#Chapter 3

[pipeupcomic]

Pipe Up- Chapter 3, Page 26 Next > Start Reading Content Warnings If you like promposals, please consider supporting me on Patreon! Or, support the character artist on Patreon! Story, Dialogue, and Page Compositions by @saltnpepperbunny Inks and Character Flats by @tinysweetbunny Background Flats by @thetruegge

[mellosdrawings]

This is how chapter 3 went and you can't convince me otherwise.

[laikascomet]

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READ AHEAD ON KOFI!

[horrortalecomic]

Horrortale is back.

It will update every Sunday, to the best of my abilities.

Horrortale Book II, Chapter 3 starts with a quick recap of the events that take place in the Waterfall Game. You can play it here on Newgrounds.

Thank you for reading :)

[ffwix]

i like him :D

[bunji-enthusiast]

I had this in thought alot! (It's gory if you don't mind!)

Poppy playtime player becoming so hungry at this point that their losing their sanity and thinking of eating the corpses For survival so the rest has to hold player down from eating the corpses!

(I know its gory and so sorry if it made you uncomfortable)

𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐆𝐨

Sypnosis [The tempting smell of the corpses becomes more and more frequent, it eventually became too hard for you too ignore due to your increasing hunger. Luckily, you had some allies to help you resist it; even if forcibly.]

Characters [Kissy Missy, DogDay, Poppy, Doey The Doughman. (Seperate)]

Note || you didn’t make me uncomfortable at all! Don’t worry, but it’s a topic I tried to write with care. This shit is a very real thing that can happen, and should be treated with caution and respect.

Kissy Missy

You had never imagined it would come to this: an insatiable hunger gnawing at your gut, unrelenting as the hours passed. You, once a proud employee of Playtime Co., found yourself trapped in the eerie, decaying remnants of the factory, alongside strange, monstrous beings that had once been your colleagues. The stench of death lingered thick in the air, a heavy reminder of the atrocities committed during The Hour of Joy, but now it did more than just disgust you. Now, it tempted you.

At first, you fought against the gnawing cravings that threatened to overtake you. How could you—someone who had worked here—ever think of consuming the bodies of the very ones you had once known, even if they were twisted remnants of their former selves? And yet, each passing hour made it harder to resist, each sight of a fallen figure, each whiff of their decaying flesh, made your resolve falter. Hunger, once a mere inconvenience, became a ravenous beast clawing at your insides.

But you were not alone in this misery. Kissy Missy, who had once been just another experiment under Playtime Co.'s cruel reign, was there, always by your side. Tall and slender, her pink fur now marred by the scars of countless battles, she seemed almost... human in a way. Her blue bow and yellow hands stood out against her once pristine pink fur, now tattered from years of neglect and violence. She had been through her own trauma, the burns on her right side proof of that, yet she still managed to offer you a strange sense of comfort, a reminder that you weren't the only one left with so much lost.

You hated the hunger, but it was her presence that kept you from succumbing. Despite her own pain and injuries, she remained strong, acting as a barrier between you and the darkness threatening to overtake you.

Kissy's efforts were not subtle. She could see the desperation in your eyes as you edged closer to the corpses scattered around the facility, the lifeless remains of those who had been victims of the Prototype’s reign. She had already seen what the hunger could do to a person, and she would be damned if she allowed you to fall victim to it.

"Don’t," she would warn, her voice surprisingly gentle despite the fierceness that radiated from her. "Stay with me."

You hated that she had to intervene, to hold you back with both her force and concern. But you knew deep down that she was right. If she weren't there, you might have already given in, becoming something far worse than you already were. The hunger was more than just physical. It was a pull, a drive to consume the very thing that you had once been, the remnants of a life that had crumbled away into twisted, grotesque shapes.

Each time you got too close, her grip tightened around your arm, pulling you away from the gruesome temptation. There were moments, though, when you could feel your resistance weakening, when the hunger surged so strongly that it drowned out every other thought. At those times, she was not gentle. She would force you back, pushing you away from the remains, her sharp eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and fierce determination.

It was only then, in those moments, that you saw the lengths she was willing to go to keep you from crossing that line. The force she applied was not cruel but necessary. You were no longer yourself, a mere shell of who you once were. And she, though herself a victim of this cruel factory, refused to let you become something even worse.

"You’re not one of them," Kissy would say, her voice laced with a fierce protectiveness. "Don’t lose yourself."

There was something strange about the way she said it, as though she knew something deeper, something that had been lost to you. You were not just another victim of the Prototype’s horrific games—you were something else, something worth saving.

The hunger didn’t go away, not entirely. But you fought against it, clinging to the memory of who you used to be. And as each day passed, as each battle with your own cravings grew more intense, you realized that you weren’t alone in this anymore. Kissy Missy, despite her own pain, was there, holding you back from the abyss, keeping you tethered to whatever humanity you had left.

She would do anything to prevent you from falling, even if it meant pushing you to your breaking point. And in the end, you knew you owed her more than just your survival. She had become your anchor in a world that had long since drowned in darkness, guiding you through the factory’s nightmarish halls with a strength that you had long since lost.

But even then, there were moments when the hunger threatened to overtake you, and in those moments, you understood just how far Kissy Missy was willing to go to save you from yourself. She was more than just an ally; she was a reminder of the last shred of humanity that existed in this forsaken place.

Would you be able to resist the temptation forever? Could you both survive the horrors that awaited you in the depths of Playtime Co.? Only time would tell, but as long as Kissy Missy was there, you felt a sliver of hope that you might just find a way to escape the darkness together.

DogDay

You stagger through the cold, decaying corridors, your stomach gnawing at you with an unbearable hunger. It's been hours since you last found food, and your body is betraying you. The thought of cannibalism has been creeping into your mind, tempting you like a forbidden fruit. The idea repulses you, but with every passing hour, that same thought grows more and more alluring. Your lips are dry, your body weak, and every fiber of your being is screaming for sustenance. You grit your teeth, trying to push the urge down, but it rises again, a terrifying whisper in the back of your mind.

"Why not?" it asks, a cold voice that isn't your own. "What else is there? Food is food, isn't it?"

You stumble forward, your vision blurred from exhaustion. The floor beneath you seems to shift, as if the very foundation of this forsaken place is alive. You know you're being driven mad, but your hunger, that primal instinct, is overpowering. The walls seem to close in on you, their decay a reflection of your own deteriorating state of mind.

Just as you're about to give in to the temptation, a voice, soft yet commanding, cuts through the haze of your thoughts.

"Don't," DogDay says, his monotone voice a calm anchor in the storm that rages inside you. His words are a gentle plea, a reminder of the bond you share with him.

You turn to see him, his disfigured form standing in the shadowed corner of the hallway. His orange fur is a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding you, and despite his monstrous appearance, there's a sense of comfort in his presence. His body is a grotesque mockery of what it once was, bisected at the waist and held together with leather straps, yet his eyes, black and expressive, seem to convey nothing but concern for you.

"DogDay..." you mutter, your voice hoarse, as you struggle to stand. "I can't... I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

DogDay's head tilts slightly, as if he understands the torment you're going through. He knows. He's been there before, though perhaps in a different way. His stitched-together body speaks of an existence far more painful than yours could ever be. And yet, he chooses to help you, to guide you through this madness.

"I won't let you," DogDay says firmly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You can't. This isn't the way."

You can feel the weight of his words sink into you, and for a moment, you close your eyes, trying to push the hunger down again. But it lingers, gnawing at your insides. It's tempting, so tempting to give in.

But DogDay is here. He always has been.

You turn to him, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you take a step back. Not just from the hunger, but from the madness that has consumed you. You're not alone. DogDay is here, and though he can't move as freely as he once did, he is steadfast in his support.

The moment passes, but the hunger is still there, lurking beneath the surface. It's waiting for you to falter, to give in. But DogDay won't let that happen.

"Stay with me," he urges, his voice as steady as ever. "I know the darkness calls to you, but you're stronger than it. We just need to keep moving. Keep moving, and we'll find a way out."

You nod, wiping the sweat from your brow. The hunger doesn't go away, but for now, it's bearable. You can withstand it. With DogDay by your side, you will survive this.

As you walk together through the decaying corridors, the weight of the past still hanging heavily on your shoulders, you can't help but wonder just how far DogDay has come. He was once part of a group, the Smiling Critters, living in harmony with the experiments, but all of that changed during The Hour of Joy. The chaos, the bloodshed, it shattered everything. DogDay was left behind, a solitary figure in a world gone mad. Yet, through it all, he remained resilient, steadfast in his determination to help you.

"I was not always like this," DogDay says quietly, as if reading your thoughts. "I had a family once. A purpose. But that was taken from me, just like it was taken from everyone else."

His words hang in the air, heavy with grief and longing. You know the story, of course. The Smiling Critters' revolt against the Prototype, their deaths, and DogDay's subsequent imprisonment by CatNap. It was a tragic tale, one that left DogDay scarred in both body and mind. But despite it all, he chose to survive.

And now, he chooses to help you survive.

The thought is enough to steel your resolve. You can do this. You will not succumb to the darkness. Not while DogDay is here to keep you grounded.

The two of you move forward, one step at a time, the silence between you comfortable, yet filled with unspoken understanding. The hunger still claws at you, but for now, you resist. With DogDay by your side, you know you can make it through this.

Poppy

The atmosphere in the factory was suffocating. The low hum of machines, the distant clattering of metal, and the unsettling silence in between all gnawed at you. You'd been walking for hours now, your stomach growling like an angry beast inside of you, each hour dragging the hunger closer to the surface. There was a time when you’d had a deep hatred for the idea of cannibalism. But now? The thought didn’t seem so absurd. Every inch of your body ached with need. The edges of your vision blurred with hunger, but still, you resisted the impulse.

"You need to hold it together," you muttered to yourself, your voice hoarse and desperate. You couldn't let your mind go there, couldn’t let the gnawing hunger take you to such a dark place.

Then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw her—Poppy. A doll, yes, but one that seemed to hold some kind of strange power over you. She was small, porcelain skin cracked, but her eyes... her eyes were too real. Too alive. The crack running across her face only seemed to add to the unsettling, almost haunting nature of her presence. Yet she was there, watching over you, her concern evident even with her painted smile.

"Are you okay?" Poppy's voice, though childlike, held an unexpected firmness, as if she knew exactly what you were going through.

"Do I look okay?" you snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm starving. I'm dying. And you're... just a doll. What could you possibly understand?"

Poppy didn't flinch. She merely tilted her head, her glassy blue eyes reflecting your pain in a way that only made the hunger worse. But there was something else behind those eyes. Understanding? Sympathy? It was hard to tell.

"I understand more than you think," she said quietly. "You don't want to go down that path. Trust me."

Her words held a strange weight. Despite her being a mere doll, she exuded a certain authority—like she was guiding you, almost protecting you from your own darkness. It was unnerving and, yet, comforting at the same time.

You stepped back, wiping your brow, but the hunger wouldn't let you go. It clawed at you, deep within, screaming to be fed. Your hand instinctively reached towards the nearest source of food—a small, half-eaten rat carcass lying in the shadows.

Before your fingers could wrap around it, Poppy's small, porcelain hand shot out. "No," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the fog in your mind. "I won't let you."

You froze, staring at her, confused. "What... what are you going to do about it? You're just a doll. What power do you have?"

Poppy's eyes narrowed. "I have more power than you think. And I will stop you."

Before you could process the words, Poppy was suddenly in front of you, her small hand placed firmly on your chest. You felt a strange warmth spread from the spot where her hand met your skin, and for a moment, the hunger seemed to ebb away, replaced by something else—something deeper. But just as quickly, the warmth was gone, replaced by a biting cold as Poppy stepped back.

"You don't understand," she said, her voice softer now. "I won't let you become like them. I won't let you become like... him."

You stared at her in confusion, your mind too clouded with hunger to process what she meant. You'd heard the whispers about the Prototype, the monster who twisted everything around him, but you couldn’t focus on that now. Not with the gnawing ache in your gut.

"I can't hold on much longer," you whispered. "I need food. Real food."

Poppy took a deep breath, her porcelain face still. She seemed to consider something before her eyes flickered to the side, as if she were contemplating an action. Then, with a sudden, sharp motion, she grabbed your wrist.

"You will not fall to this. Not while I’m here. Not while there’s a chance."

The intensity in her voice stunned you. You'd never expected a doll—a toy—to show such determination. But it was there. Her unwavering resolve was impossible to ignore.

"You don't understand," you said again, more urgently this time. "You can't stop me. You don't know what it’s like to be on the edge like this... to be so desperate."

Poppy's eyes softened, but her grip on your wrist tightened. "I do understand," she whispered. "I've seen the consequences of desperation. I've seen what it can turn you into. And I won't let you become that."

You looked into her eyes, seeing not a doll, but something much more complex. Something alive, struggling with the same darkness you were. She was just as broken as you, perhaps even more so, trapped in this hellish place for who knows how long.

"I will fight this," you rasped, voice trembling.

"You will fight this," Poppy repeated, as though reinforcing the promise to yourself. "I won't let you lose."

The hunger still gnawed at you, but there was something in Poppy's words—a lifeline. A chance. You weren’t sure if it was enough to save you, but you weren’t alone anymore. She had no power over your body, but in this twisted game of survival, she had become your tether. Your reminder of something you had long forgotten: humanity. You just had to hold on.

And for the first time in hours, you didn’t feel entirely alone.

Doey The Doughman

It had hours, maybe even more then a couple days—you couldn’t tell anymore. Time had become a blur, and the hunger gnawed at you with an intensity you could hardly describe. Your stomach was a hollow pit, and every hour that passed, the sensation grew worse. You hated it. You hated the very idea of what you were beginning to consider. But your options were running out.

The factory, once a place full of life and color, now stood desolate, a rotting carcass of what it had once been. Its walls, dim and cracked, seemed to close in on you with every passing moment. Your search for food had been fruitless, and what remained of the once-thriving operations was little more than discarded remnants of forgotten lives. Desperation had begun to seep into your thoughts, and with it, a temptation you never thought you would entertain.

Cannibalism. The idea lingered in the back of your mind like a whisper in the dark. You knew it was wrong, morally abhorrent, but the hunger—it was becoming unbearable. You couldn’t deny that the flesh of another being, even one of the toy creatures that had once roamed this place, might offer a solution. You didn’t want to think about it, but your body cried out for sustenance.

It was then that you heard the soft squish of footsteps approaching. You turned, blinking against the fading light, and saw him: Doey.

The dough-like creature was an oddity in this forsaken world. His body, made of multicolored, clay-like dough, seemed to shimmer in the dimness. His long arms—orange and yellow—hung at his sides, his short, stubby red legs moving with surprising speed. The blue bowler hat perched on his head was almost comical against his mismatched features, and his simple, expressive face, with a line for a mouth and two holes for eyes, always seemed to radiate an air of cheer, even in the darkest of times.

"Hey there," Doey’s voice was calm, but there was an undertone of concern that you couldn’t ignore. He could always tell when something was wrong, even if you hadn’t spoken a word.

You had never been one for speaking about your feelings, especially with a creature like Doey. You didn’t trust anyone—not after everything you’d been through. But there was something different about him. Something about his kindness, his willingness to help, even when it meant putting himself in danger.

"I know you're struggling," Doey said, his eyes narrowing as he read your expression. "But you have to resist it. You can’t let the hunger take control of you. Not like this."

You swallowed hard, feeling the knot in your throat tighten. "I don’t know if I can hold on much longer," you muttered, your voice barely a whisper.

Doey stepped closer, his large arms almost seeming to engulf you in their reach as he gently placed a hand on your shoulder. "I’m not going to let you fall into that darkness," he said firmly. "I promised you. I’ll help you resist, even if it means doing things you might not like."

You blinked, looking at the doughy figure in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"

Without warning, Doey’s expression shifted from that of a friendly companion to something far more serious. The playful demeanor that usually characterized his every move was gone, replaced by a cold determination. "I’m going to stop you if I have to," he said, his voice stern, yet full of understanding. "I won’t let you give in to it."

Your breath hitched, and for the first time, you felt a flicker of fear. It wasn’t from Doey himself, but from the fact that you knew, deep down, he was right. If you gave in, it wouldn’t just be your body that suffered—it would be your soul, too. But the temptation was so strong. It was almost impossible to push it away.

"Don’t make me do this," Doey warned, as if sensing your internal struggle. "You don’t want to go down that path."

The hunger inside you raged, a beast that tore at your insides. Your thoughts were clouded by the vision of the soft, tender flesh that could satiate you. You tried to push the thoughts away, but they clung to your mind like a shadow.

You took a step forward, your hands trembling as you gripped a nearby piece of metal, your mind flickering with the thought of using it, of ending the misery that had overtaken you.

"Don’t," Doey’s voice was sharp, his body blocking your path. "I will stop you, even if it means I have to restrain you."

He wasn’t threatening. He was determined. And in that moment, you knew he would do it.

You locked eyes with him, the weight of your internal battle becoming unbearable. The hunger had made you weak, both physically and mentally, but Doey was your anchor, a reminder of the better part of yourself. He wasn’t just a friend; he was a lifeline.

"Please," you whispered, the word escaping you before you could stop it. "I can’t—"

Doey didn’t give you a chance to finish. His long, orange arm shot out, grabbing you by the wrist with surprising force. "I won’t let you go there," he said softly, but with an unmistakable firmness. "You’re not alone in this. Not anymore."

For a moment, you struggled, but the strength in his grip was like nothing you had ever encountered. He wasn’t trying to hurt you—he was holding you, not with force, but with care.

"Just breathe," Doey said, guiding you to sit down on the cold concrete floor. "We’ll get through this. Together."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, you allowed yourself to lean into him. The hunger was still there, gnawing at the edges of your mind, but with Doey by your side, the battle didn’t seem so hopeless.

You weren’t alone.

And that, you realized, was more than you could have hoped for in a place like this.

[nosleepuntil68]

Basically Chpt3

I drew this, this is original art 🫡

[manga-meow]

[morganaawriterr]

Five;

SYNOPSIS ➺ In a marriage born out of convenience and plagued by bitterness, You and Sunghoon find yourselves trapped in a cycle of cold indifference and unspoken resentment. Your quiet strength and tender care begin to reach the heart Sunghoon has so carefully guarded. Slowly, walls built from years of hurt and mistrust start to crumble, revealing a shared loneliness neither had acknowledged. With every tentative step toward connection, your hearts yearn for a closeness you’ve long denied yourself selves, leaving both to wonder if you can build something real from the ashes of your forced bond.

NAVIGATION ➺ Intro - 01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05

PAIRING ➺ fem!reader X husband!Park Sunghoon

GENRE ��� Arranged Marriage trope; Slow Burn; Angst; Fluff; Smut (kinda)

WARNINGS ➺ Cursing, mention of pills (some are drugs); abuse; mentions of blood; sexual content; injuries; heavy themes; juicy tension ;)

MUSIC ➺ Listen to 'nevertheless ost' and 'the trunk ost'!!

DISCLAIMER ➺ This story is fiction, and it does not reflect real life in any way. This story is heavily inspired by the kdrama 'The Trunk' on Netflix but with a special twist!

WORDS ➺ 6k

AUTHOR'S NOTE ➺ YALL I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS RIGHT NOW! The last chapter is here after 5 weeks and I'm literally crying as I'm typing this. I never thought this story would get this much attention, I just wanted to have fun and post it. But you guys have been incredible to me, leaving nice asks, and complimenting the story... i can't express how grateful I am for each and every one of you! I hope you like this last chapter, it has a little bit of everything! Sadness, fights, sexy time, and fluffy moments too. Again, thank you so so so much for this love <3 Keep supporting me and I will work harder to bring more creative stories like this! (Get ready to get your heart broken ;))

On that same night, Sunghoon didn't stop touching you for one second, as if he had to make up for the lost time. He was all over you, holding your waist as you walked back to the car while laughing like teenagers, and keeping his hand wrapped around yours while he drove home. His fingers never left yours, not even when he needed to shift gears. You walked into your home, and Sunghoon immediately got down on one knee and undid your high heels, being careful not to hurt you. His hands lingered on your heels after he was done, and he lowered his face to place romantic kisses along your legs, eyes permanently fixed on yours.

In the midst of giggles and the intense heat engulfing your body, you pushed him away, unable to calm your frantic heart as he gazed at you with his pleading eyes. With a mischievous smile, you ran ahead of him, darting toward your bedroom. When he finally caught you, Sunghoon gave you a long, lingering kiss before going to his own bedroom to shower. After you both finished, the usual routine of hanging out in the living room continued, except Sunghoon was feeling a little more brave this time.

When you sat in front of him, dressed in your usual bedtime clothes, Sunghoon’s curious fingers traced invisible patterns on your thighs. As the faint sounds of the TV echoed through the tranquil living room, your husband's lips never left yours, eager and desperate for your kiss. You tasted dangerously addicting, and he mourned not kissing you earlier.

The next two weeks passed by inexplicably fast. Sunghoon was busy with work and had to stop coming home for lunch, but despite that, he always tried to come home early to eat dinner with you. You could tell he was home when his arms wrapped around your waist and his head rested on your shoulder while you were making food. When he noticed you were done, he’d turn you around and press his lips to yours, savoring every second of it.

Though it's a new side of him, you love his clinginess. Sunghoon’s constant need to touch you and be near you reassures you of his feelings, bringing you comfort and safety. You've been touchier with him too, though more subtly. Your hands lingered on his while he spoke, and you pressed your body against his at every chance you got, occasionally rubbing your ass against his pelvis to tease him.

Aside from the teasing and the near-daily make-out sessions when you were supposed to be watching the basketball match, Sunghoon never made any intimate moves on you. Though your desire for him grows stronger each day, you let him take his time, letting him decide how far he wants to go each time.

Today is Friday, and Sunghoon came home at the same time as usual. You ate slowly while talking about his day. The company has been a mess ever since his father went to the hospital, so he has to keep an eye on everything. You listen carefully to all his frustrations, his raspy voice making goosebumps appear on your skin. He could talk for hours, and you would sit in silence, listening. That's how much you love his voice.

After eating and helping with the dishes, you both parted ways to have a quick shower and change into comfy clothes, the living room waiting for you. Moments after you stepped out of the foggy bathroom, you realized how dark the weather had suddenly turned, with heavy black clouds painting the sky. Your eyes then shifted to Sunghoon, who was lying down on the sofa, taking up all the space.

“Where am I supposed to sit, Mr. Giant?” you joked while stepping inside the enormous room, the soft sound of your slippers making Sunghoon lift his head and pat the spot right under his head.

“I'm not that big,” he complained as you stepped closer, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

“Sunghoon, your feet are dangling off the edge of the couch,” you said, arching an eyebrow but cracking a smile at his cute expression.

Your husband didn't say anything else; he simply closed his eyes and shook his head. Then he shifted to give you space to sit down so he could lay his head on your thighs. The smell of your sweet body wash enveloped him, and he let out a satisfied breath, loving the comfort it always brought him. Your hands reached for the remote to turn on the TV, but Sunghoon didn't let you; he slid it further away from you.

“What are you doing?” you ask, arching an eyebrow.

“I want to talk,” Hoon says in a low voice, his tender brown eyes staring into yours intensely. You nod and smile down at him, your hand sneaking into his hair to caress the soft black strands. “There's something I haven't told you about Jiwon,” he starts, his eyes scanning your face.

“You don't have to, baby,” you respond sweetly. Sunghoon felt his heart skip a beat at the cute nickname, still not used to it.

“I know… but I want to tell you.”

“Then go ahead; I'm all ears.” You offered him another caring smile, hoping to ease the nervousness so evident on his face.

“There was something she did that finally gave me the courage to leave her.” He pauses, trying to steady his breathing. “She installed hidden cameras all over my dad’s old house. She said it was to keep an eye on me, to make sure I didn't bring anyone home or do anything to provoke her. They were everywhere except in my dad’s office and the shared bathroom. My dad was quiet the whole time she abused me, but when he found out about the cameras, he kicked both of us out of the house.”

Your mouth opens in surprise, but no words come out. A lump seems to form in your throat, making it impossible to speak. Your hands tremble as they continue to caress Sunghoon’s hair, an electric pain burning deep in your chest like wildfire.

“She had cameras in our bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. And she watched it all day like a movie on her phone.” Your eyes scan the room, avoiding Sunghoon's gaze to stop the tears from falling, frustration building with every passing second.

Just when you thought she couldn't get any worse, your husband confesses something even more unsettling.

“I found out because one day she forgot to lock her phone when she went to the bathroom. I passed by the kitchen and noticed something strange on her screen. Turns out, she was watching me work in my office.”

An uncomfortable silence fills the room; the sound of the harsh rain hitting the window with no mercy turns loud and uncanny. You want to say something, but no words seem enough to express what you're feeling. This man has been so mistreated all his life; no wonder he was cold and distant at the beginning. The tall walls he built around his heart were only to protect himself further.

With a melancholic frown, your fingers hover over his handsome face, tracing his features slowly. Your fingertips tap his delicate moles and his lush lips. You need him to understand what you feel through your actions because words would never be as intimate or precise.

With your caring touch on his face, Sunghoon closes his eyes and relaxes against you, his breathing slowly returning to normal. The rain falls mercilessly from the sky, heavy gray clouds painting the atmosphere in dark hues.

Silent tears start to stream down your cheeks, while your gaze remains fixed on the large window, watching the storm unravel before your eyes. Your knuckles turn white as you tightly grip your navy-colored pajama shirt, trying your best not to make a sound.

Sunghoon remains with a peaceful expression against your thighs. As your gaze wanders to him, you close your eyes, trying to ease the ache in your heart as his last secret echoes in your mind.

Your husband shifts lightly beneath you, drawing your attention. You open your eyes only to find him gazing up at you with twinkling eyes. His caring gaze travels across your face as if trying to understand why tears brim in your eyes. Your hands slowly reach for his head again, your fingers softly caressing his scalp.

“Why are you crying?” Sunghoon asked kindly, his deep brown eyes fixed on the warm tears that ran down your face.

As he reached out to wipe them away with his fingers, you smiled faintly and shifted your gaze to your hands.

“The way you’ve been treated by the people who were supposed to take care of you—it’s just so fucking unfair,” you murmured anxiously, unable to contain your feelings anymore. Sunghoon tilted his head slightly, caught off guard by your words. It was the first time he had heard you curse.

The two of you sat in silence for several moments, gazing into each other’s eyes as the rain outside began to ease, much like the storm in your heart. Your hand remained in your husband’s hair as his gaze lingered on you.

Sunghoon found himself lost in your gorgeous eyes, framed perfectly by long, elegant lashes. His thoughts drifted to all the times you had cared for him without his notice. He remembered the confusion he felt when you invited him to sit beside you on the sofa, telling him he didn’t have to speak—just stay.

“I really want to kiss you right now,” he confessed in a low voice, interrupting the stillness that had settled and changing the subject.

Your eyes widened, and your cheeks flushed, caught completely off guard by his words. You suppressed a laugh, glancing away as anticipation fluttered in your chest.

“Sunghoon...” you whispered breathlessly, weakened by his seductive ways.

Your hand trembled slightly as you pulled it away from his dark locks. Your eyes wandered across the large living room, avoiding his gaze. The way Sunghoon’s eyes stared into yours today felt slightly different from usual; his iris seemed darker, and it made your stomach turn in anticipation of his next move.

Sunghoon suddenly sat up and moved beside you, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over you. His dark eyes searched your face and found that your cheeks had turned red, and a timid smile grew on your lips. He loved the way you melted into him so fast.

Slowly, he reached for your face, gently tilting your chin upward. His heart pounded as your pleading gaze locked with his.

“Can I kiss you, Y/N?” Sunghoon asked, his voice soft yet firm.

You couldn't hide it anymore. You wanted him as much as he wanted you. So, with your eyes closed and you're breathing unsteady, you responded:

“Yes, please, Hoon.”

Your husband didn’t waste any more time; he had already lost too much. He leaned in and pressed his lips to yours in a much-desired kiss. Butterflies spread across your chest and stomach as you felt the soothing touch of his lips. Your hands instinctively traveled to his shoulders, your fingers curling and tugging at his hair, driving Sunghoon to the brink of madness.

Besides being an amazing cook and wife, you were also amazing at kissing. Your lips molded against his as if they were made for him. Sunghoon felt like he was losing his mind when you pulled away to catch your breath, your timid eyes meeting his as you tried to steady yourself. Your lips glistened under the faint light of the tall lamp near the couch.

Sunghoon was certain you were the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Your sweet love won him over like a child deprived of sugar.

A sudden wave of boldness hit you. Your small, naughty hands went to rest on your husband’s legs, causing his face to quickly turn toward you. He arched his eyebrow and stared at you:

“Can you kiss me again?” you asked in a hesitant voice, craving the addictive warmth of his mouth once more.

A crack of thunder echoed through the room, filling the silence left by your words. Who was he to deny an angel with such need and love in her voice?

Once again, his right hand reached for your chin as he leaned in. Within seconds, his plump lips were on yours again. Sunghoon tilted his body toward you, wrapping a secure arm around your waist and pulling you flush against his chest so you could settle on his lap. The position wasn't new to you, but the way his grip felt desperate caused a surprised moan to escape your lips. Sunghoon seized the moment to slide his tongue into your mouth, initiating a playful yet passionate battle with yours.

Your body was no longer just warm; it was hot, melting under Sunghoon’s hungry lips and tight grip. He seemed to notice, as a sly smirk formed against your mouth while you kissed. Feeling your chest call for oxygen, you pulled away, completely out of breath.

You meticulously studied Sunghoon’s face before meeting his eyes, ensuring he was comfortable with what had just happened. He looked proud and satisfied. Eventually, the arms around your waist were gone, and he traded them for something else. His large hands held onto your waist, fingers dipping into the plush skin.

“I don't want to stop.” Sunghoon whispered against your lips, his breath fanning over your wet edges. He turned his head to the side slightly to kiss the corner of your mouth, eyes locked on yours, waiting for an answer.

“Then don't.” You responded securely, letting your head fall backward so he could access your neck freely.

Sunghoon smirked at your bold words and lowered his head to your slender neck, his lips warm as they came into contact with the skin. Goosebumps appeared on your flesh as he smoothed it, the feeling of need growing unbearably inside you, making your core throb. Your breathing became heavy, your chest rising and falling rapidly as he started to nibble at your skin, leaving faint bite marks with his attractive fangs.

Then you felt his hands disappear inside your baggy shirt. His curious fingers meet your lower back, and then he slides his hands upwards, feeling your smooth skin. He expected to feel a barrier where your bra should be, but he was only met with flesh. You bite your lip when you feel the tips of his fingers sneak a light touch just below the curve of your breast, testingly.

“You're not wearing anything underneath...” Sunghoon whispers more to himself in disbelief. He lifts his head from your neck just to take a look at your face. You slowly open your eyes and find his dark brown iris staring into your soul.

Your lips smirk at him, and then your hand finds his. Under your shirt, you guide them towards your breast and leave them there. Your heart is beating so fast you are sure Sunghoon could feel it. Completely drunk in love and aroused, he chases after your lips again, needing to feel your moan against his lips.

Sunghoon’s hand expertly massages your breasts as his mouth distracts you with an intense, hungry kiss, teeth occasionally grazing, but it doesn't matter. Your shirt rises as his eager hands sneak inside your shirt further, fingers expertly pulling at your sensitive nipples. Unable to focus on his lips, you pull away, letting your edges part as low moans escape.

“Let's go to my bedroom.” You whisper out of breath, opening your eyes to look at Sunghoon, but he just pulls his shirt over his head and smiles.

“But I want to do it… here.” He smirks, now reaching for your shirt to take it off too. As the cloth is thrown away from sight, Sunghoon slowly lays you flat against the couch cushions.

You opened your mouth to articulate something back, like how he needed to be careful to not stain the sofa, but your words were stolen from your mouth when you felt your husband’s burning lips wrap around your abused nipples. Unlike his usual clean and collected self, Sunghoon wasn't afraid to be dirty; saliva dripped from his mouth as he messily sucked your skin, his own moans being muffed by your breasts.

As he shifts the other boob, your back arches, and a loud moan of his name leaves your lips, your hips gaining a life of their own and starting to grind against his. The feeling of the evident tent in his pants makes you wetter, your impatience growing from frustration.

Sunghoon’s head leaves your chest for a few seconds so he can stare into your fucked-out face, all flushed and warm. You look so pretty and so needy for him. With his eyes still fixated on yours, his mouth slowly lowers into your flesh, smooching your lower stomach with open kisses, just above where you needed him the most.

The morning after feels like a dream—hazy and cozy. You wake up to the soft clarity filling the room, the sunlight streaming through the window, and wrapping your safe space in warmth. You yawn lazily and push yourself up on your elbows, your eyes lingering on Sunghoon as he sleeps.

His face is peaceful, his lips slightly pouted, and his chest rises and falls with each steady breath. With a content sigh, you rest your head back on the pillow, memories of the night before playing behind your eyes like scenes from a romantic movie.

Sunghoon had a strong grip on your body, possessive even, contradicting his eyes that were full of peaceful passion. His fingers dipped into your skin so harshly that you had marks from his nails on your waist and thighs. If you closed your eyes, you could still hear his needy moans, so desperate and hungry for you. For a reserved man, he sure wasn't as reserved when it came to pleasure. You would never guess he was this dirty, this starved, and eager. The way he licked his fingers after making you cum on them made your head spin.

“Good morning, princess,” Sunghoon says unexpectedly, his tender eyes searching for yours, interrupting your impure thoughts.

“Good morning, Hoon. Did you sleep well?” you ask with a smile, turning to your side to glance at him.

“Of course I did; I was with you,” he says with a smirk on his lips.

You giggle at his flirtation and let your body be pulled against his, craving the warmth of his skin. Sunghoon grins and kisses your scalp, his arms holding you tightly against him. Your head rests on his chest, listening to the calm rhythm of his heartbeat. A comfortable silence fills the space, and you slowly begin to doze off in his embrace, the safety it brings making you feel sleepy.

But a sudden ringing jolts you awake. You glance up at your husband, but he doesn’t move an inch.

“I’m not going to answer that,” Sunghoon assures you, eyes still closed. You smile at his words, but an unsettling feeling stirs inside you.

“Maybe you should,” you reply, your heart suddenly racing from the discomfort.

Hoon notices the shift in your mood and gives you a worried look.

He slowly sits up on the mattress, reaching for his noisy phone. You follow his movements and sit up, adjusting yourself comfortably. His shirt rises as you settle, and his cologne lingers, still present despite last night’s activities.

You watch his face turn pale as he reads the caller ID. When you lean in to check for yourself, a knot forms in your throat, your skin prickling with rage.

“Yes, Jiwon, what’s wrong?” Sunghoon asks, his voice uneasy as he picks up the phone. “What? Now?” He pulls the phone away from his ear for a few seconds, staring at the screen. “Sure… I just woke up. Yeah. Give me ten minutes.” And with that, he hangs up.

You watch his face meticulously, waiting for an explanation, but Sunghoon remains silent. His eyes are wide in shock, not quite believing what’s happening.

“What’s wrong?” you ask, concerned.

“She’s here,” he says, his gaze shifting to yours. “And she said she brought lunch to eat with us…”

“What?”

“Yeah, I don’t understand either. But she’s already at the door.”

The warmth in your room suddenly feels suffocating, causing your chest to feel heavy. This whole situation is bizarre, and it leaves you with an uneasy feeling. Without another word, Sunghoon gets up from the messy bed, gathers his scattered clothes from the floor, and kisses your lips briefly.

“I’ll meet you downstairs. Take the time you need,” he says tenderly, his hand cupping your jaw.

You nod and wait for him to leave the room before letting out a long breath that’s been trapped inside your chest. You don’t know what she wants or why she’s here, but it doesn’t feel right. From everything you know about her, it’s clear she’s not looking for friendship or forgiveness.

You take your time getting dressed, your mind spinning with different scenarios of what she might want from you.

With a deep inhale, you close the wooden door behind you and slowly walk down the spiral staircase, your footsteps echoing in the enormous house. As you approach the bottom of the stairs, you can already see her—a fake smile plastered on her plastic face as she sets the plates down on the table. Not knowing what to do or say, your eyes search for Sunghoon, hoping he can help.

“Jiwon, this is YN, my wife. I don’t think you’ve officially met,” he introduces you, wrapping an arm around your waist possessively.

“It’s so good to finally meet you!” Jiwon says in an overly dramatic voice, making your skin tense up.

But you don’t respond. Instead, you stroll to the fridge, grab a water bottle, and place it on the table. She watches your every move, her gaze tracking your body. Sunghoon finishes opening all the food she brought and sits down at the table, his arms tense from the uncomfortable situation.

You walk around the table to sit in front of Sunghoon, just like you always do, but Jiwon suddenly pulls the chair toward her and sits down.

“This is my seat,” she says with a vile smirk, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she locks eyes with you.

Despite the anger boiling inside you, you smile at her and take a deep breath, sitting next to Sunghoon instead. Your husband watches the entire exchange, his gaze fixed on you. He’s trying very hard to be nice to Jiwon, but if she continues disrespecting you, he won’t just stand by and watch.

Sunghoon reaches for your hand under the table, trying to ease the tension in both of you. Your eyes meet, and he gives you a small smile.

“So, how are you, hubby? I haven’t talked to you in months,” Jiwon queries, popping a piece of gimbap into her mouth. Her perfectly manicured nails reflected the warm sunlight streaming through the window.

“I’m great,” he replies simply, bringing a spoonful of rice to his mouth.

“Tell me more! How’s it living in a fake marriage?” Jiwon says intently, her eyes locked on yours, another plastic grin spreading across her face.

“It’s been great. YN’s a great wife. She cooks well, fucks well…” Sunghoon responds bitterly, trying to provoke her. But all that appears on her face is another fake grin.

Jiwon opens her mouth to say something but seems to hesitate, as if searching for the right words. She reaches for the water bottle and pours herself a glass, taking her time as if she were in her own home. You turn your head to the side and take a deep breath. You’re not sure how long you can stand having her in your house, acting like she owns it.

The sun shines brightly outside, casting light on the massive windows and making the house feel airy and dreamlike. As your gaze drifts around the kitchen, you wish this was all just a bad dream.

“How’s Sunghoon’s mom, YN?” Jiwon asks out of nowhere, her lips pouting as she twirls the water inside her cup.

“How would I know?” you ask, confused, not understanding where she’s going with this.

“Oh, I just thought you’d know, since you were with her a few weeks ago.”

Sunghoon turns to you when he hears her words, a confused expression crossing his face. You feel your cheeks flush under his gaze, your body betraying you.

“I—”

“Don’t try to deny it, pretty. Tell Sunghoon how close you are to his mom. He deserves to know,” Jiwon spits out, a mocking tone in her voice.

Your eyes return to Sunghoon, and you watch him slowly set down his chopsticks. His eyes are almost closed, his brows furrowed as he gives you a fierce look. Your hands start to sweat as you realize you’ve been caught.

Your eyes shift to Sunghoon, and you watch as he slowly sets down his chopsticks. His eyes are almost closed, his brows furrowed, shooting you a fierce look. Your hands start to sweat as you realize you've been discovered.

“Sunghoon, I meant to tell you this under different circumstances…” you start, your hands nervously fidgeting as you speak. “I’ve known your mother since I was a child.”

“What?”

“Remember when I told you I was alone when Ni-ki died? Well… I wasn’t exactly alone… Your mom was there with me; she was the one who stayed by my side…”

Sunghoon opens his mouth, but quickly closes it. His eyes dart to Jiwon, looking for any sign that you’re lying.

“Tell him why you were chosen to marry him,” Jiwon adds, her eyes locked with Sunghoon, trying to convince him that you’re serious.

“Sunghoon, let me explain—”

You begin, but he quickly interrupts you, anxiety taking control of his body.

“What is she talking about, YN?” Sunghoon asks, his voice faltering. His heart begins to race as you remain silent, confirming whatever point Jiwon was trying to make.

You take a deep breath and begin speaking.

“Your mom was best friends with mine when I was younger. When my mom was hurtful to me, your mom took care of me. When Ni-ki died, she was the only shoulder I had to cry on. She helped me through the grief, and when she found out about Ni-ki’s debt, you were freshly out of the relationship with Jiwon. To make sure you would still get the company, she asked me to marry you.”

You watch as tears start to form in Sunghoon’s eyes while you explain yourself, his beautiful brown eyes turning glassy right in front of you. Inside, he feels betrayed. How could you hide this from him? After everything he’s told you, after everything you’ve been through together?

Your hands reach out for his, but your husband pulls away, not wanting to touch you.

“Sunghoon, please…” you plead, your chest burning as you watch him turn his face, avoiding you.

Just when you think it can’t get worse, Jiwon smiles devilishly and speaks again, proving she has more than one card up her sleeve.

“Oh, while we’re at it! How’s your blonde stylist friend doing? Tell him his father isn’t as good as he used to be, and that I caught him stalking me.”

Your face turns pale, your hands go cold with sweat, and you close your eyes. This can’t be happening, you tell yourself. Sunghoon turns to face you again, his face as pale as yours.

“What—what are you talking about?” he asks Jiwon, eyes fixed on you.

“She made her father’s friend follow me because she was so, so, so curious about me!” she adds, her voice dripping with mockery, a smirk creeping back onto her lips.

“Wait, no. That’s not why I did it!” you say, irritated, standing up and pushing your chair back with force. You point a finger at her face as you look at Sunghoon, trying to explain yourself.

“No, I wanted to find out who was giving you all those drugs. So a friend of mine asked his dad to follow her and find out if it was her. And it was!” Your eyes harden as you speak. “She wasn’t just giving you sleeping pills, Sunghoon. They were real drugs. She has a friend who sells them to her.”

Sunghoon feels like his head is going to explode; this is too much information at once. He stands up and gently pulls your hand away from her face, then sits back down, narrowing his eyes.

“Let me see if I understand… You had someone following her?” your husband questions, then turns his face to Jiwon. “And you were giving me drugs this whole time?”

The hot air inside the kitchen feels like poison, and every breath he takes burns his lungs. So, you’ve been lying to him and following his ex, treating him like some kind of puppet you were playing with. And Jiwon, in addition to abusing him, gave him drugs?

Sunghoon wanted to be angry at Jiwon and shout at her, but he knew it would be in vain. She wasn't going to change or stop being an awful person. He also wanted to ignore everything he’d just discovered about what you did, but he felt backstabbed. As he gazes into your apologetic eyes, he can see that you’re genuinely sorry and that you never meant to hurt him. But he couldn’t help but feel ill; his heart was shattering with each passing second.

“I’m sorry I never told you any of this, but I was afraid it would scare you away.” You try to explain, tiny tears falling down your warm cheeks and dripping onto your legs, staining the denim of your pants.

Before Sunghoon could say anything, Jiwon spoke again, revealing her third card. She was practically glowing with joy that her plan was unfolding just as she’d intended.

“Aw, this is cute and all, but Sunghoon has something to tell you too!” Jiwon mocks from the other side of the table.

She stands up and circles the table, her high heels clicking mercilessly against the floor. Then she stands right by Sunghoon’s side. Jiwon takes a quick glance at Sunghoon and then smiles at you, raising her eyebrows to show you that she’s been planning this all along. You don’t even know how she found out about all of this, but you hate that she’s right.

“Come on, hubby. Tell her the truth about your marriage contract.”

You tilt your head in confusion, your hand reaching up to wipe the tears from your cheeks. Your eyes find your husband’s face, and you notice his cheeks and ears have turned dark red. You desperately try to make eye contact, but he avoids you.

A discomfiting feeling starts to spread through your body, and your breath quickens in the heavy silence.

“YN, there’s something I need to tell you—” Sunghoon starts, his voice hesitant.

“Ah, shit, you're so fucking slow!” Jiwon interrupts. “What this idiot is trying to say is that in that contract you signed, there were small letters stating that as soon as his dad passes away, he’s divorcing you and not leaving a single penny.”

Tears form in your eyes again, blurring your vision. You try to get up from your seat, but your legs feel like jelly, and you fall back into the chair. Your heart feels like it’s going to burst out of your chest, and a burning sensation rises in your throat.

“Hoon,” you call with a shaky voice.

No, that can't be true. Sunghoon would never do that to you.

The silence that settles in the sun-filled kitchen proves to you how real it all really is. Your husband turns his head away and rubs his eyes, avoiding you. You don’t know what to say or do anymore. The harsh truth leaves a sour taste in your mouth.

Slowly, you get up from your chair and walk out of the kitchen; your footsteps were the only sound echoing through the large house. But before you reach the stairs, you turn around to face Jiwon, who’s right behind you. You step toward her, your eyes locked into hers, your blood boiling under your skin.

“I hope you're happy. You’ve finally done what you wanted. He’s all yours.” Your words echo through the house, your voice stern yet quiet. Jiwon only laughs in your face, her unnatural grin making you want to puke.

“Wait, YN, let me explain—” Sunghoon finally snaps out of his trance and walks toward you. He reaches out for you, but this time you’re the one who pulls away.

“I can't talk to you right now,” you say in a low voice, tears welling in your eyes as you look at Sunghoon. “Not while she’s here.”

Those were your last words before you went upstairs to your bedroom, leaving behind Sunghoon and that evil woman who could never seem to leave him. Deep down, you wanted to go back and kiss Sunghoon in front of her, show her he’s no longer hers, but you couldn’t even look at him anymore—not after what you’d just uncovered.

Back in the kitchen, Sunghoon stands still and quiet, trying to figure out what to do with Jiwon. His head is a mess, and though he wants to run after you, he knows he has to deal with Jiwon first. She’s sitting at the table, comfortably eating the dessert she brought. As he watches her eat, he decides to finally put an end to all of this.

“Get out of my house and take that disgusting food with you,” Sunghoon says harshly, shoving all the leftover food into a plastic bag, not caring if it spills out of the containers.

“Sunghoon, hubby, she’s not good for you. She lied.” Jiwon spits out, irritated.

“Don’t call me that ever again!” he warns, pointing a finger at her. “I’m going to tell the police about what you did to me—all the domestic abuse, the cameras, the drugs. Since YN has proof of the drugs, at least I can get you thrown in jail.”

Sunghoon looks different in Jiwon’s eyes; he’s now confident and secure in himself, and she hates it. She liked him quiet and obedient, like a stupid puppy.

“But Sunghoon, she—”

“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!” he yells, the hairs on his arms standing up as anger spreads across his body. He can’t stand Jiwon anymore.

He should have known she wasn’t coming here to apologize, unlike what he’d hoped for.

Jiwon grabs the plastic bag and her designer bag quickly, slightly fearful of Sunghoon’s newfound confidence. He doesn’t even spare a glance at her as she leaves, knowing full well that if he did, he would break down in tears. After all, he was still the same hurt man from all those years ago.

Jiwon leaves the house feeling proud of herself, despite Sunghoon not taking her back like she intended to; at least she ruined whatever the two of you had going on. And that was all that mattered to her.

A few minutes pass before Sunghoon finally regains his strength. This chaotic moment has drained all the energy from him. Slowly, he walks upstairs, the heavy atmosphere in the house pulling him back, making it harder to reach your bedroom door.

When he finally reaches it, his hand prepares to knock, but he realizes it’s already open. He steps inside quietly, gently pushing the door open as he enters. The scene in front of him makes him question if he’s seeing things. You’re packing your clothes into travel bags, your quiet sobs echoing in the chilly bedroom.

“Wait, princess, please—” Sunghoon begs as he steps closer to you. His hand reaches for your wrist, trying to stop you from packing.

“Sunghoon, we were never good to each other. We could never be. This—” you gesture. “This is all fake. This marriage isn’t real. None of it is real.”

“No. We are real; what I feel for you is real.” Sunghoon insists, pushing your bags away and forcing you to look at him. “I made that rule back then because I hated you. But I love you now. I want to be with you. Please don’t leave.”

You can’t stop the tears that roll down your cheeks, his voice full of pain shooting through your heart.

“You never told me about that. If we never got along, you would have just left me. Like I’m a toy you don’t need anymore.” You express between sobs, your head starting to throb with a heavy headache.

“That would never happen because I love you. I’ve changed the contract, okay? I changed it weeks ago, even before we went out before we even got involved physically.” Sunghoon explains, reaching for his phone, which was forgotten in his back pocket.

He taps on the screen a few times and shows you a new document. Your eyes scan it briefly, and you realize he’s telling the truth. But it doesn’t feel enough.

“I lied to you, Sunghoon.” You remind him, turning your head to the side to take a deep breath and calm your racing heart.

“I don’t care.” He responds immediately after you finish speaking. “It’s not that big of a deal. I’ve thought about it. It would have been way worse if my mom hadn’t chosen you. She chose you for a reason, YN.” Sunghoon explains as his hands reach for your jaw, turning your head so you can face him.

“She chose me because I had a debt to pay, Sunghoon.” You respond coldly, stepping away from him to resume packing your bags.

“I forgive you; please don’t go,” Sunghoon begs as salty tears start falling from his coffee-colored eyes.

He kneels on the floor and wraps his arms around your legs, trying to stop you from leaving. Your hand covers your mouth to hide a sob, the act further breaking your heart. You gradually kneel in front of him, taking his hot face in your cold hands.

“I need space… I need to think about all of this. I need to think about what I feel.” You explain slowly, gazing into your husband’s melancholic eyes. “And it needs to be away from you.”

Sunghoon’s warm tears run under your fingers, wetting your hand along with his cheeks. As your own tears glide down your face, you try to show him a faint smile. Your soul feels like it’s being squeezed out of its life—a physical pain that burns in your chest. You place a long kiss on his salty lips, then stand up, grab your things, and walk out of the room.

Weeks have passed since you last saw Sunghoon. You sit alone in your small kitchen, the little apartment you found feeling crowded and suffocating. You stare down at the steamy bowl of soup on the table, unable to take a single spoonful. The room feels dark as heavy clouds hide the faint sunlight outside, and you find it funny how similar it is to what you’re feeling.

You regret walking away that day, now that your mind is clear. You wish you had thought more about it and not left Sunghoon behind so casually. But you're not perfect, and life hasn’t been easy for you either. So when you found out about the contract and when she told Sunghoon about what you did, you felt a mix of shame and betrayal.

You’ve always found it easier to leave than to talk things out.

The days pass by tediously slowly as you stare at your phone, hoping he will text you. You don’t even care if it’s just to curse you out; you just need him to be stronger than you for once. Without realizing, your eyes become glossy, your heart aching in your chest, missing Sunghoon’s safe embrace.

But it’s too late now.

You force your tired body up from the table and walk to the window in your small living room, admiring the rain that has started to fall. Your tired eyes carefully watch the water droplets paint the road, bringing you some comfort.

That’s when you notice a familiar face running toward your building, using a bouquet to try to shield himself from the rain. As the man gets closer, you realize who it is, and your heart jumps at the sight of him. How did he find you?

That was the sign you asked for. Without thinking twice, you sprint across your apartment and close the door behind you. Your legs feel like jelly as you step toward the hall of the building, tears already welling in your eyes from the memories of his familiar scent.

When you reach the outside, he is standing in the middle of the deserted road, confused. Sunghoon thought it was a mirage; maybe his head was playing tricks on him, but as soon as you wrap your arms around him, he knows it’s real.

The rain falls harder now, the drops heavy and cold, but you couldn’t care less. Sunghoon lets go of the bouquet to wrap his arms around your waist, his head nuzzling against your hair, your sweet perfume filling his senses.

He could die right now, happy in your arms.

“I couldn’t bear it anymore,” Sunghoon breaks the silence, squeezing you tightly as if you were going to dissolve in the rain.

“I’m sorry, Sunghoon. I’m so sorry.” You cry out, your knees almost giving way as you finally look at your husband’s face.

Guilt hits you like a truck, robbing you of your breath when you notice the dark bags under his precious eyes, his face visibly slimmer and paler.

The truth is, he has barely slept these weeks, missing your warmth against him at night. He regrets trusting Jiwon that day and not telling her to leave them alone instead. Sunghoon also regrets how easily he let you go. He should have pulled you into his arms and assured you that everything was going to be alright. But in the end, he’s human, just like you, and the thought of pressuring you into staying wasn’t the most appealing.

“I love you. I’m so sorry.” You insist, tears falling freely from your eyes.

You're thankful it’s raining, so he doesn’t realize how much you’re crying. Your hands reach for his face, cupping his jaw. You can’t believe he found you. He came after you, despite you breaking his heart.

“I love you,” Sunghoon says with a sad smile, his eyes hypnotized by yours. “I’m here, and I won’t let you go anywhere ever again.”

You smile as you rest your forehead against his, the rain soaking you both completely. “I love you too, Sunghoon. I won’t ever leave again. I promise.” You whisper against his quivering lips.

Sunghoon wastes no more time and chases after your lips, needing to feel them against his. Your lips are warm despite the cold water droplets, and Sunghoon giggles when he feels them. All of his worries fade away. The kiss is long and passionate, his velvety lips molding with yours slowly, savoring your taste that he missed terribly.

Under the freezing rain, Sunghoon is sure that all he ever needs in his life is to have you by his side, to feel your sweet love. He doesn't need the money, the company, or even food to eat. You’re all he wishes for, and he won’t ever let you leave again, no matter what happens.

Taglist: @grandlightcandy @seokseokjinkim @strxwbloody @enhasunghoonishot @contyynishimura @heewanrik @ranwonbin @leanderexists @lovelyyf @youngheejay @crimson-reaper576 @rikifever @mrsjjongstby @laurradoesloveu @babyboomysweetie @mintchocos-things @nxzz-skz @saphiranishimurashan @ikeupups @yangjungwonnie @xiiaobaoo @itsuen @laylasbunbunny @mellowgalaxystrawberry @firstclassjaylee @questionsdearreader @greeyjre @en-doll @riqomi @lovingvoidgoatee @mitmit01 @miuwonis @aureliaaaa555 @han-to-my-minho @heeweenie @vixensss @ro-diares @hoonvinx @immelissaaa @jiryunn @quilevyt @vrusha01 @kkamismom12 @skzenhalove @theothernads @moonpri @nicoleparadas @fightqueen @heesunghooney @starl0ver4 @jooniesbears-blog @k1arar3 @riri-lvs-food @kolawnk @mitmit01 @dummyf @tender-is-the-moon @dksfml @tobiosbbyghorl @loveydoveyez @beomieeeeeeeeeeees @hhyvsstuff @moondooll @enchantedtomeetyou @desistay @filmofhybe

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[bey-life]

[nocasdatsgay]

A Lesson in Heartbreak

Part 3 of 3: Where You’re Supposed to Be

Pairing: Azriel/Eris/Reader!F | Rating: T | word count: 6458

Neapolitan Bonds Masterlist | Part 2 | Read on AO3 Here

Summary: Eris and Azriel talk. You come back to Autumn and the three of you have to face each other and mend the heartbreak between you.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, Depressive thoughts, reconciliation.

A/N: Hi… this is a long time coming. I was depressed and this was emotionally hard to write. I apologize for taking so long. I doubt it will come off as angsty as it felt writing it but I finished it. I hope you all enjoy it.

Tagging: (I am hoping I got everyone): @myromanempiree @pit-and-the-pen @lilah-asteria @crazylokonugget @st4r-girl-official @thisblogisaboutabook @paleidiot @div94 @tele86 @chaos-on-stand-bi @bobbyisbored @ysmtttty @romantasyreader28 @azrielsshadows42 @stargirlrchive @scarsandallaz @paintedbyshadows @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @acourtofbatboydreams @ninthcircleofprythian @secret-third-thing @theicarustoyourcertainty2 @hieragalbatorixdottir @daycourtofficial @prythianpages

Eris woke with a pounding headache. His forehead throbbed so hard he could barely open his eyes. He also felt a weight over him that wasn’t a blanket. Despite the pain, he forced his eyes open. Beside him was Az, still seemingly asleep. Eris didn’t want to wake him but also didn’t want to lie there much longer. Of course when he moved out from under him, Azriel made a noise, his wings closing and he looked over at him. 

“Morning,” he whispered and rubbed his eyes. 

“Morning.” Eris groaned as he pushed himself up. He was silent for a moment and whispered, “I thought I dreamt you came back.” 

“Of course I came back.” He looked over and saw Azriel rubbing his own eyes. “I didn’t even drink and I feel like shit. Where’s that tonic Edith makes?” 

Eris gave him a withered look. “There would be some in the cabinet if someone didn’t take it every time they felt terrible.” Az rolled onto his back and glared at him but didn’t respond. “I’ll get some brought up.” 

“Then we talk.” 

Eris tried not to wince when Az said that as he got out of bed. He simply nodded. It was the least he could do. Eris looked down at himself and realized he was still in yesterday’s clothes. He would need the bed changed and made up before you came back- if you came back. Head still pounding, he grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote a note to Edith, sending it away with magic. By the time he had returned from the bath and changed, there was a tonic waiting for him on the table. Az seemed to have taken his, if the empty bottle next to it was any indication. 

Eris took it and sighed as the pounding faded, leaving him with a mental clarity and a knot in his stomach. He went over to the table and wrote another quick note to Rowen, asking to take over whatever meetings he had for the next few hours. The paper returned with a quick confirmation and Eris braced himself to leave the bed chambers. Az was waiting in the sitting room, looking out the window from his chair. Eris couldn’t remember the last time he felt like this- nervous; a foreign word to someone who has been through what he had these past centuries. He took a seat across from Az and waited. There was a moment of silence between them, before Az finally looked over at him. 

“Did you mean what you said?”

Eris forced himself to look him in the eyes. “Yes.” 

The hurt on Azriel’s face made his chest ache. He shuffled in his chair, wings behind him tightening into his back. 

“I would have never asked for any of that if I had-“ 

“I know,” Eris said quickly. 

The pain in Az’s gaze did not lessen. “Why didn’t you say something?” 

“I can’t bring myself to tell you no. You were so enamored with the idea of a third mate. I eventually became numb to it.” 

Azriel’s eyes searched his own, a question without asking. “You regret it.” 

He shook his head. “Regret isn’t the word I would use.”

“Then what do you call it?” Az snapped back. 

Eris opted for honesty. “I thought you’d leave.” Az went very still. “Elain said there was a third bond. She never said it was for both of us. I was shocked when it snapped for me too.” 

“Why would you think that?” 

“I didn’t deserve a second mate.”

“And I do?” Az’s voice raised, still dumbfounded at what Eris was saying. 

“More than me.” He shrugged. “You made that very clear last night.” Az recoiled and Eris raised his brow. “Did you mean it? What you had said?” 

The shadows came out, as if hearing the slight challenge in his voice. Az thought for a moment and looked him in his eyes. 

“I did. When the bond first snapped for us, I didn’t want it. Being who we are, who we were, it was hard.” Eris could see the glint in his eyes, shadows wiping away the tears that threatened to spill over. “And I meant what I said when I came back. I mean it. I will always choose you. Because I do love you.” 

Eris ignored the burning in his own eyes. In a soft whisper, he replied with those first vows he took. “Til the end of our days.” 

A moment of silence and Az whispered. “We said that to her too.” Guilt welled in Eris’s chest. “If we want her to come back, we can’t just push her away.”

”I know,’ his tone was harsher than he intended. “I know that.”

“Then why do you act like it’s so hard?” 

It was Eris’s turn to recoil at the accusing tone Azriel used. 

“It just is.”

”No, it’s not.”

”Not for you,” Eris’s tone was cruel, so much that the shadows raised and arch like they would strike him. 

“Then explain it.” Az demanded back. “Do you even love her?”

“Of course I do! That’s the problem.” 

“Then why would you say that?”

“You don’t understand how difficult it is. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Can you try?” 

They sat in silence for a long time. How could Eris put into words the problem was he loved both of them so much it hurt. He felt like he couldn’t even breathe half the time he looked at you. Azriel, he was more used to- but there were moments he’d see his mate out of the corner of his gaze and his heart still stopped in his chest. It was ridiculous and childish. And with you- with you it was so much worse. Eris could feel the heat in his cheeks.  

“When the bond snapped between us it was familiar. I knew exactly what to expect and how to handle it.” 

“So with y/n you can’t?” Az looked at him skeptically. 

“Azriel, I can’t even look at her without wanting her.” 

“That’s because she’s our mate.” Eris shook his head and Az looked dumbfounded. “It’s hard for me too, you know. It’s only been, what? Two years since accepting it?”

“Three.”

“Do you remember what it was like when it was just us?” Eris scoffed and Az frowned. “You were a new high lord on top of it. Blew out the fireplaces way more times when we first mated than when we mated-“

“You don’t have to remind me.” Eris winced, shoving down the embarrassment. “But I pushed you away. You gave me space. We controlled ourselves.”

“We had a decade and a half to do so as mates.” 

”I should have more control-“

”We have two mating bonds each, Eris. One is still fresh.” Azriel scoffed and shook his head. “All this because you’re acting like a mate should.” 

“I am a High Lord,’ Eris snapped. “I cannot afford distractions. I gave myself one year, which was what I gave us. It’s unacceptable for me to be acting like this.”

”It’s just dinner.”

”Not when I want to fuck her on the table.”

Azriel’s eyebrows shot up. He looked Eris over and his scent shifted just slightly. Eris couldn’t be bothered to be embarrassed. 

He finally asked, “should I be jealous?” Eris didn’t reply. “You never tried to fuck me on the dining table.” 

“Normally I want you under it.” Eris ignored Az’s jaw twitch. “Like I said, It’s easier to ignore it with you.”   

Az’s brows furrowed. “I don’t know if I should be offended or not.” 

“I told you that you wouldn’t understand.” 

“You’re right. I don’t. Because if I want to fuck, I just do it.” 

“Because you can. I cannot.” Eris stood in frustration, arms crossed and fingers gripped into his own biceps. “I’m High Lord of Autumn.” 

Az laughed. He laughed and leaned forward onto his knees, rubbing his eyes. Eris ignored the pang of hurt in his chest. He knew Az wouldn’t understand but to laugh? 

“Eris,” he said, catching his breath and wiping his eyes. “You’re right. You are High Lord. You can do whatever you want.” 

Eris frowned. “I have an obligation to the court-“

“You have other people to do these things, Eris.” Azriel was now on his feet, hands moving and shadows whirling as he talked. “You don’t have to be at every single meeting! You don’t have to look at every itinerary. You purged the rot out of this court. I know because I helped you do it. If you can’t trust the people you hand picked to help run this court, then we need to reevaluate the court.” 

Eris frowned. “I’ve done that. It’s not- it isn’t about running the court.” 

It was true- he’d let go of his court duties to throw himself into his work for this upcoming summit. It mattered to him greatly that this went well. Azriel’s hand dropped to his side, head tilted and brows furrowed. 

“Then what is it?” 

“You wouldn’t understand.” He repeated. “You are my mate but you are not High Lord. The Autumn Court isn’t like the Night Court.” Az recoiled a little. “I do not mean that disrespectfully.”

Az frowned but didn’t reply. Eris hoped he would leave it be. Eris glanced out the window and he finally spoke again. 

“Did you get a letter from her? While I was gone?”

“No.” A pang of guilt echoed in his chest. “Her friend replied. Said she would give her the letter but wouldn’t pressure her further. She will return when she’s ready.” 

Gods, did Eris hope his own words were true. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You spent two more nights in Summer. You wouldn’t leave the room. Samira came to see you throughout the day so you won’t eat alone. The third day she barged in and demanded you have breakfast with her. The moment you stepped out of the room, a lone shadow crept up your body, curling under the collar of the loose shirt you were wearing. You had immense guilt for making it wait outside for three days with no access to you. Yes, you needed the space, but that didn’t make it better. 

Tarquin was waiting for you both in the small dining room. She neglected to mention he would be there. You cut your eyes to her and she shrugged with a grin. It was the first time you’d seen him since arriving. Dressed in a deep blue and white robe, he had not changed since you last saw him. He greeted you warmly and offered a chair near him and across from Samira. 

“Thank you, Tarquin.” You said softly, taking your seat. “Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.” 

“You’re always welcome in Summer. Though I wish it was under better circumstances.” He replied with a warm smile. 

You winced at that.  “I owe you a great favor.” 

“You owe me nothing. You are Samira’s dearest friend. She’s learned by now I’ll give her almost anything she wants.” He added with a chuckle. 

“Almost is the key word in that sentence,” she added. 

“I still thank you for your accommodation.” 

“And you are welcome.” Tarquin gestured to the food. “Shall we?” 

The perk of staying in summer was the food. Fresh melons were always served no matter the time. The greens were leaner than Autumn’s hearty root vegetables. Seasonings were drastically different. You took a poached egg with spinach and red sauce onto your plate along with what you were certain was a cheesy bread. Though Samira made you eat something, this was the first full meal you’d had in days. 

“Have you been to the new south wing?” Tarquin asked. 

“Not yet.” Samira answered for you, cutting her eyes at him. 

“It’s okay,” you couldn’t help but smile at your friend’s defensiveness. “This is the first time I left the room.” You admitted. 

He gave you a soft smile. “I see. If you are up to it, you should go visit it. We started a gallery for the schools. Students decorated it with their works.” 

“That sounds lovely.”

A rustling of paper beside you drew your attention. You looked just in time to see the tail end of a wisp slither under the table. The envelope beside you was the one you’d received the night you arrived. The one you’ve been ignoring. You rolled your eyes and snatched it up, ripping along the fold to open it. 

“Apologies,” you said to Tarquin and Samira, “someone is impatient and will not let me eat breakfast in peace.” 

You knew you looked ridiculous, scolding something they couldn’t see. But you knew the shadow heard you, if the cool touch around your ankle was any indication. You pulled out the paper. It smelled like Autumn. It smelled like Eris. You ignored the pang in your stomach and unfolded. 

Love. I do not fault you for leaving. I ask for you to return when you are ready. This is not something that can be resolved through letters. I know you are safe in Summer. I simply request that you let us know you are well. Azriel is beside himself; his shadows cannot get to you. Another pang of guilt hit you. As is your right. You could feel the pause before the next sentence in your mind despite there not being a gap. It’s disingenuous to apologize here. You deserve an apology in person. Until then, I will push out the timeline of the summit- 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” you said aloud. You blinked and flushed looking over to Tarquin and Samira. Tarquin looked away; Samira gave you an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.” You took a deep breath. 

“Is that?” Samira looked at the paper and then back to you. 

“Yes.” You cut your gaze to Tarquin. “Tarquin have you received any cancellations for the summit?” 

Tarquin’s eyebrows raised. “Yes,” he said slowly. He looked as if he was still processing your question. He added, “Well, I just saw a letter this morning from Eris. I can assume it was about the summit.”

“I see,” you pursed your lips for a moment. “Tarquin. I thank you for allowing me to stay. And for providing such good accommodations.” You sighed. “It appears I’m needed in Autumn. They will not be postponing this summit if I have anything to do with it.”

You stood, stuffing down your true anger to keep your head in the moment. You stood, grabbing the letter and envelope. You frowned at the feeling of the shadow curling around your left ankle. You knew it wasn’t its fault but as it was a part of Azriel, you still were annoyed at the touch. 

“I hope to see you both again under better circumstances. The summit preferably.” You knew your smile was tight and forced but couldn’t do anything about it at the moment. 

“I’ll go with you and see you off,” Samira gave you a sympathetic look. 

You nodded and gave Tarquin a nod. 

He nodded back. “Hope to see you at the summit as well.” 

You then turned and left, moving faster than intended in an effort to get to your things. And to get out the excess energy your frustration had caused you. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tarquin watched you leave the dining room and Samira stood to join you. Her hesitation had him glancing over to her. She was staring at him skeptically. 

“You have not received any such letter,” she whispered. 

Tarquin shrugged. “She doesn’t need to know that.” 

“Who’s side are you on,” she put her hands on her waist, her dark braid flipping forward over her shoulder. 

“If you were to ever run away to Autumn, I would like to think Eris would return the favor.” Tarquin could not hide his smirk. 

You were equally if not more stubborn than Samira. He knew you would have stayed for a month without the right motivation. And from what Samira had told him- it only seemed fair. She gave him a stern look. 

He added, “she is more than welcome to return, Mira. I promise.” 

He reached over and took her hand to kiss her knuckles. That softened her stance. 

“I’ll see her off. But if she returns even more upset, I’m blaming you.” 

“Understood my sunrise.” He bit back a smile watching her leave. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Your anger dissipated the second your feet landed in Autumn soil. The crisp air filled your lungs, relaxing you immediately. You stood before the entrance to the house, sun shining through the trees and leaves casting shadows. In those shadows you saw movement. Az’s shadows swarmed up to you, swirling at your feet. Worse than the hounds, they swirled up and around your legs, presumably excited you were home. You shoved down the sadness you felt knowing they missed you. Which most likely reflected the state your mates were in. 

You stepped through the wards, magic washing over you. Shadows dispersed and another step forward the doors flew open. 

You inhaled sharply, gaze locked as Az stumbled forward. Your chest tightened and eyes watered. You willed yourself not to cry. Az stopped at the steps and Eris walked up beside him. Gods you wanted to run up those stairs right to their arms. You refrained. Instead you held your head high and blinked the tears away. They watched in silence as you walked up the steps. 

“Where are the guards?” You asked, breaking the tense silence. 

You didn’t ascend the stairs.

They both stared at you. 

“We weren’t expecting anyone,” Eris' voice was so soft you almost didn’t hear it. 

A flicker of motion at Az’s side had your gaze dropping. His hands squeezed into fists. Just as quickly his shoulders slumped and wings dropped. You glanced back to see silver lining his eyes. He whispered your name. It felt like he reached into your chest and squeezed. 

You shook your head. “Don’t.” Your resolve was failing you but you forced your voice steady. “Let me come in. Then we talk in the small common room.”

Azriel’s face crumbled with hurt but Eris understood. He gently pulled at Az, guiding him back inside. You nearly collapsed the second they were out of your site. You didn’t know how you would get through this if just seeing them made you want to double over in tears. You wiped your eyes and sniffed. You can do this. You told yourself. You took a last deep breath, grounding yourself before you took that first step up the stairs. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Az was drowning. Or, at least it felt like it. 

You were right there- at the foot of the steps, still in summer clothes, the smell of the sea carried up on the wind from where you stood. He didn’t believe it until he felt the wards move. He was in such a rush, he didn’t even winnow. He pushed at least two dignitaries out of the way to get through the halls. Now Eris was leading him away, deliberately warm hands the only thing grounding him. Az didn’t realize they were in the common room until Eris clicked the door shut. 

“She was right there,” he whispered, vision blurring again. He blinked profusely and crossed his arms. He looked to Eris who was watching the door. “How do we even know she’s coming?”

She walks towards us. A shadow reassured him. 

His heart was pounding in his ears while his gaze focused on the door. A moment later it opened and his heart leapt into his throat. You slipped inside, rogue shadows swirling around you while you clicked the door shut. You were so close; he could see the darkness under your eyes and guilt twisted in his gut. You looked between him and Eris. 

“Sit, please,” you said. 

Azriel didn’t want to sit. Shadows shoved him and forced him to move. It was ironic that the three of you sat in this room five years ago. You were a stranger then. Az didn’t even have to beg Eris to meet with you. Deep down he knew you were the one he was looking for, what he thought Eris was looking for too. He tried to not let the truth taint the memory. You remained standing, arms crossed tight against your chest. He could hear your heart beating with how silent the room was. You finally dropped your arms, and stood straight. 

“You canceled the summit?” You asked and glared directly at Eris. 

“No,” he replied curtly. 

“You said in your letter you would. And then Tarquin told me you had sent correspondence.” You pursed your lips like you always did when angered and added, “Recant the letters. Like hells I’m going to let you cancel this after the mess it’s caused.”

Azriel glanced at Eris who looked as confused as he did. Azriel could hear the lift of Eris’s brow as he responded. 

“I did not send any letters to Tarquin. All of my letters were diverted to your friend.” 

Now confusion etched itself in your face. “But he-“ you looked off thinking and then scowled. “He fucking lied to me, that asshole.” 

Az snorted. He couldn’t help it. Tarquin lying was unheard of. And to lie in Azriel and Eris’s favor? The notion was ridiculous despite that being the logical answer. You cut your eyes at him and Az stilled, waiting. 

“It doesn’t matter,” you shook your head. “I only came back because I thought you canceled the summit.” 

“What?” Az felt like a knife twisted in him.

“I,” you crossed your arms and clenched your jaw. Defensive. “I should go.” 

“No.” Az was out of his chair and went to grab you. A warm hand grabbed his arm. Too many emotions were swelling in his chest. “Please. You just came back.” 

“And I shouldn’t have.” You whispered. 

There was pain there. It made the bond to you ache. He tried to claw at it, to force you to open your side. It didn’t work. 

“How can you say that?” His own voice cracked but he didn’t care. He tried to pull his arm out of Eris’s grasp but his mate held fast. He turned to him with a glare. “Let me go, Eris.”

Eris ignored him. “You don’t have to stay,” he said softly. “Not if you don’t wish to.” 

Siphons flared again as Az wildly turned to Eris, teeth bared “No.” 

“I will not hold another female in this court against her will.” Eris hissed back. “My mother was held captive here for half a millenia. I won’t allow it to happen again.” 

Az knew he was right but the bond in his chest squirmed. He looked back at you. You took a step back, probably out of fear. Shame replaced the emotions warring in him. 

“Please.” 

In the span of a moment, your stance shifted. Magic started to hum around you. Azriel flinched. You were angry. Very angry. 

“Why!” You tightened your arms against your chest. “Why should I stay? You don’t need me. I don’t even know why you’re pretending like you even want me here.” Az felt frozen in place, like he couldn’t breathe. Angry tears fell down your cheeks. “Why spend time with someone you don’t want or need?” 

Az fell to his knees, Eris’s hands still tight on his arm. His shadows had disappeared- to where he didn’t care. 

“Baby, please.” He would beg. He would grovel. He didn’t care. You couldn’t leave. Not again. He muttered your name and tears fell down his own cheeks. “Please. We need to talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” you wiped your eyes. 

“This is my fault.” Eris let go of Az’s arm, stepping in front of him. “I shut you out. I thought it was the right thing to do. I’m clearly wrong.” 

“What did I do?” You sniffled and wiped frantically at your face more. “What did I do wrong?” 

“You didn’t do anything wrong, love.” Eris stepped closer and Az held his breath waiting. 

“Clearly I did! I’ve been going to bed alone for months!” The sob you let out cut Az’s heart nearly in half. “I barely see you. I barely talk to you. Neither of you so much as touch me. I thought you both needed space but when you promised, you promised, to meet for dinner neither of you showed.”

“And I’m sorry.” Az whispered. He had no excuse. Not really. A fact he had to face now that you were here and hurting. “I thought-“ 

“You thought what?” Your anger resurfaced. “That I would be fine? Or did you even remember I existed?” 

He winced, dropping his gaze to the floor. What could he even say to that? 

“It’s my fault.” Eris repeated. “Be angry at me.” 

“I am!”

Az finally forced himself up. You stepped back again at the movement. He forced himself to focus, to shoved down all noise in his head.

“I don’t know what else to say to make you believe that I’m sorry. That we’re sorry.” His voice was shockingly steady. “I can’t force you to stay if you truly don’t want to.”

He expected you to leave. To be even more aggressive. He could weather it. 

He didn’t expect you to fall apart. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You couldn’t take it anymore. 

Eris and Azriel both stared at you, silently pleading with their fucking eyes. You tried to be strong. To hold your ground. Even when Az was clawing at your bond. Even with Eris begging you to place the blame on him.  

But it hurt too much. You caved in on yourself, sobbing in the middle of the fucking receiving room. 

“You only want me here because of the bond,” you choked out. “You don’t. You don’t need me. You don’t.”

Az grabbed you. 

You cried harder at the sudden feeling of his arms wrapped around you. He let you sob into his tunic, his scent already calming you even if you didn’t want it to. You felt the shift- he winnowed you somewhere. His hands moved lower and lifted you up. When was the last time he’d held you? You didn’t fight it. Shadows blocked your vision as he carried you a few steps before turning with you to sit down. He held you in silence, while your tears tapered off. Occasionally his hand would rub your back. Gods did you miss him, this. But this wasn’t what you planned. You wiped your eyes and forced yourself up. Hazel eyes you hadn’t looked into in days met yours. 

“Hey.”

“Hi,” Gods, would you ever stop crying? Your face felt swollen. You probably looked like a mess. “Where…”

You looked around. You were in your rooms. He had sat you both on the bed. Something inside you relaxed. Then your gaze found amber, bright and steady at the end of the bed. You suddenly felt shame- for losing your cool, for crying on Azriel. You moved off of him quickly. 

Eris got to his feet. “Don’t. Love, please. It’s alright.” 

You stopped and swallowed hard. You glanced between them both. Eris blocked the way out. Az moved to sit up properly on the bed. You were cornered and your eyes watered again. Eris relaxed his stance but held out his hand. 

“I can run you a bath.” Your bond to him ached. You missed his soft tone. “Or we can go to the sitting room and talk.” 

Talk. 

What was there to talk about? But his eyes pleaded with you silently. You nodded but didn’t take his hand. A slight you couldn’t remedy in time as he lowered it, fingers balling into a fist. You followed him out, Az behind you. The scent of them, of your rooms eased the tension in you. Now all that was left was sadness. You went straight to your arm chair, arms crossed tight against your chest again and legs tucked up against you. Az and Eris remained standing. The silence was heavy like the closed bonds in your chest. Eris and Az were looking at each other. Like they always did. Talking with their eyes in a way you couldn’t and hadn’t mastered. You couldn’t even bother to be angry about it. 

“I’ll go get some tea. It’ll help with,” Eris trailed off, looking at you with his sad eyes. “I’ll be back.”

“No.” Eris stopped before he started, looking back at you puzzled. You scoffed. “Make Az do it.” You cut your gaze to your other mate. “Go make tea. Since you follow orders so well.” 

“Y/N-“

“No. You were going to make tea while Az stayed here and calmed me down. Am I wrong?” Neither of them spoke. “Then you won’t have a problem with Az going.” 

“Okay,” Az said, defeat in his voice. 

Eris clenched his jaw and after a moment Az left, shadows trailing behind him. Now you were alone with Eris for the first time in months. The silence between you was even heavier. He finally sighed,  and looked at you directly. 

“Y/N, I am-“

“Sorry?” You supplemented quickly. He frowned but did not move. For some reason that made you angrier. “You say you’re sorry as if it matters.” 

“It does matter.” He said harshly. “What do you want me to do, Y/N? What can I do to prove to you I am sorry?“

“Tell me what I did wrong.”

You wanted to be angry. You wanted to spit out those words with venom. But all that came out was more tears and a meek tone. 

“Love, you did nothing wrong.”

“Then why don’t you love me like you love Azriel?” You sniffled. 

“Y/N.” He fell back into a chair as if you’d actually struck him. 

“I’ve tried so hard to be someone you wanted. And nothing I do is good enough.” Your eyes were hurting from how much you were rubbing them. “I’ve spent three days trying to figure out where I went wrong, what changed.”

“Nothing changed. That is the problem!” You blinked, shocked that Eris had yelled at you. He leaned onto his knees with his face in his hands. “Neither of you understand how hard this is.” 

You curled up in the chair and watched him silently. More still from shock than fear. He finally wiped his face with his hand, pushing it into his hair as he sat back up. His eyes were tinged red, like he wanted to cry. 

You’d never seen Eris cry before.

His gaze met yours and he scowled, jaw clenched. You still didn’t speak. He finally relaxed his shoulders and spoke. 

“It’s not,” he paused again. Looking up and away, like he was trying to keep himself together. “Five centuries of hiding affection doesn’t go away in a decade. Azriel is different because he,” Eris took a deep breath. “I can push him away. I can let the hardened mask stay on even after the room has cleared. I can push away this,” he held his hand over his chest like he was touching his own soul, maybe the bond. “Want. I can hide it. I can tame it. I could the moment the bond snapped. But, the cauldron has damned me because with you I can’t.” His voice cracked. “And that is terrifying.” 

What could you say to that? He sighed again, wiped his hand over his face again.

He added, “I’ve always gotten caught up in my work. It’s safer that way. It was always safer that way.”

The Mother was looking out for you, or maybe Azriel had been waiting for the right moment. Either way, he entered with a tray of tea and cups. He looked wearily between you and Eris while he sat the tray down. He made you a cup, putting exactly what you liked in it, and handed it to you. You hesitated- but not on purpose. You muttered your thanks and took it from him. The silence was heavy between the three of you as Az took his seat. He nor Eris reached for the tea. Az leaned onto his knees and sighed heavily. 

“So can we talk about it?” He asked, looking at you directly. 

You sipped your tea letting the warmth of it wash through you. Azriel looked so tired. They both did. Guilt started to churn in your stomach. Mostly because of Eris’s confession but partly because this whole situation was your fault. You held your cup tight like it was the only lifeline you had. 

“I’m sorry,” you whispered. You stared down at your tea, unable to look at either of them anymore. “I shouldn’t have left. I just thought you wouldn’t miss me.” 

Cool shadows came in from your peripheral, wrapping up your arms. They did that when they thought you were upset. You were too tired at this point to be upset anymore. 

“Why-“ Az stopped himself, clenching his jaw when you glanced at him. “Y/N, you’re our mate.”

“These past few months haven’t felt like it.” 

They wanted to talk. You spoke the truth. Your words struck them both hard. You put the cup and saucer on the table beside you. Least you lose your grip on it. With nothing to hold you crossed your arms against your chest. The shadows moved but didn’t leave you. You continued. 

“I didn’t think I was a female who needed time or touch. Not until you both stopped giving it to me.” Guilt still swarmed in you. “I should have told you sooner.”

“You tried to tell us, we did a poor job of listening.”

Az tried to crack a joke. The corner of your lips twitched a little. A glance at Eris told you he wasn’t as amused. Az sighed heavily, drawing your attention back to him. 

“Do you really think we don't need you?” Az looked so hurt, you felt sick from it. You did that. 

“I-“ Gods the tears were back. You blinked profusely. “You’ve been together for so long. Just because I’m your mate doesn’t mean I fit into your lives. It’s… obvious I’m still a disruption.” 

Shadows recoiled from you, the solid dark wisps whipping around like they would hiss if they could. Azriel whistled to try and reign them in. They went semi- transparent and lowered themselves back down onto you. Gods you wanted them off. In a burst of over stimulation, your magic flared and pushed the shadows away from you. Az stiffened where he sat, watching the shadows slink back to him. 

“I’m sorry. I-“ By the cauldron could you do anything right? 

“It’s okay.” Az whispered.

The air was thick again- silence heavier than before. None of you were getting anywhere with this. Your mind became a quick tangle of worries- rapid thoughts one after the other, making you tense where you sat. You should leave. You weren’t needed. You should tell Samira to just make you a permanent resident of Summer. Ignoring a bond would be easier than breaking one. 

“Y/N.”

You inhaled sharply, when warm hands touched you. You had stood up during your frantic thoughts. You were breathing heavily. Eris was in front of you- not unlike how he’d been when the bond snapped. His hand reached up and cupped your face. His thumb wiped away more tears. 

“Let us in.”

You felt two gentle tugs in your chest. A lot different than the pulling and clawing from earlier. Reopening the bonds you kept shut for so long felt terrifying. Movement to your left caught your eye. Az was now beside Eris. 

“Please?” Az’s eyes begged just like his tone. 

You didn’t realize Eris was exaggerating his breath, breathing with you to calm you down. Slowly, breathing in and out gently, open your bonds. You would have collapsed if Eris hadn’t held onto you. Letting yourself feel them both, even slowly was too much. Your cold heart was suddenly flooded with warmth you hadn’t felt in months. Love. Love you’d forgotten was even there. 

“I’m sorry,” you sobbed. You wrapped your arms around Eris’s neck and dug your fingers into his shirt. “I’m sorry.”

He didn’t speak, he didn’t have to. He carried you to bed, Az following behind him. The rest of the day was a blur of more tears and soft confessions, being held between your mates. You learned more about them in those hours than you had the last five years of being with them. You each had your weakness- you bottled up your grievances and let your thoughts rot in them. Eris did the opposite. He bottled up his love, hiding from you and Az when he didn’t have too. Burying himself in work to not seem weak. Az admitted his complacency, with how he would let things go unchecked. Just rolling slights and not addressing them fully. 

You all agreed after a long warm bath that closing the bonds wasn’t working. It helped keep you all focused, but what good was that when you couldn’t feel your mates and them you? Even leaving them open a little wasn’t enough. You'd have to learn to function with it open. Eris only asked to wait until after the summit. He brought it up as he sat behind you, braiding and drying your hair. You’d changed into a soft nightgown and kept a cold towel pressed to your eyes. 

“I do not need Az sending how he feels about me arguing with other high lords down the bond in the middle of a meeting.” 

“It was one time,” Az was somewhere to your left, clearly offended. “I can’t help it, you're hot when you use your high lord voice.” 

You snorted. Azriel wasn’t wrong. Eris muttered something behind you that you didn’t fully hear. Fingers pulled at the towel and you winced as the room came into view, lights and all. Azriel dipped the bed where he sat, shadows taking the cloth away. 

You asked, “Do I look better?” 

“You never looked bad,” Az smirked. His eyes ran over your face. “Your head shouldn’t hurt in the morning. If it does, we'll get Edith’s magic tonic.”

“Edith is going to revoke access to that tonic if you keep taking it for every little thing.” Eris tied the end of the first braid. 

“Then it’s a good thing it’s for Y/N,” Az said with a sass in his tone. 

You missed them. How could you ever think- you shut it down. No more tears for the night. For now, you let Eris start his second braid in your hair while Az spread out on the bed with his head in your lap. Exactly where you all were supposed to be. 

[da-floof]

I told you guys! bring in a forklift and it will be easy sailing!

Inspired by an earlier post-and a thankyou for all the love on it

Dogday ported by MG off Sketchfab

background ported/made by TOYWAR off sketchfab

Catnap ported by KPMISparrot off Sketchfab

And forklift by Ricardo sanchez

Apologies if I got anyone's name wrong...

[laikascomet]

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READ AHEAD ON KOFI!

[horrortalecomic]

What lengths will Aliza go to escape?

[ffwix]

IM SO SORRY ABOUT BUBBA! I didn’t have enough room

//Bubba, the smartest of the gang, usually a tutor for any child that’s struggling in any academic studies, he’s the calmest and mostly seen with old kids, where some struggle in Algebra or Geometry.//

Anyway, very slight redesign.

Also yes, I’m ignoring everything that happened in chapter 3, cause I’m in denial.

[pipeupcomic]

Pipe Up- Chapter 3, Page 25 Next > Start Reading Content Warnings If you like hugging your friend and not letting go, please consider supporting me on Patreon! Or, support the character artist on Patreon! Story, Dialogue, and Page Compositions by @saltnpepperbunny Inks and Character Flats by @tinysweetbunny Background Flats by @thetruegge