" he said, his voice hoarse.

"Joe," Angel's voice came through the speaker, calm and steady. "I know you're upset. But you need to come home. Please."

The simplicity of her words, the quiet strength in her voice, cut through the storm of emotions raging inside him. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to let it get this far."

Angel's voice softened. "It's okay. Just come home."

Joe ended the call and stood there for a moment, gathering his thoughts. The room was silent, all eyes on him. He looked at Mige, then at Jon, Joshua, and the others. "I'm going home," he said simply.

As he made his way to the door, he paused and turned back to face his cousins. "I know you care about me," he said quietly. "But this is my life. My family. And I won't let anyone tear it apart."

With that, he left, the door closing softly behind him.

Next - Part Three

[amphitriteswife]

Tragedy

Pairing: Jonggun x reader

Source: Lookism

Warnings: cheating, Lore stuff i already made so many times- I LOVE GUN ANGST

Note: i don’t like the ‘___ cheating with reader who is a maid’ and then the wife is just hated on for no reason and pitied. So the thing is, we are the wife getting cheated on :P. Sorry guys . Also i think this song fits the situation so much.

‘What made you think i wouldn’t?’ The question made you put down your chopsticks, your eyes meeting his across the dinner table. He wasn’t stupid. He knew you knew. But that also brings up the question: Why didn’t you say anything? He doesn’t understand why you’re so calm. Why you just stare at him blankly, as if it doesn’t matter to you at all.

‘Wouldn’t what?’ You ask him, your voice isn’t anxious, it’s flat. Straight to the point. It doesn’t really hold anything. Nothing at all. He knows it. And it’s unsettling. Someone he knows all his life, he knows everything about you. What you like, what your interests are, your stances on things. Your opinions. But now. Now you’re not showing anything. You’re just here. Still playing a drinking game with him and eating something plain to make sure it’s not on an empty stomach. Even after you answered him, you still picked the other set of chopsticks up to feed him. He truly wonders if he actually does understand you at times. There was a moment of silence. It wasn’t awkward. At least on your part it felt like nothing. But you couldn’t say the same for Jonggun.

‘Don’t you want to know who it is?’ Your lack of questions weirds him out. You’re not crying. You’re not begging. You’re not angry. You’re not sad. This isn’t normal. He knows somethings wrong with you. He knows it. You’re shutting him out, he caught up to that when you’re very angry. But this is a new level. Your eyes are still the same. Your make up isn’t smeared. You’re acting as if everything’s fine when it isn’t…it’s not supposed to be.

‘Would it matter?’ Your voice is still flat. Don’t be flat. He doesn’t want you to be indifferent towards him. Yes that’s right. He thinks you’re still his. Even when he isn’t yours. Even if it was, it would only be his heart that would be yours. If he even has one to begin with. But…it’s not like you’ve seen that in a long time. There was a time. A time it was truly just the two of you. Way back. When things were ‘okay’ even when they weren’t, you had each other. But he doesn’t need you anymore. And you don’t need him either.

A soft chuckle is the only thing you got from him. It was probably condescending. But then, what Gun wants is a reaction. Something he won’t get. Not from you. The best thing for you to do is just look at him. His words nor behavior will get to you. It’s not because you’re keeping yourself strong. It’s not that you’re dying on the inside. Even if it hurts. You’ll be okay. You know it. You’ll always be okay eventually. This time is no different. You have better things than this. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just a temporary feeling. A rather soft hum made Gun look at you once again in curiosity. Were you going to yell? Cry? Beg?

‘Don’t make it difficult.’ Hey. You’re not supposed to say that. Gun feels a flicker of panic. Just for a moment. He thought you’ll open up eventually. You’ll forgive him. You always did. You always have been. Even when the two of you were kids. Playing. Him accidentally sparring too hard with you and making you cry. He always felt guilty for making you cry. But you always came back go him. Always. And he came back to you too. Always. Even after what he did. This time is no different right? Right? Right? The situation is slipping out of his hands. He feels it. It’s different now. He’s lost. For the first time ever he lost. No. It’s not a fight he lost. No. He did something he shouldn’t have. It wasn’t a mistake. It was a choice he made. A choice he won’t regret. He always lived with the moral he can’t break now. He can’t tell you about what he feels. It’ll make him seem weak. He won’t tell you that for the first time in his life he deeply regrets something. So he’ll mask it with confidence. He doesn’t have to only have one woman. He’s the young master? He’s THE Jonggun park. His dad had lots of concubines. Why can’t he?…. He knows he’s just making up excuses. He knows that all of those excuses won’t make it any better. He watched you pick up your chopsticks and continue feeding him. His eyes kept glancing at you. He feels it in his gut. Something changed and its really bad this time.

______________________________________________

Gun stared at Goo’s back. Watching the blonde man get further and further away. A soft sigh escapes his lips. He stares into the distance. He made his choice. And he’s not backing down.

‘That’s sad.’ Gun’s body stiffened. He hadn’t heard your voice in a few years. It sounded…more mature. He almost didn’t recognize it. He took a quick glance back, you changed. You’re more…more like a woman. You’re…so mature. Your clothes. Your make up. Even the attitude. It was clear your mannerisms have changed. More westernized? Probably, but that’s not important right now.

‘You came?’ He said in a rather soft spoken voice. He wasn’t even sure if you still had the same number. After all, you never blocked him. You just…moved on. You weren’t angry. You weren’t sad. You still texted on some occasions…but you did refuse to see him or call him…he still feels a twinge of happiness though. You’re here. Even if you changed. You’re here. Please stay. He can’t ask you that. He’d probably never say it. But stay.

‘You called.’ You gave him a slight smirk. It didn’t hold anything in it. In fact, it seemed almost…smug? Did you enjoy seeing him like this? He watched you sit next to him on the wooden porch. What was he supposed to say? How would he say it?…what should he even say to you? Neither of you even know what the two of you even are anymore. The engagement has always been there. On paper. But…here..right now…what is it? Are you two exes? Friends? Still lovers? Jonggun sat back up. His gaze being a little longer focused on the snow than usually. You on the other hand chuckled at the sight. Alone. Not even girls around him? What about the money? Or the jobs? Pathetic

‘Do you still love me?’ The question hung in the air. A long hearty laugh escaping your lips. You almost fell back, a few tears pricking in your eyes from the laughter. Gun wasn’t amused by your laughter. In fact, he could feel irritation bubble up in his every being. He’s being serious right now.

‘What the hell does that matter? Think you can just ask that and expect a proper answer? Funny guy.’ Gun seemed honestly speechless. Your way of speaking changed too. You got a loose tongue. You don’t even adres him properly. But…it makes it seem as if that means you’re closer to him. It means you’re comfortable with him. He likes that…he feels weird because of you. A feeling he experienced with you before when the two of you were kids. Right…the two of you used to be together. But it’s not like that anymore. A rather thick silence ensued. Really. What was there to say. Did you love him? Oh definitely. Always have. You’d probably never stop. It’s been beaten into you to always love him. Quite literally.

‘I do actually.’ Ofcourse. Ofcourse he thinks he’s entitled to an answer. How could he not? Spoiled prince…Although it’s not entirely his family name. And mostly his own achievements. He still became what his parent wanted him to be. So spoiled prince. But then. Once again. It’s Gun. You won’t give him an answer. At least not straight up. He doesn’t deserve to hear it like that. You took a deep breath. He asked you if you love him…but if you want to be with him is a different thing…although saying you love him would full his ego. Gun looked at you and you looked back at him. Still not saying anything. He himself also wasn’t sure what to say. He actually doesn’t have something to say. And even if he did. He wouldn’t do it, he’s too prideful.

‘I miss you.’

.

.

.

Is what you still couldn’t say to him. It felt…scary. You did miss him. A lot. You cried some nights thinking about him. Something no one would know though. Just you. You wouldn’t tell him nor let him see it. It hurt. You thought he didn’t need you anymore. But. Eventually you came over all those feelings. You found friends. Hobbies. You experienced love. Real love. It’s not like the love you had with Gun wasn’t real. Sure. He loved you in his own way. But what you had with others was healthy love. It was logical. Logical that Gun couldn’t love you like that. He doesn’t know how to. He doesn’t even know how a normal family operates. How would he know something about romantic love?

‘Do you remember what you called Hostel?’ The question was sudden, and frankly it made Gun pause too. He said lots of things when he was involved with Hostel. Especially to Eli. From business to Heather to Oli wang to much more. What part exactly were you referring to? Gun raises an eyebrow at you, waiting for you to speak.

‘You said Hostel was a tragedy.’ Gun thinks for a moment. Yes that does sound like something he would say, it is true after all. Hostel is till this day a tragedy. It was built on one, and it will end as one. Every member in it was a tragedy. He saw it from the start around 3 years ago in their first encounter…but what does that have to do with the two of you? You weren’t even with him in Korea most of the time at that time. Hell you didn’t even know about his job…did you? Gun feels weird again. Very weird. Just like the when the two to you talked about the reoccurrence of his habit with other women at the club. He feels the same feeling. He still doesn’t know what it is. Like you’re going to say something that will change something…he feels it. It won’t be good what will come out your mouth. It won’t be the answer he hoped for.

‘You forget that we’re a tragedy too. We were from the start.’

[dulcecherub]

Love Espresso

Chapter six: Blue

MASTERLIST

Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7

Synopsis: after her breakup with Rafe and him kicking her out. Her best friend offers her a new job and a place to stay. But when Rafe comes back from Morocco. He realizes he’d made a grave mistake. Will Sofia go back to him? Or will she decide that her new life means more to her than him?

Author’s note: thought I was going to make this longer than it was. So sorry for the wait! Just changed the name of this chapter from tethered to blue. But blue as in the Kali Uchis song and not the Billie eilish one.

Sofia didn’t know what to say to Liliana when she got home. She stood at the door, unsure if she should allow herself in. She could hear faint sounds of Liliana padding around the room. The faucet turning on, running down the sink. But still, Sofia couldn’t find it in her to move. They didn’t have a bad fight, but it did make things awkward. They spoke to each other as they work as if they were just people worked together. Not best friends of five years. She didn’t know what she was going to enter too.

A memory slowly resurfaces.

A couple months back before Rafe came back from Morocco

Sofia stared down at her food, Liliana and Catalina are sitting in front of her. Catalina chewing away at her food, while Liliana takes a sip of her drink. —Sofia picked up her fork and stabbed into her pasta. Trying to will herself to eat the food her friend made. She took a small bite into it. Trying to process the food before letting it go down.

“So.. uh… I’m glad I could be here for you right now.” Catalina said. Dropping her fork down on her plate. “I can’t believe he did that to you.” Catalina was a lot more sympathetic than Sofia had given her credit for. Sofia felt the lump in her throat growing. Feeling like it would swallow her whole if she didn’t get the words out.

“Thank you… you can say I told—

Catalina cuts her off, “Absolutely not, he… he’s a piece of shit for what he did. I have no right to throw anything in your face right now.”

Liliana looked between them. Her eyes not betraying what she was feeling.

Sofia looked back at the pasta that Catalina had made. “I did this to myself. Like I always do. I-I fuck things up and—

“Sof, you thought irrationally to the words he said to you. He made it out to be like he’d never be with a pogue. That what the two of you had for two years, was nothing.” Liliana says, finally speaking up.

Sofia let a tear slip down her face. She knew they were right. She’d given Rafe her all. Pushing everyone away because that’s what happened when you dated someone like Rafe. He demanded all your attention. Once he had a lick of someone giving him unconditional love, he licked it up like it was all he was ever going to get. Making you utterly consumed by him. Everyone else be damned.

“I’m-I’m so sorry.” Sofia says, her voice cracking. Her eyes casted down, no longer having the strength to stare at her friends.

“Hey, we’re here.. okay.” Catalina placed her hand over Sofias. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Sofia sighed, pushing the door open. Liliana looked up, then immediately bringing her eyes back down onto the table. Awkwardness surrounded them, finally Sofia spoke.

“I’m sorry.” She said, it sounded weak to her own ears. She didn’t like feeling this way. Feeling like it was her against Liliana. They’d been friends for only five years and yet, it felt like she’d known Liliana her whole life. She didn’t want to lose that.

Liliana let out a sigh, a tear escaping from her eyes. “You don’t have to be.”

Sofia’s own face crumbled, “I know you just want to protect me. I understand why you did what you did. I do. And I don’t want our friendship to sour over something as stupid as a boy.”

Both girls ran to each others arms, holding on to each other tight. Not letting the other go.

“I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry.” Sofia cries into her friends arm. Liliana held her friend closer to her. Holding her tightly.

“It’s okay, I promise. It’s okay.” Sofia shook her head, she was selfish. She was the one who hurt people all the time. She should be sorry.

Liliana kissed Sofias forehead, rubbing her back in circles. Sofia kept shaking her head.

“I’m-I’m not good Liliana. All I do is mess everything up.” Sofia licked her lips,she tasted her tears. She hadn’t realized how hard she’d been crying.

“Hey, that’s so not true. Don’t say that about yourself. You are the kindest, most loving and caring person I know. Cometiste un error. Nadie puede culparte por eso.” (You made a mistake. No one blames you for it)

Sofia rubbed at her eyes, “Todavía fue culpa mía.” (Still, it was my fault.) Sofia wants to cry again and she hates how the tears are coming through. Unrelenting, this is showing up emotions she thought she’d buried. Her feelings for Rafe, her platonic feelings for her friend, and the feelings she’s felt from being abandoned. “Why did he decide to come back?” She asks hoarsely. “He should hate me. Run away from me. He shouldn’t want me after what I did.”

Liliana looks at her friend sympathetically. A sad smile appears on her face. “Maybe because… he does love you. Just has an awful shit way of showing it. I don’t really know Sof. You were with him more. I still don’t understand why he did what he did. And I don’t appreciate him just appearing again. Just like that.”

The two girls are sat on the couch, holding onto each other. Sofia looks down at the coffee table. The silence engulfs them for a while.

“Maybe…he does.”

The moment Rafe and Sarah had gotten home from the grocery store. Rafe slid out the car, slamming the car door angrily. He headed in without even a glance at Sarah. His footsteps against the walkway, loud and harsh.

“Rafe! Hold on!” Sarah yelled after him. She slid out more carefully. Worried about her baby. It clicks in his head… he stops. He lets out a shallow breath, heading back to help Sarah out of the car.

“M’sorry.” He grabs Sarah’s arm as delicately as he can. He has never been a delicate man… not since…

“Rafe?” Sarah asks him, he can’t help but break down. He sobs into her chest. He can feel his legs wobble. He tries his best not to. Doesn’t want to hurt Sarah or the baby.

“Oh Rafe.” Sarah hugs him tightly. His grip on her tightens. Using her arm as a life line. He doesn’t know how he’ll ever make things between him and Sofia better. She’d only said one thing to him and he crumbled under the weight of it.

“She’s never going to forgive me.” His voice is hoarse, his words coming out harshly. Almost afraid of slipping out, of showing vulnerability. But they slipped out anyway. Pain was like that, it demanded an audience. It depended your full attention. And Rafe’s heart clenched, he finally let go of Sarah.

“She’s hurt right now. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. I know—

“How?! How do you know?! How do we know she’ll come back to me!” Rafe cried. Sarah flinched at his tone but doesn’t waver. Didn’t back away from him.

She’s learned how to handle when he’s like this. Before he knew she would run when he did. But for some reason, now she stays. He doesn’t know why. Doesn’t know when she decided he was worth caring for.

“Because I’ve been in her place before. I can tell she loves you.” Rafe shook his head, his head in his hands.

“No, Sarah. She’s never going to forgive me. That—she’s obviously done with me.” He rubbed his head, trying to find some comfort in himself. But he felt tortured by what Sofia had said.

“Fuck you.”

It played over and over in his head. Like his brain was mocking him. Trying to get a raise out of him.

“You just need to calm down, okay?”Sarah says, grabbing him by the arm. “Come on, let me make mom’s special tea. The one.. I know we’ve been butchering for years now.”

“Why are you being so nice to me? I was an awful brother to you. I don’t deserve your kindness.” Rafe rubbed at his nose, his eyes ahead as he walked alongside Sarah. “Just leave me here, it’s what I deserve.”

Sarah stops walking. “Don’t.”

“What?” Rafe asks, confused.

“Don’t do that. Don’t say that. It’s your way of trying to push people away. And we’re not doing that anymore, Rafe. We’re not going down that road. I chose you. Wheezie chose you. Heck, even John B chose you. Stop pushing people who want to stay in your life. We’re not going anywhere.”

With that, the Cameron siblings walk back into Rafe’s house quietly. Rafe contemplating the words Sarah had just uttered. She was right, it wasn’t something that he was used to. He always felt like he had to earn people’s love. To gain it. With Sofia, it hadn’t felt that way at all. He felt her love like it was simple as breathing.

He didn’t realize he could manage to make the people he hurt feel the same. He doesn’t know how he did it. Doesn’t know how he was able to. But he’s glad he finally has a true support system. Outside of whatever he had with Sofia and it made him realize something else.

He was going to fight for his relationship with Sofia. If it was the last thing he had to do.

Sofia had been working, her eyes focused on the task at hand. She hadn’t looked up at the big window in front of her. Her eyes glued to the rag in her hand and the table she was wiping down. She heard the sound of the doorbell chime of the door.

“Hey, are you Sofia Jimenez?” Said the delivery man. Sofia looked up with crinkled brows.

“Uh yeah, I’m Sofia.” Sofia placed the rag on the table so she could properly give her attention to the delivery man. He was different than the usual one she’d seen come in here.

The delivery man nodded, “Just need you to sign here.”

A part of her should have turned him away. She was slowly starting to realize this wasn’t a normal delivery. It was a Tuesday, the shop usually got their things delivered on a Wednesday.

Once she signed, he left the shop. Then came back fifteen minutes later. With rows upon rows of flower bouquets. Sofias mouth open wide. Before she knew it, the coffee shop was filled with flowers.

“Thought this was a coffee shop. Not a damn flower shop.” A grumpy customer said. Sofia could only stare agape at the customer before turning to look at Liliana. Whose eyes widen. Sofia gently took off the flower shop card.

“Whoever send you these, must really love you.” Another customer, a woman says.

Liliana and Sofia only stare at each other. Sofia allows Liliana to read the note.

“Gotta give it to the guy, he knows how to do an apology right. Only thing now is… will you go talk to him?” Liliana asks.

Sofia feels a storm of emotions consume her at once. She’s not sure what her next steps should be. She could only stare at all the peony and lilies scattered around. Her favorites.

Song Sofia is listening to

Song Rafe is listening to

Song Liliana plays to cheer Sofia up (flashback)

Taglist @percysley

[strniohoeee]

Vigilance

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Matt is super jealous over Y/N getting male attention. He doesn’t know how to communicate this, causing Y/N to feel hurt🏵️ this is for the request asking for a jealous Matt when Y/N gets hit on

Warnings⚠️: None☺️ just super cute

Song for the chapter: Dead to Me-Kali Uchis

The triplets had orchestrated a vacation for our friends! They had invited Madi, Tril and Nate. The 7 of us were going down to Florida for 7 days! We had all been working on ourselves and our content that we hadn’t really had a chance to hang out and catch up.

Because we all live in different areas we had all decided to meet at the Air bnb that was on the beach. Although I am currently living In LA, I'm originally from NY and have been back home for the past 4 months, so I had to fly out alone.

And of course just my luck my flight was the only one of the 7 of ours that got delayed. So everyone was already at the house for a good two hours before I showed up.

I walked to the front door checking to see if it was locked, and I am not surprised that these fools left the door open. So I let myself in placing my luggage next to the door, and locking the door behind me

“HELLOOOOO” I yelled out, and to no surprise I heard nothing

As I walked to the kitchen I could hear talking, and laughing, so I knew they were outside on the balcony

“Who would’ve thought we’d all be together again” I said as I walked out the door

“Y/NNNNNN OH MY GODDDD SHES HERE” Madi said, jumping up and running to give me a hug.

“Madiiiii I’ve missed you so much” I said hugging her tightly

I walked over to everybody as they were all sitting around the little glass table that was in the center

“Hey Nick….I literally missed you so much” I said, giving him a big hug. Then I went over to Chris and hugged him “my favorite interesting character” I said squeezing him tight

“Yoo so good to see you again” Matt said in the most flirtatious way, giving me a big hug

“So great to see you” I told him after letting go

“Trilllll” I said as I gave him a hug too

“Yoo what’s Nate it’s been so long” I said as I gave him a hug

“It’s been like what a year??” He asked looking at me

“Dude I think it has been that long” I told him as I sat down next to him

“How was your flight?" I know it got delayed” Chris asked me

“It was alright. There was this dude next to me…oh my god wouldn’t stop talking to me” I said rolling my eyes

“Oh my god!!! A guy talking to you how dreadful” Madi said groaning

“Oh shut up” I said rolling my eyes at her

“What yall been up to while I’ve been gone?” I asked them

“The last 4 months have been insane. We’ve been growing by the second, and we just got back from tour” Nick said

“I saw! Congrats to Chris even though I’m a Matt girl” I said looking over at Matt

“The whole time we just kept talking about how much we missed you, and how you would have love coming on tour with us” Matt said

“I would killllll to have been on tour with yall” I said

“Why do you look so different” Nate asked me

I laughed at this and gave a confused look

“Different?” I asked

“Yeah….somethings different” he said eyeing me up and down

“Mmm, I dyed my hair black, and it’s longer now. I’ve might’ve put on some weight too, but uhhh not too much on that or I’ll spiral” I said laughing, they laughed with me

“Maybe it’s that” he said

“What the black hair? Or me gaining weight??? And answer carefully” I said raising an eyebrow

“I think it’s the weight! It looks good on you. Your bodies filling out” he said smuggly

“CREEPER MUCH” I said smacking him playfully

“Nooo not in that way. You just look so much happier and healthier now” he said rolling his eyes

“Yeah she looks healthier now cause her ass is fat” Madi said

“ALRIGHTTTT no more body talk” I said laughing

“It’s still pretty early, and we’re on the beach, so I say beach time???” Chris asked

We all agreed, and I was the first to get up and turn around. As I turned around Nate and Trils eyes followed down to my ass. Something Matt took note of, and he wasn’t happy about that.

Madi and I were sharing a room, and decided to match bathing suits. We both wore vibrant hot pink bikinis that were kind of a thong in the back. They weren’t cheeky but they also weren’t g string. Somewhere in the middle.

This was a matching suit we bought 5 months ago, and my body has changed in the last 5 months. So the top part was a little extra snug

“Madi you look so hot in pink” I told her

“You looks so hot in pink” she said

“I have to find my sun block, but could you go downstairs and find my purse” she asked me

“Of course baby” I said and went downstairs

All the guys were sitting on the couch waiting on Madi and I

“Have yall seen Madi’s purse” I called out from the kitchen

“Yeah it’s over here” Nick called out

“Perfect I’m coming” I said after slipping on my flip flops and walking over

“WOAHHHHH” Nick said causing everyone to look up from their phone

I just rolled my eyes at him, and went to grab Madi’s purse which was next to Matt.

“I like the pink” he said looking at me

“Thank you matt” I said smiling at him

“Oh I need a cover up. I left mine back home, and Madi’s are too small for me” I said

“Want one of my shirts?” Tril asked

“Sure” I said. He got up and came back a few minutes later with a shirt for me

“Thank you” I said slipping it on

Madi finally found her sunblock and came down stairs

“Aii bitches let’s go” she said

We walked out the front door and around the house to get to the entrance of the beach

Once we found a good spot we set up or towels, and I took off my shirt

“Hey could you pass me the sunblock” I asked Madi

“Yeah here” she said handing it to me

It was the spray on kind, so I sprayed myself except my back I couldn’t reach

“Back please” I told Madi handing her the bottle and turning around

Matt watched Tril and Nate, and immediately their eyes fell down to look at my ass. Nick also noticed this

“Y’all have no shame” he said to them shaking their head

They both laughed and put there hands up in defense

We all sat around tanning for a little bit, but I was starting to overheat

“Hey I’m going into the water it’s too hot” I said getting up and walking to the water

I got in the water about just below breast level. When I felt a ball hit me, so I turned around

“Oh I’m so sorry” the guy came walking over.

“Oh no worries it didn’t hit me hard” I said looking up at him blocking the sunlight out of my eyes

“What's your name?” He asked

“I’m Y/N, and yours” I asked him

“I’m Logan” he said sticking his hand out, which I happily grabbed and shook

“Nice to meet you Logan” I said

“Likewise” he said and winked

“Are you from here?” He asked me

“Oh no my friends and I are just on a vacation” I said to him

“Nice! I’m actually from here, but I live in Georgia right now for work” he said

“Oh, that's really cool. How’s Georgia?” I asked him

“I mean it’s nice, but it’s not Florida” he said shining his bright smile

“I mean that’s true. I’m from New York, so I get that” I said laughing a little bit

“You know tonight we’re having a bonfire my friends and I, maybe your friends and yourself would like to join?” He asked

“Uhh yeah maybe, I could ask them” I told him

“Alright well uh cool, I’ll see you around Y/N” he said started to walk back

“Yeah I’ll see you around Logan” I said, and decided to get out the water, and head back to everyone

“Who was that?” Madi asked me

“His names Logan, he was nice” I said to her drying myself off with my spare towel

“Yeah, and he was hot” she said

“Ehh he was okay” I said shrugging my shoulders

“Uhh no he was hot” Nick said chiming in

“So everybody was just watching me” I said laughing

“Well duh! A guy approaches you. We have to watch” Chris said

“Good to know, but anyways he invited us to a bonfire tonight on the beach. I told him I’d let you guys know” I told them

“Oh we have to go” Nate said

Everyone agreed except Matt

“How about you Matt?” I asked him

He just looked up from his phone and shrugged his shoulders

Hmm weird but what’s ever…”uhh okay” I said

We had gotten back from the beach a few hours ago, and decided to get some pizza from a nearby spot.

Eventually we all decided to head to the beach for the bonfire. I immediately saw Logan, so we walked over

“Hey Logan” I said

“Heyyy” he said going in for a hug, which shocked me, but I hugged him back

We all introduced everyone to each other and kind of just broke apart to talk to everyone

We were all sitting around the bonfire just talking

Logan was talking my ear off, and throwing compliments at me here and there. But I didn’t really care for him.

I kept glancing over at Matt who was occasionally talking to some girl.

I started to get a bit jealous. I really liked Matt, but I felt like he didn’t like me back. The girl had gotten up to get a drink, when Matt and I’s eyes locked. I smiled at him, and just kind of rolled his eyes and looked away.

That was weird?? And uncalled for

So I turned back to Logan and chatted with him. At one point he started to get a little too flirty. He went as far as tucking my hair behind my ear. And when I kind of moved my head away I looked at Matt, and he was watching me. But when he saw that he got up and started to walk away

“Uhh I’ll be back” I said to Logan and shot up walking after Matt

“Hey Matt what’s up?” I said walking with him

“Nothing” he said back bluntly

“Doesn’t seem like nothing” I told him

“Well it’s nothing” he said once again bluntly

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked him

“Nope” he said popping the P and looking at the water

“I’m not sure what I did to you, but whatever it is I’m sorry” I said and stormed off heading back to the house.

Got to the house, and went up to my bed. I started to cry. How could someone I adore so much just treat me like that. I didn’t do a single thing to him, and now he’s giving me the cold shoulder and being mean.

I ended up falling asleep before anyone came back, so I knew I’d face some questions when I woke up. Surprisingly, I woke up after everyone. I decided to shower and do my whole routine before heading downstairs

“Morning Y/N” Nick said smiling at me

“Morning guys” I said

“What happened to you last night?” Chris asked me

“Oh i got really tired, so I decided to head in” I told him as I sat down to eat a bagel

I sat next to Matt, and he didn’t even look over at me.

“Morning Matt” I said looking at him, he was drinking his orange juice, and all he did was raise his eyebrows at me.

We were on day 5 of our trip, and Matt was completely ignoring me now. He would go out of his way to not be near me, or interact with me at all. I spent those nights crying over how hurt I felt. I was hurting him, and he wouldn’t even talk to me about it.

Tonight everyone called it a night at about 12, but I was so riddled with anxiety that I stood up. I decided to sit outside on the patio

Once again letting tears fall from my eyes. Not understanding why he was being so mean to me. It was unfair.

I heard the screen door open and someone step out

“Y/N?” I heard someone say. I looked over my shoulder and scoffed

“What do you want Matt?” I said wiping my eyes and sniffling

“Are you crying?” He asked me sitting diagonal from me

“What does it matter” I spat at him

“Why are you crying?” He asked me with worry written all over his face

“Doesn’t matter not like you’d care anyways” I said to him

“I do care” he responded

“You’re not going to do this. You’re not going to sit and ignore me for 5 days, and then want to come out here and be all sweet and play therapist. You can go right back inside and leave me alone” I said shooing him

“Woah” he said taken aback

“Woah nothing matt…woah nothing. You’ve been a dick to me this whole trip, and I was so excited to see you. But for the past 5 nights, guess what I’ve been doing?? CRYING OVER YOU” I said slightly raising my voice

“God this is all my fault” he said rubbing his eyes and sighing

“It sure is” I said rolling my eyes at him

“I’ve been such an idiot. I’ve been bottling up how I feel so so fucking long” he said

“What the fuck are you saying” I said getting annoyed

“Y/N I like you so fucking much. That it actually brings pain to my heart and chest when I see you talking to other guys. And when Tril and Nate were looking at you making comments it just made me so jealous. And when Logan came over to you. I wanted to throw up with anxiety. I hated the fact that you were looking and talking to them, and not me. That I got so angry with you, but truly I was angry at myself, and jealous over someone who isn’t mine” he finally said

It took a second for all that to register in my head

“I..Matt what?” I said confused

“I really really like you. Like a lot” he said looking into my eyes

“Matt, I have liked you for the longest time. I missed you so fucking much while I was back home that I wanted to call you every second of everyday, but I just couldn’t bring myself to” I told him

“You should’ve….I would have picked up. For you I will always pick up” he said

“Y/N will you be my girlfriend?” He asked me getting up and walking to sit next to me

“Yes Matt. Yes I will” I told him looking at him

“God I’m such a fool. I will never ever do anything stupid like that again” he said pulling me in for a hug

“Matt never do that. Know that I am here for you. Always and forever. And however you’re feeling. Just come and speak to me about it. We will work this out together” I said pulling away

“I promise I will” he said giving me his pinky

I laughed and made a pinky promise with him, and with his other hand he pulled me in for a kiss.

The next two days of the trip were amazing. Matt and us had been doing everything as a couple, and truly enjoying the end of our vacation before we all had to head home

“TO US” we all screamed as we cheersed our soda cans

This was a vacation that would remain a core memory for me.

The End

Hope and pray that to the person who requested this likes it🫶🏽🫶🏽 Hope you guys enjoyed😘😘 time to keep pumping these stories out !!

-J💅🏽