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I'M NOT HIM - s.jy ( 심재윤 ) ; drabble ➤ an attempt to get over your ex . . .
pairing .ᐟ best friend!jake x afab!reader
contains .ᐟ dom!jake, mention of heeseung as an ex, jealous jake !!
warnings .ᐟ MINORS DNI, smut smut smut, porn with little plot, slight dubcon, pet name use (baby, good girl), little blindfold use, skin biting/sucking, mentions of mark making, unprotected sex (use protection pls), oral (fem rec), creampie, let me know if i missed something !
vee's note .ᐟ first drabble? it's more like a scenario but idrk... i'm afraid that this might be really terrible but i need some sort of filler while i continue to write bittersweet, which might i say, is taking forever.
wc .ᐟ [ 1.4k ] other works . . . masterlist ; read more !
YOU HAD JUST BROKEN UP WITH YOUR EX, LEE HEESEUNG.
To be honest, you kind of saw it coming, but it still painfully hurt you, you two had been together for almost 2 years. You caught him cheating on you with another woman in your shared bedroom, which you found absolutely disgusting.
If you weren’t going to be with Heeseung anymore, who else would satisfy you as good as him?
Maybe your best friend can; Jaeyun.
So you showed up at his place, holding nothing but a blindfold in one of your hands.
You quickly found your back pressed into the soft mattress of Jaeyun’s bed. Clothes were discarded all over the ground, the blindfold tied around your head.
For a few minutes now, he had peppered your neck with plenty of kisses, leaving a couple of red and purplish marks in his tracks. He suckled on your perky nipples, taking one in his mouth whilst his fingers flicked and twisted the other, stifling a soft moan out of you. It baffled him how pretty your breasts were, perfect curves topped with rose-coloured buds.
He continued to nip at your plush skin, from your jaw to your collarbone, painting you with his mouth as if you were his masterpiece in the making. You looked so pretty under him like this, even though you can’t see him.
After getting enough of your neck and chest, Jaeyun flipped you over onto your stomach, the sudden gesture startling you. With the blindfold on, it was hard to tell what things were going to happen next.
Jaeyun took his hard cock into his hand, pumping it a few times before bringing it to meet with your soaked pussy. He decided to ditch the condom, you never mentioned anything about it anyway. You could feel him prodding at your entrance, immense desire growing as you wiggled your hips closer to him, “Hmn-.. Please, hurry..” You whimpered out.
“Eager are we?” Jaeyun teased, a small chuckle escaping from his lips, “Good girls have patience. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” He asked, voice almost completely oozing with lust.
You don’t respond.
Your brain was entirely clouded with just desperation that you could only let out another whimper.
A smirk forms on Jaeyun’s face. He never thought he would have his best friend, on his bed, spread open for him to use. He’s always had a tiny crush on you, he won’t deny that.
With Jaeyun’s cock already lined up with your pleading hole, he began to slowly let his length sink into you and oh man, was he big. The little moans he drew out from you only fueled him more, the desire to ruin you only becoming stronger.
Not long after, he bottomed out, his whole dick sitting deep and snug inside of you. “Fuck, Y/n, so tight for me,” He muttered, whilst beginning to thrust himself in and out of you slowly to get you adjusted to his size. Your cute tiny noises only grew louder.
“Mmf— More, please-” You begged, hands mindlessly grabbing the bed sheets beneath you, grip tightening until your knuckles were almost sure to lose their colours. “S..So good! Heeseung!—”
Heeseung?
Right. Maybe Jaeyun should’ve known better. You weren’t here for him, you were here for yourself.
And you wouldn’t be here right now if your precious boyfriend didn’t cheat on you.
You would be fucking with Heeseung instead.
With his jaw clenched, Jaeyun fucked into your went cunt faster and harder, the sound of both of your skins slapping against each other filled the lustful atmosphere. “Ignore it,” He thought to himself, trying not to think too much about it. All that mattered now was your pleasure and not his feelings.
Whilst fucking into you, he let his hands trail to the soft skin of your waist, his hands wrapping around your small middle, giving it a harsh squeeze in the process. “More.. More, more! Hee!” You chanted, the pleasure you were currently receiving clearly not enough for you.
Hee.
It was getting harder for Jaeyun to keep his composure, the way you called out for Heeseung when he wasn’t even there, the constant ‘Heeseungs’ and ‘Hees’ clearly starting to irritate him. He used one of his hands to effortlessly spread legs wider for him to gain more access, then he proceeded to thrust into you whilst keeping himself in check. “Fucking.” Thrust! “Ignore.” Thrust! “It.” Thrust!
Your body began to grow limp, and you felt a familiar knot forming in your tummy, just waiting to burst. “Ah- ‘m so close!” You exclaimed, trying to chase your orgasm by rocking your hips at the same pace as Jaeyun’s.
“Yeah? Y..You’re close?” Jaeyun panted out, it was obviously a rhetorical question. “You like this cock this much, huh? Gonna come for me like a good girl, aren’t you?” He continued, stringing out more questions and praise.
It took all of your remaining consciousness to muster out a singular sentence. “Mhm! Hah— ‘mma come for you like a- g..good girl..,”
“Whose good girl?”
Was that a stupid to ask? Yes. Jaeyun knew he wasn’t the one you longed for, but he still had a slither of hope lingering in his head.
“Yours! Hee- Heeseung’s good girl!”
Wrong answer.
Then everything happens so quickly. Before you know it, you’re flipped onto your back again, blindfold ripped off your face as well as you pending orgasm. You no longer felt his dick inside of you, leaving you clenching on air. “What the fuck?!–”
When you take in everything that just happened, your eyes engulf your surroundings. The purple LEDs, how humid the room is and—
And…
Jaeyun.
Before you got the chance to say anything at him, or get upset at him for ruining the moment, he suddenly thrusted back into you, making you jolt. Then a series of words started to come out of his mouth. “God, Y/n.. Please, stop calling out to that fucker.” Jaeyun began, ‘that fucker’ referring to Heeseung.
“Jae—”
“No. Listen.” He cut you off, obviously not done saying everything he intended to. He proceeded to speak whilst bucking his hips to meet yours, groaning softly. “Can’t you just accept it, Y/n?”
Accept what?
“Like- Can’t you just accept Heeseung doesn’t want you anymore? I mean, he cheated on you for fuck’s sake.”
Wow. You never expected somebody to ever say those words to you whilst they were fucking the shit out of your cunt.
“Please!” He beseeched, growing vulnerable as his thrusts picked up in pace. “Accept that—”
“I’m not him.”
The three words do something to you. Seeing your best friend at your mercy was not something that was very common, even though he held the most power in your current situation. But you couldn’t muster out a proper response, due to the sensation of being fucked into by him.
The way Jaeyun’s hips worked magic was dizzying you, or maybe it was the fact you just got edged?
Soon enough the pleasure was too much to bear, pleasure pricking at the corner of your eyes as your awaited orgasm approaches you. “Jaeyun!–” You called out, and you called out his name.
“Yeah, baby..? Fuck, say it again- Say my name again.” Jaeyun asked desperately, his own name rolling off your tongue pleasing him.
“J…Jaeyun! ‘m close- let me cum, please!”
Oh, he was gonna let you cum. If you answered correctly this time.
“Whose- good girl are you, huh?”
Panting, you make eye contact with him, the purple LED lights illuminating his face. Damn, you never realised how fucking attractive your own best friend actually is. Your eyes flutter in exhaustion, and he smirks at you.
“Yours..”
“Can’t hear you.”
“Yours!”
Jaeyun’s hand comes up to your tummy as he continues to snap into you. He rests it on top of your abdomen before progressively applying pressure. “Who’s ‘yours’, hm?.”
The pressure on your lower stomach only adds up to your awaiting orgasm, each thrust bringing you closer to it. “Fuckfuckfuck! Jaeyun!- Gonna cum—”
“I know, baby. I know.” He grunted, drawing his cock in and out of you even faster, chasing both of your highs, getting sloppier by the minute. “C’mon baby, say it. Who’s ‘yours’? Whose good girl are you?”
You’re almost there. So, so close to cumming.
“J-Jaeyun’s good girl!” You exclaimed, loudly.
The smirk displayed on Jaeyun’s face only widens, “Good girl.” He muttered out, completely satisfied. “Shhii.. Cum with me, baby—” He moaned out, head throwing back as he chased both of your orgasms.
With one final thrust, the both of you come undone, your release coating his dick entirely whilst he fills you to the brim with his warm cum.
LIKES ONLY GO SO FAR ! IF YOU LIKE IT, REBLOG IT.
vee's note .ᐟ sorry you had to read that because it sucks.
©𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺𝘸𝘰𝘯, 2024 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘙𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘚 𝘙𝘌𝘚𝘌𝘙𝘝𝘌𝘋 | 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺, 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥
#ɪ'ᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ʜɪᴍ ( ꜱ.ᴊʏ )#uronlywon works#enhypen x reader#kpop x reader#jake x reader#sim jake x reader#sim jaeyun x reader#jake sim#sim jake#sim jaeyun#enhypen#enhypen fanfiction#kpop fanfiction#jake fanfiction#enhypen smut#kpop smut#jake smut#enhypen oneshots#enhypen scenarios#enhypen drabbles
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No Such Thing As Filler
Okay, so yes, this is another post based on something I saw that irritated me, but it seems like this idea keeps coming up, so I need y'all to internalize this. There is no such thing as filler in good writing. None. Do not approach your work thinking you have to fill space in a story, I will beat you with this wiffle bat. Don't ask me where I got the wiffle bat. Don't even worry about it.
The idea of filler comes from a very particular place - when an anime or TV show has to fit in a certain number of episodes, but doesn't have enough content (hasn't caught up with the manga, the source material isn't long enough, etc) to cover those episodes. An episode has to be written, but the characters can't really progress, and so are given something else to do. Many a trope has come from these episodes, and they're sometimes necessary. Filler in this context is something that makes sense.
The dark side of filler is the idea that you need some space between Big Event 1 and Big Event 2 in your story, therefore you need throw anything in there to take up space and make your word count. This is a mistake I've made and I've seen plenty of other writers do it too, but it's a huge waste of your time. You do need something between those big action scenes, but you should always be writing to accomplish something.
Instead of thinking of that writing as filler, try to approach it with three things in mind:
Move Forward With Character Development and Backstory - Your characters barely survived a huge gunfight, and they won't encounter the big bad again for another few chapters. How do your characters decompress from that gunfight, and what does that say about them? Did a cocky character go in guns blazing, only to be deeply shaken by how a real fight works? Did that fight spark a moment of deep trauma for the main character that they have to reflect on afterwards?
Filling this space with meaningless scenes is a huge waste of opportunity. Think about how to dive deeper into your characters.
Move Forward With Plot and Subplot Development - The bad guy beat the heroes to the stolen gem, but they left behind a clue to why they want it. However that clue could reveal some painful truths about the protagonist's beloved great aunt... Carmen Sandiego???
A major goal following a big action scene is having the characters figure out what to do with what they've learned and what to do next. It's where romance subplots or secret relative subplots make progress, when truths are revealed and next steps are taken. You can absolutely do this in any setting - a flirty conversation while at the battling cages, a tense moment of feelings while hunting down a wayward chicken - but your main goal is making progress for both the characters and plot.
Move Forward With Worldbuilding - Worldbuilding has it challenges, believe me. You don't want to write a chapter on how an airship works only to have to cut it later. But you should still try to flesh out your world, and you should do so with the perspective of how to use that worldbuilding to your benefit. Maybe a critical scene hinges on the main characters knowing how that airship works, or that lake your main character often stares at is the setting of the big Act 3 Boat Battle. The weather can play into both perspective and emotions. Knowing what the main character's house and car looks like can reflect a lot on their personal character or backstory.
When you're struggling with a scene or a chapter, rather than writing filler, take a few steps back and think. What can you establish with your worldbuilding? What can you reveal about your characters through their dialogue and actions? What subplot could you explore or add in these between moments?
Filler from a fandom perspective - Now let me make this clear - if you're writing a fanfic just to have a cute moment between the characters you like, or you really want to force everyone to do that weird Twilight baseball scene, that's fine. You don't need a grand goal to achieve for every story, there's no need to justify your fanwork in any way other than you wanted to do it.
But I'd also argue fanwork doesn't fall under the filler label either - something you create, be it a character snapshot or a 'what if the gang meets Slenderman' parody, isn't taking up meaningless space. It's something fun you did that you and others enjoy, and there's nothing wasteful or pointless about that.
#writing advice#plotting#filler#writblr#the wiffle bat is a metaphor#for uuuuh something that sounds cool and interesting#let's go with that
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Dead boy Detectives review
I've watched all eight episodes of Dead Boy Detectives and it was a decent show. It's not something I may obsess over like The Sandman, or The Witcher, but it was decent.
Dead Boy Detectives is the story of Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland. Edwin was killed during a Satanic ritual in 1916. Charles died from hypothermia and internal bleeding after some bullies drove him into an ice-cold lake while throwing rocks at him.
(Note: That was not how Charles actually died in the source material. In the comics, Lucifer had quit and shut down Hell (the basis for the TV show Lucifer) so many evil souls returned to Earth, including the boys that sacrificed poor Edwin. They badly burnt Charles' back on a hot stove and Charles died from his injuries.)
The two ghosts decided to dedicate their afterlife solving mysteries to help other ghosts find peace. They are aided by psychic, Crystal Palace, who is haunted by her abusive ex-boyfriend who happens to be a demon.
Both Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland originated in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: Season of Mists, The Sandman: Volume 4. Issue 25 of The Sandman comics, and within Act 2 of The Sandman audio drama.
The Dead Boy Detectives made their TV first appearance in Doom Patrol for HBO Max (now Max). During a shakeup at Max the show was moved over to Netflix as to better connect it with The Sandman since that is where they originated.
The show features different actors from the ones that played Charles and Edwin on Doom Patrol.
The Dead Boy Detectives is a decent show but ...it feels a bit like a CW teen drama. I had been told that some of the show's writers were originally writers for the CW... and it shows.
There are some deliberately surreal elements of the show that I think are a callback to their appearance in Doom Patrol.
I love the variety of supernatural entities in the show, including the appearance of two of Morpheus's siblings. Death and Despair. The things I don't like about the show can be considered CW tropes or cliches. The angsty romances and unrequited love. The ham-fisted abusive ex metaphor between Crystal and David The Demon.
And of course the most tedious of CW tropes, the end of the episode pining and angst while a sad pop song plays in the background.
If you look past the CW-ness of it, the show is enjoyable.
The only other things I can complain about is the "connecting thread" subplot of The Afterlife: Lost and Found feels like unnecessary filler. And I wish they would openly establish that Edwin, being an innocent, would NOT return to Hell if collected by Death now. I don't think that should be left hanging over his head. Especially since we're supposed to see Death as a kind entity. Also I think Charles says "Aces" a little too much. It's very distracting and makes me feel like the writers didn't know much late 80s English slang. It would be like if he was an American and they had him say "Radical" all the time. I get that it's kind of his catchphrase but it also got a bit annoying.
The parts I don't like are CW tropes and what I'd consider to be late 90s Vertigo edginess.
The thing I liked were plentiful though. The protagonists were and are likable. The ending is satisfying enough so that if there is only one season this was still good. I liked that it appears that one can ascend out of Hell after some self-reflection as is indicated by the boy Edwin confronted in Hell. The blue light was established to mean ascension, a good afterlife.
I also LOVE the opening credits theme music and animated sequence. It reminds me of the intro to Showtime's Creature Feature movies. (See the trailer for 2001's She Creature, not the 50s version. Watch the trailer at thirteen seconds in, on Youtube, and you'll see what I mean).
That's two Gothic themed shows from Netflix in the last two years with great opening credits sequences. The first being Wednesday. That one won Danny Elfman an Emmy.
It's funny, Wednesday and Dead Boy Detectives (which is a spin-off of The Sandman) have great opening credit intro sequences but The Sandman does not. Apparently Neil Gaiman was told people don't watch the opening credits anymore so The Sandman doesn't have them.
I feel we were cheated out of what could have been a great opening sequence for The Sandman.
Episodes 7 and 8 of Dead Boy Detectives were probably the best of the series. I liked it well enough that if Dead Boy Detectives gets renewed I'll happily watch season 2.
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⏯ teaser word count: 839 | full fic: 9.5k ⏯ genre: fluff, established relationship, band au, punk drummer!sungchan, sequel to filler episodes, reader isn’t completely boring anymore! yay!, she’s still figuring it out a little bit but it’s not a full-fledged quarter life crisis anymore, ft. shotaro/eunseok/wonbin as sungchan’s bandmates, and nct dream 00 line as reader’s normal friends™ ⏯ warnings: the usual cursing, and reader gets creeped on briefly in a scene but gets out of there very quickly, and that’s really it! if i missed any please let me know ⏯ extra info: this is the sequel to filler episodes, it cannot be read as a standalone! ⏯ estimated release: saturday, august 3, 2024 3:00 p.m. eastern time
At the end of the show, you were sat at the band’s merch table. In addition to being the de facto tour manager and photographer/videographer, you also usually managed the merch table for Roses for Eyes. The headliner had plenty of crew to spare to work it, but you wanted to help however you could, and this was honestly one of your favorite parts. Various members usually came to hang out by the merch table and meet and talk with the concert goers, and you loved hearing all the praise that was showered on the guys. Almost nobody had heard of them before coming to the concerts, but it made your chest puff up with pride at how many people stayed just to tell the guys how much they loved their set.
Roses for Eyes didn’t have a lot of merch. In fact, they had exactly one kind of t-shirt, and CDs of their one and only semi-professionally recorded EP for sale. Which made your job easier, you just had to either hand them a CD, or ask their size in shirt.
“Oh my god, you’re here too!” Your next customers were the women who you had spent almost the whole concert with, their eyes sparkling with recognition and delight at you.
“Yes, I am!” You laughed as one reached out to fix your hair. “I’m everywhere, I swear. What can I get you guys?”
They each got a shirt, and a couple got CDs too. As you ran their cards and accepted their cash, they raved to you about the show.
“You know, I’d never heard of them before this, but they were so good!”
“That’s what everyone says,” you replied with a grin.
“I loved the first song they played, that was like—” She started mimicking the melody, and you recognized it immediately.
“Ah, ‘Lonely as Mars’!” You perked up. “That’s one of my favorites.”
“What’s your favorite song then?”
“Oh, I can’t say.” You grinned. “It’s not released yet…”
They all laughed and giggled at this. One peeked at the track list of the CD she had just bought from you again before looking up at you. “Guess we’ll have to wait until it’s released then, huh?”
“Yes, yes, please keep an eye out!” You couldn’t help it, you were proud of your boyfriend and the rest of your friends.
“Alright, beautiful, we’ll stop holding up your line.” One of them chuckled, giving your cheek a final tweak before the four of them moved over to the short line to chat with the band.
You couldn’t pause on that moment for too long, as more patrons came up to your table.
Once people had finally started trickling out of the venue, and you had no line left in front of either your merch table or to meet the band, you were unsurprised when Sungchan pulled up an extra folding chair next to you.
“You know,” he let out a sigh, scooting right up next to you until your legs were pressed together. “I think we need to completely deck you out in Roses for Eyes merch from head to toe.”
“One, you guys don’t even have that much merch. Two, I think all that would accomplish would be making me looking like a crazed fan.”
“Aren’t you?”
“I am your biggest fan,” you acquiesced with a giggle at how serious he looked, squeezing his leg. “But we need security to let me in, you know.”
“What about a shirt with my face on it?”
“I think that’d be even worse.”
“It can say ‘CREW’ on the back or something.”
You laughed again. “I did tell that guy I was working, you know. Which did nothing.”
“I know, baby, I’m not mad at you.” Sungchan put an arm around the back of your chair, leaning in closer to inform you, “I was up on stage wishing I could’ve been kicking his face instead of the bass drum.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t hop off stage just to beat up somebody in the crowd.” You whispered back. “Even if it would’ve been deserved.”
“God, I don’t know if I can take another month of hearing you get hit on from right next to me.” He was presumably referencing times like now, with you at the merch table and him nearby talking to patrons.
“You think I like hearing people compliment your tattoos as an excuse to feel up your arms?”
“I don’t let them!” He protested. “And sometimes they do actually like my tattoos!”
“I know, Sungchan,” you snickered. “It’s hard being the hottest couple ever, isn’t it?”
“God truly gives his toughest battles to his sexiest soldiers,” Sungchan joked back, letting his arm drop down to your waist.
“Hey, on the bright side, tomorrow is the Venue:Hell show,” you reminded him. “I’ll have Jeno and Jaemin and my other two much less sturdy friends there. Not to mention Anton, Sohee, and Seunghan.”
He didn’t seem much happier about this, letting out a little grumble, “Mmm, alright.”
⤷ masterlist
#sungchan x reader#riize x reader#sungchan imagines#riize imagines#sungchan imagine#riize imagine#sungchan#nct x reader#nct imagine#nct imagines#jung sungchan#i: sungchan#siafl: teaser#writing#text#mine#bias tag#jungsung#f: siafl
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Okay. My thoughts on the Our Flag Means Death finale. Obviously I'm not very happy with the ending, though I'm also not as upset as some people are. I would say I'm discontent. Unsatisfied. Too aware of how it could have been improved, and a bit bitter that we didn't get a better version, but I also don't hate what we did get.
I know a lot of meta has attributed the problems to a shorter season, and absolutely I would have loved to get 10 episodes instead. I would have loved 22 episodes! Why don't we do that anymore? But I don't think the 8 episode length was the ultimate problem. A) The showrunner and writers knew they had only 8 episodes, so they needed to choose a story that fit into that length, but even more importantly, B) my problem is not that they had too much story for too little time, but actually that they had plenty of time and chose to fill it with too little story.
As I've sat with it over the last few days and thought more about the season's arc, it feels to me like we got eight episodes of filler. Filler episodes can be great! Filler episodes can have some of the funniest lines, the greatest scenes, the most intriguing ideas. But filler episodes do not progress character arcs or major themes, and that's exactly the problem this season had.
The only characters who got arcs this season are Izzy, and to a lesser and more rushed extent, Lucius. Which sure is a choice.
Ed and Stede and their relationship did not meaningfully change from S1. (Okay, yes, they had sex, they said I Love You – but these are external changes, not internal. They don't represent character growth. Stede realized he loved Ed and was telling everyone back in 1x10. Ed clearly would have slept with him in S1 if they'd had a little more time.) Ed and Stede in 2x08 are not different from who they are in 2x01. If Ed had asked Stede to be innkeepers in 2x01, does anyone think Stede wouldn't have immediately agreed? One of the big moments in 2x08 is Ed reading a letter that Stede wrote in 2x01! Stede's exact words from the very beginning of the season! What better way to underline that none of the subsequent seven episodes had important growth or changes?
Another one of 2x08's big shippy moments is Ed and Stede running to each other across a beach – deliberately paralleling the dream Stede had in 2x01. What are we supposed to take from this parallel? My original thought was that we're supposed to see how different the real version is from the dream, but there's honestly not many differences. Neither one has a beard, now? The dream mocked how Stede knew they needed to have a conversation about their relationship that he wanted to avoid, but they don't have a conversation in the "real" version either. They exchange about two sentences (which includes Ed's I Love You, yes, which is a big deal but still isn't a conversation) and then they charge right back into the fight, without discussing anything like Ed abruptly dumping Stede to go be a fisherman, Stede killing Ned Low when Ed asked him not to, their differences of opinion on being pirates, if having sex was a mistake or if that's only a thing Ed said because he was panicking, etc etc. They have just as many issues to address as they did in the dream, but just like the dream they act like everything is magically okay without talking about it!
So I think we're meant to take the beach-run parallels as "here's what Stede's been wanting, and after waiting for so long he finally gets it". Which is fine, a very sweet take-away for a finale. But it underlines what I'm saying is the problem of the season: Stede has just been waiting for eight episodes for his dream to come true. Not changing. Not growing. Not doing anything to bring the dream about, other than trying to get himself and Ed into the same physical location. Just... waiting.
This is an extra surprising development, because the show was really good at giving Ed and Stede character arcs in S1! Ed and Stede in 1x10 are significantly different than they were in their first introductions. Also, just to preempt some criticism, by 'progressing' I do not mean 'wrap up literally every loose end and make a firm final ending' – S1's finale is an excellent example of both moving the characters forward and leaving a ton of room for future stories. I wasn't expecting for 2x08 to show us a Stede and Ed who were perfectly on the same page and would never again have a problem. I was expecting them to be somewhat different than they were in 2x01, and I just don't see that.
Instead of arcs, we got little pieces of single-episode growth here and there that never added up to an overall whole. The season brought up a ton of potential arcs for Ed – violence, piracy, guilt, suicide, daddy issues, self-loathing, apologies, redemption, his tendency to idealize escaping into a different life – but didn't do anything with any of these options. Stede had nothing resembling a season arc at all.
Stede works to improve as a captain! Stede kills someone and has regrets! Stede confronts Ed's dark side! <- All potential arcs, but none of which lasted for more than an episode or had consequences. We don't even know what the ending means for Stede: does he want to be an innkeeper because he failed as a pirate in 2x07? Because piracy was always just a displaced search for love, and now that he has love, he doesn't need piracy? What does the crew of the Revenge leaving mean to him? Stede's understanding of their new arrangement literally happens off-screen and we're left to fumble at guesses for its significance to him as an individual.
Ed and Stede's last big conversation in the season is their break-up fight in 2x07, which is a shocking way to send off your main couple in a rom-com. Yes, there's the I Love You on the beach (again: two sentences) and the brief 'let's try to be innkeepers' conversation at the very end, but that's it for them in 2x08, except for their inclusion in some brief large group conversations about their fighting skills and the plan for escaping the British. How can you end your rom-com with the main couple exchanging only a paragraph's worth of dialogue in the finale? None of the stuff was brought up in the fishing fight in 2x07 is ever addressed at all!
Again, I don't think this is solely a matter of time crunch. Instead of using the eight episodes to progress the two main characters, we got a bunch of filler episodes that used the time in amusing side tangents instead of forward progress. I don't think that's the inevitable result of having to work with eight episodes.
Look, I can come up with a better Ed/Stede relationship arc without needing more episodes, and despite only thinking about this for a couple days and not having an entire writing room to work with:
(Note: this only addresses the Ed/Stede relationship. It doesn't fix Stede completely lacking an independent character arc and Ed having about ten thousand of them, none of which went anywhere.)
In 2x05 to 2x07, I would make Ed's motivations in their relationship very clearly that he's pushing Stede away so he doesn't get hurt again. Basically play up Ed's comment about "I was all in" in 2x04, and make him determined not to get 'all in' this time around. This aligns the "let's take it slow" conversation in 2x05, the "sex was a mistake" in 2x06, and Ed running away to be a fisherman in 2x07 into a single arc. He wants Stede, but he's afraid of what that wanting will do to him. He's trying to find a way to have a relationship without making himself vulnerable. He keeps pushing off commitment and openness.
Then, in 2x08, I'd make it more explicit that Ed thinks/fears Stede is dead when he sees the pirate ships burning. I think it's subtext in the episode as-is, but give him a line or two to make it really clear. Ed and Stede still see each other on the beach, have their dramatic run to each other, and Ed says, "I love you". Now this moment is Ed acknowledging his love, exactly what he's been avoiding for the last three episodes.
Near the end of the episode, Ed and Stede have a conversation where Ed says something like, "I didn't want to get hurt again, I was afraid of the risk of falling in love and you leaving again, but thinking you were dead made me realize that never loving you would be worse" (but better written, ha, this is a tumblr post that's already too long). (Also possibly you could tie in Izzy's death here to underline both Ed and Stede not wanting to lose another person they care about, if we must have that plot point for some reason.) We actually get to see Ed asking Stede to come be innkeepers with him, paralleling asking him to run away to China (and paralleling NOT asking Stede to a fisherman), Stede voices some of his worries (paralleling him keeping them inside in 1x09, but also giving him a chance to explain what piracy and love mean to him and why he'd give up one for the other), but ultimately they agree that they at least want to try.
This both puts them into a much clearer place for a happy ending, has clear growth from S1 and the beginning of this season, but also leaves open a ton of room for S3, because welp, it turns out trying to have a relationship entails all sorts of problems! Especially with these two. It also would make me feel like they'd at least addressed some of the issues between them.
Right now I feel like S3 will have to spend at least the first few episodes running through exactly the same "don't talk – break up – get back together dramatically" arc that Stede and Ed have already done twice but have never discussed and never learned from. I liked it, but I don't need to see it yet again. That will – ironically – feel like yet more wasted time, more episodes that are just churning through beats without moving the characters forward. I wanted them to have new, different fights in S3, but now I don't even feel like they've made enough progress to have a fresh set of problems.
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Chapter 5.5: What a nice neighbour! (Older!König x Younger!Reader)
tw: age gap (early 20s reader, AT LEAST mid-40s König), manipulation, a little bit of pseudo-incest
Chapter 5 | Chapter 5.5 | > Masterlist
A/N: This one is kinda fluffy if you’re blind or have chronic daddy issues :D Also, what do you call a filler episode for a fanfic, again? Well, whatever it is, this is something like that hehehe (PS: No sexy time here, babes. Sorry :/)
"How about this one," You showed König the guy on the screen of your phone.
Jared, 24, a junior associate at a law firm.
"He looks like he's made of his father’s money. Must be a shitty brat," König commented as he pulled you closer on his lap as he looked over your shoulder.
"Would probably just use you as an accessory," The older man kissed along your jaw, "Swipe left." He ordered.
"We've been at this for an hour and you haven't approved of a single person yet." You swiped left.
"I'm a picky guy, liebling." His hands wandered over your body, caressing your curves as his lips skimmed the skin of your neck.
"You're gonna have to approve of someone sooner or later." Your head fell back to his shoulder.
"It's best not to rush your options like this. You know I only want the best for you~" He kissed a sensitive spot on your neck, causing you to shudder. "Let's try again, yes?"
You sighed and swiped to the next person in the application.
"No," König's disapproval was immediate.
"You haven't even looked at his description yet!-"
"No."
"But-"
"No."
"I- Fine."
You swiped left.
König hummed in approval. "Good girl~"
"Yeah, yeah." You huffed in annoyance and sat up a bit from his chest.
"What? You don't want to be my good girl anymore, mein liebchen?" He feigned hurt, but his eyes told a different story.
"No! Not like that-" You leaned back again. "It's just.. I.."
"Come on, use your words. Tell König what's wrong." The soft encouraging smile he gave you was so convincing.
"You always make these mean comments about how the people on here don't deserve me and.. Frankly? I'm tired of skimming through all these men.." You complained with a soft pout.
"I just wanna be held and kissed and.. and touched.." Your cheeks grew hot and you felt the embarrassment settle in.
"Hmm," He took the phone out of your hand and set it down, "I'm sorry, liebling. I didn't know you felt that way." He wrapped his arms around your torso, bringing you closer to him.
"I know you want to go out and explore the world and all that.. But.." He placed a soft kiss on your temple. "We don't want another 'Billy' situation now, do we?"
You tensed up and looked down. "No.."
"So you understand why I have to keep you away from those men."
"I do.."
"Good," His hands started to wander again, below your shirt to knead at the skin softly. "Come i'll cuddle you, maybe you'll feel better then, ja?"
"That would be nice.." You smiled, already leaning in closer to him.
"I think you could also use a little distraction. Wouldn't you agree?" His tone was teasing and lighthearted.
"Mhm.." You turned in his lap and placed your hands on his chest. "You should join me too next time.. On Tinder, I mean. I'm sure there's plenty women looking for a man like you."
"And why would I want another woman when I have you?"
You were taken aback by his words. It was the first time he was being so honest and genuine with you, and it was enough to send your heart fluttering.
"Yea, but I'm only here to keep you accompanied as.. as your 'daughter-figure' or something like that. I can't possibly fulfill all your needs.." You muttered shyly.
Oh, if only you knew the things he's been doing to you~
"I'm quite content with just having you around, mein liebchen."
"Well.. What if you want another wife?" You questioned, curious to see what his answer was.
"I doubt so. I'm not currently planning on meeting new women just to replace my late wife," He paused, thinking of his words.
"Besides, i'm lucky enough to have my sweet liebchen to stick around and entertain me~"
"..I guess I could stay, for a while." You said, trying not to seem so eager.
"Good girl," He praised.
You hummed happily and leaned forward to kiss his cheek affectionately. "Can I have my phone back?"
"You don't need it right now,"
"Why not?" You asked with furrowed brows.
"Because you're spending time with me,"
You couldn't help the small smile that formed on your lips.
"You're a needy old man."
"But you love me, don't you?"
You chuckled softly.
"Of course," You snuggled into him.
König's heart fluttered at your words. He knew you didn't mean it that way but you'll change its meaning soon enough.
He'll make sure of it~!
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Long Time Coming I Chapter Eleven I Jealousy, Jealousy
Summary: Being hired as the first female assistant coach in the league was a challenge of it itself. Being a football protigy and University Football Legend was easy enough. Coaching Jamie Tartt was a challenge all on its own.
Word Count: 4.1k
Warning: Jealousy, Zava smh, some angst
A/N: Meaty chapter. Some filler stuff tho. But It'll pick up soon!
Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten
We set this whole thing up for Zava’s arrival. With press and the whole team there but he never showed. We are all sat waiting in the sun for him for well over an hour. Ted sent us all back to the locker while he went to discuss with Rebecca. I sat in my chair that I’d brought out from the office, spinning absentmindedly as the boys chatted.
“Hey, did Zava come through here?” Ted walked into the room, causing me to stop my spinning.
“What? No,” I answered, rising out of my chair. “Did you see him?”
“Yeah, he was upstairs just a second ago.”
Great, so now we had a random superstar football player wandering around the building. I slumped back into my chair as the boys began to figure out how they would find him. I turned to look at Jamie who looked just as disgruntled as me. I shrugged at him, trying to find some levity in the situation but Jamie just crossed his arms and shook his head.
Then my eyes wandered to the doorway where, lo and behold, Zava appeared. A hush fell over the room as he sauntered in, all eyes watching to see what the man would do next. He took a deep inhale, then exhaled just as deeply.
“I will begin by address the most important person in this room,” Zava announced. The boys hung on his every word, hoping that somehow, they would be the most important person in the room. “Which of you is the kitman?”
I saw Will’s eyes practically bug out of his head as he jumped up from the back of the group.
“That’s me! Uh… I’m Will,” He stutted out. “Uh, I am…”
“Will,” Zava addressed. “I too worked as a ball boy for a club when I was just 11 years old.”
“I’m 25”
“Your passion… is why I play,” Zava breathed out. I rolled my eyes and shot Jamie a glance. He was giving me the same incredulous smile that I had. I was glad at least one other person in the room was finding the humor in this situation. I let out a scoff at Jamie’s face.
Unfortunately, my scoff seemed to gain the attention of Zava as he turned to face me.
“Any you,” He knelt down in front of me, taking my hand in his. “You are a warrior. I pledge my allegiance to you, my queen.”
“Oh… uh…. Thanks?” I wasn’t quite sure how to respond when a grown man pledges his allegiance to you.
“Your bravery and determination know no bounds.” He brought my hands up and place a kiss on each palm. “Lead me down your path.”
I gave him a tightlipped smile as he nodded at me. He finally let go of my hands and walked back to address the team. I sat there, still in shock at the interaction. I looked over at Jamie again, expecting to laugh things off with him but he wasn’t laughing, in fact all the humor in his face had left.
The coaches left the locker room to go discuss our strategy with Zava. As we did, I looked over at Jamie one last time who was untying and retying his shoes, refusing to even look my way. I groaned internally, now I’d have that to deal with when I got home.
Training was fine for the rest of the day. The boys were buzzing thinking about Zava. I stood next to Roy as we watched them run their drills.
“I just don’t get it,” I said to Roy, arms crossed in front of me. “I mean he’s a good player yeah, but we have plenty of great players on the team. O’BREIN IF I SEE YOU CUT A CORNER AGAIN, I’LL CHASE YOU AROUND THE PITCH MYSELF.”
Roy nodded at me. “The boys need something to hold onto, if they want to hold onto Zava, that’s fine by me.”
I watched as Jamie pushed himself to be in the front of the pack. “I think it’s incredibly short sighted to depend on one player. Just thinking about when Jamie was their Zava.” Roy grunted, remembering all too well when Jamie was the hero of the lads. “I guess I just don’t get it.”
“I think it’s a guy thing… like Ryan Reynolds,” he surmised. I shook my head, a disgusted look on my face.
“Well, that’s one thing I can be glad not to get behind.”
…
After training, I was sitting in at my desk, drawing up a different strategy. Or at least trying to. I sucked at this part, trying to figure out how the players should move. I was good at interpreting strategy and executing it, but coming up with one on my own, forget about it. I was just about to give up and get ready to head out when Jamie walked into the room.
“Hey, Jamie,” Ted greeted with a smile. “How you doing?”
“Um. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Straight and to the point. He didn’t even look at me when he walked in the room. I frowned glancing over at Beard who shrugged.
“Yeah! You can talk to me as long as you want, though I do have a tendency to doze off around 1:00am.” He laughed at himself. How many dad jokes could Ted make in one day? The world may never know. “What’s up.”
“Uh, so look… uh,” Jamie turned and closed the door and finally he looked at me. I tried to give him a smile, but he didn’t seem very receptive to it. “I know we’re all excited Zava’s here. Yeah, I get that. But I know a lot of players like him, and they’re all just self-absorbed glory hunters who care about themselves.”
Ted and Beard gave each other a look. I knew what they were thinking. Jamie was that exact self-absorbed glory hunter just a few seasons ago. But Jamie was different. He really was. And the fact that Zava was that version of himself was truly mature of him. I knew it took a lot for him to come talk to us and I wanted to support him.
“Uh. Jamie, don’t you think that… coming from you… that’s a little bit ironic,” Beard scoffed, giving Jamie a condescending look. I frowned at him. It wasn’t even ironic.
“Look!” Jamie stammered trying to figure out how to word his thoughts correctly. “The point is. We don’t need this guy. I… I think we’ve got a good thing going here, and he’s already fucking it all up.” He pointed to the white board that Zava had messed with. The one where everyone else was behind him.
I hurt me to see Jamie to insecure. But it was different from the insecurity I’d seen when he was worried about Dani. Not only was he being way more eloquent with his words, but he was showing his insecurity to the coaches. Something he never would’ve done before.
“Hey, Jamie, I hear what you’re saying man,” Ted reassured him. “But I think we’ve got to give it a game or two and see what’s what.”
Jamie glanced at me again. Only the second time since he’d walked into the room. I nodded, agreeing with Ted. As much as I didn’t get the obsession around Zava, he was a good player and we had to give it a chance before dismissing him completely. Especially after everything Rebecca did to secure him to the team.
“Yeah, yeah…” Jamie nodded, wringing his hands. “Yeah, no, course, yeah. Well, um. Thanks for hearing me out.”
“Alright!” Ted responded, hitting his desk. “Thanks for speaking your mind. Please continue to do so.”
Jamie nodded and turned to leave. “Oh, and uh, I weren’t being ironic… I was being hypocritical.” He said to Beard. “That’s it.”
And he left. I raised my eyebrows and smiled widely, looking at Beard in excitement. Beard was furious. His mind reeling with the idea that Jamie had corrected him.
“Is that right?” Ted asked.
“Mmm.”
“Yes or no!” I pressed, doing a drumroll on my desk.
“Yes…” Beard squeaked out.
I laughed, pumping my fist in the air. “Jamie 1, Beard 0”
“So that was actually ironic,” Ted pointed out.
“More like Beard 5 Jamie 1, okay?” Beard pouted and stormed out of the room. Ted and I sat chuckling to ourselves as he left. I turned back to my paper, looking at what I had drawn.
I scrapped it, balling it up into a ball before throwing it into the trash, nearly hitting Ted as I did. I let out a loud groan and slammed my head into the desk.
Ted rolled over to sit next to me. “What chu working on there.”
“Do you ever think it’s crazy?” I asked him, rolling my head over to look at him. “Being here? Being a football coach?”
Ted laughed ironically. “You know that question does cross my mind from time to time, yes.”
I smiled, but the pit in my stomach wouldn’t let me celebrate quite yet. “But then I remember why we’re here. Do you remember that?”
I looked over at him. “To win the whole fucking thing.”
“To win the whole fucking thing,” Ted nodded, hitting my arm. “Now why don’t you go on home? You’ve worked enough for today.”
“Whatever you say, Ted.” I pushed back from my desk, grabbing my bag. “I’ll see you at the game, yeah?”
“Sure will, miss ma’am,” He responded, standing from his seat. “Have a nice night.”
I walked out into the carpark, looking forward to getting home and taking a long shower… maybe with Jamie involved. But instead, he was leaning against my car waiting for me. I approached him, looking around to make sure there was no one else around.
“Hey Jamie, what’s up.”
“Oh, hey (Y/N), thought you’d forgotten about me,” Jamie grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I unlocked my care. “What are you talking about?”
“Thought you’d be too busy talking to Zava,” he said pointedly, not even having the decency to look at you.
You stared at him face unmoving. Your blood was boiling. “Nuh, uh, no we aren’t doing this jealous bullshit.” Jamie shrugged noncommittally, but you could tell his exterior was breaking. “You don’t get to take your anger and insecurity out on me.”
“I was just-“
“You were just nothing, get off my car.”
He pushed himself off my car, hand coming around to rub the back of his neck. I pushed him aside and opened the door to the car.I knew Jamie was upset about Zava, I knew he was feeling insecure about his skill and his abilities I knew all those things. But he had no right to pin his emotions on me. If he had actually talked to me, he would’ve learned that I think Zava is an overrated prick with an ego to match but no. Instead, now I was getting in the car to drive home and shower, alone.
I didn’t say another word to Jamie was I slammed the door and drove off. In my rearview mirror, I saw him kicking a rock on the ground and knew he was probably kicking himself as well. My shower wasn’t as satisfying as it would have been if Jamie had been there, but I enjoyed it, nonetheless.
I let the hot water roll down over my body, washing away the stress and anxiety the day had brought. But when I stepped out, I found myself wishing Jamie was there to make some stupid cheeky comment about my body. I had to remind myself that I were mad at him long enough to not text him to come over.
Instead, I went back to my drawing board and tried to draw up another strategy. But try as I might, I couldn’t focus. I tapped my pencil against the page. Every tap sending a pitch to my mind of my football days, the stomps on the seats, the cheers of my chant, the swish of the goal. What were I missing?
I snapped out of my trance when I saw my phone was ringing. I picked up my phone and answered the called.
“Hello?”
It was only a few minutes later when Colin showed up at my doorstep with a bottle of sugary rose and two glasses.
“Are you sure I wasn’t bothering you?” he checked as I walked him into my house.
I waved him off, sitting down on my couch. “Not at all, I was just relaxing after a shower, now pour me some wine and talk to me.”
Colin followed my instructions and poured me a hefty glass of wine. He sat on my couch, trying to make himself comfortable but I could tell there was something on his mind. He was vague on the phone, something about relationship problems and just wanted to chat, but that was it. He shifted so his body was facing mine.
“Do you ever feel like… a part of you is… missing?” He asked sincerely. “Like… you can almost tell it’s there but it’s just out of reach.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Is this about Zava? Cause I told Ted that taking you out of the lineup was a bad idea.”
“No! Well… maybe.” He considered his words, tapping his fingers against his hands. “Maybe something more than Zava.”
I thought back to my dilemma with the strategy. I could see the field, the ball in in stride, the crowd cheering my name, but not the formation. What was I doing there? I thought through this as Colin waited for me to respond.
“I think maybe Zava getting me benched has me thinking about… my place on the team and just who I am…” He told me, looking down. “Something Nate said to me last season.”
I rolled my eyes, grumbling to myself. “What did he say?” I scoffed, thinking about what Nate could possible have said, brining my wine glass to my lips.
“He called me uninspiring.” I almost spit out my wine. “Like Jamie and Dani are Van Goph and I’m… motel art.”
“He said WHAT?” I shouted, nearly jumping out of my seat. “What a bastard.”
“Yeah…well… maybe he was right.”
“No, no, Colin…” I got up from my spot and moved over to sit next to him. “You are not motel art.”
Colin shrugged, looking noncommittal. “Zava inspires, that’s why he’s on the team.”
It broke my heart to think someone made Colin think he wasn’t inspiring. Like his work on the team wasn’t enough.
“Colin…” I sighed, sucking my lips into my teeth. “You are inspiring. The only thing Zava inspires is a headache, but you… you make the team work. On and off the field.” I brought my hand to shake his shoulder. “You’re my friend, Colin. I don’t become friends with just anyone on the team.”
“Bumbercatch said he was sorry”
“If he was sorry he would knit me a new scarf, wouldn’t he.”
Colin chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah… I guess.”
I could tell there was something more going on in Colin’s head. Something that went deeper than just the team’s lineup. His hands were still tapping away at each other even as he smiled. I knocked my shoulder against his.
“Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?” I checked, glancing down at his hands and back up at him.
Colin chewed on his bottom lip as his eyes averted away from mine. “Uh, no, I don’t think so.”
I nodded, knowing that if it was something I should know he would tell me.
“Alright, then get your switch out we’re playing Smash Bros.”
“Oh, you are so on.”
The day of the game arrived and the whole city of Richmond was buzzing. Everyone was excited to see Zava make his debut for the team, see what he could do for us. I found myself spacing out as the coaching staff went over the plan to the team again. How many times could one man say Zava before the it didn’t even sound like a name anymore.
We had exactly four minutes until we had to be on the field. I was heading to fill up my water bottle when a hand pulled me into the boot room. I yelped but knew exactly who it was.
“Jamie, you have to stop surprising me like this,” I scolded, trying to regain my balance.
“Sorry, sorry, but I we don’t have a lot of time,” He apologized, running a hand through his hair. “I just want to apologize.” I softened, standing up straight as I listened to him. “I was being a dick yesterday, and I took me… stupid insecurity about Zava out on you.”
“Yeah… you did,” I agreed, the ends of my lips curling up just slightly.
“Anyways, I just wanted to say I’m sorry, yeah?” He concluded, skewing his mouth at me.
I glanced around the room, making sure the coast was clear before going up on my tallest tip toes and placing a quick kiss on Jamie’s mouth.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my eyes crinkling with my smile. “But next time… just talk to me. “
He scoffed and nodded, looking down at the floor. “Yeah… I should’ve just talked to you. I know… but it’s just Zava gotten into me head.”
I started to head towards the door, shrugging. “Don’t worry about Zava, how back could it possibly be?”
…
Very bad, apparently. Well great for Richmond. But terrible for Jamie. Zava took the league by storm, leading Richmond through a string of powerful wins against all of our rivals. It made us look great, but I could tell it was taking a toll on Jamie’s self-esteem. He barely had a single goal the whole season, even one that looked like a sure goal for him that Zava stole at the last minute.
That’s how he ended up moping in the corner of Sam’s restaurant. I stared at him as I chatted with Rebecca and Keeley. After another successful win, Sam had invited us over for an early opening of his restaurant. Everyone had come. Even Beard and Jane were there to show their support. I would give anything to go over and comfort Jamie, but right now, I could only stare as he looked so fucking good, even as broody as he was.
“It’s a pity you and Jamie never worked your shit out, isn’t it,” Rebecca commented, popping an olive in her mouth. “You were all over him last season.”
I widened my eyes at her, nodding sadly. “We just never figured shit out, I guess.”
“It’s too bad,” Keeley agreed, looking over at Jamie. “I think the two of you would’ve been great.”
I glanced over at Jamie again who was playing with his food, a warm feeling flooding my chest. “Yeah… we would’ve.”
Rebecca and Keeley shared a glance. Rebecca subtly refilled my glass with champagne as Keeley pulled me back into the conversation.
“Well, we need to get you back on the horse! Gotta get back on bantr!” Keeley insisted, forcing me to look at her. “I bet if you tried you could take one of these guys home tonight.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I don’t want to do that,” I soothed, shaking my head. “I think I just want to be single for a little while.”
Rebecca nodded at me. “Good for you, being single is great!”
“You hate being single,” Keely pointed out, giggling.
“But I have come to accept it, (Y/N)” she looked at me seriously. “Just focus on you and the rest will come.”
I smiled at her. She was right. Not in the way she thought but it meant a lot to me. Here I was, working for a premiere league football team, dating my best friend and I should be happy. I was happy. But my mind wandered to my conversation with Colin. There was a part of me missing but I didn’t even know what part.
I looked over at Jamie again, this time he was with Roy. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. But I missed Jamie. I missed him even though he was sitting in the room with me. I knew that if I walked over there and pulled him up and kissed him in the middle of the room, no one would care.
But it wasn’t them I was afraid of. It was everyone else. Once the word got out into the world and the press knew and the fans knew, no one would look at me the same way. They would look at him the same but me, I’d be the coach who was dating her player. I’d be the girl who slept my way to the top. And I don’t think I could handle that.
…
The rapid knocking on the door was what woke me up. I was laying on Jamie's chest, an arm slung over his waist as he kept me secure with an arm around my shoulder. I blinked my eyes open and propped myself up on my elbows to look at the clock. 4:00AM.
"Jamie," I grumbled, tapping his chest. "If you don't get the door, I'm gonna kill someone. Most likely you."
"Why do I have to do it?" He growled, wrapping his arms around me to pull me down to his chest again. "Just ignore it, they'll go away."
I smile sleepily, closing my eyes again. He was right. Whoever it was knocking at the wrong house. They would go away eventually.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Or not. I groaned again. "Jammieee."
He didn't move, pretending not to hear me. I trailed my hands up his chest and flicked his bare nipple.
“Oi!" He shouted, suddenly very awake. "What'd you do that for?"
"Go. Get. The. Door." I demanded, wriggling out from his arms, and turning over.
Jamie let out a frustrated grunt but got out of the bed, throwing a shirt on before walking out again. I felt your eyes begin to droop again. Jamie would be back eventually, and we could go back to sleep for a few more hours.
But he didn’t come back, and it sounded like he was actually talking to whoever was at the door. I frowned and let out a hard sigh as I rolled out of bed. I found Jamie’s shirt – he must have taken mind by mistake – and threw it on over my head. I slumped down the stairs rubbing my eyes.
“Jamie, who the fuck is at the door?” As I rounded the corner, a bright light came to shine on me. I blinked my eyes and realized that it was Roy. “Oh, fuck.”
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Roy barked, looking at Jamie.
“None of your fucking business, grandad,” Jamie waved him off turning around. He walked over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my head. “Goin’ for a run, you gonna be okay?
I nodded at him, giving him a tight-lipped smile. “You’re wearing my shirt and your ass is out.”
He looked down at the shit then glanced over his shoulder. “Thought I’d give Roy a show, whatdaya think.” He leaned down pursing his lips dramatically.
I pushed his head away and laughed. “Very funny, now go change so I can go back to sleep.”
Jamie frowned at me and sulked as he walked off. I watched him leave for a second, my lips pursed as I became very aware of Roy’s eyes on me. I walked over to the open door, waving at Roy.
“You sleepin’ with Tartt?” He grunted, his bushy eyebrows lifting slightly.
“Your knees still creak when the wind blows?” I shot back, meeting his expression.
Roy grunted at me, smirking fondly. “Touche.”
I smiled, a real smile, not a tight-lipped or pursed smile. It was 4 o’clock in the fucking morning and I’m standing in Jamie’s shirt in front of my friend and the world didn’t explode. Roy and Jamie getting along, well as best as they could. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Sure, it wasn’t the whole world, but it was someone. It was a start.
“Holy shit.” Roy’s voice brought me back to reality.
“What?” I leaned against the door frame.
“You’re proper fucking into him aren’t you,” Roy questioned. “Like it’s not just a sex thing.”
I bit my lip, turning as Jamie reemerged from our bedroom. I felt my ears begin to burn as I replied.
“Yeah… I’m proper fucking into him.”
Taglist:@heletsmelovehim @higherthanheroes @ajax-petropolus-wife @oxxolovemelikeyoudooxxo @optimisticsandwichgladiator @kno-way-home @sleepy-time @wigglegiggle @skewedcherries @respondingtoshowerthoughts-blog @snubug @rana030
#jamie tartt#jamie tartt x reader#ted lasso#ted lasso show#jamie tartt imagine#jamie tartt x y/n#jamie tartt fanfiction#Long Time Coming
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Showstopper 📸 3: Nobody has ever made me feel this way
Hoseok knows the rumors.
Everyone in the industry knows the rumors.
Min Yoongi is a player. Min Yoongi is a snake. Stand in front of Min Yoongi’s camera, and you will be just another one of his victims – prey for him to use as he pleases and toss away when he gets bored.
📸 Hoseok x Yoongi
📸 word count: 18.7k
📸 strangers to lovers, model & photographer au, angst, smut, fluff, slash, nsfw, 18+
📸 warnings: Hoseok & Yoongi switch; they are both hot and cold & there is plenty of angst; footsie that turns to cockstepping; explicit discussion of sexual acts; jealousy; attempts at communication; dry humping; hair pulling; use of "good boy"; mouth spitting; blowjobs; deepthroating; a lot of drool; brief delicate cheek slapping; cum swallowing; some overstimulation; frotting; Yoongi is surprisingly submissive; sexual acts happen while somewhat under the influence but not drunk.
📸 notes: this chapter is very dialogue heavy!!! i hope some plot points don't feel too rushed or contrived, but i am trying to squeeze everything into my 4 planned chapters, since i have so much on my plate! 💜
📸 written for the BTS Found Fest!
📸 thanks to @neoneunnajimin for beta reading.
📸 posted jan. 2024 | read on ao3
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Hoseok cannot, for the life of him, pretend that kiss never happened.
He may as well be drunk each day with the way he spaces out, misses instruction, and does not seem to be fully aware of his surroundings. He is clumsy, always staring at Yoongi's hands, and forgetting to change poses without being told.
And to make matters worse, Yoongi's moodiness has ramped up. He is quick to snap his fingers and bark instructions.
"Model," he will say, not using Hoseok's name, "get your head out of the fucking clouds, what is going on with you?"
With a shrug and maybe a yawn, Hoseok will sigh and bat his eyelashes. "Sorry, boss," he will make his voice soft and sweet as candy floss, "just tired this week."
The thing is, Hoseok is coasting until he finds out whether Dior wants more from him. He already has the cover and the money shots – the shit he is doing this week is all random filler images that Yoongi will keep a stock of in case he needs something for an ad. Random outfits, random backdrops, random accessories.
Why he is bothering to do any of this right now seems pointless. It is almost as if Yoongi is just asking him to be around for the sake of having him around, and Hoseok finds it tedious. After his hot shot Dior campaign, he deserves a vacation. He wore a merkin, for fuck's sake.
During the third day of this nonsense, Namjoon comes sighing into the makeup room, shaking his head. There are other models around, so he waits to get up close to Hoseok's ear to mutter, "You're really getting under his skin. Are you trying to get fired?"
Hoseok simply stares at him with one eyebrow raised. He knows Yoongi has told Namjoon about the kiss – he tells Namjoon about everything.
Namjoon confirms that he at least knows something by rolling his eyes, shaking his head, and saying, "Well, he has asked me to invite you to dinner with him today so the two of you can speak."
"I have nothing to say to him," Hoseok says, holding out his perfectly manicured left hand to inspect whether his nails are still shiny and well-groomed – they are. "If he wants to invite me out, he can do it, himself."
On top of everything else, Hoseok is playing hard to get. If Yoongi wants to see or speak to him, he can earn the right. One does not barge into Hoseok's apartment, surprise him with a life-altering kiss, and then carry on like everything is fine. Absolutely not.
He wants to annoy Yoongi by playing footsie with him under a restaurant booth, or seduce him up in his big, dark office, but not let him have anything more than another kiss. Just to show him that he is not fully in control.
But he doesn't want to make it obvious to the other models. He has no desire to commiserate with them over the ways Yoongi has used them.
Ultimately, Hoseok wants to come out on top – figuratively and literally. He wants to have Yoongi sprawled out across that big, leather-topped desk of his, moaning Hoseok's name in his deep, raspy timbre. That's the goal.
Namjoon pulls out his phone and thumbs around, dimples on display as he smiles to himself. Hoseok likes it when Namjoon plays along with his cattiness, and he imagines that Namjoon is relaying his message to Yoongi.
Meanwhile, models come and go, all shooting with different photographers throughout the massive studio space. Only Hoseok and Sunmi have Yoongi's attention, and Hoseok has been attempting to watch like a hawk to see if any flirtatious behavior is exchanged, but much to his chagrin, Sunmi only seems to be behind Yoongi's lens when Hoseok is busy getting his hair and makeup done.
He wonders how many more models Yoongi will kiss this week. How many does he text to ask if they need a ride home? How many go out to lunch with him in secluded corner booths and shower at his home studio?
Whereas before, Hoseok thought he was catching feelings for Yoongi, now he is determined for it to be a power play only. He just wants to fuck him once to get it out of his system – mark up that round little ass of his. Then he can leave this whole stupid company behind.
Hoseok is balls deep in a mental image of Yoongi bent over his large desk when he hears the man's voice cut through his imagination, bringing him back to reality.
"Hoseok."
Hoseok looks up to find Yoongi's head peeking into the room. Namjoon is still present, still on his phone, but Hoseok can tell by his expression – by the way his eyes are staring unmoving at the device – that he is definitely eavesdropping.
"Yes, boss?" Hoseok asks with as much indifference as he can muster.
"How would you like to come on a little field trip with me? Dior wants to discuss a second round of outfits, and I could use some dinner."
Hoseok stretches his back and lets out a deep sigh, then he slouches in his chair and shrugs, acting bored. "Sure. Sounds fun."
Rather than respond, Yoongi simply leaves the room. Hoseok stands to follow, but Namjoon stops him in his tracks.
"Let's find you something nice to wear," he says.
Hoseok looks down at his favorite baby blue cropped tee and low-rise daisy duke denim shorts and says, "What are you talking about? I look amazing."
"I didn't say you didn't look amazing," Namjoon responds with a playful smile. "But I just think you should wear something a touch more put together."
By now, all of the models have left the room, and Namjoon closes the door.
"Why?" Hoseok asks conspiratorially. "Is he taking me somewhere nice? Gonna butter me up? Or finally apologize? Maybe try to corner me for another stupid fucking kiss?"
With a sigh, Namjoon turns to a rack of black and white clothing and begins to search until he pulls out a black blazer, black slacks, and a delicate off-white silk blouse. Hoseok rolls his eyes dramatically but cannot hold back a smile as he strips down and allows Namjoon to play dress up.
The blouse has a deep v-neck that hangs gracefully down to the valley of his pecs, and he wears the fitted blazer fully open, with the blouse tucked into tight, fitted slacks that are accentuated nicely with a black leather belt. Namjoon dusts a thin black line around Hoseok's eyes and chooses a pair of chunky black loafers for him to wear.
While Namjoon is digging through a chest for jewelry pieces, there are three soft knocks on the door, followed by it slowly opening and Yoongi sticking his head back into the room. Hoseok stares at his boss, watching as his eyes widen and then settle back to their cold natural state.
"We're just about finished, boss," Namjoon says.
Yoongi heavy-blinks and nods once, then says, "I'll be in the car."
Hoseok is no fool – he knows that behavior well. "He wants me so bad," he says, giggling to himself while cold metal is draped around his neck and fastened into place.
Namjoon has chosen a stack of delicate gold chains that drape and cascade beautifully with the deep neck of the blouse. Hoseok dances his fingertips along one of the thickest chains and smiles into the mirror.
"Joonie Baboonie, you have such an eye for style."
"Baboonie?" Namjoon asks with a chuckle as Hoseok spins on his toes and pats Namjoon on one of his big, strong biceps.
"Yes, Baboonie! You got this primal ape thickness to you," he says, giving Namjoon's arm a squeeze.
Namjoon gasps and yanks his arm away, pretending to be scandalized. "I don't even know what to think right now."
"Trust me, it's a compliment," Hoseok says as he turns toward the door, looking over his shoulder to add, "You're easily one of the hottest men on this peninsula."
The tips of Namjoon's ears turn a precious shade of red, and Hoseok grabs his phone, wallet, and keys from where they sit on the vanity counter and slide them into his borrowed pockets, giggling to himself over how fun it is to rile Namjoon up.
He takes his time walking through the studio, to the large front doors ahead, listening to shutters snap closed while photographers and directors instruct and praise and ask more from their models. Despite feeling fed up with Yoongi's antics, he is proud to be part of this world, and he holds his head high as he pauses before the sliding glass doors and waits for them to open wide.
It is early evening, still bright and warm outside. Hoseok spots the familiar sedan sitting curbside and is pleased to find only Yoongi waiting for him. He can play coy all he wants in the presence of others, but he is not so sure he can hold up the facade around Seokjin, and the man's absence is a relief.
Yoongi wears a black mask over his nose and mouth, as well as black sunglasses, and when Hoseok opens the door and slides into the front seat, Yoongi points to the glove compartment and says, "Disguise, please."
Now that Hoseok is alone with Yoongi, he fully takes in his appearance. Between being photographed by him earlier in the day and now, he has changed from his typical flowing black rags into a white button-up top with long, sharp lapels, and charcoal grey slacks that strain against his thighs. His hair has so much volume that the tips fan out in pretty waves, and Hoseok openly stares, feeling his feigned impassiveness crash down around him.
There is no way he is going to be able to have the upper hand if Yoongi is this fucking pretty.
"Hoseok," Yoongi says, "we don't have all day."
Hoseok clears his throat, blinks Yoongi from view, and leans to open the glove compartment. Inside is a pair of black sunglasses and an unused black mask, and he reaches for each item to put on.
"Why the disguises?" he asks.
"I don't like my identity being widely spread, and there always seems to be someone in the high-end districts waiting for me to waltz into a shop or restaurant. Better safe than sorry."
"Why is that?" Hoseok asks, adjusting the mask to fit comfortably over his nose.
Yoongi sighs. "The last thing I need is for the press to see me taking my models out to eat and spread the word that I'm fucking them."
"Because you are," Hoseok mutters.
"Flirting is not the same as fucking."
Hoseok rolls his eyes and tips his head in Yoongi's direction. His voice is low but challenging as he asks, "How many of them do you fuck, boss?"
It is a shame Yoongi's face is covered; Hoseok would love to see his expression as he says, "Currently, none."
With a hum, Hoseok turns to reach for his seatbelt. He does not believe Yoongi for a second, but he is still happy with the claim.
"Where are we off to?" Hoseok asks in a far more chipper voice.
Yoongi sighs, turning Hoseok's attention back to him. He has his sunglasses pulled down to the bridge of his nose, and his eyes appear somewhat sad.
"Look, I'm sorry for kissing you. I should have asked…or…I don't know…refrained."
"Yup," Hoseok responds snarkily.
"But we need to at least pretend things are normal, for the sake of professionality. Otherwise I will not be able to continue having you at M Magazine. I really don't want to let you go, Hoseok."
"Because I'm a good investment. I know."
Another sigh. "Is that really how you feel?"
Hoseok rolls his eyes again, thankful that his expression is hidden, because he suddenly feels dangerously close to crying. He takes his time to think about his response, and then he shrugs. Yoongi is fucking insane if he thinks Hoseok is going to give him an ounce of his dignity.
"I thought we didn't have all day?" he asks, instead.
Yoongi slowly blinks, then says, "We have time for this. If there's something we need to discuss, I can always make time for it."
"Wow, so caring," Hoseok drawls sarcastically. "You're really good at putting on the good boy act when it's just the two of us. How many other models do you do this for?"
Yoongi squints, pushes his sunglasses back into place, and presses the ignition start button. Then he simply asks, "Sushi?"
"Sushi sounds great," Hoseok responds genuinely as he sits back and looks out the windshield, eyes trailing over details he barely registers of vehicles and trees.
Off they drive. Hoseok spaces out entirely, blocking out everything ahead. Instead, he fights with his own emotions, unsure how he would like to proceed.
He wants to tease Yoongi, and ultimately break him down. And in order to do so, he knows he needs to drop the snark. But Yoongi has genuinely pissed him off, and it is difficult not to bring it up.
When the racing thoughts get to be too overwhelming, Hoseok reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone. He has Namjoon's number saved from their spa day, and he pulls up his contact.
Hoseok Joon Baboon, this man is driving me insane. Please snitch on your bestie and tell me what he said about The Kiss™. I feel claustrophobic in this car because I don't know what the fuck this man is thinking.
Hoseok assumes Namjoon is still at work, but there is a chance he is between models, or packing up for the day. It is rare for anyone to stay past five, and it is a quarter to five now.
For good measure, he also sends a text to Jeongguk. He is eager to pick his friend's brain if Jeongguk is willing to talk about his experience with Yoongi.
Hoseok Ggukieee!!! Drinks later? On me? I'm having a crisis that only you could understand.
He places his phone face down on his leg and patiently waits, staring out the side window at all the tall glass and concrete buildings. This side of the city is where all the money is. Designer shops, high-end restaurants, five-star hotels.
Yoongi pulls up to a valet stand, takes a deep, slow breath, and shuts the ignition off. Hoseok swallows thickly, wondering if there really might be members of the press lingering around, waiting to photograph his boss – and, by extension, him.
As soon as Yoongi is out of the car, Hoseok follows suit, unbuckling and slowly opening his door. He has no idea why his heart pounds, and he glances around at his surroundings, noticing the way people stop and take in his appearance.
"For Min," Yoongi says as he hands the valet attendant his key.
The attendant bows and Yoongi turns to Hoseok, nods his chin, and walks toward a large glass door.
Hoseok follows close behind, trying to elongate his steps to accentuate the beautiful garments he wears rather than prance ahead quickly. He feels like royalty in the outfit Namjoon has dressed him in, and he intends to savor each second he spends in it.
Yoongi holds the door open, and Hoseok steps inside. Immediately, he is hit with rich umami and spicy scents, and he stops and waits for Yoongi to step ahead and say, "Two for Min," to the hostess.
"Right this way," she says, leading the two of them through a lavish restaurant furnished in gold, crystal, and jade, with copious amounts of natural lighting.
She leads them to a section of private booths with tall wooden walls – an area that is much more dim and intimate than the main dining hall – and she points to a booth all the way at the end. There are no other patrons in this area of the restaurant, yet Yoongi only removes his sunglasses once they are seated.
"The usual?" she asks, and Yoongi turns his attention to Hoseok.
"I usually get an assortment of sashimi, as well as inari, miso soup, and sake."
"That sounds good," Hoseok mutters, feeling inexplicably shy as he removes his sunglasses and scoots to the center of the booth.
"The usual, for two," Yoongi nods to the hostess, who bows and walks away. He busies himself with unfolding his napkin and placing it over his lap, and then pulls out his cell phone.
Hoseok pulls his phone out, as well. And in that moment, it vibrates.
Joon Baboon All he said was that he made a mistake. He feels like he broke your trust and pissed you off, and for that, he feels guilty.
Hoseok rolls his eyes and bites his lip to prevent from smiling.
Hoseok Is that what this fancy as fuck sushi dinner is about?
Joon Baboon You didn't hear it from me…
Hoseok The magic words!!!
Joon Baboon But, yes.
"About Dior," Yoongi says, causing Hoseok to set his phone down on the booth beside his leg and lift his attention to his boss. "Technically, the contract is over if you are pleased with all we have done. But they have reached out to express interest in having you model the upcoming winter line."
"Oh?" Hoseok perks up and folds his hands over his lap, watching as Yoongi pulls the mask from his mouth and neatly sets it aside.
Yoongi is devastatingly pretty with his hair wild and curly. Especially with the crisp white shirt, his skin looks petal soft, and his lips have a slight gloss – kissable and sweet. Hoseok hates how quickly one look can make every wall he attempts to build around his heart buckle and crumble to his feet.
"Cardigans, hoodies, handbags," Yoongi continues, "possibly sneakers. Oh, and they have a grey wide-legged wool pant that I believe you would be particularly stunning in, if that interests you."
Hoseok licks his lips and nods. For once, he has nothing snarky to say, and instead, he sits back and takes a deep breath. More Dior means more time spent with Yoongi acting as his agent. He feels conflicted.
"Would this be something we begin soon?" Hoseok asks, suddenly feeling antsy and shifting in his seat. "Or would we draw up a new contract?"
Yoongi studies his face, then leans forward with his elbows on the table. "What would you like to do? Continue the current contract and get all of that out of the way, or pause with Dior in order to find representation with a more permanent agent?"
Hoseok gently nibbles on the inside of his lip. He figures he may as well be honest with Yoongi, despite how much he loathes putting his feelings on display.
Luckily for him, a server approaches with a tray of water and sake. Hoseok busies himself with pouring small glasses of sake while the server excuses themself. He can feel Yoongi watching him, and he swallows back his anxiety as best as he can.
"In the event that Dior keeps thirsting for my good looks, I think I would like to find a more permanent agent."
He glances up and sees Yoongi watching him, chin resting against his folded hands.
"S-so, if you wouldn't mind putting me in touch with some," Hoseok continues, pulse quickening the longer Yoongi stares, "I would appreciate it."
"Alright," Yoongi says. "I can set up some interviews for this week."
"Thanks, boss," Hoseok mutters as he slides a soju glass forward.
"Any particular reason you are eager to pay money for representation?" Yoongi asks in a teasing voice as he reaches for his glass before Hoseok has a chance to let it go.
The warm graze of Yoongi's fingers makes Hoseok swallow thickly and pull his hand away. Yoongi's signature smirk is back, and it fills his tummies with butterflies and regret.
"Maybe," is all Hoseok is willing to say.
Yoongi hums, then lifts his glass, waiting for Hoseok to lift his, as well.
"How much sake will it take until you comfortably tell me what's on your mind?" he asks.
Hoseok scoffs, referring to the other night as he says, "At least three bottles."
Yoongi lifts an eyebrow and softly chuckles. They tap their glasses together, and Hoseok shoots the liquid back, savoring the almost buttery quality that shines through the semi-sweet flavor.
"How much will it take for you to be honest about your intentions with me?" Hoseok tries.
Yoongi lets out a slow exhale. "My intentions are to assist you with finding an agent to represent you for the rest of your brand contracts, and to continue assisting you with putting your best face forward in the hottest magazine in South Korea."
Hoseok hums and licks his lips. He wants to challenge Yoongi further, but he worries that this is not the place for that.
The booth rattles with an incoming text message, and Yoongi's eyes follow the sound, then lift to Hoseok, asking, "You gonna check that?"
Hoseok rolls his eyes and laughs humorlessly to himself, reaching for his phone. "You're insufferable," he mutters under his breath.
"Well, you aren't willing to speak openly with me," Yoongi quips, "so you may as well entertain yourself somehow."
Hoseok tongues the inside of his cheek as he lifts his phone, sees that it is a message from Jeongguk, and unlocks his screen to read it.
"Do you like wasabi in your soy sauce?" Yoongi asks, and Hoseok flicks his gaze up briefly, annoyed with his sudden change in topic.
"Sure," he says, dropping his gaze down to his phone.
Ggukie Bun Drinks sound fun, but idk how much I wanna talk about that man…you'll have to loosen me up quite a bit to get me to spill, hyungie.
He sends a quick response—
Hoseok You got yourself a deal, bunny. I'll hit you up when I'm finished with dinner.
—and slides his phone into his pants pocket before leaning forward with his elbows against the table.
"You want me to talk?" Hoseok challenges, keeping his voice low in case there are people sitting in nearby booths. "Alright, boss, I'll talk about anything you want. Pick my brain, since you're so eager."
Yoongi smirks and the sight alone has Hoseok's frustration reaching an all new high. The audacity of this man to push his buttons so much; he is going to lose his fucking mind.
Hoseok watches as Yoongi uses his chopsticks to mix a dollop of wasabi into a small square dish that he has poured soy sauce into, eyes glued to his long fingers cradling the black lacquered utensils.
"So, you're saying I don't have to spend eight hundred thousand won on booze to get you to open up?" Yoongi teases as he lays his chopsticks down across an empty dish.
"Eight hundred—" Hoseok gasps, then looks at the ceramic carafe in the center of the table. "What?"
"I know, one hundred and thirty thousand won is a lot for just one bottle, but I rather like how smooth this one is."
Hoseok chuckles and shakes his head. "You cannot be serious."
Yoongi's voice drops an octave as he leans forward and says, "Don't think I wouldn't spend that kind of money on you, Hoseok. Especially if it gets those pretty lips talking."
All the little hairs on Hoseok's body stand at full attention. He has half a mind to excuse himself to run outside for some fresh air.
"Pretty lips?" Hoseok asks, instead, unable to hide the tremble in his voice.
Yoongi's smirk becomes a grin, and there is a devious glimmer in his eyes as he says, "I quite liked the taste of soju on your tongue, but I bet this sake would be even better."
Nervous laughter rocks through Hoseok's chest, and he holds his left hand up and shakes his head, muttering, "Okay, you need to stop."
"Awe, what's the matter, Hoseok?" Yoongi teases.
"I am so fucking serious."
Yoongi sits back, resting his hands on the top of the dark wooden table, and Hoseok allows himself to stare at his short, tidy nails and knobby knuckles.
"Is that why you no longer want me to be your agent?" Yoongi asks. "Eager for another kiss?"
"Fuck it," Hoseok grumbles to himself as he sits tall, looks Yoongi in the eye, and says, "Yeah. That is why."
Yoongi watches Hoseok, eyes trailing from his eyes to his lips and back up. He appears to have something to say, but for once, is holding back.
Servers approach with trays of food, starting with the miso soup and inari, then the sashimi. Hoseok thanks the servers, smiles impatiently at Yoongi, and then waits for him to start eating.
But Yoongi keeps his eyes on Hoseok. He slowly blinks, saying nothing, and Hoseok takes a deep, fortifying breath and says, "Yoongi-ssi, I would like to eat. Please start."
"Sorry," Yoongi utters softly, lifting his burgundy napkin and tucking one corner delicately into the neck of his shirt.
Hoseok rolls his eyes and sits back with a huff, crossing his arms over his chest. Whatever game Yoongi is playing at, it is wearing him out.
"I was just thinking," Yoongi says as he reaches for his small bowl of soup and lifts it to his lips. He blows delicately at the broth and says, "Seokjin may have room to represent you."
Hoseok sits forward and reaches for his own small black plastic bowl with red along the rim, and he lifts it to his lips. "Seokjin works as an agent?"
Yoongi sips at his soup and closes his eyes. A smile graces his lips, and Hoseok forgets for a moment how hungry he is – all he can do is stare.
"Seokjin started out as my in-house agent," Yoongi says as his eyelids flutter open. "But then he got bored of dealing with fussy models and slowly transitioned to becoming my assistant. Sorry, my goon."
A hint of a smile tugs at Hoseok's lips before he can stop himself. He has a sip of the miso soup, and the rich, savory broth instantly warms him, sending a chill along his spine as he adjusts to the sudden change in temperature.
With another salty sip, a small square of tofu glides between his lips and practically melts on his tongue, and Hoseok understands why Yoongi reacts the way he does to savoring this soup. It really is delicious, and the perfect starter to the meal.
"I'm not sure he would enjoy me, then," Hoseok jokes, holding the bowl close to his lips. Steam rises from the broth, and he enjoys the way it dances over his skin. "I'm pretty fussy."
Yoongi chuckles, shakes his head, and mutters, "You're not that bad," before having another sip.
Hoseok sets his half-finished soup aside and reaches for his chopsticks. The inari is calling his name, and he reaches for a piece while Yoongi sets his empty soup bowl down, and he dips it rice-side-down into the soy sauce and wasabi.
Although inari is a simple dish of sticky rice tucked inside a soft, fried pocket of bean curd, there is a semi-sweetness to it that, paired with soy and wasabi, is quite delicious. He does his best to only bite the edge of it, leaning over his bowl to catch stray grains of rice that fall.
He alternates between nibbles of the inari and slices of sashimi, hardly taking his eyes off the table until the meal is nearly finished. Yoongi fills the glasses of sake, and he stands slightly to reach across the table and set Hoseok's close to him.
With Yoongi hovering over the table, looming over Hoseok, the breath catches in Hoseok's throat. He watches as Yoongi smiles slightly and licks his lips, then settles back in his seat.
"How many models are you regularly kissing and flirting with?" Hoseok asks, reaching for his sake.
Yoongi shakes his head, and mutters, "Hoseok—"
"I'm serious," Hoseok interrupts, sitting tall in his seat. "Whatever it is you're doing with me, I don't want it if this is something you're doing with someone else, too. The rides home and gentle knee touches…all of it. I'm serious."
"I'm not taking anyone else on dinner dates or squeezing anyone else's knee," Yoongi insists. "The only other model I am spending time with is Sunmi, but I am not eager to piss off her partner."
"But if she were single—" Hoseok attempts.
Yoongi shuts him down, "No, Hoseok." He snickers and reaches for his cup of sake. "Not even if she were single."
Hoseok raises his eyebrow. "You aren't fucking Seori?"
At this, Yoongi chuckles. "Did Namjoon tell on me?" When Hoseok says nothing, he continues, "Seori and I had a fling once."
"When?"
"Months ago."
Hoseok tongues the inside of his mouth. "How many months ago?"
Yoongi lifts his sake and shoots it back, then reaches for the carafe to give himself a refill. "Hoseok, you and I shared one kiss. That hardly gives you grounds to interrogate me."
With a heavy sigh, Hoseok extends his right foot, reaching until he feels the toe of his loafer make gentle contact with the side of Yoongi's leg. Yoongi looks down, then up, and raises an eyebrow.
"You intend to share more than just one kiss with me," Hoseok challenges, scooting forward and rubbing his toe higher. "Don't you?"
Yoongi swallows visibly. "This is hardly appropriate behavior to conduct with your boss, Hoseok."
"You started it," Hoseok says plainly, dancing the edge of his shoe against Yoongi's knee. "Call Seokjin. Ask him to represent me."
Yoongi dances his tongue between his teeth as he watches Hoseok. Then he rolls his eyes, reaches one hand below the table, and grazes his fingertips over the joint of Hoseok's ankle. Despite it being a light, innocuous touch, Hoseok's exhale comes out a bit shaky, and he sets down his neglected cup of sake.
"What is it that you want, exactly?" Yoongi asks.
He scoots forward, causing Hoseok's shoe to graze his inner thigh. And despite how unaffected Yoongi seems by the movement, Hoseok's heart pounds at the thought.
"I don't know," Hoseok lies, taking a deep breath and stretching his leg forward.
Hoseok can feel the moment the toe of his shoe very lightly grazes Yoongi's crotch. Yoongi's lips gently part, and Hoseok knows he must look ridiculous with his mouth hanging halfway open, but it is the only way he can hope to breathe; the air feels far thicker than it had moments ago.
"You don't know?" Yoongi challenges, scooting forward again.
The bottom of Hoseok's loafer presses firmly against Yoongi's crotch, and at the same time, both men gasp. Yoongi's eyelids flutter ever so slightly while Hoseok's mouth and eyes widen.
Yoongi tips his head to the side and asks, "Then what are you doing?"
"Fucking with you," Hoseok mutters before he can stop himself. "Wanted to see how far I could push you."
"Ah," Yoongi responds, resting a hand against Hoseok's shoe while the other pushes the hem of his pants upward to gently grab his ankle, skin against skin. "Well, you have yet to reach your limit."
A server approaches, and Hoseok instinctively attempts to yank his leg away, but Yoongi holds his foot in place with one hand while tugging the napkin from where it is tucked into his shirt and draping it over Hoseok's shoe.
"Is there anything more I can bring you tonight?" the server asks, glancing between Yoongi, Hoseok, and what is left of their meal.
"One more bottle should be good," Yoongi says, leaning forward and pressing himself against the sole of Hoseok's shoe while grabbing the sake carafe to give it a shake.
There seems to be liquid inside, and Yoongi reaches with his other hand, silently asking Hoseok for his cup.
"One more bottle coming right up," the server says as they turn to walk away.
Hoseok watches Yoongi, feeling trapped in place and dumbfounded, foot lodged between Yoongi's thighs.
"Cup?" Yoongi asks, making Hoseok heavy-blink and reach for his sake.
Hoseok slams back the drink, sighing through the sudden onslaught of very tasty liquid. He holds his cup out toward Yoongi, cradling it delicately in the fingers of both hands while Yoongi fills it with more clear sake.
He fills his own cup next, sets down the carafe, and lifts the cup. "To finding you an agent," he says with a grin.
Hoseok lifts his cup and nods, then shoots the liquid back. He reaches for the carafe, but Yoongi tuts his tongue against the roof of his mouth, insisting on being the one to handle it.
By the time the server returns, the sake is gone, and a new carafe is set between them. Yoongi does not seem to notice the fact that Hoseok's shoe is still in place between his legs, and Hoseok makes no move to drop it.
"Ah, right," Yoongi says after pouring them another glass. "I forgot that I have business to attend to."
Hoseok watches as Yoongi pulls out his phone, tipping his head to the side curiously.
Yoongi thumbs around, then holds the phone to his ear, eyes on Hoseok as he smiles and says, "Seokjin…might I ask you for a favor?"
* * *
The second round of sake renders the two of them unable to swing by Dior and peruse their winter line. Or, perhaps the game of footsie distracted them from their goal. Likely, it is a combination of both.
Hoseok opts not to get dropped off at home first, which is a mistake. Jeongguk is already at their favorite dive bar, and he watches as Hoseok gets out of Yoongi's vehicle, undoubtedly clocking the way he stumbles as his legs remember how to walk.
To make matters worse, Yoongi must notice Hoseok wave to Jeongguk, who sits directly behind where Hoseok stands, on a rickety metal chair on the bar patio, smoking a cigarette while wearing a skin-tight black shirt tucked into baggy black pants.
"You know him?" Yoongi asks, turning back to Hoseok, who pats his pockets down to make sure he has everything, standing beside the open passenger door. Yoongi wears the mask over his mouth, but his eyes are visible.
"I do," Hoseok says. "Why? Do you?"
Yoongi studies Hoseok briefly, then says, "He looks like someone I've photographed before."
"Interesting!" Hoseok chirps, drawing out the syllables.
"Something tells me you already know about this," Yoongi grumbles somewhat defensively.
Hoseok grins, sarcastically asking, "No…why would you think that?"
"Drink water," Yoongi says with a hint of concern that breaks through the annoyance in his eyes, clearly eager to change the topic and leave. "And text me if you need a ride home."
Hoseok sighs and waves Yoongi off, muttering, "I can take care of myself," then he closes the door and stumbles onto the sidewalk, giggling as he nearly trips over his own feet.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jeongguk grumbles as Hoseok approaches.
Hoseok is definitely more than tipsy, but he blames his giddiness for his inability to function properly. Seokjin had agreed over the phone to represent Hoseok, meaning once they sign a new contract, Hoseok will feel more confident to pursue his pretty boss.
He also felt Yoongi become rock-hard under his shoe, but that is a detail he does his best to block out for the time being. That one he will unpack later, once he is home alone.
"Business dinner," Hoseok responds, doing his best to act sober. He plops himself down in a chair across from Jeongguk and sighs dramatically, wishing he had a glass of water.
"Business dinner?" Jeongguk parrots incredulously. "Dressed like that? Stumbling around drunk? Be serious. I thought you were in crisis mode?"
"I am in peak crisis mode," Hoseok insists. "And anyway, Namjoon dressed me like this. Doesn't he have good taste."
"Namjoon," Jeongguk says in a dreamy tone, lips tugging into a smile. "Should have let him rail me, instead. He was way nicer."
"I bet you still could," Hoseok mutters, fighting the urge to take out his phone and text Namjoon to ask if he would be interested.
Jeongguk looks out into the distance, doe eyes bright and shining. Then he shrugs, and says, "Maybe some other time," and sits back, taking a drag of his diminishing cigarette. "So, what did you want to discuss?"
"Well, Ggukie, I was wondering if you would be open to telling me about what happened between you and my boss."
Jeongguk takes a sharp inhale of nicotine and holds it in. Then he shakes his head and blows a plume of smoke out toward the street. "Nah. Too sober."
Hoseok rolls his eyes and stands up quickly, holding his hand out to Jeongguk while saying, "Let's fix that."
* * *
Two bars and several rounds of shots later, Jeongguk and Hoseok are sitting on the couch in the back of some dingy neighborhood haunt that only people in their mid-twenties seem to patronize. Hoseok has his legs up on a low, wooden table on which neglected pint glasses of water sit creating rings of condensation around their bases, and Jeongguk has his legs draped over Hoseok's lap.
"It was just little shit at first, you know?" Jeongguk mutters, eyes half-squinted in part because there are several bright neon beer signs just to the right of Hoseok's head giving off a greenish-blueish glow.
Hoseok nods.
"Little touches here and there, using pet names and favoritism, asking me to come to his office, inviting me to his studio. He took it slow at first, as if to suss out whether I was interested. But of course I was interested. I mean, you've fucking seen him."
Hoseok nods a little more emphatically; he absolutely has seen him.
"But then he got really assertive, pressing against me in his office, muttering shit like," Jeongguk's voice drops to a low, mocking octave, "we shouldn't be doing this, and, you drive me crazy, and, I can't keep my hands off you."
Hoseok remembers Yoongi cornering him in the makeup room. But you understand why we can’t do that, yes?
"Then one thing led to another, and he had me draped over the couch of his studio with his tongue in my ass."
"Oh my god," Hoseok mutters, in part because he was not expecting this conversation to veer into this territory so abruptly and in part because he has sat on that couch several times!
Jeongguk says nothing more, only stares ahead as if whatever he is searching for is lightyears away.
"So…" Hoseok attempts, "then what?"
With a loud sigh, Jeongguk says, "Then we started fucking. Often. At his place, in his office, in the restroom at a fancy sushi spot."
"Oh my god," Hoseok mutters once more, eyes widening while staring out at the busy bar but not looking at anything in particular. "He took me to a fancy sushi spot."
"I've never had someone so eager to make me cum, like…god, the shit that man does. I pretty much stayed prepped and ready to bottom at all times."
"He was always in control?" Hoseok asks.
"Always. And it was amazing until it wasn't. Some girl named Seori was hired and he dropped me like a sweet potato."
Hoseok frowns, turning his gaze to Jeongguk. "Awe, Ggukie. Not a sweet potato."
Jeongguk nods slowly, nibbling on the inside of his mouth. "I know I shouldn't have taken it personally, but it was…it was a lot. He always said he wasn't into relationships but it was hard not wanting more from someone who made me feel so good."
Hoseok heavy-blinks, gazing around the bar, at people standing and sitting, talking and shouting about this or that. He idly traces his fingertips over the hems of Jeongguk's baggy jeans, trying to sort out what he should do.
On the one hand, he really wants to try to make Yoongi hand over control and grovel for him. But he also feels sad for his friend.
Jeongguk seems to have gotten lost in his mind again, and Hoseok is no better. He still has so many questions, but it is hard to pull any one of them coherently to the surface.
Finally, Jeongguk sits up straight, removing his legs from Hoseok's lap while muttering, "I think I'm going to venture out and find a sweet potato vendor."
"Okay," Hoseok says, mind still swirling with all the new information. He is definitely drunk enough to call it a night, but he also considers joining Jeongguk on his quest. "Yeah, okay, I think I would also like a sweet potato."
As Hoseok and Jeongguk venture out into the night, the details of events become foggy. He stumbles down the sidewalk for an indeterminate amount of time, and suddenly he is at a food cart, pulling notes from his wallet in exchange for a piping hot, foil-wrapped sweet potato.
Next, he is at a small metal table sitting next to Jeongguk, typing a haphazard text message to Namjoon that reads, Eating a sweet potato and thinking of you. Because you are semi-sweet and also thicc. You and Jeongguk would make a cute couple btw!
Then he is shivering, still at the same small table, answering a phone call from Yoongi. He hugs his arms around himself tight while Jeongguk stumbles off into the night, toward his apartment two blocks away – also in the direction Hoseok lives.
"You sure you don't need a ride?" Yoongi asks, voice deep and caring.
"I'm like three blocks away," Hoseok insists, getting up to stumble in the direction of his drunk friend. "It would take you longer to come to me than it would take me to walk there."
Yoongi hums. “At least stay on the phone with me while you walk?”
Hoseok grins, ignoring the fluttering of his heart as he mutters, “Geez, obsessed with me, much?”
"Excuse me for caring," Yoongi responds, sounding somewhat affronted.
Hoseok chuckles and walks slowly, watching his feet meet brick, attempting but failing to step on as few cracks as possible. He smiles and says, "I don't know, I'm drunk enough that I might start saying regrettable things."
There is a pause, followed by, "Such as…?"
"Such as that I know you used to fuck my friend," Hoseok giggles, squeezing his eyes closed for a second because he knows he must have pushed Yoongi's buttons. "He told me all about your moves, Yoongi, and how you pretty much used the same formula that you're using with me. Which begs the question…which cute newcomer will take my spot, and how long do I have before I'm dropped like a hot little sweet potato?"
The sigh on the other end of the line is so audible, Hoseok can picture the downturn in Yoongi's eyes and the way his lips slightly frown while he is thinking.
When he says nothing, Hoseok continues, "See, I warned you," dragging each vowel out dramatically.
"And what would you like me to say, Hoseok? Shall I call Jeongguk and apologize to him?"
"Nah," Hoseok responds, glancing up at brick buildings, pleased that he is still stumbling the correct way. "That would just piss him off."
Ahead, Jeongguk has stopped to lean against a tree and light a cigarette, and Hoseok makes note of the way his flat tummy curves from the way he stands slightly hunched over before his hips are swallowed whole by baggy jeans. He pictures Yoongi's large hands pressing on those hips, and the way Jeongguk must have gasped so sweetly.
Then, Hoseok shakes his head, attempting to dispel the thought; he needs to get laid.
"But you have some reason for bringing this up?" Yoongi asks.
With a sigh, Hoseok says, "I just hate to think my days are numbered. It's exciting to have caught your attention, but it seems," he drags the word out playfully, "that your attention is fleeting."
"We can talk about this when we're both sober," Yoongi mutters lowly.
Not wanting Jeongguk to overhear Hoseok talking to Yoongi, he stops in his tracks. Sadness sweeps over him, and his body undulates like overcooked pasta ever so slightly in place. Although the sweet potato has bought him a little time before blacking out, he is still quite drunk.
"Are we doing anything productive tomorrow?" Hoseok whines. "These last few days of random shoots have felt pointless, and…I might throw up."
"You might throw up tonight from being drunk, or tomorrow from being bored?" Yoongi clarifies.
"Honestly…" Hoseok screws up his face, thinking it over. "Both."
Yoongi chuckles. "I can't believe my top model is calling in sick because he was out drinking all night."
Hoseok is quick to push the blame. "You got me drunk first!"
Yoongi laughs, and it is a pretty, rich deep melody that causes Hoseok to sway. Then he says, "Seok…you know tomorrow is Saturday, right?"
Relief washes over Hoseok, and he nearly stumbles to his knees. "Oh, thank god."
"I would like to see you briefly, tomorrow, though," Yoongi adds. "If you are available. Seokjin would like to iron out a contract and have everything set in stone as quickly as possible so that he can move forward with your next round of Dior shoots. We can meet up in the evening, if you prefer?"
Ahead, Jeongguk has continued to walk home, so Hoseok continues, as well.
"Were these random ass shoots just your excuse to keep seeing me?" Hoseok asks coyly.
"Hoseok," Yoongi drawls, making Hoseok inhale deeply as a tingle works over his body from the sound. He hums in response, and Yoongi continues, "Please stay on topic. Will you be available to sign the contract tomorrow?"
Hoseok grins. "Only if you can admit that you kept me around this week just to see me."
"I would rather talk about my feelings for you once we are sober and you have that contract with Seokjin signed."
"Your feelings for me," Hoseok mutters, mostly to himself.
There is a pause, followed by Yoongi asking, "Are you home yet?"
Hoseok stares at the silhouettes of trees and square buildings ahead, the darkness broken by glowing street lamps. "One more block,"
"I could have picked you up by now."
Hoseok sighs. "You totally could not have. And anyway, I wanted to walk."
"Were you dishonest about how far the walk is? Or are you having a more leisurely stroll than usual?"
"Jeongguk stopped ahead and I didn't want to catch up to him while on the phone with you."
Yoongi sighs. "How long have you known that Jeongguk and I have a past?"
In far too chipper of a tone, Hoseok says, "Since the day I was hired."
Yoongi says nothing, and Hoseok wishes he could see his expression. At this point, he is too intoxicated to care whether he could be pushing Yoongi away. He still believes that no matter what, he will have a shot at fucking him at least once.
It is not as if Hoseok has any interest in pursuing anything more with him.
"Almost there," Hoseok chirps. He has a pep in his step now that his building is in view. It feels like ages since he has taken a nice hot shower, and he desperately wants to wash his face. "Oh, Hey, boss?"
Yoongi hums.
"Do you need this outfit back? Can you, like…deduct it from my paycheck, or something? Namjoon really put his babussy into this fit, and I might want to wear it again."
With a sigh, Yoongi mutters, "It's yours. Keep it."
"Thanks, boss. But how much do you think—"
"I'm not charging you for it, Hoseok. You're correct that it suits you well. Keep it."
Hoseok's cheeks warm, and he grins, raising his shoulders to his ears with glee and dropping them down. He makes his voice as soft as possible as he says, "Thanks, boss. You're too sweet."
Yoongi grunts, making Hoseok quietly laugh to himself. Either he has struck a nerve with Yoongi, the man is very tired, or both.
"Alright, I'm walking up to the front door of my building. I'm home safe. You don't need to stay on the line any longer."
"Hoseok," Yoongi says, making him stop with his hand lifted to the knob, key dangling between his fingers. "Tomorrow, will you come discuss a new contract with Seokjin and I?"
"Oh," he mutters, sliding his key into the knob and twisting it open. "Yeah. Tomorrow evening is fine."
"Wonderful. I'll bring a lawyer along so that we can get everything finalized quickly."
Hoseok makes his way to the stairwell, slowly taking each step. "And then we'll celebrate?"
A pause, then, "How would you like to celebrate, Hoseok?"
Hoseok hums, making a show of the fact that he is giving this matter very serious thought, despite only one thing running through his head.
"A kiss," he finally says, biting his lip as he shuffles down the hallway to his door. The closer he gets to his apartment, the heavier his limbs feel.
"Alright," Yoongi grumbles, making Hoseok grin. "I will kiss you to celebrate."
Hoseok punches his code into the keypad beside his door, and when it clicks open, he lets out a long, happy sigh. Home at last.
"I'm in my apartment now. Gonna strip out of these clothes and take a nice, hot shower."
Yoongi makes no sound, so Hoseok continues.
"Maybe while I'm in there, I'll think about earlier, at the restaurant, with my foot pressed between your legs."
Yoongi sighs, and Hoseok steps from his shoes, feeling victorious.
"I felt how hard you got under my toes. You liked it, boss."
"I did," Yoongi admits, voice low.
"I liked it, too."
"Yeah?"
Hoseok shrugs out of the blazer and delicately drapes it over the back of his couch, then he balances the phone between his ear and shoulder as he begins to unbuckle his belt.
"Yeah. The way your lips parted and eyes widened, so faint and so eager to hold your pleasure in. Beautiful."
"I could say the same for you," Yoongi responds, voice breathy. Hoseok wonders if he is touching himself. "I saw how affected you became."
"I want to see you like that when you're not having to hold back," Hoseok practically moans. "I want to make you unravel."
Yoongi hums and Hoseok holds his breath, waiting for whatever delicious thing he may have to offer.
But then he says, "We should talk about this when we're sober."
With a sigh, Hoseok's body feels worn and heavy; his spirits feel dashed.
"You're right," he mutters. "Good night, boss."
"See you tomorrow, Hoseok."
Hoseok lowers the phone from his ear, grumbling, "See ya," as he hangs up.
* * *
Despite the joyous occasion, Yoongi behaves rather coldly.
At first, Hoseok chalks it up to the fact that Seokjin and a lawyer are present to draw a new contract for his modeling representation. The document is straightforward; Seokjin insists on taking almost no money from Hoseok for his services, citing that he makes more than enough being Yoongi's personal goon – a word he says playfully, with a wink.
They discuss long-term plans that stretch further than Hoseok's employment with M Magazine, should he move on to other publications, and everything feels official and exciting in a way Hoseok hasn't experienced since he graduated from college as a fresh face getting scouted by seedy, desperate photographers and art directors.
But even as they bow to the lawyer and bid him farewell, there is something sour looming over Yoongi, like a bitter little stormcloud threatening to burst at any moment and become everyone else's problem. Seokjin even nudges him, attempting to crack jokes, but he rarely smiles, and he hardly makes eye contact with Hoseok.
It feels like whiplash after how playful he was last night, and Hoseok hovers around the sofa, not feeling welcome enough to sit, but not sure whether he should leave. Until finally, Yoongi stretches and yawns, and Hoseok sees that as an opening.
"Well, you're tired," he says, sliding his hands into the front pockets of his pressed, black fitted slacks. "I'm tired, as well. So I think I'll head out."
"Yah, Hoseokah!" Seokjin barks. "We should celebrate!"
A yawn works its way from Hoseok's chest, and he lifts his hand to cover his mouth. Seokjin flinches away as if he is at risk of catching some kind of virus from a yawn and frowns.
"We could schedule something for next weekend," he suggests. "Or whenever all of us are free."
"All of us are free right now," Seokjin insists. "Yoongichi, you don't have any extravagant dates planned, do you?"
Yoongi shakes his head, but his eyes are glued to his phone. He seems stressed out, and frankly, it annoys Hoseok. It feels rude to build up his excitement to see him this evening, only for him to act completely indifferent to Hoseok's presence.
"Why don't we all go out to celebrate once Seokjin and I have our first round of Dior shoots under our belt?" Hoseok recommends.
Yoongi nods, eyes never leaving his phone, and Seokjin sighs but agrees.
"Alright, sounds like a plan."
"Cool," Hoseok says, nodding listlessly, "then I'm going to head out."
Finally, Yoongi lifts his head to look at Hoseok fully. And for a split, brief, teeny tiny moment, Hoseok thinks Yoongi might finally be direct with him. But then his eyes fall back to his phone as he grumbles, "I'm glad the three of us could sort this out."
"Need a ride?" Seokjin asks.
Hoseok shrugs but happily says, "I would appreciate it."
Seokjin approaches Yoongi and mutters something lowly before giving him a slap on the shoulder, which Yoongi more or less seems to ignore. Then he makes his way to the door, where Hoseok trails along to slide into the pretty black loafers he wore just last night.
Hoseok does not say goodbye to Yoongi, and when they step into the elevator, he lets out a sigh.
"I hate when he gets preoccupied," Seokjin complains.
Hoseok chuckles. "It's honestly pretty rude."
Hoseok pulls out his phone and sends Yoongi a message—
Hoseok The way you hardly looked at me tonight is absolutely crazy. I no longer want that celebratory kiss.
—then tucks the device into his pocket. He does not expect a response to come any time soon.
"I love him, and he's a great businessman, but he is kind of an idiot," Seokjin says, making Hoseok laugh. "He has no fucking interpersonal communication skills."
It feels good to laugh, and Hoseok does not hold back. He bends in half, gripping his knees as the cords of his untied black, silk modern hanbok hang past his knees. He has to apologize to someone once the doors slide open and he steps forward, nearly barreling into them.
"Geez, it's not that funny," Seokjin complains despite still laughing.
"Oh, it definitely is," Hoseok insists as they make their way out into the evening.
* * *
Hoseok does not hear from Yoongi for the rest of the night while he is out with his friends at the club, nor the entirety of Sunday while he is letting Jimin distract him with brunch and shopping.
And by Monday morning, when there is still no word, Hoseok decides he no longer cares. He has a shoot later in the morning with Yoongi, and he begrudgingly gets out of bed and goes through his routine as if it were a standard early morning, with the plan of stopping by his favorite cafe for a sweet treat and a latte.
The weather is hot but not stifling, and Hoseok wears the same flowing black silk modern hanbok top he wore to Yoongi's place on Saturday, untied over a tight black tank top and mid-length, black wool shorts. And, of course, his favorite new chunky black leather loafers. He tucks his phone, keys, wallet, and lip balm into a small black handbag and sets out for the day with a forced smile.
And truthfully, the cafe trip does wonders for the residual sour mood Yoongi had put Hoseok in, leaving him in a much more positive headspace. That is until he arrives at the studio.
The familiar sights and sounds are like a weight on Hoseok's shoulders, but he holds his head high and makes a beeline through the expansive studio space to his sanctuary. The makeup room.
Upon entering, Hoseok finds Seokjin and Namjoon standing by a metal rack of clothing, sifting through outfits. He sets his coffee down on the long vanity counter by the mirror wall and prances over to see what they have in store for him.
"Yoongi wants us to start with this," Seokjin says as he pulls out a charcoal grey blazer and matching slacks.
Hoseok wonders if this is the grey wide-legged pant that Yoongi said he thinks Hoseok will look stunning in. He rolls his eyes at the memory, then smiles widely as he chirps, "Looks great, Jinnie-hyung!"
It takes no time at all for Namjoon to have Hoseok dressed in the grey suit with his hair slicked back and his face made up. By now, they have the process down to a science; Hoseok hardly has a chance to get comfortable in the makeup chair.
They opt not to pair the outfit with jewelry, but Hoseok wears black and white sneakers that he is not a fan of for this type of outfit. This look is currently all the rage with these high-end brands, and does not understand why.
"I'll let Yoongichi know we're ready for him," Seokjin says as he leaves the room, and Hoseok gives a thumbs-up.
"Wow, so Seokjin-hyung is your agent?" Namjoon asks.
Hoseok swivels around in his tall, black chair and smiles widely. "Yeah! I'm excited. He seems very knowledgeable and dedicated, and he doesn't want to take all my earnings."
"Of course, he doesn't," Namjoon chuckles. "The co-founder of M Magazine undoubtedly makes a pretty penny."
"Co-founder?" Hoseok asks, shocked. "Yoongi only mentioned he was previously an agent and then shifted gears to work as his assistant goon."
Namjoon shrugs. "Seokjin-hyung has always done a little of everything, with the exception of photography. He has an eye for beauty and design, but prefers the more tedious duties that come with being an assistant. I think he likes being useful. And he tends to feign modesty, which is why nobody refers to him as the co-founder."
That checks out, and Hoseok nods. "Well, I am glad I have a use for him. Gotta get to stardom somehow!"
"Trust me," Namjoon says, leaning close. "You will."
Hoseok visibly swoons, causing Namjoon to lean away with regret painted on his face. "You're the sweetest, Joon Baboon!"
A deep, impassive voice cuts through the joy, with one simple word.
"Ready?"
Hoseok turns to find Yoongi standing in the doorway dressed in a white blazer unbuttoned over a white dress shirt, with matching white shorts, tall black socks, and black loafers. His hair is slicked back, combed behind his ears, there is a pair of black glasses tucked into the neck of his shirt, and he wears a scowl on his pretty face. His trusty camera is in his hand, strap wrapped around his wrist, and his eyebrows are raised high with impatience.
"Sure thing," Hoseok says flatly, mood instantly killed.
He slides from his chair and follows Yoongi out, into the studio, to the corner where he prefers to shoot, near the bottom of the steps that lead up to his office.
There is nothing for Hoseok to pose on or near, so he just stands against the dark backdrop, angling his body and elongating his neck and limbs. Yoongi shoots quickly, stepping back and moving forward, eye glued to the viewfinder.
When he finally does glance over the camera, it is to say, "Give me a little movement, like a twirl but with one foot kicking outward."
Hoseok does some twirls and kicks, accentuating the loose cut of the slacks and doing his best to embody fluidity. He feels as if these shots will be magnificent, and he waits for Yoongi to crack a smile and tell him he is doing well.
But instead, Yoongi drops his hands to his sides and says, "That's good," then he lifts his camera high enough to begin sifting through the photos.
On the breast of Yoongi's jacket is a pretty white flower that stands out in the bright glow of the box lights, and Hoseok curses himself for wanting to rub his palms across it, heavy-blinking to avert his eyes.
"New outfit?" Hoseok asks.
Yoongi shrugs. "If you have time for more, sure."
"If I have time?" Hoseok bites back. "I've barely been here for an hour."
Yoongi continues to flip through photos, making Hoseok wonder if he heard him at all. Then he says, "Yeah, whatever your agent wants," and walks off.
"What the fuck," Hoseok mutters under his breath as he turns and stomps back toward the makeup room. This behavior has him wishing he would have stepped on Yoongi's balls a little harder at the sushi restaurant.
Seokjin already has outfits laid out when Hoseok returns, and he is changed into more casual wear, sporting an array of hoodies, cardigans, and handbags. Yoongi is just as standoffish, giving Hoseok almost nothing to work with, but he continues to change shirts and pose, doing his best.
And then, suddenly, Yoongi's phone rings loud and shrill, making everyone but himself flinch. He sighs and stops what he is doing, muttering, "One moment, sorry."
Yoongi's phone is typically always on vibrate while at work, and he absolutely never drops everything to answer the call. How uncouth, Hoseok thinks, standing under the warm lights with his hands on his hips while Yoongi walks several paces away, talking lowly into his phone.
As soon as he returns, Yoongi mutters, "Something has come up, but it seems like we shot everything we need. Thanks for everything. Great job today." He only spares Hoseok a quick glance, and then he turns to walk up the stairs to his office.
Hoseok sighs, nods to himself, and begins back toward the makeup room. From the corner of his eye, he watches as Seori rushes in through the front doors of the building, dressed in a light pink hoodie and sweatpants and looking frazzled. She makes a beeline for the steps and runs to the top, where she quickly knocks but does not bother to wait before walking into Yoongi's office and closing the door behind her.
The feeling that swirls in Hoseok's tummy is envy mixed with something else – something even more bitter. Something numbing. He can't quite put his thumb on it, but he chooses not to dwell on it.
Until he enters the makeup room with a heavy sigh, and – upon realizing only Namjoon is present – begins to crumble emotionally. Despite feeling the desire to cry, tears only prickle gently around the edges of his lids but never fully gather. More than anything, he just feels defeated.
"I didn't follow your advice, okay," he admits, taking Namjoon somewhat by surprise as he throws himself on the makeup chair. "I should go home. I need to clear my head. I feel so—"
"What happened?" Namjoon asks kindly, approaching with his arms loosely crossed over his chest.
"You warned me about that man, and I listened! I really did! But my heart and my body did not, and now I feel like I am a marionette hanging from strings eager for a master. But rather than tug on my strings and make me dance, he just fucking leaves me hanging."
"That's…a beautifully pathetic analogy," Namjoon mutters, dimples on display.
Hoseok attempts to swat at the handsome man, but Namjoon simply leans slightly back, avoiding his fingertips.
"I don't even care about being in a relationship with him," Hoseok mutters somewhat under his breath. "Like, I'm foolish, but I'm not that stupid. I just…ugh! He…ugh!"
Namjoon chuckles and shakes his head. It is not the laugh of a man who wants Hoseok to feel foolish, but one of a man who has likely had this conversation this time and time again.
"He charms in his own way," Namjoon says. "And then he puts up a wall when he thinks he is getting close to someone. It's like he's terrified of just allowing himself to open up to people."
"Why?" Hoseok sighs.
Namjoon shrugs. "No idea. There's no shocking character reveal or tragic backstory, you know? Yeah, his parents are wealthy and they don't hover, but they are kind and supportive. His relationship with his brother is casual and positive. Aside from his playboy tendencies, he is a great person to work with, and a great person to work for. No gambling problems, no drinking problems, no sordid past. He just…doesn't like to commit to anyone."
Another sigh pours from Hoseok's mouth, this one drawn out with a groan. He drops his head back dramatically, feeling extra annoyed – exorbitantly annoyed.
Hoseok finds nothing inherently wrong with having commitment issues or with preferring to sleep around without strings attached. He and his friend group have always been pretty loose with hooking up, and it has never caused drama because they all know where they stand with one another.
But it is frustrating that the result is a lack of empathy and poor communication. Hoseok is fine with being someone's piece of ass on the down low, but he needs to know where he stands. And it annoys Hoseok that, rather than finding a reason to hate Yoongi and make the idea of backing away from him feel easier, he really sympathizes with the guy.
Hoseok laughs to himself, despite feeling little joy. "If he wanted to just fuck around, I wouldn't even object. And I have been rather forward with suggesting I am open to it, but he just clams up and doesn't say anything."
"Mmhmm," Namjoon grumbles in a tone that suggests he knows this all too well.
"Whatever," Hoseok sighs. "We did well today, and although he was the opposite of helpful or encouraging, I feel good about the shoots. So I suppose I could call it a day."
Namjoon nods and seems to glance at the time on his phone. "Seokjin left during the last shoot – said he had some important business to deal with – but he asked me to tell you that you are amazing, and doing great, and that he looks forward to going over the photos with you and Yoongi. He also says to take some time off and he will contact you with a schedule some time this week."
This time, the sigh that Hoseok lets out is one of relief. Relief to have an agent who is receptive and feels positively about the work they are doing. Relief to have some time off to relax, pamper himself, and get some fucking space from Yoongi.
He changes back into his black tank top, silk hanbok top, shorts, and loafers. With his arms hanging open, he convinces Namjoon to lean in for a semi-awkward hug, and thanks him for all his hard work. Then he opens that door with a fortifying breath and sets out toward the front doors, eager to get home and unwind.
The studio is quiet, with only one photographer and model on set in the far left corner. Hoseok does not even look their way, eager to reach the sliding glass doors. And he almost does, before he hears a familiar voice call for him.
"Jung Hoseok-ssi."
Hoseok physically recoils from the sound, closing his eyes to take a deep, annoyed breath. He was so close to making it outside – just a couple more feet from freedom.
With a plastered smile, Hoseok spins, asking, "Yes, boss?" as he searches for the source of the voice.
Yoongi stands at the top of the stairs, arms straight down at his sides. He asks, "Do you have a moment?"
Hoseok nods and makes his way through the large studio space, heart betraying him in a frantic dance the closer he gets. He wonders if there will be any visible trace of Seori on Yoongi's skin or any lingering scent of perfume.
With each footfall up to Yoongi's office, Hoseok feels his body undergo more and more duress. His legs and hands tremble, his palms begin to prickle, his breathing feels labored. Yoongi turns and enters his office as Hoseok gets close, and once he reaches the top, he takes a fortifying inhale.
"Yes?" Hoseok asks, attempting to come off as impassively as possible.
"Close the door, please," Yoongi says, making his way toward his desk.
Hoseok closes the door and gives himself a second to collect his composure before turning toward Yoongi and approaching. He expects to find Yoongi sitting at his chair, but instead, he is on the corner of his desk, half-sitting with one foot suspended somewhat, and his arms crossed over his chest.
"I owe you an apology," Yoongi says. His hair is all in place, and there is no sign on his clothing or skin that might suggest anything transpired with Seori.
Still, Hoseok scoffs, nods, and says, "Yeah, you do."
"I understand that sometimes my behavior can be a bit…" Yoongi takes a moment to choose his words, and Hoseok opts to fill in the blank for him.
"Confusing. Frustrating. Demeaning."
"Distant," Yoongi provides.
"Distant," Hoseok parrots with a humorless chuckle. "Sure, yeah, that's certainly one way to put it."
There is sincerity in his rich tone as Yoongi drops his arms to his sides and says, "I'm sorry."
"You could have at least sent a reassuring text message. Or even an apology. Any kind of communication at all."
"My distracted state the other night was nothing personal, but I should have given you a heads up that I had a lot on my plate."
"The other night, all weekend, all day," Hoseok corrects, allowing himself to feel the full range of his anger. "Not one word. You gave me nothing."
Yoongi sighs and slowly stands, remaining leaned against his desk.
"And, look, I don't feel like you owe me an explanation," Hoseok says, eager to make his desires clear. "But a simple heads up would be nice. I know that you and I are not an item, and I don't care that we aren't – that's not my goal with you. But don't let me play footsie with your cock under the table and tease me with promises of a kiss, but then give me the cold shoulder."
Something in Yoongi's gaze shifts – darkens. His lips part, and his stance relaxes.
"So what is it that you want?" Yoongi asks.
"Truthfully?" Hoseok says, and Yoongi nods. "More than anything, I want a healthy work relationship. I want to excel in my field and become a supermodel, and I know that you and your team have the means to do that for me."
Yoongi nods, cracking a smile, filling Hoseok with pride and encouraging him to continue voicing his desires. "I also want to lay you out on your big, expensive desk, and fuck your brains out."
Yoongi's lips part wide in a gasp. It is subtle the way blush rises to his pretty cheeks, but even in the dim light of his office, Hoseok can make out a shift in hue.
"I'm not interested in having strings attached," Yoongi says with the lift of an eyebrow as if in warning.
"No shit," Hoseok scoffs, holding firm, challenging eye contact.
They stare at each other unmoving for only a few seconds, but those seconds drag on, thickening the air with rich, palpable tension. Hoseok slowly breathes in through his nose, allowing himself to dwell on the familiar musky and floral notes that cling to the air and drive him wild.
"Come here," Yoongi commands softly, nearly a whisper.
As if tugged by some invisible force, Hoseok stumbles forward automatically. Yoongi's thighs spread, allowing Hoseok to get nice and close, standing taller than usual with Yoongi's hips bending slightly.
Hoseok sets his handbag down on the desk and looms, drinking in the heat exchanged between them. Whereas Yoongi had the upper hand last time – pulling Hoseok near, slotting their lips together, and pressing him into the wall – this time, Hoseok intends on giving him zero control.
"Tell me what you want from me," Hoseok says, placing his hands on the edges of the desk and leaning close enough to smell the sweetness of Yoongi's breath.
Yoongi's eyes fall to Hoseok's lips, and he very subtly smiles, saying, "I still owe you a kiss."
"You want to kiss me?"
Yoongi's lips twitch faintly. "Yes."
"Is that all?" Hoseok asks, tilting his head to the side as if giving into the command but keeping the miniscule distance between them.
"I want you, Hoseok." Yoongi's rich timbre is as deep and alluring as the ocean, and undoubtedly posing just as big of a threat. "Physically…in any way you will allow me to have you…I want you."
"If I let you have me," Hoseok says softly, annunciating every syllable with purpose, "I need at least a little communication. No fucking around with my feelings. Even without strings attached, I still have feelings, Yoongi."
Hoseok drops honorifics, wondering if Yoongi will care, and Yoongi just nods, eyes pleading. He seems genuine, but he has also seemed genuine in the past.
Still, Hoseok cannot hold back any longer. He rolls his hips forward, connecting their bodies before he connects their lips, breathing in the slight gasp that tumbles from Yoongi's mouth into his the moment their lips touch.
Yoongi sighs into the kiss, but Hoseok has no intention of going easy on him. He rolls his hips again, forcing Yoongi's thighs to spread further as he licks over his pretty lips and darts his tongue inside the small opening.
It comes as somewhat of a surprise the way Yoongi seems to melt and become pliant, hands still gripping the desk and giving Hoseok access to do as he pleases, moaning softly but unabashedly. Hoseok lifts a hand and cards it roughly into Yoongi's product-slickened hair, taking no care to prevent the strands from tugging before grabbing a handful.
With a gasp and a whimper, Yoongi's mouth falls further open, and Hoseok licks inside, darting his tongue around to taste and tease. He hums whenever their lips enclose one another, only for Yoongi to moan each time Hoseok forces him to open wide again.
Finally, Yoongi lifts his hands and grips Hoseok's hips, digging his fingertips and pulling him close. Hoseok rolls his hips again, picking up a slow but firm rhythm, connecting their clothed cocks somewhat haphazardly but with a promise to Yoongi of what could be his.
"Hoseok," Yoongi gasps against his lips, causing them to tug into a smile.
"Yes, pretty Yoongi?"
"Please," he rasps, fingertips digging with more purpose, pulling Hoseok's hips close.
"Please, what?"
With a needy sigh, Yoongi tips his head back as if gasping for air. His lips are kiss-slick, and Hoseok sucks the bottom one between his teeth, only releasing when Yoongi whimpers a high, broken sound.
"What is it, Yoongi?" Hoseok asks firmly, rubbing the tips of their noses together.
Yoongi heavy-blinks as if struggling to gather his thoughts. He lets out a breathy chuckle, and Hoseok wonders if it is some kind of nervous tick.
"I don't know," he mutters, eyes searching Hoseok's face. "I want more, but I'm not sure how we should proceed."
There is a shred of vulnerability in Yoongi's expression, laced in Yoongi's voice, that Hoseok so desperately wants to exploit.
He nibbles on his own bottom lip, backing up only enough to fully take in Yoongis's face. He wonders if it would be more exquisite to use his mouth to make Yoongi fall apart or have the other on his knees for him.
"I have an idea," Hoseok offers, cocking his head to the side before lowering to a nearby brown leather armchair.
Yoongi watches as Hoseok settles and scoots the heavy chair closer, leaning forward to press his palms against Yoongi's hips through the semi-soft, white wool of his trouser shorts. Yoongi's lidded gaze darkens, and he reaches slowly to graze the backs of his knuckles along Hoseok's cheek before pressing his thumb against Hoseok's bottom lip and dragging it down.
"Hoseok," Yoongi groans, taking a step forward to properly tower over him. "You have no idea how many times I have dreamed of having you like this."
Hoseok grins, nibbles on the tip of Yoongi's thumb, and opens his mouth to fully suck the digit between his lips when there is a loud knock on the door, followed by the handle rattling.
Panic rises, and Hoseok sits tall in the leather chair before instinctively slumping back. He is able to use his feet to push it back a little, putting space between himself and the desk.
Yoongi is quick to take a step back, cross one leg over the other, and fold his arms over his chest. He leans against his desk a stoic statue of a man, with his erection hidden nicely by the way he stands. Although there are subtle signs of Yoongi's lips having just been used, and his hair is somewhat out of place on one side, his expression is flat and gives absolutely nothing away.
In hindsight, Hoseok probably should have locked the door.
"Yoongi-ah," a breathy female voice calls, "I know you said our conversation was over, but I'm here to— oh."
Hoseok turns to find Seori standing with her arm outstretched, holding the office door wide open. She wears a red satin robe that falls just above her knees, and her nipples stand out beneath the thin fabric.
"Oh!" she says again, eyes darting between Yoongi and Hoseok. "I'm so— I'm sorry. I had no idea you were busy."
"What do you want?" Yoongi asks, running a hand over the hair that had come untucked behind his ear, flattening it somewhat.
Hoseok focuses his attention on his boss, impressed by how measured and blank Yoongi can become in an instant. Absolutely nothing gives away the heated exchange they shared only moments earlier, nor any hint of interest in the model.
"Can I, uh…talk to you?" Seori asks.
Yoongi gives a curt nod and steps away from the desk, arms falling limply at his sides. And despite the hushed way in which Seori speaks on the other end of the room, the sound travels just enough for Hoseok to detect.
"Please, I just want—"
"I told you, we're finished. Please accept that."
"But Yoongi, I—"
Yoongi speaks low and soft, but loud enough that Hoseok questions whether he wants to be overheard. "Please don't ruin your career over a brief tryst. You are a fine model, and I would hate to lose you because you cannot take no for an answer."
Whatever the woman says next is too pitchy and distraught for Hoseok to make out. He feels awkward eavesdropping now, cursing himself once more for not locking the door. Yoongi's voice drops to an octave that is undetectable at this distance, and soon the office door is clicking shut.
An exasperated sigh pulls Hoseok's attention, and he turns to find Yoongi standing with his face tipped to the ceiling, taking a deep breath. Really, Yoongi has no one to blame but himself for this mess, yet Hoseok finds he feels for the man.
"Wanna get out of here?" he offers.
Yoongi snaps his gaze to Hoseok, instantly relaxing. Hoseok stands from the chair and fully faces Yoongi, but does not approach, watching as the man studies his face, seeming to weigh his options.
Then he nods and says, "Yeah. Let's go."
Hoseok smooths his hands down his shorts and gathers his handbag while Yoongi quickly crosses the room and shuts off his monitor. He does not touch Hoseok as they leave, and Hoseok gives him space to lock up and walk down the steps toward the exit.
Across the room, Seori is on the phone, and she seems distressed. Hoseok glances at Yoongi, watching whether or not the man seems concerned, unsurprised when he does not. As they approach the door, within earshot of the model, Yoongi turns to Hoseok, expression as flat as can be, and begins to talk shop.
"So, as I said," he mutters just loud enough to be overheard, "once we have the greenlight from Dior, Seokjin and I will sit down with you to discuss what the next steps are. There is talk of another brand scouting you, but I think Seokjin should be the one to deliver the good news."
By the time Yoongi finishes his sentence, they are outside. The air is far cooler now that the sun is beginning to set, and Hoseok's shoulders rise instinctively as he shivers through an exhale. He wonders if what Yoongi just said about another brand scouting him is really true, or just something he made up on the fly.
Yoongi walks to the left, where his vehicle is parked on the curb, and Hoseok follows suit, slipping into the passenger seat as soon as the door is unlocked and making haste to buckle his seatbelt. No words are exchanged as Yoongi presses the ignition start button and drives off, and Hoseok sits back in the cool leather seat, accepting his fate.
Despite his attempts at fortifying his heart, Hoseok acknowledges that a small part of him does wonder what it would be like to be the only object of Yoongi's affection. Beyond his money and status in the industry, he imagines what it would be like to receive consistent, uninhibited attention from a man like Yoongi.
The ride remains silent until Yoongi pulls up to the curb outside his apartment, puts the car into park, and sits back with a heavy exhale.
"Seok," he grumbles, pulling Hoseok's attention. He likes that the nickname has returned, and he does his best to ignore the way goosebumps break out over his skin. "Out of an abundance of transparency, I just want to state that I am not currently, uh, seeing anyone else."
Hoseok has no idea what to say, so instead he stares. Despite Yoongi's innate ability to keep his expressions measured and cool, there are small tells that give away his nervousness, like the way he slightly darts his tongue across his bottom lip, and how his eyes seem to focus in and out while he thinks.
"Seori may seem like a current and constant nuisance, but she and I only hooked up once, months ago. I don't want to reduce her worth by calling it a drunken mistake, but that genuinely is all that the experience was. And, well, I don't want to point any blame, but it seems that your presence in the studio has caused her to ramp up her attempts at repeating what we did."
Yoongi sighs, screwing up his face as if he is pained as he says, "The other day, when I was on my phone during the contract signing, I was attempting to assuage her anger with me giving you the cover, as well as inside ads."
"You were text-fighting with her all evening?" Hoseok asks with more of an edge to his voice than he intended, because, truth be told, he is a bit angry that Yoongi felt he couldn't just say something.
"My reputation is somewhat exaggerated. I do not come onto every model I hire, but because I am not one to get caught in a dating scandal, rumors fly in favor of me appearing to be a fuckboy. I do occasionally give in to desire, and I am sure your friend Jeongguk has a story of his own…but it is never my intention to use people up and toss them aside."
"He told me the two of you were hooking up until Seori showed up and you dropped him like a sweet potato."
"So you alluded to, the other night." The edges of Yoongi's lips raise for the splittest of seconds, and then he sighs once more. "That was bad timing, at best. Jeongguk was fun to spend time with, but he was clingy and seemed to want a relationship, which I was not willing to provide."
"Clingy," Hoseok mutters, chuckling at the end of the word.
"I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way."
Hoseok tongues the inside of his mouth, voice low as he says, "Well, he seems pretty hurt."
"It's not like I dropped Jeongguk abruptly. We spoke about it on several occasions, but I admit, he was a hard one to let go of. We had fun."
With a slow, heavy exhale, Hoseok mutters, "Alright, well…I'm still annoyed with you for ignoring me all night, and all weekend, and... You could have at least clued me in a little."
"I shouldn't be telling you this," Yoongi drops his voice lower, "but Seori was attempting to blackmail me. She thought threats of defamation would put me in her palm, and although I have immaculate legal counsel, the whole thing put me in a sour headspace. You are right that I should have said something to you."
Hoseok hums, taking the information in, unsure what to say.
"I tell you all of this because I was thinking about the other night, at the sushi restaurant, just before your shoe happened to be tucked tight between my legs. You were asking whether I was kissing and spoiling any other models."
A shiver runs along Hoseok's spine at the memory, and he watches Yoongi's lips as he says, "I'm only spoiling you."
Hoseok wants to believe him. He thinks he really does believe him. But he is still determined to only give so much, and not allow himself to get too swept up in whatever Yoongi is trying to do.
If Yoongi is so eager to insist they are exclusive, where does the line draw between fucking and dating? It is no wonder Jeongguk seemed to misunderstand their arrangement, and Hoseok worries he will end up in the same position.
"Okay," is all Hoseok says because his heart whooshes so loudly in his ears that it is hard to form a more coherent thought.
"Seok," Yoongi mutters, formed like a question, "what's on your mind?"
"I want to go upstairs," Hoseok says somewhat robotically, eyes lingering on Yoongi's lips.
He watches as the tip of Yoongi's tongue darts out and wets his bottom lip, and he fights the overwhelming urge to lean forward and suck it between his teeth.
"Alright," Yoongi says. "Let's go upstairs."
Hoseok forgets he is wearing a seatbelt as he reaches for the handle and attempts to get out of the vehicle, finding himself momentarily trapped and flustered. Once he is finally free, he joins Yoongi on the sidewalk, attempting to be as calm as possible as they make their way through the lobby to the elevator.
Hoseok remembers Jeongguk saying Yoongi bent him over the couch in his studio, causing his stomach to tie in knots. He is not eager to have a repeated experience that his friend had.
Thankfully, Yoongi seems to have other plans. He holds his key to the pad in the elevator and hits the number five. Hoseok stares at the round button glowing with a golden ring.
He wonders how the apartment level differs from the studio level. How does Yoongi furnish his home? What kind of vibe is he into?
As the elevator dings, Hoseok sucks in a breath. He grips onto the straps of his handbag while the doors slide open, and Yoongi walks into the small hallway first, kicking out of his loafers and leaving them near tidy rows of shoes. Hoseok does the same and sets his handbag by his shoes while Yoongi enters the code to the door into the keypad.
For some inexplicable reason, the beeping sounds from the keypad seem louder than usual. Hoseok swallows thickly and licks his lips as Yoongi opens the door, switches on a dim overhead light, and shuffles into his home.
Hoseok is not at all surprised to find that everything is black and grey. The floors, the rugs, the walls, the furniture, are all black, with grey curtains and silver accents that add hints of lightness.
The entire far wall is a window, allowing a gradient of light to pour in from the setting sun, and hanging from the high ceilings are rectangular light fixtures, from which dim golden light glows, illuminating the space nicely.
From the marble floors, to the plush rugs and matte-finished woods, the textures are so rich and varied that everything appears to be its own shade of black, especially with the golden glow of the overhead lights. Plush, soft couches make a large u-shape in front of the massive window, and sprawled over black tables and shelves are books, various camera equipment, and file folders.
"Wow, so bright and colorful," Hoseok chides as Yoongi leads him to the right, toward the large open kitchen – the same placement as in the studio downstairs.
"What can I say, I'm a man of simple tastes," Yoongi drawls over his shoulder. "Water?" he asks, tugging open the door of a massive black refrigerator. "Soju? Whiskey? Beer?"
Yoongi looks over his shoulder, illuminated by the bright white glow of his fridge. He has given Hoseok too many options, and he finds he cannot choose.
"Water is fine," he mutters when Yoongi impatiently lifts his eyebrows. "Unless you want a little something to take the edge off."
Hoseok feels nervous – why does he feel nervous? His hands fidget in the wide sleeves of his hanbok top, and he finds his gaze wandering around the apartment, unable to stay in one place. Perhaps it is the conversation in the car that has caused the excitement from earlier to shift into nervous energy.
"I don't have an edge to take off," Yoongi responds. "Do you have an edge?"
This kitchen is not as barren as the one in the studio. Yoongi appears to have every appliance known to man, all neatly in place along countertops and storage shelves. This place actually appears lived in and cared for, and Hoseok finds the enveloping darkness surprisingly calming.
"No," he lies, realizing he had been stuck in his head. "No edge."
Yoongi chuckles and closes the fridge empty-handed, then he moves to the right, to where cabinets sit tall above a large sink, and he produces two shot glasses and a large glass. As he turns on the sink and switches on a filter that is attached to the faucet, he glances over his shoulder and nods to a nearby cabinet, saying, "You seem to have a slight edge. Pick your poison and we'll do a shot to loosen up."
To the right of the sink, above the countertop, is a cabinet with a glass window showcasing several bottles of whiskey. Hoseok finds a Japanese one with an inviting white and black label and pulls it out while Yoongi shuts off the sink and sets down a tall glass of water.
"Nice pick," Yoongi says as he reaches for the bottle, uncorks the top, and pours two shots.
Hoseok inches nice and close – close enough to smell the cologne Yoongi wears – and reaches for one of the shots. They clink the glasses together softly and shoot the liquid back, and although it is rich and smooth, the strength makes Hoseok wince, which in turn makes Yoongi chuckle.
"It's good," Hoseok insists, feeling somewhat embarrassed despite having no reason to be. "Just strong."
"One more?" Yoongi asks, leaning close. "Or is your edge softened?"
"One more," Hoseok responds, tipping his chin upward in a challenge. "I wanna taste it on your tongue."
Yoongi snickers then pours two more shots, which they quickly drink back, and this time, Hoseok does not react as strongly to the earthy, semi-sweet flavor. This time, he picks up hints of caramel and enjoys the way it settles over him like a warm hug.
Ordinarily, two shots are hardly enough to make Hoseok feel anything but warm and energized. But he only ate breakfast today, a realization that makes him feel somewhat foolish, all things considered, and the whiskey has a bit of an effect on him.
Hoseok feels light around the edges. Fuzzy tendrils of frenetic energy erupt from him like tiny solar flares ignited by Japanese whiskey and Yoongi's proximity. He places his hands against Yoongi's hips and turns him until his ass is against the counter, then he slides his hands to rest against the countertop, caging Yoongi in like he had in his office.
"Kiss me," he whispers, elated as Yoongi obeys immediately, leaning close to lick over Hoseok's lips and then part his own.
Hoseok sucks Yoongi's bottom lip into his mouth, smiling as he whimpers. He licks over Yoongi's tongue, tasting remnants of heady caramel and something far sweeter and more personal. As if driven mad by the flavor, leans his body against Yoongi's to rut his hips forward.
"Bed," Yoongi mutters against Hoseok, to which Hoseok nods without disconnecting their lips. He is not ready to stop tasting Yoongi just yet. He wants to commit the flavor to memory.
Yoongi's hands find Hoseok's hips and grip tightly, working to both spur him on and calm him down. Hoseok parts the kiss with a heavy sigh and nods once more, resting his forehead against Yoongi's and allowing himself to return to earth.
Then he reaches for the cold glass of tap water and takes a long, slow gulp, hips still pressed against Yoongi with a slight twist to them. He drinks half of the glass down then holds it for Yoongi to have, and takes a step back to give both of them a little space.
Yoongi drinks then sets the glass aside, takes Hoseok's hand, and leads him through the apartment, past the large glass wall through which the sun sets into an inviting greyish blue with pink hues. The door straight ahead is open – the same place the door to Yoongi's studio can be found on the floor below – and Yoongi walks in and flips a switch that invites a soft purple glow.
Similar to the rest of the house, everything is shades of black, save for the bedding, curtains, and rugs which are forest green. Two of the walls are made of glass, allowing the light from the setting sun to pour in through sheer dark green curtains, and there is dark furniture throughout, but Hoseok's attention is on the bed – a wide mattress on a low black platform that is lifted inches from the floor, under which a purple light glows.
"You can change the color if you'd like," Yoongi offers, speaking directly into Hoseok's ear and fanning warm breath against his cheek.
Hoseok tugs Yoongi's hand toward the bed and says, "I bet purple would look nice against your skin," as they stop and face each other.
Hoseok begins to yank open Yoongi's white blazer, which absorbs the light into a pretty lilac shade, and Yoongi chuckles and takes over, very delicately removing the item and handing it to Hoseok.
"Leave it there," he instructs with a nod of his chin, and Hoseok turns to find a small armchair nearby, to the right of the bed, over which a black blazer rests. He drapes the new blazer beside the other and turns back to find Yoongi unbuttoning and untucking his white dress shirt.
With each inch of skin that Yoongi reveals, Hoseok feels his heart begin to race. He shrugs quickly from his hanbok top, tossing it in a heap onto the armchair, then yanks his tank top over his head and chucks it aside.
When his fingers reach the button of his shorts, Yoongi's large, knobby fingers stop his movements, pulling his hands away. Hoseok looks up from his interrupted task to find Yoongi shirtless and sinking to his knees.
"Let me do it," he insists.
Hoseok nods and swallows thickly, watching as Yoongi's knees are engulfed by a soft, dark green shag rug. Yoongi rubs his hands up Hoseok's thighs, causing a warmth to simmer in the pit of his tummy, and he breathes deep and slow, doing his best to maintain his composure.
As Yoongi yanks at Hoseok's shorts, pulling them past his knees, he sits high and wafts his breath against his black briefs, warm then cool on his growing erection. With his gaze directed at Hoseok's eyes, Yoongi nudges his nose and lips against him, taking deep breaths as if savoring his musk, and Hoseok reaches one hand to grip Yoongi's product-slick hair and give his head a rough tug.
Yoongi whimpers, and the sight of him on his knees, submissive and making such pretty sounds kicks Hoseok's need to tame him into overdrive. Yoongi reaches for Hoseok's waistband, but Hoseok shakes his head and says, "Hands at your sides."
With a gasp, Yoongi's eyes widen – pretty and endless depths of inviting brown. Hoseok tongues the inside of his cheek and grips Yoongi's hair a little rougher.
"You have to earn it."
"Earn it?" Yoongi responds almost sardonically, and Hoseok yanks at his head just enough to make him whimper and sigh.
"You heard me. Earn it."
"Please?" Yoongi tries, batting his long, dark lashes like a pretty little doll.
"Please, what?"
"Please let me taste you."
"Only good boys get to suck my cock, pretty Yoongi," Hoseok responds in a mocking tone. Yoongi's pupils react to his words, and Hoseok snickers. "Are you going to be a good boy for me?"
"Yes, Seok," Yoongi practically moans. "I'll be a good boy for you."
"Not just tonight," Hoseok says, tipping his head to the side and peering down at Yoongi with squinted eyes. "You're going to be good to me for as long as we do whatever it is that we are doing. No more miscommunications. No more half-truths."
"I'll be good for you," Yoongi insists, eyes wide and pleading.
"You're still my boss, so we will have to navigate that dynamic one day at a time," Hoseok continues, reaching his other hand to drag his thumb along Yoongi's bottom lip the way Yoongi did to him in his office. "As long as we are not at work, we are equals, and you will treat me as such."
"Yes, Seok," Yoongi mutters.
Hoseok gives his hair a tug and grits, "Louder," through his teeth.
"I'll be good to you, Seok," Yoongi's voice switches from coy desperation to firm insistence, deepening as he says, "Please let me be so good to you."
Hoseok's head spins. He nods and releases Yoongi's hair, then drops his arms to his sides and says, "One thing I like about you is your quick wit and sharp tongue…and I'm sure that is not the extent of what that pretty mouth can do."
Yoongi grins, then lifts his hands to paw over Hoseok's cock and grab for his waistband. Arousal soars through Hoseok – lava in his veins – and he does his best to keep his composure, whimpering softly while he holds firm eye contact with Yoongi.
That is, until he pulls Hoseok's briefs down, and Yoongi's gaze falls to his freed cock. His eyes widen, and he licks his lips as he sits high on his knees and shuffles a little closer. With slow strokes, Yoongi makes Hoseok dizzy, dragging against his foreskin before pushing it down, revealing a flushed head and length.
With a delicate flick of his bubblegum tongue, Yoongi laps up the precum that drips from Hoseok's tip, sending a shiver down his spine. Yoongi drags his lips over the tip and crown, gaze intently returning to Hoseok, teasing with feather-light touches.
Hoseok smirks down at the man – eager to knock him off his pedestal a little – and asks, "How many other pretty models have you dropped to your knees so easily for?"
Yoongi's eyes widen, burning with something Hoseok struggles to discern, and a scoff comes from between his lips. He seems incensed but so terribly aroused. Hoseok grins.
"That's what I thought," Hoseok grumbles bending as he grips Yoongi by the chin and tugs enough to make him sit even higher. He feels powerful and possessive. "This is all for me. Now, open."
As soon as Yoongi's lips part, Hoseok spits into his mouth. Yoongi's eyes widen further, and he keeps his mouth open as if he is waiting for instruction. His submissive side has Hoseok simmering with desire.
"You're so perfect, Yoongi," Hoseok praises just above a whisper. "So fucking perfect. Now put those pretty lips to good use."
Yoongi nods once – a shallow, quick movement – then wastes no time taking Hoseok's length deep into his throat. Hoseok feels Yoongi swallow and possibly begin to gag, but he is slow with the way he pulls back and sinks down, sucking with his lips tight around the tip each time, eliciting bursting waves of pleasure.
"Fuck, Yoongi," Hoseok groans, reaching to grip his hair with his right hand. He cannot believe this is finally happening. "Your mouth feels amazing."
Yoongi hums and moans, increasing his speed but never seeming rushed, and Hoseok's head spins as his arousal builds and builds. It has been far too fucking long since he has had someone so pretty down on their knees, and the sight alone of Yoongi's doll lips wrapped around him while tears pool around his delicate, long eyelashes builds his pleasure too fast.
"I won't last long," he whimpers. "Feels too good."
As if spurred on to push Hoseok over the edge, Yoongi swallows his cock deeper, holding it lodged in his throat until his face begins to redden and his eyes bulge. The sensation is exquisite, especially as Yoongi pulls back, mouth full of thick saliva, making the slide smooth as silk.
And again, Yoongi sinks down as deep as he can and holds Hoseok there, gaze trained upward despite the way his eyelashes flicker. Hoseok reaches with his free hand and gives Yoongi's cheek a delicate slap, then lower to cradle Yoongi's throat and feel himself buried deep from the outside.
"Holy fuck," he babbles, nodding. "Fuck, you drive me crazy, Yoongi. Such a good boy, perfect, perfect."
This time, when Yoongi pulls back, saliva pours from between his lips, and he uses both hands to stroke along Hoseok's length while he bobs his tightened lips just past the head, laving with his tongue.
Hoseok is overstimulated in a way he has never experienced from a blowjob, and his resolve crumbles in an instant.
"Gonna cum, fuck," Hoseok warns. "Can I cum in your mouth?"
Yoongi heavy-blinks and attempts to nod, lips and hands still working Hoseok over. Hoseok's entire body feels hot – set alight, threatening to combust.
"Fuck, fuck," Hoseok whimpers, trembling from pleasure that teeters just on the edge of insanity.
Yoongi stills his head, holding his mouth open and tongue flat while stroking Hoseok with both hands. The tip of his cock drags along Yoongi's pretty tongue, and with one more measured stroke, Hoseok releases, moaning and gasping, practically folding in half as his cum spurts in long ropes, painting Yoongi white.
Although the strokes slow, they do not stop. Yoongi's large, soft hands milk him of every last drop until Hoseok is gripping Yoongi's shoulders and he is begging him to have mercy.
"Fuck, Yoongi," he gasps, lowering to his knees, no longer able to hold himself up.
Yoongi's tongue continues to lay flat, cum and drool dripping down his chin, and Hoseok sits high and spits once more into his mouth before commanding him to, "Swallow."
Hoseok watches intently as Yoongi closes his lips and swallows his cum, then his hands are on him, lazily gripping at his throat and neck. He feels drunk with power and desire – feels ready to allow the blaze inside him to swallow both of them whole.
"On the bed," Hoseok commands.
Yoongi's face is flushed and covered in a sheen of sweat, his once-style hair is fucked up and sticking out on the sides, and his lips are pretty kiss-swollen petals. He breathes slow and deep as he nods, eyelashes fluttering as if he too is coming down from a high.
Rather than stand, Yoongi turns haphazardly on his knees, gets onto his hands, and crawls. His white trouser shorts hug his plump round ass, swaying with each movement like a beacon of pleasure, and Hoseok crawls behind him, eyes never leaving his prize until they must – until Yoongi climbs up the platform bed and turns, sitting with his feet planted on the floor.
Hoseok crawls to Yoongi's shins, then sits high on his knees and uses his palms to spread his thighs. He licks his lips and reaches for Yoongi's button and zipper, but Yoongi grips Hoseok by the wrists and yanks.
"Come here, Seok."
Nodding, still feeling somewhat delirious, Hoseok gets up onto his feet just enough to crash down onto the low bed, caging Yoongi's legs as the man chuckles and crawls backward to the center of the mattress.
"I have an idea," Yoongi promises, rotating to scoot until his shoulders are against the dark headboard. He pats his legs and says, "Come here," while he hastily shoves his shorts and briefs down, and his voice is rougher than usual, no doubt from deepthroating.
For the first time since all of this has started, Hoseok gets a good look at Yoongi. His complexion is soft and supple against the dark bedding, and his body is a gorgeous blend of thin and muscular – similar to Hoseok, yet different. His shoulders are wide, his hands are large, yet he is knobby and slightly lanky, small against the large bed. Breathtaking.
The hair at the base of Yoongi's hard, leaking cock is trimmed low – an inviting patch of black against lilac-tinted skin. Hoseok leans close to kiss along Yoongi's hip and breathes in his musky-sweet scent, but before he can tease, Yoongi has both hands on Hoseok's cheeks and jaw, tugging him upward.
Hoseok lifts and wiggles beside Yoongi, who has slithered down into a lying position. "Kiss me," he groans, still pulling Hoseok by the face, forcing him to crash down against him, licking against his lips.
As Hoseok settles onto his side, Yoongi drapes a leg around Hoseok's hips and rolls their bodies together. Already, Hoseok's cock is becoming erect, and with each roll of Yoongi's hips, he feels hypnotized.
"Fuck, Yoongi," Hoseok groans, sinking low against Yoongi's chest to leave marks with his lips and teeth that will be hidden under clothing tomorrow. "You don't know what you do to me."
Yoongi lifts his hand to Hoseok's lips and rasps, "Spit," and Hoseok obeys, gathering saliva under his tongue only to trickle it into his palm. Then Yoongi reaches between them, engulfs both cocks in his warm grip, and thrusts.
"Oh, shit," Hoseok whimpers in tandem with a deep, needy groan from Yoongi.
Hoseok spits hastily into his own hand and reaches to engulf them further, then he sets a rhythm with his hips, pushing when Yoongi pulls and pulling when Yoongi pushes. Pleasure grips Hoseok tight, threatening to drag him into the hot, inviting depths of hell, and Hoseok whimpers as he leans into Yoongi, sucking his lips between his teeth.
The kiss is a sloppy gnash of teeth and tongues with nobody in control. Yoongi seems to be losing his composure quickly, and the more he moans and trembles against Hoseok, the more persistently Hoseok strokes their dicks.
Their rhythm is hypnotizing – a dance between two bodies so fluid and perfect, Hoseok has a lingering thought that perhaps the two of them were meant for each other. Their connection feels so intense, it scares the shit out of him.
"Seok," Yoongi whimpers, lower lip caught in Hoseok's teeth. "Close. So close. "Gonna—"
"In my mouth," Hoseok insists, releasing his hold on their cocks and haphazardly sliding down the length of Yoongi's body.
He is quick to sink Yoongi deep into his throat, wasting no time sucking as if his life depends on it. Yoongi stays on his side and grips onto Hoseok's hair, hips trusting, never losing their dizzying rhythm.
Hoseok can feel Yoongi pulsate against his lips and he swallows him deep, moaning and humming around him until Yoongi's hips tremble and he shoots his load straight into Hoseok's throat. Yoongi's voice is pitchy and broken, his body quakes with bliss, and Hoseok breathes through his nose, doing his best to swallow each drop without his gag reflex interfering.
Suddenly exhausted, Hoseok releases Yoongi's spent cock, gasping for air. It is messy the way Yoongi attempts to pull Hoseok's lips back to his, body bent in half while Hoseok stretches and strains until he finally finds the strength to crawl up to him and kiss him properly.
"Seok," Yoongi gasps against his lips, eyes wide and filling Hoseok's vision. "You're incredible. Nobody…" he pants, "nobody has ever made me feel this way."
Honeyed words taste bitter against Hoseok's tongue as he considers all the different times Yoongi must have used that line before. How many models did he sink his claws into similarly, only to drop without a care in the world? What is worse is that Hoseok almost believes him.
Yoongi holds Hoseok in place against him, lips lazily dragging, eager to kiss despite losing the strength to move. Hoseok's mouth moves on instinct alone, erection long forgotten to the brewing storm inside his head.
"Nap," Yoongi grumbles, body falling limp and relaxed around him. "Then food."
"Okay," Hoseok whispers as he reaches for the soft comforter on which they lay, folding it over them rather than bothering to attempt to crawl beneath it.
Yoongi smiles, drifting to sleep, and Hoseok leaves soft pecks against the tip of his nose and the apple of his cheek, eager to kiss and kiss and kiss. He wants to commit this moment to memory in the event that this is the last time.
As Yoongi's body becomes heavy as lead, lost to the firm grasp of sleep, Hoseok waits for him to lightly begin to snore. He waits, laying on his side and tracing each shape of Yoongi's beautiful face, shoulders, and chest with his eyes.
He waits and he waits until Yoongi rolls onto his back, limbs slipping away from Hoseok's nude body. And then he waits just a beat longer before he slowly, silently slips out from beneath the comforter, collects his clothing, and tiptoes into the living room.
It is still early in the night, and Hoseok stares out the window at the city below the hill, at the river in the distance, at the cars that drive by. He slips into his clothing, tiptoes to the front door, gathers his handbag and shoes, and, in the elevator, calls for a cab.
Over and over, Yoongi's voice plays in Hoseok's head. Nobody has ever made me feel this way.
Over and over, his pretty, tearful eyes and soft, kissable lips sear into Hoseok's mind, taking up permanent residence, threatening to drive him mad. Hoseok stares at his reflection in the elevator doors, unsure how he is supposed to feel.
He got it out of his system. He successfully fucked with the pretty man with the reputation for using people, and he slipped away in the night, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
But he does not feel satisfied. It is as if vines have snaked their way into his chest cavity and they squeeze, threatening to puncture his lungs with their thorns and steal his air.
He feels defeated. Deflated. He has accomplished his goal, yet he does not feel victorious.
Nobody has ever made me feel this way.
Those pretty words spoken in that raspy voice taunt him over and over, and Hoseok walks out into the chill night feeling emptier than before.
one more chapter left!!! and don't worry, these two idiots will have a happy ending, okay. i just have to drag you through the angst mud a little more because it's funnnn. 😍😍😍 apparently i can only focus on one bestie at a time, so i will do my best to bring Taehyung into the spotlight in chapter 4!
also i feel like it is silly to have described Yoongi living in an all black and grey space with my whole entire chest, but this is what i had in mind:
MORE COMING SOON!!! COMMENTS & REBLOGS WILL MAKE ME WANT TO WORK ON IT FASTER! LIKES ARE ALWAYS SO SO APPRECIATED!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!!
tag list: @codeinebelle @dasexydevitt13 @fluffybuns69 @giriiboyy @idkjustlovingbts @itsmina29 @mgthecat @moonleeai @m1sss1mp @spookyminyunki 📸 want to be added to this tag list for part 4? or the list for all of my member x member fics?? or everything i post??? or maybe this fic isn’t for you and you want to be removed???? comment or dm! i will make your dreams a reality.
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Showstopper is copyright theharrowing 2022 - 2024. no translations or reposting allowed!
#hoseok x yoongi#yoongi x hoseok#yoonseok#yoonseok angst#yoonseok smut#bts writers club#sope#sope angst#sope smut#yoongi angst#yoongi smut#hoseok angst#hoseok smut#bts angst#bts smut#fic: showstopper
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😑😑😑
"Aang is a bad main character because the world has to adapt to his world view. Meanwhile I love Zuko for his brilliant arc that concludes with him making his nation to adapt to his world view now that he is in charge" fuck these people. "Younger generation fixes the problems the old ones created" is only bad as a theme when they don't like the kid in question.
"He has to save Katara, the weak damsel in distress" So we're really just gonna ignore all the times she saved his ass, and how she literally BROUGHT HIM BACK FROM THE DEAD just to pretend the show is sexist?
"He has to pretend the world isn't in agony" Are you high? Aang is constantly pushing himself to do things he doesn't wanna do (go with Zuko willingly, confront Hei Bai, go to the Fire Nation on the solstice, intentionally trigger the Avatar State, cross the serpent's pass despite having permission to go through a safer path, let go of Katara and risk losing her in the battle for Ba Sing Se, and even accepting he'll have to kill Ozai in the finale) just to innocent people won't suffer. For fuck's sake, he has plenty of compassion for the guy that SENT AN ASSASSIN AFTER HIM. Just because he's still holding onto whatever childhood innocence he can, doesn't mean he's blind to the issues around him.
"Zuko's arc is independent from Zuko's" They have a fuck ton of parallels, and entire EPISODES dedicated to said parallels. Zuko himself said chasing Aang fueld his fire - and he said that when he learned a higher form of firebending ALONGSIDE AANG, who had just saved his ass from being burned alive by the dragons by figuring out they were supposed to dance together.
Zuko was so obsessed with Aang he tried to engage in a conversation AFTER AANG'S SOUL LEFT HIS BODY, and he had a weird fever dream where he literally BECAME Aang. We get confirmation in book 3 that Zuko never forgot how Aang mentioned the possibility of them being friends if things were different, and the show ends with them as best friends in an obvious parallel to Roku and Sozin.
You know who had fuck all to do with Zuko's arc though? KATARA, yet these people keep insisting she's totally important to it.
"Episodes centered on Katara and Sokka are good because they ignore Aang" No they don't, he's just not front and center, same for Toph, or Zuko, because that's how FOCUS works.
Also, for all the shit "The Headband" gets for supposedly being "filler", it's shocking to me how people act like "Sokka's Master" was briliant and not at all rushed. It's honestly as irrelevant as "The Great Divide" for me.
"Aang had lots of Deus Ex Machinas" He had one, the lion turtle. The Avatar state is introduced right away, and explained in depth a whole season before the finale, AND it was not that easy to use.
Katara bringing him back from the dead is even less random. In the first episode of season two, we are introduced to the concept of "Aang can still be killed in the Avatar State and that is REALLY bad", to the the character that will kill him and how she'll do it (Azula with her lightining), and to the water of the spirit oasis - which the show goes out of it's way to remind us of before Aang is even dead. That's a fuck ton of foreshadowing and proper narrative set up.
"Deus Ex Machina" does not mean "Protagonist survives major battle" or "Hero defeats a super powerful villain", it means "Day is saved by a thing that had never been mentioned in the story before so the audience could have never guessed what would happen." These people want to talk shit, but only show they have no fucking clue how some REALLY basic storytelling stuff works.
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I think Mos and Bank have good chemistry. And I do feel for Bank, who openly cried on a livestream because of the poor reception of Sunset x Vibes until Mos pulled him away. I'm sure his manager wasn't thrilled, and I can only imagine how hard he's going to be hit when this show gets eaten alive in final reviews, because it's bad.
They put their all into it, but no one could make this work.
The wardrobe and accessories in a show that is focusing on accessories are hideous. Bank is pretty, but not pretty enough to fix a bad script, bland relationship dynamics, and truly hideous styling.
We got endless montages of Sun being objectively bad in his brand new role as president of a failing company by taking his boyfriend out to scenic locations. Lin is also a rich boy heir, and it was mentioned once and never again, but "oh no this is so expensive" first date and the lying about being rich boys are just.... there. And Sun was rewarded for being a supremely bad boss while Chan did everything in his stead.
Sam and Yoh had potential to actually do the poor boy/rich boy dynamic promised from Lin and Sun, but that also fell flat because there wasn't enough time given. Why do they even like each other? Who knows. Sam just looks extra hot with a half updo and no glasses.
The Prim/Pim relationship with "I secretly loved you from afar, so I was a bitch" and Pim apparently having 0 experience with even kissing after coming out of a long term relationship (didn't want to have sex, got it, but I'm pretty sure she made out with her boyfriend at some point) gave nothing at all to the story other than filler.
The Naga fantasy plot was convoluted and made no sense because instead of spending time developing the lore and creating connections, there were 10 minute scenes of fucking on a pool table/gratuitous white paint splashing in the least subtle replacement for a cumshot/weirdly graphic blowjob sounds while focusing on Mos' back right before a massively important show.
I am here for the horny. It is my favorite. But if you're dedicating precious screen time to sex scenes, they should do something to advance either character development or the plot.
Vegas eats Pete out after torturing him and Pete likes it. Vegas wants to hurt him, but also wants to pleasure him. Pete breaks because of the contrast and starts to see Vegas as something other than just a monster. Using Bible again because dude does sex scenes right- Great and Thyme have cute, goofy sex in one timeline because they're high on adrenaline and budding feelings, and in the other timeline Thyme is cold and calculating and fucks Great in a specific way to (attempt to) humiliate him. Both scenes drive the plot forward. The sex is part of the development. Without those scenes, we lose incredibly important dynamics.
Sunset x Vibes just has pretty boys dry humping prettily. It doesn't develop the relationships or the plot and actually take away from what the story could be of given the proper room to breathe. And using Dancing With the Devil as background music makes 0 sense outside of giving a call back to Big Dragon. What devil? They just won a world award. This is a victory fuck.
Sunset x Vibes had the bones of an interesting story and plenty of time to explore it, but failed spectacularly on all counts.
#sunset x vibes#mosbank#also Khun Dad as a nickname needs to be burned at the stake#just call him Daddy it would be so much less cringe
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Earthspark S3 synopsis spoilers!!
Rotten Tomatoes leaked the titles and synopsizes for episodes 2-7 of Season 3 and I have opinions.
First of all, I JINXED IT??? Yesterday I was literally writing a post complaining about how little info we got about S3 compared to the other seasons before their release. I was nearly done it but got lazy and I saved it as a draft to finish later, cue 1 AM at night when I decide to check again Rotten Tomatoes for any updates, AND THERE WERE NEW EPISODES?? I just manifested them into existence with the power of hyperfixation I guess. So, you're welcome guys. (Although it is pretty cool that I discovered it myself because that usually doesn't happen to me since I don't use Reddit or Discord, it also signifies that the mainstream Transformers fandom doesn't really seem to care about Earthspark that much anymore considering the fact they aren't interested on reporting on new leaks. And that sucks, but I can't exactly blame them.)
But also you're not welcome because wtf are these synopsizes. I'm trying my best to be positive and stuff, and I know we should probably wait for the episodes to come out before we judge too hard, but these descriptions are definitely raising some red flags. There only seems to be 7 episodes which is very disappointing and doesn't seem like enough time to wrap up all the plot points from S2, plus the new S3 plot points they are introducing. Not to mention that there seems to be one or two filler episodes, which doesn't seem like a lot for most shows but it matters when you have such limited time. Filler can be good when it is well-written, helps develop the characters, and doesn't take time away from the rest of the plot. S1 filler was enjoyable because it had these qualities, but S2 filler however....... I don't think so. Not only is the writing just plain bad, but the writers almost seem adverse to developing their characters because they don't want to break their 'good guys good/bad guys bad' formula and need everything to reset to the status quo by the end of the episode, rendering the filler basically pointless. (See, the end of Togetherness) So not only is the filler getting in the way of the plot, but I'm not entirely sure it'll even be enjoyable.
I don't know if we are going to be getting more episodes after this. Some say we are going to get more batches, some say we are going to get longer specials instead, and some say Earthspark is cancelled and won't be getting any continuation. I think we probably will get some sort of finale, but either way, now is not the time for the writers to start messing around. There are plenty plot points from S2 that need to be wrapped up (The Decepticons, Terrantronus, The Chaos Terrans, The Quintessions) and yet they are already adding some more plot points for S3. The descriptions don't really mention any of the S2 plot points, and obviously we should wait till the episodes actually release to see if they do, but I'm still a bit skeptical. But these S3 plot points do seem interesting so lets talk about them.
IZZY'S EVIL?? Or a shapeshifter Quintession thing?? I'm gonna be real I did not see that coming and I don't really know how to feel. It's more interesting than her just being a designated crush character but I'm still just not really invested enough in her and Robby's relationship to care. I wonder if she's actually a shapeshifting Quintession or just a human working for the Quintession's? (I'm sorta hoping for the first thing tbh since we don't need more human screentime) I also wonder if she'll just be pure evil or if she'll be redeemed by the power of straight people or something. Imagine if some random girl gets redeemed but not any of the Decepticons, that'd be really funny.
There's this new plot point called 'The Hate Plague' which seems to be some sort of disease that drives bots into a rage. It pops up after EP4, right after The Autobot Ship (probably containing Prowl) crash lands. My guess is that the disease stems from Prowl's ship, and also probably has something to do with the Quintession's big plan. That either means the ship had a Quintession stowaway or some other substance that the Quintession's planted there that somehow caused the disease. There is also the possibility that it has something to do with The Chaos Energy from the Chaos Terrans since they are associated with rage?? But we'll have to see. I think the plot will follow The Autobots slowly being taken over by the disease, making them dangerous to the Maltos, leaving them all by themself to find someway to reverse it's affects and bring them back while also fighting the enemy that wants to take Robby and Mo's power for their own- wait a sec HAVEN'T WE DONE THIS BEFORE?? Isn't just the GHOST mind control all over again??? Sure, the Hate Plague makes them more enraged whilst the Mind Control made them emotionless, but it will still lead to them fighting against the Maltos right? It just feels way too similar. And the lines "she (Twitch) realizes she may be the only one who can help" and "Prowl recruits Thrash and Robby to investigate the source of the mysterious Hate Plague" sort of implies The Terran's can't be infected? Which seems worse since it means the Terrans won't benefit by whatever potential character development the Hate Plague could bring. But I don't want to jump to conclusions. I think it would be more interesting if the 'Hate Plague' didn't just make the bots mindless enraged savages, but instead actually make them more hateful. The plague clouds their view and makes them see the negative in everything, but they still retain their cognitive abilities, specifically the ability to talk. This could lead to interesting character dynamics being challenged since everyone would be arguing with each other and their previously-hidden opinions would come to light. This would still install conflict in the Autobot base but it wouldn't make them just mindless enemies and could actually lead to really interesting dialogue and situations. Think of The Spell of Shattered Sight from Once Upon a Time. It would put the Autobots out of commission and they wouldn't be able to help the Terrans but it wouldn't lead to them mindlessly attacking them without a reason, so it wouldn't be too similar to the GHOST mind control. But I'm not sure if they'll go for this angle since the S2 writers don't seem to be a fan of 'complicated characters' and exposing some of the flaws of the Autobots via The Hate Plague would destroy their 'good guys good/bad guys bad' narrative. It's easier to just turn The Autobots into mindless monsters to fight the Terrans for awhile. It'll also probably lead to some "i know your still in there 🥺" fights, which may be good character development if they are written well but they will probably end up being really corny. Like I said, we've done this all before.
No mention of The Chaos Terrans guys. I'm not doing well. We don't have the synposis for EP1 which would be the one they are most likely to be mentioned in, but the fact that they are not even alluded to in the other descriptions has me worried. I don't care if they stay pure evil, I also don't care if they speedrun a poorly written redemption arc, I JUST WANT THEM TO BE ALIVE 😭😭 (istfg if they try to redeem Starscream after what he did......)
The episode I'm most excited for is probably EP4. The plot of going into the Decepticon base and "friendships being tested" might mean we'll be getting some character development between The Autobots and/or The Decepticons? I have a soft spot for snow day episodes, so I'll probably enjoy EP 5 as well. The description of EP6 sort of made it seem like they would go on a full on investigation, so I think it would be funny if it was styled like a Noir Dectective film lmao (idk Prowl's character that well, is that something he would do?)
Either way, I will stay cautiously optimistic and be on the lookout for anymore leaks!
#transformers#maccadam#transformers earthspark#tf earthspark#tf earthspark season 3#earthspark leaks#tf earthspark chaos terrans#transformers earthspark leaks#tf earthspark leaks
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Have you heard about the One Piece live action?
Also One Piece is in it final saga.
I've watched the entire live action One Piece three times so far. I went in with zero expectations, given how badly other live action anime adaptations have let me down. the first time I watched it, I was thrilled with how good of an adaptation it was, and how it felt like it had finally broken the so-called live action anime "curse." the second time I watched it, I kept thinking how even aside from being a good adaptation, it was honestly a really good show in its own right. and the third time I was like, "yeah so this is actually one of my favorite shows of all time now, apparently."
everything about it is just so, so good. the One Piece anime and manga have such a high barrier to entry, what with it being such an intimidatingly long series, having a relatively slow start, and having an art style that initially throws people off. the live action solves all of those problems. it's only an eight episode commitment, so it's not intimidating. it's live action, so the art isn't distracting people until they get used to it. and it's a condensed version of what was honestly a fairly meandering first saga, and it whittles things down perfectly. all the good stuff, none of the filler. perfect. half my enjoyment honestly comes from how impressed I am that they actually managed to do this lol.
and the casting!! how is it so perfect?! live action Luffy should be impossible to cast. I genuinely did not think they would be able to do it. Iñaki is a wonder and I would die for him. Taz Skylar is literally Sanji. Jacob is wildly charming, Mackenyu made me like Zoro even more than I already did, and Emily made me cry every single time I watched episode 7. the fact that Oda had final say in all of the casting decisions was so important, I think.
and omg. just so many other wonderful components. the soundtrack, the sets, the effects (absolutely essential in order to make the show not feel cheesy, and they nailed everything), the FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY, omg. perfect show, honestly. for anyone who hasn't seen the series, I highly recommend it. it is a genuinely delightful experience.
and as for the manga I still need to catch up! BnHA first, lol. but thankfully One Piece's pacing is such that I'm pretty sure I still have plenty of time to get caught up and maybe even do a partial reread. gonna be a fun time for sure. end of an era.
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Adrien's held back by the premise. 'Reverse fairy tale' he's the 'princess' perfect in his castle meant to be saved by Marinette the 'knight'.
This isn't me speculating, this is in the show bible. They honestly sat down and said 'hey if we change their crotch accessories it'll be so progressive. That's all gender roles and toxic patriarchy boil down to right? The configuration of your nether deli.'
So you have your useless emotional little princess Adrien who is both perfect and perfectly useless and the strong put upon Marinette who must protect him from the mean world amd his own sense of agency (he's just too emotional to be trusted with the truth!). She plows through the world and it hends to her will because knight etc etc.
This isn't Marinette salt, this is salting the people who say down and said 'Yeah this is totally a good story to tell.'
See, while I can see how that’s a factor, I don’t think that’s the Big problem. There have been plenty of princesses that still have agency and an active role in their stories despite their “damsel in distress” status. The issue with Adrien is that he’s Perfect and Must Be Protected At All Costs and It’s The Rest Of The World That Is Wrong. By this I mean that when they came up with these core characteristics, they doomed him to stagnation. He can’t face any challenges without risking alterations to his worldview and by extension his Perfect Cinnamon Roll status. From the moment they decided to make his dad the villain, he was guaranteed to never get a completely happy ending but because he is So Good and Can’t Handle That, they decided to ignore the most logical plot to follow with him and made him nothing more than a space filler in his own story.
It doesn’t matter if maribug is his knight in shining armor, he can’t even acknowledge the evil dragon exists.
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Thought you might want to know, but all of Season 2A was written without knowledge of the shortening. Dana Terrace says this at the 16 minute mark of the April 28th Post Hoot.
Thank you! It's neat to know and kind of the assumption I'd had for a long time. In production and being written should be two different phases for a show after all. For the Amphibia outline I did earlier today, it'd mean losing an episode which.... *sigh* But yeah, I've effectively always treated it mostly like S2A was unaffected by the shortening and there are some plotlines I'm sympathetic about with that... But not by much.
Again, I've gone harder into this in the past but S2B had to mostly be the way it was for the sake of S3, full or shortened, unless S3 was DRASTICALLY different than what we got. Hunter needed to be an ally enough to go with them all into the portal so Sport in a Storm, Hollow Mind and Labyrinth Runners would have still happened. You do need to explore Belos and prepare for King's Tide with him so Hollow Mind bare minimum still needs to exist but also for Luz's angst arc, Elsewhere Elsewhen needs to exist. King being a titan needs to be confirmed so Edge of the World needs to exist. We also need to make King the most patient, kind, wisest person to exist so Titan, Where Art Thou needs to happen. And Clouds on the Horizon leads directly into the finale so while a lot of the A plot of that episode is pretty wasteful and lacks payoffs, you definitely still need to include it for where everyone is for the finale unless you alter the finale a lot. And Falls and Follies is a good recap of position and sets the stakes for Raine but... It'd pretty questionable too.
This makes the only episodes who's main plots could really be altered to a drastic degree be:
Reaching Out: Amity's relationship with her father barely pays off and frankly it'd have been almost just as jarring to have King do his conversation during Clouds on the Horizon even without this episode. Otherwise, it shoots the worldbuilding in the head and harms Lumity for the sake of double daddy issues. You also have the confirmation for Eda that The Day of Unity is bad news but no one who lives at The Owl House does anything with that. So let's of setup for effectively no payoff.
Them's the Breaks: I hate that I cannot justify this episode because it is EASILY the most of S2B but... It damages Raine's character, only really shows a potential reason why Eda gave up on the covens but the only story part is the last two minutes. You could have done ANYTHING else, like I dunno, an episode actually about Darius and Hunter/the rebel coven heads, and ended it with the Raine reveal.
That is two episodes. The fact that there are two episodes even is... OOPH, especially when Reaching Out at least has arguments but Them's the Breaks is just Dana gushing about the fanfic she wants to write for her own series. The fact that there are only two, with maybe being able to cut one of Hunter's episodes for his arc, is not good. Not unless the Day of Unity wasn't supposed to be the S2 finale.
And if it wasn't... What the fuck was the original plan?
This is a lot of why I talk about not wanting three seasons. It wanted WAY MORE. I think Dana assumed it'd be so popular and big as to have five or more. There are PLENTY of issues with that conceptually (again, S3 could never have been great) but it is the vibe the story gives. It is too redundant and too slow to be otherwise. TOH's biggest argument against being claimed as having a lot of filler is mostly in that a lot of episodes get a LITTLE done in way or another but it takes very few leaps. When it could do that, actually have a big payoff and move along, it cuts it off at the knees for the sake of 'realism'. This happened with Willow... and also fucking happened with ALADOR. IN SEASON 2B. WHY!? Why would you make a plot point specifically say more work and time will be needed when you DON'T HAVE TIME!?
Even S3 has this. In a season with THREE. EPISODES. Luz has THREE finishes to her arc. In Thanks to Them, she gets reassured by quite literally everyone that she did nothing wrong and should feel confident about her choices before she confidently prepares to head into the demon realm! Then... In show it's like five, ten minutes tops when Luz is self hating and self martyring herself again until the end of the episode has her confidently state that she wants to be understood! And with her friends and new palisman by her side, she will face the Collector!
Only to start the next episode with a dream sequence where she believes everyone fucking hates her, doesn't understand her and that she deserves to be hated. This only gets resolved when the FUCKING GOD of the show tells her she's A-Okay and she has nothing to fear. She's just too gosh darn good in order to have any reason to every doubt herself!
I'm not going to even ask why this happened. I can actually tell you mostly why because Luz is the only character besides Hunter with any character payoffs left to do. So if you want each episode to have a big character moment, Hunter can only replace one of those. They still tried to have Willow do one anyways by dredging up something that hadn't been a thing for TWO. SEASONS. But Luz was still given three different endings.
No, the bigger question to me just fucking HOW!? this sort of thing happens. This has fuck all to do with the shortening after all. Wasted time at this point, moments that mean literally and do nothing, are their choice. They are still the writers who decided to waste all this time despite claiming how much they wanted more time.
It makes it look like any potential S3 would have just been... Well, more of this. More repetition that dilutes its themes and doesn't really go anywhere. After all, if they couldn't fill three hours with actual story and pushing forward the narrative and themes... Why should we assume eight hours would have been suddenly so much better?
I didn't mean to go so hard on this. Sigh. But yeah, there's a lot of reasons why the shortening is not the excuse that people think it is. Why it honestly feels so much like a blessing to the show because people just have this go to statement to try and shut people or shut their own brains up from any issues they might have, even if those issues are self contained to a single episode.
TOH was never perfect and has flaws that run incredibly deep and start early on. No excuse will ever change those facts.
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I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!
I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.
A Twitter you can follow too
And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.
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They had to take a breather to develop characters. Hard to do with Salem's threat looming over them.
Plenty of fictional works manage to cram good ol' character development in even the most tense of the situations.
Honestly its rare to even find a fictional fantasy or contemporary world where some threat isn't looming over characters or the world isn't ending. How would character development happen then if the characters are running out of time against unbeatable threat?
By realizing that narrative progression =/= time passage.
The cool thing about fictional stories and overall fiction, is that passage of time is completely up to the control of the writer.
A character can reflect on a lifetime of achievements in split second. An entire book can take place during the exact same single hour but from different perspectives.
And again, RWBY knows this. Half the V3 transpires in literally less than a day. The whole finale takes up barely few hours. Even in the bad volumes the narrative uses the convenience of skipping ahead quite often to "get past" writing specific bits of story or to not have to deal with things.
The show already avoided dealing with so many issues, both outwardly between characters and inward, that its all boiling over. It doesn't take a filler padding dimension to actually have characters interact or emote or actually self-reflect or to make all those Chekov's guns go off.
The fact that they genuinely thought "we need to take the characters LITERALLY OUT OF THE PLOT so we can deal with this "character stuff"" is damning for writers. Like it's literally treating CHARACTERIZATION OF YOUR LEAD CAST as nothing but a sidequest.
And as for them doing this to develop characters...
But. They. Haven't????
Like AT ALL?
V9 does touch upon on some of surface-level issues, but also avoids like majority of core issues the show has never dealt with.
It starts by establishing few SHOCKING facts
"Ruby is Traumatized" - well gee, who would have known, its not like that's literally been obvious since V3. Does she reflect on Penny? LOL. On her worldview kind of falling apart? LOL. On the nature of her relationship with her team and how all of them have changed as people? NOPE ITS ALL FINE YOU ARE FLAWLESS BBY, TRAUMA AIN'T REAL. YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AT ALL.
"Blake and Yang have unresolved issues" - Yes. Again. V3. Final Scene. They have issues they have never really spoken about. Issues that were set up but then got no progression as the characters just stood around. And guess what? They don't in this volume either. The show just sidesteps it. Because the personal character issues ARE STILL IGNORED - Has Yang dealt with her aimlessness and identity search and actually processed her trauma, her conflicting feelings about her overall role, her mother, her sister and everything else that has literally piled up for years? NOPE. Has Blake actually dealt with the moral conundrum she was living? Has she figured out what exactly she wants to do? NOPE. Have they both faced abandonment issues they have? LOL.
"Jaune feels bad" - well gee, that's a new one. Its not like ~70% of the show's screentime is telling us this for some reason rather than focusing on actual lead cast. Its okay, any consequences he managed to somehow get will be undone by MAGIC.
And beyond that? Weiss? PFFT. Penny's unfortunate fridging? PFFFFFT. The actual progression of characters being the focus? PFFT. Here's bunch of new absolutely nonsensical lore that completely breaks suspension of disbelief instead. How do you like talking animals in goofy alternate dimensions run by a tree?
Its like whoever wrote this took cursory glance at like Volume 1 character moments and went "this will do"...and then the lore about magic tree gods was vomited all over the result
If anything V9 tells us they won't Develop characters.
Let me sum up what V9, intentionally or unintentionally, says:
"Self Reflection is bad. Having flaws is BAD. Good People don't have flaws nor have to deal with psychological trauma nor have to question the morality of their actions or nature of their world. A mean evil being whispering on your shoulder is all that psychological trauma is and as long as you just reaffirm that nothing you did ever affects you or defines you it will all go away, especially if you have magic god tree available to plot device you. Whatever good or bad decisions you made don't matter. People enabling your behavior, flaws and escapism is what it means to be a good friend. Even passage of time and losing years meaninglessly doesn't really affect you or change you because you are not allowed to change and will go back to normal via a plot device. Acceptance and understanding of one's emotions, thought patterns and problems, one of fundamental elements of therapy (or really any sort of healing) is BAD. You don't need coping mechanisms of any sort if you ignore issues being there! Actually exploring your relationships with others and any sorts of issues and trauma there is BAD and you should just pretend its all fine between you all. Even facing your trauma is BAD - you need to avert your eyes, listen to the voices telling you you are flawless and move on. After all there's Absolute Unchanging Truth of Right and Wrong. There's absolute definitive way to view the world and yourself. There's only the True Way To Be Yourself and the rest is Lies. Whatever trauma or issues you have stems from LIES. Who needs self awareness? Who needs change? Who needs any sort of progress if an unchanging(literally) Divine Higher Will can just tell you what you are supposed to do with your life next?
All of that stuff about facing your trauma, picking yourself back up and the necessity to keep moving forward because nobody else will do that for you and you need to persevere through hardships(You know the specific thing Monty Oum wanted to focus on)? Who needs that when Greater Divine Beings Tell Your Perfect Flawless Existences What To Do and you don't ever need to change or grow as people or face your trauma and issues"
The purpose of entire V9, the purpose of the Volume upon which the very fate of RWBY franchise's continued existence hinges is all about telling you that NOTHING IN THE SHOW MATTERS and characters won't ever change or develop and will remain exactly the same till the day they achieve their Purpose.
Its yet another volume that literally doesn't matter. Just like majority of the show past V3. Just pretending the lead characters figured out their issues offscreen is better than what V9 gives us.
#RWBY#rwde#seriously#Ruby Rose deserves a BETTER show#Yang deserves a BETTER show#RWBY itself deserves to be a BETTER SHOW#RWBY9#rwby volume 9#rwby volume nine#rwby critique#Ruby Rose#well this was a rant#seriously though V9 is some of the MOST offensive works of fiction I have suffered recently
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Fought for me
Chapter 9: I'll Get To You Somehow
(You thought this was a story about Raya and Namaari's relationship? No, it's a story about Raya and Charanya being besties. This is honestly a filler chapter more than anything. Okay but I promise we get a good Namaari scene and she'll be more prevalent in the next chapter. She'll show up more in the next chapter. Anyways, hope you enjoy!)
Being Charanya's best friend is taking ten years off Raya's lifespan. Sure, rebuilding Heart and working with the other lands to achieve peace is stressful, but making sure Charanya stays out of trouble?
Practically impossible.
The first major issue Raya encountered with Charanya was her interactions with those in charge of agriculture in Heart a couple weeks ago. A few noble families from Heart own the farms and are in charge of harvesting food each season. Though there isn't really any explicit rule book for how each farm operates, the other noble families all unofficially chose Niran as their leader.
Quite the burly alpha man, Niran always seemed to know exactly what to do in order to get the best crops possible. Everyone else followed his orders to produce the best results.
That is, until the Druun hit.
Like most other Heart civilians, Niran was one of the first people to get turned to stone. He's no longer familiar with the way the soil works or the best area for water quality.
Six years was plenty of time to drastically change how the agriculture of Heart needed to run. The only person that's been harvesting anything from Heart in the past six years is Charanya. That means that now everyone now looks to her for guidance instead of Niran.
And boy is he pissed about it.
Raya suspects that it's mainly because Niran feels usurped from his original position of power. She's positive he got a kick out of everyone coming to him for help. Seeing people shift their focus from him to Charanya was definitely a blow to his ego.
The Heart princess is also rather aware of the fact that Niran holds traditional views. Also known as alphas are leaders, betas are meant to be subservient, and omegas need to stay at home to make babies. Just bigoted viewpoints that suppress everyone. Awesome.
While these stereotypes aren't even half as enforced as they were in the past, a small chunk continued to hold onto these views. Many people in this group are part of the nobility all throughout Kumandra. Niran is one of these people. He sees Charanya, an omega, leading the people in changing how their harvesting is done as a huge slap in the face.
In the first couple weeks during the rebuilding, Charanya and Niran were constantly at war with how they were supposed to grow plants and where to do it. Niran was trying to go with the way everything was done before the Druun while Charanya knew the current way of handling things.
Pretty much every time the two interact, they end up in a screaming match. Niran screams because he isn't being obeyed and Charanya screams because she isn't being heard.
Raya doesn't like Niran in the slightest.
"Okay seriously, how many fucking times do we have to go over this? Do I need to dumb it down for you? Soil by the orchids bad, soil by the river good!" Charanya drawled like she was speaking to a toddler.
Honestly, she was.
"You have no idea what the hell you're talking about! And quit talking to me like I'm a child!" Niran snapped back
"I'm responding accordingly. If I talk to you like you're a kid, it's because you act like one. You're too old and ugly to be a kid so how about start acting like an adult, yeah?" Charanya mocked.
Now Niran's just going on full blown tirade about how Charanya should respect him and his position as an alpha. The people around them were at a loss for what to do.
Raya felt her eye twitch involuntarily. She's not dealing with this anymore. Clearly, Aulia shared her mother's sentiment because she's frowning in Niran and Charanya's direction. Raya decided to pull out the big guns.
She's tattling to her father.
The sight of Raya immediately caused Benja to groan.
"Do not tell me-" Benja began.
"Yes," Raya bluntly stated.
Benja let out a string of curses before following Raya's footsteps. People had been complaining to Benja over the Charanya Niran disputes and it's driving him nuts. No matter how many private talks with Niran he's had, the man refuses to change. Time for public humiliation.
The Chief of Heart may be using a crutch to walk around, but he is a man that commands respect no matter where he goes. When he approached the squabbling duo, they both immediately shut up.
Raya tried to hide her satisfaction as Benja laid in on Niran. There haven't been any public incidents with Niran after that, but Raya sees the look of utter rage in his eyes when he sees Charanya. She made a note to keep an eye on him.
******************************
The second issue with Charanya, while very minor compared to the others, is the fact that her and Namaari are constantly at odds. Granted, Raya and Tien are very clearly not buddy buddy, but they make it less obvious.
Raya hadn't expected the four of them to end up constantly spending time together, but allegedly that's what teenagers do so she's rolling with it.
It honestly surprises Raya how often Tien and Namaari are in Heart. Ever since the Druun were vanquished, the two Fang alphas have only left Heart twice. And even then, it only lasted for a few days. Many people from all lands have been very active in helping rebuild Heart as a way to show support but man, the people Fang are seriously sticking around.
Both Namaari and Tien thought it'd be a good idea to hang around the serlots for the afternoon. Both Raya and Charanya are incredibly weary of the overgrown felines, especially because of the fact that Aulia's with them. Charanya insisted on holding the baby due to the fact that they haven't had much bonding time lately. (They literally spent all of yesterday attached at the hip.)
So, there Raya stood, constantly eyeing the animals that spent a couple years chasing her. Awesome. Well, the trip wasn't a total waste because Aulia seemed fascinated by the large beasts. She kept reaching out to the cats and staring at them with great interest.
"You know we can let her touch the serlots, right?" Namaari asked.
"Excuse me?" both Heart omegas asked at the same time.
"That was kind of creepy. But yeah, Aulia seems to really like the serlots so I just figured I should mention it'd be totally safe for her to touch and interact with the serlots," Namaari explained.
Before Raya could say 'you lost your damn mind', Charanya spoke for her.
"Uh, think with whatever's left of your brain please. Do you see that jaw? That creature could swallow my goddaughter whole. One gulp and the heir to the Heart throne is gone," Charanya scoffed.
"Okay, that's dramatic-," Namaari began.
"No no, she's got a point. I refuse to subject myself to childbirth again, that's the only heir Heart's getting," Raya bluntly stated while pointing at Aulia.
"The serlots are incredibly docile, they know not to attack unless we tell them to," Tien attempted to reassure them.
"What part of 'swallowed with one gulp' are you people not getting?! And the teeth??" Charanya exclaimed.
"This is why you're her godmother," Raya told her.
"I know right? We're so in sync!" the shorter girl smiled.
"Do you honestly think I'd do something to hurt Aulia?" Namaari asked.
Well now Raya felt a little bad with how sincere she is. She was about to respond but yet again, Charanya beat her to the punch.
"Who knows what goes on in your brain knot head?" Charanya huffed.
Raya snorted and quickly closed her mother after seeing Namaari give her a pointed glare.
"You're one to talk, no?" Namaari huffed.
"What-" Charanya mumbled before wincing in pain as Aulia tugged on her hair.
"I will allow thirty seconds of serlot interaction and if I get even one indication of hostile behavior, I'm putting the beast down," Raya conceded.
Raya figured having her daughter interact with other living beings would be good for development. Charanya did not seem pleased with the verdict, but relented. She kissed Aulia on her forehead and handed her to Namaari.
"I swear if anything happens to her, I'm going to burn you alive," the Heart woman scowled.
"Charanya, that's treason," Tien bluntly stated.
"But is it treason if I don't get caught?" Charanya asked innocently.
"Yes! Yes it is!" Namaari yelled.
Raya's not even surprised anymore. Those two can't have a conversation, or participate in the same conversation, without them bickering. But, at the end of the day, Charanya and Namaari never actually go too far with their bickering, so Raya supposes it's harmless. For now at least.
******************************
Now, the third incident is just downright hilarious and happened the day after her little spat with Namaari.
"Raya, stop this. Stop this right fucking now," Charanya hissed as she stared at a sight that would likely haunt her for years.
"I truly don't know if I can," Raya said as she tried containing her laughter.
Right in front of their very eyes was Chief Virana of Fang very obviously hitting on Kim, Chranaya's beloved grandmother. Aulia was being held by Kim and that baby is having the time of her life with those two.
"Grandma is like, elderly! Isn't she too old for the chief?" Charanya whispered in pure frustration.
"I mean, chief's like forty-five. Grandma's been stone for six years so she hasn't aged. She's still fifty. I'm sorry to tell you this, but a five year age gap is perfectly acceptable," Raya grinned.
"No. This will not happen. I will fake a heart attack if this goes on for even a moment longer," Charanya hissed.
"Oh come on, Ranya! Open your mind! If Grandma and the Chief get married, you and Aulia would be cousins! We could be a true family!" Raya grinned as Charanya's face was filled with terror.
"That would make Namaari my aunt! In what universe is that acceptable?!" Charanya hissed.
"Apparently this one," Raya said, getting more and more amused by the minute.
The Heart princess had to admit, it was odd to see Kim get so flustered while being hit on. Growing up, Raya wanted to be Kim. Despite her omega status, she had even the mightiest alphas shaking in their boots.
She was a rather tall woman with sharp features that made her look as stern as she acted. Not a whole lot of alphas approached her after the death of her husband. It wasn't like it's because of the fact that she wasn't pretty, because she is. Instead, she was never approached because Kim was incredibly intimidating and frightened the living hell out of most people.
Raya supposes that if there was one person in all of Kumandra that wouldn't get scared off, it'd be the alpha chief of Fang. It honestly made perfect sense.
"No. I just- no. Raya, start a diversion. Make it stop, I am begging you," Charanya frowned.
"Okay, is it really that bad? Grandma's fine-" the Heart princess began but was quickly cut off.
"Uh, she is an omega that is a chef while Virana is an alpha and a fucking chief! If, in some horrible reality, they end up courting, you know who's gonna suffer most if things go bad?" Charanya snapped.
Raya sighed and tried to think through her words carefully. The shorter omega is very protective of her family. It's been prominent even before the Druun's appearance. With how her parent's relationship ended due to her father taking everything and leaving her mother nothing, it makes sense how weary Charanya is of alphas. Especially those that could have romantic intentions with her family.
"Virana's not your father. The only person that is your father is, well, your father," Raya gently reminded her.
"Doesn't mean there aren't tons of people like him that will make an omega fall in love only to screw them over," Charanya scowled.
"True, but Kim's an adult. If Virana's being serious and Grandma's interested, you know you have no right to stop her," Raya told her.
"Oh go to hell with your completely reasonable thoughts. I want to be insane and bitter," Charanya pouted.
"I want to be insane and bitter too. As long as we do it from a distance and don't interfere," Raya smiled.
"Fine. It's too sunny out here anyways," Charanya sighed.
"I'll grab Aulia," Raya said as she squeezed Charanya's shoulder.
The taller omega also sighed, but it was out of relief. Now that Raya successfully talked Charanya out of doing something drastic, maybe they could just take some time to relax.
******************************
The fourth issue that takes the cake is what Raya is currently dealing with.
Raya had a late meeting with chiefs from the other lands that ran well past sundown. Though long, it ended up being much more productive than she had hoped. Namaari was originally going to join her for dinner but ended up having more paperwork than she anticipated. Raya told her she'd meet up with her after a quick walk, she really needed fresh air.
Namaari was willing to watch Aulia while the Heart princess went outside, which was honestly very helpful. She totally lost the baby sling she'd been using so it'd be a tad difficult to walk around fully supporting her baby.
Raya was able to peacefully roam the village outside the palace for a few minutes before she caught sight of Charanya. When Raya got closer, she found Charanya talking to another person. Upon even closer inspection the person seemed to be a beta woman from Tail who was very upset.
"-look, I have no clue who your husband was screwing. That was long after my time. Divorce the bastard or stay with him, I don't care, but don't drag me into your shitty relationship," Charanya hissed.
Raya immediately walked closer because she couldn't hear what the beta woman was telling her friend. Then she saw the beta pull something out of her pocket and it was a fucking knife! If she was going to save Charanya, she needed to be fast.
The Heart princess gripped the knife and quietly rushed over to the duo. Charanya was pinned against a wall just staring at the knife in front of her. If she saw Raya, she didn't make any indications.
Raya got close enough to press her own knife right against the Tail woman's neck. Whatever words she was telling Charanya died in throat upon feeling the blade press against her skin.
"Drop the knife or I swear on every dragon alive I plunge this in your neck," Raya seethed.
At once, the Tail woman dropped said knife.
"Run," Raya hissed.
The tail woman did not need to be told twice. She turned around and sprinted away from the scene. Sighs of relief were exhaled by both omegas.
"Thanks for the assist," Charanya gulped.
"Who the hell was that? What's her deal with you?" Raya frowned.
"Long story short, her husband ended up going to the brothel in Talon. Guess he was hooking up with Samorn. She wanted me to tell her where Samorn is, likely to beat her ass. I honestly have zero clue where she is, but she didn't believe me," Charanya sighed.
"That's psychotic!"
"Only a lot. It's kind of hilarious how I wasn't even a sex worker and that damn brothel keeps on coming to bite me in the ass."
"What do you mean keeps on coming?"
Charanya didn't answer. Raya gasped when she connected the dots. This has happened before.
"Exactly how many other times have you been confronted because of cheating spouses?" the Heart princess asked.
"It was only like, one other time!"
"Charanya."
"Two times?"
"Cha. Ray. Na."
"Okay fine, six times."
"SIX FUCKING TIMES-"
"Okay pause! The other times were just them bitching at me and then they would leave! I swear on my life no one has ever pulled a knife on me before or got physical in any way! If it had gone that far I definitely would have told you!"
Raya sighed in relief at hearing that at least Charanya's life wasn't in constant danger. But even so, what a fucking binturi!
"Why would you not tell me anyway? I'm your best friend! You're the godmother of my baby!" Raya asked sadly.
"You have enough on your plate. I really thought if I just told them to buzz off they'd all get the message that I'm not a snitch. I realize I went about it the wrong way, and I'm sorry, but I really just didn't want to make your life any harder than it has to be," Charanaya sighed.
Raya simply wrapped Charanya up in a hug and rested her chin on top of the shorter woman's head. Her friend immediately returned the embrace.
"Please, I already know you're a total pain. May as well tell me about it," Raya joked.
"Stop ruining our moment," Charanya giggled.
They stayed like that for a moment before deciding to turn in for the night.
"Do Ma and Grandma know about this?" Raya asked as they made their way back to Heart's palace.
"Ma does, but only because she actually caught us talking. We decided to keep it from grandma for now. You know how she is," Charanya shrugged.
Yeah. Raya knows very well how Kim is. The woman is ruthless.
"Completely understandable," Raya nodded.
The two bid each other after a couple more minutes of walking to the palace. Raya mentally groaned upon remembering she had to do more paperwork and help Namaari with hers. Why does she have to do things? Life is lame.
The Heart omega had told Namaari she could get a head start in Raya's room since she had Aulia. That baby loved her room for whatever reason.
Raya opened the door to see Aulia giggling as Namaari played peek a boo with her. Raya smirked. There's no way Namaari got any work done whatsoever.
"How've you two been?" Raya asked in pure amusement.
"We've been good. She's very entertaining," Namaari smiled.
"Yeah. And uh, what about that head start on the paperwork you were talking about?" Raya smugly asked.
Namaari looked at the stack of papers beside her, completely untouched.
"I had priorities, Raya," Namaari said, gesturing to Aulia.
There was something about Namaari calling her daughter a priority that really made Raya want to make out with her. Her stupid inner omega's prancing around at the idea. She really hates instinct.
"Well, priorities must now shift if we ever want to get this stuff done. Say bye bye to Princess Undercut, Starlight," Raya told her baby.
Namaari and Aulia had the same pout as they were separated, which was honestly kind of funny and concerning. It's not even like Aulia's going that far. She's just going from Namaari's arms to her crib a couple feet away from Raya's bed.
"Did you just refer to me as Princess Undercut to your baby?" Namaari frowned.
"It's called respect, Namaari. She had to use your official title," Raya grinned.
"As if, you have no respect for me," Namaari scoffed.
"I think I'd start getting some if you didn't get distracted by a baby when you had actual princess responsibilities," Raya smirked.
"Uh, is it my fault she's so cute?" namaari asked.
Kinda.
"You have zero self control," the Heart woman laughed.
"Just look at your stupid papers already," Namaari huffed.
Raya figured she poked enough fun at the alpha so work they did. Time flew by much faster than she had anticipated. Paperwork was such a damn chore, but doing it with Namaadri made it less so. By the time they were finished, it was beyond the middle of the night.
"Toi, I'm exhausted. I don't think I can stand up," Namaari whispered, mindful of the fact that Aulia is fast asleep.
"You can stay if you want. Bed's big enough for two," Raya blurted without thinking.
Ah yes. Invite the alpha you had a child with and that you're crushing on into your bed. That makes so much sense Raya. Look at you go with your critical thinking skills.
"If you're just being polite tell me now because I am genuinely going to take you up on that offer," Namaari mumbled while tiredly rubbing her eyes.
Is Raya truly this stupid?
"I feel like if you tried walking to your room, you'd pass out in the hallway. We can both sleep in the bed without going anywhere near each other. That thing can fit like seven people minimum," the Heart woman joked.
Yes. Raya is this stupid.
"In that case, I'm going to bed roomie," Namaari yawned.
The Fang princess tiredly shuffled to the bed and face planted on it. After a couple moments of awkward shuffling, Namaari managed to curl up under the covers.
Raya stood up and peered down at Aulia one last time to make sure she was still asleep. Seeing her out like a light, Raya crawled into bed.
"If you're a blanket hog, I'm kicking you out," Raya yawned.
"Don't even start," Namaari huffed.
"Goodnight, Namaari."
"Night, dep la."
******************************
When Aulia woke up Raya with her loud shrieks of baby rage, it was still dark outside. It felt like Raya didn't sleep a wink. Damn it.
The Heart woman started opening her eyes only to see Namaari already tending to Aulia. Namaari picked the baby up and began to softly ask what's wrong.
"She probably needs a diaper change. It's around this time," Raya yawned.
"Alright. I can do it if you want me to, I've done it before. I know some people have thing about it though so I can also slide over the table and a new diaper to you," Namaari offered.
Wow. She's willing to change the baby of her own free will. Each day that goes by, Raya feels more and more evil over keeping Aulia's parentage a secret.
But that's not a conversation for right now!
Right now, Raya would be taking what she could get.
"By all means, by my guest. Diapers are in the cabinet next to the crib," Raya mumbled.
Namaari didn't respond but Raya could hear the cabinet door open and shut. Aulia seemed much less fussy now that she was being attended to, which is always a plus.
"I hope she bites you when you change her," Raya bluntly stated.
"I am changing your baby's diaper of my own volition and this is how you talk to me? That's fucked up, Raya," Namaari huffed.
The Heart princess merely laughed. She had closed her eyes again once Namaari stated she'd deal with the diaper change so she couldn't exactly see the two of them. That's why she's unable to picture Aulia's little teeth digging into Namaari's skin as she bit her.
The Fang woman cursed at being bit. Raya knew exactly what was happening and laughed even more.
"I bet she's only doing it to follow your bad influence," Namaari huffed.
"Bring her to me. I want to encourage this behavior," Raya smiled and stretched her arms.
"You want me to give you your baby so that you two can conspire against me?"
"Yeah."
".........you're the worst."
With that, Namaari handed Aulia over to Raya. The Heart princess smiled at her happy, clean baby. She gave her daughter a small kiss on the cheek.
"So you remember how you bit Undercut when she changed you? I want you to do that all the time whenever you see her," Raya loudly whispered.
Namaari yelled out an indignant 'hey', but that was unimportant.
Aulia giggled and leaned down to nuzzle her face in Raya's neck. Ugh, she's so damn cute when she's asleep. She is one cuddly baby when she's just woken up.
"How is it even possible to be that cute?" Namaari quietly asked.
"I have no idea. She doesn't even try," Raya smiled.
The Fang woman sat next to the two Heart omegas and gently tapped Aulia's hand.
"Just putting it out there, my name is Namaari. Not Undercut. Namaari. Do you understand this Aulia?" Namaari asked.
"Your name is Undercut if I say your name is undercut," Raya scoffed.
"You're so lucky the baby's in between us or I'd put you in a headlock right now."
"As if, binturi."
"I'm no binturi, binturi."
"If someone had to draw a picture of the word binturi, they'd have to draw your stupid face."
"My face is not stupid-"
Before the two adults in the room could finish their petty argument, Aulia let out a big yawn. Then the baby gave them a little glare that they just couldn't take seriously due to how cute she is.
"Is this her way of telling us to shut the hell up?" Namaari asked.
"Looks like it," Raya mused.
"Alright, back to bed you go," Namaari sighed.
The Fang woman picked up Aulia, who's already drifting off to sleep, and placed her on her crib.
"Need anything while I'm up?" Namaari whispered.
"I'm good. Thanks though," Raya replied.
Namaari hummed in acknowledgement then got back into the bed.
"Night Undercut."
"You're so annoying."
******************************
Raya woke up to the sound of the door opening and Charanya's alarmingly loud voice for the morning.
"Wake up Sunshine, Ba wants us-" Charanya started.
At once, Charanya slammed the door shut. Raya got confused as to why she'd leave so abruptly, but then she realized the state she was in.
After fully opening her eyes, the Heart princess could see that she's practically lying on top of Namaari who just so happened to be wide awake. Raya knew exactly what this looked like.
She quickly scrambled off the other woman and began mentally cursing herself for letting the other woman sleep over. It's like she's a glutton for punishment.
"Hold on! We didn't have sex!" Raya yelled despite the fact that Charanya was likely long gone at this point.
"Not this time anyway," Namaari mumbled tiredly.
Raya's jaw dropped. Huh, so they could joke about it now. They had to be a good sign right?
.......right?
In order to address the comment, Raya grabbed the pillow behind her and smacked Namaari with it. The Fang alpha merely laughed.
"You're so stupid," Raya snorted.
"False," was all Namaari could muster out.
"I'd better go see what she wants. Mind keeping an eye on my tiny terror?" Raya asked.
"Don't talk about her that way, I think she's a delight. And yes, I can. I'll probably be down in the courtyard by the time you and your Ba are finished," Namaari said.
"Wonderful. Thanks Namaari, I'll see you then," Raya yawned.
She then looked down and noticed Namaari looked red. Like, really red.
"You're not sick are you? You're redder than a rose," Raya inquired.
"I'm fine!" Namaari said, almost too quickly.
Raya's too tired to argue. She'd take Namaari's word for it. The Heart woman grabbed some fresh clothes and quickly changed in the bathroom. Raya then rushed out the door to Charanya's room where she thankfully was located. She did not feel like chasing that girl down.
When Raya walked into the room, Charanya was glaring at her with crossed arms.
"Why do you look like I just dropped Aulia?" Raya asked.
"The hell was Namaari doing in your bed," Charanya glared.
This is so not a conversation Raya wants to have right now. Unfortunately, Charanya's not one to let things go.
"Look, we stayed up late doing paperwork so I offered to share the bed. Nothing happened," Raya insisted.
"You need to be careful," Charanya glared.
"I just told you, we didn't have sex," the taller woman groaned.
"That's not what I meant," Charanya spat.
"Why are you flipping out? It didn't mean anything," Raya sighed.
"Raya, I realize you probably didn't notice, so I'm just going to say. When I walked in that room, you were purring," her best friend said.
Raya's pretty sure she can actually feel the color drain from her face at the comment. If an omega purrs near an alpha she's not related to it's usually because she wants to court them. Raya may actually kill herself. That did explain Namaari's redness though.
"...............do you think she noticed?" the Heart princess asked quietly.
Charanya looked like she wanted to slap the hell out of Raya.
"Yes. Given the fact that Namaari was fully conscious, directly beneath you, and staring straight at you, I have this feeling that she maybe noticed the purring," Charanya fumed.
It's only just now occurring to her that being Raya's best friend is likely taking ten years off Charanya's life too.
Toi, they're perfect for each other.
"I really didn't mean to," Raya meekly admitted.
Charanya groaned and buried her face in her hands.
"Yeah, I know. I'm just worried about you. I don't want you to get hurt again. Namaari's done enough damage," the shorter woman said.
"Maybe she has. Doesn't really change anything," Raya sighed.
"Just please, be careful," Charanya begged.
"I will. You too," Raya insisted.
"I will," the other girl agreed.
What a garbage fire this is.
"Hey, what do we need to do with Ba?" Raya asked.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that it concerns both of us and we need to head to his office," Charanya said, clearly grateful for the topic change.
The two made idle chit chat as they strolled to the Heart chief's office. They theorized what kind of problem would be so bad that both of them were needed.
When they entered the office, her father looked stressed. Shoulders raised, aggravated look on his face, crossed arms, the whole stressed to death package.
"Alright, glad you're both here. I really don't want to prolong this discussion so I'll just be direct. Have either of you given courting any consideration?" Benja asked.
Raya and Charanya immediately shot each other confused looks. The hell's he going with this?
"No, not really. It's not our main concern right now," Raya stated.
"I second that notion," Charanya agreed.
Her father seemed visibly relieved at the confession.
"Well, it would appear that courtship is other people's main concern. You've both gotten offers. They're on the table. Charanya, your grandmother passed them on to me," Benja explained.
Yet again, the two omegas shot each other a look. This is probably the last thing they thought this conversation would be about.
There sat two stacks of letters on the table with gifts to accompany them. Raya's stack was higher than Charanya's, but that was likely due to the whole royalty thing. Even so, it greatly surprised her. It's public knowledge Raya had a baby very young. She really can't imagine people her age would be willing to deal with that, even if she is a princess.
The Heart woman is also quite shocked over the fact that Kim passed everything on over to Benja in regards to Charanya. Courtships in Heart tended to be overseen by the head of house, usually the oldest alpha but it's not guaranteed. Given Charanya's specific circumstance, head of house would be Kim. On occasion, some families will pawn off control over courtship proposal to a family friend that's more knowledgeable. Again, this family friend is usually an alpha.
The confusing part is that Kim is an utter control freak. From what Raya remembers of Ai's stories, Kim would constantly monitor Ai's courtship requests and would thoroughly investigate those who offered. To pawn off Charanya's courtship requests is incredibly out of character for Grandma.
Raya can take a guess why.
"How'd Grandma take it?" Charanya asked, having zero desire to beat around the bush.
"She couldn't even look at them. Your mother tried to be excited, but she's terrified. I am too. It's hard enough for us parents to see our kids grow up. We never thought we'd blink and have six years fly by," her father sighed.
Yup. That would be the guess. It made sense even if it was devastating to hear. Raya and Charanya are very aware of how hard their sudden adulthood hit their parents. They can't exactly avoid it, especially with the baby on Raya's hip, but the two girls try not to bring much attention to it.
"I, uh, don't feel the need to court right now. Everything's too hectic," was all Charanya said.
"Me neither. Mainly because if someone I court tries to parent my child, I'd give them a nose bleed," Raya huffed.
"You know, you girls don't have to tell us what we want to hear. This is your life, you're both of age, we would support you if you two decided to pursue a relationship with someone," her father reminded them.
"Hard pass," Raya said.
"That's gonna be a no from me," Charanya agreed.
"Oh thank toi. Being supportive is really stressful, I don't know how people do it," Benja said as he slumped in his chair in pure relief.
"That all you needed from us Ba?" Raya laughed. She's honestly just happy to see him in a better mood.
"Yup, that's all for now. I'll go tell Ai and Kim the good news. I'll see you two later," Benja said.
Her father affectionately ruffled the tops of their head. He practically skipped away. It was silent in the room for a moment.
"We can never court anyone ever, can we?" Raya asked out loud.
"No, not ever," Charanya laughed.
"It's a good thing the people we want are unattainable," Raya snorted.
"I like you looking on the bright side! What a nice change of pace," the other woman teased.
"Okay, I know we're not actually courting anyone, but even you have to be a little bit curious over who sent us these letters," Raya grinned.
"Toi, I really am. I have to know," Charanya said as she began shuffling through her pile.
Raya did the same. As expected, she did not know who most of these people were.
"Oh, look at these earrings. I would almost court someone for these earrings alone," Charanya joked.
"They clearly know your taste," Raya noted.
The shorter Heart woman then went to find the envelope that matched the earrings. When Charanya got her hands on it, her jaw practically hit the floor.
"What, what is it?" Raya asked.
"Bestie, you're not going to believe this shit," Charanya said as she showed Raya the name of the person who gave her the earrings.
Raya could not, in fact, believe that shit. The person is Noya, aka one the binturi that enjoyed harassing Charanya every damn day she breathed. It was a bunch of petty shit and Raya got so pissed off by it that she ended up punching Noya in the face to get her to back off.
"How drugged out is she?" Raya scoffed.
"No idea. The audacity," Charanya spat.
"Tell me if she pulls anything. I've no problems breaking her nose again," Raya scowled, thankfully causing Charanya to laugh.
As Raya shuffled through her own letters, her jaw hit the floor when she saw yet another binturi name she did not want to see.
"What's up? Who's in there?" the shorter woman questioned.
"This is so insane," Raya sighed as she turned the envelope over to show her friend the name.
Charanya gasped and snatched the envelope that had the name Mali written on it. Raya may have been the one that got picked on by Mali, but Charanya's the one that absolutely despises her. Raya understands as it's the same way she felt about Noya but reversed.
Mali was a total jerk that treated Raya similarly to the way Noya treated Charanya. Pulling on her, purposefully tripping her, and various other dumb stuff. However, due to the fact that Mali started her antics up after Raya punched Noya, the Heart princess felt cornered.
Noya and Mali are both from noble families so the only reason why Raya got off scot free after the Noya altercation was because of her princess status. She knew if she tried pulling that again with Mali there would be legitimate consequences.
Thank God for Charanya. She found out that Mali had a horrible fear of bugs. That gave Charanya the bright idea to take some dead bugs from an old building and put them in Mali's sandwich. One bite in and she was a goner.
Mali had quickly learned Charanya was the culprit and never told on her. Raya's pretty sure it's because Mali's an alpha and getting duped like that by an omega would kill any street cred she had.
"I am not above putting bugs in everything she consumes," Charanya grumbled.
"Good. Hopefully neither of us have to go through with our threats. I mean, it's possible they're better people now, right?" Raya pondered.
"I'd certainly hope so. I saw both of them quite a bit when doing my deliveries. Let me tell you, they did not have the lavish life they had before the Druun. Hopefully it humbled them," Charanya sighed.
Raya could see that being a possibility. Namaari was capable of change, there's no reason why those two couldn't be. But to have the nerve to try and court them without even addressing what happened when they were kids?
Fuck. That.
"Either way, I'm not touching Mali with a ten foot pole. Matter of fact, I'm not touching any of these people with a ten foot pole," Raya huffed.
"Agreed. I say we burn them and forget this ever happened," Charanya said.
"I'm here for it," Raya sighed.
And so they did. Without even bothering to look at the letters in the envelopes, the two omegas tossed their courting letters in the fire. It was kind of a pretty sight.
The courting gifts were a bit more awkward to deal with. None of the objects given to them could easily be erased off the face of the Earth like paper can. They decided to toss everything in a bag and threw it with the rest of the garbage in the palace.
Raya guided Charanya to the courtyard Namaari claimed she would go to. Ugh, the Heart princess prayed this morning's purring incident wouldn't be brought up.
Upon arrival, Namaari inquired about the meet up with her father. At least it wasn't about the purring.
"What did your father want from you two?" Namaari simply asked.
"It took forever, must have been important," Tien agreed.
Raya and Charanya gave each other a look. Neither of them had any desire to mention courting offers in front of the alphas they had rather complicated feelings for.
"It was a family matter."
They did not elaborate. Namaari and Tien were wise enough not to press the issue.
"Oh, actually, speaking of family matters we should probably get Aulia's birth certificate started," Charanya reminded her.
"Shit, I completely forgot," Raya groaned.
It's true. Aulia, future chief of Heart, does not have a birth certificate. What was Raya supposed to do? Give birth and write down herself as the mother? In the middle of Fang? Absolutely not.
"How do you forget to make your own child's birth certificate?" Tien asked.
"Well when you give birth on the run, a few things slip your mind," the Heart princess shot back.
"We both thought it was best not to give any indication Raya was alive at the time and you know, a legal document stating Raya is a mother kinda ruins that plan," Charanya shrugged.
"Oh my god, that means I was right on the boat. Aulia is a nonexistent baby. Legally, she's not real," Namaari laughed.
"How is this still up for debate!? My baby is real, binturi!" Raya snapped.
"Not in the eyes of the law she isn't!"
"I will smack you so hard your undercut falls off-"
#raya and the last dragon#raya x namaari#namaari#ratld namaari#raya disney#ratld raya#ratld#namaari x raya#raya and namaari#rayaari#omegaverse#omega raya#alpha namaari
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