#allow yourself and others to enjoy something sincerely and without ridicule for once and i promise you you will feel better

[millimononym]

I think we SHOULD normalize calling out people in "cringe" fandoms who come onto other peoples posts/art about that same fandom and act all ashamed about liking that thing or interacting with it in any way because that shit is not ok and way too common

You move into OUR neighborhood, break into OUR house, and demean OUR SHARED INTEREST, FEELINGS and EFFORT because you can't keep your shame complex to yourself?? i am going to lock you in the basement and leave you to starve

[emmyhem]

everything you’re missing (c.t.h)

a/n: hi everybody, i’m back with another post. this is my first calum piece and i’m so excited to finally get it up. this is once again unedited, i’m way too tired rn. it’s also the second smut i’ve posted so that’s pretty exciting as well. yeah i don’t really have much to say right now because i’m literally exhausted, my classes are really kicking my ass. anyway i hope you all enjoy this bff!calum piece. feedback and comments are always appreciated. hope you all are doing well and are being safe. thank you - emmy <33

pairing: bff!calum hood x fem!reader

summary: a drunken text meant for your ex shows up on calum’s phone and leaves him questioning everything he’s missing out on with his best friend.

warning(s): talk of a previous bad relationship, y/n’s ex body shamed her, mentions of alcohol, insecurity, smut, cursing

word count: 4.7k

You’ve decided that 3 glasses of wine is your happy medium, but even a sip into the 4th and there’s no telling what you’ll do. 

So, naturally you were finishing up your 5th glass on Friday night while angrily scrolling through your exes instagram when you got what seemed to be an incredible idea. It was simply too tempting not to, your mind was feeling hazy which made your confidence skyrocket, and you truly did just look good. 

A day of pampering had left you in a black floor length silk robe with nothing but your favorite deep cherry red lingerie set underneath. Your face was bare and glowing after a refreshing and illuminating face mask, and your lips were left glossy and plump from a new scrub. 

You had posed in front of the floor length mirror in your living room, giggling between snaps until you had taken the perfect shot. It was classy but provocative, the dressing gown slipping from your shoulders exposing the lace of your bra and a tasteful amount of cleavage. You had also left the bottom open, allowing a clear shot of your thighs and the curve of your ass from where you sat on your knees. 

With a mischievous glint in your eyes you selected the picture into a message, typing a cheeky, “take a good look at everything you’re missing”  and sending it off to your ex (or so you thought). 

But you really couldn’t be blamed for your mistake, Cam and Cal were far too similar for your drunk brain to decipher the difference. You also couldn’t be blamed for the fact that you dozed off on the couch immediately after sending it, before you even had a chance to recognize your humiliating mistake. 

You were awoken by the ringing of your phone at around 9:00 am, way too early for your liking. Before even registering who it was, you brought the phone to your ear and groaned a sleepy, “hello,” 

“At your door.” a voice you recognized as your best friend responded. 

“M’coming” you said, scooting off the couch. On your way to the door you registered that you were still scantily covered, the robe falling off of you as you walked. You clutched it around you as you swung the door open to a wide eyed, Calum Hood. 

“G’morning.” he smirked, looking you up and down. 

“Shh” you hushed, pulling him in by the arm. “Why in the world are you here so early?”

He lightly laughed while taking a seat at the kitchen table, eyes following you while you moped over to the fridge and pulled out two water bottles. 

“Well,” he sighed as you handed him one. “I got a very interesting text last night and I figured I just had to come over and see, y’know everything I was missing.” he spoke in a teasing tone as he gestured a hand down your body.

You tugged your eyebrows together in confusion. There was something familiar about what he was saying, but not familiar enough for you to put the pieces together. 

“What are you talking about?” you questioned bringing the water bottle to your lips. 

Calum shrugged his shoulders, a smirk still glued to his face as he took out his phone and began looking for something. After a few seconds he extended his arm to hand you his phone. You accepted it and glanced down absentmindedly as your body slumped against the counter.  

The second your eyes hit the screen it all came back to you, your mouth fell open and you straightened out, suddenly very awake, not to mention very mortified. 

Calum on the other hand was buzzing. Actually, he had been ever since his phone dinged last night awakening him from his sleep. Well, buzzing and extremely, extremely sexually frustrated. 

When he first opened your message and saw the picture that would now be making a regular appearance in his wet dreams, he had nearly choked on his own breath. He knew that it was most likely a drunken mistake, and while that slightly saddened him it didn’t stop his dick from plumping up at the sight, straining uncomfortably against his boxers. He seriously debated wanking to the tempting image but decided against it, thinking it would be a gross violation of your privacy since it wasn’t even meant for him. Oh how he wished it was. Unfortunately that meant he had been sporting an exceptionally sensitive halfie since then. 

“Oh my god.” you groaned, sitting the phone down on the counter and covering your eyes in humiliation. “Cal I’m soooo sorry, I was drunk, and overly confident, and I meant to send this to Cam and now I’m just, I’m sorry.” you reiterated. 

‘Hey, don’t apologize on my account.” he countered. “Plus, you should be thrilled you sent it to me and not that asshole, doesn’t deserve ya.” 

“I know, you’re right. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m mortified though. S’bit ridiculous, get a little alcohol in my system and I have a god complex all of a sudden” you rambled, running your hands through your hair nervously. 

Calum stood and pulled you into his arms, resting his chin on the top of your head. 

“You think too much, y’know that?” he quipped. 

You turned your head, pressing a cheek against his sweater clad chest and mumbled, “Yea I’ve been known for that.” 

Calum softly chuckled at your words before pressing a chaste kiss to the top of your head and pulling apart. 

“S’really no big deal, y/n.” a teasing grin plastered on his face. “Besides I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it.”

“Calum!” you scolded, swatting a hand at his arm. 

He dodged your hit just in time and held his hands up in surrender before taking his seat again. 

“Why'd you let that dick bother you anyway? Y’know you’re way out of his league.” 

Your jaw clenched at the question, your mind wandering to every time you had come to Calum crying after your ex had done something to hurt you. Everytime he commented on your “stomach pudge” as he liked to call it, when you wore a tight dress to go out. Or when he would ask if you were really “that” hungry, even if you hadn’t eaten much at all. And each time you would feel absolutely wretched and end up sobbing in Calum’s arms, but refusing to tell him why you were so, so sad. 

“He texted me the other day y’know?” you muttered under your breath, while fiddling with the coffee machine. 

“Really? What’d he say?” Calum responded, watching your back with narrowed eyes. 

“Uh, he saw me the other night, when we were at that bar with the guys.” you said, shaky fingers pulling out a mug. 

“And?” he spoke flatly. 

“It’s stupid really,” you sniffled, willing your voice not to break. “He said I put on a few pounds, that he was glad he got out when he did.” your bottom lip traitorously jutted out as you turned to face him. 

“Fucking dick.” he hissed. 

Calum wasn’t necessarily proud of the violent images that flashed through his mind at the thought of that asshole finding yet another way to hurt you but, the sad little quiver of your lip allowed him to reason without a doubt that they were fair. 

Before you could even blink he was holding you again, arms impossibly tight around you. . 

“He’s wrong, y/n. Fuck, I don’t know how to even...he’s just so wrong.” he said softly, his hand rubbing your back reassuringly. 

“I know.” you whimpered, holding tears back. 

He pulled back enough to look you in the eyes, arms still firm around your waist. 

“No you don’t. It’s...It really fucking pisses me off that he makes you feel like this. It’s like-fuck you’re just like-” he moved his hands to cup your cheeks. “You really are gorgeous.” 

Your heart fluttered at his words, and your whole body felt warm as you stared at his big brown eyes. His words felt sincere, everything about him felt so sincere. 

“Thank you, Cal.” 

He pulled you back into his chest, “Really wish I could just, like hug away all his bullshit.” 

“M’used to it.” you mumbled. 

“You don’t deserve any of it.” 

“Yea, well what can you do.” you sighed, moving out of his embrace. 

Calum’s eyes were still glued to you as you stirred a spoonful of sugar in your coffee. 

“I hope you don’t let anything he says get to you.” 

You let out a breath of exhaustion. 

Confidence wasn’t something that you used to struggle with. I mean sure, there were spouts of insecurity here and there but you knew your worth, and you considered yourself pretty, hot even. That had all changed a few months into your latest relationship. First it was the backhanded compliments which quickly turned into passive comments, and then outright cruel insults. People really underestimate the toll their words take on others, especially when the person that’s making you feel so ugly and worthless, is one that you adore and who’s supposed to adore you right back, no matter what. 

“I try but, he can’t just be making it all up.” you were ashamed. When did you become the girl that lets a guy affect how she sees herself? That just wasn’t you. 

“He is. He’s insecure and a douche. He was probably trying to destroy your confidence to the point that you felt like you couldn’t leave him.” Calum assured. “But you’re way too strong for him, dumped his sorry ass anyway.” 

You smiled gratefully at his words, taking a seat next to him. 

“Yea, so strong I tried to send him half naked pictures for reassurance.” 

Calum shook his head, “I wish you could see how hot you are.” 

Your eyes widened at the compliment, your head dropping to avoid his stare as blood rushed to your cheeks. 

“I’d be happy to reassure you whenever you want.” he continued, bumping his knee against yours under the table. 

“Doesn’t count.” you dismissed, before sipping your coffee. “You're my best friend, you’re obligated to tell me I’m pretty.” 

“Doesn’t mean I don’t mean it.” he muttered back quietly, his expression dropping slightly. He hated when you deflected his compliments. All he ever wanted to do was make you feel good, and you made it very difficult for him when you blocked every swing he took at the wall of insecurity that Cam had built around you. He would kill Cam if he could. 

You let out an apologetic sigh, wrapping your arms around his neck and burying your face in his shoulder. 

“M’sorry, you’re right. I love you for that, the only thing keeping me sane.” 

Your heart squeezed as he hugged you back. 

Calum was perfect, he was sweet, and funny, and quite literally your favorite person on earth. Not to mention you had been hopelessly in love with him since practically the beginning of your friendship. But as his best friend you had heard over and over just how uninterested he was in a relationship. Everytime you would ask about his love life he would just respond, 

“I’m just not the boyfriend type, m’not cut out for it.” shrugging nonchalantly. 

Which you thought was laughable because anyone would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend, in fact sometimes you would let yourself pretend he was yours. 

Like,in a busy club with his hands on your hips, guiding you through the crowds. So close behind, you could feel each exhale on the back of your neck, as his eyes darted around the room to ensure there weren’t any potential threats to your safety, in the form of drunk overzealous flirts. Or after a night out when he got cuddly and clingy, and would find his way from the couch into your bed. You’d wake up with his cheek pressed against your chest and his arms snaked around your torso as he released soft breaths that caused goosebumps to rise on your exposed skin. You’d let yourself imagine that you had this every morning and that he would wake up any minute to smother your face in kisses and tell you he loved you. And of course, here he was again this morning being so thoughtful and kind and everything you wanted in a boyfriend. And here you were again swimming in his praises and physically having to restrain yourself from kissing him. 

Begrudgingly, you pulled away and stood up. 

“Gonna get changed.” you spoke. 

“I’m making us breakfast.” Calum called as you walked away. You hummed in response and slipped into your room. 

Once in the privacy of your own room you quickly pulled on a pair of leggings and a hoodie before scurrying to the bathroom sink and splashing cold water on your face in hopes of ridding yourself of any romantic thoughts towards your best friend.

Although you weren’t aware, Calum was doing the very same thing just a few feet away. Internally reminding himself repeatedly that it was never gonna happen with you. He wasn’t good enough to be anyone’s boyfriend, let alone yours. You didn’t want him that way and he could almost trick himself into believing that he was okay with that.

You hastily finished brushing your teeth before returning to the kitchen. You were greeted with the sight of Calum’s back, he stood over the toaster cutting an avocado and humming a song you didn’t recognize quietly to himself.  He looked over his shoulder as your footsteps approached. 

“Hungry?” he questioned. 

“You have no idea.” you affirmed, as he fixed a plate for you both. 

“Good. I was thinking we could watch something while we eat,” 

“Fine with me.” you responded, hoping he wouldn’t notice the distraction laced in your voice. Your focus had easily been stolen from the conversation to how easy it was to see his back muscles flex through the thin material of his jumper. 

But of course he did, it was Calum after all. 

“Y’alright?” he said, handing you a plate. 

“Uh, yep.” you rushed out. 

“Not still thinking about Cam, are you?” 

“No, not at all.” you answered honestly, walking to the couch, Calum trailing closely behind you. 

“Then what’s got you all flustered?” 

“You” you thought, taking a seat in the furthest corner. 

“I’m not flustered.” 

“Bullshit” he countered, sitting practically on top of you. 

You let out a huff, and motioned to the other  completely empty side of the couch. 

“Is there a reason we aren’t practicing personal space right now?” 

He laughed softly at your question and nuzzled closer into your side. 

“Yea, you’re all pouty, looks like you need a cuddle.” 

 “I’m really fine Cal.” you shoved him lightly but saw no results, he just scooched in even closer and bit into his toast. 

The two of you sat in silence while some newly released action movie played on your TV. Calum’s arm was wrapped around your shoulders keeping you tight to his side, and although you could’ve sworn that you had been in this exact same position hundreds of times, you felt as if this were the very first time. Every single one of your nerves were on fire and the warmth that had flooded your body was making you antsy. 

Feeling overwhelmed by your senses, you allowed your eyes to flutter close with a deep inhale. 

“You okay?” Calum whispered, dipping his head down slightly to reach your ear.

You opened your mouth to respond but didn’t trust your voice to protrude through your shaky exhales, settling for a subdued nod instead. 

“You sure?” his words were long and drawled out, despite your eyes being closed you knew his proximity from the feeling of his breath just behind your ear. 

Before you could speak up his hand secured itself just above your knee, and your muscles flexed involuntarily at the contact. 

“Relax, y/n” he continued, his thumb beginning to run repeatedly over a spot on your inner knee. 

Everything in your brain was screaming at you to excuse yourself, maybe even kick him out, anything to gain some space and hopefully some clarity from the cloud of sexual tension that was looming over the two of you and blurring boundaries at lightning speed. But you were essentially frozen in place, petrified that any movement would alert Calum to the way he was affecting you. 

Your head lolled back to rest on his forearm which was lying behind you on the couch and finally peeled your eyes open, staring up at the ceiling. 

He watched you from the corner of his eye, taking note of every rise and fall of your chest, every thick swallow of your throat. 

If there was one thing Calum was well versed in, it was his ability to read you, he liked to think he knew you better than anyone else in the world. He could tell exactly how you were feeling just by watching you, your face, your breathing and he was more than shocked when he started getting the feeling you were no longer upset but something far more appealing. 

Were you turned on? Right here in his presence? The thought made blood rush to his dick, which twitched in his pants when another breathy sigh passed your lips. 

“What’re you thinking about, love?” 

Everything in you urged you to answer honestly, just tell him the truth. “You, I’m thinking about you. I’m always thinking about you.” But you couldn’t do that, so instead you deflected. 

“What’re you thinking about?” you countered, meeting his eyes. 

Calum questioned his next words very carefully, debating whether or not he could recover if he was wrong about what you were feeling and you shut him down. It was pointless though, he knew he would never recover from your rejection. He also knew that spontaneous combustion wouldn’t look very good on his tombstone and that’s exactly what would happen if he spent one more minute not kissing you. 

Fuck it. 

“That pretty little set you had on last night.” he confessed. 

That you weren’t expecting. 

A quiet whine rang from your throat and you were far too affected to feel embarrassed. 

And that did it, Calum was now impossibly hard in his pants, no doubt leaking precum onto his boxer briefs. He needed to get his hands on you, now. 

His hand started to slowly travel up your thigh, goosebumps rising on every centimeter they passed. 

“So gorgeous in red, aren’t ya y/n?”

“Cal,” you hissed when his thumb brushed the sensitivity of your inner thigh. 

“Mm.” he hummed. “It’d be pretty hard fo’me to stop right now, but I will if that’s what you want. Is that what you want, love?” 

He was sure he’d cry if he had to let go of you now, but he needed to hear you say it. 

“No, don’t wanna stop.” you whined, turning your body flush to his.

“Whaddya want then, baby? Hm?” You could feel his every word on the flushed skin of your neck as he leaned into the crook.

“Want you.” 

He could’ve came then and there. 

“Then I’m all yours.” he admitted before crashing his lips on yours. 

Your heart was in your stomach as his tongue entered your mouth, explorative and eager. He was too busy memorizing your taste to notice your fingers tugging at his sweater. You attempted to push it up desperate to feel his skin under your hands. You were able to pull the fabric up about halfway before they were blocked by his arms that were holding you close against him.

Calum laughed when you pulled apart from the kiss, giving him a disappointed look. 

“Want it off?” he teased. 

You couldn’t bother to be embarrassed when you nodded eagerly in response. He didn’t waste any time peeling the fabric off of his skin, and you were quick to lightly run a finger across the ink feather just below his collarbone. 

Now it was his turn to tug on your clothes, “Level the playing field?” 

You nodded, lifting your arms and allowing him to lift the sweatshirt over your head leaving your chest completely bare. Calum groaned at the sight of your tits, his hands quickly finding your waist and tugging you down to lay on your back in one swift motion. 

Once you were laid out in front of him he took the opportunity to explore the new skin. His hands left a lingering warmth as they dragged across your stomach and despite the kind words and endearing demeanor that he always upheld with you, you found yourself shying under his gaze, wanting to curl away from him. As your hands began to wrap around your stomach in an attempt to cover yourself up he quickly pushed them away, locking them in place on either side of you. 

“Wanna see everything baby, all of you.” he cooed in your ear before nipping at the lobe. 

His kisses began to travel down your neck, sucking a few marks to your collar bones and the surrounding areas. When his fingers grazed over a fresh bruise in the dip just between your neck and shoulders you hissed lightly. 

“You look so pretty marked up for me. All mine, aren’t you baby? Not Cam’s, mine. Say it.” 

“Yours, Cal.” you admitted, feeling your body sink further into the couch. You had never felt drunk off of someone’s words before and the experience was leaving you sputtering, completely compliant to your best friend. 

He hummed contently at your confession, his large hands gripping at your hips, before slowly peeling your leggings off.

“Y’feel so good in my hands, like you were made for me.” his thumbs poking at the soft skin, just beneath your panties. 

The feeling of his hands so close to where you needed them, but not quite there was driving you crazy. 

“Cal, please.” you begged. 

He groaned before tugging at the cotton covering you. “Cam’s a fucking idiot, y’know that? He had the prettiest girl in the world and treated her like shit. I’d never do that, wanna worship you baby.” 

It was ridiculous how overwhelmed his words were leaving you, all desperate and squirming. As his fingers met the soaked expanse of your cunt you couldn’t hold back the throaty moan it elicited. 

A pornographic sigh followed close behind, one that made Calum want to pinch himself to ensure he wasn’t in the midst of a haunting dream. 

“Soaked f’me darling.” he mused, running his fingers up and down your folds to completely coat you in your arousal. You whimpered at the feeling, bucking your hips up desperate for friction. 

Tutting while shaking his head, he used one hand on your lower stomach to press you back down to the couch. 

“Stay still for me won’t you, love?” he cooed, continuing to run his fingers over your core lightly. 

When you bobbed your head up and down in agreement he lifted your leg to his mouth, pressing a kiss to your calf. 

“Hm, good girl.” he praised, softly laying your leg back down. 

Calum hovered above you, dipping his head down every so often to peck at your chest, his fingers still unrelenting. The knot in your lower stomach tightened every second that passed and you felt like you could scream at any second, yearning to be full. 

Calum felt like he could burst any minute himself but was determined to make this experience the best of your life. He wanted to give you something to remember, a reason to want more. 

Your soft moans and frustrated grunts alerted him to your neediness and he was just about ready to give in for the both of you. 

“What do you need from me, baby?” he said against your shoulder before peppering kisses across your collar bones. 

You could only respond with an airy moan when his fingers found your clit. 

“Hm? My fingers?” You shook your head aggressively. He knew exactly what you wanted, the tease. 

“No? Want my mouth?” he teased further, leaving an opened mouth kiss in between your tits. 

“Cal,” you sighed. “Fuck me, please.”

He groaned at your words, nipping lightly at the skin before ridding himself of his pants. 

“You’re a fucking dream, y’know that?” he praised, desperately searching for a condom in his pants. When he finally located one he held it up to you as if it were a prized possession, smiling proudly at his own preparedness. 

He hastily freed himself from the constraints of his boxers and rolled the condom on, never once taking his eyes off of the blissful expression on your face. 

“Ready?” he questioned, his tip lightly pressing at your entrance. You nodded and sucked in a breath, bracing yourself for the stretch, your eyes falling closed in the process. 

When a few seconds went by and nothing happened you opened your eyes to find Calum staring down at you in awe. 

“Cal,” you whined. “what’re you doing?” 

Your words seemed to break him from his trance, he shook his head and muttered an apology to you. 

“Sorry, fuck you’re pretty. You’ve got no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.” 

“Then stop waiti-” your words were cut off by a sharp hiss that couldn’t have been prevented as his length finally pressed into you. 

“Fuck.” Calum groaned his head falling back. You felt too good around him, seriously he was fucked, completely ruined for you. 

You felt the exact same as your silky moans filled the room. You had never been filled this good and you questioned how you had gone so long without this. 

“M-move” you sighed, clenching around him. 

You could hear his breath catch at the feeling and he grunted out a strained, “Need a minute.” 

He held himself in place for a few more seconds until his breaths began to even out once again before pulling nearly all the way out and slamming back in. 

You yelped, pulling your lip between your teeth in hopes to drown the sound. 

He continued slamming into you at an unrelenting pace, taking notice of each time your eyes would roll back when he brushed against your g-spot. He could write a book about how good you looked all fucked for him. 

As his thrusts grew closer together you could feel your release creeping up on you.  

“Cal, need’ta cum.” you stuttered out. 

His hands tightened around your hips, pulling you even closer to him as his head poked at that spot again. 

“Go on baby, let go.” he encouraged, willing himself to hold out a little longer as your walls fluttered around him. 

Once you had came it only took him about three more thrusts before he was painting the condom with his release, groaning your name as his hand searched for yours to intertwine them as he came down from his own high. 

  His body flopped next to yours on the couch, both of you struggling to fit next to each other in such a small space, not that either of you minded the close quarters. 

Your fingers remained laced together as you caught your breath, Calum peppering kisses to your shoulder and mumbling praises into your skin. 

“You’re an angel. God, I just- I love you.” he said, causing your head to snap in his direction. 

He looked like a deer in headlights when you asked for him to repeat himself. 

“I love you?” he obliged.

“Is it a question?” 

“No, I’m just not used to saying it.” he admitted, vulnerability clear in his eyes. 

You wanted to kiss away the worried crease in his forehead but instead pressed your lips to his, pulling apart a fraction of an inch to speak after a few seconds.

“I love you too.” you ensured. 

Calum eyes widened, not expecting you to say it back, at least not so soon. He had so much he wanted to say to you but figured all of it could be summed up by another kiss to your soft lips. So he closed the distance once again, using a bit more force this time in hopes it would convey the strength of his feelings for you.

[americaswritings]

Invisible

Warnings: Angst, Insecurity & Self-doubt, Language

Summary: The reader stays with Tom and his friends during quarantine. To protect her from media and fans, the reader can’t been seen in any social media posts. It leads to her feeling more and more lonely and isolated until she can’t take it anymore.

Words: 2.6k 

Pairings: Tom Holland x reader

A/N: I wrote this when Tom hosted the marvel pub quiz, but completely forgot to post it!

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"That's it. Thank you for joining and taking part in the quiz! I hope you had as much fun as we did and don't forget to post your answers using the hashtag massive marvel pub quiz so we can find your answers easier. Stay safe and healthy. Bye guys!"

You watched as Tom's face disappeared and the live stream ended.

But the excitement that you had felt when you had first heared of the idea of a marvel quiz was gone. Now you just felt empty. And alone.

You knew that you were overreacting, after all Tom and the others were just a few rooms away, but you couldn't help and feel left out. Again.

You weren't invited to join the live stream in the first place so why join them know?

You knew that Tom only wanted to protect you and himself by keeping you out of the public's eye. If they found out that a female in his age was spending the time during quarantine at his house, they would go wild. You could already imagine the headlines that would follow.

After all Tom had exerperienced how far his ‘fans’ and the media would go when a photo of him and Olivia had gone viral.

Only a few blurry images and both Tom and Olivia had been attacked for weeks, even so far that the girl had to make her instagram private, yet the hate comments never stopped.

And Tom knew that he would never risk the chance of you having to read through pages of hate comments of people that didn't even know you. Because if they did, they knew they could never hate you.

You were kind and loving and you cared a little too deeply.

Tom still remembered when you had called him crying, because you didn't feel confident enough to go out after some girls in your class had made it their mission to target all your insecurities and make mean comments whenever you passed them.

He still remembered the anger and hate he felt inside of him when he listened to your sobbing and how the girl's words had gotten to you, to the point you even believed them.

So when you had moved in with him and the boys, he had decided to keep you out of everything that could reveal to the world that you were living with them. You had agreed without a second doubt, because in that moment it seemed the only rational and responsible thing to do.

Now you weren't so sure anymore, because it hurt so much to be invisible every day. You had gotten used to the fact that you could only watch their instagram stories, live streams and tik toks without being able to join them. But what hurt you even more were the little things.

"Hey y/n, could you leave the room for a sec? You are always in the background of the video!"

A second often turned into hours and soon you found yourself retreating to your room more and more to avoid having to leave and get hurt again.

Yesterday you had decided to do a little game night and you felt so carefree that you came to the conclusion that you were being ridiculous and should rather enjoy the time with them instead of obsessing over your feelings. But then you had laughed over something that had been said and Tom has sighed, dropping his phone.

"Great, now I have to delete that, because you were laughing in the background", he stated, clearly frustrated and you felt heat rushing to your cheeks.

"I'm sorry", you mumbled but it sounded more like a question than a sincere apologzy, because really, what where you even apologizing for? Harrsion had leaned over to get a better look at Tom's phone. "That would have been a great post, mate!"

You adverted your eyes, starring at the table and analysing the natural pattern of the wood to try and distract yourself from the embarassment and the tears that had filled your eyes. "I know right", Tom sighed again and you crounched down in your seat even more.

"I will do that again now so you have to be completely quiet now y/n, got it?

You wanted to scream at them, because you weren't dumb and yet they were treating you like a child that had misbehaved and was now lectured. But you only gulped and nodded, fearing that if you said something, your voice would break and reveal how hurt you really felt.

While they recorded the story again, you listened to their loud laughter as you fought back the tears.

Eventually you excued yourself, mumbling something about having a headache, but you doubted that they even noticed.

Now you could hear them laugh again and even though Tom's laugh was one of your favorite sounds, it now cut deeper into your heart like a knife. 

You were still staring at your phone screen where you saw photos of answer sheets already popping up. You had gotten around 20 answers right, but you didn't feel proud.

When Tom had told you about the marvel quiz you had been beyond excited. Since you could remember you loved the marvel movies. Your rooms had been filled with posters and other merchandise and your friends only rolled their eyes when you suggested to watch a marvel movie during your movie nights.

You had build your knowdlege over the years and loved to challenge Tom, who thought of himself as a big marvel fan as well, regarding who knew more about the marvel cinematic universe.

So when he came up with the idea of a marvel live quiz, you insisted to take part and therefore hear the questions for the first time during the stream so you had the same chance as everyone else.

But as soon as Harry and Harrison had joined the live stream your enthusiasm had faded. They were having so much fun and you were sitting in your room, all on your own. The familiar feeling of loneliness and self doubt had accompained you the rest of the live stream and now that it had ended you just wanted to crawl under the covers and weep into your pillow.

Maybe you were clingy and needy and overthinking again, but you couldn't help the overwhelming sadness and you began to doubt if staying with Tom was a mistake and if your friendship meant more to you than the others.

Maybe you should pack your things tomorrow and tell Tom that you needed to go home. He would understand if you claimed to miss the comfort of being at your home but then again, you would be even more lonely.

Frustrated you threw your phone on the nightstand and quickly changed into your pajamas before crawling into bed.

In the darkness of the room the disappointment felt even more overwhelming and you grabbed onto your pillow for comfort.

A knock made you freeze and your heart started pouding in your chest. You prayed that the person would leave you alone and go away if you pretended to be asleep so you stayed silent.

"Y/n?"

It was Tom's voice.

"We want to watch a movie. Wanna join us?"

You knew that he wouldn't go away until the got an answer so you dismissed your plan and braced yourself to speak.

"No, I am tired, but thanks." You hoped that Tom didn't notice how nervous you sounded and after an agonizing moment of silence you could hear him mutter an "okay" and walk away.

Did you imagine it or did he sound disapppointed? Now feeling guilty too, you covered your face in your hands in frustration.

Why did everything have to go wrong?

And wait...did you still have your make-up on?

You let out a sound of frustration when you realized that you had to get up again to wipe off your make-up. You had applied it because you wanted to feel your best during the quiz you had been so excited for, but now it meant walking all the way to the bathroom.

Which meant leaving your room again.

You slowly opened your door, peeking out to check if the corridors were empty. You proceeded to tiptoe to the bathroom and closed the door behind you while relief flooded you. You really didn't want to meet anyone now, not when you felt like breaking into tears every second.

When you looked into the mirror and began to wash your make-up off, you allowed yourself to let the tears flow. A few sobs escaped your mouth, but the bathroom was far enough from the living room so they wouldn't be able to hear you.

Without the make-up on, you felt a little more relaxed and you couldn't wait to get into bed again.

But when you reached your room without running into anyone on the way, you were more than surprised to see that once you had closed the door and turned around, you weren't alone.

Tom was sitting on your bed, looking up at you when you entered the room.

You could conclude from the frown that covered his face that you looked as horrible as you felt. Your eyes were probably still puffy and red from the crying and your hair was in a messy bun.

"Tom?", you stuttered, too shocked to come up with something that would save you from this conversation. "What are you doing here?", you added, hating how weak your voice sounded.

His frown grew even deeper and he mustered your apperance, hurt visible in his eyes.

"You were so excited for the quiz so when you didn't leave your room I grew worried", he explained while you akwardly stood next to the door, leaving as much space between the two of you as possible.

"Oh that- I just didn't feel good so I decided to sleep early today", you tried to brush it off, but you knew that Tom would not fall for it.

"Why have you been crying?"

His question was acommpanied by a stern gaze and you couldn't help feeling guilty and ashamed.

"I- I wasn't", you stuttered, but it didn't even sound believable to your own ears. Tom raised his eyebrow, but when he saw how uncomfortable you looked his features softened.

"Hey, you can talk to me, you know that right? Whatever it is, you can tell me and we can figure this out together." His voice was so gentle and caring that tears filled your eyes again and you silently cursed yourself for being so emotional.

You didn't want to cry in front of Tom. It would not be the first time and when it had happened he had always managed to make you feel better and put a smile on your face again, but you also knew the shame that would follow afterwards.

You didn't want him to think that you were too sensitive.

But the tears weren't only a result of your hurt, no, anger was building inside of you at his words. "Really Tom, really?", you snapped and he flinched in surprise.

"Are you sure you want me to talk to you? Maybe someone is filming an instagram story and I could be heard in the background so I should just say nothing at all. Or even better, why don't I just leave the room so there is a lesser chance that I could ruin your precious masterpieces by just existing."

Tom's eyes had widened at your outburst and you actually felt bad for a second, but then you remembered the many occasions he had made you feel like you weren't good enough and the anger came back.

"You know what? I think it would be best if I just went home. I am done being treated like an outsider and being blamed for everything I do!"

Tom had jumped up from the bed and was crossing the distance between the two of you with large steps, but you raised your hands before he could come closer to you.

"Y/n I am so sorry", he stumbled over his words, desperately trying to find the right words. "I didn't realize- I never would have..." Frustrated he ran a hand through his hair.

"Listen, I screwed up! I didn't realize that my behaviour- that I was hurting you and I am so sorry! I just wanted to protect you and now I am the one making you feel this way. Fuck, I am so sorry!"

His words seemed geniune and your heart ached to step forward and pull him into a hug, but you knew that you could not forget so easily.

"I didn't think that this was so important to you. Why didn't you say anything?" He was rubbing the back of his head, seemingly tensed.

"I don't care much about not being in the stories Tom. But it really hurt whenever I am send away so you can film together or when I am told to shut up so I can't be heard while you all have fun together”, you explained, trying to keep your vice even.

“I just feel like I am a burden to you and if you don't want to spend time with me that's fine I guess but I would appreciate for you to tell me that so I can stop trying and just go home."

"No, no, no it's not like that I swear!” Tom seemed desperate again, articulating with his hands to underline his words.

“I miss spending time with you, I really do and it was stupid of me to let myself being dragged into this whole instagram thing!

You know I am normally not the person to care much about posting, but I thought now that everyone is stuck at home, I could make my fans happy and distract them from the situation by sharing more of my life. I should have never put them before you and I am truly sorry!” You could see the regret clearly in his eyes as he took in a deep breath. 

“Please don't go."

You were biting your lip as you were trying your best to stay calm and not break into tears. You had imagined confronting Tom and letting all your anger and hurt out, but now that he stood in front of you with his eyes full of hurt and regret and his pleading words for you to stay, your anger vanished.

"Are you sure?", you asked him in uncertainty, because you knew you couldn't bare if nothing would change. But Tom desperately nodded. "I am. Tomorrow I am going to post a photo to let my fans now that I am taking a break from social media!"

He looked so determined, so sure, that a warm feeling filled you. "You would do that?"

"Of course! I want to make it up to you and besides I was not lying when I said that I miss spending time with you”, he stated, stepping a little closer to you when you didn’t protest anymore.

“You were so distant the last days and I didn't know what to do, so I thought that I should give you space. Seems like that is the last thing I should have done", he sayed with a sheepish smile covering his face.

"Sorry for being so caught up in myself. I should have said something earlier too", you admitted, a small smile forming on your lips, when you felt the burden fall off your shoulders.

"Hug?", Tom suggested and you didn't have to think twice about it.

When he wrapped his strong arms around you, you realized that going back to your place would have been a mistake. Because at some point your home hadn't been a place anymore. Instead it had become a person and you didn't plan on letting go any time soon.

----

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[enhyupn]

start of it!

pairing: jungwon x fem!read (ft a little sunghoon)

disclaimer: there might be a few mistakes here and there since it’s not fully proof read. swear words are mentioned too!

word count: 7.1k+

genre: fluff, angst if you squint, best friends to lovers!au, rich kids!au, slow burn kinda?

a/n this took a while to write but i like how it came out :) i think i got a little carried away but it’s fine i suppose!! i hope you enjoy this longer than necessary fic :]

jungwon and you were always together, then and now. maybe being the children of two most influential families korea helped that, the constant underlying jealousy between the two families made for some interesting dinners. you two were the stereotypical rich kids, top of the class, class president and extremely involved in school. your image was the type other chaebol families would use to compare their children to. maybe that’s why every time you stand at the top of your class to make announcements, all you get are sneers from your classmates as they not so subtly laugh at you. it was inventible nonetheless, if you were in their situation you’d do exactly the same. it didn’t help that you were strict and blunt with your classmates, staying true to the cold and distant chaebol child stereotype.

jungwon the next class over however, was incredibly popular with the people in his class and even yours. you didn’t know how he did it, balancing his studies, taekwondo and still maintaining a good relationship with his class? you looked up to him immensely, even with your parents constantly reminding you that jungwon wasn’t your friend but a pawn from his family to get information on the company. obviously you never believed them, how could jungwon get information from you when all you talk about normal things. normal things like tv shows, books and his taekowndo matches. you wouldn’t know what to do with jungwon, he was your other half and you’d never be able to function properly without him.

dinner was never comfortable at your house, the silence only being broken up by the clattering of utensils and chewing didn’t even help the gloomy and dark aura your father always seemed to radiate. you were the only child and the heir in training to take over the family company. everyone around you had high expectations for you, being number one in everything you ever did allowed people to believe that you were going to skyrocket your family’s company to the number one spot.

“y/n, how was school” your mother always tried so hard to make conversation with you and your father every day. as much as you wished to be close to her, you couldn’t help but feel forced and awkward whenever you replied to her.

“it was good, we got our ranks today” you slowly chewed on the piece of duck you were served, not having the heart or energy to tell anyone that you never really liked the taste of it.

“i’m assuming it’s first place” your father butts in, the serious look in his face never fails to make you flinch in your seat.

“yes father, first place in my class and in school” you couldn’t help but gulp at the mood of the dinner table.

it was always like this after exam season, tension so tight that it was suffocating to be around. even the maids and butlers around the place hated being around your family every time results were announced, the thought of what would happened if you ever got anything lower than first place was terrifying.

“wonderful” a nod from your father was enough for your maids to stop holding in their breaths.

not even a good job? you had grown to learn that your father wasn’t someone that praised others easily. sadly, you had to learn it the hard way. countless memories from your past of you desperately wanting your father’s attention and praise flashed through your eyes. even so, it still hurt every time he wouldn’t acknowledge your achievements.

the ice rink was your special place, second to jungwon undoubtedly. still, you loved being there. it made you feel so free and happy, like all your worries had disappeared whenever you skated. you weren’t the only one that loved the rink, jungwon adored the moments when you would show off a new move you had finally nailed. the look of you being so carefree made him feel overjoyed, knowing he was the only one that could see you like this.

“jungwon did you see that?” a radiant smile appearing on your face after you landed an axel. the sound of your slightly hitting the rink’s barrier slightly scared you before looking up again at the boy.

“yes, and i’ve also seen the other five times you’ve done it” the pout formed on your face from his teasing only brought a larger smile on his face. jungwon’s face suddenly twisted into a confused look as he suddenly remembered a conversation you two had the previous week. “weren’t you struggling on that last week? i remember you telling me that”.

“oh i was!” the pink tinge from your cheeks due to the cold temperature in the air added to your cheerful chatter. “but sunghoon helped me with it”.

“sunghoon?” the name sending an unsettling feeling throughout jungwon’s body. the boy shook it off when he had made eye contact with you once again, your eyes wide with spirit. it was a shame that your classmates couldn’t see this side of you, the cold and scary y/n unironically melting when on the ice.

“sunghoon’s a really talented figure skater in my class!” the admiration in your voice and eyes churned things in jungwon’s stomach. “his triple axel is the most beautiful thing jungwon, you should really see him in action. he gave me some tips and they really worked!”.

“that’s great” jungwon couldn’t understand why he couldn’t feel as elated as you were. shouldn’t he be happy? his best friend perfectly landed something they were working on for a while and he couldn’t even be sincere with his praise? no, it was that boy sunghoon. that’s what was getting him annoyed and bothered, was it jealousy?

“look there he is!” you showed jungwon. the boy had proportions that were perfect, he towered over you and had undeniably incredible looks. jungwon watched as sunghoon’s eyes shined in delight when noticing you. the boy skated over quickly to you in excitement, anyone could tell that he was over the moon to see you.

the jealous feeling jungwon had in him only grew more watching you two. when sunghoon’s skates accidentally took him at a too fast of a pace, you lightly bumped into you. the countless apologies he spit out while you laughed loud and glowing at his ridiculous accident only made jungwon chew his cheek in spite. the unnecessary skin ship you two made didn’t help too, you were holding onto sunghoon’s shoulders in an attempt to stop him from falling again. that’s when jungwon had enough.

“y/n” he called out, catching the attention of the both of you. you turned around holding the same smile you gave sunghoon.

“jungwon?”

“i’ll get going now, dad wants me back home” a pretend smile placed nicely on his lips for you to not suspect something was wrong with him.

“sure!” the corner of your eyes crinkled, you lifted up your hand to wave him off. he was incredibly thankful that you weren’t observant enough to catch his cheerful facade. “tell him my father wants to have dinner with him again too!”.

“i promise”

standing from his seat he lifted his hand to wave you off. the disappointment in his eyes becoming more visible when he realised that you had already turned around. the dejected frown on his face showing up when he caught a glimpse of the boy beside you, laughing and chatting with you with a wide grin. you too having the exact same grin.

you were always the same at school, a blank face while in class and during after school activities. your parents always told you that school was never the time to make friends or have fun, it was for preparing yourself in the future. they drilled into you that everything you did in school would only add to you in the future. if you were to ever fail or do anything that was the opposite of what you were meant to be doing, you would inevitably ruin your future. the unimaginable amount of pressure your parents had given you slowly turned you from crying silently at night in your room to dealing with it with a blank stare on your face.

the only thing that made everything the slightest bit bearable was jungwon, you met him during breaks and lunch and even walked with him to your after school programmes. the feeling of being isolated by your class could only be ignored when you were with him.

“i don’t get how you do it” you stared at him in admiration. jungwon was practicing his taekwondo as you watched him, it was a routine you had every morning before school started. the boy chuckled as he continues doing his warm up.

“says you, you’re number one in our school plus you skate pretty too. everyone would love to be you”.

“no! that’s different” a growing blush tinted your cheeks, the small compliment makes you shy due to the fact jungwon never compliments you. “i don’t get how you balance taekwondo, your social life and still get good grades? plus have a good relationship with your family”.

“oh” jungwon’s smile faltered at the mention your parents. he always has felt guilty knowing the fact he can’t do anything to help you besides distract you from your parent’s extreme expectations. “i don’t know, maybe i’m just lucky” he tries a joke to keep the mood up.

“so it’s luck?” your laugh giving enough confirmation to jungwon that you weren’t affected by his comment.

your phone ringing distracts you from the conversation you and jungwon were having, even scaring you a little in the process. the bright expression coming from your face made jungwon notice that it definitely wasn’t a call from any of your family members. letting himself breathe again with the positive mood in the air, he decides that he needs to stretch before testing out any moves.

“sunghoon!” suddenly maybe the mood wasn’t so positive for jungwon. you turned to jungwon mouthing it’s sunghoon! happily as he tried to share the same excitement you had. “no i’m not busy”, you looked over at jungwon sending him an apologetic look as you stood up from your seat. “i’ll just be outside jungwon!” you covered the microphone as you told him before quickly walking outside.

what was that about? jealousy was creeping up behind him even if he didn’t notice. he never wanted to feel possessive when it came to you. truthfully, he was waiting for this day. the day that someone saw past your shy personality disguised with a cold and blunt front and saw you. he couldn’t stop the lingering feeling in his stomach, he hated it. but who was he to think about your relationships with other people?

that’s when he remembered the smile on your face when you mentioned him, the glee in your voice and expression when you were around him. you two were even close enough to call each other out of nowhere? maybe that’s when it clicked in jungwon’s head, did you like sunghoon? you were entitled to like anyone you wanted to, it shouldn’t be jungwon’s problem if that person just so happened to be sunghoon.

but why did the thought bother jungwon so much?

from the way you were dressed people would think that you were attending some special dinner with the president. however, your prettily styled hair and your best outfit and shoes seemed to only be reserved for the yang family. there always seemed to be an unwritten rule between the two families that you had to go all out when visiting each other, however you and jungwon just suspected if it was just a way to show off all the newest jewellery and clothes subtly.

there you two were, standing by the side of your parents in the hallways of your house. the size of it was unimaginable, maybe even being the length of an average apartment in a middle class area. the hallways was adorned with expensive paintings and sculptures being used to write off taxes, a large rug that might of costed more than your high school tuition placed right in the middle of it all. it was visible proof that your family was disgustingly rich, just how your parents wanted it to look.

there wasn’t an answer to why the two families stood in the hallways to speak when you had an equally, if not larger living room a door away, the room also being adorned with expensive paintings with a large tv nobody in the house used. jungwon and you always had trouble staying serious while your parents spoke to one another. you two would usually mouth things to each other, not even understanding what was being said. the small grins you two held were enough that if one of you let out a laugh, the two of you would be on the ground laughing your heads off.

“the food’s ready” your cook interrupted your father’s reply to jungwon’s parents. your father sent him a small grin and a nod as he signalled everyone with a extended arm to the dining room.

the dining room gave a view to the kitchen, it was like a performance for everyone in the kitchen whenever you had guests over. your favourite activity to not bore yourself besides talking to jungwon, was watching your cook plate everything while your parents conversed about business or what type of wine they were having that night.

“steak again” jungwon joked quietly at your side. you two always sat beside each other, while the parents talked the whole night you two would try and not cause a huge mess. it usually ended up a mess, remembering the time you two dropped roast potatoes all over the ground in an attempt to entertain to each other. now when you two are finished eating you are excused to go back to your room where you two can actually talk.

“be thankful it isn’t salmon” you giggled quietly. the memory of jungwon’s parents scolding him at the dinner table for not eating his salmon reappears back into your heads, the thought of it making you laugh a little louder than you were. “sorry” you politely said, noticing the silent glare your father had sent you for making a ruckus at the dinner table.

“i would of answered properly if you weren’t laughing silently about it in the corner of my eye” the main reason why the memory was so funny for the two of you was the fact that the reason he was scolded was due to the fact he couldn’t even attempt to pick up the piece of fish without you two laughing. you two were incredibly easy to make laugh as there is nothing more entertaining than your best friend doing absolutely nothing.

in the corner of your eye you noticed your father staring at you and jungwon, while at the same time participating in the conversation the adults were having. it was unsettling, knowing that in the next five or so minutes he’d ask you a question regarding anything to seem like his family is better than anything the yangs do.

“y/n” an automatic faux smile was placed on your lips when you heard his voice. placing down your cutlery before turning to him you captured the sickly sweet smile on your parents smiles, a sign they were trying to milk your achievements out one by one.

“yes father” the pitch in your voice going a little higher than what jungwon usually hears, but was used to it due to the many times he’s heard you talk to your parents.

“we were just talking about the fact that you’re starting out figure skating!” the tone in your fathers sudden cheery voice was so obviously fake to you, he never liked the fact you took precious time off to practice figure skating rather than studying to get into a seoul university.

“i am” you turned to the yang parents with the innocent well put child facade. “i started six months ago, my trainer told me that i was improving at a great speed!”.

“how beautiful” jungwon’s mom commented, “i’m sure jungwon’s watched you skate before, right sweetheart?”.

“they’re very graceful on the ice mom” the flattery turned your cheeks a soft rose colour. you turned to him to give a thankful smile, not noticing the growing red on the boy’s ears.

you turned around to glance back once again at your father, the look of his smug grin made you want to get up and leave. you hated feeling like just a trophy to show off to others, you longed for the feeling of being praised for the person you were.

“i’m sure jungwon’s doing excellent in school” your mother continued, looks like they’re about to hit them where it hurts.

“not as well as your daughter i’m afraid” a bitter smile was obviously placed on his father’s face, teeth gritting as he let it out. “jungwon’s told us quite a lot about y/n’s rank in school, number one right? a terrific achievement”.

“yes, it’s a shame that jungwon can’t seem to reach the same” jungwon’s mother continued. your father took a sip from his glass of wine. what was it and using your children as weapons to bring down one another? in the corner of your eye you could tell jungwon didn’t feel comfortable with any of this at all, he stiffened his body as you chewed slowly on his steak.

“he’ll get there some day” your mother was simply just adding fuel to the fire, it made you feel terrible for your best friend. you looked over to see the boy’s blank stare, the small frown on his face made it seem that it was almost begging you to go comfort him.

“can jungwon and i be excused?” you knew that you two needed to get out of there immediately, you weren’t going to let your parents excuse any of this. “i feel a bit queasy from the steak, jungwon can keep me company”.

“do what you wish dear” your father let out quite bitterly. you bowed in response before standing up, placing your hand on jungwon’s hand. you shook it a little as a way to signal him that you two were about to leave.

the oh he let out was all you needed to know that jungwon was going to follow you up to your room. you watched as he bowed for everyone in the room, before silently following you as you gripped onto his hand. the mood you two were letting out was unreadable, was he thankful for you? or was he completely and utterly embarrassed at the fact you did that.

“thank you” he whispered behind you, the warmth in his hand was all you needed to feel the comfort you were longing for at the dinner table.

“don’t sweat it jungwon” a smile forming on your face as you turned towards him. “it was suffocating being in there anyways”. he laughed to himself, understanding what you were saying as you dragged him forwards once you reached your room.

your room was unnecessary big, like every other room in your house. your bed was double the size you actually needed and you had a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. your ceiling also had hand painted flowers decorating it, simply adding to the beautiful chandelier. there wasn’t any expensive paintings or rugs in your room however, just a large vanity as well as a desk and a huge bookshelf with every book imaginable. you also had framed pictures of you and jungwon as children dotted around your room.

“look” jungwon picked up a picture of you two when you were in first grade. you were crying while jungwon was right beside you laughing, beneath you two was a broken sandcastle who you could distinctly tell who it belonged to. “i was so evil as a kid”.

“tell me about it” you looked at the picture in admiration. “i swore to myself that day i would hate you for a million million trillion hundred years” a chuckle left your mouth at the loving memory. memories with jungwon always left you happy, even the ones that weren’t as nice to experience firsthand.

“and this one” he picked up another picture. this time it was you and him maybe around three years ago at your family’s lake house. “you ignored me for the rest of the trip after i did this”. the two of you were on the balcony as he lifted you from the legs up, the scared look in your eyes made it obvious that the whole thing was a surprise. you were fond of that memory, you realised something that day about jungwon you never realised before. the thought of dating your best friend popped up in your head for the first time when that picture was taken. the thought horrified you so much that you ignored him for days on end after, making up the excuse that you were mad at him for scaring you that.

“look at my face oh god” the pink tint coming back to your cheeks remembering the story behind that picture. “that day i started—”. you shut yourself up quicker than expected.

“started what?” jungwon looked at you confused. you start curse yourself in your head for your mistake.

never in your many years of friendship could of prepared you for this. the you three years ago was exactly the same, except the fact that three years ago you found out you had feelings for jungwon and now you were about to accidentally spill the beans about those exact same feelings.

“it’s nothing” you shook your head dismissively . trying to distract yourself, you looked at the corner of your eye and noticed a picture of you two at your middle school graduation. your features softened at the happy grins on your faces, both holding a pretty bouquet of flowers the two of you gave each other. “i love this day so much, look we’re so happy”.

“our graduation?” jungwon moved closer to you to get a good look of the photo. “we look so cute”.

turning around to jungwon with a grin of being reminded of the special, you stopped abruptly. noticing how close he was you stepped back quickly, in a quite panicked manner. his eyes widened noticing your frantic moves, unsure why his stomach was churning at your panicked face.

“sorry” you play with the hem of your sleeve, embarrassed at the fact you were so close to him. you feel you face heating up and you weren’t so sure if you were blushing at the fact his face was almost touching yours or embarrassed by the way you staggered away from him. “you were really close to me”.

“sorry did it make you uncomfortable?” jungwon asked you with a concern expression on his face. you couldn’t tell him the reason you were so panicked was because your crush was so close to you. “i’ll be more careful next time”.

“no! you’re fine” a reassuring smile spread across your face in an attempt to calm him down.

the awkwardness following that incident was undeniable. you sat on your bed unsure what to say to make conversation with him, the problem was that you two usually had a lot to say. the situation right now was not how the two of you usually acted, the voices in your head silently yelling at you for being dramatic at the fact jungwon was so close to you.

jungwon on the other hand couldn’t stop replaying the image of you being so close to him. an unfamiliar feeling kept reappearing in his stomach, he’s never looked at you in this way ever. maybe the feeling sunghoon gave him was similar but at the same, it was far different.

“i don’t think— be careful” in rich kids fashion, jungwon was playing tennis with his equally as rich friend ni-ki, a transfer student in his class studying in korea until he graduates from a seoul university. a big emphasis on seoul due to the fact every rich child in korea have parents almost begging them to get into a seoul university or an ivy league.

the ball accidentally almost hitting jungwon rolls behind the boy, he could feel the exhaustion finally catching up on him from the non-stop moving he had done. he holds a hand up with a drained expression signalling his friend that he was done for maybe another thirty minutes or so.

“as i was saying...” ni-ki walked towards the tired boy holding out a water bottle. he quickly grabbed the drink from him before taking a large gulp, wiping off the excess water from the sides of his mouth. “hey! don’t drink all of that”.

“sorry” an exasperated gasp escaped jungwon’s mouth as he tried to catch up with his breathing. “carry on”.

“i don’t think you have the right to be jealous on who y/n likes” ni-ki takes a sip from the water bottle he took back. “isn’t kinda weird too? that you’re jealous about all of this”.

“i’m not jealous” he corrected him. “i don’t know, that sunghoon guy gives me a bad feeling”.

“that’s definitely jealousy” ni-ki let out a laugh looking at him. jungwon sent him a scowl before taking back the bottle from him. “anyways i thought you always had a thing for them” he starts to say as jungwon takes yet another sip, the boy looks at him in a confused way before pulling the bottle away from his lips.

“what are you trying to say ni-ki?”

“what i’m saying is that you can never go a day without mentioning y/n” he raised his eyebrow to try and convince him further. “plus you look at them with hearts in your eyes, and the fact you’re so bummed out about this sunghoon thing just confirms my suspicions”.

“i’m not following” jungwon looks back at ni-ki with a blank stare. the younger rolls his eyes before lightly hitting him on the shoulder. “no, seriously”. the boy sent him a glare before sighing.

“are you genuinely this oblivious or you just don’t want to tell me you like y/n?”.

“what do you mean like?” the word like seemed so unfamiliar to him at that moment. of course he liked you, you were his best friend. although from how ni-ki was speaking, he understood that he wasn’t talking about the best friend sort of like.

“you romantically like them” ni-ki said it casually, “here, i’ll ask you a question and you, silently, in your mind answer it. i want you to do it silently so you can have a realisation of some sort”.

“what do we need questions for—” he was quickly shut off by ni-ki’s shhhh as he continued his conversation. rolling his eyes at his friends antics, he quickly shuts up before listening to what he was trying to say.

“do you think about y/n when they aren’t around?”

yes? isn’t this normal though

“do you miss them when you aren’t with them?”

yes? again, isn’t this a normal thing?

“do you get happy when they achieve things? like you want to hug them or like... that thing people do why they lift someone up and spin them around”

yes?

“do you get jealous when other people get more attention than you?”

yes...?

“when you see them do you get butterflies?”

sometimes, i do definitely get nervous though

“i feel like all of those should more or less answer your question on if you like y/n or not” ni-ki finished off his short quiz. jungwon gave him a puzzled look, he thought everything he had mentioned was a normal thing that every feels with their best friend.

“aren’t these just normal things?”

“i mean they’re just the basics jungwon” he started out saying, “everyone’s different when they have a crush”.

“so that could mean i have a crush on you?” the joking smile placed on jungwon’s lips only made ni-ki roll his eyes at the corny joke.

“i’m flattered honestly but i’m sadly not y/n”

the sunset was a pretty shade of pink and orange, it made you feel light and at a sense of peace watching it. the thought of taking a picture suddenly appeared in your head, quickly reaching for your phone in a frantic action before the sky changes in colour. you felt embarrassed at the fact you were standing at the end of the sidewalk patting the sides of your coat in an attempt to find your phone, a confused expression spread across your face.

“aha!” you felt a familiar shape in the back pocket of your jeans. lifting up the object, you felt it slipping slightly. your eyes widened noticing a small thud behind you on the ground. turning around to reach your phone in hopes it wasn’t broken in any way, you noticed a familiar figure hovering above you holding out your phone in his hands.

“you dropped this” a playful tone rolled off sunghoon’s tongue. you happily take it off his hands before looking back up at him.

“sunghoon!” you beamed gleefully at him, “i thought you went home already?”.

“no” he rubbed the back of his neck, “i missed my bus so i had to wait here for a while. turns out there was an accident twenty minutes away so everything’s delayed”.

“oh no” you frowned at his words. your brain scanned through all the possibilities you could do to help the boy, your eyes lit up having the realisation on the perfect solution. “do you wanna walk with me? where do you live? i can just tell my friend that he doesn’t need to pick me up”.

“no no it’s fine y/n” sunghoon waves his hands dismissively. “you don’t have to do that, plus i bet you’d rather walk with your friend”.

“don’t be silly” you chuckle as you unlocked your phone, pressing jungwon’s contact you typed in many apologies telling him that you can’t walk with him since you’re walking with sunghoon. “i already told him”. your phone lights up again, a notification showing a reply from jungwon saying a simple okay.

“he doesn’t seem very happy” sunghoon stares at the notification. he looks back at you with seriousness in his eyes, “isn’t this the jungwon you and i were talking about?”.

“well yeah” you avoided eye contact with him, embarrassed that you were probably about to get scolded. not only does sunghoon help you with training but he also helps you in your love life. you two have probably talked more about jungwon than actual figure skating, sunghoon always sighing at you for once again not being able to tell him your feelings. “he’s been like that ever since last week, i thought this was normal. don’t boys also have puberty mood swings?”.

“what happened last week?” you two started to walk towards your destinations. sunghoon luckily lived quite near your house, well if you count just twenty minutes away from the gate of your gated community. you two have walked home together before, the action usually having a romantic undertone but you two never felt that way. you always have seen sunghoon as a friend, understanding that he’s never really given you the same feeling jungwon does. it goes the same for him, he sees you more as a younger sibling than anything.

“well, he started acting a little weird when you called me that morning”

“the morning i asked you how you and jungwon were doing?” sunghoon raises an eyebrow.

“yeah” you nod, confirming his guess. you let out a sigh before moving on to your next point, “and you know when i told you about that thing that happened when his face was really close to mine?”.

“the one where it was really awkward?”

“you didn’t need to mention it was awkward” you shiver in embarrassment remembering that night. “and yeah, after that he wasn’t really the same. plus do you know the weirdest part?”.

“what happened” sunghoon chuckled at your embarrassed pout silently to himself. you turned to him with your eyes wide and hands in the air about to animate your following words.

“his friend messaged me, his friend! the transfer student nishimura riki” your nose scrunched in confusion and frustration. your arms too also expressing your frustration. “his message was so weird too!”.

“what did it say?”

“i know who likes you” your frustrated expression was even more prominent. “it was so childish! i even replied with a question mark and he just sent me a sticker of a cartoon animal giggling!”.

“maybe he does know who likes you” sunghoon raises an eyebrow.

“he wouldn’t, nobody likes me” you frown at your own words. “he’s probably just messing with me like everyone else at school”. sunghoon stops in his tracks when he realised your miserable mood.

“hey—” sunghoon bent down a little to get a look at your face. “what’s wrong?”.

“it’s— it’s silly” you wipe your tears away. you weren’t expecting yourself to cry on an evening like this, especially not on the day you were walking home with sunghoon on.

“no y/n it’s okay” sunghoon looked around the area to see if there was anywhere to sit down at. noticing a bench near the two of you, he held onto your wrist bringing you to sit on it. “you can tell me anything y/n, i hope you know this”.

“i know” you sniffled, sadly smiling at the situation at that moment. “it’s just that i’m so tired of everything. jungwon acting weird with me was just the tip of the iceberg. i can’t help but think if i did anything to make him act like this”. sunghoon listened in silence, nodding at your words as he watched you in pity while tears streamed down your face.

“the fact that my classmates still ostracise me even though i try so hard to get to know them hurts so much. even though my parents tell me school isn’t for making friends, i desperately want to. i mean jungwon was there to help but like what i said before, he’s being really distant” the pace of your tears slowing down. “plus what his friend said didn’t help, it just felt like i was just the pit of a joke i wasn’t even aware of”.

“y/n i don’t know if i should say this but i think jungwon really—”

“y/n?” a familiar voice cut off sunghoon’s words. “are you okay? why are you crying?” you look behind sunghoon and realised it was jungwon saying all those things. you watched as his concerned expression warped into a furious one, his focus on sunghoon’s hand still on your wrist. you felt your eyes widen as you quickly shook off his grasp, standing up from the bench as you wipe the excess tears on your face.

“what did he do to you?” his words directed at you but his glaring eyes didn’t leave sunghoon. the realisation that jungwon misunderstood the whole situation dawned over you. taking a step forward you tried to open your mouth in an attempt to calm him down, only to be stopped by sunghoon who had his arm extended out, blocking your path to jungwon.

“i didn’t do anything” sunghoon explained calmly. he turned to you before looking back at the enraged boy. “i understand why would think that but honestly, it’s you two who need to have a talk, a long talk” he chuckles silently to himself before standing up.

“i wasn’t done talking to you—”

sunghoon gave him a smile before patting his shoulder, “just listen to what they have to say”. you watched as he waved you two off as made his way home. you stared at sunghoon’s walking figure in shock, not sure if you were entirely thankful he left you with an angry jungwon.

“did he do something to you y/n?” he made his way to you in a panic, his eyes scanning you to see if there was anything wrong with you. “i swear to god, i knew there was something wrong with him” he tried to look at your face, your head facing the ground blocking his view. “hey, look at me” his voice softening as he tried once again to get your attention.

“i’m sorry” tears welled up in your eyes again as you made eye contact with him. you couldn’t understand why you were crying, maybe it was all the emotions building up to this moment. even so, you were incredibly happy that jungwon was so concerned and even came to look for you. “sunghoon didn’t do anything, i was just venting to him”.

“y/n... did something happen?” his worried eyes looking hard into yours.

you played with you fingers as you tried to think hard on what to say next, is this the right time? i mean, in all honesty you had nothing to lose. in fact it was the perfect moment to confess your feelings, well after you explain everything to him.

“no” you sniffled, wiping away more tears you turned to him with a small smile. “let’s get home, shall we?”. he looked at you with bothered feeling, noticing it you frowned. “maybe i should tell you” you quietly let out, a silent chuckle following it.

“please tell me why you were crying y/n” his soft voice had hints of distressed tones in it, he was so visibly concerned about you. it’s possible that’s when you were reminded why you love jungwon, he cared about you so much that it felt like he could do anything for you. you gulp before opening your mouth, instantly closing it when words couldn’t come out. “hey... y/n?”.

“i can’t explain” that’s when you opted out of telling him how you felt. you thought that he already cared about you as a best friend, if he didn’t like you back. it was break down everything you had. you sigh before facing him once again. “we should really get going—”

“when— when you sent me that message, telling me you didn’t need me to walk you home because of sunghoon, it made me so upset and mad” he laughed to himself, the stutter in his words making him realise how nervous he was. you jump a little in shock when you realised his hand found its way to yours. the warmth of it soothed you, a pink tinge finding its way to your cheeks, an occurrence that always seems to happen whenever you were with jungwon.

“i stayed home sulking about it, messaged ni-ki about it and he was so mad at me” his eyes looked sincere, the pink tinge suddenly growing into a red one. “he told me if i didn’t, and i quote, get my ass there and walk you myself, he’d tackle me onto the ground”.

“i don’t get why you’re telling me this—”

“so i did” he continued, not stopping to explain anything to you but his own story. “i got up from bed and started travelling on the street you usually walked home on. i don’t know what i was expecting, but seeing you cry on that bench with that sunghoon guy beside you made me incredibly upset. i thought he did something to you! i can tell that i misread that completely”.

“jungwon” you speak up. you had no idea why he was reciting any of this, what was this even leading up to? a grin lights up on his face, the feeling his hand squeeze yours lovingly confusing you even more. “please tell me what your telling me-”

“i like you y/n” a sudden serious tone appearing. “not even like, i’m probably in love with you”. the shocked look on your face made him laugh endearingly, he pulled your hand lightly to bring you closer to him. “i mean it, honestly. it took three days of me thinking about what ni-ki had told me to even realise it”.

“so he wasn’t lying” you let out, still not recovering from the shock. you slowly move your head up to catch a glimpse of jungwon’s face, who quite literally snapped you back into reality. “wait, you like me really?”.

“yes!” he laughed as he pulled you into a hug, sending butterflies to your stomach. “why? do you not like me back?”.

“no!” you look at him in surprise. “wait! i do like you, it might be love too. i figured it out three years ago, when we were at my lake house”.

“three years ago?” the surprised look on his face slowly morphed into an endeared one once he caught you looking up at him with a cheesy smile. “you win with that one i guess”. the smiles on you both of your faces didn’t seem to falter while looking into each other’s eyes, the warm-cold breeze and the lightly tinted pink on both your cheeks adding to the scene.

“are we dating now?” he jokes as he takes out leaf from your hair.

“when did that get there” you place your hand on the spot the leaf was on. laughing it off, you look back up at him. the feeling of you in his arms still made your stomach flip, in a good way of course. “and yes, i suppose so?”.

“so now i can tell my parents i’m dating the smartest person in the country, as well as the prettiest?” he squeezes you tighter in a loving hug.

“so you’re just with me for my brains and looks?” sarcasm dripping from your words as you let out a loud laugh. “i’m kidding jungwon, yes you can tell them if you want to”.

“what are you gonna tell your parents?” a curious grin placed on his face.

“i’m dating my three year long crush”.

“as if they’d believe i’d be their precious child’s crush” he laughed as he loosened the grip on you. holding out his hand, you realised quickly that he wants you to hold it. “let’s get you back home before your parents send the police to look for you”.

“sure” you take his hand as you two walked down the street. both your sides looking as if you two were glued together from how the space was closed between the two of you, leaving no gap in between.

you always dreamt about your high school love story, even with your hectic schedule crushing you down everyday.

what you never expected was that your best friend was the start of it all.

[joyfulhopelox]

Board-shorts and Choppy Waves | KTH

╰►Pairing: Taehyung x Reader

╰►AU: summer love, meet cute, surf, s2l, i2l

Genre: fluff, with a tiny bit of angst

Rating: pg

╰►Word count: 17.6k

Warnings: mild swearing

╰►A/N: This is my contribution to the Summer of Love Collab, a collab i had not intended to be in but it just so happened that i fell in love with the story and i had to write it, the banner really did not come out as I'd planned but such is life! But be prepared for two idiots to fall in love. Where The Holiday (summer version) meets Gidget! I want to thank @notyouroppar for being not only the most amazing person for reading this over for me but also for fuelling my hype! secondly i want to thank everyone in this collab for being amazing and last but not least i want to thank @hobipaint and @yoonjinkooked for helping me get through this and for believing in this Taehyung!

Did I use Umji as inspiration for Ye Won? Yes. Is Taehyung’s surfer squad the almost complete real life Wooga Squad? Yes. That being said, enjoy! 💜

Copyrights for the story and banner @joyfulhopelox

╰►Summary: A city girl through and through, not used to anything but the hustling and bustling of the streets. From people with phones attached to their hands, the only accompanying noise you had on your way to work was the honking of angry drivers. However, even someone with a devil-may-care attitude can be fed up with such a life. In a desperate attempt to escape, you embark on a crazy adventure that leads you to Hawaii - on a surfboard! Living under someone else’s roof, you find that this may not have been the break that you strived for when the annoying brother comes into play. Riding a wave is like riding the subway, he told you, yet why did his hand holding yours feel like riding a rollercoaster?

Between a job that kept you tied to your desk, and a job that required you to run around town, trying to please everyone and their mother with your projects, you would’ve chosen the former. Correction, now you would choose the former one.

As a bright eyed child though, you’d chosen the latter. And somewhere in between trying to meet the producers– your hands overflowing with a stack of papers which balanced a precariously placed cup of coffee, and a video call with the actor’s managers– who had the audacity to request a jacuzzi on set, you were beginning to regret the decision.

“Yes, yes. I got it!” Weaving expertly through the hectic flow of people coming out from the subway, you tried to grip the phone tighter between your ear and shoulder. “No, no, unfortunately we cannot agree to those requests.” Humming in response, your ears painfully assaulted from the other end of the line, you apologised as your shoulder bumped into another and carried on without waiting for a response. As much as you wanted to stay and apologise, you didn’t have the time. If you learned one thing in this job, it was that lateness was not viewed nicely. As a newbie in the field, your punctuality has been subject to disapproval more than once.

“We shall see what we can do about that.” Not bothering to wait for the response on the other end of the line, you ended the conversation thankful for your balancing skills. Phone now added onto the pile, you continued weaving through the flow of people coming your way. Realising you hadn’t checked the time, you urged your legs to go faster, cursing that you decided to wear heels on a busy day like this. No matter how nice they made you feel, a day spent in pain whilst trying to be efficient was not worth it.

The building where your fate was sealed seemed to loom over you. Gazing up at it you swallowed, your throat dry. You knew without conviction you would get nowhere in the industry, and so with new resolve you made your way through the glass doors. Show time.

It only took a few hours for your blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels. Ever since walking through that door, it felt like nothing went the way you’d imagined it to. The meeting that was supposed to start on time was so delayed, you had to postpone the following meeting with the agent representing your newest addition to the cast. The rest tumbled down with the speed of an avalanche. Not having signed up to run around in heels for coffee, and especially not when you were one of the people meant to pitch the new series, your feet were throbbing and your patience wore thin.

The cherry on top of the cake was the call you received at the end of the day from your boss. It wasn’t an unexpected call, but dare you say, untimely. The call was short and sharp, delivering the blows that would ultimately lead to accepting your friends’ invite for a bar night.

The bar where you usually met your friends was surprisingly empty, though you suspected it was because it was the middle of the week. The few groups that littered the area made it easy for you to spot your obnoxious pair of friends. It seemed they were already on their second round of drinks, judging by the number of empty glasses and Georgie’s animated talk.

“I swear that’s what happened!” As you made your way towards the group, you heard Kate declare her ridiculousness with sincerity as the rest laughed at her. With a roll of your eyes, you slid in next to her.

“What did I miss?” You cheerfully interrupted their storytelling, sharing ‘hello’s’ with them and the obligatory catch up of mundane stories.

Taking a careful sip out of your drink you silently observed the ruckus they created around the table, their cheerful loud voices making you smile inwardly. You missed this.

“So, Y/N, how is that promotion going for you?” Georgie leaned over the table, seemingly to make herself heard over the loud music. Yet, by the suspicious raise of her eyebrows you were aware of what she had been implying. Your almost-fling with your boss.

“Georgie – no.” You shook your head, your attempt to shut down the conversation a poor one at best. “We are not going there.” Taking another sip of your drink you tried to come up with something to deter them from prodding further.

“Oh come on!” Kate insisted, her eyes wide. “You live like a prude married to their work most of the time,” She waved you away when you tried to poke her. “The one time you aren’t and you have a small chance at dating!” She exclaimed and you reached out to cover her mouth.

“Shush it, will you? Any louder and everyone in the bar will hear about my dating plight.” You argued back, frustrated with the situation you’d landed yourself in.

“-He’s my boss.” You countered, knowing full well that if you didn’t explain at least part of your reasoning, there was no way this would end. “Plus –“ you held out your hand to stop them from interrupting you. “He already has a girlfriend.” You took another long sip of your drink, satisfied with the way their faces dropped.

Georgie, to her credit, decided to keep her opinions to herself, occupying her time with swirling her own drink around. However, Kate, whom you’d known the longest, stared at you, eyes narrowed as if trying to figure you out.

“So what was that dinner about then?” She prodded further and you sighed, dramatically lowering your glass onto the table.

“Look, that dinner–“ You leaned forwards fixing them both with your gaze, a small smile forming on your face. “Was definitely about a promotion.” You said conspiratorially.

Unprepared for the joyful hoots from your friends, you leaned back as they both scrambled to hug you. They had been your best friends since college and they knew you better than anyone, especially the struggles you had to go through to even break into the film industry and get the position you were in now. Let alone a promotion.

By no means were you in a bad position, it definitely kept you in the city, and you could afford a good two bedroom apartment near Central London. but remembering the way you had to run around for coffee, not being able to refuse tasks left a bitter taste in your mouth. Definitely this promotion would not only open more doors for you, but also allow you to say no. The joy you felt as soon as you got the call earlier that evening washed away the pain of your blistered feet, and with a renewed spring in your step you had gone to the bar to share your good news with your friends.

“Oh my God, Y/N!” Kate exclaimed, clapping her hands enthusiastically. “This is amazing, you definitely needed this! How soon will you be filling the new role?” She inquired and your mood dropped instantly, reality washing over you.

Disentangling yourself from her hug, you sighed. “It’s a possibility, it’s not yet certain.” Your voice sounded gloomy, knowing full well that a possibility was not a certainty. “I still have to see this project through.” Tapping your fingers to the side of your glass you continued. “It’s a long few months of waiting now. I have done my job, all that needs to happen now is for the rest of them to do their job.”

Georgie looked at you empathetically, she knew what you meant. She, herself, was in a similar position to you. The silence that followed between the three of you was not uncomfortable by any means. The bass of the music pounding around you kept you company, an unneeded headache. But worth it if it meant you got to talk to your friends.

“So…” She trailed off, her eyes scouring the fuller bar. “What will you be doing now?” Turning her attention back to you, she raised her eyebrows at you. “Date? Holiday?”

The question took you by complete surprise, drink still in your mouth in the midst of swallowing, you struggled to not choke. Kate patted your back, an almost sympathetic look crossed over her face, only to be quickly replaced by a smirk. “No but seriously, Y/N.” Glaring at the both of them for ganging up on you, you shrugged.

“I have no intentions to be dating, and you know that.” You pointed at them, eyes narrowed. “As for holiday…” You trailed off. You couldn’t even remember the last time you had a holiday. Sure, you took your required days off, but you never left your apartment during those days. And to be completely honest, you only used them to catch up on work you did not get to do during the week, respond to emails you didn’t get a chance to, and order the occasional takeaway with a film in the evenings. But even that could count more as work than relaxing. Being in the film industry, you rarely found yourself enjoying a production without thinking about the ins and outs that went on behind the scenes to put it all together. The thought of an actual holiday has never even crossed your mind.

“-I do take holidays.” You weakly argued, but when you met the girls’ eyes you shrugged noncommittally. “Look, I can’t afford to.” You simply provided. That reason seemed to be enough to quieten them both, until Kate jumped up.

“I know!” She exclaimed, her palm slapping the table hard. “How about a house exchange?”

You stared at her oddly, wondering how much she’d had to drink, but she didn’t seem flushed, nor to be staggering on her feet. Instead of insulting her with questions about her sobriety you waited for her to explain herself. “You know, like, the ones where you do it through an agency.” She supplied, but at your furrowed eyebrows she sighed. “Kind of like an AirBnB, but this one is about you contacting a person who is willing to exchange their horse for a short period of time, and you are providing them with yours as a payment.”

At her explanation, your eyes went wide with surprise, your mouth hanging open. “Wha-?” It baffled you, the idea that someone would willingly not only supply you with their house, their sanctuary, but also they would agree to come and live in a stranger’s house. “What sort of scam is this?” You finally settled.

“It’s not a scam!” Georgie jumped in, the tone of her voice betraying her excitement. “My friend did it, and she loved it!” You watched her with a careful eye, trying to decide if both of your friends had had too much to drink. At your unconvinced look, Georgie sighed.

“Look, it’s worth thinking about it, you get to see pictures of the house first, and also talk to the owner beforehand. It’s not like you have no contact with them before you even get there.” She stated, carefully watching your expression turn thoughtful. As much as you enjoyed the idea of being able to live in someone else’s house, without paying too much for it, you had trust issues. You couldn’t just let anyone in your own home, just like that.

“Is there insurance? What about a contract? Will I be able to go anywhere? What if they steal something?” Before you could continue with your incessant worries, Kate interrupted you, a hand on your arm.

“Of course, there is insurance. This is all done through an agency, it is not like you email a stranger out of the blue-” At your unconvinced expression she carried on. “And there is a contract, and background checks, and you do get to pick which place you want to choose.” She breathed a loud sigh. “Look, Y/N, this may be a good time for you to take a break.” She patted your arm as if that would have convinced you that what she was saying was true.

Well, it was true, but they both knew you were a workaholic. It would take more than that to get you to let go of your responsibilities and take care of yourself first. Georgie followed Kate’s suit, her words sealing your fate.

“And you don’t want to date, so this is the best way to make sure that you take care of your own needs first.” Your alarmed expression made her continue. “You need a break, you have nothing else to do but wait, all you will do is worry and fret.” She waved her hand around as if to disperse the worries and fears mentioned.

“And-” Georgie leaned forward as if to share a secret and you mirrored her movement. “Think about it this way, you’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.” She smirked and you let your mouth drop, her idea already a seed in your mind.

She was right, Hawaii has always been a place you wanted to visit, never having the time or money to do so. This would be perfect for you. Still worried you nodded your head, enough for her to lean back a satisfied look on her face. She knew her job was done, but she couldn’t help but add. “And you never know, you may find your Surfer Charming there.” Georgie wiggled her eyebrows at you making Kate laugh and you narrowed your eyes at her, an offended look on your face.

“Georgie!” You then realised what she implied earlier. “Also, how does dating have anything to do with me taking a break?” You sounded indignant, and the three of you burst out laughing.

It took a few weeks for you to remember this conversation. They had been right, all you did during that period was fret, wait, and call people more than once trying to figure out if everything was going on as planned. These calls earned you more than a few groans and even some rejected your calls after the tenth time you tried to reach them within a day.

Deciding you’d had enough of your own brain, you chanced a look at the website Kate mentioned. The sight of all the reviews made you breathe out easier, of course you were going to head there first, the need to know how legit this whole business was too strong for you to get caught up in the lovely pictures littering the website. Once satisfied with the reviews you then let yourself fall into the hole, sinking in deep, and by the time dinner rolled round you had a few options you were considering as a potential. One in Europe, one in Asia, and one in Hawaii.

You bit your lip, this was one of the hardest decisions you had to make, the idea of doing this frightening. Needing more encouragement, you decided to call Kate once more to get her opinion on it, but before you could hit the dial, something caught your eye. The Hawaii exchange, the person in the bio stated they would prefer an exchange with someone from your own town, boring old London. Scrolling through the pictures once more, the airy feel of the house, along with the art that was tastefully decorating the space drew you in more and more. What sealed the deal in your eyes though, was the last picture, a view of a grand pool, the flowers that were scattered all around the garden giving you the feel of the paradise you craved. In the background the view of the ocean and the waves eased your worries and made your eyes glisten with hope. This was it.

Cursor over the email address, you read the name once more before you smiled to yourself.

‘Dear Ye Won,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing in regards to the home exchange; I happened to come upon your one and I was instantly drawn to it….’

The morning came quicker than you expected, the sound of your alarm blaring throughout the airy beach house jolting you out of bed in an unpleasant manner. You cursed at the inanimate object for not only waking you up, but for being the reason you had to move out of your comfortable spot under the duvet to turn it off. Deciding your joints were not in pain today was an easy feat, you didn’t crumple to the ground like you had previously and you could turn your head without feeling like your head’s being pounded by a rock.

The flight over from London had not been a pleasant one, the crying child next to you hadn’t allowed you to close your eyes for a second. He was not at fault and you knew that, no one could last unscathed through an 18 hour flight; but, the throbbing headache you sported now was definitely blaming him. To make matters worse, the flight to Honolulu had been delayed enough that when you landed you had little to no time to spare before your flight over to Maui. You’d think that they would have more flights in a day towards such a popular destination, however, you were soon to find out that it was not the case.

Bags in hand, trying to multitask, desperately running towards what you assumed to be your gate, whilst checking the status of your flight as you passed by the information board– it was all a disaster waiting to happen. And when a disaster is waiting to happen, chances are it will. One moment you were skillfully dodging a passerby and the next you found yourself bumping into a solid chest, the wind knocked out of you. Derailed from your goal and with the pain of having bumped your nose into someone’s torso, it took you a good moment to realise what had happened.

“Tsk, look where you’re going.” The deep voice held the annoyance of someone who’d just been through a rough day, and normally you’d do your best to apologise. However, you’d had just as rough of a day and it was still not over, not to mention you were in a hurry. Pleasantries would have to wait.

“I’m late. And you could also look where you’re going.” You simply announced with a huff not bothering to look up, the tip of your nose still throbbing.

“Did I mention anything about your lateness, does it seem like I have time?” The man, judging by the voice, retaliated. You rubbed the tip of your nose to make sure that nothing was bruised before you glanced up, your eyes narrowed as the obvious rudeness of this person. The sight that greeted you was not what you’d expected, and once again, under normal circumstances you would have paused to gawk. He was beautiful, there was no other way to describe him. His light brown hair was quite shaggy, offering him an unkempt appearance, the bandana that tied around his head keeping his bangs from obstructing his eyes. And what eyes, his gaze locked onto yours, the ebony colour intensifying the coldness in them, you found yourself lost for words.

“Well, are you going to move out of the way?” He nodded his head impatiently as if that would simply remove you from his path. With those words, the bubble you were in completely dissipated, reality crashing down on you. You were still late. With a gasp, you didn’t bother responding to him; your grip tightened on your bag and you dashed around him, praying that those few minutes were not wasted and the flight hadn’t left without you.

Now, seated at the counter of the vast kitchen, a coffee cup in hand, you had time to think about the events from the airport. With a pained sigh you admitted to yourself you’d been the one in the wrong, not only having bumped into an innocent passerby, but also starting an argument with them instead of apologising and being on your merry way. You were certain that under normal circumstances you wouldn’t have reacted this way.

“Oh, well…” Muttering to yourself you took a last sip of your coffee thanking the stars the person who offered you the place had enough stocked to last you for a couple of days. Having arrived late last night, you hadn’t had the time to explore the area, let alone think about stocking up on food. To you, it felt like a holiday - and in a way you supposed it was, only you were without the ease of being in a hotel and having a restaurant at your doorstep.

The lack of traffic echoing in your ears felt unfamiliar, the stillness of the house reminding you of a horror film where the protagonist is only seconds away from being snatched. Only, you were not in an old abandoned house. One quick glance around told you a lot about the person that swapped homes with you. Their interest in art and interior design was clearly reflected in the way they had decorated the house. The rooms were wide and airy, yet the abundance of paintings and figurines scattered everywhere made it resemble an art gallery. Walking around trying to familiarise yourself with the house, you decided that this home would be your little piece of heaven for the next month. Especially when you reached the end of the house and stumbled upon a lovely back garden, the fence lined with palm trees and gardenias scattered all around a clear pool. Excitedly, you rushed back to your bedroom for your swimsuit. Exploring the area could wait a few more hours. You were on holiday, and what could be more holiday-esque than taking a dip in a pool, in Hawaii!

Deciding on the first suit that you came across, you debated whether or not you should cover yourself up until the pool, but before you could make a decision a loud thud coming from the front door jolted you.

With your heart pounding, you padded towards the corridor at the sound of a voice yelling “Ye Won! Open up!” as they kept pounding against the wooden door. Aware that it was not your house and afraid for the door’s hinges you ran to respond.

In a rush to get to the door before the person on the other end broke in, you had completely forgotten to cover yourself up. When the thought suddenly occurred to you, it was already too late. You had the front door wide open ready to greet whoever was one the other side.

“Thank God you responded I was ready to break the door- What the fu-” A deep voice greeted you and you couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded at the man standing in front of you. A very handsome man. His ebony eyes and light brown coloured hair looked too familiar for your liking.

“You- the airport- what?” He sputtered pointing at you, rubbing his eyes as if he was unable to believe the sight before him- and what a sight you were.

You felt as if the proverbial rug had been swept from under your feet. Once his words finally registered in your head you realised the promiscuous position you were in. Not only was the stranger you almost assaulted at the airport in front of you, but you were also standing there on display in a bikini. Your attempt to calm yourself down was futile, the adrenaline coursing through your veins giving way to your fight or flight reflexes. And you chose flight. With a shrill scream you didn’t think twice before slamming the door in his face, your heart threatening to pound out of your chest.

“Fuck.” What was he doing here?

You didn’t know how long you spent leaning on the door, heart in your throat, your mind devoid of any rational thought but when another pounding vibrated through you, it broke you out of your daze. Jumping up, you shook yourself off from any theories as to why the stranger you argued with in the airport could be there. Making sure you were presentable, with a trembling hand you reached for the door, hesitating.

“Open up!” With another loud pound against the wooden material that made you jolt away from the door, the man carried on yelling. “Open up or I am using the key, and I don’t care about whatever various states of undress you are in!” His voice turned dark towards the end, the huskiness in it making you shiver involuntarily. You weren’t a pushover, so with the intention to get him straight you swallowed your pride and opened the door abruptly, catching him mid knock.

“What do you want? Who are you and what are you doing here?” Tapping your foot impatiently, you resisted the urge to look at him more than necessary. Just like you did at the airport, you found him incredibly attractive. With his ruffled dark locks - this time tied in a bun at the top of his head, another bandana keeping the strays away from his face. His light coloured shirt contrasted greatly with his slightly tanned smooth skin and the boardshorts he was wearing were giving away a bit too much for your imagination to not run wild on you.

Mouth wide open, he didn’t offer you the same consideration, his eyes raking over your covered form, his intense dark gaze making you shift on spot. Arms crossed around your chest in an attempt to preserve your decency, you narrowed your eyes at him. “You come here, almost breaking the door down and don’t even have the decency to introduce yourself to the person living here?” You asked pointedly, your tone sharp, the annoyance clear in your voice.

“Just as you did when you bumped into me yesterday?” He was quick to retaliate, his stance mirroring yours. No one said anything for a few seconds, the air around you felt charged with electricity as you tried your hardest to not stray away from his dark brown eyes. You cocked an eyebrow mockingly, daring him to be the first one to break the staring match.

“Taehyung.” He conceded after a few more seconds, the weight of your stare too dangerous for his imagination. He had to admit you were beautiful, and the sight of your angered state made you even more attractive in his eyes. Deciding it was a biased opinion, he put it down to the fact that this is the only way he’s seen you up until then. The fiery glint in your eyes accentuated by rosy cheeks from the blood rushing to your face in anger.

Hearing his response and accepting it as defeat, you lowered your arms, a satisfied smirk on your face. But before you could loudly announce your win, he carried on, his response nailing you on the spot. “And this is my sister’s house.”

Eyes wide, you gaped at him. “This is what now?” You couldn’t believe your ears, his words ringing in your head as dread washed over you. “You mean to say, you live here?” You felt the telltale signs of anger readying a harsh email back towards the woman who exchanged houses with you.

Taehyung’s eyes widened, the preposterous idea making him guffaw. “What? No!” He was quick to refute. The clear panic in his voice at the thought was enough to make you sigh in relief, sending a mental apology towards Ye Won. “I’m here to see Ye Won, are you the maid?” He looked you up and down thoughtfully. “She did say she was going to get a maid, but if she’s not home I wouldn’t go around gallivanting–“ He pointed at the shift covering you, “up and down like this.”

With an indignant huff you wondered if Ye Won would be ok with you breaking her brother’s nose. Having exchanged emails with her for the better part of a month, you discovered she was not only a genuinely nice person but also considerate as she made sure to walk you through not only the house’s quirks, but also different customs in Hawaii and things to do to occupy your time. Though, you thought eyeing Taehyung with distrust, not that considerate.

“So–“ Taehyung glanced inside, his height making it easy for him to do so without struggling too much. “Where’s Ye Won?”

Scoffing at him you prepared to close the door in his face. “She’s not here, she’s in London.”

If you weren’t so annoyed at his earlier indiscretion you would’ve laughed at the way his face fell, mouth agape. “What do you mean she’s in London? Then why are you here?” He pointed at you accusingly.

“Look, it’s my first day here and I would like to spend it in a meaningful way.” You threw him a pointed look alluding to his behaviour from earlier. “If you want more details I am sure your sister can give them to you.” You placed a hand on his chest, pausing at the feel of muscle underneath your palm. Shaking yourself out of it, you reminded yourself you didn’t know this person, nor did you want to. “Now if you will excuse me.” You lightly pushed him out the doorway before shutting the door in his face.

“What a character.” You muttered, your thoughts completely taken over by the excitement awaiting you for the day.

“Kate, I’m telling you, it’s all fine. I have a long list Ye Won gave me of things to do.” Phone pressed to your ear, you reassured your friend on the other side of the ocean.

“And?” She inquired and paused hoping for more information from you. When the pregnant pause extended she sighed exasperated. “Y/N! Come on, you’re in Hawaii! What about any hot guys?”

You laughed at her, only for your thoughts to drift to the ponytailed devil you’ve met earlier. “Mnope.” You drawled, occupying yourself with the flowers in the garden. “Nothing worth mentioning.” At the whine on the other end, you felt the need to defend yourself. “Kate! I’ve only been here for a night! There is no way I could’ve met anyone in this amount of time. And also–“ you raised your voice trying to mask the blatant lie you just told her. “I am not here to meet anyone. I am here to relax.”

Kate snorted, the thought of you and relaxation in one sentence amusing to her. “You mean you will actually not think about work? Check emails? Fret about details?”

“Shhh, I know what you are trying to do.” You laughed at her ridiculousness. “Yes, I will rest. And no, I will not be hunting any men.” You added ending the call before she could speak her mind about your personal choice of staying single.

On second thought, you had absolutely no clue what you wanted to do. Going over the list Ye Won so kindly provided for you, you felt overwhelmed. It wasn’t that you weren’t any good with lists, you lived for them, your job relied on them more than you cared to admit. This list though, entailed you relaxing and having fun, two concepts which you’ve rarely experienced since leaving university.

“Not this,” your finger skimmed over the list, making a mental note to ask Ye Won what exactly did ‘going mental at the Sailor Jerry Festival’ meant. “Aha! Beach!” You exclaimed, face lighting up with excitement. “I know how to do that!” Glancing underneath the list of beaches your eyes caught her suggestion of what to do on said beaches. “Should I–?”

Smiling lightly to yourself, you nodded. Surfing. Look for Hyung Sik. Giddy at the thought of doing something out of the norm, you imagined what Katie and Georgie would say if they knew. Gathering your things you decided it was worth a try, if only to get yourself familiarised with the area and walk to the beach. Well, surf’s up I guess.

The road to the beach was littered with stalls ready to exhibit the best of what Hawaii had to offer, and you spent more than you had planned just in awe at the multitude of colours around you. The music and the atmosphere surrounded you fully, and you happily immersed yourself in the experience. For the first time in forever you felt free, the breeze coming from the ocean soothing your worries.

After a journey that took you an hour longer than intended, you reached the beach, your eyes scouring for the hut Ye Won mentioned. Past the showers, down towards the Surfer’s Den bar, you tried to remember the instructions written on the paper. Feet buried in the soft sand, your eyes wandered towards the way the soft waves broke as they reached their final destination, the music of the sea lulling you into a daydream.

“Yo-” The sound of someone yelling broke you out of your daze and you craned your neck to catch a glimpse of the source. “You’re gonna run into the tables.” Finally spotting the man waving at you, you stopped, your brain registering what he was trying to tell you. Looking around confusedly, you realised you were a few centimetres away from slamming into one of the tables that belonged to the bar.

“Oh,” squinting, you waved back to the man in thanks when your eyes caught the sign above his head. “Surf’s up.” You mumbled to yourself before your eyes lit up in recognition. “Oh! This is it!” You quickened your pace, hoping to reach the hut before you had the chance to change your mind. The man had his back towards you now, too preoccupied with a surfboard, the sheer size of it making you gulp.

“Uhm, excuse me.” You tried, your voice cracking. You didn’t know why you suddenly turned shy, you were used to talking to big names, people who could eat you for breakfast, you never faltered once. Why were you all of a sudden becoming a wallflower?

With new resolve, you tried again, your voice a notch higher. “Excuse me, are you Hyung Sik?” You asked as the man suddenly turned around, almost clocking you in the face with his elbow.

“Oh shit, I'm sorry.” He apologised, seeing your disgruntled expression. “No bubs, I’m not name’s Woo Sik.” Your heart sighed in relief at this, you could come another time, you promised yourself. But before you could turn around and run for the hills like you’d planned to, the man carried on, crushing your escape plan. “But he’s inside, I can bring him out for you.”

You wanted to tell him no and that it’s okay, but before you could utter a word he had already gone back inside, coming out with another person behind him. Wait. Another two people behind him. Were all the guys in Hawaii this hot? You questioned, the sight of their handsome faces making you freeze on spot.

“Here she is.” The man you spoke to before, Woo Sik, turned to one of the men following behind him. You assumed him to be Hyung Sik and you turned towards him, prepared to stick a hand out in greeting.

“Oh shit man, she is beautiful.” The man exclaimed and before you could decide whether you were flattered at the compliment or alienated by the thought of them talking about you behind your back, he rushed towards you, and pulled you into a friendly hug.

“Welcome to Surf’s up. I’m Hyung Sik, I’m assuming you are looking for a teacher?” He let go of you, hand still on your shoulder and you raised your eyebrow at him.

“What makes you think that, I could just be–“ you glanced at the sign behind him that read boards for hire. “Looking to hire a board...”

Hyung Sik looked you over for a second and you fought the urge to squirm under his gaze. “No offence bubs, but you look like a city person. We had one of them once,” he turned towards his friends and chuckled, “he’s a pro surfer now but, man, you city bros are so easy to read.”

The comical way in which he threw his hands up in mock frustration made you burst out laughing. You knew you should’ve taken offence at what he said, but you couldn’t find it in you. He seemed too genuine in his opinion for it to be an insult. And it’s not like he was wrong.

“Right, yes, I am looking for a teacher.” You nodded, sheepishly.

“Well bubs, I would love to be yours, I have a feeling you’re a cool one, but unfortunately I have some business I need to take care of.” He sighed dramatically.

“Oh don’t I know that.” You laughed, preparing yourself to leave once more, the hope in your heart rekindled. If he was busy you would definitely have to come again later. “Well– Ye Won’s suggestion will have to wait then.” You spoke to yourself.

“Ye Won.” The man whom you haven’t been introduced to spoke, eyes gleaming with surprise. Hyung Sik let out a loud laugh at his friend’s obvious behaviour. The man was handsome, his crooked smile and short hair giving him an air of youth that you deemed attractive. But judging by his reaction, he was already spoken for so with a shrug you nodded.

“Hush man,” Woo Sik laughed, slapping his friend over the back, the sound of it making you wince. “This lovesick fool is Seo Joon. He may be handsome, but he’s a tool.” He filled you in.

You laughed, your eyes tearing up. Between your pearls of laughter and the men’s bickering you missed the new addition to your group. “Don’t worry, I deal with tools more than I care to admit.” You winked in Seo Joon’s direction, your eyes catching sight of the man behind him. “Speaking of tools- Taehyung“ you muttered rolling your eyes. The men looked at you confusedly, before said man made his presence known.

“Y/N. You're stalking me?” He took a step towards you, the smirk on his face infuriated you.

“Perfect timing, Taehyung.” Hyung Sik wound his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders. “You got a new student.” He looked at his friend pointedly, and you had a feeling it was not a request as much as it was a command.

Taehyung prepared himself to object before you stepped in. “Oh no no, it’s ok. I can come back another time.” You tried to escape out of it, the prospect of having Taehyung as an instructor was not sitting well with you.

“Nonsense. He may be an ass, but he’s the best surfer we have.” Seo Joon smiled at you reassuringly before he lightly kicked his friend in the shin. “Stop staring.” He said amusedly, bringing your attention back to Taehyung.

“He may be a good surfer.” You said unconvincingly, “but that doesn’t make him a good teacher.” You shrugged at Taehyung’s now offended expression.

“Ohhhh I like her, can we keep her?” Woo Sik laughed, throwing his arm around your shoulders making you blush.

Taehyung looked pointedly at his friend’s arm around you before he grabbed your forearm and pulled you to him. “Fuck off Woo Sik. I’ll show you a good teacher.”

Before you could protest, he pulled you away, marching towards the side of the hut, you in tow. His friends’ laughter and teasing comments from behind were not lost to your ears. “Careful Taehyung, you may end up drowned in the ocean.”

“Right, first, you need to-” Taehyung started, only to realise he had been speaking into thin air, your form already ahead of him, ready to reach the water. “Oi!” He yelled after you, the panic settling into his heart. The waves were too dangerous for you to get in there straight away. Sprinting he ran as fast as he could, grabbing your shoulder right before you could reach the edge of the sand. “What do you think you are doing?” He huffed, trying to catch his breath.

Looking in between him and the water confusedly, you pointed at it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’m uh, taking a dip?” You stared at him, eyes narrowed. “What do you think you’re doing?” You pointed at him, his shirt having unbuttoned after his mad sprint. You would’ve lied if you said it wasn’t distracting, the sight of his collar bones drawing imagery in your head you didn’t wish to have.

“Hyung Sik gave me you as a student, and we are going to learn how to surf. And this” he pointed at you, giving you a chastising look as if you were a petulant child, “is not how you do it.”

“Did I agree with you being my teacher?” You huffed, the idea of being alone with him, in water not sitting well with you. “You can learn how to surf, I will just enjoy my time swimming until someone else is available to teach me.”

Taehyung stared at you, your stubbornness shocking him into silence. “Y/N, you’re a bore.” He shrugged and you gaped at him, offended by what he was implying.

“I am not!” You almost stomped your foot, only stopping yourself when you remembered you were a grown adult not a child. “I can have fun, thank you very much.” Taehyung cocked his eyebrow, the unconvinced expression on his face spurring you on in an attempt to defend yourself. “I once went rock climbing!” You proudly declared, hoping that this would be enough to redeem yourself. You didn’t know why you felt the need to prove him wrong, but the impulse had been there ever since you met him.

“Oh, right. And let me guess, you’ve never done it again after that?” He teased you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Feeling the need to defend yourself you almost lied, ready to tell him that you had done it multiple times after that, but in reality you knew it was not true. So with your head slightly lowered you mumbled a response.

“Ah, I knew it. Tell you what?” He proposed and you looked up at him, your breath catching in your throat. The way the morning sun caught his brown eyes, making them sparkle, made him look devilishly handsome in your eyes. If it was not for his attitude, you would have probably went for Georgie’s advice and tried to flirt, but this was a hopeless case. “I will make you lose that stuck up city shell in a couple of days.” He proposed, the smug smile on his face egging you on.

You didn’t know what possessed you to agree with it, it may have been your desire to prove him wrong, it may have been your guilty pleasure of being near him, but you readily grabbed his hand and shook it, sealing the deal.

“Fine. Now-” You looked at the ocean, the prospect of being on them on a plank making you gulp. “Where do we start?” You glanced at him, the defiance replaced with uncertainty. You were out of your element, and you were ready to admit that.

Taehyung stifled a laugh at your constipated expression, his heart warming at the thought of you placing his trust in him, regardless of your previous encounters. “Not here, City Girl.” He winked, his hand still in yours, he pulled you further in. “We need to get you used to being on the board first. And those waves will do nothing but swallow you whole.” He pulled you towards the sand, his board already placed on it in position.

“Oh so you are not putting me on a plank in the sea like pirates do huh?” You jokingly nudged him, shoulders more relaxed at the thought of being on land for the time being. Taehyung couldn’t help but laugh at your joke and as he motioned for you to stand on the board he added.

“Nah, we only make you walk the plank as an experienced surfer. For the moment you are a swabby.” He nudged you with his shoulder, making you lose your balance. “Oh lord, we need to work on that.” He sighed and you whined indignantly.

“I was not prepared! I swear my balance is better than that.” Trying to prove him wrong you went to get yourself back into position, only to miscalculate how soft the sand underneath your feet was. With a loud yelp you hurtled towards him, hand barely grazing his shoulder in a futile attempt to steady yourself, and you landed painfully on your knees. Mortified at having displayed such graceful behaviour in front of him you groaned.

“Told you.” Taehyung smiled at you and offered his hand to help you up. Pulling you back onto your feet, you steadied yourself and before the smell of him combined with the scent of the beach could throw you into a daze, you stepped away from him with an awkward cough.

“So what do I do?” You could have cursed yourself for sounding so shy, but the nerves that were piling ever since you arrived at the beach got the better of you. Smirking at you, Taehyung pulled you back onto the board.

“Well, now that I’ve witnessed you fall for me once, let’s work on your balance.” Gaping at his brazen attitude you bit back a snarky remark, settling for cursing him under your breath as you deliberately stepped on his feet.

The rest of the day, you spent in agonising pain, your feet on the board and the sun beating down on your back, your mind muddled with thoughts of the man who happened to have lost his shirt due to the heat, as he put it.

“So we are done?” You couldn’t help but blink at him in gleefulness. The prospect of being near him for longer than necessary made your heart beat out of your chest.

Taehyung laughed at your hopeful expression, undecided whether the small bursts of happiness he felt were because he was just about to burst your bubble or if it was something else.

“Oh no, this is not a one time lesson.” He picked up the surfboard, his warm hand on your naked lower back pushing you towards the ocean.

“We are going to be here for a while.” He smiled at you innocently, and your breath caught in your throat as he leaned down, his breath fanning over your face with a carefree expression. “Every day.” Oh shit.

The morning came too quickly, and you struggled to get yourself out of bed. The prospect of getting more bruised and battered than you were already was not an incentive. Thinking of the previous days of activities reminded you of the man that promised you a fun week. Taehyung drove you up the wall in more ways than one. Half the time you didn’t know whether you wanted to throttle him or kiss him; his demeanour giving you whiplash every time you argued with him. You couldn’t say you had a normal conversation with him since you’d met. First, the airport where he more than readily called you an asshole, then his first appearance at his sister’s house when he called you a maid. The tip of the iceberg were the surfing lessons he’d been roped into by his friends.

Lessons where he insulted you and your skills, whilst his hands were resting on your naked skin, as he tried to steady you on the board. Remembering how his slender hands held you by your naked waist as he barked at you to hold yourself up all but made you groan in frustration. How could such an attractive man have such a sour personality? You couldn’t explain it to yourself, especially when his friends seemed to be the nicest people you’d ever met.

Thinking about their interactions, the brotherly link between all of them, the way Taehyung interacted with them, his carefree attitude and boyish smirk as they teased each other about one thing or another - gave you even more of a headache. Seeing him like this made you realise that there was more underneath the front he put up when talking to you, and you would be lying to yourself if you said his blaise attitude towards life didn’t draw you in.

A knock at the door broke you out of your thoughts, and you scrambled to get out of bed, your foot getting caught. Stumbling, you didn’t think twice about the way you looked, or the fact that you had just woken up; you headed straight towards the front door, opening it.

“Are you going to make it a habit to present yourself in the worst ways possible?” Taehyung’s amused tone greeted you and you yelped, the urge to shut the door once more too strong. But before you could give into the impulse, his foot stuck through the doorway and he slipped inside before you could do anything.

Humming quietly to himself, he made his way towards the pool as if this was his own home. In a way you supposed it was. “Uh, want some coffee?” You offered and he waved you off, not bothering to answer as he slipped outside. You rolled your eyes at his behaviour and turned around towards the kitchen for a much needed coffee, but not before you made a beeline for the bathroom to make yourself presentable.

A few good minutes later, most of which was spent in the bathroom rearranging your hair, you made your way towards the back of the house towards the garden. The early morning air, spiced by the fresh smell of the ocean with floral hints from the gardenias in full bloom, made you smile. Your tense posture relaxed as you sipped your coffee. You took in the bright yellows reflecting in the sky, and the pool which housed a bare chested man.

Sputtering, you coughed out your mouthful of coffee, almost tempted to rub your eyes in case what you saw was a mirage made up by your tired brain. What was Taehyung doing in your pool? His back was towards you and you took the time to observe the way his muscles strained against his sun kissed skin. Mouth hanging open you gulped, the sight of his bare back too much for your brain to handle.

You glanced away before you cleared your throat loudly to get his attention. “Care to tell me what you are doing in the pool?” You questioned, your eyes observing the bushes of manfern. You waited for a full minute before you got a verbal reply, the splashing sounds coming from the side an indication of him approaching you.

“Care to tell me who you’re talking to?” He mocked, your stubbornness amusing him. Pushing himself out of the pool as you turned around to give him a piece of your mind was a disaster waiting to happen. Your words caught in your throat, the sight of his bare chest and water dripping down it reminding you of how lackluster your dating life had been until then.

“Fu- You of course.” You exclaimed, your brain struggling to form a full sentence without a swear word in between.

Taehyung enjoyed the way your cheeks flamed red, the sight of your flustered face made him as amused as it did aroused, with the knowledge that he had been the one to make you that way. “Then, is there a reason you are not looking at the person you are addressing?” He couldn’t help himself, the need to tease you further overweighing everything else. Your reactions were gold to him and he planned to make the most of it.

“Is there a reason you’re naked?” You shot back, your eyes narrowed.

“I went for a swim.” He replied calmly as if you were missing the obvious. “Plus I am not naked, I'm wearing shorts.” He motioned towards his lower half and you couldn’t help but follow his movements, your eyes stuck on his narrow waist and happy trail leading towards imagery you’d rather have not thought of. You redirected your gaze at him, his smirk making you want to clock him in the face.

“Amazing.” You muttered not sure exactly what you may have been referring to. “Now that you are out the pool, can you put a shirt on?” You made a point by grabbing the towel sitting innocently on the back of the lounge chair and throwing it at him. Desperate to change the subject you hurriedly added. “What are you doing here this early? I thought we were meeting at the beach.”

Taehyung struggled not to laugh at your plight and instead he shrugged nonchalantly. “We were, but the waves are wild today. There is no way it’s safe for any of us out there.” He toweled himself and you tried your hardest to keep your eyes trained on his face instead of his well defined abs. “Thought it would be best if we went rock climbing instead.”

His proposition was enough to make you forget his state of nakedness, and you gaped at him. “Definitely not!” You shook your head, arms crossed in defiance. “Nuh-uh, no way.”

“Why are you being such a sourpuss?” He demanded, hands crossed over his chest and you tried your hardest not to stare. The sunrise was casting its rays over the two of you, causing the sheen of sweat and water clinging to his tanned skin to glisten. His stance did nothing to help with your staring, or your desire to reach out and run your hands over his bicep, if only to prove whether or not his skin was as soft as it looked.

With a hard gulp, you forced your gaze away from his naked chest, praying that he hadn't noticed the way it lingered there for a second too long. Locking eyes with his amused ones, the tick at the corner of his mouth suggested otherwise and you felt yourself flush. Mortified at having been caught ogling at the person you’ve readily declared to dislike. His words barely registered in your head as you bristled, “I am not a sourpuss.” You declared, copying his stance, arms crossed over your chest a defiant glint in your eyes.

Taehyung wondered if you realised that your position accentuated your bikini clad upper body. His mouth suddenly became dry as he tried not to stare at the way your breasts pushed upwards, or think how much the blush still dusting your cheeks made him want to act on impulse and kiss you senseless. As rough and blunt as you’d been until then, he couldn’t deny his attraction towards you, your wit and honesty drawing him in.

“I am just cautious.” You were quick to defend yourself, interpreting his stare as his rebuttal towards what you’d just declared. “I don’t like heights.” You mumbled, your arms dropping to your side, turning your gaze towards your feet.

Taehyung’s gaze softened, a small smile flitting over his face before he straightened himself and with a hard tone he replied, “It’s not that high, and you literally decided to ride waves without a second thought. With this at least you have a harness and protection.” He motioned towards the angry wall of water, its height and aggressiveness the only reason why he decided to forego his lessons for the day. He looked at the waves wistfully; for him it would have been the perfect time to ride. Throwing a glance in your direction he shook the thoughts away. You weren’t ready for this, and if turning his back towards the session meant keeping you safe, then he would do it without a second thought. He wouldn’t let you know though, your clear distaste for anything remotely caring coming from him had been made clear earlier that week.

Sighing you nodded, he was right. Gathering your last bit of courage, you straightened yourself, shoulders square staring him straight in the eyes. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Taehyung nodded at you, the desire to take your hand to comfort you was strong, your quivering lip giving away the nervousness underneath the bravado. To prevent himself from further scaring you away, he stuffed his hands inside his pockets and motioned with his head towards his car. “Let’s go then.”

****

The sight of the tall wall in front of you made you gulp, rampant thoughts of how you were going to fall running through your head.

“You scared?” Taehyung asked, his eyes searching yours. At the discomfort he found in them he smiled ruefully. “You’re scared.” He declared and you huffed at him, puffing your cheeks.

“I am not!” You stomped your foot in discontent, closely resembling a child, and Taehyung couldn’t help but laugh. Realising what you’ve done you relaxed your stance before you slowly nodded. “I’m not good with heights.” You mumbled, admitting this to him made you feel ashamed and you couldn’t bring yourself to look him in the eyes.

Taehyung cleared his throat, berating himself for making you feel self conscious. His intention was to plan an activity that you would not only find fun, but also liberating, not to make you feel inadequate. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with not being good with heights!” He said but you still looked unconvinced. He stopped, his mind trying to find a way to make you feel better. “Ah, did you know I was terrified of water?” At your surprised stare it was his turn to blush. Sharing information not many people knew about him, not even his closest friends, made him nervous.

“You? No way?” Your mouth dropped incredulously. Having witnessed him in the water, you could have sworn he was born in it. “But...you’re so good!” At his sheepish nod you smiled at him, the thought of having knowledge about something so personal to him made you feel warm, a wave of affection washing over you.

“But don’t tell the guys, I’ll never hear the end of it.” He whined and you couldn’t help but laugh at him, the tense atmosphere disappearing into thin air.

“So how did the mighty Kim Taehyung end up loving the water?” You inquired, enjoying the conversation that ensued between the two of you. For the first time since having met him, you spent your time admiring the boyish grin and carefree attitude directed only towards you instead of afar.

****

“Oh my god Taehyung, stop!” You laughed, unable to control your amusement at his actions. Taehyung smiled softly to himself, your laughter echoed in his brain like a song on repeat. Turning towards you with a silly smile he motioned towards the front.

“You ready?” The queue was getting smaller and smaller and you were becoming more and more nervous. Your palms began sweating, and you were certain the feeling of stickiness running down your spine was not just the sun beating down onto your naked back. The encouraging chants in your head weren’t doing a good job of keeping your anxiety at bay anymore and the churning in your stomach was a telltale sign of nausea.

“Y/N, seriously, please stop.” Taehyung grabbed your hands, and you jolted not having realised the tight hold you had on the straps of your bag. Ignoring the warmth of his smooth long fingers prying yours away from each other, you bit your lip, the butterflies in your stomach kicking up a flurry. You could’ve sworn they weren’t there at the beginning, the churning in your stomach feeling different from before. Refusing to glance his way, you kept your eyes locked onto the wire that could be your potential demise. The sight of it combined with the shouts from the people going down was doing nothing to calm your nerves. You didn’t even notice when you allowed Taehyung to interlink your fingers together, or when you gripped his hand tightly in a desperate attempt to ground yourself– but he did.

Taehyung’s gaze flitted towards your hands, the feel of your tight hold on his hand drawing his attention. For a second he allowed himself the illusion of hope, but as soon as he saw the paleness of your skin he quickly acted, afraid you may end up puking before the fun had even begun.

“Come on, we can leave if you want to.” He pulled at your hand gently, the action making you aware of your own deathgrip on his. You let your hand drop, acting as if his touch has burnt you. It may just as well have, the feeling of his warm hand on yours persisted, even after you’d separated.

Chancing a look at the wire and attempting to calculate the distance between it and the ground you hesitated. Your body was screaming at you to turn around, your fear of heights making you tremble on spot. Yet your brain kept reminding you that Taehyung was there, and you wanted to look brave in front of him- if only to prove him wrong. You knew how to have fun.

Hesitating to look him in the eye, you shook your head hoping he wouldn’t be able to read your body language. The urge to grab his hand for comfort was strong, but instead you satisfied it by gripping your shorts tightly. The line moved slowly, and with each step you took closer towards the front you felt the intensity of your trembling knees. Your mouth felt stuffed with cotton balls, and you prayed that Taehyung couldn’t see the way your hands were shaking.

Taehyung observed you for a few seconds, his thoughts at war with each other. On one hand he wanted nothing more than to grab your hand and lend you his strength, on the other, he knew that you would not accept it. Your pride was too strong to accept any consolation from him. However, when he caught sight of your hands almost ripping the pockets of your shorts he made a quick decision to reach out for your hand once more, his strong grip not allowing you to pull away from him even if you wanted to.

Not like you wanted to, as soon as you felt his fingers intertwined with yours, you gulped. Your first reaction was to pull your hand away, but the way his thumb absentmindedly drew patterns on the inside of your wrist made you pause. Was your pulse raised because of your fear of heights, or was it something entirely different this time?

Your fretting thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a cheerfully familiar voice shouting both your names from across the road. “Yo! What are you doing ‘round these parts?” You turned around to face Seo Joon, surprised to discover the question was aimed at you instead of Taehyung. Confused as to why he’d address you first, you pointed to yourself questioningly.

“Yes, you.” Seo Joon laughed. “This loser’s quirks don’t phase me anymore.” He motioned with his thumb towards Taehyung, whose face resembled a perfect picture of a tomato.

Before an argument could break out between the two friends you readily replied, “I uh, Taehyung decided that the waves are too dangerous today, so he brought me here instead.” You shrugged, not meeting Seo Joon’s careful gaze. You didn’t know why, but the way he stared at you made you shy away. He was a handsome man, and you thought that from the beginning. Not like any of Taehyung’s squad was anything but handsome, but Seo Joon’s good looks paired with his wit made you think of him more than the rest.

Your attention focused on the tips of your shoes, you missed the way the two men glanced at each other. Seo Joon’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Did he, now?” He wondered thoughtfully. “But the waves are perfect for a ride today, this sort of aggressiveness,” he stressed out the word and you looked up at him. “Is perfect for a surfer.”

With a cocked eyebrow in Taehyung’s direction, your lips curled into a smile as you turned back to reply to Seo Joon. “Oh, well, he clearly needed a break today then.” You wiggled your brows at him, mocking Taehyung’s habit of dipping out of training and his usual lateness. Leaning towards Seo Joon you whispered loudly, intended for Taehyung to hear. “Do you think he used me as an excuse to get out of it today?” You laughed when Taehyung sputtered in protest.

Seo Joon laughed along with you, the meaningful gaze towards his best friend not lost on you. “Ah, I don't think that is the case Y/N, late as he is, that boy lives riding those waves.” He pointed his thumb towards the ocean. “You should see him and how grumpy he is when we get choppy waves.” He laughed, this time it was his turn to wiggle his eyebrows at you. “I think he had something better in sight this time though.” He winked at you, and you felt the blush returning with furious vengeance. “I wouldn’t blame him.”

You knew what he wanted to imply, but the small glimmer of hope and warmth that took roots in your heart was quickly crushed by Taehyung’s rebuttal. “Don’t get ahead of yourself man, I may be able to ride the waves, but she can’t.��� Before he could continue his phone beeped and he excused himself to take it.

You glanced after him, your wistful gaze making Seo Joon smirk as he elbowed you. “Don’t take him seriously, these waves are perfect for you to learn. He’s just a worrywart.”

And just like that, the warmth took hold of you once more, and you smiled hesitantly at him. “Well, if he is such a worrywart, why take me to this place knowing full well I have a fear of heights?” You shrugged, remembering where you were, the thought of hanging above ground only secured by a wire making you shudder with anxiety.

Seo Joon eyed you suspiciously and opened his mouth to say something else but before he could say anything, Taehyung clapped a hand on his back, phone in his other hand. “Ye Won asked about you.” He shrugged as if he was talking about the weather. However, the glint in his eyes and the way Seo Joon blushed made you think there was more to it that met the eye. Looking between the both of them questioningly, you decided to keep your opinions to yourself.

“Right,” Seo Joon awkwardly laughed, “it’s time for me to hit the waves.” Ducking away from Taehyung’s arm, he waved at you and did his signature handshake with Taehyung. “Oh–“ He turned to glance at you with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “To answer your question, maybe he just wanted to hold your hand and couldn’t find a better excuse.” He winked at you, disregarding the blush that took over your cheeks with a vengeance.

“Yo, what are you telling her?” Taehyung narrowed his eyes, prepared to clock his own friend if needed. He knew that Seo Joon had nothing but respect towards you, but the furious red that coloured the tip of your ears made him doubt the relationship the two of you had.

Seo Joon rolled his eyes at his friend’s possessiveness over you, and with a well placed slap landed on his back he loudly stated, “That you need to man up. Oh… and remember to tell her about the party Hyung Sik’s throwing tonight.”

“The what?” You glanced between the two, blush subsided, wondering what they had’t told you.

“Our monthly get together. Don’t worry.” He advised when he saw you bite your lip. “Woo Sik will pick you up if this one doesn’t grow a pair.” With that he disappeared as soon as he came, leaving you and Taehyung to deal with a load of unpacked baggage.

The two of you stared at each other in stupefied silence, thoughts running through your head.

“Uh–“ Taehyung mumbled, the panic of having been put on the spot by his friend rendering him speechless.

“Don’t worry, Woo Sik can come and get me.” You hurried, the heat from your blush refusing to go down. You ignored the way your heart constricted when he didn’t argue against it, and instead pulled you out of the line.

“Yeah, it’s late. Maybe we should call it a day, so you can get ready.” Taehyung didn’t know what possessed him, but hearing you accept his friend’s invite so readily made him feel bitter,

****

True to his word, Woo Sik came to pick you up, his dashing figure clad in a colourful shirt. The bright green contrasted greatly with his baby blue shorts, and you couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“What? Am I not a perfect summer vibes model?” He gestured to himself and you chuckled, shaking your head at him.

“Of course you are.” You stepped around him patting his shoulder as you went, only to come face to face with the man who occupied your thoughts earlier. “Oh–“

Taehyung smiled at you, “Hey.” He greeted with an awkward wave and you were almost tempted to pick on his lack of snark. But one look at his sheepish grin made you pause.

“Hi?” You returned the bashful grin, your heart pumping blood straight to your face, a flush making its way onto your cheeks.

“I uh, came to pick you up?” He motioned towards the car in the driveway. “Well, we did.” He added to your confused expression. “I don’t have a functioning car.” He clarified, hands running through his hair- a nervous tick you’d picked up on.

“He means to say, he totaled it earlier this month, so I'm the designated driver.” Woo Sik shook his head, turning around to walk to his car. “You coming lovebirds?” He added, smirking to himself as he heard the two of you sputter behind him. “I wanna get going before sunrise.”

****

The party involved a lot of dancing, drinking and avoiding each other. Either using a member of the squad or the toilet as an excuse, you managed to not see Taehyung for longer than a few seconds for most of the night.

Exiting through the back into the garden you took a deep breath in, the stifling atmosphere from inside felt too much to handle. The sound of crickets and birds drowned out the sound of the heavy bass coming from inside the house the further you walked away from it.

“Hey.” The sudden appearance of the man you had been avoiding the whole night made you jump and you couldn’t stop the loud curse that slipped past your lips.

“Shit, I'm sorry!” He apologised, his hand grazing yours. There was a brief awkward silence as you sat down on the bench next to him and gathered the courage to speak up.

“Thank you.” You whispered, your hand pulling at his colourful shirt. This time he chose to wear a pattern, foregoing the usual creams, and you were glad for that. Pretending to observe the swirls and shapes on his top you didn’t raise your eyes to meet his. “For earlier.”

Taehyung was silent for a moment, his eyes taking in the scenery. The sight of the unusually calm ocean, baby waves breaking onto the golden shore brought him a sense of peace. He was annoyed that the waves were choppy that day, however, he did it for a reason and that was enough for him. “It’s nothing.” He shrugged hoping he sounded impassive. “You paid for a lesson which I couldn't deliver, it would’ve been a waste of time to not do this.” He shifted in his seat, the drink in his hands suddenly becoming the most interesting thing he’s ever seen.

“O-oh right, yes of course.” He was right, and you knew it, but you couldn’t help the crestfallen look on your face as you toyed with your top.

You were a fool to think that he may have done it for you. How could he, the only reaction you’d shown him since you met was anger, annoyance, and very little interest. Your city girl, devil may care attitude making you act self sufficient. Never once have you considered that it may be a hindrance. The city was ruthless, you needed to be as strong as possible to survive in the midst of a dog eat dog world. Especially in your field. There was no place for weakness. But maybe this caused you to forget the simple joys of life.

However, since coming here a couple of weeks ago; living in paradise and having the chance to discover a life outside of pavements, and the rush of the 8am crowd trying to get to work, you visibly let down your guard. Meeting Taehyung, as much of a rocky start you two have had in the beginning, ended up being a blessing in disguise. Him and his squad showed you what living outside of your head and responsibilities meant - and you couldn’t be more grateful towards them. Especially the handsome man that decided to make it his personal mission to show you what ‘living life really meant’ - as he put it.

Truth was, despite your differences at the beginning, you knew you’d developed feelings for him. Seeing his affectionate side carefully chipped away at your perfectly crafted city girl tough act. Cautiously glancing at him, you took your time to commit to memory his calm and peaceful features, the ocean breeze blowing through his hair. And as you gazed at him, the shining dots from the city around you casting their glow over the both of you, you let yourself admit you were in love. In that moment nothing else mattered, not even the hefty amount of alcohol you drank. In retrospect, it should have been a warning sign, a signal for you to stop and think about your actions.

At the time, you didn’t care, the alcohol merely liquid courage for you to do what you had always wanted to. Carefully taking a step towards Taehyung, you reached for the hand closer to you, fingers brushing over his. As soon as he froze, you did too, your breath caught in your throat, scenarios of him walking away from you running through your head. It only took a second though, for him to alleviate your worries, his hand completing the journey of yours, fingers tightly woven together.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Taehyung breathed and you looked up at him in surprise. You didn’t know whether you said it out loud, or he was a mind reader, nor did you care. Those words were all you needed to hear. With a satisfied smile you bravely pulled yourself closer to him, head leaning on his shoulder.

****

The blissful feeling that wrapped itself around your whole being as you closed the door behind you, felt like a dream. Taehyung’s hand in yours, the two of you giggling like children as you drunkenly bumped into walls, you had never felt so carefree in your life, and you basked in the feeling, somehow aware, in the back of your mind that it may not last forever. But for that night, nothing else mattered but the two of you, and the summer evening was sweetened by the taste of alcohol on your lips.

“Shhh.” You loudly whispered bursting out into uncontrollable laughter when you realised the ridiculousness of the situation. Pulling him all the way into the garden, you settled for the bench behind the main palm tree. A bench where if you say you couldn’t see the sea, but if you dared look up, you could see the stars hanging above your head. Doing exactly that, your eyes narrowed, your whole attention onto the pitch black blanket littered by jewels.

“What are you doing?” Taehyung asked curiously, when you started counting the stars out loud.

“Counting stars.” You stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You should try it.” You turned around with a soft smile on your face as the moon and stars formed a halo around you, giving you an ethereal glow.

“I–“ he ran a hand through his unruly hair, the dark brown locks reminding you of deep rich chocolate. “You are leaving soon right?” He hesitated, the words bitter on his tongue. You couldn’t find the strength to reply, the words stuck in your throat so you settled for a light nod.

The silence that settled over the two of you felt uncomfortable and you shifted, the bench you two sat on making it difficult for you to not lean against him.

“Sorry.” You mumbled, feeling the beginning of a blush wash over you. He felt hot, the smell of sun and sea clinging onto his skin and you wanted nothing more but to bury yourself into his embrace.

Taehyung’s deep inhale brought you out of your own thoughts, finding the heat emanating off of him distracting. “I wish you wouldn’t leave so soon.” He whispered under his breath, making yours hitch in your throat. You glanced at him from under your lashes, only to discover that his whole attention was on the sky above your heads.

“What are you doing?” You blinked at him, throwing back at him his question from earlier. When he turned his attention back to you, the twinkle in his eyes seemed to shine as brightly as the lights above you.

“I’m wishing on a star.” He simply said, turning his attention back to the blanket of stars, completely oblivious to how his words had shifted your world.

****

Following your blissful few days with Taehyung, reality set in with a call that was enough to bring your world to a halt. Everything seemed to be sinking down into the ocean you had come to love. As you stared at your laptop screen, the words you wrote to Ye Won the day before about still sticking around in a hotel for another few weeks felt completely moot. The thought of having to not only say goodbye to her, but also her brother, the man who showed you that life was indeed more than pavements and pay raises, brought tears in your eyes.

It felt too good to be true, and maybe in a way, it was. You lived your summer of love, as brief as it had been, it was time to return to the real world. The words that kept ringing in your head after the call you had with your manager made you fall deeper and deeper into despair. You’re fired, the project fell through. No explanation as to why this would have been the reason to fire you, nor why they were not firing anyone else that had worked on that project, the call ended and left you empty and lifeless.

“Y/N.” Taehyung’s voice reverberated through the corridor as he made his way in and broke you out of your daze. With a sniffle, you wiped the stream of tears that continued to run down your face, but it was a futile attempt as not a second later he walked into the kitchen, catching you mid sob.

“Y/N.” Taehyung was not expecting to come in and find you looking so crestfallen, the dejected look on your face was a spear through his heart. Blissfully unaware of your situation he wondered what happened. “Are you...crying?” He cautiously approached you, not knowing what to do. His instincts telling him to comfort you, he tried to touch your trembling hand but you pulled away from him with such force he had to take a step back.

“I need to go.” You stood up from the counter, your eyes locked onto the clock ticking on the wall. A good reminder that time cannot stand still for you or your fancies. Taehyung’s pained expression did little to phase you, the panic in your heart, as reality began to set in, overriding any other thought or feeling. Despite the blissful weeks you’ve had with him, being accepted by the crew you knew it was time to wake up and realise this was not your reality.

“No.” Taehyung’s determined tone made you falter, and you looked at him eyes wide open in surprise.

“What do you mean no?” You questioned him, the weight of his words hitting you like a hammer to the head.

“You have been the better part of these past few weeks, I can’t let you go just like that. Not after that night. I don’t know what happened to make you change your mind, but it is fixable.” He explained, his hopeful expression making you resent him, and most importantly yourself. You fell into the trap of summer love, where emotions explode. But just like any other explosion, once the debris settles, there is only dust and ruin left. He had done nothing wrong, if there was one person to be blamed, it would be you. It hurt to know you were the one at fault, yet he would also be paying the price for your stupidity.

“Unfortunately my life doesn’t just revolve around you, or Hawaii, or this carefree attitude. I lost my job Taehyung.” You exclaimed, putting the necessary distance in between you and him, the distance that you should have made your heart set as well. “I have to find a job now, and all my life is back in London. This is borrowed time. Not my life.”

“Can you not see me as part of your life?” He pleaded, a last desperate attempt to grasp at smoke.

“I’m sorry.” You shook your head, the heaviness that settled over your heart almost suffocating. In fact the sight of him did little to bring any good memories that you’ve had in this place, it only served as a reminder of what you couldn't have. Of what was not yours to take. “I’m sorry, I-” You paused wondering what you were doing, why were you bartering your heart like that. You cared for him, that much you knew yet, your mind knew it wasn’t enough for you to drop what you had known for a whole life.

“My flight is leaving soon.” You whispered, the silence that followed your earlier outburst too much for your guilt to be able to handle. You knew you were damaging a budding relationship, that you dared not think, may have been the best relationship you’ve ever had.

Taehyung didn’t dare utter another word. He couldn’t. He knew you needed to get away, he was more than aware that you needed space, even if that meant he had to watch you drag your suitcases out the door that shut right behind you, putting more and more distance between him and you.

****

“Georgie, no!” You shook your head vehemently at your friend, her pleading face doing nothing to soften your resolve. “I am not going to accept this.”

You quickly paced around the room as you hurriedly unpacked your bags from your trip doing your best to ignore the other person lounging like a cat on your sofa. You’d been away for a couple of days, the old city of Edinburgh being your destination. You may have enjoyed your time there a bit too much given the workload of your new job. So much that you barely had time to breathe. But this was what you needed. Time spent not at work meant time for your brain to start thinking about an island, and waves, and most importantly, surfers. Specifically one surfer.

“Come on, Y/N!” Georgie’s pout almost reached the floor yet you still wouldn’t budge. “It’s been a while since you’ve been on a date!” She tried to reason with you. Unbeknownst to her, this only served as fuel for your rising anger.

“Look Georgie, I have been on a date, and I did tell you about it.” You angrily slammed the dirty laundry in the basket. “And before you say anything, yes I did enjoy myself but–“ you paused, the strength you had earlier waning. Suddenly you felt tired, and with a sigh you let yourself fall onto the couch next to her. Rubbing your eyes, your mind once again invaded by sun kissed skin and the smell of salt, you tried your hardest to keep everything at bay.

“Oh love.” Georgie shifted on the couch, her warm hand enveloping yours in comfort. “I’m sorry, it’s just–“ she paused, offering your desperate look a rueful smile. “I just want to see you happy. You lost your job–“ you started to protest but she held her hand up to stop you. “As I was saying, you lost your job, and lost your heart, and all in the span of two months. And then you come back, get a new job within weeks and act like nothing has happened. I’m just worried about you.” She squeezed your hand and you felt your carefully crafted mask slip away. She was your best friend, if you couldn’t talk to her then who could you talk to?

“I just, I miss him.” The admittance tumbling out of your mouth made you feel so much lighter. Not better by any means, it just reiterated the feeling of hurt and hopelessness. You were more than aware it was your fault you’ve been feeling like this.

“It’s my fault.” You whispered, the desperation causing your voice to crack. Georgie sighed, and enveloped you into a hug, allowing you to hide your wayward tears into her top.

“It’s not your fault.” She argued, patting your back in a comforting way. “It isn’t.”

“But it is!” You sniffed, another sob wrecking through your body. “He confessed for God’s sake! And I left!” Not bothering to hide your sobs, you let yourself go, crying for what may have been, crying for Taehyung and his crestfallen expression when you announced you were leaving.

“Go back.” Georgie simply said and you pulled away from her, an incredulous look on your face.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to hear from me again.” You shook your head, your tears at bay for now. Sliding away from her, you put some distance between the two of you and you rubbed away the last stubborn tears. “It’s ok, I can do this. It’s just another hiccup.” You didn’t know where this strength was coming from, but you weren’t going to question it. You were not back in Hawaii anymore, no. You were in London. And you couldn't afford to live the same life you did in Hawaii. Emotions would have to wait.

“Right.” Georgie nodded at you unconvinced.

“Look–“ you sighed, “I will go on this blind date. If only to get used to being amongst Londoners again.” You laughed wryly, the feel of a new resolve making you hopeful. Yet, why did it feel like your heart was shattering even further?

When you agreed to go on a blind date you weren’t expecting to find yourself in front of the Tiki bar in the middle of the city, completely overdressed for the location. Glancing up at the colourful sign you sighed, trust Georgie to set you up with someone you would most likely not click with in the least.

Entering the bar, you tried to not get overwhelmed at the overly done decorations, tempted to stop a waiter, tell them how much you hated the place and leave. Had it been you before London, you may have even done that, but now you swallowed your words and instead approached them for a table.

“What name?” He inquired, tapping on his Ipad and you paused realising you had no name to give them.

“Uh, Y/N?” You tried, but when he shook his head your face fell. How were you meant to find the table without a name? You couldn’t just walk around the whole place asking people if they were waiting for their very late blind date.

“Excuse me, it’s Kim.” A deep voice spoke from behind you and you froze. Not only did you recognise the name, but also you recognised the voice better than your own. You dreamt of that voice. You didn’t dare turn around, not wanting to get your hopes up. Kim was a fairly common name, and London was big, maybe you were wrong.

Steeling your heart, hoping it didn’t jump out of your chest with how fast it was beating, you turned around.

“Hello, I'm Kim Taehyung, I believe I am your date for the evening?” Your mouth fell, eyes wide open and you seemed to have lost the ability to speak. Only when the waiter asked you to follow him did you move, your feet carrying you automatically as your mind was too busy trying to comprehend the situation.

“This place is all wrong.” You heard the mutter coming from behind you and you would have laughed had it not been for the rampant way your heart seemed to be racing. You wanted to turn around, to ask him what he thought he was doing there, but you didn’t have the courage to do so.

Brought to a table near the open windows, you chuckled at the discrepancy between the atmosphere inside the bar and the crisp air of nighttime London.

“It’s ridiculous isn’t it?” Taehyung joined you at the table, his hesitancy to pull the chair for you sorted by the waiter. Still chuckling, you glanced at him, the sparkle in his eyes making your breath catch. You would be lying if you said you hadn’t missed this, the glint in his eyes when his boxy wide smile took over. The mole on the tip of his nose, which you couldn’t see because of the lights in the bar but you knew it was there, having been close enough to him to observe it in detail.

“You’re not a Londoner.” You whispered to yourself and he laughed lightly, having heard you. “What–“ your voice cracked and you cleared your throat, clammy hands wiping themselves onto your skirt underneath the table. “What are you doing here?” You decided to take the bull by the horns, not wanting to waste another minute with mindless chat. The two of you have been through enough to skirt around sensitive topics.

Taehyung looked at you, the smile slipping off his face slowly, until it was gone, his expression becoming thoughtful. You had the urge to poke the crease between his furrowed eyebrows, loathing the knowledge he felt like this. But you chose to stay seated, hands gripping at your skirt, waiting for his response. You didn’t know when he became the one person who could make you or break you, but he did. The power this man had over you was absolutely impressive.

“I, uh–“ he rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish look on his face.

“Better yet, how did this,” you motioned between the two of you “–happen?” If you saw the flash of hurt cross Taehyung’s you didn’t mention it. Patiently waiting for him to answer, you knew you were putting him selfishly in a tight spot. He wasn’t the one who decided to give up on you. It was the other way round.

“Ye Won and your friend may have had something to do with it.” He sighed, his attention to the bypassers across the street. He tried hard to not look at you, he didn’t want to see once more the rejection in your eyes.

Waiting for him to turn around to face you, you stayed silent. You wanted to reach out across the table, his hand conveniently placed for you to grab it. But the knowledge of what he may be feeling stopped you, you had no right.

“But, why?” You stammered, your thoughts in disarray. There was so much you wanted to tell him, ask him, but you couldn’t get yourself to utter them outloud.

Taehyung turned his gaze back to you, the intensity with which his eyes bore through you made you shiver, your breath caught in your throat. It felt as if your soul lay naked before him, and as much as you wanted to look away you couldn’t. For a few seconds neither of you dared to break the silence that settled between the two of you.

“I promised–“ he paused to gather his thoughts, and you waited breath abated. “I promised I would always be there.” He admitted and you let out an involuntary whimper, his words piercing through your heart.

Taehyung gathered all his strength to carry on with his confession, the thought of you rejecting him once again weighing heavily on his mind. Last time he bit the bullet, diving in head on not considering what you may have been feeling, his own wishes overpowering any other considerations. “So I want to be there, regardless of how you want me to be there for you.”

He tried to be as nonchalant as possible, but the pleading look he offered you betrayed the emotional storm he felt inside. His words shifted something deep inside of you. As a city girl born and raised between pavements and tall buildings, you learnt that courage to stick up for yourself was an important survival trait. Hearing him confess his feelings not only once, but twice, made you realise that courage lies in more than one aspect. And you’ve been nothing but a coward.

“I’m in love with you.” The words tumbled out of your mouth before you could stop them. Eyes wide at your own admission you waited for him to say something.

“I–“ Taehyung felt disarmed. He had a long speech planned, he knew you’d not be easily swayed so he came with a foolproof plan, that not only Ye Won may have had a hand in but also your friends. To hear you say you were in love with him, as ecstatic as it made him feel, his brain struggled to catch up with what was happening.

“Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have sprung this on you. But I don’t think I would've been able to live with myself if I didn’t get this off my chest.” You reasoned. “I was stupid, and inconsiderate, and I’m sorry–“

The warmth of his hand enveloping yours made you freeze, your eyes locked onto the table, unable to meet his. Neither of you said a word for a while, the tropical music playing in the background making you feel uneasy.

“Where is the waiter?” You tried your hardest to change the subject, eyes scouring the place, doing your best to not glance at the dark haired man in front of you. The subtlety with which you tried to pull your hand away from him didn’t go unnoticed as Taehyung squeezed it, his attempt at keeping you there with him.

“Y/N.” The desperate plea in his voice stopped you dead in your tracks, your eyes now searching his instead of a place to escape to. The pain in his eyes made you realise he thought you were planning to reject him once more, completely oblivious to reality.

“You think I am going to leave you?” You breathed out, shocked. Taehyung didn’t reply but he didn’t need to, the frown marring his face was enough proof. You knew it wasn’t appropriate, but the ridiculousness of the situation made you burst out in laughter.

“I just told you I loved you, you idiot.” You huffed, Taehyung’s eyes widening at your obvious annoyance.

“But–“ He stammered, trying to make sense as to why you’d ask about the waiter.

“We should go.” You supplied shrugging while still looking around for the missing person. The relief Taehyung felt at your words could be easily read in the chuckle that escaped him. “I don’t know about you, but I'd rather not cause a scene here.” You finished, and when you still couldn’t locate the waiter you abruptly got up, pulling Taehyung along with you.

“Are you saying this is going to go down with a big emotional confession?” He couldn’t help himself as he teased you, the glimmer of mischievousness you found in his eyes making your heart beat faster.

“Oh shush you, otherwise I’ll leave you here.” You said as you navigated through the tables. There was nothing wrong with leaving before telling someone, but with his hand in yours, the lightness in your heart after your admittance made you feel like you were a teenager about to jump into the neighbour’s pool for a midnight swim.

“Can’t do that,” he teased as you both made your way outside into the chillier London air. Once out of view, he pulled you to him. “You just admitted you loved me.”

Hearing him say the words out loud made your breath catch in your throat. And without a second thought you stood on your tiptoes, your palms resting on his chest for stability. “Well loverboy, I can always take it back.” You whispered, your lips ghosting over his in a shy kiss.

In hindsight, you should have known not to tease him, as the force with which he wrapped his arms around your middle and pulled you to him, his lips searching for yours took you by surprise. The heat of his lips, slightly bruising, felt familiar, like home, and you soon lost yourself in it. A satisfied sigh escaped you and you let your hands wonder, as he coaxed your lips open, his tongue searching for yours.

The loud whistle from a taxi driving past you made you remember you were still in the middle of the city, out in the open for everyone to see.

“And we still managed to cause a scene.” You laughed pulling yourself away, his hand not leaving your midriff. “Let's go, where are you staying?” You asked, quickly realising you didn’t even know why he was there in the first place.

“The office.” He shrugged as if it wasn’t an important bit of information and you looked at him questioningly. “I uh–, came here for the opening of my new branch. My office decided to extend from the US to the UK which was the perfect opportunity .” The tone of his voice was so neutral you could’ve fooled yourself he was talking about the weather instead of important information which he ought to have shared a while ago.

“You–“ you stopped yourself from chastising him, he could fill you in on this later. For now you just wanted to enjoy your newfound summer love and hopefully help it grow into something more as time went by.

“You didn’t think I only surfed right?” He laughed, his fingers digging into your hip as he glanced down at you. Blushing at his softened gaze you shook your head and mumbled under your breath. “What was that?” He cocked his head to the side, his smile growing bigger.

“Doesn’t matter, you can tell me all this when we are on the tube.” You hurriedly supplied, before looking at him with an impish smile. “Or, we could–“ you stopped walking and turned around to face him. “Just do,” you placed a suggestive hand on his chest, your voice low, “other things on the tube.”

“The tube?” His eyes widened and you laughed reaching up on your tiptoes to kiss him again. Grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze you pulled away and winked at him.

“Don’t worry, it’s like riding a wave.”

main masterlist

[mysmemissme]

Up the Rabbit Hole

Summary: You have a problem- you can't stop thinking about how good Barbatos looked in that bunny costume. It's interfering with your studies, duties, and even your friendship with him. With no clue what to do, you begin to avoid him.

Barbatos, however, is not fond of this fix, and when his patience runs thin, he offers you a more unorthodox solution.

Pairing: Barbatos/ Reader

Rating: Explicit

CW: Prostate massage, anal fingering, collars, slight master/pet

Read below the cut or on AO3 

A gift for my friend for Barbatos’ birthday! Enjoy!

It was all that bunny suit’s fault.

Ever since everyone was forced to don those dumb bunny costumes, you had been an utter wreck. You couldn’t focus on your studies, earning you an earful from Lucifer. You couldn’t focus when you were cooking, earning complaints about the pitiful state of dinner from everyone but Lucifer. You couldn’t focus on Mammon’s schemes, or Levi’s games, or Satan’s recommended books, or Asmo’s fashion advice, or Lucifer’s lectures, or Beel’s workouts, or even something as simple as napping with Belphie. You couldn’t focus on anything.

Except for the mental image of Barbatos in that bunny outfit.

Why it had enchanted you so much was a mystery. Maybe it was the change in wardrobe; the way the vest highlighted his slender waist and broad shoulders, the lime green tie bringing out the same shade in his eyes. Maybe it was the ears themselves and the charming tail that accompanied them; the ears revealing a cutesier side to the ever-serious butler, and the fluffy tail drawing attention to his rounded behind. Maybe it was watching him work in the suit, catering to guests as serious, as dedicated, as always, despite the circumstances. Maybe it was the way he wore it all with no shame, not embarrassed in the slightest at the large ears, rounded tail, and odd situation, retaining his confidence through it all…

Maybe it wasn’t a mystery why you liked it so much after all.

Either way, your thoughts and preoccupation with the memories of Bunny Barbatos were providing you with issues- the biggest of which being that you couldn’t even talk with Barbatos anymore. You couldn’t make eye contact with him without thinking about floppy ears and a firm build. You couldn’t listen to him speak without the deep timbre of his voice igniting fantasies mid-conversation that left you a stuttering mess. Even simply being near him caused your brain to derail, hands to sweat, and heart to pound.

In one moment of weakness, you bought a dark green collar you saw while browsing the web, one you knew would look amazing on Barbatos, especially paired with the cursed ears and tail. You hid it in your bedside table, refusing to acknowledge just how far gone you were, refusing to acknowledge the new images, fantasies, and dreams it sparked.

You, in embarrassment and for your sanity, started to avoid him.

You weren’t dumb enough to think this would solve the problem, especially with how sharp Barbatos was. What you had hoped was that Barbatos would tolerate your finicky behavior without prying just long enough for you to get this problem under wraps.

For a while, it worked- Barbatos allowed you to make your escape, sending any messages he needed to tell you through the brothers. He left sweets wrapped with notes attached on them for you to enjoy on your bed. If you ended up in the same hallway, he kindly ducked into a nearby corridor in order for you to pass unhindered.

This game continued for two weeks- you avoiding him, and Barbatos letting you. His patience was commendable, and it was just another thing you admired about him. He let you go, again and again, in an unusual game of cat and mouse.

But everyone’s patience runs out eventually.

It was on the fifteenth day of this arrangement that Lucifer handed you a note. It read:

                 Dear,

Meet me in your bedroom tonight at eight ‘o’clock sharp. There is something we must discuss. No more running from me.

                               Sincerely,

                               Your faithful servant, Barbatos

 You read over the note again with trepidation and glanced at the time on your D.D.D.- 4:01. You had four hours to prepare yourself for the inevitable conversation you knew was to come. Four hours to get yourself under control. Your stomach tied itself in knots.

Stupid bunny outfit.

               -----

Time flew, and before you knew it, eight was upon you.

You paced outside your door, fidgeting with your hands and hair. Your nerves were getting the best of you. What if he rejected you? What if he no longer even wanted to be friends with you? What if he called you a kinky freak and exposed you? What if he convinced Diavolo to send you back to the human world?

‘What if’ upon ‘what if’ piled up in your mind, each one more ridiculous and implausible than the last. It was agonizing, not knowing what was going to happen when you stepped through the door and faced Barbatos. You felt the seconds tick away, each pressing down on you more and more.

Finally, you couldn’t stand the pressure and anxiety anymore. You flung the door open and stepped into the dimly lit room. There, on your bed he sat with-

With bunny ears on and the suit to match. Suddenly, you felt like passing out.

When he saw you enter, he moved to stand, and a flash of light from his neck caught your eye. The bunny ears had distracted you from the rich, dark green velvet adorning his slender neck, the gold chain attached matching the golden detailing and swirls on the green.

It was the collar you had bought. He was wearing the collar you had bought and hid.

“That- that’s the- But I- How’d you- Why’re you-,” you stuttered. Your thoughts were a jumbled mess, and they all came rushing out in an incomprehensible mess you continued to stumble through, even as Barbatos glided towards you. He raised a gloved hand and caressed your face when he was near enough to. He shushed you.

“A few days ago, I came in here to drop off a slice of Devil food cake, and I intended to leave a note. However, I seemed to have forgotten a pen. I didn’t mean to pry, but I figured that one such as yourself would keep a pen near your bed, so I looked in your bedside table. While I certainly did find a pen to write with, I also found this charming collar hidden away. It seemed to match perfectly with a certain outfit I wore not too long ago. Care to explain?”

His facial expression never changed, but his eyes shown with a mischievous sheen, his voice filled with amusement, and there was a slight self-satisfied quirk to his smile. You could try and lie your way out of this one, but it was clear he had figured you out long ago. You sighed.

“I think you already know everything, jerk,” you grumbled, before continuing louder. “Fine. You were really hot in that bunny outfit, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I bought that collar because I thought it would look good on you, and I was right. I’ve been having inappropriate fantasies about you, which is why I’ve been avoiding you. There, happy?”

He chuckled. “Quite. Hearing such flattering words come from you is always welcomed. Since you were so honest with me, I believe you deserve a special treat.”

“What do you mean by ‘special treat?’ Like dessert?” He hummed, obviously amused.

“No, I believe something else is in order. You mentioned certain… fantasies pertaining to me, did you not?” You nodded dumbly. His lips twitched, and he reached for his tie, slowly loosening it. “Well then, since you were honest about having them, as a reward I’ll allow you to fulfill them.”

Your brain was running a mile a minute but still couldn’t seem to catch up. “Fulfill my fantasies?” you questioned.

He fully removed his tie, moving to lay it on the bed. He then began to undo the buttons on his vest and shirt, revealing inch-by-inch more of his pale skin. “Yes, fulfill your wishes. Touch me as you wish, direct me as you want. Command me, your humble servant.”

It was like his words had cast a spell on you, because suddenly all the desire and lust you had been repressing for the past weeks welled to the surface. Your hands itched to touch, your tongue to taste, and your eyes to look upon him below you.

“Lay down on the bed.”

He did as told, and you closed the distance in a second, straddling his body. His dark hair fanned out against the pillows, bunny ears tapping the headboard. His eyes practically glowed with a mix of satisfaction and interest. His shirt and vest were completely undone, hanging open. You swallowed.

You pushed the shirt and vest down his arms, and with his help, you removed them completely. Now that his upper body was completely visible, you couldn’t stop your hands from dancing along his shoulders, collarbones, and chest with frantic energy.

“You know,” you started, voice thick, “In my fantasies, I like to spoil the always-composed butler with attention and pleasure till he so overwhelmed that his mask breaks, and I get to see him beg. Spoiling someone who always works so hard, like they are my pet who did a good job, and this is their reward.”

“Then by all means, Master, reward me, your humble bunny.”

You didn’t need to be told twice. You leaned down, pressing kisses along his flawless skin from his partially exposed neck, to his collarbones, to his nipples. Your lips latched onto one, sucking and tugging lightly with your teeth, while the other one was pinched with your eager hand. You heard him sigh, but that wasn’t enough- you wanted to hear him lose his composure completely.

You move to the other nipple, laving it with attention as well, till both nipples were hard and perky. Once you were satisfied with that, you continued your path downwards. You alternated dotting his skin with kisses and light nips, stopping to suck here and there. When you passed his belly button, getting ever so close to the waistband of his pants, you felt his stomach tighten in anticipation.

You reached for the button on his pants, undoing it and shoving them down to his ankles, stopping to admire the bulge in his boxer briefs before shoving those down, too. His cock now free and hard, it stood proudly towards his stomach, leaking precum.

You wrapped your hands around it, looking up at Barbatos’ face for any sign of change, but his expression was as placid as always. Using the precum dripping from the tip, you wet your hands, before setting a steady pace of jerking him off, slowing at the tip to rub your thumb against it.

You looked up at his face, yet his expression had not changed despite the pleasure.

You were going to have to up your game if you wanted him to melt beneath you.

You stopped your ministrations, leaning over Barbatos to reach into your beside table. You pulled out the lube you had stashed there, closing the drawer, and moving back down Barbatos’ body. You spread his legs and settled between them, popping the lube open. You poured a sizable amount onto your palm, then began rubbing your hands together to warm the liquid.

“This okay?” you asked, circling your middle finger around his tight hole, but not entering.

“Touch me as much as you want, wherever you want,” he said, voice husky. You rolled your eyes.

“Is that a yes? I need a clear one.”

“Then, yes.” He spread his legs even wider, giving you ample access.

Now that that was out of the way, you tentatively pushed your finger into his tight hole. With your free hand, you grabbed his cock once more, stroking it to make sure he felt good even while you stretched him.

You began to thrust your finger in and out, letting Barbatos adjust to the sensation. When you felt him relax and loosen slightly around you, you added a second finger. He hissed at the additional digit, and when you checked to make sure he was okay, his eyes were closed, eyebrows raised and furrowed.

You stopped moving. “Is this-,”

“Yes, it’s okay. Keep going,” he grunted out, wiggling his hips. You started thrusting your fingers again, and he sighed.

Oh, okay.

So, he was feeling it, but you still wanted more.

You replaced your random thrusting with rubbing against his inner walls, searching for what you knew would cause him to crumble. It took a few moments, but you knew the second you felt the bump that that was what you had been looking for.

You began to circle the small bump, applying steady pressure, causing Barbatos to arch off the bed. Proud that you had gotten such an obvious reaction out of him, you doubled down, circling faster and tightening your grip on his cock as you continued to jerk him off.

You then alternated between circling, tapping the bump, and rubbing it in a ‘come hither’ motion. Barbatos’ legs began to quiver, and when you glanced up, you saw he had become a mess- panting with his mouth open, sweat beading on his brow, and cheeks flushed pink. You stared in wonder, adoring his reactions.

And yet, it still wasn’t enough- he still hadn’t made any noise.

Desperate for him to moan or gasp or anything, you replaced your hand on his leaking cock with your lips, circling the tip with your tongue and licking the underside, before taking him in your mouth.

“Ah!” he gasped, bucking his hips, pushing his cock further into your mouth, the taste of his salty precum and his smell overwhelming your senses. As you took him deeper, you applied more pressure on his prostate, all while keeping your motions random.

It was then that Barbatos’ poise began to collapse completely. He started wiggling his hips, thrusting forward and backward like he was chasing both the warm heat of your mouth and the shocks of pleasure your hand was providing with his prostate. One of his gloved hands came down to rest on the back of your head, fingers wrapping your hair and holding you in place as he used your mouth. He moaned as he fucked your mouth roughly, cock touching the back of your throat.

Then, a loud moan he released caused you to look up once more, only to meet his hazy gaze as he stared down on you pleasuring him. Your eye contact seemed to add fuel to the fire as the grip on your hair tightened, and his thrusts became faster. From how he was biting his lips and arching his back, you could tell he was close, so you ground your fingers against his prostate, harder than before, right as his cock was fully sheathed in your mouth.

With the simultaneous overpowering sensations, he came, sighing long and low as he filled your throat with his cum. You managed to swallow most of it, though some slid down your chin. After a few seconds, when he was done basking in the afterglow of his orgasm, he pulled his softening cock from your mouth, and you moved back from between his legs so he could pull his pants up.

Once he was tucked back in and pants buttoned, you figured you were done and went to stand, only to end up flat on your back on the bed, Barbatos straddling you in a surprising role reversal of earlier. You gaped up at him. His face was already back to normalcy, but his lips were shiny with spit and his hair tousled.

He reached up, taking off his bunny ears and putting them on you. He leaned down, licking the cum off your chin before whispering against your ear.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

[gryffindors-weasley]

These Moments

Colin Bridgerton x Fem!Reader

Summary: Kisses come in different ways with different meanings, and these are the ones you share with Colin.

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: marriage, fluff, kissing

A/N: Inspired by this list!

A kiss. It is a simple action that could speak great volumes all the same. A kiss is but a wordless gesture, one that can be utterly profound or a simple reminder of a love already known. It is something that will never falter between you and Colin Bridgerton, no matter the day, no matter the circumstance. It’s meaning will always be the same.

First Kisses

The looming gray clouds that hung puffy and low in the early evening sky were a clear indication of the impending weather, but you were certain that it was more than a sight better than to be stuck in that stuffy ballroom a minute longer. It was extraordinarily beautiful, of course it was, but the crowd of debutants and suitors were proving to be all too much for one evening. You must take a break if only for your sanity.

It was absolutely not because you’d shared more than one dance with the third eldest Bridgerton brother. That simply wouldn’t be logical to be so flustered, he was your best friend, one you spent your entire childhood around. He couldn’t be the one you’d fallen head over heels for, he shouldn’t be, only he was.

You found yourself walking further into the depths of the maze-like garden, away from prying eyes and meaningless conversation as the heightening breeze sweeps through finely manicured bushes and trees. Flower petals were sent fluttering to the ground at your feet, your umbrella clutched loosely in your hand. The bustling commotion from the extravagant mansion had long since faded with your growing distance, and you could finally take a deep breath if only for a brief moment.

“A lady should not be wandering alone at this hour, should she?”

You spun on your heel to face the owner of the ever familiar voice, one you tried to get away from otherwise you just might melt. A smile pulls at your lips upon meeting his deep blue gaze regardless, a playful one at that.

“I suppose that is precisely why you have followed me out here then?” You jest, and his smile is quick to widen, though you do not miss the soft pink blush beginning to stain his cheeks and why it had been there. “You surely must know I am not one to follow the rules, Mr. Bridgerton.”

A laugh leaves his lips then, and he takes a step closer as he nods in agreement.

“Surely I do know, for it is a wonder how you have not yet gotten in trouble. But please, Y/n, do call me Colin. You know I don’t like the formality, yet you tease me all the same.”

Your soft laugh fills the quietness of the vast and vacant garden, and you fumble with the umbrella clutched in your hand. “Just why have you followed me out here? You must have been distracted by the crowd of adoring debutants eagerly waiting for a dance.”

He chuckles once more and looks down at his feet, suddenly unsure of just what to do with himself, how to stand before you. Every minor detail was suddenly very major. Like the way his cheeks burned deeper at the strikingly true implication that he’d trailed after you because his attentions were focused on you, they always seemed to be. Not that you knew that. What you had been aware of, however, was the newfound closeness of your proximity.

He should not be alone with you, he is painfully aware of that fact yet too blissfully spellbound to care. He finds his feelings pay no heed to the rules society has put forth in this very moment, as daring as that may be. Your heart hammers in your chest, breath hitching when he reaches up and plucks a single petal from your hair, a quiet laugh leaving his lips as he holds it in amusement before letting it flutter to the ground.

“Are you avoiding my question, Colin?” You ask, desperate to pull the attention from the crimson burning your cheeks.

“I believe I have told you my reasoning, have I not?”

You give him a knowing smile, and he knows full well that he hasn’t been entirely truthful with you. But how does one confess their love for their best friend all while standing close enough to see every little detail of your beauty, the curve of your lips he so readily wanted to kiss. So, while you’re giving him that knowing smile, his heart is racing and the worsening weather is of no importance. While he did trail behind you for your own safety, that was second in line.

“That—and I have come to speak with you…on a very important matter, actually.”

You raise your brow in curiosity, patiently awaiting his words as wonder and worry begin to build.

He felt as though you may have been hearing the embarrassingly vigorous beating of his heart, it was more than evident in his own ears. He’s certain it shouldn’t be this difficult, it’s only three words yet it’s so much more than that. Now it seems as though he can’t find any form of an excuse, anything else to say that sounded as remotely important as his previous words indicated.

He had just put himself in the most vulnerable of situations with no evident way to reverse it, a flurry of thoughts bombarding him. Now, with each passing second, it becomes more inescapable than the last.

“Then I suppo—”

“I love you.” That was not how he imagined to declare it; he felt like a stammering fool but now he’s gone and said it and there really was no way out of it.

Your breath caught in your throat, and for a few fleeting moments you felt you weren’t sure if you had heard him correctly. If it weren’t for the drizzling rain you may have just stood frozen like a fool for a ridiculous amount of time. It wasn’t until you gasped, it wasn’t until a bout of giddy laughter fell from your lips at the icy droplets that he allowed himself to relax only a little. He grabbed your umbrella in your flustered state, shielding you from the rain as his hand found yours.

“You—you love me?” You hadn’t meant to sound so surprised, so in awe.

By this point, his lips were mere inches away as you stood closely to fit the two of you under the shelter, his forehead soon pressing to yours as he smiled. The rain pattered harshly against the bloomed umbrella, but nothing could pull your attention away from him.

With a burst of confidence now on his side, he feels he can repeat it without making a fool of himself. “I love you,” he starts in relief, squeezing your hand softly, “today, and forever, and all our days in between.”

There, in the privacy of the garden, his lips brushed over yours in a whisper of a kiss. One that was deepened as you stood under the rosy pink hue of your umbrella, mere logic far from being listened to as love blooms within the both of you. Your laughter was to be expected, breaking your kiss for only a second as you shared a dizzying moment of requited affection, a moment you could never have dreamed to be so perfect. It was an evening made wondrous when ‘Marry Me’ was spoken just loud enough for you to hear.

Kisses On The Cheek

There are kisses on the cheek made for when time does not allow anything more than the simple action, or for when his siblings playfully protest any other display of affection in their presence. They are pressed to rosy skin, and they are followed by the most adoring of gazes and the reluctance of letting your hand go. Each and every time Anthony sees it, he knows the newlywed bliss is not just a phase, you love each other too dearly to grow tired of it.

You were seated in the luxurious Bridgerton carriage, making a lengthy trip back to the family home after an elegant soiree that had proven to be tiring for at least four of its attendees. Violet Bridgerton sat across from you, her head on her on Benedict’s shoulder as she allowed herself to rest after the boisterous evening of boasting proudly of your marriage to her third eldest son. The wedding had been three months prior, but she was endlessly proud nonetheless. Benedict followed suit, his head resting atop hers as he’d fallen asleep with ease. It was nothing short of endearing, you must say.

A soft yet content sigh leaves your lips, enjoying the comfortable silence save for the trotting of the horses. The night was as delightful as it could have been, though your feet were rather tired from dancing for the better part of it. Your attention is quickly pulled to the hand slipping into your own, your gaze shifting to your side. Colin’s smile was soft, a quiet laugh huffing through his nose when his brother’s snoring began to sound.

“I am beginning to think separate carriages just may have been a better course of action, my love. Do you agree?”

You stifle your laughter at the words murmured in your ear, followed by the chaste kiss pressed just under it sweetly. You nod in agreement, leaning up to kiss his cheek as you rest your free hand on his arm. “Very much so.”

The moonlight streaming in through the open curtain had illuminated the dimpled grin still playing on his lips and you have to look away before your cheeks grow any redder with the way he’s admiring you. It was moments like these that you treasured the most; not the lavish events and grand formal occasions. It was the certain sincerity of enjoying each other’s presence even when things are silent and what some would consider boring.

One bump in the road had interrupted Benedict’s slumber just enough to quiet him, and you laughed softly to yourself. Then you felt it. You felt the tenderness of Colin’s kiss on your cheek, and two to follow it and linger against your skin.

“I love you,” he whispers, tightening his hold on your hand.

“And I love you.”

Until you can return to the privacy of your home to share a much needed moment alone, a cheek on the cheek will suffice for that very moment.

Slow Kisses

Slow kisses are shared when you are solely in each other’s company, not a set of prying eyes to be seen, not that it should matter in your own home.

You find yourselves in the heart of your garden, lavish with pristine flowers and lustrous with statues and glimmering lanterns dotting along each stone path. The sky was far too beautiful to even imagine how it could be so, filled with the softest of oranges, pinks, and blues as one color blends seamlessly into the next. The crickets had begun to chirp and the fireflies began to glow all around you, weaving themselves around bushes of voluminous hydrangea’s and stunning bluebells. The trees overhead stood tall, their leaves fluttering amongst the breeze soaring through them. It seemed as though it couldn’t have been more perfect, though you knew that to be quite untrue.

For you are dancing in the arms of your lover at perhaps the most beautiful time of day, the soft orange glow of the lanterns all around you with the warmth of the summer air on your skin. It is simply a fairytale one could not even so much as dream about, it had been far too enchanting to ever imagine.

“Can you believe this is ours?” You ask, blissfully unaware of his adoring gaze. Because while you had been admiring the scenery, he had been admiring you.

“No, I cannot,” he answers with a soft laugh, his hand squeezing your own as you sway to an unheard melody. “Though I must admit, it is rather hard to focus on just anything other than you.”

Your gaze flickers to his once more, a smile on your lips as you release his hand to rest yours on the blue fabric of his vest. His jacket had long since been discarded, his sleeves haphazardly rolled up. There was no need to be formal at your own home after all.

You smile brightly, leaning on your toes and meeting his lips in a kiss. Your dancing has faded in the distraction of more pressing matters, his lips soft against your own as his hand settles on your cheek. It felt as though the world had slowed to accompany the pace of your affections, lips melding and brushing over one another in a kiss that had been far from rushed. The arm that had been looped around your waist drew you in as close as possible, his vest crinkling within your hands.

He finds it hard to part from you, but the way you’re smiling gives him no choice if only for a moment. He could kiss you breathless for the rest of his life, time was certainly not of the essence in moments like these. Your smile is bright and his smile is fond, a wordless ‘I love you’ as the setting sun sparkled in your eyes. You had only strayed from each other for a few fleeting seconds, a minute at the very most, but he found himself missing you. 

So, he dips his head once more and kisses you again, slow and dizzying and truly enchanting.

Morning Kisses

Morning kisses are shared in the warmth of the sunlight streaming in the room, casting down upon you goldenly in your shared estate. No matter how big or spacious the bed may have been, the two of you would always remain tangled in with one another. Not a single day is started without a morning kiss; one turning to two, two turning to four, four turning to a number too great to count.

Fatigue has not yet left either of you as you remain in bed, your fingers dancing over his chest in absentminded habit.

“That really does tickle, you know,” he says, eyes sleepy as he blinks at you with the softest of smiles, one that widens at your much anticipated counter.

“I do know.”

A soft laugh leaves his lips and if you let your eyes fall closed for more than a few moments, you just might miss the way he’d been beaming at you. But soon his lips are on yours, soft and tender in the first of many kisses that day. It’s a sleepy kiss that moves gingerly from your lips to the very corner of your mouth, to your cheek and to the very tip of your nose, trailing to your forehead until they meet your lips once more.

He stops picking at the loose thread on your night dress in favor of enveloping your hand in his own. “Do you know that I love you?”

A bright smile is quick to tug at the corners of your mouth, widening as he brings your hand to his lips. A kiss is placed to each knuckle, gentle and warm, traveling tenderly to the back of your hand. You can’t help but to laugh softly as his hand moves up your arm, turning your wrist over and pressing his lips on your skin. The dull scent of your perfume still lingering had his heart fluttering in his chest.

“I hadn’t noticed,” you quip, running your fingers through the soft curls of disheveled brown hair dipping over his forehead.

He smiles, but reminds you again nonetheless. “I do, very much so at that.”

Your smile never falters as your thumb brushes across his cheek and down to swipe over the scar just under his chin, his skin lightly flushed at the heat of the morning sun shining upon you. Perhaps it was because of you. The look he’s giving you is soft yet ever so fond, and even with your noses almost brushing you can see there’s even a glimmer of hope dancing around in his blue eyes. Hopeful that you’ll never tire of saying it back though he knows the answer perfectly well.

Your eyes fall closed in a tender moment of bliss, a feeling only accentuated by the quiet laughter now puffing warmly against your lips. Blindly, you kissed him, your hand remaining on his cheek. “I love you today, and forever…”

“…and all our days in between.”

Your smile is endless when he murmurs the last line with you, something the two of you had wordlessly agreed upon continuing to say since the moment it was spoken.

Kisses are but a small fraction in the myriad of ways to share your affections, coming in different ways at different times. Some are rushed and all are thoughtful, but the meaning behind them remains true. Love.

—

Tags: @heloisedaphnebrightmore @dreaming-about-fanfictions @elennox03

[thehouseoflamentation]

Breeding Season (11 vs 1) ~NSFW~

You knew the brothers had been acting strange for the past few days but this was just ridiculous. First it started with excuses to avoid hanging out with you, then they began ignoring your messages and calls, and now here you were sitting in the dining hall for breakfast with none of the brothers in sight. You could expect this kind of behavior from Mammon or Levi but Beel? You knew he wouldn’t miss breakfast for the world so the fact that he wasn’t at the table inhaling a stack of pancakes was more than enough proof that something was wrong.

Mammon wasn’t in your room that morning either and you know Lucifer would never wake up this late so you started searching the house for any clues that would shed some light on your current circumstances. You tried calling them and checked all of their rooms but none of them were there, not even Levi which only made you more concerned. After spending an hour scouring the house you ended up back in your room, exhausted and not a single step closer to finding the reason behind the brothers’ disappearance. It wasn’t until you collapsed on your bed that you noticed a red envelope sitting on the edge of your nightstand. Your name and today’s date were written on the back of the envelope. It wasn’t there when you went to sleep last night which only made it seem even more suspicious. Tearing through the paper covering, you pulled out the letter from within and began to read.

“MC, as a valued exchange student your presence is requested at the Demon King’s Palace for further instruction in the program. We hope you have enjoyed your stay in the Devildom so far but due to recent developments we believe you need additional guidance. Sincerely, RAD Student Council.”

Well, that explained why they were nowhere to be seen that morning. Still, the whole situation felt rather odd. Diavolo would never call the brothers out so early unless it was some kind of emergency and even then he would have made at least one of them stay with you for safety’s sake. Not to mention it didn’t clear up why the brothers had been giving you the cold shoulder for nearly a week now.

Following your only lead, you decided to go through with Diavolo’s request, hoping to get to the bottom of this mystery somehow. As you approached the gates of the palace you were surprised to find Solomon waiting at the entrance as well. You could only assume the demon prince wanted to have a word with all two of the humans involved in the program which made you feel a little more secure knowing that you weren’t the only one being put on the spot. As you walked past the gates towards the front doors you started to feel anxious. Diavolo’s vague letter and the brothers’ dismissive behavior made it impossible for you to shake the feeling in the back of your mind that something was wrong. Solomon was quick to notice your apprehension and reached out for your hand, lacing his fingers between yours to settle your nerves.

“Don’t worry, there’s no way Diavolo would harm either of us. It would go against everything he worked to establish. Just calm down and try to relax….trust me you’ll need it more than you think....”

You flinched for a second, unsure whether to feel comforted or concerned over his words. Just as you were about to question his last comment, the doors of the palace suddenly parted revealing Barbatos on the other side. He welcomed you both and immediately led the two of you down a number of hallways and stairs until you found yourself standing in front of another set of doors. Following his lead you entered the room only to realize you weren’t brought to a meeting room but Diavolo’s private chambers, the demon prince himself along with the rest of the brothers stood in waiting. They stiffened and fidgeted as their gaze fell on you but they quickly reigned themselves in as Diavolo began to speak.

“I’m truly glad you could join us today MC. I’m sure you must have many questions but I’d like you to take a moment to remember your last….exchange student review.”

At those words your mind quickly flashed back to that fateful day you spent in Diavolo’s office. You remembered how you toyed with him until he snapped and bent you over his desk to ravage you to his heart’s content. Your face started to grow heated as the memories came flooding back.

“Since you were so eager to help me last breeding season, I assume you have no objections to being a little more generous with your body this time around?” he continued as he slowly drew closer to you.

Your eyes scanned the room. Each demon seemed like they could jump at you at any moment, their restraint held back by a thread as your intoxicating scent permeated the room. It all made sense now. Why they were acting so strange, why they were ignoring you, why they distanced themselves from you at every turn. They weren’t avoiding you out of spite or hatred, they were avoiding you because every single one of them was in heat.

You gulped silently before nodding at Diavolo’s proposal. It amazed you how one small gesture instantly changed the demaneor of everyone in the room. They all looked at you the same way predators stared down their prey, each of them just as ravenous to have you for themselves. You heard the doors of the bedroom shut and lock as Barbatos smiled back at you, his placid expression perfectly hid his true intentions. Before any of them could lay a hand on you, Solomon cleared his throat and straightened up to face the small crowd of demons in front of you.

“Aren’t you forgetting something? Or perhaps I should remind you all of our little agreement?” His smug expression drew out curses and looks of disdain from the others, but even then Solomon simply let out a chuckle at their reactions and proceeded to pull out a worn piece of paper from his pocket, “Why don’t you tell MC about our deal, Diavolo? After all it's only fair that they know what you’re about to put their body through. Don’t you think?”

You could feel the tension in the room start to rise but Diavolo proceeded with his explanation regardless, “Breeding with a demon is one thing MC, but to breed with several demons at once we needed a spell strong enough to induce the human equivalent of a heat cycle within your body to make it capable of breeding with all of us without the risk of over exhaustion. And while the spell does exist, it’s so rare that we weren’t even able to find it within Satan’s mountain of spellbooks. Solomon was kind enough to lend us the only copy left in the three realms but on one condition...”

“Go on...” the sorcerer smirked and playfully prompted the demon prince to continue despite the dirty looks he was getting from around the room.

“.....he gets to have you first...” Diavolo’s voice trailed towards the end as he crossed his arms and took a step back allowing Solomon to move closer to you.

You understood now why everyone was on edge. Standing before you were the seven rulers of hell and the demon prince himself and yet Solomon, a human, was holding them all back telling them to wait their turn. Each of them were beings made to give in to their deepest desires so the fact that they could only sit back and watch while they supressed their heat induced urges felt like nothing less than torture for them.You’d be lying if you didn’t admit this was the most clever and twisted power move you’ve ever witnessed.

After giving you one last look of reassurance, Solomon pulled you in close and began reading the incantation scrawled on the paper. You could immediately tell something was different as warmth began pooling at the center of your core, quickly spreading to the rest of your body. It was starting to get hard for you to stand so Solomon carried you to Diavolo’s bed, placing you gently onto the sheets as your body adjusted to its new heat cycle. Once you got used to the new sensation coursing through your veins, Solomon started undressing you until you were bare for all to see.

Meanwhile, Diavolo, Barbatos, and the rest of the brothers started shifting into their demon forms from the side lines. Your scent was already irresistible but now that you were in heat, it was impossible to stand there and watch without letting some tension out. Claws, tails, and wings all began manifesting as each of them shed their clothes and approached the bed. Even though they couldn’t indulge in your sweetness just yet their desperation drew them as close to you as Solomon would allow.

The sorcerer was just as affected by the spell as you were, his restraint long gone as he eagerly left kisses and hickeys all over your body. One of his hands played with your nipples while the other dipped between your legs letting your arousal drip onto the sheets. As shady as Solomon was he wasn’t malicious by any means so he allowed the demons a bit of solace to satiate their lust. Without stopping his administrations, he took your clothes and threw them off the side of the bed. It wasn’t much but the fabric had your concentrated scent and they were eager to take in as much of you as they could while they rubbed themselves off.

You were already so wet from your heat but Solomon’s teasing was far from over. Removing his hand from between your legs he took a moment to admire your arousal coating his fingers before bringing them back to his mouth, moaning as the salty taste hit his tongue. He didn’t have to look away from you for a moment to know how badly he was tormenting the others. Grumbles and hushed remarks could be heard throughout the room but they did little to relieve that passionate fire burning deep within each demon present. Still longing for more, Solomon spread your legs apart and peppered your thighs with kisses before plunging his tongue into your deepest part. You could feel him smirk against your skin as he drove the rest of the demons to the brink of their jealousy. Your hands delved into his silver locks bringing him closer and making it easier for him to curl his tongue around your weak spots. When his mouth moved away you groaned at the lack of contact but soon realized he was only stopping to give you something much better. Positioning his cock at your entrance, he rolled his hips forward coating his length in your arousal while he grinded against you making your eyes roll back reflexively as you let out a loud moan. Your voice, your scent, your body, it was all too much for the demons to bear and yet it felt so far away, so out of reach from where they stood.

After than moan, there was little left to hold Solomon back. He snapped his hips forward, shoving his length deep inside of you with a single motion. He was going to give you some time to adjust but with the way you were rocking your hips against his you were basically begging to be fucked. He wasn’t gentle. There was no need for him to treat you so delicately while your voice and body cried out for him to ram his cock into you until your mind went blank. With every thrust a new wave of pleasure hit you stronger and more intense than the last. The ecstasy of it all made you unable to do anything but move in sync with Solomon’s hips and moan his name endlessly much to the envy of the demons that surrounded you. After grinding against a particularly sensitive spot, you could feel yourself tighten around him as the heat inside your stomach continued to build. After several more thrusts all the tension in your core was suddenly released as you came, your walls closed in on his cock driving him past his limit and milking him until every last drop was either inside you or spilled on the sheets.

As Solomon pulled out of you and rolled off the bed you could feel the mattress immediately dip under new weight. Before you had the chance to fully ride out your orgasm you found yourself being flipped onto your stomach as another cock was shoved inside of you. The feeling of having your walls suddenly stretched from such girth made you dig your fingers into the sheets, tears welling up from both pain and pleasure. Diavolo hummed to himself as he rubbed your back and left a trail of kisses down your spine in an attempt to calm you down. Even though he wanted to start moving as soon as he entered you he gave you a moment to get used to his size. Being a demon, he was much bigger and thicker than Solomon so he had to be careful if he didn’t want to break you, he could always do that later anyways but for now he wanted everyone to get a chance to feel as good as you made him feel last breeding season.

Once your breathing settled down, Diavolo’s hands left your back. His fingers now traced up your neck and pushed into your mouth, padding over the soft flesh of your tongue as you feebly drooled and licked his digits. “Lucifer, why don’t you take the other end?” Upon hearing those words your half lidded eyes shot wide open. You felt a sharp pain as your hair was gripped and pulled, forcing your head to be level with Lucifer’s dick. He pressed his member against your cheek, precum already dripping from the head. Diavolo’s fingers left your mouth only to be replaced with Lucifer’s cock, his length reached far deeper than any fingers could as he grabbed your head and pushed himself further and further down your throat.You flinched and struggled beneath him while your throat stretched to accommodate his girth which only increased due to being in his demon form.

Through all your tears and quick shallow breaths you were finally able to take in his full length, your lips now wrapped around the base of his dick. With your body penetrated from both ends, you tried to calm yourself for a moment but found yourself suddenly choking as you felt Diavolo’s hips suddenly crash into yours. Neither of the demons before you could wait any longer. You closed your eyes and braced yourself as claw-like nails dug into your soft thighs while Diavolo pounded into you from behind. Ever the sadist, Lucifer proved to be no easier to handle. His hips bucked and thrusted into you while his hands remained buried in your hair ready to give you another sharp tug for every second you failed to service him adequately.

Despite being preoccupied with two demons, the others felt no need to restrain themselves from having a taste, a touch, a small piece of you to help them ease the tension that coursed through their bodies. While Lucifer and Diavolo’s wings made it hard for the others to come near you, it sure as hell didn’t stop them from trying. At first, you couldn’t quite tell who was where but you were certain you felt hands roam up and down your back and stomach. You felt teeth drag across your chest, only stopping to bite and pull at your nipples. You could only assume Beel started getting impatient and wanted to sneak a nibble while Lucifer was focused on face fucking you. At the same time you felt something smooth and cool brush past one of your legs. You looked down only to realize Levi’s tail had coiled itself around your thigh giving you a good squeeze every few seconds. Every part of your body felt like it was being ravished from different directions, the tension inside swelled once again as you drew closer to your second orgasm.

Diavolo’s hips were now moving at a reckless pace, every inch of his dick rubbed against your walls as he slammed into you mindlessly chasing the climax that was just beyond his reach. Lucifer was just as reckless and twice as merciless compared to Diavolo. His fists tightened around your locks as he spent every bit of energy he had shoving his cock down your throat over and over again. At this point he didn’t care if you choked, if anything seeing you gag and cry as you sucked him off was probably just what he needed to push past his breaking point. If only he knew he was about to get exactly what he asked for.

As the three of you grew closer and closer to cumming you suddenly felt teeth sink into the crook of your neck, striking one of your weak spots and sending a jolt through the rest of your body. Your ass backed up against Diavolo, inadvertently causing him to ram his dick directly into your deepest, most sensitive parts. At the same time your stifled moans made your throat vibrate around Lucifer’s cock. The stimulation was so amazing he couldn’t stop himself from thrusting into you as deep as he could, hitting the back of your throat and making you choke in the process. Your body tightened and convulsed around both of them sending all three of you off the edge at once. Neither of the demons moved an inch until they released everything they had inside you. Your legs trembled as you felt Diavolo spill his hot seed deep within you, the thick fluid only made the warmth in your core grow and intensify until it was almost unbearable. Meanwhile Lucifer took pleasure in watching you squirm and struggle to breathe as he pumped his load down your throat, his hands gripping either side of your head as he forced you to swallow every last drop.

When they finally pulled away you barely had enough energy left to stay on your hands and knees. Your body fell onto the sticky mess of sheets as you focused on steadying your breathing and preparing yourself for the next round of demons. From the corner of your eye you saw Mammon smirk to himself as he approached you. You thought nothing of it at the moment until your eyes met his and the realization finally hit you. The sudden bite that triggered your climax earlier wasn’t just a random act in the heat of the moment, it was planned! The last time you and Mammon got it on he covered your neck in hickeys and accidentally stumbled across one of your weak points. He never mentioned the incident again so you thought he had forgotten all about it. You never expected him to use it on you to make his turn come sooner. That sly bastard!

Still, you couldn’t complain when he swept your hair to the side to kiss your face and comfort you as you tried to calm yourself after being dominated by two of the strongest demons in hell. You let your mind slip for just a second and in that small amount of time you found yourself now lying on your back. Mammon left a trail of kisses and hickeys down your body starting from the weak spot on your neck and leading down between your legs. His mouth only left your skin to growl and hiss at his brothers who were far too pent up and eager to wait for the second born to finish toying with you.

"Damn it..l was your first so I should have been...well whatever it doesn't matter. I wasn't your first this time but l'll be damned if l'm not the best guy you get today!!"

Greedy as always, Mammon kept his wings outstretched making it hard for the others to even get a glimpse of his precious human. Even so his victory was short lived as a certain envious demon finally had enough of his brother monopolizing your attention. Once Mammon positioned himself between your legs and started entering you, Levi made his move. In one smooth motion he crawled on top of you and straddled your torso, effectively blocking Mammon’s view of your face with his back. Before the avatar of greed could retaliate you wrapped your legs around his waist forcing his cock to sink deep inside of you before he even had the chance to react. You could feel your walls stretch once again but the slight amount of pain was worth it seeing the great Mammon reduced to a sensitive quivering mess. Payback never felt so good.

Once you adjusted to Mammon’s size your focus soon turned back to Levi, he licked his lips while his eyes roamed between your face and torso as if deciding which to indulge in first. A low rumble came from his chest and erupted from his throat as a deep, almost deranged laugh.

“Ahhhhhh....hahh....ahHahAhHAHAHA!!!! I’ve always….ALWAYS!!! WANTED TO TRY THIS!!!!!” Without any hesitation, he moved his dick between your breasts, placed his hands on either side of your chest, and pushed your soft mounds together until they pressed against his shaft. He always dreamed of rubbing his hard, slick cock against your chest and now he could finally fulfill that desire. Seeing you in such a lewd, needy state must have worked him up more than he led on as his tail coiled around your wrists, securing your hands and forcing your arms above your head. As restricted as you were, you still found a way to tease the demon before you. Levi continued fucking your chest, rocking his hips back and forth when suddenly you leaned your head forward to take the tip of his dick into your mouth. Your tongue caressed the underside of his shaft and flicked across his slit as you bobbed your head in sync with his thrusts.

Before you got too caught up pleasuring Levi, Mammon slammed his hips against yours to pull your attention back to him and make you remember just who was fucking you. You had never seen either of the boys become as possessive as they were right now. Greed and envy manifested in their purest forms, dominant and unwilling to yield so much as an inch of you to anyone else. Mammon’s thrusts were rough, erratic, and sloppy but still managed to hit all of your most sensitive spots. Every time your insides twitched and clenched around him he pounded into you even harder, gripping onto your thighs for leverage until dark red marks appeared on your smooth skin.It wasn’t long before you felt yourself being driven to the edge once more, your core tightened around Mammon while you moaned against Levi’s cock. The avatar of greed truly lived up to his name as he pushed into you as far as he could on his final thrust, marking your deepest parts with his seed. Levi on the other hand did the exact opposite, marking you in a completely different way. At the last second, he pulled away from your mouth and chest and started stroking himself instead. You were confused for a moment but soon realized what he wanted and stuck your tongue out eagerly taking in whatever cum coated your mouth as he came all over your face. Neither of them were willing to part from you but they knew they couldn’t keep the others waiting. After coming down from his high, Levi uncurled his tail from your hands and moved off of you before wiping the remaining fluids off your face with one of the sheets. Mammon on the other hand wanted to enjoy the feeling of you wrapped around his cock for as long as he could but once he pulled out he couldn’t help but smirk as he watched his cum slowly drip out of you.

As soon as he took a step back Satan took his place, not wasting a single second as he rammed his full length inside of you and started thrusting. You winced at the sudden intrusion but quickly adapted to his size and pace once the dull pain you felt melted into pleasure. Seeking a bit more leverage, he hooked one of your legs over his shoulder and turned you on your side making it easier to pull you close and shove his cock into the deepest parts of your core. You were so busy keeping up with Satan’s reckless pace you almost failed to notice something hot and wet drip onto your cheek. When you finally had the strength to realize what was going on you found yourself just inches away from Asmo’s dick, his arousal already leaking onto you. Your throat still burned from Lucifer and Levi’s abuse but that didn’t stop you from taking him into your mouth. You immediately began sucking on him, swirling your tongue around the head of his cock before moving down to his shaft.

You had to admit though, it was hard to stay focused on Asmo with Satan fucking you at the same time. The moment he entered you his hips kept going at a rapid pace, mercilessly pounding into your core without a single shred of restraint. However, the avatar of wrath still wasn’t satisfied. Holding onto your leg in a vice, he craned his head down leaving deep bites on your inner thigh. It made you shudder to think about the amount of scratches, bruises, and bite marks he would leave behind when he was done with you but at the moment you couldn’t care less. Your mind started to drift from the pleasure when suddenly out of nowhere, Satan stopped moving and pulled out completely. Confusion was apparent on your face as you shook your hips for him to continue, wondering why he stopped in the first place. It wasn’t until you saw him realign himself with you and shoot you the dirtiest look imaginable that you understood what he was planning. You closed your eyes and braced yourself as you felt him thrust into you again with full force. His pace was different now, as he pulled himself out each time only to slam back inside you with all his strength. His movements were so rough every part of you jolted and trembled each time his body collided with yours.

Meanwhile, even with Asmo’s dick still in your mouth you had trouble staying still long enough to service him with how erratic Satan’s thrusts had become. If only you knew how royally fucked you were for neglecting the avatar of lust during his heat. Asmo paid no mind to his brother, he was no excuse for you to stop paying attention to him and he was going to make sure you knew that. Asmo’s hand brushed away the tears and sweat that formed on the side of your face before tilting your head up. His smile was sweet but only skin deep. You could tell from his eyes there was nothing but carnal desire and jealousy behind that pretty face.

“You know MC...if there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s being as perfect as I am and STILL BEING IGNORED!!!” Yanking your hair by the fistful he held your face in place, forcing you to look up at him while he fucked your mouth however he pleased.

You didn’t think things could get any rougher until you felt several sharp teeth bite into your back, right between your shoulder blades. The pain made you jolt and squirm but you could barely move away with Satan and Asmo gripping onto your body. Beelzebub was beyond starving now, he wanted to sink his teeth into anything and since you were the tastiest thing in the room you had his full attention. As Beel left bite marks and hickeys down your back you felt a firm tug on your wrist. The bed was already crowded but Belphie wasn’t about to sit back and let everyone else have fun while he was left to pleasure himself on his own. He took your hand and guided it back to his erection forcing you to stroke him as he thrusted against your palm.

The stimulation from all four of them was too much. Before you knew it the heat and tension within you built up until it all came apart as you passed your limit once again. Even as your walls tightened around Satan he still wouldn’t stop pounding into you until he poured every drop of his thick load inside you and rode out the afterglow of his orgasm. Asmo was just as relentless, waiting until you swallowed everything and licked off the remaining cum that dripped down his cock.

Once Satan and Asmodeus pulled out and stepped back, Beelzebub and Belphegor were quick to trade places with them. As Beel hovered over you he started licking, sucking, and biting all the parts of your body he didn’t get a chance to put his mouth on yet. There wasn’t an inch of you that wasn’t grazed by his teeth and tongue. The ecstasy of it all made you feel like you were melting. Too preoccupied with Beel you failed to notice Belphie slowly slip his body under yours. After positioning himself beneath you right where he wanted, Belphie nodded at Beel signalling him to continue with the next part of their scheme. In one effortless motion Beel wrapped his arms around you and lifted you up, your head rested against his chest as he moved to seat himself on the bed and lower you back down….onto both his and Belphie’s dicks.

You flinched as you felt their hardened lengths poke at your entrance and feebly clung onto Beel’s torso as you braced yourself for what was about to happen next. Tears started welling up in the corners of your eyes as the twins pushed your hips down stretching your insides until you took in every inch of them. Your arousal and all the cum that had been pumped into you made it easier for them to slide in but it was still an arduous task nonetheless. You tried to adjust as best as you could but neither of the demons had any patience left to spare. If you wouldn’t move, you were simply going to be moved. Burying their fingers into your hips and thighs they moved in rhythm, Beel lifted you up while Belphie forced you back down, both of them thrusting into you in sync as they bounced your hips. You couldn’t do much aside from wrap your arms around Beel’s neck and bite down on his shoulder as their pace got faster and rougher. Seeing you so vulnerable was such a turn on for Beel and after covering you in bitemarks he found it cute that you tried to leave your own little mark on him.

Meanwhile as Belphie continued pounding into you he became fixated on your back, a clear view of all the bruises and bitemarks that peppered your skin caused a devious plan to form in the back of his mind. Facing Beel there was no way you could see what he was up to, making it all the more enjoyable for Belphie. Without warning he raised his tail and brought it down on your lower back. A sharp pain ran through your body making you curve your back from the sudden contact as your hips jerked forward unconsciously. At first Belphie only did it to tease you but after feeling how you tightened around him as he whipped you, he now had all the more reason to continue. Several loud slaps echoed throughout the room as Belphie delivered strike after strike leaving dark red stripes down your already battered back. With each successful hit your back arched and your walls squeezed tighter and tighter until the two demons on either side of you reached the end of their ropes. Both of them gripped onto your waist forcing your body down while they thrusted into you as deep as they could one last time. Having taken in so much already you could feel your belly start to swell as even more cum was pumped into you. With barely enough strength left you slumped against Beel’s chest for support as both of their cocks twitched and pulsated inside you still dripping semen into your core. Once they pulled out of you, all the cum that had been poured inside began dripping down your thighs and onto the sheets.

You were so full you didn’t think you could take another load, luckily that’s what the spell was for. By now your body had nearly gone limp from the ceaseless pleasure you were subjected to but even so your heat gave you all the energy and libido you needed to last as many rounds as you could take. Each of them had their chance to fuck you but it was far from over. As long as they were still in heat, they would need to breed with you until the season was over or until your body gave out. Which ever one came first. Too tired to move you noticed a familiar figure step into your field of vision once again. Diavolo looked down at your bruised, bitten, cum covered body and merely smirked while his hands reached to cup your face, planting a kiss on your forehead.

“Such a good, obedient human....I knew we made the right decision choosing you.”

For the rest of the afternoon, they each took turns sharing you. There wasn’t a moment when your mouth, chest, hands, or entrance was left unoccupied. You weren’t sure how you were able to fit Beel’s girth down your throat or how you managed to survive both Satan and Lucifer taking you at the same time but you attributed it to the effects of the spell. In the heat of it all your mind grew hazy as you struggled to process who was doing what to you. All you could comprehend was the feeling of pleasure washing over your body as the demons bred you to their heart’s content. Your body had been marked by each of them in one way or another; be it scratches, bitemarks, or semen, not a single inch of you was left untouched. You weren’t sure when it happened but as passion and desire pushed you past your physical limits you lost whatever consciousness you still had and drifted off to sleep.

When you woke up you were startled to find you couldn’t see, speak, or even move. You were blindfolded, gagged, and bound with ropes; still naked and just as sore as you last remembered but now you were clean and no longer sticky with saliva and cum. You fought against your restraints until you felt the familiar feeling of leather strike your skin causing you to groan helplessly into the gag as you tried to process what was going on.

“They were quite the handful weren’t they?” A familiar voice rang out from the silence.

“Being a butler is never an easy job you know. Always following orders, barely having any time for yourself, putting all of your desires aside for the whims of your master. Though I must admit there is one rewarding perk Diavolo promised in exchange for taking care of you...”

As his words trailed you felt a hand run through your hair seconds before it formed a fist pulling you up to face him.

“....I get to have you all to myself”

With that he dropped you back onto the bed enjoying the sight of you struggling futilely against your bonds. As you stirred on the sheets and tried your best to loosen the ropes around your wrists and legs you noticed a faint sound just beyond earshot. You stilled yourself for a moment to figure out what it was only to realize it was your own voice, moaning and crying out in ecstasy as wet slapping noises played in the background. Confused and embarrassed you began to writhe once again, wondering just what kind of game Barbatos was playing.

“Hehehe….you always act like such a perfect, innocent little human. To think in reality you’re nothing more than a dirty cockslut who’s only desire is to be bred over and over again. Now I admit, it would be easy to use my powers to rewatch your little performance as many times as I like but having a video copy at my disposal makes it much more convenient.”

As his words ran through your head it finally dawned on you. Diavolo, Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, and Belphegor, you had sex with all of them but not Barbatos. You realized now he wasn’t holding himself back or letting the others go first simply out of duty or courtesy as a butler, he was getting off on recording every shameless, perverted thing you did that night. Now he had a full uncut video of you drunk on sex, mindlessly sucking and fucking several demons at once without a care in world. As the video played you soon became too embarrassed to respond or struggle any longer, accepting your circumstances and lying silent on the sheets.

“Don’t worry, I won’t share it with a single soul. In fact, I’ll even delete it if you want! But only if you behave and be a good little slut for me just like you were for them last night. Now does that sound fair?”

You didn’t have much of a choice so you accepted his offer, nodding with the blindfold and gag still in place. In the background you could hear the rustling of fabric and the sounds of a belt being undone as footsteps drew closer to you. The gag was the first to go, only being removed to be replaced with Barbatos’s cock. He made no effort to be gentle with you as he immediately forced his dick down your throat. He had enough watching and waiting. He’s served the needs of Diavolo his whole life and now it was his turn to be serviced. Taking out all his tension and frustrations he quickened his pace, ignoring your pleas for air as he let his hips move as rough as he wanted. It was hard to use your tongue with how fast he was going but you managed to rub a particularly sensitive spot on the underside of his shaft. You couldn’t see his face but from the way he was groaning and twitching in your mouth you could tell he was close. With one last thrust he reached his limit, coating your throat with his hot seed before pulling out and letting the rest of his load spill onto your face. Attempting to catch your breath you lied on your stomach, panting and coughing from Barbatos’s rough treatment. You barely had time to recover before you felt the ropes around your legs come undone as he gave you your next order.

“Lift your ass and spread your legs. Now.”

His tone was cold and stern, an ever present reminder of what was at stake if you failed to obey him. As you curved your back up and parted your legs you felt the same sensation from just a moment ago, a whip. The strike was just as harsh and unforgiving as earlier except now it struck you right across your ass. One after another Barbatos laid into you until your supple skin was marred with red, swollen welts. Still under the effects of your heat your arousal had dripped down your legs and stained the sheets by the time Barbatos was finished toying with you. You were more than ready for him now. As he joined you on the bed you could feel his weight shift on the mattress. It was the only warning you got before he pushed his length inside of you and started moving at his own pace without a single moment to spare. With one hand on your back and another on your hip he pushed you against the bed as he plowed into you harder and faster with each passing second. Unable to see with the blindfold on, your senses intensified making every thrust rack your body with unimaginable amounts of pleasure. While Barbatos ravaged you from behind you stilled yourself under his grip, panting and moaning out his name as you drooled on the sheets. The familiar feeling of heat pooling deep within you was a clear sign you were close causing you to start rocking your hips in rhythm with his as you tried to get as much friction going as possible. You could feel yourself start to tighten, your release just seconds away when Barbatos bent down, his lips softly brushing against your ear.

“Don’t cum until I say so. If you really aren’t the needy slut that you appear to be you can at least do that much.”

Tears dampened the blindfold around your eyes as stray droplets rolled down your cheeks. You were already teetering at the edge of your own limits but now you no longer had a choice. Gripping at the sheets till your knuckles turned white, you pressed your legs together and hoped beyond all hope that he would give you permission to cum before you surpassed your breaking point. As you finally managed to calm your breathing down it felt like you just might have a chance at completing Barbatos’s order until…..*SLAP* You felt his hand strike your ass just as hard as the whip from earlier. It wasn’t fair by any means but he never said he wouldn’t play dirty. Each strike was harder than the last and just as satisfying. The heat and tension inside you built up much faster than before. With one last slap everything you were holding back came undone. You finally had the relief you desired but all at a price.

“Such a shame. And I was just about to let you cum too. Oh well...” his voice feigned pity as he picked up the pace once again.

Despite being sensitive from your climax Barbatos had no restraint or mercy left for you, overstimulating you until your moans became incoherent and your mind went blank. It wasn’t long until Barbatos joined you in your ecstasy, letting his hot seed stain your insides before pulling out and covering your body with the rest of his load. Once he pulled out he undid the ropes and the blindfold but you made no effort to move from where you were. You failed and now that video was proof of it. You expect Barbatos to reprimand you, tease you, or degrade you but to your surprise he did none of those things. Moving to sit beside you he brought out his D.D.D. and deleted the video before your very eyes.

“I know I said I’d only delete it if you behaved for me but I don’t think I’ll be needing it anymore… after all you’ve just given me something far better.”

As he stood from the bed you soon understood what he meant. Scattered around the room were several video cameras. Each of them immortalized your little breeding session with Barbatos in different views and angles. You weren’t sure if this was better or worse, you could only sit there in shock as Barbatos collected the cameras and excused himself from the room leaving you behind with your thoughts.

You closed your eyes and tried to get some rest before any more demons came but you were only successful in getting a few minutes to yourself before the door swung open once again. This time however it wasn’t a demon intruding on your peace, quite the opposite actually. Rolling onto your side you were once again greeted by Solomon who was now dragging a blushing Simeon in by the collar.

“I bet you didn’t know this MC, but angels actually have breeding seasons too! They’re just really good at hiding it. Isn’t that right, Simeon?”

The angel gave no response in return only shielding his eyes with his hands once the heat in face became unbearable.

“You were so adamant about holding yourself back even though I was kind enough to invite you from the beginning. I can only guess you were trying to protect your virtue as much as theirs but after what the demons did...well...why don’t you take a look at what’s left of them?”

Reluctantly, Simeon did as he was told parting his fingers just enough to get a glimpse of you. What he saw next made his heart sink. Over the past few months he’s spent with you, you’ve gained a special place in his heart. He treasured you more than anything and now here you were, his precious little lamb lying before him covered in countless bruises and bitemarks while your body was marked with the scent of demons. Words couldn’t describe the emotions that ran through him as he stared at you, a dull twinge of pain slowly spreading across his chest. A part of him couldn’t believe what they had done to you and yet….another part of him couldn’t believe what he missed out on. As soon as that notion crossed his mind Simeon shook his head as if doing so would realign his morals and purge himself of all the sinful thoughts that slowly crept into his conscience.

“It’s not too late you know. They’re just as eager as you are and besides the effects of the spell won’t go away for about a week. Don’t you want to help them?” Solomon’s words were as sweet as honey but Simeon wasn’t going to let himself be swayed so easily.

“I-I...I....” Simeon’s lips trembled as he turned his head to the side, fighting the urge to give into his desires and take away whatever innocence you had left.

“Hmm...the way I see it you have three options. You can leave now and let me have MC to myself, you can stay and watch me have my way with them, or….you can fuck them like you’ve always wanted...” Solomon’s words tempted the angel more than anything he’s been through before. Still withholding a proper response, Simeon remained silent where he stood, his fists clenched so tight his nails dug deep into his palms. Solomon’s persuasion had worn him down to his core, however the sorcerer still had one last card up his sleeve. Striding towards the bed, Solomon began removing his clothes before pulling you into a deep kiss.

“Well Simeon...whether you choose to leave or stay it seems you’ve already decided not to lay a hand on them...and if that’s the case then I’m sure you won’t mind if I go ahead and just-”

“NO!!!”

Raising his voice for the first time, something inside Simeon had finally snapped. The room went silent as Simeon pushed past Solomon and joined you on the bed. His heart was heavy with guilt and jealousy but that didn’t stop him from cupping your face and claiming your lips with his own. Though filled with passion, the kiss was softer than anything you experienced these past few days. His touch was just as delicate, gracing the surface of your skin to avoid causing you any more pain. After carefully massaging your chest he bowed his head down to lick and suck at your nipples while his free hand travelled between your legs. In all his gentleness, he never let his mouth part from your body, tenderly kissing over every bruise, bitemark, and lash until no part of you was left untouched by his lips. Slipping in a finger then two more he worked you up slowly until he was pumping and curling his digits inside you at a steady pace. When he finally shed his clothes and positioned himself between your legs he couldn’t muster the strength to look you in the eyes, too shy and embarrassed at how far he had fallen into his own desires.

Placing your hand on the side of his face you stroked his cheek with your thumb, making him turn to face you once again. As you gazed into his eyes you noticed something, a feeling that went beyond any form of lust or perversion. Love. You had seen glimpses of it in the others before him but it seemed to radiate off Simeon as naturally as light from the sun. Wrapping your arms around him you pulled him into a warm embrace, the sudden contact made him shudder due to the effects of his heat but he accepted your affection whole heartedly. It wasn’t until Simeon’s hardened length pressed against your thigh that you both recalled the situation you were in. Moving back between your legs he eased his member inside you until you took him in from tip to base. His pace was slow as he thrusted into you, cradling you in his arms as he buried his face in the crook of your neck.

“MC...my sweet little lamb...you have no idea how much I’ve longed for this...for your body, for your love, for you….”

Simeon’s breath was hot against your ear as he whispered sweet nothings to you between his moans. His thrusts soon became faster and rougher as he finally gave in to the effects of his heat. In a split second you felt a change in the air and a quick flash of light. Looking up, you realized the source of it was none other than Simeon, his snow white wings now visible and outstretched on either side of you. You felt so heavenly to him he didn’t have the restraint to hide his angel form any longer. While he pounded away at your core you felt yourself getting close once again, your walls tightening around his cock until he reached his limit with you. As you came together he pulled you close against his chest, letting his wings envelope you in their warmth as he finished inside you.

With both of you collapsed on the bed Simeon cuddled up against you unwilling to let you out of his embrace for even a second. It took awhile for you to notice but as you looked away from Simeon for a moment you realised that Solomon was nowhere to be found. His clothes weren’t there so he must have left in the middle of your lovemaking. You considered telling Simeon but you had a feeling it could wait. You were literally resting in the arms of an angel, there was no need to ruin it with some trivial detail. Closing your eyes you laid your head on Simeon’s chest enjoying his warmth as you began drifting off to sleep...until an irritated voice pulled out of your slumber.

“Who let the angel in?” Lucifer’s brows furrowed as he stood at the doorway, his brothers just a few feet behind him.

“I did!” Solomon piped up from behind them, “Consider him my plus one.”

Once they entered the room their eyes widened in shock as they got closer to the bed. All the marks they left on you the other day had healed. Not a single scratch was visible on your skin. They all stared at you for a good minute before shifting their gaze to Simeon. Turns out those angel kisses were more than just a sign of affection. None of the brothers were all too happy with what they saw. All the scratches, bruises, and bites they marked you with were gone, as if they never happened at all. The tension in the room started to grow but luckily Diavolo arrived just in time to resolve the situation.

“How kind of you to finally join us Simeon! Up until recently it seemed like you had no interest in our little meeting but from what I’m seeing now I guess it’s safe to assume you’ve changed your mind?” Diavolo took a step towards the angel, his demeanor still calm and composed while Simeon’s face flushed red as he stared at the floor and gave a quiet “yes” in response. Diavolo chuckled at his shy display of honesty before gesturing for the others to come closer. Taking your chin in his hand Diavolo tilted your head to meet his eyes once more, “This isn’t quite what I had imagined when I said I wanted to unite the three realms, but then again who am I to turn down such a golden opportunity...”

A million different things ran through your head as each of them drew closer to you, surrounding you from all sides, however one singular thought remained in your mind, “This is going to be a very long breeding season.”

For the next two weeks, all classes at RAD were postponed under the order of Lord Diavolo. None of the students could complain about a sudden two week vacation….except for a certain exhausted exchange student….

[erodasghosts]

reverence | harry styles

description: where harry and y/n finally are made to face how they feel

warnings: none?

word count: ~7.6k

a/n: this took forever :) i have a love/hate feeling towards it honestly... let me know what you think!

masterlist

To talk about one’s feelings never seems to come easy. So much risk comes with making yourself so vulnerable, whether it is talking about how you feel after a loss or if it is admitting how you feel for another person. With love, you put your heart out on the table with hope that the other person will place their own heart right with yours, yet having not even the slightest clue as to what will happen. 

There are people who will do this with ease, knowing that you have to risk it to even have the chance of a happy outcome. At the same time, there are people who will let the negative thoughts persist and take over, leading them to coware away from ever saying a word to the other. Both were understandable places to be, and both things could lead to a number of other possibilities. 

A confession of love could lead to a happily ever after that so many people only ever dream of, and that would make all of the panic leading to it well worth the reward. But a confession could also be the darkest of possibilities to imagine, which kept so many people from doing anything. But it was so much more than just the idea of rejection, it was what came with that. What would happen to the relationship you had before? Would confessing be worth losing the person you care for most? It felt so much safer to just hold it in.

You had been offered countless opportunities to say how you felt, and each time you chose to bite your tongue. This occurred time after time, so often that it almost became a comfort to you in some way. As if you knew that you could think whatever, and you would likely never even hint that you had any more interest than as a friend because that was when you always ran. Right when things could get serious, right when you could potentially begin your happily ever after, you would run. 

And running didn’t mean leaving, but it meant ignoring your feelings. Ignoring the truth, pushing it away in some lame attempt to make yourself feel better. You told yourself that your feelings would fade, it was only a temporary crush, one that you could grow out of. You would say that it was for the better to ignore your feelings, that you were saving yourself and Harry.

Because, really, what would a relationship with you and Harry even look like? Your mind did often consider it, the idea of being with Harry. Your relationship was already so tight knit, you weren’t exactly more would change if you were together. You had already shared kisses on the cheek, and spent late nights and early mornings holding one another as you laughed on and on about the most ridiculous of things. You had shared countless lazy mornings and had tightly hugged one another long enough to make the world around you fade out. 

You could talk for days about the butterflies in your stomach when Harry would hold your hand, or kiss your knuckles, or even just when he did the simple action of resting his head on your shoulder. And it felt so dumb, but even the way he would look to you with the biggest smile would never fail to brighten your day. Things were already so delicate and sweet, you nearly didn’t dare to imagine that it could become sweeter.

It was nice to picture something so enchanting with Harry, but at the same time  it was something you hated to do. You didn’t like allowing yourself to smile so fondly at his underwhelming dad jokes, or to feel so twitterpated at only the idea of a possibility, because those things would provide you with a hope that you didn’t have the luxury to hold.

Yes, your relationship with him was sweet now, and there seemed to be such great potential for things to get increasingly better, but you knew that a part of you had to still be realistic. Though, there is a difference between being realistic and being apprehensive. In truth, you were more of the second part. 

You had fears about Harry, fears that seemed to easily mask any chance of a future relationship. You had wondered, did he ever feel the same? About any of it? Did he ever have butterflies in his stomach when noticing the way you looked at him? Had his heart ever turned into a syrup when you would hold him closely, and as if you may never get to again? The chance that he might’ve felt the same was there, and you couldn’t always deny that. 

A happily ever after could be waiting just at the tips of your tongues, growing tired of being discarded time and time again. Maybe your feelings were being held in reserve for no real reason, only waiting for the three simple words to be shared. But was that maybe reason enough to take the risk of heartbreak? 

That was a question you had avoided looking for any answer to, always challenging it with the argument that it was never the right time to think of such things. There was always something greater, wasn’t there? Always a reason to focus on anything but the issue that had built for what seemed like years now. 

Fear had definitely kept you from saying anything on the matter for a great amount of time, but a part of you was growing tired of that fear. Was it so crazy to believe he might feel the same way for you? Or to even believe the bare minimum that he really had become more intimate with your interactions together? Because, yes, it made sense that he might if you were forthright. 

What would that even look like? How could you know when it was ever the right time? You had gotten so good at making excuse after excuse that it was much easier to turn a blind eye than to recognize when you really did have an opportunity. 

“You ready to go?” Harry peeked into your bedroom, “Or am I supposed to just wait another half hour?”

You were slightly startled by his voice, nearly forgetting that he had even been there. You had been keeping him waiting, getting so easily lost in your thoughts. His tone had a slight annoyance in it, though he was only doing it to tease.

You cleared your throat, “You were hardly waiting for ten minutes.” 

“Felt like an eternity though,” he grinned, glancing over your outfit as you slipped on your shoes and walked out in the hall to meet him. “You look nice,” he gently brushed your hair from your face.

You brushed his hand away with a small blush and a smile, “Thank you, but this is just a casual outfit.”

His smile widened, “And yet you still look so…”

“Average?” you suggested with a chuckle. “Are you just hamming me up? What’s with all the smiles and attempted compliments?”

“Attempted?” He frowned slightly, “Aren’t I allowed to smile? What’ve you got against smilin’ now?”

“I haven’t got anything against smiling, but you’re acting so…” 

“Average?” He copied. “I’m only being nice,” he said cooly, “that alright with you?”

You shook your head with a laugh, not completely buying his act. He had always made such small compliments, and they were always sincere but there was still something that made you second guess it all. He had started complimenting you more recently, with such wide and cheesy smiles accompanying the compliments. It was hard for you to know if he was only being nice, or if that was something to read more into. It was his usual behavior, simply amplified, maybe he was just in a better mood?

Harry stepped towards you, taking a closer look at the rings on your hands. “You’ve got my rings on?” He held your hand, pulling it closer to see what rings you took exactly, “I take them off for what, five minutes, and you’ve got them on your fingers?”

There wasn’t much room for Harry to complain, he had stolen your rings a fair number of times too. He would always complain yet you had noticed a boost in his confidence when you would wear his things. He enjoyed the chance to be dramatic, really.

You gave a nonchalant shrug, “You shouldn’t leave them lying around for me to take.”

He raised his brows, seeming amused by your answer. “Ah, I see,” he smirked, “I get it, you just can’t resist taking my things.” He teased casually, “Must you have a piece of me with you at all times?” 

You were taken aback by his suggestion, scoffing at what seemed to be his arrogance, though you knew there was truth to it. “Excuse me?”

His thumb skimmed over your knuckles before letting your hand fall, “It is a bit suspicious that you’re always wearing my things. My rings, my shirts, my jumpers, my cardigans,” he was grinning from ear to ear, “The list just keeps going, sweetheart. I’m just saying, that would be the perfect explanation.”

It was hard to know whether he was joking or not, he could only be teasing. Either way, it had gotten to you, feeling your cheeks burning. You couldn’t really believe that he meant more than to poke at you.

“I’m only kidding,” he gave a vexatious smile, “though it does seem to be a possibility?”

Had you been so easy to read? Harry hadn’t gotten it all right, of course, but he wasn’t completely wrong in saying that you couldn’t go without something of his around you. This was something you didn’t really notice, or had but didn’t want to admit it. 

“Only in your dreams,” you teased back. 

“Ouch,” Harry laughed. He looked you over once more, deciding to drop the teasing,“You ready, then, darling?”

“As I’ll ever be,” you nodded. 

You and Harry had set up a double date with two of your friends. That was, a friend of yours, Ava, had begged you to get her a date with Harry after meeting him. They had seemed to get along well enough, and you knew that there was no purpose in keeping him for yourself considering things hadn’t changed between you for years. Harry had said he would only go if you would go as well, with someone he knew. Really, you weren’t sure why you had even agreed to go, but now here you were.

It would be a night of having to see him out with your friend, and you were expected to turn your attention to whatever friend he had thought you might like. You were pretty much walking into it knowing that you wouldn’t like whoever it was, and that Harry would probably leave with Ava whilst you walked home alone. At least you would be in silence.

“Who is it you’ve set me up with again? Ella?” Harry questioned, pursing his lips. 

“Ava,” you clarified, “you met her a few months ago.”

“Did I?” 

“Stop being rude,” you scolded him. 

He laughed, “How can it be rude when she isn’t even here to hear me say it?”

“Because you’re still acting rude,” you pointed out, “and I know you, you’ll slip and be rude to her. Now, stop pretending you don’t remember her.” 

“How can it be pretending when I actually don’t remember?” He had another mischievous smile.  

You punched his shoulder, giving him a serious look. “You act as if it was time wasted meeting her, why would you even agree to a date then?”

“You insisted!” He was laughing again, “You had practically begged me--”

“I did not beg you.”

“Oh, you did though,” Harry pointed a finger. “Something about how I needed to get out more and make more friends than just you, which I have friends, thank you.”

You joked, “Oh really? Maybe you should be spending more time with them and less time up my arse?” 

“But you know you love me, couldn’t go a second less without me.” He reached for your hand again, holding it closer and lightly brushing the rings with his fingers, “That’s why you wear my things so often, remember?”

“No,” you pulled your hand away, “but if you’re going to make such a fuss about it I’ll just stop.” You began to remove the rings slowly, “You can just take them back now.”

“No, no, no,” he shook his head and pulled your hands apart to stop you. “Keep ‘em on, I’m only messing around…” He cleared his throat and stuffed his hands into his pockets, “So, Ava then? She’s from the… from the Christmas party?”

“How convenient, you remember her now.” You grinned, poking his side, “Can you do that with anything? Just forget when you want to avoid but remember when you have to pull yourself out?”

Harry gently rubbed his ribs, “Yes, actually. And it is rather convenient, by the way.” 

“Hmm, I don’t doubt it.”

You had wished that you could do such a thing, but really do it. Because if you could, forgetting your feelings for Harry would surely be much easier than having to live in the constant fear that he might find out. At the end of the day, you weren’t ready for him to know, as much as you fantasized about the possibilities if it ended well.

You knew that he was only joking about Ava, probably just desperate to have anything to say so he wouldn’t be left in silence. You weren’t sure what it was, but he seemed to be getting worse and worse about being able to just sit in silence. In a way, you hadn’t minded the noise. It kept you from thinking too much about the situation with your feelings. In another way, it would’ve been nice to have more time to consider actually telling him, had you been given the time to think on it while near him.

What difference would that make though? Not much of one. But you had convinced yourself that maybe if you had more time in silence with him that you would’ve taken advantage of that silence, that you would’ve told him how you felt. Yet you had experienced that silence with him countless times of a span of years, yet not during a single one were you ever able to work yourself up to that. So maybe things were better off without the silence, especially for you.

“Who’d you set me up with?” You raised your brows, looking over to Harry.

He was kicking a rock along the sidewalk, “Oh, Oliver. You remember him, right?”

“Oliver? The guy who doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice?” You faked gagged, “Why the hell would you set me up with him?”

“Okay, y’know,” Harry stopped kicking the rock and was doing his best not to smile and humor you, “because he isn’t so bad past that, and because I did have to get back at you a bit, didn’t I?”

“He doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice, Harry!” You spoke as if it was obvious, “You shouldn’t be wasting my time with him. You could've at least set me up with someone who stood a chance.”

He tried not to laugh, “Oliver doesn’t stand a chance because he doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice?” 

“And he never will so long as he doesn’t have taste.”

“That’s only one flaw,” Harry joked, “can’t you let it go? Just this once?”

There had been more to Oliver than just his opinion on Pride and Prejudice that was disappointing to you, and you knew that Harry was aware of that. You hadn’t hated him, but he wasn’t particularly interesting either. You knew that it was more likely that Harry had truly set you up with Oliver to be a petty, he had even admitted to doing so. He didn’t have to agree on a date with Ava, though, so he really had no reason to do that.

You rolled your eyes, “Fine, I’ll let it go for tonight.” 

“Thank you,” he smiled.

You paused for a moment, only for dramatic effect, before saying, “But he doesn’t like Pride and Prejudice.”

Harry finally cracked a smile, “Y/n, it’s ju--”

“Pride and Prejudice?” You heard your friend, Ava, stepping in, “I never cared for it, too boring and drawn out.”

You were fairly certain that Ava had never even bothered trying to read or watch it, but that she just wanted a way to butt into the conversation when she saw you had arrived. A simple hello would’ve done.

“Ava, did you get here early?” You smiled, walking over to stand by her side.

“Just by a few minutes,” she smiled back, “no problem, really.”

She glanced between you and Harry, waiting for you to reintroduce them. You weren’t sure why she was being so shy now. She had been so persistent about you making sure she could meet Harry again, and specifically on you getting her a date with him. You could blame her, and you even stood where she was coming from when it came to Harry, but at the same time it just irritated you.

You hummed, “Right, so… Harry, you’ll remember Ava?”

“Ah, Ava,” he offered a plain smile while shaking her hand, “good to see you again.”

Ava seemed to be enhancing all of her reactions, trying to leave a good impression on Harry. You had considered warning her, knowing that it would only drive him away. He had already seemed bored, or as if he couldn’t be bothered. Then again, he wasn’t exactly thrilled about going to begin with.

“I’ve been looking forward to tonight, to getting to know you better. Y/n talks about you a lot, she’s really pained quite the picture of you,” she laughed awkwardly.

“Has she?” He turned to you, “Let’s hope you didn’t give her unrealistic expectations.”

“Oh, no no…” you shook your head, “I only told her that you’d probably find a way to get on her last nerve fast, and that you’re intolerable yet you always find a way to rope people back into your life.”

You gave him a sarcastic smile and Harry didn’t hesitate to return one. He was slowly opening his mouth, probably to spew some random rebuttal just to make himself feel better and to keep whatever game he thought was going on alive.

But Ava interrupted, “And I told y/n that I didn’t believe that. You seemed so nice at the Christmas party, and everyone else seems to talk about you so fondly.”

You scoffed, adding on for the joke, “Well everyone else doesn’t really know Harry. I assure you, you’ll be wishing you never even came to dinner by the end of it.”

“I’m really not that bad, you’ve gotta give me some more credit.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I only annoy you because we’ve been friends for so long, but I won’t be so bad with Ava, promise.”

You had highly doubted his words. If he didn’t want to be there he would express it, and you could tell that he was still making his final decision on how he wanted that night to go. In a way you had hoped that he would want to leave too, because he would actually have the guts to find a reason as to why he had to go, giving you an opening to take as well. Which, admittedly, you didn’t like that it sounded so rude towards Ava and Oliver, but you weren’t looking forward to the evening.

“Oliver’s here,” Harry was looking behind you, starting his way to greet him. “Oliver, just in time, the rest of us had just gotten together.”

Oliver was cute, adorable even. You remembered that you could get along with him just fine, and he was plenty nice, but he just hadn’t been the type that you would date. You figured, if anything, you would at least walk away with a new friend though.

“Hey, sorry to keep everyone waiting,” he smiled awkwardly, looking between you and Ava. “You must be Ava?”

She gave a sweet smile, sticking out her hand to shake his, “Yes, and you must be Oliver?”

“I am,” he shook her hand gently, “you both look wonderful, by the way.”

“Oh,” she tucked her hair behind her ear shyly, “thank you… you and Harry look fantastic as well.”

“Thank you,” Harry smiled, “just my usual type of look, though.”

His response made him sound so bored already, you hoped that his boredom didn’t make him be rude to either of them. As much as you didn’t want to be there you wouldn’t be rude to them. Harry was good at maintaining conversations when he wanted, so maybe it wouldn’t be too horrible if he decided to just tolerate the night.

“Your usual look is this?” Ava gestured, laughing lightly.

Oliver joked, “He’s a bit over dramatic, isn’t he?”

“Oh, well…” she was looking over his outfit again with a soft smile, “maybe bold is a better word? But you both look good, really.”

You had started to zone in and out through pieces of the conversations, paying enough attention to make yourself seem interested in whatever it was they were going on about. Harry had been doing the same you noticed, hardly seeming to understand what they were even talking about.

The time seemed to pass so slowly. Being seated, waiting for your order, the awkward conversation once everyone had finished eating. But Harry had, surprisingly, been giving Ava his attention. He still never seemed too thrilled, and he mostly had just been listening. Maybe it was so he wouldn’t have to do much of the talking, not caring to share parts of himself with her quite yet, if ever at this point.

By the end of dinner Harry had become seemingly more disinterested. He was leaning back in his seat, arms crossed and eyebrows knitted. He had still been listening, interrupting with a few questions here and there, and now nodding almost rhythmically in some attempt to reassure everyone that he was listening. You had noticed him looking over to you a few times, causing you both to quickly turn your gazes back to Ava and Oliver, serving as a sort of reminder that you were meant to be focused more on them.

Oliver had asked you a few questions here and there, and you had done your best to do the same. Eventually Oliver seemed to have given up on starting any form of a conversation with you, as he had been slowly having more and more of a conversation with Ava instead. 

It was ironic, how the dates had been set up. If anything, Ava and Oliver probably should’ve been the two going on a date with one another, seeing as you and Harry were slowly playing less and less of a role at the dinner. 

You weren’t even sure how Harry had talked you into going, it wasn’t like you were the one wanting Ava to get a date with him, she was just insisting on being given the chance. What were you getting out of it all? Oliver was nice, and he deserved more than the attention you were hardly giving him. All you were really getting was more frustration with yourself about not just Oliver, but Harry and Ava too.

Instead of focusing on your time spent at the date, you were just focused on your worry that Harry possibly could end up liking Ava, though it didn’t seem likely. Even if he didn’t like Ava, it just made you realize that eventually you likely would have to watch him as he fell for someone else, because he didn’t really seem to be falling for you. Why had you done such a thing to yourself?

“You’re actually a writer?” You could hear Oliver questioning, “As in, you actually wrote that article in the magazine?”

“All about fading trends, I did.” Ava was smiling towards Oliver, “I can’t believe you’ve actually read it?”

“I can’t believe I’m actually meeting the person who wrote it. I mean, what’re the odds?” 

They both seem much more interested in one another, so at least they had each other. Harry was glancing over at you again, attempting to give you a look to say he was getting tired of having to be there. You raised your brows, pressing your lips together back towards him to try doing the same. You still had to wait for the check, so you decided to join the conversation again to maybe help the time pass easier.

You leaned forward, clearing your throat, “Harry’s actually posed for some of the magazines that you write for, Ava.” 

“Oh?” Ava turned back to Harry, “It’s a wonderful company to work with, isn’t it?”

He smiled faintly, “Wonderful, yeah. Nice experience with them, really.”

Ava smiled awkwardly at his plain response. You quickly glared at him, trying to encourage him to say more but all he did was give you a sarcastic smile. You couldn’t blame him for not wanting to join in, but it felt wrong that the two of you were just sitting in silence. 

You nudged his leg with your foot, causing him to roll his eyes before leaning forward to rest his elbow on the table again. “Oliver actually takes pictures, maybe the two of you could collaborate on something sometime?”

At least he was contributing, even if it was by just turning their attention back to one another. Some friend you felt like, having set Ava on a date with Harry, and having convinced Harry to go himself, knowing it would fail. Part of you had hope that maybe things would actually go well, and they might actually end up liking one another rather well. That didn’t seem to be happening, but at least she and Oliver did have each other.

“I would love to work out a collaborative piece!”

“Oh, no, no,” Oliver chuckled, “please, don’t feel like you’d have to. I would absolutely love to, but please don’t feel any pressure over it.”

“What? No,” she shook her head, turning her body more to face him. “We should exchange numbers, to talk more about this sometime?”

They continued on with their conversation, leaving you to sit back in silence again. You were grateful in one way, but still felt guilt in another way. Harry hadn’t seemed to mind at all, focused on pointlessly adjusting the rings on his fingers. Maybe you should’ve been so guiltless too.

As they talked more, Harry leaned closer to you, “Think the check’ll be here soon?”

“God, I hope so,” you mumbled quietly.

“Should we hang out after?” He looked to you, softly biting his lip as he waited for your response.

Before the date had begun, you would’ve thought that he would be going home with Ava, though you never planned to go with Oliver. You figured it would be somewhat rude to Oliver and Ava to leave with Harry, and things were already going so poorly. Still, you figured the evening shouldn’t have to be completely boring for yourself and Harry.

“Maybe?” You whispered, “We could watch a movie or something?”

He nodded lightly, “Yeah, even just the two of us talking alone would be an upgrade.”

You poked his side, trying your best not to smile at his words. “Thought you said you were going to be nice?”

“I’m trying so hard, darling,” he chuckled lightly and rubbed his side. “But you’ve gotta admit that you’re regretting coming.”

He was completely right, though you wouldn’t say that right in front of them, whispering or not. “Can you not be rude long enough for us to get the check?”

He scoffed, grinning at you, “They don’t even seem to realize that we’re still here.”

Glancing over at them you saw that they both had turned their bodies to face one another, leaning on the arms of their chairs and nodding along as the other spoke on about whatever they had brought up now. They seemed to be much more entertained by one another than either of you, you couldn’t blame them in the slightest.

“I think they’ll be just as happy to get away from us as we will be to get away from them.” Harry looked at you.

“Hmm…” you continued to watch them, “seems so, doesn’t it?”

The guilt started to fade as you realized that they were happier talking to one another, that you had at least played some part in them meeting. It was less of a burden on everyone to just let it happen. It left you wondering more about why you were so worried about the situation to begin with. 

You were expecting that Harry would give Ava more of a chance, and that it would be something dreadful to have to spend the night dealing with. And you were expecting that you would have to force yourself to have more conversations with Oliver, but you had barely had any. You thought that the entire night would be some huge thing that was going to force you into thinking more and more about your relationship with Harry, which it had just not in the way you thought. 

Why didn’t he give her any form of a chance? He had never mentioned anything about not looking for a relationship to you, and he could’ve simply said no to the date instead of roping you into it too. And why had he roped you into it? Especially when he was planning to set you up on a date with Oliver, who he had already known you didn’t care for in such a way.

Again, maybe Oliver was Harry’s way of getting a petty type of payback, considering he knew you could get along well enough with him. Would he really bother at all though if he didn’t want to go so badly? Because now he was just waiting for his chance to leave, and he practically had been the entire time.

Eventually the waitress brought the check around, and you were finally able to pay and make your way out. Ava and Oliver had now become as quiet as you and Harry as you all walked along the sidewalk, getting ready to go your separate ways. 

“I’m just going to talk to y/n really quick before heading out,” Ava smiled, pulling you off to the side by your arm before anyone could respond.

“Look, I’m sorry about Harry tonight, I don’t know what his deal is. He just--” you began.

She shook her head, “No, it’s… fine. Harry seems to be preoccupied with someone else.” She bit her lip, “I actually really like Oliver, though…”

You were surprised, what’d she mean about Harry? It had been obvious about Oliver, but you weren’t expecting her to say that about Harry. If he did like someone else it would explain why he was so uninterested in the date, but why hadn’t he told you about it?

“Oliver’s nice,” you nodded.

“He is,” she agreed. “I… I actually wonder, if it’s alright with you, if I might go on another date with him? We just, we really seemed to click back there, but I know he was meant to be your date so I wouldn’t want to step in.”

“What? No, no… Oliver’s…” you glanced over to him and Harry as they talked to one another “nice,” you repeated. “But I’m not really interested in dating him, if I’m honest. You should go for it, though.”

“Really?” Ava beamed, putting her hand on yours, “And you don’t have to just say that either, you know.”

You shook your head lightly, “Harry had known that before even setting me up. Take your chance, you did get along so well and I hardly found any connection.”

“And you don’t think Harry would mind?” She questioned, “I know he agreed to the date and everything, but he just seems…” she paused, “And, Oliver would be interested in me, right?”

Harry couldn’t care less, not that you’d say that to her.

“Harry will be fine, really,” you assured her. “And Oliver couldn’t seem to find true interest in anyone other than you.”

“Thank you so much,” She pulled you into a quick hug to say goodbye. “I think you should talk with Harry still, about this entire situation.”

You pressed your eyebrows together, “What… what’d you mean? About you going with Oliver? I think it’s clear that the two of you just clicked better.”

“No, no,” she tucked her hair behind her ear and crossed her arms, “not about… no, about each other. Kind of seems like he was agreeing more to a date with you and not me, which doesn’t bother me really, I should’ve known he liked you.”

“What?” 

“Thanks again, by the way,” she started to back away, “I’ll see you soon.”

What had she said? That Harry liked you? It seemed so random, and unexplained on her part. Yes, you had been questioning if he possibly could, but you had never brought that up to anyone else, so what was she talking about?

“My place is just a few blocks over,” you heard Ava saying her goodbyes to Harry and Oliver. “Dinner was… so nice with you all, thanks for bringing me along.”

“Oh, I’ll walk you home? I live close too,” Oliver offered.

Ava accepted and they both then said their goodbyes leaving you and Harry alone, standing a few feet apart. Was there anything about the night that you could accurately predict?

“Well,” Harry cleared his throat, “at least they seem to have gotten along.”

You glanced at him before watching Ava and Oliver again as they left, they had been standing practically shoulder to shoulder, bumping together gently every other step. It was good to see that they didn’t walk away miserable after the dinner, maybe it wasn’t as miserable for them as it seemed to be for you and Harry.

What had Ava meant about you and Harry? 

“Why were you so against tonight?” You looked at him again, searching for answers.

Harry froze up, licking his lips as he thought. “I had already met Ava, I knew I wasn’t really interested in a date with her.” 

“Then why did you agree to going on the date?” You pointed a finger, “Why’d you drag me along too? Especially on a date with Oliver, you knew I didn’t care for Oliver.”

“Couldn’t exactly get you off my back about the date,” he defended, “Oliver was… I thought maybe if you gave him another chance you’d click. Him not liking Pride and Prejudice just didn’t seem like a real reason to dislike him.”

You watched him closely, he just seemed anxious now. He was shifting back and forth on his feet, shoving one hand in his pocket and running the other through his hair. Why was he nervous now?

“It’s plenty of reason,” you replied simply. “You knew I just wasn’t interested in him like that.”

He chuckled, “Like you knew I wasn’t interested in Ava?” 

“You still could’ve turned down the date.”

There was silence for a moment, he didn’t seem to know how to reply. You both slowly began to walk back to your apartment, you were making sure to keep more distance between yourself and Harry than before. You were confused by it all, so much more than you had been before, if that was possible.

You had asked him a few times to go on a date with her, because Ava had kept trying to get you to make it happen. So maybe you had done it just to get her off of your own back, but you figured that she just needed to see for herself either that Harry wasn’t interested or that they just wouldn’t have worked. There was that chance that it would go well between them, which you had prepared for just in case, yet Harry had just never shown an interest in her, not really.

“I mean,” you began again, “I know that I had been asking you to go a handle full of times… I figured you were just being hard headed like you are. You had even been telling me you’d give her a chance, and it didn’t seem that you did at all.”

“I…” he paused. “The more I thought about it the more I realized I just wasn’t interested in her?” 

It was like he was just listing off answers that he thought you might want to hear in an attempt to just end the conversation. You wanted an actual answer from him though, not just whatever he could think of.

“Harry, come on,” you stopped walking, grabbing his arm to stop him too. “Why won’t you just give me an actual explanation?”

“Why’d you want me to go with her so badly?” He looked at you, “Why Ava, yes, but why anyone?”

“What do you mean?” 

“Why were you so set on getting me to date someone else?” He questioned. “I just thought…” he bit his lip, shaking his head, “Nevermind.”

“No, what?” You stepped closer to him, “What’re you talking about? I had thought you were trying to date? Or are you not? Because I’m getting that feeling, and if that’s it I’m sorry for this entire thing. I didn’t realize that you weren’t anymore, I don’t think you ever said anything to me about that.”

“Are you being serious?” Harry looked into your eyes, really trying to read your intentions. “I… ‘cause if you are, I can’t tell.”

“Yes I’m being serious,” you hit his arm. “I didn’t know you weren’t dating anymore?”

He had a faint smile and he shook his head again, as if he couldn’t believe you anymore. “I chose Oliver because you had mentioned I’d be going with Ava, I thought they might get along.”

At least he had answered one of your questions, though it seemed like he was now just avoiding talking about that.

“Okay? They weren’t really going to talk much, why would it matter?”

“For fuck’s sake,” he mumbled to himself, running a hand down his face and turning away.

Maybe it was because you didn’t dare to let yourself believe such things, but you couldn’t picture what exactly Harry was meaning in the moment. Because it could be about what Ava had said about him, or it could be nothing of the sort. You didn’t want to risk anything by simply assuming, but you did consider just being direct.

“Can you just… explain what the hell you’re talking about?”

He nodded quickly, lips pressed together as he spun back around. “Explain? Sure…” he took a moment to collect his thoughts. “I agreed to go because you asked me, it was important to you. And I wanted you to go so I would be less miserable while out… I chose Oliver because I figured he and Ava would get along, and I had hoped that maybe they would entertain one another so we could just talk for the night, making for a less… less tiring dinner.”

It seemed like such a wild and complicated web of connections he had made.

“You didn’t have to go just because I asked,” you stated. “You should’ve just said you didn’t want to go.”

“I’m not even complaining about having gone,” he scoffed. “I went, we went, that part is over… you wanted to know why Oliver, and that’s why. And you wanted to know why I agreed, and that’s my reason.”

“That seems like such a mess of an explanation, Harry.”

He hummed, “Well I suppose that’s due to the mess of a situation that we are in.”

Whatever point he was trying to make was unclear. What was the point in all of what he had done? If he didn’t want to go with Ava he could’ve said so, and if he thought Oliver was a better fit the two of you could’ve worked something out to still introduce Ava to him. It still wasn’t making any sense.

“I didn’t think you actually wanted me to go with Ava,” he explained further. “You seemed so annoyed that Ava kept pesturing you about doing it, so I figured I would go along to get her to leave you alone.”

That would explain it more. It made sense as to why he chose Oliver more too. 

You tucked your hands in your jacket, “I never said I didn’t want you to give Ava a chance.” You had said the opposite, actually. Multiple times.

“You didn’t have to,” he shrugged. “We’ve known one another for years, I can tell when something’s bothering you. Thought it’d be easier to just go with it… I thought that maybe it would give us a chance to… to spend more time together?”

You rolled your eyes, “Because we don’t do that enough?”

“Not as much as I’d like to,” he admitted. 

Ava could’ve been right, and all of your thoughts from before about all of those possibilities could’ve been getting confirmed. But why would he go through all of this if those thoughts were true?

“I also agreed to go on the date because I thought it was you telling me you weren’t interested.” He glanced at you before turning away again, “I was confused about it, guess that’s why I was so cold to Ava too, shouldn’t have been though…” his head dropped. “I thought that… I mean, all the signs were there?”

“Signs?” you muttered.

“We’ve been spending more time together, I’ve been trying to show you how I feel in… in different ways. I’ve tried to compliment you every chance I get, or placing a kiss on your cheek or hand too… take every chance to be near you that I can get, I mean how many nights and mornings have we been spending in each other’s arms?” He smiled lightly, “However many, it’s not enough... You ask me to stay, which is always a relief because I swear when I don’t spend the night with you I can’t sleep even half as well…” he laughed through his nose. “And I guess that I had thought it all meant something? I even thought maybe the rings meant something, like a cherry on top, y’know?” He lifted his hand, looking at the rings on his fingers, causing you to do the same. “I should’ve known it was too good to be true, that it was just… an extension of the relationship we’ve already had.” 

None of it felt like it was things meant for you to hear, especially from Harry. You had wanted to hear it, yes, but you had been trying your hardest to come to terms with the thought that you just never would hear such things. Now, here he was just saying everything that you had just been hard on yourself about thinking you were overthinking it all.

“Maybe it’s stupid of me, but I thought because you seemed so hesitant about setting me up to go with Ava that maybe I still had a chance? As if I dreamed that you were hesitating because you didn’t want me to go, like you were silently letting me know you wanted me to go with you instead?” He still was turned away, and his voice seemed to be growing more and more quiet. “Guess I just don’t know where I am standing now.”

If there was ever a time to tell him about your feelings, it was now. It was completely unexpected, but maybe going with it would end in a positive way. He had already said things you never imagined he would, so why shouldn’t you too.

“I didn’t want you to go with Ava because I was mad with myself for having never told you how I felt,” you admitted shyly. “I wanted to be selfish, to not even give her the opportunity to go, so I guess I always seemed so hesitant about it because I was… I didn’t want you to see something in her, or just someone else, that I thought you could never see in me.”

“So why did you keep pushing?” He turned around, “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt?” You shrugged lightly, “I was nervous, I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t think you had felt the same, I mean I had thought there was a possibility but I never let myself believe it.”

“Is it really so unbelievable?” Harry took a step closer, searching your eyes for answers, “Did I not make how I felt clear enough?”

You chuckled, “Apparently neither one of us did. Either one of us could’ve just stated it.”

It was true, yet neither of you had. You had been cowering from it, it was much too big of a risk. Because, yes, a confession could come with ease, but it could’ve also come with struggle and rejection. You were equally at fault, if anyone was at fault at all.

“And if I state it now?” He took your hand in his own, “What would happen then?”

What would happen? Wasn’t that your question for it all? What made you more qualified to answer it than Harry? You weren’t sure what to say on it, there was no way to know how things would go.

You looked into his eyes too, “I guess we’d figure that out together.”

masterlist

[strawbabysimp]

The Maid's Dress || Sub!Levi x Reader

Genre: Smut

Categories: Sub!Levi x Fem!Dom!Reader

Warning(s): Anal Fingering, Praise, Mommy Kink, Masturbation, Blow Jobs, Pet Names

A/N: I'm not the best at intros so I had to cut it short but I hope you enjoy what followed💕

You sat down on the chair in Levi's room, playing with the small pens and paper that were found on his desk. Your boyfriend had just finished up training all while you had been waiting for him impatiently, foot tapping down against the cold floor as you read through one of your books. You heard the water fill the tub and a small splash as he submerged himself in the warmth. Now was your chance.

Trying your best not to alert the small captain to your plans you crept quietly to the door, opening it with caution so as to avoid the creaking. Along the way you grabbed the main item needed for your plans, folded nice and tidy. He better compliment you later for your skills.

The door opened cautiously, steam fogged the mirror and you were thankful he had pulled the thin curtain closed around his bathing area. Picking up your boyfriend's previous change of clothes -- a plain t-shirt with boxers -- you swapped it out with the much softer and much more risque option.

Now you wait.

A few minutes passed before you heard heard the tell-tale signs of Levi removing himself from the soapy water. Most likely too busy drying himself off to notice the garments just yet. When he did eventually notice his voice called out questioningly, "Y/N! Did you move my clothes?"

"Hmm... No, those are the right ones. I thought the others looked a bit uncomfortable." You would have laughed if you weren't already anticipating how the clothes would look on on his small frame. Smelling all nice and fresh. Thighs framed beautifully by the black fabric. You couldn't wait to wreck him.

The door made a light squeaking noise as it fell open disrupting your train of thought. "Y/N... what's all this?" The darkness of the bathroom didn't allowing for you to fully take in his appearance but the mere outline left you craving more.

You gestured for him to step forward, which he did hesitantly. It had quickly become clear that this wasn't simply a small prank but rather you planned to do some further activities with him all dolled-up like this. "What's this," he said in a cautious voice, no longer sounding as confident in his actions as before. His tone held a note of shyness that it only got when you two were together.

You allowed your gaze to travel down his body slowly, the newly introduced light adding to the sight tenfold. The way the white trimming spanned out, covering only the very top portion of his muscle-lined thighs, and the way his legs moved against each other had no right to be as erotic as it was. Your mouth watered shamefully, but you had to wait.

It was sleeveless and for that you were grateful. You loved seeing his arms flex and squirm freely while you fucked him. He looked adorable with his collarbones peeking out through the top, the size looking just the smallest bit off in a way that made him look gorgeously lewd before you had even acted on your full intentions.

"Do a little twirl for me Levi." He was taken aback by your words, clearly still trying to process the situation, his head titled cutely in contemplation. Your smile remained sweet and inviting, "I just want to see how pretty you look baby."

He spun around for you as, the hem of the dress spinning softly in the air and his face growing noticeably redder by the time he was done. "You're such a good boy for me Levi," you praised lovingly, "I think you deserve a treat." He stepped closer to you before you raised your hand to stop him, pointing to the table on the other side of the room. "I didn't say I was going to be the one giving it to you, did I?" He shook his head. "Now go bend over."

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

He turned around to look you in the eyes, hoping that the sincerity in his would grant him some sympathy, as he spoke up again. His next words made it clear that he was beginning to fall into that pleasurable headspace of his. "Yes Mommy."

~~~

"Y/N p-please," he begged as his finger continued its slow pace, dragging along his walls, just barely grazing the sweet, sensitive ball of nerves inside himself. "It's not enough!" Despite his cries he never stopped working himself open for you, trying so hard to be a good boy all while moaning shamefully a few feets away from his lover. His other hand struggled to keep the fabric up so you could watch his little display but whenever it fell slightly he made sure to hastily drag it back up over his waist. You could practically feel the burn in your own hand as you stared down at his little fingers trying their hardest to bring the boy to his climax.

"Slower," you instructed. You couldn't let him come so soon, it would ruin all the fun. His gaze met yours over his shoulder as he whined, pushing back on the two fingers slower and more precise. It was obvious how hard he was trying not to slam himself back on the digits and the knowledge of his struggles only brought you more pleasure. His soft whines growing louder and more drawn out the longer he had to maintain the teasing pace combined with the lewd sounds of his ass taking in the digits had you uncrossing and re-crossing your legs to stem off your own arousal. The sight was simply too good to just watch at this point.

You got up from your place on the chair, walking over to stand behind his vulnerable form. He still hadn't realized you were approaching, far too caught up in his own pleasure to hear your footsteps. "Would you like some help with that," you smirked at your boyfriend. He startled slightly, looking up to meet your gaze with his fingers still buried knuckles deep in his hole.

"Y-yes."

"Yes? How impolite Levi." Your voice took on a mock ridiculing tone as you watched his fingers continue to swirl around in search of some much needed release. His voice was small as he whined out, "Y-yes, p-please." You nodded along to his words as you slowly glided your hand up the plump thighs in front of you, his legs perfectly on display as he remained leaning over the table.

"Well I suppose you deserve a nice treat after all I've put you through." Those were the final words you uttered before you shoved two of your fingers in alongside his own, curling over his hand as yours were able to reach deeper into him than he was capable of on his own. He arched into your touch, shoving himself back on them thoughtlessly. Feeling so full with all four of the fingers inside of him, the slight burn only served to add to his arousal.

Levi began to pant feverishly, trying to meet your eyes from the uncomfortable angle as his walls began to tighten, threatening to hold the digits in place and you knew what was about to happen. Without further prodding you quickly pulled the two of yours intertwined fingers out, the lube dripping out obscenely as his body racked in deprived sobs.

You shushed him quietly as you peppered kisses on his lower back, "You can come soon, just turn around for Mommy okay?" His shakey nods paired with the tears running down his cheeks would have made you feel guilty if you didn't already know you both were enjoying the scene. As he shifted around you pat the table lightly signaling for him to sit on it, caging his body in in a confident display of dominance. "Up you go."

Your hands made their way to his hips, knees surrounding the sides of your head as you bent down to mouth at the ridges of muscle found there. Lightly biting and licking the purple bruises you created as your lips travelled further and further up his legs more sweet noises fell from his mouth. In spite of the pleasure he managed to hold himself up with shaky arms, head thrown to the side out of reflex.

You stared down at his arousal, leaking down onto his stomach from how painfully it ached. "Do you want me to touch you, baby?" Your voice was kind and caring, it was so easy to forget all of the cruel denial you had put him through. "Yes. Yes please. It hurts Mommy," Levi begged, lips trembling from trying to keep in his overwhelmed cries. He always fell apart so prettily.

Without further restraint you gave in and began to kiss a line straight to the tip of his cock, letting your breath fan over the collected precum and sensitive nerves found there. Fuck. He was stunning. Fighting with himself to keep his body upright all while staring down at you with such soft and begging eyes, leaving his pleasure graciously in your hands. It was truly a sight to behold.

As your mouth took in his cock head he found his strength momentarily weakening, arms that has once held him up giving out from the sensations that engulfed his tip once you began to swirl your tongue around the sensitive area.

All of this was marvelous, don't get him wrong, but he was still craving something more. The display from earlier had left a feeling of emptiness inside him and he wanted so bad to be stuffed again, his hips shifting on the table, hoping that somehow the dull friction would fire up that part of him once more. You caught on to his gestures with ease, glad that the lube still dripped out of him in a small, barely noticeable dribble. His rim puckered up slightly from all the welcomed abuse.

As you trailed your finger light along the muscle he pushed back against the tip, begging you wordlessly to grant him more of your touch. He breathed out, tension leaving his body as you slowly slid two fingers into him, curving them slightly to hear more of his delectable sounds.

"Oh shit, Y/N, that feels so good." His tears could no longer be held back as his begging began, "Mommy can I come. I've been such a good boy. Please let me come, Mommy."

You detached yourself from his member, still holding the taste of him on your lips as you made your way back up to his mouth. You gave him a quick kiss before agreeing, making sure to leave a travel of his own flavor on his lips. "You can come now baby." He whined out at your words, head falling back as you sped up up your hand movements. Adding another finger to the mess of his insides left him twitching against his own abs and you waited a mere few seconds before his nose scrunched up cutely and be spilled hands-free from your ministrations.

"Oh Levi, now you're all dirty again." Your voice was teasing as you swiped your fingers across his stomach. "Clean yourself up," there was little room for disagreement as you brought the cum-civered digits up to his mouth. Levi only nodded, still trying to recover from his long withheld release you had been kind enough to grant him. He lapped languidly at your palm and outstretched fingers, his tongue dragging it's away across your skin as his breathing began to slow.

"Good boy."

[faulty-writes]

[ Happy Holidays! This piece was made for the FYEAHBNHA Secret Santa Event. I was assigned the lovely @erascrhead​ for my secret santa. So, that being said. I hope you enjoy this piece. I tried to make it fluffy and romantic. ] 

[ Upon entering his third year at UA, Tenya begins to wonder about his future and comes to the conclusion it’s not complete without you. Given you had been dating Tenya for a long while, that doesn’t shake his fear of losing you. All it would take is one simple question to ensure that wouldn’t happen. ] 

Tenya felt his throat tighten as he looked at you, his breath evaporating into the cold winter air. Light snowflakes fell from the sky which dusted the ground and powdered the surrounding trees in white. He was wearing an oversized blue sweater, which matched with the light blue scarf that was currently wrapped around his neck. He was also wearing a pair of earmuffs and his glasses were resting on the lower bridge of his nose which was tinted red. 

The lenses were slightly fogged up and his cheeks were flushed. He tightened his grip on the styrofoam cups he was currently holding, feeling the warmth of each one against his palms. He had informed you to sit on a nearby bench while he got the hot chocolate and was thankful a street light illuminated the area. Not many others were out, but you saw a few couples pass by as you waited for Tenya. Maybe it was a romantic night, you certainly felt some type of positive tension in the air. 

Tenya’s footsteps echoed as he approached you and a smile was present on his face. He noticed your reddened nose and admired the way the snowflakes stuck to your hair. As your significant other, he took pride in observing every last detail about you. Perhaps that was strange, but he could not help it. He felt as though it was his duty to provide you with such attention. You were by far the most important person in his life, given he foolishly took too long to see that. 

It was due to his own insecurities and slight paranoia regarding your feelings for him. He declined your invitation to "go out" several times until his closest friends. Izuku, Uraraka, and Shoto argued him down. He recalled how sincere of an apology he gave after your first date ended and he found himself completely taken with you. Somehow, you stole his heart away and he vowed to treasure you from that day on. For your love was a privilege he felt as though he did not deserve. 

Yet, he would never let go. For without your love, he was nothing. Not a man, not a hero. Only a foolish powerless human who allowed a diamond to slip through their fingers. You were absolutely everything to him. His life, his love, and his future. He knew he needed to treat you with the utmost care, which is why he took it upon himself to ask you on this date. From your past experiences with Tenya, you knew he put an immense amount of thought into dates. 

Whether they were simple, elegant, or something in between. This happened to be a simple date, despite the bitter cold. “Here you are,” he said as he took the seat next to you and felt his heart skip a beat when you smiled at him. Over the past two years, your relationship had grown. Quite beautifully if Tenya was being honest, however, he had been preoccupied with thinking what would occur after the two of you graduated. 

The next logical step was to allow his Pro Hero career to bloom, one of his goals, in particular, was to become the next leader of the Idaten Agency. Just as his older brother, Tensei was. However, he also wanted to ensure that he wouldn’t lose you. He understood following your dreams and accomplishing great things. But, he didn’t want separate paths to end his relationship with you and had come up with a rather desperate solution. Well, perhaps desperate wasn’t the correct word. 

But regardless, he hoped your answer would be yes. “Thank you, Tenya,” you reached over, carefully taking the hot chocolate from him. Sighing in content before blowing on it. You then carefully tried to take a sip. “Ah!” given you should have known better, you stuck your tongue out. Feeling a slight burning pain on the tip of it, “Hm? Are you alright, my love?” Tenya questioned, but you heard the slight chuckle he gave as you shook your head. “I bubrt by bongue,” you said, trying to ignore the way the snowflakes continued to fall. 

One or two managed to stick to your tongue, however, they quickly melted. Tenya placed his hot chocolate next to him on the bench and reached over to cup your face. You got lost in his eyes for a moment, they always seemed to be filled with kindness and a sense of home. Deep down you knew you loved Tenya, though like most. You also feared that you weren’t good enough for him or that he’d find someone better. But, you also knew that was foolish. 

Tenya was a gentleman and it was highly unlikely he’d break the promises he made to you, which revolved around always loving you and putting your happiness first. Taking how self-disciplined he was into account, you believed him. Though that didn’t stop your self doubts, still you reached up and laid your hand over one of his. You knew to most this looked ridiculous. Nothing more than two teenagers in love, but it was the kind of love you’d never trade. 

“Allow me to heal your injured tongue,” he teased as he leaned forward, “Mm,” your breath hitched when he brushed his tongue against yours and slowly pressed your lips together. Tenya was always passionate about such things, the only difference was that he did not ask for consent. At the beginning of your relationship, everything always seemed to be a question. He even asked permission to hold your hand which in a way was sweet. 

Still, you were happier now that he took the initiative, and yet, he was still a tad cautious. Tenya kept a secure hold on your face and you slowly melted into the kiss. You reached up and ran your free hand over his shoulder before threading it through the back of his hair. You were a little thankful Tenya had grown his hair out, though you did like the texture of his undercut. It was much more fun taking a handful and tugging it, at times Tenya shared his dislike toward such action. 

But that never stopped you from continuing to do it. A shiver ran through you as Tenya’s hands lowered, running over your neck before he pulled away from the kiss. You could feel the cold air against your moist lips and momentarily turned your head when you noticed the snow was coming down harder. Tenya’s hands left your person and he too, glanced up, “I suppose we should leave soon, I hope you are not too cold. Please, allow me to keep you warm,” Tenya insisted as he inched closer, you could feel his thigh press against yours and a comforting arm wrap around your shoulders. 

You smiled and took a sip of your hot chocolate, luckily it didn’t burn your tongue this time. Still, you leaned close and nuzzled your head against Tenya’s chest, you could feel the tip of his nose bury itself into your hair. Tenya loved your scent, it brought him a sense of comfort. However, his thoughts were broken when he heard you sniffle and you reached up to wipe your nose. Tenya’s posture stiffened, "My love, do...do you require a tissue?" he knew it would be rude to state such out loud, but he'd rather not have any bodily fluids including mucus on his person. 

Then again, perhaps it was his fault. He felt somewhat guilty convincing you to go for a walk in the cold. Despite that, he thought it would make a wonderful set up for him to pop the question. You sniffled and shook your head. "No...I'm fine, Tenya. Thank you, my nose is just running from the cold. I'm sure the hot chocolate will fix it," you took another sip, finding it rather soothing as it landed in your stomach. Giving you a warm fuzzy feeling but that could also be caused by being so close to Tenya. 

“Ah, I see. If that is the case, I trust you are comfortable,” he said, gently running his hand up and down your back. “I am,” you couldn’t help but chuckle, once more you were reminded how much Tenya cared about your well-being. “You don’t have to ask that you know,” then again Tenya always seemed to be asking some type of question. At times it could get annoying, but you knew he meant well. “Apologies, I do not wish to be so repetitive in my endeavors,” he replied and you tilted your head, a pout present on your face. 

“Tenya even if you repeat yourself from time to time, it isn’t annoying or anything. Yeah, you ask a lot of questions. But, that’s what I love about you. Always asking questions, seeking knowledge, always concerned about my well-being. You’re so sweet,” you said with a somewhat dreamy expression as you looked into his eyes. His glasses had a few flakes stuck to them, which was an adorable sight. You smiled and leaned forward, pecking those soft lips of his. 

“I love you, Tenya,” you spoke softly, enjoying the way your frosty breath evaporated into the air along with Tenya’s. He reached over, allowing his hand to brush through your hair before delicately cupping the side of your cheek. “I love you too, Y/n,” he spoke sincerely before glancing to the side, something you found odd considering Tenya always looked people in the eye when speaking to them.

He was very well trained in manners and it was attractive, but his sudden odd behavior? Not so much. “Is something wrong?” you questioned, pressing your hand against his chest as you leaned away from him. Tenya was still glancing away and you frowned before placing your hot chocolate on the ground by your feet. You gasped when Tenya grabbed your free hand, his touch was urgent and judging by the pressure he applied. You knew something was either wrong or he needed to tell you something.

Either way, his sudden action made you jump. “Tenya?” you leaned back up, your eyebrows lowered in concern as you looked at him. He turned his body to better face you and reached up, clasping his other hand over yours. This concerned you all the more and you shifted your eyes to your now sandwiched hand before looking at Tenya once more.

“Y/n, I must confess there has been a lingering question preoccupying my mind,” your heart sank with fear when you heard those words, the first thought that came to mind was the possibility of Tenya asking if you were truly happy in your relationship or something relating to the two of you going your separate ways. The thought of losing Tenya was terrifying and you opened your mouth to speak but he quickly pressed a finger to your lips. 

That did nothing for your fear which only increased when you saw the serious expression on his face. A lump formed in your throat as he lowered his finger. “I...have been lost in finding the courage to ask you, but as a hero. I know I must push fear aside and embrace the consequences of doing so,” you raised your eyebrow, “W-What?” Tenya glanced down and you took notice of how he latched onto his bottom lip.

Yet another uncharacteristic trait, “Tenya...what’s going on?” you reached back, holding onto the bench with your free hand. Effectively creating distance between Tenya and yourself. However, he still had hold of your other hand. “Please, do not be afraid. I didn't mean to scare you, I...must confess I am feeling rather nervous myself,” he explained which further confused you. “Tenya I don’t understand,” you said as you shook your head, “What is this question, and what’s going on with you?” Tenya chuckled and you felt a tinge of anger fill you, what was so humorous about this situation?

“Perhaps I will better explain myself this way,” he glanced down, taking note of the snow that covered the ground. It looked to be about an inch thick and Tenya reached up to remove his scarf. He then folded it in half twice and placed it on the ground in front of you. “Uh…” your eyes widened as he then used his scarf as a cushion to kneel in front of you and the sight alone was incredible. Especially the snowflakes that peppered his hair and stuck to his delicate eyelashes. 

His cheeks were still colored red and you watched his breath continue to evaporate as he spoke, “Y/n, my love. I am quite aware I may be doing this in an untraditional manner. However, I am most certain you know of my feelings for you,” he said as he reached out to take your hand again, you glanced down and threaded your fingers together. You then shifted your gaze back to him.

“You are my most treasured above all, I hold you in such high regard. I only wish to protect and love you with all that I am capable of. I wish to be the ideal image of a strong male whom you can rely on and know you have made the correct choice in spending your life with,” you held your breath, your gaze shifting from his face to that hand that slipped inside his pocket.

“I have been thinking about the events that will take place after we graduate and proceed to follow our dreams to become Pro Heroes. However, I am afraid I cannot accept my future beyond graduation if you are not a part of it. Forgive my selfishness, but I want you with me always,” you gasped as he pulled out a small blue box, “Tenya,” you whispered his name as your attention focused on the box and that silver ring that rested inside.

It almost seemed as though the falling snow made it sparkle, “Whether my hero career blooms to allow fame and fortune or backfires into dust, I do not care. As long as you are by my side, for the lingering question plaguing my mind is...would you do me the honor of taking my hand in marriage?” you swallowed and the cold air irritated your moist eyes.

You knew others might view this as a mistake, getting engaged during your third year. You hadn't expected this, but Tenya was proving he could still be full of surprises. Your mind was racing, still trying to process Tenya's question. He truly wanted to marry you and had already put an immense amount of thought into the decision. Part of you wondered if he was asking because he was too afraid of losing you. Given you would never stray and it's not as though you'd be getting married right away.

Although, marrying him and becoming a part of the Iida family would be a dream come true. Though you were a little worried about living up to the proud lineage Tenya always spoke about. But, you had met his mother countless times. His brother, Tensei as well. They were welcoming and even if they disapproved of you, it was highly unlikely Tenya would end your relationship. You watched Tenya’s expression drop and realized you had been quiet. "I-I’m sorry, I was thinking…" you said, slightly embarrassed that you had let your thoughts consume you.

"Thinking...?" Tenya repeated as his chest tighten. He was afraid this would happen, perhaps he came off too strong. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to-'' you held your hands up, "No!" you exclaimed before realizing you had raised your voice. "Sorry, I...Tenya…" you squeezed his hand, despite your fingers being numb from the cold, "Yes, I'll marry you,” a cry left his lips when you tackled him, luckily Tenya’s reflexes were fast and he quickly reached behind him.

His hand slipped some as he pressed it against the snowy ground. “My love, please be careful! I do not wish for you to get hurt. The snow is-'' you laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck, effectively silencing him with your lips. His words became muffled and you could feel his glasses being pushed up. The cold metal frame pressed against your cheek and you pulled away with a soft pant. Keeping one hand on Tenya’s cheek which felt warm due to your actions, it was almost adorable how easily flushed he became.

“Quite the troublemaker, aren’t you?” he chuckled before standing on his feet once more. “Be careful,” he warned, he kept a secure hold on your hand as he helped you up. “There, now I believe it’s not a proper agreement until I place the ring onto your finger,” you reached up to wipe your eyes before Tenya took your hand, it was no surprise he knew the correct ring size. It slipped over your finger with ease and you took a moment to admire the way it shined before looking back to Tenya.

You smiled and placed your hands on his shoulders, “Thank you, Tenya,” you said and he shook his head. “You do not have to thank me,” he replied and slowly tilted his head up. Watching the snow continue to fall. “Perhaps we should return to the dormitory and share the good news with our dear friends,” he suggested as he reached up to adjust his glasses. His arms found their way around your waist and silence filled the air as you two stood there surrounded by snow. A sigh then escaped Tenya which caught your attention, “Hm?” you blinked as he lowered his head and reached to grab your hands.

“I do hope you aren’t too cold,” he said before looking past you, he dropped your hands and walked over to the bench. You watched as he leaned over to grab your cup of hot chocolate. “I do not wish for you to waste it,” he said and you lightly chuckled as you took the cup. Noticing how luke-warm it was, though it made sense considering it was covered in a thin layer of snow. He reached over to take his hot chocolate as well, though he had yet to take a sip from it. Your heart was still racing as Tenya walked back over to you and took your hand once more.

You wondered if you’d get used to the added weight of the ring. “How do you think the others will react?” you questioned and Tenya took a moment to answer, “I am almost certain they will support us, however, if they disagree with our decision. It will not shake or dismiss my choice,” he said and you couldn’t help but chuckle at the serious tone of his voice. It made your heart soar knowing the lengths Tenya would go for you. When he began to walk, you quickly followed his lead.

“Oh, wait!” you suddenly cried out and pulled your hand away from his. He looked concerned for a moment as you ran back to the bench and leaned over to pick something off the ground. “You forgot your scarf,” you pointed out as you held it flat in your palm, Tenya’s eyes widened. It wasn’t like him to forget...well anything, but the positive response from you had caused his mind to slip. “Ah, yes. Thank you, I believe I will be needing this,” he took it, though he didn’t wrap it around his neck.

More than likely because it had been on the ground and was therefore considered dirty. He smiled as he reached up to cup your cheek, brushing it with his thumb. “What would I do without you,” he stepped closer, his eyes tracing your face before settling on your lips and he slowly bent down. You smiled and wrapped your arms around his neck. Sighing in content when your fiance’s lips pressed against yours.

[thoughtfullyyoungduck]

water rippling

A/N: I’m so sorry this took so long, please let me know what you think! 

Summary: could you do a young losers x reader where the reader can’t swim but richie convinced her to come w them to the quarry bc he’ll teach her. but while he is pennywise comes underwater and tries to drown her so they have to save her

warnings: this whole chapter is basically about drowning and the fear of it so please don’t read it if that triggers you. 

‘I’m not getting in.’

‘If you don’t get in than I can’t teach you anything either. Fuck, just get in already.’

‘I told you I didn’t want to go swimming Richie, this is all your stupid idea so at the very least be fucking patient with me’, you bite as you dip in foot into the water, then lift it up higher again so the water can’t reach you. The scowl on your face deepens.

You never understood why people swim as a hobby. You’d get why everyone has to learn how to swim - even if you didn’t and never learned-, but actually enjoying swimming? No, those people must be out of their minds.

Richie laughs, mocking you, but all in good fun. ‘Start with one step. Just until the water reaches your ancles. You can’t drown from that Y/N.’

‘I could trip and drown.’

‘Literally how? I’m right here, the losers are further up keeping an eye on us, and all you would have to do is stand up. It’s not deep here.’

You sigh, but know that ultimately, Richie has a point.

Most people don’t automatically back away from water as soon as they catch a glimpse of it, but people hadn’t had a trauma related to it either.

Swimming always reminds you of the day you nearly drowned. It was on vacation, in the same resort your parents took you every year, and then left you in the Mini club while they went off and had a relaxing day. The animators who were supposed to be watching you, spoke a language you, at that time, hadn’t been able to disaffirm, and that’s where an almost deadly mistake was made.

The leaders lured you away from the club house, and you, like every other little kid present, followed them along unfearingly. They were older, and you trusted that they would keep you safe. Until one of them picked you up near a pool, and threw you in without any warning.

At the time, you hadn’t been able to swim by yourself without help, and so the second your feet left solid ground, you panicked. It didn’t seem to matter how many times you tried to wave your arms for help, none of the animators were glancing your way.

You can’t figure out how you somehow managed to reach the edge of the pool, but you did, only to get thrown right back in after by the animator, who thought you were having the time of your live.

Of course, you didn’t blame them. It’s not like you could tell them you couldn’t swim, so they had no way of knowing that, but it still scared the life out of you. For the rest of the trip, and after, you refused to go anywhere near the water. Not even your parents trying to persuade you with promises of ice cream and candy if you were brave, made you take another change in the thing that nearly killed you.

You never tried to swim again, and that meant you had no knowledge of how to do it. It was embarrassing, to decline going to swim during P.E and being forced to explain why. Your peers often ridiculed you for it, and it made you feel like a losers for being such a coward.

 But, cowardness is easy, especially when compared to facing your fears, and you never tried to learn how to swim, even after all the mockery. Only your new best friends hang out in the quarry all the time now, and you’re sick of being the one who has to watch from the shore as the others have fun.

Nothing bad has occurred to them in the water, -you’ve seen them go in about six times in three weeks now, and no one has come close to trouble - and Eddie, who is the most cautious person you’ve ever met, told you that statistically, there’s very little chance of you drowning. At your wits end, the only person you can think of asking for help, is Richie.

Richie might be an add choice, but he’s the only one who wouldn’t turn the lessons entirely boring and practical, like the others might. Richie jokes around a lot, brings humor into any situation, and you need that. You can’t get in your hard about the rippling water, or you’ll back out again.

‘Fine, I’ll go in, I’ll even sit down, but if I freak out and want to get out you’ll let me okay?’

‘Yeah I’m not gonna force you to stay. I’m not Eddie’s mom.’

Maybe you’ll be embarrassed by the motion later, but in the moment, you reach for Richie’s wrist, just to have some sort of support. Richie doesn’t mention it, just careful takes the same steps you do and lets you pick the pace at which you’re going.

It goes slow, but not at any point does Richie try to speed the process along. He does drop down in the water, on his ass, choosing a spot that just covers both of your torsos but is close to the shore.

You copy his every move, breathe deeply when you feel the water ripple around you and adjust to the new intrusion, until your closely packed to Richie’s side, in the water.

It takes a second to set in, that you’re sitting in the water and nothing is happening, but then you let out a breath of disbelief.

‘See, told you you could fucking do it. Repeat after me, you’re a woman who don’t need no man.’

‘You’ve been watching to many soap operas rich’, you tell him when you feel like you’re not on the verge of panicking anymore.

Inside the water, something pokes your leg, but you try to ignore it. You focus on breathing through the initial panic, remembering that nothing bad had happened to the losers despite being in the lake for a long time, and that pretty much ensures nothing would happen to you either.

‘Oh gross’, you utter as your try to force the slimy thing away from your feet. ‘You didn’t tell me there would be fish in here.’

Richie snorts, rolling his eyes as he grabs a handful of water and aims it at your face. He misses -Richie’s aim is always horrible whether you’re playing dodgeball or he’s trying to pass something on-, but he doesn’t care.

‘This is your fear Y/N/N, don’t try to scare me now. Besides, I’m not afraid of fish, Eddie’s mom vagina’s smells like a few died down there.’

You can’t focus on how disgustingly distasteful that joke is, because all you concentrate on is the slimy sensation, slowly sliding up your leg higher and higher.

‘Richie’, you beg, your voice reduced to that of a scared toddler. ‘Then what the fuck is touching me right now?’

A louder, slightly strained chuckle is produced by Richie, like he too is getting worried but is trying hard to convince himself everything is alright.

‘Stop fucking with me Y/N.’

Richie pushes the boundaries a lot, keeps going until somebody gets really annoyed and about ready to shut him up for a longer time, but the sincerity in his vox is so present that you’re instantly convinced he’s not messing around now.

‘I’m not fucking with you’, you raise your voice to a shrilled scream, so loud that the other losers, engaged in a game of chicken in the middle of quarry, also become aware of the situation. ‘Something is down there.’

It’s too late for them to help. The slimy blob, muddled by the water but visually a hand, tightens around your ancle, and snatches, hard.

Richie’s scrawny arms can’t resist against the strong haul, but he tries to hold on for as long as possible. His nails dig into your flesh, and the more you get pulled inside the water, the more marks his nails dig as you slide forward.

You shriek, arms flailing around now that the water is still too shallow for you to not be able to touch the bottom.

Plunges of water drip onto your face, both from your doing and Richie’s, and the others are advancing rapidly to come too your aid. Unfortunately nothing else can be done. Richie has no other options but to let you go, and the hand drags you to the middle of the lake.

Once you’re far enough away that you can’t touch the bottom with your feet anymore, the hand lets go, and you’re left to flounder on your own. Your legs slap around, trying with all your might to stay afloat and give the losers an opportunity to save you. A haunting chuckle breezes over the shell of your ear, and then the hand returns, satisfied with watching you struggle and panic for a while, but now ready to increase the terror.

You get one more chance to scream and suck in a handful of fresh air, and then your sinking down, under the surface.

The water douses your ears, muffles your ability to hear and see, and suffocates you with her insistence. You open your mouth, but it can’t produce a scream anymore, and you realize that you are completely as utterly doomed.

The hand has yet to free you, and it continues to pull you down. With each second that ticks by the fire in your chest spreads, and is unable to be ignored. After barely a few seconds, your movements turn sluggish, and you stop fighting against the hand. It’s at that time that it finally loosens his hold, but the fire has dilated up so much you can’t focus on anything other than the pain. Without ever learning how to swim, you wouldn’t be able to make it to shore anyway.

You read somewhere once that as soon as you swallow in water and it fills your lungs, you’ll die, and the pain will stop.

Your life plan hadn’t included dying this young in your life, but if you must go, you’d rather have it be quick. Losing the strength to hold out any longer, you open your mouth, and feel two separate pair of hands unclasps around your arms. The anxiety inside of you spikes, but you lack the energy to struggle against the grip, so you allow yourself to be guided. It’s not until your head breaks up from the water, and o2 greets you in plenty, that you see that the hands have brought you back up, instead of down.

You gasp, coughing up water, feeling as any minute you could pass out on the spot.

‘Jesus Y/N, stop struggling. We’re going to get you out.’

The two pairs of hands that saved you from drowning turn out to be Mike and Bill, and the float with you to the side of quarry where Eddie is gearing up to perform cpr if needed. If you had some breath back in your body, you would laugh at the sight.

Bev and Richie help drag you onto the dry rocks, away from the water, but still too close for your liking.

‘Get away’, you retches, crawling back in your arms. Eddie, who has been checking you over, tuts, but you don’t let it stop you.

‘It grabbed me. It fucking grabbed me. Get away from the water.’ You think you begin to cry, out of relief and alarm, but you can’t disentangle the water with your fluid.

‘There was nothing out there Y/N’, Ben tries to sooth, approaching you like a frightened animal. Eddie is less cautious, and stamps towards your with a frown on his face. He turns you on your side, his instruction not too brazen but still firm.

‘There was though guys. I swear on Eddie’s mom that something pulled her away.’

‘I saw it too,’ Eddie conforms, not looking away from your body, checking for any permanent damage.

‘Guys,’ Bev interject with a head shake. Her eyes gesture to you, shivering with wet clothes and crying hysterically. ‘Not now.’

‘Yeah. We’ll t-t-talk about it l-l-later.’

It’s Bev that gently ushers Eddie’s prodding hands away, as she opens her arms and awaits to see you reaction. You, once you pick up on what’s happening, accept gratefully, your tears subsiding only slightly once your wrapped up. The others join the cuddle pile soon enough, until there’s a shield of people protecting you and obstructing your view of the water.

‘Promise me we won’t ever go in there again. Not any of you. Please,’ you beg, afraid not solely for your life but for theirs as well.

‘Okay, okay Y/N. We promise.’

[kuroshitsuji-scenarios]

11 with undertaker? Also I just remembered how much your writing slaps so I'm gonna go read everything again

Oh my—good luck! And thank you!

Pairing: Undertaker x Reader

Words: 1,135

Prompt: 11. “I didn’t hear any whispers.”

[ taglist ] [ commissions ]

His question surprised you no less than the fact that he offered you a cup of hot tea just when you went through his parlour’s door. It was not the first time you decided to pay him a visit—growing fond of his eccentric company was not something you planned alongside participating in one of those exquisite balls the high class of nobility was always invited to, nevertheless there you were. And you would be a liar if you told anyone that you did not enjoy the 5 o’clock tea and handmade biscuits with him every few days a week.

Undertaker was a source of many great surprises and he never failed to make you laugh. He was confident but not arrogant, clearly understanding his own nature, the task which was ever so difficult for many people. You, on the other hand, slowly learned how to express yourself more freely by his side and not cover yourself with odd conventions and social rules. You could be yourself, the vivid reflection of your personality and he never judged you for that, not even for a mere second.

Perhaps that was the reason why you eventually started loving him. The first man to not criticize your posture or manners or gaze. The first man who showed you the contest of how many biscuits can one fit into their mouth, the one who taught you to laugh out loud until your stomach hurts without covering your face, the first man who did not pay any attention to the way you sat on the couch and if you were wearing a corset or if your outfit was too much or not enough revealing. There was never a single inappropriate comment coming from his mouth, nor a lustful stare, no bad intentions.

He respected you in a way nobody did before, that is why it was impossible for you to not fall for him, even despite all his odds. If he could accept you with your flaws then you were not going to judge him either, especially since later you found out that they were somehow adorable, perfectly fitting puzzles of the whole image of him.

Until one evening, Undertaker asked you a single question with an expression far more serious than his usual, cheerful smile. He handed you a cup of tea and turned around to sit in an armchair in front of you, now the low, round table creating a border between you two. You did not like the cool aura which hanged in the air like a sharp knife, ready to fall down in every second.

“Haven’t you heard the rumours?”

Slowly, you shook your head. Naturally, there was many rumours around the manor, thousands of them wandering from one ear to the other, spreading lies and probabilities like a disease. None of them would apparently concern him, or so you thought.

“No,” you told him after taking a first sip of your tea—brewed just like you adored it the most. “I didn’t hear any whispers.”

Undertaker sighed deeply and glued his gaze to the small pot standing on the table, the one filled with now dying flowers he once gave to you. It was weeks ago and he was surprised how long did they manage to stay alive, considering how there was not enough natural light in the funeral parlour.

“What kind of rumours?” you insisted, now curious about the whole subject he brought. “People always gossip about the most ridiculous things, there’s no need for you to worry about it. Whatever you heard, they’ll forget about it sooner or later.”

“Some are not made to be forgotten, poppet. The ones only the death can erase.”

“And do you care about them? About what people say about you?” You were growing concerned, never facing this kind of situation before. Until then, Undertaker never really cared about opinions and it was clearly visible both in his attitude and appearance. Now it was different.

“It’s not that if I care for that matter, but rather if you do.” He peeked at you from under the snow white bangs. The tips must have tickled him when he slightly turned his head to you, because his nose wrinkled a little.

You thought for a moment, wondering what was this conversation leading to. Did he want you to stop visiting him? Prepare you for something you were going to hear soon? Share some dark secret? Whatever it was, you were slowly growing uneasy.

“What’s going on?” you asked then, looking at him for any signs of an answer. You were always open and sincere around him, and you hoped that he was, too.

Maybe you were wrong.

“There are some whispers regarding me,” Undertaker started after a long pause. “I suppose you can imagine they’re not the kindest. Still, lately I’ve had a peculiar encounter with a person I haven’t seen in a long time (and I was hoping to never see them again, if you ask me) and it led me to the situation where you can hear something about me. Something unpleasant. Of course, I didn’t want you to hear it from them, nor did I want to give them a reason to blackmail me so I decided to reveal the truth to you myself. Perhaps you’ll handle it better if you’ll hear it from me, not from anybody else.”

You were listening to him carefully, the cup of tea in your hands getting cooler and you did not even notice. Your mind was creating dozens of possible scenarios but whatever mystery he was hiding, it could not be too bad for you to understand, right?

“Whatever you say,” you assured patiently “remember that I love you. And no matter what you did, I will always support you.”

The smile which appeared on his lips was sad.

“We’ll see about that, poppet.”

“Well? Don’t make me wait any longer and allow me to decide by myself whether my feelings are everlasting or not. What kind of rumours did you have in mind?”

The armchair creaked under his weight when he stood up and moved few steps from you, the heels of his shoes echoing on the wooden floor. He reached behind his back like a magician preparing for the great trick and you were too focused on his hands to notice the uncertain look in his eyes—for the great trick he truly did, materializing an enormous scythe in his palm, the blade so clean and sharp that you could spot your own reflection in it. Undertaker stood there, observing your reaction for a short while, clearly giving you a space and a chance to escape if you only wanted to.

His voice was barely a hoarse whisper when he spoke again.

“The rumours that I am Death.”

[robininthelabyrinth]

Three Gates - on ao3 (for content warnings check Ao3) - on tumblr: pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4, pt 5, pt 6, pt 7, pt 8, pt 9

- Chapter 10 -

Everyone did believe that Meng Yao had been robbed in love. It even got to the point that Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen – both somehow taken by surprise by it, he had no idea how, given that it was so obviously the result he was aiming for – spent a great deal of time behind doors trying to make sure Meng Yao didn’t feel bad about it, which was very nice, if unnecessary, of them.

He assured them that he didn’t mind the gossip at all, but, well, if they were offering to spoil him…

More importantly, Wen Ruohan believed it, too, just as he’d hoped, and his belief that Meng Yao belonged to him was shored up to the point of being nigh-unbreakable, just as Meng Yao had intended. His comments on the subject, made in a small break during a Discussion Conference when Nie Mingjue was enduring a lecture from Lan Qiren, were sticky sweet and suffocating and revolting to the point that it tested even Meng Yao’s well-practiced façade.

Interestingly enough, Wen Ruohan didn’t seem to be jealous of the relationship, or even to mind its existence, as Meng Yao would have expected given his now years-long obsession. Unfortunately, he also didn’t stop his usual antics – which probably formed part of the basis for Lan Qiren’s lecture, come to think of it. He seemed to regard it as little more than a childish lark, a passing whim scarcely worth noticing; as if it didn’t matter what Nie Mingjue did because he knew, or thought he knew, how everything would end.

It was, Meng Yao reflected, the sort of thing that would drive a lesser man up the wall with rage.

Wen Ruohan did express a mild curiosity as to how far things between Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen had gone, but luckily was just barely self-aware enough not to ask the supposedly jilted Meng Yao to find out more details for him.

As a result, Meng Yao was able to nod along with his recruitment speech without having to swallow back too much bile.

“You’ve always been very kind to me, Sect Leader Wen,” he said, his voice as sincere as he could make it. “I find that I’m often overlooked, given my status, though of course Sect Leader Nie’s needs must come first…”

“That is not necessarily true,” Wen Ruohan hummed. “You are just as worthy as he, with as many needs; are you not human, too? Why should you be the one overlooked?”

“Qinghe Nie values strength of arms,” Meng Yao demurred. “And mine is – lacking. There can be no comparison.”

“It must be difficult to be somewhere where you don’t fit in,” Wen Ruohan said sympathetically, as if he had any notion of such a thing. “Especially when you know there are places where you would fit in much better, if only you had a chance.”

Meng Yao heaved a sigh. “I have long ago given up hope of – other places,” he said, dropping obvious hints with his body language that the hope was merely dashed, not gone. “One should be content with one’s place.”

“Never be content with anything,” Wen Ruohan told him, his own voice slightly more sincere than usual, and it might be the only honest thing the man had ever said to him. His own personal motto, no doubt. He dropped his hand on Meng Yao’s shoulder. “Perhaps you should make more time for yourself – there are some areas in Qishan where you could go night-hunting to earn some glory, and I think you would find the game there to your liking. Especially, oh, around the end of the month?”

Meng Yao allowed himself a small victorious smile, and let Wen Ruohan think that he had convinced him that he had wanted the recruitment all along – a perfect catch, after years of setting out lures.

“That sounds like an excellent suggestion,” he said, and even meant it. “My skills have grown rusty, staying in the office so much…though I only fear I do not know the way. You know that Sect Leader Nie does not trust me at the border.”

He did, of course, but what would be the point of sending him there? Meng Yao’s skill was in logistics and management; while that was useful in active battle it would be utterly wasted in patrolling their well-armed borders to help pep up morale. But it was easy enough to make it appear to be a slight.

“You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to,” Wen Ruohan said encouragingly. “But you are right in acknowledging limits, and should not fear to turn to – capable guidance, when you find difficulty in finding your own way.”

Meng Yao lowered his eyes, full of triumph – for real, this time. “I am honored that Sect Leader Wen is willing to instruct me.”

Wen Ruohan patted him on the shoulder again, then went off his own way. Meng Yao turned to do the same, and abruptly saw Lan Wangji standing in the distance, looking out a window at the sky; it gave him a start, wondering if the younger man had seen. Hopefully not, or at least he’d hopefully know to keep his mouth shut – Meng Yao would have to go feel him out later.

The work never ended, he thought to himself with a sigh, and returned to Nie Mingjue’s side before his sect leader broke something trying to keep his mouth shut while talking to Lan Xichen’s uncle about righteous conduct, a subject on which the Lan sect seemed to think they had the final say and on which Nie sect principles were wildly and fundamentally different.

(Lan Wangji seemed to act the same as always when Meng Yao talked to him later – which was to say, virtually expressionless except for whatever it was that Lan Xichen claimed he could read in his posture, and still hilariously distractable with news of Wei Wuxian, who he’d met for all of a few months during the lessons in the Cloud Recesses that Nie Huaisang had finally passed – and that was a relief. The less Meng Yao had to think about what he was doing when he wasn’t actively doing it, the better.)

Getting permission – and publicly – to go out night-hunting was easy enough, since Nie Mingjue actively enjoyed slaughtering evil beasts for the good of mankind and thought that everyone else did too; he only needed to casually mention that it had been a while since he’d had time to go out to stretch his legs and Nie Mingjue immediately suggested that he go out on a night-hunt.

Convincing him not to come along with was slightly more difficult, especially when he mentioned that he’d heard some whispers of a demonic presence near the border with Qishan – Wen Ruohan was certainly demonic enough, in Meng Yao’s opinion – but with his position it wasn’t difficult to juggle the paperwork schedule to ensure that there was far, far too much work for Nie Mingjue to accompany him.

Arranging that Lan Xichen come to visit shortly before he left was an extra perk that Meng Yao included for both of them – for himself, getting to spend a wonderful day in the presence of someone infinitely more relaxing than Nie Mingjue, and for Nie Mingjue, getting to spend time on paperwork with someone infinitely more sympathetic than Meng Yao, who truly enjoyed the process of comparing long lists of received goods with each other to see if something was missing.

He’d miss Lan Xichen’s departure due to his night-hunt, but that was good, too – him going off to an atypical night-hunt would be understood by the majority of the cultivation world as a huffy retreat to avoid having to see his former lover and his superior together, and no one would think twice about it.

Once it was all set up, it was only a matter of waiting.

Wen Ruohan was confident in him, Meng Yao knew, and rightfully so: if he’d really been the person he’d been displaying in his presence since childhood, Wen Ruohan’s tricks would have snared him without question. A fool with an endless pit in his heart, greedy for affection and too stupid to be able to realize that no amount of glory would satisfy that greed, cunning but having no heart to see the bigger picture…dumb enough to agree to go meet Wen Ruohan, but smart enough to demand a measure of trust before he did.

A measure of trust – like the guide he’d insisted on.

Like the identify of whoever it was that had been so-cleverly dropping off all those letters, over all those years. Whoever it was had to have a considerable position in the Unclean Realm since the time Lao Nie had been in charge, and corrupted by Wen Ruohan since way back then; someone who had the freedom of the interior parts of the fortress, someone trusted, with good enough martial arts to avoid being spotted even when Meng Yao was specifically looking to identify them.

He’d run some tests and confirmed to his satisfaction that it seemed to be the same person each time, so there was only one high-level spy he needed to be concerned about – there were others, of course, but Meng Yao knew about those, and what he knew he could manage.

Or, well, Nie Zonghui could manage, he supposed. Nie Zonghui was technically the one in charge of managing personnel, or at least he was whenever he wasn’t stuck on some type of body-guarding duty – while they hadn’t shared classes due to the age gap between them, Nie Zonghui being older, Meng Yao knew that they’d had all the same ones, preparing them for much the same role. Between the two of them as advisors, Nie Zonghui was better suited for fighting and advising on situations involving imminent death, and they'd generally divided the work accordingly, but he was more than competent enough at managing spies and Meng Yao had handed the job off to him with great satisfaction. It worked very well.

Well, as long as Nie Zonghui didn’t turn out to be the traitor, anyway.

Meng Yao sincerely hoped he wasn’t. Nie Zonghui’s hobby was learning saber forms, and he spent all his free time on it to the point that he made Nie Mingjue’s training schedule look reasonable – Nie Mingjue was still the more powerful of the two, but only because he had ridiculously high cultivation for someone his age.

(That high cultivation had made his position as sect leader secure and allowed him to earn a name and a title and respect throughout the cultivation world, but Meng Yao wasn’t the only one that worried about how Nie sect cultivators died of qi deviation once they got too powerful. But Nie Mingjue was fairly stable for the moment, despite his rapid advancement, and Lan Xichen had devoted himself to trying to find a way to keep it that way – Meng Yao thought he might allow himself some room to hope.)

It turned out that the traitor wasn’t Nie Zonghui.

It was Wu Bixian, one of the army commanders, which was not quite as bad but only slightly.

Wu Bixian was from a smaller sect very close to Qinghe, a part of the Nie clan by marriage to one of the closer cousins. He was a good warrior, a tolerable commander, and had once had the occasion to save Lao Nie’s life in their youth together – he had been in a position of trust for a long time. He was wealthy, in the way most members of the Nie sect were with the sect’s treasury at their back and night-hunts to their name (Nie Mingjue’s comment as a child that the money ran free and easy once you started night-hunting wasn’t wrong) and he had a good wife, a few children, a saber of his own, moderately strong cultivation that was slowly gaining in strength…He had never shown any interest in acquiring more power than he had, no lust for domination, nothing like that.

He seemed content.

He was one of the ones that made snide comments about Meng Yao’s mother and had initially tried to refuse to take Meng Yao’s orders, even the ones that came straight from Nie Mingjue, until Nie Mingjue had personally told him to cut it out or else accept a demotion in favor of someone who could follow orders, but given how early the letters had started landing on Meng Yao’s desk, his betrayal must have happened far earlier than that incident and could not be the inciting factor.

Meng Yao had no idea what sort of things had Wen Ruohan offered to turn him, but whatever it was, he hoped Wu Bixian had enjoyed it while it lasted because he was going to kill him.

“It is kind of Commander Wu to take time out of his day to assist me,” he murmured, lowering his eyes to hide his rage even as his voice remained sweet and gentle.

“Sect Leader Nie wanted to make sure you were safe,” Wu Bixian said, and for half a second there Meng Yao wondered if it had been some sort of terrible miscommunication because he could see Nie Mingjue doing that, but then Wu Bixian continued, “I thought it would be good for someone like you to have a proper guide to teach you.”

If he had used anything like that language around Nie Mingjue, he wouldn’t have been allowed to come help, and that meant that Wu Bixian was in fact the right contact.

“I will follow in your footsteps,” Meng Yao said, still playing cautious. He saw a smirk steal over the other man’s face, smug and arrogant, and they left without another word between them.

With Commander Wu with him, finding a place to cross the territory line into Qishan without being spotted was easy – and worrisome, of course – and it wasn’t long before they arrived at the forest glade where Wen Ruohan was waiting for them.

His retainers had already set up a place for them to take tea, with him sitting above and them below, and even his traveling chair resembled the throne to which Wen Ruohan believed himself to be entitled.

Before they left the woods, Wu Bixian elbowed Meng Yao in the side, hard. “None of the backtalk you sometimes give Sect Leader Nie,” he instructed. “You ought to count yourself as very lucky that Sect Leader Wen has come himself to meet with you – he puts a high priority on the affairs of Qinghe Nie.”

That meant that Wu Bixian thought himself better than Wen Ruohan’s other spies in other territories, which were probably only good enough to report to a Wen disciple, or maybe Wen Xu if they were especially prominent.

Arrogance was good. Meng Yao could use arrogance.

He knelt in front of Wen Ruohan, giving him the deference he longed for – he’d only ever knelt to Nie Mingjue once, when he’d sworn an oath to him as part of becoming an official disciple of the Nie sect, and it had been outrageously awkward for them both – and Wen Ruohan smiled.

“You made a wise choice,” he said. “Qinghe Nie will not remain standing and independent for much longer. Only those that realize the truth will have a chance to influence the future.”

“Sect Leader Wen’s strength is undeniable,” Meng Yao said, because his mother taught him how to say the words that men wanted to hear. His mother as she used to be, before Sisi came back into her life and made her happy – his mother, who now spent some time being mistress of Qinghe, some time traveling, some time merely visiting other places with Sisi at her side; his mother, who asked him if he was happy with Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen, who accepted his answer and sought to aid him as much as she could; his mother, who loved him, well if not always wisely. “I do not wish to be on a sinking boat when I could join the rising tide.”

There was a bit more of that, mostly mutual ego-stroking and puffery, but finally Wen Ruohan got to the point: “What is it that you want?”

“My rightful inheritance,” Meng Yao said, because it was the safest thing to ask for. He didn’t really care if Wen Ruohan got rid of Jin Guangshan, after all, and Nie Huaisang’s reports hadn’t been especially positive in regards to Jin Zixuan – Wen Ruohan would probably just disinherit him in favor of Meng Yao, and leave him alive to cause Meng Yao too many problems to have time to rebel. And it was much safer than asking for anything else. “The venerable Sect Leader Wen is above such petty matters as gossip, of course, but he undoubtedly already knows…my father…”

“The Jin sect is a pearl of great value,” Wen Ruohan said lazily. “Do you think your service can justify such a reward?”

“I am sure of it,” Meng Yao said, full of confidence.

“And there’s nothing else you want?”

Meng Yao hesitated, having not anticipated that question the way he had others, and Wen Ruohan laughed to see him. “I told you before not to be content,” he said with a smile Meng Yao did not trust. “You have chosen wisely to trust in the power of the sun, and in the heat of its rays, from the ashes of the old ways, too stiff in their rules to change, you will be rewarded with your heart’s desire.”

Meng Yao smiled. “I await your excellency’s benevolence with eagerness, to give me light where I have been blind.”

He bowed and took his leave, heading back to Qinghe with the heads of some fierce corpses to show as the results of his hunt – Wen Ruohan was thoughtful, in some ways – and left Wu Bixian behind to discuss further matters to which Meng Yao was still too new to hear: an excellent people management stratagem to whet Meng Yao’s jealousy of Wu Bixian’s position, while also assuaging any concerns Wu Bixian had regarding his primacy.

The second he was out of sight, he pulled Chiwen out of the qiankun pouch he’d tucked into his sleeve – sabers generally disliked small places like that, but Chiwen had always been extremely understanding of the indignities one had to suffer to achieve greatness – and threw him down, leaping on top of him and hurrying forward at break-neck speed, and even so he only just barely managed to catch Lan Wangji before he disappeared back into the woods.

(He hadn’t realized that Lan Wangji was suspicious at first, despite him having coming willingly to the Unclean Realm alongside Lan Xichen and being even less social than usual; it wasn’t until that very morning, when he’d murmured some denial about having plans for the day – and Lan Wangji always had plans for the day – that Meng Yao had realized that he might need to keep an eye out for a tail.)

Lan Wangji was stiff as a board, his hand already sliding to Bichen on his waist; Meng Yao ignored it.

“You need to go back to the Cloud Recesses,” he said. “As soon as possible.”

Lan Wangji paused. “Why?”

“Because Wen Ruohan is going to burn it down,” Meng Yao said flatly. “The Lan sect doesn’t have the ability to stop him, but if you go now, you can pack away your sect’s most valued treasures and hide them away somewhere safe before they do.”

“Why?” Lan Wangji asked again, still wary, only this time he meant why are you telling me this.

“Because you have to make sure Lan Xichen isn’t there,” Meng Yao said. “He’ll hate it and he’ll fight having to run away with every ounce of will he has, but he can’t be there – or else everything will be so much worse.”

“Sect Leader Wen told you?”

“He all but promised me Lan Xichen as a prize for my cooperation.” Lan Wangji flinched, and Meng Yao nodded grimly. “Make sure he has a safe place to go. The Nie sect will come to your aid, nominally, but the real purpose will be to make it seems as though the Wen sect has defeated two Great Sects in one blow – it will be devastating to the morale of the smaller sects, and convince many of them to just give in to Wen domination rather than fight back...listen, come up with whatever reason you have to in order to convince them, but don't explain where you learned of the information. You understand?”

Lan Wangji nodded slowly. “You plan to spy.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Meng Yao said, because he was far beyond planning at this point. But he knew, as Lan Wangji might not, that the elders of the Lan sect would never listen to Sect Leader Jin's bastard son or Sect Leader Nie's aide, so recently jilted in love - they weren't like Nie Mingjue or Lan Xichen, who would understand. “Listen, empty the Library Pavilion in advance, wait until they’ve started burning the other buildings, and then set fire to it yourself. If you defend it as if it’s full, maybe you can convince the Wen sect that they’ve done more damage than they really have.”

He shook his head – he’d been hoping to have more time, but the winds of war always came more swiftly than hoped. “Good luck, travel fast, and above all tell no one.”

[neonlights92]

CHANGE: Chapter VI

When the feud between EXO and Bangtan escalates beyond control Bangtan’s leader Kim Taehyung sees only one solution: a marriage of convenience between a member of Bangtan and a member of EXO. Park Jimin was not born into Bangtan but has slowly become an intrinsic part of Taehyung’s trusted inner circle.

And that is how Jimin finds himself married to you; EXO leader Xiumin’s little sister.  You’re not like any other woman he’s ever met before; fierce, angry and talented with a switchblade. When you first meet Jimin you’re left angry and disappointed.

Except slowly, things change. And despite yourself, you find your heart warming to the idea of falling in love.

A/N: This is the final chapter of Change!  There’s going to be an epilogue - that will also introduce Jungkook’s storyline WOOO - and then that’s it.  Hope you enjoyed the ride, and that you’re looking forward to Jungkook’s story next!!

WARNINGS: Language and themes of violence and death

Your heart felt like it was going to fall out of your throat.  Jimin’s body crumpled over, and you raced to the ground, pulling him into your arms. 

“Jimin,” You felt tears rushing to your eyes, “Jimin talk to me.” His head lolled to the side as sweat began to pour down his forehead.  You could hear chaos around you but all you could focus on was the man in  your arms. 

“Shit, Jimin.”  Your eyes moved to his stomach, and you noticed the blood seeping through his shirt, “Help me, someone please.” There were tears racing down your cheeks as you pushed his shirt up, wincing in horror at the mangled state of the bullet wound.  You needed to stop the bleeding.  You needed to get the bullet out.  You needed to think. 

You ripped the bottom of your own shirt and moved to make a tourniquet, wrapping it around Jimin’s waist as quickly as you could.  You needed to get him to a hospital before it was too late. 

Somebody crouched down beside you and you turned to meet gazes with Jungkook, who’s brow was drawn together in a fierce scowl.  He assessed Jimin quickly, eyes raking over his friend’s figure. 

“He’s losing a lot of blood,” Jungkook’s voice was like stone, “We need to get him to the doctor.” 

“No.  He needs a hospital.”  Your throat was raw from tears. 

“They’ll ask questions-”

“I don’t fucking care,” You growled, “Pull whatever strings you have to.  He needs the hospital.” 

Jungkook’s eyes were dark, but he nodded, once, tightly.  You moved away as Jungkook bent down to scoop Jimin up into his arms, rushing towards the front door of the warehouse and stepping out into the cool, crisp air. 

“Yoongi bring the van around.” Jungkook’s voice crackled into the earpiece nestled around his head, “Jimin’s been shot.”

For a moment, everything faded, as you realised what this meant.  Stepping into a van with Jimin and Jungkook and Yoongi.  It meant you were truly leaving your life as Y/N from EXO behind.  This was it.

You turned slowly, to take in the very last moment of your time with EXO, and your heart curled at the sight before you.  Sehun and Bakehyun had been forced to their knees, along with a number of other members of EXO.  You watched as Taehyung snarled, his jaw as hard as flint.  

Before you could see anymore, you heard the sound of wheels screeching, and turned to see a black van pull up.  The back door opened, and Namjoon and Jin held the portal open, allowing Jungkook to rest Jimin’s body on the floor of the van.  As Jungkook moved to the front with Yoongi, you crawled into the back, arms coming to cradle your husband’s head.  His eyes fluttered. 

“Jimin, Jimin can you hear me?”  Your voice was shaking as you felt the van jump to life, “Please, please baby.  Please just answer me.” 

He moaned something, and you used the sleeve of your shirt to pat away the sweat on his forehead. 

“I can’t lose you,” You whimpered, resting your forehead against his, “Please Jimin.  I can’t.” 

You could hear others discussing which hospital to take him to - could hear the panic in their voices as they decided what to do next, but you tried to focus all of your attention on your husband. 

His skin was so pale it was almost translucent, and he groaned in pain again.  

“I’m so sorry Jimin.  I’m so sorry.”  You were crying now, but you didn’t care.  The old you - the person who was colder than ice, who held everyone at a distance - she was gone now.  You were a different person.

The man in your arms had changed you.  If he died, your heart would shrivel up and die along with him.  How could you live without Jimin? 

You felt your chest tighten, “We’re going to get you help, okay?  Please just hold on baby.  Just a little while longer.”

The car careened to a stop, and you felt everything joly.  Jimin groaned once more. 

“It’s okay baby.  It’s okay.”

“We’re here,” This came from Yoongi as the back door swung open, and Jungkook moved to carry your husband once more.

You followed them outside, hands shaking as your eyes stayed trained to Jimin.  He shifted in Jungkook’s arms, clearly in agony, and your heart wrenched.  

You’d seen this so many times - the fever, the sweats, the pain.  This was how infection started.  This was how death happened. 

No.  No.  Not your husband.  Not your Jimin.

He had to pull through. 

You raced into the hospital as Namjoon called the attention of the nurses at the front desk. 

“Please!  Someone come help us, our friend’s been shot.” 

And then suddenly, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion.  Like you had been removed from the scenario, and you were just a visitor, watching from the outside. 

You watched as a nurse raced to Jungkook, checking on Jimin’s vitals.  

You watched as two more nurses rushed Jimin onto a gurney, ripping open his t-shirt, and assessing his wound.

You watched as Jimin tossed and turned, his eyes glazed over when they finally opened and connected with your own.

You watched as a doctor hurried towards you, telling you in rushed tones that your husband needed surgery.

You watched as they wheeled Jimin towards the surgery room, your feet following their movements as you gripped your husband’s limp hand.

You watched as the nurse told you you’d have to wait outside, that you would be the first one to be told of Jimin’s progress. 

You watched as the hospital doors swung shut, and you were left alone, scared and vulnerable.

And then, finally, you were no longer just watching, you were there and everything came into startling clarity, as you fell to your knees and began to weep.

//

You sat staring at the stark white hospital wall.

The styrofoam cup of coffee in your hands had long since gone cold. 

It had been almost seven hours of waiting. 

Nobody had spoken a word to you. 

You’d heard them talking to one another in low, dull voices.  Jin had disappeared after the third hour, no doubt to clean up any messes this visit to the hospital would cause.  He’d given you a sympathetic look upon his departure, and even a half-hearted smile.

Your face was like a mask.

Seven hours.  Nobody had come to tell you about Jimin. 

Was that good news?  You weren’t sure.

“Y/N.” 

You looked up at the sound of your name, watching as Jungkook took a seat beside you. 

His hair was messed up- you’d seen him tug his hands through it a ridiculous amount of times - and his eyes were dark with worry. 

“Yes?” You croaked, voice lost in your tiredness. 

“The guys and I we just… We want to say thank you.”  He told you, sincerely, “Thank you for what you did for Jimin.  If it wasn’t for you, he might not have made it.”

You didn’t tell him that he still might not.  That just because he was in surgery didn’t mean he was going to make it. 

No.  You couldn’t think like that.

Instead you nodded, sharply, “I did it because I love him.” The words fell out of you without hesitation.

“I know,” He answered, “And if it’s any consolation… You’re one of us now.  Truly.  You’re as much a part of Bangtan as any one of us.  You saved our brother.  We can never thank you enough.”

Your eyes welled up with tears.

You’d never had a family.  Not even with Xiumin.  You’d always been a strategy for him - right down to his very last breath.  But now… Things were different.

“Thank you,” You whispered, as a tear fell down your cheek.

You didn’t move to wipe it away.  Your sadness was no longer a weakness.

Suddenly, the door in front of you swung open, and a young nurse appeared.

You shot up, heart pounding.

“Mrs Park?  Y/N?” 

“Yes.  That’s me,” You replied immediately, “I’m Jimin’s wife.  Is he okay?” You tried to read her expression.  Was she about to tell you that the love of your life had died? 

She smiled, softly, “He’s stable.”

Your breath rushed out of you at her words.  You felt as if your chest was caving in from relief.

“He’s sleeping right now, from the anaesthetics, but we can take you to his room if you’d like.”

You nodded furiously and turned to Jungkook, whose face was lit up by a genuine smile.

“I’ll tell the others.  Go be with your husband.”

“Thank you, Jungkook.  For everything.”

His smile widened, and you swivelled back around, nodding at the nurse who led you through the double doors and down the winding hallway.  She didn’t say a word; and neither did you. 

You were too afraid to speak.  Too afraid that anything you said might come out mangled and scared. 

You’d almost lost Jimin.  Your Jimin.

But he was safe.  He was safe.  You kept repeating these words to yourself, like a mantra. 

He was safe. 

She stopped in front of one of the doors and gestured inside, “This is it.” 

You took a deep, calming breath, and watched as the nurse opened the portal, almost as if in slow motion.  The first thing you noticed was the smell. 

It was sterile; like manufactured lemons, and it almost burned your nostrils.

The next thing you noticed was the beeping. 

Beep...Beep… Beep.  You recognised that sound.

A heart monitor.

Finally your eyes moved to connect with the lithe body lying down on the hospital bed.  Your Jimin.

The nurse smiled as you stepped past her, trying not to shake as you made your way over to Jimin, heart thumping in your chest so wildly, you thought it might jump out.  He was lying there, stock still, his eyes fluttered closed.  His skin was so pale, so soft, and all you wanted to do was reach out and touch him. 

“He won’t be awake for a few more hours, probably.  But you’re welcome to wait.”  You turned to give the nurse a smile and a nod.

“Thank you.”  You told her, tears welling up behind your eyes.  It didn’t matter whether she’d been there during Jimin’s surgery or not.  All that mattered was that they’d saved him. 

She nodded, and then clicked the door shut, allowing you your privacy.  You ran a hand along the length of Jimin’s nose, watching as his skin dipped under the pressure of your fingers.

“I love you,” You whispered, feeling tears fall as you took a seat on the armchair in the corner of the room.

You would wait until he woke up.

//

Some time after midnight, you fell asleep, curled up into yourself and feeling warmer than you had in weeks. 

Jimin was going to be okay.  And he was yours now.  

You woke up to the sound of someone calling your name.  Your eyes blinked open and you shot up.  Was your husband awake? 

But when your gaze connected with the figure hovering above you, you relaxed.  It wasn’t Jimin. 

“Taehyung.”  You said softly, “What are you doing here?” 

Taehyung’s face was grim, “Yesterday was… A mess.” 

The words fell on you like concrete. 

You nodded, wordlessly. 

“Any alliance we had with EXO is now completely severed.  Your brother…” He trailed off, as if he was unsure what to tell you.  After a moment, his eyes steeled, “He’s gone.”

You pursed your lips.  Your heart clenched for just a moment, and then it was like release.

Xiumin was gone. 

“Choosing to stay by Jimin’s side… It means choosing a life with Bangtan.  It means turning your back on EXO.”  He tugged a hand through his hair, “I don’t know what the future holds for EXO, or for Bangtan… But I know that we would be happy to have you on our side.  You proved to me… To all of us, how deep your loyalty runs.  Bangtan is your home, if you wish it to be.”

You nodded, once. 

“Bangtan has been my home since I married Jimin.”  You replied, “I am honoured.” 

Taehyung’s face seemed to relax.  He shook his head. 

“I’m sorry to do this here with Jimin the way he is…”

“I understand,” You shrugged, and bit your bottom lip, “This is the way things are.  These are the things you must do as Capo, Taehyung.  You have my respect, and my loyalty.” 

He nodded.

“Thank you… For saving his life.”  Taehyung’s lips pursed, “Jimin means a lot to me.  And the rest of the boys.” 

“He means a lot to me too,” You replied, throat raw with emotion. 

“Please let us know when he wakes up.” 

“Of course.” 

And then, with the closest thing to a smile you’d ever seen Taehyung exhibit, he slipped out of the room, leaving you alone once more with your husband.

In the coming hours nurses came and went, checking on his vitals, and his pulse.  Making sure his IV was well connected.  Asking if you were alright.

Other members of Bangtan brought you snacks and coffee - Jin, Jungkook, Hoseok. 

They never said more than a few words to you, and their eyes were worried as they watched their friend’s motionless body on the hospital bed. 

And then some time, in the early morning, Jimin’s eyes blinked open.

At first, you didn’t even realise.  You’d been nodding off yourself, when you heard him clear his throat. 

You bolted up, rushing to his side, and placing a gentle hand on his forehead.

“Jimin?  Jimin?” 

It took a few moments, but his eyes focused on you, and his lips lifted into the smallest of smiles. 

“Now I know I’m dead,” He croaked, “There’s no way you’re not an angel.”

You rolled your eyes at his cheesiness, and swiped a thumb across his cheek, “How are you feeling?” 

“Like I just got shot.”  He grunted, trying to sit up and wincing from the pain.

“Don’t do that.”  You scolded him, “You need to rest.” 

He turned his head to face you, “C’mere.” 

You knew what he was asking as you climbed in carefully beside him, your eyes tracing every line of his face, as tears flooded your cheeks.  He brought a shaking hand up to your skin and wiped them away, tutting.

“None of that.”  He whispered, “I’m here now.” 

You pressed the softest of kisses on his mouth, feeling like you might very well crumble to pieces if you didn’t.

When you pulled back, his eyes were gentle and warm.

“Will you tell me what happened?” He asked after a moment, pressing his fingers to your hip. 

“Xiumin shot you,” You answered, voice shaking, “In the stomach.  The boys… Jungkook, he wanted to take you to the doctor, but I’ve seen wounds like what you have before.  I knew you needed the hospital.  It wasn’t up for discussion.  We brought you here, and the doctors spent hours working on you.  I just waited outside, I couldn’t eat or drink anything, I was so worried.  I didn’t know if we’d gotten you here on time.  God Jimin there was so much blood… And you weren’t responsive, you were barely lucid when we arrived.  I thought that was it,” You kissed his lips again, moving to the corner of his mouth and his eyes, his nose and his cheeks, “I would’ve never survived it.” 

You took a deep, shaking breath in, feeling like your insides were caving.

You’d been holding it together for hours but now you could finally feel safe. 

Jimin ran his thumb across your lips, and you felt your heart jump.  He always treated you like you were made of glass or diamonds.

“And you have to believe me Jimin, I was always going to tell you about Xiumin’s plan-”

“I believe you, Y/N.”  He smiled softly, “I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.” 

You shook your head furiously, tears openly running down your cheeks.  Jimin was crying too, and you felt your heart flutter at the look on his face.

You loved him so much. 

“You mean the world to me,” Your voice was ragged and sharp, “You’re my family.”  

“And you’re mine.” 

He pressed a kiss against your forehead, and you curled further into his arms. 

“I love you,” You whispered against the skin of his collarbone.

You said those words for the first time in your adult life.  For the first time since your parents died. 

He nodded, “I know baby.  I love you too.”

You cried harder at that, even though you’d known - probably for much longer than you’d ever admit to yourself - hearing him say that made you feel like you finally belonged.

Like you were finally home.

“When I found that file… I was so mad.”  He pulled back a little, studying your face, “But I think I just wanted a reason to protect myself.  I saw how much I cared about you - and I was afraid you would never feel the same way for me.” 

You felt your heart break at his words.  You’d been so cold with him at the start.  You’d made things so difficult.  What else was he meant to think? 

“You’re the first person in my life who actually knows me, Jimin.”  You bit your lip, “You know every single part of me, and you love me anyway.”

“Of course I do.  People like me and you… We’re made for each other.”

You snorted, “You’re so corny.” 

“But you love me for it.” 

You smiled, for the first time in a very long time, feeling completely content.

“Yeah.  I love you for it.”

//

Jimin was a fussy patient.

You hadn’t expected it, really, considering how sweet he usually was.  But he fussed over everything.  The hospital food was disgusting.  His bandages were too itchy.  The sheets weren’t thick enough.

You spent the next two weeks at the hospital by his side, as he tested your patience to the absolute very limit.  You never complained.  You never told him to shut up (no matter how badly you wanted to).  Instead you faithfully changed his food until he was satisfied.  You cleaned his bandages as often as he wanted you to.  You brought him duvets from home to satisfy his shifting body temperature.

And on the day he was discharged, the nurse who had been keeping an eye on him wished you good luck.

“Will you stop trying to do everything yourself,” You told him angrily one evening, when you caught him trying to have a shower on his own, “You know the doctor said you can’t get the wound wet.  You need my help.” 

He rolled his eyes, “I am not a child.”

“Well you’re acting like it.” You answered sharply, “What the fuck’s gotten into you Jimin?  I have played every part the doting wife the last two weeks, and all you’ve done is gone the extra mile to aggravate me.”

He dropped the towel he’d been holding and went to sit on the edge of your bed.  He was still fully clothed (how he expected to take his clothes off on his own when he could barely lift his arms past his elbow was beyond you) and he sighed heavily.

“I miss fighting with you.”

You blinked, “What?” 

“I miss fighting with you,” He grunted, avoiding your eyes, “I found it - find it - hot, okay?”

You scoffed, “Are you telling me you have spent the last two weeks trying to goad me into an argument?”

“Maybe.”  He lifted his eyes to meet your own and clicked his tongue, “Stupid idea?” 

“I can’t believe you Jimin.  I’ve spent the last two fucking weeks bending over backwards to make you happy, and you were just being an asshole about everything on purpose?  Fuck you.”

He flushed, “Please?” 

You rolled your eyes, “Are you seriously turned on right now?”

He shrugged, helplessly, “You always turn me on, Y/M/”

Despite yourself, you barked out a laugh.

“I’m still pissed off at you.”  You warned him, as you moved towards him. 

“I’m counting on it,” He smirked and your stomach flipped anxiously.

With a little help, you leaned him back on the bed, propping him up against the pillows and smiling at the excited look on his face.  

“I’m going to have to do all the work, aren’t I?”

His smirk widened, “I guess so.”

You flushed hotly, as you carefully undid his trousers, pulling them down gently, and moving his boxers out of the way too. 

“You’re already hard.”  You gushed, wrapping your hand around his length and tugging on it slightly.  He moaned and arched his back.

“Careful,” You warned, worried for his wound, “I don’t want you to tear the stitches.”

“I won’t,” He assured you, “C’mon baby.  I miss being inside you.”

You melted at that, pushing your panties down your legs, and using the opportunity to slide on top of him.  You leaned down, pressing a hot kiss against his mouth, swallowing his moan as you started to move.

“I love you,” You whispered, holding a hand against his beating heart, “You know that, right?”

He tugged a gentle hand through your hair, and nodded, eyes boring into yours, “Forever and always, Switchblade.”

You rolled your eyes at the nickname.

For the first time in your marriage, the two of you openly made love to one another.  You worshipped your husband, peppering kisses across his skin, and praising the things he did to you.

Your husband Park Jimin.  You loved him so much it was almost painful.

When the two of you were happy and sated, you rolled off him carefully, and he pulled you into his arms.

“For better or for worse Park,” You whispered against his neck, and he laughed, “You’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Park Jimin had changed you for the better.

And thank God for that.

FIN

//

[fandom-imagines-stories]

Saving Face

Tom Branson x Reader

Words: 2580

Part One of Two

Summary: Married for nearly a year, the reader and her husband return to her home and family for a dinner at her sister’s invitation. Tom faces judgment and becomes a point of ridicule. Everything halts when the reader falls deathly ill. 

Notes: This one is definitely hard to write, but you know me I love putting my favorite boys through hell. I love Sybil and Tom, but I really want to write some imagines for him, so in this case, Sybil is just the supportive sister. I hope you enjoy! I also decided to make him a journalist in this since that’s what he does when he goes back to Ireland. (P.S. This was getting insanely long, so I split it into two parts!)

-

You could tell he was nervous by the way he wrung his hands as you walked. The house had never been more intimidating than it was at this moment. You took one of your husband’s hands in yours and gave him a small reassuring smile. 

“She said we would be welcome.” You reminded him, though you also feared that your sister had been too optimistic in her letter. 

“Maybe she’s forgotten how it was when we left.” He argued, looking up at the grand estate that he had once been a servant to. 

“They don’t hate us, Tom.” He gave you a look. 

“They don’t hate you.” You sighed, pausing halfway up the path to the door. It had been almost a year now that you had been at Downton. Almost a year without seeing your family. But it had also been almost a year since you’d married the love of your life. 

“I’m sure there will be other guests at dinner tonight, as well as tomorrow,” You started slowly. “And while my family has hopefully adjusted, others will not have.” You knew how some of the other women in society could be. They made Mary look like the goddess of hospitality. Surely, Sybil wouldn’t have invited them, but that didn’t mean that your grandmother wouldn’t. 

“I have somewhat prepared myself for this.” He laughed humorously. Your fingers gently grazed his cheek as you made sure his hair was in place. The first face to greet you was at least a friendly one. Sybil burst out the door before you even had the chance to ring. 

“It’s so good of you to come!” She exclaimed, wrapping you in a tight hug. This of course was much warmer than a traditional English greeting, but Sybil was anything but traditional. She turned to Tom, her smile welcoming and kind. “I know this must be strange for you, but it means so much to me that you’re here.” He gave her a small nod. 

“We wouldn’t miss it, m’lady.” He tried to expel any expression of nervousness from his face, but his smile was still an uneasy one. At least he had an ally in Sybil. You took his arm and Sybil led you into the house. You thought you would feel some great sense of nostalgia. The feeling of being home again after so long. But stepping into the grand entrance only made you realize that anywhere would be home so long as you were by his side. 

Servants scurried around you, some slowing down to gawk. Tom avoided their gaze. You hadn’t even thought how strange it would be for him to be served by the people that he once worked with. Mr. Carson was quick to shoo them all away, but their stares lingered in Tom’s thoughts. 

“They are expecting you in the drawing room, Lady Y/N.” Mr. Carson kept his tone neutral, though you could sense his disapproval. He was one of the most offended by your match with Tom, not that he’d ever told you. You knew it was his love of the family that drove his opposition, but you found yourself still wishing for his approval. Sybil paused at the door. 

“Are you ready?” Her concern was sincere which made Tom feel a little better. 

“I suppose it’s too late to turn around and run.” He whispered in your ear, making you laugh. 

“I’m afraid so.” With a nod of permission from you, Sybil instructed the footman to open the door. The room was lively with conversation until the moment you stepped inside. Your heart pounded, feeling every person’s eyes staring at you. You were right. It wasn’t just your family. Your grandmother must have invited the Winstons- a family of women your age she’d been trying to persuade you and Sybil to befriend for years. You’d both always found them haughty and arrogant. They definitely weren’t the first family you’d have chosen to introduce Tom to, but you refused to fear them. 

Tom lingered in the doorway, regretting ever getting on that train. It wasn’t that he was afraid for his own pride, but for yours. To see you ashamed of him would surely be his undoing. You turned back to him with a look of more adoration than he felt he deserved. When you held out your hand, he didn’t hesitate to take it, fully stepping into the room. 

Your mother was the first to approach you, taking your hands in hers with a smile. 

“How was the journey, dear?” She asked. There was an awkwardness to her tone, but not a hostile one. 

“It was lovely.” You left out the part about the train car being a bit crowded. Not riding first class was something you still had to get used to. There was a child who freely ran around the car and forgot to cover his mouth when he coughed. A small annoyance amongst a thousand other happy memories. Falling asleep on Tom’s shoulder or feeling his finger trace the lines on your palm while you stared out the window watching the world go by. You felt his hand tighten its grip on yours when your mother turned to him. 

“I trust your occupation in Ireland has been going well?” 

“The editor I’ve been writing for seems to think I have potential.” He knew it must sound so ridiculous to someone of her stature. You put a hand on his arm and gave him a smile brighter than the sun. 

“Tom is being modest, mama.” You beamed. “Mr. Byrne tells me he doesn’t know what he’d do without him. He loves Tom’s ideals and thoughts for a new future.” You heard a giggle from across the room. Abigail Winston tried to conceal her smirk by bringing her fingers to her lips. She was by far the vilest of the girls and you expected she was thinking of plenty of ways to humiliate you and your husband. 

You couldn’t help but notice the way your father avoided your gaze. While you didn’t elope, the blessing he gave Tom was a reluctant one. You had given him very little choice and you knew that it was only by your mother’s insistence that he allow you to marry. Thankfully, Matthew was quick to strike a conversation with Tom. Matthew seemed to be another friend Tom could rely upon. After all, before learning of his inheritance, Matthew was a simple lawyer. 

Carson announced that dinner was ready and everyone filed into the dining room. Tom sat to your right and Mary took the seat to your left. Of every person there, perhaps you feared her the most. Your relationship was complicated, to say the least, and when you left to marry Tom, you knew that she disapproved. When you were a young girl, you idolized your eldest sister and losing her respect had hurt you greatly. 

“I hope you’re ready to face the wolves.” She said, quietly enough that only you would hear. You glanced at her, allowing your nervousness to show. 

“I just wish I could make him feel like he’s not below us.” He barely touched his food, taking only the smallest bites in fear of looking improper. 

“That may be difficult considering he used to work for us.” You gave her a look. 

“I don’t think we are above anyone who has worked or currently works for us, Mary.” She chuckled at your defensive tone. 

“I know that’s what you believe, dear, but I’m afraid I’m not the one you have to convince.” She nodded her head towards Abigail and her sister Margaret, both gossiping and giggling like school children. 

“Tell us, Sybil has it been a strange adjustment?” Margaret began. “You kept so busy as a nurse during the war and now things have settled down.” 

“I do my part where I can.” She put on a gratuitous smile and you envied her ability to maintain so hospitable. “I don’t think I could ever go back to what it was like before the war. Too many things have changed.” 

“Indeed.” Margaret agreed, her gaze sliding over to you. “So many things have changed.” You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, suddenly feeling very warm. You motioned over to Mr. Carson. 

“Could you possibly move the candelabra?” You asked quietly. He gave you a strange look. 

“Are you feeling alright, my lady?” He looked genuinely worried, which caught Tom’s attention. 

“What’s wrong?” Your husband asked. You laughed as though they were both being silly. 

“I’m afraid my dress is a little heavy for the weather and I’m getting a little warm, that’s all.” You assured them. Mr. Carson removed the burning candles, but you felt little relief. You felt sweat bead across your forehead, but dabbing it with a handkerchief would draw too much attention. 

“Lady Y/N,” Abigail stared you down with a cold gaze, “Or is it Mrs. Branson now? I never asked which you preferred.” Her words were civilized, but her tone was accusatory and cruel. Your lips stretched into a tight smile. 

“You may call me whatever you like.” She leaned over to her sister but made sure you could still hear. 

“Perhaps she wishes to be called ‘Lassie’.” They shared a laugh before she continued. “I meant to ask you where you get your shoes?” 

“My what?” It was such an odd question considering she had beyond the means to find suitable footwear. 

“I couldn’t help but notice how your shoes are in perfect condition.” By the smug smile on her face, you knew what direction she was taking this. “I’m afraid mine wear out terribly quickly with all of the walking I do to get to and from town. Wouldn’t you agree, Margaret.” Her sister nodded with an amused glint in her eye. 

“Abigail, I’m sure you’re boring the gentlemen with such talk.” Lord Winston scolded, but she had an agenda she fully intended to keep. 

“Then again, I suppose not all of us have chauffeurs that are so eager to please.” 

You pushed away from the table so suddenly that it made you dizzy. The plates rattled from the force of your motion and the entire room went deadly silent. The men in the room were too baffled by the unexpected motion that they seemed to forget to stand with you. Abigail’s face twisted with wicked triumph .

“Oh dear, I do hope I haven’t offended you.” 

“If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to step out for some fresh air.” You muttered, rushing out of the room. Tom and Sybil were quick to follow while the rest of the party sat in shocked silence. 

“I’m sorry if this seems rude, but I’m quite frankly surprised that she brought him here.” Margaret noted, snickering at her sister’s comment. 

“Must you both be so wretched?” Mary blurted and joined her sister to chase you. 

“My love, slow down. Please.” Tom urged you, but you were out the door without a second thought. 

“We’re going home.” You fervently tried to brush the tears as they fell. Your blood felt as if it were boiling and even the brisk night air failed to cool you. 

“Y/N wait!” Sybil pleaded, Mary catching up behind her. “We’ll ask them to leave. I didn’t wish them to be here anyway, but please don’t go like this.” 

“I’ll gladly throw Abigail out myself.” Mary added. You were almost surprised to see her taking your side but you were too emotional to care. 

“I can’t do this.” You stopped and turned to them, the tears on your cheeks glistening in the moonlight. Tom could feel his heart crack seeing you like this. You saw the hurt in his expression and knew he thought this was his fault. But he couldn’t be more wrong. “I cannot play this game anymore. I refuse to dance around my feelings for the sake of keeping face. I thought I’d escaped all of the fake smiles and forced politeness, but life with Tom has made me forget how horrible it all is.” 

“Honestly, Y/N, what did you expect to happen?” Mary exasperated. 

“Mary.” Sybil gasped. 

“Things have changed, Y/N.” Mary stepped towards you. “You made a choice and you knew the consequences. You chose a life of love, but it is also an uneven path to follow. I’ve always respected your courage, don’t disappoint me now by running away.” You softened. She respected you? Tom placed a hand on your cheek, his eyes grounding you enough to stop your hysterics. 

“My darling, if you want to go now, we’ll go.” He gave you a reassuring smile. “But I can face them if you can.” The heat spreading through your body was becoming unbearable and your head grew dizzier every second. Your breathing became short and labored.

“Tom, I-” Before you could finish, your legs gave out beneath you. 

Tom rushed to catch you and Sybil leapt into action. With one arm holding you upright, his other hand gently patted your cheek, trying to rouse you. 

“Y/N? Love, wake up.” He looked up at Sybil. “What’s happened?” Sybil touched her hand to your forehead and quickly drew away. 

“She’s burning up, we have to get her inside.” He scooped you up in his arms and the two practically sprinted inside. 

Mary was frozen for a moment as they ran past her back into the house. Y/N had looked rather ill at dinner, but surely she was just overwhelmed. Mary’s thoughts went to Lavinia and an icy fear ran through her. 

“Somebody help!” Tom shouted upon getting inside. Servants gathered around with a chorus of gasps and Sybil began giving them orders. 

“We should take her upstairs,” She instructed. “Thomas, fetch me a bowl of cold water and a cloth. Mr. Carson, try and fetch Dr. Clarkson.” 

“Yes, my lady.” Mr. Carson’s eyes followed Tom and the worry in his expression was clear. 

“What’s happening?” Matthew appeared from the dining room, the rest of the party soon filing out behind him. 

“Y/N’s fainted.” Mary said solemnly, taking her fiance’s hand. “Sybil says she has a fever.” Everyone watched as Tom carried you up the stairs, Cora making her way to the front of the group. 

“My girl.” She exclaimed, following Sybil and Tom. Abigail turned to her sister. 

“And here I thought Irish women were supposed to have thick skins.” Mary would have lunged at them had Matthew not stood in her way. 

“Just ignore them darling.” He sighed. 

Upstairs was a flurry of movement from servants bringing Sybil supplies. They’d instructed Tom to the room you were meant to stay in and Sybil helped him remove the heavy dress from your frame. Male servants hesitated as they came in. Even catching a glimpse of you in your undergarments was a scandal. Tom seemed to notice their surprised stares and shifted so that he was shielding you from their view. 

“Don’t just stand there.” Sybil exclaimed. “Help Thomas get the ice water and someone find out if Mr. Carson has contacted Dr. Clarkson.” 

“Come on, love.” Tom brought your fingers up to his lips. “Open your eyes for me.” He couldn’t breathe. It was like the rest of the world was a complete blur. People bustled around as shapes around him. The only clear thing was you. The panicked tears came without warning. “Please, love. Please wake up.” 

The first thing you heard was his voice.