#Our story begins on a lazy afternoon

[diningwalldecor123]

 Cotton Candy Photo Frames A Sweet Treat The Wishing Chair

Our story begins on a lazy afternoon, holed up in The Wishing Chair’s studio, taking a collective walk down memory lane – to days that were about minty drinks and hammocks, paperback weekends squandered at the beach and walks on wet grass with a loved one.

It struck us then, that surely everyone must have had such moments – snap happy days of contentment and simple joys. Picture perfect occasions that deserve to be preserved. Well we’re here to serve.

Got a retro romance? We think it ought to be framed!

So we’ve used the softest, coolest pastels – serene blues, refreshing greens and blushing pinks of the prettiest persuasion – to create gorgeous picture holders for your dearest memories. And just in time for an Haute summer.

At The Wishing Chair we love patterns of the timeless kind – checkered prints, bold stripes, cheerful chevron, playful polka dots. This time though, we hand drew a lovely harlequin motif to make these quaint photo frames. You know, because diamonds are aces. Well plaid, wouldn’t you say?

Photo Op-portunity

They say it’s the thought that counts. And what could be more thoughtful than the gift of a precious memory, encased in the warm, wistful colours of youth. So swing by one of our stores, or if you prefer, we’re also online, and grab yourself a photo frame or three.

Give them pride of place on your mantle, tuck them into a bedside nook, or find them a home on your desk. We’re certain they’ll fit right in, and leave you fifty shades of pleased as punch.

READ MORE.....Home Decor Gifts Planter Vase Dining Wall Decor Tea Coffee Mugs– The Wishing Chair

[driverlando]

hii!! i saw requests were open and i lunged. maybe friends to lovers oscar and reader? all the oscat evidence has got me thinking, and what if you bring up how much of a polite cat he is, and then you start rambling about how awesome he is, and you've basically spelled out your feelings. what happens next is up to you! love all your writing, and i've already said this, but congrats on 1k!!

thank you angel!! 🫶🫶

—

You’ve always known Oscar to be a polite and considerate friend, the kind of person who remembers little details about your day and always offers a helping hand.

Over the years, your friendship has been a comforting constant, filled with shared laughter and quiet moments of understanding. But lately, the lines between friendship and something more have started to blur.

It happens on a lazy Saturday afternoon. The two of you are lounging on your couch, a half-finished puzzle sprawled out on the coffee table. You’re both in a playful, relaxed mood, teasing each other about the pieces.

“You’re like a cat, you know,” you say suddenly, the thought popping into your head. “Always so polite and considerate, but with this underlying charm and mystery.”

Oscar laughs, a warm sound that makes your heart flutter. “A polite cat, huh? That’s a new one.”

You sit up, feeling a surge of affection that compels you to continue. “Seriously, Oscar. You’re always there for me, you remember the smallest things, and you’re just… awesome. Like, when I was stressed about that presentation, you stayed up with me even though you had a race the next day. And you’re always checking in, making sure I’m okay. I don’t think you realize how much that means to me.”

Oscar’s smile fades slightly, his eyes searching yours. “I just care about you,” he says softly.

The words tumble out before you can stop them. “And I care about you, too. More than you know. You’re this incredible person, and sometimes I feel like I don’t tell you enough how much you mean to me. I… I think I’m falling for you, Oscar.”

A silence falls between you, the air thick with tension. Oscar’s expression is unreadable, and you start to panic, thinking you might have ruined everything. But then he reaches out, his hand gently cupping your cheek.

“I’ve been feeling the same way,” he confesses, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know how to bring it up. I didn’t want to risk our friendship.”

You lean into his touch, relief and joy washing over you. “So, what do we do now?” you ask, your voice trembling with emotion.

Oscar’s thumb strokes your cheek, his eyes never leaving yours. “I think we take it one step at a time,” he says, leaning in slowly. “Starting with this.”

His lips meet yours in a tender, lingering kiss that speaks volumes. All the unspoken words, the shared moments, and the simmering feelings finally come together in that kiss. It’s the beginning of something beautiful, a new chapter in your story with Oscar. And as you pull away, you see the same love and promise reflected in his eyes.

“One step at a time,” you agree, smiling through your tears. And in that moment, you know that whatever comes next, you’ll face it together.

[seoulzie]

neighbour antics

WHEREIN: a playful exchange of notes with the boy next door turns into a connection

彡 pairing: hyuka x gn!reader 彡 genre: fluff 彡 warnings: none :)

༘˚🌻⋆ read the whole collection here!

moving into the neighborhood at the beginning of summer felt like a fresh start. the air was fragrant with blooming flowers, and the sun bathed everything in a warm glow. your new house had a cozy, inviting feel, with a large window in your room overlooking the street. as you unpacked your belongings, you heard the sound of laughter from outside. curious, you peeked out the window and saw a boy about your age playing basketball in the driveway next door. his smile was infectious, and you couldn't help but watch him for a while. suddenly, he looked up and caught your eye. you quickly ducked out of sight, feeling your cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

the next day, as you were settling into your new home, you heard a knock on the door. opening it, you were greeted by the boy from next door, holding a plate of freshly baked cookies. "hi, i'm huening kai. my family and i live next door. we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood," he said with a warm smile.

you introduced yourself and accepted the cookies, feeling a flutter in your chest at his kindness. over the next few days, you noticed kai often playing outside or helping his parents with chores. you exchanged shy waves and smiles, but neither of you made a move to talk further. one lazy afternoon, as you were reading by your window, you noticed kai's window was directly opposite yours. an idea sparked in your mind, and you grabbed a whiteboard and marker. writing a quick message, you held it up to your window: "hi, neighbor!"

kai looked up from his desk and broke into a grin. he rummaged around his room before holding up his own whiteboard: "hi there! what's up?" and so it began – the start of your unique window messages. every morning, you would wake up to see a new message from kai, and you would reply with your own. it became a cherished routine, one that made you look forward to each day.

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as weeks turned into months, your conversations grew longer and more personal. you shared stories, secrets, and dreams through your window. kai's sweet and thoughtful nature shone through in every message, and you found yourself drawn to him more and more. one evening, as the sun set, you heard a soft tapping on your window. you looked up to see kai holding up a sign: "want to go for a walk?"

your heart skipped a beat as you grabbed your whiteboard and wrote back, "yes!" minutes later, you found yourself outside, walking side by side with kai under the starry night sky. the air was cool and crisp, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead. the stars twinkled above, creating a magical backdrop for your stroll.

"i really enjoy our little notes," kai said, his voice soft. "but i think i like spending time with you even more."

you felt a blush creep up your cheeks. "me too, kai."

as you walked, the two of you fell into an easy rhythm, talking about everything and nothing. you shared your favorite memories from childhood, your dreams for the future, and the little things that made you happy. kai listened intently, his eyes never leaving yours.

after a while, you reached a small park and decided to sit on a bench under a large oak tree. the park was quiet, with only the sound of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. you leaned back, taking in the serene surroundings, and glanced at kai.

"isn't this technically a date?" you teased, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

kai's eyes widened in surprise, and a blush spread across his cheeks. "i... i guess it is," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "i didn't really think about it that way, but... yeah, it does feel like one."

you giggled, finding his flustered reaction adorable. "well, if it is a date, it's a pretty good one," you said, giving him a reassuring smile.

kai's eyes softened, and he relaxed a little. "i'm glad you think so," he replied, his voice warm. "i wanted to spend time with you, just the two of us."

you sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. kai's presence was calming, and you felt a sense of contentment wash over you. as the night grew colder, kai noticed you shivering slightly and draped his jacket over your shoulders.

"here, this should help," he said, his voice full of concern.

"thanks, kai," you replied, pulling the jacket tighter around you. the gesture warmed your heart, and you couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness.

as you walked back home, you felt a sense of happiness and anticipation. this night had brought you closer to kai, and you couldn't wait to see what the future held for the two of you. kai's gestures of kindness were endless – he always made sure you were comfortable, always knew how to make you smile.

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life with kai was simple yet filled with heartfelt moments. as you watched the raindrops race down your window, you saw kai holding up a sign: "want to play in the rain?" you laughed and nodded, grabbing your raincoat and boots. soon, you were both outside, the rain soaking you almost immediately.

kai took your hand and pulled you towards the backyard. the rain fell steadily, creating little rivers along the sidewalks and puddles in the grass. the sound of the raindrops hitting the leaves and the ground was like a soothing melody, and you couldn't help but smile at the refreshing feeling of the rain on your skin.

kai's laughter was infectious as he splashed through the puddles, his boyish grin lighting up his face. "come on!" he shouted, kicking up water as he ran ahead. you chased after him, giggling as you both darted through the yard, the cool rain invigorating and freeing.

at one point, you slipped on the wet grass, and kai was there in an instant, helping you up with a concerned look in his eyes. "are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

you laughed, brushing off the mud from your clothes. "i'm fine, kai. this is so much fun!"

relieved, he grinned and pulled you into a spontaneous dance, spinning you around as the rain continued to fall. the world around you seemed to blur, the only thing in focus was kai's joyful face and the warmth of his hand in yours.

as you twirled together, you realized how magical this moment was. the rain, the laughter, and the simple act of playing together made everything else fade away. it was just you and kai, sharing a perfect moment in the rain.

after a while, you both started to feel the chill, and kai suggested, "how about we go inside and dry off? i'll make us some hot chocolate."

you nodded, and hand in hand, you both made your way back to the house, dripping wet but filled with happiness.

another time, you were studying for an important exam and feeling incredibly stressed. your notes were scattered around you, and your head was pounding from hours of trying to cram information. just when you thought you couldn't take it anymore, you heard a knock on your door.

opening it, you found kai standing there with a container in his hands. "hey," he said with a warm smile, holding up the container. "we had some leftovers, and i know how much you like my mom’s baking, so i thought you might need a break."

your heart melted at his thoughtfulness. "thank you, kai. you have no idea how much i needed this."

he handed you the container, and the familiar aroma of your favorite pastry filled the room. "i figured you'd be tired of studying, so i hope this helps."

you sat down together, and as you ate, the delicious food and kai's company eased your stress. "this is amazing," you said, savoring each bite. "you always know just how to make things better."

kai's eyes twinkled with affection. "i'm glad. just remember to take breaks, okay? you've got this!"

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one evening, as the winter chill seeped into the air, you and kai found yourselves once again cuddled up on the couch, watching another movie. the snow outside was falling in thick, fluffy flakes, creating a serene scene beyond the window. the fire crackled warmly in the hearth, casting a cozy glow around the room.

as the movie reached its emotional climax, you noticed kai fidgeting slightly beside you. his usual calm demeanor seemed a bit off, and you couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind. when the credits began to roll, he turned to you, his eyes full of a mix of determination and nervousness.

"hey," he began softly, his voice a bit shaky. "there's something i need to tell you."

you looked at him, concern and curiosity in your eyes. "what is it, kai?"

he took a deep breath, clearly gathering his courage. "we've been spending a lot of time together, and i... i really enjoy it. more than anything, really."

you smiled, your heart swelling at his words. "i do too, kai."

he nodded, his expression serious. "and, well, i can't stop thinking about you. you're always on my mind, and i realize that... i want us to be more than just friends."

your heart began to race as you understood where he was going with this. "kai..."

he held up a hand, stopping you gently. "wait, let me finish. i... i really like you, and i want to be with you. so, um..." he paused, his cheeks flushing with a deep blush as he stumbled over his words. "can i be your girlfriend? wait, no! i mean, can i be your boyfriend? i mean... will you be my girlfriend?"

you couldn't help but laugh at his adorable mix-up, feeling a wave of affection wash over you. his earnestness and vulnerability were incredibly endearing.

"kai," you said, reaching out to take his hand. "of course, i'll be your girlfriend."

relief and joy flooded his face, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "really?"

"really," you confirmed, squeezing his hand gently. "i like you too, kai. i've been hoping you felt the same way."

his eyes lit up with pure happiness, and he moved closer to you, his hand gently cupping your cheek. "i'm so glad," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

he leaned in slowly, giving you plenty of time to back away if you wanted to. but you didn't. you closed the distance between you, your lips meeting his in a soft, tender kiss. it was sweet and innocent, filled with all the unspoken feelings that had been building between you for so long.

when you finally pulled away, both of you were smiling, your foreheads resting against each other. "i promise i'll do my best to make you happy," kai said softly.

"i know you will," you said, your heart overflowing with affection. "you already do."

as you settled back into the warmth of the couch, kai wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close. you snuggled against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. the world outside continued to be a wintry wonderland, but inside, everything felt perfect. with kai by your side and the promise of a beautiful relationship ahead, you knew that this was just the beginning of something truly special.

⋆˚࿔ taglist! @flowzel , @izzyy-stuff , @inkigayocamman , @vicurious28

© 2024 seoulzie

[syuga-s]

i made my fiancés tinder profile

w.c. 8.5k pairing. non-idol!jeon jungkook x fem!reader genre. cute and angsty friends to lovers <333 a/n. idk guys i wrote this like a month ago but I JUST GOT THE ENERGY TO POST IT so i apologize in advance if you find mistakes here and there, ALSO i made the playlist that inspired me to make this fic so i'll just leave it here if you want to give it a listen or save it don't look at my other playlists tho they're a mess 🦦

You always thought you were pretty good at giving dating advice. It’s easier when you’re not the one doing the dating, right? That’s how it all started with Jungkook. You two were chilling at your apartment one lazy Sunday afternoon when you suddenly blurted out, “Why are you still single, Jungkook? You’re amazing, good-looking, and fun. You should at least be on like three different dating apps.”

He laughed, running a hand through his hair in that effortlessly cool way he always did. “Dunno' just haven’t found the right person,” he said with a smile that made you heart do a weird little flip. “I don’t think I’m good at dating, haha.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you shot back, sitting up. “Let's make you an account. We’ll get you some matches in no time.”

He hesitated for a second, then shrugged. “Sure, let's do it.”

And that’s how you ended up setting up his profile, not realizing that this would be the beginning of the end of your denial and the start of a love story you never saw coming.

You grabbed his phone and he settled onto the couch next to you. “Okay, first things first. We need some killer photos. Let’s start with your main picture.”

You opened the camera app. You sat there, looking at his phone for a minute before he let out a loud laugh.

You looked up. “What is it?"

He grinned, pointing at something behind you. "It's just Tae taking a picture of us setting up a dating profile," Jungkook said, chuckling.

You turned around to see Taehyung standing in the doorway, holding his phone up with a huge grin on his face. "Don't mind me," Taehyung sang out, winking at the two of you. "Just capturing this for posterity."

Tae showed Jungkook the picture and a fit of laughter erupted again, now from the two of them. "Your face! You look so focused and super serious right now."

Rolling your eyes, you lightly smacked his arm. "This is serious business! We need to find the perfect picture to reel in all the potential matches."

Then you started browsing through his photo gallery to curate the most attractive selection of pictures.

There you had him on the gym doing weights, him on his boxing gear, with his dogs, him doing the dishes with a strangely tight black shirt, a few selfies on his car, with his motorcycle. You could sell a whole album with his photos, how on earth would you do him justice and only choose 10 of them?

"Why is this so hard?"

Jungkook chuckled. "Because you're not choosing photos for a profile, you're trying to find a reason to stare at me and my body for too long."

"Boy, I'm trying to help you here, and if I'm gonna do it, I might as well do this like a professional matchmaker." You retorted.

His eyebrows furrowed. "When have you ever paired someone up?"

You smiled smugly. "That's none of your business, Jeon."

"It is, actually, since you're helping me with this thing."

"Fine, if you must know, I hooked up one my friend's older sister with my college roommate."

"Really? How did that go?" He asked, curious.

"Pretty well, they've been together for a couple years now." You answered, still going through his photos.

"Wasn't your college roommate that guy with the blue hair?" He asked, his tone changing slightly.

"Uh-huh, why?"

"Wasn't he the guy you were dating during our third year?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

"How can you forget about him?" He sounded annoyed. "You spent an entire week crying in my bed because he broke up with you."

"Oh my god, did I? I don't recall." You were playing dumb, of course you remembered but there was no need to talk about that. "What do you think of this one?" It was a shirtless picture, point blank.

"I think you look kinda slutty but everyone's gonna eat it up, you'll get a date in no time." You continued.

"I am not posting a shirtless picture, are you crazy?" He snatched the phone from your hand.

"Well, it's not like we're gonna sell the damn picture, it's just your torso and the picture is really nice, you look good, I don't know why you're making such a fuss."

He didn't say anything, just looked at you.

"What? I'm complimenting you, it's the truth." You rolled your eyes.

"Okay, thank you." He was blushing.

"Are you blushing?" You asked, amused.

"No, it's just really hot in here." He took off his hoodie, throwing it somewhere in your living room.

You didn't even realize how close he was sitting next to you. It wasn't like it was the first time he'd been on your couch, but something felt different today. It was strange.

All the photos that you chose showcased different aspects of Jungkook's personality. Each photo told a story about him - his love for his dogs, his passion for staying active, his playful side with silly selfies. As you scrolled through his gallery, you couldn't help but notice the genuine smile on his face in many of the pictures, a smile that seemed to light up the whole world.

After him putting up a fight on choosing his favorite photos of him, next you had to write him something for his bio.

Jungkook leaned in closer to read over your shoulder.

"This is stupid, what do you want me to write? My name, my age, my occupation?" He was whining.

"Yes, those things obviously, but also things like, I don't know a joke or something to sum up your personality. I want them to know you're fun and cute, mind-blowingly good at everything, something along those lines."

"I am mind-blowingly good at everything." He said, his tone confident.

You rolled your eyes.

"So let's say, what if I write 'shit i'd date the hell out of me', you like it?" You asked him with a smile.

He laughed. "I do, I really do."

"Okay, it's settled." You wrote down the phrase, and a bunch of things about him.

"Now we just have to add something that will hook them up."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, just be honest. Just, don't write that you're looking for a girl to have sex with."

"But I am looking for a girl to have sex with." Blank expression on his face.

"You are so dumb sometimes." You threw a pillow at his face.

He caught it mid-air. "God, you know I'm not look— this was YOUR IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE!" He yelled, trying to defend himself.

"Yeah, but, just write something that will make you look not like a manwhore."

He thought for a moment. "I know, I got it."

"Okay, shoot."

"I'm a manwhore." He had the brightest smile.

"Oh, for the love of..." You couldn't help but laugh at his antics. "Alright, fine. If that's what you want to go with, who am I to stop you?"

You two were done, and he was already getting notifications.

"Woah, that was... surprisingly fast." He was surprised, and you were proud of yourself.

"Of course, you're hot and cute. We don't see your type in dating apps very often."

He gave you a weird look, you couldn't quite figure out. "Thanks?"

"No worries, I'm sure you'll find someone in no time." You patted him on the back as you were getting up and ready to go to the kitchen and make some dinner. "See who you like and I'll help you on how to ask them on a date."

"Okay." He smiled.

"What are you smiling at? Are you looking at them already?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to see which one of these girls will be our first victim."

"Don't call them victims." You laughed.

The truth is that Jungkook only agreed to this because he loves spending time with you.

As you busied yourself in the kitchen, Jungkook couldn't shake the warmth spreading through his chest. He scrolled through the notifications on his phone, half-heartedly swiping left and right. His mind wasn't on finding a date; it was on you.

He couldn't believe he agreed to this. Making a profile on Tinder just to humor the best friend he was in love with, seemed harmless at first, but now, seeing the app light up with potential matches, he felt burdened. He wasn't here to date. He was here because he wanted to be closer to you, even if it meant pretending to search for someone else.

Each time a new message popped up, he found himself wondering if you'd approve. Would you laugh at the cheesy pickup lines together? Would you help him craft witty responses? He realized he didn't care about meeting any of these girls; he only cared about spending time with you.

But as much as he tried to focus on the dating app in front of him, his thoughts kept drifting back to you. To the way you laughed and teased him, to the way you always seemed to know what he needed even when he didn't realize it himself. Jungkook found himself longing for something he couldn't quite name, a feeling that stirred deep within him whenever he was near you.

He sighed, setting his phone down on the coffee table as he leaned back on the couch because he didn't bother looking through any of the profiles. Instead he made his way to the kitchen, where you were standing over a pot, stirring absentmindedly.

He stepped up behind you, watching as you stirred. His chest was warm, and he had a strange urge to wrap his arms around you and nuzzle his nose into your neck.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft.

You turned your head slightly, not looking at him but smiling. "Hey."

Jungkook took a step closer, placing his hand over yours. "Let me help," he said.

You handed him the wooden spoon, your fingers brushing against his in the exchange. He stirred the pot gently, mirroring the way he wanted to handle your heart. Neither of you spoke, the only sound filling the room was the clinking of utensils against the pot.

"You okay there?" Your voice broke through his daydreaming.

He answered you softly while running a hand through his hair nervously. "Yeah, just... thinking."

As the aroma of the dish wafted through the air, you felt his warmth seeping into you, comforting and familiar. You couldn't ignore the heavy tension that hung between you, thick like a fog.

He cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "So... what do we do now?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.

You turned around to face him, his eyes searching yours for answers neither of you dared to voice. "We eat dummy," you said with a laugh.

You and Jungkook sat down for dinner, the tension from earlier still lingering between you. As you ate, you caught each other stealing glances when the other wasn't looking.

"So...have you looked at any of the matches yet?" you asked, trying to break the silence.

Jungkook shifted in his seat. "A few, but no one really caught my eye," he said evasively.

You nodded, poking at your food. "Well if you see anyone you like, let me know. I want to help."

"Thanks, I will," Jungkook said with a small smile.

You returned the smile weakly, a pang in your chest at the thought of Jungkook dating someone else. You had pushed the feelings down for so long, not wanting to jeopardize your friendship. But your dumb decision of making him a dating profile forced you to confront how you really felt.

After you finished eating together, Jungkook helped you with the dishes. You dried off your hands, and he was ready to leave. Almost as if he was on a rush.

"Thanks for making dinner," he said with a smile.

You nodded. "Of course, you know I love having you over."

You stood at the door awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

Jungkook cleared his throat. "I'll text you," he said.

You gave him a thumbs-up, your voice coming out more high-pitched than normal. "Yeah, cool. See ya later."

He chuckled and leaned down to give you a hug. You wrapped your arms around him, breathing in his scent. You held him a little longer than necessary, wanting to memorize the feeling of his arms enveloping you.

Jungkook's hand lingered on your shoulder as he pulled away.

"Goodnight," he said softly, his thumb brushing against your cheek before he turned to leave. You watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. As the door closed behind him, you leaned against it, aching with the realization that you might have just pushed away the one person who meant more to you than just a friend.

If only you had the courage to do something.

The following week, you found yourself cleaning your house, the mess had piled up and you had a bunch of your clothes all over the place and that's when you found Jungkook's hoodie from last week. It had fallen between your couch and the wall, so you pulled it out with a considerable amount of force. That's when his iPod fell to the ground.

He still uses this thing? The corners of your mouth turned up involuntarily as you recalled teasing him about the ancient device.

You were surprised, most people uses their phones, or maybe he still has this thing because it was a present from you. If you hadn't seen it you wouldn't have remembered that you had given him this iPod for Christmas like 7 years ago.

You took the device in your hand and turned it on. You figured it would be nice to hear his playlists while you kept cleaning.

You should have just connected it and played it on shuffle. But I guess humans are very nosey creatures. Creatures who love to go through someone else's things, just to see another hidden side of said person.

So, like any other normal human being, you opened his lists, and started to go through them.

"Golden mix", "Euphoria", "OST's". Those were pretty standard. "Lonely nights" a bit of a stretch, "Best of the 00s", "Dance party" and "Songs to sing along". Fork found in kitchen. And there was one more playlist that caught your attention.

Simply labeled with— "Your name."

Your heart started beating faster. What is this?

You opened the playlist and you were welcomed by a list of what it seemed like... love songs.

The first one was "Best Friend". You didn't know what to think. Why did he have a playlist with songs like "Kiss me" by Matt Maltese, "Mountains" by Charlotte Day Wilson, "Making Time" by Rex Orange County. All love songs.

Then it hit you. He's in love.

You started panicking. Your heart racing with thoughts you couldn't ignore any longer. The playlist named after you echoed in your mind.

You couldn't believe it. Jungkook, your best friend, the one who always seemed so casual and carefree, had a playlist dedicated to you filled with love songs. Your mind raced as you tried to process this new information. Was it possible that he felt the same way you did? That the tension between you wasn't one-sided after all?

You sat down on the couch, still holding his iPod in your hands. The weight of it felt heavier now, as if it held all the unspoken words and emotions that had been swirling between you and Jungkook. You couldn't bring yourself to put it down; instead, you scrolled through the playlist again, each song title tugging at your heartstrings.

A sense of warmth washed over you, mingled with fear and uncertainty. What should you do now? Should you confront Jungkook about the playlist, lay all your cards on the table and risk changing everything between you? Or should you keep quiet, pretend you never stumbled upon this precious list?

You knew there was something going on, you weren't stupid. But you couldn't bring yourself to accept the possibility that the guy you love, might like you back. It's easier to pretend like nothing is happening. You have built this whole imaginary life with him in your head, but not once did you consider that it might be a two-way street.

"I already said I'm in love with you Can't you hear me? Why do you act like you don't? You know well the spark in my eyes when I look at you Can't you see it? Why do you act like you don't?"

You had been listening to the song on repeat for an hour. It was stuck in your head. Your heart was aching.

The reality was finally sinking in.

"He's in love with me," you whispered to yourself, the realization hitting you like a tidal wave. It explained so much—his kindness, his attentiveness, even his willingness to go along with making a stupid profile for a stupid dating app. But you had built walls around your heart, afraid to acknowledge the possibility that your feelings were reciprocated.

You felt a surge of emotions, a mix of joy and fear swirling inside you. Jungkook's unspoken confession through his playlist left you feeling exposed and vulnerable, yet strangely hopeful.

"Falling" played softly through the speakers, its lyrics painting a picture of longing and uncertainty. It mirrored your own inner turmoil, the battle between fear and listening to your heart for once.

You had spent so long convincing yourself that this was just a friendship, that any romantic thoughts were one-sided. Now, faced with the truth, you didn't know what to do next. Should you tell Jungkook? Should you pretend you never saw the playlist?

Your mind raced with questions, but deep down, you knew you couldn't ignore this any longer. Jungkook's feelings were out in the open, laid bare through these songs that said a lot about his emotions.

Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes and let the music wash over you. Each melody, each lyric felt like a confession, a plea for you to see what had been in front of you all along.

"I already said I'm in love with you," the lyrics repeated in your mind, echoing the words you longed to hear from Jungkook himself.

The weight of the situation settled over you. You constructed the exact same playlist on your own phone, replaying it endlessly, searching for answers in the same songs he had chosen. It became a ritual, a way to understand what Jungkook hadn't yet said aloud. Each track felt like a message, a confession hidden in plain sight.

As days passed, the playlist became a lifeline, a connection to Jungkook that transcended words. You wondered if he knew the impact his secret gesture had on you, if he realized how deeply you analyzed each song, each lyric, each subtle hint of affection.

It was as if the playlist had become a conversation between your hearts, a silent dialogue that spoke volumes about your unspoken emotions. You couldn't deny the truth any longer—the love you felt for Jungkook had bloomed quietly, nurtured by his unwavering presence in your life and it reflected in the selection of songs carefully chosen by him.

And so you continued to listen, to immerse yourself in the music that spoke of love and longing. It was a soundtrack to his emotions, a testament to the unspeakable love that had grown between you and him.

The guys had planned a small gathering at your house. Hoseok, Jimin and Tae arrived at the same time around 8:00 p.m. with food, drinks and Cards Against Humanity. They were already having fun when they rang the bell.

"Hey," you said as you opened the door.

"Hey!" they greeted you.

You all headed towards the living room and they placed the things they brought on the table.

You chuckled, feeling a wave of warmth at their enthusiasm. "Thanks for coming, guys. I've got the place ready—cleaned up only for you the other day," you teased, motioning towards the neatly arranged living room.

As you all settled in, chatting and unpacking the snacks and games, there was a noticeable absence. Jungkook hadn't arrived yet, and though you tried not to dwell on it, his absence didn't go unnoticed by your friends.

"Where's Jungkook?" Tae finally asked, voicing the question that lingered in the air.

You shrugged nonchalantly, though your heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. "Not sure. He said he might be a bit late."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow, exchanging a knowing look with Jimin. "Didn't he say he was gonna meet with someone from Tinder?"

"Tinder?"

"You know, the dating app," Tae chimed in, taking a bite of a snack.

"I know what Tinder is Tae,” you replied with a laugh, trying to keep your cool.

"So you didn't know he was on a date?"

"No, he didn't tell me. Are you serious? He's on a date right now?" Your voice came out louder than expected, and you cursed yourself for the slip.

Jimin frowned, concerned. "Are you okay, Y/N?"

You waved dismissively, trying to downplay the hurt and disappointment. "Yeah, all good... well, more food and games for us until he gets here."

You tried to push down the gnawing feeling of jealousy that threatened to surface at the thought of Jungkook on a date with someone else. The idea of him with another person stirred up emotions you had been trying so hard to accept the past days. You forced a smile as you joined in the banter and laughter, attempting to bury your own conflicting emotions.

Despite their casual remarks, you couldn't shake the unease settling in your stomach. You hoped Jungkook would arrive soon, eager for his presence to dispel the nervous tension building within you.

The minutes ticked by, filled with laughter and infinite jokes over Cards Against Humanity. Each time the doorbell rang, you found yourself tensing, hoping it was him. But each time, it turned out to be someone else—a delivery person, one of your neighbors...

As the evening progressed, you couldn't help but steal glances at your phone, checking for any messages from Jungkook. But you decided not to keep waiting and decided to send him a text first.

'whats taking you so longggggggg' it read.

He replied instantly. 'i'm outside, coming now'

You put down your phone, your heart pounding. A few seconds later, you heard familiar footsteps approaching and there was a knock on the door. You got up, heading towards the door.

"He's here!" Tae exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face as he jumped up to answer the door with you.

You held your breath as Jungkook stepped inside, a sheepish smile on his lips as he greeted everyone. His eyes met yours briefly, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down.

"Sorry I'm late guys," Jungkook said, setting down a bag of drinks next to Tae's.

Jimin smirked teasingly. "Lost track of time, huh?"

Jungkook chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Haha nah,"

Absolutely not. It was a disaster. Why did I agree to this? She seemed nice enough online, he thought, but in person... It just wasn’t there. The conversation felt forced, and I couldn’t wait for it to end. He grimaced, recalling how he struggled to find common ground and forced a laugh at her jokes. I should've been with y/n tonight, helping her get everything ready for this.

Of course, all of that stayed in his head. He was embarrassed to tell everyone how much he hated meeting someone new. It would just give your friends the opening to tease him more about it.

"Well, you made it, and we're all here now. So let's start" you suggested, breaking the silence.

His eyes sought out yours, finding a mix of emotions reflected back at him—surprise, curiosity, and something he couldn't quite place.

Everyone nodded in agreement and moved to gather around the coffee table, pulling your cushions closer.

With Jungkook's presence, the gathering felt complete, as if a missing piece had been found.

And as you all laughed and played into the night, you couldn't ignore the way Jungkook's gaze lingered on you, a silent reassurance of the feelings you'd been trying to suppress.

"I'm going to take a photo of this." Tae announced, lifting up his beer.

You and the others followed suit, holding your drinks up and smiling. Jungkook on your right got closer to you for the picture, cheek to cheek, his scent surrounding you. You wanted to lean in and practically inhale him.

"Perfect." Tae snapped the shot, and then showed it to the group. "What do you think, everyone?"

Everyone agreed that it was a good photo.

"We all look great," Tae said.

"But not as good as those two," Hoseok joked.

You rolled your eyes. "Please."

"It's true," Hoseok insisted. "You guys look good together."

Jimin nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "They're right. You’d make a cute couple."

Jungkook felt shy at their words. It's not like he was trying to hide his feelings for you, but he hadn't exactly made his intentions known, either. It was frustrating, wanting to be closer to you but not knowing how.

At least it was encouraging to know that your closest friends were seeing you both that way. That meant he had hope, right?

"Okay, that's enough," you said, feeling your cheeks heat up. "Let's keep playing."

As the game resumed, the group's attention shifted back to the cards.

You cleared your throat, shifting awkwardly on the cushion. "So... how was your date?"

Jungkook winced, not meeting your eyes. "It was okay," he said, his tone lacking enthusiasm.

You bit your lip, curiosity gnawing at you. "Just okay? What happened?"

Jungkook shook his head, still not meeting your gaze. "I don't know. It just didn't feel right, I guess."

You tilted your head, searching his face. "What do you mean?"

Jungkook shrugged, a sheepish expression on his face. "It was just... awkward. We didn't really click. I don't know."

Your chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling inside. "Oh," you managed, turning back to the game. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not good at this kind of thing, you know? Meeting new people, going on dates. It's hard for me. I'd rather be with people I already know and trust."

You knew what he meant. The same went for you. It was hard enough trying to navigate your feelings without having to worry about other people, too.

You nodded, giving him a small smile. "I get it."

"I just wish it could be easier, you know? Like, finding someone you actually like who happens to also like you back, and not having to worry about anything else. Just enjoying each other's company."

Your breath caught, your mind reeling from his words. And from the way he was looking at you, you could tell he wasn't just talking about friendship.

"Why would you say something like that?" you questioned, the words tumbling out before you could stop them.

Jungkook's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? Say something like what?"

"That you wish you could be with someone who actually likes you and not have to worry about anything else."

"I... because it's true. I don't want to go on stupid dates anymore, I want to be with someone I care about. Someone I can laugh and have fun with."

You swallowed, your pulse quickening.

"Someone like who?"

Jungkook exhaled, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think you know who," he said quietly.

You stared at him, speechless, as his words sunk in. Your heart was racing, your body buzzing with adrenaline.

Hoseok, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly made himself heard, "I think I'm stuck in your bathroom!"

You and Jungkook turned to find your friend, who sounded flustered and slightly panicked. Jimin and Tae burst into laughter, trying to contain themselves as Hoseok continued to tug at the bathroom door.

"What do you mean you're stuck?" Jimin managed to ask between giggles.

Hoseok yelled helplessly. "I went in to use the bathroom, and now the door won't open!"

Jungkook glanced at you with a bemused smile, the tension from earlier dissipating with the absurdity of the situation. "Seriously, Hobi?" he chuckled.

Hoseok sounded exasperated. "It's not funny! How am I supposed to get out of here?"

"I'll go get some tools," Tae offered, still chuckling as he headed towards the kitchen.

You stepped closer to the bathroom door, trying to assess the situation. "It's just stuck. Let me try," you suggested, reaching for the handle and giving it a firm tug.

To everyone's surprise, the door swung open easily, revealing Hoseok looking both relieved and slightly embarrassed. "Oh, thanks, I swear it was stuck…"

Jimin clapped Hoseok on the back, still laughing. "Sure it was, Hobi. Sure."

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur of laughter and games, and despite the lingering awkwardness from earlier, you were glad that the night had gone well.

It was close to 2:00 a.m. when your friends finally began to call it a night, and you were exhausted.

"Thanks again for coming, everyone. I had a lot of funnnn," you said, giving them each a hug goodbye.

Jungkook was still on your kitchen helping you clean up all the mess you made. Drying the dishes and placing the glasses on your cabinets. You were cleaning up the table when he walked up to you.

"Need any help?"

"I'm done, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"I am, thanks Kookie,"

You started walking towards your room when you heard him speak up.

"I really liked being here tonight."

"I know it was a lot of fun," you replied with a small smile. You grabbed his hoodie and his iPod to return them. Staring at the endearing device. Almost as if it were something fragile.

"I'm glad you had a good time," you responded as you walked back to the kitchen, handing him back his belongings. As you stood there in the dimly lit room, a comfortable silence settled between you. Jungkook's gaze was intense as he looked at you, his eyes searching yours for something unspoken.

Jungkook paused his moves, as if weighing his next words carefully. "I was thinking... maybe we could hang out again this week, just the two of us."

"What about the girl from Tinder?" you asked as you returned to face him, your tone sharper than you intended.

Jungkook frowned, confusion clouding his features. "What are you talking about? You know I went on one date. I told you it was a disaster."

You sighed, suddenly feeling foolish. "Yeah, I know, don't know why I asked that, haha" you muttered. "Didn't know you still used this thing,"

He smiled, his fingers brushing over the iPod. "I still love my music in here, you know, it sounds a lot better"

"Yeah, that's what I thought,"

He looked at you intently, and the air between you seemed to grow heavy.

"I've missed spending time with you, Y/N."

Your breath caught in your throat, your pulse quickening as you stared at him. "Me too," you whispered.

"So, is that a yes?"

"A yes to what?"

"The offer to hang out,"

"Oh, right. Um, yeah, sure. Sounds nice."

Jungkook's face lit up. "Cool. Well, I guess I'll see you later, then." With a final smile, he turned and left.

You watched him go and your mind was spinning. Jungkook's words echoed in your head, his words sending a flutter through your chest. You couldn't help but grin. Maybe there was hope for you two after all.

The following day, you woke up to the sun streaming in through your curtains, illuminating the room in a soft glow. You stretched lazily, savoring the warmth of your bed, before reluctantly climbing out and heading to the bathroom to wash up.

Unconciously, you began to shut yourself out. You had spent the whole night awake, thoughts about the possibility of being with your best friend swirling around your head, preventing you from falling asleep.

As you brushed your teeth, you heard your phone buzz. It was a text from him.

'Good morning'

A smile tugged at your lips, butterflies erupting in your stomach.

'good morning'

'can we go out today? im craving pizza'

You bit your lip, considering the invitation. A part of you was eager to see him, but another part was worried that it might be awkward, especially after the scenarios you created in your head last night.

You ended up refusing to go out with him. And he started to get anxious. He thought he may have done something wrong. That you were actually angry for going on a date or that you no longer wanted him to be part of your life just because he went out with someone else.

Jungkook started panicking.

And so, he called the guys.

"I don't know, she's just not acting normal." he sighed.

"Did something happen the other night?" Hoseok asked, concerned.

"No, I don't think so. She didn't say anything to me,"

"So why is she mad at you?"

"I have no idea. I was hoping maybe you had an idea,"

"Did she say she was mad at you?"

"Not directly, but she didn't want to go out today,"

"Well, I'm not surprised. She's probably just tired,"

"Tired?"

"Yeah, from work and all that, she's probably exhausted. I'm sure it's nothing."

"Do you think so? You don't think she's mad at me?"

"I really don't think she is. She'll probably just want to rest for a few days, and then things will go back to normal."

Your attitude changed so suddenly. You kept on cancelling on him. It’s been weeks.

"You have to talk to her, man," Jimin said.

"What do I say? How do I bring it up? Do I just ask her why she's been avoiding me? What if she doesn't know what I'm talking about?"

"Then ask her. Don't overthink it. Just say it."

Jungkook sighed, frustrated. "You make it sound so easy,"

"Look, I'm not gonna lie to you. It's probably gonna be awkward as fuck, but you can't let it get in the way of your friendship. You've been friends for so long, and it's obviously important to both of you. If she really is mad at you, then you need to find out what's going on. But if she's not, then you need to clear the air and move on. Because otherwise, this is just gonna keep getting worse and worse for you."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm just... worried, I guess."

"I know, but don't be. Everything’s fine. It’ll work out, especially if you let her know that you like her."

"What? Are you crazy? I can't just tell her that."

"Why not?"

"Because... what if she doesn't feel the same way?"

"So what if she doesn't? You'll never know unless you tell her. And if she does feel the same way, then you can finally stop being all sad and pathetic."

"You think she likes me?"

"Well, only she can tell you that, but you'll never know if you don't talk to her. So suck it up and go for it."

"Fine. I'll talk to her."

"Good."

"But... how do I tell her?"

"Just be honest. Tell her you've been worried that something is wrong, and you want to make sure everything is okay. Then let her know how you feel. But, be prepared for her reaction. If she doesn't feel the same way, it could make things weird. But you need to deal with it and move on."

That same day you were laying down in bed, scrolling through your phone. Reading over and over the lyrics of one particular song on the playlist.

"Is there a place for me? Is there a place for us? I can't tell you how much I love you, babe Open the door Open your heart Tell me how you're feeling, I miss you so bad I'm falling to pieces"

And just like that, your phone began vibrating, your heart beating rapidly as his name flashed across the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey, are you free? Can we talk?"

"Uhm... sure, yeah. Now?"

"If it's okay, yes."

"Okay,"

"I'm coming up now."

"Wait, wha-..."

Jungkook was already at your door, knocking frantically. You opened it for him, your heart in your throat.

He stood before you, looking determined. His eyes were wide, his hair tousled, and he was out of breath, as if he had just run a marathon.

"Sorry, I was already on my way. I had to do it now. I have to say it, because otherwise, I won't have the courage to say it some other time,"

"Okay?"

He inhaled deeply, his eyes locked on yours.

"Y/N, I really, really like you. And I've been so confused and conflicted because I've always liked you, then I started thinking that maybe there was more. And then I realized there was. I really, really like you."

You swallowed hard, the words ringing in your ears.

"I-..."

"It's okay, I just wanted you to know,"

You shook your head, struggling to comprehend what he had just told you. "I'm sorry, I'm just..."

"I know, and I'm sorry. But I had to say it."

"So, does this mean... what are you saying exactly?"

Jungkook hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Y/N, I don't expect anything from you, and I don't want things to get weird. But I just had to tell you. I'm crazy about you."

You nodded slowly, processing his words. "uh. I-... uh."

"I know it's sudden, and I'm sorry. I just couldn't hold it in anymore. But I don't want anything to change, I promise. I'll just go, and we can forget this ever happened. We can go back to the way things were, I promise. I'm sorry,"

"Jungkook, stop apologizing. It's not a bad thing, I'm just... processing. I've never had anyone say they're crazy about me before," with your phone in your hand an idea immediately came to you.

"Can I show you something?" you asked him.

"What is it?"

You walked up to him, your phone in your hand. You handed him your device and let him see your screen. There it was, the infamous playlist.

Jungkook's doe eyes widened, a small gasp escaping his lips as he noticed. "What... is this...?"

"I went through your iPod when you left your hoodie last time," you told him with an embarrassed grin. "They’re the same songs you have on yours,"

"This is so embarrassing," he groaned, his cheeks red. "You... you went through my iPod?" Jungkook asked, now with a hint of amusement in his voice.

You nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief that he wasn't angry about it. "I was curious about the music you listen to. And I found… this,”

He stared at the playlist, then back at you, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "So... does that mean you... already knew how I felt?" Jungkook asked, hope flickering in his eyes.

Your heart raced at his words, a mix of excitement and uncertainty swirling inside you. Could this really be happening? Could your long-standing friendship truly be blossoming into something more?

"Jungkook," you began, your voice barely above a whisper. "I... I like you too. More than just a friend."

"So what does this mean? That we are supposed to be together?"

"Maybe, or maybe not. It could just mean that you have great taste in music and I admire it,"

Jungkook's eyes widened with hope, a grin spreading across his face. "I've been wanting to tell you for so long, but I was afraid of ruining everything between us."

You smiled, your heart fluttering. "Me too, I’m sorry for making you worry these past few days,"

"Can I hug you?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

You nodded, wrapping your arms around his neck.

Jungkook held onto you tightly, his arms snug around your waist. You rested your chin on his shoulder, closing your eyes and inhaling his familiar scent.

After a few moments, he pulled away slightly, his hands still resting on your hips.

He looked at you with a mix of relief and uncertainty in his eyes. "So, I didn't ruin anything between us?" he murmured softly.

You shook your head, a small smile playing on your lips. "You didn't ruin anything, Jungkook. If anything, you've made everything clearer."

His shoulders relaxed slightly at your words, a hint of a smile returning to his face. "I'm glad."

"I'm glad too," you began again, your voice steady but tinged with nervousness. "But I also want you to know that... I've been thinking a lot too."

Jungkook turned to face you fully, his expression a mix of anticipation and apprehension. "About...?"

"About us," you admitted softly, meeting his gaze. "About how much I enjoy spending time with you, about how much I admire you, and... how I've felt something more than just friendship for a while now."

His eyes widened slightly, hope flickering in them. "A while?”

You nodded, a shy smile playing on your lips. "Yes, Jungkook. A while. I've just been afraid to say anything because I didn't want to lose you in case you didn't felt the same way about me."

He stepped closer to you, his hand reaching out tentatively. "Y/N... I wish I had known sooner. I've been struggling with these feelings, not knowing if you felt the same way."

"I'm sorry for not saying anything earlier," you murmured, your fingers brushing against his. "But I'm glad we're talking about it now."

He squeezed your hand gently, his eyes never leaving yours. "Me too. More than anything."

There was a moment of silence between you, the weight of your shared emotions hanging in the air. Finally, Jungkook spoke again, his voice filled with determination.

"So... what do we do now?"

You chuckled softly, feeling a surge of affection for him. "I think we take it one step at a time. We've already taken a big step today."

He nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just... really happy right now."

"Me too," you said, squeezing his hand.

"I guess the only question now is... are we... together together?" he asked hesitantly.

You grinned, your heart pounding in your chest. "Only if you want us to be,"

"Yes, yes, yes. Of course, yes,"

"Then it's settled. We're together," you giggled.

Jungkook laughed, the sound sending a warm feeling through your chest.

Cut to 4 years in the future.

There you were at a dinner with friends and family. It had been four years since you got together, but it felt like an eternity. You both were so excited for each other, for your life from now on.

"Hey, you got a little something," he whispered, brushing away a strand of hair from your cheek.

You couldn't help but smile, his touch as tender as ever. "Thanks,"

"No problem," he smiled.

Then you could hear someone clinking a glass. "A few words from the fiancé!" Jin's voice reverberated through the dimly lit restaurant.

"Y-yeah, yeah," your boyfriend stuttered, clearing his throat and standing up. He was a nervous wreck, and it was adorable.

"Um, first, thank you all for being here. It really means a lot to us. We know how important it is to have your loved ones around you on a special day, and we're so grateful for everyone who's supported us. Second, a special thanks to my future father and mother-in-law. Thank you for always being there for us and for supporting our relationship. And, um, thanks to my own parents for, uh, also supporting us."

As the guests began to laugh, your boyfriend cleared his throat and continued, his gaze fixed on yours.

"But most importantly, I want to say thank you to my amazing girlfriend. Thank you for making every day better. Thank you for always being by my side and for loving me unconditionall—"

"We know that already! Entertain us or I won't pay the bill!" Jin's loud voice interrupted again.

You couldn't help but chuckle and the guests laughed again, amused.

Your fiancé smiled, clearly enjoying the teasing.

"Alright, alright," Jungkook cleared his throat before he continued, "actually, we agreed that we'd never tell anyone how we actually got together but I guess we're past that, right babe?"

"Oh no, don't!" You blushed, a little embarrassed.

"It's a funny story," he continued. "It's kind of a long one, but this girl right here thought that the best course of action was to make me a dating app profile before telling me that she was in love with me."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"I was dumb, okay?" you joked, earning more laughter from the guests.

"So, we ended up talking to some people on said dating app and went on a few dates, which were terrible—"

"Hey! It's not my fault that you agreed even though you were also in love with me!" — "Everyone, he had a playlist with my name filled with sentimental songs like the most lovesick boy on Earth!"

"But babe trust me, it's a great playlist, by the way," you added.

"And then we got drunk, and the truth was revealed."

"What?! No way," Hoseok laughed.

"We weren’t drunk, I’m kidding, I just told her that I had liked her since the beginning," he said. "We just made a disaster, and we were both scared shitless."

"But here we are," you added.

"So, yeah, thanks for coming everyone," your fiancé concluded, his voice breaking a little as he wrapped up his little speech.

You could see him trying to blink back tears as he sat back down next to you, and you gave his hand a squeeze.

"You did great," you whispered, leaning in to give him a quick kiss.

"Thanks," he replied, his voice hoarse.

Your parents got up, taking the floor after him.

"Thank you, thank you," your mom said, a bit embarrassed.

"We’d like to share a few words as well. First, we'd like to thank everyone for coming. It's such a privilege to have all our family and friends here, and we're so thankful for your support. And we're especially grateful for our beautiful daughter and our soon-to-be son-in-law. We are so proud of both of you, and we know you'll have a long and happy life together."

"Thanks," you managed to say, overcome with emotion.

"So, now, we'd like to present the couple with a little something. It's just a small token of our love for them," your mother added, signaling for someone to come forward.

Jimin, Hoseok, and Tae stood up from the table and approached the stage, each of them holding a framed collage.

"Here, you can pass these out," your mother said, handing each of the guests copies of the photos.

You and your fiancé were stunned as the three guys presented the photos to you.

The photos were a collage of different memories: you and him during his graduation, another one from yours, a candid shot of him cooking for you, a photo of the two of you smiling in front of the sunset, and a picture of him holding your hand while you were asleep.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you took in the beautiful photos, each one capturing a special moment in your relationship. The love and happiness radiating from the images made your heart feel full to the brim. You glanced at Jungkook, whose eyes were also glistening with unshed tears, and you reached for his hand, holding it tightly.

"Thank you so much," you managed to say, your voice choked with emotion. "These are... perfect."

"I have a gift for you too," you told him, reaching under the table. You brought out a box wrapped in bright pink paper and a bow.

He looked at you with surprise, his eyes shining with curiosity as he took the box from your hands. Slowly unwrapping it, his mouth fell open in astonishment when he saw what was inside. Nestled within the box was a beautifully crafted watch, the silver band gleaming under the soft light of the restaurant.

"Oh wow," he breathed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's... it's incredible."

"It's engraved," you whispered, pointing to the back of the watch where a message was etched. His eyes widened as he read the words: 'Forever yours, Y/N.'

"I was hoping you'd wear it to the wedding," you said, grinning. "But don't cry, you'll make me cry!" you exclaimed.

"I'm not crying, I just..." he trailed off, sniffling.

"I love it," Jungkook finally managed to say, his voice filled with emotion. He stood up abruptly and pulled you into a tight hug, “I love you.”

As you both separated, there was a collective 'aww' from the guests, making you both blush.

The rest of the evening continued with laughter and joy, surrounded by the love of friends and family. People danced, sang, and shared stories late into the night. It was a celebration of love and new beginnings.

As the night winded down and guests started to leave, you found yourselves standing alone in the dimly lit space. Jungkook wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you close.

"Thank you for everything today," you said sincerely, looking into his big brown eyes.

"Thank you for being mine," he replied softly, feeling overwhelmed with happiness.

"I wouldn't want to be anyone else's," you whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

Jungkook cupped your face in his hands and placed a lingering kiss on your forehead. The world around you seemed to fade, leaving just the two of you in a bubble of the deepest affection you’ve ever felt.

[wordsbymae]

Late One Stormy Night Pt. 2

This is a continuation, including a large time jump, of my original farmer storyline, the canon events if you will. I would have loved to do this for flower seller and mousy au, however I feel it fits much better for the original farmer. I may do one for the other aus as well. Also this is just a short little snippet into where this reader ends up, I have spoken in depth about their life together, but this is years down the track, where pumpkin has finally given in.

Triggers: Pregnancy! FemReader, Stockholm syndrome ofc, reader has pretty much been brainwashed into being a perfect house wife, if you didn't know the context or if I didn't remind you within the text, it would seem like a nice love story. feminism please do not judge me

A kick against your belly halted your movements. A small smile etches across your face. You drop the washing you had just grab back into the basket that lay on the lush green ground beneath you. A gentle spring breeze floated past, bringing the scent of pine and grain past. The babe in your belly has only just started to move within you. You had yet to fully comprehend that life, a new being, was growing within you. Another kick, against both your belly and hand this time, brought a giggle to your face. The sound of tyres on dirt brought your attention to your husband pulling up in front of the house. Your giggle faded. You didn't like remembering the time before you were allowed in the house, the time you spent huddle within a stable in the barn. When you fought against his every action and offer of affection. Now, after finally putting your pride aside, you were happy. It took years, but you finally content by his side. It was so long ago know that you couldn't even really remember how you came across him. All your remember is rain, and that is all you could begin to remember before the memories fell apart like ash.

You begin to make your way to your husband, pushing aside the laundry drying along the washing line. The sun beamed down with kindness, bringing a subtle warmth across your skin.

You stopped a few metres away from him, watching as he jumped out of his pick up truck, a wide smile on his face at the sight of you.

"Well good afternoon to you pumpkin, how you feeling? That boy of mine not giving you trouble?" he greeted, turning to the tray of the truck, grabbing from it a large wooden log. He huffs as the weight of the log pushes against his shoulder.

"I'm feeling fine" you laugh, it was a game of yours to count how many times in one day he asked how you were feeling. This was his 10th ask of the day.

"We don't if its a boy yet. Could be a girl" you offer with a smirk. He was convinced it was a boy.

"Nope" he states as he walks towards the work shed, you follow behind him, begging for attention. Ever since the barn, you've been so desperate for affection.

"In the last five generations of my family, there hasn't been one girl born" he drops the log down in the dirt next to his wood working station. You pout, wondering how that is even possible and also wondering why he had a massive log to begin with.

"what's the log for?" you ask.

He turns back to you with a lazy smile, wiping sweat from his brow and he takes his hat off.

"A crib" he beams. Delight dancing in his eyes.

"Oh, that makes sense" you mutter. Your eyes begin to slowly blink in exhaustion. Carrying a baby isn't easy.

" Come on pumpkin, lets get you to bed" he drawls, grasping your hand with a gentle touch. So very different from how he used to touch you when you first arrived.

You nod lazily, still surprised with how quickly sleep comes to you these days.

"That boy of ours sure likes to cause trouble huh? He's gonna just be like his daddy, although I'm hoping he's gonna look like you sweetheart." he muses, a hand coming down to trace your belly as you walk.

The farmer smiles once more. Everything he ever wanted he has. A beautiful wife, the perfect family and more hopefuly to come after this one. He chides himself for the years spent alone, angry at the world and himself. That whole time he could have had this, a place within a family. But he wouldn't change anything, not the timing or the place. You came to him at the perfect time, you were everything he ever could have wanted and more.

He thanks himself for having the courage to take what he saw as his.

[preppyacademy]

From a meaningless virtual life to the preppy boy I am now

Elliot's story

To convince you to come to the Preppy Academy, here's Elliot's personal testimonial. His life has changed radically thanks to our school's methods. The following are his words: 

Hello, my name is Elliot, I'm 20. I'm a student at the Preppy Academy. I'd like to thank M.Gilliard, our principal, who has asked me to write an account of my time here. 

Two years ago, I was still living with my father. I often dressed in sportswear; I loved Adidas clothes, so comfortable and easy to put on. Did I do any sport? No, not at all, but my mates dressed the same, so I followed suit. When I wasn't at school, I used to play video games all the time. I wore my clothes for days on end because I was too lazy to change. My bedroom was a real dump, with everything strewn all over the place. My diet consisted of eating chips and drinking sodas. 

My father was fed up with my bad behavior. He works in business, economics, something like that. My mother left us when I was a kid, and since then it's just been me and him. He'd tell me to “tidy my room”, “get dressed properly”. But I didn't give a damn, soon, I thought, I'll be able to leave soon, and I thought I'd be able to live with a friend in a flat-share for a bit of fun. 

There was a week when I made a decision that I had regretted at the time but that now makes me what I am. That week, it was at the beginning of my school year and I was playing a game that was too epic and I wanted to do it too much, so I made my dad think I was going to high school while I was pretending. Then, when he left for work, I'd come back and play on my P.S. console. But my stupidity caught up with me, and my father was contacted by the school and told of my repeated absences. It was a Thursday lunchtime, I remember, and he came home to find me quietly in bed. He came into my dirty room and said: 

" Elliot, that's enough! You're not going to school anymore, you're dressing like crap. Look at you, you've got holes in your clothes. You haven't washed or combed your hair in days. Things are going to change for you. A colleague at work told me about a boarding school that would be perfect for you. "

I was on my phone when he said this so I half-listened, as usual. He was clearly desperate about my behavior and had every reason to be. Now I understand. At the end of the afternoon, my father called me and reminded me that he had to take me to the dentist for an annual check-up. I'd completely forgotten, it wasn't something I was interested in remembering. I stayed in the same clothes and he took me to the dentist. I really didn't remember the appointment. Once there, my father accompanied me inside. A waiting room with other parents and their teenagers. There were guys from high school, who were also dressed in sweatpants and sweatshirts and sneakers. I wasn't the only one who dressed like that, which is why it seemed normal to do so. When it was my turn, the dentist called me in. I sat down in his dentist's chair. He asked me to lie down so he could check the inside of my mouth. He put some products in my mouth to relax it. And these products were starting to put me to sleep; he'd put in more than usual. 

I had fallen asleep on his armchair, I didn't know for how long. When I woke up, my hands were tied tightly to the chair. I tried to speak, but my mouth was still anesthetized. My father was talking to the dentist, and they were both looking at me. My father had collected my things, my bag and my phone. Looking around, I soon realized that I wasn't really at the dentist. The man posing as one approached me and said: 

"Elliot, your father, has informed us of your behavior at home and has decided to leave you with us for a while. Do you agree? "

I couldn't answer as my mouth was still anesthetized. 

" Since you're not answering my question, I imagine you're completely in agreement. If you don't say anything within a minute, we'll assume you agree."

I was trying to speak to refuse and scream for help, but only discreet moans came out. 

" Then we do have your agreement. "

My eyes began to tire again and I finally dozed off again.

I don't know what treatment he gave me, but it was like a dissociation. I saw myself outside my body like a ghost looking at my body. My father left with my things. The staff laid me properly on the bed and undressed me. I was completely naked at one point. They put a red ball in my mouth and covered my mouth with a gag that held with a tight strap behind it. I was as if unable to act, in the hands of my kidnappers. They dressed me in a white short-sleeved polo shirt, buttoned all the way up, tucked into khaki shorts with a brown belt, white knee-high socks and black loafers. They then cut my hair and styled it, neatly styled to the side and held with wax. I began to regain consciousness little by little, but I felt as if I were paralyzed in my own body, between the products that were still taking effect and the bonds that prevented me from fleeing. 

"Elliot, you're back with us. We've prepared you in a more respectable outfit than the garbage you used to wear. This preppy outfit suits you much better. Your hair looks much better like this. You probably have a lot of questions, but you're in good hands. I'm Doctor Greenwood, I'm here when sometimes you need a little push to get you into the Academy. I'll leave you here tonight and you'll make your official entrance tomorrow. "

I was stuck on this bed for several hours, and above me they'd set up a screen with a series of images and sounds that I had no choice but to watch. And no matter how tempted I was to close my eyes, a deep voice kept reading every word on the moving image. Eventually, I fell asleep to the rhythm of the video, which hypnotized me as it went along. 

“I want to be a preppy boy. Good preppy boys must obey, serve, submit, behave. Good boys comply. I want to be a good preppy boy” again and again and again...

This mantra was stuck in my head like music that never wants to come out. I still felt resistance, an urge to rebel and run away, but I was blocked and strangely began to feel pleasure at the idea of being a good preppy boy. 

When I woke up, four men in their thirties, all dressed in pastel shirts tucked into their pants, with bowties and loafers, took me by force. They took me by the arms and forced me to follow them. They put me in a van and tied me up. My gag was still in my mouth and I couldn't scream. I was at their mercy, with no power or control over the situation. I was their object. 

I was taken to a large, ivy-league type establishment, at the top of the main entrance is written “Preppy Academy”. I was led inside and up the stairs. I arrive in a very elegant office, with wood paneling and bookcases on every wall. The 4 men undress me.

I find myself in a preppy outfit: a white and blue striped OCBD shirt, pastel yellow shorts, red and blue suspenders, a dark blue and red striped tie tied around my neck, long white knee-high socks and dark loafers. Nothing to do with my outfits at home. I've been completely transformed into a preppy boy. I'm left with my hands tied and my mouth gagged in this office. I don't know what to do, I'm a slave to this establishment. My outfit isn't as comfortable as the one at home, I can feel the fabric of my shirt on my torso compressing me, the suspenders holding my shorts are like two ropes binding my outfit to my body, the pulled-up socks are so humiliating, I feel like a boy. But as I think I'm disgusted by my outfit, I realize that it actually turns me on. I like to think I have to be dressed like this to feel good. A few minutes later, a man in his fifties walks in. He's dressed in a nice three-piece suit, with a red tie. He looks at me deeply: 

"Hello Elliot! Welcome to the Preppy Academy. Your father told me you weren't behaving properly at home. He contacted us and paid for your enrollment. Whether you like it or not, you're staying here. You'll wake up here and sleep here. Your education needs to be reviewed. You must learn to be a good preppy boy for your superiors. I am M.Gilliard, the principal of this prestigious establishment. I am the Master of all the students here. You owe me obedience, submission, service and respect. "

These words enchanted me, and even though I wanted to leave, I could only nod in agreement. 

"To complete your admission among us, I must collect something. "

The 4 young men from earlier return and make me sit down on the chair, holding me tight. Mr. Gilliard unzips my pants and pulls out my penis. I start moaning, not agreeing with what's happening. Mr.Gilliard puts a sort of cage on my penis, forcing it to stay very small and any erection would hurt. 

" It's called a chastity cage. I'm the only one who keeps the keys. Every good boy here is caged. Your personal pleasure doesn't matter; you're here to obey and learn to serve. Your only satisfaction at the end of the day is to please men superior to you. "

“I want to be a preppy boy. Good preppy boys must obey, serve, submit, behave. Good boys comply. I want to be a good preppy boy”. This phrase made more and more sense. I was introduced to the establishment, the rules to follow and taken to a room I had to share, with a wardrobe full of preppy clothes, nothing I'd had before. 

I've been here for two years now and I don't want to leave. I like to serve my Master when he asks for it. I like being a good preppy boy. Obedient and helpful. I don't miss my old life anymore. I encourage all boys and men to come to the Preppy Academy. You'll love it! 

[eddie-redmayne-italian-blog]

Inside The Day of the Jackal, Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch’s ambitious new hitman series

GQ speaks to the cast and crew behind Sky’s reimagination of the classic Frederick Forsyth assassin novel

By Jack King26 July 2024

1973’s The Day of the Jackal is one of those classic thrillers that dads pass down as a rite of passage. Failing that, you might’ve caught it on ITV 2 on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Edward Fox plays the titular Jackal, a killer for hire who is commissioned by the French militant far-right to assassinate president Charles de Gaulle in 1963. The film’s first act savours his scrupulous attention to detail: buying a bespoke rifle that can be broken down into innocent parts, and fake documents from a forger, for example, who he murders with his bare hands after an ill-judged extortion attempt. He’s a shapeshifting lone wolf — well, jackal — we learn little about, aside from how good he is at killing people.

Such a rich character whose mark is felt on no end of hitman movies (see David Fincher’s 2023 genre homage The Killer) is ripe for reinterpretation. Not that it went especially well last time: the last, loose attempt to contemporise The Day of the Jackal came in 1997, starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere, and the critics called it a dud. But 27 years later, Sky & Peacock have armed up for their own present-day reimagination of the source material, thrusting the Jackal into our fraught world of political division and ever-present global danger. The script was written by Top Boy writer Ronan Bennett, and the series executive produced by Downton Abbey's Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, alongside its stars Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.

“We both loved the book, and we saw the film when we were kids — I’ve seen the film many times through my life, and always really respected it,” Neame, alongside Marchant, tells GQ. While they were at first cautious to tackle source material that carries with it such esteem, to expand the story across episodic TV seemed too good an opportunity to turn down. “It’s such an iconic, gripping story, that to revisit that in a contemporary context, with all the benefits of a multi-episodic show … we thought that would be really interesting to take this much-respected IP and develop it this way.”

Marchant concurs. “I think that [this] kind of title is in so many peoples’ consciousness … And then yeah, what’s the benefit of telling this with a bigger canvas?”

Marcell Piti/SKY/Carnival

The most obvious difference about this version is that it takes place in the modern world. “If we’d stayed in the past, why do it? You can’t better the film,” Neame says. But in classic The Day of the Jackal style, Redmayne’s hitman still rocks up to more European cities than a gap year interrailer.

And so we begin the series with the Jackal in Munich. Not that we immediately recognise him: he is decked out in wrinkly prosthetics, fake hair, and wears contacts and fake teeth, disguised as an elderly German janitor. This is his way past security and into the campaign headquarters of a divisive far-right demagogue, for the purposes of a mission that we daren’t spoil further. Once he has done what he needed to do — ruthlessly dispatching half the staff with a silenced pistol en route — he makes a daring escape by absailing from the roof, just as the police arrive. So, to illustrate the vibe: think Mission Impossible meets Daniel Craig’s Bond, if he went really rogue.

It’s not a one-to-one adaptation, but fans of the original text and film needn’t worry — there’s a distinct air of reverence for them both throughout, and this version broadly covers the same plot beats, though the story is expanded for TV. As for the Jackal himself, Redmayne’s performance both evokes Fox’s classic turn and feels of his own making. “[Fox’s] performance will always be in my mind, because I loved it so much as a kid,” Redmayne tells GQ. “But at the same time, I wanted the audience to be able to oscillate between this sociopathic coldness, and a human being who wants a life, and happiness.” He points to Natalie Humphries’ costume design as an explicit example of homage. “She spoke specifically about the kind of dandy, slight peacock-y quality of the [original] movie, and how we wanted to keep those elements,” Redmayne says.

“If you know the original [film], you get these Easter eggs through the show — even some of the lines are exact matches, and scenes were shot literally shot-for-shot from the original,” Marchant says. “So there are treats along the way if you know it, which felt important to us [with] our love of the original as well.”

Some time after that first job, the familiar story begins, after a mysterious would-be client on the dark web offers the Jackal retirement-grade money for the biggest hit of his career. (Given the contemporary setting, the target obviously isn’t Charles de Gaulle, but that’s as much as we’re allowed to reveal.) And throughout the series, in another noticable departure from the source material, we delve into the Jackal’s backstory and the whys and wherefores of his chosen career path. (Again, I’d love to say more, but there’s a red laser dot hovering over my chest and I value my life.) Redmayne was initially cautious about digging too far into the Jackal’s background — traditionally, the whole point is that you know nothing about him — but was won over by the script.

“Edward Fox’s performance is so brilliant because it’s two and a half hours of [an] extraordinarily charismatic enigma,” Redmayne says. “So my challenge, as a fan of that, was to go, Wait, I only want to take this on if I feel like there is a way that unpacking [the backstory] doesn’t feel glib.”

The chance to explore the Jackal’s past, Neame says, was always the point. “We knew right from the beginning that we wouldn’t make a 10 part television series where the main character is only ever a ghost,” he says. “So that’s where the whole idea of the private life, the personal life — the fact that he’s trying to juggle this extraordinary professional world with a normal lifestyle [came from].” Later on in the series, Neame notes, another character tells him what should’ve probably been blindingly obvious: in this line of work, a healthy worThe Day of the Jackal isn’t just about the titular contract killer, of course. Much of the story unfolds as a thrilling cat and mouse, as hot on the Jackal’s heels is the Sherlock to his murderous Moriarty, French detective Claude Lebel, played in 1973 by Michel Lonsdale. In this new adaptation, the character is reimagined as a wily MI6 agent, Lashana Lynch’s Bianca, whose counter-terrorism training and firearms expertise make her the Jackal’s ideal foil. (Despite the connection you might make to one of Lynch’s more recent roles, this grounded, bureaucratic vision of His Majesty’s secret service bears little resemblance to Bond.)k/life balance just isn’t sustainable.

“When you have a character that is in either a powerful position, or works for a powerful organisation, there is this danger that happens whereby women get boxed into one of two things: either the strong one, or the damsel in some way. Both of them are actually unfair,” Lynch says. “The Bianca that I read in the first three episodes was someone who had a strength that was born from vulnerability, had confusion [around] her own identity and her meaning to her work … There was so much within her world, and within her being, that felt like a real person.”

Bianca is seen as an irritating disruptor by the people she works for; early in the first episode, her boss scribbles a mid-meeting note calling her a pain in the arse. But her unrelenting drive and commitment soon gets results. “She pushes people’s boundaries. She is annoying. She does not stop. And her boundary pushing gets very dangerous,” Lynch continues. “But [she is] also really well intentioned. She has a good heart, she just doesn’t know how to use it. Which is exciting to play, and exciting to watch.”

Ultimately, the Jackal and Bianca have more in common than they might initially realise. “The entire premise of these two protagonists that are deeply flawed human beings, and yet also compelling human beings who are kind of mirroring each other, and yet on a one way path to collision, I found that interesting,” Redmayne says.

“You’re on side with both of these people, despite the horrendous choices they’re making.”

The Day of the Jackal will premiere on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK (and Peacock in the US) on 7 November.

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/the-day-of-the-jackal-preview

[gvfgal]

The Art of Life: Epilogue

18+, minors get the hell out.

A/n: Just a nice little update on our favorite creatives!!! Thanks again for all the love on this story, feels good to close this chapter and move on to the next. As always, enjoy <3

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, explicit sexual content, soft!dom Josh, lots of teasing & pet names, exhibitionism, oral (m rec.), masturbation (f rec.), unprotected sex.

Word count: 5.1k

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

One Year Later…

“How many more damn boxes of art supplies do you have?” Sam groaned as he clambered up the stairs with a box hoisted on his shoulder.

Josh and Jake were arranging the couch to your liking as you dusted the blinds, semi-thankful to finally have some.

The new apartment you and Josh were in was another brownstone, but a bit of a step up from the one you had before. Since having graduated, you both now had steady incomes (or as steady as the income can be for an artist and a filmmaker), and decided that splurging on a place big enough for your ever blossoming love and creativity was well worth it.

The ceilings were a lot higher, and unlike your old place, this apartment had two bedrooms, one that Josh readily agreed to turn into your own personal art studio so that you could, in his words, “finally have a real damn living room”.

Josh sat his end of the couch down and crossed the room to wrap an arm around your torso.

“Guess we shouldn’t tell him about the storage unit,” he smirked at you.

“Not until after we get him high,” you gave him a quick kiss on the lips and gently shoved him in the direction of waiting boxes.

Jake groaned and stretched his back, plopping down on the couch.

“You alright over there, old man?” Josh teased as he pulled a kitchen towel out of a box. He held it up for you to inspect, ‘keep or toss?’, and you immediately shook your head in disgust.

“Yeah, I agree,” he tossed it across the room.

“I need beer,” Sam called out to no one, sitting his box down and taking a seat on top of it.

“I second that,” Jake threw a lazy hand in the air.

You sat your duster down and began making your way to the kitchen, “well, since you guys were soooo sweet for helping us, I suppose the least I could do is get you an ice cold beer,” you teased, swinging the refrigerator door open.

You grabbed four bottles from the six pack, the only thing sitting in your fridge other than a bottle of wine.

The bare necessities.

After popping the caps from each of them and discarding them on the counter, you went and passed each of the brothers one, and they all stood to their feet, knowing all too well that Josh, ever the thespian, would want to give a toast.

And true to his nature, he raised his bottle.

“To my beautiful smoking hot girlfriend,” he winked at you, causing you to roll your eyes, “and to new beginnings for us.”

“To new beginnings,” the rest of you agreed. Josh fell onto the couch, pulling you down with him to sit on his lap.

“You know I really like this sofa,” he cheesed, letting his free hand run across the smooth velvet.

You’d picked it out while strolling through Tribeca one afternoon after a showcase. Josh showed up with a bouquet of roses to congratulate you, and you decided to window shop your way back to the subway station.

You didn't buy it that day, but a few months down the line, Josh surprised you with the purchase receipt one night at his apartment.

“Set to be delivered on the day we move in together,” he pointed at the date on the paper, smiling up at you.

You then argued that that couch was too expensive, he then assured you that no purchase was too big if it meant making you happy.

Then you made love.

Snapping out of your day dream, you took a swig from your beer, “I really like it too.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

After his brothers left to explore the city, you and Josh ordered a pizza from your favorite spot and popped open the bottle of wine.

He sat and watched you paint a small piece as he fiddled with videos on his laptop. You were blabbering away about the house warming party you were scheduled to have in two weeks time.

“So I was thinking we could get a charcuterie board from that little deli on fifteenth street,” you balanced your brush and your wine glass in one hand, stroking gently on the canvas while your other hand fed your mouth pizza.

“I would say the one on eleventh but the one on fifteenth does these vegan charcuterie boards and I figured you could get one for Sam,” you took a sip of your wine and looked at him with a curious expression.

He was ogling at you with a goofy grin, causing you to furrow your brows.

“What?”

“It’s amazing to me, the way you’ve mastered the art of pizza-wine-painting. It’s pretty impressive I must say,” he chuckled as he took a bite of his own slice. “That tomato sauce on the corner of your mouth is a nice touch, too.”

There was no teasing in his voice, he stated it matter-of-factly, as if he really meant it, but your cheeks still flushed in embarrassment.

You sat your pizza down on it’s paper plate and used your sleeve to wipe your face, a much easier thing for you to do now since you had an in unit washer and dryer.

“Oh, that reminds me,” he shot up from the couch and dissapeard into the direction of your shared bedroom that was full of unpacked boxes. You heard some momentary shuffling, a loud bang, before he came inching back out, a large canvas in his grasp.

There was only one painting he could’ve possibly been carrying. He was adamant that the only artwork to be displayed in the apartment would be yours, and you sold all the other pieces that had collected in your apartment over time, (something you would’ve done earlier if you knew how much you could make, but you were glad you waited).

“Josh,” you groaned with a roll of your eyes, “I told you I dont wanna hang that one.”

“Oh come on, mama,” he begged, stopping to turn the canvas towards you, as if you hadn’t seen it a million times already.

It was the painting of him you displayed at the showcase that fateful night, seemingly the painting that brought you back to one another.

After the showcase, you had quite a few offers from people willing to buy it, but in the end you opted on keeping it, after all, it was the painting you were most proud of.

Still, that didn’t mean you wanted it hanging in your house.

“You can’t tell me this isn’t the most beautiful piece of artwork you’ve ever seen in your life,” he jammed his pointer finger at the canvas, “look at that detail,” he then pointed towards one of the empty walls, “it’s even got a perfect spot.”

To be truthful, it was a perfect spot. Right above the fireplace, that section of the wall would hold the canvas almost perfectly.

You made your way over to him and examined the painting with a quizzical expression, “is this about you wanting to display my work, or about you wanting a half naked picture of yourself to gaze at in our living room?”

The corner of his mouth turned upwards, “an intricate mixture of the two.”

You frowned, “no.”

“Pleaassseeee,” he begged more, leaning the canvas on the wall to grab ahold of you, “what if it’s just a placeholder, until you paint something just as glorious and deserving?”

You narrowed your eyes and threw your arms over his shoulders, “something tells me you don’t think I’ll ever paint something as ‘glorious and deserving.’”

His smirk returned to his face, “don’t get me wrong, Picasso, I’m nothing if not a believer in your talent,” he nodded in the direction of the waiting canvas, “but you’re not topping that one. Not when you had a muse such as my—”

“Alright, alright Mr. Big Shot,” you pushed him off of you gently with a laugh, “go get the damn nails.”

Like a kid being awarded a piece of candy, he scampered off to the kitchen where the nails were as you picked up the hammer from the coffee table.

“Placeholder,” you reminded him, waving the hammer in the air.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

After 20 minutes of Josh up on the ladder and you barking instructions, feeling very tyrannical since he forced your hand in the first place, the canvas was finally hung.

You both stepped back to admire it and all its glory. You had to admit it did look pretty good hanging there, but you’d never say it out loud for Josh to hear.

“You know we’re taking this down for the housewarming party, right?”

“Well, we’ll see about that,” Josh shrugged with a sly grin, “it’s kind of a good conversation starter.”

“Yeah, like you ever need help starting a conversation,” you bumped his hip with yours, “I’m gonna shower, getting sleepy.”

Josh moved to stand behind you, wrapping his arms loosely around your waist as he began peppering kisses along your collarbone, “want me to run you a bath?”

“Hmmm, that sounds nice,” you hummed. Your head fell into the crook of his neck, and you took a moment to inhale his scent, so very unique to him that it made you love it even more. Now that you two were living together, you thought of his scent clinging to the furniture, lingering in the air even when he wasn’t present, causing a soporific smile to spread across your face.

“Yeah,” he kissed our neck, leaving fire in his wake, “I can pour you some more wine, maybe rub your feet,” his mouth was hovering over your ear now, “and we can talk about what color to paint the accent wall in the bedroom. I’m thinking an earth tone, Laurel Green, maybe?”

His lips closed around your earlobe, sucking gently before his tongue returned to lick a slow stripe back down to your neck.

Goosebumps rose to your body at the feeling, and you bit your lip, “I love when you talk interior design to me Joshua, it’s sexy.”

“Wait until I tell you about my ideas for the backsplash in the kitchen. Two words. Mosaic. Tiles.” he pressed further as he began walking the both of you towards the bathroom.

You threw your head back in laughter, throwing a dramatic hand over your head like a 1940’s starlet, “take me now, Mr. Kiszka.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Two Weeks Later…

In the end, the canvas, in fact, did not come down for the party. Josh was smart enough to get you nice and toasty before the guests arrived, leaving you to forget all about it.

And he was right, it was a good conversation piece. Almost everyone in attendance wanted to know the story behind it, and Josh was more than ready to fill them in on all the mushy details of that night.

He was proud of your relationship. Proud of all the obstacles the two of you overcame that led you to that point. He was proud of your love, and by the end of the night, he was dying to show you just how proud he really was.

While you mingled with friends and family, his eyes tracked your movements constantly. He was enjoying the way you seemed so at home there in just a few short weeks, appearing so in your element that you were practically floating. It very well could’ve been the copious number of Moscow Mules you were plowing through that made you appear that way, but he liked to imagine it being more poetic than that.

As soon as the clock struck midnight, Josh was wrapping the party up, sending guests out the door in twos, eager to finally get you alone.

“Y/n, Josh, lovely hosts as always,” Sam slurred as Karen worked to usher him out the door. They were the last two left, Karen trying her hardest to wrangle her youngest and pack up his charcuterie board that he refused to leave without.

“Come on Sam, your dad is waiting in the rental car,” she gave him a light shove out the front door before turning to hug you and Josh.

“Congrats again, you two,” she gushed as she squeezed you tightly, “we’ll see you tomorrow for brunch?”

“See you tomorrow, ma,” Josh kissed her on the cheek then pulled you into his side.

You could feel his fingers digging deeper than usual into the flesh of your hip, intense heat radiating from his body as he stood so casually on your porch waving his family off.

“Ma!” Sam shouted as Jake climbed from the back seat to help him into the car, “don’t forget my charcuterie board!”

Karen rolled her eyes, “would you stop all that damn yelling? I’ve got it right here, genius,” she quipped back, just as loud as he’d been.

The two of you stepped back inside, Josh shutting the door on his family, their shouting still being heard from inside.

“They sound like proper New Yorkers out there,” he chuckled.

“Guess being in the city so much is starting to rub off on them,” you were tossing trash into a large garbage bag to clear some chores from tomorrow, unaware of the way Josh was undressing you with his eyes.

He crossed over to you and grabbed the large garbage bag from you, his lips turned upwards in a mischievous manner, “we’ll worry about the mess later, mama. I wanna do some christening of our new home.”

The bag was tossed to the side as he sent you a flirty wink, his arms coming to wrap around your waist.

You rolled your eyes, “you dress up as the pope for one Halloween and all of a sudden you become him. I don’t think there’s any christening left, we’ve pounded it out in almost every square inch of this place.”

He threw his head back and laughed at your choice of words before turning serious once more, “almost every square inch.”

When he realized you had no idea what he was referring to, his eyes slowly panned towards the artwork that hung over the fireplace, then to the floor below it, then back to your face.

You gasped playfully, shoving a finger into his chest, “your vanity becomes you, Joshua. Are you really trying to say you want to have sex with me underneath my painting of you? Is this some kink I have not yet been introduced to?”

Though he knew your teasing was nothing but harmless, he still found himself growing bashful at your words. But there was a twinkle of curiosity in your eyes, something that told him that this might just be up your alley too.

His head dropped to plant gentle kisses into your neck, his hands traveling lower to cup your ass.

“It might be,” he shrugged, “won’t know until we give it a try.”

Your fingers found his curly locks, guiding his mouth along your neck with a sigh before yanking him to look you in the eyes.

“What are you waiting for then?”

Without missing a beat, one of his hands darted up to grip your face tightly, a dark lust swimming in his eyes.

“I think you have the wrong idea about this. I’m in charge tonight, you’re at my mercy.”

A chill shot up your spine at the way his voice dropped into a husky authoritative tone, something you rarely got to here from your sweet Josh.

He was mostly sweet and gentle when it came to sex, a direct reflection of the type of person he was. But sometimes, sometimes, a much darker side of him would come out to play, and oh how you’d missed it.

When you didn’t respond to him, he tugged at your face with little force, his eyes narrowing an inch, “do you understand me?”

You nodded, swallowing down a moan that so badly wanted to permeate the air.

Josh tilted his head back, “words. Use. Your. Words.”

“Yes,” you sighed, “yes sir.”

“Hmmm,” he hummed, softly kissing the tip of your nose, “I love it when you listen.”

He released his grasp on you and took a step backwards, drinking in your body as he went over the different things he wanted to do to you. His ongoing silence was making you rather nervous, but you’d stand there and allow him to stare until he gave you further instructions.

After all, you were at his mercy.

Finally, he began backing away, his eyes the last thing to leave you before he settled himself on the couch. He wasn’t facing you, and the couch shielded you from seeing anything beyond the wild tuft of his curly hair, but the sound of his belt buckle coming undone suddenly had you on high alert.

He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the side with a heavy sigh before dropping his hands out of your view again.

It took all your strength not to scamper over to him and throw yourself at his feet, willing and ready to bestow love and praise on him in any way he saw fit.

But you were patient, listening closely to the sound of fabric rustling as he dropped his pants around his ankles.

When a soft moan escaped his mouth, you realized exactly what he was doing, and the hair on your arms stood straight.

“Jo-Josh,” you whispered, wringing your fingers together to stop yourself from moving.

His head fell to the back of the sofa with another drawn out sound, and you could barely see the movement of his arm as he pumped along his length.

He called your name back to you in a similar fashion, “what is it baby? What do you need?”

The way he was being both gentle and demanding, switching back and forth between the two personas, had your head reeling. You took a small step forward, accidentally nudging the discarded trash bag and giving away your movements.

“Aht,” he scolded gently, “I didn’t say you could move yet. Did I?”

His authoritative tone was laced with want, as if he himself was having a hard time holding back from seeking out what he really wanted, but he refused to give up the game.

“No but,” you were cut off by another sound from him that made you squeeze your legs together, “I want to see you, Josh.”

“You wanna see me, baby?” He repeated, “you wanna watch?”

He turned to look back at you with a dazed man smirk on his face, reveling in the way you were all but squirming in place.

“Yes,” you trembled in response as your eyes fell to the movement of his arm. Slow and steady strokes, a firm grip, just like he liked for you to do.

“Come,” he turned to face the painting in front of him, “sit in front of me.”

Without missing a beat, you scurried over to the foot of the couch, your eyes immediately falling to his pulsing erection and the way his hand worked it over.

You were about to kneel down on the floor in front of him, but he stopped you with a snap of his fingers. Your eyes shot up to his, and he grinned at your obedience.

He loved it when you listened.

“Clothes off first, mama. I wanna see that beautiful body of yours.”

Once again in compliance, your hands found the hem of your shirt in a frenzy, eager to please while also eager to get closer to what you wanted. And although Josh was pleased with your obedience, he wasn’t completely satisfied.

“Slow down,” he bit out with a swift downward pull on his shaft, “easy.”

Layer by layer, you stripped yourself down, making sure to take your time as Josh instructed you to, and when you were completely naked, his jaw fell slack.

“I swear,” he groaned as he began speeding up his movement only slightly, “every time I see you like this, it’s like the first time all over again.”

You would have blushed if his next words didn't come out so harsh, “on your knees. Hands in your lap.”

Once you were in the preferred position, Josh relaxed back onto the couch, his legs spread like some king on his throne as he worked himself over. He was holding your eye contact as he did so, enjoying the way your eyes were pleading with him for any sort of attention. As your arousal began to build, you began squirming in place, trying to conjure up some friction. This wasn’t missed by Josh, of course, he was paying far too close attention to you.

“I see what you’re doing,” he panted, “trying to give that pretty little pussy some attention. You must be so wet.”

You nodded swiftly, hoping that your obedience would gain you some kind of a reward.

Josh tilted his head back, glancing at the painting hung above your head before peering down his nose at you, “for me? Is it wet for me, mama?”

Again you nodded, this time followed with a small whimper as you shifted your body again.

“Show me.”

You sat on your bottom and spread your legs for him with a heavy sigh.

Josh hummed in approval, “look at that. Dripping all down your legs.” He released his cock from his hand with a grunt, getting a better look of what you so easily offered over to him.

As much as you wanted to touch yourself, find some sort of release, but you dared not move. You simply allowed him to stare and admire, taking in the way his tongue appeared to brush across his bottom lip.

It stopped to rest in the corner of his mouth as it turned up into a smirk, his eyes dragging up your body to your face.

“You’re trembling. You wanna touch it, don't you? You wanna play with my pussy?”

His pussy. The sound of that had you moaning again, arching your body towards him without thought.

“Yeah, you liked that, huh mama?”

You were growing rather tired of his teasing, you’d been starved of touch all night, even from yourself, and you were growing more and more desperate. But he seemed to be enjoying it far too much, and you would never steal that from him.

“Forgetting to use our words?” his head tilted to the side, the once soft look on his face now being replaced with one of displeasure.

“No, I—” you croaked out, but realized you had no rebuttal to his statement, “I’m sorry.”

His bottom lip poked out, “that’s okay, baby. I know how you get when it comes to my cock.”

As if it knew it had been mentioned, it twitched in his lap, gently tapping against his stomach and leaving a smear of pre cum in its wake. Josh hissed and wrapped his hand around it securely.

“It’s like there’s nothing in that brilliant little brain of yours except that. You forget your manners, forget your words,” he shook his head in mock disappointment, “isn’t that a shame?”

He was certainly knocking you down a peg, playing into that dominant role far too well. So well in fact, that it only served to push you further into your role.

“But that’s quite alright, I’ll let you make it up to me, I’ll even cut you a deal”. He sat back and threw his arms over the back of the couch. He looked like some mafia godfather, about to make you an offer you couldn’t refuse.

“Anything Josh,” you gasped, “I’ll do anything you want me to.”

“I know you will, baby. Cause you’re such a good girl, aren’t you? Such a good girl for me?”

You nodded, but quickly remembered that he was demanding your words, “yes.”

His smile only broadened at that, “come suck me. Put me in that sweet little mouth of yours and I’ll let you touch yourself all you want.”

How could you refuse that offer?

“On one condition,” he raised his finger as he began kicking his pants the rest of the way off, “you can’t cum. Not yet, not until I tell you to, okay?”

“Yes sir,” you nodded, mindful not to move until he gave you the command to do so.

He seemed proud of you, beaming with pride as he settled himself back on the couch once more.

“Come get it, mama.”

You swiftly positioned yourself in front of him, your left hand wrapping around the base of his cock and your right immediately seeking out your clit.

When your mouth sunk around him, his tip nudging the back of your throat, Josh moaned so loudly you were sure any passerby on the street could hear him.

“Fuckkkk baby, just like that. God yes.”

You were swallowing him down without relent, your fingers between your legs moving at a similarly frantic pace. You moaned around him as you eyes rolled back, but still you never slowed.

His began fucking himself up into your mouth, hips lifting from the couch as his hands crowded your scalp.

“Sucking my cock so good,” he growled out, “that mouth is a treasure mama, always so sweet for me.”

His praise made you speed up the movements on your clit, and his eyes quickly fell to where you were working.

“Remember what I said,” he tugged gently on your hair, letting you know he was still fully in control, “no cumming till I say so.”

You were gagging and sputtering around him, but tried your hardest to nod so he knew you’d heard and understood him.

But it wasn’t you, who he should’ve been worried about. With every thrust of his hips, he felt himself sailing closer and closer to his end. He would’ve let go right then, but even in his dominant state, he felt the need to please you first. He wanted you shaking and cumming around him before he allowed himself to do so.

With his hands still in your hair, he pulled you from off of him with a hiss, “turn around, on your knees.”

You wiped the mess from around your mouth before dropping down into an arch facing away from him, wiggling your ass in the air as an invitation.

“Yeah, look at you,” he goaded as he pumped himself in his fist, “so fucking ready. You ready, mama?”

You shuddered when you felt his warm body position itself directly behind you, the tip of his length just barely brushing against your slick.

“Yes, Josh,” you whined, pressing back into him, “give it to me.”

That seemed to really do it for him, a guttural growl left his mouth as his hand fisted into your hair and pulled back roughly. Your stinging eyes were met with the sight of that glorious painting, and you knew this was exactly how he wanted it.

He pushed into in one swift movement, your leaking hole offering him no resistance.

Your mouth dropped open without a word or a sound, and the arch in your back deepened as he slid right into that sensitive spot.

He pulled back out before slamming into you again, yanking on your hair as he did so, “gonna give it to you,” he repeated the movements, “just how you like it.”

His thrusts began to speed up, and the grip he held in your hair prevented you from looking anywhere but at your artwork, forcing you to take it in its fullest.

In a way, it turned you on. Being able to still gaze upon his face while he railed you from the back. You were beginning to see the appeal in having it displayed, and it was surely a conversation to be had once you were finished. But now, as Josh had mentioned earlier, there was nothing in your brain except Josh and his cock.

The way he was stretching you out, how his thrusts were so forceful yet so loving at the same time. The way he was panting and grunting above you, determined to bring you to a heavenly end.

And oh, were you headed there.

“Keep your eyes open,” he ordered as his hand came crashing down into the flesh of your ass, “don’t stop looking until you cum for me.”

“Yes,” was all you could manage, but it seemed to do just fine.

“Can I? Now?”

“Can you what?” Josh was no fool, he knew well what you were asking him. But he was going to play the game to its end, an end he knew was coming quickly.

“Cum!” you yelped as he sailed further still into you, not giving away how close he was himself, “please let me cum for you Joshy I need to cum so bad!”

Tears were brimming your eyes, causing the colors on the canvas to melt and dance around in front of you like some sort of hyper realistic kaleidoscope.

“Cum for me?” he parroted back, “that’s so sweet of you, baby. Go ahead. Cum for me.”

You tightened around him before your release began to spill from you, a shrill cry ringing out into the apartment.

“Oh shit, fuck that’s so good mama,” Josh threw his head back and fisted your hair tighter. The sting combined with your orgasm was a feeling you’d be daydreaming about for weeks to come, replaying that perfect memory over and over again.

As you drifted through the ends of your release, he pulled himself out of you and released his grip on your hair. Before you could hit the ground, he wrapped his arm around your waist and pumped his pulsing member along your back until he was spilling hot spurts onto your skin.

You could feel goosebumps raise on his skin, and you hand reached back to stroke along his thigh.

“One of these days,” he shuddered as the last of his orgasm coursed through him, “one of these days, I’m gonna put a little Picasso in you.”

One of these days, you thought. How beautiful that sounded.

Once you both had a chance to climb down from the mountain top, Josh stood on wobbly legs and extended a hand to you, “come on, my love. Let’s wash up and go to bed. I’m awfully tired.”

You allowed him to help you to your feet, and he placed a small kiss on the bridge of your nose.

“So… the painting stays?”

There was a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, so similar to the day he scooped you up from the library over a year ago. A day that kickstarted you into this beautiful life you lived now.

You threw your arms over his shoulders, “to be discussed, my muse.”

The End.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Taglist: @welllauragvf @objectsinspvce @josh-iamyour-mama

[kindh3art3d]

Under Neon Lights - Stephen Sanchez One Shot

Nashville, Tennessee. 

Night life was a whole different world here. For some reason tonight my apartment was lonely so I decided to wander around to a quiet bar. Sure it was a Tuesday night, but there was always live music in Nashville.

I wander into a neon lit bar, the smell of liquor hangs heavy in the air and as my eyes graze over the atmosphere that’s when I see the handsome man stroking his guitar on the small lit stage.

I watch him with anticipation, his voice is rich and robust, every note sung angelically. I find myself sitting at a table close to watch him. There aren’t many others in the bar, an elderly couple sit in a booth and a few girls celebrating a birthday. Not much of an audience and yet the man is performing his heart out.

He eventually stops and thanks the crowd for them night to which everyone responds with polite clapping. 

My eyes follow the man as he makes is way off stage and into the bar. Just when I think he’s leaving he walks over to my table.

“Hey darling” he said his voice smooth as honey.

I couldn’t act coy anymore I knew exactly who this man was. He’s the reason I haven’t had a steady heartbeat for the last half hour.

I managed a shy smile. "Hi, Stephan. I'm Y/N, a huge fan of yours."

He grinned, his dimples deepening. "Well, Y/N, it's a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to join me for a drink?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I nodded eagerly. We made our way to a cozy corner of the bar, where we settled ourselves on barstools. Stephan ordered two glasses of whiskey, and we clinked them together, beginning our adventure in Nashville.

As we sipped our drinks, Stephan and I found ourselves engrossed in conversation. He shared stories of his music career, while I revealed my dreams and aspirations. Our laughter mingled with the melodies pouring from the stage, creating a symphony of joy.

One drink turned into two, then three, and soon the room began to spin. We stumbled out of the bar, our giggles echoing through the streets of Nashville. The city seemed to come alive under the moonlight, and we decided to explore its charms together.

Hand in hand, we wandered through the neon-lit streets, dancing to the rhythm of our laughter. We stumbled upon a small karaoke bar, and without hesitation, Stephan grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. We sang duets, off-key but filled with enthusiasm, much to the amusement of the other patrons.

Hours passed, and the alcohol began to loosen our inhibitions. A mischievous glint appeared in Stephan's eyes as he leaned closer, his voice a whiskey-soaked whisper.

"You know, Y/N, I think you like me more than you're willing to admit."

I scoffed, pretending to be unfazed. "Oh, please. I'm just here for the music."

Stephan's smile widened, and he arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Suddenly, tension crackled in the air, and our playful banter took on a more serious tone. Stephan's gaze held mine, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and uncertainty.

"You can't deny it, Y/N," he murmured. "The way you smile when you see me. The way your eyes light up when we talk. It's more than just admiration."

I struggled to maintain my composure, my heart pounding in my chest. "Stephan, we're both a little drunk right now. Maybe we should—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Stephan cut me off by pressing his lips against mine. It was a tender, intoxicating kiss, filled with all the unspoken words we had been too afraid to utter. In that moment, time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in the magic of the night.

When we finally pulled apart, our breaths mingling, Stephan's eyes were filled with a strange and beautiful glow.

The kiss had ignited a spark between us, one that refused to be extinguished. From that night forward, Stephan and I became inseparable. We explored Nashville with renewed energy and a newfound sense of adventure.

We spent lazy afternoons strolling through Centennial Park, hand in hand, admiring the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers. Our laughter echoed through the air as we took turns pushing each other on the swings, relishing in the joy of being carefree.

Stephan's music became the soundtrack of our love story. We danced under the stars to his soulful melodies, twirling and spinning in perfect harmony. Each note seemed to speak directly to our hearts, reminding us of the beautiful connection we had discovered.

As our relationship deepened, we shared intimate moments of vulnerability and trust. We confided in each other about our fears, dreams, and past heartaches. Stephan became my rock, offering unwavering support and understanding, and I became his safe haven, a place where he could be himself without judgment.

We also had our fair share of silly and lighthearted moments. We would have spontaneous pillow fights, leaving feathers scattered across the room. Stephan's infectious laughter would fill the air as we attempted to cook extravagant meals together, only to end up ordering takeout and sharing a cozy night in.

Chapter 5: A Promise Sealed

One evening, as we sat on a rooftop terrace, a gentle breeze caressed our faces. The city lights twinkled below us, casting a magical glow over our surroundings. Stephan turned to me, his eyes filled with love.

"Y/N, you've brought so much happiness into my life," he whispered, his voice soft and full of sincerity. "I can't imagine my days without you by my side."

My heart swelled with emotion, and tears welled in my eyes. "Stephan, you've changed my world in ways I never thought possible. I'm grateful for every moment we've shared."

He took my hand in his, his touch warm and comforting. "Y/N, I know we've had our fair share of ups and downs, but I want you to know that I'm here to stay. I want to be more than just a fleeting romance. I want to build a future together, filled with love and laughter."

A single tear escaped my eye as I smiled through my emotions. "Stephan, I've been afraid to admit it, but I've fallen for you. I love you."

His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "I love you too, Y/N. And I promise to cherish and protect our love, always."

As the city lights continued to twinkle below us, we sealed our promise with a passionate kiss, knowing that our journey was just beginning. Together, we would navigate the twists and turns of life, hand in hand, forever bound by an unbreakable love.

And so, in the heart of Nashville, amidst the music and laughter, Stephan Sanchez and I finally found what we have both needed and craved for years, and it turns out that it was right in front of us this whole time. True love is strange.

previous one shot

[andrrns]

"Busy cars filled the noisy streets as dark clouds loomed behind a sad-looking building, slowly creeping in. Unfolding stories can be seen as the street prepares for a pouring rain. Living in haste can sometimes be overwhelming to bear, but this is how it always begins. Blistering heat wakes you up, only to be soaked by a wild evening rain.

I put on my white flannel, faded black jeans, white socks, and the black shoes I had polished the day I decided to embark on this rainy journey. Amidst the heavy rain and floods that should have washed away all the stains and marks sticking to my skin, I managed to crawl my way out of the cars stuck at red lights quite easily. I must admit this plan wasn't well thought out, but it's the kind of plan I've been contemplating for the past few days, maybe even years.

"It will work out," I uttered solemnly.

You see, the idea of running away has always been on my mind since that day. It was a lazy Monday afternoon that year when the flood inundated our house, reaching knee-deep. It was high enough to cause a level of concern. We were compelled to move our belongings to higher ground to protect them from the water. Earlier that day, my mother hadn't allowed us to evacuate, taking the heavy rainfall warnings lightly. We were left to face the consequences and had to comply with whatever she instructed us to do.

The rain continued to pour as if it were the end of the world.

The flood kept rising; it was now waist-deep. I had to stay on our second floor to keep myself dry and away from the dangers and troubles that the water carried. The thunderstorm made everything worse. It felt like watching something you had worked so hard for deteriorate, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. With just one splash of a wave, my mom, not even bothering to fight back, simply went with the flow.

I cried. I did cry. Then, maybe I didn't. I don't know. Everything was happening too quickly for my mind to keep up. The house started shaking, its foundation deteriorating faster than I had imagined. I stood my ground, not knowing what to do. The arms that should have been my saving grace were nowhere to be found. My father, prioritizing his own life, swam away to find shelter, never looking back at me, as if my very existence reminded him of his losses, which he wanted to forget.

Alone, I started praying, asking for something to hold onto. My entire body ached, but my mind couldn't decide which emotion to prioritize first. It was so cold, and the water kept rising; I could feel it slowly creeping up the stairs.

Then, I saw a light, a shimmering hope that found its way to my side—a miracle, a lifeline, a beacon of hope guiding me in this seemingly hopeless situation. I followed it and found myself climbing onto our roof. Outside, I witnessed the devastating impact of this heavy rainfall, yet somehow, I could feel the warmth of my guardian, my savior.

The sounds of the car brought me back to where I am now. I scanned the crowd, hoping to recognize someone familiar, that my absence might prompt a part of my past still acknowledging my existence to come looking for me. However, it was all strangers; even the sound of the car didn't feel right, and the city lights seemed unusually dim.

I fished something out of my pocket, and there I saw what was left of my savior: a rock, a solid one that I couldn't even break. It had lost its light and now offered me nothing. I put it back, feeling its weight in my pocket. I waited for a few minutes, perhaps for a tap on my shoulder, a recognizable voice, a familiar warmth, but nothing came.

The light rain continued, and my socks were wet. I took them off and threw it into a nearby trash can. I took a deep breath. I've always hated the rain, and maybe I always will.

But maybe not.

The next town was said to be full of hope, with constant sunshine, rainbows, cupcakes, glitters, a cup of hot chocolate, smiles, kisses, hugs, and a comfortable bed to rest. I clung to that thought. Somewhere over there, the rain would come to an end, and all the things I left behind would stop chasing after me. Perhaps there's peace in that.

And so, I began walking again.

-To my nephew, I hope you've found peace wherever you are now. I never met you, and you never knew me, but a part of me died as well. I sincerely hope that somehow, even if it was just for a short time, you found genuine happiness in this world. I'm sorry for not being there, although I don't know if I could have made a difference. Fly high, and may sunshine kiss you until all the coldness of this world is washed away. You deserve to be happy.

[dietraumerei]

Weekly Writing and Reading Update

Hello, I spent the afternoon getting tattooed and I'm so happy I did and I love my new art but I feel like ten miles of VERY bad road right now. I should have eaten little snacks on break and it turns out a 4-hour session is probably my limit :/ Tomorrow will be better though! And I am in my cozy lil apartment and gonna make mac and cheese for dinner and probably fall asleep at like 9pm, so things are looking up <3

Writing

I posted another chapter of Beginnings, and am writing it slowly but surely; I think I was a bit tired to write this week and all.

I finally finished and posted Aftermath of Failure (Whumptober 2023) which I'm really proud of and pleased with; I love the Fisher King story and it was nice getting to pull that into things.

Reading

I read Dolls of Our Lives and the more I think about it the more I disliked it. I'm tired and lazy so here's the review I sent a friend:

I finished Dolls of our Lives last night. I found it...okay. The editing is often bad which was depressing. It mostly felt really tonally inconsistent -- they're both historians and know their stuff, but keep putting in schticky little pop culture jokes that are a) not that funny? and b) just appear out of nowhere. If you're going to look at AG through a pop culture lens, do it properly, don't just randomly name-drop pop culture stuff. It occasionally dips below surface-level analysis, but it's not super memorable and I don't see it aging really well. (I'd LOVE someone to write an accessible book that actually does look at AG dolls both within their own cultural contexts and the context of when they were released, to say nothing of the interplay of doll + book, and maybe with an added chapter on how girls and dolls play, and what it meant to release a doll that wasn't aspirational in some way, whether it be an adult like Barbie or a baby doll. Okay, maybe I want three books. But it feels like there's a lot of richness to dig into, and I've yet to see anyone scrape more than the surface.) Anyway, 6/10, it was okay but the authors do themselves a disservice. There's a small section at the end where they talk about themselves and how the podcast has changed them and how it came about and it's the best bit of the book because it's actually vulnerable and interesting, with some theory thrown in, and it's barely shticky at all.

I will now add that I think it'll age like milk, and I'm super disappointed.

In happier news, I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is simply a masterpiece, and reading it was a deep and abiding pleasure. I know the twist and it still worked wonderfully on me -- if you don't know how it ends, I REALLY urge you not to spoil yourself and also to read it, for it's wonderful and you will scream at the reveal.

[69misato69]

setâre ✦ kaeya x childe — sfw

archive of our own ✦ twitter ✦ masterlist

It's a night just like any other.

Kaeya is knelt by the campfire, fueling it further so the flames can combat the blistering cold that creeps up on them. 

Not that Childe minds.

He lays on the snow half-naked, showing no signs of discomfort as he dries his hair. 

Kaeya believes that a frozen lake is frozen for a reason, but Childe can’t resist cracking the ice and taking a dip before they set up camp every single time. 

He takes a deep breath. Exhaustion washes over them both, legs nearly giving out from hiking and hunting all day and bones aching from the cold. 

When Kaeya is finally content with the intensity of the flames, he scoots closer to Childe and lifts his head to lay it on his lap. 

Damp, ginger locks wet his pants as the moon rises. 

Kaeya cups his cheek.

Warmth eventually swallows them both.

Words are unneeded. Distant howls and the crackling of the fire fill the silence as Childe looks up at him with droopy eyes.  

At moments like these, Childe always wonders if Kaeya knows how much he adores him.

The captain has many virtues, but seeing the beauty in his own ways is sadly not one of them. 

It's understandable, given how much weight he carries on his shoulders. No matter how much Childe tries its best to ease it, he knows that not a second passes without Kaeya sinking under the burden.

It's easy to get carried away when everyone expects so much of you. When the world crushes you to its very core, when the waves engulf you as you drift into nothingness, a vast ocean cluttered with misery. 

Kaeya loses his way often.

Like a sailor pushing his way out of the waves enraged with roaring thunder. He holds a compass that never seems to pull him out of the depths.

He sinks as the thread that holds him together unravels and floats to the surface.

All Kaeya can do is watch it elude him and force his eyes open while he begins to lose feeling in his limbs. 

Darkness falls and Kaeya’s heart travels back into the rib cage of a kid abandoned in the middle of nowhere. 

He clutches the toy he simply can’t ever fall asleep without.

What good is it without his own bed? Without being cosseted in loving arms and rocked gently to sleep as a lullaby fills his ears, what is it but a piece of cloth stuffed with feathers?

Home feels far away. It has been discarded just like him. Even if he miraculously washes up on shore, there is nothing left there to fill his hollowed out soul. 

Though, even as he drowns in the depths of the unforgiving ocean, whenever Kaeya looks up, a star always shines down on him. 

Light seeps into his soul, the clouds vanish on sight as thunder quiets down. 

Nothing but an enticing calmness. 

Kaeya holds it inside his palm kindly like a wilting flower, cautious and tender, and allows it to warm him up. 

It sprouts and blossoms along his numb hands and corroding heart, holds him by the shoulders and pulls him close. 

Leaves a loving peck on his lips and Kaeya tastes the night sky with the tip of his tongue. 

Childe loves him like a shore enamored with the sea. Fascinated by the storms brewing inside him and pacified by the soothing waves that wash up on its skin.

Loving Kaeya is coming home. It's taking off your shoes and taking a bath. It's settling in your cozy bed comfortably and drifting to sleep, thinking of all that excites you. 

It’s making up stories until they tire you out and waking up with puffy, glossy eyes. 

Childe doesn’t need much.

A lazy afternoon nap in Kaeya’s arms or a picnic on a cliff. Playing with the dogs that climb their legs every time they walk through their turf.

Closing his eyes and leaning back at Kaeya’s chest blissfully as they soak in the water. 

It’s more than enough. 

Kaeya doesn't have to be anything. The strength that everyone expects of him, Childe doesn’t.

To him, Kaeya is the only thing that makes sense amidst the chaos of his mind. 

With one kiss, he dissolves the sorrow and drowns the worries.

He feels lost, but with Kaeya a bit more found. As if it’s the head pat of a stranger that feeds the stray cats every night or a ship’s anchor that performs its crucial task silently. 

Kaeya can't hear any of that without his heart racing in his chest when even a simple ‘I love you’ is enough to have him shy away from Childe’s gaze. 

Only when darkness veils his face can he lay on Childe's chest and listen to him whisper in his ear all that made him fall in love with Kaeya.

He watches with tearful eyes as gentle fingers card through his hair and affection drips from the lips he's addicted to kissing. 

It never gets easier to hear that he is worthy, but Kaeya is smitten with a man that will never stop reminding him. 

short and loosely inspired by the poem 'another birth' by forugh, i hope you enjoyed !

[cherrrycrush]

i found out

i found out

i found out and it’s killing me

and it’s killing me

i talked to a friend, one who doesn’t know you, and they said to let you do what you are doing. and to let you go.

there is some peace in me knowing that you will never read this. even though you’re here, and you have always been right here. you see right through me and my words.

i’ll never haunt you the way you haunt me.

but i found out. and i can’t stop thinking about it, or make sense of it.

was your perfectly perfect girl not enough? how? i always feel like i need to make my case. to prop myself on a pedestal and sell myself to you, like a dusty marketeer, or a bazaar salesman. i need you to see my value, take me in, and i’m so tired. i am so tired of feeling like i need to sell myself to an unwilling buyer.

and i found out.

i found out, and it’s killing me horribly.

i saw them, i saw you liked them. what goes on in your mind? maybe i knew you less than i thought i did.

i found out.

and it makes me hate myself.

i don’t know what i want at this point. is there a point?

i found out. but on the same night, i saw the sparkle in your eyes.

but it’s easy for you. it’s so easy for you to shut me out, isn’t it? to move on, to go back to never talking to me. our story that will never be passed down the line. all these years, now forever fleeting and only existing in our crumbling minds. our brains that begin to decay with old age, and yet our grandchildren will never know you or i existed.

do you think our children with other people will find each other and fall in love?

i wonder.

i want to always be near you, live close by. see you at the shopping centre, have a heart attack and smile at you when you meet my eye. all the pain in one go. a look of yours so distant and different.

but we’ll both know.

you are and always have been the greatest love of my life. i will always wish it could have been you.

i found out. but it doesn’t even matter.

because i found out how you truly felt, too. i found out how much you knew you loved me. i know it could never leave you, even though you left me.

i cry, and you tell me not to. i know it’s pointless. the sun will rise again. our story may not be so over as i thought but…

i found out.

and it feels like a knife in my throat.

how could i have been so naïve?

is this what it is to be a man? is this what it means when they say that love can be cruel and hard and relentless and ugly?

is this what i will always be? not good enough? even though i was the best.

i was a mistress, and a whore, and a wife, and your bitch. i was the whole thing.

but your mind wanders, my love.

and i found out about it.

it killed me, and i did not speak a word on it. that is how much it killed me. for me to not speak on it, to bare it out and hang it to dry. i hope that you know it killed me. it became something i could not even communicate.

because i found out.

and suddenly, laying on my bed on a lazy spring saturday afternoon without you in my life, i realised that… though loving you was never comfortable, or truly very fun, i had been blindsided by the own blaze in my heart at the sight of your name on my screen. i propelled everything. and when i say i was the one who gave you relevance, i meant that. my love for you was the only thing…

imagining you, imagining me. this was my salvation.

but you’re not, are you? and you didn’t really, did you? you got bored of me? even though i know the game, i know the variety men need for their starved and depraved brains.

i wish you knew how badly your secret ate at me.

and then i remember my bites of unfaithfulness, and i think i deserved this. karma. i believe it wholeheartedly now. or maybe i made my own karma in retrospect, and gained some power and balance back as a result. i think what i found out is justified. i think what you did and were doing is okay, and i deserved it.

but baby, i know that your heart beats for me. further down, in the marrows of your bones. away from that twisted and secretive mind, i know you feel like you let me down — because you did — and you can no longer bear to see my cry as the monster i become.

so elusive, your thoughts. i cannot understand them.

but i found out.

and i looked at my body, and hated it. i starved myself and didn’t get thinner. i became sickly. all my self-preservation tactics had come undone.

i suppose i know i am not alone. even pornstars get cheated on, huh?

because i found out.

and this will have to be something i live with, with someone else i sleep next to. haunting me.

you’re haunting me, babe.

it’s haunting me.

because i found out.

[pimpyourworld]

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