#I'm not overly invested in these two at all

[bluberryfields]

This is what happens when you're raised by TV and trained in literary analysis

Beyond the crushing heartbreak of that finale, one thing in particular has stuck with me when I look at it in the context of S2 as a whole.

He lays out their relationship, "We're a team, a group. A group of the two of us. And we've spent our existence pretending that we aren't."

He then turns his head away and says, "I mean, the last few years, not really."

He pauses here, facing the interior of the bookshop. Really looks it up and down.

Turns back, "And I would like to spend" before choking on his words and looks toward the window. He can't finish saying something like "And I would like to spend eternity with you" because that's too much, too fast, for both of them.

But it's that "last few years" bit that has firmly lodged itself in my very broken brain.

According to Gaiman, it's been "a few years" since the end of Season 1. Armageddon has been averted. Heaven and Hell have reluctantly retreated. Crowley and Aziraphale have been effectively cut loose from their "sides," leaving them to form their own side.

So at the start of Season 2, we get a glimpse of the “fragile existence” they have carved out for themselves. To me, the biggest difference that we see is how they exist together in front of others. Going to the coffee shop, the pub, and the other shops along the street that Aziraphale has lived on for over 200 years. And don’t forget how they act in front of Nina, Maggie, and sweet, dim Muriel.

At the coffee shop, Aziraphale stammers a bit when Nina asks who Crowley is, but he still seems to have affection in his voice when he says, "We go back a long time."

Compared to Shakespearian "He's not my friend! We've never met before. We don't know each other!" panic, this is an incredible difference.

Of course, each time, Crowley is cool and cheeky and does nothing to indicate that they aren't a pair. Though, of course, he does deny it when Nina asks about Aziraphale being his side piece. “He’s not my bit on the side! He’s far too pure of heart to be anyone’s bit on the side.” And refers to him as an “Angel [swallows]I know.”

When they go the pub, Crowley's joy at doing something together in public that they do not normally do is super cute, including his cheeky order for Aziraphale's sherry. Then, when bringing the drinks over to the socially trapped Aziraphale, he greets Mr. Brown with a truly adorable, "Hello" and a signature DT smile. Then upon hearing how “excited” Mr. Fell is to host the meeting, he looks down and says, “Oh? You astonish me.” while Aziraphale sips his sherry and squirms.

We also watch as Crowley follows Aziraphale as he goes to each shop and talks to the owners about the meeting/secret ball. In theory, Crowley has no reason to tag along, and he certainly doesn’t help sway anyone who doesn’t want to/can’t go. He goofs around at the magic shop. He splays out on the bench, chin on hand, looking for all the world a husband waiting for his wife to pick out a dress at the department store. They are so married it’s ridiculous.

Finally, their behavior in front of Muriel while inside their sanctuary. Crowley sits on the arm of Aziraphale’s chair, somehow looking supremely comfortable on the old-fashioned furniture. He folds up those gloriously long limbs and presses himself as close as possible.

He smiles and plays along with Aziraphale’s coaching of Muriel in her disguise. Calls him Angel and asks to speak in private. And at the end, during the awful wait while Aziraphale talks with The Metatron, Crowley cleans up the shop and tells Muriel that he and Aziraphale will need some “us” time after all this. No beating around the bush. 

Without oversight, they can be openly together and happy. But Heaven just can’t let that happen. 

[fortes-fortuna-iogurtum]

...why is the one episode when they're in the most Real Direct Actual conflict the one where they're actually the kindest and most gentle with each other. why can't they be like this when William isn't courting someone else???

[hannieehaee]

18+ / mdi

content: friends(?) to lovers, one sided pining (kinda), a lil angsty, smut, f reader, oral (f receiving), penetrative sex, etc.

pairing: joshua x reader

wc: 3369

masterlist

you had first met joshua a few months ago when jeonghan walked him up to your established meeting place in the university's cafeteria. it was a common thing for him to bring strays (as he liked to call them) upon befriending them with his very particular and friendly personality. joshua had been the latest addition; an overly pretty boy with the manners of an angel and with a humour similar to that of jeonghan's, making them the perfect pair.

despite now having been in the same friend group for a few months, joshua never really seemed to like you much. he's never made it overtly obvious, nor has he ever said anything mean (at least to your face), but has still made it clear with his lack of interest towards you in comparison to how friendly and invested he's always been with everyone else in the group.

you, on the other hand, had always taken a special interest to the pretty guy jeonghan decided to introduce to your friend group a few months ago. you'd always tried to make friendly conversation with him, always asking him for his opinion on things and trying to make him feel as included as possible. your efforts always seemed to be fruitless, however, as he would often give you monosyllabic answers or straight up ignore you in order to talk to someone else in the group. you never understood the root of his attitude, but you also never let his attitude deter you, having a bit of a crush on the guy, and thus never wanting to give up hope.

you hoped that as his birthday approached you'd be able to find some one-on-one time to give him his gift (a guitar, which yes, might be a little too much for a guy who clearly doesnt like you, but enough for a conversation-starter), and maybe have a chance to talk to him a little bit.

when the day finally arrived, you knew jeonghan would go all out with the party he prepared for his friend, as he always did. so, you dressed up prettily for joshua, wanting to finally have some of his (positive) attention after feeling ostracized by him in your own friend group. you mightve been slightly over dressed, but who was gonna beat your ass over it anyway?

showing up as soon as possible, you knocked the door to jeonghan's and a few of your other friends' shared house, being welcomed in by the owner himself. he chuckled as soon as he saw you, eyeing you up and down, "is that for joshua?", he smirked, taking notice of your dress and fully glammed face.

"shut up. its a party, of course i'm dressing up for a party," you knew it was a dumb excuse, having attended multiple of jeonghan's parties before in less favorable outfits, but you were NOT going to be bullied out of getting joshua's attention dick tonight.

you pushed past him, bumping his shoulder jokingly before entering the buzzing party, going straight to looking for the man of the hour, dropping your gift off with the rest of the pile. it wasnt until half an hour into your arrival (and two drinks later) that you had found joshua. he had his hair slicked back and was wearing a button up that made him look irresistible. his attention was occupied by hoshi and mingyu, who seemed to be challenging him to take some shots.

well, there was no time like the present, you thought before decidedly marching his way.

mingyu's eyes widened at your presence, "holy shit, __. you look amazing. whats with the dress?", well shit. you guess maybe you did overdress a bit.

"shut up, i always dress like this," you lie roll your eyes in response, not fully minding your friend. "hey, josh, i was wondering if-"

"uh wait, i gotta go say hi to some people," he interrupted you distractedly before bolting away almost immediately.

your friends, well aware of your crush, couldnt help but feel sad to see how easily joshua dismissed you any time you approached him. even as you had showed up to his party dressed to the nines and with a thoughtful gift, "listen, __, you shouldnt take it to heart. he's just a stoic guy," mingyu tries to reason as soonyoung nods while pouring himself another drink.

after regretfully indulging in the impromptu pity party, you attempted to find josh again only to be met with the same outcome. this continued to happen a few more times through the night. you'd arrive to whichever part of the house joshua was at, only to be met with his instant departure, which was clearly caused by your mere presence. disheartened didnt begin to describe how you felt. you'd done everything thus far to fix whatever had destroyed your friendship with joshua before it had even started, but josh wouldnt even give you the time of day.

you were finally able to catch him alone just as you were giving up on your plan for the night. you had said goodbye to a few friends and prepared to leave with your tail between your legs when you caught a glimpse of joshua stepping into what you assumed to he his room. alone. like any irrational person, you sneakily walked towards the door and opened it, stepping in as quiet as possible, closing it behind you.

upon hearing the sound of the door, joshua turned around, tilting his head in confusion at you, "what are you doing in my room?"

"uhh," okay you didnt think this through. but hey! now you had him alone!

"can you get out? i have to change my shirt. mingyu spilled beer on this one," he sighs, muttering the longest sentence he had ever spoken to you, his back to you as he unbuttoned his shirt.

you stood there, only thinking about how you were buzzed and in a room alone with an almost shirtless joshua. in a movie this wouldve been the perfect time to-

"listen. i dont want to be rude. but you have to stop doing this. i dont know how else to get you to take a hint," he halted his unbuttoning as he turned towards you upon realizing you had not left the room like he'd asked.

..

"what?"

"i get that we're in the same friend group or whatever, but that doesnt mean we have to be friends. ive tried to keep my distance but it doesnt seem to work."

oh.

you had thought he was just indifferent and maybe slighting uncomfortable towards you, but it seemed like there was something deeper behind the way he constantly avoided you.

"i ... is there something i did to offend you?"

"does there have to be?"

"i-i mean, yeah?", well, since your hopes with joshua were already fucked, there was no point in holding back with any questions, "its customary to have a reason to hate someone."

"hate? who said hate? i dont hate you," he dared to draw shock onto his face at the mention of the word, "and either way, its not important."

you were beginning to get peeved off at his carelessness about the issue. and you were also still buzzed from the extra drinks mingyu and hoshi had fed you when comforting you earlier, so you decided to just give it to him.

"joshua. i dont know what type of shitty communication issues you may have grown up with, but some petty one-sided beef with me is not a valid reason to ostracize me from a friend group i was part of first. you ignore me, you roll your eyes at me, you know that i like you and you just dont care to consider my feelings even a little bit by showing the tiniest ounce of politeness towards me. you let me embarrass myself over and over again by blatantly rejecting any type of interaction regardless of how innocent it may be. whatever it is that i did, just fucking say it so we can move on and i can salvage my dignity at least a little bit," you felt a weight off your chest, finally admitting both to yourself and to joshua how his repeated rejection has continued to hurt you since you first met him a few months ago.

"you dont even remember, do you?"

what?

"remember what?"

he scoffs, taking a seat on the side of his bed, looking up at you, "you don't remember knowing me in high school?"

what??

you had gone to high school in a different country. you were pretty sure none of your friends even remembered what school you went to prior to university.

"we went to the same high school. we knew each other back then. you really dont remember?"

"i-what? joshua, we've never met before jeonghan introduced us?"

"yeah, thats not true. you knew me. pretty well, actually. or well, i guess the other way around," he chuckled sadly, taking a pause, "i used to have a huge crush on you in high school. we sat next to each other in biology, and you'd ask to copy my notes almost every day. we were friends. or at least i liked to think so," he paused, "that is, until you got a boyfriend. liam? i think?"

well, that part checked out. you did date your high school crush for a few months in junior year.

"after that," he continued, "you pretty much just cut me off. you started ignoring me when i said hi in the hallways, partnered with someone else for bio, moved your locker away from mine ..." he took a pause, sighing as he looked down, "... laughed in my face when i asked you to junior prom even though i knew you had a boyfriend..."

oh. everything he was saying checked out as true. he suddenly reminded you of that phase in high school were you had turned into a bit of a mean girl upon scoring the quarterback at school, but joshua wasnt there for any of this, that was jisoo, the nerdy foreign exchange student who- OH.

"you're jisoo?!"

"yeah," chuckling with no real emotion behind it, "i stopped going by that when i moved back to korea. i felt like an idiot crushing on the only girl who was nice to me in high school and getting brutally rejected in front of everyone, so i cut my stay short and tried to start brand new back in korea."

jesus christ.

you had always regretted the last interaction you'd had with jisoo, feeling so ashamed you removed it from your memory, scolding yourself every time it came back to you. you knew jisoo had ended up moving away before senior year, but you hadnt known you were one of the reasons for it. you'd never felt shittier than at this moment.

speechless, you took a seat on the bed next to him, unable to meet his eyes.

"joshua, i'm so so-"

"dont. its fine. i dont know why ive held onto that grudge for so long. its been so many years."

"so you recognized me when jeonghan introduced us? oh my god, does jeonghan know? do any of them?!", you hadnt thought about how your friends would feel about this til now.

"yes. and no. i recognized you immediately, but i still felt so embarrassed after what happened i thought i should just pretend i didnt. but i was still mad, specially knowing you did that to me but didnt even remember," although his words hurt you, he didnt sound angry, but moreso solemn.

"joshua. fuck. i know you dont wanna hear this, but i'm so sorry. i always regretted what i did. you didnt deserve that. you were always so nice to me and i let popularity and my ex's stupid clique get to me. i was young and an idiot. i know thats not a good excuse, but i hope you know i've never forgotten about you. you just look so different, i'm sorry i didnt realize you were jisoo earlier," as you spoke, you got up and neared the door, turning to look at him one last time as you swallowed back tears at your shame, "i understand if you hate me. you can tell the guys the truth. they think you hate me for no reason, but they deserve to know what really happened."

you were about to leave when he spoke up again, causing you to look back at his figure that was now standing in front of you.

"i already told you. i dont hate you. its so .. i hate that i dont hate you. i didnt want to lose the first group of friends i ever made, so i thought i could just put up with it and stay as far as way from you as possible. but i still couldnt stop thinking about you."

you had nothing to say. there was nothing you could possibly say at him hitting you with one shocking statement after the other.

"its funny, isnt it?", he chuckled bitterly at himself, "i still like you even after all this."

"joshua-"

"did you ever like me? as jisoo, i mean. was .. what do you like about me that i didnt have as jisoo?", his gaze was now facing the floor due to the vulnerability of the situation, unable to meet your eyes

you could tell joshua was beginning to feel emotional, his speech appearing to be taking a turn to a self-deprecating expression of his old self.

despite knowing you might get rejected once more, you stepped towards him, putting your hands on his cheeks and forcing him to look at you.

"nothing. jisoo. you were as perfect then as you are now. i hate that i ever did this to you. dont let the stupid actions of a teenage girl make you think you were ever anything less than you are. i hope one day you'll forgi-"

that's as far as you were able to get before joshua suddenly closed the space between you with a kiss.

with eyes closed and furrowed brows, joshua put everything in himself into that kiss, expressing every pent up emotion he had felt towards you in the past years.

unable to help yourself, you grabbed onto his hair, pulling him as close as humanly possible and moaning loudly into the kiss as he tilted his head for a better angle. upon opening your mouth, he stuck his tongue inside, playing with yours and moving his hands down to your waist in order to push you as close as possible to him.

it continued on like this until you found yourself laying on his bed, him on top of you holding your hands over your head and exploring your mouth as he saw fit.

he pulled away suddenly, ripping off his beer-stained shirt as you caught on and pulled off the pretty red dress you had worn to catch his attention. he immediately ran his hands over your figure, excited to finally have the girl he had been crazy over in high school. the same one he had unknowingly pined after all these years.

he stripped off of his pants and ripped off your bra. gluing his mouth to your breasts as you whined his name, "jisoo. oh fuck jisoo, please," you couldnt help using his old name, feeling an even deeper emotional connection now that you knew joshua was the sweet boy who looked after you in high school.

taking his mouth away from your tits, joshua pulled himself off of you and got on his knees next to the bed, pulling you towards him by your thighs. he kissed and licked at your thighs, savoring the taste and smell of you.

"tell me," he demanded, staring up at you in a daze, "tell me how much you want me."

"j-jisoo. so bad. please, so bad."

"more," he kitten licked at you through your panties, making you whine and tense your thighs.

"jisoo, please. want you so bad. i'll do anything. just .. just touch me please!"

he dragged your panties down your thighs, pressing them to his nose like a deprived pervert and taking a breathy whiff at them, moaning at your scent.

"jisoo ..." you moaned at the depravity of the act, having never had someone express such nasty want towards you.

"fuck. so tasty. always wanted to know how pretty you smelled, baby. bet you taste even better," and with that he began going at your cunt like a mad man, burying his face between your legs and moaning whenever you'd grind on his face in desperation.

"jisoo! oh fuck, jisoo. dont stop fuck, please. i'm gonna cum- argh, shit."

your incessant moans and cries had him going crazy, wanting nothing more than to prove to you what you'd been missing all these years.

as soon as you came, joshua got up and discarded his boxers, grabbing a condom from his nightside table and climbing on top of you again, ready to enter you before you spoke up.

"wait."

"whats wrong?", he furrowed his brows worriedly

"i wanna ride you. can i?"

with no verbal response, he flipped you over, moaning at the pressure of your naked core pressed up against his dick, feeling as if his heartbeat had migrated to his nether area.

"jisoo ..." you said in an exaggerated moan as you began to grind on him, scratching up and down his chest, "wanna make it up to you," you breathed, lowering your face to his, "wanna show you how much i like you. how much i want you. how perfect you are and the things you do to me," you licked his lips as you said this, causing him to open his mouth for you, allowing your tongues to meld together in a mess of spit and open-mouthed moans.

you finally took the initiative of lowering yourself onto him, cringing at the intrusion at first but then finding the pleasure behind it. the stretch drove you crazy, making you throw your head back and move your hands to your nipples, rubbing them as you ground yourself back and forth atop joshua.

joshua couldnt believe his view. the girl he had fantasized about since high school. the girl who broke his heart and made him spiral into finding a new sense of self. the girl that took his breath away as soon as he found her again. the girl he tried to punish but was actually punishing himself. the girl that walked into his party and made him lose his mind all over again. the girl who has now making him lose all sense of reality as she rode him desperately trying to prove to him how his feelings were finally mutual.

it was easy for the both of you to find your ends with one another, having had pent up emotions for so long, your bodies were unable to hold back for too long.

you screamed his name as he began to thrust up, unwilling to let himself cum before you, "baby, give it to me again. show me how much you want me. fuck, give-give me what ive wanted all these years."

with that, you came, with him following closely after, finding nirvana almost simultaneously.

joshua made sure to take care of you. he cleaned you up and laid you down under his covers as he wrapped his himself around you, content to hold you in his arms after finally having you in the most intimate of ways. joshua felt love in this moment. he might have struggled through the issues that arose inside him after that fated day, but he felt a sense of contentment knowing his anger was misplaced, and that what he truly wanted all these years was just you.

"jisoo ..." you interrupted his thoughts once more, turning in his arms to face him. you rose your hand towards his cheek, caressing it softly, "icare about you. i hope you do know how much you mean to me. then and now."

he smiled at this, happy you understood and accepted his feelings. "i want to put it all behind us. you hurt me. i hurt you. but now i have you. it was all worth it if this is how it ended."

"happy birthday, jisoo. thank you for the new start."

a/n: i did proofread it this time but idk if it makes sense .. anyways hope u enjoy <3

[ayselluna]

Ascendant Astarion Recommendations!

I'm a fan of both Spawn and Ascendant Astarion so I do enjoy reading both. But if you want to explore and read some good shit~ Ascendant fics well here you go~

I've read a lot so bear with me, These are my TOPS~ I LOVE ALL OF THESE:

A Gift, A Curse by @elemit - This updates daily most of the time, the author is getting busy IRL but it should be back on a daily update again soon I think. This is one of the darker theme of Ascendant Astarion "50 shades of 'FCKNG LITTLE TWAT' Ancunin" as one of the comment says haha some scenes are "traumatic" but the rollercoaster ride of emotions you'll get on this story is one for the books! ONGOING!

Fangs and Fractured Hearts - by @fangsandfracturedhearts - This one's one of the softer sides of the Ascendant, the dynamic of Tav and Astarion here is exquisite! The cliffhanger on this one just uggghhhhh. i love it!! ONGOING!

Hellish Rebuke by @bluedaze - this one's a classic! the details on this story is so genius I swear. Also I think a lot of Astarion fanfic writers got inspired with the Devil's dealing here. Also Tav here is effing smart and just chef's kiss! such a great heroine! ONGOING!

His Star - His Queen [Originally titled Across Stars and Time] by ARandomIntrovert - Now this a bit different, What if multiverse exists? Now there's two Astarions fighting over you, Spawn VS Ascendant, where do you think this would go? :)) Story's definitely amazing and unique! I easily got invested. haha ONGOING!

In Another Life by @locallegume - Definitely a softer side of the Ascendant but Tav and Astarion's dynamic here is one of my fave! <3 Tav here is not the overly good role model we usually read, she's troubled too and definitely has effed up issues. but sometimes you just need to find your own freak and be together forever. ONGOING!

Pieces Still Stuck In Your Teeth - by @howlsmovinglibrary / @wetcatspellcaster - The amount of Banter and D&D Lore on this one is superb! you have to watch out for the writer's notes! I love how I get to learn more D&D stuff and godssss how many times I almost got so swayed by the Ascendant here! good thing Tav's so good at bantering haha ONGOING!

Whither is thy beloved gone? by @brabblesblog - It has a sequel!!! - that's how good it is! <3 also The Ascendant here is my favorite! The confrontations are just so real and so true I caaaaan't. He wrote the Ascendant so good I actually sided with him more than Tav! A lot of smut ngl but I got into the characters more that I should have. you're missing out if you haven't read this. COMPLETED!

Remember ye not the former things by @brabblesblog - THE SEQUEL!! It focuses more on the aftermath and them working out their relationship, a lot more TAV bg story but gods, Astarion here , I just want to smother him with cuddles and kisses, TAKE MEEEEE ONGOING!

Most of these are still ongoing but I am updated w/ each, along with other Spawn Astarion fics :)) They are all good! some more soft than the others, some darker and evil :))

Let me know if you guys want to get some Spawn Astarion fics recommendations!

[iamtired10]

『𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘』

𝖪𝖺𝗇𝗀 𝖧𝖺𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇 𝗑 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧.

𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑟! 𝐻𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟.

Pham Hanni, your close friend, or rather, your undercover girlfriend. It's a clandestine affair as no one is aware of your romantic connection.

To the world, you two are just good friends, nothing more.

You both decided to keep your relationship hush-hush, mainly because Hanni prefers it that way.

Letting out a sigh, you glanced at your notebook during class, realizing the room wasn't exactly vacant; someone else was present.

Meet Kang Haerin—the enigmatic girl in your class, perpetually choosing silence and solitude. Rumors have circulated that she and Hanni share a friendship, or perhaps an even deeper connection. Honestly, you're not overly invested in the details.

Resuming your focus on your notebook, you couldn't ignore the sense of being observed. A subtle shift in your peripheral vision confirmed that Haerin's gaze was fixated on you.

Recalling what Hanni once shared—that Haerin stares at things she likes—you pondered if that included you. "Is she into me or something?" you mused, shaking off the notion and deciding to concentrate on your work.

"Quit being delu!" you chided yourself internally, shaking your head and returning to your tasks.

You sighed, eagerly awaiting someone's arrival. Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the air—Hanni, the person you had been yearning for all day.

Your eyes sparkled as you spotted your girlfriend approaching. "Hey!" you exclaimed, walking briskly towards her, ready to embrace her with a warm hug.

However, your attempt to hug her was met with a gentle push, and your smile waned. "No touching in public, remember," she reminded you, her tone tinged with irritation.

Sighing, you nodded, recalling the unspoken rules that shrouded your relationship in secrecy.

"Uh... let's go home then..." you suggested, offering a small, hopeful smile.

"Well, Y/n... sorry, I can't. I'm heading to Minji's house for a sleepover. I came to let you know. Now, you can go home; you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine with Minji. I'll drop you a message later, okay?" she explained, her eyes gleaming with a reassuring smile.

As you sighed inwardly, the thought of Minji again crossed your mind. Your patience wore thin; Hanni consistently found time for Minji and other friends, leaving little for you. The pang of jealousy surged within you, and it was hard not to feel neglected.

"Y/n?" Hanni called, pulling you from your contemplation.

"So, you're not joining me today either? Han, it's been a week since we last hung out. I'm growing impatient; you always manage to find time for Minji and others, but making time for us seems to slip your mind!" you expressed, looking at her. Hanni sighed and rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed.

"Y/n, isn't this a bit much? Acting all clingy now! I do want to spend time with you, but I can't risk people thinking we're dating," she explained, and you clenched your jaw.

"Why? Why can't our relationship be public? Look, Han, I'm tired of your excuses. You claim I'm acting clingy? No, I just want to spend time with the person I love! And you call it clingy. Fine, enjoy your excuses!" you retorted, walking away.

Despite her repeated calls, you didn't turn back. Your frustration with Hanni and the situation had reached its peak.

As you walked towards your house, a heavy sigh escaped you, replaying the recent events with Hanni in your mind like a broken record.

"Damn this..." you muttered under your breath, feeling the vibrations from your pocket as Hanni continued to message you.

Sighing again, you approached your front door and noticed a small box placed deliberately in front of it. "This again..." you thought, recognizing this familiar type of box that had been arriving consistently for the past month from an unknown admirer.

Being quite popular for your good looks, having admirers was nothing new. However, this particular admirer was peculiar, especially considering the mysterious notes accompanying the gifts.

You sighed once more, grabbing the box and unlocking the door to enter your house. Placing the box on the table, you slumped onto the couch, letting out a deep sigh as thoughts of Hanni occupied your mind once again.

Your phone rang, pulling you out of your thoughts. "Who is that?" you mumbled as you pulled out your phone, half-expecting it to be Hanni. To your surprise, it was an unknown number.

"What?" you grumbled, a tinge of annoyance in your voice.

"Open the box," the person on the other end calmly instructed before ending the call. The feminine and icy voice was strangely attractive, but the instruction to open the box from your admirer added an unsettling undertone.

You gazed at the box on the table, hesitating for a moment before opening it. Inside, you found a frog plushie.

"Damn..." you mumbled, spotting a note beside it.

𝐌𝐲 𝐘/𝐧,

𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚒 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝚜𝚘 𝚒 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚙. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙷𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚒 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕; 𝚜𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙰 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍, 𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚓𝚒. 𝙱𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚝, 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬,

Ｋ.Ｈ<3

Your breath caught as the words sank in.

"What? No, it can't be true. But how do they know about Hanni and Minji? And... Hanni cheating on me with Minji...?" Your mind went blank as you took another breath, and you reached for your phone to call Hanni, all while the doorbell at your house rang.

As you stood up and walked towards the door to open it, you couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions – frustration, confusion, and a tinge of hurt.

Hanni was waiting outside, and as you opened the door, her concerned expression met yours.

"You..." you mumbled, trying to find the right words.

"Y/n/n-" she began, but you cut her off, not ready to hear her explanation just yet.

"Shut it, Hanni. I don't want to hear any excuses," you said, your tone firm. She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Okay, but hey Y/n/n, look, don't be mad at me..." she started, meeting your gaze with sincerity.

You closed your eyes, taking a moment to collect your thoughts. The note about Hanni cheating on you with Minji echoed in your mind, creating a cloud of doubt.

"Han, can I ask you something?" you finally spoke up, reopening your eyes. "What is it, Y/n/n?" she responded, her eyes reflecting a hint of nervousness.

"Are you... cheating on me?" you asked, watching her reaction closely.

"What!? What the hell are you saying!?" she exclaimed, genuine surprise in her voice.

"Answer my damn question," you demanded, needing clarity in that moment.

"No! How could I? And how can you ever think about that!?" she sighed, her voice carrying a mix of hurt and disbelief.

You took a deep breath, thinking, "The admirer was lying."

"Uh, just asking," you said, deciding not to press further. Hanni rolled her eyes, sensing your skepticism.

"Y/n, is that even a question!? How can I cheat on you!?" she protested, crossing her arms with a pout.

"I'm sorry," you apologized, contemplating the situation.

"Hm hm, I'm not forgiving you... you have to make it up," she declared, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"How?" you asked, genuinely curious about her proposed solution.

"By lots of cuddles!" she replied, her tone lightening up as she grabbed your hand, guiding you inside your house.

The next day, as you leisurely made your way through the bustling hallway to your class, a familiar voice rang out, catching your attention. "Hey there, L/n Y/n!" It was Hong Eunchae.

"Hey, Eunchae," you responded with a warm smile.

She hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "I was thinking... um, would you mind hanging out with me today?"

"Sure, as friends, right?" you clarified, and Eunchae's face lit up.

"Exactly! No problem at all!" she exclaimed, and the two of you continued walking together. Little did you know, someone was discreetly observing this interaction.

"Ugh, this is fucking frustrating..." Haerin grumbled under her breath, her fists clenching. "My plan didn't work again... but I need to take action. L/n Y/n, just you wait. You'll be mine and mine alone. No one else, not Pham Hanni or anyone."

The room was filled with moans as Hanni claimed the dominant position, pinning you down on the couch.

"It's my turn now!" Hanni declared with a smirk, leaning in to mark your neck. You bit your lip to suppress the escaping moans.

Pulling her closer by her head, you intensified the moment, your weak spot succumbing to her actions. "Han..." you whispered, caught up in the pleasure.

She pulled away, a sultry smile on her lips. "Let's make up for lost time... I missed you all day – your touch, your voice, everything," she expressed, discarding your already loosened tie.

"Now, it's time for some fun," she continued, looking deeply into your eyes. Her hand gracefully trailed down your chest, undoing the buttons of your shirt.

A playful smile crossed your lips. "Are you ready for it?" She teased.

Just as you were about to respond, a sudden thud echoed in the room, drawing both of your attention.

"What the heck..." you pondered, eyes widening.

"K-kang Hae-erin!?" Hanni stuttered, locking eyes with the girl standing in front of both of you. She gawked as though witnessing an unexpected spectacle.

Caught red-handed by Hanni's friend, you couldn't help but wonder about the repercussions of this unexpected encounter. Hanni promptly adjusted her appearance, buttoning up her shirt.

"W-what are you doing here!?" Hanni inquired, a mix of surprise and nervousness in her voice. You sat up, equally puzzled.

"Unnie, what are you doing here... and didn't you say you like Minji unnie..." the cat-eyed girl questioned, widening your eyes.

"WHAT!?" you exclaimed, startled.

"What are you saying, Haerin!? And how are you here!?" Hanni asked, visibly flustered.

"Well... Y/n and I were paired up for Mr. Kim's project, so I came for that. I rang the bell, but no one answered, so I decided to check inside, and well, here we are," Haerin explained innocently.

"But unnie... didn't you confess to Minji unnie a few days ago... like you like her or something. And I saw you guys kissing too... What are you doing here with Y/n?" she added, dropping a bombshell.

Your mind went blank as you processed this revelation. So, the admirer was speaking the truth – Hanni is cheating on you with Minji.

"Hanni-" you started, but she interrupted, "Y/n, I can explain-"

"Leave my house now," you coldly stated.

"Y/n/n..."

"I SAID LEAVE MY DAMN HOUSE NOW!"

You sighed, the weight of the recent events evident in your expression as your eyes remained fixed on the notebook. "This is just... frustrating," you mumbled, releasing your pent-up frustration under your breath.

In the aftermath of the encounter that led to your decision, you found yourself parting ways with Hanni the following day.

"Are you holding up, Y/n?" Haerin's voice broke through your contemplation, her presence in your house signaling the collaboration on the group project you both had undertaken.

You nodded, acknowledging, "I'm okay... just grappling with thoughts about the breakup..." Your teeth caught your lower lip, a telltale sign of the inner turmoil.

A warm touch on your hand drew your attention, and you looked up to see Haerin's palm resting reassuringly on yours.

"It's okay, Y/n. She cheated on you... not worth your thoughts. Stop dwelling on her and let's focus on us," Haerin suggested, her gaze expressing empathy.

"But I can't seem to shake it off..." you sighed, expressing the difficulty in moving on. Haerin rose from her seat, approaching you with a comforting presence.

"Look, Y/n," Haerin murmured, cupping your cheek gently. Her touch carried an unexpected sense of solace.

"Stop dwelling on her," Haerin advised softly. "You deserve someone better—someone who loves you unconditionally, who's there for you, who makes time for you, who shows their love. Someone who claims you as theirs. Just mine. And if you want, I can be that person for you... as a good friend or something more," she offered, her sincerity shining through.

"Uh... I understand. Thanks, Haerin," you responded, a small smile of gratitude forming on your lips.

"Well... Do you like that frog plushie I sent you?" Haerin's sudden inquiry caught you off guard, shifting the conversation unexpectedly.

"W-what?" you Stuttered.

"The plushie," she pointed to the frog toy, a mysterious gift from your admirer.

"Uh... yeah," you mumbled, still grappling with the unfolding revelations.

"I knew you'd love my favorite plushie!" Haerin exclaimed, grabbing the frog toy.

"My favorite plushie..." Her words lingered in your mind, leaving you contemplative. So, it turns out she is the admirer who sent you the plushie.

Or is it just a delusion?

The mystery deepens, especially considering she referred to it as her favorite plushie. The unfolding events raise more questions than answers.

𝐈𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐦���𝐫𝐞𝐫?

[hilsoncrater]

"i'm not gonna say anything. i'm just gonna walk into her office and i'm gonna kiss her"

now why tf did house look down at his desk and start stammering and blushing after wilson said that 🤨 "cuddy likes bold" but he does too ??? arguably more than her ???

wait no pause. actually. that entire conversation he's soooooo hyperfocused on what wilson would do. almost as if he's envisioning himself in cuddy's shoes. he also like. keeps looking at the table, looking at wilson, looking at the table, looking at wilson with an expression that's expectant. he thinks wilson will connect the dots. holy shit.

he wants wilson to connect the dots. but he can't...he can't admit it to himself. so he role plays as cuddy. he hides behind this made-up, fabricated version of reality where wilson's got a crush on cuddy. it's perfect because the only other likely person wilson would go see that play with is cuddy.

after the play, house asks for the dirty details yet 1) gets frustrated at wilson for not sticking to house's own script of Going On A Date To A Play = Sex. and then 2) gets jealous at the thought of wilson having sex after the play with the real cuddy instead of him.

there's mixed, complex feelings written all over the wall here. on one hand, house wants wilson to fall into bed with cuddy because that means that by extension from fabricating this entire thing, wilson is actually falling into bed with house who is merely role-playing as cuddy. fantasy gaga. "i'll miss you. you were a good friend." = the nature of our relationship has changed.

HOWEVER on the other hand, house can't stand the thought of wilson falling into bed with cuddy because it'd be Too Real, Too Literal. it'd be wilson having real sex with the real cuddy and — because this is wilson here — it'd be wilson having a real romantic relationship with the real cuddy. notably not with house. it'd completely fuck the fantasy up.

but house is too far gone and also likes to fuck around and find out. he knows wilson's a hopeless romantic, so he sends wilson flowers in cuddy's name. wilson interprets this as cuddy being sexually interested, which pleases house because he is sexually interested in his boy best friend.

house is overly invested in hearing what wilson's plan is to ask cuddy out after wilson says he doesn't know what "being straight" is. they're on two different wavelengths where house thinks wilson's read between the lines to figure out it was house, not cuddy, this whole time. ergo to him, wilson's "i don't know what that [being straight] is" = i'm interested in you too and i recognize that cuddy is a metaphor; i'm now knowingly playing into it.

meanwhile wilson is literally talking about the real cuddy.

house becomes clearly aroused flustered at the thought of wilson barging into cuddy's office to wordlessly kiss her. house enjoys the way wilson approaches sex & romance differently than him. i think a part of him wants a grand romantic gesture like what wilson described. "i can't stop thinking about her" / "maybe she's right. maybe...maybe this is worth exploring."

and the funny thing is, is that the office wilson does barge right into is house's office.

"you sent those flowers to me!" "yes, because you took her to a play. because actually you do want to march down there and kiss her." "no! i don't!" "yes, you do."

it's just a prank, right? it's just a retaliation, right? calling it a prank or retaliation is a rationalization to deny away how house's attraction is boiling over. he wants to explore things with wilson, wants to get rid of the "good friend" label, but he's way! too! repressed! at least to initiate it outright. so he concocts this convoluted thing just to get wilson to make the first move because, historically, wilson holds the reins in their relationship. they also, historically, work their boundaries out through pranks. why should this situation be any different?

and wilson has this look of slow, frustrated realization before he says, "you're right" because he knows house. wilson is now in on the metaphor, so he admits that he does want to kiss metaphor cuddy.

but when house's face falls, "seriously?" wilson goes right back into The Status Quo "no" because as soon as the metaphor became Too Real, Too Literal, it shook house out of it thanks to his jealousy. that, and maybe wilson — Dr. Comphet himself — got cold feet, too.

they're ships in the night. when one of them is in on the metaphor, the other isn't. house knows how to woo wilson, wilson knows how to woo house. and yet they can't!!! ever!!!! admit it at the same time!!!! house pulls on a push door; wilson pushes on a pull door; the door doesn't open

[piracytheorist]

Time to over-analyze part of the scene of Twilight testing Yor in episode 9.

Twilight leaned towards the possibility of Yor actually being guilty here. Even the way he worded it to himself: "Come on, Yor. If you're in on this, ask your brother for help. And if you're not..." He barely even entertained the idea that Yor might be innocent at this moment, as evidenced by him not finishing his last sentence.

Normally, being the seasoned spy he is, Twilight should have been more impartial and consider both scenarios possible. But it looks like in his effort to alleviate himself from the consequent guilt of having doubted Yor for no reason, he got invested in the scenario of Yor being guilty. Because if his suspicions came true, then he wouldn't have to worry about feeling guilty for doubting her, right?

And I feel the lighting emphasizes how he invested in an evidently false scenario. They're "separated" from the rest of the world. Her versus him; her guilt vs. his correct assumption, he thought, but it ended up being her innocence vs. his unfounded suspicions.

Light from above would have positive connotations. A bright idea, a good solution, things getting better. But here we get light from below: doubt, a wrong assumption, a betrayal of Yor's trust, things going wrong.

And then you get the colour of the light. Whether you'd call that purple or violet (I'm not good with distinguishing the two), negative connotations I've found for either are arrogance, immaturity, and even over-vigilance. Twilight was arrogant by being a little too certain of the negative scenario, he was immature if he did that to avoid thinking how guilty he'd feel in the case of Yor's innocence, and I don't think I need to explain him being overly vigilant.

Considering and even preparing for the possibility of Yor deceiving him was not a wrong move; after all, Twilight has spoken many times about how spies are meant to prepare for the worst case scenario. But the presentation shows that he went a bit overboard on that worst case scenario, at least in his thoughts, when he should have been objective and kept a clear head.

(anime only fan here, don't spoil me for the manga)

[bamsara]

i know "When did you stop loving me?" is an angsty one, BUT what if it was actually an overly dramatic lament bc someone didn't get their way?

(I love that twist! Note: This written prompt is fluff/domestic shenanigans with Y/N having a habit of poor self-care, but the DA helps that.)

(This is a bit long so maybe not a drabble but a one-shot, but I hope you guys enjoy it anyway!)

You're a college student with a hetic, inconsistant schedule job and more stressers in your life that would make a therapist whistle, so you're not exactly the best at self-care, or even regular human maintence. Your eating schedule was flakey at best and the contents of your fridge wasn't anything healthy if just something to pop into the microwave very quickly to save time. Sometimes your apartment would get dirty quickly and with no mental energy or time to clean it up, you just lived a little gross for a while. Don't even get started on your sleep schedule.

The Daycare Attendant, you realize, became quite aware of your situation more-so than they already had after their 'permanent moving' into your home, and thus you've been subjected to more life changes in the last week than you'd ever be prepared for.

Sun uses your phone to order healthier groceries and and tsks at the instant-microwave meals in your cabinet. He's gotten into cooking, which is both incredably odd considering he's a robot, but amusing when you walk into the living room and he's watching an a show of middle aged women teaching the viewers how to make veggie pasta.

Maybe he misses arts and crafts back when he was at the pizzaplex, and just liked to work with his hands. Something hints at you this is a correct assumption because the fruit he cuts for you are star and heart shaped and he likes to take pictures with your phone afterwards. You don't get it, but it makes him happy and keeps his mind occupied elsewhere, so you don't mind.

Moon cleans up after your mess and threatens you (in a friendly manner, of course. You think.) to go to bed at a proper time or he becomes rather aggitated.

Any attempts at using your phone underneath the covers will result in a small EMP attack that takes out your phone and the neighbor's Television. You know, because Gramps mentioned that her TV only seems to cut out around the same time every night and nothing he does seems to fix it until morning. Moon holds no remorse, obviously.

It's nice. Even if they're a little bit pushy about about it. Honesty, you think these acts are just remants of their care giving programming, the need to feel useful after everything that happened or just trying to busy themselves with the human they're invested in. Maybe a mix of all of those things, but that's to be unpacked later.

The exchange wasn't unequel either. You've learned more about robotics in the last 6 months than you'd ever expect to know, for sure, along with some other things. You're an adult, you can keep yourself alive just fine, but it's nice to have the extra support.

It does, however, get a touch on your nerves at times.

"Moon, c'mon, I'm like, so close to the end-" You make a lunge for the remote, and it's closer to you than it was before. The animatronic holding it over your head doesn't even blink as you make a grab for it again and your fingers only brush air. "Dude! The season finale came out today. It's literally the last couple of episodes!"

"Sit." Moon states plainly. "Kitchen table."

"I'll eat later. It's not like the fridge is going anywhere, Moon. C'mon. Everyone has seen it but me and I'm already getting spoilers on my feed. Just another episode? You two said you've watch it with me anyway."

Moon blinks dully at you, and stuffs the remote underneath his hat. "No."

"C'monnnnnn"

Fingers find your collar and hook underneath the fabric, and routinly, you are dragged away from your unhealthy habit of binging new series of media to attend to your oh-so-delicate human needs that are far too demanding for your liking. The Daycare Attendant has long become acustomed to your whining.

The dinner table chair because your metaphorical prison as Moon lightly pushes towards it, sitting with a slump and a over-the-top dramatic sigh as the animatronic walks through your kitchen. The lights are dimmed, but he still squints at the refridgerator lights that greets him when he opens the door. "What do you want."

You resist the urge to snatch his hat and run. "A robot that doesn't nanny me."

Red eyes and white pupils side eye you, and Moon pulls out a a few items. He speaks deadpan. "Cry about it."

"Maybe I will." You snark back. He makes a noise somewhat akin to a snort, and you pretend your pinching his head inbetween your fingers from across the room. You raise from your seat, resigining yourself to your fate and getting yourself a drink. It's a sugary soda (caffine free!) that Moon glances at but leaves be. Sun would have polietly recommended water by now.

It's almost a funny image: a tall, clown robot standing in front of your microwave in a t-shirt and slippers, just staring at the glass with mild dissassioance until the counter goes down. You duck, popping your head underneath his elbow and his arm raises to allow you. "So." You sip at your drink, and Moon makes a face above you. "What's on the menu, Starboy?"

"Leftovers." A pause. "That we made this morning."

Right. Sun must have made a meal set during the day for the opposite half to make for you at night. Clever bastard. "...Can I have the remote now?"

Moon, without looking at you, adjusts his hat to sit better on his head.

"Bitch."

"Sit." He shoos you to the table. "And sleep after this. It's late."

Very late, actaully. Around the wee hours of 1AM and half-past god knows what. You'd been so caught up in your favorite show that you just sorta forgot to do everything else for the day, so eating, showering, studying were all at the bottom of the list. Regaurdless, your TV called to you.

You heave a dramatic sigh, falling back onto the kitchen chair and resting your elbow on the table, cheek resting in your palm. "I can't believe you'd treat me like this after all we've been through. Denying me the simple pleasures in life, for shame."

The microwave counts down to single digits and Moon's fingers hover over the handle. You can't see his face from this angle, but a faint chuckle is in his tone. "Tragic."

"Ugh, how could you?" You sigh again, more dramatically this time, and even go as far as to place the back of your free hand against your forehead and calling back to all the cheesy soap operas you and Sun watch in your free time. "I feel soooo betrayed. When did you stop loving me?"

The microwave starts beeping and Moon's fingers lock onto the handle, and freeze.

A couple of beeps ring by. You hand lowers and you raise a brow at the animatronic's still form. You give him a moment, because sometimes the Daycare Attendant stalls sometimes, and you chalk it up to being a robot thing. But the beeping was starting to get annoying. "Hey, man. The food's done."

Another two seconds. His fingers move and pop the microwave door open. You can smell heated up veggies and broth from across the room. "Funny."

"Yep. I can be a jester too."

"One episode." Moon grabs your dinner with one hand, and pulls the remote out from under his hat with the other. "To eat your food with. Then sleep. You're lacking."

The smile on your face comes naturally, and you swipe the remote from his hands. "Yeah, sure. Like I'd let you boss me around anyways. Come lay with me on the couch and watch it with me. There's aliens in this episode."

[intplayboy]

TOUCH - MAFIA! BTS OT7 X F! READER [ TWO ]

if you would like to part of the tag list complete the form.

summary: yoongi gets stuck in an awkward situation. and the next day, the gang is confronted with startling evidence that makes them rethink all they've known about their world over the last two decades and drives them to set out to investigate the truth.

pairings: mafia bts ot7 x experimented human female reader

genre: mafia au | moderate? angst | romance | sci-fi | action | fluff

warnings: mentions of guns, explosions, bone breaking, swearing, and violence.

word count: 8,094 (combined two chapters again)

masterpost | one | three

tag list: @juju-227592, @drunkzseok, @yourgirlcin, @babybunli, @xanny91, @bibetsa, @borahae-reads, @lalavione1309, @luvsbngtn, @tetehearts, @singukieee, @serendididy, @quixoticbittersweet, @iriaachan, @jksisbunntboy, @missseoulite, @xjiminsthighsx, @just-vaaalll, @chim-possible, @passionandsuga, @deadrose287, @kalala22, @bangtanxberm, @scuzmunkie, @sunoosult, @germ2001, @lovelgirl22, @thvkives, @kourtney-fairy-blog, @linlinlily, @getinthetardissammy-sh, @prakriti-j, @paramedicnerd004, @cuteipat, @iamkookiesforyou (the tags that are strikethrough could not be tagged)

copyright © 2022 by kumiko. all rights reserved. my works or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without express written permission from me except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

"Here's the room." Yoongi huffs, as he opens the door, revealing another extravagant room. And it's conveniently the farthest away from the rest of us, so we don't have to deal with you, he thought.

You remain in your place, unsure of what to do, causing him to turn to face you. "What are you waiting for? Go in and take a look, you might be staying here for a while anyway."

You then enter the elegantly designed room and instinctively turn your head to study the area. "This... mine?"

"No, it's simply a place for you to sleep for the time being. It isn't yours." He spat, desperate to get out of this predicament that had been forced upon him.

30 minutes ago

"Why me! Ask Jimin, Jungkook, or even Taehyung! They're the ones who are most interested in this problem." He argues.

"You were being an asshole to her, that's why. I understand that this is a strange and unfamiliar circumstance for all of us, but she still managed to heal me." Namjoon reasoned, but Yoongi's agitated expression stayed the same. "Hobi-hyung, Jin-hyung? A little help here?"

"Leave Hobi out of this." The man with the scar hissed.

The blonde-haired man sighed. "Well, I did vote for her to stay. And this is because, after observing her, she didn't appear to be a threat."

"Not yet at least." He scoffs.

"How about looking at it this way, she could be a useful asset to us." Jin pitched in.

Yoongi's brows furrowed at him. "How?"

"She did heal Namjoon. Those kinds of injuries normally take days to completely heal, but she did it in an instant." He explains. "You can't tell me something like that isn't advantageous."

Namjoon nods. "Jin is right. Perhaps having her stay will benefit all of us."

"Or it might prove to be problematic for us. You're all being overoptimistic."

"And you're being overly pessimistic." The leader snaps back.

Oranyan clenches his jaw. "Well, I'm sorry if I want to protect all of us, and the years of blood, sweat, and tears we invested in."

"That is not anything you should be concerned about. That is not your job; it is mine." Namjoon narrows his gaze.

The words of the leader leave him slightly stunned, rendering him speechless as he takes a step back. How could he go against it, knowing how right he was?

"Fine. I'll take care of that measly girl for you." He scoffs as he walks out of the room, the tension in the air never dissipating.

back to present

"—ank you," Yoongi is snapped out of his thoughts by an innocent tiny voice belonging to the nameless girl.

"What did you say?" He asks, startled.

You glance at him warily. "T-thank you. R-room is nice."

When he notices your demeanor towards him, a small twinge of guilt rushes through him. But he immediately ignores it, remembering that you're the cause of his and Namjoon's disagreement.

"Uh- Sure? It's the smallest room out of all the rooms, I really don't see what's great about it." He mutters the last sentence.

For a few minutes, there was an awkward silence between the two of you before he clears his throat. "Well, um- Jin hyung is going to make dinner tonight, so just wait for his call in here till then."

You nod quietly, but Yoongi had already left the room.

A few hours later, Jin serves two large platters of freshly cooked Mandu and Bossam, as well as a sautee pot of Kimchi Jjigae. "Hey, everyone! Dinners ready, come down!"

Within a minute, multiple pairs of footsteps sounded, as the group comes towards the dining room. They all took their seats and began loading their plates and bowls before devouring the mouthwatering feast their hyung had prepared.

Minutes passed, and Jin felt as though something had been forgotten until it suddenly dawned on him. "Hey, where's the girl?"

Everyone shrugs silently, completely focused on their food, causing the eldest to sigh and then turn to face Yoongi. "Where is she?"

The addressed man knew he was being spoken to even without looking. He slurps his bowl and mumbles. "She's in the white room."

"The what-?" The hacker scrunched his brows.

"The white room." He repeated while Jin's eyes bulge in response. "Yoongi, that's a long way from our rooms! Why is she all the way over there?!"

"Hey, all you said was show her a room to stay in. You didn't say which room." He defended himself.

Namjoon merely shook his head and continued to eat. "Quit being a smartass, Yoongi."

The master manipulator smirks condescendingly at his leader. "I'm not wrong, am I though?"

"Watch it." The younger glares at him.

Jin, frustrated with the quarrel, lets out an exasperated sigh, cutting them off. "That's enough. I'll just deliver the food to her."

But, just as the eldest is about to rise from his seat, Namjoon stops him. "It's alright, hyung. Since Yoongi wants to act like the smartass he is, he should deliver the girl the dinner. You've worked hard enough already."

Jin leans back hesitantly as the tension comes back, and the other four men watch them silently. Namjoon's eyes never left Yoongi as did Yoongi's. The staredown lasts for what seems like hours before Oranyan huffs, rolling his eyes, and rises from his seat. "Fine. This is the last time I'm doing something for that girl."

Yoongi grudgingly walks along the lengthy corridor until arriving at the white room's door. He knocks on the door with one hand, holding the silver tray, but is met with silence.

He pinched his brows and twists the doorknob, pushing the door open. He then notices the girl dressed in his dongsaeng's clothes standing in front of the absurdly high window. He draws her attention with a clear throat. 007 turns to face him, then notices the meal tray he's carrying.

You blink. "What is that?"

"Jin hyung made dinner. He called all of us, but you didn't hear."

You remained still. That was what you were trained to do all your life. That's all you know: talk only when spoken to. And do as they say or face the consequences. Though you were allowed to ask a few innocent questions, you were smart enough to know that you needed to be cautious with your remarks.

"Well come over here and eat." He speaks.

"O-okay." You squeak as you crossed the room to Yoongi and stop in front of him.

He places the dinner tray on a little white coffee table and motions for you to take a seat next to it. You take your seat, finally seeing the warm meal in front of you.

With a blank face, he says. "Go, eat."

You plunged right into the meal, having forgotten how hungry you were. You ate with your bare hands, ignoring the spoon and chopsticks on either side of the tray. You had no idea what those were as you never had the luxury of having a delicious meal in such a humane manner.

The master manipulator stands a bit flabbergasted but doesn't show it, as you shove the contents into your mouth with your hands. For a bit, he doesn't do anything, waiting if you'll use the utensils that are plainly in front of you, but obviously, you don't.

He lets out an annoyed sigh and hesitantly crouches next to you, making you pause with a mouthful of food. "You do realize you don't have to use your hands?"

You tilt your head, as you usually do when they say something completely new to you. Yoongi takes a spoon in one hand and metal chopsticks in the other. "This is a spoon—" Then he waves the chopsticks. "And these are chopsticks."

"These are here to help you eat cleaner. I'll show you." He takes a spoonful of rice and dips half of it into the Kimchi Jjigae. He then takes the chopsticks and demonstrates by picking up a piece of pork and placing it on the rice, then bringing it to you. "You then bring it to your mouth and eat it."

You suddenly lean forward, clamping your mouth around the spoon that he is still holding. Your actions catch him off guard, causing his eyes to widen slightly and resulting in him dropping the spoon onto the tray.

He leaps away from you, feeling completely flustered. "Y-ya! What are you doing?!"

"When I brought to you, I meant for you to take it yourself! Not-" He exclaims, leaving no time for you to respond.

He exhales sharply. "I'm gonna grab napkins. You, just try to use the utensils like a normal person."

He pivots around and walks to the connected bathroom. Taking a few minutes to locate the roll of paper towels. He finally finds the paper towel and rips two out before exiting the restroom.

As he steps out, he hears metal clattering. He sets his eyes on the weird girl who is desperately trying to pick up a piece of food with chopsticks, just as he had earlier demonstrated for you.

He remained there silently observing you as you tried, again and again, to pick up the piece of pork that continued to fall pathetically every time you gripped it. And every time it falls, he notices your frustrated look.

The crease between your brows and the slight pout formed by the corners of your lips curving downward. His gaze never leaves you as he stands only a few feet away from you. How innocent, what if... What? You dare to complete that thought Min Yoongi, he muses.

Was it a faint spark he felt when he saw your childlike expression? No. It cannot or should not be. There is no room for such feelings anyway.

She won't get any food in her system at this rate. She's completely helpless... He mentally scoffs, unable to believe this is you, the girl referred to by his hyung as a "useful" asset for their infamous formidable gang. They must be joking, he discreetly clicks his tongue. How can this nameless girl be useful to them when she couldn't even eat properly?

Then he did what he does best: he pushed any soft feelings aside and approached your struggling figure abruptly. "Here— take this. Wipe your hands. I'll just do it for you because you're incompetent at it."

You couldn't help but gaze at him before grabbing the paper towel. You watch him as he takes a nearby stool to sit alongside you before noticing you haven't yet cleaned your hands. "Didn't I tell you to wipe your hands?"

He sighs grumpily. "How could I forget... You seem clueless to everything as Jungkook says." He then grabs your napkin and starts wiping the food crumbs from your hands.

He picked up the utensils and put chunks of food on the spoon before giving it to you. And, understanding his gestures, you leaned forward, latching your mouth around the spoon as you had done previously.

He couldn't help but feel hot on his cheeks as he continued to feed you. Why is he even doing this in the first place? Right. He did it because that scoundrel of a leader ordered him to. And only him, because he decided it was best to be wary around a girl they'd only just met, who miraculously healed their leader.

Once you finished your meal, thanks to the scarred-face man, a sudden knock erupted at the door. Yoongi instantly rose from his position, unwilling to risk being caught for such an intimate act on his case.

"Is everything okay in there-? Did she eat her food? You didn't do anything, right Yoongi?" Jin nags from the other side of the door.

The younger just rolled his eyes, disregarding the fact that his hyung couldn't see him. "No, I didn't do anything. But, yeah, she finished her food."

"You can come in, I'm leaving anyway." He hurriedly collects the meal tray, without looking at the girl, and walks towards the door.

Jin flings open the door, startled at Yoongi's appearance. "What's got you in such a rush-?"

The cold-hearted man simply brushes by him and strides out of the room, leaving the latter to huff. "Ya! If you know any better, you ought to drop that attitude!"

"Aish, what a kid." He mutters as he sees his dongsaeng quietly proceed down the hall.

Jin shifts his attention to the petite figure seated on the large chair and staring at him.

He approached her with a tight smile. "Hello."

"H-Hi." You reply softly.

"How did the food taste?" He asks.

"Good. W-was good." You respond, making the man grin, which makes you smile back.

He faintly chuckles at your reaction but then switches to a playful stern expression. "I hope Yoongi wasn't too patronizing— was he nice to you?"

You hummed politely. "He was..." Then you mimic his dongsaeng feeding you, using cute gestures.

"Oh..?" He lifts his brows, musing. "He did that?"

Jin crosses his arms, and you nod. "How interesting..."

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the food. I just came in to make sure you're okay." He clarifies.

Unlike the rest excluding Taehyung, Jin was arguably the one who exhibited more of a softer side for people; while being part of a merciless gang that might be regarded as heartless, he was still someone you could easily befriend. But the biggest warning anybody can provide about him is to never take advantage of his kindness; he's not the most forgiving person, and he'll show it to you.

Just as it is easy to be disgustingly greedy, the expert hacker will simply make you regret doing wrong. He'll make sure your sins come back to haunt you—and ruin you to the point where you're begging on your knees for that far-reaching forgiveness.

The next morning, at eight o'clock, a sudden pounding was heard as a sleeping cat lay dead still in his bed. "Min Yoongi, get your ass up! We have an emergency meeting now!"

As the banging continues, the second-oldest member groans and blinks his eyes open. "Alright! I'm awake!"

He sat up grudgingly, rubbing his eyes in annoyance and subconsciously plotting to kill the person who had dared to disrupt his precious sleep. But when an emergency meeting is called, he has no choice but to stop everything and hurry to meet the rest of the group.

After freshening up, he finally arrives at their conference room. He is greeted by the other six members, whilst their leader stands in the far front, with his back to them.

Namjoon turns around and faces them as soon as Yoongi takes a seat. "Good. Everyone is here."

"I'm sure you're wondering why I called this meeting so suddenly." He begins.

"And why so damn early too..." Mumbles the master manipulator.

The leader's gaze narrows on him. "Pardon?"

He responds with a sarcastic smile. "I said, why did you call so early?"

"Well, allow me to finish then, hm?" Namjoon grits his teeth.

The latter shrugged and he continued. "I gathered you today, and so early if you're bothered— because I received an anonymous tip, and it was a pretty major one."

Jin arches a brow. "A tip? That's the first- we've never gotten a tip before."

"Not to mention an anonymous one. It sounds suspicious." Hoseok adds.

Jimin leans forward, his hands folded on the table. "What exactly is the tip about?"

"Let me correct myself, I received two separate tips but was told they were linked." Namjoon replies.

"I'll start with the first one. The group that ambushed us is working on a large delivery today; I'm not sure what it is, but they want it done quickly and only today." He explains. "And I'm assuming whatever they're delivering must be very important and perhaps quite valuable."

"And the second tip I was given involves your guys' case." Namjoon points to Jungkook and Jimin.

"What do you mean?" Jungkook furrowed his brows.

"According to our source, that same gang was seen making a deal with a man dressed in a suit... In front of the medical facility you're both investigating." He answers.

"That's weird— why is a gang dealing with an owner of a medical building?" Taehyung inquires.

Namjoon shakes his head. "I'm not sure who that man is with whom they negotiated the deal, but it's certainly questionable."

"I think the greater question is, what is a man like him doing meeting with a gang of criminals for?" Yoongi voices out.

The leader merely shrugs. "I don't have an answer for that. Hoseok, what do you think?"

"Perhaps the package might contain useful equipment for the facility." He thinks with his jaw clenched. "But why would that man ask them? It makes no sense."

"Jimin and Jungkook, how about you? Were you both aware of this?" Namjoon addresses them.

Jimin shook his head. "No, we're just as confused as the rest of you."

"Maybe- Jimin might be right about this." Jungkook speculates.

"What do you mean?" Jin asks.

The youngest gives Jimin a brief glance before Jimin speaks for him. "I told him I had a bad feeling about the whole thing..."

"Is there something we should know about?" Namjoon crossed his arms.

"We only checked yesterday— but the medical supplies and equipment went missing so suddenly." Jimin elaborates.

Jin steps forward. "How much are we talking about?"

"Couple dozens... couple dozens of batches." Jungkook responded.

The eldest's eyes widen. "WHAT?!"

"Could that possibly be the delivery?" Taehyung proposes.

Namjoon unfolds his arms. "Given the timing of everything, that seems plausible. It seems to be perfectly aligned—"

"Almost too perfectly." Yoongi interrupts. "How do you know whether what this anonymous person says is true?"

"I received the evidence this morning in the mail."

"Let's see it."

The leader nods, pulling out a clasp envelope and takes a stack of photographs and a flash drive from it. "There is no return address on the mail."

"Obviously." Oranyan mutters.

Namjoon clears his throat audibly. "The package had images of the exchange in action, and the flash drive has data on all of the missing equipment and supplies that are allegedly being delivered today."

"Yes, these are photographs, but do you realize how easy it is these days to edit photos and print them out as if they are real?" Yoongi reacts cynically.

Jin examines the photos more closely and notices something that none of the others can see, which coincidentally contradicts Yoongi's claim. "But, you can't fabricate these types of photos."

Then everyone turned to look at him. "Look at the type of material these photos are. This is a type of camera film that can only be developed with diluted water."

"Which means, it can't be edited. When a photo is taken, it is taken at the exact moment it is intended to capture— So, to put your mind at ease, these are real, and that exchange did occur."

"How about the supplies and equipment on the flash drive." Jimin questioned.

"A separate note said that the data on the flash drive is encrypted. You can still access it right, Jin?" Namjoon refers to the eldest member.

Jin sneered arrogantly. "Do you really need to ask? Of course, I can."

The expert hacker takes the flash drive and sits down at the long table, bringing out his computer. He proceeds by inserting the drive on the side of the computer, and within the next second, his fingers begin hitting the keys at practically lightning speed, with his eyes never leaving the screen.

Soon after, a smug grin formed on his face. "I'll be honest—that was a tenacious firewall they installed, but don't worry, I bypassed it all."

Jin stood up and walked up to the front to connect his computer to the television. The television turns on and displays his computer screen. "All I have to do is press enter, and all the data will be shown to us."

Namjoon nods at him, and Jin returns his nod before hitting the enter key. And then the data is unleashed, with dozens of files popping in rapid sequence. As the electronic beeps of the files fill their ears continuously, the group remains dumbstruck. They were not expecting so much data containing missing supplies and equipment to be uncovered right in front of their eyes.

"Joon, I thought you said the flash drive only had supplies that were expected to be delivered today?" Jimin stares at the screen, baffled.

"These aren't just lists of missing supplies from yesterday; this is the entire history of it all." Jin comments. "Take a look at these dates; they go back almost nineteen years."

"So you're saying this covert operation has been going on all along right under our noses?" Yoongi implied.

Jin faces him. "It appears so."

"For an operation like this to last this long, someone higher must be pulling the strings." Hoseok says.

"Hoseok is right. Now that we have a fresh light—thanks to our anonymous tip—the agenda has been changed—rather than Jungkook and Jimin investigating the facility, it's going to be all hands on deck for this one." Namjoon places his palms on the table and turns to face Jin. "However, Jin, you will have an additional independent task."

Shadow hacker raises his brow, subconsciously urging his leader to carry on. "You need to get all of the information you can on the girl. Anything that can answer every question about her."

"But in the meantime, we have a delivery to catch." The leader smirks slyly.

≫ play track: yes boss - the revenge instrumental ≪

"So- the anonymous tip didn't happen to provide us the location of their base..." Yoongi jokes sarcastically.

"No, however, they did give us the route they're traveling on to the drop-off." Namjoon replies.

The master manipulator's face twisted in confusion. "The route? Why would they do that—" As it finally sinks in, he paused. "You can't be serious..."

Namjoon grins. "I see you caught on. And I am."

Taehyung shifts his eyes between the two. "Serious about what? What is your plan Namjoon?"

"Glad you asked, Taehyung. Here's the plan—" Namjoon types on the touchscreen table, which displays a grid map. "This is the route they intend to take-"

"It's a one-way road." Jungkook intercepts.

Namjoon nods. "Correct. I was initially confused as to why they would give me the route they were taking, but I now understand what they were attempting to convey."

Hoseok crosses his arms. "And just what is that?"

"We'll seize the delivery by striking them here." The leader expands on the touchscreen, zooming onto a selected spot on the map. "They'll be the most susceptible."

"Are you saying you want to stop them during the transport?" Jimin's mouth drops.

"Exactly. It's effective considering they won't expect it at all." The leader continues.

Jungkook exhales, leaning back in his chair. "First of all, why are they going that particular road?"

"Because no one, not even the cops, will be able to track them down there." Jin answers. "There are no cameras on the route, and computer GPS can't detect them. Even I won't be able to get visual— they're smart."

Namjoon tilts his head. "But there is another option. Radio satellite and thermal imaging."

"That may work, but..." Jin trails off.

Yoongi stares at his hyung. "But what?"

"I'd have to hack into the military mainframe." Jin mutters.

The younger scoffs. "That's crazy."

"But it is doable." Namjoon clarifies, and Jin begrudgingly nods.

"It is, but it will take some time if we don't want to be caught and traced."

"That's fine, and we won't." Their leader reassures.

Hoseok takes another look at the grid map of the marked route. "Alright, now that we have visual covered what's your plan on stopping the delivery there?"

"For starters, three trailer trucks will be on the road, one as backup protection and the first two carrying the cargo. So, we take out the third truck first." Namjoon begins. "We'll wait for them in the short tunnel right before the targeted spot. The only way this is going to work is if we all travel separately— which we will do via motorbikes."

He continues. "Jungkook, on the other hand, will be placed somewhere else. He'll serve as our element of surprise. Jungkook will be waiting on top of the tunnel for them to emerge. We won't be able to eliminate the third truck in the tunnel; Jungkook will have to do it."

"Hyung, I'm not sure how that will work." Jungkook comments.

He raises his finger. "I'll get to that— you'll fly the ultralight helicopter to the top of the tunnel, and Jin will act as your eyes and timer from there. Your objective is to set an explosive at the opposite end of the tunnel where they will exit. Before it explodes, you'll need to jump to the first truck. The idea is that the tunnel will collapse on the third truck, terminating it for us."

"What about the rest of us in the tunnel?" Yoongi questions.

"We'll follow them closely, in a single line, so we're out of their line of sight. Then, we'll split off and circle to the front and sides, surrounding the first two trucks." The fourth oldest member answers.

"And after Jungkook lands on the first truck, we'll have to help him in hijacking it, assuming they'll start a gunfight as they drive. Once he's in the truck, the one behind them will have no choice but to stop." He explains. "As soon as the men get out of the trucks, expect further gunplay. But I'm confident we'll all be fine."

"Any questions?" He glances around at his group for a moment before Hoseok starts chuckling.

"This might be one of the most daring plans you've ever conceived, Joonie."

Namjoon smiles cunningly as he shrugs. "We're the mafia, after all. Isn't it our job to be daring?"

"So are we all in agreement?"

Everyone nods and hums, prompting the leader to do the same. "Good, let's gear up then."

≫ stop track ≪

"Wait a minute—what about the girl?" Taehyung inquires.

Yoongi rolls his eyes. "What about her? As long as she stays put here, she'll be fine."

"I can attest to that; from what I've experienced, she's quite obedient." Jimin confirms.

"And, given that we live in the middle of nowhere, I don't believe there's anything to worry about." Adds Jungkook.

"Sun-Woo will be here, so he can keep an eye on her. So, at least she won't be completely alone." Jin pitches in.

Namjoon clapped his hands. "Are we done with the babysitting debate? We don't have much time."

Everyone then exits the meeting room and begins preparing for their hijacking mission.

"I never got the chance to ask, but where will Jin hyung be?" Jungkook inquires as they all load their gear in the garage.

"I'll be stationed close to the road. Don't be concerned about me; you'll see how I'll save your asses again."

The maknae rolls his eyes at his hyung's words, causing the hacker to shrug. "Sorry, can't help myself, I'm both attractive and extraordinarily smart."

"Can you get any more narcissistic?" Jungkook sighs, dejected.

"You're just upset that you can't outwit me." Jin poked out his tongue.

The younger smirks evilly. "Sure, but I can outmuscle you and immobilize you from the neck down."

"Well, I—" Jin attempts to respond but is cut off.

"All right, enough of this. We're wasting time." Irritation clearly heard in Namjoon's tone before he turns around.

With their leader's back to him, it was the maknae's turn to stick his tongue out at the oldest. "Jungkook stop being a child."

Jungkook's expression quickly changes, slightly startled by Namjoon's awareness of his immature behavior without looking. Whereas Jin tries to hold back his laughter as his dongsaeng gets scolded. The youngest narrows his eyes before rolling them and mumbling under his breath.

An hour and three minutes. That's how long it took the five men to travel up the one-way road and hide inside the tunnels, awaiting the three semi-trucks transporting the stolen medical equipment or whatever- certainly for selfish motives, given they didn't do it legally.

As for the other two, Jungkook flew to the opposite end of the tunnel with the ultralight helicopter as planned, while Jin was stationed at a nearby local underground club.

"Jin how's the progress?" Namjoon spoke using their long-range micro earpiece, which allowed them to communicate over extended distances.

As he frantically types along his sixteen-inch, heavily encrypted computer keyboard, the hacker lets out a frustrated sigh. "This is a stateful inspection firewall, which means tons of packets, and tons of packets means many malicious codes, and those malicious codes translate to SSL encryption, which makes it more complicated than most we've encountered. One wrong code entry, anyone and everyone who has immediate access to the satellite imaging systems will be alerted exactly thirty seconds af—"

"Jin, you're rambling. Just say you need more time." Yoongi huffed. "I was utterly exhausted from listening to all of that information. Everything you said went in one ear and out the other."

"It's called a learning moment Yoongi, something you need more of. And if you're going to address me like that, you ought to put honorifics after my name." Jin responds harshly.

Their leader mentally shakes his head. "If you're finished bickering, Jin hyung, what's the status? Who knows how close they are."

"These bastards have three fucking walls. THREE! Although I cracked two of them, so one more down, but it may take a few minutes longer." He answered.

"Damn you, Jin hyung." Taehyung mutters quietly, which the eldest still managed to hear.

"Ya-! Didn't I tell you all that this is a military-grade security wall! And if you don't want to be caught, I said it would take time!" He was profoundly fed up with their pestering. The things I do for you impatient brats, he grumbles in his head.

Minutes later, the expert hacker miraculously breached the third firewall, just in time to locate their target using military satellite imaging. "GUYS! I got in, I have visual on the three trucks."

"Excellent-" comments Namjoon.

"We knew we could count on you, Jin hyung. Never doubt a second." Jungkook commended him.

"Yeah, yeah. It was whatever- anyway, they're close by. They should arrive in two minutes." Jin notifies them.

"Okay, engines hot everyone!" Namjoon orders and the others nod sagely with their black helmets on. "Did you set the detonator, Jungkook?"

The addressed man hums. "Yes. It's ready under Jin hyung's command."

"They're entering in... three... two... go after those sons of bitches." Shadow Hacker smirks smugly as he informs his team members.

The three semi-truck-looking vehicles entered the tunnel precisely on Jin's countdown, and the five men instantly formed a straight line, trailing just behind the third truck, completely hidden from the driver's side view mirrors.

"We need a headcount in each truck."

"On it." As usual, his lightning-fast fingers went to work, controlling access to the thermal imaging to peer through the trucks' metal.

"All right, the truck Jungkook is going to hijack has a dozen people inside, including the driver and one on the passenger side."

"And seven in the second truck—it's the third truck that's the issue."

"Why?"

"With sixteen people in that metal rectangle, you're obviously going to be outnumbered." Jin replies. "So smart move proposing to immediately eliminate the third truck."

"Thank our anonymous tip." Namjoon corrects.

Jin then turns his camera angle to the trucks traveling through the tunnels. "Jungkook, prepare to jump at my signal."

Tightening the utility harness that was around his hips and right upper thigh, Jungkook stands on the edge of the concrete tunnel and listens for his hyung's signal.

He cracks his knuckles and joints briefly before focusing his attention on the road below him, where he hears the faint sound of approaching vehicles. The first truck then appears. "Jump now!"

He leaps from the concrete and lands with a grunt on the top of the metal attached to the truck, rolling up on one knee. He glances behind him, over his shoulder, expecting the bomb he set to explode over the third vehicle under Jin's command.

The third vehicle was ready to depart the tunnel when the device failed to detonate. As a result, Jungkook's face was filled with confusion. Even the rest of the gang was bewildered. The man with the circle lens spectacles, on the other hand, begins to panic.

"Why didn't it go off, Jin?" Jungkook questioned.

Jin presses a button on a separate controller repeatedly; the button that was designed to remotely trigger the explosion, but it never did. Frustrated, he returns to his computer, pulling up satellite imagery to inspect the device Jungkook planted.

That was the moment he realized...

"YA! Jungkook, you took the wrong one!" Jin screeched through his headset.

"What?! But I wasn't the one who loaded it into the helicopter. When I walked in, it was already there." He defends himself. "I assumed you put it there."

"No, I did not! Whoever it was grabbed the wrong one!" Jin states.

"Fuck-" Someone murmured, but everyone heard, as the five men took their assigned positions. "Who said that? Was that you Namjoon?"

The leader mentally facepalms himself. "Shit- yeah. I was the one who left it in the helicopter."

Yoongi turns his head to glare at Namjoon for a fraction of a second. "What do we do now?!"

"I mean, didn't Jin say there's at least sixteen in that damn truck? We're going to be outnumbered and outgunned; please tell me you've got a backup plan!"

"I'm thinking alright! Try to take out their tires, first!" Namjoon shouts back.

Suddenly, the sides of the truck's metal piece begin to move, and a machine emerges, displaying a mini machine gun. Taehyung and Jimin, the two men designated on the sides, widened their eyes at this.

"OH SHIT, THAT'S NOT HAPPENING-"

"THEY GOT FUCKING MACHINE GUNS!"

"ACTIVATE SHIELDS NOW!" Namjoon commands audibly.

Fortunately, the two members activated their shields barely a millisecond before shots were fired at them. "If you have a backup plan, I suggest you say something now!" yells Taehyung.

"Since when did these bastards get their hands on machine guns!" Hoseok exclaimed.

"Worry about that later! We've got bullets fired at us right now!" Jimin screams.

"Pull out, for now, take cover in the rear." Namjoon instructs, and they quickly comply, applying their brakes and retreating behind the third truck.

"Jin, any ideas?!" Yoongi calls to him.

"I'm on it right now." Looks like he's about to save their asses once again.

He switches the screen on his computer and brings up a coding system that is concurrently linked to the ultralight helicopter Jungkook was once in. "I've taken control of the helicopter and am heading it toward you."

"You can remotely control the helicopter?!" Jungkook hung his mouth apart slightly. "That means I didn't need to fly up there myself!"

"That's not entirely true, we needed someone to plant the bomb." Namjoon replied.

Jungkook crossed his arms. "Yeah, one that was the wrong one."

"SORRY, OKAY-"

"Will you be able to take out the third truck?" The fourth oldest of the gang asks the eldest.

Jin hums. "Yes, I got an idea."

"Good, Taehyung and Jimin hang in there."

"It's not like we can go anywhere." Jimin rolled his eyes.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the rear hatch of the truck unexpectedly opens, showing all fourteen men inside, pointing weapons at the two. "JIN, GET YOUR ASS HERE FAST, THEY'RE AIMING AT US!"

"That's it, I'm heading over." The maknae announces, fed up.

"No, Jungkook, stick to the plan!" But he never listened, thinking, the plan that just backfired? Sure.

≫ play track: i like the way you die - black honey (on loop) ≪

He silently tched to himself as he sprinted over to jump across to the second vehicle, then did the same to land on the last truck, filled with the fourteen armed men.

As he approaches the open door, he takes an electrocution grenade, snaps the metal key off, and quickly throws it inside. Within a short moment, the grenade detonates, electrocuting three guys within the five-foot radius and paralyzing them for the next few hours.

Jungkook then swings into the truck, confronting the remaining ten men head-on. "Let's dance shall we." He grins cunningly at the men who are startled by his abrupt entrance.

The men soon shook off their surprise and began firing at him. However, Jungkook's superhuman-like reflexes allow him to activate his energy shield, emitted from his wrist device, and deflect the bullets, just like the others. When he was close to one, he deactivated the shield and threw a punch at the first man, followed by a brutal knee strike to the gut.

Taking advantage of the vulnerable state, he tightly grips the poor man's wrist that held the gun and pins it around his back. With the man's gun, he starts shooting at another, killing them.

Now with five people left standing, he slides along the ground, avoiding the aimed weapons above him, without thinking. He instantly leaps up, catching them off guard as he gets ahold of the next target's arm and throws him over his shoulder. The man's shoulder is dislocated when he hits the ground, causing him to cry out in pain.

He reactivates his shield instinctively, just as the last four attempt to shoot at him again. Never pausing and depriving Jungkook of the chance to draw his own weapon. And unfortunately, he slowly finds himself backing up into the corner, pinned down. "Shit, Jin hyung, where are you?! I'm pinned down!"

With no reply, the sounds of a helicopter flying overhead filled their ears, and the fire ceased, and the men started pointing at the helicopter. "I'll handle it from here; get out of there right now."

Jungkook dashes towards the open hatch where the men were standing, withdrawing two of his guns from his hips and hitting their legs, immobilizing them. He then hastily climbs over to the top and races to the next moving truck.

Jin controls the helicopter by typing on the keyboard of his computer, dropping a distinct piece of machinery below it.

"Is that a fucking missile attached to the helicopter?!!" Jimin screams, his eyes widening at the sight.

"A FUCKING WHAT-?!" Yoongi screams in disbelief, momentarily gazing behind him.

"I suggest you, Jimin and Tae increase your distance from the truck." Jin advises.

"You don't need to tell me twice." Taehyung responded as the two pulled away from the truck.

Before hitting the enter key to launch the missile, the expert hacker makes a snide remark. "Enjoy the light show boys."

The missile is deployed, and the third truck explodes, demolishing it completely. The impact of the explosion drives Jungkook backward, but the youngest swiftly regains his balance on top of the truck.

"Bullseye!" Jin laughs cheerfully.

"Holy fuck, hyung, a goddamn missile? You're a fucking lunatic, man." Hoseok says.

"You should be thanking me; didn't I say I'd save your asses again?" He huffed.

"Great, the third truck is out. Proceed with the rest of the plan, everyone—hopefully the other two don't have machine guns on the side as well." Namjoon instructs once more. "Hyung, stay on standby in case we need another trick of yours."

"Copy."

As gunshots roared in the air, presumably from the between the two gangs, Jungkook dashed forward to the semi-truck's cab, where the driver and passenger sat. He swings over the passenger seat, breaking through the window and all at once kicking the man in the passenger seat in the head. As he swoops in effortlessly, he pulls out his combat knife and stabs the man in the neck, giving neither of them time to react and killing him quickly.

The driver panics and friskily reaches for his gun to shoot him. However, with another lethal brute power of Jungkook's kick, the man flies out of the moving truck before he could harm Jungkook.

The master combatant then hops into the driver's seat. "I've gained control of the first truck."

"Good. You know what to do, the others and I will be ready right after." Namjoon says.

Jungkook nods and slams on the brakes, turning the steering wheel sharply to block off the truck behind him.

The tires screeched as the truck behind Jungkook came to a halt, almost colliding with him. The maknae exits the cab and walks menacingly towards the truck, his hands wrapped around his two guns strapped to his hips.

The cab doors open as the two men attempt to eliminate Jungkook. But as soon as their heads poked out, they both dropped dead.

The rest of the members join Jungkook, facing the back of the truck with their weapons drawn.

"Jin cover the other truck, will you be able to target all of them?" Namjoon inquired.

"I might or might not have installed a mini MIRV." He smirked evilly as he hovered the helicopter over the truck Jungkook had earlier hijacked. (Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles)

"All right, then, let's bring these treasures home." Namjoon comments. "And let's take one."

≫ track stop ≪

The sun had set and the Bangtan Boys had returned home, they unloaded the dozens of batches of stolen equipment and supplies into their storage house on their property.

The seven members step into the quiet house, sweaty, slightly bloodied, and bruised from the anticipated gunfight with the other people in the trucks.

They surveyed the area as they entered the living room. "At least everything seems in place and clean. Looks like we had nothing to worry about."

"Sun-Woo!" Hoseok calls out.

Moments later, shuffling can be softly heard, and soon a figure emerged from the kitchen door. "Good evening, sirs, how did the mission go?"

"Everything went as planned." Namjoon responded, but the others snorted, making the leader groan. "Hey, at least we accomplished what we needed to do."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, barely, because somebody believed he was confident enough to know which exact explosive to take."

He puts his hands up defensively. "Excuse me- everything looked the same to me!"

Sun-woo shifts his gaze awkwardly between the '93 and '94 members. He hadn't expected them to start bickering.

"Sun-woo, where's the girl?" Jin asked.

Their butler turns to the oldest. "Oh, she's been inside the room since you all left."

"It appears she refuses to leave her spot, claiming you told her to 'stay here.'"

"So she didn't come out at all?" Hoseok arched his brow.

Their butler nods, leaving the gang rather surprised except for Jimin and Jungkook. Which Sun-Woo notices. "You both don't seem as surprised as the rest."

Both of them shrugged their shoulders. "She'd been acting like that since we met her, so we kind of expected it."

He lets out an 'ah' of understanding. "Do you want to see her? Shall I fetch her?"

"No, I'll get her—" Hoseok returns eye contact with the six other pairs of eyes now on him. "I'd like to make further observations on her."

"All right, go ahead." Namjoon gives a nod.

Hoseok then walked up their extravagant modern stairs and down the long corridor to the familiar white room that had not been used in a long time. He knocks on the door, respecting your privacy given that you're a lady, but it doesn't mean he would immediately be overly buddy-buddy with the girl they barely met less than twenty-four hours earlier.

He waits for a response but does not receive one, so he proceeds to push the door open. His gaze was drawn to your body fast asleep soundly across the bed.

Was she waiting for us this entire time, he wondered.

He approaches you quietly, taking in your sleeping form. That's when he noticed the dark circles under your eyes, which were partially hidden by your fluttery thick lashes. Your plump and slightly chapped lips, and your sunken cheeks, that showed signs of malnourishment.

Starting to think about it, he feels a little guilty knowing he needs to wake up the peaceful sleeping female who clearly needed the rest.

But he wants to know more about you, whether you're a threat to his family or innocent all along, but can you honestly call oneself innocent in this forsaken world? And to determine this stranger's true motives, he must present himself as 'friendly' and 'caring' towards you.

Nonetheless, he reached for you and gently shook you awake. "H-hey, wake up."

It takes a few moments, but you jolt up, terror etched across your face, thinking you're back in your ten-by-ten box from before.

"Woah woah woah- ease up, it's just me." He takes a step back, giving you space while calming you down.

As soon as you hear those words, your eyes focused on the man in front of you. 'It's just me,' the words echoed in your head, and security filled your body.

"Hi there, good morning sunshine." Says the masculine melodic voice.

"H-hi." You finally recognize him as one of the members you met the night previously. Ho-seon? Hosan? Hobi?

"How long have you slept?"

"I-I don't know."

He frowns slightly. "Hopefully you can sleep later on, it is pretty late. It's sunset already."

You tilt your head. "Sunset?"

"Yeah, sunset. Have you ever heard or seen a sunset?"

You shake your head, causing the older man to draw his lips together and then smile. "Well, let's meet the rest of the guys outside and I'll show you your first sunset."

"Okay." You said.

The pair of you finally join the rest of the group in the living room along with Sun-woo.

"Wow, she really did not leave the room." Taehyung stares in amazement.

"I presume she understands obedience very well." Sun-woo's eyes linger on you.

"I suppose so..."

Taehyung then approaches you, his boxy smile on his face. "Hey, cutie. Good job following orders."

You look at him with doe eyes, perplexed by his antics. He chuckles at this and raises his hand to pat you on the head, but as soon as you see his hand lift, your eyes flood with panic, and you pressed your eyelids shut, evidently waiting for impact.

Your reaction causes him to freeze and pull back almost immediately. "O-oh! I-I'm sorry!"

Hoseok watched their interaction. "I suppose she is sensitive to such actions... Perhaps, she suffered abuse before."

"Just reassure her that you won't hurt her, and she'll let you touch her." Jimin states.

Taehyung nods and returns his attention to you. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you. I-I was just commending you."

You carefully open your eyes, watching with caution as Taehyung repeats his earlier moves, but more slowly. He then gently pats your head while smiling, revealing his adorable bread cheeks.

Jin clears his throat. "So... 007, you really just stayed in your room as we told you?"

You turn to face him, nodding in response. "Y-yes."

Jin was going to ask you another question about if you had eaten when you spoke up. "Someone hurt."

Everyone looks at you in confusion, then exchanges glance with each other. "Hurt? Well, I mean we kind of got into a fight but it's merely scratches, we're fine."

"No, someone hurt bad."

"Well, as you can see, we're perfectly standing up, so I think we're fine." Yoongi spits.

Jimin furrows his brows. "Yo, Yoongi, relax. She's just trying to help, maybe she's right."

"No one said anything on the way home, which usually means we all survived and are fine." Yoongi fired back.

You, on the other hand, are focused on the energy that alerts you of an injury emanating from a specific person. You follow your superhuman senses, and your feet move toward the man who shielded you the first time you met.

Your eyes trail up to his face. "You hurt, bad."

"Jungkook?" All eyes are now on him, making the maknae nervous and anxiously laughing. "No, no- I'm f-fine."

Jin raised a brow. "Are you really?"

He weakly nods. "Y-yeah, I really a—"

Suddenly, the dongsaeng dropped forward, his head and upper torso collapsing against you, causing everyone to exclaim. "Jungkook!"

masterpost | one | three

[vinetae]

HENTAI TIME

Genre: Drabble, SMUT, Hentai related themes

Summary: Basically Jungkook fucks you while forcing you to watch his anime/hentai.

A/n: MIW = Motionless In White. It's my favorite rock/metal band, and I thought Jungkook - acting all emo and ish- would be suiting for him lmao. Enjoy.

_____________________________________________________________

"Marie, what we had was special, we can get it back again!" Marie turns to face the streets, avoiding direct eye-contact between herself and Derek. If she were to have looked into his green, emerald eyes, she knew she wouldn't be able to face the reality. They'd just - as usual - slip back into each others arms, thinking that one night, nothing could touch them. Only to wake up with crusted tears and flushed cheeks. An empty spot where he's supposed to lie-

"Fuckk. Yeah, just like that." You sigh, closing the hard cover of your book. Your eyes wander over to your boyfriend who'd been intensely invested in the cartooned TV show know as 'anime'. You never really cared for it. Much rather preferring to imagine your stories than having watch them. Even more so watching them in a language you couldn't understand.

"Oh! Oh! I'm coming!" The high-pitched voice actor practically screams at the male protagonist. The two lazily sat in a porcelain tub, her sitting unrealistically reverse cowgirl style on his lap. Your boyfriend had taken on a certain liking to these videos. Not so much as taking action while consuming said material, just out of curiosity. You shake your head, trying to block out the overly done voices of his show.

"No, Derek. This-" Marie motions between the two. Rain fallen heavily upon the streets. Soaked from head to toe, the two stand in the freezing rain. Both pulling at strings they knew they couldn't hold. "This can't happen again. I won't do it to Ja-"

"OH MY GOD, YES, OH GOD YES, FUCK ME HARDER. OH YES, FUCK IN COMING"

That's it!!!

You stand, throwing your book to the plush of your boyfriend comforter, making a b-line over to his computer desk. Just as you turn his chair around, your eyes catch on the two characters in a very compromising position now. The girl's; face down ass up position is taken by the main character's harsh thrusts. The animated girl's enormous breasts bounce roughly against her face. A chuckle escapes your lips. Your boyfriend had been just laying back in his chair perfectly fine.

Until you looked a little closer.

For far away, it'd just seemed as if he was enjoying his favorite sit-com with his MIW oversized hoodie cascading down his figure. If one were to take a closer looked, you'd see his hand shoved down the entirety of his pants, small palming motions moved under the fabric of his sweats. His head leaned back against the plush pillow of his gaming chair, a sheet of sweat gleams on his shiny face. Staggered breaths are sucked in as his stomach muscles clench over so often.

He was getting off to this?

"JUNGKOOK!" You yell, removing one half of his headphones from his ear. He startles, practically jumping from his chair.

"What!?!? Where's the fire!!" He sporadically checks the rooms, watching for any signs of danger.

"Apparently on your dick from rubbing it so much." You fold your arms across your chest, sending him an annoyed look. He gulps, finally taking notice to the quickening screen playing on his monitor.

"I...I was just looking something up and this all of a sudden-" You stop his rambling by holding your palm up. "Save it, Kook. I don't care if you get off to it or not, just don't make me listen to it as well." His head tilts at your request.

"How'd you... I had headphones on though.." A embarrassed flush washes over his expression as he lowers himself back into his striped, sleek black gaming chair you'd gotten him two Christmases ago.

"Well obviously they weren't plugged in. I don't wanna hear 'Oh god, yes! Fuck, Harder please!' while I'm trying to cry to my book!" You see the outline of his Adam's apple bob up, then back down again. Why did his hoodie all of a sudden feel so constricting?

"S.. Sorry, babe." He shyly replies, taking a few looks over your newly noticed figure. The daisy-duke like pajama shorts did no aiding in the softening of his cock. Your V-neck tank top hung dangerously low, revealing the dip between your breasts. Your messy bun sits perfectly atop the crown of your head. Little strands falling from here and there. He couldn't help the growing tent forming in his sweats.

"Baby.." He softly calls, as you glance up wondering what he's needing now.

"What?"

His gaze leaves the computer screen that now has the ending clip flashing in his face, telling viewers to subscribe for more uncensored content.

"Come on, baby. Let's watch it together?" You scoff, picking the hard cover of your book off the sheets.

"No thanks, I'd rather stuff a cactus up my pussy."

Your comment catches his attention quickly. (As if you already didn't have it.)

"How about i stuff your pussy instead?"

Now THAT made your head turn. It had been a couple weeks since you both had actually gotten down to it. His schedule and yours had never really aligned to be able to have any time alone together. But now since your boss had given you a week vacation, you had more than enough time on your hands.

"You wanna what?" You tease, standing on the rounds of your knees atop his comforter. He inches closer, wrapping a hand around your side, lips coming to brush the shell of your ear.

"You heard me."

"No." You smirk, circling your arms around the base of his neck, pulling your bodies flush together.

______________________________________________________________

"Fuck, baby!" His palms come to rest at the side of your hips, stilling your motions for a second.

"Hold on, lemme restart the video." You chuckle, continuing to bounce on his hardened cock. His hips buck up into yours, head falling off the side of the bed to watch the video upside down.

"Maybe riding wasn't the best decision" He retorts, leaning his head up ever so often to get the blood rushing back so he wouldn't loose consciousness. You smirk, snaking your hands to press at the sides of his throat, cutting off the airway just a bit. Your hips slow down, moving at a torturous rate. His eyelashes flutter open, watching as your breasts bounce at the same speed your riding him.

His hand comes up to toy with the curves of your breasts before tweaking the erect nub between his index and thumbs. "Maybe" You reply, leaning down to move your hand away from his neck, onto the backs of his head, gripping his roots into a firm grasp. His head lunges forward at your motion, a moan slips his lips.

"Fuck!" He whines, hips rising from the sheets to fuck up into your abused cunt. His hand reaches forward to rub harsh circles against your throbbing bud, your head lulls back at the overridden pleasure. The small studio apartment bedroom fills with choked moans and skin slapping to overpower the once silence atmosphere.

"F-fuck, Kook- coming!" You whine out, as his hands come to grips the flesh of your hips, slamming your hips down onto his harshly, while simultaneously thrusting his up to meet yours in the middle.

Both of your sounds override the cheap studio recorded ones playing from his small computer. Your back arches to his grunts.

"Yeah? Cream my cock, baby girl. Fuck- milk me for all I've fucking got. Look at you, coming undone just by the anime you said you hated. Fuck- I didn't know you were such a voyurist, babe. Watching two people fucking turns you on? My God, what a dirty little slut you are. " Well, that wasn't exactly true, but you weren't in a position to argue.

His grip slams your body down onto his, the tip of his cock harshly slamming against your cervix.

"T-Tell me" He pants, flipping you both over to have you on all fours. His tattooed hand reaches forward to keep your eyes focused on the anime in front of you both.

"Tell me how much you love it." You whine, the overstimulation getting far too much control over you.

"I love it! I love it, Jungkook- please!" You smirks giving your ass a good smack before continuing.

"No, not me fuck you- Tell me how much you love the hentai, or I won't let you come." You're practically making your lip bleed by this point.

Anything to get you the release you deserve.

"I love it! God, I love all of the h-hentais! I-I wanna watch all of them each time we f-fuck, please! Want you to fill my pussy while cumming to that girl's huge ass tits! I wanna watch as you cum to those stu- amazing tit-fucking videos! Kook- please! Please!" You scream, burying your face into the pillows.

"Yeah you do. Don't worry babe," Just as he reaches forward you rub a few more circles against your aching clit, the coil in you snaps. You fall to the mattress, panting harshly as he finishes out, quickening his hand over his base of his cock, before hot beads of cum shoot out and onto the round of your ass. The hot, sticky substance drips to the dip of your back, creating a tiny pool of cum.

He flails forwards, following pursuit if your exhausted figure. His hand comes up to brush away a strand of hair from your face, giving your nose a quick eskemo kiss.

He chuckles to himself, replaying the night over and over in his mind.

"She loves it."

____________________________________________________________

No Jungkook, she didn't love it.

But, she loves you.

[alexanderlightweight]

You know what I rarely see? In the show after wooing Alec, Magnus is not shown as overly invested and it always appears as Alec reaching/apologizing/moving the pair along. Which was definitely a writing/directing choice. But what I’d like to prompt if it suits you, is Magnus being the one to apologize or to reassure Alec that he is important and not temporary-I’m team immortal but this convo certainly should happen. I liked the way you had Alec be angry in that prompt fill about his birthday and Magnus had to own up to that. If this isn’t your thing no big deal! Hope the weather is nice where you are and nightshade has enough pets and treats for the day!

i believe in 'no partner is perfect' and while i don't tend to write the angstier couple stuff 'i like my malec happy' i don't mind occasionally dipping my toes into partner angst (with an immortal happy ending)

this particular fic isn't about about immortality but it's about haing two people who have fundamentally different lifestyles having a miscommunication that devolves and while the argument is based on the show scene, it doesn't follow it perfectly. nor is the actual argument written. just the aftermath.

my thoughts are that magnus tries to spoil alec in season two still but it's more intimate and offscreen and he sort of in season 3a but magnus relies heavily n his magic to spoil alec and he kind of is spiraling all of season 3 tbh. they just really were sprinkling angst on malec like it was salt and they realized the show was bland.

all they did was get oversalted content which got salty fans, since they forgot to add actual herbs and spices.

it's a bloody hot day okay. i love the sun as much -nevermind apparently this is a lie-

so i don't hate the sun okay. i enjoy sunshine in specific environments. the sun is not a tyrant devoid of compassion.

anyways i live in a desert because its whats best for the people i love but give me mist and foggy days and give me winters of waist deep snow i can fall in. oceans so cold your lips go blue and rivers so deep and clear and still cold with melting ice.

if people are going to send me 8-10 feet to the bottom of the lake because they lost their electronics. it better be cold and clear. not warm and murky. (this has only happened 3 times but i have a preference).

So I made Say breakfast and nightshade breakfast and then I made @saeths breakfast a few hours later so i made an extra egg for nightshade to tempt him to eat another bowl of kibble.

so i fed nightshade twice and forgot to make any eggs for myself ^_^ so he is plenty spoiled (don't worry his egg was made without cheese and salt).

also the reason i'm awake is because he needed snuggles and after that he wanted to play in the pool and then i was too awake to bother

but that's our wednesday so far and i'm getting my work out of the way so i can focus on writing and house things.

<3 lumine

-

Magnus is ready with another quick retort when Alec’s face goes blank for a moment.

The argument fades from Magnus’ mind in an instant, because while this is the perfect moment to land another barb, the words die and his sentence stops, ending with a snide comment he doesn’t really mean.

“That’s fine Magnus.” Alec says and he’s not angry, which is worse. He sounds tired and yet professional. His manner restrained and placating in the way he does when he no longer has any fight left and he just wants to retreat and lick his wounds.

Wounds that Magnus caused.

“Alexander—” Magnus starts, because he didn’t intend to get so upset but Alexander just shakes his head.

“You’ve said your piece, Magnus. I get it.” Alexander sighs and runs a hand through his hair as he shuffles. “I messed up, again.”

Magnus winces, because he’s begun to feel more like a scolding mentor than a partner.

“I need to get to the Institute—” which makes sense, the argument started as they both got ready for their days. “I’ll—” and Alec hesitates and then shrugs, “I’ll see you tonight.”

—

Magnus waits until it’s dinner time and then portals to the Institute, already preparing words to once again explain that it’s not Alexander, it’s just not time yet.

He opens the door to the office without knocking and steps in.

“Alexander—” Magnus starts and then he hesitates.

Because for once, Alexander’s eyes don’t soften when they meet his. They remain cold, devoid of the warm ardor they normally contain but once again, without anger. Only an empty tiredness that Magnus longs to chase away.

“Do you have an appointment today, Magnus?” Alexander asks, setting down his pen and turning off his tablet with a sigh. Even upset Alexander will still give him his full attention and Magnus steps closer to the desk when Alexander continues, “because I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for a meal, or a conversation if it’s not official. So, if you don’t have an appointment, it needs to wait until I’m off.”

Alexander doesn’t mention coming home like he normally does, and Magnus suddenly misses it, with a deep lonely ache.

It also reminds Magnus that despite how often Alexander drops everything to join him, his boy is being worked to the ground and also driving himself to his limits in his pursuit of building a better Institute. Alexander is struggling to create ties between an Institute and local downworld leaders that would be revolutionary, with a sincerity that is unmatched by anything Magnus has ever seen.

Of course, he’s exhausted, and Magnus feels hollow now, remembering their fight all over again with a new clarity.

“No darling, it’s nothing official. I’ll see you tonight—” Magnus pauses, wanting to offer to summon Alec something to eat or drink, but it feels too much like an emotional bribe with how shuttered his boy is. Alexander nods and gives him the same perfunctory, polite smile he gives his siblings when he’s too exhausted to deal with them and doesn’t know what else to do.

It cuts Magnus to the heart to have that same expression directed at him, when he’s supposed to be safe for Alexander.

Magnus can’t handle the idea of reaching out only to be shied away from, so he runs from the possibility and instead summons a tiny flower to land by Alexander’s pen when the door shuts.

No one in the Institute seems to notice anything is wrong. Magnus gets a few strange looks, but he quickly realizes that it’s because everyone expected Alexander to be leaving with him, like his boy usually does.

Magnus feels cold and it’s with determination that he sends out an emergency message.

—

“I became stagnant in my old, single age.” Magnus bemoans, “I spent so long on my heartbreak that now, with a man I adore over every living being, I keep pushing him away.”

“Truth potion?” Catarina offers but Magnus shakes his head. Alexander deserves Magnus explaining this without the aid of something to help his thoughts form, even if it’s a trick Magnus has used continually and without remorse on himself.

This is different though because Magnus wants to become aware of what is wrong, not rely on a potion to figure it out.

“He wants to move in.” Magnus starts, about to launch into it when Cat laughs, interrupting him.

“What do you mean he wants to, he already has. Or did you just move him in on the sly and forget to ask him if he wanted to?”

“Cat—” Magnus says hesitantly, “he’s never moved in. He’s the one who brought it up. I told him no.”

Catarina pauses and then she sighs, and she summons her favorite, light summer beer and pinches the bridge of her nose.

“Start from the beginning, Magnus. I need details.”

Magnus does, realizing things that he missed as he’s explaining so many details that he just assumed and took for granted.

“I did wonder that the Loft hasn’t changed much. It seems more like Alec’s an addition to your things rather than his own person.”

It’s that comment that drives Magnus into a frenzy the moment he’s home.

Magnus doesn’t go overboard; Alexander wouldn’t want him to. Also springing this on his boy after the prior rejection will be too much like whiplash.

So, Magnus starts very small.

He finally creates the foyer he promised himself and Alexander he would make.

Alexander’s never pushed but Magnus remembers the tightening of his shoulders and the way Alexander will be too tired for anything but cuddles — rarely even hungry — after barrages of people through the loft.

The kitchen he only summons when Alexander asks, which is rare, so he makes it a permanent fixture and makes sure to hang an apron with little angel wings up. It’s with a pained smile that he sighs and wonders when he got so old that he forgot to enjoy life, and instead spent all his time focused on the past, just like Ragnor always warned him about.

Magnus doesn’t want to regret any time with Alexander, and he finds that he already does.

Not the time spent with his boy, but the time he could have focused on him more.

Magnus has spent so long protecting himself from losing Alexander, that he hasn’t noticed that he’s pushing him away, stopping him from coming too close.

Except Magnus has also bound him tightly.

Alexander sleeps more often in Magnus’ bed than his own. He’s rerouted his own schedule so he can take the last patrol before shift change, come to Magnus’ loft, write his report there and send it in, and be in bed for Magnus to return to.

Except for work, Alexander spends the majority of his daily life either in the loft, or with Magnus.

There are signs of him, all over the loft, but Magnus can’t look at a single piece and think, “Alexander picked that out.”

It aches in way that is almost visceral, because now that Alexander isn’t here, it’s only more obvious.

Magnus is chest deep in a drawer when he becomes aware of his boy stepping slowly into the bedroom.

“Is this a bad time?” Alexander’s tired voice asks. “I noticed there was a new door and tried to knock but the door just opened.”

Magnus wants to say something except he’s furious with himself and everything and the idea that Alexander saw a new door and knocked instead of walking right in, tears something in him.

They stare at each other for a moment, Magnus with his hands still wrist deep in the dimensional dresser, sure he’ll eventually find more than the sparse offering of Alexander’s clothes that he has.

“Where are all the clothes that you leave here?” Magnus asks instead of answering because he genuinely doesn’t know, “I was cleaning, and I couldn’t find them.”

Alexander sighs and Magnus just knows that he’s gearing himself up to — once again — explain to Magnus that it’s not about the clothes, before his boy visibly gets too tired. Instead, he just shrugs and potions to the paltry pile that Magnus has found.

“You have more than that!” Magnus exclaims, frustrated because he knows Alexander does. “That green shirt I got you that you loved. And those pants, the black ones with the umber stitching. The cream sweater I adore you in! That suit I had tailored for you in Milan and the other one in Hong Kong.”

Alexander sighs and he rubs a hand over his face, the stubble he normally shaves away in Magnus— in their bathroom, shadowing his face.

“Magnus, those don’t exist anymore.” Alexander doesn’t seem upset, if anything his face softens into an almost reluctant fondness, “you tend to vanish all the clothing you get me, some way or another. Mostly before fucking me. I tried to ask you one time where they went and you waved a hand and said, ‘another dimension, nothing to worry about’.”

“Surely that’s not all I said.” Magnus protests weakly.

“Well, you proceeded to fuck me unconscious so no, it wasn’t the last thing you said. But it was the last thing you said abut clothes.”

Magnus gives a flat chuckle and then sighs, snapping his fingers to clean up the mess.

“Have you eaten?”

“I figured I could grab something from the cafeteria when I head back. It’s fine.”

It most certainly is not fine, but Magnus doesn’t think coaxing Alexander into eating is going to work this time, which means that Magnus has accidentally undone weeks of effort.

Magnus doesn’t press, doesn’t remind Alexander that he can here. Or that, if by normal standards Alexander stays until he usually leaves Magnus, it would be the early evening of the next day.

“So, you were cleaning.”

Alexander is looking around, voice faltering but face devoid of actual emotions.

“I realized some things, after this afternoon.” Magnus admits slowly, “you’re the first person I opened my heart to, Alexander. In a very long time, I’ve told you that before.”

Normally, explaining things is easier but all Magnus can think is he’s not explaining it correctly.

“I know. But Magnus, you’re the first person I’ve ever opened my heart to.” Alexander interjects and he sounds raw and broken, like he’s been torn apart. “Doesn’t that get to mean anything too, to you? Because I don’t know what I’m doing, and you told me that there was nothing wrong with that. That I had nothing to feel ashamed about but now, it doesn’t feel like that.

"It feels like I can’t do anything right and I thought, I hoped something was coming together with us but now—” Alexander gives a heavy sigh and shrugs. “Now I don’t even know what I am to you anymore. Where do I belong, in your life Magnus? If you tell me where to fit, I’ll make it work.”

And that breaks Magnus’ heart, because Alexander was never meant to feel like he had to cut off pieces of himself to ensure Magnus loves him, that he has a place in Magnus’ life.

“Oh darling, beloved.” He murmurs and Alexander flinches, like it was a knife to his side. “You belong. The entirety of you. You belong in my bed because it’s no longer just my bed. How can I say it’s my bed when I lay in it without you and can’t sleep? When I reach for you in the night and can’t find you?” Magnus moves across the room with slow, purposeful steps and then reaches out to carefully — only because Alexander allows it — cups his face.

“Alexander, I have no excuses. My heart is old, and it is scarred and it is a wonder that you love me with all the cracks you’ve seen exposed. I don’t fear men or demons or angels, Alexander. I fear my heart being torn from my body and leaving me alive, an empty hollow cavern where it should be in the shape of you.

“I’ve always been too much, Alexander. I put my own fears on you, not that you deserved any of it, sweetheart. You’re right. I am your first relationship, and you grew up and live in a shadowhunter society. The relationships you've witnessed aren't similar to ours at all.

"You trust me to guide our relationship but I’m always encouraging you to ask me for things and you rarely do. I’m sorry, that you finally trusted me enough to ask me for something and that I broke that trust.”

And Alexander breaks, his eyes filling with tears and he coughs, scrubbing over his eyes because he hates being emotional during talks like these. As if Magnus will use the crystal sorrow streaking his face against him.

“I don’t understand.” Alexander murmurs against Magnus’ shoulder, “I thought this was already my home, here with you. I don’t know what I did wrong, I’m sorry Magnus.”

“Oh sayang.” Magnus whispers, eyes stinging because his heart is lanced every time Alexander apologizes. “You did nothing wrong. My heart was too scared to admit that you already were home for us, I pushed you away because I panicked. I’m sorry, my darling.”

Magnus is as tender and sincere as he can be, because he doesn’t want Alexander internalizing anything over this. Especially not when he realized that for Alexander, the loft already was home and he just wanted permission, for it to be official.

It’s endearing and sweet and Magnus presses a kiss to Alexander’s temple, softly and then harder when Alexander pushes into the caress.

"This is already your home. Where ever I am, will be your home." Magnus promises, "that will never change, my love. This is our space, for us to grow together and live together in.

Instead, Alexander tackles him to the bed and just lays there, pinning Magnus to the comforter as he snuggles into Magnus.

"Alexander?"

There is no answer, just a soft, exhausted snuffle and Magnus wonders how upset Alexander's been, thinking he was deprived of the home Magnus gave him.

He uses magic to change their clothing. More conversations and decisions can be made after rest and well, Alexander certainly isn't going anywhere and neither is Magnus.

[celaenaeiln]

(Cracks fingers)

Okay now it’s time for a relatively big question. Between these two, who would say defined Dick’s true persona the best?

Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans) or Chuck Dixon (Robin Year One, Nightwing solo book)?

noooooooo how can you be so cruel as to ask me 😭😭😭😭 I love them both so muchhh

Okay you might hate me for this but I'm the type of person who accepts everything written about a character unless that comic has glaring inconsistencies that completely contradict what other writers have written.

So for me these two are some of the absolute best writers and you're making me choose! 😭

Robin Year One is one of my all time favorite comics but at the same time Marv Wolfman wrote Silver Age: Teen Titans and I loved that comic.

However I'm more interested in Chuck Dixon's work because he retained Dick's psychotic quality that he was known for from his robin days. He writes Dick as a happy, intelligent child with extraordinary abilities and accomplishing daring feats. He writes Dick with all the daring and brilliance that the world's greatest acrobat and genius prodigy of Batman should have.

Dixon's portrayal of Bruce and robin Dick is heartwarming is the most accurate representation of their relationship.

Furthermore he gives Alfred's perspective on how Dick made Bruce's life so much better. Some which I talked about in my previous post.

The little things he does like juggling with batarangs

Being popular in school

Being an ace basketball player

Being so overly competent that he can kock out people and guns three at a time with pool balls-

All of this is the essence of Dick Grayson. While Marv Wolfman does a good job, he doesn't quite emulate who Dick Grayson is a person, more specifically robin.

I like Chuck Dixon's Nightwing better.

Chuck Dixon's Nightwing run IS the BEST Nightwing run ever written. For one, he makes Dick come alive as a person.

"I've only been here two minutes. And already I want to shower with clorox and sandpaper."

He's the one responsible for bringing back Dick's jokes and laughter in Nightwing that Dick's robin is iconic for.

He's made Dick the caring, lovable person that Dick was as robin but with the maturity of an adult.

He saves a woman, protects her from being raped, gives her his money and ticket, and sends her on her way to a safer place with no questions asked, just kindness in his soul.

He writes Dick to be the brilliant detective and extraordinary fighter he is.

Best of all, his craziness!!

DICK!! CRAZY ALERT?!

Chuck Dixon's Dick Grayson is funny, brilliant, wild, and loving. That's why I like him so much and this is who I believe Dick Grayson is.

But Marv Wolfman did a fantastic job writing Dick's maturity and his relationships with other people. He focuses on Dick's detective side and how Dick interacts and engages with other titans.

While not as funny, his Dick is also extremely intelligent and loving. He created Dick to love with his full heart and upright morals.

He invests in people, he's loyal, loving, and faithful. It's just another part of him.

So I can't say one person wrote him better than the other. Wolfman and Dixon combined create the whole picture of Dick Grayson. But I can say I prefer Dixon as a personal choice because I just happen to like those particular traits of Dick's he emphasized more even though all of them are equally important and make Dick who he is.

[findafight]

I’m a sucker for Steve learning about the party’s interests, do you have any thoughts about the kinds of things he’d do for each party member? (E.g. he has the ability to recognize tony hawk, despite his inconspicuousness, because of max’s skateboarding)

Actually now I'm obsessed with the idea that Steve is one of the few people who are not personal friends with him who is able to identify Tony Hawk without a skateboard. Like. Steve is an athlete and respects athleticism, and gives credit where it is due. (He does NOT allow making fun of Olympic athletes, even the weird sports, just because some people don't appreciate how hard you work for it.) So he's like "wow that Tony guy sure is talented. He is so high in the air. Good for him." And never forgets his face. At some point someone shares one of those "didn't recognize actual skate legend Tony Hawk " stories except it ends with "and then the guy in pastels standing beside Eddie Munson slapped his (Eddie's) chest and went "hey!! That's Tony Hawk!! Let's see if we can get an autograph for Max!" And I realized I had been making awkward small talk about cocktail weenies with sports legend Tony Hawk while working up the courage to ask Eddie Munson for an autograph."

He also tries to learn how to Ollie but he's actually really nervous and wears all the protective gear possible and is only able to go forward. (This is from my personal experience being post concussive and not a good skater. It's scary! My brain meat is delicate!) But Max tells him it's okay and talks about the skatepark in California and some of her old friends from there, and he tries to teach her how to make fried rice.(one of the only actual meals that isn't breakfast food he can cook really well completely from scratch) She gets him to do her hair with El because Steve is the only other person who understands that for El hair is a means of control, and that taking care of it is something important to that feeling.

He and El do jigsaw puzzles together and listen to folk music I think. El would appreciate having the option to talk or not, and likes listening to Steve talk too. Also I like jock El so he gets her overly invested in the Cubs like tells her all the lore and she's obsessed with the goat and she joins a softball team. When she first yells at an umpire for a bad call Steve almost cries of pride. Like. Finally. He's not the only one who Gets It.

Lucas and him bond over basketball yes. But Lucas doesn't yell at refs, and Steve gets why but thinks it's very fun when people yell at officials. Also I think they watch clouds together after practicing. Just nice peaceful, laying on warm blacktop and staring at the sky. Maybe El joins them and Lucas and El can bond this way too. Steve and his little jock siblings. (Why does no one consider max a jock for skateboarding? I guess it wasn't really seen as a sport for a long time...hm..)

Steve also bought a flat of new coke before they stopped selling it and keeps it for Lucas on movie nights or whatever and everybody always yells and groans because where is getting that!! It was discontinued!! Also they watch anime together. Erica and Robin join.

I can see him getting into some video games with Dustin and Mike and Lucas. Only the two or more player ones though he doesn't like playing alone. Like. Okay this whole post has anachronisms but please imagine him playing Lego Star Wars (complete saga) with Dustin. The chaos. The yelling.

He's absolutely a pinball guy. They go to the arcade and everyone does their thing but then end up cheering Steve on as he goes for idk star trek pinball glory. Without even tilting it! Idk what to tell you but Steve def loves pinball.

Also before his dad cut him off or after he gets some kind of inheritance he does a very financially secure impulse buy: he purchases an arcade game. Full size. I am partial to Asteroids because that's what my dad impulse bought in the 80's and had it in our basement growing up but let's keep this going he has a themed pinball machine. Icon.

He 100% reaches Dustin to drive. Mrs. Henderson asked him because Steve just looked sad when she mentioned teaching him and she was like well...we could BOTH teach him :) (because she has mentally adopted him. She told him to call her Ma and he does and Robin is like Steve. That's your mum now. And Steve's like no... Everybody calls her that. And she saysnSteve. Only Dustin. Her actual literal son. Calls her that. Guess what that makes YOU.)

Steve and whole party Lego Building Buddies? Mayhaps?

I wish tamagotchis were out in the 80's because Steve would be so diligent a Tama babysitter Erica would sell his services to her friends if they needed it lmao. He'd get all squinty and concentrated you know he'd highscore jump rope but not get the shapes game (me too buddy). Alas. Not to be.

Instead he listens to her talk about her elementary and middle school drama while looking for four leaf clovers. He also has watched MLP with her and may have teared up a little. Also, of course, she is his one true Game Master. Sorry Eddie

Mike is harder...maybe they bond over making snarky comments about people in movies, and then talk about how actually is car racing a sport? And it'd be sort of awkward because Mike has Nancy as an older sibling (even if they don't get along) and he's holding on to animosity that's pointless now. Plus Dustin and Lucas both seem to see Steve as a big brother and friend figure, but like. It's a bit weird for Mike. But still, Mike knows if he bikes to Steve's at two am he'll be hauled in and forced to sit down and asked if he wants a hug and hot chocolate.

Same with will, except Will has Jonathan (El does to but it's different) so at first they're sorta🧍🧍 staring at each other. Steve has to be like sooooo wanna. Tell me about Wizards? Or something? Cool...rocks? And Will would realize that this guy's just, y'know. A guy. Probably similar to Mike except he's not begrudging about it.

I guess a lot of Steve and the party is him listening to them and letting them actually be silly and kids, making snarky comments about the highschool dramas happening, and encouraging them to try different things (he did!) And figure out what they like outside of what they think the rest of the party likes.

[findroleplay]

🧟‍♀️

hello, welcome to my new and improved ad. i am twenty two, my pronouns are she/her and i am a searching for a zombie apocalypse rp. i've been on hiatus for a couple months due to some health issues but i've been bitten by the writing bug once more. i'm an advanced literate writer to a novella style. writing is my escapism, so with that being said -- plotting is essential for more. i adore headcanons and plots and creating little things together. i need the enthusiasm to be returned because it helps keep me invested in the characters and world we build. another important factor for me is creating pinterest boards, i don't know why it's such a game changer for me but it is. i love finding art and songs that fit, i love visuals. all of it! so i ask if my writing partners align with me on that. i will also only write with those eighteen and over.

what i'm looking for in terms of plots, is original dystopian / zombie apocalypse romance plots. i ADORE it. i play male and female muses, i'm good with any pairing but right now i do have a small lean towards mxf pairings, i don't mind which role i take. i will list here some of the tropes i adore so you can get the idea of what i'm looking for. . . enemies to lovers, villains, morally grey characters, forced proximity, tension, one bed, star crossed lovers, forbidden love, gods/goddesses, fae, vampires, elves, grumpy x sunshine, "who did this to you", touch them and die, found family, soulmates/mates, war themes, there are so many more but i feel like it will become tiresome to read so i will stop here, however, if any of it interests you, please feel free to interact or reach out and shoot me a message. i write on discord! another thing to note is the face claims i use are either realistic art or actors/actresses. if you only use female muses, you are welcome with me too! i just request that there isn't any overly submissive characters, i like having some spice and some bickering between the characters.

hopefully i've peaked your interest, i hope to find some passionate fantasy writers. much love!

-

[beautifulpersonpeach]

It's true that Scooter is an opportunist but you did not really touch up how he's heavily involved in JK's promotion. That man has literally made Jk his personal project. I understand that one of the probable things that they're doing that is to compensate for the changes in Billboard rules, but what does that tell you? He and BangPD are ready to give JK the world now just to get that #1. they literally gave JK a song for free and are handing everything to him, no sweat for the maknae. So it's okay if JK gets the special treatment? What sets him apart? I doubt Tae will get the same promotion because Scooter doesn't give a shit about him. If Tae does not get the same promotion, what then?

***

Hi Anon,

Normally, this is the sort of ask I'd delete because it's a waste of time to repeat myself. But I want to use your ask as an example of the hate thrown towards Jungkook, and Anon if you're remaining active in ARMY spaces, of someone who simply isn't being honest with themselves about what they are.

Like I said, Jungkook's promo style is consistent with what BTS has done so far for exclusively English releases promoted only in America/Europe, and so if Tae does this, he should get similar promotions for his roll-out. There are exceptions too, for example, BTS went on NPR Tiny Desk and BBC Radio 1 live, Jungkook didn't attend NPR Tiny Desk (possibly impacted by the writers strike) but Namjoon did, while Jungkook instead is doing a BBC radio 1 live. With the BB rule change, possibly all releases going forward will have more of a hybrid push, even for Korean releases.

We'll see.

Feel free to mark this post to check back in ~6 months.

But that's not really what you're asking, is it?

"He and BangPD are ready to give JK the world now just to get that #1."

'...giving JK the world' in this case being BTS Western style promotions, and yeah I'm glad they're doing it. I see a win for any BTS member as a win for BTS. As cliche as it sounds, that's how I genuinely feel. Obviously.

"they literally gave JK a song for free and are handing everything to him, no sweat for the maknae."

Funny thing is this reminds me of the drags Yoongi and Jimin solos were trading two months ago - about how Jimin got 'handed' remixes and what not, while Yoongi mostly produced his own stuff; and Jimin solos retorting with pics of Yoongi's song camp in the big house when he got stuck putting together the album. It's just such an ignorant and hateful thing to say lmao. Yeah Jungkook, like Beyonce, got a song from his agency. I personally don't care for the song, but he seems to like it, feels it matches with the image and message he wants to convey at this point, and he did a good job on it. Jimin, for FACE, wanted a more personal involvement and that's fantastic as well.

"So it's okay if JK gets the special treatment?"

If by special treatment you mean an exclusively English release getting the typical BTS treatment, then yeah. I actually don't mind it. Jungkook has been extremely vocal about the grand plans he has for his solo album, for years. I don't even bias him and I know that. He's also got good English pronunciation, has an easily marketable image already, and a literal ARMY of fans (I'm assuming not including Anon) in the US. When other members want that and are prepared for it, they'll get it. Just as when other members want to do a solo tour as Yoongi did, and are prepared for it, they'll get it. Because, you know, we can all see Yoongi getting a tour isn't 'special treatment', it's more consistent with how the group has always operated.

Basically Anon, you're angry, bitter, and overly invested in a situation over which you have almost none of the information and absolutely no control over the outcome. You've made up your mind that everything that Jungkook is getting should actually have gone to the member you bias, regardless of the nuances or context around each release. That's a recipe for disaster and misery a.k.a. turning into an akgae if you aren't one already.

Overall, this idea of dick measuring promotions between the members, is an exercise in futility IMO. To what end exactly, are you lining up their choices? Like, what's the play here? /gen.

There's much ado about parasocial relationships in k-pop, but people usually just toss that word around without actually understanding what it means. Anon, I suggest you find a way to process your emotions and be honest with yourself about what you actually know, why you're feeling the way you are, and what that means for you going forward. This has practically nothing to do with Scooter, or Bang PD, or Jungkook, or even Jimin. It's 100% to do with you.

[betaphannie]

Thoughts about the latest video essay about the phandom

This is more about how Certain People have spoken about the phandom, but that video really showed many of the gripes I have with people talking about the phandom.

rant/thoughts under the cut

One thing I notice a lot of people when talking about the phandom's past never mention is the existence of antis (If you aren't aware, back in the day before dnp came out there were a plethora of people who insisted that dnp were straight, not dating, and shipping them was violating their privacy. These people were members of the phandom deemed "antis."). Imo, antis were just as loud as demons, and honestly being in the phandom at that point usually meant that any kind of belief that dnp were queer and/or dating was met with pushback from antis. Like all the time.

I find this exclusion of any mention of them in these video essays and retrospectives odd, especially since people tend to treat the entire phandom as demons that were running around and analyzing/shipping dnp "without any moderation" (to quote the latest video essay), when that moderation often came from within in the phandom itself. I can't speak for earlier eras of the phandom, but when I joined in 2016, you could not avoid seeing phandom "rules" outlining when it was inappropriate to to tag dnp, what should not be talked about in detail within the phandom, what should not be sent in the chat during live shows etc. Between the phandom's own rules and antis sending out death threats at the smallest speculation, the phandom was in a constant state of tension from policing themselves. It was not a free-for-all wild west that people tend to view it as.

Also, for at least the era that I joined, the phandom was very aware of the reputation they had online. I knew of this reputation myself before I had joined, which was part of the reason I avoided watching dnp for a couple of years before caving. There were constant videos and posts being made to hate on the phandom. Dnp was a fandom that people associated with teenage girls, and as we all know there is nothing the internet hates more than teen girls. And these girls were also often emos, which was to say that they were especially hated and viewed as "cringe." I think that all the years of phannies trying to distance themselves from those stereotypes led to this overall feeling of Shame for being in the phandom. You felt like you had to constantly prove you weren't one of the Bad Ones, regardless on your actual opinions on dnp's relationship.

It's also weird to me how people discussing the phandom seem to act as though RPF and speculation surrounding real-life people's relationship is a novel concept and dnp are the only case of this occuring. It wasn't considered Super Cringe when normies tried to figure out if Tom Holland and Zendaya had a thing for each other, but getting invested in the lives of two people who literally made it their career to share their lives with the internet is somehow outlandish. I'm not saying it's good to be overly invested in a stranger's life even if they are sharing parts of themselves online, but this behavior wasn't exactly unique in the phandom, and yet the phandom always gets the brute end of parasocial relantionship critisms, even though dnp themselves talk about how much they treasure the relationship they have with their audience.

I think the phandom is a very interesting fandom with interesting history, structures, and lore. However, it is constantly reduced the shipping/speculation from demons and nothing else, which honestly to me seems to come from the fact that there is an urge within people not in a group to feel better and more intelligent than the people inside that group and a refusal to want to actually understand that group. The behaviour from antis and people "caught in the middle" is just as important to understanding its history and why the people currently in the phandom act the way they do, but that doesn't make a video where you can laugh at The Weirdos for liking something too much. Also, despite the fact that people love to criticize the phandom because they believe all the phandom cares about is dnp's relationship, those same people love focusing entirely on that themselves.