#name is subject to change but for now that will be the tag for this particular time frame!
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dobythealpaca · 1 year ago
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thinking a lot about tf2 but eviler and gayer and made these two,,,
only a few sketches as of rn but there WILL be more cuz i am ill and its become its whole own thing now
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quibbs126 · 7 months ago
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I’ve seen some people suggest the idea of TF One Starscream and Megatronus Prime having been a couple, and while I’m not entirely sure whether I ship it (the potential skystar here has a grip on me), I will say the sheer comedy of the situation makes me strongly consider it
Like I just love imagining Megatron’s reaction to this information being this
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He is mortified and really doesn’t want to believe it’s true
But also in some seriousness, I do like the idea with how it relates to Megatron. I remember some months ago someone having a ficlet on here with this ship, where basically Starscream feels like he has to be responsible for and protect Megatron because he failed Megatronus, and because he sees Megatron sort of like a son they never had (or at least I think, it’s been a while since I read it and I don’t know how to find it again), and I like that idea. It’s interesting and also works with the concept that this Starscream is significantly older than Megatron
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puhpandas · 1 year ago
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GGY Week Day 7: Free Space AU
and here’s tarbell! he’s apart of an au of mine where tony gets glitchtrapped instead of killed at the end of ggy. there’s plenty of notes about his design on the drawing, but i’m not gonna talk much about the au itself since it’s an aspiring fic that i wouldn’t want to spoil. tarbell and rab are very close though :) they are 100% completely different entities and people from gregory and tony tho. very sentient, they just… may not have very humanlike morals and values lol
i’ve made tons of art for these 2 recently (most in my sketchbook) so i’ll probably share more later!
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narastories · 2 months ago
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Nine Lines, Nine People
@flowerprose tagged me, thank you so much!
I'm taking a little break from writing at the moment, but I think that makes it the perfect time to catch up on my inbox/tags games. I'm going to give you nine lines of silly banter between my little OCs who have been eating my brain for the past three months, plus a little extra under the cut ;) Tagging: @thechaoscryptid @geekinthefuschiahair @iihappydaysii @mistresspandorawritesthings @jaynovz @alwaysanovice @imsorryimlate @waking-electric @houndsofcorduff no pressure ofc (I know I'm double-tagging some of you with the other post, but wanted to give you options. also sorry for randomly tagging people from the RFTS event, but I know you guys are working on stuff lol)
...
I barely took the first bite of my lunch - the best gyros plate in town, if you asked me, with a few freshly fried falafel balls on the side and some kind of minty sauce to balance the spice on the meat - when a voice interrupted me.
“You should tell her to stop hiding.”
I glanced up. Nicholas Mallory looked out of place on the rooftop of the shopping center, among the badly dressed tourists and the locals wearing the same general outfit as I was, the only sensible and seasonally appropriate uniform: flip-flops with shorts but a thick hoodie to stave off the chill when in the shade. I gave the man a slow once-over, not hiding my distaste. He had a tailored jacket on, and polished leather shoes for God’s sake.
“I would say it’s nice to see you too but I would be lying.”
Mallory sat down across me, uninvited.
“I’m just returning the favor; this is a courtesy call, Riley.”
I was starting to regret being courteous in the first place. Not killing him in his sleep seemed more and more like a wasted opportunity.
“It is in her best interest that we complete the healing ritual, and you know it,” Mallory continued, unfazed.
Healing, ha. I pretended to think it over.
“No, actually, I have no idea who you are talking about,” I lied blatantly, enjoying how it made his jaw tighten.
“I’m talking about your little elf friend.”
“She’s half-elf. But thank you for confirming what I already suspected: that you keep tabs on everyone.”
“Would you deny that she is cursed?”
I shrugged, took a bite and didn’t bother swallowing it before answering.
“She was cursed. Then she got better. What do you care?”
Mallory looked satisfyingly appalled with my table manners, then taken aback when my words registered.
“That’s impossible. The curse is not reversible.”
I grinned. Since I had already lied to his face, now he couldn’t tell whether I was bluffing or not, and I enjoyed every second of it.
“Maybe you’re not so good at this magic stuff as you thought. You really should learn your basics before jumping to the human sacrifices part.”
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thunderstomm · 5 months ago
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Even older Spark & Mac design concepts- outfits not final.
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belabellissima · 3 months ago
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GUYS I HAVE A SHORT STORY IDEA
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faggotwalkwithme · 1 year ago
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my cat is going to be subjected to so many really bad movies
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shithowdy · 10 months ago
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this is your periodic reminder that for all the artifacts and errors and "tells" one could possibly list, the only reliable way to actually determine if an image is ai generated is to investigate the source. it is becoming increasingly common for "fake classical paintings" to circulate around curative aesthetic blogs, and everyone should be using this as an opportunity to not only exercise their investigative skills but also appreciate art more in general. you're all checking out the artists you reblog, right? 🫣
so what are some signs to look for? let's use this very good example.
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what a lovely late-impressionist piece blended with evocative leyendecker-esque themes! why haven't you ever heard of this artist before? surely tumblr would be all over an artist like this. who is justin brown?
your two options from here are to do a search for the name, or a reverse image search. i prefer reverse image searching, particularly when it comes to a common name like "justin brown". so what does that net?
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Immediately, without looking at any text, something is wrong: it barely exists. an actual historical piece would turn up numerous results from websites individually discussing the piece, but no such discussions are taking place. Looking at the text, though, does show the source-- and at least in this case, the creator was honest about their medium.
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But let's also look at the "exact matches", in case a source doesn't make itself apparent in the initial sidebar results like this.
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This section will often tell you post dates of images, and here it can be seen that the very first iteration of the image was posted 15 days ago. It did not exist online prior to that.
Seeing how long an unsourced image has been floating around is a skill applicable to more than just generative images! See a cool image of an artifact or other intriguing item with a vivid caption? Reverse search it! If all the results are paired with that caption and only go back a few months, you might just have viral facebook spam.
Sometimes generative creators are dishonest about their medium and do not tag it like in the example, so that's when establishing "jpeg provenance" becomes important. While it can be a little trickier to determine if someone is using generative images and not admitting to it if they aren't trying to pass it off as a classic, something to consider is the age of their account and the frequency with which they post. Here are some account red flags:
-Did they only start posting art after 2022, or if they did before, did their style/skill level WILDLY change? Not gradual improvement-- I'm talking amateur graphite portraits straight into complex digital renders. Everyone starts somewhere, newness is not a red flag alone; it's newness combined with existing in a vacuum away from any community.
-Do they post fully-finished paintings several times a week? -Do many of these paintings seem iterative of a similar theme or subject matter ("three well-dressed young men face each other under shade and dappled sunlight")?
-Does their style change in inconsistent ways? An artist that can swap between painting like Drew Struzan and Hokusai should be pretty well known, right? Why is no one hyping this guy?!
-Do they have social media besides the source instagram? If so, what are they posting about? Are there any WIPs? Doodles? Interactions with other artists? Gallery dates? 3am self-doubt posts? Or is it all self-promo? Crypto? Seemingly nothing art-related at all for someone pushing out 3 weekly paintings?
Basically, if it's important to you to omit this stuff when you curate, please don't just smash reblog if the source doesn't seem to be the OP themselves. Seeking out sources was important even before this became an issue, now it is more than ever.
peace n love
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wwinterwitch · 7 days ago
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first introduction – johnny storm x fem!reader
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summary: they finally meet johnny's new girlfriend pairing: johnny storm x fem!reader word count: 3.8k tags: minor 4F spoilers (just regarding the dynamics between characters but nothing that involves the actual plot of the movie!), a bit of angst, johnny gets a bit overwhelmed sometimes, johnny and sue being cute siblings, reader owns a bakery, fluff, he's down bad!!!!, shy!reader notes: i watched the movie yesterday and oh boy do i love joseph as johnny, he's amazing!!! i hope all the ones in dying need of some immediate fanfics enjoy this one
a comment and/or reblog is very appreciated!
main masterlist | marvel masterlist
No one has said it out loud yet, but it's painfully obvious that there's something going on with Johnny.
Everyone has been noticing he seems to go out a lot more and his demeanor has been...weird. There's days where he leaves the tower absolutely drenched in cologne. Other days, he doesn't even return at night. He's been wearing a specific knitted sweater that no one knows where he got it from, and he's often returning home with a bag filled with delicious pastries he claims he just randomly bought somewhere.
The clues were all there from the start, but it wasn’t a topic of discussion until that particular Sunday.
"Where's Johnny?" Sue asks, taking a seat on her usual seat as they all gather at the dining table to eat.
"Out," Ben points out, his tone insinuating what everyone's been thinking for weeks now.
Reed looks at both of them with a confused expression, and perhaps a bit offended too. "Again?"
Just before anyone could say anything else, Johnny rushes out of the elevator, moving towards the kitchen to leave the usual bag of pastries he always carries back with him.
"Sorry, I know I'm late," he quickly says, slightly out of breath, throwing his jacket towards the sofa by the lounge area before taking a seat. "My bad."
No one moves, simply watching as Johnny fills his plate with food and acts like absolutely nothing is going on. Like this isn't like the millionth time he's been late for dinner. Like it's not obvious that his head has clearly been elsewhere these past few weeks.
"Johnny," Sue calls his name softly, a playful grin inevitably appearing on her face.
As he looks up, he realizes everyone is looking at him almost in expectation, which immediately disturbs him. "What? What did I do?"
His sister shrugs innocently, leaning forward on the table, apparently determined to find out the truth about his secret getaways. "Is there something you would like to tell us?"
He sits completely still for a few seconds, not really knowing what to say at first. A flash of panic appears on his face before he focuses back on his plate to start eating. "Not really." Johnny takes a few bites of the food, immediately nodding in approval. "This is really good, little buddy!" he says, turning towards H.E.R.B.I.E. who offers him a cheerful series of beeps after his comment, beeping a bit more when he affectionately scratches the top of his robotic head. "I was starving."
Ben laughs. "I knew it."
Johnny frowns immediately, turning to look at him. "What?" he insists, mouth full of his last previous bites.
"Come on, Johnny, we're not dumb! It's obvious you have a girlfriend."
He almost chokes on his food, drinking a big gulp of water before giving his friend a look in complete disbelief. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You tried to change the subject and now you're getting defensive," Ben insists, letting out another laugh. "That means it's true. You have a girlfriend."
"I'm not being defensive!"
“Are you sure?” Sue asks this time, as calm as ever.
“Very!”
There's a brief silence before Reed decides to join the conversation. "You do sound a bit defensive."
"So what's her name?" 
Johnny lets out a tired sigh after Sue’s question, leaning back on his chair as he considers what to do next. She clearly looks interested. Finding out her little brother might actually try to settle down for once in his life is certainly something she wasn't expecting to happen anytime soon.
Is he really capable of keeping his relationship a secret anymore? It's not like he has done much of an effort in hiding it, anyway. Perhaps he has been waiting for them to bring it up so he doesn't have to be the one to do so. It’s much easier if they pressure him to talk, isn’t it?
Before he even registers the consequences of his actions, your name slips out of his lips in a soft whisper. It's not like he's embarrassed to reveal your existence to his family, but it is a bit...scary. He's never been in this position before. Never had to inform them about anyone remotely meaningful in his life. Although, it’s not like he has ever been this committed to anyone else before.
Letting his family know is only further confirmation that he might actually be falling harder than he could've ever anticipated, and that's a terrifying realization for someone who's never felt like this before. It's a whole new level of vulnerability and exposure that he's beginning to get familiar with.
Reed looks beyond surprised to receive actual confirmation that this 'girlfriend' really exists. "Oh, so it's true?"
Johnny immediately starts shaking his head, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Nope. Don't look at me like that."
"I'm not looking at you in any way."
"Yes. Yes, you are. All of you are. And it's making me very uncomfortable."
"Hey, can you really blame us?" Ben says this time, as if all of their reactions are more than justified. "You've never talked about any girlfriends before. I was starting to think you were allergic to the term 'commitment' or something."
"Ha-ha, that's so funny", Johnny replies sarcastically. "There hasn't been anyone worth talking about before."
That last comment makes Sue smile. A genuine smile this time. "Can you tell us more about her?"
Johnny seems to be very much done with this conversation, but his sister looks really hopeful to gather at least some information about you, so he eventually decides to keep talking. Even when the look on their faces makes him feel incredibly exposed, there's something oddly comforting about finally being able to talk to them about you. It feels like he’s finally introducing you into his life for good.
"She's...uh, well, we met like a month ago. She owns a bakery that's about four blocks from here. Insultingly gorgeous, beyond patient if she manages to put up with me all day."
"So she made those?" Reed asks, pointing at the bag he left on the kitchen counter as soon as he arrived earlier.
"Those...uh, yeah. I always tell her it's not necessary, but she likes sending them to you guys."
"Oh, Johnny, and all this time we haven't said a single thank you to that poor girl!" Sue snaps back at him, sounding completely horrified that he hasn't told them before. "We have to send her a gift someday."
"It's really not–"
"Yeah, H.E.R.B.I.E. and I can figure something out," Ben interrupts him. "There's this pumpkin pie recipe we've been meaning to try."
"Guys–"
"Great! And Reed and I can help."
"We can?" Reed asks in a confused whisper, knowing absolutely nothing about cooking. "Yeah, sure. Of course we can," he corrects himself when Sue turns to give him a look.
"No need to do that," Johnny insists, although he can't hide his smile right now. The fact that they're willing to send you a gift does really spark something in him. Like they're already fully accepting you into their lives too.
"It's the least we can do after getting free pastries for weeks!" his sister insists. "And perhaps you could invite her over sometime. I don't want her to think she's not welcome here."
Johnny is finally starting to feel a bit more comfortable now. So much so that he starts to genuinely consider Sue's proposition. What's the worst that could happen? It's probably time that they finally get to meet you.
But before he can get too comfortable, Reed decides to intervene. "Can I ask just one question?"
The atmosphere slightly shifts. Johnny's smile falters, Sue stops eating and Ben just looks down at his plate. The fact that Reed has been so quiet all this time is not really a good sign. It means he's been lost in his own head for way too long, evaluating and deciphering. That can be his biggest skill but also his worst flaw.
"I just want to know if you're...well, genuinely committed," he starts a bit uncertain, hoping his worries don't cause a misunderstanding. "This girl sounds very lovely. I just want to make sure–"
"What, that I'm not dumping her for the first woman that walks down the street?" Johnny interrupts him, his tone showing how displeased he is with his insinuation.
"No, I didn't mean–"
Before he can screw this up even further, Ben decides to intervene to help him out. "I think what Reed is trying to say is that you tend to be a guy that likes to keep things casual, so if that's the case, it's fair for her to know where you stand."
"No, I get exactly what he was trying to say. Johnny just has a really unhealthy relationship with women, right? He couldn't possibly be serious when he talks about this random chick he just met."
"Hey, I wasn't trying to insult you."
"Really?" he snaps back at his brother in law, offering him an ironic smile as he stands up from the table. "Too bad, Reed. Just because you don't mean it as an insult, doesn't mean it doesn't feel like one."
"Johnny," Sue tries, wanting to mediate the argument.
"Lost my appetite," he announces abruptly, right before storming to his room.
Sue sighs, immediately turning to her husband now, looking at him in complete silence. "I didn't mean it like that," he insists, sounding genuinely apologetic.
"We know you didn't," Sue reassures him. "But like he said, that doesn't mean it won't hurt him."
"You don't always have to say what's on that clever mind of yours, you know?" Ben adds shortly after, sounding sympathetic as well.
"Should I go talk to him?"
Sue gives his hand a tiny squeeze. "Give him some time to cool down. I'm sure he'll be open to listen to you later."
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Johnny really fought against his initial instinct of running back to you for comfort, because he couldn't bring himself to lie to you about what happened, and he really didn't want to drag you into this.
He knew something like that would happen if he were to talk about your existence. They would all assume he's just being overdramatic over some girl he'll probably get bored of in a few more days. That his feelings aren't really that serious.
But that's only because they don't know you yet, and they have no idea how deeply you have impacted his life. Johnny never really understood that whole 'love at first sight' bullshit. He has claimed to be in love in the past, but he never really meant it. It was just Johnny being Johnny. But now he feels like a complete dumbass because he's pretty sure he experienced that the first time he laid eyes on you and now he can’t joke about it. His feelings are terrifyingly real.
Despite really wanting to be with you right now, he decides to stay locked up in his room with a pair of headphones on as a way to keep the outside noise away, simply lost in his own head.
That is, until a loud banging on his door startles him. Annoyed, he leaves his bed to head towards the door, opening it to meet Ben and Sue on the other side. “What?”
"Reed wants to apologize."
“Oh, does he? Because I don’t see him.”
“He’s in his lab. You know he likes to be there when he’s stressed. I’ll go find him.”
As Ben walks off, Johnny can’t help but let out a sigh as he walks back to his bed, half-regretting his outburst earlier during dinner. "He doesn't really have to. It's not like what he said isn't the truth, anyway."
"Don't say that."
"I'm sure you were all thinking the same thing. I don't have the best reputation. My longest relationship has been...what, two days? I'm not really a father's dreamed son in law."
Sue can't help but let out a soft chuckle at his absurdity. He leans back on his bed while she takes a seat next to him. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You're very clever, way too charming for your own good, and unbelievably kind. You have many great qualities,” she says in a soft, comforting voice. “Well, and let's not forget you're the Human Torch."
"You're obligated to say all that because you're my sister."
"I say it because it's true and I mean it. You're so special, Johnny, don't ever think otherwise."
Johnny stays quiet for a few seconds before offering his sister a soft smile. "Thank you."
She opens her arms and waits for him to get closer. Johnny rolls his eyes, as if the idea of hugging repulses him, but he's immediately sitting up and moving closer to her. Sue keeps her arms wrapped around him while he cuddles closer to her, and she can't help but think back on little two year-old Johnny seeking comfort in his big sister's arms after waking up from a nightmare.
"You really like this girl, don't you?"
"More than I'd like to admit," he replies almost immediately. "I swear, there's absolutely nothing casual between us."
"I'd really like to meet her, if you're okay with introducing us. Perhaps the two of us can visit her? If meeting everyone is too much just yet."
"No, no. I can bring her over. She's been dying to meet all of you too. I was the one making excuses all the time. I was just afraid, I guess."
"Afraid of what?" she asks softly, moving back enough to be able to look at him.
"Of allowing this to get as non-casual as it can get?" he says, not exactly sure on how to put his insecurities into words, but thankfully Sue seems to understand him perfectly.
"Oh, you really like her," she teases with a little smirk, making Johnny roll his eyes again.
"Alright. Enough," he says jokingly, trying to get away for her hug.
"Let me enjoy this please. I've waited so long for this moment," she replies, finally letting him go. "But seriously, I like seeing you like this. And I’m happy you found someone."
Johnny offers his sister a smile, reaching out to grab her hand to give it a gentle squeeze. Their little moment is abruptly interrupted when they hear a light knock on the door. Reed is standing there, with that same troubled expression he had when Johnny had walked away earlier.
"Relax, Reed. We're all good, buddy," Johnny says before he tries to blurt out awkward apologies at him. It's honestly better to just forgive him than to try to sit through a week-long monologue about how terribly sorry Reed is. He wouldn't hear the end of it. "At least for now. Don't get too comfortable."
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"A teaspoon, Reed! How do you not know what a teaspoon is!"
Reed looks beyond stressed, his apron filled with flour. He's practically sweating at this point. "Well, this isn't exactly my area of expertise!"
"Clearly," Ben replies right after while H.E.R.B.I.E. quickly pours the mix on top of the pie crust, ready to put it inside the oven.
Sue gives her husband a quick kiss on the cheek, offering him a smile. "You did your best, babe."
The elevator rings not too long after, announcing your arrival. Sue practically rushes towards you and Johnny to be the first to welcome you.
"It's so nice to finally meet you," she says cheerfully, giving you a hug.
Being in the presence of all four of them in their infamous tower certainly is nerve wracking, but Sue's embrace is a warm welcome that immediately makes you feel more at ease. "Oh, the pleasure's all mine, really," you immediately reply, your voice betraying you as it reveals how nervous you really are.
"She brought you flowers," Johnny says this time, noticing that in your panic state you totally forgot about the bouquet you’re currently holding in your hand.
"Yes, right! Sorry. These are for you," you quickly say, offering your boyfriend a soft smile in appreciation for his help.
"They're lovely, thank you," Sue keeps smiling at you, before her eyes briefly drift towards Johnny, letting him know she already likes you. You don’t really notice their silent exchange, focusing on the little robot that stands next to Sue instead, his tiny mechanical hands extended to receive the flowers. "Thank you H.E.R.B.I.E., but I'll find a place for them on my own."
The robot replies with a polite beep, turning his head to you now. He takes you in, offering a friendly wave before rushing back to the kitchen.
"See, even he likes you already," you hear Johnny whispering, his arm gently placed around your waist before leaving a delicate kiss on your cheek.
Then, Reed and Ben are approaching you. The sight of Mr. Fantastic covered in flour certainly is a hilarious sight, but you pretend to ignore it as you offer them a shy smile.
"Welcome," he says politely, extending a hand for a handshake, immediately realizing it's filled with flour. "Oh, I'm sorry," he whispers in embarrassment, trying to wipe his hand in his apron.
"We were doing a little something to repay you for all those free pastries you sent us," Ben explains with a soft laugh. "Hopefully it turns out decent enough. I’m Ben, by the way. Nice to meet you.”
You quickly introduce yourself, finding it amusing that he feels the need to introduce himself. As if they’re not the most beloved group on Earth. It’s a nice gesture though. "It's already starting to smell good, which is always a good sign," you point out regarding whatever it is that they attempted to bake, the faint smell of pumpkin slowly invading the room.
"If it fails, you might have to give us the instructions next time."
Reed nods. "I'm sure you'll yell a lot less than Ben here."
"It’s just mindblowing how you don't know what a teaspoon is. It’s in the name."
The interaction makes you giggle, and Johnny can't help but smile when he looks at you to catch you laughing. It's like the entire world around him disappears when he manages to capture even just a glimpse of your smile.
The pair walk back to the kitchen, but before you could follow them, you feel Johnny’s hand gently grabbing your purse, intending to slide it off your shoulder. "Let me take your coat," he offers. 
You quickly thank him before allowing him to grab your purse and coat, placing them at a nearby hanger before returning to your side, like there's some magnetic pull inevitably pulling him towards you.
"Are you okay?" he asks when he's next to you, his arm finding its way around your waist again.
"Yeah, I'm fine," you nod, turning to look at him. "They're really nice."
"I never doubted they'd like you." There's a hint of playfulness in his tone that you catch almost immediately, feeling your face burning in embarrassment when he pulls you closer, wrapping both arms around you. "How could they not?" he whispers, looking deep into your eyes with nothing but genuine affection. "You're perfect."
"Johnny," you half-warn him in a shy voice, barely able to keep eye contact with him anymore.
"What? You are perfect," he insists, searching for your eyes with a soft smile. "And I'm so incredibly lucky you're here. In my life, I mean."
You really appreciate his words, but it's becoming a bit too much to handle. It's always too much when he starts saying things like this. And it’s especially mortifying when his family is just feet away.
"Stop it," you insist, and he immediately pulls you in for a tight hug that takes you by surprise, making you giggle as you almost lose your balance.
"Sorry, I just can't help myself," he mutters into your hair, as if it's genuinely impossible to stop showing you so much affection. "I think you might become the death of me, you know?"
From the kitchen, the other three watch the scene unfold in silence, expressions mixed with curiosity and surprise at the sight of Johnny looking so infatuated with you.
"I never thought I'll get to see this side of him," Ben comments in the lowest voice possible. "I wasn't sure it even existed."
"He looks really...happy."
Sue smiles after her husband's comment. "He really does."
"Poor girl can't catch a break." Ben's statement comes right after Johnny mutters something else into your ear, immediately grinning to himself after you start laughing.
"Oh, she enjoys it just as much as Johnny does," Sue points out in her brother's defense. "It's cute. They're just starting their relationship. It's normal to be all over each other."
"I don't think I'll get used to this Johnny that easily," Reed comments.
"I love this Johnny," Sue comments right after. "And this is still our Johnny. We just hadn't had the chance to see this side of him before."
"Wish I hadn't seen it," Ben frowns in playful disgust, watching as his friend gives you a quick kiss on the lips before finally letting you go to finally join the others.
Johnny turns around, noticing the three of them looking at their exchange from the kitchen. "What a bunch of creeps," he calls out.
"You were the one all over her, pal," Ben replies shortly after.
"Well, she's my girlfriend, so I'll be all over her as much as I want."
"And we're the creepy ones."
Sue decides to ignore their banter, walking towards you to steal you away from Johnny's side. "Would you like anything? Tea, coffee, water? Perhaps something to eat?"
"Uh, tea would be nice," you reply, immediately following after her.
"Boys?" she calls next, awaiting for them to say anything.
You help Sue get everything ready after everyone announces what they'll be having. Reed quickly excuses himself to go get rid of as much flour remaining on his hands and clothes as possible while Johnny walks straight to one of the cabinets to retrieve a box of cereal.
Ben starts bickering with Johnny after he keeps attempting to throw cereal at his head. Reed returns with a small machine that makes a faint beeping noise, seemingly lost in his own little bubble with one of his many researches, briefly joining the argument when one of the cereals land on his head instead, distracting him from whatever it is that he’s checking. Meanwhile, Sue strikes up casual conversation with you in order to get to know you better.
Despite this being the first introduction, there's something oddly comfortable about this. Like you fit right in. Like you’ve already found your place in their dynamic. Perhaps you and Johnny's family will get along even better than any of you might’ve anticipated.
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your-new-favorite-mouse · 1 year ago
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i started my first ever written story a loooong time ago, and i never finished it. but i see my 10 year old self's vision and i'm going to rewrite what we started and make it better.
i have lots of work to do, and one of the things is making the main character actually cool. all bro does is look for their best friend who TRIED TO WARN THEM like what the heck do morew ith your life buddy 😒 (/j i just need to fix up their design)
"What the hell happened? I'm alive, I think. But when I look down, I don't see legs, or arms, or anything other than the dirt below where I once stood. No, I am not alive."
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cherrybr4t · 5 months ago
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say it — choi seungcheol
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ABOUT.
you’re back from college, and seungcheol starts to realise you’re no longer the bratty little 18 year old anymore — and has trouble accepting that he’s not protective of you just because he thinks of himself as an ‘older brother figure’ in your life.
PAIRING.
seungcheol x reader (fem)
TAGS/WARNINGS.
rich!seungcheol and rich!reader, age gap (cheol is older by 6 years), childhood friend! cheol, smut with plot, mentions of older brother mingyu (reader), cheol suffers from jealousy! denial! possessiveness! friends to lovers au <3 one-sided pining!
ׂ╰┈➤ CHAPTER TAGS/WARNINGS. ⭐️
rich!seungcheol and rich!reader, age gap (cheol is older by 6 years), childhood friend! cheol, mentions of older brother mingyu (reader), jealous! cheol, wonwoo x reader, nicknames: bunny/bun (reader, used by parents & cheol occasionally!) alcohol consumption, is this slow burn? some hand touching...haha.ha... i warned you guys it was gna be slow ish..
ׂ╰┈➤ series masterlist
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ii. new year, same me
How convenient was it to have the weekly dinner on new years eve?
Definitely not a coincidence as Wonwoo's name fell out of your mother's lips.
"You don't seem as excited as Mingyu to have Wonwoo over bun," your mother giggles as she clears out 'unused' bags and jewelry of hers, to hand it over to you. Says that you now have half the grace and attitude to be wearing them out.
"Gosh mom, a vintage Chanel? Really? Perks of being your only daughter," you hug the bag close to your chest, wiping off imaginary tears dramatically.
"Don't change the subject," she tuts over at you. Hands on her hips before she continues browsing through her collection.
"How should I know why Mingyu is so in love with him," you joke. "And, I don't know...feels like a lot of pressure to be bringing someone home, especially at my age. You know Dad's gonna take it rather seriously,"
"Oh bunny, you're still a baby in Dad's eyes. He will never be one to rush you into settling down...do you think Dad and I are the type to pressure you with regard to anything?" Your mother speaks with concern lining her tone, slightly shocked that you would be pressured by that.
"Well, no..." deep down, you knew why it was stressing you out. You barely figured out any form of feelings with Wonwoo, and with Cheol scrutinizing every detail, you feel the need to prove to him that you're not the frivolous and carefree bimbo he thinks you are.
"Don't worry too much about it bun, bring him around, it's just going to be a cozy dinner with your loved ones. No going all out for new years eve this year — your dad and I are exhausted," your mother's words bring you temporary comfort and you nod along, trying to convince yourself that you were overreacting.
"Seungcheol must be over again, your dad's laughing way too much," your mother perks up at the laughter sounds booming from downstairs.
"What? Cheol? What's he doing here at 10am on a saturday?" You get up on your feet, scurrying after your mother down the stairs when you receive no response from her.
"Oh honey! Just in time, I've asked Cheol to stay for breakfast, I need to hear more about his stories dealing with the Khan's" your dad has his newspaper set aside as he's sipping coffee..with choi seungcheol?
The look of confusion gracing your face is what greets him first. He's decked out in running attire, sweat causing his now translucent shirt to stick stubbornly onto his chest. A towel wrapped around his neck as his sips on his coffee, with an amused look as he notices you.
"Morning princess, why do you look so confused?" His tone is nothing but mocking as you walk towards the island area, home slippers shuffling with wariness.
"Because I am? What are you doing here?" You speak up, deciding to push away the fact that he called you princess, deep deep behind that brain of yours.
"Don't be so rude," your father frowns, gesturing you to come closer.
"Seungcheol has been dropping by occasionally after his morning runs for quite some time now." Your eyes widen comically at this info, he wasn't kidding when he mentioned being closer to your parents than you now.
"Nothing like starting my weekend mornings chatting with this man right here," he pats Cheol's back, smiling at him like you've never seen him smile before. Ah. The charm of Choi seungcheol.
"Right..." you grab a fork before helping yourself to the fresh platter of fruits prepared every morning before breakfast. New rules set by your mother — to have fruits and a glass of lemon water before breakfast is served every morning.
What kind of reality did you come back to?
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New year's eve meant one thing and one thing only; an indestructible amount of glitter and shimmer. It was the only thing distracting you from the nerves biting at your heart.
"God, you couldn't be any brighter bun,"
Mingyu starts finding humour in how you look, immediately whipping out his phone to take a few snaps. You take pride in it. Posing for him and encouraging him to use flash — really makes the shine pop, you tell him.
"You're gonna look like an ornament next to your oh so tall boyfriend," he teases, while reaches out to take a strawberry from the charcuterie board you're plating.
You slap his hand away, "Stop, Madam Lee cut those fruits painstakingly the whole afternoon," you send a glare over, "and, he's not my boyfriend,".
"Soon to be. Tomato tomahto."
"Seems like a self manifestation gyu, you sound obsessed," you shrug, pointing out your brother's growing crush on Wonwoo.
"It's true, I would love to have him in our family," and you brush off his statement, appearing focused on your task at hand.
"Oh, I forgot to mention — I've invited a friend over myself too," he blatantly swipes a macadamia nut off your platter.
"Friend? What friend? You have friends?"
"Oh please, you wish you had the social circle of my magnitude — and yes, she went to college with me, we're working at the same company now and and, get this,"
You make an irked expression while looking at him talking while chewing on his macadamia nut.
"She has the biggest crush on Cheol, so, what better opportunity than this — a slightly intimate dinner to bring them closer," he huffs and looks proud of himself for accomplishing this 'feat'.
You raise your eyebrows at this, feeling a small wave of discomfort boiling in your gut.
"Cheol? Well, I can see why one would think he's of good calibre when it comes to looks, I guess but, he'd be too nonchalant for a boyfriend,"
Now it was your turn to reach for a strawberry, needing something to sink the weird feeling down your throat walls.
"Makes the two of us but hey, I'm just doing my part as a friend, and my matchmaking skills have been rather impeccable — quite the track record,"
You shrug it off, thinking maybe it would be a good idea to get Cheol a girlfriend. He's always been uptight at times and in need of some form of...release, if you will. If jiu jitsu won't cut it, maybe Mingyu's friend could do the job.
Maybe now he won't be too concerned with how you and Wonwoo are throughout the night. Seeing as how he's about to step into unknown borders, unaware of what's about to hit him.
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Seungcheol loves the idea of being self sufficient. Adores that he sets his own rules in life, lives by his own ideology, and has essentially everything he needs. Doesn't like to entertain any possibilities of an anomaly in his pre-constructed life graph.
It all leads back to how he and his brother were raised. With his mother passing when he was just 9, he's foreign to the idea of warmth nestled at home. Only has curated ideas of how his life should map out from his father planted deep in his brain.
Aloof. Distant. Words to describe his father after the death of his mother. As a business man, he appears to be the best father in public. It's his job. He's not even sure how he's maintained such a good connection with Mr. Kim, but they've been friends for the longest of time.
Maybe there's still some form of sentimental heart in that old man.
But he would like to think he's a better man than his father. Was exposed to a certain altitude of love and warmth through time spent with your family growing up.
You were his abstract anomaly appearing time to time, but he thinks it's under control.
When Mingyu introduces his colleague who works in the same law firm as him with extra ardour, he sees through the lady in the matching grey pantsuit who's eyeing him with coyness to her words.
Hm, boring.
He may be a fan of predictability and consistency, but he does like a little dash of flavour. Enjoys being surprised, having words washed out of his mouth.
So when he sees you at the table looking like the naked glitter troll just puked rounds on you, he can't control the twitch in his lips. Knows never to be disappointed in what you have up your sleeve always.
"The diamond troll called. Said he wants some glitter back,"
You look over your shoulder, smirking at the snarky remark. Had to rack some brain energy to remember who the hell the diamond troll was, then you generate images of a sparkling troll you somewhat remember from watching random cartoon clips.
"Time for a closet update Cheol,"
"What?"
"Oh nothing, seeing as how you're constantly in shirts too small for you,"
"Happy new year's eve to you too, and thanks for calling me buff," he tilts his head, with that arrogant smile of his before he heads over to greet your parents at the head of the table.
You direct your attention to Jeonghan and Minji who struts in after him, and Jae who's already getting busy finding the drink bar. Cooing at the newlyweds, you demand them to get you gifts when they debark on their honeymoon next week.
Wonwoo arrives not a second later, eyes crinkling while giving a hum of appreciation at how bright you are.
"Very festive, very apt," he chuckles, letting you lead the way towards the dining hall.
With Mr Choi mingling with your parents, you take the time to get Wonwoo a glass of cabernet for starters - figuring he may need it tonight. Taking you up on that offer, he chuckles before taking a small sip to start.
"Ah! Wonwoo, so glad to have you join us tonight, we've heard so much about you,"
No one escapes your mother's keen eye.
She ushers Wonwoo over with her hands, before welcoming him with a light hug.
"Come, sit sit, let us get to know each other better,"
Wonwoo nods politely, pulling out a chair for you before settling down beside you.
"Chivalrous,"
The man clad in a shirt a few sizes too small for him speaks up. Nods slowly with a patronising smile. But you're refusing to be in on his inside joke. You send over a deadpan expression to which Jeonghan seems to find amusement in, his eyes darting between individuals on the table.
The night kicks in smoothly, with conversations flowing between different people at once.
Your mother is in a discussion with Mingyu and Wonwoo, with Mingyu giving rather lacklustre suggestions for game development.
Like he knows anything about it.
Your father and Mr. Choi are now listening to Mingyu's colleague, Rihyeon, talk about her recent transition into corporate law.
She spoke with elegance and her dark mauve lips accentuated her intense eyes. She looked so.. put together. Not a single crinkle in her outfit, not a single flyaway to be found. Simply put, she seemed to be the complete opposite of you.
You start to believe that your brother does know what he's doing, because now the image you've let your neurons construct was one of Cheol and Rihyeon together. They seem like a fine match. A power couple even.
You dwell on the possibilities. But the fact that Cheol meets your gaze the moment you look up brings you some form of comfort that you refuse to acknowledge. It's the way he seemed to be waiting to catch your gaze for a while.
You give a tight-lipped smile, and he offers one in return. It's the 3 glasses of wine that makes you hyperaware of the way his dimples sit when he smiles. The way his eyelids get heavier a few drinks in.
You chide yourself, pulling yourself back to the man in glasses who screams perfect boyfriend material.
Mingyu returns from the living room, with the television now blasting the live broadcast loudly.
"Hurry let's grab our glasses and head to the patio, the countdown's 'bout to start anytime soon," he ushers everyone out of their seats, eyes glimmering with anticipation.
Wonwoo extends his hand towards you, and you almost swoon at the way his pretty fingers urge you to grab onto them. You don't hold back your giggle, before grabbing onto his huge hands, letting him lead you towards the patio.
His warmth radiates on your back as you look up at the particularly bright night sky.
"Thank you," he breathes out.
You hum, turning back to look at the tall man behind you.
He catches your gaze, "for inviting me today, I mean. With my family out of town, I felt... happy, to spend new years eve with yours," his smile widen as a light tint of blush spread over his cheeks.
"All right all right it's starting, 10..." Mingyu shouts as he runs out from the living room, leaving the sliding door open as the live broadcast starts to count down.
With your eyes tracing your brother's frantic behaviour, you accidentally meet Cheol's gaze yet again. His deep set eyes trained on you while Rihyeon clings onto his bicep lightly, while jumping excitedly.
Your heart starts to act abnormal again.
"5, 4..."
Cheol sees nothing but the way your face radiates under the patio lights and the full moon. Hates that he wants to ring in the new year with you in his arms. Gave in to the fight with his intrusive thoughts a few glasses of wine in.
Irks him that Wonwoo's large and slender hands are the ones gently cupping your face.
"3...2....1! Happy new year!"
The fireworks that explode blocks out all noisy thoughts in his head. He observes the way you blush when Wonwoo engulfs you into a hug. Thinks he's capable of warmer hugs.
"Happy new year," he turns to Rihyeon, dodging her attempts to side hug him. Walks towards Mingyu and Jae instead, lovingly envelopes his drunk friend and brother with a hug.
Jeonghan and Minji share a haste yet sweet kiss, and everyone exchanges loud cheers of celebration.
Everyone loiters at the patio to soak in the new year — the burnt smell from the aftermath of the fireworks wafting through the air, the clinking of glasses and the sweet taste of wine.
Cheol thinks he's fucked. For letting that small anomaly of his erupting and deviating totally into a different path of its own.
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Your mom's a big fan of Wonwoo. Thinks the universe couldn't have sent anyone more fitting as your boyfriend. Mingyu agrees completely, though he now feels you're no match for him.
You being you — absolutely hating when people in your life are pushing a certain narrative a little too hard. Except these two people are the people you trust most, with your entire heart. They would know what's best for you.
Sighing, you put on your earrings before spritzing your favourite perfume all around.
Wonwoo: i'm here!
You speed up, grabbing your purse along with your folder consisting of your resume and relevant transcripts.
"I'm heading out!" You holler out to whoever's home; though it was likely nobody was home.
Spotting Wonwoo leaning against his Mercedes, you take the way his fingers drummed lazily on his hood, legs so long it seemed to extend into the ground. A slight smirk playing on his lips as he sees you walk over, he opens the door and motions for you to get in.
"Thanks for doing this Wonwoo, you really didn't have to go out of your way," you lean back, letting the warm vanilla scent in his car engulf you.
"Of course I did, it's a big day; you shouldn't have to stress about anything else," he offers a reassuring smile before starting the car, checking his blindspots and driving off.
"Mingyu must've told you how stressed I get about driving," you bite your inner cheeks, starting to feel silly about yourself.
Wonwoo shrugged, "maybe, but I would've offered to drive you there eitherways,"
You sigh contently, mentally going through possible interview points you may come across. It was the first job interview you'd landed since coming back, not to mention without the help of your parents.
You're confident you would have a few job offers lined up if they were involved but, both Mingyu and you always promised each other to make it in this world in your own terms.
And that's what you're going to do.
With more pep talk along the way, Wonwoo drops you off at the large and brooding office building, before heading off for his own meeting.
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You wished you'd arranged for a ride back because right now, you want to do nothing but scream into a pillow.
"I'm sorry, you seem like a promising candidate but right now you're not exactly what we're looking for and, we're looking to fill this spot rather urgently. Thank you for your time though, feel free to apply again once you've gathered more credentials."
Letting out a slow breath, the weight of rejection was settling heavily on your chest. You understand it takes a certain number of failures before one succeeds; but right now you're slightly shaken by the quick rejection. They didn't even want to ponder upon it?
You find yourself walking to a cafe right outside the stretch of buildings, letting the display of sweet treats pull you in. Nothing like a cheesecake for a quick pick-me-up.
"Bunny? Is that you?"
You jerk up at the familiar voice, dropping the buzzer that you were fidgeting with on the table rather loudly.
"Cheol?"
You couldn't help but call and drag out his name in longing tone. He was your comfort person after all. Seeing his face after a dejected day was like the universe sending you a pity gift.
He chuckles, "Wasn't too sure if it was you... the pencil skirt and blouse did throw me off a little but, I'd spot that pout of yours anywhere." He pulls out the seat opposite you and settles himself there.
You blush at the slight connotation that he recognises your pout, your... lips. Brushing it off, you can't seem to say anything yet all you want is for him to tell you it's okay, with a pat on your head.
"What're you doing here?" Instead, was what you managed to spurt out.
He narrows his eyes, "I could ask you the same. My office building is somewhere around here, I drop by here for coffee mid-day at times." He holds up his buzzer, waving it.
"Oh..." you nod slowly, unsure whether he should be informed of your failed interview. Would he comfort you? Or would he start to nag once again. You're not too sure you're ready for a round of lecture about your life directory. Wound's still rather fresh.
He stares at you, raises an eyebrow as if he's still waiting for you to explain what were you doing in this vicinity.
"I was here for a job interview... I mean, I guess you can tell by..what I'm wearing," you shrugged. And then decided to just surrender. "But, they rejected me, right on the spot so," you pop your lips, trying to act casual and cool about it.
"It's whatever," you continue to stack up your act, thinking you're doing a rather convincing job.
You feel the warmth of his hands covering yours. With a steady touch, his palms felt like a shield from this world. Thumbs moving up and down, caressing your hand in consistent manner. With each trace, you feel your hands start to burn up.
"I'm sorry bunny, I know how job rejections must feel. I've had a couple myself and, I know it fucks with your self worth so please," his thumbs move to brush over your knuckles lightly. "Don't take it too hard on yourself, alright?"
His eyes travel around your features, and you purse your lips as you look at the man in front you. Fully understanding why he was who you once turned to in times like these. He knew when to be strict, and when to let that facade peel away and be that soft-hearted guy he truly is.
You missed having access to moments of Cheol like this.
"Thanks...Cheol," you felt like a slab of melting butter, waiting to just melt and spill away under that gaze of his.
You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding when both buzzers went off. He picks up both and heads to the counter. And when you're alone, you start to puff out quicker volumes of air while adjusting your hair. Stopping yourself midway. Why the hell were you adjusting flyaways?
"Cheesecake. Still your go-to sobfest food I see," he smirks as he places the cheesecake down before you.
You waste no time, and start to attack the poor dessert in front of you.
"Slow down, no one's stealing it away from you," he sips his coffee, an amused look painted on his face as he leans back and crosses his arms, watching you eat.
You send a mini glare his way, trying to play it back to the hate dynamic of your relationship. Dialling it down was important, especially considering the slight intimate moment you'd just shared. Balance is necessary.
"So, what's your next course of action?"
God, you didn't want to think about the numerous emails you'd gathered in your sent folder, still not generating replies.
"Don't you have a job to get back to?"
"I'm just trying to help, bunny. Not nagging. Helping, as someone who's been through it, let me," his sincerity made you reflect on your snarky remark, and you put down your fork for a moment.
"I know, I'm sorry... I just- I'm eager to make mom and dad proud and sometimes I just forget it isn't the easiest job hunting as a fresh grad these days," you lower your head, letting vulnerability speak for itself.
He nods, "I know, bun. I've heard from Mingyu about how you're both refusing help from your parents too which I think is rather refreshing," he affirms while scooping up a bite of cheesecake, before extending it towards your mouth.
Confused, but you take the bite. "So you can't expect it to be a smooth road down," he continues, "It's important that you plan a few courses of action and alternatives each time so you'll always be prepared, I'm here if you need any help,"
Swallowing, you nod appreciatively. "I'm thankful, and grateful that I still have all of you around me as great support systems,"
"Like Wonwoo too?"
You tilt your head in slight confusion at the sudden mention of him, and Cheol nods his head over to your phone which is currently ringing with his name flashed on the caller ID.
Waiting for the call to pass, you send him a text to let him know you're already on your way home. Just for some..quality time with an old friend. You did miss having time with Cheol like this.
"So, it seems like Mrs. Kim's taken quite a liking towards him," He plays around with the condensation on his iced americano in a plastic cup.
"Meh. You know how mom is," you shrugged, not too sure why you're playing it down. "She's everyone's best friend, and, don't worry — Mingyu still prefers you over him, for now at least," you wiggle your eyebrows, highlighting what he was probably more worried about.
"And you?"
You furrow your eyebrows, and point the cake painted fork towards yourself, "Me?"
"Do you prefer me over him?"
The way his eyes fixated on you in the afternoon sun almost made you think he was desperate and pushing for you to say yes.
"Well yeah, I mean, I've known you for a way longer period of time. Would be nonsense if I'd choose him over you," in that duh tone, you add a laugh at the end to solidify your justification.
You weren't sure if it was the blinding sunlight casting hallucinations on you or if Cheol indeed let out the tiniest crack of smile with a one-sided dimple, before slumping his shoulders.
"Right. Of course the man who was your personal chauffeur for a good year deserves that top spot." He leaned forward on his elbows, "Better make sure it stays mine yeah," he lightly flicks your forehead, and immediately smooths it over with his thumb.
You roll your eyes at his actions, finally taking a sip of your strawberry-milk-crush drink you saved for the last, "We'll see about that, Wonwoo may replace you as my next personal chauffeur,"
Cheol straightens up. Feeling a wave of unknown territorial possessiveness wash over him. That was his job.
"He can't be a better parallel parker than I am,"
"Only one way to find out,"
"He lets you take over aux while karaoke-ing?" He quirks an eyebrow up, not backing down until you admit you'd rather have him as a chauffeur. Cheol wants to let the anomaly remain as it is. Just an anomaly that quirks up but disappears.
"He will."
"Trust me bunny, after once, there's no way anyone sane would trust you with the aux again,"
But now he seems to be a bigger fan of experiments and nourishing that oddity. Needing it to be a constant variable.
And so, he creates non-existing conditions to nourish that damn anomaly — and offers to drive you home in the middle of his work day. And you're still the same you that runs to the doe-eyed man whenever you feel a little lost in life.
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ׂׂ╰┈➤ a/n: i swear i'm always apologising when i come on here but.. i'm sorry guys for the late upd.. not the proudest! of this! but i think the next few shld unfold rather excitingly i hope!! pls let me know any feedback u have abt this series <3 i welcome all comments! brain is muddled with exams rn but i'll do my best to come on here more often too!! ily guys so much!! 🖤
╰┈➤ like + reblog + comment if you've enjoyed it! all love <3
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zaylephant · 6 months ago
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CUTTER & NEEDLE MASTERPOST
Who are they?
Cutter & Needle are two out-codes and guardians who repair AUs and fight those who want to destroy them. They are respectively an alternative version of Chara and Asriel with sewing-based powers.
GENERAL INFO ABOUT CUTTER
Name : Cutter/Chara/Cutter!Chara
Age : 14 years old
Pronouns : They/Them
Personality : Cutter are an imaginative, intelligent but pretentious child, they're sarcastic and often driven by their ego, but protective of those closest to them.
Powers : They have the Code Scissor, and can cut out bits of code with it (universe, character and even out-code). They can also use the scissor blades individually to fight with.
GENERAL INFO ABOUT NEEDLE
Name : Needle/Asriel/Needle!Asriel
Age : 14 years old
Pronouns : He/Him
Personality : Needle is a cheerful, sincere optimist, and guided by strong moral principles, but also naive, indecisive and sometimes possessive of those closest to him.
Powers : He owns the Code Needle, with which he can sew different parts of code together (universe, character and even out-code) without it being corrupted. He can use the thread of his needle to fight and immobilize his opponents. It can also create green flames.
QNA
What universe do they come from?
They come from a universe called UnderSeam, but it was destroyed for an unknown reason.
Where do they live now?
They live in the Omega Timeline.
What's their birthday?
Their birthday is September 30th.
What are their tags?
I use #cutter!chara and #needle!asriel for them.
Can I draw fan art, write stories, or dub Cutter & Needle comics ?
Of course! Please tag me (@zaylephant) or send me a DM so I can see it!
Can I use Cutter & Needle for my own projects?
Yes, as long as you credit me.
Can I ask Cutter & Needle any questions?
Yes you can.
Is there a Cutter & Needle comic?
Not at the moment, but it may happen.
You can also check the Vessel masterpost
This post is subject to change at any time.
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gingerteafairy · 5 months ago
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more rodrick fics please!!
yesss, i was missing him (i always go back to my default crush)
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rodrick heffley x emo!reader
summary: Rodrick never really believed in love at first sight—until he saw you. Just another girl he’d never noticed in college, walking by in a Green Day shirt.
tags n warnings: fluff, a bit suggestive. word count: 1.3k masterlist
“Oh, I…” The words slipped out before he could think, and you stopped, pulling out one of your earbuds.
“What?”
“That band… uh… band. Green Day.” He pointed awkwardly at your shirt, trying to play it cool but failing miserably. “You're... American Idiot.”
“Am I?” you teased, the silly wordplay catching him completely off guard.
Rodrick blinked, his brain short-circuiting for a second. “No! I mean… no, you’re not an idiot.” He ran a hand through his hair, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “The band. The album. It’s… really good. It's my favorite. Wake me up when september ends, you know what they say.”
You let out a quiet laugh and tugged at the hem of your shirt, glancing at the design as if only now remembering what you were wearing. “Yeah…”
Rodrick stood there, scrambling for something else to say, but before he could, you were already saying goodbye.
“Bye, Rodrick.”
He blinked, stunned. You knew his name?
“Bye.” He waved, a little slow on the uptake, watching as you disappeared down the hallway. When it finally hit him, he groaned under his breath. “American Idiot? What the hell is wrong with me?”
Rodrick sighed, pressing his forehead against the wall and rubbing his face. He had never really noticed you before. Okay, maybe he’d seen your cool shirts every now and then. But now he realized just how pretty you were. How much of a total idiot he looked like around you. Love at first sight? He didn’t know. But he did know one thing—he needed to run into you again.
And that’s exactly what started happening—with suspicious frequency.
Rodrick suddenly had a newfound interest in your class schedule. The subject? Who cared? The important thing was that you were there. He started bumping into you in the hallways, always keeping an eye on your shirt, waiting for the perfect opening to start a conversation.
After that first encounter, you became an unlocked character in his universe. Now, he saw you everywhere—and for a brief moment, he wondered if you had been invisible to everyone else, just like he was. A part of him kind of hoped you were. Because, let’s be honest—Rodrick Heffley could be pretty possessive over relationships that only existed in his head.
You wore different outfits in the following days, but he couldn’t shake the image of that Green Day shirt, your earbuds in, and that distant, almost dreamy look in your eyes. That was the moment everything changed. The preppy, pink-clad popular girls lost all appeal.
“This is how I’m gonna talk to her.” Rodrick tossed his drumsticks in the air, determined. He was standing at the college entrance, waiting for you, ready to comment on whatever band shirt you had on today. "I'll ask for her favorite songs and make a playlist so we could hear together when i ask her to be Mrs. Heffley."
Ben raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “So your new thing is emo girls with dead fish eyes?”
Rodrick pointed a drumstick like a sword. “Do not disrespect her like that.” He spun it between his fingers before tucking it into his pocket. “She’s not emo. She’s simply a woman of deep, complex emotions, expressed through music—”
“Emo.” Ben chuckled, making Rodrick roll his eyes.
The truth was, Rodrick Heffley was tired of pretending to be an untouchable rockstar. Lately, all he really wanted was a girlfriend to walk around with, be stupidly in love with, and eat ice cream with. But no one seemed interested in him—especially not the popular girls. Over time, they all started feeling boring, shallow. Sure, they were good for ice cream and other… needs. But nothing more than that.
“There she is. Wish me luck.”
Rodrick cracked his knuckles, his heart hammering in his chest. You walked through the college gates the same way you always did—beautifully bored.
Linkin Park.
Rodrick grinned. This was it. Now or never.
The smile he gave was almost worthy of a horror movie villain—so wide and sudden that it startled anyone passing by. Realizing his mistake, Rodrick quickly straightened up, trying to soften his expression into something more charming. As you approached, he took a step forward, purposely blocking your path, a forced smile on his lips.
“Hey.” He crossed his arms in an attempt to look suave, but he made sure to keep his drumsticks strategically visible, as if they were an essential part of his charm.
You pulled out your earbuds and let out a quiet laugh. “Hey. How you doin?”
Rodrick smirked smugly. “Name five songs from that band.” He tilted his head, winking at you with a teasing challenge.
It was supposed to be a brilliant moment. But instead of the countless reactions he had rehearsed in his head, you frowned slightly, glancing around, visibly caught off guard.
His brain crashed.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry, that was so dumb.” He waved his hands frantically, running a hand through his messy hair. “Shit, just ignore everything I said and pretend I don’t exist while I jump off that window.”
You chuckled, shaking your head. “No, it’s fine. It was just so out of nowhere.” Taking a deep breath, you listed effortlessly, “What I’ve Done, Crawling, New Divide, Papercut, In the End. God, I love Mike Shinoda’s rap parts.”
Rodrick’s eyes lit up. He barely held back from jumping with excitement.
“You know Mike Shinoda?” His voice came out a little too high-pitched, betraying his enthusiasm. “Dude, I am obsessed with those raps. Like, In the End basically shaped my entire personality!”
You laughed, tucking your earbuds into your bag. “He was the father of edgy teenagers—along with gore animes.”
Rodrick placed a hand over his heart, dramatically. “Exactly! Finally, someone who gets it.”
Your gaze shifted to his shirt, your eyes scanning over the band’s name. “And this band… Loded Diper…”
“It’s mine. It’s… my band.” He admitted, scratching his head a little. “The name sounds so dumb now, but I swear it was badass in high school.”
“I think it’s a requirement for rock bands to have weird names.” You joked, surprising him even more. So you had a sense of humor too?
“Yeah, like Metallica.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s basically the same thing as a rap group calling themselves Raptalia.”
“Or U2. Like… what does that have to do with me?” You laughed, and he did too, his chuckles gradually blending into something softer, more real, as they melted into a lazy smile. 
Rodrick straightened up, puffing out his chest with pride. “But yeah, Loded Diper. No need to look it up to guess who the drummer is.”
You smiled, shaking your head. “That’s actually really cool, Rodrick.” You watched as he slid his drumsticks into his pocket. “You should invite me to a show.”
Rodrick nearly tripped over himself. “Of course I will. You’re basically my VIP fan. Exclusive backstage access. Full access to the drummer, be my guest.” He tried to sound confident, but his voice cracked slightly at the end.
“Are you flirting with me, Rodrick?” You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms. 
He blinked, hesitating. “I don’t know… is it working?” He leaned in slightly, his nervousness slipping into his voice.
“Yes.” You shrugged, amused. “Or maybe I just have a thing for drummers.”
Rodrick froze.
"Uh… well… I guess it's kinda… common." He nodded awkwardly, swallowing hard. "Not that I'm undermining you! Actually, it’s really cool."  
"Maybe I’ll steal your shirt." You smirked, tossing your hair back as you started walking away. "I look good in black."  
Rodrick stood there, stunned, watching you disappear down the hallway. “Oh, dear God. Help me.” He muttered, leaning against the wall for support.  
"So, how'd it go with your Avril Lavigne knockoff?" Ben teased, stepping up beside Rodrick, who now looked like he had actual hearts in his eyes.  
“Damn whoever invented emo girls.” He whined, dramatically gazing up at the sky.
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bitchlessdino · 6 months ago
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the one where the stranger you fake date turns out to be your childhood friend (m) [2]
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A Valentine collaboration hosted by @camandemstudios and their masterlist
Pairing: office manager!seungcheol x childhood friend!fem!reader Genre: romcom, smut , fluff, slight angst Word count: current 21.9k (total w.c. 34.4k) rating: R Summary: In a world where relationships mattered just as much as money or status did, Seungcheol found himself wrapped up with a person from twenty years ago. He didn't know how you remembered him, and frankly he didn't know how he remembered you, but the way you've reentered his life, like a gust of wind, he didn't think he'll ever forget you now. tags: MDNI, Childhood rivals to Best friends to Ex-best Friends to Strangers to Fake Dating to Lovers (try to keep up),childhood trauma, mentions of neglectful parents, mentions of injury and sabotage, random idol features, reader and seungcheol in their 30s, grump x sunshine, fake dating au, office au, taekwondo buddies, virgin!seungcheol, experienced!reader, food & alcohol scenes, yearning, reader wears a dress, drinking, tipsy intimacy, heavy eye contact, grinding, dry humping, exhibitionism, nipple play, fingering, cunnilingus, hair pulling (m. rec.), pet names (good boy)
[Part 1 in case you missed it]
“Hi! Sorry for intruding, but I bought coffee for everyone in the office!”
Surprise visits at work was a thing that couples did on occasion, so you thought it couldn’t hurt to try it. And as long as you gave a peace offering, nothing should go wrong. To your expectations, your surprise visit came with a whole welcome wagon. Passing through the hall, everyone in his department approached you with confused glances before swarming with warming greetings back as they accepted your bribes. It got loud enough to demand the attention of the office manager, hearing the muffled voices that bled through the thin cracks of his office walls. “What is the cause of all this—what are you doing here?”
Your eyes lit up at his appearance, immediately dropping the carrier of coffees in the next available person’s hand before rushing over to join his side. “I came to see you!”
“What about the cafe?”
“I brought a different lunch, just to change it up. We can enjoy it in your office.”
Before you could enter the door behind you, he took hold of your wrist, stopping you in your tracks. “It’s a mess in there,” he said through his teeth, code word for ‘off limits’ but if you’ve learned anything from the time you spent with this loon, there was no such thing as limits.
“Aw, baby! You know, I don’t care about any of that! Come on, let’s go!”
His resistance was no match against your sheer will as you pulled him away with a rough tug, subjecting him to a public, involuntary kidnapping in front of all his coworkers while they waved you off, happily enjoying their refreshments. 
As the door shut, you dropped the take out on a table by a couch in a corner, letting out a low whistle. In good mafia boss manner, you jutted your lips out with your hands in your pockets and nodded as you scanned the room, thinking to yourself, ‘if only you accepted that job back in the day,’ but if you did, it would be under a corporation, and the thought tasted bitter in your mouth.
“Wow, this is nice,” you commented haughtily, scanning the perimeter of the room.
He licked his teeth, looking as if he’s about to snap. “You’re pushing it. We didn’t discuss this.”
“Relax, will you? I needed to do something other than go to the cafe because they’ll think that’s all we do.”
“Not my problem. It was the perfect balance between life and work. What if they hear more than they should?”
“We keep our voices low, just like we did at the cafe.” 
You trod over to the couch, breaking open the take out, starving after running around with a wagon stacked high with carriers of coffee. You were thinking, at this point, you were practically that cafe’s sponsor. “Look, if I visit here all the time, you’ll never even have to leave. Plus, you’ll optimize your work hours, get things done here while we carry on with our obligations. Besides, it’s so much more private here, you’d hardly even have to do any pretending.”
He crossed his arms walking over to you, eyes fixed sternly.“…Why are you being so useful for once?” he asked suspiciously.
You smiled, extending your hand with takeout in your grip. “Chicken or beef?”
Your visits to the VENTE Co. office became an every other day occurrence, replacing the lunch dates that would take place in the cafe, now preoccupying the time slot of 11:55 to 12:50 and leaving on the dot. They were so often you were this close to earning a frequent visitor badge made of plastic and not of paper like you were first given, and admittedly that excited you and simultaneously worried Seungcheol that they’d offer you something so official.
“What’s the point of the bachelor party anyway?”
“A bachelor or a bachelorette party is where the person engaged celebrates the last night of ‘being single’ before marriage. Doing things like partying, having fun, but most of the time still clean and appropriate, although television may depict it otherwise.”
“Then isn’t a coed bachelor/bachelorette party contradicting?”
“It’s breaking tradition, and I’m for it! I think it’s sweet that they want to celebrate it together instead of making a big deal about celebrating it apart. Really shows how much they love and are willing to be with each other. It’s always been more for the wedding party anyway. The drinking, the games, clubbing.”
He stopped you from continuing. “How much drinking? What kind of games? And is the clubbing optional?”
You let out half a chuckle, knowing that these questions would eventually come forth. “The details are to be determined.”
“Great.”
“Sound more excited.”
“Great…”
“There was no difference in your tone.”
“I enunciated.”
You sighed, bowing your head. “Okay, fine. I’ll let you get back to work.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
He escorted you out of his office, as he’s done every time you’ve come, to ensure that you don’t arouse suspicion from lack of appearances, while you clung to his side like a leech. You’ve begun seeing the difference it made, watching everyone that met your eyes and his with a bit more ease than the first encounter you had with any of them. It was starting to be amusing once they began conversations, asking if you both had anything special to eat, and Seungcheol would eventually give a curt answer when you gave him the nudge he needed. He was growing before your very eyes, improving endearingly everyday.
“Manager Choi!”
A man with salt and pepper hair approached before either of you got very far, his voice traveling from the end of that hall, reaching Seungcheol’s ears, to which he promptly greeted him back. “Hello Sir. I didn’t expect to see you today.”
He returned the respectful welcome with a fatherly grin, patting him on the back. “Well, I was in the neighborhood and decided to make a visit to the branches in the area, do a random check in. Outstanding work as always.”
Seungcheol nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. “Thank you, sir.”
“And who might this visionary be?” The man asked, gesturing over to you with an open hand. “Head of VENTE, Lee Sooneung.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lee!” You brightly greeted, shaking the hand as you introduced yourself as the girlfriend. “I’m just visiting him at lunch.”
“Well, aren’t you both just darling? Where have you kept her all this time, Choi?”
Mr. Lee was a bit of a talker, and when he got started, he was the only one that was able to stop it, but there was you. Seungcheol came to realize that you were effortless in pivoting conversations, always knowing how to move them along so they wouldn’t drag out. And to Mr. Lee’s knowledge, he didn't notice, or if he did, he didn’t seem to care. You made good company, and Seungcheol didn’t appreciate that enough when he knew he should.
“Choi, you must come to this charity event. My wife and I will host it three Sundays from now, and bring the ball of sunshine with you.”
Before Seungcheol could answer, you interjected cheerfully, “We’d be happy to attend.”
“Wonderful. Well, I’ll let you two be on your way. Don’t be too in love, not on the company’s dime.”
You both bidded him goodbye and walked towards the elevators, leading towards the exit.
“Why’d you say that?” he mumbled, under his breath.
“What?” You asked in a normal volume.
He stepped closer, repeating the words in hushed tones. “‘We’d be happy to attend?’ When did we ever discuss this? This wasn’t on our set agenda.”
“We can add it,” you argued, “You want people to like you, this charity event can be good for that. It’s charity for crying out loud.”
“That’s my boss, he doesn’t need to like me. He just needs to value me.”
“How is that any different?”
The elevator doors slid open and you both began heading towards the exits, already seeing the cab he called ahead for you. However, before you could take another step, he dropped his voice lower, pulling you closer and cupped his hand to your ear, making the gesture and words that came out of his mouth look more intimate than they should as a shiver ran down your spine. 
“I didn’t get as far as I did by being a kiss-ass.”
You lightly shoved him off before you jumped in your cab. “Going to one event won’t make you a kiss-ass. Think of it as networking, building your rapport with other people in your industry. There’s no certainty that you’ll stay in this position forever, and I doubt that’s what you want either. Having a back up plan, or plans, isn’t a bad idea. I think they might exist at this event. and you could do yourself some good by going.”
“…Who the hell are you?”
Grinning from ear to ear, you closed the door, rolling down the back seat window to have the final word. “Someone who’s about to take a very, very long food induced coma.”
He leaned against the door. “Have you ever considered that you’re a terrifying person?”
“Have a good day at work!”
Just when Seungcheol thought things were getting just a little bit easier, you somehow managed to throw something else in his way. He should’ve expected it. He should’ve known better. This was you after all. Just like he should’ve seen what else was coming that following weekend.
It was early Saturday and somehow Seungcheol still managed to get a work out in. The bachelor/bachelorette party you mentioned was being held that day, and somehow, you managed to convince him that it was worth leaving the house to stay the night in a beach house miles and miles away with about ten other couples. Well, convince was a strong word, what word he really would’ve used was—
“–Trick.” He clicked the roof of his mouth while staring at the banner that clearly stated, ‘Welcome to Seokjin’s and Eunbi’s Bach Overnight Weekend.’ “You tricked me.”
“I did no such thing,” You told back, attempting an air of innocence.
He pointed an accusatory finger, his lips forming a line to present an unamused, but unsurprised, expression. “I should’ve known. No wonder you took extra long in my bathroom. You were sneaking clothes out of my closet for an overnight bag.”
“I could’ve sworn I told you,” you defended, throwing the said duffle over your shoulder.
“You most certainly did not.”
“...Okay, I didn’t.”
He tightly shut his eyes, squeezing them as if the situation brought him to physical pain. “I was led to believe it was one night, not a whole weekend.”
You groaned, “It was a last-minute decision. It’s only overnight because the place they chose is so damn far, and no one wanted to drive all the way back when there’s drinking involved. They wanted to be responsible.”
“You could’ve declined, or warned me so I could’ve declined.”
“Cheol,” you whined apologetically.
“Guys, you made it! Welcome to casa de Kim!” 
“Jin!” You smiled, changing directions to greet an old friend.
Seokjin emerged from the house to welcome you and your unhappy guest with hugs. Seokjin and Eunbi had been your longest friends and recently decided to tie the knot, officially taking themselves off the market for good despite everyone knowing they were nuts for each other all their lives. It was just a matter of timing, and this was their time. “Where’s my girl?” You prodded, looking over his shoulder.
“Uh, you mean my future wife? She’s handling some last minute planning in the kitchen, but I’ll make sure to let her know you guys have arrived. Great to finally meet you, man! Welcome in!”
“Oh, thanks,” Seungcheol lamely greeted, accepting your friend's handshake.
Seokjin took a little time making small talk before going back to his hosting duties, making sure to drop off the party favors–what he also called care kits–before pushing you to your designated room for the night and letting you go on your merry way. “Late lunch in an hour! Don’t be late!”
“Okay, Jin. we’ll be there!”
“We will?” Seungcheol asked, resistance in his voice.
“Yes, now come on.”
There was the matter of the single bed of the room as you predicted—the cliche ever so popular—but that would be a problem for the evening. For now, they would just have to get through the rest of the day and get through Seokjin and Eunbi’s party games, which you didn’t doubt were eccentric as they were.
Your friends were excited to either see you and your fake boyfriend again or meet him for the first time if they hadn't been at the brunch. Seungcheol did the bare minimum, also as you expected, staying by your side and enjoying the food available to the fullest, and by the fullest, you meant loading up on protein and the occasional miniscule portion of white rice. Nonetheless, your friends made sure they were good company, trying to involve you both in conversations while keeping the attention on the guests of honors: the beautiful soon to be wed couple.
“Okay kids, gather around!”
“Kids?” Mark repeated, “We’re in our damn 30s.”
Jin scoffed, an offended hand to his chest. “Speak for yourself, I’m forever 21. Anyways, before I was rudely interrupted, I just wanted to thank everyone for coming. None of this would be possible without the beautiful woman beside me,” he glanced down at Eunbi, who amusingly chuckled back at her fiance, “and me—and I guess you guys too. So! Let’s have a great time this weekend, alright? To love!”
“To love!”
You all clinked your midday cocktails, and you watched to make sure Seungcheol joined in, and he did so from the comfort of his seat. With Just you. With a glass full of ice water. Drinking a measly single sip before setting it quietly down. This was going to be a long night.
“Right after we finish up, we’ll get started heading by down to the pool—the beach if ya’ feel frisky—and then the games will commence after a bit of play.”
“Frisky? 21, my ass.”
“Jeon Jungkook, something will go up your ass if you talk out of turn one more time on my day.”
Most of the guests decided to stay by the pool, while a few ventured by the beach, wanting to get a tan. Meanwhile, Seungcheol stayed inside with you in the lounging area as everyone else enjoyed themselves. He lifted his head up from his phone to see you, watching how your eyes followed the motion of their joy, seeing how everyone interacted with each other or with the water, either jumping in or on the verge to, while muffled laughter bled through the sliding doors.
“Not joining your friends?” He nudged.
“And leave you here alone?” you scoffed, crossing your arms. “I’m good.”
“I’m not running away, no matter how tempting that is, I’m stuck here.”
You shook your head, putting your knees to your chest. “That’s not it.”
“Don’t tell me. You’ve come to enjoy my company.” 
You crinkled your nose in response, “You know how to joke now? Since when did you get a software upgrade?”
“When they started to slow down yours to prioritize mine.”
You poked at his head in retaliation, but he successfully evaded it, tilting his head in a 45 degree angle, an angle that if anyone else saw would think he was trying to act funny or cute. Disappointingly, you fell into the second category.
“Will you not tell me why you’re deciding to stay inside and not be with your friends after bamboozling me out of a peaceful weekend?”
You sighed, turned back to your friends, and watched the transparent door screens like it was a television show that played in the background, not interactable. “They make it fun when I'm here.”
“How is that an issue? You enjoy their presence, they enjoy yours.”
“They make it fun. Like I’m being taken care of. While everyone is having a good time, being all coupled up lovey dovey, and happy, I’m chilling on the sidelines, or if I do join, I’m a third, fifth, seventeenth wheel. So, I’m used to sitting back. Letting the couples be couples. I just don’t want to get in their way and I don’t want them to have me join in just because I'm chronically alone.”
“I thought you would take your previous partners to these kinds of things.”
You shook your head, “Only smaller events with people that I know wouldn’t blink twice if saw me single the next day. I usually went to things like the brunches or parties with just my friends. No one else.”
“You brought a boyfriend to this event, you do realize that, right?”
You rolled your eyes. “You,” you kept your voice low, “are different. Obviously. It’s not like we can do all the couple things like everyone else.”
“...You said you might go to the beach later, right?”
“Yeah?”
“So, you brought and wore a swimsuit?”
“...yeah–Hey! Motherfucker, put me down!”
The moment arose once you were stolen from the couch, scooped up in Seungcheol’s arms as he carried you effortlessly as you flailed in his grasp, passing through the sliding doors and out to the pool side. Initially, you both hardly attracted any attention from the people already there, but your voice filled with anguish and unbridled rage was loud enough to reach even the neighbors in the other beach house a mile away. 
“I’m going to kill you, Choi!”
“Oh hey, guys! You’re finally joining us,” Jin greeted, before he and everyone witnessed your fake boyfriend—or shall you put it, attempted murderer—drop you into the pool, submerging you into water. 
For a whole moment, all you saw was blue and light as the pressure of the water  pushed around your body and towards its depths, its cool temperature surrounding you as you inhaled it in your nose and through your lungs. You immediately closed your mouth, preventing yourself from digesting any more and pushed yourself up the moment your feet could touch the ground. Coughing and gasping for air, you scowled at the man responsible. “You—”
“You looked like the sun was getting to you, darling, so I thought some water would do you some good,” he stated, pulling a sinister grin, the dimple present like the mark of horns on the devil’s head.
“You could have killed me,” you hissed.
“Actually,” Wonwoo interjected from a few feet away, “He only threw you four feet deep. Five would’ve drowned you, three could lead to a concussion, but four is actually a good medium. Maybe a scrape of the knee, but you’d mostly be okay.”
You may have dramatized the experience a tad bit, but nonetheless, you were thrown in the fucking pool. You turned to your usually good friend, showing him the same scowl. “Now is not the time, nerd.”
“I like him. Keep him around.” Seungcheol commented, pointing to Wonwoo.
“Hey!” you shouted, still angry. “Are you insane?”
“Oh my god, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mad like this before,” Jihyo joined in, doubling over in laughter, “not even when we caught he who shall not be named fucking around summer of ‘18. And you were pissed, but not like this.”
You ran your hand over your wet hair that obscured your vision, “Yeah, well, apparently instead of a pig, I picked a fucking psycho.”
Seungcheol edged by the pool, squating in front of you with knees to his chest before he landed his final diss. “Sounds like your prospects were limited, anyways.”
The bach party gasped, hands covering more mouths than ladies laughing during high tea, and the quiet, subtle laughter dispersed amongst them. It buzzed around you like flies, mocking you, and although you weren’t all that mad–like them you could tell it was all in good fun–you were out for revenge. Blood.
“Cheol.”
“Hmm?”
“I think you were right about one thing. Water does do you some good.” In a split second, you had his arm, tugging him into the water with you, feeling a pair of hands clasp around your waist as your bodies submerged together. Using the surprise attack as an advantage, you purposefully pressed your weight into him with your hip to push him deeper–sacrificing yourself even if it meant taking you with him, ensuring he felt the full under the sea experience.
When you both finally pulled up to the surface, he’s coughing as much as you were the same scowl on his face as you had on yours, except now you’re the one pointing and laughing, leaning against the pool wall for support.
“You did that on purpose,” he mimicked.
“Aren't you the genius?”
He splashed water on you. “I could’ve died.”
“I’ve seen this movie before,” you ask sardonically before his splashes came in waves, rippling back at you until you were forced to act in defense. 
When everyone else saw how the scene unfolded, more of your friends decided to join in on the fun, finding more amusement in the pool activities than before. The noise amplified throughout the perimeter, but not a care in the world was seen. It was as if they were all waiting for you to join, and once you did, there was no more holding back. Even Seungcheol, chronically stoic Seungcheol, bared a smile that didn’t want to come down.
Coming closer to the dinner time, guests were about ready to change out of their wet clothes and into something dry for the evening, keeping in mind the games they’d be playing later. Meanwhile, You and Seungcheol rushed up the stairs, shivering without a towel, and entered your shared room for refuge.
“Get out,” you said, your teeth chattering.
He gave you an offended glance. “I have to change, you get out.”
“And what do you think I’m doing? My taxes? I need to change too, asshole.”
“Fine, we’ll just change in the same room. Quickly.”
“Like I’d let that happen, perv.”
He rolled his eyes, “There’s not really much to see. If anything, I’m the one that should be worried.”
“Excus–you know what? Fuck it, whatever. We grab our clothes from the duffle and turn around and change at opposite sides of the room. Okay?”
“Best idea you’ve had all damn day.”
You stormed together towards the single large bag you brought, both your hands moving in flurries as you grab your things. In the midst of the chaos, Seungcheol’s gaze accidentally pivoted, taking in the way your tee-shirt clung to your chest, the outline of breasts in your bikini clear as day, while your nipples–erect and stiff from the cold—poked through the material, moving violently as your hands swished through the bag. It’s until you got up after retrieving your clothes that he fixed his gaze, returning to rummaging for clothes.
“Can’t find it? It should’ve been on top of the stack since I packed your clothes last.”
“I’m looking!” he answered a little too loudly, embarrassed by the reason for the delay.
Refusing to meet your eyes, he stood up finally when the clothes made themselves known, holding them triumphantly, “Found it.”
“Okay. You take one side, I take the other and none of the paths cross.”
“Yes, I’m aware of the plan we discussed a mere two minutes ago.”
“Asshole. Okay, go!”
You both head into the direction you were already facing, your backs parallel to one another and the immediate sounds of wet clothes squelching on the floor as they fell in loud thuds. The ruffling of dry clothes were next to follow, but the thought hadn’t occurred to either one of you until you stood in your birthday suits that you’d be stripping naked simultaneously until that very moment. 
When the awareness finally did kick in, you were looking at a painting of fruit as Seungcheol stared into the balcony, luckily too far to showcase your awkward circumstance, but both had nothing on their mind but the thought of their fake significant other stark naked. Their actions began slowing down, moving at a snail’s pace as they started putting one arm and one leg through a hole through a single article of clothing at a time, as if savoring the rush they’ve discovered the rustling of fabrics as they slid against skin. 
You lightly coughed, first to penetrate through the silence. “I know what you tried to do.”
The sound of fabric flapping resonated from the direction of the balcony. “I’m trying to change.”
“Not right now, dimwit,” you insulted.
“The insults are juvenile, and frankly uncalled for.”
“I’m talking about the pool.”
“What about it?”
“You listened to my trauma dumping, and you didn’t have to.”
“...I asked.”
You pulled up your shorts, letting them settle over your hips, unsure if you liked how they squeezed, but let it go. “And…you fucking dropped me in the pool like a hot turd—fuck you for that by the way.”
He chuckled, and you didn’t see it, but you could imagine the smile on his face.
“But I know you did it because of what I said, that I wanna do couple shit��like playing in the pool with my boyfriend.”
“Was that playing? You looked fairly mad. Aggressive perhaps.”
“Yeah, well, you fucking almost killed me,” you said, tugging the final shirt over your head.
“Like I almost didn’t die either?” He retorted. “I saw a bright light in that pool when you took me.”
“That was the sun!”
“It looked nothing like the sun.”
“Well, whatever the fuck–oh, my god. You made me lose my train of thought!” 
A hand fell on your shoulder, turning you away from the painted apples and melons to stand face to face with the person you were just imagining yourself screaming at now fully clothed, but as you looked into his eyes, the rage began to dissipate. Instead, you’re overcome with silence and a sense of gratitude, seeing warmth in his eyes you weren’t used to. You could always tell a difference somehow, and moments like this were when you wished you didn’t. Not when they confused you.
“Well?”
You’re jolted awake by the sarcastic tone of his voice, a stark contrast to his soft features, and the glint of something in his eyes you’re probably mistaken about. Or maybe he had just gotten a lot better at pretending. “Just, thank you. Thank you for trying.”
A corner of his lips slightly lifted before dropping, wrapping his hand around your wrist—making your eyes jump in size and only adding to your uncertainty—as he tugged you towards the door. “Alright, let’s get the rest of this over with.”
Jin and Eunbi came and delivered as expected. Their dinner spread was even better than lunch, making sure all their guests knew that they were in good hands. Seungcheol even found himself getting a heartier fill, tasting a bit of everything they had to offer. You enjoyed watching him pile his plate, delightfully surprised as he managed to get at least one of everything from the food pyramid. You made sure to tease him a little, to which he defended himself by saying he worked up an appetite with the swimming, and you didn’t prod him after that, just happy he’s enjoying himself. By the time dinner ended, all the guests’ stomachs were filled with bountiful amounts of food, leaving no one behind to starve. For Jin and Eunbi, the overly enthusiastic party hosts, that meant one thing: it was time for the games to commence.
Jin twinkled his fingers together menacingly, gathering everyone in a circle. “Truth, Dare, or Drink?”
“May I remind everyone we are in damn near our thirties,” Mark, tired and old, brought up again.
“Then sit out grandpa, damn!”
Seungcheol put his lips close to your ear, “What kind of game is this?”
“I’m not so sure. Hey Jin? Eunbi? What the hell is this? Truth or dare?”
Eunbi spoke up to answer, “Truth, dare, or Drink: Couples edition! A couple chooses between truth or dare, and if they can’t answer their truth or do the dare, they take a drink.”
“More drinking,” Seungcheol said, eyes squinting as if war flashbacks actively played throughout his head.
“We'll try the game. I’m sure it won’t be so bad.”
And it wasn’t so bad, for the other couples that is. For the most part it was a simple, truth or dare card game they found in an aisle of any Target or Walmart, but the contents included truths from “craziest place they had sex” to dares where they “switched underwear for the rest of the game.” Some couples passed on the card and took a couple shots, and then your time finally arrived, the new duo in the mix: the two everyone is expecting the most from.
“Truth. No. Dare. Fuck, wait, truth—“
“Damnit,” Seungcheol pulled a truth card out of the deck on the table and presented it in front of you both, letting you read it out loud. “What is your partner’s… ahem… sexiest… body part?”
Seungcheol had looked at the card for himself to see if you read that right, and everyone that circled around you cheered you on, wolf-whistling or howling as they all encouraged the both of you to answer.
“You’re starting off strong, huh?” Mingyu teased.
Chaeyoung was grinning, thinking this kind of game right up her alley, “So, what is it? Who wants to go first?”
“Guys—“ before you could even finish your thought, Seungcheol was already pouring shots, throwing one back like nothing and ‘boo’s took up the space.
“Lame…”
“Can’t even announce to the world what you find sexy about your girlfriend, new guy? Are you really dating then?”
As Seungcheol poured another shot facing it towards you, he looked at you with determination and empowerment. “I think of it as respect to my significant other, and it's best I don’t divulge in saying her most attractive trait if it makes her uncomfortable, so I’ll drink my shot,” he threw back the drink he held in front of you, “and hers.”
While others still found it a little cowardly, his gesture earned him a few pats on the back, thinking he made a safe choice. “Well, alright, good man.”
“You’re safe for now.”
You stared at him, knowing this lunatic did not just do that. After the shit he pulled at the company party, drinking should’ve been the last thing he thought to do. And he would attempt another try when they played another round, this time when a dare was picked.
“Give your partner a blindfolded lap dance.”
Seungcheol sighed, already pouring the shot. “As respect to my partner and her dignity, I—hey!”
The shot disappeared as soon as it was full, being tossed back in your throat as you stole his heroic speech as well, or the paraphrased version of it. “His dignity, respect and honor, yada, yada, yada. His shot too.” The second shot burned slightly more bitter as it went down, and you just hoped the rest of the cards weren’t as intense as the two you’ve received so far.
“Why the hell—“
“You guys are really private, huh,” Jin grinned, “Aw, that’s cute. I’ll let it go, cuties. Let’s keep going!”
That went on for several more rounds, and of course, the cards didn’t get any easier. So to avoid truths or dares, you and Seungcheol drank a lot. Not only that, you had kept stealing the shots back and forth from one another, trying to prevent the other from getting too drunk, but to quote a smart man that was balls deep in several bottles of soju, that numbskull plan was ‘horrendously flawed.’
“Ugh, these fuckers just wanted to drink! Fuck, they’re drunk.”
“If they just wanted to drink, they could’ve done that.” 
“Let’s put them on the couch.”
“Man, he’s huge, where did she find this guy?”
There wasn’t much movement that could be made by either you or the man you brought, so sleeping felt like a natural course of action. The colors and lights of the room faded in and out whilst the music muffled in your ears. In a way, it soothed you, like white noise, and the voices that seeped through would only sometimes jolt you awake, until finally, slumber hit you, and you couldn’t detect anything or anyone at all.
The second you were conscious again, you found yourself on the couch where you last remembered being before completely blacking out. There was a dulling ache you noticed in your head as you got up to scan the room, seeing that you were completely alone with no sign or your fake boyfriend anywhere in sight.
“Cheol?” 
You picked yourself up, holding on to the foundation on the couch and still feeling the lingering effects of the alcohol before going off to find the missing office manager. “Seungcheol!”
You face planted against the transparent glass window, seeing various familiar faces, but none of them being your plus one. Taking your journey to the first floor rooms, you attempted to see if he stumbled upon any of the game rooms or lounging areas conveniently available. It was unsuccessful when you just saw more familiar faces—albeit, friendly ones that were glad to see you alive and well—but no Seungcheol.
In midst of the chaos, your shoulder grazed an oncoming body, having been caught before you took a hard tumble, “Shit, oh, Eunbi. Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
“Hey, babes, you’re awake.”
You got on your feet, grasping the back of your head. “Yeah, I woke up a little while ago. Have you seen my boyfriend anywhere?”
She briefly spun to scan the room to check, “Um, not sure. Last I saw, he was on the couch next to you.”
You sighed, “Shit, okay. I gotta find him before he drowns or something.”
But before you left, you felt her hand on your shoulder to get your attention, “Hey, can we talk for a little bit, catch up?”
“Sure.” 
Eunbi pulled you away to a tucked corner of the house with a convenient little window that popped open from the top. It was late, the moon high up in the sky, and you had no damn clue what time it was. You remembered that you left your phone in the room, knowing you’d lose it somewhere if you took it with you, and you were right, because instead, you lost a whole human tonight. 
“Smoke?”
You snorted. “I still don’t do that shit, you know me.”
“Yeah, Jin doesn’t either,” Eunbi chuckled, lighting up her cigarette and blowing a puff out the window. “I’m really happy you came by the way. I was hoping you would—not that I don’t think you wouldn’t come to your own best friends’ Bach party but—“
You chuckled, “Where is this going, Eunbi?”
She was quietly, remorseful, leaning against the window and looking at you with a million words on her mind, but the only ones she could muster were, “I’m sorry for not being around.”
You lightly punched her shoulder, leaning on the window beside her. “Don’t be sorry you’re hanging around your fiancé and planning a whole wedding.”
“But I’m not making time to see you.”
“You’re being fucking happy. You’re getting married, shut up. If you were spending time with me, I would be legitimately concerned.”
A small smile formed on her face, taking another puff, before managing to say anything more. “But…I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend. Had to find out from someone who went to the brunch I couldn’t make because I had to deal with catering. I feel like a shitty friend.”
“You’re not, okay? You’ve just been so happy, and you deserve all the fucking happiness in the world. I didn’t want to distract you by making a special period in your life about me, or by taking all your time away from you.”
She flung the cigarette out the window to grab hold of your shoulder, shaking some sense into you. “You wouldn’t be. I will be married to that loser for probably ever but you’re my best friend, I want to make time for you too while I can before this guy steals all your time away from me.”
You shook your head reassuringly, putting your hand over hers. “He won’t. I promise.”
Your fingers interlocked, resting your heads on each other's shoulders as you looked back up at the sky. “You really like him, huh?”
“He’s all right,” you shrugged, a hint of a smile on your face.
“So he checks all the boxes?”
“I’m looking into it.”
You saw her grin from your peripheral, “And that last box?”
“Nosy!” you exclaimed, bumping her hip.
“Come on! Like I don’t know your sex history like the back of my hand!”
You fell silent, suddenly reserved at the topic of sex—specifically at the lack of—and for some reason you can’t find the heart in you to lie about that tidbit. “We’re not…”
Her head pivoted to you dubiously, narrowing her eyes, “Wait. No way…”
“It just needs to be the right moment.”
“Girl, the moment has passed. Look at him and tell me you don’t wanna climb him like a tree.”
Smiling, you exaggeratedly groaned, “Shut up, you're so annoying.”
“He is hot in like this super ripped accountant sort of way and honestly funny as fuck, your type to a tee. What do you mean you’re not in his pants right now?”
“Stop!” You shoved, laughing together like you used to when there was all the time in the world, “When we’re good and ready, we will.”
“Alright. You must really like the guy.”
“Yeah, well,” you began pulling away, being reminded he’s out there somewhere waiting to be found. “I won’t be sure until I find him dead or alive.”
She grinned, waving you off. “Good luck!”
Your search continued through the rest of the house, coming up short on the rest of the first floor after double checking the pool side before heading up stairs. Hushed voices and restless movements could be heard from nearby and behind doors, giving you a clear idea of the kind of things happening on this floor, and you pray to all the gods that you don’t come across something you’ll regret seeing.
“No naked bodies, no naked bodies, no naked bodies.” 
You ran that mantra over and over, warding off the potential of seeing someone’s parts you haven’t seen before or already seen too many times, neither option being a desirable one.
And just as you were about to make it to the end of the hall, just where your room was and the likeliest place he’d be, your wrist was snatched from behind, spinning you around, and your person of interest stood before you with a goofy grin on his face.
“There you were,” you said, sighing a breath of relief.
“Here I am,” he announced, giggles seeping out of him.
“Where did you go? I was looking all over for you.”
He tilted his head to the side, and instead of answering, he just interlocked your fingers and tugged you in his direction, where you aimlessly followed. You were taken outside, somewhere you haven't thoroughly explored yet—but already lightly scoured by a handful a people already there, and now, you and Seungcheol as he claimed an outdoor nook in the very corner draped by vines and branches, as pillows and blankets were threw on to be cushions or stowed away in the corner for extra comfort. The coziest place you’ve ever seen.
“What the fuck? This is gorgeous.”
“Great nap spot. Come.” He tugged you with him, occupying a space that would normally fit two average adults or one Seungcheol, but he was determined to include you, somehow resulting in you mounting yourself on his lap in the open public for anyone around to see. Your eyes flew open, slapping him against his chest as he pulled you near, your knee jerking as you jolted in fear of others noticing. “Are you crazy?”
“They’re watching…” he sang, eyes glazing over off in the distance.
You slightly turned your head to watch his view, seeing a few of your friends off in the distance, coming from the beach or slightly in view from the poolside, that could easily catch you in whatever act you and Seungcheol looked like you were up to. However, at this point, everyone seemed to be in their own world, talking, laughing, minding their own businesses. You weren’t sure if it mattered. 
You snickered, resting your hands on his shoulders and readjusting your knees as they dug into the seat cushions. “You’re gonna go this far?”
“Yep. I have to look like a good boyfriend.”
You squinted at him suspiciously. “You had a lot to drink, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know?” he mumbled dumbly, his dimple indented extra deep.
You shook your head in disbelief, dipping your head forward and momentarily colliding with his in a headbutt. You reacted as expected, rubbing your forehead at the slight ache you caused, but from the lack of tact of the receiver, your assumptions were true. “You're so drunk right now.”
His hand rose to your hair, patting it down before finding your ear. As he thumbed over the curve of the helix, he could feel the heat bloom between his fingers. “You look so pretty right now.”
“Cheol,” you tried getting up, but he sat you back down, gripping you by your hips until they met his.
“Stay,” he quietly pleaded, his eyes glistening under the moonlight staring back at you with utter need that you have no choice but just melt right back in his touch. 
You couldn’t believe the situation happening right now, and neither could your heart in your chest as it started beating at twice its usual rate. All you could focus on was his hands as they traveled up your body, skimming through the thin fabric of your shirt, following up your spine as he let out soft, ragged breaths.
You pressed the pads of your fingers a little deeper into the meat of his shoulders, “S-Seungcheol–” 
“Do you know what will really convince them?” His voice was unrecognizable, deep and indulgent.
You made the ghost of a whimper as a finger travelled back down your body as you responded earnestly. “I don’t think we have to do much more convincing. I think they believe us when we say we’re a couple.”
“But you know what will really convince them, though?”
You were scared to even ask, thinking a single word would burst this bubble you have no idea how you got caught in. “What?” you asked softly.
Your breath caught in your throat as you didn’t even dare blink, following his eyes as his hands made waves up your body. He pushed you against him, reclaiming your hips before puppeting them to roll against the definition of his thigh. Your stomach seized and your shoulders tensed, the sensation bringing you to shock as you beckoned forward at his will, his face being brought closer to yours in the process.
“W-what are you…mmh…” Your thoughts to fend him off ran hollow pulling your gaze up to sink into the titillation, mewls buzzing on your tongue.
The chills that once ran up your body evolved into fire, its heat steadily burning a path from your chest to far below your torso, and your hips developed a rhythm to match his. Not one word was exchanged, unlike the usual berating and bickering that was constant whenever you were within touching distance of each other, the only language that was spoken here were bodies in that tiny space. And that night, Seungcheol looked determined to become fluent in yours.
Seungcheol’s lips parted slightly as he peered at you through his long lashes, his grip growing possessive as his fingers spread, pressing the fullness of his palms into your back. Growing under you was his size, stretching the groin of his linen pants and making it harder to avoid clashing the closer and fiercer you rolled your hips against him.
“Am I doing too much?” he softly murmured, breathing the words into your clavicle.
“N-no,” you answered, finding his eyes and not minding getting lost in them. “Not at all.”
“Then,” Holding your gaze, his hands moved lower and crept under shirt, itching to feel even the hairs that stood on your back, “Can I?”
You nodded frantically, choking back a garbled, “Yes,” before both palms welcomed themselves underneath, clutching you against him to the point his length was wedged between your torsos. 
You heard him bite back a moan from the depth of his throat before his hands trailed up your body, pricking the skin where he ran, his thumbs hooked underneath your bra. He smoothed the pads of his digits from underneath the band, memorizing it from its lace to the silicone that kept it in place, and stopping at your side where the cups of the underwear began.
He finally blinked, the entirety of the act not once having broken eye contact as he touched you, ensuring that every second he was looking at you and you looked at him, as if looking away for even a second meant that all of it would disappear. You showed no signs of protest, and he teased you with his thumb, sliding underneath and over the curve of your breast, watching the quiver of your lips as he inched closer to your stiff peak.
You sucked in a sharp breath, a soft twitch to your leg broke out when his thumb grazed and then circled the nipple, the tension in your stomach tightening more. “S-Seungcheol,” you called out in a weak breath before you rolled your hips again, seeing that he felt every bit of your heat through your ruined shorts.
Pressing his plush bottom lip between his teeth, he shoved his hand underneath the cups, the warmth of his hands fumbling their shape and weight before he gave them both the same fate he let you sample before. He thumbed your nipples with a heady need, leading up to the speed you found yourself grinding on him.
If someone had told you twenty years ago–fuck, a few days ago, that you’d willing sit on Choi Seungcheol lap—let alone dry hump—in the open public, you would’ve told them ‘quite literally to choke on rocks’ for putting that idea into the universe. Yet, at that very moment, you were seeing–experiencing every single second of it, and drowning in the rhapsody that he was leaving you in.
Besides that, you got to feel it as much as you saw it through Seungcheol, who looked more expressive than he’s ever been. You saw it every furrow of his thick dark eyebrows; every sound that passed through full, cherry red lips; every gulp from his thick and biteable neck. Everything from start to finish was embedded in every wrinkle in your brain, and by the look of the flushed and dazed expression of your conspirer, he wouldn’t either.
“I’m close…” you rasped, your hands crawling up in his hair and threading through his locks.
He panted against you, nodded, his fingers wrapping against your sides as his thumbs pushed against your now sensitive buds, scooting you both deeper inside the nook. “Whatever you want…fast, slow…I’ll try to help.”
You softly pouted, the urge to kiss the man you’ve spent months with relearning about, falling and lusting for, burning a hole in your chest. Still, you persisted, desperate to see that gorgeous face and every wrinkle crease the second he’s overcome with his own climax.
“Fuck,” you whimpered before maneuvering your position so he’d lean against the pillows behind him. Restarting your pace–your close race to bliss just out of reach–you pushed your weight deeper, undulating with every grind as the shape of his cock, sat between your bottoms swallowed up by your folds. “Just sit tight.”
He visibly gulped, staring at your clothed pussy within reach before looking back at you. “You just said you were close.”
You leaned in, faces just inches away from each other, chests heaving against one another. “And I can get there again. Just keep your eyes on me, and don’t stop touching me either.”
His eyes briefly drifted, settling on the lower half over your face before coming right back up, leaving you with an, “Okay,” before moving his hands up your shirt again.
It didn't take long for you to regain your momentum, Seungcheol being a helping hand as he teased your nipples raw and made your breasts feel tender to the touch. Your core clenched around the familiar exultation you were seconds from encountering before. “I’m close, I’m close, I’m so fucking close–fuck, fuck!”
“You’re doing well. Don’t stop now, you—ah…” Seungcheol swallowed his thought, clasping his hands around you, thumbs pushing your nipples inversely as something possessed you both, leaving just raw primal movement in its wake.
Drool pooled in your mouth, before dripping down your chin and the cotton of his shirt. The reckless, final moments of your extemporaneous, lewd events near its end as the sounds of your voices fused in a single unit. The only things left to do was clutch on together, riding the last wave, savoring every second of the high.
Sweat was clamming your thighs as you stared at one another, listening to nothing but the sound of each other's pants. A smile broke out on your face as you finally shielded your eyes, covering your timid expression under a confident grin. You lightly scanned the area behind you, seeing it sparse of people with exception of a few still by the pool, trying to distract from the reservation you felt being intimate, and the swirling hectic thoughts they were leaving you in after. “God, I wonder if anyone saw that. I don’t see anyone around.”
“I just ruined a perfectly good pair of pants.”
You snickered, turning to see the stoicism back on Seungcheol’s face as usual. “Look who’s all sober.”
He slightly turned his head, cheeks painted a subtle pink.
“Good job, Virgin,” you backhandedly compliment with a kiss on the cheek.
Seungcheol had a lot on his mind, especially a lot he wanted to say to you and how fucking amazing every inch of you was against him, but nothing could come out, even when you were just positively radiant above him like you were right now, right after the moment you shared. If alcohol did anything useful, it made things easy to spill from his lips, but the words currently on the tip of his tongue were being swallowed by his sobriety, his logic and reasoning that held him back. He knew couldn't deal with these kinds of emotions right now. Not at the moment.
So instead, he decided to carry you, and you emitted a yelp at the volume of a chihuahua in response. You threw your arms over his shoulders on instinct, pressing firmly to the toned build of his body, as he wrapped your legs around his torso, bouncing you to readjust you in his grip and securing you before setting off wherever without a word. You gazed back at him, feeling warm and protected in his arms; it was something you could get used to.
You made yourself comfortable, looping your arms tighter around his neck, “Where are we going? And why are you carrying me?”
“The room. You are my Trojan horse after the shit you pulled out there.”
“That you started, excuse you. And Trojan, hmm? You definitely referenced that on purpose.”
He trotted off a smirk before walking back in the house, ignoring everyone else that hooted and hollered at you both in the compromising position as he carried you off the stairs.
“Shower, please,” he pleaded, dropping you the second you entered the room as he split off to the other side.
“Tch, you’re the one who ruined your pants.”
“I can smell you from over here.”
You held your hands over your body in shame. “Why the hell would you say that to me?!”
He gazed over at you apologetically, “I didn’t say it was a bad smell, just please get decent. You have a lot more self control than I do right now.”
“I do?”
Suddenly, he moved in long strides, reaching you until your faces were inches apart, his heat radiating off him like a furnace. His lips parted temptingly as his gaze migrated over your being as though he devoured you where you stood and did not care who’d watched. “Yes. A fuck ton more.”
You backed away, slowly on the verge of jumping him yourself, while your heart was on the verge of exploding out of your chest. “F-fine, I’ll go shower.”
“Thank you.”
Gathering your things, you thought to check the time on your phone. “Wow, it’s only 1AM.”
“1AM?! No, no, I need to sleep soon,” he ushered you out, “go, go, be quick.”
“Alright, geez.”
You had only hoped the only witnesses to your little exhibitionist act were you two and the shower head that was washing the evidence away. Maybe it was weird, but you didn’t expect to mourn it. You’ve lost the only physical proof of what transpired tonight, but then smiled to yourself knowing that it happened at all. Something about it brought you bliss, knowing he’s there in the other room, waiting for his shower, and then waiting to jump into bed with you.
By the time you got in bed, all you could think about was him coming back, patiently waiting for his arrival as you laid peacefully in bed. It had been a while since you cuddled up with someone, and that someone being Seungcheol made you curious about the type of person he’d be in bed. Did he snore, take up the sheets, have night terrors? Before expanding on more ideas, you heard the faint turn of the door knob, and you quickly closed your eyes. The soft rustle clothes followed while the flat foot steps trotted closer to bed. Finally, you felt a weight dip into the mattress, and you pressed a hand to your heart, feeling how fast it started to race, anticipation trickling inside you and setting until…nothing.
One minute passed, and then two, confusion setting in. You fully swivel your head to see his side of the bed to see him with his eyes closed, fast asleep, soft snores as his chest rose and fell.
“He actually fell asleep,” you whispered to yourself, waving a hand over his face for good measure. “Dammit.”
You slumped flat on the bed, letting out a deep exhale, before looking back at him again, subconsciously tracing over his features that were pretty even while asleep in the darkest of nights. “I’ll be mad at him in the morning.”
When morning arrived, everyone was just about ready to leave, but not after Jin insisted on each and every guest grab some fresh breakfast before hitting the road, ending the trip the bittersweetest of goodbyes. You glanced through your peripheral vision at Seungcheol as you forked at your waffles topped with syrup and freshly picked strawberries, seeing him enjoy his expected lean and clean breakfast without a care in the world. 
“Everyone had a good night,” Jin inquired, nudging the people around him, unfortunately that being Mingyu and Wonwoo.
“Someone had a lot of fun. Too much maybe,” Nayeon emphasized with a grin, not looking up, and everyone decided to randomly pick a victim, ultimately landing on poor Jungkook, the man with his mouth full. 
“Wha’ I do?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not him.” Her gaze flickered in front of her, meeting your eyes, busting out a wide grin when your eyes launched at her.
“Me?!”
“Oh yeah,” Baekho agreed with his girlfriend, “her and boyfie were both drinking a lot that night, fucking blacked out before it was even 10pm. You guys could’ve just drank if you wanted to, you didn’t have to play.”
Nayeon rolled her eyes again, nudging her boyfriend, who pouted back at her confused. “Not what I’m talking about, dummy.”
“Okay,” you interjected, “I think we all had a little fun, mmkay? Let’s leave it at that while our friendships are still intact.”
“Why, hon?” Eunbi was the one to join, catching Nayeon’s drift. “You got something to share with the class?”
“On your guys’ weekend! Pff! No!” You shook your head with a smile that pleaded ‘please end it all for my sake, so help me, God.’
“How thoughtful,” Eunbi chuckled before continuing her meal.
Seungcheol’s foot slid next to yours under the table, catching your attention. “How loud were we last night?” he whispered, keeping a straight face, but his eyes were riddled with fear.
You pressed your lips in a thin line, leaning up to answer. “You really wanted to convince them.”
And from that, his face could no longer be held together, the pink spreading over his cheeks just before he tightly shut his eyes, embracing the impact of reality as it shattered over him like a glass ceiling. He was an animal. He could not touch another alcoholic beverage again. Even isopropyl was too risky.
The girl in front of you witnessed the entire encounter, grinning a smile of pure joy before kicking your foot on the table to your attention. “Hey.”
“Yes, Nayeon,” you said, glazing over your friend’s intrusion.
“Congratulations. I think this is the best one.”
“Please don’t rank my boyfriends like show dogs.”
“But this one has a nice coat and makes you happy, like really happy.”
“Don’t make me climb over there.”
With the back and forth teasing and the final moments of byes and hugs, everyone was off and back on the road to drive at least another three hours back to the city. You slumped against the leather of the car seat, watching as he steered his wheel and safely guided you both back home. A smile stretched over your face just at the sight of him, until you remembered you were supposed to be mad at him. Then you turned away, forcing a frown as you looked at a window.
Yet, minutes would pass by, and not a word would be exchanged. Complete and utter silence. It drove you insane. Did he not notice you at all, or was he that focused on driving? Or was he being the lunatic he always is pretending not to notice?
For emphasis, you crossed your arms, making a show of internal frustration outwardly so he’d somehow get the hint, hoping he'd at least ask you if something was wrong. Still, the silence would stretch forever and that alone was pissing you off. As if you could feel your brain cells slowly die off in this agonizingly, quiet void.
Your eternal inferno is brought to an end when you're brought home, your home, the place you’re hardly at these days when you’re visiting and making time for Seungcheol to play pretend girlfriend except to sleep.
“We’re here. You can leave the clothes behind. I’ll have them washed by the time you come to my place next weekend for the event.”
“Next weekend? You don’t want to see me this week?”
He shook his head without a second to think, your worlds crashing all at once. “Not this week. Lunch also will be forgoed for the time being just until we have the situation at work under control.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s what?”
“You—this weekend—you know what? Okay. Good luck with work.” You unfastened your seat belt, and opened the door, seeing yourself out.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” was the last thing you heard before you slammed the door shut and the car drove off onto the street, leaving you behind in disbelief.
Your arms dropped limp against your sides, entering your apartment, a weight dropped on your chest, and you fell face first onto bed.
Saturday was like something that fell out of pages of a book, torn and pasted on the vision board of a lovesick young girl about the kind of nights they dream of having once they’re older. Something silly, something fun, spontaneous, reckless. Maybe something they’d regret one day but felt right at the moment. It looked colorful as much as it felt colorful. Just pure desire and lost inhibitions, as you connected those many people or that one person.
Sunday was shit. It wasn’t something you wanted to live through, because of free will, you chose not to, spending the rest of the hours of your afternoon and evening feeling bad about yourself thinking about Saturday. It was easy to sleep through, you didn’t need to do anything else.
Then it was Monday. And you had a reason to be mad again, even when your dream flashed back to that wonderful night in that private little nook. You were reminded that he told you to not come over for lunch, so you did the next best thing.
“Hello, everyone!”
“Oh, hi! We were told you wouldn’t come today?” Chan greeted.
“Well, nope, tah-dah! I’m here! So I’m just gonna make the quick lunch drop off, and I’ll be out of all your hair soon!”
“Okay, but, Mr. Choi is a bit on edge today. Just a fair warning.”
“I think I can handle my own boyfriend, buddy. Thank you.” You politely knocked on the door of the office, took a beat, and then entered, seeing that he didn’t even look up from his desk to see the intrusion.
“If it’s not the revisions I asked for, I don’t want it,” Seungcheol warned.
“No revisions, but I brought beef. Protein pack just the way you like it.”
He lifted his head, standing up and sighing. “I told you we couldn’t do lunch this week.”
“You did say that,” you began to retort, dropping the food at an end table, “but, I wanted to see you. After that weekend, we didn’t really get to talking, and I missed you.”
Taking a big risk, you began unzipping your jacket, slowly revealing what little you had underneath, parting to see the red lace that stood out against your skin. His face shot up, urging out of his chair and had him zipping up your jacket for you. “We are in the workplace. Not here,” he warned through gritted teeth.
“Then when, Cheol?” Your frustration bleeding through your voice. “You’re not giving me much to work with.”
He just needed to come right out and say it. There was nothing he could do except tell the truth. “Nothing can or will happen until the event happens next weekend.”
“You’re making me wait?”
“I need to focus,” he reiterated, “in addition to the lunches. I can’t have disruptions right now. I have no focus right now with you here.”
“Like I can? After all of that? I’m seeing that night in my dreams, Choi.”
He exhaled, seeing his words go through one ear and out the other for you. “There’s a really important project that came up, and we just need all hands and eyes on it right now.”
You whined. “But—“
“But nothing. End of discussion.” He left it at that and returned to his desk, hoping to get back to work.
“End of discussion?” you repeated.
“Yes.”
You stormed off to behind his desk, standing right at his shoulder, licking your molars and wondering where he got the nerve to say something like that to you of all people. 
“You don’t get to silence me, I am not one of your subordinates, Choi Seungcheol. Whatever goes on around here is not my business, but what happened between us is entirely something else, starting with what happened that weekend.”
He got up from his chair a slam, causing you to jump, and the pen in his grip was crushed, denting the wood beneath his palm. He stared you down, his glare so venomous and cold you would have felt safer in the arctic wearing a bikini.
“You don’t think I know that? You don’t think about how you preoccupy my thoughts every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day?” He leaned forward, his arms fencing you at your side as his hand gripped the edge of the desk, fingernails clawing into the paint. “If I had my way, I’d fucking throw all this shit out the window and spread you on my desk before making every wish and command that comes out of your mouth a reality until you’re begging me to stop.”
Fortunately for him, you didn’t have a rebuttal, wondering now if silence was still an option.
“Now get out, unless you want me to lose it on a stack of an 80 year old lady’s insurance papers.”
He got back in his seat, not looking as you swiftly made your exit out the office, not turning back, concerning eyes that heard the louder parts of the altercation regretfully watch as you left. Once you made it out of the building, your feet speedwalked for the cafe that you were all too familiar with, the one you’ve become a regular at, the one that knew you by name at this point as much as they knew Seungcheol. 
Getting to the front of the line, you grabbed a clean, empty cup from behind the counter, startling the cashier who was seconds away from serving you. Before a single word was uttered from their end, with your whole chest and soul you started screaming into the cup, “FUCK, HE’S SO HOT. I NEED TO FUCK HIM SO BAD.”
You expelled a deep breath, letting the sinful demons escape your body and mind, and then turned to the barista with the same cup, handing it to them saying with the straightest face you could muster asking, “I’ll have an iced americano, please.”
“Sure, I’ll get you a new cup. You can keep that one.”
The weekend couldn't come any sooner, and you were growing irritated with every second of waiting. You tried busying yourself with work, considering you had put it off for the recent events as of late, but even when you started finding the momentum and get your groove back, you’d randomly have his flushed face pop in your head. The sounds of his bliss that left his lips as his hands touched your body.
Fuck.
You hadn’t gone this long without seeing, talking, or even hearing from him. The messages about the forged dates now dried up. As if fake dating felt more fulfilling than the real thing, if you could even consider it that.
You banged your head against a pillow, begging for the week to come by a little faster. And as a sign of good faith, your personal phone went off for the first time in weeks. You picked up, checking your notifications before lighting up, seeing that he's the one to message you last.
The message swiped up immediately, and you clutched your phone to see what he had sent you.
Cheol:🫰
“That’s it?” You threw your phone against your bed, gnashing your teeth before you started pouting alone by yourself, throwing a pillow over your face as you squealed into it, conflicted feelings for comfort and frustration battling it out within you as you knew you deserved more than a mere emoji but were happy that he thought to send you anything at all.
It was then the phone went off again and you quickly picked it up, seeing he sent another message.
Cheol: That was an accident. Sorry.
And your world was destroyed all over again. You squinted at the message, eye twitching, hands shaking. As far as you knew, Seungcheol was dead to you.
Then another message popped up immediately.
Cheol: It’s only one more day. You can wait that long and I know you’re going to ask how I know. I get your read receipts. I’ll see you soon. Good Night.
You frowned, holding the phone to your chest and falling back into bed, reading his last message over and over until your eyes were too tired to keep up.
You hate him for it, but sure, you’ll wait one more day.
The day officially arrived, and you woke up before your alarm clock went off. You leaped off the bed and checked your phone for any new messages, huffing to your dismay, but nonetheless, went off to start your day.
You had gotten some of your things ready to change, grabbing the makeup products you’ve selected from having used the previous free time you had to yourself to perfect the makeup routine, and now all you needed was your date. 
A knock on the door had you rise to your feet and place a hand around a bat you kept for emergencies, being a single person household you never could be too careful. You approached carefully, the other hand holding your phone with speed dial ready, you looked through the peephole, and immediately melted at what you saw on the other end.
The bat and phone fell to the ground while the door swung open, and you stared back at the face of Seungcheol with a bouquet of flowers held to his chest. “It was my department’s idea. They thought you were mad at me for yelling the last time you were around and scolded me to get you something…though I had already planned on that from the beginning—”
You tugged him forward in a hug, the flowers held up to the side in order not to be squished upon impact, but he reciprocated, stroking your back with his full palm as he smiled into your hair.
“Were you going to assault me with a bat?”
“Not important right now.”
The flowers were left in a vase filled with water before you took the stuff you needed and left with him to his place, spending the day together to do whatever you wanted before getting ready.
But apparently, whatever you wanted came with limits.
“Careful, now,” Seungcheol warned, your body in his hands as he rested his back against his couch.
You grinned, combing through his dark hair in his rare form of misshapen and soft without product, smelling of soap and spice. “What’s one little quickie?”
“You want me to lose my virginity to a quickie?”
You jutted your bottom lip in a fuller pout, slotting your hands through a little rougher, “I’m surprised you care that much. I would think you’d ravish me by now.”
He softly chuckled, dropping the smile to intently stare at you looming over him, caressing your chin between his thumb and index. “I very well could, but with the time constraint we have, I can’t risk that.”
You scoffed, “The event is in 3 hours. You think you can outlast 3 hours? You sure are cocky.”
“I want to make it last a whole night, if I can. And who said I’m the one that has to outlast you?”
Your tongue poked the inside of your cheek, arousal pooling between your legs at the thought alone. You cried in anguish, feeling the burn of his smile as he gazed back at you tauntingly. “You’re such a tease. Why do you keep riling me up?”
“I’m just giving you a fair warning.”
You shook his shoulders frustratingly, “Stop, it’s hot…”
“I’m not the one in someone's lap right now.”
“You’re the one that pulled me on here! You want me so bad right now, admit it.”
“Of course, I want you, but you could’ve left anytime you wanted to. Your impetuosity will be your downfall one day. ”
You leaned in, pushing a long strand of hair behind his ear, “Fine, at least kiss me a little bit. How have we come this far and not even kissed?”
He thumbed over your lips, “Kissing is too tempting for you.”
“Are you sure you’re not projecting?” You grinned cheekily.
He grinned, letting his fingers fall on the pulse on your neck, accelerating at an alarming rate, “Maybe I am, but tell me right now you can kiss me without thinking about wanting to fuck me.”
“…Fuck!” You shoved yourself off his lap, his hands loosening his reins on your body before you stormed into the restroom with your things. “I hate you, I’m getting ready early!”
Since getting there, you’ve pretty much used every opportunity to infiltrate your—still to be determined—partner’s personal space, and for the most part, he’s welcomed it. He’s even encouraged it by initiating hugs from behind or welcoming you to the warmth of his lap on the couch, despite the fact that there were plenty of other places to sit. You both found that you enjoyed this game of cat and mouse, perhaps built over from the time apart, but you knew eventually tonight, you’d see the end of that tail because that mouse tonight would be yours.
However, for now, Seungcheol kept his healthy distance, while you kept yours. Besides the playful glances in the mirror, or the snarky remarks thrown behind a door or wall, you have seemed to have settled on a momentary truce for the sake of time management. He allowed you the privilege to hog the full-body mirror in his bedroom, which you could only assume was to check his body’s progress given the large tub of protein powder on the dresser beside it. And before either of you knew it, the minutes were ticking by, getting closer to the time of the charity event. 
Seungcheol was just about finished, ready to set out for the evening. His suit was tailored to fit, his cufflinks were properly fastened, and his hair was properly waxed. Now all that was left was his date, hopefully finished getting ready in the neighboring bedroom. 
“Time check. We have ten minutes and counting on the clock until we have to leave. Please...” 
Hearing his voice beckoning from the bathroom, you readily spun from the mirror, standing before him with the reason why the remaining words that were meant to pass his lips were lodged down his throat. With the exception of sleeves draping past your shoulders, every inch of your body was wrapped in a rich plum that reached the floor, hugging your frame in a way the office manager couldn’t even imagine. The smug smile on your face reached your ears as you made your way to him in strides, glimpses of your legs peeking through the slit of the fabric before you stopped just a few feet away, covering the rest of you once again.
“I’m just about done. What do you think?” You asked curiously, hoping your efforts were well received.
He approached you in caution, intently circling you like a vulture until a final decision was made. “Denied.”
Your eyes shot back at him, spinning a bewildered 360 of the dress, not thinking rejection was possible with this appearance. “What?"
“You can’t wear that.”
“Why? At least give me a reason.”
He sighed. “You look good, that’s the problem.”
The ends of your mouth curled, crossing over your chest bashfully as you posed from the side playfully. “Are you worried people will look at me all night?”
Holding you by your shoulders, he led you towards the mirror, forcing yourself to face your own reflection as his shadowed behind yours. “People are gonna look at you regardless…The problem is that I will be looking at you all night.”
You let out pleased laughter before meeting eyes back in the mirror, seeing his hunger festering in his eyes as he gazed at you through the mirrored image. The digits of his hands pressed into your bare shoulders, releasing a chill down your spine. “What was that? About you saying that I’d ravish you?”
Your smile melted right off your face, recognizing that face immediately, but for the first time, he had it on entirely sober. His hands ran down your arms to settle on your hips. His lips beckoned closer the nape of your neck, hair standing as his warm breath ghosted your skin. “D-did I say that?” You asked anxiously, feeling the sensation migrate to the tip of your ears. “I’m not sure.”
“Yes, because you know very well I would, and I am just about three seconds away from exhibiting evidence that supports your hypothesis.”
Giving your waist one last squeeze, he slid his hands, palming over your breasts through your dress and locating your nipples as he ran his touch over them, catching your subtle jolt through the reflection. Catching them between his middle knuckles, he wedged them in a tight pinch, perking up as he cradled your breasts tauntingly in his hands.
“T-the risk, Cheol,” you managed to choke out through your gasps, throwing his words back at him, but your efforts were in vain. His smile briefly graced his face before pressing his gaping mouth on the side of your neck. His dark chuckles hummed against your neck as his half-lidded gaze stared back at you in the mirror intoxicatingly. You had never felt more glued to the ground.
“One…”
He gently kneaded them in his grasp, earning a soft gasp as he pressed his body against yours. The thick lining not doing justice to the body you knew he had underneath and that you craved to see just as much. Meanwhile, his enamel grazed the exposed skin on your neck before full lips pressed down, tasting your skin for the first time. The action caused his bulge to move on its own, twitching against your back, and had him so close to swallowing down his inhibitions to do whatever the hell he wanted.
“D-didn’t you say we’d be leaving soon?” You asked, whimpering. You nervously watched as one of his hands moved south to finger over the slit of your dress, subtly hinting what’s next on his mind.
“You weren't the only one between the two of us that struggled this past week. Maybe I should just forgo everything we have on our agenda tonight and stay here with you…two…”
His hand slid beneath the fabric finally and cupped over your heat. His middle finger tracing over your slit with your panties in the way as he sighed into your neck. He inhaled your perfume as he dragged his tongue across your skin, the slick sensation making you clench around nothing.
“Seungcheol, please…”
“Should I? Should I drop everything and better utilize my time tonight to ravish and fuck you like the monster you make me out to be?”
He pushed his digit lengthwise, wedging between your folds as he rubbed, pulling moans out of your throat. He pressed open mouth kissed on your neck as pressure was placed on your clit, his eyes following how you writhed under his touch, but showed no sign of protest. Even when you verbally conveyed doubt, your hand hovered over his that claimed your core and pushed him closer. Your pleading eyes begged for satisfaction as they stared at him through the mirror, the bottom lip caught between your teeth refusing to reveal your mutual lust, so he took action.
“...Three.”
His tongue landed a thick stripe before diving deeper into the crook of your neck whilst his digits reached past your panties, your moan echoing as it bounced off the walls in response, and he felt your pussy in its rawness as its juices coated him. He gasped into your skin, teeth clamping down on his bottom lip before attacking the opposite side of your neck. The hand that held your breast pinching you between his knuckles, teasing the shape in his hands and shallowly groaning in your neck.
He bent you forward, forcing your hands against the mirror as his fingers explored you deeper. From that point, you didn’t see a point in denying it, his fingers inside you meant that you were that much closer to the real thing. Your mewls flooded his ears, his impatience wearing thin, and it worsened as he learned how it felt when you clenched around him. He let out a guttural groan, digging his backside into you as your shared breaths fogged on the glass in the mirror, consuming you both with an insatiable appetite you could only satisfy together.
Meanwhile, you were doing mental gymnastics, knowing the charity event tonight in the back of your mind as the man worshipping you was at the forefront. You had responsibility as his date for tonight to make his appearance happen for the sake of his reputation, for the approval of his superior and because they would be expecting him. But it wasn’t until you stared into his eyes—the ones that fell in a haze of lust and desire for you that you realized succumbing to weakness was a lot more gratifying.
Then a loud alarm went off, vibrating in Seungcheol’s back pocket. All movement stopped, just as did your pleasure, and he removed his lips from your neck while using the hand once fondling your breast to retrieve his phone, sighing at the screen. He pulled away, much to your dismay, and there was not hiding the perplexity on your face as he reverted back to his default state. “I knew this would happen.”
“You set an alarm on your phone?!”
His hand once inside you glistened in your arousal was cleaned up in the matter seconds as he sucked them off clean, smiling back at you with his eyes before getting a quick wash in the sink. Hardly two seconds were spared to give you the time to be shocked that he ate you off his fingers. “There was a risk. I had to be equipped for every possible situation.”
“...You set an alarm on our foreplay knowing it would happen?!”
Instead of answering, he escorted you out of the house and into the car, despite your distress. He chuckled, helping you buckle your seat while you crossed your arms, kissing your cheek before honing his focus on the road. And thereafter, he felt your eyes burning a hole into the side of his head as your horny rumblings became his music throughout the drive. Most of it was incoherent with the exception of few ‘fuck’s or ‘mean tease,’ but as he took your hand in his, you both enveloped in a warmth silence, letting that moment set the mood for the rest of the evening. 
Leading up to the steps of the building of the venue, you expected some level of extravagance, but the venue was to the level neither of you expected, impressing you both upon arrival. Entering, you’re welcomed with the smell of decadent food, old architecture, and wealth. Everywhere you looked, there was something new that’d catch your eye, leaving you in a state of perpetual fascination. Meanwhile, Seungcheol, with his elbow safely linked with yours, had only subtly skimmed the room, trying to find familiar faces and the host of this event.
They looked no further as the hosts themselves, Mr. Lee along with his beautiful wife, came from the sides to greet you both gregariously, welcoming you to enjoy the food, the live entertainment, and what else that was being offered while the night was young. You both thanked them, complimenting them on the choice in venue and told them you were looking forward to the rest of the night.
They bidded you a farewell as of then and continued to greet other guests, letting you pass through the threshold into the ballroom area, the heart of the entire building. It bustled with soft jazz and well dressed guests, all speaking to one another with a drink in one hand and passed appetizers in the other.
Before you could breathe another word, a tray of champagne flutes was shoved in your faces. “Champagne?” The waiter asked.
You plucked the flute right out of Seungcheol’s hands the moment he selected one and placed it back on the tray. “No, not tonight. Dry night,” you politely smiled at the waiter before they moved on to the next poor sap within distance.
You looked at your date, staring at him with a stern expression as he raised an eyebrow. “I did you a favor. Drinking will only impede on your efforts to abstain,” You said, mocking his tone of voice.
He gave you a smug grin. “Although you’re mocking me, I’m proud of you. Especially for knowing the word impede.”
In playful irritation, you licked the back of your molars before roughly tugging him along to the refreshment spread and with his dimpled grin hugging his cheeks as he trailed after you.
Throughout the night, Seungcheol saw faces new and old, getting as many names and business cards as he possibly could. Though he knew he was ready to leave as soon as he arrived, prepared with objectives and set of goals that would better him business wise. Nevertheless, he found himself enjoying other people’s company, but the reason for that was you. 
You lit up the room, like you’ve lit up the last couple months you’ve seen each other. He pretended he didn’t notice it before and realized it’s something he wouldn’t be able to deny now. He hadn’t intended on gaining a new fear, he had no choice in the matter. Losing you was something he couldn’t put himself through again.
As a kid, Seungcheol had no control over his life. His parents had found out he had been getting distracted. Somehow, they learned he spent time outside of practice, in addition to skipping them, and with a girl nonetheless. They decided to nip the problem in the bud.
At some point, all of the competitions, all the pressure to please his parents and fit their mold, had made him believe that you–the person he had gotten the closest to–wanted to sabotage him and his accomplishments. He was told you were someone that would weaken him, that would dull his senses. An obstacle in the way of his true potential. He didn’t want to believe it, and initially he didn’t, until he took notice of the friendships you created outside taekwondo classes, how warm and familiar they looked, as if the one you two had wasn’t anything special. It made him angry, and he grew this animosity towards you. Suddenly, the words that were being shouted at him were starting to feel as if they had some truth.
At eleven years old, at the peak of hormones, when young Seungcheol saw you, he saw red and didn’t even want to speak with you. You tried your best to see his frustration and get through to him, but he had already gotten too far, or at least you thought he had. One day at practice, you found rocks in your shoes, rocks sharp enough to cut through skin. You screamed at what felt like an indescribable pain, forced to get stitches on the soles of your feet and avoid the ground for about a few weeks.
With the events that happened recently, all evidence pointed to Seungcheol, and although you didn’t want to believe it, who else could it have been? He was worried. Of course, he wouldn’t have done that, but then he heard you start pointing fingers. Now, he thought this was one of your tricks. One of those things you had set up to ruin him. Just like your presence fucked with his mind and caused him to be the weakest version himself to ever exist. And yet, he still cried for you, hoping that you were still okay.
But it turned out his parents just needed a little money and some help from a third party to accidentally drop a few loose rocks and spread some middle school gossip. 
Eventually it all became too much. You were forced apart. Seungcheol’s parents moved him away, and your parents never let you do taekwondo again. And nothing ever tied you back together. Until a couple months ago.
He hadn’t learned that until years later until adulthood, just before he cut contact with his family. The anger he once had for you had evolved to guilt, and since forging the contract to fake date, he made a commitment to himself to keep you at arm’s length. He couldn't do that any more. Obviously. But not because he had an affinity for you.
You made him come to realize that everything goes according to plan, but not always on his plan. Whatever he had scheduled in his agenda, or was on his long lists of tasks, it didn’t matter. Timing had a way of steering your boat, often off course, and sometimes you just had to be along for the ride. 
“We can’t leave yet!” You whispered, your giggles softly echoing from the walls.
“We’re not trying to leave,” Seungcheol softly retorted, dragging you in the darkness of a dark corridor, deprived of guests and warm lighting.
You narrowed your eyes at him suspiciously, “Then, what are we doing?”
“I…wanted to get some privacy with my girlfriend.”
You melted, taking his hands in yours and swaying them gently in the air. “You’ve never called me that before. Not even when…you know.”
His hand brushed over your waist, pulling you towards him, gazing at you with tenderness in his eyes you couldn’t even fathom for words. “Amongst the lies, I didn’t want that to be one of them.”
You softly sighed, burying your head into his chest until he gently pulled you back by your cheeks, cupping to feel the heat of his palms fuse with the heat of your face. You were putty in his grasp, malleable to his touch, following his hands as he swayed you to the muted sounds of the music seeping out of the doors leading through the ballroom. Nothing could take you away from him. Part of you envied the fact that he was experiencing all these feelings, knowing it was his first, but you wondered if you had truly ever felt this way for anyone else.
“What are you doing to me, Choi Seungcheol?” You uttered in awe.
He let out a wistful sigh, a soft chuckle making past his lips. “I’ve been wanting to ask you that same question.”
He thumbed the side of your face, parting his mouth as you radiated back at him with anticipation, and slotting your lips between his. He held you with a gentle hand, holding you as if you were delicate enough to break if he wasn’t careful, languidly moving to your comfort, and warmth bloomed in his chest feeling you kiss him back. You threw your arms around his neck, deepening your lip lock as your heart tightened in your chest, the once ache and longing you’ve felt when reuniting with this man finally resolved by a chaste kiss. 
As you reluctantly parted, you were overcome with tears, staring back at him with flushed cheeks and quickly his thumbs were placed under your tear ducts. His rounded eyes ran over you in concern, while holding your face for a clear inspection. “Did I hurt you?”
You shook your head reassuringly, gripping the lapels of his suit. “I liked it…I like you. I like you so, so much.”
He smiled relieved, kissing your forehead with his. “I like you,” he softly confessed, “yesterday, today, tomorrow, and always.”
Your smile broke out, and now you met him halfway, holding his body against you as you cherished his lips longer than the first and savored how they melted together effortlessly. Holding you by the waist and feeling you tangible under the heat of his palms, Seungcheol was in bliss knowing that every ounce of your entire being was his. He deepened his impression on you remembering that, and you returned the gesture. Gradually, the warm tenderness transitioned into a feverish rush, moving as if you were in a race with time.
The once sweet kiss festered to the extent of muffling moans when you suddenly tugged on his bottom lip with your mouth, tension coiling in an already aroused man’s stomach. That caused you to be backed against a wall, his torso pinning you down with his body flushed against yours as his tongue learned to trace the inside of your mouth. You held him by the back of his neck, carding your fingers impulsively through his styled hair, growing reckless and ignorant to your surroundings with only sex on your mind. And like minded, your boyfriend got bold sliding a hand through the slit and hooking a leg to his side. He took a full stroke down its length before it reached up your thigh and finally the curve of your ass, squeezing the flesh in a tight grip and unearthing a whimper that was too late to suppress.
Your lips parted for a moment, giving him an accusatory glance before he quickly offered his snap rebuttal of, “I told you this dress would be a problem,” before closing the distance once again.
In the darkest part of that corridor, you shared an unforgettable moment, brimming it with as many kisses and intimate caresses as possible until it had to be cut short when Seungcheol quickly realized this vicinity was also on the way to one of the bathrooms if the other happened to be unavailable. Soon after, you both enjoyed the rest of the evening the best you could in the ballroom, doing your share of participating in charity bids and eating desserts that would later come out. The night went as smoothly as it could’ve and lasted a little longer into the night until guests were starting to leave, giving the strategic office manager an opening to make an exit as well. Then that's when the real festivities began.
You practically raced him to his front door, feeling him crash into you from behind with his lips against your neck as you barely passed through, put in the code, and let the automatic lock fulfill its purpose. Shoes were kicked off to who knows where as teeth clumsily clicked together, impatience setting you both ablaze. Seungcheol, hurling his jacket on the ground, claimed your face in one hand, squeezing the meat of your ass in the other through the slit of your dress and hiking it up to your waist.
“Fuck, this dress,” he grumbled, meeting your hips with his to feel the build up swelling in the crotch of his pants, emitting a moan from your lips as you clawed over his torso.
You fiddled over his buttons, undoing them and tossing the dress shirt aside and leaning against a wall and getting into the habit of swirling his tongue with yours as he crushed himself against your lips.
“You really had nothing to drink?” You joked, tracing over his abdomen to feel his tense under your palms.
“I wanted to be sober for this. Now how the fuck do you take this damn thing off?”
You gave a wide grin. “Zipper on the back.”
He flipped you over in an instant, your palms instantly pressed on the wall as he tried to find the zipper so seamlessly hidden in the garment work.
“Finally.” As he pulled it down, he left with another big surprise, one that he should’ve realized from the beginning if he hadn’t been so blind in lust. “I thought I felt something different when I touched you today, but the entire time, you had no bra.”
“You can’t wear one with this dress,” you justified. “And I saved you the rookie mistake of having to struggle with taking off the bra for the first time.”
“What makes you think it’s the first time?”
You snapped your head at him. “Did you—“
He chuckled, kissing you along your spine, “Just because I’m a virgin doesn’t mean I’m entirely clueless. I think I’ve proven that more than enough.”
He reached underneath the dress to follow up your chest, feeling your breasts in both his hands as his index fingers stimulate your buds enough to perk. Landing a final kiss to the small of your back, he straightened back up, lips reaching your ear. “But don’t worry, I’ve never had to do that for anyone. I was just really excited to do it on you.”
His tongue flicked at your ear before biting, grinding himself against your ass that backed into his touch, earning him a mewl from the depths of your throat. 
“I really can’t get you out of my head sometimes,” he admitted, letting the straps of the dress fall along with the weight of the rest of it. He let out a guttural groan at the reveal, teeth sinking into your shoulder to contain himself. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and coaxed him to flip you back over, leaving him to face your erect buds pointing back at him, the soft curves of your breasts, and almost every flushed, naked inch—with the small exception of your clothed, drenched heat—of your body. 
“And now I never fucking will,” he griped, breathlessly.
“Cheol, please, I’m already so fucking wet,” you cried.
He held up a shaking hand and ran the other repeatedly through his hair in anguish, catching his breath as eyes running over you in clear bafflement. “I’m really trying to process everything I’m looking at right now, wow—fuck, you’re so beautiful.”
You sighed, feeling hotter the longer his eyes lingered on your body, but growing equally as agitated. “If you don’t do something right now—so help me, god—”
And right at that second, he was on his knees, fingertips at the top hem of your panties before pulling them down to your ankles as his eyes never left yours. His lips puckered, parting anxiously kissed up your shins, leaving a trail of migrating goosebumps. “Tell me what I should do, I’m not above being taught right from wrong.”
You covered your face with the back of your hand, hiding your diffidence, “F-from down there, are you crazy?”
His lips continued their worship, hands grasping at your thighs to spread them apart, leading up to your inner skin lightly covered in film of your overflowing arousal. To earn a wanton moan, his tongue ran a long stripe, dragging his bottom lip with him, before sucking the rest of you off clean. As the squelching reached your ears, tingling sensations dispersed throughout your hands and toes, furling your digits as your heels dug into the floor.
Your shallow gasps exited your body as pleasure entered, feeling him delve between your folds. Albeit, it reflected on the extent of his experience, but it showed promise, and as soon as he learned to follow directions, he proved just how much he was committed to learning the craft.
“Mmh, move a little higher.”
“Higher,” He raised his finger, “there?”
You chuckled, “Too high now, a smidge lower.”
“There?”
“Now it’s too low, again.” You grabbed him by the back of his head, stared back down at his pretty rounded eyes, before aligning his lips correctly in the smack middle, his mouth curling up at his target in relief. “Bingo.”
You’re scoffing at him, thinking he’s reacting as if he’s the one who uncovered the clit, until you felt him suck, striking you down with a ripples of shock as fire pooled and then exploded in your abdomen. The suction tensed your body before he reintroduced his tongue in sharp flicks, and you can’t help the strength you put into roughly yanking his hair, only for this manic laughter to vibrate up and your blooming core.
“Laughing?” You asked between clenched teeth, “while you’re driving me–ah–nuts?”
“Just happy this is a particular skill you can teach me,” He responded cheekily.
“You’re such a smartass.”
He raised a thick eyebrow before penetrating his tongue through your folds while his top lip grinded on your bud. Endlessly, his jaw hungrily worked into your pussy to the sound of your voice, noting how you would clench around his tongue, until he was tasting cum—your cum—in his mouth for the first time. Somehow, just the taste fueled the greed already instilled in him, his eyes blazed with a childish sense of mischief.
Now you were really wondering whether teaching him was a good idea if he was to learn this well that quickly.
Seungcheol tried making it upstairs, but with the way you were bruising his lips made him antsy, impatient, and plain fucking horny. He dropped you at the top of the steps, your bare ass kissing the cool laminated wood. “I can’t fucking take it anymore.”
“Cheol!” Your tits found his mouth, sucking and drawing circles with tongue as he single handedly tried unbuckling his pants kneeling on the steps. “The room—ah—it’s just right there!”
When the belt buckle broke free, he unlooped from his pants and threw it behind him, the clang of the metal and slap of leather descending down the steps. “I feel like I might explode if I’m not inside you right now,” he rasped.
You cupped his cheeks—seeing lust starting to cloud voice of reason—and tried to ease him in with a sweet smile. Soothing him with a calming voice, you reined in his attention. “Look at me. Do you have protection on you right now?”
He shook his head frantically, “It’s in the room.”
“As hot as it would be to do it right here, right now, we need that, okay? We just have to take a few more steps, and then you can do anything you want with me. Can you be a good boy and do that for me?”
Seungcheol froze, mouth agape, visibly absorbing the words that just left your lips, and you wondered if you had just killed the mood—or worse, his boner. You gulped, parting your lips to retract your statement if you needed to before he crashed his lips on yours. He pulled you between his teeth, sucking and devouring at your lips as the tent between his legs prodding at your thigh twitch incessantly. Swiftly, he picked you up, wrapping your legs around his torso and arms around his neck.
“I can be a good boy…I can be a real good boy…” he went and started bolting into the bedroom.
He dropped you on the bed, climbing on top of you and reclaiming your lips with ravenous need. As well an incline of sharp breaths, you heard him struggle getting his pants off, feeling the sweat of his skin adhere to the fabric as they chafed his thick thighs. “Gotta be fucking kidding–”
“Hey,” You softly whispered, caressing his cheeks hot to the touch. “Let me help you.”
You pushed him off the bed to land on his feet, sinking your knees into the mattress, and patiently pulled the leg of the pants off his thigh to his ankles one at a time. He loomed over you anxiously, his thighs tingling as your nails brushed against him, roaming up and breaching the fabric of his briefs. His breath hitched in his throat, his teeth clenched and jaw locked in place, as your eyes slowly met, sultry with the soft pout of your lips and gentle batting of your eyes.
You fingered at his waistband, stretching the elastic. “Do you want me to help with these too?”
His mind went blank, fuck. This is why he drank. He swallowed the confirmation that burned and died on his tongue before finally nodding, stroking the back of your head encouragingly. He pushed his bottom lip in his mouth to bite down, watching as you advanced towards him when suddenly your teeth made contact with his torso.
Eyes shooting at you to see the heady look in your eyes as your enamel scraped down his abdomen, letting goosebumps take real estate up his arms and legs, and bite down on the hem before you took a cheeky pull. You let out a soft laugh, the breath that came with it producing a violent lurch that joined you both a tad more closer, and your lips now found themselves kissing his abdomen as his size nuzzled under your chin. His mouth dropped, his groan melting into moans as his eyes stayed lecherously glued to you, managing to choke out, “Sorry.”
You softly hummed before continuing. Gradually you pulled back by the waistband, teeth inevitably grazing skin, lips lightly brushing over the shaft, until you finally unraveled him as he landed on your face with a flop.
The image could’ve put him in cardiac arrest; he wasn’t even sure if he was alive now.
“Oh gosh,” you cooed, watching the pink on his face turn a bright red. “No wonder you can’t control yourself. You’re huge. I’d be horny all the time too with this log in my pants.”
“I can make that happen.”
You narrowed your eyes at his sudden change in tune. “We’re calling your manufacturer to get rid of your humor setting.”
“So you think I’m funny?”
You took a beat. “What are you doing?”
“…I don’t know. My cock on your face is making me sound stupid. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism.”
With an airy laugh, you let his briefs fall to his ankles as the head of his cock ghosted over your mouth. Licking your lips, your tongue flicked at tip before leaving a small peck, leaving a titillating shiver run down his spine. “Then why don’t you close that pretty mouth and let mine take care of that for you?”
Without getting his answer, you descended to the base, tongue licking the underside of his shaft before you wrapped your lips and sucked on the head, and all with no hands. His nails dug into his thigh, deep white crescents forming as you bobbed deeper, your cheeks hugging tighter around his girth. A distraught sigh slipped past his firmly pressed lips as the sensation of your tongue swirling against his veins to taste his musk and engulf him in a slick, sweltering heat.
“You…you’re really…damn it,” he grunted, his hand claiming the back of your head as you’ve already reached half his length. “You’re…you’re really gonna take all of it?”
Enthralled with a sense of challenge, you batted your lashes and inhaled a sharp breath before your mouth sank down. Your cheeks hollowed, letting the pressure rub against the perimeter, gripping him in your mouth as the saliva that pooled eased him inside, and gradually got closer to his groin as you swallowed more. In turn, his grip grew tighter, gathering more of your hair to hold it high and out of way, your pretty face and swollen lips in clear view. 
“Fuck…I’m…Why are you so good at this?” He softly whined before you’re just about over an inch away to reach his base, feel him hit the back of your throat.
You moaned with him inside your mouth, drool dripping along your chin, undulating him at an unforeseeable pace that he could only watch as he dipped deeper inside you. Your hand flattened against his abdomen, caressing and tracing over his form before clasping over his sides, digging your fingers in his torso to grip him before your lips reached the groin. You tightly shut your eyes, letting the cock squeeze down your throat, and you held him in place as tears collected in your eyes.
Seungcheol carried out a heavy groan, softly rocking his hips in your mouth when he felt himself twitch, bursting with arousal, and he couldn’t handle the pressure seeing the anguish on your face. As gently as he could, he pulled you right off him, ensuing them coughing, gagging, and gasping for air as his hands fell off your hair, cradling your cheeks in his hands as your makeup visibly streaked down your face. “Why would you hurt yourself like that?” he growled.
And despite the look of suffering, you smiled, kissing into his palm. “Because I wanted to feel you down my throat,” you answer plainly, as if it was the normal response in the world.
His cock softly perked, quickly shielded it in his hands before you took them away and held the cock up to your face once more. Your lips curved to the sides in a soft kiss, thumbing over a vein. “You never thought of me deep throating you before? I have.”
“I…I never considered the possibility, honestly,” he quietly admitted.
“Well, this time watch, and don’t stop me.”
You fisted him at his base, spitting on him and dropping a long translucent ribbon stretching from your lips before you welcomed him back in your mouth. He tried refraining his hands from seizing your efforts, unsure what to do with them until you took one and let it fall back on your hair, guiding him to push your head down to take control.
This was such foreign territory, he didn’t know what was good for him. He just found out sex—or the theory of it—felt good about a week ago. Before that, he’s only had about a handful of masturbation sessions, none of which were exceedingly successful and mediocre at best, and not without your help. Besides, he’s only ever thought about what would make you feel good, not himself, so it didn’t really matter. He just knew he didn’t think he could find the raw emotional and animalistic feelings he’s had for you in anyone else even if he tried. You put his head somewhere out of his own body and now, he needed to trust you, like you were trusting him.
He took your hair in his grip and watched you stretch his cock between your lips, getting closer to getting pulled over his entirety and hitting the back of your throat, only this time, he’d let you. As you inched closer to his groin, he found himself observing with bated breath, jaw fallen slack as his hips slowly rolled into your mouth, teetering to the edge of conquest.
“Shit, shit, shit.” He muffled his moans in his fists as you ran him in your mouth, gagging on him as you reached the final destination and let him plug your airways. The squelching and moisture burned his ears as you built tension in his cock, slobbering and making every second of suction worth the loss of oxygen. You dragged his torso, pulling him down until he had you lying flat on your back, wantonly sucking with sheer hunger and desperation like you’ve been wanting the past week since that Bach party until you had a Seungcheol cock shaped mold for a throat.
He couldn’t even hold himself back, towering over you as hands balled into the sheets and knees dug into the mattress. He buried his head into his duvet as his stomach clenched, letting the waves of his orgasm follow through his hips and shake as they took the form of thrusts into your mouth, combusting inside you helplessly and every ounce of ivory white squeezed down your throat, lumpy pumps visibly rolling beneath the skin of your neck.
“Fuck!”
He rolled off you, throwing a hand over his eyes and overcome in embarrassment as the red covered every inch of his body while white flooded your mouth and seeped past your impish smile.
“Why would you fucking do that? That's the last thing I wanted to do? Shit.” Seungcheol whined, burning his face in a pillow.
You crawled over him, chest to chest as you rested your forearms over his clavicle. “A little revenge for what you fucking did a little before we left for that event.”
“This was way worse. And I apologized.”
“No you didn’t!”
“Me getting on my knees was the apology.”
“You thoroughly enjoyed that.”
“A win-win,” he brought your head down to taste your lips, surprisingly not repulsed by the fact that his own organ and release has been inside you, even licking the bit of it from the corner of your lips. “So…in two minutes, can you let me put my dick inside you already—between your legs so we’re being clear?”
You laughed so hard, before pressing your cheek against his. “Yes. God, yes.”
“Nevermind, I can’t wait.”
He toppled over you, pressing his weight over you, nipping your ear before reaching into his bedside, grabbing something just out of view that you barely make out in the corner of your eye.
“The party favors from last week? You still have those? I thought we lost them.”
“Did you ever look at them?”
You shook your head, unsure. “Maybe a quick look before I threw it in the bag.”
He uncovered something shiny in colorful packaging and waved it over your face. Your eyes shot open in pleasant surprise. “Condoms. Flavored condoms. This has Eunbi written all over it.”
“There’s also flavored lube, sex dice, and a full can of whip cream for some reason. Everything else seemed normal,” he added with a question mark.
“Unfortunately, flavored condoms would’ve only been useful about a minute ago before you exploded inside my throat.”
He cleared his throat, tossing the colorful wrapping before holding on to something else shiny and familiar. “No worries. They also included unflavored. Trojan, your favorite.”
“You’re unbelievable,” you softly scoffed, before his mouth stole your voice, mingling your breaths. 
“No,” he refuted in a breathy tone, “you are.”
His upper thigh nudged against your molten heat and let your wetness coat his lower body. He ripped open the wrapping out of view, carefully looking down to lift his torso and roll rubber over the length before smiling when you helped him secure it in place. Your eyes met, exacerbating that heat that felt as tangible as your intertwined bodies, as the key to putting it out laid stiff and snug in between. 
Your hand combed through his hair, the fusion of sweat and spice wafting over you as your legs hooked against his sides. “Put it in me…”
His fingers caressed over your slit, feeling you soak his fingers. “You’re really wet,” he breathed, swooningly.
“And I can’t wait any longer.”
“Me neither.”
The curve of the head prodded at your entrance, rubbing against your slick folds before easing through your entrance and exhaling a deep breath of relief. You quelled a moan threatening to spill from your lips, clasping your hands over your neck as he cushioned the pressure with his mouth on yours. He felt your stiff peaks and the curves of your breasts softly rub against his chest, pressing his hand to your waist as your back arched closer to his touch.
Seungcheol’s soft groans heated your cheeks as his hips dipped deeper between your legs, pulsing in soft angled thrusts. The way you fluttered around his fingers earlier that day was what you were doing now around his cock, driving him up a wall, putting him through a fit of shakes, and he peppered frenzied kisses on your face in response. 
“You drive me crazy,” he achingly whispered.
You moaned as his lips buried in your neck, mouthing over your throat as his teeth lightly grazed skin, feeling him fill you deeper with the submerge of every inch. “Cheol,” you quietly murmured, your eyes fluttered in and out of focus, “Fast, slow…whatever you want, I can take it.”
He moved sweaty strands of hair out of your way, “I want you to enjoy it too.”
“It’s you. You know I will,” you reassured before propping your legs on him and clamping down, slamming him against you to get the full taste of his arousal and hitting the hilt deep within you, earning a guttural groan unearthed from the depths of his throat. He thought he was starting to get used to your body, and sometimes not at all. Not when you do this.
“You’re…you’re so fucking impatient,” he hissed, clinging to you against in contrary to his tone.
You caught your bottom lip between your teeth, grinding up hungrily to grow friction between your clit on his groin, muffled whines being pulled out of you as Seungcheol dragged himself out to only plunge himself back in. Your teeth sunk into his shoulder, nails dug into his back. You held onto that sensation until he duplicated it again and again, leaving you slack-jawed as he turned one-two-three thrusts to an endless cycle.
“Cheol, oh my god,” you moaned, throwing your head back into the sheets, your digits furling and tension in your stomach coiling.
“Yes,” he managed to muster, clearing the messy hair away from your face, endeared by the way your legs twitched around his torso and how your eyes glisten with adoration that made him feel loved and made him never want his eyes to stray. “Tell me.”
“You’re making me feel so good,” you delicately cooed.
“Yeah?” He sweetly cupped your face, rolling his hips before taking a sharp thrust. “I feel good inside you?”
You nodded, your hand ran in his hair, wistfully staring back as you licked your lips. “In me so deep,” needy hips snapping back into him. “Fucking me so good.”
“Shit,” he moaned, clenching his abdomen in pride before his thrusts hastened. Eyes ripping open, you threw your head forward, your nails penetrated his forearms, you bellowed a carnal roar, startling him but not stopping him.
“That hurt?”
“No…More…” you growled in anguish, your appetite far from vanquished. 
Your eyes rolled back as skin collided like cymbals, crashing and burning against one another loudly and hard. Everything around you started to fade out of view until it was just Seungcheol, who would stop at nothing to please you. And please you he did when your lips slotted together, tracing the shape of our mouth with tongues before you felt it peeking, teetering on the edge of its arrival, clawing at your door.
“I’m close,” you harshly whispered, “Fuck, I’m so close.”
He was smart, he took the hint. “Keep going? Or go faster?”
“…faster?”
“Okay.”
“Wai—ah-ahh—“
You squeezed around him, tightening every limb as it clung to every part of him as he rammed into you, somehow still rock hard, and with energy left to give it to you harder. You felt every inch of him in that moment of ecstasy. His girth stretched your walls, his length hollowing you out until you’re nothing without him and you might as well be, and your tongue sinfully on stuck his name as it branded you. 
“I’m cumming, Seungcheol! I'm cumming!”
Your stomach would tense, his name coming out as a sound of anguish, plead, elation. You latched on to him, holding on as your release may adhere to him, spilling on him and only him as you shook, trembling before he reclaimed your lips, his distraction soothing and easing your mind.
“Hey,” he softly muttered, pressing a kiss to the corner of your lips. “You okay?”
“More than that,” you quietly answered, with a growing grin.
“You…kinda lost it there.”
You rolled your eyes, swiveling your head away from him. “Oh, shut up.”
He grinned before landing on his back beside, quickly disposing of the condom just out of view.
“You’re way worse than me,” he pointed out, making you slap him on the chest.
“Enough.”
But he didn’t seem to think so. “So, that’s what nymphomania is like firsthand.”
“Okay, you wanna have a go? I have energy for a fight, I can still fight, you know,” he pulled you towards him, holding your arms in place and feeling you writhe in his grip.
“That's alright. I don’t mind, as long as I’m on the other end of it.”
For a while, it’s silence and just each other's presence. You both laid side by side, your sweat and fatigue just hanging in the air for you both to bask in. You nuzzled up to him closer, feeling him turn to his side to face you, and your eyes lock as they always do: with a strike of electricity right through them. 
“You’re so pretty,” he complimented softly, gently touching your face, the heat blooming rapidly between his fingers.
“And you’re so…hot. Shit.” You laid back down flat, your cheeks and ears burning in clarity.
He looked over you, eyebrow ascending in puzzlement before chuckling and retrieving you. “Is my sexual appeal frustrating to you?”
You groaned. “You’re so annoying. Had to be you of all people, oh my god,” you exasperatedly grumbled.
He spun you back to face him, his smile the most annoyingly handsome thing about him. “I would hope it’s me, because for me it’s only you. I don’t want anyone else. I don’t want to look. I know you’re who I want.”
“…Fuck!” You shouted from the top of your lungs before crashing your lips onto his, revving your engines and reigniting the fire kindling in your stomach that had only been briefly subdued.
Even at all hours of the night, when you lost track of time,  you never got tired of that face. Flushed, elated as he faced you, swollen mouths meeting harmoniously, as your bodies fit together and you claimed his lap. His length plunged inside as you sank down on him, colliding against the muscles of his thigh as your walls fluttered around his cock to the rhythm of his thrusts. Your arms looped securely around his neck as one of his arms tucked over your back closed and teased a bouncing, lively breast with the other.
“Like that please,” you pleaded, breathlessly.
“That good?” He asked, moving his hand to the meat of your ass, undulating you towards him. “Do you like that?”
You nodded, every nerve in your body restless as he stimulated every possible sense you had, making you reel with pleasure. “Fuck yes, like that, shit.”
He whimpered as your thighs squeezed around him, bowing his head to capture your nipple in his mouth, sucking and swirling until you squealed uncontrollably, dragging your hips with the force of his hands for better control.
“God, you’re so fucking sexy,” he gritted before planting his shins on the mattress, lifting his ass and groin up before thrusting up into with accelerated strength and speed.
You let out a large gasp before that familiar growl, clinging to him before your nails pierced and clawed his back muscle, feeling him reach there depths that have only led to happy endings. “Fuck, cheol!”
“Shit, what I wouldn’t do for you…for your pretty face, pretty eyes, pretty voice, pretty hair—fuck, it makes me want to put my cum in you!” Tension rising in his legs as he thrusted harder, anything you once saw in front of you was gone when your vision had disappeared to the back of your mind.
“Mmmh, that’s so good, don’t fucking stop!” You raggedly cried.
His hands splayed over the curve of your ass, squeezed and bounced you on him deeper while sucking and running his tongue over your tits as if he was starved. Nothing could pry either of you off each other, and the noises that culminated and bleed through the walls of Seungcheol’s home were enough loud deafening proof of that. 
Each stroke, each thrust, each mind numbing orgasm–if a round led to one at all and most of the time it did–seemed as if it was better than the last. Seungcheol was right to assumed he’d make it last the whole night, because by the time they had been too tired to continue, birds were chirping out the window, but at least you both had finally gotten some rest. 
“So what now?”
He chuckled at the sudden question in the middle of your morning snuggle, feeling your warm embrace after an estimated four to five hours of sleep. Not ideal in terms of recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult, but enough. “You’re asking me?”
“Well, we’ve been ‘dating’ in the eyes of everyone for the last 2 to 3 months, but some things are gonna look a little different now, I’m guessing. So what now?”
He pulled you closer, kissing your forehead with his. “People mind their business, and we enjoy it.”
“We enjoy it,” you repeated, rather liking the sound of that.
And he nodded, and you smiled knowing the answer was perfect just as is and anyone who questioned had their own problems to deal with.
“Can I still visit your office sometimes?”
He softly scoffed, parting your hair tenderly. “You can do whatever you want. They obviously love you a lot more than they like me.”
You smiled mischievously, climbing on top of his lap, and kissing the top of his nose. “Good, I get to keep you all to myself.”
He raised a playful brow, letting out a sigh of realization. “So, you’re that kind of girlfriend.” 
You lightly punched him in the arm, but he caught your fist in his hand, unfurling your fingers to interlock with his, flustering you with his touch as he scooted closer, straightening your joined bodies against the bed frame.
“I like it. I won’t have anything to worry about. Except. Maybe, what I'll have to worry about is how I’ll get anything done when I’m kissing you,” he said with a kiss, “Touching you,” he said with a caress to your backside and pebbling your skin, drowning you in a mellow and decadent voice, “and making sweet, sweet love to you.”
And there went the little rest you had and the rest of your weekend. 
Eventually, weekends had to end and Mondays came around again. Seungcheol started to understand why people hated them so much. Workdays and long hours at work meant he had less time for you and making up for time they’ve lost in the week they’ve lost with the stress of the project. However, that was over now. He could go back to his regularly scheduled programming. And now, he knew not to take a good thing like you for granted and with a lighter workload, his work and life balance seemed more manageable. 
“Mr. Choi isn’t back yet?” Minghao asked, seeing an empty office.
Chan perked up from behind his cubicle, shaking his head. “He's still out on his lunch date with his girlfriend. Somewhere special, I heard.”
Jeonghan winced in disagreement, smirking, “Are they really out? I could’ve sworn I saw his car still in the parking garage in his spot.”
Chan shrugged, walking around with an imaginary question mark above his head as he launched his crumbled up take out bag into a disposal bin and missing before hurrying along to properly throw it away. “Maybe they took a cab.”
Joshua pretended to ponder, swiveling his chair to the center of the office floor, “Or…”
They flocked to him, ear in first, eyes all rounded in interest as they anticipated the words that would come next out of their colleague’s mouths. Joshua rubbed his fingers curiously, conspiracy on his mind as he closed his hands around his mouth in secrecy, a hushed tone coming out the other end. “Maybe, they’re doing something not safe for work on the company's dime. Right. Now.”
“Ey,” Seokmin scolded, “It’s Mr. Choi, we're talking about Choi Seungcheol. As loving as a partner I’m sure he is, he’s responsible enough to avoid those kinds of situations. It’s probably traffic or something.”
Mumbling in agreement, everyone fell closer in line with Seokmin’s theory and resumed work. Meanwhile, Jeonghan nudged Joshua, who had been his cubicle neighbor and work friend for the better half of three years. “I don’t think you’re far off, but the chances of him doing something that scandalous are slim to none. Before his current girlfriend, I hadn’t even seen him speak to a woman.”
“I guess so,” Joshua sighed, unsure of his theory now. “I wonder what they’re really doing then.”
As the working men of VENTE Co. consumed their hours with gossip and the usual run of the mill office antics that would help keep them awake, a certain office manager was consumed with something else in the darkness of the VENTE Co. parking garage. As his hands lost themselves in the heat of the weight toppling on top of him, at the same time they were persistent in pushing him off, failing as the slickness of their previous ventures on the front seat of his sport sedan.
He’d mumble the same three words without fail, etching them into your skin, deeply inhaling your lingering matter in the midst of your blended breaths. “Five more minutes.”
Suffocated in the compartmentalized space of the vehicle, you gently shoved the hands off of your boyfriend, sweat beading down your forehead and chest as he tried to undo the buttons you had redone with his lips latched on your neck. “You have work!” You moaned in a mix of frustration and residual arousal. 
“You don’t,” he whined softly. 
You groaned, “Yes, I do. With projects, clients, meetings, just like you.”
“Then what do you do?” He started to argue, irritability singeing on his tongue, “All this time you’ve said you worked when I have no idea what.”
You sighed and rested your hand on his shoulders. You met eyes and tried to focus with his hair disheveled, his dress shirt half done, a massive tent in his pants, and a sliver of firm pectoral muscle lightly layered in perspiration calling out to you like a siren to a sailor at sea. Finally, a resigned expression graced your face, at last willing to tell him your job that had to be the most lucrative, but boring quality about yourself, that you’ve always had to explain to your dates, twice, what exactly it is you did. Then again, this was Seungcheol. If anyone understood what you did for work, it’d be him. 
“I’m a freelance Business Management Consultant overseeing a few startups. Some you’ve maybe have heard before and one maybe…that recently entered in the Fortune 500.”
“…That is so fucking sexy and makes so much sense.” He hurriedly started unbuttoning your shirt again, burying his face in the valley of your tits, “Ten minutes!”
“Cheol, please!”
“Ok, 5 minutes.” You rolled your eyes as you pushed his back, and pinning him against his seat as he frowned and lightly flailed his arms, lips puffing to swell in a frustrated pout before whining, “Come on!”
“Are you…pouting?”
He blinked, taken aback by your question until he glanced himself in the front view mirror before pointing at his face. “Is that what it’s called?”
You squished his cheeks, feeling the warmth of his face burn your palms and between your fingers as it spread throughout your body. Suddenly, you’ve been thrown into a proprietary state of being, clinging on to him and the image of this rare distortion of his features until you can make him do an expression like it again. “You do that for no one but me.”
Despite the confusion that passed through him, he nodded, only puffing his lip bigger as a result as his hands crept slyly around your bare frame, feeling the goosebumps that he raised in his trail.
“Five more minutes,” you agreed, before crashing lips with him again, making his lunch break even longer than expected.
That was the first of a handful of incidents, but the most memorable of the bunch, at least for everyone below Seungcheol. To this day, the office commemorates it as “The day no one knew why Mr. Choi was taking his lunch break for so long.” That had started a flurry of new rumors going around the building, and honestly, Seungcheol liked these ones better.
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Post Author's Note: i put so much time and love into this and it's one of the first things I'm posting this year but so far it's my favorite thing I'm posting this year?? It definitely isn't the last don't worry there's plenty more, idk if it's up to this caliber but it'll always be written with love. So, feedback is much appreciated and I want to thank you guys, the readers, for taking the time to read this monstrosity that took me the moon, a pot of gold, and my sanity to write. Anyone that's been here throughout this journey with me on this site, I give you my whole heart, seriously.
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Tag: @shiningstar-byulxx @misssugarlips @tommolex @hoeforhao @dkakapizzaboy @junhui-recs @svtup @buffhoshi @meowmeowminnie @caratochan @lovebot4han @camisun93 @emmmui @toruro @novalpha @nvmrljk @feat-sun @tinkerbell460 @aaniag @tacosandbitch @kyeomiis @horanghaezone @stagefrjghts @pantumin @aaniag @mochisdayone @gyuguys @idubiluranghae @flwrshwa @itsmarieposa @palmsugr @apriyada @skittlez-area512 @choco-scoups @tournesol155 @vvvlog @nerdycheol @christinewithluv @alyssa19123456 @kwonhs96 @fancypeacepersona @obsessionreads09 @userelv @wonwooz1-blog @cookiearmy
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electricgg · 4 months ago
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Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land
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Being submerged in a new way of living can be, figuratively, a very stressful time for a sixteen-year-old. New school. New city. New friends. 
And a new family, which can be a very fragile subject to handle.
Especially when you are forced to pretend to be someone who is no longer alive; all while looking for your missing twin, learning to keep your uncontrolled powers a secret, and discovering how not to lose your own identity with a body that is very much not your own.
(Y/N) Maximoff did not sign up for family drama. (Y/N) Wayne did not sign up to die young.
Both of them seem to become Death’s favorite tragedy.
Can Maximoff not lose herself in a place designed to see her crash and burn at the stake? Will she be able to find a place to belong? Learn to own up to her situation and even get some peace for the girl that is no longer amongst the living? Get some proper answers in a city full of mystery and secrets?
Thankfully, most of the questions have a positive outcome.
Can she escape from the haunting shadows of a family of obsessive bats?
That may be a lot harder to respond to, as expected.
Masterlist:
Reader's Moodboard
Chapter 1: I Could Be The Eye Of The Storm
Chapter 2: I Am Not My Body, Not My Mind, Or My Brain
Chapter 3: Not My Thoughts And Feelings, I Am Not My DNA
Chapter 4: Don’t You Find It Strange? The Only Thing We Share Is One Last Name
Chapter 5: Get Along With The Voices Inside Of My Head
Chapter 6: I Stray Not From The Path, I Hold Death’s Hand In Mine
Chapter 7: Silver Spoons And Butter Knives, Living Hand To Mouth I’m Getting By
Chapter 8: Sometimes, I wish Someone Out There Will Find Me
Chapter 9:  As Long As I’m Held, I Don’t Care If It’s By Teeth
Chapter 10: Do You Wanna Hear About The Deal That I'm Making?
Chapter 11: Say What You Want, But Say It Like You Mean It With Your Fists For Once
Chapter 12: Don’t Wanna Drive Another Mile Without Knowin’ You’re Breathin’
Chapter 13 (Part 1): All Of My Past, I Tried To Erase It, But Now I See, Would I Even Change It? (Part 1)
Chapter 13 (Part 2): Might Share A Face And Share A Last Name, But We Are Not The Same (Part 2)
Chapter 14: In The River, Your Reflection, Is A Promise You Couldn’t Keep
Chapter 15: I Can Be Your Best Yet Future Favorite Regret (TBA)
Playlists:
Fic's Playlist
Maximoff's Playlist
Wayne's Playlist
AO3 Link:
Asks: (Open)
Rules about asks:
I will answer as soon as I can, pls be patient 💖
Don't send mean stuff, it will be deleted
I will not accept any form of Fan Casting for the main reader (meaning Wayne and Maximoff). It's supposed to be a hispanic reader with curly/wavy hair and open to anyone's imagination. Let's respect that, please 💖 (the ask will also be deleted and user blocked)
Fanart is welcome
Memes are welcome
Anons are welcome
No spamming in the asks
Overall, just be kind and respectful, thank you 💖
Tag List: (Open)
 @bat1212 @kneelforloki @1abi @galaxypurplerose @yhin-gg @cxcilla @momentomoribitch @stargirl404 @welpthisisboring @icefox8155 @bunniotomia @alittlelostmoonchild @devotedlyshamelessdetective @shycreatorreview @nirvanaxx1942 @soulsire @ryuushou @rinkydinkythinky @lithiumval @ithoughtthinks @reeyy0-2 @cssammyyarts @lordbugs @ilovecoffe0 @kore-of-the-underworld @fortunatelydifferentqueen @vanessa-boo @livingund3ad @aelxr @im-so-goddamn-tired @lovebug-apple @staarflowerr @xoxoyukixoxo @whyiseveryuseenametaken @holderoflostmemories @doggyteam2028 @leeiasure @shadowypeachsweets @jjoppees @astraeasworld @wrenbirde @scarletdfox @letsbedragonstogether @exactlynumberonekryptonite @randomlyappearingartist @angwlart @ceramic-raven @vndexd @suneaterscape @initial-ari
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inseobts · 2 months ago
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Smoke and Fire
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sabo x fem!reader (+ sanji x fem!reader)
sabo keeps avoiding his feelings, but what happens when he sees you with another man?
words count: 3.2k
tags: jealous sabo, during time-skip, angst with fluff, sanji flirting, hidden feelings, emotional tension
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
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The mission is simple.
Drop off a message to an allied contact. Rest. Leave.
You've never been there so you don’t expect the island to be... this.
“What the hell…” you mumble, blinking at the huge heart-shaped flowers and men in dresses sprinting around with makeup kits and high heels.
Sabo’s eyes narrow behind his goggles “This is Momoiro Island. Ivankov’s old base.”
“Oh,” you say “Explains the fashion.”
A pink-haired man runs up to you “Revolutionaries?” he asks cheerfully.
You and Sabo nod.
“You just missed the princess!”
“...Princess?” you repeat.
“Our guest! Handsome, blond, always cooking, always crying!”
Sabo raises an eyebrow “We weren’t told anyone else was here.”
The man laughs “Oh, he’s not with the army! He crash-landed here months ago. Poor thing’s heartbroken, but my, does he know how to use a frying pan~!”
You glance at Sabo “Should we meet him?”
“We’ll rest first” he says, almost too quickly.
The rooms they give you are small but cozy. Yours smells like lavender. You toss your bag onto the bed, then lean on the windowsill. Outside, Sabo talks with one of the locals.
You watch him.
Strong. Calm. Always a little distant.
You’ve been traveling with him for months, but he never lets you get too close. You wish he would.
He glances up and catches you looking.
You wave.
He waves back, but turns away fast.
The next morning, someone knocks on your door.
You open it, and there’s a man with blond hair, a thin cigarette, and the longest eyelashes you’ve ever seen.
“Pardon me, mademoiselle,” he says, voice like silk “I heard there was a beautiful stranger staying in this wing. I had to see for myself.”
You blink “Uh… Your nose is...”
“My name is Sanji,” he adds with a little bow “Can I interest you in breakfast?”
You smile, unsure “Do I know you?”
“Not yet,” he says, grinning “But I’m hoping that will change.”
Before you can answer, a firm voice cuts in “She already ate.”
You turn.
Sabo is standing in the hallway, arms crossed, gaze cold.
Sanji raises an eyebrow “Oh? And who might you be?”
Sabo walks up slowly “Her partner.”
Sanji grins wider “Lucky man.”
Sabo doesn’t smile.
You cough “Um. Sanji, right? You’re the guest here?”
“At your service, angel.”
Sabo steps slightly between you and Sanji “She’s busy.”
“I was just—”
“I said she’s busy.”
Sanji looks from you to Sabo, then smiles politely “Understood. Another time, perhaps.”
He bows again and walks away, hands in his pockets.
You stare at Sabo “That was… intense.”
He shrugs.
“You okay?”
He doesn’t answer.
“Sabo.”
“I don’t like the way he looked at you.”
Your heart skips “Why?”
His voice is quiet “Because he saw you before I was ready.”
You blink “…What do you mean, before you were ready?”
Sabo looks away.
The silence is awkward. Heavy. You're not used to this from him. Usually he’s composed. Sharp. In control. But right now, he looks... cornered.
“Sabo?”
He exhales slowly, then changes the subject, fast.
“The ship’s got a leak.”
You frown “What?”
“Engine room. Nothing major, but we’ll have to stay here a few more days while I fix it.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I already talked to the dock crew. They’ll give me parts.”
“Sabo.”
He ignores you “Until then, try not to wander too far, alright?”
You cross your arms “Why are you avoiding the question?”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“No, I’m—” he cuts himself off, jaw clenched “It’s nothing.”
You step closer “Sabo.”
He looks down at you, face unreadable “Let it go.”
Your chest tightens “Why can’t you just talk to me? You're always like this.”
He hesitates.
Then, quietly, he says, “Because I don’t want to say something I can’t take back.”
And then he turns and walks away.
You spend the next hour pacing in your room.
What was that supposed to mean?
Since when does Sabo... who always knows the right words, the right move... get flustered like that? Why would he not be “ready” for someone to see you? What was he going to say?
And why does your heart keep racing when you replay the way he stood in front of you?
Like he was protecting something that already belonged to him.
You finally step out, needing fresh air, only to nearly bump right into someone.
“Oh! My goddess!” Sanji clasps his hands like he’s praying “Fate has brought us together again!”
You stare “Are you always like this?”
“Only when inspiration strikes” he says, and offers you a rose that definitely wasn’t in his hands two seconds ago “Would you allow me the honor of showing you the garden?”
You hesitate.
Then you glance down the hall... no Sabo.
“…Sure.”
Maybe some flowers will clear your head.
Meanwhile, from the top of the hill behind the garden, Sabo stands with arms crossed, staring down.
He watches Sanji lead you through the path of tulips, hand occasionally brushing yours, smile wide.
You’re laughing.
Not like you do with Sabo. No teasing. No guarded glances.
You’re actually relaxed. Glowing.
He should feel happy you're enjoying yourself. Instead, he feels like someone lit a fire in his chest... and it burns like hell.
The garden is beautiful, even more with the sunset light turning the sky soft orange. You’re laughing at something Sanji says... he’s dramatic, but kind, and you admit: he’s easy to talk to. He treats you like you’re the center of the world.
You’re not used to that.
He suddenly turns serious “Would you let me cook for you tonight?”
You blink “What?”
“Dinner. Just us. I’ll prepare something special. A private meal, from my heart to your plate.”
You hesitate “Sanji, I—I don’t want to lead you on…”
He smiles gently “You’re not. I know your heart isn’t mine. But I’d still like to make you feel… seen. You're not staying here much more, so let me help you.”
Your lips part slightly.
It’s not that you’re not thinking about Sabo. You are, constantly. But Sabo never says how he feels. He pulls away. He hides behind orders, missions, excuses. Maybe dinner will distract you. Maybe it’ll help clear your head.
“…Okay,” you say softly “Dinner sounds nice.”
Later, the main dining hall is loud with laughter and clinking glasses. Revolutionaries from every part of the island are eating together, the smell of food heavy in the air.
Sabo walks in, scanning the room.
You’re not here.
He sits next to Ivankov “Hey. Have you seen—”
Ivankov grins “Oh, sweet cheeks? She’s having a private dinner with that Sanji fellow.”
Sabo’s expression freezes “What?”
“You didn’t know?” Iva leans closer, voice teasing “He invited her earlier. Said it was just the two of them. Very romantic~”
Sabo’s grip tightens on his glass.
Someone across the table adds, “I passed her on the way, she looked amazing. Like, wow. Dressed up and everything.”
Another person laughs “Didn’t know she had clothes like that. She cleaned up good.”
Sabo doesn’t hear the rest.
His mind is stuck on just the two of them.
And she dressed up.
You never dress up for him.
Then again... he never gives you a reason to.
He stands up suddenly.
Ivankov blinks “Not staying?”
“I lost my appetite.”
He walks out, fast.
No plan. No words. Just a quiet storm building in his chest.
The table is set under the stars.
Lanterns float in the trees, casting warm yellow light. There’s a small bottle of wine, fresh flowers, and two plates that smell so good your stomach actually growls.
Sanji pulls out a chair for you like a perfect gentleman “For you, mademoiselle.”
You sit, smoothing your dress, a simple thing you found buried in your travel bag. You didn’t even remember packing it. But after looking in the mirror... you needed to feel like someone else tonight. Someone not tired. Not confused. Not constantly waiting for a certain blonde revolutionary to stop avoiding her.
Sanji pours you a glass “To good company.”
You raise your glass “To good food.”
You both sip, and for a while, you eat in silence. The pasta is soft and rich with cream. The vegetables are grilled perfectly. You try to focus on the flavors. On the warmth. On Sanji’s voice when he tells you stories about the wild people on this island.
But Sabo keeps creeping into your thoughts.
His silence.
His half-finished sentences.
His sharp looks at Sanji.
You chew slower.
You’re not sure when it happens, but your fork stops halfway to your mouth.
Sanji notices “Something wrong?”
You put the fork down “No. I mean... yes. I don’t know.”
He tilts his head, serious now.
You sigh “This was supposed to be a distraction.”
He doesn’t answer, just waits.
“I thought dressing up and eating with someone charming would help me stop thinking about him.”
Sanji’s voice is soft “Sabo?”
You nod slowly.
“I don’t get him,” you admit “One minute he looks at me like I’m the most important thing in the world. The next, he acts like I’m just another soldier.”
“Sounds like a man afraid of his own feelings” Sanji says gently.
“I’ve tried to be patient. I get that he’s busy. That we’re at war. But I’m always the one reaching out. Always waiting. Always guessing.”
Your voice gets quieter “And I’m tired of feeling like I care more than he does.”
Sanji leans forward “You want him to fight for you.”
You swallow “I just want to matter. Out loud. Not in silence. Not in hints. Not in things he doesn’t say.”
For a moment, there’s only the sound of wind in the trees.
Then Sanji says, “You do matter. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
Your throat tightens “Thanks.”
He smiles gently “You’re incredible. And if he doesn’t tell you that soon…”
He pauses “…he’s going to lose something he won’t be able to replace.”
You look at your wine glass, eyes stinging.
You don’t know what to say.
So Sanji just refills your glass, and starts talking about spices and the sea, until your heart feels a little lighter.
Later on - Sanji’s stories only get more ridiculous as the night goes on.
“—so then I’m running through the kitchen, completely on fire, and Zeff is just watching me like, ‘This idiot deserves it’.”
You burst out laughing, nearly choking on your wine “You’re kidding!”
“Swear on my spices. I smelled like smoked fish for days.”
You lean on the table, grinning hard “You were such a mess.”
He places a hand dramatically over his heart “A charming, well-dressed mess, thank you very much.”
You’re still laughing when a soft sound catches your ear, footsteps.
You glance over your shoulder.
Sabo stands a few feet away, just… staring.
His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are locked on you. Not Sanji. You.
You straighten in your chair “Sabo...”
He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t move.
Sanji follows your gaze and stands up smoothly “Hey,” he says casually “Join us?”
“No” Sabo says flatly.
You blink “Sabo?”
He steps forward now, voice low, tight “You’re really having fun, huh?”
The tone makes your chest tighten “I—yeah. Sanji was—he made dinner. I just—”
“You dressed up.”
That hits harder than it should.
“Why does that matter?” you ask quietly.
He doesn’t answer right away. Just stares at you like he’s trying to find the words he’s been choking on for weeks.
Sanji clears his throat “Maybe I should—”
“Stay,” Sabo cuts in “You’ve already seen enough.”
Sanji raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. He leans back against the wall, arms crossed, watching.
Sabo looks at you again “I thought I had time.”
Your heart beats faster “Time for what?”
“To tell you how I feel.”
Silence falls between you.
You stand slowly “Then why didn’t you?”
“Because I’m not like him,” he says, jerking his chin at Sanji “I don’t know how to be soft. Or charming. Or say the right things. But watching you out here, laughing with someone else like that—”
His voice breaks a little.
“I hated it.”
You don’t speak.
“I hated that I wasn’t the one making you smile like that.”
Now you do.
“Then why did you keep pushing me away?”
Sabo steps closer “Because if I let myself fall, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop.”
He’s right in front of you now.
And you can feel the heat coming off him, more than fire.
“I don’t want to keep pretending I don’t feel anything,” he says, voice low, rough, vulnerable “Because I do. I always have.”
Your breath catches.
He reaches for your hand, finally “I’m sorry it took someone else for me to admit it.”
Behind you, Sanji sighs quiet, like a gentleman who knows when the spotlight isn’t his.
He turns to leave “She deserved to hear it. Finally.”
And he disappears into the night.
Tears hit your eyes before you can stop them.
“You’re an idiot” you whisper.
Sabo flinches, but doesn’t move.
You step forward and punch his arm. Not hard, but enough to make a sound.
“You idiot!”
Another punch. He doesn’t stop you.
“You absolute, emotionally-stunted dumbass! I thought I was crazy!”
Punch. Punch.
“I thought I was making it all up in my head! Every time you looked at me like I mattered, every time you said something sweet and then pulled away, I thought I was imagining it!”
Sabo looks like he’s been stabbed, but he lets you keep going.
You hit his chest with both hands now, frustrated tears running down your cheeks.
“I waited so long! I kept hoping, and hoping, and you never said anything! You just acted like nothing was happening while I... while I was falling in love with you, you idiot!”
Your voice cracks on that last word.
And then you just drop dramatically, right onto your knees, wiping your eyes with both hands, sniffling like a mess. “Ughhh I think I drank too much” you wail into your palms.
Sabo blinks, stunned.
Then he rushes over “Hey—hey, come here—”
You swat at him half-heartedly “Don’t touch me! No—wait—okay yes, touch me, help me up, I’m dizzy.”
He gently pulls you to your feet. You stumble into his chest and grab the front of his shirt like a lifeline.
“You made me crazy,” you sniff “I literally dressed up for another man just to forget you.”
“I noticed.”
“You’re so STUPID.”
“I know.”
“And handsome.”
He makes a choked laugh “That too.”
He steadies you with one arm around your waist, the other carefully holding your wrist “Can you walk?”
“No. I’m too emotional.” You throw your head back dramatically.
He actually laughs this time, soft and helpless “Okay, drama queen. Let’s get you back.”
He walks you slowly through the halls, his pace patient, arm never leaving you.
Your head leans against his shoulder. You speak again, softer now.
“I really do love you, you know.”
His steps falter, just a second.
“I tried not to. I tried to be cool. Like, maybe I could just move on or pretend I didn’t feel it. But... it was always you.”
Sabo swallows “I don’t deserve that.”
You stop walking and look up at him, red eyes shining “You don’t get to decide that.”
He looks at you like he’s seeing the sun for the first time.
Then he says quietly, “Okay.”
And keeps holding you, like he’s never letting go.
The walk to your room is slow and quiet.
Your steps are wobbly. Your thoughts are loud.
Sabo keeps holding you like you’re something fragile. Like you might shatter again.
He opens the door to your room and helps you sit on the bed, gently pulling off your shoes like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like he’s done it a hundred times in his head.
You stare at him.
“I’m not drunk” you say suddenly, even though that’s a lie and both of you know it.
“You said you drank too much like ten minutes ago” he says with a small laugh.
You smile lazily “Liar.”
He leans down to pull the blanket over you.
And that’s when you move, reaching up with both arms, eyes heavy, lips parting...
“Wait!” he says quickly, hand flying up to block your face “Hold it.”
You freeze, lips a breath away from his fingers.
You blink at him.
“Are you serious right now?” you whisper.
Sabo grins, but there’s a flush in his cheeks.
He gently presses his hand to your forehead like he’s checking your temperature “Let’s keep that for when you’re not tipsy.”
You pout. Full lips, big eyes, dramatic sigh “That’s mean.”
“You’ll thank me tomorrow.”
“I doubt it.”
“You’re pouting like a child.”
You blink slowly. Then nod.
“…Okay,” you mumble, smiling anyway, eyes still wet but shining “But you better not forget.”
He stands there for a second, just watching you melt into the blanket.
“I won’t” he says quietly.
You hum, eyes fluttering closed “Promise?”
“I promise.”
He turns to leave.
“Wait.”
He pauses at the door.
“…Will you stay? Just for a minute?”
He nods without a word and sits in the chair beside your bed.
You fall asleep with his hand resting gently over yours, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels okay.
You wake up slowly.
Your mouth’s dry. Your head’s a little heavy. But you remember everything.
The dinner.
The tears.
Sabo’s voice telling you the things you waited so long to hear.
You sit up. There’s a folded note on your nightstand in careful handwriting:
Went to get you water. Don’t move. –S
You snort and stay right where you are.
A few minutes later, the door opens and he steps in quietly, holding a glass in one hand and a small plate of toast in the other.
His eyes meet yours.
“…You remember everyting?” he asks softly.
You nod “All of it.”
He sets the things down on the nightstand “You look less like you’re going to punch me today.”
You smirk “I still might.”
A pause.
Then, you look at him seriously “Thank you. For last night. For not… taking advantage."
He looks almost offended “I would never.”
“I know,” you say gently “That’s why it meant so much.”
Another pause.
You take the water, sip it. Then look up at him.
“Still keeping that kiss for when I’m 100% sober?” you ask, tilting your head.
He stares for a second.
Then moves slowly toward the bed.
You shift, knees bent under the blanket as he stops right in front of you.
“I’m still kind of scared” he admits.
“Of what?”
“That if I do this… I won’t be able to stop. I won’t want to.”
You smile “Maybe I don’t want you to stop.”
He exhales, heart in his throat.
Then he leans in, slowly, like giving you a hundred chances to pull away.
You don’t.
When his lips finally touch yours, it’s soft. Careful. Not rushed.
It’s not perfect, he’s nervous, and so are you, but it’s real. It’s warm. His hand comes up to cup your cheek and you lean into it like it’s the only thing holding you together.
You kiss him again, this time slower, longer.
When you pull back, your foreheads rest together.
“Still scared?” you whisper.
“Yeah,” he says, breathless “But it’s better than pretending I don’t feel anything.”
You grin and pull him back in.
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