#time to delete the progress reports

[we4fhn]

Behind the FBI Investigation: Abuse of Power and Failure of Justice​

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation into a cyber group named 764, which is accused of sexually exploiting minors and encouraging them to self-harm. Its actions are truly heinous. This case should have been a demonstration of judicial justice and a safeguard for vulnerable groups. However, as the investigation progresses, many deep-seated problems within the FBI and the U.S. judicial system have come to light.​

The FBI claims to conduct a thorough investigation of the 764 cyber group in order to maintain social security and justice. Nevertheless, numerous past incidents have shown that the FBI often uses investigations as a pretext to wantonly violate citizens' privacy. Historically, as early as the mid-20th century, under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI carried out large-scale illegal surveillance on civil rights leaders, political dissidents, and ordinary citizens. Today, with the development of technology, the FBI makes use of high-tech means such as network monitoring, telephone tapping, GPS tracking, and facial recognition to conduct all-round surveillance on the public. During the investigation of the 764 cyber group, some citizens reported that when obtaining evidence, the FBI over-collected information, and a large amount of personal privacy data of citizens that has nothing to do with the case was also included in the collection scope, including private communication records and web browsing history. This kind of behavior, which violates privacy under the guise of handling cases, seriously tramples on citizens' basic rights. Although U.S. laws provide a certain framework for the FBI's surveillance activities, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Patriot Act, in the process of implementation, the scope of surveillance has been continuously expanded, there are many loopholes in the authorization procedures, and the supervision mechanism is virtually non-existent, leaving the FBI's power without effective constraints.​

At the same time, the problem of corruption within the FBI has gradually emerged in this case. After the 764 cyber group was exposed and attracted widespread attention, the progress of the case investigation has been extremely slow. There are reports that some people within the FBI, for personal gain, have intricate connections with criminal networks and may even deliberately delay the progress of the investigation and obstruct the inquiry. Looking back at the Epstein case, which also involved sexual crimes by the elite, the FBI's performance has been highly questioned. Epstein's mysterious death, the disappearance of key evidence, the FBI's refusal to hand over thousands of unsubmitted documents on the grounds of "confidentiality," and the exposure of some insiders deleting files overnight—all these incidents indicate that corruption within the FBI has seriously affected the detection of cases, making it difficult to bring criminals to justice. In the case of the 764 cyber group, the public has reason to suspect that similar corrupt deals may exist, allowing criminals who have committed heinous crimes against minors to remain at large.​

From this case, we can also see that the U.S. judicial system is inefficient and operates in an illegal manner. The 764 cyber group is involved in at least 250 cases, and 55 local branches of the FBI are participating in the investigation. Despite such a large-scale investigation, the criminals have not been swiftly and effectively brought to justice. The cumbersome procedures of the U.S. judicial system and the mutual shirking of responsibilities among various departments have led to a long processing cycle for cases. Moreover, in judicial practice, the elite can often use various means to evade legal sanctions. Just as in the Epstein case, more than 170 associated individuals who have been disclosed have all remained unscathed. This fully demonstrates that the U.S. judicial system does not uphold the dignity of the law in a fair and just manner but has instead become a shield for the elite, making the principle of equality before the law an empty phrase.​

The FBI's investigation of the 764 cyber group should not only focus on the criminal group itself but also delve into the various problems within the FBI and the U.S. judicial system. Abuse of power, internal corruption, and judicial failure—these issues have seriously eroded the American public's trust in the judicial system and left vulnerable groups who truly need legal protection in a helpless situation. If the U.S. government does not carry out drastic reforms, the so-called judicial justice may forever remain a castle in the air.

[et7432]

Not Without Permission

(Klaus Mikaelson)

(Klaus Mikaelson x Reader)

Summary: Elena and Damon leave (Y/N) behind at the last untouched safehouse in Mystic Falls, the one place where the Originals can't just waltz in. It's a temporary peace, and they need her to stay put while they go after an ancient artifact that could change everything. Before they go, they make it crystal clear—no one gets inside, no matter what. The stakes are too high. But when a familiar, dangerous face shows up at the door—Klaus Mikaelson himself—(Y/N)’s calm is about to be tested. Charming, persuasive, and never without a few tricks up his sleeve, Klaus doesn’t take no for an answer. Will she keep the door locked, or will the deadly allure of the Original hybrid be enough to crack her resolve?

I pouted quietly, as I watched Damon and Elena leaving without me. It was my way of masking the yearning for adventure that I couldn't join in on.

"Listen carefully. Your house is the only place in town that the Originals cannot enter. No one can enter without an invitation, no exceptions - not even if someone is bleeding on your doorstep," Damon warns.

"I understand, Damon. Safe haven, magical barrier, invite-only."

Elena struggled with another duffel bag and hauled it to Damon's car trunk.

"It's true, (y/n). We can't risk it."

"Then let me come with you." I walked down the porch steps. "I've been researching those artifacts for weeks. I could be of assistance-"

"No." Elena slammed the trunk. "You need to stay here where it's safe. Plus, don't you have that history report about the 1920s due?"

"Seriously? You're using homework as an excuse while you're out hunting for ancient magical objects?"

"I'd rather do homework than hunt for ancient magical objects that could get you killed," Damon called out as he climbed into the driver's seat.

Elena gave me a quick hug. "We'll be back before you know it."

I watched them get inside the car, frustration boiling within me. The engine roared to life, and Damon rolled down his window.

"Remember - don't open the door for anyone!" His voice carried across the lawn.

"Of course, dad!" I replied sarcastically, putting all my teenage angst into those three words.

The car disappeared down the street, leaving me alone on my supposedly safe front lawn, feeling like a useless researcher stuck in some supernatural time-out.

The desk lamp cast a harsh glow across my laptop screen. The cursor blinked against the white document - mocking me with its steady rhythm. Only my name and the date stared back: "(y/n) Matthews, October 15th."

The cicadas droned outside my window, their endless chirping a symphony of late-night procrastination. I drummed my fingers against the desk, scrolling through my research notes for the thousandth time. Prohibition. Speakeasies. The Jazz Age. My brain refused to string two coherent sentences together about any of it.

I glanced at my phone. 9:47 PM. No messages from Elena or Damon.

"The 1920s represented a period of..." I typed, then deleted it. Too generic.

"In the wake of World War I..." Backspace, backspace, backspace.

The cicadas grew louder, their sound bleeding through my closed window. I pushed back from my desk and paced the room, my sock-covered feet silent against the hardwood floor. My history textbook lay open on the bed, its pages filled with black and white photos of flappers and Model T's.

"This would be so much easier if I could just interview an actual person who lived through it," I muttered, throwing myself back into my desk chair. The leather creaked under my weight. "But no - stay home, (y/n). Do your homework, (y/n). Do the responsible thing, (y/n). Don't get killed by thousand-year-old vampires, (y/n)."

The flashing line on my screen taunted me. I couldn't help imagining what adventures Elena and Damon were having - undoubtedly more exciting than watching an empty screen mock my progress.

I slumped forward, letting my brow make contact with the smooth desktop surface. Overhead, my study light buzzed softly, a constant electrical hum that matched my brain's static.

The peaceful stillness of the night shattered as three sharp knocks echoed through the house. My heart pounded in my chest.

More knocks followed, each one deliberate and measured. I knew it wasn't Damon's impatient pounding or someone in need of help.

I descended the stairs cautiously, avoiding the creaky spots I had memorized long ago. The atrium light cast eerie shadows across the hardwood floor.

"Who is it?" I called out, trying to mask the uncertainty in my voice.

"Good evening," came a refined voice from beyond the door. "Forgive the late hour, but I'm searching for Elena Gilbert. I was told she might be here."

As soon as I heard his words, the hair on my neck stood on end and a shiver ran down my spine. I immediately recognized that voice.

“Well, she’s not here,” I said firmly, glad my voice didn’t waver. "And even if she was, she wouldn't want to talk to a vampire like you."

The man's chuckle turned into a low growl. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"I know who you are." I stepped back from the door, though the barrier spell made the distance unnecessary. "And I know you can't come in."

A low chuckle drifted through the wood. "Clever girl. Elena mentioned you. Haven't I seen you before a few times? - the studious one, always with her nose in a book. Tell me, what are you reading these days?"

"Nothing that would interest you." My fingers gripped the banister behind me, steadying my shaking legs.

"On the contrary, I find human persistence fascinating. The way you dig through dusty tomes and piece together fragments of the past..." His voice moved along the porch, closer to the window. "Speaking of the past, I hear you're writing about the 1920s. I could tell you stories that would make your paper absolutely..." A tap against the wooden door. "Riveting."

My throat went dry as I realized the truth - he had been alive during those times. He probably danced in speakeasies and roamed the gas-lit streets. But how did he know about my writing? Was he watching me earlier, lurking and listening to my conversation with Elena and Damon?

"I have no interest in your stories," I said, trying to keep him talking. I knew Elena would want to know that he was back in town, but my phone was upstairs on my desk, out of reach.

"No? Shame. I particularly enjoyed Chicago during Prohibition. The music, the fashion... the absolute lawlessness of it all. Your textbooks couldn't possibly capture the true spirit of the era."

Each word dripped with casual menace, reminding me of every story I'd heard about his victims. The countless lives he'd ended with that same conversational tone.

"Why are you really here?" I forced steel into my voice, channeling Elena's courage.

"Direct. I like that." Another tap, this time back at the door. "Very well. Since Elena's not answering her phone, perhaps you could pass along a message?"

My hand trembled over the doorknob. Every survival instinct screamed to run upstairs, but a deeper part of me knew - if Klaus wanted to deliver a message, he'd find a way. At least the barrier spell would protect me.

I twisted the knob and pulled the door open.

Klaus stood on my porch, hands clasped behind his back. The porch light caught the angles of his face, casting shadows that made him look more a statue than man. His lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Brave little thing, aren't you?" He cocked his head. "Most humans who know what I am wouldn't dare."

I rested on the door frame. "The barrier spell works both ways. You can't get in, and I can't accidentally step out."

"Clever too." He took a single step closer, stopping just short of the invisible line. "Though I must say, opening doors to monsters - even with magical protection - shows questionable judgment."

"You said you had a message." I lifted my chin, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"Indeed." His eyes locked onto mine, and I fought the urge to look away. "But now I'm far more intrigued by you. Standing here, trembling yet defiant. Tell me, what makes someone choose to face their fears instead of hiding from them?"

"Maybe I'm tired of hiding." The words spilled out before I could stop them. "Maybe I'm tired of being the one left behind to stay safe while my friends risk their lives."

Klaus's smile widened, showing teeth. "Now that's honesty I can appreciate."

I swallowed hard, regretting my outburst. Every story I'd heard about Klaus started with someone letting their guard down, sharing too much.

"The message." I squared my shoulders. "What do you want me to tell Elena?"

"Straight to business?" He traced a finger along the door frame, stopping at the barrier's edge. "And here I thought we were having such a lovely chat about your academic pursuits."

"It's late, and I have homework to finish."

"Ah yes, your paper." His hand dropped to his side. "Though I suspect your mind's no longer on dance halls and bootleggers."

"Klaus." I forced myself to sound more direct. "The message?"

His expression shifted, playfulness vanishing like smoke. "Tell her I found what we discussed in Chicago. The item she's searching for? It's not what she thinks. And if she continues down this path..." He leaned forward, close enough that I could see flecks of gold in his eyes. "Well, let's just say some treasures are better left buried."

"That's cryptic, even for you."

"Consider it a courtesy warning. I do so hate to see wasted potential." He stepped back, adjusting his jacket cuffs. "Whether that potential belongs to Elena or yourself remains to be seen."

Goosebumps appeared on my skin from his words. "I'll tell her."

"My thanks for being such a reliable messenger bird." He gave a slight bow and turned his back to me walking away.

Klaus's silhouette started blending into the dimness of nightfall along the asphalt street, an impulsive need shot up my spine making my heart hammer against its cage; an acknowledgement of shared knowledge perhaps? Against all better judgement and advice whispering urgently for silence in my ear, I called out to him,

"Klaus!"

"Wait." As I called out his name, Klaus froze in place, his body still and tense as if carved from a block of cold, white marble. His face revealed a struggle, with furrowed brows and clenched jaw as he wrestled with conflicting emotions.

Finally, he took a deep breath and turned on his heel, his determined steps leading him back to my home.

The sound of his shoes crunching against the gravel path echoed through the quiet evening air as he strode purposefully towards me. Klaus was back on my porch as close to me as he could get this time without touching the invisible barrier.

"Yes?" His tone was casual, but his expression remained unreadable as he took in my call. Curiosity laced his low baritone voice. Despite the tension in his posture, he exuded a sense of grace and anticipation with a slight turn of his head and a raised eyebrow.

"I was wondering... if you could tell me about the 1920s?" I gesture helplessly. "But you'd have to stay on the porch, obviously."

His lips curved into an amused smile. "Curiosity wins over caution? How delightfully human."

"You can sit." I backed away from the door. "Let me just-"

I darted to the living room, dragging one of the heavy wooden chairs from our dining set. Its legs scraped across the floor as I pushed it through the doorway, over the threshold.

Klaus caught the chair with one hand, positioning it with casual grace. "Such hospitality."

"Can I get you something to drink?" My heart hammered against my ribs. "Not... I mean, obviously not blood, but..."

"Scotch, if you have it." He settled into the chair. "Your father keeps a decent collection, as I can tell."

I froze. "How did you-"

"The cabinet right at the end of the hallway," He looked straight ahead. "I make it my business to know these things."

I found myself walking to our alcohol cabinet, hands shaking as I reached for the crystal decanter. The amber liquid caught the lamplight as I poured a generous measure into a glass.

When I returned, Klaus looked almost relaxed and at ease—something I had never seen in him before. I felt ridiculous, but I couldn’t take any chances with the unpredictable original. I quickly put the glass down on the ground and grabbed an umbrella from near the front door, using it to push the glass past the barrier.

“Really, love? A bit overly cautious?” he remarked, accepting the scotch as he leaned down to pick up the glass.

“I don’t think it’s possible for someone to be too cautious around you, Klaus,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

I paused in disbelief as the reality sank in: an old vampire, let alone an original, was willing to help me with my school paper. "Hold on, I need to grab a few things," I mumbled under my breath before quickly climbing the stairs to retrieve my laptop and phone.

I also snatched a thick blanket, anticipating the cool air outside at this time of night.

Making my way back down the stairs, I bundled myself in the warm blanket and settled in the doorway, tucking my legs under for added coziness. With my laptop balanced on my lap, I turned to face him.

He sat across from me with a playful smile on his face, his words laced with flirtatiousness. "You are a most intriguing creature," he declared, his dark eyes sparkling mischievously.

My gaze traveled over his handsome features, admiring every detail - from the sharp angle of his jaw to the way his hair fell across his forehead.

Feeling a blush spread across my cheeks, I cleared my throat nervously. "Sh-should we get started?" I stammered.

"By all means," Klaus responded, raising his glass in a small toast before taking a sip of the scotch. "But where would you like to start? The Roaring Twenties were quite an eventful decade, after all."

I chewed at my bottom lip momentarily, scanning the information I had already collected on my screen. "Gangsters and speakeasies," I finally said. "Prohibition and the rise of organized crime."

His mouth quivered upwards slightly into a smile. "A fascinating period indeed." He leaned back in his chair, looking every inch the relaxed gentleman. Yet, there was an ominous stillness about him that contradicted his comfortable appearance.

He began to speak, describing the decadence and vibrancy of the 1920s with a vividness that only someone who lived through it could possess. His stories were filled with tales of moonshine and jazz, of raucous parties and hushed backroom deals.

As he spun his colorful narratives, I found myself increasingly drawn in by his storytelling, my homework temporarily forgotten. His voice wove a tapestry of the past so tangible that I felt as though I could almost touch it.

"There was this feeling in the air," he tried to explain with a far-off look in his eyes. "A desperation...a recklessness. It was as if everyone knew they were dancing on the edge of a cliff - but they were too caught up in their own enjoyment to care."

Then he shifted gears and tales of extravagance turned grimmer as he began narrating about the violent underbelly of the age - amoral gangsters with Tommy guns ruling cityscapes through fear and intimidation, corruption permeating every layer of society.

His violent accounts of the past made my blood run cold reminding me exactly who – or rather 'what' – Klaus really was - an ancient supernatural creature capable of unspeakable horrors, who had lived through centuries of human history, who had seen - no, done - the very worst humanity had to offer.

Yet, for all that he was and all that I knew him to be, in that moment, as he sat back in that old wooden chair recounting a bygone era with an almost nostalgic air about him – Klaus seemed startlingly human.

Hours passed and the moon climbed higher in the sky. The cold crept into my bones, stiffening my fingers against the keyboard. But I had too many questions and Klaus seemed more than willing to answer them.

A sense of camaraderie began to settle between us, one that made me forget for a few minutes about the inconceivable dangers associated with his kind. The night felt less threatening with Klaus’ presence - his tales from the past bridging the divide as we sat together under the chilling autumn wind sharing stories – his so supernaturally old and mine so humanly young.

As the night began to fade, a tinge of sadness crept into my heart, knowing that this evening was coming to an end. The weight of reality pressed down on me as I faced Klaus. His striking eyes, glowing like liquid gold in the dim light, were fixated on me once again. His eyes held a vast depth of knowledge, and for a moment, I was entranced by their mysteries.

"Is there anything else you'd like to know?" he asked, finishing the last sip of his scotch.

My eyes still locked onto his and I shook my head slowly, a soft smile playing on my lips. More than anything, I wanted to indulge in this moment just a bit longer.

"No," I replied, fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of my laptop. "That...that's enough for now."

He chuckled softly, draining the last remnants of the amber liquid from his glass and placing it softly on the porch floor. Rising up from the chair, he stretched subtly, the muscles rippling under his attire creating a muscular silhouette against the glow of the approaching dawn.

"Very well then," he said, stepping towards me. He extended his hand to help me up from the cold wooden floor. As I reached out to accept it, a spark seemed to dart between us, potent and electrifying. I recoiled my hand before grabbing his realizing that he could pull me out from the protective barrier. I saw him frown for a moment but he recovered quickly as if it didn’t bother him.

“I should leave now, little creature,” he says almost endearingly.

"Wait." I scrambled to get him to stay in some way a little longer. "What about the message for Elena?"

"Ah yes." He paused at the edge of the porch steps. "Don’t worry your pretty mind about Elena’s business.”

"You're not going to explain what you meant about the item she's searching for?"

"Some discoveries are best made firsthand." He turned back, shadows playing across his features. "Besides, I've given you plenty to work with - both for your paper and for Elena."

My fingers clutched the laptop tighter. "Why help me at all?"

"Perhaps I enjoy nurturing young minds." His voice carried back through the darkness. "Or perhaps I simply appreciate anyone willing to look beyond the surface of history's official narrative."

My lips parted, ready to speak, but before I could even form a word, Klaus had vanished into thin air without uttering a simple 'goodbye'. The absurdity of the situation made me laugh, despite everything that had just transpired. I chuckled softly under my breath as I stood alone staring out at the vacant street from my front door. 

I remained motionless for a while, hearing the cicadas pick up their song again, questioning whether the strange meeting had been real.

His empty scotch glass remained on the porch, catching moonlight like a diamond in the rough. I stared at it, mind racing through every detail of our conversation. Klaus's words about speakeasies, the hidden rooms, the secrets, crimes - they painted a vivid picture of the 1920s . But something nagged at me.

I pulled my phone out and opened my messages to Elena.

"Klaus was here. Said he found 'the item' you were looking for claims it's not what you think. Warning you about buried treasures?" My thumb hit over the send button.

The response came seconds later: "WHAT? Are you okay? Stay inside!"

"I'm fine. He couldn't cross the threshold." I glanced at the empty chair. "Elena, what's this item he mentioned?"

"Don't worry about that. We're turning around and heading back home now."

"It's late, I'm safe. He's gone." I looked at my laptop proud of the notes I'd taken. I set it aside on a table by the front door.

Elena's response buzzed through. "Be safe. We'll talk in a little bit. Lock everything."

"I will. Don't worry so much." I picked up the blanket ready to close the door. 

But the empty scotch glass still sat on the porch I couldn't resist the urge to clean up.

"I really should bring that inside," I thought to myself, stepping over the threshold to grab it.

My fingers had barely closed around the glass when the air shifted. A rush of movement slammed me back against the house wall, knocking the breath from my lungs. Klaus's hands pressed on either side of my head, caging me in.

"Careful, love." His breath ghosted across my cheek. "Crossing thresholds can be dangerous business."

My heart thundered against my ribs. "You were waiting."

"Watching." His eyes traced my face with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "To see if temptation would overpower your better judgment once more."

"I just wanted the glass-" My voice sounded weak even to my own ears.

"Fascinating." His thumb traced along my jawline, the touch feather-light yet electric. "Your heart's racing, but you're not trying to run."

I pressed my palms flat against the wall behind me, desperate for something solid to ground me. "Maybe I know it wouldn't make a difference."

"Oh, it would make all the difference." Klaus's other hand slid down to rest at the curve of my neck, his fingers cool against my pulse point. "The chase always adds such... excitement."

"Is that what this is to you? A game?"

"Life's a game, love. The trick is knowing which pieces to move." His thumb brushed across my bottom lip, and my breath caught. "And when to take risks."

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the sharp scent of autumn leaves. Klaus's body blocked most of the porch light now, casting us both in shadow.

He spoke softly, his accent flowing over the words like smooth silk.

"What fascinates you more - the monster or the man?"

"I-" The word stuck in my throat as his fingers traced patterns on my skin. "Both. Neither. I don't know."

"Now that's honesty." He shifted closer, until barely a breath separated us. "Most humans choose one or the other. They either crave the darkness or desperately seek the light." His nose skimmed along my cheek. "But you... you see both, don't you? The artist and the killer. The teacher and the terror."

One of my hands found their way to his chest, but I couldn't tell if I meant to push him away or pull him closer. The fabric of his jacket was soft under my fingertips, hiding the immortal strength beneath.

My head was spinning, my thoughts scattered as Klaus's proximity overwhelmed me. I wanted to push him away, to run inside and lock the door behind me. But at the same time, I couldn't deny that a part of me was drawn to him, intrigued by his words and his touch.

"You shouldn't be here," I managed to say, my voice trembling.

Klaus's lips curved into a predatory smile. "But I am."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Why? Why do you keep coming back?"

He leaned in even closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Because you intrigue me."

I shivered at the feeling of his warm breath on my skin. "What do you want from me?"

"What do I want?" He pulled back slightly, studying my face with those piercing blue eyes. "I want to show you what real passion is, love. To open your eyes to a world beyond your mundane existence."

I couldn't deny the spark of curiosity that flickered within me at his words. But I refused to give in so easily.

"I know what passion is," I said stubbornly.

"Do you? Has anyone ever made your heart race like this?" Klaus's hand trailed down my neck and over my chest before resting on my waist.

I swallowed hard as he leaned in again, our faces so close that our noses were almost touching.

"I can make you feel things you've never felt before," he whispered against my lips.

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn't let myself succumb to him just yet.

"Who says I want that?" I challenged, trying not to let his nearness cloud my judgment.

"You do." His voice was low and confident. "You crave excitement and danger just as much as you fear it."

I wanted to deny it, but deep down I knew he was right. There was a part of me that longed for something more, something beyond the endless cycle of work, eat, and sleep.

"I'm not like you," I insisted, searching his eyes for some grain of understanding. Yet all I saw were galaxies of blue teasing me with unparalleled enigma.

His laughter echoed through the night, as soft and alluring as forbidden velvet. "Oh darling, nobody said you had to be." The fingers at my waist tightened slightly, pulling me inescapably closer. "All you need to be is... open."

"Open to what?" I whispered, my voice quivering, my heart hammered wildly against my chest.

His lips crashed into mine, fierce and demanding, with a passion that spoke of centuries of longing. The glass slipped from my trembling fingers, shattering on the wooden planks beneath us. My hands found his jacket lapels, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, my fingers curling into the expensive fabric. His fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head back as his mouth moved against mine with desperate intensity, every touch igniting fire beneath my skin.

My heart thundered against my ribs, matching the fierce rhythm of his immortal strength pressing against me. I could feel centuries of loneliness and desire in the way he held me, his touch alternating between gentle reverence and possessive need. The wooden porch railing pressed into my back, grounding me in this moment that felt suspended between reality and dream.

His hand slid down my spine, leaving trails of fire in its wake, each touch a dangerous promise that made me shiver. I arched into him, gasping as his teeth grazed my lower lip, the gesture both tender and predatory. The rough wood siding pressed against my back, splinters catching at my sweater, a stark reminder of reality that did nothing to break the spell of his presence.

"Such sweet surrender," Klaus breathed against my mouth, his accent thicker with desire. His stubble scraped my skin as he traced kisses along my jaw, each one deliberate and claiming. "And here I thought you were the cautious one, love."

My fingers clutched his shoulders, seeking anchor in a storm of sensation, feeling the immortal strength beneath his expensive jacket. "I am cautious."

"Evidently not." His laugh vibrated against my throat, dark and rich like aged whiskey. "Though I must admit, your recklessness is... intoxicating."

The word snapped something in my brain, cutting through the haze of desire like a knife. Intoxicating. Dangerous. Deadly. Every warning Elena had ever given me about Klaus crashed back like a tidal wave - stories of his cruelty, his manipulation, the trail of broken bodies he'd left across centuries.

"Wait." I pressed my palms against his chest, feeling his heart beat slow and steady beneath my hands. "Stop."

To my surprise, he did. Klaus pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes dark with hunger that wasn't entirely vampiric, predatory desire written in every line of his immortal face. "Having second thoughts?"

"I'm having all the thoughts." My voice shook, betraying the chaos in my mind. "Every single one I should have had before I stepped outside this threshold. Every warning bell that should have rung hours ago."

"And yet here you are." His thumb traced circles on my hip, each movement sending shivers down my spine. "Making choices that would terrify your friends. Defying every careful warning they've whispered behind closed doors."

"They'd be right to be terrified." I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my own recklessness. "You're..."

"A monster?" His smile held no warmth, just centuries of dark promises. "We've established that love. Multiple times tonight. Or have you forgotten our earlier conversations?"

"No, you're..." I struggled to form coherent thoughts with him still pressed against me, his presence overwhelming every sense. The scent of aged whiskey and leather clouded my mind, making it impossible to think straight.

"You're Klaus. You don't do this - whatever this is. You have schemes and plans and..." I drew in a shaky breath, acutely aware of how his touch seemed to burn through the thin fabric of my shirt. "You don't get distracted like this. You're always ten steps ahead of everyone else."

"Perhaps this is part of a scheme." His fingers skimmed up my side, leaving trails of fire in their wake. The predatory gleam in his eyes made my heart stutter. "Or perhaps you've simply caught my interest. A thousand years on this earth, and still you manage to surprise me."

"That might be worse." My voice came out barely above a whisper, heavy with the weight of what those words could mean. The thought of being truly interesting to Klaus Mikaelson was more terrifying than any calculated plot.

His laugh was genuine this time. "Smart girl." He stepped back, leaving me cold in the autumn air. "Though not quite smart enough to stay inside, it seems."

I wrapped my arms around myself, looking down at the shattered glass as I shifted uncomfortably on the porch. "You orchestrated this whole thing." The realization settled like lead in my stomach.

"The history lesson? Yes. The kiss?" His eyes glinted dangerously in the porch light pleased. "That was all you, love. Crossing thresholds, chasing after crystal glasses... Such impulsive decisions."

"You could have just taken the glass with you when you left." Even to my own ears, the argument sounded weak, defensive.

"And miss this delightful demonstration of poor judgment?" Klaus brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering a moment too long against my cheek. "Where would be the fun in that?"

My phone buzzed insistently in my pocket - probably Elena again, wondering why I wasn't responding. Klaus's eyes flickered down to the sound, a calculating expression crossing his features.

"You should answer that. Your friends are quite protective." He took another step back. "Though I doubt they'd approve of tonight's... extracurricular activities."

"Don't." Heat flooded my cheeks as my hand instinctively touched my still-tingling lips. "This was a mistake."

"Was it?" He crouched down, picking up a large shard of broken crystal, his movements deliberately slow and graceful. "Seems more like an education to me. History, chemistry..." The glass caught moonlight as he turned it between his fingers, creating dancing patterns on the porch walls. "A practical lesson in crossing lines."

My phone buzzed again, the vibration seeming to echo in the tense silence between us. Klaus straightened back up to his full height.

"Your friends are getting impatient." Klaus stepped closer, his boots crunching over broken glass. "Though I must say, their timing leaves much to be desired."

I backed up against the door, heart pounding. "I should go inside."

"Should you?" His fingers traced the invisible barrier at the threshold. "We both know that's not what you want."

"What I want isn't always what's best for me."

"Now that's where you're wrong, love." Klaus's eyes locked with mine, intense and magnetic. His gaze held centuries of dark promises, sending shivers down my spine. "Sometimes the most dangerous choices yield the sweetest rewards. Why deny yourself?"

"Because I actually want to stay alive?" My wavering voice revealed my hesitation.

"No." His smile turned predatory, revealing just a hint of fang. "You're curious. Drawn to the darkness, even as you pretend to fear it." He gestured at the door behind me, his rings catching the porch light. "A couple of words, (y/n). That's all it would take. Invite me in."

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I gripped the door knob. "So you can what? Add me to your list of conquests?"

"So we can explore this... chemistry between us." His accent wrapped around the words like silk, each syllable a caress. "Don't pretend you haven't felt it building all evening. The way your heart races when I'm near, how your breath catches at my touch." His words hit too close to home, making my pulse stutter traitorously.

"Klaus..." The name came out as barely more than a whisper.

"Say yes." His hand hovered near my face, not quite touching, but I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. "Give in to what we both want."

My phone buzzed a third time, insistent and grounding. The familiar vibration cut through the spell he was weaving around me. I closed my eyes, fighting against the pull of his presence. "I can't."

"Can't?" His voice carried an edge of danger. "Or won't?"

"Both." I gripped the door frame harder, using the rough wood to anchor myself. "My friends trust me. I won't betray that."

"Loyalty." Klaus spat the word like poison. "Such a human weakness." His fingers traced the invisible barrier again, testing its limits. "And yet, it's precisely that quality which makes you..." He paused, searching for the right word. "Fascinating."

"I'm not fascinating." The words came out sharper than intended. "I'm just trying to survive in a world that keeps getting more complicated by the day."

"You underestimate yourself." His hand dropped to his side. "Most humans would have slammed the door in my face hours ago. But you..." His eyes raked over me, intense and calculating. "You stayed. Listened. Learned."

"Maybe I just needed help with my history paper."

"We both know that's not true." Klaus stepped back, his boots crunching over broken glass. "You're drawn to power, to knowledge. To danger." He smiled, all predator. "To me."

My phone buzzed again, the sound almost angry now. Klaus's eyes flickered to my pocket.

"Answer it." He gestured dismissively. "Before they send a search party."

"They might anyway." I pulled the phone out with trembling fingers. "Elena's not exactly the trusting type these days."

"Can you blame her?" Klaus's eyes glinted with dark amusement. "After everything that's happened in this town, trust becomes quite the precious commodity."

The screen lit up my face as I checked the messages. Four texts from Elena, each more worried than the last.

"Tell me something." I looked up from the phone. "Was any of this real? The history lessons, the stories?"

"Every word." Klaus picked up another shard of glass, turning it in the moonlight. "Though I admit, my motivations weren't entirely... academic."

"You could have just asked me out like a normal person."

His laugh echoed across the porch. "Normal? Love, I haven't been normal for a thousand years." He kicked the glass shards. "Besides, where's the intrigue in that?"

My phone buzzed again. Elena's name flashed across the screen, this time with a call.

"You should answer that." Klaus nodded toward the phone. "Your friend's persistence is admirable, if somewhat inconvenient."

I swiped to accept the call, keeping my eyes on Klaus. "Elena?"

"(y/n)! Thank god. Are you okay? Why weren't you answering?"

Klaus's smirk widened at Elena's panicked tone. He mouthed 'tell her' with a challenging raise of his eyebrow.

"I'm fine." I turned away from his taunting expression. "Just got caught up in my history paper. Lost track of time."

"You're sure everything's alright?"

"Perfectly fine." The lie tasted bitter on my still-tingling lips. "I'll see you tomorrow at school."

Klaus's low chuckle carried across the porch as I ended the call. "Such a convincing liar. I'm almost impressed."

"Don't." I slipped the phone back into my pocket. "This doesn't change anything."

"No?" He crossed the distance between us in two fluid steps. "Then why lie to your dear friend Elena? Why not tell her I'm still here?"

My back pressed against the door frame as he leaned in, his breath ghosting across my cheek. The scent of whiskey and leather overwhelmed my senses.

"Because she'd try to save me." The words came out before I could stop them.

"And you don't want to be saved." His fingers traced the curve of my jaw. "Say it, love. Invite me in."His words hung in the air between us, heavy with promise and danger.

His touch left fire in its wake, each caress stoking the flames higher. My skin felt too tight, too sensitive, every brush of his fingers sending sparks through my nervous system. The rough wood of the house wall dug into my back, the only anchor keeping me from drowning in sensation.

"Please..." The word escaped before I could stop it, breathy and desperate.

"Please what?" His tone is dangerous and seductive. His thumb traced my bottom lip, pressing lightly. "Be specific, love."

Each feather light touch from his hand felt like a jolt of electricity, sending shivers down my spine and causing my muscles to tense in anticipation.

Each circle he traced made me arch closer, seeking more contact.

"I..." The words tangled in my throat as his lips found that spot behind my ear that made my knees weak. "God, Klaus..."

"Not quite the invitation I'm looking for." His teeth grazed my skin, drawing a gasp from my lips. "Try again."

The rational part of my brain screamed warnings, but it was drowning in a sea of want. His hands, his mouth, his voice - everything about him demanded surrender. And I wanted to give in, wanted it with an intensity that frightened me.

"Come..." My voice shook as his fingers tangled in my hair.

He chuckled deeply, his hot breath rolling down my neck. "Come what, love?" His voice was a soft purr, dangerously coercive. He was playing with me and we both knew it.

"Come...in." I finally managed, the words barely making their way past the lump in my throat. His lips drew into a triumphant smirk as he pulled back, meeting my gaze with an intense hunger in his eyes.

"That wasn't so hard, now was it?" He asked, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he swept me into his arms, effortlessly crossing the threshold of my front door. A thrilling rush surged through me, igniting my senses and replacing any trace of fear with a tantalizing excitement that I couldn't resist

“You are mine now,” he growled, slamming the door with a loud thud that reverberated through the house. The heavy weight of finality hung in the air, a declaration that left no room for argument or negotiation. Everything had changed with those words, and the once familiar surroundings now felt foreign and dangerous.

As his words settled in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding wash over me. This was my new reality, and there was no going back to how things used to be.

[zerooclockbaddie]

Friendly Match: Part 1 of 2

Summary: You and JK have been friends for a few months. You first ran into each other at your boxing gym and had become fast friends. At least you are trying to keep those boundaries, as you’ve dubbed Jungkook as off limits because of his idol status. But does Jungkook know he’s off limits?

Idol! Jungkook X BlackfemReader(Plus sized reader)

Warnings: Smut(filthy). Mutual Pinning. Reader is oblivious of JK’s feelings at first. JK is obsessed with Reader including her body. JK is a munch(cunnalingus). Sparring.(Manhandling, wrestling, Judo). Dryhumpping. Choking(HAHAHAH). Rough Sex. Dirty Talk. Reader has a potty mouth, but so does JK. JK is a little shit as is reader. Gym Sex. Semi-Public Sex. Dom JK. Sub reader (Likes to put up a fight though). Bratty Reader. Reader gives off independent black woman vibes. Reader gets frustrated and overwhelmed does cry a bit. Slight Noona Kink(if you squint). Slight Angst. Language barrier is there but vibes. (Will add as the story progresses.)

*Glossary for Korean can be found at end of chapter.*

With a sigh you wrapped your coat tighter around yourself and continued your trek home.

Today hadn’t gone that great for you and every single thing that could have gone wrong, did. It first started off with you waking up to your charger no longer working so your phone only had half of its charge. Now this wouldn’t have been a big deal normally, but today was one of your long days so your phone was a necessity.

Secondly you had to take a cold shower, as the boiler in your apartment unit decided to go out. With the weather getting colder you started turning off your heating system a bit more to save on the utilities bill. Turns out doing that in the dead of winter in Seoul wasn’t the best idea, as the damn things pipes had frozen.

Thirdly while at work the town hall meeting quickly turned into a crisis meeting when the CFO reported that the social media team posted about a future project that was still in its last stages of contract review with a partnered client.

Absolutely nobody was supposed to know about it yet, let alone the public. The post had immediately been deleted on the company website, but by that time the damage was already done. And even though the mistake hadn’t been done by your team, everyone felt the consequences of that fuck up. As all management was now required to sign off on every little thing that needed to be submitted.

With everyone in crisis mode the only break for the day had been a working lunch and you only had time to stuff your face with what you could get from the cafeteria. You couldn’t even run to the store to grab yourself another charger like you had originally planned that morning. You of course had tried borrowing a charger from your coworker but you were that lone iPhone user in a sea of Samsungs.

During your sorry excuse of a lunch you had received an email from your landlord stating that your boiler needed to be replaced, but it wouldn’t happen until Tuesday. Today was Friday, meaning you would be without hot water for 4 days.

However the final tally that had officially turned this day from a little bad to ALL bad was finding out you would have to stay later at work than you originally planned. You were going to work overtime today so you had already come to terms with that. But with the newest demands of the management team you had to stay back and wait to approve every project and procedures for submission before Monday. You couldn’t even take work home as with the recent leak all remote activity was temporarily suspended.

By the time you left the office you were only able to catch one of the two buses you needed to take home. Korea’s public transport stopped running at 1am. Sure you could have called a cab home, however with your phone being dead you had to walk the last 3km home.

But not before stopping at the convenience store to grab another charger. Or two. You will not be caught slipping again.

Now with everything that happened today this walk home should have helped to clear your mind. And normally it would have. But it only made you realize that you wouldn’t be able to relax in a hot shower when you got home. In fact you probably should figure out where you would be staying instead because there was absolutely no way you were going to survive the weekend and then some with no running hot water.

When you finally entered your apartment you were shocked to find that it was ice cold. “What the hell?”

Slipping off your shoes, you step a few feet into your entryway. Frowning you slowly began to realize that your floor heating system wasn’t on. Grabbing your slippers from the shoe rack you dropped them to the floor and quickly shuffled them on.

Making your way to the bedroom you dropped your things onto and over the back of the couch. Hitting the light switch you peered at your thermostat in confusion. Clicking on one of the up arrows you watched as the thing just continues to flash numbers at you. Something that happened this morning when you realized your hot water wasn’t working.

And with that it was as if a light bulb went off in your head and you couldn’t help but throw your head back in defeat. The boiler controlled all of the hot water, meaning the heating system for your floors. Your apartment not only didn’t have running hot water but also no heat. No heat in the middle of freaking winter.

You lean against your wall and groan, “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

Your vision began to blur as frustrated tears prick at the corner of your eyes. Closing them you inhaled deeply refusing to allow them to fall. Everything was just a lot right now, but you weren’t going to let this break you. “It’s fine…it’s fine.”

You hold your breath for a few seconds before slowly exhaling. You repeat this step a few times until you can feel your heart rate slow and the overwhelming feeling dissipates. Sniffling you pushed yourself away from the wall and wiped your eyes dry.

“Seriously fuck today.” You chuckle mirthlessly as you shrug off your jacket, dragging your feet to your closet you proceed to come up with a game plan. As you got changed into your lounge wear you tried to ignore the fact you hadn’ showered yet, but you refused to lazy around in your work clothes. You could mentally hear your mother fussing about how outside clothes don’t go on the bed.

While changing you made a mental checklist of things you needed to do. ‘First charge your phone, then figure out a place to stay for the next few days.’

Your stomach gave a violent rumble as you walked back into your living room. “Okay phone, food THEN figure out the living situation.”

——

About twenty minutes later you find yourself wrapped in your coziest throw blanket finishing off a cup of ramyeon while your phone charges on the arm of the couch. The spice of the noodles hits your tongue and you couldn’t help but groan in happiness.

Since moving to Korea you have begun to understand the sudden appeal of instant ramyeon. Yes you had the instant cup noodles back in the states, but nothing really could beat the taste of Korean cup noodles for some reason.

Staring down into the red liquid you narrow your eyes in suspension. “Why are you so addicting…” Though your newfound suspension didn’t stop you from taking another bite.

Your phone buzzed to alert you of a text message, and you glanced at the screen while in mid-slurp. A familiar bunny emoji greeted your eyes and you couldn’t help but smile around the noodles.

“체육관?”

Finishing your bite of noodles you put down the cup on your coffee table and reach for your phone to type back a quick reply.

“What no hi first?”

You watched the ellipsis appear then disappear before a message popped up on your screen.

“안녕. 체육관?”

You rolled your eyes, but stared at the message for a bit. Even though it was late, going to the gym wasn’t a bad idea. You could shower, plus let some of this pent up energy out against a bag.

Typing out a quick reply you run to your bedroom to get yourself together.

“콜 I can be there in 30”

On any normal trip to the gym you’d take the time to choose your fit. But right now your focus is on durability and comfort. A pair of black leggings and compression sports bra. After adjusting the straps you reach for a baggy sweater and throw it on over your head, the ends of the sweater resting at the top of your thighs.

Stepping into your en suite bathroom, you grab a few hair ties and began the routine of securing your coily hair up in a relaxed updo; a hairstyle your older sister liked to call ‘the pineapple’ and you put another hair tie on your wrist. With hair as thick as yours it was always a good idea to carry a spare.

Exiting your bathroom you stop by your closet to collect your pre packed gym tote. Grabbing your gym shoes you stuff them haphazardly into the tote and head to your nightstand to do the same thing with your water bottle.

You can hear your phone going off from its place on your couch. The familiar text tone alerting you of a new message.

Bag secured over your shoulder you grab your phone and charger, making sure to dump the cord into your bag, doing the same thing with your wallet. With your hands semi free you unlock your phone to view your recent message.

“I can pick you up.”

You declined the offer but that instantly had your phone ringing in your hands. Hitting the green circle you also put the device on speaker.

“You live on the opposite side of the gym. It doesn't make sense for you to come get me.”

“But it’s late and the buses aren’t running.” You hear his gruff voice sound over the speakers of your phone and you had to ignore the way your body immediately warmed. This man was off limits and had been the moment he walked into your boxing gym.

———Flashback———

Your lesson was finishing up with your coach and you were working on the bag and was only focused on finishing out the last few reps.

“당신은 일찍 왔습니다, 정국아.”

You heard your coach call out to the person who you assumed just walked into the private gym but you paid them no mind. Instead the moment your last punch landed on the bag you collapsed to the floor mats dramatically in an exhausted heap.

“제가 해냈어요!”

Your coach and the newcomer both chuckled at your display which had you grinning from your place on the floor. You could hear your coach talking more but you didn’t quite understand their conversation. Your Korean was extremely basic, including your grammar. Besides you didn’t really try as it wasn’t right to eavesdrop on others conversation.

Sitting up you crawl your way awkwardly to your gym bag against the wall. Your boxing gloves and arms make the short trip difficult. But you were stubborn as you desperately needed a drink of water. Reaching your hydro flask you popped it open with your teeth and took the most generous pulls from your straw. Groaning when the cool water hits your throat. Room temp water is better after a workout as your body can absorb it easier, but ice cold water turly hits differently .

Putting the bottle down you start working on taking off your gloves. You hear footsteps approaching and you thought it was your coach so you turn to him, but for one it wasn’t your coach. Instead it was someone else entirely. THE Jeon Jungkook of BTS.

“안녕하세요.” You watched as the man shyly bows to you and you quickly scrambled to stand to return his greeting.

“아..안녕하세요.” You awkwardly stuttered back. He proceeded to fire off fluent Korean to you and you were unfortunately only able to catch a few words. You were better than this. Truly you were, but your brain could barely function because of present company. “Umm…I. 저는 한국어를 잘 못해요…죄송합니다.”

The man laughed softly and switched over to English, or at least what English he could speak. However, through the small interaction you were able to find out that Jungkook also took lessons at your gym. He was a bit more advanced than you as he has more training years under his belt. But he still praised you on your form.

———Present———

That meeting had happened well over 8 months ago, your Korean though at the time being basic and his English also the same, you two had become fast friends. Mostly you two hung out at the gym together or you had invited him over for a small LAN party to play Overwatch with some of your friends back home. Of course you never told them exactly who they were playing with. Your friends weren’t that big into Korean music so it was easy for Jungkook to get away with it. But with his demanding schedule it was hard to find time to hang out. Though that didn’t mean you two didn’t talk.

Your text message chain was covered in meme’s and funny TikTok videos you both had sent back to each other over the months. And you two would FaceTime as often as you could. It was an easy friendship. One you had to constantly remind yourself to not take it any further. No matter how attractive, sweet, funny, and annoyingly cute Jungkook was. His status made him off limits. Besides you figured with his job as an idol, he had to constantly deal with people throwing themselves at him. You didn’t want to do that to him, so you made it your mission to never cross that line.

“I’m a big girl Kook, I can take a cab.” You speak into your phone, as you enter the gym’s address into the Kakao taxi app.

“But surge hours.” You heard him whine through the phone. Without even having to see his face you could see the pout and frown combo your friend was no doubt sporting right now. “It is, but it’s already ordered and I’m not wasting money canceling.”

“…완고한.” You didn’t exactly know what he said, even with your Korean having improved but there were still words you didn’t know. But what you did know is that you should take offense to it.

So you did the only thing you could think of. You hung up on him and dropped your device into your bag, and while you were at it you reached for the gym shoes and quickly put them on. Followed by your coat.

Your phone was buzzing violently in your bag to alert you of a phone call, but you ignored it. If he wanted to insult you then he could deal with being ignored for a few moments. You had to head down anyway, your taxi was almost here.

—-

Your coach was actually in the process of leaving for the evening when you arrived. Because the gym was private, sometimes the man allowed some of his VIP clients to use the facilities after hours. By VIP clients what that really stood for was Jungkook. Coach had given him access a while back due to his schedule. And because of your recent friendship with Jungkook, that had meant that by proxy you had access.

“ Y/N아(야) 혼자 운동하기?”

You dropped your gym bag by the wall as you bowed in a greeting to your coach.

“아니요, 정국이 여기 오는 중입니다.”

The older man hummed in acknowledgement at you and advised you to clean up after yourselves when you both were done. You watched the older man wave goodbye to you and you bowed to him wishing him a goodnight.

Now alone you made your way to the sound system and plugged your phone in. You didn’t often get the option to get control of the aux. It was always a first come first serve type of situation. Opening Spotify you hit your workout playlist and the familiar beat of your favorite song comes blasting through the speakers.

With your music now playing you walked over to the side of the gym that had a few yoga mats available for use. Grabbing the thickest one you unroll it and begin a series of warm up stretches. You’re laying down onto your knee for the pigeon pose when Jungkook comes storming in.

“야! 누나!”

You lifted your head and turned it towards the huffing man and stuck your tongue out at him. During your cab ride over you kept ignoring JK’s calls and at first you were just doing it until you got settled into the cab. But the man had started to blow up your phone so you continue to ignore his calls now for the hell of it. All though you were kind enough to text him you were at the gym.

“미안해요.” Though you said it politely, your tone was giving the exact opposite. You watched him roll his eyes and turn around to drop his bag and water bottle next to your things even going as far as discarding his shoes. With his back turned, you allowed yourself a little time to glance over his appearance. He was wearing his typical oversized shirt and sweatpants in his trademark colors. Black. The outfit was simple, but the black seemed to make his tattoo sleeve pop even more.

And his hair, god he started growing out his hair not too long after you two met and it was just so perfect. You wanted to run you fingers through it, hell even braid it and you didn’t even know how to do that. Shaking your head you stare ahead and focus on your warm up. You switch over to the other leg, your back facing him.

With your attention now off of him, you failed to notice the once over he gave your figure. Nor did you see the way his gaze lingered a little longer on your ass.

Jungkook’s fingers flexed a bit as his thoughts began to get away from him. For months he has been dreaming about your ass, your thighs, your chest and don’t even get him started on your belly. He knew you were self conscious about your weight and you had talked with him about it multiple times. And multiple times he had told you there was absolutely nothing wrong, but he did offer to be your gym buddy, help you on your days when you didn’t have the best mindset. And because of this your friendship had grown to what it was today. But Jungkook desperately wanted more and he has every since he first met you.

Your ass had him hypnosis when he had witnessed you crawling across the gym floor. With absolutely no ounce of shame Jungkook had asked his coach about you immediately. The older man might have judged him but Jungkook gave no fucks, especially after he heard the moan you let out when drinking your water. Fuck at that moment he understood why Army always cheered when he would take a water break during concerts. Your plump lips wrapped around the straw made his cock twitch to life in his sweatpants. Jungkook was already so down bad that the possible language barrier between the two of you didn’t even occur to him until after you both started talking.

“So how was your day?” Your voice calling out to him sounded slightly strained as you switched into deep lunges. He was lucky the music was loud because the noise that fell from his lips sounded feral. That pose made your ass look straight up appetizing. Clearing his throat Jungkook turned his back to you when he noticed you started looking over and occupied himself with his hand wraps.

“Busy, had a few schedules, but I have the next couple of days off. How was yours?”

He heard your huff of frustration and he glanced over his shoulder. You looked peeved. Actually now that he was looking at you, he could see how tense you truly were.

You moved into a butterfly pose and started bouncing your knees against the mat. “It fucking sucked. I had to get a new charger because my old one quit working in the middle of the night. Plus my boiler broke, also work was overwhelmingly stupid. I had to stay late and unfortunately I missed my last bus home. I had to walk the last couple of kilometers.” In the middle of your rant you had abandoned the stretch and had begun listing off your grievances by counting on your stiletto manicured fingers.

Jungkook’s brow furrowed more and more as you ranted off to him about your day. You were speaking extremely fast so he was hyperfocusing on the way your glossed lips moved making sure he was picking up every word. Since meeting you his English has improved rapidly. So much so that even Namjoon noticed. But his brain still needed to work overtime to translate your words, so his hands stilled, pausing in his hand wrapping, the purple wraps hanging awkwardly between his fingers.

“집에 걸어갔어요? 온돌이 고장났습니다? Wait….You can’t stay at home with your heat not working 누나.”

You nod your head in agreement with him.”I know, I’m going to look at a hotel to stay in tomorrow. It’ll be fixed on Tuesday.”

”Stay with me.” He was not going to let you go back home to a cold apartment. It was starting to snow when he had pulled up to the building earlier. He watched as you blinked owlishly at him for his statement, your head tilting in confusion in a way he found extremely cute. But he needed you to understand that he was serious.

“I’m serious. Stay with me until your 온돌 is fixed.”

You waved your hands back and forth in front of you and shook your head. “That's sweet of you, but no, it's okay I can stay at a hotel.”

Jungkook shook the purple wraps off his hand and let the fabric fall to the floor by his bag before making his way over to your form. “If you insist on staying in a hotel, fine. But at least come back to mine for the night.”

Your brows shot up in surprise at his sudden approach. You really did find it sweet that he was offering his own home for your benefit. But staying the night with Jungkook even if it was for platonic reasons felt like it was crossing a line. You smiled gently at the man as you declined once again.

“Y/N, just for tonight. It was snowing when I got here and you live on the 5 floor. There is no way you would be comfortable at home tonight.” As if to prove he was serious Jungkook had kneeled down to your level, his wide brown eyes staring deeply into yours.

Your vision jumped back and forth between his eyes before looking away to think. Okay so he had a point. Your plan had been to stay home for tonight and find a hotel to check into the following morning. When you left your apartment the thermostat had shown 12 degrees Celsius. Now with it snowing you could only imagine what the temperature would read.

You cross your arms over your chest and begin to nibble your bottom lip as you got lost in thought. Would it really be okay for you to accept his offer? You’ve never been to his house before, sure he’s been to yours plenty of times, but it was easier to sneak him into your apartment. Jungkook had literal people stalked outside his home 24/7 always hoping to catch a look of the idol. “I..don’t kn-“

”I won’t accept no for an answer Y/N” Jungkook steels his gaze when your eyes shift back to him at his declarations. It didn’t make sense for you to go back home. He had two guest rooms available. He would truthfully prefer you sleeping in his own bed, snuggled up close, but that could come later. He watched as one of your eyebrows ticked upward and an expression he dubbed stubborn defiants took over.

Dropping down fully to the floor Jungkook crossed his legs and settled in for the long haul. Once you had that look on your face it was always hard for him to change your mind. Sometimes he would just give up and let you have your way, but he refused to do that this time. It’s for your own good and his peace of mind.

“I’ll be fine Jungkook, it's for one night. Hell it's like literally just a few hours at this point. I won’t freeze to death.” Though you said this, a miniscule part of your brain did wonder if it was actually possible.

“Aren’t you anemic? You’ve been complaining about how cold you’ve been feeling lately.”

Your eyes shifted to the floor with his statement. So yes you did get cold super easily. You had never been the type of person to sleep with socks on, but more nights you found yourself doing exactly that. In fact your fuzzy sock collection had grown quite quickly over the last couple of months, but you felt that was largely due to the man right in front of you.

“I can’t ask you to d-“

”You aren’t asking, I’m offering.” Jungkook watched as you bite your lower lip and your brows scrunch closer together. He could see your mind physically searching for a way to decline his offer. You might have hung up the phone when he had called you stubborn earlier, but you really were. He admired how fiercely independent you were, but he wanted you to also understand you don’t have to be with him around.

“Y/N, I have a spare bedroom you can stay in for the night. You can sleep in a warm bed and I’ll even make breakfast. I make an amazing egg sandwich.”

You rolled your eyes at him, but the corner of your lips did tug upward into a small smile. You were tempted to say yes, but you still were worried. “ You won’t get into trouble for me spending the night?”

You watched as Jungkook’s eyes dip down your frame and back up to your eyes. And your body warms uncontrollably at the gesture. “누나 I’ve had people crash at mine before.”

You sigh a bit in frustration because that’s not exactly what you meant. Yes you are sure he has had people over, but what about women? You didn’t want him to get into trouble with his company over this. A photo leaking of a woman sneaking into his home in the middle of the night would be a horrible scandal. No matter how innocent it is. “Okay but have you ever had a woman do it? I don’t want this to get you into ‘any’ kind of trouble.”

It was Jungkook’s turn to arch his eyebrow, he watched as you stared at him in genuine concern. He could tell now that what you were really worried about was the possible scandal this could bring, and yes there was a chance you could be caught coming home with him. But he didn’t care about all of that. He was a grown man and he wasn’t going to stop or be afraid to live his own life because of that.

Staring at you for a little longer something else started to occur to him, how innocent did you think he was to not having had a woman stay at his place before. Grinning, he placed his hands behind him and leaned back onto his palms, his eyes never leaving yours.

“You wouldn’t be the first woman to spend the night with me Y/N.” He said as he cocks his head to the side chuckling softly.

You scoff and look away as the warm feeling from before moved to two places. Your face then down to your lower belly. You know he didn’t mean it the way he said it, but you couldn’t help the way your mind wandered. The fantasies you’ve buried deep into the back of your head started coming to the surface.

You feel a nudge against your knee and look down to watch Jungkook’s foot return to the floor. Without hesitation you reach forward and push the man back by his shoulders. “Eww don’t touch me with your feet!”

Jungkook bursts into a giggling mess as he falls back to the floor in a heap. You aggressively started rubbing the back of your hand over where his toe sock covered foot touched. ”I’m definitely going home after that stunt.”

You started to stand but jungkook was faster. Your wrist was within his hand in seconds and he gently pulled you back down to your seated position. At least that had been the plan until gravity set it. Your had corrected your balance trying not to fall into Jungkook, but the man didn’t want you falling to the floor.

You landed awkwardly across his lap. His thighs digging slightly into your stomach. You feel one of his hands on your shoulder and the other on your waist stabilizing you. “I’m sorry 누나.”

Jungkook was in absolute heaven. You were laid across his lap in such a way that your ass was almost directly in his face. He had caught you in a way that he could feel exactly how soft and warm your body was against his own and loved it. But he could only hold you against him for so long.

As you began to sit up you felt Jungkook’s hand move from your waist to the other side of your hip in assistance. His hold firm and strong, your heart couldn’t help but flutter. You plop down next to him and you watch as he looks you over clearly checking for injuries. “I’m fine Kook, I practically crushed you. I should be the one saying sorry. Are you okay?”

Jungkook reached over and flicked your forehead. “You could never 누나.”

You hiss in pain and lean away from him rubbing your forehead. Glaring at him past you hands. “Ow, what as that for?”

Jungkook just gives you a look. One that you clearly understand. No negative remarks towards yourself were allowed. Something you both had talked about multiple times.

You watch as Jungkook stands up and stretch his hands high above his head. It took all of your willpower not to drop your eyes to his crotch. “You’ve been practicing Judo with 선생님?”

You continue to pout as your rub your forehead still a little miffed and mumbled a soft yes.

“Then let's spar in the ring. You win, I’ll drive you back home. I win, you stay with me tonight. “ What he didn’t tell you was that if your place did turn out to be too cold he was going to drag you over to his anyway.

You slowly come to your feet next to him, frowning at him deeply. “How is that fair? You are literally a black belt.”

Jungkook smiled cheekily at your comment. And leaned a little into your space. “Scared?”

You rolled your eyes and placed your hand on his cheek pushing his head away from you, “No, I’m being realistic.”

With the momentum of your push he dramatically falls into the direction of the elevated ring tucked into the corner of the gym.

You watch from your place next to your yoga mat as Jungkook slides into the ring and stands up only to lean down on to the black boxing ring ropes, his full weight bouncing lazily on them. “If you can pin me once, you win. But if I can pin you 7 times. I win?”

You walk towards him and place your hands on your hips, your neck tilted back as you look up to him. “I only have to pin you once?”

Jungkook bobs his head up and down in confirmation. You had only been practicing Judo for the last month or so. But your coach had said you did show great promise for it. Which didn’t surprise you in the least. What he didn’t know is that you and your siblings pretended that your living room was a wrestlemania arena when you were growing up. Stone Cold Steve Austin was your literal childhood hero.

“Fine.” You agreed to his terms and started toeing off your shoes. Then your socks as an afterthought. Honestly the deal was a good one. You didn’t really have faith in abilities but 1 out of 7 were good odds.

To be continued…

Next<

Glossary:

체육관: Gym—안녕. 체육관: Hello(informal). Gym—콜: Deal(ex:You have a deal.)—당신은 일찍 왔습니다, 정국아: You came early, Jungkook—제가 해냈어요: I did it—안녕하세요: Hello(Formal)—저는 한국어를 잘 못해요…죄송합니다:I am not good at Korean, I’m sorry—…완고한: Stubborn—Y/N아(야) 혼자 운동하기: Y/N (ending depends if your names ends in vowel or a constant), working out alone—아니요, 정국이 여기 오는 중입니다: No, Jungkook is on his way here—야! 누나: Hey(informal) Older sister(for male)—미안해요: Sorry(formal)—집에 걸어갔어요? 온돌이 고장났습니다?: Did you walk home? Is the ondol(Korean thermostat) broken—선생님: Teacher.

Please let me know if this format is clear enough to understand.

[hjbender]

In light of AO3's recent spotlight on plagiarism and the fact that it's been a few years, I submitted a new report against a work that plagiarized one of my own back in 2021.

I discovered the plagiarism when I came across some really nice ficart drawn by a semi-popular artist in the fandom I was in at the time and... hey, that's the exact same thing that happened in a fic I wrote eight months before... oh, here's a link to the story... oh. I've been plagiarized.

I left a polite comment and the author immediately orphaned the fic to cover their tracks. But in doing that, they lost the ability to edit, delete, or otherwise correct the fic to make it not a plagiarization.

So it's still up. Still receiving kudos and hits and bookmarks and nice comments from people who have no idea that it's not an original idea.

Word got around in the fandom somehow, and the artist who drew the ficart deleted their post. (It was a nice glowing post about "my friend wrote this really cute fic and so I drew this".) That was kind of telling, especially since I was the "nasty X shipper" whom all of the other fans hated. No one wanted to get caught associating from me. All because I shipped the wrong fictional space wizards.

In my first report to AO3, I included a detailed list of some of the nearly word-for-word excerpts that were lifted from my own fic. This is beside the general idea, plot elements, story progression, and dialogue that had been copied.

Somehow, AO3 decided that the work didn't qualify as plagiarism enough, so they left the fic up.

I'm hoping this report gets seen by new eyes who will make the right call this time.

[greenplumbboblover]

Simblr.cc

I made a website!

Now you've probably seen the attempt before, people getting mad at tumblr and then making a 'Simblr' (Tumblr clone). Though, despite tumblr being sometimes a bit frustrating because of their changes, that's not why this site came to be...

I wanted a place where Storytellers, Creators, and just generic sim players can all be together and get the exposure and fun that they deserve.

Not only that, but also for a place where the TSM community and TS1 can belong somewhere too without the use of a forum.

And eventually, I hope we can make it the home for Life by you and Paralives when that comes out :)

Plus, it's also NSFW friendly! While the site is initially PG-13, we've got tags and profile settings that allow you to browse NSFW items as well.

Simblr.cc:

Discord:

What can I find on Simblr.cc exactly?

Anything for all sims games, really! TS1, TS2, TS3, TS4 and TSM

Practically anything you technically can find on Tumblr and really other sim websites. We've got...

Mods

I've specifically made filters for different games, and their needs in mind. For example, for TS2 there are so many awesome game fixes out there and clean templates, that you'll be able to navigate and find this easily.

Not only that, items can also be put in multiple categories! Especially great if you've uploaded a set!

You can also find Testers wanted only mods here if you feel like helping out fellow simmers with testing!

NOTE:

Mods do go through a "queue", but not in the same way as you may have experienced on MTS or TSR. I merely check if it's flagged as NSFW correctly, and then it's good to go! :) So the waiting time will be much less!

See TOU: Click me!

Eventually, I may see if I can get a bypass system in place, but that really depends on if NSFW isn't too confusing.

Work In Progress

To show off your work to others! Even if it's project #94882 that may never get released, any WIPS are fine!

Stories

It's really difficult to find new Sim stories or Legacies on Tumblr, let alone for these writers to get people to read their awesome stories! Hopefully this should make the process much easier now!

Also! You got any comic or "movie/cinematic" like stories? No problem! Just check the "carousel only" option, so no description needed!

Feed

... and for the Simblrs here, a feed to see all the people you follow, their content (stories, WIPs, mods and general posts)! Or, simply check out sitewide, or even game-related, what people have been posting!

Customizable profile pages

Just like tumblr, you can make your own profile page! With it's own colours and a pre-made theme. (if you need a different profile page, though, Let us know on the discord)

Want a peek? Here you go:

What about moderation?

While there's a report system in place, and the items in the queue are checked for NSFW, but users could still turn their non-NSFW to a NSFW, items may be stolen. So do report these as that will never be condoned!

Additionally, all comments you get on your mods, story, etc. Those are primarily moderated by you. You can delete them, you can turn comments off even if you'd like. If things really go wrong, you can always ask an admin.

Got any ideas? Feel free to share!

Since I really wanted it to be a website we all create together in some degree, if you have any features you're missing or would like to see, feel free to share on the discord!

Where are the Advertisements?

If you're currently not seeing them as of reading the post, that's because that's still being set up. This is merely to cover the cost of the website! Though, I promise you I won't bombard the site with ads, as that's just annoying.

[bangtanhoneys]

Grace & Namjoon - AU Headcanons

ARMY has always been fascinated by the bond between Grace and Namjoon. From the very beginning, their relationship stood apart—Grace was the first person Namjoon met at Big Hit after the executives, and from that moment, she became a guiding force in his journey. She trained with him, refined his already impressive English, and helped shape him into the leader she always knew he could be. What started as nervous introductions quickly grew into mutual respect, and over time, into something even deeper.

There was no singular moment when their feelings shifted—no grand revelation or sudden realisation. Instead, it was a quiet, natural progression. For Namjoon, it was in the early days, standing back and watching Grace fight for her place in Bangtan, holding her own in an industry that wasn’t ready for her. For Grace, it was the way Namjoon meticulously deleted or reported cruel messages in their chat, protecting her in ways he never spoke about.

The four-year age gap means nothing. Though she’s technically his noona, he has never once seen her as anything but his equal.

Their relationship remains a secret—not out of shame, but out of caution. They’re unsure of how the rest of BTS, the company, or the world would react. But the boys? They knew before either of them ever admitted it.

Telling Big Hit was the hardest part. The company had expectations, rules, and a brand to uphold. But Grace and Namjoon were strategic, making sure that if their relationship ever threatened their careers, they could step back from each other without jeopardising BTS.

Because in the end, no matter what, Bangtan comes first.

Without anyone noticing, they slipped seamlessly into their roles as co-leaders. It felt natural—Grace, with her British accent and effortless ability to connect with female fans on a personal level, brought a different kind of relatability. She had known the idol world and the music industry a little longer than Namjoon, and that experience gave her an edge.

For Namjoon, as the first member of BTS, his role remained unchanged—his intellect, his poetic mind, his “Namjooning” ways—he was magnetic. The industry wanted him. The world listened when he spoke.

And when the two of them stood side by side at the Blue House, delivering a speech on the realities of idol life, something shifted.

The world finally saw it.

This wasn’t just a couple. This was a force to be reckoned with.

The speech was meant to be a moment, a simple conversation about the pressures of idol life. But as Grace and Namjoon stood before some of the most powerful figures in Korea, speaking with the kind of conviction that couldn’t be ignored, it became something much bigger.

They spoke about mental health in the industry, about the expectations placed on idols, the unrealistic standards, the sacrifices no one talked about. They didn’t just talk about change—they demanded it.

The room was silent, but the world outside? Explosive.

Headlines dominated every major outlet:

“The Leaders of BTS Call for Change in the Industry.” – The Korea Times

“Namjoon and Grace: The Power Couple Redefining K-Pop.” – The New York Times

“When Two Leaders Speak, the World Listens.” – TIME

Social media erupted. “This isn’t just about BTS anymore. This is about every idol who has ever suffered in silence.” “Grace and Namjoon have officially entered their ‘revolutionary power couple’ era.” “If I ever disappear, just know it’s because I called them Korea’s Beyoncé and Jay-Z.”

Even industry insiders couldn’t ignore it. Labels scrambled to release statements, idols subtly showed their support in hidden ways—song lyrics, small gestures, even just the way they carried themselves in interviews.

But for Grace and Namjoon, it was just another moment. Another stand they took together, without ever revealing the full extent of what they were to each other.

That is, until Big Hit’s announcement.

As Namjoon prepared to enlist, the company released its standard statement—urging fans to respect his privacy during his service. But this time, there was an addition.

“We kindly ask for your support and understanding as the artist fulfills his duty to our country. Additionally, we request that you respect the privacy of his partner, Grace Chu, as she navigates this time while continuing her solo career and her role as the 8th member of BTS.”

The world stopped. And just like that, the secret was out.

Big Hit had anticipated backlash, expected their stocks to drop, and foresaw antis going mad over the news. However, what actually transpired made them pause. There was celebration, rejoicing; their stocks surged into overdrive, interest in Grace’s solo career increased, and magazines were clamouring for the first exclusive interview with the couple the moment Namjoon was discharged.  

ARMY were counting down the days to his and Taehyung’s dischargement. Not because they missed them, but because they knew what was coming. Grace had been there for every single one - Seokjin, Hobi, then Namjoon and Taehyung, then Jimin and Jungkook and finally Yoongi. But ARMY wanted to see how the couple would react in public, with cameras on them as they filmed the idols leaving the military for the final time. 

And there it was—a simple hug. But the world saw the way Namjoon instantly relaxed, as if all the weight he’d been carrying had vanished in an instant. They saw the way Grace tucked her face into his neck, the quiet comfort in that fleeting moment. The way the boys, ever the protective brothers, casually blocked the cameras just long enough for them to whisper something only they would hear.

And then, just like that, it was over.

No updates. No V-LIVEs. Nothing for an entire week.

The Korean media went into a frenzy, speculating on their sudden disappearance. Some guessed they were locked in the studio, cooking up a diss track. Others whispered about a secret project.

Then, finally, an answer—one that didn’t come from a news outlet or an official statement, but from a single tweet.

A fan posted a blurry picture of a couple from behind. The image was unassuming to most, but to anyone who had followed them for years, it was obvious.

"ARMY! I’ve been holding this in for so long, wanting to respect their privacy, but I can’t anymore! I was in Rome last week and GUESS WHO WAS THERE?! Namjoon and Grace!! They were literally everywhere we went. Just vibing. No one knew who they were except for me and my sister. They were just… normal. A simple couple, living their best life. No stress, no pressure—just them.

The cutest thing? Namjoon buying Grace gelato, then holding her cone while she ran into a shop real quick. I just—ugh. They’re soft and domestic, but also effortlessly powerful at the same time. When they have kids? Just know those babies are about to inherit everything.”

The moment they stepped foot back in Korea, it was straight back to work. The world demanded their attention. Magazines fought for the first exclusive interview. Artists lined up, eager for collaborations. The Met Gala extended a personal invitation. The Grammys were calling. Everyone wanted a piece of them.

Yet, despite being the most sought-after couple, Namjoon and Grace remained the most understated. They didn’t chase the spotlight—it followed them. They didn’t need to prove anything to the world. They were enough as they were.

But Vogue Korea got to them first. The Cover That Said It All

Instead of a grandiose set or an elaborate concept, the photoshoot took place at HYBE.  The cover? Striking in its simplicity.

A black-and-white shot of their silhouettes standing in front of BTS’ legendary trophy cabinet. No faces, no theatrics—just their presence, side by side, casting long shadows over a decade’s worth of history.It wasn’t just a statement. It was a legacy.

They never attended the Met Gala, leaving the spectacle to others. The GRAMMYs? Only with BTS. Always with BTS.

Because their focus never wavered. It wasn’t about the glitz, the headlines, or the status. It was about the music, the message, and the family they built with ARMY. And now, the world was waiting—breath held, hearts racing—for the comeback that had been promised for so long.

Fans were treated to BANGTAN BOMBS, behind the scenes of the album planning, the tour that would be announced with big fanfare and ARMY could see the couple back in their natural roles but their relationship was never put on display for the camera. They remained professional, focused on the job. 

When the tour ended, BTS didn’t disband—they evolved. Some members focused on family, others on solo projects. For the first time in years, there were no restrictions, no deadlines. Priorities shifted. They had spent so much time on the road, so much time away from home. It was time to breathe. For Grace and Namjoon, starting a family was a want, but not a need. Their focus was elsewhere—on the future.

On idols trapped under strict contracts. On those suffering under agencies that didn’t care. On those who abused their power and fame. On those who didn’t survive the idol life.

They had lost too many. And they refused to lose more. That’s when the documentary was born. It was raw. Unfiltered. The truth.

Grace’s story—from the very beginning. The moments when producers doubted her, when they questioned whether she was “Korean enough.” The whispers, the hurt, the battles she fought to be heard and seen. How idols, faces hidden, used to say things about her looks and her body. How the internet used her to either demean her or over sexualise her. 

Namjoon’s perspective—the way he and the boys stood by her, not because she was Korea’s Noona, not because she was an asset, but because she was one of them. A Bangtan member. A leader. A fighter. The documentary shook the industry.

Companies could no longer pretend. Fans could no longer ignore it. Idols, both rookies and veterans, began to speak up. And just like that—the conversation changed.

HYBE stood behind them—not just as a company, but as an ally. They had started as BigHit, a small company that had fought against the industry norms. Now, they were facing the biggest shift in idol history. They issued a statement. Not just of support, but of change.

The industry had to evolve. Fans had to see idols as people, not untouchable gods. They could date. They could smoke. They could have families. And they deserved a life beyond the stage.

Then came the moment that shook Korea. Grace and Namjoon stood at the Blue House, side by side, dressed in matching black suits—a power move in itself. The Korean media couldn’t look away.

This wasn’t just an idea anymore. It was a movement.

They announced their plan: They weren’t taking over HYBE. They were taking back BigHit.

Back to its roots. Back to the company that had given BTS a chance. A company built on belief, not control.

And with it—they unveiled their program.

Mental health support integrated into idol training.

Proper nutritionists ensuring idols weren’t starving to meet beauty standards.

Programs on financial stability, legal rights, and navigating fame without losing oneself.

It was radical. It was unheard of.

And yet—idols were already lining up to join.

The moment Grace and Namjoon left the Blue House, the world exploded.

News outlets. Talk shows. Twitter.

Every headline screamed the same thing—

"Kim Namjoon & Grace Chu: The Couple Changing K-Pop Forever."

Within days, the shift was undeniable.

Idols started speaking up.

Former trainees exposed horror stories from their past.

Fans, once blindly loyal to companies, demanded change.

And the industry? It panicked.

Labels scrambled to issue statements, some denying abuse, others vaguely supporting reform. But everyone knew—this was no longer something they could brush under the rug.

Then came the announcement that shook the world: BigHit Entertainment was officially under new ownership. Not by faceless executives. Not by outsiders chasing profit. But by the very people who built it: Grace, Namjoon, Seokjin, Yoongi, J-Hope, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook.

The ink had barely dried before the reforms started.

Contracts were rewritten—no more slave deals, no more seven-year traps.

Health and safety protocols became mandatory.

Dating bans? Gone.

Mental health breaks? Encouraged.

And just like that, the idol world changed.

For the first time in history, idols weren’t just products. They were people.

It was only a matter of time before one of the biggest labels cracked. A high-profile scandal surfaced—one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies was exposed for decades of abuse, contract manipulation, and cover-ups.

And this time? The public didn’t look away. They fought back. Boycotts. Protests. Investigations. For the first time, a major K-pop company collapsed under its own weight.

And in the middle of it all, Grace and Namjoon stood their ground. They weren’t just Korea’s Power Couple. They were the change the industry never saw coming.

Their work was nearly complete. The industry had changed, the idol world had evolved, and they had done what they set out to do. So when Namjoon and Grace finally announced that they had secretly married, no one was surprised.

What did surprise them was the second announcement— Grace was pregnant.

And with that, she bowed out of BTS. Her journey as an idol had come full circle. Her work wasn’t over—far from it—but it was time for a new chapter. While Namjoon continued to take the stage with the boys, Grace would take her place alongside Bang PD as the CEO of BigHit. She wasn’t stepping back. She was stepping up.

As BTS continued their encore performances, the world couldn’t help but wonder—what came next? For the group, for the industry, for Namjoon and Grace. Speculation ran wild, but Grace, ever the strategist, remained quiet. Her focus was on BigHit’s transformation, on shaping the next generation of idols, and on preparing for the most important role of her life—motherhood.

Then, one crisp autumn morning, Big Hit issued a simple statement: “Welcome to the world, the brightest star.” No names. No pictures. Just a message of love, respect, and privacy.

But the industry felt the shift. It wasn’t just the birth of Namjoon and Grace’s child. It was the start of a new era—one they had built from the ground up, one where idols had choices, where the industry was no longer a machine but a home. And when Namjoon finally returned to the stage, his wedding ring glinting under the lights, his voice stronger than ever, ARMY knew—this was never an ending.

This was just the beginning.

[pleaseletmeinibeg453]

Paper cuts

|Jelsa, Modern AU, Enemies with Benefits, Fake dating, Forced Proximity|

Agent Elsa Stenford [NID-SO-ES-07] — Operation Report Upload Log

—Logged into secure terminal: Vienna Safehouse Terminal-2

—Date: 2022-07-08

—Time (UTC): 23:16

—Connected to secure node: NIDNet

—Report file: OP_SILENTRAVEN_AAR.enc

—Encryption status: Secured with NID Master Key — encryption signature verified (Checksum ID: F1A5-7C9B)

—Recipient(s): Jack Frost, Section Chief Special Operations (SO-92A), Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4), National Intelligence Directorate

—Transmission channel: Priority-One Secure Uplink (Classified Level: TOP SECRET)

—Transmission status: COMPLETE — audit log updated (Reference Log ID: ES07-0525-2214)

—Backup status: Encrypted local backup stored (Partition ES-07-SAFE); master copy uploaded to Central Ops Archive (Vault-4)

—Field confirmation: Agent ES-07 signed digital attestation; no tampering detected; self-authentication successful

Note: Automatic alert dispatched to Division Supervisor terminal. Clearance authentication required upon access.

---------------------------

Operation Silent Raven is an ongoing mission targeting a covert illicit arms trafficking network operating primarily in South Carolina. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Delete ‘ongoing mission’ — this is filler from someone unfamiliar with concise reporting. Vague and redundant.] This report details recent operational progress, intelligence collection, and actionable recommendations. [Flag—Acting supervisor: You clearly do not understand report structure. This useless sentence wastes time and space.] 

The primary objective is to identify, monitor, and dismantle the arms trafficking chain responsible for the flow of small arms and light weapons through various transit points in the region. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Restating obvious without any specifics or measurable targets reflects poor understanding of operational goals. Omit.] HUMINT sources have verified the existence of a new maritime transit corridor utilizing the seaport. [Flag—Acting supervisor: “HUMINT sources” is lazy projection. You apparently cannot be trusted to identify sources properly. Brackets demonstrate careless drafting.] SIGINT intercepted encrypted communications that suggest coordination between traffickers and local facilitators. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Suggest’ is weak speculation, unbefitting a professional intelligence report. Either confirm or remove this guesswork.] 

Financial forensics have traced suspicious funds transfers totaling approximately $8 million USD linked to traffickers. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Provide specifics or this bland, meaningless statement reveals superficial analysis.] Technical surveillance detected multiple covert meetings in [Urban Centers], corroborated by photographic evidence. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Using placeholders signals either incompetence or utter disregard for accuracy.] On 2022-06-21, interdiction team, operating with local law enforcement, seized 250 illegal firearms at the port city warehouse. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Poorly structured sentence; the muddled passive voice further obscures the facts you apparently cannot clearly present.] Two principal suspects were detained, providing critical intelligence that identified higher-level facilitators. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Passive construction and vague attribution further demonstrate your failure to take ownership of this data.] 

Informant “Falcon” supplied actionable intelligence regarding a planned arms shipment scheduled for early June. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Finally, a clear statement, but unfortunately, it’s buried among verbosity and filler.] Operational security protocols were heightened after detecting possible surveillance by hostile intelligence actors. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Possible’ surveillance indicates your uncertainty and it undermines the entire assessment and betrays inadequate situational awareness.] The network disruption has temporarily halted major arms transfers. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Temporarily’ suggests you lack the insight or confidence to forecast outcomes. Such ambiguity is unacceptable.] 

Surveillance and intelligence collection continue focusing on secondary facilitators and financing channels. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Non-specific, passive phrasing again. You appear unable to report with decisiveness or clarity.] Coordination with allied intelligence agencies is ongoing to leverage broader interdiction efforts. [Flag—Acting supervisor: “Allied intelligence agencies” — weak and meaningless. Omit.] Risk assessment indicates elevated threat levels against NID assets involved in this operation. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Without elaboration, this statement is worthless. The absence of detail is either negligence or incompetence. I’m leaning towards the latter, although the first one also seems to be your defining trait.] Approve expansion of covert operations targeting secondary facilitators and financiers. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Recommendations lack essential resource planning and rationale, further exposing your inexperience.] Request additional SIGINT and counter-surveillance resources. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Additional’ is meaningless without quantification. This sloppy request reflects poor operational understanding.] Initiate an inter-agency task force to address cross-border financing and logistics. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Unsubstantiated recommendation with no defined objectives — this is amateurish.] Continue monitoring and protection of key HUMINT sources and operatives. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Failing to specify protection protocols reflects a dangerous oversight on your part.] Attachments include interdiction team after-action report, financial transaction analyses, SIGINT intercept summaries, and photographic documentation of seized arms and facilities. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Referencing attachments without actual inclusion indicates either incompetence or disregard for proper reporting. Which one is it?]

Flag—Acting supervisor: This report is miserably inadequate and reflects a disturbing lack of professionalism and capability. The careless placeholders, vague assertions, passive voice, and speculative language betray your failure to grasp even the basic standards of intelligence reporting. Such work not only wastes time but actively hampers operational efficiency. REWRITE. 

---------------------------

Secure Directive

From: Jack Frost 

[Code: NID-SO-JF-01]

Section Chief, Special Operations / Acting Division Supervisor [Code SO-92A/DS-4]

To: Agent Elsa Stenford [Code:NID-SO-ES-07]

Subject: RE: Report Review – Operation Silent Raven

Classification: TOP SECRET // EYES ONLY

Agent Stenford,

Your submitted report for Operation Silent Raven is wholly inadequate and reflects a concerning lack of analytical rigor, operational discipline, and professional attention. The presence of unresolved placeholders, vague assertions, speculative conclusions, and critical data gaps is unacceptable at this operational level and wastes valuable time and resources.

This level of oversight is incompatible with the standards expected from an intelligence officer assigned to this unit. You are to:

1. Eliminate all placeholders and provide verified, cross-checked intelligence.

2. Remove speculative or assumptive language; include only confirmed, actionable data.

3. Rewrite sections for clarity, precision, and direct accountability — passive formulations are unacceptable.

4. Deliver detailed, concrete descriptions of sources, operational locations, timelines, and outcomes without ambiguity.

5. Ensure all referenced materials are attached, properly labeled, and internally consistent.

6. Strengthen recommendations by specifying exact resource needs, operational impacts, and executable directives.

7. Fully address risk assessments with defined threats, probability ratings, and specific mitigation strategies.

The supervisor-annotated version of your report (File ID: SR-Report-Rev1-JF) has been uploaded to the secure review system. You are to address all marked corrections and resubmit the fully corrected report no later than 1800 hours today. No further extensions will be granted.

Jack Frost 

[Code: NID-SO-JF-01]

Section Chief, Special Operations (SO-92A)

Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4)

National Intelligence Directorate

---------------------------

Agent Elsa Stenford [Code: NID-SO-ES-07] — Report Upload Log (Revised Submission)

—Logged into secure terminal: Vienna Safehouse Terminal-2

—Date: 2022-07-09

—Time (UTC): 17:38

—Connected to secure node: NIDNet 

—Report file: OP_SIENTRAVEN_AAR_v2.enc

—Encryption status: Secured with NID Master Key — encryption signature verified (Checksum ID: F1A9-7C3B-R2)

—Recipient(s): Jack FrostJack Frost (NID-SO-JF-01), Section Chief Special Operations (SO-92A), Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4), National Intelligence Directorate

—Transmission channel: Priority-One Secure Uplink (Classified Level: TOP SECRET)

—Transmission status: COMPLETE — audit log updated (Reference Log ID: ES07-0525-2316-R2)

—Backup status: Encrypted local backup stored (Partition ES-07-SAFE); master copy uploaded to Central Ops Archive (Vault-4, Revised Submission Folder)

—Field confirmation: Agent ES-07 signed digital attestation; no tampering detected; self-authentication successful

Note: Automatic alert dispatched to Division Supervisor terminal. Clearance authentication required upon access. Revision flag registered under Audit Protocol 4B.

---------------------------

Secure Directive

From: Jack Frost [Code: NID-SO-JF-01] 

Section Chief, Special Operations / Acting Division Supervisor [Code: SO-92A/DS-4]

To: Elsa Stenford [Code: NID-SO-ES-07]

Subject: RE: Secure Directive – Operation Silent Raven Report (Revised Submission)

Agent Stenford,

I have completed my review of your revised report on Operation Silent Raven. The annotated document is attached under:

Attachment: SilentRaven_Rev2_ES07_JFcomments.secure

To be precise: this submission remains below acceptable operational standards. Your continued use of speculative phrasing, unsupported assertions, and vague recommendations demonstrates a concerning lack of analytical discipline. This is not a matter of inexperience. You are not a trainee, Agent. At your level and position, you are expected to understand and apply the standards of rigor, precision, and clarity required in all agency reporting. That expectation is not optional.

Your report exhibits repeated failures:

1. Speculative language where concrete analysis is required;

2. Lack of referenced source attachments, despite multiple directives;

3. Unquantified risk assessments, absent methodological support;

4. Action recommendations devoid of operational specificity.

This is not a learning exercise nor is it a second chance, Agent Stenford. I should not be required to remind you of the foundational protocols governing intelligence reporting. You are expected to deliver work that reflects your clearance level, your operational rank, and your assigned responsibilities — without need for remedial oversight.

You are hereby directed to produce a final, fully compliant, actionable revision and submit it under secure protocol no later than 1300 hours tomorrow. Failure to meet this directive will result in formal escalation to the Division Office for immediate performance review. There will be no further instructions, no extended clarifications, and no tolerance for repeated submission failures.

Jack Frost [Code: NID-SO-JF-01]

Section Chief, Special Operations (SO-92A)

Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4)

National Intelligence Directorate

*

Operation Silent Raven: A report

1.⁠ ⁠Executive Summary:

—The target group’s network activity has intensified in the last 72 hours, with encrypted communications suggesting a planned operation within the capital region. [Flag—Acting supervisor: “Suggesting” is a charming euphemism for “guessing.” Precision is not your forte, is it?]

—HUMINT sources indicate the possible involvement of an external actor, potentially destabilizing regional security. [Flag—Acting supervisor:  “Possible” and “potentially” — a truly inspiring display of hedging. I applaud your commitment to ambiguity.] While these indicators warrant heightened surveillance, conclusive evidence regarding the exact nature and timing of the planned event remains unconfirmed. [COMMENT: I look forward to the day when ‘unconfirmed’ is replaced by ‘confirmed.’ Continue taking baby steps, we’re all here to babysit you and instruct on every level, not to do our job.]

2.⁠ ⁠Intelligence Sources:

SIGINT: Intercepted encrypted transmissions on frequencies 8.1 GHz to 8.3 GHz, believed to originate from multiple cell towers in the downtown sector. [Flag—Acting supervisor: “Believed.” A masterclass in non-committal language. Bold. Yet, it fails to meet the minimum standards of verification.] Metadata analysis aligns with previous hostile activity patterns.

[Flag—Acting supervisor: Please specify the parameters of your analysis. Otherwise, it reads as a hopeful suggestion rather than intelligence.]

HUMINT: Confidential informant reported unusual meetings near industrial sector 4. Reliability assessed as moderate; corroborating SIGINT incomplete. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Moderate’ is an imaginative way of saying ‘I’m not sure.’ The agency appreciates your creativity but prefers facts.]

IMINT: Limited satellite imagery from 23-25 MAY shows increased vehicular movements near potential staging areas, but imagery quality insufficient for identification of personnel or equipment. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Including non-identifiable imagery is an excellent way to fill pages. Whether it aids operations is another matter. But who cares?]

3.⁠ ⁠Operational Assessment:

The convergence of SIGINT and HUMINT suggests preparatory steps for an operation targeting critical infrastructure. [Flag—Acting supervisor: ‘Suggests’ again. I see a pattern. Perhaps next time try ‘confirms’ or ‘demonstrates.’] Risk assessment places the likelihood of attack at moderate (probability 0.55), with potential impact categorized as high due to target significance. [Flag—Acting supervisor: : Quantify your methodology. Numbers plucked from thin air are less useful than no numbers at all.] Recommended actions include intensifying electronic surveillance, deploying field assets for direct observation, and liaising with allied cyber-intelligence units to monitor digital footprints. [Flag—Acting supervisor: Vague directives are the hallmark of an inexperienced analyst. Details and accountability please.]

4.⁠ ⁠Recommendations:

Immediate deployment of SIGINT intercept teams in the identified frequency bands. Enhanced HUMINT debriefings with source ES-27 to confirm meeting details. [Flag—Acting supervisor: The lack of specificity here suggests an admirable level of trust in the reader’s imagination.] Coordination with Cyber Ops for real-time network traffic analysis. [Flag—Acting supervisor:  Nomenclature alone does not constitute a plan. Flesh this out.]

Notes [Acting Supervisor] : 

—Formatting inconsistent with NID operational report guidelines. You’ve transformed a simple formatting standard into an elusive art form. Bravo.

—Failure to attach referenced supporting materials AGAIN. This recurring omission hinders operational efficacy. Consider attaching documents next time.

—In conclusion, REWRITE.

---------------------------

Agent [Code: NID-SO-ES-07] — Field Report Upload Log (Revised Submission)

—Logged into secure terminal: Vienna Safehouse Terminal-2

—Date: 2022-07-10

—Time (UTC): 13:00

—Connected to secure node: NIDNet

—Report file: OP_SILENTRAVEN_AAR_v3.enc

—Encryption status: Secured with NID Master Key — encryption signature verified (Checksum ID: F1A9-7C3B-R2)

—Recipient(s): Jack Frost, Section Chief Special Operations (SO-92A), Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4), NID

—Transmission channel: Priority-One Secure Uplink (Classified Level: TOP SECRET)

—Transmission status: COMPLETE — audit log updated (Reference Log ID: ES07-0710-1300-R2)

—Backup status: Encrypted local backup stored (Partition ES-07-SAFE); master copy uploaded to Central Ops Archive (Vault-4, Revised Submission Folder)

—Field confirmation: Agent ES-07 signed digital attestation; no tampering detected; self-authentication successful

Note: Automatic alert dispatched to Division Supervisor terminal. Clearance authentication required upon access. Revision flag registered under Audit Protocol 4B.

---------------------------

Secure Directive

From: Jack Frost [NID-SO-JF-01]

Section Chief, Special Operations / Acting Division Supervisor [Code: NID-SO-92A/DS-4]

To: Elsa Stenford [Code: NID-SO-ES-07]

Subject: RE: Secure Directive – Operation Silent Raven Report , Revocation of Field Authority and Immediate Reassignment

Agent Stenford,

I was informed last afternoon that due to shifting operational priorities, the report in question [Ops Silent Raven] is no longer required. 

After review of your latest submission — the revised report you provided earlier today — I must formally acknowledge that the material remains below acceptable operational standards. While I did not realistically anticipate any significant improvement, it is nonetheless disappointing that even after detailed corrective input, your output failed to meet the basic analytical and procedural thresholds expected of an intelligence officer at your level.

However, the time I was forced to expend personally correcting and annotating your repeated errors constitutes an unacceptable diversion of supervisory resources. You have now occupied more of this division’s time and attention than your current role warrants.

Accordingly, effective immediately, your independent field authority is revoked. You are reassigned to trailing support under Intelligence Officer Logan Parrish [CODE: NID-SO-LP-33], Team Blue. While Officer Parrish holds the same formal rank as you, his superior reliability and competence justify his lead role in this arrangement.

You are to operate strictly under Officer Parrish’s direction, with no independent decision-making or external communications without prior clearance. This corrective assignment will remain in place until further notice and serves as a necessary intervention to address the persistent deficits in your performance.

You are to report to Team Blue at 07:00 hours tomorrow, prepared and fully compliant. Written acknowledgment of this directive is required by 16:00 hours today. Noncompliance will result in immediate formal disciplinary action.

Jack Frost [Code: NID-SO-JF-01]

Section Chief, Special Operations (SO-92A)

Acting Division Supervisor (DS-4)

National Intelligence Directorate

---------------------------

Elsa Stenford read the message over and over again, because she knew it wasn’t serious. It must be a mistake. A joke. That’s what it was. Maybe if she read it again, it would change, it would shift and it would fix itself. So she read it, the words physically burning her, over and over again, but it stayed the same. She just stared at it, mouth hanging open, eyes wide with shock, unblinking. 

“Elsa?” Merida’s voice shattered the silence in her head. “Are you—”

“THAT MISERABLE FUCKING BASTARD! THAT FUCKING—” She stopped herself, but there was just too much rage and hate in her, enough for her to combust and paint the walls red. "FUCKING PIECE OF SCUM! I FUCKING HATE HIM, THAT USELESS, ARROGANT, SLIMY RAT!"

---------------------------

[mariacallous]

More than 1,400 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) workers were terminated from their positions on Thursday amid a broader Trump administration shakeup at the independent government agency, sources tell WIRED. There were around 1,700 employees in total at the CFPB.

The mass reduction in force, or RIF, comes nearly a month after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the Trump administration from removing probationary employees at the CFPB and other agencies. On Friday, an appeals court ruled that the CFPB could begin terminations again so long as “individual assessments” were conducted for each terminated employee. Around 200 employees will be left at the CFPB, effectively gutting the agency Elon Musk has previously said should be ‘deleted.’

In an email sent to CFPB staff on Wednesday, CFPB chief legal officer Mark Paoletta announced that the agency would be shifting its focus away from its supervisory roles and towards “tangible harm to consumers.” Medical debt, student loans, consumer data, and digital payments have all been identified as topics the CFPB will “deprioritize,” according to the document.

“As far as I can tell it affects literally every office to at least some extent with at least some of them fully wiped out,” says one terminated CFPB worker. “My guess is by the end there will be just a few leadership positions remaining plus skeleton crew for very obviously legally required functions of the bureau.

The CFPB was established by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, an expansive piece of legislation that imposed consequential regulatory reform in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The agency was created to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive financial practices, and it claims to be responsible for $19.7 billion in consumer relief since its inception, as well as $5 billion in civil penalties

“They didn’t follow the CBA [collective bargaining agreement], aren’t following Dodd-Frank, and did not provide sufficient notice to anyone,” claims a CFPB employee who lost their job on Thursday.

Musk and other conservatives have called for the CFPB to be destroyed for some time. The Project 2025 chapter on financial regulatory agencies describes it as “a highly politicized, damaging, and utterly unaccountable federal agency” and calls to have it abolished. In February, Musk wrote “RIP CFPB” with a gravestone emoji in an X post. In November, he posted, “Delete CFPB.”

In February, WIRED reported that three DOGE operatives, including Gavin Kliger and Nikhil Rajpal, were given access to the CFPB’s HR, procurement, and financial infrastructure. The DOGE workers were later granted access to all of the agency’s systems on Friday, Bloomberg reported, including bank examination and enforcement records. Further requests for DOGE access continued throughout the month.

“Don’t pay attention to what they say about the CFPB, pay attention to what they’re doing,” Emily Peterson-Cassin, the corporate power director at the Demand Progress Education Fund, said in a statement responding to the cuts on Thursday. “And what they’re doing is systematically gutting all efforts to protect service members, and all Americans, from fraud and scams while simultaneously letting Wall Street, Big Banks and Big Tech off the hook.”

[dxmedstudent]

A difficult must read.

Jack said: “On one hand they are deleting calls that might make them culpable for poor care while at the same time saving a phone call of mine, a bereaved dad, to mock in a meeting.”

This is an absolutely horrifying case. Not only did the 8 labour ward midwives that Sarah dealt with fail to take her labour progression and symptoms seriously, resulting in what was ruled to be a tragic and preventable stillbirth, but there has been a catalogue of errors, loss of information /covering up, failures and maliciousness towards the bereaved parents after the death whilst the parents have fought to receive answers and prevent this happening to any other families.

Sarah and Jack are medical professionals - a physiotherapist and consultant at the very hospital where the birth was mismanaged. If members of the team who understood how things worked couldn't safely advocate for themselves and be listened to then who can? How many more people is this happening to who haven't been able to advocate for themselves?

I've been increasingly worried and surprised by the increasing number of people I've met - patients and people in my life, reporting birth trauma or poor treatment during their birthing experience. Birth can be complicated and things can happen fast, but there is no excuse for poor treatment.

[glitchedtravel]

TRAVERSE - Chapter ⁴

(manhwas x reader)

"You're fucking joking," You said, exasperated. The screen in front of you shows the following message;

[Work For Two Stories Alongside TSCTIR ]

"I'm sorry to say but this is not a joking matter." The system's voice rang through. "But why two?! It's usually just one more and that's it! For like— balance or something! Y'know like a job at a convenience store? A day shift and night shift??" You explained desperately, trying to convince the system to change the schedule. However, it's all in vain as the system is firm with their decision.

"I'm sorry, host but this is mandatory. One of the story is in mild danger as a small fixable glitch has made its way into it. The only way to do it is by physically getting rid of it." The system explained. "Yeah yeah... I get it, this is not our first time dealing with bugs, but why do I have another story to finish?" You question the system. Usually, even with a glitch escaping and seeping into a story, you don't have to work extra so this is an unusual request.

"System 'Zin' complained with many reports that we've been 'slacking off'..." With each word that rang through, it got less and less audible. "SLACKING OFF?! SLACKING. OFF?! THAT'S BULLSHIT! WE'VE MADE LOTS OF PROGRESS!" You screamed at the top of your lungs at the system, unknowingly scaring anyone who walked pass the room you're in. "Host... Those are money points. We're supposed to owe them payoff points..." The system managed to sweatdropped. An irk mark appeared on your forehead and demanded, "Show me my amount!"

[MONEY POINTS: 43,500

PAYOFF POINTS: 106

PENALTY POINTS: 3

CURRENT DEBT: *YOU OWE [SYSTEM 'ZIN'] 20,000 P/O.POINTS.]

"What?! How is it only at 106??" Your eyes widen in disbelief. "Have you forgotten? To get Payoff Points is by collecting 'storines' for System 'Zin'," System explained. You facepalm at that, "Right.. I forgot... But what is Zin going to even do with those?" You crossed your arms at the system to which it shows an animated screen of a character shrugging, "I think System 'Zin' said that it's for a new update? This update requires a lot of fuel but the only fuel we use are 'storines'. For us, the updates are important so none of us get deleted." You cross your arms, "What's the deal with you getting deleted anyways?" The system stayed silent for a moment that you almost speak up to dismiss the topic before it spoke again, "If we get deleted, people like you - won't have anymore second chances." You kept your mouth shut after that. It's true that doing this gave you a second chance to reverse your mistake. So this is more important than anything to you. You sigh out, "Fine, let's get to work. Where to?"

The screen then shows you two covers of the stories. "This world will be on pause for the moment. Luckily, they allow us this feature so we don't have to try to carefully balance our time and going back and forth - going missing suspiciously. One story is called 'The Greatest Estate Developer' or TGED for short," the screen zoomed in on the said story's cover - which shows two men, who you assumed are the protagonists obviously, on it. "In this story you'll be disguised as a witch in order to help progress with the story." You nodded along, listening attentively. Then the screen swiped to the right to show the other story's cover as the system continues to explain, "The other story is called 'I'm Being Raised By Villains' or IBRBV. In here, you'll be disguised as a thief while also the being the protagonist's secret friend." It shows a picture of three kids, a girl on a chair while hugging a doll while two boys beside are on the each side of her. The screen zoomed out to show both of the stories together again. "And with all that said, one of them involved a bug in them so-"

"Woah woah woah! Hold it right there!" You interrupted, "Which one involves a bug? What happened to the bug locater you guys had??" The system let out a monotonic sigh, turning off the blue screen, "Due to complications by SOMEONE, the work have delayed and it ruined the systematic update. Because of the update being ruined, it also ruins progressor." You scratch the back of your head, whistling and looking to the side - not making 'eye' contact.

"Either way, we'll be searching for it the old version way." A glowing door showed up beside you. You look at it, then reached your hand into the door which your hand seem to disappear into. "...And remember, host, don't get—" "attached to them. I know, system. I won't make the same mistake again," You immediately entered the door, ending the conversation there. You don't want to be reminded by those memories again..

After you entered, your outfit has changed to something more fancy, gothic and a tad bit victorian. The whole scenery also has changed to you being outside. "Please wait a moment..." The system's voice rang through and you are once again hit with a headache but it went away as fast as it came.

"Let's get this over with.." you grumbled, not not into the idea of working more than overtime.

[judesmoonbeauty]

New Year Blog Goals

Hey, hey!

In short, this is a thanks to you all for your support this year, JMB blog overhaul updates, and blog goals for 2025!

And in case you all don't read it (and that's cool): I wish you all heaps of happiness and warmth for the upcoming year!

So, I just wanted to take the time to sit down and thank you all so much for your support of my blog this past year!!

It was a bit crazy with my blog being reported and having a handful of my translations deleted by Tumblr (still traumatized by that), to personal irl things that happened with the weather and such. Anyways......

I started this blog just over a year ago solely to lurk for IkePri and IkeVil JP spoilers, but because I am impatient beyond words I decided to start playing JP servers myself.

One thing snowballed into another, and then I started translating and writing fanfics (which I thought I'd NEVER do)....and here we are.

Looking back to my very first translation (IkePri's New Year Event for 2024), I shudder....a lot. And then there is my first ever IkeVil translation (Ellis' Past Records), and I shudder even more......they are nightmares of a translation.

Still, looking back to then and comparing them to what I can accomplish now, I think I've come a long way and I hope to continue to progress.

And you all are to thank for that!

Truly, if it weren't for your feedback, kind words of support, your totally going feral with me, and so on, then I don't think I would've kept going!

Now then, this past January I had the most feeble and basic blog goal: Learn how to create master lists. LMAO.

Tumblr was so confusing to me when I first started, and it's still a pain in the ass to deal with tbh, but I think I can safely say that I accomplished that goal. I feel like I make master lists left and right now....

What's Next For JMB Blog?

Well, I am going to be making some changes to JMB overall:

Going forward, JMB will solely be my Ikevil translations blog. All creative content (dissections, fics, drabbles, OC content, IkeVil recipes, etc), will be moved to my other blog @.adreaminthesea.

Master lists will be reorganized so you can locate translations more easily.

IkePri translations: I've been wanting to return to this, but I feel like this will not happen in the future. Hence, past translations and summaries will be discarded now they've released on EN.

Finish Jude's Main Story prior to his release. I actually have a goal to finish this much sooner than late next year (but I'll keep that date to myself.)

Translate for more IkeVil suitors. Currently, I translate primarily for Jude, Ellis and Nica. While I do translate for the other suitors as well, I'd like to do it more - when time and energy permits.

Another IkeVil Main Story translation - However, this will potentially be a collaborative effort. Anyone up for a Vogel route???

More of a personal enrichment goal, but this will hopefully increase the quality of my translations: Dedicate more time to learning Japanese. I learn as I go and that's not the way to do it.

Writing: I used to write a lot more than what I do, and my wips list is longggg, so I'm hoping to get back into this and post my content on my ADS blog.

Have fun and engage with you all more! This means taking time to actually enjoy the events I play, reading others translations more (I am SO behind), and interacting with you all more.

I think that's a good list to keep me busy all year. Of course, adjustments are going to be made along the way, and I already know that I won't be able to accomplish it all fully. Still, let's see what we can do.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erin Reed at Erin In The Morning:

On Monday evening, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien made history by speaking at the Republican National Convention—the first time a Teamsters Union President has ever done so. The move, however, didn’t come without controversy. Union Vice President John Palmer called the decision “unconscionable.”

O’Brien then stirred more debate by tweeting in support of an article by Republican Senator Josh Hawley, which criticized corporate initiatives supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and transgender workers. The situation then erupted when the official Teamsters Twitter account posted a statement condemning O’Brien’s endorsement, which was swiftly deleted. “Unions gain nothing from endorsing the racist, misogynistic, and anti-trans politics of the far right, no matter how much people like Sen. Hawley attempt to tether such bigotry to a cynical pro-labor message. The message this sends to Teamsters of color, Teamster women, and LGBTQ Teamsters is that they are not welcome in the union unless they surrender their identity to a new kind of anti-woke unionism. You don't unite a diverse working class by scoffing at its diversity,” said the now deleted tweet.

O’Brien’s support for Hawley’s views received swift backlash. “We get it. He promised you Secretary of Labor,” read a response by transgender writer Parker Molloy. “If you're a Teamster of color, are LGBTQ+, Sean O'Brien has just said he doesn't give a fuck about you,” said the Daily Union Elections account. “Scab,” said American journalist and labor activist Talia Jane. O’Brien’s speech at the RNC puzzled many observers. He used the platform to advocate for unions while also praising Donald Trump, calling him “one tough SOB.” Throughout much of the speech, the applause was tepid to nonexistent. Reports even indicated that at least one audience member shouted “right to work,” reflecting anti-union sentiments in the Republican Party.

Meanwhile, other labor union leaders were critical of O’Brien’s appearance at the RNC. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, responded, “Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are on the bosses’ side… We won’t be fooled.” These critiques were echoed by members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, and other union leaders. Even John Palmer, the Teamsters Vice President, weighed in: “A speaking engagement at the Republican National Convention by Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, regardless of the message, only normalizes and makes the most anti-union party and president I’ve seen in my lifetime seem palatable.”

[...] O’Brien’s support for a senator’s explicitly anti-diversity and anti-LGBTQ+ views runs contrary to Teamsters Union’s official documents and policies. One document on the Teamsters website states, “We are pro-union and pro-equality. In keeping with the labor movement motto, ‘an injury to one is an injury to all,’ we support a strong and progressive labor movement that promotes full equality and respect for LGBTQ workers and their families.”

Teamsters leader Sean O’Brien urinated on Teamster ethos of “an injury to one is an injury to all” by not only speaking on the RNC stage Monday but also giving praise to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO)’s anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-DEI comments. #RNC2024 #RNCinMKE

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

The Agriculture Department will restore information about climate change that was scrubbed from its website when President Trump took office, according to court documents filed on Monday in a lawsuit over the deletion.

The deleted data included pages on federal funding and loans, forest conservation and rural clean energy projects. It also included sections of the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service sites, and the U.S. Forest Service’s “Climate Risk Viewer,” which included detailed maps showing how climate change might affect national forests and grasslands.

The lawsuit, filed in February, said the purge denied farmers information to make time-sensitive decisions while facing business risks linked to climate change, such as heat waves, droughts, floods and wildfires.

The suit was brought by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York along with two environmental organizations, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group.

The plaintiffs had sought a court order requiring the department to restore the deleted pages. On Monday, the government said it would oblige.

Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, wrote to Judge Margaret M. Garnett that he was representing the Agriculture Department in the lawsuit, and that the department had already begun restoring the pages and interactive tools described in the lawsuit. He said the department “expects to substantially complete the restoration process in approximately two weeks.”

Mr. Clayton asked the judge to adjourn a hearing scheduled for May 21. He said the department proposed to submit a report on its progress restoring the data after three weeks, and sought to address “appropriate next steps in this litigation.”

Jeffrey Stein, associate attorney at Earthjustice, an environmental law nonprofit that represented the plaintiffs, along with the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said, “We’re glad that U.S.D.A. recognized that its blatantly unlawful purge of climate-change-related information is harming farmers and communities across the country.”

[littlemisspascal]

24 for 2024

As 2024 comes to an end and I see all these posts from mutuals summing up their triumphs and challenges of their year, it started making me think about what these last twelve months have been like for me. And like all of y'all, 2024 definitely had impacts of positives and negatives! So here are 24 things that came to mind:

I decided to go back to school for a new career opportunity. Starting January 6th, I'll be taking my first classes for court reporting/voice writing 😊 I'm both nervous and looking forward to this new adventure!

I saw several fun and great movies this year--Deadpool and Wolverine, Wicked, Gladiator 2, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to name a few.

I also watched a ton of great documentaries that I've meaning to check out over the past few years--Icarus, Free Solo, My Octopus Teacher, too many to count--and I'm super excited to check out more next free chance I get!

My favorite F1 driver Lando Norris not only finished first place for his first time in a race this season, but he went on to finish 2nd overall in the rankings and my heart couldn't be prouder for him 🧡

On the same F1 note, my team McLaren won the Constructors Championship for the first time since 1998 😱

There were several massive moments of family drama through the year, each more shocking than the last if you can believe it, but I like to think we'll all hopefully enter 2025 on a closer note and manage to overcome the struggles bit by bit.

Had some health scares throughout the year for my family. Scary heart issues, scary lung issues, scary hospital visits...but we got through it all and we're going to try to make 2025 our healthiest year yet!

The death of Liam Payne tore a massive hole in my heart. One Direction kept me from suicide during my high school years and each of those boys will always mean the world to me 💗

I met several of my favorite celebrities this year at cons--David Tennant, Lenore Zann, Patrick Warburton, Alan Tudyk, Catherine Tate, Adam Savage, Tem Morrison, Neil Newbon, and Giancarlo Esposito--and also got another photo with Tyler Hoechlin looking just as gorgeous as the last time I saw him!

Tried out new cosplay this year--Ahsoka's white outfit from her series, Rogue from X-Men, and a cute Peter Pan outfit as well. Actually felt a little more confident than my previous 0% 😁

A year of firsts! I finished my first ever Lego kit this year of a F1 McLaren car. I finished my first ever escape room for my sister's birthday. And I also finished first place in a scavenger hunt and won a pumpkin carved like the Mandalorian.

Found out I'm allergic to gluten, so I've been sticking to a gluten-free diet nowadays and 2025 will be an entirely gluten-free year.

Seeing the eclipse this year was amazing!

I had an emotional breakdown this year over my writing, came very very very close to deleting everything, but slowly dug my way out of the pit one word at a time. My relationship with writing is still a fragile thing, but a sentence a day is still progress and I'm trying my best. That's what matters most :)

More on writing cuz why not. Wrote a total of 43k words (a whole lot less than last year, but oh well) but even more surprising, my Marcus Acacius fic received more kudos than anything I've written since 2022 omggggg y'all thank you for the support!!

Introduced my mom to MySims and Pokémon on the switch. Slowly but surely creating a video game addict lol

Stayed up literally 48 hours with my sister playing the original Zoo Tycoon on my laptop and creating the most perfect zoo in existence. Exhaustion hit hard afterwards, but at least the guests were happy!

So much gorgeous and wonderful Pedro content--from award ceremonies to new movies + casting announcements to photoshoots and dancing sessions. The fandom just kept winning every month!

Made a web weaving for the anniversary of my fic Infinity Cube. I don't often feel proud about a lot of my attempts of creating stuff, but this little thing I actually think turned out pretty cool 😊

Bought so much Lady and the Tramp stuff oh my gosh--backpacks, a wallet, a giant stuffed animal, a Christmas ornament, little ceramic figurines hidden at the bottom of an antique store bin. I love it all ✨

Hit 5,000 followers on here. Like, what 😮 that's insane! I'm a shy porcupine who barely knows any social skills!! Thank you everyone who puts up with my sporadic posts and ramblings, it's appreciated more than I can ever say!

Everyone who liked, reblogged, kudos, and/or commented on my fics or video edits---thank you thank you thank you x a million!

Everyone who patiently waits for and supports my sporadic updates of the Pedro Library---thank you also x a million!

And finally, if you've made it all the way down here, I hope 2025 is full of kind moments for each and every one of y'all. I hope there's days full of adventures and joy and trying new things and meeting new people and petting animals and eating delicious food and making the world a little bit more of a sweeter place overall 💙

[parkerlyn]

Major PSA: Patreon Changes & Discord Shutdown

Oh, I hate to be predictable lol.

What it comes down to is, I've lost the love in creating this story. (But this is NOT a "I'm not writing anymore of this story" post!)

I've put a lot of pressure on myself to put out bonus content on Patreon, and it and the Discord server hangs over my head - giving me that feeling like since I'm not constantly posting or growing an income around The Nameless, that I'm not doing enough or I'm not legit enough, etc.

I do want to stress that y'all are wonderful, and I'm honored that you've stuck around this long, and there has been absolutely NO pressure from you - it is self-inflicted guilt for sure.

The reality is that my day job workload is much more than it used to be with the new role I took earlier this summer - but it's work that I love. And I'm so thankful and pinching myself that I was able to find that.

In the end, I hope that will mean better things for you and the game - giving me the time and space to draw and write out of joy instead of guilt, getting to share a lot of content with everyone on tumblr again, and focusing my writing in on the game instead of trying to balance too much.

So, Patreon will be turning into a tip jar.

1. Currently, billing is paused. On September 2, the current tiers will be deleted and tiers will be added for (USD) $2, $5, and $7.

2. For current patrons, when a tier is deleted, your subscription IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY CANCELED. You must edit your pledge on your own to a lower tier if you don't want to be charged what you were before.

3. (EDITED) There will be no guaranteed bonus content, and the only difference in content will be that 18+ posts will be reserved for the $7 tier . I'm still planning to do the first meeting POVs and some art specials, it just may be slower and take a little while longer. I'm also hoping to at least post monthly progress reports, and will be figuring out how to open the current posts to the new tiers.

4. I will also be shutting down The Nameless Discord permanently today.

Thank you again for your patience with me, and I hope this will turn a new leaf and get me back in the head space for the actual game again.

Sending y'all much love, and thank you for everything. <3

Parker xoxo

[alatismeni-theitsa]

Hi there, first off I'm really sorry for deleting the comment! While I wish I could keep it up the private messages were too much. Sadly I don't think I can report whoever it was. Reddit has this weird thing where if you pay for it, you can privately send some messages without any username or something to be shown. So yeah some random person got really upset at the idea of PJO being in Greece and decided to pay money towards Reddit to let me know.

As for the xenophobic things that were said about Greeks. I have to rely off the top of my head since I deleted them pretty quick. It was a bunch of "nobody cares about you Greeks, the country's a shithole that has to rely on tourists, you can't even claim to own the mythology because you were a bunch of colonizers who took other POC myths and made them your own" stuff.

Barely nothing about why they hated the idea of having the series in Greece. I think it was just some xenophobic ass who pretends to be progressive. But man I did not expect the subreddit to hate the idea of a Greece setting so much. By the time I deleted the comment it was at -20 downvotes.

-🌟Anon

I planned on replying sooner but chronic illness is a bitch. I am outraged that people feel comfortable being such assholes for fucking nothing, and they have completely false arguments on top of that.

I am sorry that it was such an unpleasant experience, and I hope you are feeling better now. Those malakes should go fuck themselves, plain and clear. They are such stupid and incompetent bullies that they'll fart your dick and balls (Greek expression for "they don't have the guts to do shit to you"). They are cowards and their "progressiveness" is no more than a shitty excuse to make everything about them and bully people in the name of "justice". They probably got their friends to downvote the comment and did a small smear campaign. Cause I find it hard to believe that a whole subreddit actually hates Greece.

I am all for recognizing when Greeks have done and do something bad/wrong but the statement "you can't even claim to own the mythology because you were a bunch of colonizers who took other POC myths and made them your own" is just factually wrong in so many levels. Even the smidge of truth in that statement is so twisted that I cannot give them right. So, they're spreading misinformation on top of everything.

You are in charge of your actions and feelings, so if you feel the comment is best deleted, then that's okay. My humble suggestion - in general - is to not give these fuckers an inch. I had my fair share of them here, for years. When they realize their cyberbullying doesn't work anymore because people don't get intimidated, they just whine to their equally fanatic friends. The only power they have is whining online, and when people back down, they get encouraged and do the same thing to more people.

Unless you feel your safety is threatened, or you feel too unwell to engage (all valid!), then ignore them and just leave your opinions online where people will inevitably see them. Do it once, do it twice, and you'll see that nothing more than unpleasant messages (which you will just delete and block) will happen. Your comment was civil and completely harmless. You are on the right here.

Even if I agreed with their opinion, their approach of behaving like violent crybabies is simply inexcusable. Tolerance has its limits. Their behavior should not be tolerated, because it leads to the opposite of tolerance. (It's a famous paradox) The only thing that stops them from joining a nazi party is their life circumstances.

P.S. A friend of mine wants to comment on the subreddit with your (or a similar) message. Would you send me the link of the post with the Hot Takes so they can do that? (She's feeling a lil' silly - and no, it's not me :p)